Spurs Notes: Paul, M. Johnson, Wembanyama
Spurs point guard Chris Paul is on a one-year contract, but he doesn’t necessarily plan on calling it a career when that deal expires. Speaking to Hall of Famer and former Spurs point guard Tony Parker an interview posted by the team (YouTube link), Paul suggested he still has “maybe a year or two” left in the tank.
“I’m still trying to feel it out,” Paul said. “I think the hardest part is—like, I love this, like practice today, I love hooping, I love all of that. The hardest part is when I get home and I’ve gotta watch my kids’ games on my iPad or whatnot, so that’s the tug of war right now.”
As Paul explained to Parker, his wife and kids are still living in Los Angeles, so he doesn’t want to spend too many more years away from them. Asked by Parker why he decided to join a rebuilding team like San Antonio, CP3 explained that if he was going to continue his career, playing time was a more important consideration for him than the opportunity to contend for a championship.
“Last year was probably one of the toughest years for me,” Paul said of a season with the Warriors in which he averaged a career-low 26.4 minutes per game. “More than anything, I just love to hoop. I wanna play. … If I’m gonna sacrifice my family and be away from them, then I at least need to be playing. Nobody’s guaranteed to win. There’s only one team that’s going to win. I think for me, I looked (at San Antonio) and I was like, ‘Man, I can go play. I can go hoop.'”
Here’s more on the Spurs:
- While Paul has been adamant over the years that he has no desire to become an NBA coach after he retires, he softened that stance a little during his conversation with Parker. “I always said I wasn’t going to coach,” Paul said,“but I don’t know, I’m open to a whole bunch of things now.” In this year’s NBA general manager poll conducted by John Schuhmann, Paul received the most votes when GMs were asked which active player would make the best head coach.
- In an in-depth feature for The San Antonio Express-News, Jeff McDonald takes a look at how Spurs assistant Mitch Johnson has become more than just Gregg Popovich‘s stand-in, establishing himself as a strong candidate to become a permanent head coach in San Antonio or elsewhere in the coming years.
- The Spurs, who will face the Trail Blazers in Portland on Friday, are currently in the midst of four consecutive days off. The rare in-season break has been a boon for Victor Wembanyama, who said on Wednesday that it has been “really beneficial” to rest the sore lower back that forced him to miss two games last week, as Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News relays. This is the first time Wembanyama has experienced back pain, he told reporters. “It’s not like a big deal, but sometimes it stops me from doing certain things,” the reigning Rookie of the Year said.
- While there’s no indication the Spurs will be in any rush to make an in-season trade, three players who signed new contracts over the offseason will become eligible to be dealt as of this Sunday: Paul, Charles Bassey, and Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Spurs Notes: Paul, Wembanyama, Bassey, Collins
The Spurs celebrated with a brief ceremony and a video tribute as Chris Paul moved into second place on the career assists list Sunday night, according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN. The 39-year-old point guard passed Jason Kidd with his third assist of the game midway through the second quarter. He received a commemorative ball and a photo listing all 173 players who have been the recipients of his assists throughout his career.
“It’s an amazing accomplishment,” interim coach Mitch Johnson said. “It’s a privilege to be able to see it up close and personal. We are witnessing greatness. A lot of us have competed against him. We’ve all watched him. And to be able to experience it firsthand is a privilege. He’s still doing it at a high level. We are grateful of that. He deserves all the praise and attention that comes with that because it’s a hell of an honor.”
Paul began his career in 2005 in New Orleans, so it was meaningful for him to reach the milestone against the Pelicans. He also recalled being on the other side for one of Kidd’s significant games.
“He got his 100th triple-double against me,” Paul said. “[The milestone] means I have played a long time. But J. Kidd did, too, and that’s what I appreciate. I don’t think people realize the longer you play in this league, the longer you pay attention to the guys who had longevity. So, [I’m] definitely grateful to still be here.”
