Trail Blazers GM Neil Olshey doesn’t seem inclined to break up his smallish backcourt duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, Dan Feldman of NBC Sports notes. Olshey recently said he plans to keep his core group together, despite the team’s first-round flameout in the Western Conference playoffs last season. It might be wise to deal one of them for an impact forward but either Olshey has great faith in his guards or he’s tested the market and couldn’t find a worthwhile deal, Feldman adds.
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Hamidou Diallo feels a sense of relief after signing a contract with the Thunder but isn’t sure what kind of role he can carve out, Brett Dawson of The Oklahoman reports. The second-round rookie shooting guard was acquired in a draft-night deal. “We haven’t even spoken about a role yet,” Diallo told Dawson. “We’re still playing pickup ball and stuff like that, still training. Guys are just coming in, veteran players, and trying to teach us as much as possible as early as possible.” Diallo, who received a three-year, $4MM contract, will compete with newcomers Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Abdel Nader for backup minutes.
- The Jazz brought back big man Ekpe Udoh because of his defense and positive attitude, according to Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune. Udoh was signed by Utah last season because of his reputation as a strong defender and he lived up to that billing, posting an average of 1.2 blocks per game. He also showed a superior ability to guard on the perimeter during switches and pick-and-rolls, Jones continues. Udoh, who will serve as the team’s third center, never complained last season when his role diminished, Jones adds. Udoh had his $3.36MM salary guaranteed last month.
- Nuggets guard Isaiah Thomas had to settle for a one-year, $2MM contract in free agency but he’s determined to be a major bargain for his new team, as he told Michael Lee of Yahoo Sports. “This has been tough, but it was only a tough year because I wasn’t healthy. My job is to get as healthy as I possibly can and then show the world what I’m capable of doing,” he said.
One of thunders biggest weakness besides defense (which should be better with no melo and the return of Roberson) was when the starters went out the second unit was awful. I believe with Schroeder, Diallo, Noel, Felton and grant you have the makings of a pretty potent second team. Thunder should be an improved team this year.
So I wonder what the starting lineup will be. Are they starting Patterson or going small with Grant at the 4? My guess is they start:
Westbrook-Roberson-George-Grant-Adams
The spacing in that lineup is not good whatsoever which is why Westbrook has been practicing his 3 pointer because man they’ll need it big time.
I do think one signing that can be very good for OKC, but has gone unnoticed could be TLC, I think in the right situation he can be a very useful player, for sure I would expect him ahead in the rotation of Diallo.
I really hope IT does a great season in Denver, so he can be as close as possible to the player he was before, I enjoyed watching him, also Denver really needs him to deliver, despite coming from the bench he is their best PG, well after Jokic of course.
Yup how bout that backcoui in Denver. IT and Jokic?!!