Northwest Notes: Porter Jr., Payton II, Simons, Agbaji
Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. participated in practice on a limited basis Monday for the first time since he suffered a heel injury, Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports tweets. Porter is unlikely to play Wednesday against the Wizards but the team is hopeful he can keep progressing at practice this week, including contact and live drills. He hasn’t played since Nov. 22.
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Guard Gary Payton II is targeting his season debut in the next week or two, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports. Payton signed a three-year, $26MM contract with the Trail Blazers as an unrestricted free agent in July, then had core muscle surgery during the offseason. Payton was a key rotation player on the Warriors’ championship team and the Blazers view him as a valuable reserve.
- Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups has invested more time with Anfernee Simons than anyone else on the roster and it’s paying off, Jason Quick of The Athletic writes. Simons, who signed a four-year, $100MM extension during the summer, is averaging 24.2 points and is shooting 39.2% from 3-point range. “He’s still like PlayDoh; we are still shaping him,” Billups said. “He’s still scratching the surface, in my opinion.”
- It’s been a rough rookie campaign for the Jazz’s Ochai Agbaji thus far, Sarah Todd of the Deseret News notes. The No. 14 overall pick has only appeared in 11 games, averaging 9.5 MPG, and has also struggled at the G League level. The Jazz are still sold on the former Kansas standout’s raw talent and athleticism.
Pacific Notes: Fox, Lakers, Wiseman, Suns, Wiggins
Kings star guard De’Aaron Fox practiced on Monday, Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee tweets. The Kings have split the two games he’s missed, winning at Cleveland and losing to the Knicks. They’ll continue their six-game road trip with a back-to-back against Philadelphia (Tuesday) and Toronto (Wednesday). Fox is listed as questionable for the game against the Sixers.
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- The Lakers got a boost of confidence by winning the last game of their six-game road trip, Dave McMenamin of ESPN writes. They finished the trip 3-3 and now host the Celtics on Tuesday. “We got to try to get as much rest as we can starting from now all the way to Tuesday night because we’re going to need it, because a very good team is coming into our building,” LeBron James said. “But, I like the way we ended the trip.”
- James Wiseman posted big numbers after being reassigned to the Santa Cruz Warriors, the G League tweets. Wiseman racked up 24 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks in Santa Cruz’s win on Sunday. The Warriors’ No. 2 overall pick of the 2020 draft made seven previous starts at Santa Cruz before a brief call-up to Golden State.
- The Suns aren’t good enough to win a championship the way their roster is currently constructed, Gerald Bourguet of GoPhnx.com opines. Bourguet believes they need more ball-handling, offensive creation, playmaking and size at power forward. It’s unlikely that simply trading Jae Crowder will solve all those issues, he adds.
- Andrew Wiggins will miss at least two more games due to an adductor strain, according to ESPN’s Kendra Andrews (Twitter link). The Warriors forward will be reevaluated Thursday after the team’s back-to-back the previous two nights.
Atlantic Notes: Williams, Sharpe, Randle, Brunson, Rose
Celtics forward Grant Williams has been fined $20K for hitting the game ball into the spectator stands, the league’s communications department tweets. The incident, for which Williams was assessed a technical foul and ejected, occurred late in the fourth quarter of the Celtics’ 123-107 loss to the Warriors on Saturday.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Nets forward Day’Ron Sharpe may have earned more playing time with his performance on Saturday with many of the team’s regulars out, Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes. Sharpe had a career-high-tying 20 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks as the Nets defeated Indiana. “He’s a young young dude, he’s still learning the speed and where to be. For us to throw different things at him and for him not to get flustered and have poise was great to see,” coach Jacque Vaughn said of the 2021 first-round pick.
- Knicks forward Julius Randle got tossed during the third quarter against Sacramento on Sunday for picking up two technical fouls. Coach Tom Thibodeau believes the coaching staff needs to calm Randle down in those situation to keep him on the court, according to Zach Braziller of the New York Post. “When he got the first [technical foul], we have to do a better job of helping him walk away,” Thibodeau said. “As a team, staff, all of us.”
- Derrick Rose, who was recently removed from the Knicks‘ rotation, could get some playing time restored if Jalen Brunson needs to miss some games, Braziller writes in a separate story. Brunson left Sunday’s game with what the team’s PR department described as a sore right foot (Twitter link). The Knicks don’t play again until Wednesday.
Joe Ingles “Close” To Making Bucks Debut
The Bucks spent their $6.479MM taxpayer midlevel exception on forward Joe Ingles over the summer despite the fact he was rehabbing from a torn ACL after undergoing surgery in February.
Ingles is “close” to making his Milwaukee debut, coach Mike Budenholzer told Eric Nehm of The Athletic on Sunday (Twitter link). Ingles has been assigned to the G League Wisconsin Herd twice this week for practice reps.
