Kevin Love Reportedly Receiving Interest Around League
It has been a nightmare season for the Cavaliers, who currently own the NBA’s worst record at 1-10. On top of that, the team is without its best player, Kevin Love, who underwent left foot surgery and is expected to miss at least the next six weeks.
Love, 30, signed a four-year, $120MM extension with Cleveland this summer, but that does not mean he will spend all those years in a Cavaliers uniform. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently appeared on The Really Big Show on ESPN 850 WKNR and addressed the possibility of Cleveland trading the five-time All-Star — if he’s healthy.
“Yes. Absolutely. There is interest in Kevin Love in this league,” Windhorst said (via Amico Hoops). “Would it be the best time to trade him? I don’t believe so, no. I don’t believe you could get your best value then.”
Given Love’s contract and surgery, it’s fair to temper expectations on what the Cavaliers could receive in exchange for his services. Also, his timeline to return is unclear, as the Cavaliers noted in their press release that an update would be issued within six weeks — meaning he likely would not be ready to return by then.
That notwithstanding, Windhorst asserted that if the Cavaliers wanted to, they could “trade Love in 15 minutes.”
“The Cavs would be able to get pieces for him,” Windhorst said. “I don’t necessarily think they’d be great pieces. When you have a guy under a $100MM contract who is injured, you worry about whether you’d have to ‘incentivize’… it’s what’s known as ‘incentivizing’ where you’d have to add something to the deal like a draft pick or something to sweeten the pot for a team to get the player off your hands.”
Zhaire Smith Out For Remainder Of 2018 Due To Allergic Reaction
Sixers rookie point guard Zhaire Smith is expected to miss the remainder of 2018 due to complications from an allergic reaction, according to Sarah Todd of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Philadelphia released a statement on Friday explaining Smith’s status.
“Zhaire Smith is recovering well after receiving additional medical treatment for complications derived from the allergic reaction that initially required a thoracoscopy,” the statement read. “His return to athletic training has yet to be determined and as such, there is no timetable for his return to play.”
Smith, the 16th overall pick in the 2018 draft, sustained a left foot injury during a developmental camp in Las Vegas this summer and underwent surgery in August to repair a Jones fracture of the fifth metatarsal. He was expected to return sometime in late December.
However, during his recovery from the surgery, Smith suffered an allergic reaction in September which resulted in a thoracoscopy. While the team was aware of Smith’s peanut allergy and had food specially prepared for the 19-year-old, neither party was privy to his other allergies, sources told Todd. The thoracoscopy revealed Smith’s allergy to sesame and other foods, Todd noted.
This is the latest in a long list of unusual injuries and conditions that have sidelined Sixers rookies in recent years. Last season, a shoulder issue compromised Markelle Fultz‘s ability to shoot and caused the 2017 first overall pick to miss most of the year. The year prior, Ben Simmons missed the entire season due to surgery to repair a broken foot. The reigning Rookie of the Year was expected to return in December or January that season but the Jones fracture lingered for the entirety of the 2016/17 season.
Former third overall pick, Jahlil Okafor, was involved in a series of off-the-court scuffles in his rookie season and was eventually traded after struggling to solidify a role with the Sixers. Finally, Joel Embiid, who has evolved into one of the NBA’s elite big men, missed his first two NBA seasons due to a rash of injuries.
Jimmy Butler Talks Trade Request, Minutes Restriction, Negativity
The Timberwolves are fresh off a 0-5 road trip, which dropped their season record to 4-9. The franchise seems to be in disarray as its top players are either struggling or embroiled in trade rumors. That starts and ends with Jimmy Butler.
Nearly two months since Butler’s trade request went public, he continues to suit up for a struggling Minnesota team that occupies 13th place in the Western Conference. Whether it’s the Heat, Clippers or Rockets, Butler has yet to be dealt despite the reported trade talks. At this juncture, he is a polarizing figure — playing when he wants and how he wants — for a struggling team.
In a wide-ranging, candid interview with Sam Amick of The Athletic (subscription required), Butler addressed the team’s recent struggles, his trade request, reports of his personal minutes restrictions and more.
You can check out some of the interview’s highlights below.
On hating to lose:
“I absolutely hate, hate to f*****g lose, and the way that we go about things sometimes isn’t the right way, myself included, and a lot of other people as well. I just think that, man, whenever you win, everything takes care of itself. But we’ve got to figure out a way to do that, man. No matter what, all I want to do is win. I don’t care what anybody says, any media outlet, anybody says as a person, the one thing they can’t say is that I don’t want to win.”
On whether he’s focused on being traded:
“Like I said, I don’t focus on it. I really don’t. If it happens, if something happens, something happens. If it don’t, I’ve still got to go out there and prove that I can hang with the best of them. That’s what I do every time I take the floor. I dap somebody up, and it’s like, ‘Yo, let’s battle tonight.'”
