Veteran point guard Brad Wanamaker signed a training camp deal with the Pacers this week and he’s out to prove he deserves a spot on the 15-man roster, David Woods of The Indianapolis Star writes.
“I didn’t come here just to come here,” Wanamaker said. “I came here to compete, show what I’m capable of and try to make the roster.”
Wanamaker has a shot to be the third point man behind Malcolm Brogdon and T.J. McConnell.
We have more from the Central Division:
- Following two injury-riddled seasons, Dylan Windler is making his case for a rotation spot as the Cavaliers’ backup wing, Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer notes. Windler had 12 points and four rebounds in 22 minutes in Cleveland’s preseason game on Friday. “To be out here at the start of the season and contributing in the ways that I’m supposed to, it feels great,” he said. “I don’t control the rotations. That’s coach’s job. I’ve just got to come in, get my work in, do what I do and continue to prove myself when I get the opportunities.”
- Lauri Markkanen will spend most of his time at power forward but Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff also plans to use him at small forward in jumbo lineups, according to Kelsey Russo of The Athletic. “It’s one of those things where I believe he’s one of our best players,” Bickerstaff said. “So we have to do what we can to get him on the floor so he can help us. His versatility helps. Right now, you see the strength of our bigs and the fact that they are so versatile and they can play next to each other, you can get them out there on the floor.”
- Forward Jordan Nwora only appeared in 30 regular-season games with the Bucks during his rookie campaign but he’s angling for more playing time this season, Eric Nehm of The Athletic writes. Coach Mike Budenholzer is looking for Nwora, a second-round pick in 2020, to become a more complete player. “I think, defensively, he’s making progress in practice, making progress in the games,” Budenholzer said. “He’s really got to improve on that end, and he’s making steps in the right direction.” Nwora will be a free agent next summer, either restricted if he receives a qualifying offer, or unrestricted.
This is why J.B. Needs to be let go. I hate saying it, he is an amazing guy and the players love him…but his offense coaching is atrocious. He claims to be a defensive first coach with a team that has has very few defensive players, and the team itself has many offensive weapons yet he has no idea how to utilize them.
Markkanen at SF? One of our best players? He has given up so many more points than he has scored this preseason due to his horrible defense.
He was even quoted in the preseason as saying something along the lines of, “it’s not exactly about set offensive plays, but rather players playing to their skill sets”. Well yes of course, but our starting lineup is the youngest in the league with the oldest player being 23, these guys need structure to develop. J.B. said he wants the Cavs to speed up this season, but you can’t speed up if the players don’t know what they are doing or their roles. These past 3 preseason games the Cavs have had 20, 21, and 19 turnovers respectively. The players have taken the absolute worst shots since they don’t know when or if they should take shots. EVERY single player looks like they have taken a step back from last year, except believe it or not Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love (his stats might not show it but he looks like a very solid role player).
J.B. Will be gone by the end of this season. Especially since the Cavs’ first 20 of their 25 games are against last year playoff teams.
Doubt many of you could’t care less about the Cavs, but I enjoy talking about them so here is my two cents.
I’m a bulls fan and I am sorry about lauri dude, he might be the worst and weakest defensive nba player I have ever seen, I like garland and okoro and Allen so much but I don’t know why you guys let us and Portland take advantage of you in that trade, Derrick Jones jr would’ve been a better player for the cavs
Haha glad someone understands! And we payed him so much money, as we are debating about paying Sexton lol
I do actually like the idea of playing Lauri at the 3 some… but I would like more the combination of Lauri/Mobley at the 4-5, that will be such a lethal tandem, adding them to Garland & Sexton you have a really good starting 5, just need to get a good 3 going & CLE is looking quite good, then Rubio & K-Love at the ready from the bench & digging deeper down as 8-9th man Okoro & Allen… really exciting team if you ask me!
Don’t lose heart my friend, CLE is in the up, can only get better from here on!
I actually think Mobley would be better at the three for the fact that he can switch and play perimeter defense. Lauri can barely even play D against 4s haha. Thanks, I am definitely trying to keep my head up, and agreed that we got a bright future, but I am already in overreact mode after these preseason games haha
Ya know, I am so not surprised to hear that you like the idea of Markannen at the 3. Proven failed experiment in Chicago…what is that quote about definition of insanity?
Yeah some interesting ideas to say the least.
