Pacific Notes: Kuminga, Thompson, George, O’Neale, Harding
Some rest and a new role did Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga a world of good on Sunday. After missing six games due to tendinitis in both knees, Kuminga had 21 points and 10 rebounds on 9-of-11 shooting in 27 minutes off the bench against the Jazz.
“I wasn’t concerned about coming off the bench,” Kuminga told The Athletic’s Anthony Slater.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is currently using Trayce Jackson-Davis alongside Draymond Green at the power forward and center spots.
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- Klay Thompson, who is headed to free agency, has improved his stock since the All-Star break, Tim Kawakami of The Athletic notes. The longtime Warriors shooting guard erupted for 32 points against the Jazz on Sunday and has proven durable, appearing in 74 games this season. While he has lost lateral movement defensively and isn’t as consistent offensively than he was in his prime, Thompson might end up more valuable to another team than what the Warriors want to pay him, Kawakami adds. He’s averaging 18.3 points per game and shooting 40.6% from deep since the break.
- Paul George, who holds a $48.8MM option on his contract for next season, poured in 23 of his 39 points against Cleveland during the fourth quarter as the Clippers erased a 26-point deficit on Sunday. George, who has had more than his share of physical issues in recent seasons, showed that he’s feeling good with the postseason looming by playing 44 minutes, including the entire second half, ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk notes. “I wanted to stay in and I just felt we were making a good push,” George said.
- Royce O’Neale doesn’t have much of an incentive to sign an extension with the Suns prior to the summer, John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM Phoenix notes (Twitter link). Right now, the Suns are limited to just a two-year, $20.5MM extension. However, Phoenix can offer him up to five years in the summer since it holds O’Neale’s Bird rights. A contract in the $13-14MM annual range for three or four years might work for both sides, Gambadoro speculates.
- Lindsey Harding was named the NBA G League’s Coach of the Year, a first for a female coach. Andscape’s Marc J. Spears spoke with Harding on how she was able to succeed in her first season with the Kings’ affiliate in Stockton.
Southwest Notes: Kidd, Washington, Rockets’ Loss, Graham
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd likes his team’s spirit with the postseason nearing, Eddie Sefko of Mavs.com relays. Dallas pulled out an OT win over the Rockets on Sunday and strengthened its grip on the fifth spot in the Western Conference.
“We have each other’s backs. We’re playing for something bigger than just the back of the jersey,” the Mavericks’ coach said. “We’re playing for one another. You can see the chemistry, the celebration at the end. It takes a long time to build that. That just doesn’t happen overnight. But the beauty of (Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic) hugging there at the end . . . those two trusting in their teammates that were out on the floor was huge.”
The Mavs’ backcourt duo combined for 85 points.
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- In their previous game, which Doncic sat out, the Mavericks got a big game out of midseason acquisition P.J. Washington. He erupted for 32 points, five rebounds, five steals and two blocks and also made the game-winning shot against the Warriors on Friday, Tim MacMahon of ESPN tweets. Washington grabbed 13 rebounds on Sunday.
- The Rockets were seemingly in control on Sunday but Dante Exum sent the game into overtime with a 3-pointer. Houston was officially eliminated from the postseason picture with the loss. “Right now, probably not a whole lot of good (to take from the tough loss),” Rockets guard Fred VanVleet told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. “High-level game. Big shots. Big games. But ultimately, we found a way to lose down the stretch. Usually, you try to find ways to win. We gifted that one to them. That stings.”
- The Spurs’ Devonte’ Graham tried to keep an even-keeled approach this season despite limited playing time, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News tweets. Graham has only appeared in 18 games off the bench. “I get to play basketball for a living and life isn’t really that bad….If not playing basketball is the worst thing going on in my life, I think I am doing pretty well,” he said. “I just don’t look at the negatives.” Graham’s $12.65MM salary for next season is partially guaranteed at $2.85MM.
Eastern Notes: Wagner, Carter, Cunningham, Middleton
The Magic have a major injury concern as the playoffs approach. Franz Wagner, who is averaging 19.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists, suffered a sprained right ankle during the third quarter tonight against Chicago, the team’s PR department tweets.
Initial X-rays were negative, but Wagner didn’t return to the contest. The Magic are battling for home court advantage in the opening round.
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- The Bulls signed Jevon Carter to a three-year, $19.5MM contract last summer to fortify their backcourt. Carter hasn’t played nearly much as he anticipated, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times notes, and hopes to get a better idea this offseason what the organization plans to do with him next season. “I just want to hear something that makes sense. That’s all,” Carter said. “That’s all I’m looking for, just clarity.” Carter played in 81 games for Milwaukee last season and averaged 22.4 minutes per night. He has appeared in 68 games this season, averaging 13.6 minutes.
