Central Notes: Cavs, Giannis, Thomas, Giddey, Jones
It was a disappointing first half of the season in Cleveland, where the Cavaliers opened the year with a 24-20 record after going 64-18 a year ago. However, the team has won nine of its past 10 games and appears to be rejuvenated by a trade deadline shakeup that saw James Harden, Dennis Schröder, and Keon Ellis added to the roster, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscription required).
“There’s definitely a different energy,” center Jarrett Allen said on Monday after the Cavs eked out a 119-117 win in Denver. “Everybody feels a new energy and another belief that we can go even farther than we did last year. The belief is around the team. The last few games we have proven that we can be an amazing team down the stretch and during the game. There’s just a whole new belief and confidence. When you see change, you believe things are going to be different and things are going to go in a new direction.”
Schröder (+22 in 17 minutes) and Ellis (+20 in 17 minutes) played key roles off the bench against their former team in Sacramento on Saturday as the Cavs won for the first time with their new-look roster. On Monday, Harden came up big against the Nuggets, with 22 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks.
Donovan Mitchell, meanwhile, scored 35 points against the Kings and 32 in Denver, prompting head coach Kenny Atkinson to tell reporters that Harden’s arrival has given Mitchell “a different energy.” Mitchell didn’t dispute the idea that bringing in the 36-year-old star has created a greater sense of urgency for the Cavs.
“I think you understand what’s at stake,” Mitchell told Fedor. “You see what’s here. There’s a window. This is the window. This is the time. In a sense, the team is going all in. It’s time to go. When you make that move, understanding James’ age and where he’s at in his career, the time is now. There is no ‘runway’ in a sense with a group like that. You sacrifice even more. You believe even more. You go out there and feel it even more.
“I love the pressure of it. I love the expectation of it. I love the questions that have come from it. I love it. We need that. Embrace it. I think it’s a little bit of a jolt for everybody. When you make that move, what are you making it for? To win a championship. That’s what it is. The organization is basically saying, this is the time. And I love it. Now we have to go out there and do it. We are not running from that as a group.”
We have more from around the Central:
- While the Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo will likely revisit their discussions about his future in the offseason after no trade materialized last week, the club is facing a more pressing Giannis-related decision in the short term as the two-time MVP works his way back from a calf strain, writes Jamal Collier of ESPN. If Antetokounmpo is ready to return sooner rather than later, as head coach Doc Rivers recently suggested, will the Bucks activate him and try to push for a play-in spot or delay his return to action in order to improve their draft position? “Everything they do is in service of Antetokounmpo,” one Western conference executive told ESPN. “It will absolutely be in their best interest to play for a draft pick, but if Giannis wants to try and make the play-in, they’ll try to make the play-in.”
- After signing with the Bucks on Sunday, Cam Thomas told reporters on Monday that he’s excited for his “fresh start” in Milwaukee and can’t wait to play alongside an “all-time great” like Antetokounmpo, per Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “The front office told me that they always wanted me, always called about me, been trying to get me here for years,” Thomas said. “That definitely plays a part in your decision to go somewhere, because I really felt wanted by the guys. Talked to Doc before. It was great. Great conversations. Just seeing the team, I feel like I can actually help and contribute and just blend in and be one of the guys.”
- Bulls guards Josh Giddey and Tre Jones should be back from their left hamstring injuries soon after the All-Star break, says Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. According to head coach Billy Donovan, both Giddey and Jones have been doing three-on-three work and running at full speed. The Bulls can afford to be cautious and take their time with the duo as the team evaluates some of its newcomers in the backcourt, Cowley notes.
Kings GM Discusses Trade Deadline Decisions
Kings general manager Scott Perry emphasized the need for patience in a press conference following the trade deadline last week, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee writes in a subscriber-only story.
Anderson acknowledges that it’s a difficult message for Kings fans to hear, considering the team is back to rebuilding just three years after winning 48 games and making its only playoff appearance in the past two decades. Sacramento has the worst record in the league at 12-42 and a roster of high-priced veterans, but was mostly quiet at the deadline.
