The All-Star Game provided a glimpse of how dominant the Lakers would have been if Kawhi Leonard had signed with them instead of the Clippers, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times notes. The trio of Leonard, LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined for 27 of Team LeBron’s first 30 points.
“I didn’t really go there mentally,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “It was an All-Star game. It’s an exhibition. I had fun with that aspect of it, but I love my Lakers team.”
We have more from the Western Conference:
- Guard Malik Beasley has been rejuvenated by getting traded to the Timberwolves, Mike Singer of the Denver Post points out. Beasley was a victim of the Nuggets’ depth but he’s now getting steady minutes with Minnesota, which will pump up his value entering restricted free agency. “It’s good to see him have the opportunity and take advantage of it,” former teammate Jamal Murray said.
- Reclamation projects such as Marquese Chriss are the types of players the Warriors will need to improve their roster, according to Marcus Thompson of The Athletic. Chriss can eventually complement the trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green by running the floor, finishing at the rim and rebounding, Thompson continues. Chriss has been especially productive since signing a two-year, $2.5MM deal and that’s significant, since the Warriors won’t have salary-cap space to upgrade their roster by many other methods for at least two more seasons, Thompson adds.
- Former Rockets guard Chris Paul says Houston should give P.J. Tucker a contract extension, as Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle relays. Tucker, who will earn just under $8MM in the final year of his contract in 2020/21, will be extension-eligible during the offseason. He has been playing center in a very undersized lineup in recent games.
Houston just guaranteed PJ Tucker’s contract
It will become fully guaranteed on June 30th.
They’ve already said they have no intention of cutting him.
There was a recent post that Houston did guarantee it early though
It’s more about health insurance.
ffffff I’d wait to give tucker an extension. He’s in his mid 30s he’s not going anywhere. Why is Chris Paul talking
Maybe because of his friendship?
Make that money pj
I know the Wolves will want to play Russell Beasley and Towns together to let them establish partnerships and learn each other’s games and stuff but the more minutes they give Beasley the better numbers he will put up and the more they will have to pay him.
He’s already proven to be a good young player and it is a weak draft class, if he finishes the end of the season averaging near 20 points 5 assists and 4 boards a game his value will sky rocketed and he could be a near 25mil guy
20/5/4 are you delusional?
Why?
Since his trade he’s 22/6.5/3
Really? If Leonard had signed with the Lakers, they would have been better? Real groundbreaking journalism there.
You should demand a refund.