NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 11/1/18
Here are Thursday’s G League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:
- The Rockets have assigned center Zhou Qi to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, tweets Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. Qi, 22, saw one minute of action in the team’s game against Portland on Tuesday. He appeared in 18 contests with the Rockets last season.
- The 76ers recalled rookie center Jonah Bolden from the Delaware Blue Coats, the club announced (Twitter link). Bolden is in uniform for the Sixers’ game against the Clippers Thursday night. He was drafted by Philadelphia with the No. 36 pick in 2017, then signed a four-year deal with the club this summer after playing with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Kerr Acknowledges Cousins Likely One-And-Done With Warriors
When DeMarcus Cousins reached an agreement on a one-year deal with the Warriors this past July, both sides were crystal clear on the plan ahead: Sign a contract, bring the four-time NBA All-Star to a world-class team, and work to get that former All-Star his first ever championship.
Cousins’ contract pays him just $5.3MM this season and is set to expire in free agency on July 1. The Warriors recognize they likely won’t be able to retain him after the season due to financial commitments to Stephen Curry ($40MM), Draymond Green ($18.5MM) and impending free agents Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, who could stay in Golden State on lucrative deals.
Golden State will have just the taxpayer MLE and Cousins’ Non-Bird rights available to offer him a new deal, making it very unlikely they bring him back on a substantial raise unless at least one or two other key players leave.
“We made no bones about it when we signed him,” coach Steve Kerr said, according to Logan Murdock of The Mercury News (Twitter link). “This is a one-year deal and we’re not going to have money to sign him next year so we’d like to help him win a championship and sign a great contract somewhere else. That’s the reality.”
Cousins, who ruptured his Achilles tendon in January, has missed the Warriors’ first two weeks of the season. He was cleared to participate in 5-on-5 scrimmages this week, a positive next step in his long rehab, according to Monte Poole of NBCS Authentic (Twitter link).
Cousins, 28, averaged 25.2 points and 12.9 rebounds in 48 games with the Pelicans last season. A dominant force who’s played eight NBA seasons, he will register interest from several teams as a free agent next summer provided he stays healthy.
The Warriors are off to a red-hot start during the 2018/19 season, winning eight of their nine games and remaining undefeated at home. Cousins is expected to replace Damian Jones in the starting lineup once he returns.
Northwest Notes: Wolves, Butler, Morris, Sefolosha
The Timberwolves‘ roller coaster season took a new turn on Friday, with the team suffering a 30-point loss to the Bucks in front of their home crowd. Minnesota has been rocked by trade rumors centered around Jimmy Butler, who remains on the roster nearly six weeks after his trade request went public.
Despite the constant, sometimes nagging attention from media and fans, Wolves players have tried to keep their focus on handling business and business only.
“Me personally, I don’t care,” Gorgui Dieng said, according to Chris Hine of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “If they trade Jimmy, then they’re trading him. If they keep him here, then they keep him here. It’s not my decision, it’s not something that I have a voice [in]. Most important is just what’s important for the team, and what I can do to help this basketball team.”
The Wolves have opened the 2018/19 season with a 2-4 record, and discussions to trade Butler are ongoing. Butler scored just four points on 2-11 shooting in Friday’s game.
“No team is ever going to go through a perfect season unscathed,” Taj Gibson said. “Everybody has a story at the end of the year sometimes of triumph and sometimes falling down. We’re in a crazy situation, kind of difficult, but we have to push through it. That’s why we’re professionals.
“We have to go into every practice, into every game with a smile on your face and push yourself.”
Here are some other notes from the Northwest Division:
- Andrew Wiggins discussed his relationship with Jimmy Butler last week, stating that he and Butler “have always been cool,” according to Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports (Twitter link). Wiggins also claims the infamous practice where Butler stormed the court and took on the Wolves’ starters was overblown (Twitter link).
