Forward Michael Porter Jr. has solidified his spot in the Nuggets’ rotation and he may even become a regular starter sooner rather than later, according to Mike Singer of the Denver Post. It’s unlikely that Porter will supplant Will Barton in the lineup despite his 25-point outburst against Indiana but it’s not out of the question, Singer continues. It’s a safer bet that Porter carves out a significant role down the stretch as a microwave-type scorer off the bench, Singer adds.
We have more from around the Northwest Division:
- The Thunder‘s Justin Patton is the player most likely to be dealt over the next week, according to The Athletic’s John Hollinger. Patton’s $1.62MM salary becomes fully guaranteed if he remains on their roster through January 7 and the Thunder are currently $750,250 into the luxury tax threshold. The center could only be acquired by one of the nine teams with workable trade exceptions, or by the Hawks via cap room, Hollinger adds.
- Warriors coach Steve Kerr has been impressed with the Timberwolves’ unheralded young players, as he told reporters including Kent Youngblood of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “What I see with the Wolves is similar to what I see with our team, in that suddenly a bunch of young guys get their chance, and they play hard,” Kerr said. “For Minnesota to go to Milwaukee, play the best team in the league down the wire, without (Karl-Anthony) Towns and (Andrew) Wiggins, it shows you what a young team is capable of, just competing.”
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has established himself as one of the league’s top second-year players, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman writes. The second-year Thunder guard, the centerpiece of the Paul George deal with the Clippers from Oklahoma City’s perspective, is averaging 19.9 PPG while mainly playing the off-guard spot after averaging 10.8 PPG in his rookie year as a point man.
The Thunder should look to pair SGA with his cousin Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
SGA has stepped it up big time this year from last year and looks really promising he’s got height and length, can play on or off the ball, can shoot well and defend well.
NAW looked really good in summer league, in Vegas he averaged 24-6-5 and 3 steals. That’s the most points, and 4th most assists. He’s also 6’5 can ball on ball or off ball, is a nice scorer and shooter as well as being able to defend. So far this season he hasn’t lived up to those numbers averaging 6-2-2 in 13 minutes of action but I think there’s a couple reasons to why he should move.
Firstly he’s behind Holiday, Reddick and Hart for SG minutes so a move would give him more opportunity and boost those numbers plus I also think playing with his cousin would help make him happier and he would thrive.
OKC should give the Pelicans Denver’s pick (11-30) this year and Hami Diallo.
OKC start the rebuild already with a nice young backcourt duo that know each other’s game, complement each others game nicely and have loads of potential.
Both Canadian too!
They probably have a dynamic that should be considered. What, IDK