Northwest Notes: Ingles, Edwards, Beverley, Reed
Jazz swingman Joe Ingles, recently ruled out for the season with an ACL tear, seems likely to either see his expiring $14MM contract traded or waived by Utah, writes Sarah Todd of the Deseret News.
Todd writes that wing Danuel House appears likely to ink a guaranteed deal with Utah, but that the team may need more help than that. The Jazz also have a $7.4MM trade exception they could use to their advantage. Until the team makes another addition to its roster, Todd projects Eric Paschall to see more run in the absence of Ingles.
Tony Jones of The Athletic concurs that it seems probable House will get a guaranteed deal in the wake of the Ingles injury. Jones opines that Ingles will be tough to replace as a reliable wing shooter and ball-handler, particularly in the pick-and-roll. Jones notes that the Jazz, hopeful to make a championship push this season, will most likely look to shore up their roster beyond just keeping House around.
There’s more out of the Northwest Division:
- Timberwolves second-year swingman Anthony Edwards is confident he can reach All-Star levels, possibly even this season, writes Marc Spears of the Undefeated. “My main goal is to get into the All-Star Game,” Edwards said ahead of the NBA revealing coaches’ picks tonight for the 2022 game in Cleveland next month. “I know I am going to get in the Rising Stars Game [this season]. I want to be in [the] All-Star Game.” The 20-year-old is averaging 22.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 3.7 APG, with shooting splits of .443/.363/.807 across 40 games for the 26-25 Timberwolves this year. Responding to a question about his ceiling as a player, Edwards was optimistic. “I don’t think I got one,” he said. “I think I can be as good as anyone.”
- When asked about the possibility of being dealt at or before the impending trade deadline this season, Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley indicated that he hopes to stick around in Minnesota, both for the rest of this season and perhaps past it, per Chris Hine of the Star Tribune (Twitter link). “It’s been great here,” Beverley said of his tenure in Minnesota. “Especially trying to establish a culture, a winning culture here … They allowed me to be myself here. Allowed me to do my thing, and that’s affected on and off the court on the team.”
- Nuggets shooting guard Davon Reed expressed confidence that he has shown he can be more than a “fringe” player in the league, per Mike Singer of the Denver Post. “I can defend multiple positions, I can make open shots and, given the opportunity, I can make plays for my team as well,” Reed said. He has certainly earned rave reviews from head coach Michael Malone. “Every time that kid gets a chance to play, he goes out there and plays at a high level,” Malone said. Reed’s shooting numbers, albeit across a fairly modest 14.4 MPG while taking just 3.4 field goal attempts and 0.2 free throw looks a night, have been encouraging: .500/.476/.800.
New York Notes: Aldridge, Nets, Toppin, Grimes
Nets head coach Steve Nash told reporters that center LaMarcus Aldridge will miss the rest of Brooklyn’s current road trip due to a left ankle sprain, per Nick Friedell of ESPN (via Twitter). Friedell adds that Nash expressed optimism about the veteran big man’s ability to rejoin the Nets prior to the upcoming All-Star break.
Aldridge suffered the injury in a 110-106 weekend loss to the Warriors. He departed Golden State’s home arena, the Chase Center, in a walking boot and on crutches. Nash is glad that Aldridge’s injury is not more severe, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
“There’s always a dark side, a bad side of all these injuries or incidents in a game, so you can always look at the positive side,” Nash said. “And fortunately I don’t think it’s a long-term thing; it’s more of a short-term thing.”
Lewis notes that Nash would not reveal the extent of the sprain.
The 6’11” veteran, a seven-time All-Star, has proven to be a helpful role player when available for the 29-20 Nets, averaging 13.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 1.1 BPG in 36 games (22.9 MPG).
There’s more out of the City That Never Sleeps:
- Some changes have been announced near the top of the Nets ownership hierarchy. John Abbamondi, CEO of Nets parent company BSE Global, will be stepping down in July, per Jabari Young of CNBC (Twitter link). Abbamondi was just hired in July 2020. Vice President of Global Partnership Sales Chris Insolera also revealed that he would be leaving BSE today, per Mark J. Burns of the Sports Business Journal (via Twitter).
