With the Las Vegas Summer League underway, top pick Paolo Banchero isn’t shying away from the spotlight, Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press writes. The Magic forward is eager to show the fans why Orlando considered him the draft’s top prospect.
“I love when big crowds are out, when all the cameras are out, that’s when I play my best,” he said. “So, I’m looking forward to it and it’s going to be fun.”
Orlando begins Summer League play tonight.
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- Bobby Portis has inked his four-year, $48.58MM contract with the Bucks but he’s not in a celebratory mood, Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes. Portis says it just motivates him to keep working. “I’m glad that the Bucks chose to bring me back and we met at terms and this and that, but I’ll always feel like I’ve got something to prove,” he said. “Obviously I’m happy that I got a chance to build generational wealth for my family, but still a lot of work left to do and there’s not time or need to celebrate. I work hard, I work on my game.”
- The Wizards still have some holes to fill at point guard and center, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington notes. However, guards Kris Dunn and Pierria Henry and big man Jaime Echenique, who are Summer League team members, could force their way into the mix. There’s a good chance the roster they currently have is essentially the one they will go with when the season opens, Hughes adds.
- There are a number of under-the-radar players on the Knicks’ Summer League roster who could catch someone’s attention, Zach Braziller of the New York Post writes. Braziller provides details on seven of those players, including guard Jean Montero and forward Feron Hunt.
I hope Kris Dunn gets a shot. And Dennis Smith too.
Dunn had several chances. Either you can shoot or can’t.
That doesnt matter when you’re around shooters, if you can defend and playmake like he can. He just needs to stay healthy
I really hope McBride gets into the Knicks rotation consistently. Not sure what else he needs to do in the g league
He needs to prove he can take minutes away IQ or Rose. Or he has to play well enough that they trade one or both of them away. I don’t see that happening next year though
I agree, I’d like to see him step up. And earn those mins. Like him as 2way PG guard. With Brunson starting. It makes McBride or Quickley expendable.
Fournier Quickley Reddish and picks for the best wing we can get. Grimes and McBride get into the rotation might be a best case scenario. Other than a Randle trade.
I really really hope the Magic have a good season and Banchero looks like a potential star.
Wizards are just one of those teams that are happy for be a 10th-12th seed in the east.
Like since John Wall and Bradley Beal were together they haven’t done a thing.
Imagine going from Wall to Russ to Ish Smith to Raul Neto and now what Delon Wright.
I feel bad for their fans cause it not even like they try. No trades, no fa signings, no ambition to tank and get a good pick no chance of making the playoffs.
So you can’t think up a trade involving WAS and Harrison Barnes, so you get mad and throw some pity.
They locked up Beal, and everybody wants a Beal for their team. They lost three PGs, so need one more besides Monte Moore and Delon Wright. A small need, but already improved there. Too many forwards partly because none have stood out.
I don’t understand your first part, whats Harrison Barnes got to do with anything?
You often have him on the move in your trade schemes, for several years.
Now you can’t move him to Wizards as in the past, so now they’re pitiable?
‘Zards are stuck with their forwards for now, but they did get Porzingus in at center.
NZers are supposed to have the best english. “Pity” has taken on belittling tones here, maybe it still means what it’s supposed to there.
Wall really hurt them and that was after coming off Gilberts cap hell scenario
Tough running uphill. They made a great trade scalping the Lakers last year
Many have questioned their lack of taking upside at the draft, kinda did the same thing this year as well
I don’t like to question draft questions . They’ll get it right someday
Knicks made a mistake letting Portis go. Never gets talked about by us Knick fans. I included.
He actually liked playing here too. One of those rare players who aren’t divas and works hard and money isn’t his first priority. Perfect for NY. It’s a shame.
As a Buck fan, I feel we are blessed to have him. As you said he’s a hardworker who doesn’t need the absolute top $ to be happy. Team player and intense competitor on the court. Key player for the Bucks.
I respect that about you Bucks fans. Because I know you guys appreciate him. Anyone who’s watched a few Buck home games over the last two years can see that’s he’s become a fan favorite in Milwaukee.
The Celtics made a mistake taking Rozier over Portis in the 2015 draft.
I never got the hate Bobby seemed to get sometimes from NY fans (on social media, for instance).. I think part of it was the 15 mil they paid him, 10/5/1 and vanishing some nights wasn’t ideal.. I know he’s a poor switch defender and rim protector, but he played with energy, grabbed offensive boards, and some nights he would get hot from all over. He was a good offensive backup big, in my opinion. The knicks were pretty dysfunctional that season. But don’t forget that the bucks only had to pay him 3-4 mil the last two years. I still feel like his new contract is a good value. He works hard.
Because they didn’t “let him go”. He was offered a new contract (a little bit) in excess of the one he accepted with MIL.
There was no “hate” for Portis; the opposite. The MSG fanbase, at least, liked him a lot. The new FO, which didn’t sign him, apparently liked him as well. He wasn’t a good fit on the team with Randle signed through the next year, and Toppin being drafted, as none of those 3 guys are rim protectors. But, due mostly to his makeup as a player, he was still offered a market contract. HE chose to move on. He made the right call.