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Western Notes: Thompson, Lee, Gobert, Biyombo

February 12th, 2024 at 10:48pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The prospect of a reduced role wouldn’t prevent Klay Thompson from re-signing with the Warriors this offseason, he told Logan Murdock of The Ringer. Thompson will become an unrestricted free agent if he doesn’t sign an extension.

“Yeah, there’s nothing wrong with that,” he said. “I’ll be 35 next year. At 35, coming off the ACL and an Achilles [tear] and still have the ability to be a really good player. Maybe not the guy who scored 60 in three quarters and scored an NBA record 37 points in a quarter, but still a great threat out there. I’ve modeled my game after Reggie [Miller] and Ray [Allen], and those guys were incredibly effective until their late 30s. So I plan on kind of following that mold.”

We have more from the Western Conference:

Damion Lee hasn’t played this season after undergoing knee surgery in October, but the Suns haven’t given up hope that Lee will return this season, even though he has yet to go through on-court activities, according to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “Hopefully at some point towards the end of the regular season we can start talking about where he’s at in terms of getting back on the floor,” coach Frank Vogel said. The swingman re-signed with Phoenix as a free agent last summer, inking a two-year, minimum-salary deal that includes a player option.
The Timberwolves took plenty of heat last season for their blockbuster trade with the Jazz that brought Rudy Gobert to Minnesota. Bucks coach Doc Rivers recently said those critics have been muffled this season, Nolan O’Hara of Sports Illustrated relays. “I don’t think anyone’s laughing at that trade anymore,” Rivers said after Minnesota defeated Milwaukee last week. “They’re just so long, and they play hard, too.”
New Thunder big man Bismack Biyombo won’t make his franchise debut until after the All-Star break, Brett Dawson tweets. Biyombo signed with OKC after the Grizzlies waived him earlier this season.

Community Shootaround: Hawks’ Future Plans

February 12th, 2024 at 10:05pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Less than a week after the trade deadline, there’s already some buzz around the Hawks and their offseason plans.

Both Jake Fischer and Marc Stein have reported since Thursday’s deadline that there’s speculation around the league the Hawks might make Trae Young available, adding that the Spurs and Lakers are two potential landing spots if Atlanta goes in that direction.

Of course, Young’s backcourt partner was the subject of heavy trade rumors in recent weeks. The Hawks ultimately decided the offers they received for Dejounte Murray weren’t good enough.

The front office also decided to hold onto Clint Capela, Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Andre Hunter, and AJ Griffin, all names that surfaced on the rumor mill.

The above-mentioned players are signed through at least next season, so the Hawks have very little payroll flexibility. It would be hard to imagine the Hawks running it back another season with the same core group of players, unless they drastically improve in the second half.

The front office hired Quin Snyder with much fanfare last February to get the most out of the roster it had assembled. But the Hawks continue to spin their wheels, entering the week five games below .500. They still have a good chance of making the play-in tournament but no one considers them a serious postseason threat.

Their recent drafts have been underwhelming. Jalen Johnson has emerged as a reliable starter in his third season but 2022 first-rounder Griffin and 2023 selection Kobe Bufkin have struggled to crack Snyder’s rotation.

That brings us to our topic of the day: What moves should the Hawks make this offseason? Should they trade Young and/or Murray? Or should they seek frontcourt upgrades to complement them?

Please take to the comments section to weigh on this topic. We look forward to your input.

USA Basketball Announces February AmeriCup Qualifying Roster

February 12th, 2024 at 8:46pm CST by Rory Maher

USA Basketball has announced its 12-man roster for a pair of AmeriCup qualifying games that will be played later this month, according to a press release written by Michael Terry. The Americans will host Cuba in Kissimmee, Florida, on February 22, then will travel to Cuba for a second game on Feb. 25.

The roster is as follows:

Ten of the 12 players have at least some level of NBA experience, with Davis and Jayce Johnson the only exceptions. Carter-Williams, Stanley Johnson, and Payton are all former lottery picks. None of those 10 players are currently on NBA rosters, however, with Hurt being the most recent to play in the league (with Memphis on a 10-day hardship contract).

