Parker: Kawhi Leonard Could Return In 2-3 Weeks
Veteran point guard Tony Parker is set to return to action on Monday night for the Spurs, but the team is still without its MVP, Kawhi Leonard, who continues to recover from quadriceps tendinopathy. As Michael C. Wright of ESPN relays, Parker worked out with Leonard during his own rehab process, and estimates that his teammate will return in two or three weeks.
“He looked great,” Parker said of Leonard. “I was like, ‘Oh, he’s good. I forgot that he was that good.’ Yeah, [he’s] close. It’s still going to be a process. Still, the Spurs aren’t going to take [any] risks. It’s still going to be, like I said, a couple of weeks, three weeks. They’re not going to take any risks. But he’s looking good so far.”
As Parker himself notes, the Spurs won’t take any chances with Leonard. Even without the star forward, San Antonio has a 12-7 record so far this season, good for third in the Western Conference. As such, Parker’s projected timeline for Leonard’s return may not line up with the Spurs’ own timeline. Still, it’s encouraging to hear from Parker that Leonard is close to looking like his old self, particularly since other recent updates from the team on the veteran forward haven’t been as encouraging.
Leonard, who finished third in MVP voting last season, finished the year with 25.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.5 APG, and 1.8 SPG. His season was cut short when he re-injured his ankle in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Warriors.
Cavs Notes: Rose, Thomas, Wade, LeBron
Derrick Rose continues to stay in communication with the Cavaliers’ front office during his absence from the team, but his future in Cleveland “remains unclear,” sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Rose, who left the Cavs last Wednesday, isn’t healthy enough to play right now anyway, so the team has been patient with the point guard’s needs and hasn’t shown any indication of considering a fine or suspension for him, per Wojnarowski. Still, the situation will likely need to be addressed by the time Rose has recovered from his ankle injury.
As the Cavs wait for Rose to make a decision on his future, here are a few more notes out of Cleveland:
- While Rose’s return is unclear, the Cavaliers remain hopeful that their other injured point guard, Isaiah Thomas, will be able to return to the court at some point in December, Wojnarowski notes in the piece linked above. Although Thomas published a tweet on Sunday hinting that his return is imminent, he’s still a few steps away from making his Cavs debut, says Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com.
- Dwyane Wade will face the Heat on Tuesday for the first time as a Cavalier, and Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra says that seeing Wade in a Cavs uniform is “like the Twilight Zone,” per Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel. “It will never seem right,” Spoelstra said. “For me, I hate it. But I’m happy for Dwyane. I’m happy for his family. I think he’s in a good spot. … I think the role that he’s in is going to be one of the most impactful roles in the league.”
- Much has been made of Kyrie Irving‘s emergence in Boston after the offseason’s blockbuster Cavs/Celtics trade, but LeBron James is playing some of the best ball of his career in the wake of that deal too. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst takes a closer look at James’ dominance this season, including his tremendous fourth-quarter numbers.
Lavoy Allen Set To Play In China
After not finding an NBA home for the 2017/18 season, veteran big man Lavoy Allen is headed to China, according to international basketball journalist David Pick, who reports (via Twitter) that Allen will sign with the CBA’s Zhejiang Golden Bulls. Former Grizzlies power forward Jarnell Stokes is expected to be let go by the Bulls, per Pick.
Allen, 28, entered the NBA in 2011 as the 50th overall pick in the draft. After spending two and a half seasons with the Sixers, Allen was sent to Indiana in 2014 along with Evan Turner. Allen had been a member of the Pacers for three and a half seasons since that trade, but had his team option for 2017/18 declined in June, making him a free agent.
Allen’s numbers in 388 career regular season NBA games were modest — in 17.8 minutes per contest, the Temple alum averaged 4.8 PPG and 4.8 RPG. Those averages figure to skyrocket in China, where marginal NBA bigs often transform into stars. Jared Sullinger, for instance, has put up 34.0 PPG and 15.6 RPG in nine games for the Shenzhen Leopards this season, while Stokes – apparently being replaced by Allen – had recorded 28.2 PPG and 13.4 RPG in five games.
Allen will join a Zhejiang squad that has a 5-3 record in CBA action so far this season. Former NBA swingman Sonny Weems has been the club’s leading scorer, averaging 29.0 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 6.6 APG.
Latest On Jahlil Okafor
Jahlil Okafor is still in limbo in Philadelphia, and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports that Okafor’s camp continues to push the Sixers for a buyout, while president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo remains focused on finding a trade involving the former third overall pick.
According to Wojnarowski, Colangelo’s asking price for Okafor has “steadily dropped.” The Sixers had initially been seeking a pair of first-round picks when the young center first went on the block, but would likely settle for a second-round pick and an expiring deal at this point. As Wojnarowski details, Colangelo also hasn’t given up on the possibility of Okafor’s contract being rolled into a larger deal, so Philadelphia may be inclined to hang onto him until the February 8 trade deadline.
For his part, Okafor has been patient as the Sixers try to find him a more suitable NBA home, but he admitted to Wojnarowski that he hopes the team will make a move sooner rather than later.
