Draymond Green Close To Signing With Klutch Sports
Warriors forward Draymond Green is close to signing with agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, according to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes.
Green, 28, has previously been represented by Wasserman. The former Defensive Player of the Year is set to hit unrestricted free agency after next season, the final year on the five-year, $82MM pact he signed in 2015.
Golden State state will have to deal with Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant hitting the open market this summer. Thompson has previously mentioned a strong desire to re-sign with the Warriors while Durant’s future remains unclear.
As for Green, he’ll become Klutch Sports’ latest high-profile addition the last six months, joining Anthony Davis, Markieff Morris and Marcus Morris. Paul also represents NBA All-Stars LeBron James, John Wall, Ben Simmons and others.
In 43 contests this season, Green is averaging 7.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG and 7.3 APG.
LeBron James Addresses Retirement: “I Got A Lot More Game To Play”
LeBron James‘ recent comments about potentially owning a team do not mean the Lakers superstar is thinking about retirement anytime soon, Josh Peter of USA Today writes.
At his 15th All-Star game, James told reporters during NBA All-Star media day in Charlotte on Saturday that he has a lot more basketball to play.
“I got a lot, a ton more years to play this game and suit up and be in a Lakers uniform,” James said. “…Hopefully I can sit up here and answer questions as a player for a long time.’”
In his first season with the Lakers, James is enjoying another stellar season, averaging 26.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG and 7.6 APG. However, the most serious injury of his career sidelined James for an extended stretch earlier in the season. His groin issue forced the Lakers to play for more than a month without their best player and as a result, the team fell out the current postseason picture.
The Lakers (28-29) are just three games back of the Clippers for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. A healthy James will be important as Los Angeles aims to return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2012/13 season.
Hasheem Thabeet Working Out For Teams During All-Star Break
Former second overall draft pick Hasheem Thabeet is in Charlotte working out for NBA teams, tweets Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Thabeet worked out in front of representatives for the Rockets, Raptors and Pistons.
Thabeet, 31, has not appeared in an NBA game since the 2013/14 season when he played in 23 games with the Thunder. The 7’3″ center from Tanzania, drafted by the Grizzlies in 2009, also had stints with the Rockets and Trail Blazers.
After three productive seasons with the University of Connecticut, Thabeet failed to translate that success to the NBA. While Thabeet played in 68 games as a rookie and 66 games in 2012/13, he never averaged more than 3.1 PPG in a season.
Following a two-year run with the Thunder, Thabeet bounced around several organizations, including the Pistons and 76ers. Thabeet also had several stints in the G-League. In recent years, Thabeet has suited up for the Yokohama B-Corsairs of the Japanese B.League.
CBS Sports’ Reid Forgrave recently profiled Thabeet, who has been working out with the intention of making an NBA comeback. Thabeet is training with Keith Williams, an NBA trainer and skills coach who has worked with DeMarcus Cousins, Markelle Fultz and Kevin Durant.
Forgrave also noted that Thabeet had already worked out for the Raptors, Bucks and Sixers. It remains to be seen if Thabeet can complete an NBA return and adjust to the current style of play.
Northwest Notes: Morris, Saric, Saunders
While the Thunder entered the All-Stat break with a loss to the Pelicans, the team will start the second half with an added boost. Oklahoma City agreed to terms with veteran big man Markieff Morris, which should fortify the team’s frontcourt.
Morris, who spent most of the season with the Wizards, has not played since December, when a neck injury forced him to the sidelines. While his role and performance were inconsistent in Washington, Morris averaged 11.5 PPG and 5.1 RPG in 34 games. Morris figures to serve as a primary backup at the four in Oklahoma City.
Brett Dawson and Fred Katz of The Athletic examined how Morris will fit in with the Thunder’s current roster. Katz compared Morris’ potential fit to that of Enes Kanter with a more capable perimeter game. While it remains to be seen how Morris settles in, at least one new teammate is excited by his arrival.
“We’re good,” Paul George said. “We’re a good group. We added a big piece in Markieff that we’re excited for, and we’re gonna be ready for the second half after this break.”
