Spurs big man Zach Collins believes the team’s league-worst defense will instantly improve next season with the addition of Victor Wembanyama, he told Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News. “If he was just that tall and he wasn’t good at basketball, we would be better defensively,” Collins said. “But the fact that he is obviously very smart on defense and uses his length really well, it’s going to be so much better for us.”
Wembanyama had eight blocks in the first two Spurs’ Summer League games. “I think it will give our guards so much more confidence to get up and pressure guys knowing we have him back there,” Collins said.
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- The Mavericks are expected to engage in rookie scale contract extension talks with Josh Green, according to Marc Stein in a Substack article. The two sides had an agreement that they would begin talks later in free agency. Green will be a restricted free agent next summer if an extension is not reached.
- In the same piece, Stein reports the Mavericks would have some interest in doing a sign-and-trade deal involving Christian Wood but only if they get a player they really want in return. They are already hard-capped and would be in some danger of surpassing the luxury tax threshold if they bring in another non-minimum player, which would give them pause regarding a Wood sign-and-trade.
- Pelicans VP of basketball operations David Griffin claims his team never discussed a Zion Williamson trade this offseason. “We never had a single (trade) conversation that Zion was part of,” Griffin said on a SiriusXM NBA Radio interview (hat tip to RealGM). Griffin also said there’s no disconnect between Williamson and the franchise. “I would say that it’s as good as it’s ever been,” Griffin said of Williamson’s relationship with the team.
Should have totally tried to trade Zion. That contract is a potential franchise crippling albatross.
McCollum worse
Albatross?? It’sa 4 year deal for about $40 mil per. Certainly you need him to play but his contract isn’t going to impede them from retaining their own and honestly, CJ is the biggest player in the NBA ever to sign as a FA. It isn’t if they would EVER be a prime destination for all-star talent unless Zion matured into a top 10 MVP caliber player and even then that might not be enough.
As for CJ again his contract is nowhere near an albatross and in fact he’s an asset. Kris Middleton just signed for 3/$102. CJ is warning about the same for another 2 years I think. He had a better year than Middleton and he’s been more durable. They could trade CJ anytime they want to for no difficulty. He’s shot 39% with volume for the 2 years he’s been in NO.
A sign-n-trade with Wood. Gets him a better salary. Even if it’s one year. I can see that happening. Helps both Mavs and Wood. Now who would want him.
Cant be a one yr deal. S&t has to be at leat 3 yrs.
True, SandT must be at least 3 yrs. If I were the mavs…call the jazz as they have money to spend. Get a tpe out of it or a second. Wood gets paid way more then a min.
Paul reed was 7.7m…..wood could get that if he was smart and pretended that going to utah has always been his dream
We all going to utah for the big bucks as we all know the cash has dried
The jazz can send ko to the mavs. It’ll put them slightly over the first luxury tax line. Cuban rich
Ko actually really good try him for a year 12.2mm….always extend him if mavs like him.
The jazz like him so I’m not so sure they will send a second. Mavs can atleast get a tpe though and perhaps they want tht instead. Two options with the jazz.
Wood better call ☎️ is agent asap.
Why would the Jazz want Wood on a 3yr deal though?
They have Collins, Hendrick, and sometimes Markkanen at the 4. They have Kessler and Olynyk at the 5. Olynyk is Danny’s boy.
If the Blazers deal Nurkic, Wood could be a fit there. Could see him as a Hawk or Hornet. With his outside shooting, you’d think someone would want to slot him next to a defensive Center or PF.
3yrs in length but only the 1st yr has to be guaranteed. So technically, you can structure them as a 1yr deal.