Nuggets guard Julian Strawther is finding himself as part of Denver’s rotation, establishing himself as a premier outside scoring threat, Bennett Durando of The Denver Post writes. The second-year Gonzaga product is averaging 9.4 points while shooting 37.9% from deep, giving the Nuggets a clear-cut eighth option for the rotation.
For Strawther to maintain his role in coach Michael Malone‘s rotation heading into the playoffs, Denver will need to continue Strawther’s development at a steady pace, Durando writes.
“What I love about that kid is his work ethic,” Malone said. “He was in our gym every day this summer. And I’m not making that up. Sometimes you hear these stories. They’re inflated. Julian Strawther was in our gym every day this summer.”
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Russell Westbrook exited Denver’s game against the Sixers on Friday night due to hamstring tightness and did not return, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reports. Westbrook didn’t appear to have a limp and it’s unclear if he’ll miss any additional time due to the injury. If he does, Christian Braun will enter the starting lineup in his place.
- If the Thunder make a trade at the deadline, it should be done on the margins and not something that impacts the team chemistry of an OKC squad that has a real shot at winning a title, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman writes. Mussatto comes up with three potential trades, including for Nets forward Cameron Johnson. Two players who could be acquired for less than Johnson who could still help could include Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado and Hawks guard Garrison Mathews.
- Timberwolves backup big Luka Garza continues to have big games against Utah over the years, Chris Hine of Star Tribune observes. In five career games against the Jazz, Garza holds career averages of 12.2 points on 58.8% shooting from three, his most against any team. On Thursday, Garza stepped up with Donte DiVincenzo, Mike Conley and Julius Randle dealing with injuries, scoring 16 points.
- Trail Blazers second-year guard Scoot Henderson is putting together more and more good-to-great games and he’s growing as a leader for Portland, Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian writes. In 16 games in January, Henderson averaged 14.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 48.4% from the field and 43.8% from three. “His energy has been crazy,” teammate Deandre Ayton said. “He’s becoming a true point guard, being very vocal, talking to everybody.”
Joe Mussatto: make a trade around the margins. (Next breath) acquire Cam Johnson!
Thunder would be stupid to not make a deal for this season, the offense style they play will not win in playoffs.
What player could they trade for that is going to help out offensively without having an adverse effect on their defense? They have the 1st rated defense and 6th rated offense. They already have to integrate Holmgren back into the mix in about a month. That’s going to move Dort, Hartenstein or Wallace to the bench. Cam Johnson is about the only player available that would be able to make a big enough impact on offense and while he can hold his own on defense but it takes time to acclimate to defensive schemes. They should just stand pat and have Chet be the big mid season addition to the rotation.
Portland is putting together a better than expected season as far as I am concerned. Scoot had nowhere to go but up because he was terrible the first couple of months.