Bulls forward Thaddeus Young confirmed a report from the New York Times about purchasing a minority stake in the Brisbane Bullets, a team that competes in Australia’s National Basketball League, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago writes.
Young, who has spent the past 14 seasons in the NBA, expects the deal to be finalized soon. The 32-year-old was originally contacted by Kevin Martin, his former teammate and current majority owner of the Bullets, about the possibility.
“I look at that league as primed for growth with young talent,” Young said of the NBL. “More than just a value add through capital, with my expertise and knowledge around the game and relationships I have in the business world, I thought that was a really good move for me.
“I see that as a league where guys can go if they don’t want to go to college and want to come out of high school and be able to grow their games a little.”
Here are some other odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- Former Celtics and Raptors center Jared Sullinger is eyeing an NBA comeback, Ben Stinar of Forbes writes. Sullinger, 28, last played in the NBA with Toronto during the 2016/17 season. “I’m definitely trying to get back to the NBA,” he said. “I feel like I’ve still got a lot of basketball left, I can help a team, I feel like me being not the biggest guy but still strong enough to guard a five and be able to stretch the floor, I’m in better shape.”
- Bobby Marks of ESPN.com (Insider link) explores six underrated transactions that have had a major impact this season. Among them is Gordon Hayward, who signed a four-year deal to join the Hornets in free agency and is currently averaging 23.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
- The NBA will soon have nine teams hosting a reduced amount of fans in their buildings, Marc Stein of the New York Times tweets. Both Miami and Atlanta plan to allow fans into their arenas this week, with Indiana, Memphis, Cleveland, Houston, New Orleans, Orlando and Utah already choosing to do so.
Ah Jared Sullinger and his random Mid Range jumpers
I can’t believe the dude is only 28?
Seems like he’s been out the League 10 years, I only clicked this link bc I saw the name “Sullinger” tbh
That is so funny I did the exact same thing as you two guys. I can’t believe sellingers only 28, and the only reason I clicked is because I saw the name Sullinger. LOL.
To be honest, every time some of these dudes who have been out of the league 3 or 4 years tries to come back because it look so easy, it almost always fails and turns into nothing. It’s like when we watch on TV and see a guy makes a move or hits a shot from the foul line and then I go out my driveway and I do the same thing. It’s so easy I could do that and I’m 6-3. I can do what those guys do. In fact one time I hit 5 in a row from the foul line in my driveway !!
So the guys that are out of the league five years forget how incredibly difficult playing in the league is and you’ve got to be a super stud just to get on the floor. Happens every time.
One of my favorite commercials is the Jalen Rose in the barber chair watching the game while getting his haircut. He starts getting the itch and wants to come back and starts getting excited and gets out of his chair and then crumbles because his back hurts or his leg hurts or whatever it is. Reality sets in.
Sorry Jared, but thats not happening.
A lot of bums in the nba. He could get a spot. Most likely on a 10 day contract or something
If he learned how to shoot 3’s in Beijing sure, maybe………..I mean Kelly Olynyk still has a job here
Kelly Olynyk isn’t fat.
… and Kelly Olynyk is 6-11.
Wow it was soooo under the radar that I didnt even see that Hayward was signed this offseason (thought he retired) come on man a contract that large is never “under the radar”
who?
The Hayward signing was probably the MOST talked about offseason move save for the Harden request which wasnt even a move
How is Hayward under the radar when he got a 9 figure contract?
It’s under the radar because it’s Charlotte and it won’t mean a thing the second after the ink dries.
maybe it’s bit “under the radar” as far as impact it had for the team. and it is bit under the radar as far as what people thought hayward had in the tank.
the article linked to used the phrase underrated and that’s what fits best. and probably the phrase shaw wanted to use. just a slight slip on his end.
Anything is possible. Sullinger could be the next P.J. Tucker. Started with a bang, lost his way, then found his way back. I’d give him a workout. If he can hit a corner 3 he has a chance…
2 totally different players. PJ Tucker is a defensive player number one. Jared Sullinger was never considered a defensive player. PJ Tucker is built like a boxer or a linebacker almost. Jared Sullinger is built like…, not a boxer or linebacker.
I can hit the corner three. Doesn’t mean I’m going to get an NBA tryout. There has to be so much more. If he wants he might get a G League look because he’s only 28 but I don’t think that will turn into anything. The only caveat is in this covid era and a team has 7 guys or 6 guys and Sulley is in the G League sweating it out he may get a call up so there’s eight guys on the big league roster.
I don’t pay for ESPN insider, but I imagine that one of the 6 underrated transactions that had a major impact this season has to be the Rockets getting Christian Wood from Detroit. If Gordon Hayward averaging 23 PPG, 5 RPG, and 4 APG is one of them then Wood averaging 23 PPG, 11 RPG, and 2 BPG has to be one of the others.
How is Wood under the radar everyone was talking about wood as possibly the most talented free agent this year.
It’s not under the radar, it’s underrated. Those are completely different terms. Wood definitely qualifies as underrated.
hiflew I would disagree. His big year last year had everyone salivating for the chance to try to fit him in this last off season. Rockets got lucky and he continues to shine. But I don’t think he’s underrated anymore, or that is transaction was underrated. The spotlight is clearly on him now especially on the depleted Rockets. Thoughts?
tbh sullinger is basically pj tucker 2.0
LOL. One’s a doughboy one’s a linebacker. One is kind of a scorer and can create his own shot and is pretty good offensively, while the other is a defensive standout who’s only offensive game to speak of is sitting in the corner and hitting the three ball. Two totally different guys.