There’s more from San Antonio:
- Victor Wembanyama returned Sunday after missing two games with back soreness, Wright adds. He contributed 25 points and 10 rebounds and sank a 30-foot three-pointer with 36.9 seconds remaining to hold off a Pelicans comeback. “I got to be on this one,” he said of Paul’s accomplishment. “Just the celebration, it was the best. I’m very, very proud of him. He’s just incredible how he doesn’t just do things halfway. He’s never just on the court just to be on the court. He’s trying to win, trying to find solutions. It’s a trait you find in all these players, those greats that stick around for years and years.”
- Charles Bassey provided a lift after Zach Collins and Keldon Johnson left Sunday’s game with injuries in the first half, per Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News. Bassey tied his career high with 18 points in 16 minutes while also posting 11 rebounds and four blocks. “He played the role that we need him to in terms of energy, activity, physicality, athleticism,” Mitch Johnson said. “When he does that, the basketball finds him and he makes plays on both ends.”
- Johnson also commented on Collins’ meltdown Friday night in Sacramento, which resulted in an ejection and a $35K fine, relays Tom Orsborn of The Express-News. “We need everybody,” Johnson said. “But that being said, we support him, we stay together. We all do things that we may want to handle differently and it was a moment I think he wished he could have back.”
Spurs Notes: Paul, Wembanyama, Champagnie, Defense
Chris Paul will likely move into second place in career assists when the Spurs host New Orleans Sunday night, writes Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. The veteran point guard handed out 13 assists Friday night, leaving him only two behind Jason Kidd’s total of 12,089. With John Stockton far off at 15,806, this might be the last time in Paul’s career that he moves up the list.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to still continue to play,” Paul said. “It has been so many, he’s done here, he’s done there, you know what I mean? So, I think it’s a lot of gratitude. And if that (passing Kidd) happens, I’ll be grateful.”
It appeared Paul’s arrangement with San Antonio might be a short one when he signed a one-year, $11MM contract over the summer. However, he’s shown that his game is still sharp at age 39, averaging 10.4 points, 8.5 assists and 1.4 steals per night while leading the Spurs into postseason contention. Speculation has started that he might return for at least another year, and his teammates support that idea.
“The way he takes care of his body and approaches the game every day, it’s going to help a lot of us, a lot of our young guys to mold them into the players that they need to be,” Julian Champagnie said. “Just watching him take care of his body, his preparation day in, day out, how he knows everybody on the (scouting report), he’s a pro, a pro’s pro and we appreciate him for everything.”
There’s more from San Antonio:
- The Spurs’ medical team watched Victor Wembanyama test out his sore lower back Friday night before deciding to have him sit out a second straight game, Orsborn states in a separate story. There’s optimism that both Wembanyama and Devin Vassell may be able to return on Sunday, but Paul said the team has to learn how to take care of business no matter who’s available. “Obviously it’s been a tough stretch for us right now, different bodies in and out,” he said. “But that’s why we have this next man up mentality. It’s really hard to win in this league. Winning one game is really hard, so you definitely want to get back on the winning train just so you don’t forget what that feels like.”
- Champagnie set career highs on Friday by scoring 30 points and making six three-pointers, Orsborn notes. The third-year small forward has become a regular part of the rotation this season and is averaging a career-best 12.6 PPG. “I’m just trying to do my job,” he said. “Some games are going to like that, and then some games are going to be five points. But I’m just going out there and playing hard, doing all the little things, doing what I can to help the team win. Just taking my shots, taking my opportunities while I have them.”
- Interim coach Mitch Johnson didn’t want to use Wembanyama’s absence as an excuse after his team allowed Sacramento to score 140 points, Orsborn adds in another piece. Johnson called it “unacceptable” that the Spurs have given up at least 30 points in each of the last eight quarters.
Southwest Notes: Thompson, Mavs, Smart, Wembanyama
Klay Thompson is averaging just 12.6 points per game with career-worst shooting percentages of 38.1% from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc through his first 19 games with the Mavericks. As ESPN’s Brian Windhorst writes in an Insider-only story, Thompson has started every game he has played so far for Dallas, but hasn’t always been part of the team’s closing lineup.
