Next summer’s qualifying tournaments for the 2020 Olympics will take place between June 23-28, right before NBA free agency begins. Although the timing isn’t ideal, Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks – who will be a restricted free agent in July – has expressed a desire to suit up for Team Canada during those qualifying games, as Carlan Gay of NBA.com Canada relays.
“I plan on being there, I plan on playing regardless of if I get a contract or whatever happens,” Brooks said. “I’m going to play for Team Canada because you know I missed out this year and I really want to play and make it to the Olympics.”
The Grizzlies have been significantly better with Brooks on the court this season, posting a +0.1 net rating when he plays and a -16.6 mark when he sits. That bodes well for the third-year forward, who is looking to solidify his place as a reliable NBA rotation player after missing much of last season due to knee and toe injuries.
“I just want to challenge myself to take it professionally and get better because the life expectancy in the NBA is only like three or four years,” Brooks said. “I want to get to my next contract and solidify myself.”
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- The Rockets have no immediate plans to fill the roster spot that opened after they released Ryan Anderson on Monday, tweets Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com. However, Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle notes (via Twitter) that the club is planning to eventually have to convert two-way player Chris Clemons to a standard contract.
- Rockets guard Eric Gordon, who underwent a procedure on his knee last week, said he has been dealing with that injury for “almost a year.” It got worse recently and Gordon is relieved to have addressed it via surgery (video link via Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston). The veteran guard said his goal is to return by around Christmas, which matches the six-week recovery timeline initially announced by the team.
- Mavericks big man Kristaps Porzingis and team owner Mark Cuban have called Dallas a “perfect match” for KP, as Chris Mannix of SI.com details. Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports argues that the Mavs may be a better fit than the Knicks were for Porzingis because the big man is more suited to supporting a franchise player – like Luka Doncic – than being that franchise player himself.
Really liking what I’ve seen so far from KP. There have been times that he’s looked out of sorts, but I’m chalking that up to getting back into game form and chemistry. Threat from 3, can put the ball on the floor, shot blocking, I’ll take it. Mavs are in good hands with Luka and KP after the sunset of the Dirk era.
Mavs look like a force. KP has been slow getting back to his best but that’s because he did have a huge injury and the new team and everything but I like his role as a support player next to Luka. Luka has been amazing to start this year, I’d have him in my top 3 so far for MVP which is amazing because he’s only 20. DRose is the youngest MVP winner at 22.
Also liking his Brunson is playing and DFS. Still think they should swap Courtney Lee and Justin Jackson for Tristan Thompson. Thompson just gives them that paint presence on both ends cause he’s a solid rebounder and shot blocker.
Cavs would prob rather keep TT & sign him for less next year. Maybe 4/32?
I would rather they draft Wiseman ha ha hmm. Could happen. Well the draft comes before FAs get offered.
Yeah I think Cavs should taken Wiseman or Anthony Edwards (just not sold on the Garland/Sexton combo). I’m not sure TT would really want to stay with the Cavs during a rebuild tho.
Dallas is a bigger market, more competitive and if you compare his “new deal” to Dwight Powell on that team TT would likely get more than him meaning he would get another 10mil+ deal.
Cavs would get a decent return with Lee giving them another 12 mil expiring deal, plus Jackson is a nice addition.
Clemons has already taken Sefolosha’s spot in the Rockets rotation. When they get Gordon back their depth will be among the league’s best.
Harden & Dantonio makes them all look good. Depth is average and Gordon is 31 soon.
Most teams pay better after their top guys. Morey got what Harden wanted and now they’re up against it financially.
Once they get Gordon back in a month they can go 12-deep if they want with Harden, Westbrook, Capela, Tucker, House, Gordon, Chandler, Rivers, McLemore, Clemons, Sefolosha, and Hartenstein. Well above average depth there.