With the Thunder now officially eliminated from play-in tournament contention, the rebuilding team appears open to developing some of its less-heralded young prospects. According to head coach Mark Daigneault, 6’6″ second-year shooting guard Charlie Brown Jr. will start and receive significant run while on a 10-day deal with the club, tweets Cameron Jourdan of the Oklahoman.
Brown inked a two-way deal with the Hawks after going undrafted out of St. Joseph’s for the 2019/20 season. So far with the Thunder, he’s averaging 16.0 MPG across three games.
There’s more out of the Northwest Division:
- The minutes restriction has been lifted for Timberwolves guard D’Angelo Russell, who will continue to come off the bench for Minnesota, tweets Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. The Timberwolves are 8-7 since Russell returned to the lineup following a February left knee surgery.
- 30-year-old rookie Nuggets point guard Facundo Campazzo recently explained to Mike Singer of the Denver Post why he was ready to try his hand at the NBA after spending several years as a star overseas. “I just wanted the opportunity,” Campazzo said. “I don’t know if my level can work here or my game can fit here, but I just needed the opportunity to try at least. I don’t want to finish my career and think, ‘OK, I didn’t try at least, you know?’” In 58 games with Denver (including 12 starts), the 5’10” guard is averaging 20.8 MPG, 5.7 PPG, 3.3 APG, 1.8 RPG, and 1.1 SPG.
- The next step in the long-term evolution of the Timberwolves is for 2020 No. 1 pick Anthony Edwards to become a star, writes Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. “We know what [Karl-Anthony Towns] can bring to the table,” guard Ricky Rubio said. “We know what [D’Angelo Russell] can bring to the table. But Ant, he has to bring it every night. That’s the toughest part of the NBA if you want to be one of the best.”
Both OKC and Cleveland might have waited too long to start tanking this season.
They’re currently tied for the fifth worst record, gonna be tough getting a top-4 pick.
Right now they’re tied for fifth worst record, there’s still time to sink a little bit more. Rockets, magic and pistons are locks, but the wolves are trending up and will soon catch them
That’s true, the Thunder are doing a better job of tanking this year so they won’t have to fire their coach again for winning too much. And the Wolves are worsening their own chances of keeping their top draft pick which might end up going to the Warriors if it falls out of the top 3.
Don’t know how Nuggets are doing it. I just hope they do it in playoffs. Looking good right now. The Joker has to be MVP.
Everyone has stepped up – MPJ is playing well enough to make up for some poor decision making, PJ Dozier is a great, versatile player and Facu is playing his heart out inspiring effort from everyone.
Aaron Gordon is obviously having an intangible effect but seems fairly unskilled – can’t shoot, dribbles into trouble and doesn’t close out well on shooters. Perhaps he’s happy being a role-player?
The bench comes in and they’re all of a sudden a great defensive team – Shaq Harrison, Rivers and Millsap/Green + MPJ are killing most teams second units.
Of course Jokic is sublime, just effortless mastery on display. Embiid is formidable for sure but Nikola hasn’t missed a game and does everything the team needs with no ego or drama. My favourite player.
How many more first rounders do the Timberwolves get before the league steps in?
Steps in to do what exactly? The more games the Wolves keep winning over the next two weeks the less likely their first round pick stays in the top 3 which means it will probably end up going to Golden State.
Steps in and contracts the team all together. Seems like they continue to get top young prospects and also continue to stink it up.
If it goes to GS then MIN needs to keep Rubio.
I think D-Lo has accepted a 6th man role as long as his minutes are up around 30+ per game.
They could be a playoff team with the development of Ant, McD, Okogie, but only if they hang onto their vets. (Especially Rubio)