Nets’ Cam Thomas To Return On Friday
Nets guard Cam Thomas is set to make his return from a hamstring strain on Friday against the Trail Blazers, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto (Twitter link). Thomas hasn’t made an appearance in a game since Jan. 2 due to the injury.
In his first 19 games this season, Thomas averaged 24.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per night while shooting 44.8% from the field and 37.5% on 7.6 three-point attempts per game. A talented scorer and shooter, Thomas should boost an offense that now ranks 27th on the season and has averaged just 100.7 points per game (which would rank last in the league by a wide margin) since Thomas went down.
Despite their underwhelming offensive numbers over the past couple months, the Nets are still only 1.5 games out of a play-in spot. They have games against the streaking Pistons and Warriors on the horizon, but the Nets have been competitive under first-year head coach Jordi Fernandez.
The rotation upon Thomas’s return will be worth monitoring. The LSU product didn’t start either of his previous two outings, as he had also missed almost all of December due to another hamstring injury. Keon Johnson has taken over the starting two guard spot since Thomas’s injury.
With both Thomas and D’Angelo Russell out, the Nets have been turning to a starting backcourt consisting of Killian Hayes and Johnson.
Timberwolves Promote Jaylen Clark, Sign Bones Hyland To Two-Way
February 27: Clark’s promotion is now official, the Timberwolves announced in a press release. The Wolves have also officially announced Hyland’s two-way contract.
February 26: The Timberwolves intend to promote guard Jaylen Clark from his two-way contract to a standard deal, agent Todd Ramasar tells Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
While the Wolves’ position above the second tax apron means they’re unable to offer Clark more than a minimum-salary deal, Charania reports that the former second-round pick will receive a fully guaranteed two-year contract, which will lock him up through the 2025/26 season.
The 53rd overall pick in 2023 out of UCLA, Clark spent his rookie season recovering from an ruptured Achilles tendon. The Wolves were aware of that injury when they drafted him, but were willing to be patient with a player that president of basketball operations Tim Connelly referred to in June 2023 as “the best perimeter defender in the draft,” signing him to a two-year, two-way contract.
After recovering from his Achilles tear, Clark opened the 2024/25 season by playing primarily for the Iowa Wolves in the G League, but he has since established himself as a role player in Minnesota.
The 23-year-old has logged double-digit minutes in each of the Timberwolves’ past 13 games, averaging 6.5 points per game on .476/.444/.750 shooting while playing strong point-of-attack defense. He has held opponents to 41% shooting as the contesting defender this season, per Charania (Twitter link).
Once Clark’s promotion to the 15-man roster is official, the Timberwolves will use their open two-way contract slot on free agent guard Bones Hyland, agent Austin Walton tells Charania (Twitter link).
Hyland was selected by the Nuggets with the 26th overall pick in the 2021 draft back when Connelly was running Denver’s front office. The former VCU standout showed some intriguing potential as a scorer and shooter during a season-and-a-half in Denver (10.9 PPG, .371 3PT%). However, the Nuggets – said to be concerned about Hyland’s defensive lapses and his displeasure with his role – sent him to the Clippers at the 2023 deadline.
Hyland never really found his footing in Los Angeles, appearing in just 71 games over the last two years and averaging 7.8 PPG on .392/.349/.812 shooting during that time. He was traded to Atlanta earlier this month as part of the Terance Mann/Bogdan Bogdanovic swap and was quickly waived by the Hawks.
Given that he drafted Hyland and reportedly came close to acquiring him at the 2023 trade deadline, it makes sense that Connelly sought out a reunion with the 24-year-old after he reached free agency. This is Hyland’s fourth year in the NBA, making it the last season in which he’s eligible for a two-way deal.
Minnesota will have a full 18-man roster (15 standard contracts, three two-ways) once the roster moves are official.
Spurs’ Gregg Popovich Won’t Coach Again This Season
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported earlier this week that Gregg Popovich, who suffered a mild stroke in November, was unlikely to resume his role as head coach of the Spurs this season.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes (Twitter link), Popovich met with the team on Wednesday for the first since the stroke to provide an update on his recovery and to inform them that he would not coach again in 2024/25.
