With Game 1 of the NBA Finals set to tip off in a matter of hours, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington examines Suns guard Langston Galloway‘s path from going undrafted in 2014 to being four wins away from an NBA championship.
“Oftentimes when I’m in the locker room, I’m the only undrafted guy in the locker room,” Galloway said. “I look at it like this, it’s like if I can beat out the next guy to me, I can worry about myself going forward and the opportunity I’ve provided in front of me.”
Galloway discussed the ever-vigilant edge that being an undrafted player causes you to play with: “You have to always be paranoid. It’s knowing that I can’t rest on my laurels, I can’t rest on my career. I have to always get better knowing that the next opportunity is my best opportunity.”
Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News also takes a look at Galloway’s impending free agency, as well as his potential fit with the first team that gave him a shot, the Knicks.
We have more news from the Suns:
- Jay King of The Athletic has a piece on Jae Crowder and why every team in the league, especially the Celtics, need a guy like him. “I’m not saying Boston don’t have toughness,” Crowder’s father said on a podcast with former player Etan Thomas, “but they could have used a Jae Crowder. Miami got to the Finals last year. Jae Crowder’s gone, now where they at?” Celtics president Brad Stevens seems to agree: “Everywhere Jae Crowder goes, they win, which is great credit to him,” Stevens said.
- Between injuries, a positive COVID test, and inconsistent minutes, it wasn’t the easiest year for forward Dario Saric, tweets Suns reporter Gina Mizell. “But to be, right now, here, with my teammates, it’s a dream come true, you know what I mean,” Saric said.
- In a video from The Arizona Republic, Torrey Craig speaks on the experience of going up against his former team in the Finals: “… To compete against guys you played with, not only just compete against them but with the NBA Finals competing against them, that definitely sets the bar for whatever narrative you want to set for it,” Craig said, a smile on his face. “I’m definitely excited.”
Must be nice for Torrey Craig knowing no matter what happens he gets a championship ring!
That if he agree to take it .
Whenever Suns luxury tax exceeds $100 million, they’ll trade away Crowder and Saric for a second round pick
They’ll keep Bridges, Paul and Payne
They can’t keep everyone.
If CP3 opts out of 44M for 3/100 as described it brings their cap situation down 11M to 114M. Doubt them break up the band if they win. FAs are gone, they won’t overpay dudes. James saw what happens when you overpay fringe players in Miami and Cleveland. Does this team repeat tho? Idk they overachieved as is. Assuming CP3 is at the same level and Bridges takes another steps forward.
A healthier West is a much different landscape. Murray, AD, and Kawhi drastically change their team’s outcomes. And then you add a healthy Klay to GSW. Will be fun tho.
It was important to Crowder to get a two-year contract to leave Miami, but that second year will be a pinch year financially for the Suns. Hopefully Sarver will be in a rewarding mood and pay the tax.
Crowder’s dad is right, and James Jones should be getting trade offers from contenders.
They most likely will have to include their 1st round pick to move Saric. Payne is a free agent at season’s end. They definitely will get squeezed with someone if they extend Ayton and re-sign Paul.
Not necessarily this offseason but in a year or two, Bridges and Cam Johnson will be the two to keep an eye on
So don’t trade Saric then; he is +6 on/off. He will be out injured anyway.
Why are we keeping an eye on Mikal & Cam?
“NBA violence”? What on earth is he talking about?
I think that was a transcription error. Should be Finals.
Hits to the head being maybe a regular foul if it’s clear enough, but rarely a flagrant…