Check out more Northwest Division notes:
- The Timberwolves‘ decision to start Dario Saric in place of Taj Gibson led the team to score 74 points in the paint on Thursday. Interim head coach Ryan Saunders complimented Saric on creating space with his presence, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. “That’s one thing we like with Dario spacing the floor and having Taj in there at times, too,” Saunders said. “Karl(-Anthony Towns) has a little more opportunity to work. Playing through Karl is definitely a focus of ours.”
- Speaking of Saunders, he’s only a few weeks into the job after the firing of Tom Thibodeau. Saunders praised the Timberwolves‘ players for easing his transition into head coaching duties, Feigen writes. “Anything that’s new and sudden, it takes time to get more comfortable just in your regimen, your daily routine in things. But I felt comfortable out there,” he said. “The credit goes to the players in terms of how they make me feel, too.”
- At 27-30, the Timberwolves are four games back of the eighth seed in the Western Conference. While their postseason odds are not great, the team insists there is reason for optimism entering the second half, Chris Hine of the Star Tribune writes.
Dirk Nowitzki Not Ruling Out Playing Next Season
In his record-setting 21st season with the same NBA team, Dirk Nowitzki is being treated like a player who will retire at season’s end, but the Mavericks legend is not fully committed to the idea.
Speaking to reporters, including Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News, at NBA All-Star Media in Charlotte Saturday, Nowitzki said he will re-evaluate how he feels after the 2018/19 season before deciding on retirement.
“It’s been humbling, even though I haven’t said this will be it,” Nowitzki said. “I’m going to wait and see the last couple of weeks, how my body feels and if I continue to see improvement and I’m still having fun, we’ll see.”
Nowitzki, 40, was added to the All-Star game along with Dwyane Wade — who confirmed the 2018/19 campaign will be his last — in honor of his likely Hall of Fame career. The German big man missed the started of the season due to ankle surgery but has carved out a role off Dallas’ bench. In 28 games, Nowitzki is averaging 4.7 PPG and 1.7 RPG in 11 minutes per contest — all career-lows.
While the production is a far cry from his MVP-type production a decade earlier, Nowitzki remains a valuable veteran in the Mavericks’ locker room. Nowitzki has served as a mentor for fellow European and Rookie of the Year candidate Luka Doncic. After Dallas acquired Kristaps Porzingis from the Knicks, Nowitzki expressed excitement in mentoring the fellow 7’0″-plus European.
If Nowitzki returns for another season, it would likely be in a role similar to the one he has played this year. The appeal of playing alongside a more seasoned Doncic and a healthy Porzingis — who is not expected to play in 2018/19 as he rehabs from ACL surgery — could entice Nowitzki into one more season.
Anthony Davis Plans To Play Rest Of Season, Confirms Trade List
Anthony Davis confirmed today that he intends to play in Sunday’s All-Star game and the remainder of the season, and also confirmed the list of his preferred trade destinations during media availability with reporters Saturday in Charlotte.
The Pelicans’ All-Star suffered a left shoulder muscle contusion on Thursday in a collision with Thunder center Nerlens Noel. After he requested a trade from New Orleans but was not dealt ahead of the February 7 deadline, Davis’ future for the rest of the season became unclear.
Not only does Davis intend to play in the All-Star game, but the six-time All-Star confirmed he plans to suit up the remainder of the season. The Pelicans face potential fines from the league if they elect to sit a healthy Davis for the rest of the season.
In 45 games this season, Davis has averaged 28.1 PPG, 12.9 RPG and 4.2 APG for the Pelicans. Before Thursday’s injury, New Orleans reportedly planned to play Davis but reduce his workload and sit him in the back end of back-to-back games.
The 25-year-old also spoke candidly on his trade request and his possible destination. Davis confirmed his reported list of four preferred teams in a trade ahead of the deadline, which includes the Lakers, Clippers, Bucks and Knicks.
“Whatever list that came out that’s between the Pelicans and my agent,” Davis said, per Sean Deveney of Sporting News. “But it’s true.”
The Lakers were the most aggressive team pursuing the big man but failed to agree on a trade. Davis also called the Knicks a “great franchise” during his media session, before mentioning a possible fifth destination: the Celtics.
