The Knicks will likely make a roster move at some point to replace John Henson, who didn’t receive another 10-day contract. A wild card could be Baskonia combo guard Luca Vildoza. According to Lithuanian journalist Donatas Urbonas (Twitter link), Vildoza is on the Knicks’ radar. The 25-year-old, 6’3” Vildoza is averaging 10.1 PPG and 3.4 APG in the EuroLeague this season.
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- Sixers coach Doc Rivers is optimistic George Hill will make his team debut in the coming week, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. Hill was acquired from Oklahoma City in a three-team deadline deal last month. The veteran guard had surgery on his right thumb on February 2, and hasn’t played since January 24. Hill’s $10MM salary for next season isn’t guaranteed and Philadelphia is looking for him to be a postseason factor.
- P.J. Tucker missed three weeks of action before returning this week and revealing that the calf injury that sidelined him cropped up before he was traded by Houston to the Bucks, Eric Nehm of The Athletic tweets. Tucker wanted to play through the injury but the Bucks’ medical staff chose to keep him inactive until he healed.
- The Pistons started all of their first-round picks for the first time on Friday and Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart and Saddiq Bey lifted the team to a win over Oklahoma City. Backup center Jahlil Okafor says it’s a pleasure to be around the hard-working trio, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com writes. “Seeing them every day, how serious they are in their approach, I’m really proud of them,” Okafor said. “It’s a breath of fresh air being around these types of rookies who love the game so much and are so eager to learn. It’s kind of uplifting.”
The smartest move is to rest Tuckers
Pj Tucker can stop Embiid, Harden and other stars in playoffs
You get respect because of playoffs success, not regular season
is the pistons draft class the most successful of any class drafted in their first year? not record wise, but from the developmental side.
Dana mentioned three but there are five. I suspect eventually Saban Lee will replace Killian Hayes in PT despite being drafted a round later. Lee could add pace off the bench despite not being raw fast.
But by the time Hayes develops, a new shiny object will be along… not sure what Hayes could add on a daily basis but size. I generally like tall PGs but he could be a tease, a formula for keeping their picks high while they keep pushing Hayes ahead of Lee.
5 rookies… the “core four” (Weaver) plus Sirvydis ’19, who maybe took a year away to sirvey the scene before starting. (memory aid pun)
Speaking of tall PGs I am suspicious of… George Hill… has had seven teams and disappointed most, maybe all. He looked ideal on the Bucks but they did not keep him.
Seems kind of shady if Tucker was hiding his injury. Not clear if it was disclosed to Milwalkie or not…
He wasn’t hiding it, PJ had been playing hurt for most of the season.
I’d be playing Hurt if I was on the Rockets too .
VavaBoom … ha ha lol
All yr we heard that 2020 draft class was one of weakest ever. Seems decent to me now. Pistons had best draft of any team. Three future starters. And Hayes could be special. With a top 3 pick this yr. They will have some of best young talent in the game.
One of the best rookies this year, Jae’Sean Tate, wasn’t even drafted.
Good article by Langlois, describing the Piston mix of youth and veterans for atmosphere & leadership. HC Casey said Ellington adds “ebullience, grace and insight. A pro’s pro”. He said Cory Joseph “contributed to the ascendance of the Toronto Raptors… His style of play, his personality, his leadership, everything rubs off”.
No talk of timelines or keeping everyone the same age, just character… I wasn’t doubting Hayes lacked this, just his possible contribution.