Atlantic Notes: Reed, Quickley, Brunson, Hammon
Joel Embiid‘s backup, Paul Reed, says he’d like to stay with the Sixers, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. Reed will be a restricted free agent this summer. Reed is averaging 5.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in 16.9 minutes over eight playoff games.
“If they would like to keep me, then I would like to come back for sure,” the Sixers big man said. “I really would like to come back.”
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- The Knicks are looking for answers as they try to stay alive in Game 5 of their series against the Heat. Immanuel Quickley apparently won’t be one of them. The guard, who was injured in Game 3, is listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s game due to a left ankle sprain, the team’s PR department tweets.
- Speaking of Knicks injuries, Jalen Brunson is toughing it out despite clearly being well below 100%, Ian Begley of SNY TV writes. Brunson has gotten treatment basically around the clock for his ankle and foot ailments, according to Begley. However, the veteran guard hasn’t given an indication publicly about the extent of the injuries and how much they are limiting him.
- Becky Hammon has earned serious consideration for the Raptors’ job, Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca writes. The Raptors aren’t looking to make history by hiring a female head coach, he adds. If they choose Hammon, she will have to emerge as the best candidate for the job. Toronto is looking for a coach that will make his or her presence felt quickly and be judged by the win-loss mark.
Northwest Notes: Jackson, Watson, Green, Towns, Sexton
Nuggets coach Michael Malone strongly hinted at possible rotation changes for Game 5 against the Suns on Tuesday night. Malone mentioned that he might use Reggie Jackson as an extra ball-handler and Peyton Watson as a defender, Ryan Blackburn of Mile High Sports tweets. Blackburn notes that the Nuggets were -37 when the starters weren’t on the floor together over the past two games.
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Veteran forward Jeff Green has a simpler solution for how the Nuggets can win the series, which is currently tied at 2-2. “It’s about pride. It’s about effort,” Green told Harrison Wind of the TheDnvr.com. “And it’s about wanting to take on the challenge.” Denver has allowed 43 fast break points in the last two games.
- Dealing Karl-Anthony Towns, if the Timberwolves choose to go that path, could be made easier if the Knicks get eliminated by the Heat, Michael Rand of The Star Tribune opines. New York seems like a logical landing spot and rumors are already flying about the Knicks having interest in the Timberwolves big man. Towns will make $36MM next season and the Knicks have a combination of starters with suitable salaries (such as Julius Randle and RJ Barrett) and extra draft picks that could entice the Minnesota front office.
- Coming back from a serious knee injury, Collin Sexton saw his first season with the Jazz marred by hamstring strains. However, he showed improvement in his overall game compared to his time in Cleveland, particularly with his passing and decision-making, according to Sarah Todd of the Deseret News. Sexton shot a career-high 50.6% from the field and made 39.3% of his 3-point attempts. He averaged 14.3 points in 23.9 minutes while appearing in 48 games. Sexton inked a four-year, $71MM contract last summer in a sign-and-trade transaction.
NBA Reveals Players Expected At 2023 Draft Combine
The NBA has announced 78 players that are expected to attend this year’s draft combine, scheduled for May 15-21 at in Chicago, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports tweets.
Additionally, a select number of standout players from the G League Elite Camp, which takes place May 13-14 in Chicago, will be invited to participate in the combine.
Players will have interviews with NBA teams and participate in five-on-five scrimmages, as well as shooting, strength and agility drills. Some top prospects opt out of the scrimmages.
Victor Wembanyama, the projected top pick, is not on the list. His French League season is still ongoing.