- Second-year Knicks power forward Obi Toppin will participate in his second straight Slam Dunk Contest during the 2022 All-Star Weekend, per Shams Charania of The Athletic (video link). Toppin has seen an uptick in his minutes during his second NBA season with New York, ascending from 11.0 MPG to 15.8 MPG. Through 46 games this season, he is averaging 7.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 1.0 APG on a .541/.250/.772 shooting line.
- Knicks rookie guard Quentin Grimes has seen his intense commitment to practice pay off with a bigger role on the team, writes Steve Popper of Newsday. Grimes has had positive practice habits instilled in him from a young age. “My dad, he grew up playing basketball,” Grimes said. “Played at Santa Clara and was around Kurt Rambis and a lot of NBA guys growing up in the Houston area. He always told me that no matter if you’re not playing, playing a lot, playing 40 minutes, you got to treat every practice like it’s a game because you’re ultimately preparing yourself for the game.” Grimes had a bumpy start to his first NBA season. He played in just 13 of the team’s first 26 games this year, averaging just six minutes per contest. After coronavirus absences gave Grimes an opportunity to play more minutes, he showed more promising flashes. “He treats practice like a game,” head coach Tom Thibodeau raved. “He’s there early. He practices extremely hard. He guards everyone. He’s not going to take any possessions off.” In 33 games (15.9 MPG), Grimes is averaging 5.9 PPG on .420/.403/.727 shooting, along with 1.7 RPG and 1.0 APG.
Donovan Mitchell Visits Specialist For Concussion Symptoms
All-Star Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell visited with a specialist today as to address continuing concussion symptoms, reports Tony Jones of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Jones notes that Mitchell has been sidelined for two weeks and counting due to his concussion symptoms, and was held out of today’s practice with Utah.
Mitchell, 25, seems set to make his third straight All-Star appearance this season when NBA head coaches’ picks for 14 All-Star reserve spots are announced this Thursday. Through 40 games with Utah, the 6’1″ shooting guard is averaging 25.5 PPG, 5.2 APG, 4.0 RPG, and 1.6 SPG, with shooting splits of .450/.339/.876.
The fifth-year vet out of Louisville is not the only crucial Utah player currently sidelined. The 30-21 Jazz are also without All-Star center Rudy Gobert, who has missed the past four games with a calf injury, and key reserve forward Joe Ingles, out for the season due to an ACL tear.
Pacific Notes: Suns, Ayton, Crowder, Lakers, Toscano-Anderson
The 40-9 Suns currently sport the best record in the NBA, thanks in large part to the All-Star performances of guards Chris Paul and Devin Booker, as well as terrific play from center Deandre Ayton, small forward Mikal Bridges, and a revamped roster with additional depth. John Hollinger of The Athletic reflects on the team’s season thus far and considers some trade possibilities for Phoenix in an extensive new article.
Hollinger wonders if the Suns may look to improve their reserve guard slots behind Paul and Booker. He floats the possibility of offloading trade packages including intriguing young center Jalen Smith, injured big man Frank Kaminsky and a future first-round pick in exchange for veteran shooting guards like Norman Powell or Eric Gordon.
There’s more out of the Pacific Division:
- Suns center Deandre Ayton and power forward Jae Crowder are returning from injuries to suit up for Phoenix tonight against the Nets, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link). Ayton has been sidelined for seven straight games with an ankle injury, while Crowder has been grappling with a mild wrist injury for the past four contests.
- The 24-27 Lakers have not enjoyed the level of success they expected after making an all-in trade for point guard Russell Westbrook during the summer of 2021. Bobby Marks of ESPN outlines exactly how difficult it will be for Los Angeles to make significant roster changes by the trade deadline this season. L.A. is currently just the ninth seed in the Western Conference, thanks in part to various injuries incurred by All-Stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis throughout the season so far. Marks cites Westbrook’s exorbitant contract (he is owed $91.3MM across these next two seasons, an All-Star salary for sub-All-Star production), the Lakers’ lack of future draft picks, and the team’s lackluster depth as factors for what he anticipates to be a relatively quiet deadline.
- Athletic third-year Warriors swingman Juan Toscano-Anderson will take part in the 2022 Slam Dunk Contest at this season’s All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (video link).
