The Pelicans already have the look of perennial playoff contender and now they’re armed with the No. 8 pick. Who will they take? Christian Clark of the New Orleans Times-Picayune takes a closer look at five potential targets, including Arizona’s Bennedict Mathurin, Wisconsin’s Johnny Davis and Baylor’s Jeremy Sochan.
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- The Mavericks were fined $50K by the league for bench decorum violations during Game 7 at Phoenix, which baffled coach Jason Kidd, Tim MacMahon of ESPN tweets. “I know about the fine. Just trying to figure out what we did wrong to get the fine,’ he said. “Who complained? It was a blowout, so I don’t think the fans complained.”
- Who will the Rockets target with the No. 3 pick? GM Rafael Stone is more concerned about what a player can’t do than what he can do, as he told Kelly Iko of The Athletic. “You can only play five guys, and the league is moving towards less positionality. It’s fine to have players with redundant strengths,” Stone said. “I do think it’s hard if they have redundant weaknesses. And players aren’t perfect, you know, so you’re definitely going to have players with weaknesses. I think that is something that you have to be careful with.”
- One of the reasons why the Mavericks have reached the Western Conference Finals is the mid-season acquisition of guard Spencer Dinwiddie in the Kristaps Porzingis deal with Washington. Luka Doncic doesn’t downplay its significance, Marc J. Spears of Andscape writes. “He is amazing with the ball,” Dončić said. “He can do a lot of things. He’s a baller. That’s the best way to describe him. We’re glad to have him.”
Go figure, Mavs unload a former Knick in Porzingis and the team takes off!
Rockets don’t like #3
Should Rockets offer #3 and 2023 top-2 protected First to Magic for #1
Don’t suggest that. I did that and I got trashed for thinking of such a move. This year and next year first with potentially Schroder or Nix to Magic for #1 pick this year. It maybe an overpay, but it gives Magic a small insurance policy just in case Rockets pick next year lands out of the top 4.
Not really that much talent gap between 1-3. Giving up next year’s 1 just to move up 2 spots for what isn’t much difference in talent is a bit much
Last time a team traded #3 and a future 1st for #1 didn’t quite work out.
So Stone once said he will draft the player with the highest ceiling regardless of fit. Now he says he will draft the players who’s weaknesses doesn’t match the rest of the team. That sounds like fit now. Rocket’s weakness is defense. I think what Stone is really doing is picking players/coaches he wants to rub elbows with. The problem is the players aren’t going to want to hang around for him to build anything. Wood wants out now. I don’t think Schroder is going to sign a extension. Rocket fans don’t deserve this mess.
This is what happens when an organization removes winning as its central purpose. The PTB sit around and pat each other on the back, and create narratives defining success in other ways, so they can claim it.
Why would someone have to complain about non-player’s feet on the court, and what difference would it make if a fan did? It’s a rule; stay off the court unless in the game.