Pelicans Notes: Redick, Bledsoe, Williamson, Ball
Veteran reserve guard J.J. Redick is expected to be traded or bought out this month. If he’s dealt before Thursday’s trade deadline, the Sixers make the most sense, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic. Redick’s $13MM salary could be matched with some of Philadelphia’s expiring contracts (Mike Scott, Tony Bradley, Vincent Poirier). The Sixers could also throw in a second-round pick and they have a couple of extra ones, including the Knicks’ 2021 second-rounder, Hollinger notes.
We have more on the Pelicans:
- In the same Athletic story, William Guillory expresses doubt that the front office could move Eric Bledsoe. Acquired from the Bucks in the Jrue Holiday deal, Bledsoe is averaging 11.7 PPG and 3.8 APG — his lowest totals since the 2012/13 season — and has been a liability on defense. He’s owed $18.1MM next season, though his $19.4MM salary in 2022/23 is non-guaranteed.
- The team should run more of its offense though Zion Williamson, Scott Kushner of the New Orleans Times Picayune argues. New Orleans has struggled to put opponents away due in part to a lack of crunch time touches for Williamson, Kushner notes. Coach Stan Van Gundy needs to make adjustments to ensure the ball gets in the hands of his top offensive threat when the Pelicans need a basket, Kushner adds.
- Redick, Bledsoe and Lonzo Ball are the players that could possibly be moved prior to the trade deadline, according to Christian Clark of the Times Picayune. The franchise is in a tough spot with Ball, since they already have approximately $88MM committed to seven other players next season. Re-signing Ball as a restricted free agent would force the Pelicans to take a piecemeal approach to the remainder of the rest of the roster.
David Nwaba Opts For Surgery On Wrist
Rockets swingman David Nwaba has decided to undergo right wrist surgery, according to coach Stephen Silas, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle tweets.
The surgical procedure would likely sideline Nwaba for approximately six weeks. Nwaba originally sprained his wrist in a February 28 game, but he tried to tough it out with so many of his teammates unavailable due to injuries.
Nwaba re-aggravated the wrist injury on Sunday against Boston, which put surgery back on the table. Nwaba has appeared in 30 games this season, averaging 9.2 PPG and 3.9 RPG. He’s playing for his fifth team in as many seasons.
Houston picked up its $1.824MM option on Nwaba in November. He was signed to a two-year deal prior to the restart. He began last season with the Nets but suffered a torn Achilles tendon in December and was waived shortly thereafter.
Potential First-Rounder Brandon Boston Declares For Draft
Kentucky freshman Brandon Boston Jr. is declaring for the draft and will sign with an agent, Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report tweets. Boston made the announcement on his Instagram page.
Boston is regarded as a potential first-round selection. He’s currently ranked No. 34 on ESPN’s big board, with ESPN’s Jonathan Givony projecting Boston as a shot-maker and secondary creator at the NBA level. The 6’7” Boston possesses a nearly 7-foot wingspan, which could make him a defensive asset if he bulks up.
In his lone college season, Boston averaged 11.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG and 1.6 APG but shot just 35.5% overall and 30% on 100 3-point attempts. He started 23 of 25 games for the Wildcats, who finished the season with a 9-16 mark.
Boston scored a season-high 21 points against South Carolina in Kentucky’s last regular-season game but was held scoreless in 23 minutes by Mississippi State during the Southeast Conference tournament.
Knicks Center Mitchell Robinson Could Return Sunday
Knicks center Mitchell Robinson could return to action on Sunday against Philadelphia. He’s listed as questionable on the team’s injury report, the Knicks’ PR department tweets.
Robinson’s shot-blocking presence adds another big man option for coach Tom Thibodeau. Robinson underwent surgery to repair a fracture in his right hand in mid-February.
Robinson was expected to miss four to six weeks after suffering the injury, which occurred against Washington when his hand banged Julius Randle‘s elbow as he attempted to block a Rui Hachimura shot. He was cleared for practice earlier this week.
He’s averaging 8.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG and 1.5 BPG in 28.8 MPG. The 2018 second-round pick is one of the lowest-paid regulars in the league at $1.66MM. The team holds a $1.82MM option on his contract for next season.
Derrick Rose, who has been sidelined throughout the month due to the league’s health and safety protocols, will not play on Sunday. The club has not publicly indicated if Rose contracted the COVID-19 virus, but Thibodeau said the veteran point guard was “feeling a lot better” earlier this week.
