Luka Doncic‘s neck strain appears to be improving heading into Wednesday’s pivotal Game 5 against the Clippers, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets. The Mavericks superstar downplayed the nerve issue in his neck after his subpar shooting performance in Game 4, Tim MacMahon of ESPN writes. “Injuries are part of basketball, but I was 100 percent,” Doncic said. “I played terrible, so just got to move on to next one.”
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- The Pelicans handed center Steven Adams a two-year, $35MM extension in November but they may be having second thoughts about that decision, Christian Clark of the New Orleans Times-Picayune writes. While Adams is a beloved teammate, there are major questions regarding his on-court fit and durability, which may compel the front office to explore trade options.
- Cameron Reynolds has an uphill climb to remain with the Rockets, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle opines. An excess of players at the the wing positions could make it difficult to Reynolds to work his way into the team’s plans. He was signed on a 10-day deal using the hardship provision in the last week of the regular season. He appeared in two games, including a 31-minute stint against San Antonio.
- The Rockets own three first-round picks, though they would have to convey their highest pick to Oklahoma City as part of a pick swap if they slide out of the top four in the draft lottery. Feigen takes a look at the prospects in each of the areas where the Rockets might be selecting.
GSW: Kawhi Leonard, Steven Adams
NOP: James Wiseman
LAC: Bradley Beal
WSN: Andrew Wiggins, Mychal Mulder, GSW 1st rd pick, two more future GSW picks
Makes everyone fit.
Wizards say no.
Pelicans should be looking into Beal. Kira Lewis Jr, Nike Alexander-Walker S&A, Steven Adams for salary matching, and a boat load of 1sts and pick swaps.
Give the Pelicans a big 3 of Beal, Ingram, and Zion.
They wouldn’t get Beal without giving up Ingram or Zion
You don’t need New Orleans or Washington at all – just send Wiseman and Wiggins to the Clippers for a Leonard S&T.
Of course, the Clippers would rather watch Leonard leave for nothing than help Golden State (or at least that’s my guess).
Why would the Warriors want Steven Adams, his contract is almost as bad as Omer Asik’s was when the Pels re-signed him 6 years ago.
He was overpaid in OKC, and he’s still overpaid now. Only some armchair GM here thinks that the Warriors are better with Adams.
But, you keep pushing the idea that the Warriors would be better off with Steve Adams. You keep pushing the idea that the Warriors should trade Wiseman for Steve adams. You keep pushing so many weird beliefs about the Warriors.
So you want to keep Wiseman/Looney as the center? Well you got it so don’t complain.
It isn’t necessary to give up Wiseman to get Adams. Pels will let him go fairly easily… He is in ZWill’s way & overpaid.
Adams’ contract should be more Brook Lopez 12-13M/year for what he is bringing to the table. So a 5M/year overpay.
Best thing can happen, of course is Rockets getting top 4 pick. It’s a future star at worst a solid starter. With other picks can still find solid talent. Pistons last yr in a supposedly weak draft. Did very well with their picks outside the lottery. This is a deep 1st rd. Trust your scouting there is talent there. Read lots of stories about a disgruntled Wall. They need to work him into solid starter status. He does that and he can help someone like CP3 did Suns. That benefits both parties. No one is going to want you if you don’t want to play. Rockets should be in full rebuild. Even Woods could be made available. Celtics wanted him and could use him. Building thru the draft is best way to rebuild.
They already have plenty of first round draft picks: 3 this year, their own and maybe Detroit’s in 2022 (top-16 protected) plus swaps with Miami and Brooklyn, their own plus the Bucks pick and Washington’s pick (top-14 protected) in 2023, and the Nets pick in 2024 with their own going to OKC.
Plus they have a lot of young talent already in Christian Wood (25), Kevin Porter (21), Jae’Sean Tate (25), and KJ Martin (20). On top of that the 3 first rounders in this year’s deep draft, that’s a lot to build around.
Re-signing Kelly Olynyk is vital, he will come back fairly cheap.
The Rockets future draft Equity is not quite as wonderful as you make it appear. They could even lose their last place finish pick this year. Plus you’re looking forward to picks in 2024? That’s three years away.
Three guys who are young and can play NBA minutes are not “a lot of young talent.” You cannot count Kevin Porter Jr in that group until he shows us he can maintain consistency for the entire NBA season. Sure he’s fantastic for 20 games but then he goes sideways.
Kelly Olynyk is NOT going to be fairly cheap.
Still waiting for that apology.
If rockets lose their pick in this top heavy draft, they are toast. All those Brooklyn picks will be in 20’s. Pick swaps are all laughable. They should’ve taken that Philly deal when they had a chance. Poor return on Harden and a ginourmous overpay for Russ will hunt them for a decade.
I still don’t get it. The article says that Steve Adams sucks. Marty McRae, Sillyman, and WallyWorld believe that the Warriors should trade for him. Why does Marty McRae, Sillyman, and WallyWorld think that Steve Adams is a perfect fit for the Warriors. There are better alternatives in Free Agency. But, Marty McRae, Sillyman, and WallyWorld want to deny these players exist. What do you love about Steve Adams.
I’ve mentioned Steven Adams too. The attraction to me is because he’s ready to go, seasoned, and has been a starter with experience on winning teams. He has one year left on his deal at 17 million. If the Warriors put together a veteran team he could play center and doesn’t need the ball. He’ll screen and rebound and be an enforcer. All things to like. And those are things to like because I believe the Warriors are going all-in veterans this coming season. I’m sure there’s plenty of Alternatives he’s just someone that came to mind for me. I may have read that the Pelicans are willing to trade him.