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Pelicans Waive Matt Ryan, Adonis Arms

October 10th, 2024 at 4:54pm CST by Tristan Tucker

The Pelicans have waived both guards Matt Ryan and Adonis Arms, according to the NBA’s official transaction log (hat tip to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype).

Both players were on non-guaranteed training camp contracts, so the Pelicans won’t carry any dead money as a result of waiving them.

The decision to waive Ryan is a notable one. The three-point marksman was an instrumental reserve for New Orleans at times last season, averaging 5.4 points per game while shooting 45.1% from deep. He was originally on a two-way contract with the Timberwolves ahead of the 2023/24 season, but was waived last October and was claimed by the Pelicans.

Ryan parlayed his strong play into a standard contract in April. However, he was waived from that standard deal in August after the team signed Javonte Green. The Pelicans, who are operating slightly above the luxury tax line, brought Ryan back on a non-guaranteed Exhibit 9 contract but presumably want to start the season with just 14 players on standard deals in order to avoid going deeper into the tax.

Keith Langlois of Pistons.com speculates Detroit could be a landing spot for Ryan if he winds back up on an NBA roster this season (Twitter link). New Pistons head of basketball operations Trajan Langdon was the general manager in New Orleans when the team claimed Ryan last fall. The Pistons are also first in waiver order if they choose to put in a claim for him and they have an open spot on their 15-man roster while being comfortably below the salary cap.

Because Ryan was signed to an Exhibit 9 deal that didn’t include Exhibit 10 language, he’s not eligible for a bonus if he were to join the Pelicans’ G League affiliate Birmingham Squadron. Ryan holds career averages of 4.4 points on 41.1% shooting from three in 63 career appearances with the Pels, Wolves, Lakers and Celtics.

As for Arms, the Pelicans signed him to an Exhibit 10 deal at the beginning of the month. The plan is presumably for him to suit up for the Squadron, where he will be eligible for a bonus worth up to $77.5K if he spends at least 60 days in Birmingham.

Arms went undrafted last season after attending Texas Tech. He played for the Memphis Hustle last season, averaging 16.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He was impressive in Summer League this season, averaging 20.7 points and 6.7 rebounds for the Kings.

Southwest Notes: Eason, Wembanyama, Paul, Irving, Ingram

October 10th, 2024 at 2:14pm CST by Tristan Tucker

After a promising rookie season in which he played all 82 games, Rockets forward Tari Eason played just 22 times in his sophomore season due to a leg injury. Now, Eason is reestablishing his value this preseason, Jonathan Feigen of Houston Chronicle writes.

Eason, when healthy, is an integral part of the Rockets’ present and future. A strong defensive-minded wing, he holds averages of 9.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 104 career games. The preseason minutes Eason is receiving represent his first NBA action since Jan. 1.

“I don’t think there were too many jitters just because this is my third year, and I try not to overcomplicate things,” Eason said. “The anticipation was real, but I don’t like to say jitters or nerves. When you spend your time worrying, I think that affects performance. So, I try not to worry too much, be as comfortable as possible, trust myself, trust my game, trust my work.”

Eason projects to be a key reserve for the team alongside other young players like Amen Thompson (if he isn’t promoted to the starting lineup), Reed Sheppard and Cam Whitmore.

“For me, it was just trying to figure out a way to fit in as well as possible with that second unit,” Eason said. “[I’m] just figuring it out.”

We have more from the Southwest Division:

The Spurs signed NBA legend Chris Paul this offseason, but Victor Wembanyama was blunt in his assessment of where the team stands. According to San Antonio Express-News’ Jeff McDonald, Wembanyama cautioned that flashy plays like lobs are among the first things opposing teams think to guard. That connection looked ahead of schedule in San Antonio’s Wednesday preseason game against Orlando, but Paul agreed that fundamentals need to be the first focus of synergy. “The game is tough,” Paul said. “A lot of people think it’s just going to be lob, lob, lob. But there’s a lot of regular, fundamental basketball we’ve got to play to hopefully at some point get to that.“
Kyrie Irving helped lead the Mavericks renaissance that culminated in them reaching the NBA Finals last season. In an extensive interview with The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Irving spoke on several Mavs and personal topics, including how he’s feeling content with a veteran role in Dallas. “I used to think leadership is just this lonely, lonely, lonely thing, and it’s not,” Irving said. “It’s literally surrounding yourself with great-minded people, great-hearted people, and being able to ask them to push you at times when you’re not able to push yourself.“
Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram won’t make a preseason appearance until the finale next Tuesday against the Rockets, NOLA.com’s Christian Clark tweets. Ingram is out for undisclosed reasons until then. “He’s fine,” head coach Willie Green said.

