The Nets have been competitive thus far, in large part due to their remaining veterans. A source tells Brian Lewis of the New York Post (subscription required) that it may not last for long. The Nets are pointing toward the future and next June’s rich draft, in which they control four first-rounders. They might start a fire sale sooner than later.
“It’s kind of a perfect storm where they’re better and everybody else is worse,” the unnamed source told Lewis, referring to a handful of struggling Eastern Conference teams. “But (the front office is) not going to let them stay in the middle, so they’ll blow it up. You’ve just got to keep building from there, and then we’ll see what they do around December, when they start blowing everything up.”
Dennis Schröder, Cameron Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith are considered prime trade candidates.
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- Bucks coach Doc Rivers took a financial hit for criticizing the officials after his team’s loss to Charlotte on Saturday. The NBA has fined him $25K, the league announced (via Twitter).
- Joel Embiid has only appeared in two games this season due to knee issues. The reason he’s questionable to play against Miami on Monday is a different story. The Sixers star center is battling an illness, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets.
- The Celtics have played well with big man Neemias Queta in the starting five. He has strong net ratings with all the other starters, Brian Robb of MassLive.com notes, and Boston is 3-1 with him in the lineup. “He can protect the rim, he can protect the paint, you could switch him one through five,” guard Jrue Holiday said. “Guards like to go at him, but he’s such a big body and has so much length to be able to protect from the three-point line, and then he’s quick enough to kind of meet you at the rim too. Neemi gives us versatility and is a really good defender.” Queta re-signed with the club for three seasons over the summer.
Cavs @ Boston Tuesday night.
Now this should be fun.
Cavs are 5th team in history to start season 15-0. You know Celtics want this…. They are home. Cavs can make big Statement.
“Yet, the Cavaliers are nowhere near the NBA’s most prolific start, with one team still ahead. The good news for Cleveland is that of the three previous teams that won their first 15 games to start a regular season, each one made it to the NBA Finals.”
Looks like it aint the Knicks year again then.
Have to finish the year. Celtics will have a say too.
I just want the Cavs to play a competitive game. As banged up as they are (Mitchell, Garland, Mobley all playing through some stuff, no Strus, no Merrill, no Dean Wade or Isaac Okoro after last night’s ankle injuries), they probably don’t have the depth at this point. If they keep the game close, that’s enough proof for me.
Of course, a win would be preferable, but Boston’s wing-heavy rotation will be a huge challenge for a Cavs team with literally every wing on their roster in traction.
Pretty sure Porzingis is out too.
Okay, so maybe take two guys off the Cavs injury report at most. That still leaves them with no wings versus the Celtics having multiple bigs they can play at the 5 between Queta and Horford (and Tillman, though he’s been bad), even though Porzingis is better. The Cavs literally have not a single actual 3 on their roster with all the injuries they’re dealing with. Jaylon Tyson and Luke Travers are infants in NBA terms and neither of them is ready.
Yeah, my point is the Celtics have been playing without one of their best players all year.
And no Travers is not ready for sure.
“2WayBridges” …….. starting to show.
OG showing his offensive game. Two good signs.
Still missing Achiuwa ……..
Knicks bench scoring is one of worst. Have to fix that ……
Getting Achiuwa back will make the Knicks better both defensively and in terms of the bench (having Hart to boost that unit is huge, as opposed to being forced to play the 4, which he’s not necessarily suited to [no knock on him, he’s great]).
Just have to get Thibs to accept Kolek and Hukporti, plus maybe Dadiet and Matt Ryan. If he can get comfortable with using them, the bench will bloom.
Yeah like all teams. Have to get healthy.
Mitch gives a lot to this team. Unfortunately we won’t know till Jan or Feb. Kolek, Hukporti, Dadiet all can give something. Seems Thibs is trying to find it. McBride, Achiuwa, Payne, Sims, Hukporti, even Shammet when he comes back. Are players we have to count on. Knicks bench is still a work in progress. They need consistency. For that we need everyone back.
Always liked Atkinson. Pistons should have signed him before Monty. Looks like his stint in GS has helped him too. In this game you always have to grow someway.
He’s a better defensive planner too, which I guess should be expected given that Golden State’s dominance also came partially from their defense. Running the guards as disruptors and help defense against tough matchups gives them more edge than they had in Bickerstaff’s system. Being able to run Wade, LeVert, and Okoro in more roles is also helpful; great length.