Injury Notes: Ajinca, Neto, Ross, Morris, Williams
A lost season for Alexis Ajinca went from bad to worse this week, as the Pelicans big man underwent surgery on his left patellar tendon, according to the team (Twitter link). The procedure was successful and Ajinca is on track to recover in four to six months, which would allow him to return for the start of the 2018/19 season. However, it must have been a frustrating development for Ajinca, who underwent the same procedure on his right patellar tendon in December.
Here are a few more injury updates from across the NBA:
- Jazz point guard Raul Neto remains sidelined with a left wrist fracture and will be re-evaluated one week from today, the Jazz announced in a press release. Dante Exum‘s return and solid play have allowed Utah to cope with Neto’s absence without any major trouble.
- Injured Magic swingman Terrence Ross continues to recover from a bone bruise he suffered around the All-Star break, and may not make it back onto the court before season’s end. According to Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel (Twitter link), head coach Frank Vogel said today that it’s probably unlikely that Ross plays another game this season.
- Already hit hard by the injury bug, the Celtics saw Marcus Morris leave Monday’s game in the fourth quarter due to a sprained right ankle. As an ESPN report details, X-rays came back negative, so Morris may not be looking at an extended absence — that would be a relief for the C’s, who could use some good injury news.
- After missing nearly the entire 2017/18 season with a knee injury, Suns big man Alan Williams returned to action on Monday night, putting up three points and five rebounds in 16 minutes. Williams has a non-guaranteed $5.52MM salary for 2018/19, so team management will want to take a close look at him down the stretch this season.
Jazz Sign David Stockton To Second 10-Day Deal
MARCH 27: The Jazz have officially re-signed Stockton to a second 10-day contract, the team announced today in a press release.
MARCH 26: After seeing his first action with the Jazz during Sunday’s win over Golden State, David Stockton has received some more good news. According to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link), Utah will re-sign Stockton to a second 10-day contract after his first deal expires on Monday night.
The son of Hall-of-Famer John Stockton, David Stockton is a G League veteran who has appeared in 142 regular season games for the Reno Bighorns since 2014. The 26-year-old point guard made his NBA debut during the 2014/15 season for the Kings. Until spending the last 10 days with the Jazz, however, he hadn’t been back in the league since appearing in three games for Sacramento in his rookie year.
Assuming Utah finalizes Stockton’s new 10-day deal on Tuesday, it will run through Thursday, April 5. At that point, the Jazz will have to decide whether to ink him to a rest-of-season deal or let him walk. Utah already has 14 players on guaranteed contracts for this season, so Stockton is currently occupying the 15th and final spot on the team’s NBA roster.
Andrew Bogut Won’t Sign New Deal This Season
Free agent center Andrew Bogut reportedly drew interest from a handful of NBA teams after being waived earlier this season by the Lakers. However, according to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link), the former first overall pick isn’t expected to sign a new contract before the end of the 2017/18 season.
Bogut intends to put an NBA return on the back burner in order to care for his wife, who is in the midst of a high-risk pregnancy with the couple’s second child, reports Charania. After focusing on his family, Bogut will likely be ready to pursue free agent opportunities for the 2018/19 season on July 1, Charania adds.
Bogut, 33, signed with the Lakers last year, but didn’t play much for the club, averaging 9.4 MPG in 23 games during the first half of the season. He was cut by L.A. in January, and reports in the wake of his release suggested he intended to sign with a new team after the trade deadline. Instead, he’ll sit out the rest of this season.
While Bogut’s numbers for the Lakers were uninspiring, he’s not far removed from a successful four-year run with the Warriors, who won a title during his stint with the franchise. From 2012 to 2016, Bogut appeared in 236 games (230 starts) for Golden State, averaging 6.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 1.7 BPG in 23.7 minutes per contest.
Grizzlies Sign MarShon Brooks, Cut Brice Johnson
12:39pm: The Grizzlies have officially signed Brooks to a 10-day deal, the team announced in a press release. To open up a roster spot, Memphis has waived Brice Johnson.
Johnson, acquired from Detroit in a deadline trade last month, appeared in nine games for the Grizzlies. Like Brooks, he’s a former 25th overall pick.
11:33am: The Grizzlies intend to sign guard MarShon Brooks to a 10-day contract, reports Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter).
Brooks, a first-round pick in 2011, had a decent rookie season with the Nets, averaging 12.6 PPG and 3.6 RPG in 56 contests. However, his minutes were cut back the following year, and Brooklyn traded him in 2013. Brooks bounced around the NBA during the 2013/14 season, appearing in games for the Celtics, Warriors, and Lakers.
Since the end of the ’13/14 campaign, Brooks has played international ball, primarily in China with the Jiangsu Dragons. This season, the 29-year-old filled up the box score with 36.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 5.7 APG in 36 Chinese League games for Jiangsu.
The Grizzlies currently have a full 15-man roster, so there are three possibilities for the team to open up a roster spot and finalize Brooks’ reported signing. Memphis could terminate Marquis Teague‘s 10-day contract, wait until after Teague’s deal expires on April 2, or waive another player with a guaranteed contract.
