There’s an initial expectation that the high ankle sprain LeBron James suffered over the weekend will sideline the Lakers star for multiple weeks, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
As Charania explains, James has been incredibly durable throughout his career and has a high pain tolerance, but high ankle sprains are generally multi-week injuries and the Lakers will want to play it safe with the superstar forward to ensure he’s back to 100% by the time the playoffs begin in May. The team has a 28-15 record and isn’t in any danger of losing a playoff spot, so James won’t be rushed back.
Here’s more from Charania:
- The Celtics are eyeing Magic guard Evan Fournier, sources tell The Athletic. Fournier’s $17MM expiring contract could be absorbed using Boston’s $28.5MM trade exception.
- Charania adds the Raptors to the list of teams showing interest in Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie. Toronto is also – along with the Hornets – among the clubs interested in Kings center Richaun Holmes, according to Charania.
- Although the Mavericks have discussed a possible Andre Drummond trade with the Cavaliers, Dallas is more likely to pursue the veteran center if he’s bought out, says Charania.
- Teams around the NBA are monitoring Raptors swingman Norman Powell and Lakers wing Talen Horton-Tucker, per Charania. Both players are eligible for free agency in 2021 — Powell will be unrestricted, while Horton-Tucker will be restricted.
Fornier would be good for Boston. We’ll see if Ainge low balls them. Seems likely he will.
Ainge will *absolutely* lowball Orlando, and I’m not sure that Boston needs another scoring wing.
I’m a big fan of Fournier’s game – he’s been underrated since the Nuggets had him – but he’s not an elite passer and he’s not going to protect the rim either. Boston needs more ball movement and better rim defense to be a contender, and he doesn’t solve either problem.
I suppose fleshing out the rotation is good, but I’m not sure Fournier is the guy you trade for if the goal is to improve the rotation…he’s probably thinking of himself as a starter. Putting him on the bench isn’t a great plan if you want to re-sign him.
LAL would be crazy to rush LeBron back — I believe Kobe tried to come back from a leg injury too soon then blew out his ACL and that was it.
But at the same time you can see this team going into a tailspin without LBJ and AD — it’ll be a tightrope either way.
Not sure I see the appeal in Fournier for Boston – would he ever close games for them?
In a Kemba-Smart-Brown-Tatum-Fournier lineup … I mean who’s playing center? I know Smarts plays big but he’s only 6’4″
Have you seen Boston’s bench? It’s a complete abortion.
I have and I agree. But the abortive part is more on the 4-5 end of the spectrum than the 2-3. In the playoffs Kemba/Smart/Tatum/Brown will soak up the majority of the perimeter minutes –
so I would be pursuing someone in the Barnes/Thad Young/Vooch mold, so they can actually play either legit 4 or small ball 5
For Vuc you need to give the farm, mon!
So your point gets mooted as at least JB or JT would need to go to ORL & a few more assets would have to be travelin’ to Florida, in that case all your scenario is kind of redundant, right?
Vuc is a superstar not a cheap fill in like Barnes or Thad…
So would Raptors take THT+Pope for Powell?
They probably would unless another team throws a first rounder in there.
A Nets, Sixers, Raps 3-way trade delivering Lowry to Philly, Dinwiddie to Toronto and players to Brooklyn would be historical TD territory. Love to see it. Keep sports writers busy
Surprised the NBA isn’t pausing the season until LeBron heals up
Either you are a h8er or a wiseass, whichever is the case, no one likes either of them, my money is in just simply h8ting!
Ahaha
I think Boston should go for Horton-Tucker. He’s aggressive scorer and above avg passer. Boston needs playmakers.
Powell for Bagley or Powell for Bamba & Ennis