Coach Stan Van Gundy, who is also the team’s president of basketball operations, doesn’t think the new trade deadline will have much of an impact. The trade deadline this season is February 8th, two weeks earlier than normal, so that it no longer dominates the chatter during All-Star weekend.
“I don’t think it will change anything,” he told Dana Gauruder of Hoops Rumors. “It’s just that the flurry of rumors and a few moves will happen at a little earlier date. It doesn’t matter where they put it.”
Here’s more from the Central Division:
- Kevin Love was reluctant to make the switch to center but he understands that it gives the Cavaliers the best chance to beat the Warriors, as he tells Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. “Yeah, I think there is something to be said for me playing the 5 and logging most of the minutes there,” Love said. “I think we match up better, maybe, but it’s just so hard to say without [Stephen Curry] being on the floor.”
- Kris Dunn, who came to the Bulls in the Jimmy Butler trade, earned his spot in the starting lineup and coach Fred Hoiberg has confidence in the young playmaker. “The players see through it if you just give the position or starting spot or minutes,” said Hoiberg (via Sam Smith of NBA.com). “You have to earn it and Kris has. It’s [also] very important you have a guy you have confidence in who can make the right play down the stretch. We’ve trusted him and put the ball in his hands. And there’s his willingness to learn in a lot of situations.“
Dana Gauruder contributed to this post.
How come not as many people comment on this website as mlbtraderumors? I will commence discussion: Dunn, du du du dunn! Why is nobody from Markannen, Dunn, LaVine as good as Yimi BUTTler? Youda think Yimi BUTTler was as bad as 2014 Carlos “gimme the booze” Boozer. Yeesh pickle-nose! What the Bulls gotta do to get the next Michae Jordan?
Cavs are ahead of the curve with Love at the 5 instead of behind the curve with Love at the 4.
Also Crowder (PF) is ahead of TT (C) n getting up to speed, and matching up with GSW– more reasons for Love at C instead of PF. Indeed Love at center may have forced a change in GSW’s lineup, with Bell taking Pachula’s minutes.
Can’t determine GSW without Curry, yet IT has yet to play too. So it’s basically even having two scorers sitting out.