Zion Williamson scored the game-winning layup against the Spurs on Friday night. Afterward, the Pelicans forward lavished praise on Victor Wembanyama, who finished the game with 16 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and two steals.
“Vic is a very special player,” Williamson said of the Spurs rookie, per ESPN’s Andrew Lopez. “We were just talking about it in the locker room. He’s a dude that can get two or three Defensive Player of the Years and also, I don’t want to put a limit on it, but he can get Defensive Player of the Year and MVPs. We haven’t seen nothing like that. We’ve seen things close, but not like that. He’s an amazing player. Especially with [Spurs coach Gregg Popovich] over there, he’ll continue to develop.”
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- Wembanyama played 27 minutes against Cleveland on Saturday the second night of a back-to-back and appeared visibly fatigued at times coming off the floor, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express News noted. The Spurs big man admits the NBA grind is starting to wear on him. “I’m glad my body’s healthy, even though it’s hard,” Wembanyama said. “It’s not giving me any red flags. Of course, I like everything, the conditioning to be perfect, but you got to pick your battle.” He has also battled allergies in recent days. “My immune system is also impacted,” Wembanyama said.
- The Rockets’ acquisition of Steven Adams shows they are determined to make deals for their long-range impact, Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle writes. Adams is out for the remainder of this season but will give Houston a quality backup center behind Alperen Şengün. It’s highly unlikely the Rockets will pursue a star-level player before the trade deadline, especially since they included Victor Oladipo’s contract in the Adams deal. They are also cautious about acquiring players who would take minutes away from rookies Cam Whitmore and Amen Thompson.
- Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving is listed as questionable for Monday’s game against Philadelphia, Tim MacMahon of ESPN tweets. Irving has missed the last six games with a sprained right thumb. Luka Doncic is also questionable after aggravating his sore right ankle.
Houston could still try to deal 37-year-old Jeff Green (9.6 million with team option next season).
They could also see what they can get for Jae Sean Tate (6.5 million expiring, 7.1 million team option)
Landale has 8 million semi-expiring, but they could keep him for salary matching next season. (Same goes for Green and Tate, but for them the whole year salary needs to be paid).
Bullocks 3.2 million contract could also be dealt if they get some assets. Same goes for expiring Marjanovic and Holiday, that can be used for salary-matching.
Six (semi-)expiring contracts, they could look for another player for next season nad see what assets they can get in the process (whether its a long term fit or a good salary-matching contract).
There really is not a spot to upgrade without impacting development. They paid FVV, they have Green, Jabari, Sengun, and they paid Brooks. So, maybe SF? And push Brooks to the bench.
They could push all in for a Mikal Bridges?