Warriors forward Draymond Green, who suffered an ankle sprain in an offseason workout, is making good progress, according to the team’s PR department (Twitter link). Green has been cleared to do light on-court workouts (shooting drills, etc.) and his return to full practices and scrimmages will depend on his continued progress. He’ll be reevaluated again on Sunday.
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- Despite some promising signs from their current roster in the preseason, a trade for James Harden stills holds appeal for the Clippers, according to Law Murray of The Athletic. He fits the timeline of the team’s other stars and coach Tyronn Lue often prefers having a more traditional point guard who can run an isolation-heavy offense. The Clippers also realize the roster has not undergone enough change after last season’s postseason flameout.
- There’s still a good vibe around the Clippers thanks to the improved health of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Janis Carr of the Orange County Register notes. “Last year, it was tough because we felt we had opportunities to do something special and PG goes down and Kawhi goes down after Game 2 (against the Suns),” Lue said. “You never want to see anyone get injured, but a lot of people said, ‘Oh they’re hurt again,’ or whatever, but the biggest thing is they’re messed up mentally because they want to be out there. Seeing them come back 100 percent and being healthy and just the vibe of our team is totally different.”
- Following up an earlier reports on the stalled trade discussions between the Clippers and Sixers, a source told Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer (Twitter link) that Los Angeles remains unwilling to part with Terance Mann or additional draft capital. That makes it increasingly likely Harden will be on the Sixers’ roster at the beginning of the regular season.
- The fifth starter for the Suns beyond Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkic could vary depending matchups, coach Frank Vogel told Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports (Twitter link) and other media members. Josh Okogie has generally been considered the frontrunner for the starting job.
- The Suns’ big three are holding each other to a high standard, Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic writes. “It’s always good to get work in with some of the best players in the world,” Kevin Durant said. “It’s like iron sharpening iron over there. We hold each other to a high standard. So it’s always good to get some of that post-practice work. The more days we stack together, the better.”
Clippers 2022-23 finished 44-38 (5th in the West) and got bounced in the first round 4-1.
Clippers 2021-22 finished 42-40 (8th in the West) and then lost twice in the play in, missing the playoffs
Making them 2 seasons removed from the 2020-21 Clippers which made it to the conference finals. Look at the roster turn over since then too, no Pat Bev, Luke Kennard, Reggie Jackson, Serge Ibaka, Lou Will, or Boogie Cousins.
So for the last two season you’ve been hugely underwhelming, while your two best players are now old and always injured. Not only that but they both now have options to leave at the end of the season. instead of trading for the guy who led the league in assist last season they want to keep Terrance Mann who granted is nice but has a career average of 8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2 assists. James Harden at 33 averaged more assists than Mann did points in his best season. Not only that but he helped Joel Embiid get his first MVP. The dude makes others better, runs a really good offence and history shows is one of the best scorers also and your not grabbing him because of Terrance Mann, okay…..
As I’ve said as a Sixers fan this is what I want…
James Harden and PJ Tucker for Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Terrance Mann and 2 first round picks.
2 expiring deals of guys you don’t want anyway, a prospect and 2 first round picks. Not that big of an ask. But if that’s too much then forget it, Daryl Morrey needs to one elsewhere and strike a deal somewhere else.
Wonder if Miami would run us a deal for Tyler Herro considering they missed out of Dame. Harden doesn’t suit the culture much but offers another solid scoring option and playmaker.
Probably sounds crazy but I’d try ATL.
I love DeJounte Murray as a fit with Joel and Tyrese. Maybe Murray and Hunter for Harden, Tucker and 2 first round picks….
I also love Brandon Ingram for the same reason, and would give up Harden and 3 first for him.
I just want to see this over
Murray can’t be traded as he just signed an ext
I can see both sides of this. On one hand, adding Harden increases the age and injury history of an already aging and injury-prone roster, while reducing the Clippers’ depth, which they desperately need because PG and Kawahi will not be healthy for more than 55 games at absolute max. Westbrook also already has the point guard spot and looked good for the Clippers, whether Kawahi and PG were playing or not. With him, and a motivated Bones Hyland behind him, they don’t necessarily *need* Harden. They already look better than last season.
On the other hand, Harden is a still a really good player, and will elevate the team when he’s on the floor. If he has weapons, he’s a very dangerous playmaker.
The Clippers have to balance keeping their depth strong for when PG and Kawahi miss time, and improving their peak performance. It’s the old ceiling vs. floor conundrum.
I agree with basically everything you have to say but I guess end of the day it comes down to what are they trying to do, which is win a championship. And as the last two seasons show they don’t have enough and have gotten worse. Due to age they should be desperate to achieve their goal before the window closes otherwise you’ve got nothing and what does that future hold…
Have to remember Terrance Mann isn’t exactly young, he’s like 26 now. Morris and RoCo aren’t sticking around regardless. And if the two big names leave, Russ ain’t far behind. The future looks really bleak regardless if your losing Mann and a couple picks and staying as is.
I just think personally you have to roll the dice and take the risk cause you already know without him your not getting it done
Why would anybody trade for Harden. Are you really Morey . No one is giving you a better deal than Clippers. Sixers win by subtraction. They still get expiring deals. So can go after FAs next yr. Plus with an extra pick. They can trade for a player. Or move up the draft for a player they like.
Murray is a future star ….. Trae gets moved before he does.
I get why the Sixers want Mann… hed be their PG.
But for the Clippers, suppose they get Harden. Kawhi, PG, Harden, Westbrook, Powell, Zubac/Plumlee all eat first. Then you’re looking at the scraps between Bones, KMJ, and Mann.
You’re unwilling to give up your 7th option, after you trade away Morris, RoCo, and Batum.
And the Sixers would love to include PJ, get his money off the books. 4 for 2 would be a fair trade plus a FRP and swaps. Talking about 3 guys that should be vet mins and a PG that’s a fringe starter. And a couple low value picks bc the Clippers won’t tank.
And Mann won’t reach whatever potential anyone may suggest as a Clipper. Only so many shots to go around on that roster.
Sweet fancy Moses I am sooooo sick of the iron sharpens iron analogy. Can’t these guys come up with a fresh biblical analogy? It’s a big book, there’s gotta be something else in it for these guys to trot out.
“For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ Our lord.” That’s a new one, do you like it?
“JC is the biggest B of them all!” Oops, never mind, that was from South Park.
You’re not alone with those sentiments Johnny. Those with that opinion are increasing greatly in number every year. That’s a fact.
IG must have read my post earlier. Meme thread popped up. The Clippers think Mann is Curry with a 40″ vert. The Clippers view Mann like Kai Jones views Kai Jones. Love to see the 27 year old role player being untouchable.
The Kai Jones memes def make me laugh a bit