Although the Warriors have a “high level” of optimism that Kevin Durant will be able to get back on the court before the end of the regular season, Durant said that he isn’t even thinking about or targeting a specific return date yet.
“I know that’s what everybody wants to know, and is wondering,” said the Warriors forward, per Sam Amick of USA Today. “But whenever my body tells me I’ll be ready to play then I’ll be ready to play. I’m not really thinking in that frame of mind.”
Here’s more from around the Pacific division:
- The Lakers haven’t made a final decision yet, but with David Nwaba‘s 10-day contract set to expire tonight, head coach Luke Walton says he has been impressed by the young swingman, who has done everything he can to earn a second deal (Twitter link via Tania Ganguli of The Los Angeles Times). If the club doesn’t re-sign Nwaba, it will have an opening on its 15-man roster.
- The Lakers‘ DeMarcus Cousins talks with Sacramento last month reportedly fell apart when L.A. refused to include Brandon Ingram. With that in mind, Chad Ford and Kevin Pelton of ESPN.com (Insider link) examine whether Ingram, whose production this season has been modest, is a future Lakers star or a potential trade candidate. As Pelton observes, there are plenty of examples of teams that waited too long to trade former lottery picks, so if the Lakers aren’t entirely sold on Ingram’s star potential, it could make sense to consider trading him this summer.
- The new-look Kings are still a work in progress, particularly on offense, writes Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee. As Jones outlines, the offense was centered around DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay in the first half, but with neither player on the floor for the Kings anymore, the retooled squad sometimes looks like “five guys on the court just trying not to step on each other’s toes.”
The Lakers would be nuts to move Ingram
Ingram is not as good of a shooter as advertised. The main reason anyone said Ingram over Simmons was he had an NBA ready shot. Ball don’t lie. 37% from the field. 30% from 3 land.
He is getting knocked around because he’s still really small but he’s one of the youngest players in the league. As soon as he starts to grow into his man body and becomes a little more sturdy his shooting percentages will go up. If you look at his numbers month by month you see he’s gotten better as the season goes by. He’ll be a good player but if his shot comes around he’ll be a great player.
bring em to the bulls mannnnnn lol
LA would have been nuts to trade Ingram for cousins. Cousins is 10x more talented, but he has to much baggage and is a headcase.
Yah Boogie and Swaggy P in the same locker room. Would of loved to c what happened there