The list of invitees is as follows:
- Trey Alexander (Creighton)
- Amari Bailey (UCLA)
- Emoni Bates (Eastern Michigan)
- Reece Beekman (Virginia)
- Anthony Black (Arkansas)
- Adem Bona (UCLA)
- Kobe Brown (Missouri)
- Kobe Bufkin (Michigan)
- Toumani Camara (Dayton)
- Sidy Cissoko (G League Ignite)
- Jaylen Clark (UCLA)
- Noah Clowney (Alabama)
- Ricky Council IV (Arkansas)
- Gradey Dick (Kansas)
- Nikola Djurisic (Mega [Serbia])
- Zach Edey (Purdue)
- Adam Flagler (Baylor)
- Keyonte George (Baylor)
- Mouhamed Gueye (Washington State)
- Coleman Hawkins (Illinois)
- Jordan Hawkins (Connecticut)
- Scoot Henderson (G League Ignite)
- Taylor Hendricks (UCF)
- DaRon Holmes II (Dayton)
- Jalen Hood-Schifino (Indiana)
- Jett Howard (Michigan)
- Andre Jackson Jr. (Connecticut)
- GG Jackson II (South Carolina)
- Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana)
- Jaime Jaquez Jr. (UCLA)
- Keyontae Johnson (Kansas State)
- Colby Jones (Xavier)
- Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton)
- Arthur Kaluma (Creighton)
- Mojave King (G League Ignite)
- Bobi Klintman (Wake Forest)
- Maxwell Lewis (Pepperdine)
- Dereck Lively II (Duke)
- Chris Livingston (Kentucky)
- Seth Lundy (Penn State)
- Kevin McCullar (Kansas)
- Mike Miles Jr. (TCU)
- Brandon Miller (Alabama)
- Jordan Miller (Miami)
- Leonard Miller (G League Ignite)
- Judah Mintz (Syracuse)
- Dillon Mitchell (Texas)
- Omari Moore (San Jose State)
- Kris Murray (Iowa)
- Grant Nelson (North Dakota State)
- James Nnaji (Barcelona [Spain])
- Julian Phillips (Tennessee)
- Jalen Pickett (Penn State)
- Brandin Podziemski (Santa Clara)
- Olivier-Maxence Prosper (Marquette)
- Rayan Rupert (New Zealand Breakers [Oceania])
- Adama Sanogo (Connecticut)
- Marcus Sasser (Houston)
- Brice Sensabaugh (Ohio State)
- Terrence Shannon Jr. (Illinois)
- Ben Sheppard (Belmont)
- Jalen Slawson (Furman)
- Nick Smith Jr. (Arkansas)
- Terquavion Smith (North Carolina State)
- Julian Strawther (Gonzaga)
- Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite)
- Ausar Thompson (Overtime Elite)
- Drew Timme (Gonzaga)
- Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky)
- Azuolas Tubelis (Arizona)
- Tristan Vukcevic (Partizan [Serbia])
- Jarace Walker (Houston)
- Cason Wallace (Kentucky)
- Jordan Walsh (Arkansas)
- Dariq Whitehead (Duke)
- Cam Whitmore (Villanova)
- Jalen Wilson (Kansas)
- Isaiah Wong (Miami)
NBA G League To Hold International Draft
Overseas NBA draft prospects will have another option to develop their skills. Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reports that the NBA G League will start holding international drafts, beginning this summer.
The inaugural one-round virtual draft will be held on June 28. Overseas prospects between the ages of 18-21 can enter the G League for player development, rather than joining a college team or playing for another professional organization next season. Eligible players will not have previously entered an NBA draft.
The order for the G League’s international draft will be determined during a random drawing on June 19. Players selected will have until July 7 to opt out of joining their NBAGL affiliate for next season. Prospects will not be required to enter the subsequent NBA draft but teams will hold G League rights on those players for two seasons.
It should be a win-win situation for all parties, as NBA teams will get an up-close look at these players in the G League.
Hoops Rumors Chat Transcript: 5/9/2023
The transcript of our weekly Tuesday chat can be accessed here.
Join Luke Adams for our next chat on Thursday.
Suns Notes: Paul, Shamet, Ayton, Jokic, Durant, Williams, Ishbia
The Suns have ruled out Chris Paul for Game 5 of the team’s second-round series against the Nuggets on Tuesday, ESPN’s news services relay. Paul has already missed the last two games after suffering a groin injury in Game 2.
Although these types of injuries normally take weeks to heal, there’s a possibility that Paul will return for the Suns in Game 6, Shams Charania said on Fan Duel TV (Twitter link). “I think the window for him to return from that groin strain is Game 6, potentially,” Charania said.
We have more from the Suns:
- Guard Landry Shamet and center Deandre Ayton shrugged off criticism and made major contributions in Game 4, Gerald Bourguet of GoPhnx.com notes. Shamet had 19 points in 30 minutes off the bench, more points than the Nuggets’ entire bench produced. Shamet had only 14 points in the first seven playoff games. Ayton’s numbers were modest but he found ways to impact the game. “I thought he came out in that fourth quarter and made some huge defensive plays for us,” Kevin Durant said of Ayton.
- How do the Suns feel about Nikola Jokic only getting fined after his sideline incident with new owner Mat Ishbia? Durant is happy that a potential suspension didn’t overshadow a pivotal contest, according to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “Glad none of that can get in the way,” he said. “We can just focus on basketball.” Coach Monty Williams feels the same way. “I just heard about the decision and that’s that,” he said. “I’m focused on us playing better, making the adjustments that we need to make. Being better at things we need to be better in. That’s my mindset. I don’t want to give energy and time to something that I can’t control. I’m good with it.”
- Regarding the same incident, Denver Post columnist Sean Keeler wonders why Ishbia didn’t receive some disciplinary action from the league for holding the ball away from Jokic. Keeler suggests Ishbia should pay Jokic’s fine or that he also should get docked $25K.
Eastern Notes: Hawks, Quickley, Pistons, Banchero
The Hawks will take a look at six draft prospects on Tuesday, Lauren Williams of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets. That group includes three guards — UCLA’s Tyger Campbell, Furman’s Mike Bothwell and Ole Miss’ Matthew Murrell — along with Miami (Fla.)’s Norchad Omier, UTC’s Jake Stephens and Arizona State’s Marcus Bagley.
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- Immanuel Quickley missed Game 4 of the Knicks’ playoff series against the Heat on Monday due to a sprained left ankle, the team’s PR department tweets. Quickley had been listed as doubtful on Sunday after suffering the injury on Saturday.