“I would like for them to just send me somewhere where I can get an opportunity,” Okafor said. “I’ve done everything they’ve asked of me and I would just like to get an opportunity to play with a trade or a buyout. I just hope something happens quickly.
“This is my third year in the NBA, and I know it’s a business,” Okafor continued. “I don’t know if it’s fair or not, but in talking to other people in the NBA, talking to retired players, one thing I’ve heard them say is that what’s going on with me isn’t right and they’ve never seen anything like this before. … I know it’s business, but in my eyes, I don’t know if it’s good business.”
Per Wojnarowski, more than half of the NBA’s 30 teams indicated to ESPN that they’d have interest in rolling the dice on Okafor as a long-term project. None of those clubs seem inclined to give up a draft asset to do so though, preferring to wait until he becomes a free agent. That’s currently set to happen in the summer of 2018, since the Sixers declined Okafor’s fourth-year option. However, the soon-to-be 22-year-old and agent Bill Duffy would like to see it happen sooner.
“I’m hopeful that Bryan will do what has always brought him and the players in his organization success and be flexible as Jahlil has handled himself the right way,” Duffy said. “There’s been a focus on trading Jah for the past nine months, but nothing has come to fruition. At this point, it’s time to exercise that flexibility because I don’t think anything in the marketplace is going to change. His contract is still going to expire in June, and teams are still going to hold onto their assets.
“We are simply requesting the organization be willing to proceed reasonably and allow Jah to get on with his career,” Duffy added. “The Sixers are positioned well for the present and the future, and we only want the same for Jahlil.”
Marc Gasol Upset After Fourth-Quarter Benching
The Grizzlies’ struggles continued on Sunday, with the team dropping its eighth straight game and falling to 7-12 on the season. Three-time All-Star Marc Gasol is Memphis’ veteran leader with Mike Conley sidelined, but Gasol didn’t see the court during the fourth quarter of the club’s home loss to the Nets on Sunday, leaving him upset and confused, writes Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal.
As Tillery details, head coach David Fizdale decided to keep rolling with a lineup that had cut a 19-point deficit to just five points, indicating later that he wasn’t trying to send a message to his veteran center. But Gasol said after the game that he wasn’t given an explanation by the coaching staff, and called it an “awkward situation.”
“I don’t like it one bit,” Gasol told reporters after the game. “I’m more (angry) than I can show, and frustrated. But for the benefit of the team, I’ve got to show good leadership and continue to do my job.
“If I start venting, that would be counterproductive,” Gasol added. “But at the end of the day, I’m as competitive as anybody. I hate not playing. That’s what I value most. If I’m not out there, I’m not valued. I’m sure they knew that would hurt me the most.”
Gasol is hardly the first star to be benched in the fourth quarter when a different lineup has some success, but this is still a situation worth monitoring closely. Coming into the season, Gasol was viewed as a player who could become a trade candidate if Memphis struggled in the first half. The Grizzlies have given no indication that they’d consider moving the 32-year-old, and even at 7-12, they’re only 1.5 games out of a playoff spot. Still, if the club continues to lose and there’s tension between Gasol and the coaching staff, the idea of a trade becomes more viable.
Following the 2017/18 season, Gasol has one more guaranteed year on his contract, then a player option for 2019/20. He and Conley are considered the core players Memphis is building around, though Gasol suggested on Sunday night that he doesn’t believe the team would have done to Conley what it did to him.
“You don’t put Mike back in? I’m sure they wouldn’t do it to Mike,” Gasol said. “I don’t know. It’s just the way it is. You have to deal with it. But I’m not just going to lay down and take it. … You try to prove them wrong. I should be playing in the fourth quarter. I think I’ve proven that different times. I’m not just going to accept not playing in the fourth quarter and be happy with it. That’s not my character.”
Pacific Notes: Griffin, Durant, Triano
The Clippers have struggled to get reliable production from the point this season, largely because Milos Teodosic and Patrick Beverley have been sidelined extensively and Austin Rivers is better suited to play the role of combo guard. Stepping up as a playmaker then, has been power forward Blake Griffin. Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times writes that Griffin has manned the point not unlike standout rookie Ben Simmons has to much fanfare.
Not only do guards on the roster consciously look to feed Griffin the ball to bring up the court, the 28-year-old has done well to create offense when he gets it. Through 18 games this season, Griffin leads the Clippers with 5.0 assists per game, all while posting his highest scoring average in five years and chipping in 7.7 rebounds per contest for good measure.
“He’s always been able to handle the ball and he’s always been a real Mack truck coming down the floor in transition with the ball,” division rival Kings coach Dave Joerger said. “If he gets a rebound and he’s breaking out, he’s hard and it’s difficult to guard.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- The young Suns are learning first-hand just how much head coaching matters in the NBA, Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic writes. After replacing Earl Watson following a disastrous first three games to start the season, Jay Triano has guided Phoenix to a 7-10 record.