“I think it’s fair to say he’s getting close. I mean, if you’re playing with our G League group and you’re playing five on five and live action — but again, part of the questions towards the end of (Khris Middleton‘s rehab) is, you’ve got to get to a conditioning level to be ready to play in an NBA game,” Budenholzer said. “You’ve got to get kind of, I would say, a significant number of reps of just playing and doing things and building up just everything it takes to go into playing an NBA game. So, hopefully, somewhere there is an answer for you.”
Middleton made his season debut on Dec. 2 after rehabbing from wrist surgery. Middleton suffered a minor left ankle sprain in a loss to Houston on Sunday, Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets.
Over the summer, Ingles expressed optimism he could get back in action by mid-December. It appears that timetable is just about right, though Budenholzer was vague regarding how much conditioning Ingles would require before he’ll suit up.
Ingles was dealt to Portland at the trade deadline in February after he was injured but never suited up for the Trail Blazers. All 590 of his career NBA games came with the Jazz. He averaged 7.2 points and 3.5 assists in 24.9 minutes while appearing in 45 games last season.
Ingles could become a valuable reserve, especially with wings Pat Connaughton and Jordan Nwora both struggling offensively.
Western Notes: Grant, Nuggets, Smith, Fox
Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant has no regrets about leaving the Nuggets and signing with the Pistons during his last dip into the free agency pool, he told Mike Singer of the Denver Post. Grant signed a three-year, $60MM deal with rebuilding Detroit even though Denver offered a similar contract. Grant, who was dealt to Portland prior to this season, wanted to have a bigger offensive role.
“I think I just grew as a player,” said Grant, who could become a free agent again at the end of this season. “I gave myself an opportunity to become who I am today. I think I’ve been this player, but there was a lot of work I needed to do. I think I gave myself room to grow.”
We have more from the Western Conference:
- The Nuggets continue to be subpar defensively despite their 16-10 record and coach Michael Malone says his team will never reach a championship level until it develops a defensive mentality, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post writes. “We can’t pick and choose when we want to defend,” Malone said. “That’s what’s going on right now a little bit too often.” The Nuggets are allowing 114.8 points per 100 possessions, ranking 26th in the NBA.
- Rockets rookie forward Jabari Smith said prior to the team’s game against Milwaukee on Sunday that he viewed his matchup with Giannis Antetokounmpo as a measuring stick, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. “Looking at it like an opportunity to just learn, go out there and compete and measure yourself, see where you are, against some of the greatest in the world,” Smith said. “It’s fun. It’s challenging. It’s what I work for.” Houston won the game as Milwaukee’s superstar was held to 16 points. Smith had a poor shooting night but made three steals.
- Kings star guard De’Aaron Fox didn’t play against the Knicks on Sunday due to foot soreness, Tim Bontemps of ESPN tweets. Fox, who is averaging 22.8 PPG with a .507/.366/.826 shooting line, has missed two consecutive games during the team’s six-game road trip. He recently disclosed that he’s been dealing with right foot soreness for over a month.
Pacific Notes: Green, Warriors, Sarver, Reaves
Warriors forward Draymond Green said on ESPN’s NBA Countdown (video link) that he’s not concerned about other Western Conference contenders. He believes Golden State still has the best team when it’s firing on all cylinders.
“I’m not concerned about anybody in the West,” Green said. “There are good teams in the West, have the appropriate fear as (Warriors) coach (Steve) Kerr always talks about — Phoenix is one of those teams. I’ve been telling everybody for two years now, I’m not counting the Lakers out … but I don’t worry about anybody in the West. … I know if we’re playing our A game, nobody’s beating us.”
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- Speaking of the Warriors, Kerr didn’t downplay the team’s victory over the Celtics on Saturday, Kendra Andrews of ESPN writes. Golden State has been floundering around the .500 mark. “Especially the way they’ve played this year, they’ve just been so good, so dominant. I thought we needed a game like that,” Kerr said. “We’ve been a bit stuck in the mud. It feels like we’ve gotten better, but not a whole lot to show for it. This was an important win for us.”
- Suspended Suns owner Robert Sarver wants to find a buyer who will keep the team in Arizona, Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic reports. Team vice chairman Sam Garvin is confident Sarver will find a buyer who won’t look to move the franchise. “I think he really wants to find someone who loves Arizona, wants to keep (the Suns) in Arizona and is committed to the fans and is committed to the community,” Garvin said. “I think he’ll do a good job on the sale.”
- Lakers first-year coach Darvin Ham has gained a lot of trust in guard Austin Reaves‘ decision making and defensive acumen, according to Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register. “He has all of my faith and the faith of the coaching staff in the sense whenever he’s in the game and has the ball in his hands, he’s going to make the right play on both sides of the ball,” Ham said. Reaves will be a restricted free agent after the season.