- Pistons star Cade Cunningham missed his third consecutive game on Saturday against Brooklyn due to knee soreness. However, he hasn’t been ruled out for the season, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press tweets. “We do expect him back (this season). He’s working his tail off to get back on the floor,” coach Monty Williams said.
- Bucks wing Khris Middleton departed early from his team’s game against the Knicks on Sunday. Middleton had a tooth knocked out, Newsday’s Steve Popper tweets. Donte DiVincenzo inadvertently hit him in the face and Isaiah Hartenstein fell on top of him on the play. Middleton has appeared in just 51 games this season, including a 16-game absence due to a right ankle sprain.
Timberwolves Convert Luka Garza’s Contract To Standard Deal
1:45pm: Garza has officially been promoted to a standard deal, Minnesota confirmed in a press release.
10:49am: Luka Garza‘s two-way contract is being converted to a standard deal by the Timberwolves, The Athletic’s Shams Charania tweets. That will make Garza eligible for postseason action.
Minnesota has an open roster spot, so a corresponding move won’t be necessary to promote the third-year big man.
A former second-round pick, Garza is in his second season with the Timberwolves after having spent his rookie campaign with Detroit in 2021/22. The 6’10” center has appeared in 21 games this season, averaging 4.2 points and 1.2 rebounds in 5.2 minutes per game. Garza scored 16 points in just nine minutes against Toronto on Wednesday.
The former University of Iowa star will give Timberwolves coach Chris Finch another frontcourt option for the playoffs. Karl-Anthony Towns underwent knee surgery last month and his postseason status is uncertain.
The deadline to sign players to two-way contracts passed a month ago, so Minnesota’s third two-way slot will remain open for the rest of the season once Garza’s promotion is official.
Julius Randle To Undergo Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery
Julius Randle‘s season is over. The Knicks’ star power forward will undergo season-ending right shoulder surgery, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports (Twitter link).
This development ends a two-month odyssey in which Randle tried diligently to rehab the shoulder, which was dislocated against Miami on Jan. 27. Randle took a hard fall when he crashed into Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez while driving to the basket.
It’s a crushing blow to the Knicks’ hopes of a deep playoff run. Randle was averaging 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 46 games this season.
Initially, the Knicks believed Randle would only be sidelined a few weeks. Early reviews of an MRI he underwent shortly after the injury indicated no significant damage.
However, Randle’s rehab didn’t go as smoothly as anticipated. Medical experts determined that his shoulder’s continued instability made it unsafe for him to play again this season, according to Wojnarowski.
Randle risked permanent damage if he returned to action without first undergoing surgery, two specialists recently warned him.
It’s quite possible that Randle won’t be ready at the start of next season. He will reevaluated in five months after the surgery, the team’s PR department tweets.
The Knicks are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference standings with a 44-31 record. They’ve lost their last three games and are also without their other starting forward, OG Anunoby, who has been sidelined by a persistent elbow injury.
New York coach Tom Thibodeau started a four-guard lineup against Miami on Tuesday with Josh Hart posing as a very undersized power forward.
Bulls Sign Javonte Green, Waive Terry Taylor
The Bulls have signed swingman Javonte Green for the remainder of the season, the team announced today in a press release.
Chicago used a hardship exception to sign Green to a 10-day contract on March 23, but needs to clear a 15-man roster spot in order to sign him to a rest-of-season deal. To make room for him, the team has waived forward Terry Taylor.
By signing a standard contract, Green is now eligible for the postseason, including the play-in tournament. Chicago is currently tied for ninth place in the Eastern Conference with Atlanta.
Green has spent parts of three seasons with Chicago. He was limited to 32 games last season due to a knee injury, which required surgery.
Green signed a training camp deal with Golden State in October, but was waived a few days later. He also appeared in 10 regular season games with the Warriors’ G League affiliate in Santa Cruz this season.
In his first 10 days with the Bulls, the 30-year-old appeared in three games, averaging 5.0 points and 3.7 rebounds in 17.0 minutes per night.
Taylor has been out of the rotation most of the season. He has appeared in 31 games but only averaged 6.1 minutes in those outings. Terry had a $2MM salary this season and a $2.2MM non-guaranteed contract for next season.
Grizzlies’ Morant, Knicks’ Burks Seek Out New Agents
Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant and agent Jim Tanner have parted ways, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweets.
Morant has been represented by Tanner since he declared for the 2019 draft. Morant was the No. 2 overall pick that June and blossomed into a max-level player.
The change in representation won’t impact his on-court earnings for a while, since Morant is under contract through the 2027/28 season. He signed a five-year, maximum-salary extension in 2022.
It has been a lost season for Morant, who was handed a 25-game league suspension in June for a series of off-court incidents. The two-time All-Star scored 34 points and made a game-winning shot in his season debut after serving out the suspension. However, he only appeared in nine games before he required season-ending surgery for a labral tear in his right shoulder.