Atlantic Notes: Barnes, Olynyk, Barrett, Tillman, Celtics Sale, Lowry

October 10th, 2024 at 12:46pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Scottie Barnes and Kelly Olynyk played fewer than 100 minutes together after Olynyk was acquired by the Raptors at the trade deadline. Barnes will make his preseason debut on Friday and anticipates he could be an ideal pick-and-roll partner for the veteran big man, according to Michael Grange of Sportsnet.

“I think we’ve been working on that a lot. You play with different lines at practices, see how things go,” Barnes said. “Kelly’s great at passing. He can dribble really well for his size and just his vision on the floor. So being able to create those advantages where a (center guarding Olynyk) is used to being in the ball screen, it kind of messes up a team or messes up some rotations, for sure. So just got to try to use that, exploit it at times, and see what works throughout the process, throughout games. If it keeps working, you know, you just keep attacking.”

We have more from the Atlantic Division:

Raptors wing RJ Barrett is expected to miss the remainder of the preseason with a shoulder injury. That could thrust Ochai Agbaji into the starting lineup when the season begins, according to Josh Lewenberg of TSN. In a separate note, Lewenberg reports that Immanuel Quickley should be cleared for contact soon. He’s recovering from a thumb injury.
The Celtics seem determined to expand Xavier Tillman‘s offensive game. Tillman has taken five 3-pointers in two preseason games and made three of them. “You never want to put a ceiling on his game, and now that we have him for an entire offseason and season it’s just continuing to grow,” coach Joe Mazzulla told Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe. “So he does a great job of working, but all facets are important for his development.”
The Celtics are up for sale and majority owner Wyc Grousbeck provided Himmelsbach with an update. “The sale process is gearing up and about to hit full speed,” he said. “It took this long for our advisers to go through the financial and business data of the team and our whole management team, and spend enough time to put together offering books. Now they’re beginning to have discussions with interested parties, and the bidding process will commence in the next month or so.”
Sixers coach Nick Nurse believes Kyle Lowry could become an NBA head coach after the veteran guard retires, he told Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I think that he’s got a couple things that I would think would make him a good coach,” Nurse said. “He really loves the game. He really studies the game. He knows the game, and, obviously, he’s got a toughness level, right? I think he could handle going out there to fight.”

Nuggets Pick Up 2025/26 Options On Braun, Strawther, Watson

October 10th, 2024 at 11:04am CST by Dana Gauruder

The Nuggets have picked up the 2025/26 rookie scale team options for Christian Braun, Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson, the team announced (via Twitter).

The front office’s decisions on their contracts come as no surprise, since the trio will all play prominent roles in Denver this season. Braun and Strawther are battling for the starting job vacated by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, while Watson is one of the team’s top reserves.

Braun’s fourth-year option is worth $4,921,797, while Strawther’s third-year option is worth $2,674,148. The fourth-year option on Watson’s contract is pegged at $4,356,476.

Those were the only option decisions Denver needed to make before the Oct. 31 deadline.

Braun and Watson will be eligible for rookie scale extensions next offseason. The Nuggets will have until the end of October 2025 to make a decision on Strawther’s fourth-year option for 2026/27.

Veteran Wing Danny Green Decides To Retire

October 10th, 2024 at 9:50am CST by Dana Gauruder

Longtime NBA wing Danny Green is retiring, ESPN’s Shams Charania tweets.

Green will announce his decision on his podcast Thursday, Charania adds. He is one of four players in NBA history to win championships with three different teams — the Spurs in 2014, the Raptors in 2019 and the Lakers in 2020.

Green carved out a 15-year career as a three-and-D player. He averaged 40% from distance in his career on a whopping 3,946 regular season attempts. Overall, he averaged 8.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 25.1 minutes per game. Green appeared in 832 regular season contests, including 709 starts.

He also played in 169 postseason contests, averaging 7.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals in 25.3 minutes per night.

Green began his career in Cleveland as a second-round pick in 2009. He spent the bulk of his career (2010-18) with San Antonio, then had one-year stints during those championship runs with Toronto and the Lakers. Green spent the next two seasons in Philadelphia. He only played a total of 11 games with Memphis and Cleveland in 2022/23 and two games with the Sixers last season.

He was waived in early November by Philadelphia after the team completed the James Harden blockbuster with the Clippers, and never found another opportunity as a free agent.