Ariza: Miami “A Place I Definitely Wanted To Be”
Veteran swingman Trevor Ariza made his debut for the Heat on Friday, just days after he was traded by the Thunder to Miami ahead of the 2021 NBA trade deadline. The 35-year-old has now suited up for 10 different teams during his well-traveled career.
Ariza tallied just two assists in six minutes of action in Miami’s loss but he nonetheless feels capable of helping the reigning Eastern Conference champions. Despite struggling early, the Heat occupy fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a 22-20 record and Ariza thinks it’ll be a good fit for him.
“This is a place I definitely wanted to be,” Ariza told reporters, including Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Twitter link).
Ariza had not played all season after he was acquired by Oklahoma City and reached an agreement to remain away from the team. In 53 games between the Kings and Blazers last season, Ariza averaged 8.0 PPG and 4.8 RPG.
Now, in his attempt to compete for a title, Ariza feels his situation in Miami is a suitable one.
“I just feel it matches my style of person,” he said (Twitter link).
P.J. Tucker Talks Trade To Bucks, Goal In Milwaukee
Barring any setbacks, new Bucks forward P.J. Tucker is expected to make his debut for his new team on Saturday against the Spurs, ESPN’s Eric Woodyard writes.
The Rockets and Bucks agreed on a deal earlier in the week, ending a standoff that essentially began at the start of the season. Houston was trending downward and after trading frustrated superstar James Harden, Tucker’s departure seemed inevitable.
The 35-year-old has not been much of an offensive weapon this season, averaging a career-low 4.4 PPG, but he remains one of the best defenders in the league. Along with reigning two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tucker should help Milwaukee boast a formidable frontcourt. For Tucker, the move also represents a shot to compete for a championship, as he told reporters.
Tucker on how he fits in with the Bucks:
“The situation is perfect. I think I fit in well.”
Tucker on his goal with Milwaukee:
“My main goal is to win a championship. That’s easy. That’s the only reason I’m here. I feel like we’ve got a chance to win a championship and do something special.”
Tucker on if he feels rejuvenated being with his new team:
“Man, you have no idea. It’s gave me that boost and 15 years in, you look for anything. There are days where I talk to myself or talk junk to people just so they can talk junk back and I can get myself going. This has been one of those things where now, I’m just recharging my battery.”
Atlantic Notes: Griffin, Nurse, Curry, Toppin
Blake Griffin is close to making his Nets debut, coach Steve Nash told the media on Friday (hat tip to NetsDaily.com). Griffin is traveling with the team on its current road trip. “He looks good, is improving, and is working hard off the floor as well,” Nash said. “I think he is addressing all of the things he needed to address to land safely back in the game and transition into our team, which is not always easy. … He has to adapt to the way that we play, new teammates, new system, and new style.”
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Raptors coach Nick Nurse hinted that his team’s troubles go beyond COVID-19 related absences, Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports tweets. With OG Anunoby returning on Friday, the Raptors have all of the players who were under the league’s healthy and safety protocols back in action. Toronto lost to Utah on Friday, its seventh straight defeat, and Nurse seemed to indicate the team needs more help. “We’re getting our (butts) kicked at the rim on both ends, not rebounding,” he said. “I mean the ship has got holes all over the place that we’re trying to patch up.”
- Sixers guard Seth Curry will miss at least two games due to a sprained left ankle, Derek Bodner of The Athletic tweets. He’ll be re-evaluated after Sunday’s game against New York. Philadelphia plays Sacramento on Saturday.
- Knicks lottery pick Obi Toppin has seen his playing time drop in recent games, Barbara Barker of Newsday notes. Toppin has played single-digit minutes in his last four outings and has gone scoreless the last three games. Julius Randle has averaged 40 MPG over that stretch, which has led to Toppin’s lack of activity.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Southeast Division
Throughout the season, Hoops Rumors takes a closer look at players who will be free agents or could become free agents this off-season. We examine if their stock is rising or falling due to performance and other factors. This week, we take a look at players from the Southeast Division:
Moritz Wagner, Wizards, 23, PF/C (Down) – Signed to a three-year, $5.99MM deal in 2018
Wagner’s younger brother Franz is pursuing a national championship with Michigan and could be a lottery pick this summer. Moe Wagner, who played in the national championship game with the Wolverines in 2018, is currently biding his time on the Wizards’ bench.
Despite the season-ending injury to starting center Thomas Bryant, Wagner has fallen behind Alex Len and Robin Lopez in Scott Brooks’ rotation and hasn’t gotten his number called in the last four games. Washington declined its fourth-year option on Wagner in December, so he’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer. A first-round pick by the Lakers in 2018, Wagner can only hope he’ll get a fresh start after seeing his career stall in Washington.