Landry Shamet Likely Out 7-14 Days With Ankle Sprain
Suns reserve shooting guard Landry Shamet will miss one-to-two weeks of game action due to a right ankle sprain, per John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (Twitter link). Shamet initially hurt his ankle during the second half of Phoenix’s 115-110 victory over the Spurs on Sunday.
According to Gambadoro, the hope is that Shamet will be able to return before All-Star Weekend. Phoenix’s last game before the break is on February 16.
In his first season with the Suns, Shamet has been a bit underwhelming as a shooter. He is averaging 7.4 PPG on .370/.353/.852 shooting, along with 1.9 RPG, 1.6 APG and 0.5 SPG across 45 contests (19.8 MPG). For his career, Shamet holds shooting splits of .408/.390/.837.
The 40-9 Suns, winners of 10 straight games, are currently the top seed in the Western Conference, and recent rumors suggested the the team could be looking to shore up its perimeter shooting bench depth beyond Shamet this season, in part due to his underwhelming output.
After nabbing Shamet from the Nets in an offseason trade, the Suns opted to ink him to a four-year, $43MM rookie scale contract extension. The team also extended starting small forward Mikal Bridges, widely regarded as one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. Starting center Deandre Ayton, however, failed to reach a contract extension deal with the Suns in time, and will be a restricted free agent this summer.
NBA Announces 2021/22 Rising Stars Rosters
The NBA has revealed the 28 players (12 rookies, 12 sophomores, and four G League Ignite players) who will suit up for the 2022 Clorox Rising Stars Game in Cleveland this year, per its official PR account (Twitter links). There are a few intriguing surprises among the first-year NBA players.
Here are the players who made the cut:
Rookies:
- Scottie Barnes (Raptors)
- Cade Cunningham (Pistons)
- Ayo Dosunmu (Bulls)
- Chris Duarte (Pacers)
- Josh Giddey (Thunder)
- Jalen Green (Rockets)
- Herbert Jones (Pelicans)
- Davion Mitchell (Kings)
- Evan Mobley (Cavaliers)
- Alperen Sengun (Rockets)
- Jalen Suggs (Magic)
- Franz Wagner (Magic)
Sophomores:
- Precious Achiuwa (Raptors)
- Cole Anthony (Magic)
- LaMelo Ball (Hornets)
- Desmond Bane (Grizzlies)
- Saddiq Bey (Pistons)
- Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)
- Tyrese Haliburton (Kings)
- Tyrese Maxey (Sixers)
- Jaden McDaniels (Timberwolves)
- Isaac Okoro (Cavaliers)
- Isaiah Stewart (Pistons)
- Jae’Sean Tate (Rockets)
Additionally, four players from the G League Ignite will participate in the Rising Stars Game based on voting from NBA G League head coaches. The NBAGL has announced (Twitter link) that MarJon Beauchamp, Dyson Daniels, Jaden Hardy and Scoot Henderson will partake in the action. Players will be separated into four teams, and each G League player will be drafted to join one of the teams later this week.
Among the rookie NBA players, the additions who would be most surprising ahead of the 2021/22 season would be Dosunmu and Jones, both of whom were second-round draft selections. 2021 lottery picks Jonathan Kuminga, Ziaire Williams, James Bouknight, Joshua Primo and Moses Moody were all omitted from inclusion this year.
Among the second-year players, Ball could be appearing on multiple nights during All-Star Weekend this season, as he appears to be a very possible first-time All-Star this year thanks to his outstanding work with the upstart Hornets.
The lottery-bound Magic, Pistons, and Rockets can boast having the most inclusions here, with three players apiece.
As we detailed last week, this year’s Rising Stars event will look a little different, with the four teams taking part in a mini-tournament and playing to a target score in each game: 50 points in the semifinals and 25 points in the final, in honor of the league’s 75th anniversary season.
Brandon Ingram Returning From Ankle Injury Tonight
Pelicans star forward Brandon Ingram will be returning to the club on Tuesday after being sidelined with a right ankle sprain since January 20, the club’s PR team announced in a tweet. New Orleans will be playing the Pistons on Detroit’s home court, Little Caesars Arena.