“Klay has been an awkward fit so far,” one Eastern Conference executive told ESPN. “Derrick Jones shot the ball better and played better D for them last year.”
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps points out in the same story that the Mavericks are running into a similar issue Golden State did last season — since Thompson has lost a step following ACL and Achilles injuries, playing him alongside two offense-first guards (Stephen Curry and Brandin Podziemski last year; Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving this year) compromises his team’s defense.
“He’s the exact same player he was with the Warriors,” one scout told Bontemps. “A quality spot-up shooter who can get hot and make shots still and who can occasionally guard.”
While Thompson certainly hasn’t come flying out of the gates this season, the Mavericks have been better with him on the court (+9.8 net rating) than off it (+4.5). And at least one scout believes it’s too early to be concerned about the veteran sharpshooter’s production.
“Klay has been fine,” that scout told ESPN. “His impact will be determined in the postseason, and if he has a few big games, then no one will remember what he shot from three in November.”
We have more from around the Southwest:
- Asked about nearing the end of a grueling 28-day stretch in which the Mavericks have had 15 games on their schedule – including 12 on the road – and have had to repeatedly traverse several time zones, head coach Jason Kidd acknowledged it hasn’t been easy, per Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. “We’ve gone as far as you can go west, and now we’re going as far as we can go east,” Kidd said. “We’re not going to complain about it. It is what it is, but it’s not fair if you want players to play. And so when guys sit out, they (the NBA) can’t complain about guys sitting out when you have a schedule like this.” The Mavs have handled the travel- and schedule-related challenges admirably, having gone 10-4 entering the final contest of that 15-game run on Saturday in Toronto.
- Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart will be looking to get a rare win against his old team in Boston on Saturday. The Celtics have beaten Memphis in 16 of their last 17 meetings dating back to 2016, according to Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. “You want him to get that win and get that feeling of beating the team that traded him or whatever,” Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. said. “At the end of the day, we want to have Marcus’ back and go up there and get the win.”
- Victor Wembanyama tested his sore lower back in warmups on Friday before being ruled out of the Spurs‘ game vs. Sacramento, writes Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News (subscription required). Head coach Mitch Johnson said “the hope” is that Wembanyama will be good to go on Sunday against New Orleans after missing two games this week. Tre Jones (left shoulder sprain) is missing a third consecutive contest for the Spurs on Friday, while Devin Vassell (right foot injury management) is sitting the second end of a back-to-back, but should be available Sunday.
- In case you missed it, we passed along a handful of Pelicans-related notes and rumors earlier this evening.
Southwest Notes: Butler, Wembanyama, Edey, Eason
The Mavericks are trending upward despite Luka Doncic missing six of their past nine games due to knee and wrist injuries. Entering Thursday, they’ve won nine of their last 10 games and sit at 14-8, third in the Western Conference after reaching the NBA Finals in the spring.
The Mavs made midseason changes in each year under general manager Nico Harrison, including the deadline-day acquisitions of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford that helped propel last season’s Finals run. Could they make another splash at the 2025’s deadline? A report from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype on Monday indicated that there has been “quiet discourse” in league circles about Dallas being a potential landing spot for Heat star Jimmy Butler, a Texas native.
However, Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal is skeptical the Mavericks will complete a trade for Butler this season, largely due to the fact that they’re financially limited during the season.
“You’ve got to look at the money before anything else,” an NBA executive told Dallas Hoops Journal. “Moving that kind of salary midseason is almost impossible for a contender with this CBA. The salary-matching rules are brutal, and unless you’re sending out another massive contract, moving around contracts to fit roster spot limits is tough. For Jimmy, we’re talking about a player making more than Luka and Kyrie (Irving)—it’s tough to see how that adds up.”
On top of that, the Mavericks would have to gut their rotation to make the math work on a potential deal. Butler makes $48.7MM this season. The executive Afseth chatted with suggested a sign-and-trade in the offseason would be the most viable way for Butler to work his way to Dallas, but it still wouldn’t be very viable unless Irving and Butler (both hold player options for next season) sacrificed financially on their next contracts.