Kris Dunn, Hawks, 27, PG/SG (Down) – Signed to a two-year, $10MM deal in 2020
Dunn left Chicago and signed a two-year deal with the anticipation that he’d be a second-unit mainstay in Atlanta. Hawks fans are still waiting to see Dunn take the court. He underwent right ankle surgery in late December and has yet to make his team debut, though he has returned to practice. For a team intent on making the postseason, the Hawks may not have the luxury of waiting for Dunn to get into a rhythm. Thus, there’s no guarantee he’ll be in the rotation when he suits up. Dunn likely agreed to a $5MM player option with the aim of playing well enough to test the market again this summer. It’s a safe bet now he’ll exercise that option.
Duncan Robinson, Heat, 26, SF (Up) – Signed to a three-year, $3.1MM deal in 2018
Robinson’s name has been linked to some trade rumors, but whether or not Miami retains him, he’ll be making way more money next season. Robinson is expected to command an offer in the $15-$20MM range annually as a restricted free agent. That’s the value of a wing who can consistently knock down 3-pointers. Robinson established himself as a big-time shooter when he made 44.6% of his 3s last season in his second NBA campaign. That percentage is down to 38.9% this season but he’s still receiving around 30 MPG as a starter in coach Erik Spoelstra’s rotation.
Devonte’ Graham, Hornets, 26, PG/SG (Down) – Signed to a three-year, $4MM deal in 2018
It’s been a rough season for Graham after his breakout sophomore campaign in which he averaged 18.2 PPG and 7.5 APG. He’s dealt with some injuries, including a sore knee, and now he’s lost his starting job to rookie phenom LaMelo Ball.
The less he plays, the more time he spends hanging around the 3-point line rather than attacking the rim. With Ball leading the pack for the Rookie of the Year award, there’s speculation that Graham – a restricted free agent after the season — is available in trade talks. If Charlotte doesn’t deal Graham, it will have to decide how much it’s willing to pony up to retain him if he receives an offer sheet.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Pacific Notes: Schroder, George, McNair, Gasol
Dennis Schröder wants to stay with the Lakers but there’s still a good chance he’ll test the free agent market this summer, according to Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register. Schroder likes his current situation, stating, “I want to be a part of this organization for a long time.”
However, Schroder has yet to sign an extension, even though he’s eligible for one. Schroder admits he’s conflicted, knowing the Lakers’ salary situation and the fact they can go over the cap to retain him in unrestricted free agency.
“So, we’re kind of, between these: Should we just sign the extension? Or should we wait until the summer? Because at the end of the day, I want to be a Laker for a long time,” he said. “I always say I want it to be fair.”
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- Clippers forward Paul George has drawn a $35K fine from the league for criticizing the officials to the media after a loss to Dallas on Wednesday, according to an NBA press release. George said of some non-calls, “We’re putting a lot of pressure at the rim. It’s insane that we’re not getting these calls.” He also characterized the officials’ explanations for the lack of whistles as a “bunch of lies,” according to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk.
- Kings GM Monte McNair has the final say in personnel moves as the trade deadline approaches, Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee reports. Ownership will be consulted, but McNair will be the one making roster decisions and related basketball moves, Anderson adds. However, it’s worth noting owner Vivek Ranadive has to sign off on any major deal, so the Kings organization may be trying hard to downplay Ranadive’s involvement in basketball operations.
- Lakers center Marc Gasol remains under the league’s health and safety protocols but he’s out of isolation, Goon writes in a separate story. He still has a “few steps to clear” before he’s allowed to play, coach Frank Vogel said. Gasol hasn’t played since February 28.
Davis Bertans Expected To Miss Two Weeks
Wizards forward Davis Bertans is expected to miss two weeks after suffering a right calf strain, according to a team press release.
An MRI on Friday revealed the extent of the injury, which he suffered against Utah on Thursday.
Bertans was one of the biggest free agent signings during the offseason, as Washington lavished the stretch four with a five-year, $80MM contract to retain his services.
Bertans picked a good time to have a career year last season, averaging a career-high 15.4 PPG and 4.5 RPG while shooting 42.4% from 3-point range. In 35 games this season, he’s averaging 10.8 PPG and 2.9 RPG while making 38.2% of his threes.
Bertans had a 35-point game in mid-February but he’s struggled lately, scoring in single digits the last four games. Rookie Deni Avdija and Isaac Bonga should see an uptick in minutes with Bertans sidelined.