There’s “fresh buzz” around the league that talks regarding an extension for Kings general manager Monte McNair have advanced, Marc Stein reports in a Substack story. There’s a growing expectation among NBA circles that McNair will sign an extension as soon as next month.
Entering the final year of his contract, McNair hired Mike Brown as head coach, traded for Kevin Huerter, signed Malik Monk as a free agent and drafted Keegan Murray in the lottery. So far, that’s worked out for the Kings, as they have the fifth-best record in the Western Conference.
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- Anthony Davis‘ foot injury, expected to keep him sidelined for several weeks, shouldn’t deter the Lakers’ front office from trading their 2027 and 2029 first round picks for immediate help, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times opines. The fact the Lakers didn’t trade those picks during the offseason showed that the front office was unsure that the team was just a move or two away from contending. The Lakers have built their team around LeBron James and Davis and they shouldn’t change that approach despite Davis’ latest injury, Hernandez concludes.
- Stephen Curry‘s shoulder injury should motivate the Warriors’ front office to make a deal, John Hollinger of The Athletic argues. They have a valuable trade asset in 2020 No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman, who isn’t helping them this season. If they can remove his $12MM salary for next season for a veteran with an expiring contract, they can improve their prospects for this season and get substantial savings from their luxury tax bill for 2023/24, Hollinger observes.
- Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins remains sidelined due to a groin injury. He’s listed as out for Golden State’s road game against the Knicks on Tuesday, Anthony Slater of The Athletic tweets. Wiggins hasn’t played since Dec. 3.
The worst thing the lakers can do is trade future assets for a bad team that just isn’t very good.
Except Wiseman isn’t a valuable trade asset.
James Wiseman is definitely a valuable trade asset.
You expected him to be an All-Star right now? Just because he was the number 2 pick overall?
You do realize he played 3 games total in college and he’s played about 50 or 60 total in his NBA career. Most rookies have ups and downs in their first 82 game season. Give the kid a break.
Depends on how valuable we’re talking. Has value to some teams? Sure. But I wouldn’t expect him to command more than a later first rounder at this point.
And I don’t think anyone was expecting him to be an All-Star by now (well, idiots were but they’re always idiots). But you also don’t like seeing him look as lost as he has on the court while posting some truly awful +/- splits, even if he has missed so many games in college and the NBA. Sure, that’s potentially fixable with more reps but some guys also never figure it out. You can’t just assume more experience will result in him growing out of this phase. And if he doesn’t, he won’t have much of a role in the league.
My long way of saying I think he’s either gonna bust and bounce around the league or he’ll eventually get acclimated to the game and become a high level bench player at worst. He still has time to develop and the center position is the most difficult to learn in the NBA, but gun to my head right now, I don’t think I’d bet on the latter. I’ll be rooting for him though.
Shea you’re right on all points. Good post. I just jump on the guys that are ready to write the guy off or suggest something like he’s a bust. I won’t hear any of that just yet.
“You do realize he played 3 games total in college and he’s played about 50 or 60 total in his NBA career.”
That’s part of his problem, though, no? Hasn’t been healthy for a full season yet. It also appears he’s played himself out of the rotation (just ~28 minutes in their last 21 games) a bit on a mediocre (to this point) team and sent to the G league.
Not going to label the kid a bust yet because he’s still only 21, but he’s got a lot to prove and is making $12 million next year. He doesn’t have a lot of value.
You really expect him to log a lot of minutes on a team, that is developing 5 other young players, and has reasonable expectations of returning to the NBA Finals. They were already talking about sending Wiseman to Santa Cruz before training camp even started. It is just continuation of his coaching.
So five other young players are on the depth chart and better than him? And you’re saying this in defense of him? There’s only one other true center on the team (Looney), but he still can’t crack the rotation? We’re talking about his value, and considering all of that plus his salary, he has very little value as a trade piece. He’s a long-term project on an expensive short-term deal.
Dude. You are being ridiculous. Kevon Looney spent most of his first 4 seasons injured. He wasn’t much of a ‘True Center’. Are you going to still label him a bust? Because that’s what you are saying. It took Looney a few years to work things out. Why are you guys so eager to label Wiseman a bust? And don’t give the crap about the Warriors window is closing. That is completely ignorant. They started their rebuild a few seasons ago. Why blow it up now?
rct yes being hurt really has held him back. He’d probably be at least serviceable by now but you have to get on the floor for that to happen. Hoping for no more setbacks and development continues even though it’s slow.