Ingram first suffered the injury during the Pelicans’ 102-91 victory over the Knicks on January 20. Across 36 games for the 18-32 Pelicans, Ingram is averaging 22.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 5.2 APG, with shooting splits of .443/.345/.818.
The 6’8″ sixth-year forward out of Duke, an All-Star in 2020 with New Orleans, is by far the team’s leader in average points, assists and field goal attempts, all by a significant margin.
The Pelicans have been riddled with injuries and coronavirus-related absences this season. Beyond missing Ingram for 14 games, the team has been without its other star forward, Zion Williamson, whose return timeline from an offseason foot surgery remains murky.
Bradley Beal To Miss At Least One Week With Left Wrist Injury
Wizards star shooting guard Bradley Beal will miss at least a week of action with a nagging left wrist sprain before being re-assessed, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports (via Twitter). According to Marc Spears of The Undefeated (Twitter link), Beal was diagnosed with a scapholunate ligament injury in the left wrist.
Earlier today, Washington head coach Wes Unseld Jr. said that Beal was set to consult with a specialist for an opinion on the injury, per Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington (Twitter link). Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN indicated (via Twitter) that Beal consulted with the specialist in New York.
Unseld noted that continued discomfort ultimately was the determining factor when it came to Beal’s decision to visit a specialist, Hughes tweets. Beal did not travel with Washington for the club’s current road trip.
Beal, 28, is averaging 23.2 PPG, 6.6 APG, and 4.7 RPG for the 23-26 Wizards, currently the No. 12 seed in the East, across 40 games this season. Though his field goal percentage of 45.1% and his free-throw mark of 83.3% are both consistent with his career output, his three-point shooting has taken a significant dip this season, down to just 30.0% on 5.3 attempts per game. The three-time All-Star’s career long-range percentage is 37.2% on 6.0 looks a night.
Terence Davis Out At Least Three Months Following Wrist Surgery
After being ruled out indefinitely due to a right wrist ECU tendon injury, Kings shooting guard Terence Davis underwent surgery today on the ailment, the team announced in a press release.
The team stated that Davis is expected to be re-assessed in three months. Thus, barring a playoff run, he’ll miss the rest of the NBA season.
At 18-34 and losers of seven straight, the Kings are currently the No. 13 seed in the West. That said, the club is still just 3.5 games out of the No. 10 seed (and thus, a play-in tournament berth) in the conference.
The 6’4″ vet out of Ole Miss averaged 10.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.3 APG and 0.8 SPG across 30 games this season for the Kings, mostly in a bench role. The 24-year-old went undrafted in 2019, but showed plenty of promise after signing with the Raptors ahead of the 2019/20 season.
After being dealt to the Kings during the 2020/21, in part due to disturbing legal issues, Davis entered free agency this past summer, and signed a two-year, $8MM deal to return to the club during the offseason.
Justin Jackson Signs Second 10-Day Deal With Suns
The Suns have signed forward Justin Jackson to a second 10-day contract, the team announced today (via Twitter). Last month, Phoenix signed Jackson to a 10-day deal via a hardship exemption, as the team had several players in the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols at the time.
The Suns don’t currently have any players in the protocols, but they also have a full 15-man roster. It seems likely that Phoenix was granted a more traditional (non-COVID) hardship exception due to its injury situation. Dario Saric, Frank Kaminsky, Abdel Nader, and Cameron Payne are all currently sidelined with longer-term ailments.
Jackson, 26, was selected with the No. 15 pick in the 2017 draft out of North Carolina in 2017 and spent his first season with the Kings. He next suited up for the Mavericks, Thunder, and Bucks.
Earlier this season, Jackson signed a 10-day hardship exception deal with the Celtics, appearing in one game for Boston. He then joined the reigning Western Conference champs in Phoenix in January. Across three games with the Suns, Jackson is averaging 4.3 PPG and 2.0 RPG in 7.7 MPG, shooting 71.4% from the field and 60% on 1.7 looks from the three-point line per game.
In 252 total NBA games, the 6’8″ tweener forward holds career averages of 6.6 PPG, 2.5 RPG, and 1.1 APG, with shooting splits of .428/.323/.799.