- The emergence of second-year player Monte Morris has greatly helped the Nuggets, who have jumped out to a 4-1 record this season, Mike Singer of The Denver Post contends. Morris is averaging 9.4 points in five games, providing depth in the backcourt with Isaiah Thomas still out to injury.
- Jazz guard Thabo Sefolosha will be available to play Sunday against the Mavericks, according to Eric Woodyard of the Deseret News. Sefolosha served a five-game suspension this season for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy in April, and played just 38 games with the team last year.
Pacific Notes: Rondo, Suns, Cauley-Stein, Bell
Lonzo Ball was once again named the Lakers‘ starting point guard on Saturday against the Spurs, but that doesn’t mean his status in the role will be permanent. Rajon Rondo made a solid return to the lineup after being suspended for three games, scoring 12 points and dishing five assists in 29 minutes. Ball struggled in his first start and shot 2-8 from the floor.
“I didn’t play well tonight,” Ball admitted, according to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. “Bad game. I’m human. I don’t play good every game.”
Both Ball and Rondo share similar playstyles, looking to play in transition and make their teammates better. They both struggle shooting from deep and prefer to attack the basket for points. The major difference lies in experience, where Rondo holds 11 more NBA seasons of playing time.
“Doesn’t matter who starts. They are both fine either way,” head coach Walton said. “They just want to win, is what they told me. They know that the decision is made by the coaching staff and they support each other and whatever it is they’ll go out and do their job.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- The Suns have a promising young core featuring Devin Booker, Josh Jackson and Deandre Ayton, but the organization still has a ways to go before reaching true success, writes Gina Mizell of The Athletic. “Teams don’t just overnight become championship organizations or great playoff teams,” Suns forward Ryan Anderson said. “It takes time to build. You have to allow some time for that, but you can’t really make an excuse for not playing hard.”
- Willie Cauley-Stein has so far backed up his talk about getting paid next summer, James Ham of NBC Sports writes. Cauley-Stein has averaged an impressive 16.5 points and eight rebounds in six games for the Kings this season.
- The Mercury News’ Logan Murdock details how Jordan Bell plans to work himself back into the Warriors’ rotation. The 23-year-old has seen limited time behind starting center Damian Jones in the team’s first six games. “It felt good to be out there,” Bell said. “It sucks when you’re watching the team do damage and you know you can help. But you got to understand how to be a pro and just realize some matchups aren’t right.”
Luke Kennard Injures Shoulder, Expected To Miss 3-4 Weeks
OCTOBER 26: After undergoing an MRI, Kennard has officially been diagnosed with an AC joint sprain, the Pistons announced today in a press release. He’ll be re-evaluated in two weeks, according to the team.
Wojnarowski, meanwhile, classifies the injury as a separated shoulder and tweets that Kennard is expected to miss three to four weeks.
OCTOBER 25: Pistons guard Luke Kennard has suffered a sprained right shoulder and a likely separation, according ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Kennard will undergo an MRI Friday to determine the severity of the injury.
Kennard appeared to injure his shoulder while running into a hard screen in the first half of the Pistons game on Thursday, leaving the contest early in clear pain. He tallied eight points, one assist and one steal before exiting the game.
Kennard’s timetable for a return largely depends on the details of the injury and whether he needs surgery. Some NBA players have missed several months with a shoulder separation, while others have simply been listed as day-to-day in past seasons for a mild separation.
As noted by Wojnarowski, it’s possible Kennard didn’t suffer a separation and only sprained his shoulder, although results won’t be released until the MRI exam is complete.
Kennard, 22, was drafted by the Pistons with the No. 12 pick in 2017. He averaged 7.6 points and 2.4 rebounds per game last season, shooting an impressive 42% from 3-point range.
Eastern Notes: Knicks, Nurse, Harris, Young
As the Knicks prepare to host the Warriors on Friday night, a banner of Kevin Durant in a Knicks jersey rests outside of Madison Square Garden. Although its creator is unknown, the large, rectangular message reads: “Can you make NY Sports great again?”
