Victor Oladipo remains on track to return to the court next Wednesday when the Pacers take on the Bulls, a source tells Hoops Rumors. Oladipo, who has spent time this month in the G League rehabbing, hasn’t played since January of last year after he ruptured his quad tendon in his right knee, but has had January 29 circled on his calendar for the last few weeks.
Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:
- Knicks guard Dennis Smith Jr. could get moved prior to the trade deadline for the second straight season but he’s not focused on the rumors, as Peter Botte of the New York Post writes. “Everything happens for a reason, you know what I’m saying?” Smith said. “It was already written, God’s plan, I just gotta execute my part, put my work in and everything will work out…It’s a business. I’m here, playing for the New York Knicks, that’s my job right now, so that’s what I’m focused on. You realized [last year] anything can happen, so you just gotta be the best version of yourself.”
- Reggie Jackson recently returned to the court and Pistons coach Dwane Casey is looking for ways to incorporate him with Derrick Rose, according to Rod Beard of The Detroit News. Both point guards could get serious run on the court together. “That’s what today’s NBA is about and that’s what a lot of my offense is about: multiple ballhandlers — and sometimes we get stuck. We have some options in case we do have a non-ballhandler involved in a situation, but it works a lot more fluid,” Casey said.
- Theo Pinson, who has struggled with his shot this season, spoke about his up-and-down sophomore campaign with the Nets, as Chris Milholen of NetsDaily relays. “Just listening to the vets. It is not going to be highs the whole season. It’s a long season. Just take everything and embrace it and I’m always telling myself that the Lord won’t put me in situations I couldn’t handle. I just try to remember that,” Pinson said.
A lot of people underestimate both the Raptors and the Pacers.
A lot of people admit that before getting back to the locals.
Preach brother preach
The Raptors are one of the best teams in the league, probably top 3 in best run with Ujiri and Nurse. Have arguably the best roster construction and can match up against anyone offensively and Defensively
Another deep playoff run is in the cards and we should demand respect if we can knock off the bucks for a 3rd str8 year
I know I’m a Homer but I dont see how the Raptors dont make it to at least the ECF and beyond if we play to our potential.
We have 2 25-30 point guys (Siakam/Lowry) and 3 20 plus point guys (vanvleet powell ibaka) and 2 10-15 point guys (gasol OG) and every single one of them is an above average to excellent defender
We aren’t even counting Matt Thomas and his 50% from 3. Or RHJ who can lock down anyone or McCaw who also can lock down anyone
We have guards who can defend centers
R.E.S.P.E.C.T is what we are missing from fans. Not the league
Players who get traded twice on their rookie scale contracts don’t typically have bright NBA futures. I hope DSJr knows just how much work he has to do.
DSJ and Bobby Portis for Tyler Johnson and Dario Saric
Knicks get to clear salary cap space this year, they get Johnson who can play minutes at both guard positions and they get to evaluate Saric and see if he is worth resigning.
Suns get a young back up point guard with good potential. Surrounded my a bunch of young players like Booker Bridges Oubre Johnson Ayton and so on might be a better place to learn and get back into form. They also get Bobby Portis who can start at PF and space the floor