Community Shootaround: Markelle Fultz’s Return
After months of uncertainty about his status, Markelle Fultz returned to action for the Sixers on Monday night, with head coach Brett Brown making the surprise announcement just a couple hours before opening tip. Fultz’s night got off to a shaky start when he committed a quick turnover and air-balled his first jump shot, but he finished with 10 points and eight assists in just 14 minutes, contributing a few clips to the game’s highlight reel.
It was a long road back for Fultz, who appeared in just four games at the start of the regular season before being shut down due to shoulder issues — and to rebuild his jumper. For a time, it looked like the Sixers may just keep Fultz on the shelf for the rest of the season, playing it safe as they’d done in past seasons with key players like Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.
However, after last year’s No. 1 overall pick visited the University of Washington during last month’s All-Star break, he returned to Philadelphia focused on getting back on the court this season, according to Michael Lee of Yahoo Sports. When he told Brown before Monday’s game that he was ready to go, the 76ers head coach was thrilled to get him back in the lineup and was a little emotional when he made the announcement, as Derek Bodner of The Athletic details.
Fultz’s return is exactly what was needed not just for Fultz himself but for team president Bryan Colangelo, writes Sean Deveney of The Sporting News. As Deveney outlines, a segment of Sixers fans attribute the team’s current success solely to former GM Sam Hinkie, rather than assigning any credit to Colangelo. Considering last summer’s trade for Fultz was the biggest risk Colangelo has taken during his tenure in Philadelphia, he had a lot hinging on the point guard’s recovery. Monday night’s performance in Denver looked like a solid first step toward that move paying off.
Still, with the Sixers set to open the postseason in less than three weeks, it remains to be seen whether they can count on Fultz to play a major role during those playoff games. Philadelphia’s roster is somewhat short on playmakers, so in the view of David Murphy of Philly.com, Fultz is someone who can help. But the extent of the rookie’s role down the stretch remains a question mark.
What do you think? Is it a risk to count on Fultz in the postseason? Will he hold his own as Simmons’ backup at the point? Will he be ready to take on an even larger role by the time the playoffs begin? How has his unusual rookie season affected your view of his long-term potential?
Jump into the comment section below to share your thoughts!
Tulane’s Melvin Frazier Testing NBA Draft Waters
Tulane junior Melvin Frazier is entering the 2018 NBA draft, but won’t hire an agent yet, he announced today (via Twitter). Moving forward in the draft process without an agent will give Frazier the option of withdrawing his name later this spring and returning to Tulane for his senior year.
“I’ve grown and matured so much in the last three years both on and off the court,” Frazier told Jonathan Givony of ESPN. “I feel like now is a great time for me to test the waters.”
Speaking to Givony, Frazier noted that he’s just one year from getting his college degree and said that “means a lot” to him, which is one reason he’s not ready to fully commit to going pro yet. The 6’6″ swingman would also like to attend the NBA’s scouting combine in Chicago in May if he’s invited. Prospects have until 10 days after the combine to withdraw while maintaining their NCAA eligibility, so attending the combine would give Frazier a good chance to get feedback on his draft value.
In 2017/18, Frazier averaged 15.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.9 APG, and 2.1 SPG in 34.4 MPG for Tulane, with an impressive shooting line of .556/.385/.712. He’s currently the No. 30 prospect on ESPN’s big board, and was projected to be an early second-round pick in Givony’s latest mock draft at ESPN.com.
Cavs Notes: LeBron/Wade, Hood, Calderon, Hill
The Cavaliers have a date with the Heat on tap for Tuesday night in Miami, giving LeBron James a chance to see old friend Dwyane Wade on the court for the first time since a February trade sent Wade back to South Beach. As Dave McMenamin of ESPN details, Wade’s time in Cleveland was short-lived for a handful of reasons, but the failed union didn’t have a negative impact on his friendship with James.
“I mean, I hated to see him go,” James told McMenamin. “I still do. I still do. So, my emotions were mixed because that’s my guy and I didn’t want him to go but, I mean, listen, I felt like that’s where he belongs. I felt like that’s where his heart has always been, even in the one year in Chicago. … I just felt like that’s where he belonged. I mean, you want to be as happy as you can when you’re in this profession, and I felt like Miami is the best place that creates happiness for him. So, I hated to see him go, I wish he was still here, but I understand. That’s why there’s no hard feelings.”
Here’s more on the Cavs:
- Injuries have prevented Rodney Hood from meeting the starter criteria for restricted free agents over the last two seasons, as ESPN’s Bobby Marks observes. That means Hood is only on track to receive a qualifying offer worth about $3.4MM, rather than one worth $4.7MM. For more details on how the starter criteria impacts RFAs, check out our piece from last spring — we’ll soon be publishing an updated version for 2018 RFAs.