Charania describes the in-person meeting as “emotional,” adding (via Twitter) that Popovich’s long-term future is uncertain as he continues to recover.
Popovich confirmed in a press release (Twitter link via the Spurs) that he won’t return as head coach this season. Notably, he did say he hopes to resume coaching down the line.
“I’ve decided not to return to the sidelines this season,” Popovich said. “(Acting head coach) Mitch Johnson and his staff have done a wonderful job and the resolve and professionalism the players have shown, sticking together during a challenging season, has been outstanding.
“I will continue to focus on my health with the hope that I can return to coaching in the future.”
As Popovich mentioned, it has been a difficult season in San Antonio. In addition to being without the longest-tenured coach in the NBA, the Spurs had an “emotionally taxing” trip to France for a pair of games against Indiana, completed a major in-season trade — a rarity for the Spurs — for De’Aaron Fox, and recently learned that franchise player Victor Wembanyama will miss the remainder of 2024/25 after he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder.
The Spurs have been struggling lately, dropping their last four games. They’re currently 24-33, five-and-a-half games behind Sacramento for the final play-in spot in the West. On the other hand, the team’s lottery odds have improved — San Antonio’s pick now has a 4.5% chance to become the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 draft lottery, per Tankathon.
Popovich, 76, is the NBA’s all-time leader in head coaching wins, with a 1,391-824 regular season record (.628). He ranks third in playoff wins at 170, behind Phil Jackson (229) and Pat Riley (171). Popovich, who is also San Antonio’s president, has won five championships while guiding the club since ’96/97, and has been with the organization since 1988.
We at Hoops Rumors send our best wishes to Popovich during his recovery.
Sixers Guard Eric Gordon Undergoes Wrist Surgery
February 27: Gordon will be reevaluated in approximately three months after undergoing the surgery, the Sixers announced today (via Twitter). Given where Philadelphia is in the standings, it’s safe to assume Gordon’s season is over.
February 26: Head coach Nick Nurse confirmed that Gordon underwent successful wrist surgery today, according to Tim Bontemps of ESPN (Twitter link). An update on Gordon’s status will be provided in the coming days.
February 25: Sixers veteran guard Eric Gordon will undergo surgery on his right wrist on Wednesday, Derek Bodner of PHLY Sports tweets. No timetable for his recovery has been announced.
Gordon has been out since February 9 due to what the team had called a sprained right wrist. Gordon consulted with multiple specialists before the decision to have surgery was made.
It’s another dose of bad news in a disastrous season for the Sixers, who have lost eight straight to drop 17 games below .500. Gordon, 36, has averaged 6.8 points and 1.7 assists in 19.7 minutes per game while making 39 appearances (13 starts).
Gordon signed a two-year, veteran’s minimum deal with the Sixers last summer. He holds a $3,468,960 option on his contract for next season. Considering his health status, Gordon may be more inclined to exercise that option before free agency.
Gordon’s injury was one of the reasons why the Sixers recently signed Lonnie Walker.
Windhorst: Suns Are Going To Trade Kevin Durant In Offseason
The Suns continue to slide down the Western Conference standings, having lost nine of their past 11 games. After starting the season 8-1, Phoenix is currently just 27-31, two-and-a-half games behind Sacramento for the final play-in spot in the West.
In addition to several blockbuster trades, including arguably the most stunning deal in league history, one of the big storylines of this season’s deadline was Phoenix’s near-trade of Kevin Durant to Golden State before the two-time Finals MVP essentially nixed an in-season reunion with the Warriors. While he took the trade rumors diplomatically, Durant admitted he was “blindsided” to see his name surface in reports.
Considering the Suns have the most expensive payroll in the league and have been a major disappointment this season, it’s only natural that they’re almost certainly going to be actively looking to retool their roster in the offseason. Even before their recent run of poor play, multiple reporters indicated Phoenix would likely revisit trade talks involving Durant this summer, particularly if the rest of 2024/25 did not go well.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has speculated multiple times post-deadline that Durant and the Suns are likely to part ways this offseason. And Durant hasn’t exactly shut down that speculation.
