Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is unavailable for Friday’s game against New Orleans after undergoing a minor medical procedure earlier in the day, per Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News (subscriber link). Assistant coach Brett Brown is serving as head coach in his place.
According to McDonald, Popovich met with reporters prior to the game with the intention of coaching, but decided to sit out shortly thereafter. He’s also expected to miss Sunday’s contest versus Phoenix.
Here’s more from the Southwest:
- Pelicans forward Zion Williamson had his most complete two-way performance of the 2022/23 season in Wednesday’s victory over the Raptors, writes William Guillory of The Athletic. Playing without fellow high-scoring starters Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum, Williamson finished with 33 points (on 12-of-15 shooting and 9-of-12 from the line), 10 rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocks. According to Guillory, none of Toronto’s strong defenders could slow Williamson down on offense, and his defensive energy was contagious. “I told him tonight in the locker room that he was a monster. He carried us. He continued to make the right plays over and over again,” head coach Willie Green said. “He was flying around on both ends of the floor … It’s just impressive. Impressive to see.”
- Second-year forward Herb Jones suffered a left ankle sprain in New Orleans’ victory over Toronto and did not return (Twitter link). X-rays were negative, but Jones and Ingram (left great toe contusion) were both ruled out Friday against the Spurs, the Pelicans announced in a press release. Ingram has now missed three straight games with the injury, which he suffered a week ago.
- 2022 second-round pick Jaden Hardy dominated in his G League stint with the Texas Legends, the Mavericks‘ affiliate, averaging 29.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists on .548/.482/.844 shooting in nine games (34.1 MPG). Prior to Thursday’s loss to Detroit, head coach Jason Kidd said he hoped to find some minutes for the rookie guard after Dallas recalled him. “Hardy’s playing extremely well in the G League. We hope on this road trip we can find some time for him to get on the floor. Hope that presents sooner than later, but he’s with us this week, and we’ll see how the schedule [goes],” Kidd said, according to Callie Caplan of The Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). Hardy has only played 10 minutes over three games thus far with the Mavs.
Lakers: Doug McDermott and JaVale McGee
Mavs: Pat Beverly
Spurs: Davis Bertans, Kendrick Nunn and a first
Mavs added Kemba but he’s not what they need.
Beverly is that guy. Can come off the bench be a leader, is great defensively and can run that second unit. Isn’t much of a scorer and that’s why you partner him with Jaden Hardy. Just like how Bev helped Ant he can now help Hardy.
Dallas would be really tough
Dinwiddie Luka Hardaway DFS Powell
Beverly Hardy Bullock Kleber Wood
We already know Luka carry’s that first unit. Dinwiddie offers some secondary ball handling, Hardaway does his thing and spaces the floor, DFS is a good defender and does his part and Powell is the glue guy.
The bench Pat is the leader at both ends. Wood is the go to scorer and Hardy the second option. Bullock spaces the floor and is a good defender and Kleber is the glue guy for them.
This second unit could be seriously good and ease the pressure on Luka.
Thats such a stupid trade… why would the spurs and Lakers want the bad contracts of mcgee and bertans…………………….
McGee isn’t a bad contract, not playing much in Dallas for many reasons, but $5 mil is nothing for a guy who can play & probably would every night as a back-up or starter on another team. If thats a Dallas 1st for Bertans going to SanAntonio I can’t really see why the Lakers would object, or the Spurs. Lakers end up with 2 rotation players for 1, and keep their draft stash. McGee is easily tradeable, Mcdermott too. Nunn never plays, and Beverly is unnecessary with Schroeder playing.
McGee ain’t a bad deal at all. He’s won a title with Bron and AD in LA. He knows the guys and how to play well with them. He’s a good defender which is what they need and he’s a great locker room guy. They also add McDermott whos a great three point shooter and can play either forward spot for them off the bench and space the floor. If it doesn’t work out he’s got an easily liveable contract.
Mavs add Beverly who would be a terrific addition as I’ve detailed why above.
Spurs add Bertans and Nunn for McDermott and gets a first round pick out of it. Bertans played his best basketball in San Antonio under coach Pop and the two got on really well. Pop actually didn’t want Bertans to leave so I’m sure he’d be happy to have him back. Nunn also would be a handy guard to get back for depth especially with Primo recently removed. McDermott was just a bench shooter for them and Bertans can do exactly that so it’s not a loss at all, the only negative is Bertans contract and your being compensated by a first round pick. Bertans could also play his way back into form and then it would be a great move by the spurs.
And yes I’d have the first going from Dallas to San Antonio probably top 10 protected.
Lakers would look good without giving up much at all
Schroder Walker Bron AD McGee
Russ Reaves Brown Jr McDermott Bryant
Lakers can’t harbor a non shooting 5 as currently constructed
It worked in the bubble as they had Kcp/kuz to stretch the floor and Davis 3 was better then
If your going to make laker trades it’s gotta be all shooting abd preferably from the 3/4 positions ( tough as those players are valued super high today in the market )
Trade Mcgee for the right guy, or semi-right guy. His contract should be pretty easy to move
Disagree, they had Bron AD and then either McGee or Howard both non shooting 5’s.
Yea they had KCP he has great but Kuz shot 31% from 3 I wouldn’t count him for much.
Doug McDermott who is also apart of the deal would be the go to floor spacer at the 3/4 position your talking about.
Remember Thomas Bryant is just returning from injury he’s a centre that can shoot the three that’ll be on the team too.
McGee and AD back together would be a nightmare for teams trying to score inside and with guys like Beverly and Schroder on the outside it would be difficult to get easy looks out there too. It worked great in the bubble with KCP and Danny Green on the outside don’t see why it couldn’t work again. Not to mention this time round you’d have the ultimate spark plug off the bench in Russ.
Schroder Walker Bron AD McGee
Russ Reaves Brown Jr McDermott Bryant