Kristaps Porzingis Returns For Mavs
The Mavericks will have Kristaps Porzingis in the lineup for the first time since December 29, as ESPN’s Tim MacMahon passes along on Twitter.
“Porzingis is scheduled to play. He’s looking forward to playing,” head coach Rick Carlisle told the media prior to the Mavs’ tilt against the Clippers.
Porzingis’ knee has kept him on the sideline during the entire month of January. He’s missed 10 games for the club and Dallas has gone 6-4 during his absence.
While there’s no word of an exact minute restriction, Carlisle said that the big man will play shorter stints than he normally would. Porzingis has played in 31 games for the Mavs this season, seeing 31.2 minutes per contest.
Davis Bertans Remains On Track For Significant FA Raise
Davis Bertans, who is making $7MM this year, will be a free agent at the end of the season and many around the league expect his next contract to be a lucrative one.
“He’s going to be a hot commodity.” a rival Eastern Conference front office executive told Hoops Rumors. “He’s earned himself a sizeable raise. $15MM per season isn’t out of the question. $20MM? It’s possible.”
That isn’t the first time we’ve heard numbers in that neighborhood thrown around in reference to Bertans. A former front office executive who spoke to David Aldridge of The Athletic earlier in the season estimated that the 27-year-old would get a multiyear deal worth $15-20MM annually.
The free agent landscape this summer may not be as player-friendly as it has been in recent years, since there aren’t many teams projected to have significant cap room. Still, that won’t stop teams from pursuing their top targets.
“If a player wants to sign somewhere and a team wants him bad enough, they’ll find a way,” the Eastern Conference executive said. “We just saw a bunch of sign-and-trades. We’ll see more.”
By all accounts, the Wizards still plan to keep Bertans through the trade deadline. GM Tommy Sheppard is a huge fan of the power forward and Bertans’ presence in Washington had an influence on the team promoting fellow Latvian big man Anzejs Pasecniks to the 15-man roster. Still, it’s worth wondering whether Bertans’ potential price tag in free agency will make the team reconsider the possibility of a trade either before the February 6 deadline or after the season (via sign-and-trade).
[RELATED: Wizards GM: We “Intend To Keep” Davis Bertans]
Bertans, who came to the Wizards via a three-way trade with the Spurs and Nets, is enjoying a breakout campaign. He’s one of just six players this season making three triples per contest while hitting them at a 40% mark or better.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
RJ Barrett Sprains Ankle, Will Be Re-Evaluated In One Week
JANUARY 17: X-rays were negative on Barrett’s sprained right ankle, according to the Knicks, who announced today that the rookie will be re-evaluated in a week (Twitter link).
JANUARY 16: The Knicks’ season continues to go downhill. No. 3 overall pick RJ Barrett left tonight’s contest against the Suns with a right ankle injury and did not return.
After the contest, coach Mike Miller said he didn’t know the severity of the injury, which was initially diagnosed as a sprain, as Ian Begley of SNY.tv tweets. Begley adds that the rookie had crutches in his locker.
Barrett’s development has been a bright spot for the 11-31 Knicks. The rookie was averaging 14.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per contest entering tonight’s tilt with the Suns. He has struggled with his efficiency, though over his prior six contests, he made 46.3% of his looks.
Atlantic Notes: Knicks, Rose, Wooten, Anderson
There are few players who are off the table in trade talks for the Knicks, as I recently wrote for SLAM Magazine. RJ Barrett, who injured his ankle earlier tonight, and Mitchell Robinson are both unlikely to be dealt. Everyone else on the roster seems available for the right price, including Marcus Morris, who returned from a five-game absence in the loss tonight.
As we wait to see which players from New York get traded before the deadline, let’s take a look around the Atlantic Division:
- Should the Sixers trade for Derrick Rose? ESPN’s Tracy McGrady (video link) believes the point guard could be the right target for Philadelphia at this year’s trade deadline.
- Kenny Wooten‘s two-way contract with the Knicks runs through two seasons, ESPN Bobby Mark tweets. Wooten’s deal is just one of seven like it in the NBA.
- Javonte Green is getting a chance to live out his dream with the Celtics, as he tells NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg.“When I first got the offer from [Danny Ainge], it was a dream come true,” said Green. “I still don’t think it’s really hit me. But every day, a random day, I can just be going to the grocery store, and I’m like, ‘Yo, I’m really in the NBA.’”
- Justin Anderson will re-join the Raptors‘ G League affiliate, per the team’s Twitter feed. Anderson was with the Raptors 905 before signing a 10-day deal with Brooklyn.
Hawks Had Been Targeting Teague Since Beginning Of Season
The Hawks traded for Jeff Teague earlier today, adding a veteran presence to their second unit. Discussing the trade with Chris Kirschner of The Athletic , general manager Travis Schlenk said the franchise had been targeting the point guard since the beginning of the season and has interest in bringing back Teague in free agency after the campaign.
