Damian Lillard hasn’t joined many of his peers by demanding a trade or signing with another team as a free agent during his career. The Trail Blazers star just signed a two-year max extension and says there’s power in loyalty, Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press writes.
“Something that’s missing in our league is the character and the fight and the passion and pride about not just the name on the back, but the name on the front and how you impact the people you come into contact with,” Lillard said. “I think because of how much I’ve embraced that, and haven’t pretended to embrace it, this just shows the power in that.”
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Timberwolves rookie draft picks Wendell Moore and Josh Minott have shown promise but also growing pains during Summer League play, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic writes. Moore has a shot to be the team’s No. 3 point guard and Minott, a frontcourt player, has intriguing potential as well. “I guess my playbook is going to open up a little bit for him, I’ll tell you that,” assistant coach Kevin Burleson said of Minott. “Some of the stuff he did, I didn’t know he could do. I didn’t see that in practice or the camp.”
- While the Jazz reportedly are building their roster around Donovan Mitchell, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said on Brian Windhorst’s podcast that there are whispers around the league that “(top executive) Danny Ainge is not convinced Mitchell can be the face of a contending franchise,” as HoopsHype relays.
- Michael Porter Jr. offered another encouraging update on his health, Chris Dempsey of Altitude Sports tweets. The Nuggets forward says he has fully recovered from his latest back surgery. “I’m doing really well. I’m feeling good,” he said. “I just continue to give all the glory to God. I’m feeling great. I’m able to workout as much as I want. No pain or anything. I’m in a really good spot. I’m excited to get back with the team.”
I think Lillard’s comment is by far the most refreshing thing I’ve heard an NBA player say in like 30 years.
Agreed
Disagreed.
Kevin Durant: I want out of Brooklyn
(I’m Joking)
If porter can come back healthy alongside Murray, nuggets have a shot at top 1-2 seed
You may be right, but I think the Nuggets would end up 3-4 seed.
Here we go 1 2 bid quality team 3 4 bid do we have a 5 6 anybody want this fine parcel 4 bid is there a 5 worthy at 5 6 going going
Everyone & their grandmother knows that Mitchell can’t be the face of a winning team, simply it ain’t rocket science!
As far as the Timberpuppies are concerned, going back to their performance since their 1989 inception; expect NOTHING and you won’t be disappointed.
Tobias Harris, Mattise Thybulle and a first round pick for Malik Beasley and Bojan Bogdanovic
Jazz can like you Conley Spida Thybulle/Gay Harris and Kessler. Off the bench Clarkson Beverly/Bolmaro/NAW Thybulle/Gay Vanderbilt and Azubiuke.
Beasley has off the court issues and projects to be a back up and Bogi is 33… You already have a bunch of guards and depth at SG, so he’s not really needed at all. In return you’d be getting back an upgrade at PF in Tobias, and Thybulle would be a great addition to the defence which you lack now with Gobert gone, plus a first.
Would be perfect for my Sixers.
Maxey Harden Bogi Tucker Embiid
Melton Beasley House Niang + sign a back up center
Tucker and Bogi are interchangeable at the forward spots. Bogi is a perfect high efficiency 4th scoring option and defensively he has his moments (both good and bad). Beasley off the bench would deliver buckets and his defence isn’t terrible. That second unit would actually be nice. Add in like a Tristan Thompson/DeMarcus Cousins/Markieff Morris/Dwight Howard to be the back up 5.
Would be a huge win for us. Have a 2 maybe 3 year championship window and then after that, use the cap space from and expiring Harden, Bogi and Tucker to build around Maxey and Embiid.
Can’t use Beasley in a trade with a other player at this time.
Thybulle seems redundant now that they have Vanderbilt. I also want to see how Beasley does with the new Coach. Could do a Bogey for Harris. Similar players and output, but Harris makes more money so if they want the Jazz to take on his contract they’ll likely need to add a pick. They haven’t been able to trade him yet for a reason.