As previously reported, Jerome Allen will be the head coach for this round of qualifying games, with Melvin Hunt, Sydney Johnson and Bill Bayno serving as assistants. Bayno will also be a scout, per the release. Allen, Hunt and Bayno are all former NBA assistant coaches.

As Terry writes, the two qualifying games this month are the first of three qualifying windows ahead of the 2025 AmeriCup. In the other two qualifying windows, held Nov. 2024 and Feb. 2025, the U.S. will face Puerto Rico and the Bahamas, respectively.

Per the release, qualifying rounds consist of 16 teams distributed into four, four-team groups. Each team will play each opponent in their group twice, once at home and once away. The top three teams in each group (12 total) will advance to next year’s AmeriCup, which will occur Aug. 23-31, 2025, in Managua, Nicaragua.

Team USA has won the AmeriCup seven times, according to Terry, with the last victory coming in 2017. The Americans won bronze in 2022, which was the last time the tournament was held.

Central Notes: Beverley, Lillard, Lowry, Duren, Siakam

February 12th, 2024 at 7:41pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Bucks’ biggest trade deadline move was the acquisition of pesky guard Patrick Beverley from the Sixers. General manager Jon Horst said Beverley provides “point-of-attack defense and defensive versatility.”

“He’s proven to be able to guard multiple positions in his career. He is an impactful point-of-attack defender,” the Bucks GM said, per Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “He plays with a physicality and a toughness that we think will help us.”

Damian Lillard has had some tense moments with Beverley during his career but he’s glad to have him as a Bucks teammate, Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report tweets. “He brings an edge and a defensive tenacity on the perimeter that we need,” Lillard said. “There are not many players who bring it on a nightly like him. I look forward to working together. Our past personal issues don’t trump an opportunity to win a championship.”

We have more from the Central Division:

The Bulls had some interest in signing Kyle Lowry after he was bought out by Charlotte, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports, but Lowry chose to sign with the Sixers. Chicago could still sign another player via the buyout market. ‘‘If there’s someone who has an interest or [the front office feels] like it would be a good fit, they’ll bring me in and we’d probably get on the phone with the player,’’ coach Billy Donovan said. ‘‘But as of right now, nothing has moved forward in terms of any plans.”
The Pistons are increasingly looking to take advantage of Jalen Duren‘s passing skills, James Edwards III of The Athletic writes. Duren had a six-assist game against Sacramento during their current West Coast road trip. “When we throw it into him, it’s an opportunity for everyone to be open,” guard Jaden Ivey said. “He looks for us out on the perimeter. He’s finding guys. If he doesn’t have anything, he uses his strengths and abilities to put the ball in the basket.”
Pacers forward Pascal Siakam is still getting adjusted to playing with point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Siakam has been dazzled by Haliburton’s creativity, Tim Bontemps of ESPN writes. “I’ve just got to like always be ready and we’ve got to figure out rhythms. Him understanding my rhythms and me understanding also his rhythms,” Siakam said. “I definitely haven’t played with someone like him before, so I’m just learning on the fly and, and I think the more we’re out there we’ll get comfortable.”

Pistons Sign Tosan Evbuomwan To 10-Day Deal

February 12th, 2024 at 7:00pm CST by Tristan Tucker

FEBRUARY 12: The Pistons have officially signed Evbuomwan to his 10-day contract, per NBA.com’s transaction log.

FEBRUARY 11: The Pistons are signing forward Tosan Evbuomwan to a 10-day contract, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Detroit had an open roster spot, so no corresponding move is required.

Evbuomwan, 22, spent training camp with the Pistons and has suited up this season for their G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise. In 29 games with the Cruise, Evbuomwan has averaged 15.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists. He parlayed that productivity into a 10-day hardship deal with the Grizzlies. He averaged 2.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in 18.5 minutes across four contests with Memphis before that deal expired this past week.

The 6’7″ forward had a productive collegiate career at Princeton, where he led the Tigers to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament this past season. He averaged 15.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists per contest in his senior season before declaring for the draft, where he ultimately went unselected. He was the 2021/22 Ivy League Player of the Year.