New York Notes: Achiuwa, Anunoby, Simmons, Williams

October 10th, 2024 at 9:19am CST by Dana Gauruder

Precious Achiuwa had to wait until the end of July to re-sign with the Knicks as a free agent due in part to the team’s salary cap issues. Achiuwa will hit the free agent market once again next summer after signing a one-year, $6MM deal but he could pump up his value in a reserve role this season, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.

Achiuwa projects as the main frontcourt reserve until Mitchell Robinson returns from ankle surgery.

“I know I’m versatile. Playing the power forward, the center, the versatility of my game stands out the most,” Achiuwa said. “And last year I was able to show a lot of people that I was able to do a lot of different things.”

Robinson’s tentative timeline to get back in action is sometime in December or January.

We have more on the New York teams:

OG Anunoby missed chunks of time in the regular season and postseason due to injuries after the Knicks acquired him from the Raptors last season. The defensive ace is healthy this preseason and coach Tom Thibodeau basically looks at it as a fresh start. “He missed a lot of time last year. … So we still got to get reacclimated to everything we’re doing,” he said of Anunoby, according to Peter Botte of the New York Post. “Obviously you start at a zero base and you build. And that’s where we are. We’re building right now, but we have to understand that you build together. And so you’re asking everyone to share the floor, share the ball, and then be committed together defensively. And so that’s what we’re working on.”
The Nets’ Ben Simmons will be a free agent after this season but that’s not what he’s thinking about. He just wants to be a productive player and good teammate, he told Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “We have a younger team that I want to help these guys get better. I want to lead by example. I want to compete,” Simmons said. “(Head coach) Jordi (Fernandez) is coming in first year. It’s a big year for him. I want to be a leader on this team. So (screw) what happens next year, and what contract I get, if I get a contract. I want to do my job while I’m here and be professional and help these guys in any way I can. So who knows? I want to play as long as my body will allow me. So if it’s one year, five years, six years, I don’t know what it is. But I just want to keep going until I can’t anymore.”
Ziaire Williams had 10 points and three steals in 23 minutes during the Nets’ preseason game on Tuesday. He was acquired from Memphis in a salary dump and is looking to establish himself in the league, Lewis writes. “I’m trying to reinvent myself, show people that I belong in this league,” Williams said. “I’m trying to work my hardest every day. Just put all my heart, my soul out there on defensive, and carry that over to the offensive end.” Williams is eligible for a rookie scale extension until October 21, the day before the season begins.

Get Matched to the Best Therapist for You. Self-Care is Focusing on Your Mental Health

What’s an important holiday you might not know about? World Mental Health Day on October 10th – encouraging all of us to talk about and take care of our mental health since 1992.

The Mental Health Of Athletes: Statistics, Self-Care, And Support

Athletes often experience high pressure, busy schedules, and exposure to harmful stigmas and stereotypes that can lead to mental health conditions or chronic stress and burnout.

If you’re an athlete, there are various ways you can practice self-care to improve your mental health.

Mental health challenges common in athletes

Up to 35% of elite professional athletes are living with a mental illness, and student-athletes and those who participate in athletics for pleasure are also at risk. Below are statistics on the most common mental health conditions in athletes.

Eating disorders

Eating disorders may be more common in athletes due to pervasive stereotypes about what an athlete’s body “should” look like. In addition, bullying or rejection from teammates, coaches, and team supporters can lead to individuals experiencing fear of shame or the loss of their athlete status if they gain weight, lose muscle, or experience bodily changes.

Depression

One study found that the prevalence of depression in athletes is around 15.6% to 21%. The same study reported that athletes who were at a higher risk of depressive disorders were those with sports injuries, those who had been terminated from their career as athletes, and those rated poorly in performance. Depression can lead to a higher suicide risk in athletes, so therapy is often recommended.

Anxiety

Research by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) found that almost 85% of certified athletic trainers believe anxiety disorders are an issue for student-athletes. Other studies report that sports can lead to high levels of stress and pressure, which can cause anxiety.

Substance use disorders

According to studies, medication and alcohol misuse are the most common forms of substance use in athletes. Athletes may self-medicate due to other mental health challenges, physical pain, or difficulty sleeping. In addition, “sports culture” can sometimes lead to social pressure to drink or take other substances. Breaking down stigmas on a societal and team level can be a way to reduce these challenges.

How to practice self-care as an athlete

If you’re an athlete, whether you practice for fun or are in an elite team, there are a few self-care tips you can consider.

