Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said the team is operating under the impression that injured guard Shane Larkin will be unavailable for the entire Eastern Conference finals, per ESPN’s Chris Forsberg (Twitter link).
Larkin missed Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Sixers with a left shoulder sprain. He was expected to be sidelined for the foreseeable future. However, Larkin said to NBC Sports that he still hopes to play in the upcoming series.
“I’m not ruling anything out,” Larkin said. “It’s still fresh, it’s still sore. I can’t really do much. It’s frustrating but you have to stay positive. It’s just an unfortunate thing.”
With injuries to Kyrie Irving and Marcus Smart, Larkin saw an increased workload in the first round of the postseason and rotational minutes in the second round against the Sixers. The 25-year-old averaged just 14.4 minutes in 54 regular season games, posting 4.3 PPG. With Smart back in the fold, he and Terry Rozier figure to see an increased workload against the Cavs.
Check out more Atlantic Division notes below:
- With the drama in San Antonio involving Kawhi Leonard, there have been reports and speculation that if he is traded, the Celtics may be a strong possibility. The team has several young players to offer in a deal and Boston is always seeking upgrades. ESPN’s Zach Lowe writes that the Celtics are unlikely to deal Jayson Tatum straight-up for Leonard unless Boston gets a clean bill of health and long-term commitment from Leonard.
- Most of the Nets roster got together for a workout in Los Angeles, Brian Lewis of the New York Post relays. The only players from this year’s team absent from the group workout included Nik Stauskas, Allen Crabbe, and Jahlil Okafor.
- Among current Knicks assistant coaches, Howard Eisley is being “strongly considered” for David Fizdale‘s coaching staff, according to ESPN’s Ian Begley. One source tells Begley it’s even “highly likely” that Eisley is retained. However, no final decision has been made as Grizzlies assistant Keith Smart — who the Knicks recently got permission to interview — and Nick Van Exel remain strong possibilities to join Fizdale.
I wish Kawhi to Boston would stop. I would not give Tatum… or Brown up for Kawhi. Those two are up and comers and it’d be wise just to stay the course with those two and let them develop.
Could not agree more. That would be an incredibly stupid move.
I disagree. We know what kawhi is and that’s a superstar. I love Tatum and brown but if you know you’re getting a superstar back then you do it…. think about this would you not trade rozier for Irving if it were a year later? You absolutely would because you know kyrie is a superstar. I would not give both so if that’s required then you pass but if it’s just Tatum I’d do it. The team would be lights out with kyrie kawhi Hayward horford baynes with brown coming off the bench… crazy
Lol Tatum straight up for Kawhi is not enough for the Spurs. Get real.
Look how good the C’s are doing with arguably their best 2 players are out why should the mess with what they have for now and the future they could end up having the next big 3 in Rozier Tatum and Brown so it’s ether win now or build for a dynasty
i feel if they don’t get past the Cavs and Lebron stays in the east they’re gonna add another huge star
I’d offer Hayward straight up for Kawhi, but id hold onto Brown and Tatum. It would be difficult to pay 4 players max money. You need Brown and Tatum’s cheap salaries to make things work.
Doesn’t work money wise. Would have to be Kawhi and Danny Green.
I would never trade JT for Kawhi, again Boston is got a lot of future… & JT is the future for Boston, I think Kawhi would be a downgrade, wait to see how good JT is after 7 seasons… way better than Kawhi, not even close
Lmao. All these people basically saying Tatum is better than Kawhi. Have any of you ever even watched Kawhi play? There’s a reason he’s in the conversation for MVP each season and best 2-way player. I’ve cherry picked every at least 4-game stretch he scored in double figures – total of 60 games. He had 51% FG and 46% 3p – which would be the best All Time, so expect a regression to the 40% mark. So I’ve averaged the rest:
17 PT 4.9 TRB 2.1 AST 1.1 STL .9 BLK
vs Kawhi’s 2016-17 season:
25.5 PT 5.8 TRB 3.5 AST 1.8 STL .7 BLK
vs Kawhi’s 2015-16 season:
21 PT 6.8 TRB 2.6 AST 1.8 STL 1 BLK (shot 44% from 3)
If anyone things Kawhi is a downgrade, you need your eyes adjusted. If he isn’t the same player after this injury, and you need to wait and see before you say yes he’s better – THAT is a valid argument. The only other argument that is valid is the contract. Tatum is on a rookie contract. Kawhi has 1 year left (will opt out) at 20M. So Tatum’s contract is obviously more attractive.