Evbuomwan provides an athletic forward for depth purposes for Detroit’s new-look bench. His contract will cover the team’s final two games before the All-Star break — at Los Angeles on Feb. 13 and at Phoenix on Feb. 14 — as well as the first game after the break, which is at Indiana on Feb. 22. Since 10-day contracts must cover at least three games, the deal will run through Feb. 22 even if he signs it Sunday or Monday.

After it expires, the Pistons could decide to sign him to a second 10-day deal or let him become a free agent. After a potential second 10-day deal, he’d need to be signed to a rest-of-season contract to be retained.

Grizzlies Notes: Watanabe, Jackson, Jemison, Gilyard

February 12th, 2024 at 6:38pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Yuta Watanabe was initially “sad” when he found out from his agent that he’d been traded. When he heard he was going to the Grizzlies, his demeanor changed, he told the media (video link) after a team shootaround on Monday.

“I’m excited now. Good to be back here,” he said. “This is where my NBA career started … I’m a grown man now, playing with confidence. … I’m so much better than I used to be.”

Watanabe, who played 33 games for Memphis in his first two NBA seasons from 2018-20, was included in the three-team deal among the Grizzlies, Nets and Suns on Tuesday.

We have more on the Grizzlies:

Memphis signed GG Jackson to a four-year contract on Friday. The last year of the deal – 2026/27 – will be a team option, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets. Jackson had been on a two-way contract.
Jackson was not in uniform on Monday. He was held out by the club due to a violation of team rules, coach Taylor Jenkins told Jonah Dylan of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. The rookie second-rounder had scored in double figures in his last four games.
Trey Jemison, who was added on a two-way deal on Friday, received a two-year contract, Scotto confirms (via Twitter).
Two-way player Jacob Gilyard is closing in on his 50-game NBA limit for the season, ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweets. Gilyard had only three games remaining entering Monday’s action. He is not eligible to be on the active roster once he reaches 50 games, unless he signs a standard contract.

New York Notes: Sharpe, Johnson, Simmons, Knicks Injuries, Bogdanovic

February 12th, 2024 at 5:37pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Nets big man Day’Ron Sharpe will return to action on Tuesday night against the Celtics, according to Lucas Kaplan of NetsDaily.com. Sharpe has missed the last 15 games due to a left knee hyperextension.

“I ain’t think I would be out this long,” Sharpe said. “But you know, it could have been worse.”

Cameron Johnson, who has missed the last three games due to an adductor issue, won’t play the first of two consecutive games against Boston. He participated in full-court five-on-five at practice on Monday but may be held out until after the All-Star break.

We have more from the New York teams:

Nets guard Ben Simmons scored a season-high 13 points against San Antonio on Saturday, missing just one field goal attempt. Simmons is gaining more confidence in his body after missing a good chunk of the season, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post . “Feeling better. It takes time. It’s one of those things where it’s just up and down each day. But I’m just staying with it. The storm doesn’t last forever,” Simmons said. “You know, I’m gonna get back to where I was. So just staying on it. And you know, each day is a day to get better.”
Frontcourt injuries have sapped some of the Knicks’ greatest strengths — notably, strength, size and rim protection, Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post writes. That was evident in a loss to Indiana on Saturday. The Knicks will have to make do with a depleted frontcourt once again when they play Houston and Orlando prior to the All-Star break. “It’s always tough when you’re small,” Donte DiVincenzo said, “but I think over these next two games, we’ve just got to find a way to win. Hopefully, we get guys back, but if you don’t, you’ve gotta be ready, gotta be scrappy, and collectively we have to hit the boards a little bit better.”
Bojan Bogdanovic got a taste of what it’s like playing for the home team in Madison Square Garden on Saturday, producing 11 points in 33 minutes during his Knicks’ debut. He was acquired from Detroit at the trade deadline and was blown away by the atmosphere at the Knicks’ home arena, Sanchez writes in separate story. “It’s crazy. I think that we all European players dream to play in the Garden,” he said. “So being able to be part of the Knicks, it’s really special for me. The building was on fire the whole game. So I really appreciate the support and love that they showed me (Saturday).”