Durant, who’s set to become a free agent in July, is expected to receive interest from several teams with maximum-salary space across the league. The Knicks could be one of these teams, with Durant likely to be at the top of their free-agent list.
“I don’t really know how to feel about that type of stuff,” Durant said, according to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater. “It’s cool. No disrespect, but I’m not really impressed with that type of stuff.”
Next to Durant on the banner is budding superstar Kristaps Porzingis, a selling piece for the Knicks to help attract free agents in the summer of 2019. In addition to Durant, the team could target the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler or Kyrie Irving.
There’s more from the Eastern Conference tonight:
- Nick Nurse could be the key to the Raptors‘ reset, Jake Fischer details in a piece for SI’s The Crossover. Nurse was hired as Raptors head coach this past offseason and has guided the team to a 5-0 record, quickly earning the respect of players, assistants and fans.
- Nets guard Joe Harris has started the 2018/19 season on a good note, shooting the ball well and proving his worth after signing a new deal with the team this summer, as detailed in a piece by Nets Daily. Harris signed a two-year, $16MM contract to rejoin the club in the offseason, scoring 16 points and grabbing six rebounds on Wednesday against Cleveland.
- Despite being heavily criticized for trading the rights to Luka Doncic for Trae Young on draft night, the Hawks may have secured a long-term building block in Young, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor writes. Young is making a good early impression, averaging 21.5 points and 7.5 assists through four games.
Southwest Notes: Gentry, Morrow, Gasol, White
Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry weighed in on the comments made by former NBA commissioner David Stern, labeling the importance of staying focused on the current team instead of outside noise. Stern ripped Pelicans GM Dell Demps this week, calling him a “lousy general manager.”
“For us, we worry about our team,” Gentry said, according to Will Guillory of The Athletic (Twitter link). “We worry about our franchise. I’ve got a great working relationship with Dell. I think we’ve got a good team that we put out on the floor because of he and (president) Mickey (Loomis). That’s all I need to say. I think what has happened here is our franchise has a really bright future and that’s all that needs to be said.”
The Pelicans have started the 2018/19 season on a red-hot note, winning each of their three games in impressive fashion. Led by Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday and a nice collection of young assets, New Orleans has designed its roster to compete for many years to come.
The Pelicans also released a statement on Stern’s comments, backing their general manager and claiming their excitement for playing under current NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
Here are other notes from the Southwest Division:
- Free agent Anthony Morrow is interested in joining the Rockets if the team looks for additional shooting, according to The Athletic’s Kelly Iko. “Absolutely,” Morrow said. “Mike (D’Antoni) knows I love him, tell him to give me a call.”
- Marc Gasol is dealing with neck soreness and is considered day-to-day, the Grizzlies said (Twitter link). Gasol suffered the injury on Wednesday against the Kings, with fears that he could miss extended time.
- Despite having no timetable for a return, Spurs guard Derrick White continues to progress in his recovery from left heel pain that’s sidelined him since the preseason, according to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News (Twitter link). “He’s progressing as they hoped,” coach Gregg Popovich said.
L.A. Notes: Stephenson, Walton, SGA, KCP
The offseason addition of Lance Stephenson is already paying off for the Lakers, who saw Stephenson put forth an impressive performance in Wednesday’s road victory against the Suns. He scored 23 points, dished out eight assists and grabbed eight boards in 25 minutes, shooting 10-14 from the floor.
“With [Rondo] being out, he’s our backup point guard pretty much right now, and he controlled the game,” LeBron James said of Stephenson, as relayed by Joey Ramirez of Lakers.com. “He had great pace and found guys.”
Stephenson, a former nemesis of James, did his work off the bench on Wednesday. Since leaving the Pacers in 2014, he’s grown accustomed to coming off the bench and providing depth for teams in the backcourt.