The only significant deal involved sending Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder to Cleveland in exchange for De’Andre Hunter. The 28-year-old forward was in the midst of a rough season with the Cavs, being removed from the starting lineup while shooting just 42.3% from the field and 30.8% from three-point range, but Perry believes he can be a long-term asset.
“(Hunter) allows us to defend at a high level, I believe,” Perry said. “He’s exhibited that throughout his career. He’s been a very good shooter from the perimeter. I know his numbers were a little down this season coming from Cleveland, but there’s enough historical evaluation that leads me to believe he’ll be helpful for.”
Perry also addressed the decision to part with Schröder, who was one of the team’s main offseason additions, signing a three-year, $44.4MM contract in free agency. Schröder wound up being replaced as the starting point guard by Russell Westbrook, and the Kings reportedly insisted that his contract be included in the trade as a condition for parting with Ellis.
“As the season unfolded, the fit didn’t work,” Perry said of Schröder. “That happens sometimes.”
Perry didn’t offer much explanation for the decision to retain Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk, who were all involved in trade rumors leading up to the deadline. LaVine holds a $49MM player option this summer, while DeRozan has one more year left on his contract at $25.7MM, so it may be easier to move them in the offseason when they have expiring deals.
There was interest in Monk, but teams were hesitant to take on his contract, which pays him $20.2MM next season with a $21.6MM player option for 2027/28. Sabonis’ deal also limited his market as he’s owed $45.5MM and $48.6MM over the next two seasons. Toronto was working to acquire Sabonis before negotiations “flat-lined,” and Perry didn’t provide any hints about his future with the team.
“Well, he’s here,” Perry said. “His future is with the Kings right now. … He’s a Sacramento King right now.”
Cavs Rumors: Garland, Harden, Allen, Ball
Monday’s initial reports that the Cavaliers and Clippers are exploring the possibility of a trade involving James Harden and Darius Garland have since been confirmed by several outlets, though discussions between the two teams have yet to reach an “advanced stage,” according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
The Cavaliers’ interest in Harden is contingent on the possibility of acquiring draft compensation from the Clippers as part of the swap of the two point guards, per Tony Jones, Dan Woike, Sam Amick, and Law Murray of The Athletic. That echoes reporting from Chris Mannix of SI.com, who said on Monday that L.A. has resisted Cleveland’s request for at least one first-round pick or swap.
Before De’Andre Hunter was dealt to Sacramento on Sunday, the Clippers engaged in talks with the Cavs about John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Hunter, according to Stein and Fischer. While those discussions didn’t result in a deal, L.A. views Cleveland as a viable landing spot for Harden — sources tell Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com that the Clippers have had interest in Garland for several years.
Still, while Harden and the Clippers are working together on a potential trade, both sides recognize that one might not materialize by Thursday’s deadline, Stein and Fischer write.
Outside of Cleveland, Harden has been intrigued by Atlanta and Minnesota as potential destinations at various times this season, sources tell The Stein Line, but neither the Hawks nor the Timberwolves are considered likely to seriously pursue the former MVP at this point. The Wolves are focused on Giannis Antetokounmpo, while the Hawks no longer seem to be looking to make aggressive moves at the deadline after having sent Trae Young to Washington last month, per Stein and Fischer.
One source familiar with the situation told Stein and Fischer that Harden’s apparent desire for a change of scenery is “all about a contract extension.” While Harden isn’t technically extension-eligible this season, reporting on Monday suggested that he hopes to sign a new two-year deal as a free agent this summer, whereas the Clippers are believed to be looking to maximize their 2027 cap room.
Here’s more on the Cavaliers:
- Although the Cavs have been signaling for most of the season that they intend to hang onto Garland, who has been limited to 26 games due to toe issues, there’s a growing belief around the NBA that the two-time All-Star could be on the trade block this offseason if he’s not moved for Harden this week, report Stein and Fischer. Sam Amick of The Athletic has also heard “league-wide chatter” about Garland potentially being available in the summer.
- League sources tell Amick that the Cavaliers have explored the idea of trading veteran center Jarrett Allen, whose three-year, $90.7MM extension will begin in 2026/27. Amick suggests that moving Allen might be a way of “unlocking much bigger possibilities” in Cleveland, which suggests the club’s goal would probably be to move below the second tax apron. Even after reducing their team salary in Sunday’s Hunter trade, the Cavs are still operating roughly $14MM above that second apron this season.
