As the Warriors and Spurs prepare to kickoff the Western Conference Finals tomorrow night, San Antonio expects to have Kawhi Leonard in the starting lineup, a source tells ESPN’s Michael C. Wright.
Leonard injured his left ankle on Tuesday and sat out the Spurs’ 39-point decimation of the Rockets in Game 6 on Thursday, which clinched the series win. Jonathon Simmons replaced Leonard and promptly added 18 points in the rout. Now, the Spurs will look to having their superstar player back in the lineup, hoping to utilize his defensive prowess to tame at least one of the Warriors’ three superstars.
In 11 games this postseason, Leonard is averaging 27.8 PPG, 7.7 RPG and shooting 52 percent from the floor.
Here is some more news around the Southwest:
- The Mavericks are in a unique position this offseason, Bobby Marks of The Vertical writes. Despite having a team primarily built by free agent signings, the team has the chance to strike gold in the NBA Draft as the team holds a top-10 pick. Marks also points to re-signing Nerlens Noel in free agency and the year 2018 — when Dirk Nowitzki‘s $25 million salary comes off the books.
- Veteran center Nene recently found out he will not need surgery to repair a ruptured groin muscle he suffered in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals, Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle writes. Nene revealed he expects to re-sign with Houston this offseason despite the injury.”Of course I expect (to be back),” Nene said. “That’ll depend on me. I did my job. I just leave it for the coaches, the general manager, my agent. Of course, I’d like to be back. This place, was a blessing for me. They brought me back. They brought the real Nene back. When you’re happy. When you feel good. When you’re engaged, people know you’re work, of course you want to be back.”
- Feigen also relays that Rockets general manager Daryl Morey feels “it would be normal business” to discuss an extension with center Clint Capela (via Twitter). Caperla averaged 12.6 PPG and 8.1 RPG in 65 contests for Houston.
Wait…GS only has 3 superstars? Who got hurt?
Nobody. Draymond isn’t a star.
Yeah Draymond isn’t a star and the Knicks are a great franchise.
Draymond is a superstar defender but an average offensive player. When discussing Kawhi’s defensive stopping power he is only taking in to account GS’s offensive superstars
Trade Drummond to Nets for Lopez. Make Boban your C and you have a real stretch 4 then In Lopez. Let KCP go and go sign Andre Robertson or Ian Clark for the 2 and swap Mudiay for Reggie and pick.
Mudiay
Roberson/Clark
Harris (natural 3)
Lopez
boban
Marcus off bench.
You don’t lose much by trading Drummond. Boban PER 36 is really similar and better FT shooting. Mudiay gives you a traditional PG that SVG likes and you have cap room now.
Nets would get a building block in Drummond and helps them with the fans and PR. Pistons get some what better Bc Lopez just shoots 3’s and never was a rebound guy to begin with. Spacing is and pace helps them I feel like Lopez can be Bosh on the outside for this team. Harris is a slasher and athletic and Ian Clark would give them much needed outside shooting. Mudiay would give Pistons a real PG since 11 retired in 1994.
I like both Boban and Brook Lopez a lot offensively but they would get destroyed defensively. Both are too slow to move their feet quickly enough to play on the floor together I think. They should go after more free agents this year since all their offer sheets got matched last year. Realistically they need to go after mid tier guys like James Johnson instead of giving assets for veteran players. The Nets have had great picks sent to Boston which no doubt will leave them inclined to keep picks in the future to build a good young foundation instead of building a “winning team” on paper all in one offseason again.
I agree they would get destroyed defensively but you have to just play bare minimum D now in NBA. Last night I saw Isaiah not even on the floor when Wall hit that 3. It shows you how much offense is more valued.
I think Nets are doing MUCH better without having those picks past few years. Kilpatrick seems like a steal, then Booker and few others. They can have some serviceable years but if you could have had Jaylen Brown, Fultz, and maybe Porter from next year on your team that’s a franchise changing movement.
Would you go after Ezeli and 1 year incentive filled contract for backup C? His knees are shot but Pistons need a rim protecting C.
No to Ezeli