The Spurs and Hawks are considered the co-favorites to make the biggest leap in the NBA during the upcoming season, according to a panel of ESPN Insiders.
The panel made its predictions on a wide variety of topics, including the team most likely to make a big move before the trade deadline (the Warriors received the most votes) and the next superstar to request a trade (Zion Williamson was the top vote-getter).
Here’s more from around the international basketball world:
- Anthony Edwards tops the list of shooting guards ranked by The Athletic’s Zach Harper. Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell fill out tier one — players who are potential MVP candidates — in “The Bounce’s Top 40 Shooting Guards.” Desmond Bane, Klay Thompson, Bradley Beal and Zach LaVine comprised the second tier as players “who can take over” a game.
- Gabriel ‘Iffe’ Lundberg won’t return to Serbia’s Partizan Belgrade, according to Sportando. The Danish guard, according to a TeleSport report, has drawn interest from both Zenit St. Petersburg and Olympiacos. Lundberg had a brief stay in the NBA, playing four games with Phoenix during the 2021/22 season.
- Tel Aviv’s owner Ofer Yannay had a verbal agreement this offseason with Nigel Hayes-Davis in the event that the free agent forward couldn’t find an NBA contract. Hayes-Davis, who played in Turkey last season, wound up signing a one-year deal with the Suns. “We were sure we were bringing Nigel Hayes-Davis. We were sure it was happening. He had an option to go to the NBA, and he basically said, ‘I’ll try to get a contract in the NBA, and if I don’t, I’ll come to you,’” Yannay said, per Eurohoops.net.
Lebron, Reaves, Hachimura and Bronny for Jimmy, Kuminga, Hield and Podz
Who says no? Legitimately? Reaves isn’t a longterm fit with Luka.
Huh…Warriors were voted most likely to make a move at the Trade Deadline? Makes sense. I’d be watching Moses Moody’s recovery. I’d also look at how Richard progresses. Their biggest problem last season was shooting. Moody could make Heild’s expiring contract expendable. Combine that with TJD’s non-guarateed contract. They also have a trade exception that could lead to more movement.
Now if Kuminga would make up his mind. If he goes the QO route, they might go the buy-out market route. Free up another body to move. I can’t believe all this waiting around is helping him. He struggled last season because he worried about the contract. It seems like it will drag into the upcoming season. Such a shame.