- Sources with knowledge of the Cavs’ thinking have insisted for days that Lonzo Ball – not Garland, Allen, or Max Strus – is the team’s primary trade candidate this week, according to Stein and Fischer, who report that Cleveland has had some preliminary talks with the Hornets about the possibility of uniting Lonzo with his brother LaMelo Ball. Along with Charlotte, the Nets and Jazz are among the teams that have conveyed interest in taking on unwanted salary along with draft compensation. The Cavs would presumably attach second-round draft capital to Lonzo if they agree to a deal that sends him to Charlotte, per The Stein Line.
- The Cavaliers could’ve acquired Malik Monk from the Kings in the Hunter trade instead of Dennis Schröder, but Schröder’s performances with the German national team and his familiarity with head coach Kenny Atkinson from their time together in Atlanta appealed to Cleveland, says Fischer (Substack link).
Cavs, Kings, Bulls Finalize Trade Involving Ellis, Hunter, More
The Cavaliers, Kings and Bulls have officially completed their three-team trade, according to press releases from Cleveland, Sacramento and Chicago.
The full deal is as follows:
- Cavaliers acquire Keon Ellis, Dennis Schröder, and Emanuel Miller; waived Luke Travers.
- Kings acquire De’Andre Hunter.
- Bulls acquire Dario Saric, 2027 second-round pick, and 2029 second-round pick; waived Jevon Carter.
“After careful evaluation and a clearer view of the Eastern Conference landscape, we believe adding Dennis and Keon strengthens our depth, expands our flexibility, and positions us to keep building a Championship caliber team now and into the future,” Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman said in a statement.
“In a season defined by its parity, this move better aligns us for a deeper postseason run. I’m thankful as well to De’Andre, who made an immediate impact upon his arrival to Cleveland and represented the Cavaliers with class. We appreciate everything he did for us both on and off the court, and we wish him the best in Sacramento. We drafted Luke in 2022 and have seen his development improve each year and thank him for his contributions to the franchise.”
Our primary breakdown of the trade can be found here. The involvement of Miller and Travers was outlined here.
The Kings have now have two standard roster openings after sending out three players (Ellis, Schröder, Saric) for one (Hunter). They will have 14 days to get back to at least 14 players on standard contracts. The Cavs and Bulls, meanwhile, have full 18-man rosters.
Cavaliers To Acquire Ellis, Schröder In Three-Team Trade
The Cavaliers will send De’Andre Hunter to the Kings in exchange for Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link). The three-team trade also includes the Bulls, who will pick up Dario Saric from Sacramento and will receive two second-round picks as well.
The trade will save Cleveland nearly $50MM in salary and luxury tax this season, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN (Twitter link).
The Cavs unload Hunter’s $23.3MM contract while taking back Schröder at $14.1MM and Ellis at $2.3MM. The move takes the Cavs from $22MM to just $13.9MM above the second apron and brings their total payroll down to $221.7MM, per cap expert Yossi Gozlan (Twitter link).
The Cavaliers were among many reported suitors for Ellis, an accomplished defensive guard who is set for free agency this summer. He will become eligible for an extension worth up to $52MM over three years on February 9, and Cleveland will acquire his Bird rights in the deal.
Ellis fell out of the Kings’ rotation early in the season, which prompted trade speculation, but he still appeared in 43 games, averaging 5.6 points and 1.1 steals in 17.6 minutes per night with .397/.368/.625 shooting numbers.
Schröder, 32, will be joining his 11th NBA team. He was one of Sacramento’s major offseason additions, agreeing to a three-year, $44.4MM contract as part of a sign-and-trade deal with Detroit. However, he shot poorly from the field and eventually lost his starting job to Russell Westbrook. Schröder has two more years left on his contract at $14.8MM and $15.5MM with a $4.3MM guarantee on the final season. He’s also a strong defensive guard and had a positive impact on the Pistons after they traded for him at last year’s deadline.
Gozlan points out (via Twitter) that the Cavs have an opportunity to get below the second apron by unloading Lonzo Ball‘s $10MM contract and a couple of minimum salaries. He notes that they have three more tradable second-round picks to use for further moves before the deadline.