- Bill Livingston of The Plain Dealer makes a case for why Jose Calderon should remain a part of the Cavs’ starting lineup heading into the postseason. The team has a 21-8 record this season in Calderon’s starts.
- With Tyronn Lue away from the Cavs for health reasons, the club has responded to adversity and rallied around its head coach’s absence, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Cleveland is 4-0 so far under interim head coach Larry Drew.
- George Hill, acquired in one of Cleveland’s deadline trades last month, is becoming more comfortable in his role with the Cavs, says Colton Jones of AmicoHoops.net.
- While the players acquired in those trade-deadline deals have been solid contributors for the Cavs, those trades were important for another reason — they’ve allowed Kevin Love to re-emerge as a primary scoring option, according to Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com.
Daniel Gafford To Return To Arkansas For Sophomore Year
Viewed as a potential top-20 pick in the 2018 NBA draft, Arkansas big man Daniel Gafford has decided against declaring as an early entrant, he announced on Monday. After a solid freshman season with the Razorbacks, Gafford will return to the program for his sophomore year.
“Obviously this is great news for us,” Arkansas head coach Mike Anderson said. “He’s the centerpiece to what we are doing here, and this gives him the chance to build on the tremendous freshman year he had. Daniel is a special player and the sky is the limit for him.”
Gafford’s announcement came on the heels of reports from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Evan Daniels of 247Sports.com (Twitter links) indicating that the youngster was strongly leaning toward returning to school. Givony noted that 2018’s draft class is “loaded” with big men, suggesting that Gafford may have a better chance of standing out in a less stacked 2019 class.
In his first college season, Gafford averaged 11.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 2.2 BPG in just 22.6 minutes per contest for Arkansas. He’s viewed as an athletic center with exceptional physical tools, and was projected to be the 18th pick in Givony’s latest mock draft at ESPN.com. Instead, he’ll be a Razorback for at least one more year, perhaps eyeing a spot in the 2019 lottery.
Aaron Holiday To Enter 2018 NBA Draft
UCLA guard Aaron Holiday has decided to enter the 2018 NBA draft, he announced on Monday night (via Twitter). A source tells Jon Rothstein of FanRag Sports (Twitter link) that Holiday will hire an agent, signaling that he’s not just testing the waters — the junior will forgo his final year of NCAA eligibility.
Holiday, the younger brother of NBA players Jrue Holiday and Justin Holiday, enjoyed a major breakout season for the Bruins in 2017/18, increasing his scoring average by eight points per game to 20.3 PPG. That mark tied him with Arizona’s Deandre Ayton for the Pac-12 scoring lead. Holiday also chipped in 5.8 APG and 3.7 RPG, shooting 42.9% on three-point attempts.
Currently ranked as the No. 19 prospect on Jonathan Givony’s big board at ESPN.com, Holiday showed up at No. 23 in Givony’s latest mock draft. ESPN’s top draft guru identified Holiday’s “microwave scoring ability, long wingspan, and toughness” as a few of his most attractive traits.
We’re keeping tabs on the full list of early entrants for the 2018 draft right here.
Knicks Notes: Burke, O’Quinn, Kanter, Baker
In his second start with the Knicks on Monday night, Trey Burke did something no Knicks point guard has done in nearly 13 years. The former lottery pick posted 42 points and 12 assists, the first Knick to post at least 40 points and 10 assists in one game since Stephon Marbury on March 29, 2005.
Burke has played well for New York since he was plucked from the G League, averaging 11.1 PPG and 3.7 APG. The 25-year-old, whose deal with the Knicks includes a non-guaranteed salary for 2018/19, feels he has been provided with an opportunity to showcase his ability this year in a way that has not been available since his rookie campaign, Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News.
“I think this is the first time since my rookie season where I’m in a situation where I can play extended minutes, I can play through mistakes,” Burke said. “I don’t make one or two mistakes and I’m snatched out of the game.”
Marc Berman of the New York Post relays that Burke, who changed his hairstyle to braids, resembles his hero, Allen Iverson, both aesthetically and on the court. Burke admits he patterns himself after the Hall-of-Famer but knows he has more work to do.
“I got a long way to go,” Burke said. “I know that. AI is a goal. Pound for pound, one of the greatest to ever play. I want to get there one day. I believe it.”
Check out more Knicks notes below:
- Knicks center Kyle O’Quinn was caught on camera yelling at head coach Jeff Hornacek during the team’s matchup against the Wolves last Friday. Hornacek has downplayed the incident and O’Quinn said he overreacted, per ESPN. “I’d be the first one to say that my wrong reaction was the wrong one,” O’Quinn said. “I shouldn’t have come back. Just because somebody is yelling at me, I shouldn’t yell back. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”
- With a player option decision and possible foray into free agency looming, Knicks center Enes Kanter will hire new representation, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. The agent in question, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, is highly regarded and Kanter said he wants to make more money off the court, which has been an issue due to his highly publicized international conflict with his native Turkey.
- As we relayed last week, Knicks point guard Ron Baker is out of his sling and is progressing with his rehab.