Appearing on NBA Today on Wednesday (Twitter video link), Windhorst once again predicted that Durant will be on a new team next season. The 36-year-old is entering the final year of his contract, which will pay him $54.7MM in ’25/26.
“They’re going to trade him,” Windhorst said of the Suns and Durant. “And he knows that. … There’s been a couple opportunities where he could have criticized them for trying to trade him — he has not done that. He has been very professional about this and I expect that to continue throughout the rest of the regular season.”
Windhorst made his comments on the heels of Durant appearing on Draymond Green‘s podcast, which he co-hosts with former NBA guard Baron Davis. Asked directly by Davis if he wants his career to end in Phoenix, Durant sounded more ready to move on than anything else (Twitter video link).
“I want my career to end on my terms, that’s the only thing,” Durant said (hat tip to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports). “That’s the only thing I’m worried about. ‘Cause I see a lot of dudes that don’t get that opportunity, so I want to keep putting in that work to make that choice on my own.
“But as far as the Warriors, I didn’t want to move. … I get why (the Suns) want to trade me, simple fact that’s just business, but for me looking at it … we (can) just play the season out and if that’s the decision you want to make in the offseason, then we figure it out. But if I can stop (the Warriors trade), then why not.”
Durant went on to explain that it was important to him to finish the season with the Suns, saying he was “committed to his coaches and teammates” and that he wanted to “see it through.”
Pelicans Sign Brandon Boston To Standard Contract, Jalen Crutcher To Two-Way
February 26: Boston’s standard contract and Crutcher’s two-way deal are now official, the Pelicans confirmed in a press release.
February 25: The Pelicans are converting Brandon Boston Jr.‘s two-way deal into a two-year standard contract, ESPN’s Shams Charania tweets. They’ll fill their newly opened two-way slot by signing Jalen Crutcher, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets.
New Orleans needed to fill a roster spot after buying out Javonte Green. That dropped the team’s roster count to 13 players, one below the limit. It came as no surprise that Boston received a standard deal.
Boston has already appeared in 42 games, eight shy of the limit for a two-way player, including 10 starts. He’s averaging 10.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 23.6 minutes per night.
Boston, who missed Tuesday’s game against San Antonio due to a left ankle sprain and non-COVID illness, has only appeared in one game this month as he recovers from that ankle injury. He spent his first three seasons with the Clippers after being a late second-round pick in 2021. New Orleans claimed Boston during the preseason after the Spurs waived him.
Crutcher has averaged 18.1 points, 6.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds for the Birmingham Squadron, the Pelicans’ NBA G League affiliate.
Since going undrafted out of Dayton in 2021, Crutcher has spent pro career in the G League, including two with the Greensboro Swarm as well as last season with the Squadron.
Crutcher had a 10-day contract with the Pelicans last February. He appeared in one game for the team, making his NBA debut last Feb. 27.
Nets’ Claxton Suspended For Wednesday’s Game
Nets center Nic Claxton has been suspended one game without pay for accruing his sixth Flagrant Foul point, the league announced in a press release.
Claxton, who entered Monday’s game against the Wizards with five Flagrant Foul points, received a Flagrant Foul 1 in the fourth quarter. He will serve his suspension on Wednesday when the Nets host the Thunder.
It’s bad timing, as the Nets will have a much more difficult time keeping Oklahoma City’s big man duo of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein under control.
Claxton put himself in danger of receiving a suspension by getting ejected twice for Flagrant Two fouls against the Magic’s Franz Wagner and the Hawks’ Dyson Daniels, Lucas Kaplan of NetsDaily.com notes. He’ll continue to be suspended for a game or two if he picks up additional flagrants.
Claxton is averaging 10.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks this season. He has averaged 3.1 blocks over the last 10 games.
Nets Sign Kendall Brown To Two-Way Deal
8:22 pm: The two-way deal is official, the Nets confirmed in a press release.
2:38 pm: The Nets have reached an agreement with guard/forward Kendall Brown on a two-way deal, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
The 48th overall pick in the 2022 draft, Brown spent his first two professional seasons with the Pacers, first on a two-way contract and then on a standard deal. However, the 6’7″ swingman was waived by Indiana in October and then had his G League rights acquired by the Long Island Nets later that month.
