Nets guard Kyrie Irving has picked a new agent and it’s someone close to him. He’s hired Shetellia Riley Irving, which would apparently make her the only Black woman representing a current player, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets. She’s Kyrie’s stepmother and a VP of ad sales at media company BET, Ian Begley of SNY TV tweets.
Irving’s contract includes a player option worth at least $36.5MM for the 2022/23 season. He’ll become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he opts out.
We have more from the New York teams:
- With Kemba Walker shut down for the season and Derrick Rose recovering from a minor procedure on his ankle, the Knicks are thin at the point. They’re currently going with Alec Burks as the starter and Immanuel Quickley on the second unit. Until Rose is ready, coach Tom Thibodeau said he doesn’t anticipate a change, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. “That’s the best we have, so that’s what we’re doing, and they’re capable,’’ he said.
- Following his 46-point eruption against Miami last week, Jimmy Butler said that wing RJ Barrett was going to be “the face of the Knicks.” The New York Post’s Ian O’Connor writes that Barrett must not allow the state of the franchise to hold him back from being an All-Star player. O’Connor notes that the franchise hasn’t drafted, developed and held onto a star player since Patrick Ewing.
- There won’t a minutes restriction on Kevin Durant in his return to action Thursday, Nick Friedell of ESPN tweets. However, Durant and acting coach Jacque Vaughn — who is filling for Steve Nash (health and safety protocols) — will be in constant communication during the game to monitor how he’s feeling.
Maybe there should be minutes restriction for KD. Him being overplayed got him injured.
It was a freak injury, nothing to do with his playing time, actually!
“thats the best we have” lmaoo thibs
I like Thibs. But it really is getting old. Just play McBride. The way he’s acting. He might not survive.
I’m genuinely curious what Kyrie Irving would get on the open market. From a talent standpoint he’s top ten but he’s been fairly unavailable for a number of reasons for the last 5 years.
Playoff spots in the east are heating up.
Sixers are looking great with Harden and sit 2 games back from first. Heat are currently at the top having home 8-2 in their last 10.
Cavs have come to a halt with injuries at point guard in their last 10 they have gone 5-5. Celtics have been doing great since they traded for Derrick White. The have gone 8-2 in their last 10.
Next is Raptors who sit 7 games back, however Scottie Barnes just got injured. Nets sit behind them 9 games back but KD is returning and Kyrie is now available for home games, let’s see how they go.
My guess is the east finishes like this:
1. Heat
2. Sixers
3. Bucks
4. Bulls
5. Celtics
6. Nets
7. Raptors
8. Cavs
9. Hornets
10. Hawks
Raptors beat Hawks, Hornets upset Cavs.
Playoffs
Heat v Raptors, Sixers v Hornets, Bucks v Nets and Bulls vs Celtics.
Thank god Bucks vs Nets in first round.
Second round
Heat vs Celtics Sixers vs Bucks
Final
Heat vs Sixers
Sixers to the NBA Final
As for the West, usually the better teams this season it doesn’t seem to be the case.
Suns sit at the top well clear, Warriors second and have gone 4-6 in the last 10 thats without Draymond who will return shortly. Grizzlies sit half a game behind GSW but are 8-2 in the L10 and that doesn’t look to be slowing down at all. Behind those three you have the Jazz (9-1), Mavs (8-2) and Nuggets (8-2) all in terrific form but all a couple games back from one another. It’ll be interesting to see how far back GSW will slide. TWolves are clear at 7 and Clippers at 8.
You’ve then got the Lakers, Pelicans, Blazers, Spurs and Kings battling for the 2 play in spots. Lakers in poor form but sit a fair bit ahead of the chasing teams. They should take 1 spot, and I think ultimately the Pelicans will take the second spot. From there I think both of those games could be upsets in the play in.
I have it finishing
1. Suns
2. Grizzlies
3. GSW
4. Jazz
5. Nuggets
6. Mavs
7. TWolves
8. Clippers
9. Pelicans
10. Lakers
Lakers beat TWolves, Pelicans beat Clippers
Playoffs
Suns beat Lakers, Grizzlies beat Pelicans, GSW beat Mavs , Nuggets over Jazz.
Second round
Suns over the Nuggets and GSW over Grizzlies
Then lastly GSW over Suns
GSW to the NBA finals and I think the eventual winners sadly
@ Simmons>Russ;
Nobody cares.
The playoffs are 6 weeks away. All that matters is which teams are relatively healthy and which are injured to some degree on April 12. Only 10 teams out of 30 don’t make the playoffs – they really stink (as will many that do make the playoffs).
The NBA regular season (among other things) is a joke…as are more than half of the playoff games.
Question —> How many teams would make the NCAA tournament playoffs if 2/3’rds of those possible qualified?
Id venture to say most people that cruise a hoops rumor site care
The play in tourney has made the regular season better
The 6 seed race is a real thing and propels the middle half of the league all year long. I was opposed upon its introduction but the results have been brilliant Imo to date
I don’t think Nets jump above 7th tbh
I chose Utah last year at his time and i’ll stick with them again this year ouuta the West. I think Phx and GSW are very beatable
I got NO predictions outta the East but it’s lining up glorious.
We are pretty healthy to date sans DEN/LAC . Hopefully it stays that way
Play the young guys and play for next yr. Get that top 8 lottery pick. What’s the issue here. Is this so hard to see.
Thibs pride is in the way, he’s not trying to save his job with the knicks but if they make the play in I can see a team like the kings or lakers make a grab at him sadly. He knows he’s done after this year!
Yeah Knicks season is just meh, if you wanted you could push for a playoff play in spot. But you’ve already told Kemba you don’t want him and DRose is out.
But you’ve already won to many games to try and tank for a good pick.
Your right they should play McBride and Grimes a whole bunch and let Robinson get more shots of offence.
Worse that’ll happen you lose games and get a better pick. Best that’ll happen these kids win some games and really prove themselves and earn the minutes for next season.
As things stands with 25 wins, your got the 8th/9th worst record but if you somewhat tank a little the Pacers will last you, the Blazers Spurs and Kings will pass you and you could have the 5th worst record.
I’d be playing the youngster, hopping to lose, getting a better picks and letting those young guys show you what they can do.
Say tank it’s the side you’re all on