The NBA still doesn’t know how the Wizards‘ COVID-19 outbreak started, with six players testing positive and four games recently being postponed, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports writes.
The outbreak, which is considered to be the worst of the season to date, has left the Wizards unable to produce the league-required eight players needed to play. As Hughes notes, the team is still unsure of how it started despite an extensive contract tracing process.
“We have players that are out on the floor unmasked during the games,” general manager Tommy Sheppard said. “That’s an obvious thing. They have exposure to each other. Sometimes on the bench, players will pull their masks down and talk to each other, things like that. The contact tracing is very necessary, but it’s also difficult because it could have been anywhere at any time. The fact it hasn’t jumped the wall and it hasn’t extended past players kind of makes you, at least common sense-wise, would make you believe it’s happening in contact out on the court.”
The Wizards’ games against the Cavaliers on Sunday and Monday have also been postponed because of the virus.
There’s more from the Southeast Division:
- The Hawks are listing Danilo Gallinari as doubtful to play in Monday’s game against the Wolves, with the veteran forward last seeing action on Dec. 30 due to a right ankle sprain. Gallinari has progressed to half-court individual activities and is now being re-introduced to contact activity, the team announced (Twitter link).
- Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer examines how much the Hornets truly trust LaMelo Ball and what the team is currently missing. Ball, drafted third overall by the team in the fall, is currently averaging 11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game off the bench.
- Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel explores whether the Rockets could still entice the Heat with a potential trade, only this time with Victor Oladipo. Oladipo and Miami have long been linked to one another, with the 28-year-old set to enter unrestricted free agency at season’s end.
Ball
12, 7, 6
FG 40%
3FG 33%
Edwards
13, 3, 2
FG 38%
3 FG 27%
It won’t be easy to get Oladipo
Heat are hard capped
They can’t help Rockets to save costs
Step 1
Heat Trade Kelly O to Knicks
Then …..
They have a plethora of expiring team options I believe, it’s possible but who knows
Why would the knicks help Miami? Kelly O doesn’t fit the knicks roster, and unless Miami is attaching multiple firsts the knicks would pass.
Makes sense for the Heat. But only if they dont have to give up Herro or Robinson.
Olynyk, Harkless, Nunn, KZ, and draft compensation. Someone is going to beat that for sure. But, from the Heats perspective they need Herro and Robinson to make a run, so trading them is counterintuitive. They most likely use draft picks, Leonard, Harkless, and Nunn to make a move by the TD.
You can’t get something for nothing. If Miami wants Oladipo they must be willing to part with Herro or Robinson (or both).
Think you’re right Philly. Miami knows Oladipo wants them and so they know to not give up lots for him. Just wait and get him in FA or trade now if the price is right.
I think Olynyk, Okpala, Nunn and 1/2 second round picks would be enough.
Rockets get a decent expunged deal in Okynyk, they get two young pieces in Nunn and Okpala and draft picks. The reason they traded LeVert for Oladipo was for an expiring deal and what this deal does is keeps that expunged money plus adds to the rebuild.
Miami would be pretty nice with Dragic Herro Robinson Oladipo Butler Adebyo Iggy and the rest of that crew. In this trade it would open up extra roster spots and means being able to sign some vets of the market. We all know they need depth at PF/C could get yourself a Kennith Faried and Bruno Cabacolo
I read a lot
Rockets fans want to tank the season and the next 5 years because the amount of talents in the draft
But 4 of Rockets first round picks next 6 years have been traded
Didn’t the Rockets get 3 first-round picks from the Nets? In a deep draft even picks in the twenties will bring great players.
It’s complicated… link to basketball.realgm.com…%20%2013%20more%20rows%20
fortunately Silli reads a lot.
tshepard is wondering how his players got infected. are the players staying away from family cuz if not it’s coming from home and the people they’re around maybe?
Maybe from international travel. DC has a lot of it and new strains are cropping up all over.
If that’s not too political.
Ball has surpassed my expectations already. In this unspectacular class, he’s probably the ROY easy. I didn’t think that 3 months ago. Or last month. And, it’s not even so much about the award or the other rookies… the kid can play!
Once he really figures it all out…
While I don’t see him reaching Penny Hardaway’s level, I do think he’s headed in that direction!
Agreed big time.