I would’ve thought you’d want to mix the line up between shooters and defenders.
With Lauri and Allen together, Lauri for the shooting and Allen for the defence.
Then KLove and Mobley together, Lobe the experience and Mobley obviously the youngster with massive potential. KLove could definitely help teach him a thing or two.
I also still don’t understand what’s happening in the backcourt either. You have Garland who needs the ball and can’t shoot, Sexton who is a score first point guard in my eyes, and Rubio another ball dominate facilitator who can’t shoot.
I’m not a Cavs fan but for example wouldnt a Jarrett Allen for Buddy Heild and a pick deal be what you kinda need?
Garland at point, Heild for spacing at the 2, Okoro at the 3, KLove 4, Mobley 5.
With decent depth Sexton in a 6th man role, Rubio, Lauri and Osman.
Can play small with Sexton at the 2, and Heild the 3, in offensive line ups, can play big if you want to put Lauri at the 3 but I’m not a fan of that.
I like Allen but I don’t understand why you give him 100 mil if you draft Mobley and have KLove and Lauri
Love isn’t in their long term partner but Allen you can have for 5 years.
Obviously not but if Allen is at the centre spot for 5 years does that mean your going to make Mobley the 4 for the next 5 also?
Personally I think Mobley could be a top 5 centre
If you get a chance, watch a Cavs game (obviously it’s hard since no national tv will cover us lol) but you’ll see how Mobley can thrive at either position. It is actually incredible seeing him dribble it up the court or drive to the basket. He honestly can dominate at the 4 over the next few years because he can guard the perimeter better than many perimeter players, and backdown or shoot over or drive past many PFs. So excited to see him grow.
Garland can shoot, that’s the thing. But as the point guard, a position he can play fine since he can pass, isn’t given any off-ball plays. Steph curry and damien lillard are still given many opportunities off the ball. You don’t see them splashing it everyones face for 48 minutes. They run Garland in a p&r and then if he passes then the play is over for him. Bickerstaff has no offensive direction and it’s frustrating. It’s kind of why Sexton ends up in ISO plays all the time.
Also ik you don’t watch the Cavs regularly so if you ever do you’ll quickly see why Sexton can’t handle PG duties full time. He is a score first, score second, score third, and pass fourth type player lol. An offense cannot run through him regularly.
As for signing Allen, I am still hesitant to say he is worth his contract, but in the open market that would be his value. Since KLove is in the plans, the future going forward only includes 3 big men in the rotation, Mobley, Allen, and Marrkanen unfortunately. So resigning Allen isn’t too big a problem.
Lauri and Allen might have some potential, at least from a spacing perspective. Sexton is a smart player, just give him a little more time to figure it out. However, this is sort of a repeat of Bulls lineups with Lauri, Wendell Carter Jr. and Coby White – they didn’t have enough D to stop anyone and didn’t have enough shooting to outscore anyone.
@Sex
JB has to play with what he’s given. With so much invested in Markkanen you must know he’s getting pressure to play him as much as what’s reasonably expected. It’s preseason. Guys are trying to learn where guys like the ball, etc. Don’t get too caught up in turnovers yet. I do want them to work on defensive communication though.
No I totally agree. And I do think Lauri can be a core piece. I guess I am very frustrated seeing all of the videos of the training camp where guys are having a great time and vibing and looking awesome, just to see them absolutely lost and without chemistry on the floor. I am sure you watched a preseason game or two (although I know Knicks have played at the same time as Cavs a couple games so maybe not?) but everyone looks hesitant, confused, forceful,etc. on the offensive end. Your could not be more right that I should probably chill since it is preseason, but also…I feel like I am allowed to expect more. But hopefully I am wrong about my rant. Guess we will have to wait and see
He was never that impressive as the interim coach for Houston 5 years ago.
JB will never be as good as his dad. I agree he won’t last long in Cleveland.
Yeah agreed. Great guy, but this won’t last past this year unless they figure it out
Rubio will step up to fill voids, including a strategic one if Bickerstaff leaves one, which is likely. Love will benefit from a PG who can deliver the ball.
The FO would prefer seeing LM and Okono step up but I’m not sure that’s doable. The 122 offense they have been using can expose a defense but sometimes the offense running it, too.
Tx u cavs for taking lauri from my bulls… Believe me, he suck.hope Blazer go to playoff this season so bulls will get 2 1st.bulls need pick big.