On whether or not negative backlash impacts him:
“Hell no. For what? I know who I am. These guys know who I am. If you know me, then you know the truth. If you don’t, then you write something for people to read. That’s why I laugh at everything that somebody tells me, ‘Did you read this? Did you read that?’ No, I don’t read it. Why don’t I read it? I don’t even have the time to read it, but if I did I wouldn’t because if you didn’t talk to me to write something, you’re just making stuff up. You’re going by what you think, what you’re assuming. I leave it at that. Read it. Believe what you want. But at the end of the day, if you’ve got a real question then just come up and ask me and see who I am as a person.”
On if he agreed to play a certain amount of minutes:
“Once again, nobody talked to me about nothing. That’s just stuff that’s being written. I haven’t talked about minutes with nobody. I just go out there and I just play. I get lost in the game, and I want to win, and I don’t even realize that it turns into 41. I wouldn’t realize if it was 48 because I’m just out there and I’m competing.”
On his prior comments that he shouldn’t have to play excessive minutes:
“Yeah, we’ve got f*****g guys who can play. We’ve got to instill confidence in everybody. I think my confidence is high enough. I want all my guys to be successful, man. I want all these guys to play. Is that a convo (with Thibodeau) that I’ve got to have? Yeah, and then everybody wants to talk about how the m**********r’s not healthy [he said of himself]. Well G**damn, we’re playing 41, 43, 44 (minutes per game), it takes a toll on top of all the work that I do that don’t nobody even see. We’ll fix it. We’ll do something. We’ll talk.”
Pacers Waive Ben Moore
The Pacers have waived forward Ben Moore, the team announced in a press release on Saturday. Indiana also recalled center Ike Anigbogu from their G League affiliate.
Moore, 23, in his second year out of SMU, re-signed with Indiana on a one-year, partially guaranteed deal in September. The forward went undrafted last summer and later joined the Pacers’ G League affiliate Fort Wayne Mad Ants. He averaged 11.7 PPG and 6.4 RPG in 43 G League contests last season.
Moore appeared in two games with the Pacers last season after his deal was converted to a two-way pact.
With Moore waived, Indiana’s roster total drops to 14, not including two-way players Davon Reed and Edmond Sumner.
Lakers Notes: Walton, Beal, Improvements
The Lakers are off to a disappointing 3-5 start which has called head coach Luke Walton‘s job security into question. After the team defeated the Mavericks on Wednesday, team president Magic Johnson reportedly “admonished” Walton for the team’s poor start and lack of identity as a team.
Walton downplayed the ESPN report of his meeting with Johnson, indicating that he is in constant communication with the front office about improving the team. Instead, Walton focused on the team’s ability to play the best team’s in the NBA competitively, per Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register.
“We’ve been saying since the beginning, we’re gonna to be patient — we know where we’re going and how to get there,” Walton said. “It takes time and takes hard work. Our guys work extremely hard, we’ve had a couple setbacks with some suspensions. But we’ve played some good teams and had a chance to win a lot of those games.”
Walton, in his second year as Lakers head coach, added that his job security is not a concern at this juncture.
“I feel like I have a great relationship with management,” Walton said.
Check out more Lakers notes below:
- As the Wizards’ horrendous start to the season continues, it remains to be seen how Washington handles the situation. If the team does decide to break up the core, a potential trade of Bradley Beal to the Lakers makes sense, Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype outlines. The 25-year-old sharpshooter would give the Lakers a lethal threat from beyond the arc the current roster lacks and would likely improve from playing alongside LeBron James.
- As the Lakers continue to find consistency, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk examine how Los Angeles can improve. Among the suggestions for the 3-5 squad is playing better late in games, getting creative with lineups, showing improvements in rebounding and avoiding foul trouble.
Raptors’ Leonard Will Sit Back-To-Backs As He Suffers Jammed Foot
The Raptors‘ prized offseason acquisition, Kawhi Leonard, left the team’s Friday night win with a jammed foot, head coach Nick Nurse told reporters, including ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.
“He jammed his foot,” Nurse said. “It didn’t seem to be too bad. They are still evaluating it. But we figured, end of the game, leave him out and let them evaluate it. But it’s not an ankle, or anything. It’s a jammed foot.”
Leonard appeared to suffer the injury late in the fourth quarter as he battled in the paint during a Toronto possession. Both he and Nurse appeared to be under the same impression that the injury is minor.
“I think it’s going to be all right, nothing major,” Leonard said postgame. “I just pushed off on it and kind of rolled it and I wanted to get it looked at.”