Heat’s Terry Rozier Week-To-Week With Right Knee Sprain

February 12th, 2024 at 4:00pm CST by Rory Maher

The Heat received good news on Monday, as an MRI revealed that Terry Rozier avoided a major injury, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link), who reports that the veteran guard is considered week-to-week with a right knee sprain.

According to Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel (Twitter links), there’s “legitimate optimism” that Rozier could return either right after or a few games after the All-Star break, though Winderman acknowledges the Heat tend to be cautious when it comes to injuries.

Rozier sustained the scary-looking injury (YouTube link via ESPN) midway through the third quarter of Sunday’s game vs. Boston. He landed awkwardly on his right leg on an attempted layup and trainers had to help him to the locker room.

The Heat traded Kyle Lowry and their lottery-protected 2027 first-round pick to acquire Rozier from Charlotte last month. If the pick doesn’t convey in ’27, the Heat will send their unprotected 2028 first-rounder to the Hornets instead.

Rozier, 29, was having a career-best season in Charlotte, averaging 23.2 PPG, 6.6 APG, 3.9 RPG and 1.1 SPG on .459/.358/.845 shooting in 40 games (35.5 MPG), but he has struggled early on in his tenure with the Heat, averaging just 12.6 PPG, 5.6 APG, 4.5 RPG and 0.8 SPG on .359/.234/.958 shooting through 10 games (29.9 MPG).

Fellow guard Josh Richardson was also injured against Boston, suffering a dislocated right shoulder in the second quarter. He’ll be reevaluated in a few weeks, per Charania.

Luka Doncic, Donovan Mitchell Named Players Of The Week

February 12th, 2024 at 2:40pm CST by Rory Maher

Mavericks guard Luka Doncic and Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell have been named the NBA’s Players of the Week, the league announced on Monday (via Twitter). Doncic won for the Western Conference, while Mitchell was the East’s winner.

Doncic helped lead Dallas to a 4-0 week, averaging 31.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.8 steals on .513/.442/.686 shooting in 37.5 minutes per game. The perennial All-NBA guard has taken his game to new heights this season, averaging career highs in several categories, including points (34.5), assists (9.4), and minutes (a league-high 37.6) per game, three-point percentage (38.0%) and free throw percentage (77.6%).

According to the Mavs (Twitter link), Doncic has earned more Player of the Week honors than any player in the West since 2019/20. This was his 11th weekly award over that span.

As for Mitchell, the East’s reigning Player of the Month helped guide Cleveland to a 4-0 week as well, averaging 27.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 block on .541/.459/1.000 shooting in 33.0 minutes. Mitchell, who was selected as an All-Star for the fifth time in 2023/24, will also be participating in the three-point contest at All-Star weekend.

The Cavs are the league’s hottest team, having won 17 of their past 18 games.

According to the NBA, the other nominees in the West were Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant and Brandon Ingram, while Miles Bridges, Kristaps Porzingis, Jayson Tatum, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner and Franz Wagner were nominated in the East (Twitter link).

Pelicans’ Dyson Daniels Out Indefinitely With Torn Meniscus

February 12th, 2024 at 2:22pm CST by Rory Maher

2:22pm: According to a press release from the Pelicans, Daniels has a torn lateral meniscus and is receiving additional evaluations “to determine appropriate treatment options,” with another update to come in the future.

1:55pm: Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels has sustained a torn meniscus in his left knee and will be out indefinitely, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium (via Twitter).

The No. 8 pick of the 2022 draft, Daniels has been a rotation regular for New Orleans in his second NBA season, averaging 5.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals in 52 games, including 15 starts (21.9 minutes). He posted a .438/.291/.640 shooting line in those contests.

While the 20-year-old Australian isn’t a great offensive player at this point in his development, he’s excellent on the other end, frequently defending opposing teams’ top perimeter scorers. Daniels is among the league leaders in steals per game, Charania notes.

It’s a tough setback for Daniels and the Pelicans, who have dealt with numerous injuries to key players over the past few seasons. The former G League Ignite guard had appeared in every game during the 2023/24 season prior to the injury.

As Will Guillory of The Athletic tweets, Pelicans reserves like Naji Marshall, Jordan Hawkins and Jose Alvarado are candidates to receive more playing time with Daniels sidelined.