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- Spurs star second-year center Victor Wembanyama suffered a back injury Tuesday against Phoenix, according to Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. Wembanyama is dealing with a sore lower left back and will miss Thursday’s game against the Bulls. However, the injury doesn’t seem serious — Orsborn tweets that the Spurs are expected to upgrade Wembanyama to questionable for Friday’s game against Sacramento, though his likelier return date would be on Sunday against New Orleans.
- Grizzlies first-round rookie Zach Edey has missed the past eight games for Memphis after suffering an ankle injury. Though he made encouraging progress earlier this week, Damichael Cole of Memphis Commercial Appeal says Edey’s return will have to wait. The big man practiced with the G League’s Memphis Hustle on Wednesday, but the team didn’t feel he was ready to play afterward. “As he was going through testing it out, we weren’t comfortable where he was at,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. “We’re going to gradually progress him over the next couple of weeks.”
- While his team ultimately lost the game, Tari Eason helped the Rockets overcome a season-high 31-point deficit to force overtime with a career-high 27 points on November 2 vs. the Warriors, earning praise from Draymond Green for his performance and his energy. The former LSU forward expressed gratitude for Green’s comments, but offered a simple explanation for his career game against Golden State, according to Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen. “I don’t like the Warriors,” Eason said at the time. He expanded on his feelings about the Warriors this week: “They won their first championship when I was 14 years old. I was a fan of another player in the NBA. I kind of grew up hating them. That just carried over. I don’t like them winning. I don’t like the shimmy. I don’t like all that stuff. But they’re a dynasty for a reason. We’ve got to beat them.” Eason and Green will both miss Thursday’s matchup, but they could be back in action when the two teams square off again on Dec. 11.
And-Ones: Harper, Bailey, Demin, Wembanyama, Langford
It’s a mixed bag for the Rutgers’ freshmen duo of Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey so far this season, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo. While Harper is considered a rising prospect and potential top pick, Bailey heads the list of prospects “who still have a lot to show.” The ESPN duo also identifies Houston’s Joseph Tugler, Duke’s Kon Knueppel and Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis as risers during college basketball’s first month with an eye toward the 2025 draft.
We have more from around the basketball world:
- Duke’s Cooper Flagg may have a new challenger for the top spot — BYU guard Egor Demin is ranked No. 2 among draft prospects by The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie. Why? Vecenie considers Demin’s passing and processing ability to be at an elite level. Harper, Bailey and Jakucionis round out his top five.
- No surprise, Victor Wembanyama is ranked No. 1 by ESPN NBA Insiders Tim Bontemps, Bobby Marks, Kevin Pelton and Woo among the top 25 players under the age of 25, based on potential. Anthony Edwards, Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Chet Holmgren round out their top five.
- Former NBA guard Romeo Langford has parted ways with his French team, BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque, BCM Basketball tweets. Langford last appeared in the NBA in 2022/23 when he played 43 games with San Antonio. The former lottery pick was waived by the Jazz during 2023 training camp.
Southwest Notes: Smart, Spencer, VanVleet, Wembanyama
Marcus Smart‘s willingness to come off the bench has made a big impression on his Grizzlies teammates, Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal writes. Smart, who started 185 regular season games between bench appearances from 2021-24, has been part of Memphis’ second unit in his last six outings.
“That’s a vet, that’s a pro,” Grizzlies star Ja Morant said. “That’s what he brings to this team. Obviously, it’s a different situation than he’s been in in his career, but for him to embrace that and still push guys like Jaylen (Wells), who’s in the starting lineup, to be even better, and then he comes in and makes a difference for us in the game. It’s his handle . . . We’re very appreciative.”
Smart is averaging 16.7 points and 5.7 assists over the last three games. His current contract runs through next season.
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- Rookie guard and second-round pick Cam Spencer had a huge game at the NBA G League level for the Grizzlies’ affiliate, Cole notes. Spencer erupted for 51 points for the Memphis Hustle, including 12 three-pointers, against the Birmingham Squadron on Monday. Spencer, who won a national title with UConn in the spring, is on a two-way contract.