The 27-year-old has played well this season, averaging 27.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 5.0 APG for the Raptors in seven games. He has sat out two games as part of back-to-backs for Toronto.
While this injury does not appear serious, Leonard did play in just nine games for the Spurs last season due to a right quad injury. It will be important for the Raptors to monitor Leonard’s health as they attempt to hold onto the Eastern Conference’s best record.
As Bontemps noted in the story, the Raptors will continue resting Leonard on back-to-back days to ease him back into the grind of the season.
“I feel healthy now, and they just don’t want to rush into things,” Leonard said. “I don’t either. It’s a long season, so we’re thinking about the long road.”
Marc Gasol Expected To Play Saturday After Injury Scare
Grizzlies big man Marc Gasol is expected to play on Saturday against the Suns after an MRI revealed no structural damage to his neck, Michael Wallace of NBA.com writes.
Gasol collapsed to the hardwood in Wednesday’s game against the Kings in Sacramento with a neck injury following a collision. The 33-year-old lost feeling in his left arm temporarily and there was fear the injury was serious, per Mark Giannatto of the Commercial Appeal. However, Gasol told reporters on Friday that the initial soreness and pain has improved.
“I went through everything, and it feels much better,” Gasol said “It was a bad scare when it happened, but thankfully, imaging showed there was no structural damage and nothing was too bad. I should be able to go.”
The three-time All-Star has appeared in four games this season, averaging 13.5 PPG and 9.0 RPG for Memphis.
Lakers Notes: Davis, James, Williams
The Lakers secured LeBron James this summer, which has led to speculation about which elite talents can potentially be paired with the four-time Most Valuable Player. Mark Heisler of the Orange County Register looks at Pelicans’ superstar Anthony Davis, who tops the Lakers’ wish list, according to Heisler.
Speculation of Davis’ possible desire to eventually land in L.A. was fueled when he fired his longtime agent to hire Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, who also represents James. For his part, the Chicago native downplayed the switch in representation means that he’s eyeing the Lakers. Instead, his focus is to be part of a winning culture.
“Winning definitely helps everything, helps with your legacy, helps be on the top of the list,” Davis said. “But going to the playoffs every three years doesn’t help my case.”
- When the Lakers did sign James, the entire dynamic of the team’s on-court expectations changed. With a superstar of James’ caliber, expectations rise, attention is commanded, and every move is scrutinized. Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports writes that the organization is still getting acclimated to the “LeBron Effect.” The team started 0-3 and it seemed that panic mode was all but the norm, but after two straight wins, that flurry of doubt has simmered, but with James around, this will be the culture to get used to.
- Despite being waived by the Lakers, Johnathan Williams re-signed to a two-way pact and has made the most of his NBA opportunity. Tania Ganguli and Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times look at Williams’ journey from college to the professional level and how he is fueled by the initial disappointment of being waived.
- In our earlier edition of L.A. Notes, we looked at Lance Stephenson‘s early play for the Lakers, Luke Walton‘s fine and more.
DeMarcus Cousins Practices With Warriors For First Time
The Warriors‘ formidable five-All-Star lineup is coming closer to fruition as injured center DeMarcus Cousins practiced with the team on Thursday ahead of the team’s Friday matchup against the Knicks, per the Associated Press. There remains no timetable for his return.
It was Cousins’ first practice since he signed with the Warriors over the summer. Cousins’ work has been limited to individual and one-on-one drills.
The 28-year-old suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon last January as a member of the Pelicans. He was ruled out for the remainder of the season and for at least part of the current campaign.
Cousins, a six-time All-Star, averaged 25.2 PPG and 12.9 RPG in 48 games for New Orleans last season before suffering the injury.
Lakers Plan To Be Cautious With LeBron James’ Minutes
One year after leading the league in minutes played, LeBron James finds himself with a new team that his different aspirations. The Lakers lost their season opener to the Trail Blazers, but James helped the cause, posting 26 points and 12 rebounds.
In typical James fashion, he played for 37 minutes — he played in a league-best 36.9 minutes for the Cavaliers last season. As Lakers head coach Luke Walton explained, the team signed the four-time MVP to a four-year deal and want to maximize his contributions.
“We want to make sure we’re not only playing at our best come the end of the season but that he’s fresh,” Walton said, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “And that’s a goal for us. And it’s a goal that we’re on a journey and it’s not a one-year journey. We’re continuing to try to and be our best season by season, but also as each one goes on.”
Not only did James lead the league in minutes, but he also played in all of Cleveland’s 82 regular season games — the first time he did so in 15 NBA seasons. While his performance never fell off, the Lakers expect to play at a fast tempo and monitoring the 33-year-old will be key.
“We want to play fast, and to do that we got to get guys in and out and in and out,” Walton said. “So we’ll get a good amount of guys out there.”