Count veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon among those who are enthusiastic about the Pacers‘ decision to hire former Raptors assistant Nate Bjorkgren as their new head coach. Appearing on ESPN’s The Jump on Thursday, Brogdon said he’d had lunch with Bjorkgren earlier in the day and is looking forward to getting to work with the first-time head coach.
“He’s going to be terrific,” Brogdon said, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN. “Toronto has a great culture, as we all know, and a lot of bright young minds, and he’s one of them, so I’m super excited to have him on board.”
Brogdon also told The Jump’s panel that he’s working this offseason on expanding his game by improving his shot off the dribble. And after missing at least 18 games in each of the past three seasons due to injuries, he’s hoping he can stay healthier in 2020/21.
“My only fully healthy season has been my rookie year, and then the past three years I’ve sat out 15 to 20 games,” Brogdon said. “So that’s really hurt me, and I think it’s really hurt my team.”
Here’s more from around the Central:
- After months of consideration, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com offers up what he thinks are the Cavaliers‘ top five options with the No. 5 selection, starting with trading down. Fedor – who assumes that LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, and James Wiseman won’t be available at No. 5 – contends that Isaac Okoro and Onyeka Okongwu should be the Cavs’ top targets if they keep the pick.
- Within a mailbag, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic considers whether the probability of fans not being in arenas for 2020/21 should influence the Pistons‘ roster decisions at all this offseason — not having to worry about selling tickets to 41 home games means the team could be more willing to bottom out.
- While the Bulls may explore trading up or down in the lottery, Sam Smith of Bulls.com expects the team to ultimately stand pat at No. 4.
Who is the Pat Sam Smith is referring to? Pat Beverly? Deal between Clippers and Bulls could be interesting but not sure what Bulls can offer in the short term. Clippers need to win now (yesterday, actually…)
Im hesitant to take Okoro. While Cavs neeeed defense, he doesnt have star potential written all over him IMO. With how Cavs want to play I would trade down and take Aaron Nesmith. While not a star potential either they can grab another pick or player and get a very good shooter and solid defender in him.
I see a lot of Jimmy Butler in Okoro. Not the superstar that Jimmy is now, but coming out of college I think they look like similar players. I don’t see Okoro making that same kind of leap, but if he’s got a similar work ethic I think he can be a lot more than just a good defender.
reminded me of Justise Winslow, who is also similar to Butler, who you can see with Okoro. There are a couple of guys in this draft like that
Have a feeling Brian Adams will Crush it.
Cavs need to embrace rebuilding. Thompson is gone. Drummond does seem like a path to future. Already rumblings about him wanting to get paid. So he’ll be headed to FA. Which means Cavs have to move him by trade deadline. So Love has to be moved. There are contenders who would love Love. Cavs best case scenario is to draft Toppin. He’s probably ROY starting on Cavs. With what Cavs get for Love and Drummond. They got plenty of young talent to look to the future. I’d be shopping Love to Celtics or TWolves for pick.
Assuming Okongwu is off the board, Okoro makes the most sense for the Cavs in my opinion. I also think if Vassell is there, there would be reasons to take him. I think the idea of trading down and grabbing 1 of the versatile wings or bigs in that 10-20 range would also be an option