De’Aaron Fox becomes eligible for his rookie scale extension this offseason and he’s strengthening his case for a high-end offer. Even though the Kings lost their first three games during the restart, their potent point guard averaged 26.7 PPG and 6.0 APG, James Ham of NBC Sports Bay Area notes. He followed that up with a 30-point, 10-assist outing in the Kings’ victory over the Pelicans on Thursday.
“I definitely feel confident that we’re seeing what kind of player we’re going to have here as the future plays out,” Kings coach Luke Walton said of Fox.
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- T.J. Warren‘s explosive scoring has been one of the biggest stories of the restart. The Suns traded him to the Pacers last offseason in a salary dump but Warren claims to harbor no grudges against his former team, as IndianaSportsCoverage.com relays. “I don’t have no ill blood between anybody,” he said. “I’m just fortunate enough to be doing what I’m doing, playing basketball at the highest level. With me, it’s all love.” Warren has two years and $24.5MM remaining on his contract, which is increasingly looking like a bargain.
- Dion Waiters has been getting steady playing time with the Lakers as Rajon Rondo mends from a thumb injury, Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register notes. Waiters is averaging 10 PPG during the restart despite shooting poorly from 3-point range. “Situation like that, you just try to take full advantage of it ’til Rondo get back and things like that,” Waiters said. The enigmatic guard was signed by the Lakers for the remainder of the season just prior to the suspension of play in March.
- Clippers guard Lou Williams took a lot of flack for visiting an Atlanta strip club after temporarily leaving the Orlando campus and he admits to making a bad decision, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN writes. “It’s been documented how much I talk about this place, how much I eat there,” Williams said of Magic City. “I just did something that was routine for me. … At the time, I thought I was making a responsible decision. After looking back on it, with everything going on in the world, the pandemic, maybe it wasn’t the best-quality decision.” Williams is back in action after clearing quarantine.
Fox is perfect example of this generation draft. Came is as barely 20 yr old. He was criticized. Was even in trade rumors. After 3 yrs playing. His body has filled in. He’s played his way into the level of NBA talent. Is now flourishing and getting all the accolades. In this fast food mentality world. Young athletes need time to grow. Best you can do. Is not stump that growth. Like some do cause the pressure of winning and results. You draft a 19-20 yr old. Who’s played 1 yr against div 1 comp. Doesn’t mean he’s ready to take over NBA. Or even play well against NBA. Teams constantly change schemes on you. It takes 2-4 yrs to start showing. And that’s if you are in a system who is with you. Not diss functional and harms you. Knox, DSJ, Nttilikina even Dotson, Trier have all been in a diss functional place. Fox now is considered one top young guards in NBA. 3 yrs later bro. How things change
Do you mean dysfunctional?
100% agree.
I think a lot more emphasis should be put on teams drafting on what will work for them. Young players like Fox and Knox will always opt into the NBA early cause money. So many basketball players come from very poor places and at 19/20 being given a contract for multiple years and millions is to hard to turn down. Plus some kids just think they will improve better with NBA coaches and with NBA players.
However some teams such as the Knicks who have been rebuilding for decades draft talent and usually expect a lot from these kids which hurts their confidence and ability to improve.
Kevin Knox is the perfect example. Right now he is still 20 years old which is what most people entering the draft will be aged. He’s already had two years in the NBA but because he isn’t averaging great numbers and cause the Knicks still aren’t winning he often gets heavily criticised. I think Knox should want to leave to a better place for him to improve such as San Antonio with good coaches and without the pressure. He is still a 20 wing with potential to be a solid 2 way 3 and D type player but the longer he stays with the Knicks the more harder it’ll be to find a team that wants him
Yes