“That was one of the areas going into the summer that we knew we were going to have to address is point guard,” Schlenk said. “This is a great opportunity to have a dress rehearsal to see how it goes. We are hopeful. We think Jeff has a lot of good basketball left in him. We’re going to see how it goes, but in a perfect world, it would be a great scenario.”
Atlanta thought it had an answer for the back-up point guard position when it swapped Kent Bazemore for Evan Turner over the summer, but the move hasn’t worked out, as Turner has dealt with Achilles pain throughout the season. With the Teague addition, coach Lloyd Pierce has an answer for an area of his rotation that was a major question mark all season long.
Schlenk expects Teague and franchise point guard Trae Young to share the floor at times. Getting Young reps without the ball is something that the team has already been working on, using Kevin Huerter as a ball-handler on occasions.
The Hawks are not done dealing. While they are not in the Andre Drummond sweepstakes, they are expected to continue to parse the market for opportunities. Schlenk said the team’s focus is on adding “good players that we think can be with us past this season.” Dewayne Dedmon and Steven Adams are centers who could fill a void for Atlanta.
Jamal Murray Expected To Miss Time
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray underwent testing on his injured left ankle and while the results came back clean, he is expected to miss multiple games as a result of the ailment, Nick Kosmider and Shams Charania of The Athletic report (Twitter link).
Murray exited the Nuggets’ game against the Hornets after coming down awkwardly on his ankle, and the injury has since been diagnosed as a sprain. PJ Dozier stepped up in his place and Denver was able to win the contest.
Murray, who signed a $170M extension prior to the season, is averaging 17.6 points and 4.6 assists per game so far during the 2019/20 campaign. He’ll miss Denver’s game against Golden State tonight, the contest vs. the Pacers on Sunday, and the trip to Minnesota on Monday. After those games, Denver has the a pair of matchups against the Rockets and a tilt with the Pelicans on deck.
Wolves Notes: Trades, KAT, Culver
Timberwolves president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas said trading away Jeff Teague gave the team added flexibility, as Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic relays (Twitter link).
“We want to be positioned where we can take advantage of opportunities that present themselves where you can acquire a high-level player and give a team savings if they need it,” the executive said.
Minnesota traded Teague and Treveon Graham to Atlanta for wing Allen Crabbe earlier today. Here’s more from Minnesota:
- The Wolves are confident they’re on the same page with their superstar Karl-Anthony Towns, as Rosas tells Chris Hine of The Star Tribune. “We have an ownership group and a leadership group here that’s given us every resource to be successful,” Rosas said. “We’ve been aggressive at every step of the way during my short tenure here, whether it’s the draft or free agency, to bring in high-level talent. There’s going to be challenges along that path, but I’m extremely confident we’re on the same page and there’s full commitment from every level here to make this successful.”
- In the same piece, Rosas added that the team is happy with No. 6 overall pick Jarrett Culver‘s progress. “What he’s doing in a semi-point guard role this year, for a guy at his age, with his skill set, is very exciting. History shows you that guys will improve their shooting,” Rosas said. “…We’re very excited about what he means for this organization now and in the future.”
- Former Suns general manager Ryan McDonough has been in Minnesota, visiting with the Wolves’ coaching staff and front office, Krawcynski tweets. The scribe adds that the late Flip Saunders had a history of meeting with coaches who were currently out of the league.
Hawks Waive Paul Watson
The Hawks have released Paul Watson, the team announces. Watson signed a 10-day contract with Atlanta on January 6.
The shooting guard appeared in two games during his short stint with the Hawks. He saw just 17 minutes of court time and went 0-for-7 from the field.
Prior to joining Atlanta, Watson spent this season with Raptors 905, where he is averaging 18.4 points and 7.4 rebounds in 13 games while shooting 46.7% from 3-point range. Undrafted out of Fresno State in 2017, Watson had a brief stop in Germany before joining the G League later that year.
Atlanta now has 14 players under contract.
NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 1/14/20
Here are Tuesday’s G League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:
- The Thunder have assigned Justin Patton to the G League, according to the team’s website. Patton has appeared in 22 games for the Oklahoma City Blue, averaging 10.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.77 blocks per game.
- The Kings are sending Wenyen Gabriel and Justin James to the Stockton Kings, per the team’s Twitter feed. Neither player has received consistent playing time with the NBA club this season.
Kyrie Irving Feels He Will Return Within Week
Kyrie Irving has missed nearly two months with a right shoulder injury but the point guard could be close to a return. Irving practiced today and he hopes to return within the next week, Malika Andrews of ESPN.com relays.
“We just see where we end up in the next few days,” Irving said. “Realistically, we will re-evaluate tomorrow. See how I feel tomorrow. Then go Saturday — probably another practice.”
Irving participated in 5-on-5 drills and had no limitations other than his shoulder rehab.“Hopefully, I get some game reps in addition to practice probably in the next week or so, it could be less than that but I’ll give myself a week,” Irving said.
It’s not clear whether the Nets’ medical staff agrees with Irving’s projection. On Wednesday, the 27-year-old told reporters that the cortisone shot he received in his shoulder was working and called it a “great stepping stone to work my way to getting back on the floor.”