Prioritize mental health as much as physical health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental healthcare can reduce the risk of physical illnesses like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. To prioritize your mental health, pay attention to what your emotions tell you, learn about self-care, take breaks when needed, and address your stress when it arises.

Challenge harmful practices, stigma, and misconceptions

Stigmas, harmful practices, and misconceptions are common in athletic communities. Below are some ways to challenge these:

Refuse substance use if you’re not interested in partaking, and encourage teammates and other athletes to value bodily autonomy
Speak up when someone uses a stereotype or stigmatizing term
Report abusive or unethical team practices imposed in professional environments
Speak up against transphobia in sports
Share your own story about mental health and what helped you cope
Be open about stress and stress management
Take steps to address toxic masculinity in athletics
Be accepting of the religious and cultural practices of team members
Seek therapy and be open about it with others

Nurture a strong support system

Having a support system can significantly reduce mental health challenges, leading to increased wellness and quality of life and a reduced risk of physical illness. Nurture your support system by ensuring you spend quality time with those you love outside of a sports context.

How to find professional support as an athlete

Therapy can be an effective tool for reducing stress and the chances of mental burnout in athletes. For those facing barriers to in-person therapy, online platforms like BetterHelp may be more accessible. Through an online platform, athletes can access resources like support groups and worksheets and weekly therapy with a provider via phone, video, or live chat.

Studies show that online therapy can be effective in treating conditions commonly seen in athletes, like anxiety and depression. In one study, online therapy was found to be more effective in symptom reduction for these conditions than face-to-face therapy.

Takeaway

For those who are struggling, mental health treatment may be beneficial. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness but strength, and over 41.7 million US adults see a therapist. By talking to a professional, you can develop ways to cope productively with your challenges and potentially receive referrals to other support options, such as psychiatry or support groups.

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Blazers Notes: Reath, Williams, Backcourt, Graham, Banton

October 9th, 2024 at 10:40pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Trail Blazers backup center Duop Reath remains a potentially integral part of Portland’s crowded big man rotation, writes Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian.

The 6’11” big man is the only rostered Blazers center who’s a proficient three-point shooter. During his rookie season in 2023/24, the 28-year-old stepped up in the absence of an injured Robert Williams III, assuming primary reserve duties behind starter Deandre Ayton.

Across 68 contests (20 starts), Reath averaged 9.1 points on .461/.359/.742 shooting splits, along with 3.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.6 blocks and 0.5 steals per night. His 35.9% long range conversion rate arrived on 3.6 attempts, pretty good for a guy playing just 17.9 minutes per game.

Though Williams is injured again, the former All-Defensive Second Teamer will likely still leapfrog Reath when healthy, as Portland no doubt hopes to find a new trade home for him at some point. Former Connecticut standout Donovan Clingan, the Trail Blazers’ prized lottery draft pick this summer, seems likely to earn some run, too.

“That’s the benefit of the team,” Reath said of the Portland centers’ various skill sets. “Everybody’s good at what they’re good at. (Clingan) is huge. Great rim protector. You’ve got me, who can stretch the floor a little bit. Everybody is just different. So, coach can use whatever he needs that game, that day.”

There’s more out of Portland:

Speaking of Williams, the 6’9″ vet recently supplied an update on his Grade 1 left hamstring strain, suffered last week in a practice. As Fentress writes in another Oregonian story, Williams is projected to return in two weeks, meaning he should be available around the start of the Trail Blazers’ season. He suited up for just six games last year, before undergoing a season-ending knee surgery in November. Fentress reports that Williams is taking part in some of the Trail Blazers’ training camp activities, though he is currently avoiding the tougher drills. “I feel good,” Williams said. “Working out a little bit more. Ramping up a little bit more.”
Fourth-year Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups is bullish on the team’s depth at the guard position, too, Fentress adds in a different article. Expected starting shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe sustained a shoulder separation and is set to miss the next four-to-six weeks, but Billups expects backups Scoot Henderson, Dalano Banton and training camp signee Devonte’ Graham to step up admirably. Anfernee Simons will be temporarily moved back to a shooting guard role on the squad while Sharpe recuperates.
According to Fentress, in the absence of Sharpe, both Banton and Graham are expected to start the year with Portland. Banton is on a partially guaranteed deal, while Graham’s contract is non-guaranteed. “He’s just such a hooper,” Billups said of Banton. “He’s just such a good basketball player.” In order to hang onto both Banton and Graham into the regular season, Portland would have to trade or waive a player with a guaranteed contract. Fentress doesn’t specify who might be the odd man out.
In case you missed it, Billups is still wrapping his head around his impending enshrinement into the Hall of Fame this week.

