The NBA’s newest superstar duo will be in action for the first time this weekend, according to Malika Andrews of ESPN (Twitter link).
Appearing on NBA Today on ESPN on Wednesday, Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin confirmed that the plan is for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, who sat out the team’s first two preseason games, to be active on Sunday in Los Angeles when the Bucks visit the Lakers.
Here are a few more notes from around the Central:
- Malik Beasley, long known as a three-point specialist, is making his case for a spot in the Bucks‘ starting lineup by working on improving his defense, according to stories from Eric Nehm of The Athletic and Jim Owczarski of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Beasley is on a minimum-salary contract, but is confident that a strong season with a title-contending team will help secure his long-term future in the NBA, writes Owczarski. “The market right now is not that good and I read into all that and I’m betting on myself like I did for my first contract,” Beasley said. “If things go as planned, and God forbid an injury or anything like that, I’ll just let the work do itself.”
- New Pistons head coach Monty Williams values having a mix of veterans and youngsters in his lineups, which is a key reason why guard Jaden Ivey may find himself coming off the bench when his second NBA season begins, writes Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press. “Putting in too many young guys on the floor, I think, is a disservice to them,” Williams said on Tuesday. “You have to have some really good vets who know how to play. They settle us down a little bit, their voice is good on the floor, they know how to space, they know how to make the right plays.”
- The Cavaliers are still working out their plan for rookie Emoni Bates, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said he trusts the coaches with the Cleveland Charge (the Cavs’ G League affiliate) to develop Bates, but would like the 19-year-old to spend a good amount of time with the NBA team too. “I think there is value in him being around the caliber of people and talent we have in that locker room,” Bickerstaff said.
Pistons have an open roster spot right? Korkmaz and House for Hayes? Maybe some kind of 3 team deal but those 3 guys involved at least.
They are determined to deal him. Sixers need to get down to 15. They also get a cap savings. And Nurse may prefer to have another guard like Hayes and a vet he knows in Daniel Green than Korkmaz and House.
As a Sixers fan no way!!!!
Korkmaz is a sniper occasionally and House is good 3 and D depth. Hayes is nothing more than young/potential and highly likely a bust that’ll go back to Europe. We have Springers as a young guard we are developing and he’s more deserving
Hayes is a point guard tho.. the Sixers could use a backup PG. He’s kind of like a taller Elfrid Payton.
Maybe you can get a 2nd round pick or two as well in the deal.
Springer isn’t a primary ball handler.
Currently there guards are Harden, Maxey, Melton, Pat, Springer
If Harden is dealt, they may not get a PG back. So Maxey becomes your primary ball handler, and Melton starts for defense, but they really lack size.
So if you added Hayes, you get some size, ball handling, scoring, and he’s in the mix with Bev and Springer. They will need that extra ball handler.
Conversely, they brought in Oubre. If PJ stays, Reed is his backup and Oubre is the backup to Tobias. Danny Green is on a NG deal, but he’d stay in this scenario. So how many minutes do Korkmaz and House stand to get?
Green, begrudgingly is a better defender than both.
That’s my logic. It’s a precursor move to a Harden trade.
How about we not forget about the gun charges that Emoni Bates faced recently. All this stuff gets forgotten by the media. We are in a stupid place in this world right now.
If we forgot Kobe’s incident then we can forget this one too.
Malika Andrews burner account
Nobody has forgotten, Barry. You just like pot stirring.
Hey why not. Every conveniently forgot about the rapist charges..oh I mean Kobe Bryant charges. And the laws that changed because of the rapist..I mean Kobe Bryant
A potential if not likely ROY is a great guy to have in the locker room. He will take a certain amount of pressure off the vets and give Donavan someone to take under his wing.
It makes for a great nba story.