The Raptors were severely short-handed prior to the All-Star break due to the league’s health and safety protocols and those issues will carry over to this weekend. Starters Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby, as well as Patrick McCaw and Malachi Flynn, won’t play against Charlotte on Saturday, Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports tweets. They’re also expected to miss Sunday’s game against Chicago.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Knicks guard RJ Barrett plans to play for Team Canada in the Olympic qualifying tournament this summer, Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic tweets. Barrett is optimistic about Team Canada’s prospects. “We got an All-NBA team,” Barrett said.
- Marcus Smart‘s return from a calf strain provides the Celtics with more offensive versatility, according to Jared Weiss of The Athletic. The Celtics can now put four scorers on the floor who can create plays off the dribble. Smart also solves many of the team’s spacing issues with his hard cuts to the basket, Weiss adds.
- The Knicks, who acquired Derrick Rose last month, will continue to look for upgrades before the trade deadline, coach Tom Thibodeau told Vorkunov and other media members. “I have a strong bias towards good players,” he said. “I know (the front office is) looking at all the possibilities. If something makes sense for us, we’ll do it.” Rose will miss the team’s game against the Thunder on Saturday due to the league’s health and safety protocols, Vorkunov tweets.
Tom is pushing for win
Wins will be the only habit For Knicks
Knicks will make big offers to Collins and Lonzo
For now, trade Burks, Payton, Rivers, salary cap and future Firsts to upgrade
Trade idea
Payton, Knox and 2021 Pistons pick to Celtics for Nesmith
Edit
Payton and 2021 Pistons for a shooter
should edit all of it sillyman noway they make a “BIG” offer for Collins and Lonzo, lolol… definitely not Lonzo sillyman. and explain why Collins?? love to hear why?? and of course he’s pushing to win, why wouldn’t he. only way they trading a 1st is for a star.
Not sure I understand that trade from a Celtics perspective. Just drafted Nesmith 14th overall, why would they give up on him so early, and only to get Knox and Payton (who both have almost no trade value) and a 2nd rounder?
not sure i understand anything sillyman man post, makes no sense. Mr.A in Boston would lol at that phone call lol.
Agree with rct and not to mention is Nesmith an upgrade over Knox? I mean Knox started the year well and is doing fine for himself and Nesmith has long had a lot of game time so would that even do much for the Knicks?
I agree Thibs is going for it this season and things are looking promising for the Knicks.
I’d throw out maybe Payton, Noel and Knox plus a second rounder for Derrick Jones Jr and Zach Collins.
Knicks get DJJ who’s an upgrade on a cheap two year deal. He has been a slight disappointment for the Blazers but maybe we would do better with Thibs. Plus you give Collins a chance, if he returns from injury he might be able to get some minutes.
Blazers on the other hand get some more depth and better defenders. Payton can lead the second unit and Noel gives them a back up big that actually plays defence.
@Simmons: I’m actually much more negative about Knox than that. He’s a really inefficient scorer and doesn’t do anything particularly well. He’d be better served in the G League or overseas so he can get playing time.
Yeah nah I understand that it’s a bad return for the Celtics for their first round pick last year. I meant it doesn’t really move the needle in terms of wins for the Knicks either.
I’m pretty down on Knox but I think he’s been set up to fail being so young and going to Nee York. He’s going to hit FA eventually and I hope his manager can find him a place that’ll give him some game time and boost his confidence again.
He could do well off the bench for say the Thunder or Pistons or Orlando or Minny
I’m hesitant on trading Knox unless we somehow can get a 1st round pick for him.
Given minutes Knox can be effective at three point shooting but he really doesn’t have anything else he excels in but rating him is difficult because of his lack of mpg. Or even games played.
I would trade anyone on the bench not called Quickley or Obi. Burks I would like to keep as well as Knox but if the right offer comes they can go. We would need to acquire a lethal three point shooter and hopefully a draft pick. Any trade MUST include Payton.
I love Thibs. Who doesn’t like good players? I think he was makin a funny.
I love how the journalist capitalized Barrett’s “All NBA” team when he meant that all of the players played in the NBA. Canada for the gold!