“They are on my list,” Davis said of the Celtics (via Sporting News’ Sean Deveney). “….I never said they weren’t on my list.”
Boston was unable to acquire Davis this season without including Kyrie Irving in a proposed deal due to Rose Rule restrictions. However, with Irving hitting unrestricted free agency this summer, Boston would no longer be hindered by that rule and could potentially pair him along with Davis.
As we relayed, the Celtics are reportedly prepared to offer an “explosive” package for Davis. A potential Boston trade could include any combination of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and a slew of future first-round picks, including selections from the Kings, Clippers, and Grizzlies.
In a later interview with NBA TV, Davis claimed he never gave a preferred destination and is merely seeking an opportunity to win.
“All 29 other teams are on my list,” Davis said. “I don’t have a preferred destination, I just want to win. Big market, small market [teams] — I don’t care, I want to win. Obviously, whatever team I get traded to, play for it that year or whatever…Then, when free agency comes, we’ll see what happens.”
Bradley Beal Hopes To Retire With Wizards
Coming out of last week’s trade deadline, the Wizards had been one of the league’s more active teams. In salary shedding moves, the team had parted ways with Otto Porter and Markieff Morris, which signaled a restart of sorts in Washington.
Among the players left, Bradley Beal is the centerpiece of the Wizards’ core. The 25-year-old is in Charlotte this week, partaking in All-Star week festivities for the second straight season. Beal, who signed a five-year, $127MM deal with Washington in July 2016, is committed to the organization despite their recent trades and 24-34 record entering the break.
“If I can retire in this jersey, I will. I’m all about loyalty,” Beal said during a Q&A session earlier this week, per Fred Katz of The Athletic (subscription required).
Katz noted that in a post-trade deadline meeting with Wizards owner Ted Leonsis, Beal did not echo that exact sentiment. However, Beal and Leonsis mutually agreed that Beal is a focal point of Washington’s future.
“You do emphasize the fact that this is home. This has been home for me for seven years. He knows that. Ted knows me. Everybody knows me,” Beal said. “I’m gonna be committed until I’m not, until I’m moved. That’s just my mindset. I’m gonna continue to lead and continue to do what I possibly can to help get us to that.”
Statistically, Beal is in the midst of his best season to date. Through 58 games, Beal is averaging career-bests in PPG (25.1), APG (5.4), RPG (5.1) and minutes (37.2). Also, despite the Wizards’ inconsistent play, the team is just three games back of the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.
In an overall assessment of the current NBA, Beal said, “I hate super teams.” The Warriors are the gold standard of that phrase, boasting a lineup of five perennial All-Stars. However, the two-time All-Star said that the Wizards can be a competitive force in the league without a chorus of superstars spread across the roster.
“I’m a firm believer that no matter who we have — I think I can do it with anybody. I feel like it’s possible with anybody as long as you have that work ethic and that dedication to get to that level,” Beal said. “But it’s not gonna be easy. It’d be naive to say that. I’d be naive to say it’s been a great year. But it’s definitely been one that I’ve embraced and learned a lot throughout the course, too. Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.”
Timberwolves Sign Isaiah Canaan To Second 10-Day Deal
FEBRUARY 11: The Timberwolves issued a statement on Sunday announcing that Canaan’s second 10-day deal is official.
Ten-day contracts must span at least three games, so Canaan’s new deal will actually span three extra days, through February 22, since it covers the All-Star break.
FEBRUARY 9: The Timberwolves will sign guard Isaiah Canaan to a second 10-day contract, tweets Michael Scotto of The Athletic.
In five games (one starts), Canaan averaged 6.0 PPG and 3.6 APG for Minnesota. The Timberwolves inked Canaan to his first 10-day pact at the end of January amid a series of injuries to Tyus Jones, Jeff Teague and Derrick Rose. The Timberwolves will have to decide on whether or not to sign Canaan for the remainder of the season once his second 10-day deal ends.
