The Jazz have allowed Otto Porter to return home to contemplate where he wants to finish the season, sources tell Tony Jones of The Athletic. The team is willing to negotiate a buyout with Porter, Jones adds, but it will have to be completed by March 1 to make him eligible for the playoffs with another organization.
Porter hasn’t played since being acquired from Toronto two weeks ago, even though Jones’ sources say he is completely healthy. Utah is committed to giving more minutes to rookie forward Taylor Hendricks, according to Jones, which is why the front office is open to a buyout.
Jones notes that Porter was in uniform last Thursday for the final game before the All-Star break, even though he wasn’t used. He only played 15 games for the Raptors this season before the deal, but Jones points out that Porter had an important role in Golden State’s 2022 championship and could draw attention from several contenders if he hits the open market.
There’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Gordon Hayward expects to be ready to make his Thunder debut when the season resumes Thursday night, writes Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman. The veteran forward, who hasn’t played since December 26 because of a calf injury, appreciated having extra time to prepare after Oklahoma City acquired him from Charlotte at the trade deadline. “The nice thing about when I got traded was I’ve had another week and a half, because of the break, to continue to get work in,” Hayward said. “I was here for most of the break.”
- Coach Mark Daigneault sees newly signed center Bismack Biyombo as a “situational player” for the Thunder, per Rylan Stiles of Locked on Thunder. “That was something we were honest about upfront [with Biyombo],” Daigneault said. “… He is a great professional, very serious competitor, and I think he will help the environment in that way.”
- Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups had his arm in a sling at Wednesday’s practice after undergoing surgery this week to fix a long-standing problem with his right wrist, according to Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian. The issue involves a ligament tear that Billups suffered as a player in 2009.
- Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports looks at three issues that will define the closing part of the Nuggets‘ season: how hard they’ll pursue the No. 1 seed, whether coach Michael Malone will consider expanding his rotation, and how effective Christian Braun and Peyton Watson can continue to be.
Seems the Jazz changed their mind about keeping him. Otherwise, why wait so long to waive him?
He is 30, but it’s too bad. If they want to convey their 1st round pick to OKC this year, instead of the better draft next year, then you’d think they would’ve used Otto to help them win.
Guess they figured he’d need to learn the system. Hendricks is already way ahead since they use the same or similar system on their G-League affiliate, SLC Stars.
Ainge’s 2023 lottery pick Hendricks was brought up from the G League to ensure the tank. The guy has no business being on a NBA roster. What is a struggling young player like him supposed to learn anyway from being inserted into the Jazz’s dysfunctional lineups after Danny Boy’s trade deadline massacre?
Getting blown out of the gym on a nightly basis is neither going to elevate Hendrick’s game nor does it instill any confidence.
>>Hendricks'<< that is.
Have you watched Hendricks in the G League?
In other words, you’re incredibly impatient with players. The guy has only played in limited minutes before the trade. After, he’s only played a few games before the ASG.
I think he’s going to be solid to really good. His athletic defense on even really tall players like KD is pretty obvious. What most don’t remember is that he’s actually a really good 3-point shooter. But that’ll likely take time to be consistent, and especially in pressure situations against the world’s best.
He’s essentially replacing Ochai’s role but can literally guard 1-5 as a 3nD SF/PF. Tonight, for example, he had 12p, 9r, and 1a in 25:46. That’s a solid line as a spot-up shooter/slasher in a PF role.