Kings coach Luke Walton is still tinkering with his starting lineup, according to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. The forward spots are up for grabs, with Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes and Marvin Bagley III as the top contenders, depending on whether Walton opts to go small or with a more conventional lineup. “I have not come to (a decision regarding Barnes) and there are still open spots,” Walton said. It could all be a moot point if the Kings renew efforts to acquire Ben Simmons.
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- DeMar DeRozan had discussions with LeBron James about joining the Lakers in free agency, he confirmed to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). DeRozan wound up joining the Bulls in a sign-and-trade after Los Angeles opted to deal for Russell Westbrook. “It just didn’t work. You know how the business goes. … That was a hell of an opportunity that we tried to make happen,” said DeRozan, a Los Angeles native.
- Clippers coach Tyronn Lue wants one of his veteran point guards to be on the floor at all times, Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times tweets. Lue will stagger the minutes of Reggie Jackson and Eric Bledsoe to make that happen.
- The Warriors are hopeful Gary Payton II can play in a preseason game next week, Anthony Slater of The Athletic tweets. Payton is working his way back from a hernia issue. Payton remains a contender for the team’s final roster spot. Payton will need to make the opening-night roster to receive a $659K partial guarantee on his $1.98MM contract.
It makes perfect sense for Lakers to acquire DeRozan on basketball but not money
Overpay and trade Schroeder for DeRozan or
Overpay Caruso and Tucker then trade them for DeRozan
Why would the Spurs do that?
Caruso and Tucker are better than they got from Bulls
Well, he’s no longer a Spur, so the question is why would the Bulls do that ?
trade Hield, Bagley and 2 lottery protected picks for Simmons
Bagley to a third team for Beverley
76ers get Beverley
No thanks – Sixers
Payton is a long shot to make the team. Both Mulder and Bradley have played well so far. He is behind and better have a great preseason. Poole is looking like the next big star for the warriors. Laker fans now know how good he will be.
All non-LAL fans like me, we just don’t know how good he is, right?
Actually he ain’t that good, at least so far, we will see this year if he does anything…
Good so I can remind you all year long how good Poole is by saying told you so. Even many NBA writers are taking notice. Its going to be fun saying I told you so.
So you are that guy, you know what I mean, right?
The really obnoxious one that goes around saying I told you so, right?
Nope you said and I quote “Actually he ain’t that good.” So you could have moved on but responded to my comment as he is not good. You only did that to act like you know more than anyone else. Now you respond saying I am obnoxious. Your comment sounded like you are arrogant. So we will see who is correct at the end of the year.
Poole was considered to be a bust by most people after his rookie season.
Now all the Warriors fans act like he is going to be the next Steph Curry.
He was one of the youngest players drafted that year. He is the hardest worker on the entire team even out beat gym time of Curry. He is not the same player that they drafted. Here is his numbers against Nuggets and Lakers this preseason. 23.3 MPG 25PPG 52% FG 43.8% 3PT%. I guess I will put you on the list too of told you so later this season. By the way Moody looks like the real deal too. Kuminga will take a year to be good still looks very raw but with lots of talent.
Kevin Porter Jr is already better than Jordan Poole, even though he was drafted by the Cavs two picks after Poole in 2019.
Only according to you. Porter jr had 16 points in 32 minutes a game. Poole had 12 in 19 minutes. Porter plays for a team behind so he gets all the free shots he wants. Much easier to score on a team down 20 points a game. Advanced stats if based on 40 minutes Poole is the higher scorer. So I will remind you who is the better player at the end of the year.
Porter had a 50 point guard didn’t he?
Yep, KPJ is the youngest player in NBA history to score 50 points with 10 assists in a game. I’m sure Jordan Poole is more than capable of doing something that historic since he is obviously the next Steph Curry, right?
Poole still had a better points per game % playing on warriors 2nd team. I guess you rocket fans have so little to be happy about I shouldn’t bring you down to earth. Ever heard of Joe Barry Carrol? He scored 52 in a game for Warriors.
Also Porter is almost a full year younger than Poole.
Jordan Poole was actually the 14 oldest first round pick in 2019.
Although out of all 60 players drafted, Poole was the 23rd youngest.
Heard lots of talk about Poole.
Apparently works the hardest in the whole team. Klay also said he’s one of the best shooters he’s ever seen.
However besides a couple preseason games which don’t mean anything there really hasn’t been that much to get excited about.
Not saying he won’t be good, he’s got an excellent chance with Klay coming back from injury to get minutes early and impress. However I can see him not living up to the hype and falling back into competing with JTA and Moody for playing time
Moody looks like he will be making a much bigger impact than Kuminga this year. Once Thompson comes back don’t be surprised to see Poole still getting minutes and Wiggins losing minutes on the floor. I have a feeling Kuminga will be playing in the G league more than in the NBA this year. Still looks very raw but a lot of talent. Porter Jr if he stays healthy he will cut into Moody’s playing time.
I recall Poole looked like a miss because he he looked awkward and not in sync and had a weak hand. But he had a natural shake and good word from Michigan and the GSW GL does development players so it is possible he is “something”. I would not bet against him.
But this team relies on Curry too much to bet on the team.
Lakers are in a similar boat, with LJ.
Good idea for the Clips to stagger Bledsoe & RegJax… it will leave them healthy & hungry & the team fresh.