Before he joined Minnesota, Canaan spent time with the Suns in each of the past two seasons, playing 19 games during the 2017/18 season before he was waived. Canaan appeared in 19 games once again with Phoenix before he was waived earlier this season.
The 27-year-old has appeared in 229 total NBA games in six seasons, averaging 8.3 PPG and 2.0 APG.
Chandler Parsons To Rejoin Grizzlies After All-Star Break
The Grizzlies were unable to deal Chandler Parsons ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline and the veteran is now set to rejoin the team after the All-Star break, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Parsons, 30, took an indefinite leave from the team in early January after both sides could not come to an agreement on his playing time. He left the Grizzlies’ third game of the season due to right knee soreness and has not played since.
“I am extremely disappointed that I didn’t get to finish this season alongside my teammates and the Memphis coaching staff,” Parsons told ESPN. “Unfortunately that option wasn’t presented to me.
“The Grizzlies training staff medically cleared me to play 5-on-5 in mid-December and I have been practicing with the team ever since. I will continue to work out and train until my agent and the team reach a resolution. I am ready to play and committed to getting back on the court.”
In late December, Parsons cast blame on general manager Chris Wallace for keeping him sidelined. The team reportedly wanted to send Parsons to the G League but refused to tell him how long the stint would last. Under the collective bargaining agreement, veteran players have the power to refuse G League assignments.
“No communication. No nothing,” Parsons said at the time. “I don’t think it’s from a basketball standpoint. It’s definitely not from a health standpoint. I’ve been cleared by the medical staff of our organization, and clearly it’s not about fitting. I already earned a starting spot out of training camp and have shown I can fit with the team. I think the confusion for me is there’s no communication about what’s going on and when I’m going to play.”
Parson will not go to the G League before his return, tweets Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian.
At his peak, Parsons averaged 16.6 PPG and 5.5 RPG in 74 games with the Rockets in 2013/14. Memphis signed Parsons to a four-year, $94.6MM max contract in July 2016. However, a series of injuries have limited Parsons to just 73 games (45 starts) since joining the Grizzlies.
After several deadline deals, most notably the trade of Marc Gasol to the Raptors, the Grizzlies are a different team from when Parsons initially took an indefinite leave. Now, it remains to be seen how he will fit in with the current roster.
Magic GM Talks Markelle Fultz Acquisition
The Magic made a move at the trade deadline on Thursday that could have a major impact on their future. Orlando acquired 2017 first overall pick Markelle Fultz from the Sixers in exchange for Jonathon Simmons, a protected 2020 first-round pick and a 2019 second-round pick.
A phantom shoulder injury, eventually diagnosed as thoracic outlet syndrome, plagued Fultz’s tenure in Philadelphia and limited him to just 33 games in parts of two seasons. In just 19 games (15 starts) this season, Fultz averaged 8.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG and 3.1 APG. However, he will have the opportunity for a fresh start with a new organization, which excites Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman, per Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel.
Weltman addressed the acquisition of Fultz at a press conference during halftime of Orlando’s win over the Timberwolves.
On what a healthy Fultz can bring to Orlando…
“His size, his skill level, his vision, his competitiveness. This guy has the whole package. To have the physical profile of a Markelle Fultz, that big, strapping guard who can blow by you and attack the rim and can just pressure on you in all ways is something we’re all just looking for. Those are the guys who can dominate games these days.”
When the team expects to have Fultz on the court…
“As to the timetable, you guys have heard me say this to the point where you probably don’t want to hear me say it again, but I will anyway. We’re going to do it right. We are not going to do it fast. We look forward to getting him in here, getting our arms around him, [and] understanding everything that he’s dealing with. Getting him through that, it’s our job organizationally, from the performance directors to the coaches to all of us to put him in a position to succeed. And however long that takes, that’s how long it’ll take.”
Where Fultz will fit in with the current core of the Magic…
“As far as him fitting in here, we always say we try to bring in not just the player but the person. All the background work that we did on Markelle prior to the draft [and] in the days leading up to today [Thursday] have just informed us that he’s an exceptional young guy. He’s team-oriented, he’s coachable, he’s a hard worker, he’s a competitor. He’s kind of got all the ingredients that you’re looking for.”