The Cavaliers added Hunter in a deal last February in hopes that he would become a dependable small forward to team with their four established starters. However, he has been more effective off the bench since coming to Cleveland and wound up being an expensive backup with the emergence of Jaylon Tyson. He has one more year left on his contract at $24.9MM and will get a chance to revive his career in Sacramento.
In a full story, Charania notes that trading two players for one will give the Kings roster flexibility to convert two-way big man Dylan Cardwell to a standard contract.
Saric, who has an expiring $5.4MM deal, will be absorbed into a $6.2MM trade exception Chicago has from last year’s Zach LaVine deal, according to Marks (Twitter link). The Bulls don’t have a roster opening, so they’re waiving Jevon Carter in order for the trade to be completed, according to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times (Twitter link). The 30-year-old guard has a $6.8MM expiring contract and will become a free agent once he passes through waivers.
Chicago’s draft compensation for helping to facilitate the deal will be a 2027 second-rounder from the Cavs that originally belonged to Denver and a 2029 second-rounder from the Kings that includes stipulations, reports Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. It will be the least favorable of picks among Detroit, Milwaukee and New York, according to Charania.
League sources tell Siegel that the Cavaliers were reluctant to take on Schröder’s contract during trade negotiations, but the Kings threatened to move onto other offers if they couldn’t unload the veteran guard. Ellis was at the top of the Cavs’ wish list heading into the deadline, Siegel adds, so they decided to accept Sacramento’s terms.
Sacramento was hoping to land a first-round pick for exchange for Ellis, but several teams that had expressed interest recently turned away, including the Pacers, Celtics and Timberwolves, sources close to the Kings tell Sam Amick of The Athletic.
According to Amick, Indiana was concerned about finding enough playing time for Ellis while Bennedict Mathurin is still on the roster. Even though Mathurin may be traded by Thursday’s deadline, the Pacers believed it was too much of a risk to part with a first-rounder.
The Wolves had been willing to include two second-round picks as part of their offer, Amick adds, but their priorities changed over the past week when it began to appear that Giannis Antetokounmpo would be available.
Cavs, Kings Discussing Deal Involving Hunter, Ellis
The Cavaliers and Kings have discussed the framework of a deal involving forward De’Andre Hunter and guard Keon Ellis, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports.
In that scenario, Hunter would be dealt to the Kings for Ellis, Dennis Schröder, and Dario Saric. It’s also possible that a third team could be involved to take on Saric’s contract with second-round draft pick compensation added as a sweetener.
Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported on Friday that trade talks involving Ellis were intensifying and that Cleveland was among the teams in the mix. Ellis becomes extension-eligible on February 9, shortly after the trade deadline. If he doesn’t sign a new contract, he’ll enter unrestricted free agency this summer. He’s making just $2.3MM this season.
Schröder would present a more long-term commitment for the Cavs. He’s making $14.1MM this season and is owed $14.81MM for next season. He also has a partial guarantee of $4.35MM for the 2027/28 season. Saric is on an expiring $5.43MM deal.
Hunter, who has been a disappointment since Cleveland acquired him from Atlanta, is making $23.3MM this season and is on the books for $24.91MM next season. As a second-apron team, the Cavs can’t use Hunter’s contract to take back more salary than they send out, but Ellis, Schröder, and Saric earn a combined $21.8MM and could be accommodated.
The two teams have also discussed another scenario involving Ellis in which he would be paired with Malik Monk in a deal for Hunter. However, the Cavaliers are concerned about Monk’s contact, which has two years and $41.77MM remaining on it over the next two seasons, Scotto notes.
The Cavaliers have also talked about moving Hunter with at least one other prominent team — Scotto confirms they’ve discussed the framework of a deal that would land Hunter with the Lakers in exchange for Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht. That proposed deal would also include a third team, possibly Brooklyn.
Hachimura has an expiring $18.26MM contract. Knecht is making $4MM this season in the second year of his rookie deal.
Pacific Notes: Booker, Green, Schröder, LaVine, Jones, Bogdanovic, Bufkin
Suns star Devin Booker will miss Sunday’s game against Miami due to a right ankle sprain, tweets Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel. The 29-year-old guard sustained the injury in Friday’s loss at Atlanta.