Mavericks Notes: Gortman, Morris, C. Marshall, Backcourt

October 9th, 2024 at 8:37pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

In the competition for the Mavericks’ open two-way roster spot, point guard Jazian Gortman may have taken the lead, writes Dallas Hoops Journal’s Grant Afseth (Substack link).

Gortman went undrafted out of the Overtime Elite in 2023. He suited up for G League affiliate squads for the Bucks and Trail Blazers last season, but has yet to appear in an NBA game. The 6’2″ pro joined the Mavericks on a training camp deal after impressing in Summer League.

The Mavericks currently have one open two-way slot on their roster. Gortman and fellow camp invitees Emanuel Miller and Jamarion Sharp are on Exhibit 10 deals that could be converted to two-way contracts prior to the start of the regular season.

There’s more out of Dallas:

According to Afseth, power forward Markieff Morris, currently on an Exhibit 9 training camp deal, is expected to earn a standard contract. Dallas’ decision to waive shooting guard A.J. Lawson, who finished last season with the team, clears the way for Morris to make the standard roster as the 15th man.
Mavericks CEO Cynthia Marshall intends to retire on December 31, reports Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. Marshall has been in her current role since 2018. “Cynt Marshall is a force of nature,” Dallas co-owner Patrick Dumont said in a team press statement. “I like to say her superpower is bringing people together, but the truth is she has many superpowers… Cynt has always gone above and beyond in everything she has done, and her leadership of the Dallas Mavericks is no exception. She is an indelible fixture in the history of this franchise, and we are eternally grateful.”
Now that Mavericks reserve guard Dante Exum is expected to miss the next three months following a right wrist surgery, there’s an opportunity for major rotation minutes for some of Dallas deeper-bench backcourt players, writes Afseth in another piece. “With Dante sidelined, we’re looking at guys like Brandon Williams and Spencer Dinwiddie to step up and fill those minutes,” head coach Jason Kidd said. “It’s unfortunate, but we have depth, and guys like Jaden Hardy will also have the chance to contribute more.” Afseth notes that, should Exum miss the reported three months, he’ll be sidelined for nearly half of the Mavericks’ regular season.
In case you missed it, newly-acquired young Mavericks guard Quentin Grimes, formerly of the Knicks, is looking to bring his considerable upside to bear for the reigning West champs in 2024/25.

Marcus Smart Talks Edey, Morant, Grizzlies’ Defense, More

October 9th, 2024 at 6:49pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Grizzlies swingman Marcus Smart, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, is a huge fan of what he’s seeing out of Memphis’ first round draft pick this year, as he said during an interview with Grant Afseth of Sportskeeda.

Waylaid by injuries to starters Smart, Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and Steven Adams (before Adams was shipped out to Houston midseason), Memphis fell into the lottery last year with a 27-55 record.

The benefit of that drop-off is the addition of a permanent Adams replacement in No. 9 overall pick Zach Edey, a super-sized All-American center out of Purdue.

“He’s gonna be huge for us,” Smart said of Edey. “He allows us to do a lot of different things on the defensive end. He lets me and Jaren really give everything we’ve got. Being former Defensive Players of the Year, it’s great to have that rim protection behind us. And being 7’4″ definitely helps with that. He moves very well, his IQ is very high, and he’s only continuing to get better.”

The conversation is well worth reading in full, but here are some highlights:

When asked about the efficacy of pick-and-roll actions between Morant and Edey, Smart was exuberant. “Oh it’s going to be deadly, man,” Smart said. “It’s just going to open up things even more for us, especially for Ja. We all know what Ja can do with a little bit of space, so just imagine what he can do with a lot of space cleared out by a big like Zach.”
The Grizzlies field what should on paper be one of the league’s best defenses. After all, Jackson earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023, a season after Smart won the award. The arrival of Edey is expected to fortify Memphis’ interior protection. “We have a high ceiling,” Morant said. “If we can stay locked in and figure it out early on, we can be really good, especially defensively. We’ve got the talent, the guys can do it, and the definition of what it takes.”
Last year, Jackson looked to score more with Morant out for all but nine games. He, too, eventually went down, but Smart believes the experience was ultimately beneficial for the big man’s long-term offensive flexibility. “We asked Jaren to take on more offensively, and that takes a toll on the body,” Smart noted. “He’s been able to learn more about himself, more about the team, and what he can do to help us. That’s what we need.”

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