- The Pistons need to prioritize perimeter shooting and defense, as well as veteran guards, during the offseason, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press opines. Veteran options for their perimeter needs includes the likes of free agents Jerami Grant and Cameron Johnson (restricted), while Dennis Schroder and Patrick Beverley could fill the other need, unless they bring back free agent Cory Joseph.
- Magic forward Paolo Banchero, who was named Rookie of the Year last week, said he had no idea he might be taken with the top pick last June until draft day, when he saw a report from Adrian Wojnarowski, Banchero told the ESPN analyst on the Woj Pod (Twitter link). “My mom was in complete shock. … I was freakin’ out. Going No. 1 is a whole different thing, especially when you’re not expecting it,” he said.
Lakers Notes: Walker, Davis, James, Defense, Free Throws
Lonnie Walker IV finally got some significant minutes on Game 3 of the Lakers’ second-round series against the Warriors and he gave the team a lift, Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times notes.
Walker played 25 minutes in Game 3 after logging just 28 in the previous eight games combined. His 12 points were five fewer than he contributed in the previous five postseason contests. Walker, an unrestricted free agent after the season, stayed razor sharp despite those limited minutes.
“I’m in love with this game. I’m obsessed with this game and most importantly I’m only 24 so what’s yet to become always keeps me optimistic in life,” he told Turner. “So, day to day, giving it the best I can and understanding once my time is called, once my number is called, just being ready. Can’t make no excuses. At the end of the day, no one is going to feel bad for you. So, you got to go out there and play.”
We have more on the Lakers:
- Anthony Davis (right foot stress injury) and LeBron James (right foot soreness) are listed as probable for Game 4, Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times tweets. Mohamed Bamba (left ankle soreness) has the questionable tag.
- The Lakers’ defense was dominant on Saturday, a major turnaround after Golden State’s Game 2 win. Jovan Buha of The Athletic breaks down the Lakers’ defensive strategy for the game, as coach Darvin Ham notes that the playoffs require continued focus. “I think once you get to a certain point within a series, then there’s no more fooling anyone,” Ham said. “It’s just who does what they do the best. … The more you get deeper into a playoff series headed towards seven games, it’s just the more disciplined you have to be with the little things, the intangibles.”
- Free throw shooting has helped the Lakers neutralize the Warriors’ perimeter game, Law Murray of The Athletic writes. The Lakers outscored the Warriors 28-12 from the free throw line in Game 3 after the teams each made 10 free throws in Game 2. The Lakers won Game 1 in large part due to a 25-5 advantage in made free throws.
Warriors Notes: Kuminga, Fifth Starter, Bounce Back, Road Woes
It’s time for Warriors coach Steve Kerr to let Jonathan Kuminga out of the doghouse, Dieter Kurtenbach of the San Jose Mercury News opines. Kurtenbach argues that Kuminga could provide much-needed size and athleticism against Lakers star big man Anthony Davis.
Kuminga didn’t play in Game 1 of the second-round series and only played a combined 19 minutes in the past two games, but he has looked pretty good in garbage time during those minutes, Kurtenbach adds.
We have more on the Warriors:
- Kuminga is one of a handful of options for Game 4, according to Tim Kawakami of The Athletic. Golden State could also look at a small lineup with either Jordan Poole, Donte DiVincenzo, Gary Payton II or Moses Moody filling the fifth slot.
- The Warriors didn’t seem worried after getting blown out by the Lakers in Game 3 and with good reason, Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic notes. The last eight times they have suffered lopsided defeats in the postseason, they’ve won the next game. That includes their Game 7 victory against the Kings in this year’s playoffs s after losing Game 6 at home by 19 points.
- On the flip side, the Lakers’ home court has become a house of horrors for the Warriors, Thompson writes in a separate story. Game 3 was their fourth consecutive road loss to the Lakers and sixth in the last eight meetings. The last time they beat the Lakers on their home floor was in the 2021/22 season opener.
Nikola Jokic Fined $25K; No Suspension
Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic won’t be suspended for a pivotal Game 5 of their playoff series against the Suns on Tuesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets. Rather, Jokic will be fined $25K by the league.
A tweet from the league confirms the fine.
There were questions whether Jokic would have to sit out a game due to the Game 4 incident along the sidelines involving new Suns owner Mat Ishbia on Sunday night.
Suns forward Josh Okogie dove into the crowd for a loose ball that bounced into the hands of Ishbia. Jokic then tried to take the ball from Ishbia, who was slow to give it up. The Nuggets center made contact with him after the ball came free and Ishbia fell backward. Jokic was assessed a technical foul during the late second quarter altercation.
One fan was removed from his seat for making contact with the Nuggets big man, while Ishbia remained in his seat after the incident.
Denver can breathe a sigh of relief that its franchise player won’t miss Game 5 with the series tied at 2-2. He is averaging 30.8 points, 13.1 rebounds and 9.2 assists this postseason, including a 53-point explosion in the Game 4 loss.