Backup center Jock Landale, who will be a restricted free agent if Phoenix gives him a qualifying offer, hopes to remain with the Suns long term.
“This is a city and a fanbase and an organization I’d love to be a part of for the rest of my career if I could,” Landale said (Twitter video link via PHNX Suns).
The 27-year-old Australian had relatively modest numbers in the regular season, averaging 6.6 PPG and 4.1 RPG in 69 games (14.2 MPG).
However, after making just one brief appearance in Phoenix’s five-game series against the Clippers, Landale made his mark against Denver, as Phoenix was plus-34 over his 106 minutes in the series, with a positive plus/minus in five of his six games despite the club losing four of those contests and ultimately getting eliminated.
Here’s more from the West:
- Tyus Jones, Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke, Ziaire Williams, David Roddy and Jake LaRavia are among the players who could be on the move if the Grizzlies decide to go after a major upgrade at small forward, according to Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal, who notes that general manager Zach Kleiman said the team plans to be aggressive in looking for roster reinforcements.
- In another story for The Memphis Commercial Appeal, Cole lists five small forwards the Grizzlies could target in free agency with their mid-level exception. Those five players are Caris LeVert, Kelly Oubre, Jae Crowder, Harrison Barnes and Bruce Brown.
- On the Podcast P podcast with Paul George, Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns said he was taken aback by last summer’s Rudy Gobert trade. “It was definitely something I wasn’t ready for,” Towns said, per Michael Rand of The Star Tribune. “I remember being in London and getting that call. I didn’t actually have no idea that was happening. I was told by social media like everybody else, so that was something.” Towns added that he had already been preparing as though he was going to be playing center, so moving to power forward was “definitely an adjustment.”
Kuzma might be a good fit in memphis?
In regard to Towns, I heard reports that he did not want to play center this year, and that the Gobert trade was in some sense completed to make Towns happy. So interesting to read this quote. I believe him — that he didn’t know about the trade in advance; but I wonder if he had a sense that a trade like this was a probability. Anyway, no matter now.
Are players suppposed to be “in the know” when it comes to trades? Half of them would end up leaking things and ruining the trade. The other half would just not care.
Atl and Minny could really help themselves
Trae Young and Onyeka Okungwu for Karl Anthony Towns and Kyle Anderson.
Atlanta moves off Trae Young and should look to have a little retool with the parts they have.
If then flip Capela and multiple seconds for Tim Hardaway Jr. Then in FA bring in a back up defensive minded centre and an experienced point guard. Such as DRose and Dwight Howard. And finish by drafting a PG like Jalen Hood-Schifino.
Line up
Murray THJ Hunter Collins KAT
DRose Bogdanovic Bey Johnson Howard
Hood-Schifino Griffin
As for Minny, Trae would be a huge addition and yes the defence sucks but you have Gobert as your anchor and he does a lot to cover that. Plus ANT and McDaniels are both very solid. To continue their retool, I’d then go Mike Conley for Doug McDermott. Retain Naz Reid, while letting go of T. Prince, NAW and Rivers and going for replacements in the form of Jae Crowder, Shake Milton and Danuel House.
Line up
Trae ANT Crowder McDaniels Gobert
Shake Nowell House McDermott Reid
McLaughlin Moore Minott
Minny is going all ANT, a better player than Trae with more upside for the future
No way they are stifling his development, they have said that about 1,000 times already
Your best player should know about major trades. Unless it’s him being moved. Especially about a guy who plays your position. I think it shows ineptitude on part of management. Those two will never work.
They were meshing just fine and the Timberwolves were playing their best ball of the season down the stretch until Naz got hurt and McDaniels punched a wall.
They were 14-13 with both in lineup.
And got bounced by Denver in 5gms. They were out scored in series by almost 10 points. And they were out rebounded. That should tell you a whole lot.
You can’t have all your money invested in players who play same position. Especially when both are Centers. Minny should build around KAT and Edwards. Fact is you should have no problem moving Rudy. It’s what I would do.