Morant has four years and $163.2MM left on his contract after 2023/24, including an approximate $36.7MM salary next season.
Knicks guard Alec Burks is also changing agents, Newsday’s Steve Popper tweets. He’s moving on from Octagon to join Rich Paul and Anthony Fields of Klutch Sports.
Burks will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. Burks, who is making $10.49MM in 2023/24, was dealt back to New York by Detroit at the trade deadline. Burks has struggled with his shooting in 20 appearances since the trade, averaging 7.2 points in 14.6 minutes with a 31.6% overall field goal percentage, including 30% from deep.
Burks, who averaged 12.6 points on 39.4% shooting (40.1% on 3-point attempts) in 43 games with the Pistons this season, should still attract interest in the free agent market. He’s a career 38.3% three-point shooter and has averaged double digits in scoring, mostly off the bench, over the last five seasons.
Mavericks Notes: Lively, Doncic, First Round Matchup
Rookie center Dereck Lively II could miss the remainder of the regular season due to a right knee injury, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd told Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News and other media members.
“It could be two weeks where he could be out, but we’ll see how he feels,” the Mavs’ coach said. “We’ll take it day by day, but hopefully he’s back sooner than later.”
General manager Nico Harrison told Townsend that no diagnosis will be determined until the team returns on Wednesday to Dallas, when Lively will be examined. He’s averaging 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 55 games.
We have more on the Mavs:
- Luka Doncic reached the 65-game criteria for postseason honors 0n Sunday, ESPN’s Bobby Marks notes (Twitter link). The MVP candidate will reach the super-max criteria when he undoubtedly earns All-NBA honors. Doncic will be eligible during the 2025 offseason to sign a five-year, super-max extension with the Mavericks that would be worth a projected $346MM, per Marks, making it the most lucrative deal in NBA history.
- Doncic believes the officials are allowing more contact since the All-Star break but that’s not such a bad thing, he told Sam Amick of The Athletic. “They changed the officiating for sure. It’s definitely harder,” he said. “They let much more contact go, but I like it because we can play defense.”
- The Timberwolves would be the Mavs’ most favorable matchup in the first round of the playoffs, Tim Cato of The Athletic opines. That’s partially due to Karl-Anthony Towns’ knee injury but also because Dallas has optionality: The Mavs can match Minnesota’s size or can force Rudy Gobert out to the 3-point line with smaller lineups. Cato also addresses the potential postseason rotation in his mailbag column.
Mazzulla, Udoka Named Coaches Of The Month
The Celtics‘ Joe Mazzulla and the Rockets‘ Ime Udoka were named the NBA’s Coaches of the Month for March, the league announced today (via Twitter).
Boston, which has clinched the top spot in the Eastern Conference, finished 12-4 last month. Houston, which is battling for a play-in tournament berth in the West, posted a 13-2 record in March, winning 11 consecutive games at one point.
It’s a bit of an ironic twist, as Mazzulla was named Boston’s interim coach prior to last season after the team suspended Udoka for an improper relationship. Mazzulla eventually had the interim tag removed during last season, while Udoka ended up in Houston.
The Magic’s Jamahl Mosley and the Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau were the other Eastern Conference nominees. The Thunder’s Mark Daigneault, the Mavericks’ Jason Kidd and the Nuggets’ Michael Malone were the other Western Conference nominees (Twitter link).
Community Shootaround: Sixth Man Award
Malik Monk appeared to have the Sixth Man of the Year award locked up.
Monk emerged as the heavy favorite for the award among the betting public with a career year. The Kings guard has posted averages of 15.6 points and 5.2 assists per game while shooting 44.3% from the field and 35.1% from beyond the arc. However, he will be sidelined for at least the remainder of the regular season due to a right MCL sprain.
The Sixth Man award is one of the few that isn’t subject to the 65-game minimum, which Monk surpassed anyway. But his absence down the stretch due to a knee injury could open the door for another candidate.
Monk’s main competitor for the award, Timberwolves big man Naz Reid, is receiving heavy minutes due to Karl-Anthony Towns’ knee injury. He averaged 16.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 blocks in 28.9 minutes per game last month.
Overall, Reid is averaging 13.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.9 blocks in 73 games, including eight starts.
The only other candidate who’s taking betting action is the Clippers’ Norman Powell. He’s averaging 14.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 70 games, while coming off the bench in all but one of those contests.
The Bucks’ Bobby Portis is also posting solid numbers – 13.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 74 games (one start).
That brings us to our topic of the day: Who is your choice for this year’s Sixth Man award – current favorite Malik Monk, Naz Reid, Norman Powell or Bobby Portis? Is there another player who’s worthy of consideration for the award?
Please take to the comments section to weigh on this topic. We look forward to your input.