Southwest Notes: Antetokounmpo, V. Williams, Bane, Edey, Doncic, Pelicans

As opposed to recent reporting that indicated Houston could be a favorite to make a big in-season splash, NBA insider Marc Stein writes in a recent Substack post that “consistent whispers” around the league point to the Rockets waiting until the offseason to buy more time to see if a big trade target shakes loose.

Houston expressed interest in trading for Kevin Durant this past summer and Phoenix immediately turned down any such notion. According to Stein, similar rumors are starting to pick up about a potential down-the-line Rockets pursuit of Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

As we’ve written, the Bucks aren’t expected to entertain any offers for their franchise legend even amid a 4-9 start to the year. But Houston’s treasure chest of assets and interest could put them in prime position to be a suitor if Antetokounmpo ever decides to ask out of Milwaukee.

Stein notes that Antetokounmpo has an admiration for Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon. Antetokounmpo is selective about who he works out with, but hasn’t been shy about training with Olajuwon, who Steins says would be a strong recruiter in this specific scenario.

We have more from the Southwest Division:

• After missing the first 12 games of the season for the Grizzlies, rotation wing Vince Williams Jr. made his return last Friday, Damichael Cole of Memphis’s Commercial Appeal writes (Subscriber link). In two games back with the team, Williams is averaging 6.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists as part of the rotation. Williams broke out for the Grizzlies last season, starting in 33 games and averaging 10.0 points. Meanwhile, Desmond Bane returned from a seven-game absence that Friday, playing off the bench for the first time since his rookie season. He started the team’s following game on Sunday.
• Grizzlies rookie center Zach Edey exited Sunday’s game against the Nuggets with an ankle injury and did not return ESPN reports. It’s unclear what the severity of Edey’s injury is, but he left when the Grizzlies were up by 18 points, so there’s a chance he was held out for the rest of the game due to precautionary measures.
• Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic continues to be listed as probable on the team’s injury reports, but the type of injury he’s struggling through in recent games has changed. According to Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal, Doncic had been listed with a left groin strain before that listing was changed to a right knee contusion. When asked about his injury status, Doncic said he feels “a little bit less” than 100% right now. “I mean, it’s probably a matter of time, just, there’s not a lot of time to rest, but I’ll get better. I promise,” Doncic said.
• The Pelicans are 2-8 in their last 10 games as injuries continue to mount up, with almost every member of their regular rotation suffering some sort of injury. New Orleans’ most recent loss came to former Pelicans player JJ Redick‘s Lakers. According to Christian Clark of NOLA.com, Redick acknowledged that New Orleans’ health issues are preventing them from reaching their potential. Redick played in New Orleans from 2019-21, playing with Brandon Ingram, who finished Saturday’s game with 32 points and eight assists, and Zion Williamson, who missed the matchup with an injury. “With Zion, the biggest thing is him being healthy,” Redick said. “We all want to see Zion perform and play because he’s a special player. I got a chance my second year, before I got traded, to see sort of the version 1.0 of Point Zion. It’s been fun to watch that from afar as he’s gotten opportunities to initiate the offense and be the ball handler in the pick and roll.“