The signing of big man Jahlil Okafor is a low-risk, high-reward proposition for the Pelicans, Scott Kushner of The New Orleans Advocate opines. The former No. 3 overall pick was signed this week to a partially guaranteed two-year, $3.27MM contract, which includes a team option for the second year. That means Okafor can easily be cut loose if he doesn’t impress in training camp, Kushner notes. If he sticks, Okafor’s scoring ability could allow him to carve out a niche role off the bench behind starters Anthony Davis and Nikola Mirotic, Kushner adds.
We have more from around the Western Division:
- The losses of Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Anderson, Danny Green and Tony Parker should expand Derrick White‘s role with the Spurs next season, according to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio News Express. The 6’4” guard appeared in just 17 games last season but the 2017 first-rounder is poised to be a rotation player after a strong showing in summer-league play. “It’s nice to know they have faith in me, that they are confident in me,” White told Orsborn. “It’s tough to see all those guys go. They did so much for the organization. But I’ve got to make the most of my opportunities.”
- Point guard Isaiah Canaan wants to repay the Suns organization for helping him recover from a fractured left ankle, Clevis Murray of the Arizona Republic reports. Canaan re-signed with Phoenix this summer after rehabbing the injury with the team’s medical staff. Canaan was waived in February after playing 19 games with the Suns but they committed to helping him with his recovery. “The Suns organization helped me get back on my feet and back to doing what I love to do,” Canaan said. “I couldn’t ask for anything else but an opportunity and I told them they won’t regret it and I’m going to take full advantage of it.”
- Warriors guard Stephen Curry was both surprised and delighted that DeMarcus Cousins signed with the club in free agency, according to an Associated Press report. “It’s interesting because nobody going into free agency thought about DeMarcus as an option then all of a sudden he found his way onto our team,” Curry said. “So for us to have a new dynamic, a new look, whenever he’s fully healthy it should be amazing. I think we got better.”
- The addition of LeBron James has made the Lakers national TV darlings once again, Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register notes. The team will have 43 nationally-televised games, three more than the two-time defending champion Warriors.
I thought Okafor signed a two-year deal with parity guaranteed first year and a team option on the second year?
Yes, not sure of the specific guarantee info yet, but it’s a two-year, minimum-salary deal. Think Dana initially mixed up his Okafors initially — it’s been adjusted now.
Is that marking the beginning of the end for GSW? Who knows… but that’s for sure, will enjoy watching more games of the Lakers, as LBJ’s career is not long left we have to make the most of it, baby showtime is back in town.
LeBron finishes 19 year career with a 3-6 Finals record!
Beginning of the end for the Warriors cesc, really?
Three more National games for the Lakers is only the networks jumping on the LBJ to LA bandwagon this year. You know the networks always clamour for a sports biggest stars to play in major markets, and LA’s market is slightly better than Cleveland’s.
Good on the Suns, regarding Cannan. I recall them apparently dispatching him quickly (as in, rudely), after an injury following a hot start, giving Elfrid Payton a try at his position. The local link did not get into that.
But Canaan says the team continued rehabbing him anyway.
And now they’re going to give him another go. Good karma.
The Suns do not have much at PG, with Brandon Knight the likely starter. But they were almost 50-50 in January starting Canaan. I bet he takes over the spot.