The Warriors have kept a roster spot open all season with an eye on the upcoming buyout market. One name to watch is Robin Lopez, Marc Stein of The New York Post speculates in his latest newsletter. With DeMarcus Cousins‘ still recovering from a torn Achilles, the team lacks a proven option at the five.
“Draymond [Green] is going to play more center this year than ever before because we don’t have the same depth that we’ve had in the past at that position,” Coach Steve Kerr said over the weekend.
All signs point to Cousins returning in January, Stein adds in the same newsletter, so the team should have time to evaluate his fit and health before the trade deadline passes and buyout season begins.
Lopez, who has one year and $14.36MM left on his deal, may never be an option for the Warriors, as their only means to acquire him would be as a post-buyout free agent. The Bulls have made him available in trades and there’s simply no way Golden State could craft a reasonable deal that brings in that kind of salary.
Stein has more news and notes from the around the league. Let’s take a look at the highlights from his piece:
- Rival executives expect the Mavericks to eventually move Dennis Smith Jr. Luka Doncic‘s emergence and questions about the two fitting together in the same backcourt is causing rival teams to keep an eye on the situation. The Mavs insist that they are not shopping Smith Jr., though Stein hears that the combo guard would attract interest on the trade market.
- The Wizards have no plans to pursue Carmelo Anthony. Anthony remains on the Rockets‘ roster and the franchise prefers to trade him over working out a buyout arrangement because of luxury tax concerns. The 10-time All-Star has been looking for a new team for approximately six weeks.
- Patrick McCaw continues to sit out as he waits for a team to present him with an offer sheet. His strategy has puzzled the Warriors‘ front office since there isn’t much evidence that an offer is coming and the team would still have his rights should he sit out the entire year.
So is this hearsay about Smith Jr.!? Don’t report that crap. I’m a Dallas resident and there is NO problem with the two(Doncìc and Smith) existing in the back court together. They played MORE than awesome together and can coexist
It’s just writers thinking out loud and then latching on to what others have said..
You can’t get mad about “hearsay” on a site called “rumors”. That’s literally what rumors are. And this isn’t “reporting”, it’s rumors. They’re aren’t breaking news, they are speculating based on hunches, hearsay, and extrapolation. If you’re not into that, “rumors” aren’t your bag. I’m a huge Mavs fan. This is not a new rumor.
I agree super mike. I am also a big Mavs fan and have watched many of their games this year. Personally I am not opposed to dealing DSJ for the right price. Although patience could be key because he does have a lot of potential value. As of now DSJ is very unpolished he often makes too many jump passes and is out of control a lot, but with his athletic ability he has the ceiling of a Russell Westbrook. So hopefully we make the right choice.
Except they sent awesome together. -5.3 netrtg together
They were always going to be too different to fit.
I actually tend to agree that they r a clunky fit. DSJ isn’t a shooter. He needs the ball in his hands to make an impact. And Luka is the better play maker. Phoenix should of took Luka #1 because him and Booker together would of been down right nasty
League executives really spreading their wisdom far and wide this week. When they engage in group think, their solutions often need to search out a problem. IMO, DSJ will never be a primary facilitator or a primary scorer for a good team (whether Doncic is there or not). But, in the admittedly small sample of games they’ve played together this year, DSJ has been a more efficient player (compared to last year) and Dallas (horrific last year) was winning games.
I agree. I think they’ve played well together and think DSJ is a really fine player. I hope they can keep both as they are both so fun to watch. If they do trade dsj, it better be for a really good return bc that’s an easy trade to screw up imho
I agree better be for a good return. Dennis Smith can still improve his shot and his athleticism could translate into him being an elite defender.. and he should grow smarter with his shots and with the ball as he gets older, still only 20