- The Rockets are playing like true contenders. They’re just a half-game out of the top spot in the West after defeating conference leader Oklahoma City behind Fred VanVleet‘s 38 points. “The foundation that we’re laying, it’s easy to see it when you’re just competing,” VanVleet told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “But to see wins against good teams at different stages of the season, it’s a good sign that what we’re doing is working. We’re getting better.”
- Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama posted his third career triple-double (34 points, 14 rebounds, and a career-high 11 assists) in a win over Sacramento despite an uneven performance through the first three quarters, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. “I thought he had some very poor moments in the first three quarters in terms of fundamentals and solid basketball,” acting head coach Mitch Johnson said. “And it’s a testament to him, and his ability to lock in (that he figured it out). I thought in the fourth quarter, (that) he was a man. And I thought he dominated. He’s so good, but the dominating (of) the fundamentals for him — the catches, the passes, the solid stuff — (is key). It’s still spectacular, but when he does that, he’s a load.”
Spurs’ Wembanyama, Hawks’ Daniels Named Defensive Players Of The Month
The NBA has introduced a new monthly award, announcing today that Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama (Western Conference) and Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (Eastern Conference) are the first players to earn the Defensive Player of the Month honor (Twitter link). The award applies to games played in October and November
Wembanyama, the reigning Rookie of the Year and last season’s Defensive Player of the Year runner-up, matched his NBA-leading block average from last season by blocking a league-high 3.6 shots per night in his first 16 games this season. According to the NBA, Wembanyama also ranked fourth in the league in contested shots (10.1) and eighth in deflections (3.3) per game during that time.
While the Spurs’ 111.5 defensive rating in October and November ranked outside the NBA’s top 10, that mark improved to 108.5 during Wembanyama’s time on the court, the equivalent of the league’s sixth-best defense.
The other nominees for Defensive Player of the Month in the West, per the NBA (Twitter link), were Anthony Davis, Luguentz Dort, Draymond Green, Jaren Jackson Jr., Toumani Camara, Clippers teammates Ivica Zubac and Kris Dunn, and Rockets reserves Tari Eason and Amen Thompson.
Over in the East, Daniels made a strong first impression with his new team after being traded from New Orleans to Atlanta during the offseason, leading the NBA in steals (3.0), deflections (6.7), and forced turnovers (2.8) per game in 19 outings (all starts) in October and November.
Daniels also contributed 0.9 blocks per contest as he made a strong early-season case for All-Defensive and Defensive Player of the Year consideration.
Daniels beat out fellow Eastern Conference nominees Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, Bam Adebayo, OG Anunoby, Evan Mobley, and Jalen Suggs for the new award, according to the league.
And-Ones: Harrell, Covington, Neto, Awards, More
Former NBA big man Montrezl Harrell, who won the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2020, is currently playing in Australia’s National Basketball League as a member of the Adelaide 36ers. The 30-year-old received a three-game suspension on Monday for his part in on- and off-court incidents during a Nov. 17 game vs. Melbourne United.
As Olgun Uluc of ESPN details, United big man Rob Loe drew a charge on Harrell early in the fourth quarter of the contest, and while both players were on the ground, Harrell shoved Loe. That led to a “melee involving most players” for both teams. Harrell appeared to throw a punch at one opponent and “multiple open-handed strikes” at other United players, per Uluc.
Directly after the on-court scuffle, 36ers staffers and players — including Harrell and teammate Kendric Davis — were involved another altercation, this time with spectators behind the team’s bench. Davis received a two-game suspension for initiating contact in that incident, which saw four spectators ejected. Davis claimed a fan directed racist language at him; the United put out a statement saying they were unable to corroborate that allegation.
The 36ers have 24 hours to appeal the suspensions, according to Uluc, who says Harrell has suggested multiple times on social media he may not return to Australia, pending the outcome of his punishment; he’s currently back home in the United States with the NBL season on pause due to the FIBA window (qualifiers for international tournaments).