I think he still is a valuable trade asset because he runs well, he’s fluid, he’s athletic, he’s 7 ft, he has desire, and he’s willing to work and doesn’t ever complain. Good kid. Plus he’s aggressive. He’ll go in sometimes and throw down and impressive slam. Not like he’s soft.
Still having potential and having trade value are two different arguments.
Are they?
I would think they go hand in hand, no?
It all depends what you’re looking for. With trade value are you looking for a veteran that helps you right now get into the playoffs and make a run? Sure James Wiseman is not that guy. But if he is a young guy with great athleticism and can shoot the ball and has potential to be good, does that not equal good trade value for many teams?
First of Lakers have more 1st & 2nd draft picks than people think 2023rd 1st round swap with Pelican & 2nd, 2024 potentially owed to Pelican & 2nd round,2025 potentially owed to Pelican,2026,2027 1st 2nd round,2028 1st round ,2029 1st & 2nd plus cap space once Westbrick comes off the books,so sending Westbrick, Beverly, Nunn, Damion Jones, Toscano would not cost nor 2027,2029 1st round draft picks for players like Bogdanovic, Kuzma, Myles Turner, Buddy Hield, Josh Richardson, Jakob Poeltl, Mo Bamba, Cam Reddish, OG Lakers need long 3 & D wings also another Rim proctected stop ✋️ wasting Lebron & AD time along with Lakers fans hard earn .
What???
Oh you were responding to someone else comment about bigs & center cause my segment was commenting on Ja Morant topic.
I cant believe Wiseman only played couple minutes in the garbage time against Toronto. How in the world is he suppose to develop and improve? He’s an athletic, huge 7 footer! He’s a #2 pick ! Why not give Looney some rest and play Wiseman? Please stop treating him like he’s a bust and end of the bench player. Get him out of the doghouse!
What are you babbling about? This is how centers are developed. Big men always take time. Name one center that came directly out of High School and was playing 25+ minutes in their 1st season. It has never happened.
Dwight Howard
Orlando had nobody else.
You said it had never been done. And even if Orlando had no one else, he averaged 12 pts, 10 rebounds and nearly 2 blocks per game and played all 82 games. Not bad! Moses Malone is another. He averaged 19 points, 14 rebounds in year one. Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry are two others…although not as succesful
And we can’t forget about Amare Stoudemire. He came in as a C and did well as a rookie in over 30 minutes/game & 70+ starts
He didn’t come out of High School… 3 college games before he was caught up in a scandal… so he had a year in between… And also they have rules… we call it one and done. So can’t come straight out of HS… but to answer your question… most recent is Evan Mobley….. drafted at 19
Evan Mobley played a full season at USC. 3 games is hardly a full season.
Mobly plays the 4 on defense a lot more than the 5. Also Wiseman couldnt return to Mem. without paying back the money which he didnt have at the time. He just talked about it on Point Forward podcast.
Karl Anthony Towns…
He played at Kentucky.
Your right. Grew up in Mem
2020 draft
Celtics trade 30th pick Desmond Bane to Grizzlies
Bane is better than Wiseman
Huh? Desmond Bane is shooting guard. Wiseman is a center. What are you trying to compare?
Sillivan, kick me while I’m down !! Ouch buddy !!
Hollinger was, at best, a mediocre NBA exec.
Trade Wiseman to Bulls for Caruso and a 2nd rounder… or just Caruso.
Why?
Cause he’s an awesome fit – helps a ton while Curry is out and is a great fit when he comes back too. Wiseman doesn’t have a ton of value and this would be a great get.
Wiseman will probably developp out of SF so better trade him …
Wiz’s Kuzma is essentially on an expiring contract (he will opt out after year ends). Would the Warriors have any interest in him for Wiseman (with additional pieces includable to sweeten pot and make salaries offset)? Kuz has played on winners before (Lakers).
Kuzma sounds selfish. “Me first” guy. Got to get mine and I was getting ripped off on the Lakers because of lack of touches and playing time. Article here came out the other day and he said as much.
That would never fly with the warriors.
No that would not fly with Warriors. Doesn’t seem particularly selfish with Wiz. But gets his touches, shots, etc.
Another thing might be that once he does get paid he won’t care about touches or minutes and focus on winning?
The GM’s out there know his vibe in the locker room and these guys get reputations. Kuzma is a good player, he’ll probably find a nice contract.
WHERE they sign will be an indication of that reputation.