Eastern Notes: Niang, Sixers, Nets, Pistons
Georges Niang was excited to get back on the court for the Sixers on Sunday after missing two games due to right foot soreness, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. “I feel a lot better,” he said. “I’m excited to get there and play today. So I’m feeling good.”
Niang, an unrestricted free agent after this season, has been a key piece for the Sixers off the bench. He’s averaging 9.7 points and shooting 43.1% on 3-point attempts.
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- The Sixers beat the Lakers in overtime on Friday after squandering a nine-point lead in the final 34 seconds to snap a three-game losing streak. Pompey breaks down the team’s recent struggles, noting that turnovers have been a major issue. “Sloppy, but good win for us,” Tobias Harris said after the Lakers win. “So we’ll take it. Obviously, we didn’t want it to happen that way, but we’ve got to learn from it and figure it out in those moments. especially when teams are presenting that type of pressure.”
- The Nets found a way to beat the Pacers without eight rotation players on Saturday. They’ll be close to full strength when they face the Wizards on Monday, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post. Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons, Joe Harris, Seth Curry, Kyrie Irving, Nic Claxton and T.J. Warren are all expected to be in uniform. Royce O’Neale, who missed the Indiana game for personal reasons, is still not with the team.
- Cade Cunningham‘s shin injury has dealt the Pistons a major setback through the one-third mark this season but there are silver linings, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com writes. Killian Hayes has begun to blossom in his third NBA season and rookies Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren have shown major talent while jumping right into the rotation.
Timberwolves Sign Matt Ryan To Two-Way Deal, Waive Lawson
DECEMBER 8: The Timberwolves have put out a press release officially announcing that they’ve signed Ryan to a two-way contract and waived Lawson.
DECEMBER 6: The Timberwolves are signing forward Matt Ryan to a two-way contract, Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic tweet. Minnesota will waive A.J. Lawson to make room for Ryan, Krawczynski adds in another tweet.
Ryan was waived by the Lakers last week.
Minnesota ranks 28th in 3-point shooting at 32.6% and hopes that Ryan can help in that area. He joined the Lakers on a non-guaranteed minimum-salary contract in September and earned a spot on the regular season roster.
Ryan made 13-of-35 attempts 3-point attempts (37.1%) for L.A. this season but only converted 2-of-14 two-pointers. In total, he averaged 3.9 PPG in 12 appearances (10.8 MPG).
Ryan went undrafted out of Chattanooga in 2020 and eventually landed with the Grand Rapids Gold in the G League in 2021/22. He made his NBA debut with the Celtics this past spring.
Lawson appeared in just one game for the Timberwolves after signing a two-way contract in mid-November. He was playing for the Hawks’ G League affiliate prior to inking that contract.
It’s the second time Minnesota has waived Lawson. He was previously signed on a two-way deal in July. The Wolves initially waived him to add Luka Garza in mid-October.
Hoops Rumors Chat Transcript: 12/8/2022
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Western Notes: Wiseman, Conley, Gay, Garza, Davis, Ingram
The Warriors recalled James Wiseman from their G League affiliate in Santa Cruz, according to a press release tweeted by the team’s PR department. Wiseman averaged 15.6 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in seven starts with Santa Cruz. Wiseman struggled during his 11 NBA appearances this season before the team decided to give him a stint in the G League to boost his confidence. He had a minus-24.4 net rating in his 147 NBA minutes.
The No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft, who was assigned to Santa Cruz in mid-November, could jump right back into the rotation. The Warriors won’t have three of their starters when they face Utah on Wednesday. Stephen Curry (left ankle soreness), Draymond Green (left hip tightness) and Andrew Wiggins (right adductor strain) are all listed as out, Anthony Slater of The Athletic tweets. The defending champion are one game ab0ve .500.
We have more Western Conference news:
- While the Warriors will be depleted, the Jazz could have their starting point guard back in action. Mike Conley is listed as questionable to play, Tony Jones of The Athletic tweets. Conley (knee) has not played since Nov. 19. Rudy Gay, who has been sidelined since Nov. 13 due to a hand injury, is not even on the injury report, so he should be available.
- Second-year big man Luka Garza has been recalled from the Iowa Wolves by the Timberwolves, the team’s PR department tweets. Garza, who is on a two-way contract, leads the G League at 29.8 points per game. He racked up 44 points and 15 rebounds against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants on Monday.
- Anthony Davis, who left the Lakers’ game on Tuesday early due to flu-like symptoms, has a non-COVID illness, Dave McMenamin of ESPN tweets. Davis battled a fever throughout the day but tried to play through it. No other players are currently sick, according to coach Darvin Ham.
- Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram won’t play against Detroit on Wednesday, according to a team press release. Ingram will miss his fifth straight game due to a left great toe contusion.