Trail Blazers big man Zach Collins is optimistic about finishing the season after participating in Friday’s conference call with commissioner Adam Silver, writes Jason Quick of The Athletic.
“I feel confident after hearing him talk that we will play again — it just might not be for a while,” Collins said. “The way he was talking, there will be some kind of regular season — whether it’s a tournament or not as many games — there’s going to be something. There’s too many teams, especially in the West, that can make (the playoffs). And he was speaking like there is a lot of time to finish everything, so that was encouraging to hear.”
Collins, who was among the players that worked out at the Blazers’ facility when it reopened yesterday, was left in a unique situation by the hiatus. He had shoulder surgery in November and hoped to return to action by the end of March, but the ban on competition leaves his status uncertain until full practices resume.
There’s more from the Northwest Division:
- The Nuggets will face a difficult decision when Paul Millsap becomes a free agent this offseason, notes Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. They picked up a team option on Millsap last summer, but that was before they were able to acquire Jerami Grant from the Thunder. Grant is expected to opt out of a $9MM salary for next season and seek a multi-year deal. Millsap is Denver’s oldest player by far at age 35, and the Nuggets will have to determine if they can afford to keep both him and Grant.
- The Timberwolves have resources available to upgrade at power forward, but they may decide they don’t need to now that they have Juan Hernangomez, suggests Chris Hine of The Star-Tribune. Minnesota acquired Hernangomez in a four-team deal in February and he was productive in 14 games, improving his 3-point shooting to 42% after hitting 25% in Denver. Minnesota expects to have two first-round picks this year and could be in position to target Aaron Gordon if the Magic decide to shake up their roster.
- The Jazz will be affected by furloughs announced Friday by the Larry H. Miller Sports and Entertainment group, writes Art Raymond of The Deseret News. There will be a 40% reduction in staff throughout the organization, but a spokesman said all employees are expected to return to work when coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
I am sorry, but I watched the disgraceful t’puppies this year and I cant see why they want hernangomez so bad. Dude cant play defense to save his life. He isnt athletic and he cant create his own shot.
He fits the system as a stretch 4 that can grab some boards. He fits sorta like Bjelica did
I would like Hernangomez as a 7th or 8th man, but that’s about it. Really hoping we swing for Aaron Gordon.
Yeah I also don’t think he’s a great player or fit.
Towns at the 5 stretches the floor, and often handles the ball sometimes. With Dloading joining the side I think he will see even more pick and rolls, pick and pops with KAT and Dlow.
They don’t need a stretch 4 with Towns being a shooter and I think they would be better having a 4 than can shot a mid range shot but is a lot more physical to help on defence where KAT isn’t great protecting the rim.
Paul Millsap for example on offence can play inside or outside and on defence is a solid defender, not quite the rim protector but would help.
I think Onyeka Okungwu fro Te draft could be a solid starting 4. He plays hard physical basketball on both ends of the floor. Off the bench they have James Johnson as the back up 4 so Okungwu wouldn’t have to play big minutes either and could take his time to develop.
I just wouldn’t keep Hernagomez when you have options in FA and the draft and already have your back up in Johnson
Juancho has to make 3s to be helpful. Wolves might be better off developing Naz Reid and getting Towns to get after him. Its all about complementing Towns for a 4… I don’t see enough games to say for sure… James Johnson had good numbers but not on/off. Maybe JJ needs a full season for a team to get used to his style?
Please don’t get Aaron Gordon, he would be the worst possible fit with KAT! Juancho fits a lot better. With him & Johnson Minny is good at the 1, 2, 4 & 5. So they need to get via draft or trading their draft picks a good 3. If not possible maybe draft a 4 to play behind Juancho & Johnson next year. But in Minny is all about KAT! & Gordon would be a terrible choice that would set the team back years & force KAT out!
Minny is set the 1 2 5 positions with Dloading Beasley and Towns. So they need to address picking a 3 or 4 in the draft. They also need to think defence because these three players don’t play much defence and it’s an area the wolves need to improve.
They are expected to have the third pick in the draft but I think the players they are should be looking at (Toppin, Okoro and Okungwu) could be taken later. At 3 Wiseman and Edwards will be gone, Hawks take best player available, Pistons want a PG and Knicks want a PG.
Maybe swap pick #3 with the Knicks for pick #6 and pick #25. Grabbing the wolves another late first. At 6 Wiseman goes to GSW, Edwards to Cavs, Haliburton to Knicks, Ball to Hawks, Anthony to Pistons and you get your choice of Toppin, Okungwu and Okoro.
I’d take either Toppin or Okungwu, probably Toppin.
Then which your next selection at 16 you should have lots of options to select from looking at 3/4’s. You have Patrick Williams, Jaden McDaniels, Saddiq Bey, Aaron Nesmith, Precious Achiwura, Jordan Nwora, Tyler Bey and Devin Vassell.
You also have pick 25 from the Knicks and high second round pick 33.
As for building that bench, you already have James Johnson, Culver, Okogie, Layman, Evans, Reid, Spellman, Vanderbilt and Nowell.
I’d say grab in a perfect world grab Obbi Toppin, Devin Vassell, Nico Mannion if he falls or Kira Lewis Jr and then lastly take Isiah Stewart.
You get a string combo forward in Toppin, a 3 and D SF in Vassell, a back up point in Kira or Nico and a physical back up big