While Booker will be out, his teammate Jalen Green has a chance to suit up — he’s listed as questionable with what the team is calling right hamstring injury management. Green also exited Friday’s game early after experiencing tightness in his right hamstring.
We have more from around the Pacific Division:
- Dennis Schröder offered a profane response to hearing his name pop up in trade rumors, per Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. Several Kings, including the veteran guard, have been the subject of rumors leading up to the February 5 deadline with Sacramento holding the fourth-worst record (12-34) in the NBA. “I don’t give a f–k about that,” Schröder said after Friday’s loss in Cleveland. “At the end of the day, I enjoy every single day being in the NBA. I don’t take it for granted.”
- The Kings will be playing without Zach LaVine during Sunday’s game at Detroit, Anderson adds in another story. The two-time All-Star was ruled out of today’s game due to lower back soreness.
- Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (right knee sprain) and guard/forward Bogdan Bogdanovic (left hamstring injury management) were limited participants in Saturday’s practice, head coach Tyronn Lue told reporters, including Law Murray of The Athletic (Twitter link). Both players will be out again for Sunday’s contest vs. Brooklyn.
- Kobe Bufkin‘s 10-day contract with the Lakers expired on Thursday night and he since been re-acquired by G League’s South Bay Lakers, notes Dave McMenamin of ESPN (via Twitter). The 15th overall pick in the 2023 draft, Bufkin appeared in four games with Los Angeles, averaging 3.0 points in 11.3 minutes per contest.
Dennis Schröder Suspended For Three Games
The NBA has announced a three-game suspension for Kings guard Dennis Schröder for “confronting and attempting to strike another player.”
The incident, which involved Lakers star Luka Doncic, occurred 40 minutes after their December 28 game, according to the league, as Schröder “sought out” Doncic in an arena hallway and “initiated the confrontation.”
Schröder’s suspension will begin with Sunday’s game against Houston. He will also miss Monday’s rematch with the Lakers and Wednesday’s meeting with New York. He will be docked three games’ worth of salary amounting to $291,807, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Twitter link).
Tensions between Schröder and Doncic began with an exchange of words early in the game (YouTube link) and continued throughout the night. Doncic’s comments to Schröder included, “You should’ve signed that contract, baby” (TikTok link), a reference to a reported four-year, $84MM extension offer that Schröder turned down when he was with the Lakers in 2021.
According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Lakers center Deandre Ayton attempted to pull Schröder away from Doncic as security intervened.
The rivalry between the two guards began in Europe and dates back several years, according to Marca. It picked up intensity last fall when Schröder’s German team defeated Doncic’s Slovenia in the EuroBasket quarterfinals. The website states that Schröder has expressed respect for Doncic in the past and suggests that the latest incident may stem from the frustrations of playing for a losing team in Sacramento.
Schröder has been mentioned as a potential trade candidate if the Kings try to unload some of their veterans ahead of the February 5 deadline.
Kings Rumors: Kuminga, Ranadive, Christie, Draft
The Kings are among the teams with interest in Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga as the trade deadline nears, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater. When Kuminga was a restricted free agent over the summer, Sacramento general manager Scott Perry visited him in Miami, and there’s still mutual interest in a partnership, sources tell Slater.
Slater hears from league sources that Golden State’s front office is exploring its options heading into the deadline and has sent out signals in recent days that it’s willing to hold onto Kuminga if an acceptable trade offer doesn’t happen. But Slater states that Kuminga will be available and that Perry contacted Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. last week.
Perry was willing to part with a protected 2030 first-round pick during the offseason to acquire Kuminga, but Slater reports that he has “expressed reservations” about making that same offer now. Slater also says the Warriors won’t take back any long-term deals they perceive as having negative value and have no interest in Malik Monk, who’s owed $20.2MM next season and holds a $21.6MM player option for 2027/28.
Slater notes that a multi-team deal could make it easier for everyone to get what they want, pointing out that Keon Ellis‘ $2.3MM expiring contract is attracting interest around the league. In a separate story, Slater states that Ellis, who will become extension-eligible on February 9, still has many admirers among rival front offices and scouts.