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- In an interview with Sam Yip of HoopsHype, free agent forward Robert Covington says he’s confident he can still contribute to NBA teams. “Ain’t nothing changed,” Covington said. “Someone that can give energy on the other side, the defensive side, can come in space the floor, move the ball, do the little things that won’t show up on the stat sheet, what made me very effective.” The 33-year-old, who holds 11 seasons of NBA experience, dealt with a knee injury for most of last season, last suiting up on December 30, 2023, but he says he’s fully healthy now. Covington is currently playing for Team USA in a qualifying round for the AmeriCup. One recent report said he might be open to playing in the G League as he attempts to make it back to the NBA.
- Former NBA guard Raul Neto has signed a rest-of-season contract with Spanish club Barcelona, as Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops relays. Neto, who played eight seasons in the NBA from 2015-23, missed all of last season with a knee injury, but he’s “fully recovered” now. Barcelona was looking for backcourt help after losing Nicolas Laprovittola to a season-ending ACL and meniscus injury, Askounis notes.
- Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports lists his award winners for the first month of the 2024/25 season. As of now, O’Connor has Nuggets center Nikola Jokic as the frontrunner to win his fourth MVP in five years, Spurs center Victor Wembanyama leading the race for Defensive Player of the Year, and Sixers guard Jared McCain as the league’s top rookie.
- On a somewhat related note, with the first month of the season finished, several writers for The Athletic to compiled a list of each team’s biggest concern, with one exception — the 17-1 Cavaliers don’t have a have a real weakness right now, says Joe Vardon.
- Magic guard Anthony Black and Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson are two of the six young players John Hollinger of The Athletic highlights as showing marked improvement in their season seasons.
Southwest Notes: Pippen, Huff, Wembanyama, Vassell
Grizzlies reserve guard Scotty Pippen Jr. enjoyed one of the best nights of his career in his father’s former home arena, per The Associated Press.
In the United Center, against his Hall-of-Fame dad Scottie Pippen‘s old team, the Bulls, the younger Pippen scored a career-high 30 points on 13-of-16 shooting from the field, while chipping in 10 assists, in a 142-131 win.
“It’s a dream come true,” Pippen Jr. said. “It’s crazy to say I put up 30 and 10 in the gym where my dad had played… It means everything to me and my family. I talked to my dad tonight about coming in here and playing. He just told me to go out there and kill it, so that’s what I tried to do.”
There’s more out of the Southwest Division:
- Grizzlies reserve center Jay Huff almost ditched his NBA dream for Italian EuroLeague squad Olimpia Milano, per Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. “We talked to them,” Huff said of Olimpia Milano. “Really liked them. Still do. Their head coach is awesome. Ettore Messina, he’s the man. So we were close. Living in Milan would have been fun. And I know plenty of guys that have gone overseas that should be in the NBA right now. It’s all about fit and opportunity.” Grizzlies assistant coach Johnny Carpenter, a video coordinator at UVA when Huff was there, recommended the big man link up with Memphis. Huff signed a two-way deal and was promoted to a standard agreement soon after.
- After missing three contests with an injury, Spurs center Victor Wembanyama helped San Antonio mount a 17-point comeback and best the top-seeded Warriors, per Michael C. Wright of ESPN. The 7’4″ big man scored 25 points, dished out nine dimes, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked three shots. “I did find my rhythm physically,” Wembanyama said. “It was a little hard to come back in terms of conditioning in the first half. There’s a switch I’m trying to flip on demand. Strong catches, quick moves, not holding the ball, but also taking my time, taking shots with confidence, good feet and good preparation for the shot.”
- Spurs interim head coach Mitch Johnson has defended his team’s cautious approach to guard Devin Vassell‘s recovery from a left knee bone bruise, per Tom Osborne of The San Antonio Express-News. “We said at the start of this thing we were going to be conservative with him, so he’s probably frustrated as much as anybody with us a little bit,” Johnson said. “But we have a big picture in mind here and he’s trending really, really well.”