Serge Ibaka hasn’t received regular playing time as of late for the Clippers, Mirjam Swanson of the Orange County Register writes. Ivica Zubac and Isaiah Hartenstein have received the bulk of the minutes in the post since Ibaka returned to action after recovering from back surgery.
“Especially with that second unit, not having guys who can create shots from that second unit, Isaiah pretty much becomes our point guard and so we kind of run our offense through him,” coach Tyronn Lue said. “He makes great passes, and just I think we need him with that second unit – so he’s been great.”
Ibaka has extra incentive to get a boost in playing time — he’ll be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- The Athletic’s John Hollinger and Bill Oram are skeptical the Lakers can make a significant move before the trade deadline due to the configuration of their roster, plus luxury tax issues. Even combining the salaries of Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn along with a first-round pick isn’t all that enticing for potential trade partners, Hollinger opines. Nunn hasn’t played this season due to a mysterious injury and Horton-Tucker has an opt-out after the 2022/23 season. The Lakers can’t offer a first-round pick earlier than 2027 due to the picks owed to New Orleans in the Anthony Davis trade.
- Doug Christie has been mentioned as a head coaching candidate for the Kings even though Alvin Gentry was named interim head coach. Christie, an assistant with the club, is non-committal regarding his interest in the job, according to Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee. “If you know me, you know I’m more of an in-the-moment person, like this is where I’m at,” Christie said. “I don’t think like that. AG (Alvin Gentry) has done a hell of a job and he’s been so productive with helping me try to be better, and that’s really all I’m going to try to be. If they see more and they want more and that opportunity presents itself, that’s what you have to face when the opportunity comes and you deal with it, but I like to stay in the moment and I don’t say that tongue in cheek. That’s just kind of how I try to live.”
- Steve Kerr’s tendency to lean on his veterans has made it tougher for Jonathan Kuminga to gain a rotation spot. However, the Warriors could use more of what the lottery pick brings, Tim Kawakami of The Athletic opines. Kuminga can be a force defensively and on the offensive glass. Offensively, he can muscle his way to the basket and has a nice finishing touch.
I agree with Hollinger
Nobody wants to trade stars for those Lakers
It’s really a good idea to trade Westbrook for Simmons
1. Lakers pay less luxury tax
2. Lakers get younger
Lebron built his roster incredibly poorly, he built a 2014 roster for 2021, and with Nunn not playing and then even when he does play being a bench scorer basically and THT having the most inconsistent stat lines in the NBA it’s not at all surprising no one has any interest in that trade package, the first round pick in 2027 should be nice because after lebron leaves the Lakers have to completely restart, but maybe that 1st rounder gets them a solid yet unremarkable starter, THT and Nunn will only be leaving for salary matching purposes, they won’t hold value when it comes to acquiring a player better than them
THT must be the most overrated player in the league. Can’t dunk, can’t defend and can’t shoot. But wait, Laker fans still believe he can be swapped for a top 25 player.
76ers do not want Westbrook. They made that 100% clear already.
Westbrook goes to Third team Thunder
Today’s rumors
4 west teams are interested in Simmons
Pelicans offer role players
Wolves offer role players
Lakers (have to offer all time great due to salary matching)
Spurs
According to who? Its sport writers making things up.
Sixers won’t make that trade.. they would be insane
IMO
Ben Simmons is only worth Draymond salary 4 year $100 million, Ben has $147 million contract remaining
According to one website, Westbrook is only worth $11 million a year
Contract $92 million
Value $22 million
Who would have thought Hartenstein would be the stiff that keeps Serge on the bench. T.Lue must have a vindictive side for all the hard screens that Serge levied on him. Will Serge make that phone call to Masai.
Kuminga is the second coming of Felton Spencer!
Kuminga is the second coming of Iggy but with a better shot.
Kuminga is maybe top#5 rookie but he needs more minutes and Kerr is not concerned about developping players (ex Nets coach do)
Such a shame that Kuminga ended up in GSW, the guy is such a phenomenon, just wasted in the Bay, SMH!