There’s more from Sacramento:
- Kings owner Vivek Ranadive remains extremely involved in personnel decisions, Slater adds. He pushed former general manager Monte McNair and former assistant GM Wes Wilcox to increase their offer to Chicago for DeMar DeRozan in the 2024 offseason so Ranadive could walk DeRozan to their courtside seats during halftime of a Summer League game. That resulted in giving up a 2032 unprotected first-round pick to San Antonio that could be extremely valuable unless the Kings turn around their fortunes over the next six years. Ranadive gave DeRozan a three-year, $74MM contract that limits his value on the trade market. McNair also had apprehensions about last season’s decision to part with De’Aaron Fox in a three-team deal to acquire Zach LaVine, a player that Ranadive badly wanted.
- Lack of player-to-player accountability is seen as an issue in Sacramento, according to Slater. Veteran guard Dennis Schröder, who’s in his first season with the team, said it happens “here and there,” but not consistently. Domantas Sabonis expressed a similar sentiment, according to Slater, and pushed management to sign Russell Westbrook, his former teammate in Oklahoma City.
- Doug Christie only has one more guaranteed season left on his three-year contract, but team sources tell Slater that his job isn’t in jeopardy. Perry remains supportive of his head coach, saying, “He’s got an organization that’s behind him and believes that he will be there to help push us through and turn the corner.”
- Although the Kings have a lot of veterans to offer on the trade market, their high salaries may make them difficult to move, Slater adds. He suggests this summer’s draft pick is probably their most valuable asset, with Perry looking for positional size and defensive versatility and Christie wanting players who fit an up-tempo, physical style.
Pacific Notes: Clippers, Raynaud, Schröder, Post
The Clippers ranked 29th in pace during a catastrophic 6-21 start that almost ruined their season. Instead of speeding up, they’ve slowed down even more during their six-game winning streak, writes Law Murray of The Athletic, ranking dead last in pace but first in both offensive and defensive rating. They’ve also been number one in their rate of attempted free throws, while allowing the fewest three-pointers in the league.
Coach Tyronn Lue credits the turnaround to the players’ willingness to stay committed to the things that are necessary to succeed.
“Just having humility, continue to keep working hard, pay attention to detail, executing and then just being unselfish, sharing the basketball,” he said. “Allowing our other guys to make plays and be aggressive offensively. The ball’s going to find Kawhi (Leonard) and James (Harden); it’s going to get back to them eventually. And just those four things. I just give those guys credit for just coming in and continuing to work when our back was against the wall. So when you keep working hard, you keep coming to work every single day, you’ll get the results eventually. That’s what we’ve been able to do.”
Murray notes that a large part of the credit goes to Leonard, who has topped 40 points three times during the current streak after never doing it more than twice in a season. The return of Derrick Jones Jr. from an MCL sprain has solidified the point-of-attack defense alongside Kris Dunn, while John Collins is posting his best rebounding games of the season and Nicolas Batum has been winning his minutes by a wide margin.
“I just think everybody’s urgency just went up as a group,” Dunn said. “Understanding that it’s starting to get — not late into the season, but we’re getting into the thick of the season, and we want to just turn things around. … I just try to do what I do. I think everybody knows what I was brought here to do, and I just try and do it to the best of my ability.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- An MRI on Kings rookie center Maxime Raynaud showed no structural damage to his left leg, a source tells Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee (subscription required). Raynaud had to be helped off the court after a collision in the fourth quarter of Friday’s game.
- Kings guard Dennis Schröder said he never gets nervous around the trade deadline, even though he’s been dealt multiple times in his career (Twitter video link from Sean Cunningham of KCRA News). “I always give everything for whoever I’m playing for,” Schröder said. “I’m doing it for myself first, for my family and then of course for the organization who I play for.”
- Warriors coach Steve Kerr isn’t concerned about Quinten Post‘s three-point shooting, even though the second-year center has regressed from 40.8% last season to 33.3% now, per Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle (subscription required). “I think it’s all part of being a young player, gaining the confidence,” Kerr said. “… QP is in his second (season). The game has to slow down. You have to feel that sense of calm and confidence.”