- The Warriors may have prematurely allowed Kevin Durant to suit up on an injured ankle, Monte Poole of NBC Sports writes. The forward sprained his ankle last weekend but played in Wednesday night’s marquee matchup with the Thunder, something head coach Steve Kerr now regrets. “I’m sure the league is happy with us because we played him on their ‘marquee’ game with and all that stuff. But he came out sore the next day. So we shouldn’t have played him,” Kerr said.
- Well-suited for his elder statesmen role on the Warriors bench, David West has made an impact with his veteran leadership, Mark Medina of the Mercury News writes. “He’s one of those guys that doesn’t speak unless it’s necessary. He understands when it’s necessary,” coach Steve Kerr said. “He’s not doing it to hear himself talk. He’s not one of those guys. He’s doing it to impart some knowledge and wisdom. So he picks his spots wisely.”
Paul Millsap Undergoes Surgery, Out Three Months
After some debate, Paul Millsap and the Nuggets decided that surgery would be the best option for the injured forward. Per Shams Charania of The Vertical, Millsap underwent successful surgery on his left wrist today and is expected to be sidelined for three months.
Last week we wrote about Millsap injuring his wrist in a game. It was determined by way of an MRI at the time that the forward hadn’t fractured it but sprained it. Eventually, word spread that it was a torn ligament.
While Millsap has taken time adjusting to his new role with the Nuggets, he’s put forth respectable numbers, including 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Just as the 32-year-old seemed to be acclimating himself, however, this setback has thrown a wrench in plans.
Atlantic Notes: Kanter, McConnell, Russell
Despite having missed the last two games with back spasms, Enes Kanter remains committed to trying to play Monday night, Al Iannazzone of Newsday writes. The 25-year-old wants to get back out on the court for the Knicks even if he’s not quite 100% ready.
“I might not be a hundred percent, but I think I’m going to try and play,” the Knicks’ center said. “I play with pain probably 95 percent of the season every season. If they think it’s not going to affect me in the long run, I’ll play. It doesn’t matter.”
Of course the Knicks won’t make any irresponsible decisions with their prized new big man. Kanter is averaging 13.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game so far this season.
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- For the third straight year, Sixers guard T.J. McConnell is proving that he’s an overlooked – and underpaid – asset. Keith Pompey of The Inquirer writes that the 25-year-old guard proved himself all over again as a substitute starter for the injured Ben Simmons this weekend. McConnell makes just $1.4MM this season.
- Although he remains inactive without a timetable, injured guard D’Angelo Russell will join the Nets on their upcoming road trip, Anthony Puccio of Nets Daily writes. The offseason addition will be called upon to help lead from the sidelines and stay engaged with the group.
- With some of the best length in the NBA, Kristaps Porzingis could be a nightmare for opposing teams in the paint. Per Marc Berman of the New York Post, legendary big man Hakeem Olajuwon would like to mentor the 7’3″ Knicks forward whose current Dream Shake leaves much to be desired.
Northwest Notes: Jokic, Ferguson, Aminu
The time is now for Nikola Jokic to blossom into a leader. Nuggets head coach Mike Malone recently told his third-year big man as much given the absence of veteran power forward Paul Millsap in the lineup, Gina Mizell of the Denver Post writes.
The Nuggets have stressed that they need to see Jokic exhibit more leadership qualities, his production on the floor, while impressive, no longer enough for a young team eager to claim its first playoff berth since 2013.
Mizell writes that Jokic came through this week, uncharacteristically speaking up to motivate a lethargic looking Nuggets roster one night and then showing off his mental toughness by returning to the court on an injured ankle the next time out.
There’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Rookie Terrance Ferguson got his first taste of serious first-half action this weekend and didn’t shy away from the opportunity, Brett Dawson of The Oklahoman writes. The guard set a season high with 21 minutes played in the Thunder‘s Saturday night loss.
- While it may seem natural to dub Damian Lillard the Trail Blazers‘ closer, he’s not the only one capable of shouldering the offensive load down the stretch Casey Holdahl of Portland’s official team site writes. C.J. McCollum has earned his teammates’ trust, especially when he finds himself in a natural rhythm.
- Don’t expect Al-Farouq Aminu back in the lineup for the Trail Blazers any time soon, Jason Quick of NBC Sports Northwest tweets. There was initial hope that the forward would be back in action during the team’s five-game road trip but that won’t be the case.
NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 11/26/17
Here are the G League moves from around the NBA today:
- The Grizzlies recalled forwards Jarell Martin and Ivan Rabb from their Memphis Hustle affiliate, the team announced on its website. Martin, who was sent down Saturday, has played 17 games for the Grizzlies and two for the Hustle. Rabb has appeared in six G League games this season and just one in the NBA.
- The Cavaliers have recalled Cedi Osman and Ante Zizic from the Canton Charge one day after they were assigned to the G League team. Both played in Saturday’s game against Long Island, with Osman posting 21 points and eight rebounds and Zizic adding 14 points and seven boards.
- The Hawks assigned rookie guard Tyler Dorsey to their Erie affiliate, tweets Michael Cunningham of The Journal Constitution. Dorsey has played seven games for Atlanta and is averaging 2.3 points per night.