“He still goes one-on-one, and he’s really good at it [so] we’re not gonna take that away from him,” head coach Luke Walton said. “But he’s doing more of how we want him to do it. He’s sharing the ball.
“He danced a bit late in the game, but for the most part he’s playing within the style we want to play. And he’s competing on defense, and that’s why he’s winning so much favor with the [coaching] staff right now.”
There’s more from Los Angeles tonight:
- Lakers coach Luke Walton was fined $15K (full release) for publicly criticizing the officiating after the team’s overtime loss against San Antonio on Monday. Walton was upset with what he perceived as excessive flopping from the Spurs, coupled with the various missed calls for his own players.
- Clippers guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has already become a rotation player that the team can depend on, writes Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times. “He’s just a really good player,” coach Doc Rivers said of the rookie.
- Just three games into his new contract, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has moved from a starting role with the Lakers to coming off the bench, Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register writes. The impressive play from Josh Hart earned him a starting spot on Wednesday, forcing Caldwell-Pope to the second unit.
Rockets Offer Four First-Round Picks For Jimmy Butler
The Rockets are making a renewed bid to trade for All-Star shooting guard Jimmy Butler, proposing an offer that includes four first-round draft picks, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Houston is likely offering first-rounders in 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2025, a proposal that could help solidify the Timberwolves’ future alongside Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. NBA rules prohibit teams from trading first-round picks in consecutive future years or picks more than seven years in advance.
Minnesota is said to be seeking a complete haul of future assets, young players and star talent, with Butler’s original trade request reaching the public more than a month ago. Butler has remained on the roster over a week into the season as the team continues to sift through potential trade packages.
Wolves owner Glen Taylor could have more interest in future assets than president Tom Thibodeau, who has prioritized a win-now mentality by seeking proposals that can help the team in the present day.
“When you look at Jimmy (Butler), he’s a top-10 player in the league,” Thibodeau said at Media Day last month. “We’re not going to make a bad deal. If it’s a good deal, then we’re interested.”
For Houston, the trade proposal shows their willingness to go all-in on a deep playoff run this season. Talks between the two teams are currently fluid, according to the ESPN.com report. The Rockets are currently dealing with injuries to James Harden, Nene and James Ennis, along with Chris Paul‘s multi-game suspension.
Butler, a top two-way player in the NBA, has averaged 24.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.8 steals in four games this season. He most recently requested to Wolves management that he be traded to the Heat, another team with longstanding interest in him. It’s unclear if he’d have interest in re-signing with the Rockets on a long-term deal once he reaches free agency in July of 2019.
Rockets Notes: Nene, Harden, Ennis, D’Antoni
Rockets big man Nene will miss at least two weeks of action due to a right calf strain, the team announced on Thursday (Twitter link). Nene underwent an MRI on Wednesday after feeling additional pain caused by the injury.
Nene, a 17-year NBA veteran, experienced a setback this week and re-aggravated his calf, according to The Athletic’s Kelly Iko (Twitter link). It’s possible that he winds up being sidelined 3-4 weeks.
Nene is in his third season with the Rockets, providing depth in the frontcourt and a veteran presence essential to contending teams. He averaged 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 14.6 minutes per contest in 52 games last season.
There’s more news out of Houston today:
- James Harden will miss the next two games after suffering a Grade 1-Plus left hamstring strain, the club announced. Harden left Wednesday’s game against the Jazz early in the fourth quarter and underwent an MRI Thursday morning. He will be reevaluated again next week, a crushing blow to a team already without suspended guard Chris Paul.
- The Rockets also announced a third injury, revealing that forward James Ennis sustained a Grade-2 right hamstring strain during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s road game against the Clippers. Ennis will miss the next two games and is set to be reevaluated next week.
- Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni sat down with The Athletic’s Sam Amick to discuss the current team, his time with the Suns and the strong locker room dynamic in Houston this year. The Rockets fought through a close seven-game series with the Warriors in May, showing the heart and promise lying within their talented roster.