Brown has thrived this season in 34 total Tip-Off Tournament and regular season outings for Brooklyn’s G League affiliate, averaging 16.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 34.6 minutes per game. His shooting line at the NBAGL level is an excellent .565/.410/.750.
Brooklyn is the only team in the NBA that currently has an open two-way slot available, so no corresponding roster move will be necessary to make room for Brown. The Nets created that opening when they promoted Tyrese Martin to their standard roster last week.
Once the signing is official, Reece Beekman, Tosan Evbuomwan, and Brown will occupy the Nets’ two-way slots.
Heat’s Jovic To Be Reevaluated In Four Weeks After Fracturing Hand
Heat forward Nikola Jovic suffered a fracture in the second metacarpal of his right hand, the Heat’s PR department tweets. He will be in a splint and will be reevaluated in four weeks.
This confirms the initial diagnosis that the team reported but provides a better understanding of his recovery timetable. It also indicates that surgery, at least at this time, will not be required.
With less than two months remaining before the postseason, Jovic’s injury – which occurred during the first half against the Bucks on Sunday – could end up being a season-ender.
Through 46 games, the 21-year-old is averaging 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 0.8 steals per game. He is logging shooting splits of .456/.371/.828.
Ahead of the season, Miami picked up Jovic’s $4.45MM team option for the fourth and final year of his rookie-scale deal, which will keep him under team control through 2025/26. He’ll be eligible for a rookie scale extension during the 2025 offseason.
Kyle Anderson and Jaime Jaquez are expected to have bigger roles with Jovic sidelined.
Mavericks, Doncic’s Lakers Ready For ‘Weird’ Matchup
Almost immediately after word broke earlier this month that the Mavericks were sending Luka Doncic to the Lakers in the most shocking trade in recent NBA history, a steady flow of reports questioning Doncic’s weight and conditioning began leaking out of Dallas.
Although Doncic never publicly responded to those leaks, a source close to the five-time All-NBA guard tells Dave McMenamin of ESPN that they’ve been a motivating factor for Doncic as he settles into his new home.
“A beast was awakened inside him,” the source said to ESPN.
On Tuesday, Doncic will have the first opportunity to exact some level of revenge on the organization that traded him, as the Lakers tip off a six-game home stand by hosting the banged-up Mavericks. The Lakers are expecting it to be an emotional reunion, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
“I think he’ll be fine,” head coach J.J. Redick said of his newly added star. “Every day that he’s been with us it’s becoming a little more normal. I’ve been there. The first time you play your old team, particularly this close in time duration, it’s going to be weird. But he’ll be OK.”
While the matchup will mean more to Doncic than to the rest of the Lakers, his new teammates are all excited for it and will have his back as he faces his old team, according to Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who used to play with Luka in Dallas.
“I’m excited, man,” Finney-Smith said. “I know (Doncic is) gonna be ready but I try not to put too much pressure on him because at the end of the day, we just want to get the win. We get the win, I know he’s gonna be happy.”
Doncic didn’t look like his usual self in his first three games as a Laker after returning from a lengthy layoff due to a calf strain. He averaged just 14.7 points on 35.6% shooting in those three outings. But he showed on Saturday in Denver why the Mavericks’ decision to trade him was so stunning, going off for 32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals in a 23-point win over a Nuggets team that has repeatedly stymied the Lakers in recent years.
Doncic’s former Mavs teammates are fully prepared to see that version of Luka on Tuesday, according to Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News.
“I expect him to bring his A-game,” Mavs forward P.J. Washington said. “Knowing just the player he is, the mentality he brings to the game, I know he’s going to be ready as soon as we get out there. We can’t wait to compete against him. We miss him, but at the end of the day, he’s our brother and we’re always going to love him but we just gotta go out there and compete against him.”
“I would love to get into the emotions after the game, but before the game it’s just about having fun and making sure that we lock in and have a deep focus,” Dallas guard Kyrie Irving said. “They’re going to come in and be ready to play against us. Luka’s obviously going to have a lot of confidence in that game. He played well the last game so he’s feeling good. We just have to be aware.”