Bulls Notes: Vucevic, Craig, Duarte, LaVine Trade, Phillips
The three-team deal that will send Zach LaVine to Sacramento could be the start of an active stretch for the Bulls before Thursday’s deadline, writes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. Parting with LaVine indicates that vice president Arturas Karnisovas is now fully committed to rebuilding, which means veteran center Nikola Vucevic and a few others could be heading out next.
Cowley reveals that Vucevic thought he had already been traded when he woke up Sunday morning and found his phone filled with text messages. They all turned out to be about the shocking deal that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers.
“I went early to bed; I’m 34, you gotta go to bed earlier,” Vucevic said. “I woke up, and I had, like, 50 messages. I was like, ‘Oh, where am I going?’’’
Cowley notes that the Doncic trade creates a major opportunity for the Bulls to move Vucevic. With Anthony Davis gone from L.A., the team needs help in the middle and may be a logical destination for Vucevic, who is having one of the best offensive seasons of his career.
“I don’t play the linked game much,” Vucevic said. “I don’t really get involved with that too much. I’m sorry I couldn’t give you a more interesting answer. You never know. Things happen. But I don’t think anyone in the world knew this trade was going to happen besides [Mavericks general manager] Nico Harrison and [Lakers GM] Rob Pelinka, and it happened. I’m focused on what I can control.”
There’s more on the Bulls:
- A source tells Cowley that more trades are expected this week as the front office tries to remake the roster. He reports that Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley both returned to Chicago after road games over the past week to plot the team’s deadline strategy. Before the Doncic or LaVine deals were reported, one player told Cowley that this year’s deadline feels different, indicating that the locker room is bracing for major changes.
- Because they’re taking back three players and only sending out one, the Bulls will have to open up two roster spots before the LaVine trade can be finalized. Cowley reports that the team is trying to trade Torrey Craig and Chris Duarte, but isn’t finding much interest and may have to place them on waivers.
- While Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins and Tre Jones seems like a meager return for LaVine, who was putting up huge scoring numbers, Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune says the trade should be judged in context. The Bulls tried for more than a year to find a taker for LaVine, and parting with the nearly $95MM he’s owed over the next two seasons will give them much more financial flexibility. From Chicago’s standpoint, the key to the deal was getting back full control of this year’s first-round pick from the Spurs. Poe notes that rebuilding teams need all the draft assets they can get, but adds that the franchise shouldn’t be in this position after giving up the pick on a protected basis when it acquired DeMar DeRozan from San Antonio in 2022.
- In a separate story, Cowley talks to Julian Phillips about his reduced playing time after coach Billy Donovan recently shook up his rotation. The second-year small forward had been seeing regular minutes earlier in the season. “It hasn’t been frustrating for me,” Phillips said. “You kind of have to go with what the team thinks is best. And whatever that is from a coaching standpoint, it’s what it’s going to be, so I can only do the best I can to stay ready whenever I do get that opportunity.”
Western Notes: Colllins, Wembanyama, Finch, Murray
Zach Collins has lost his rotation spot with the Spurs, but he’s not going to cause a distraction. Collins, who hasn’t played in the last five games (including three DNP-CDs) after seeing the court in each of the first 24 this season, says he’ll be ready to play whenever called upon, he told Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News.
“I’ve said this since I’ve been here, I want to play 48 minutes a game,” said Collins, who is signed through next season. “But right now it’s not my role, so my job is just to stay ready. I got to stay ready as a professional when my number is called. God forbid, somebody gets hurt, but the lineups change, somebody gets sick, whatever. Guys have to be ready. Not just me, but all the guys that haven’t been playing, we all got to be ready, so that’s where my mind’s at.”
We have more from the Western Conference:
- Victor Wembanyama is a unique talent and he knows it. He told the Spurs not to underestimate his versatility prior to his rookie season, Michael C. Wright of ESPN reports. “The best way for me to help is to not put me in a box,” he said then. Wembanyama wasn’t popular in Philadelphia on Monday, as he was showered with boos after Joel Embiid was ejected and Andre Drummond was nearly ejected. Wembanyama was accused of flopping before the officials realized he had tripped. “I’ve seen much, much worse, so this is nothing,” Wembanyama told Orsborn when asked about the hostile fans.
- Chris Finch is grasping for solutions to fix the Timberwolves’ slumbering offense. The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski writes. Minnesota has lost three straight and the team’s offense has dropped to 23rd at 110.3 points per 100 possessions. Finch has continued to stick with his usual eight-man rotation, though it may be time to do something bold, such as swapping Naz Reid for Julius Randle in the starting lineup, Krawczynski writes. Finch is open-minded about making changes. “Everything’s always on the table, for sure,” the head coach said. “But also we need to keep looking at lineup combinations as the game goes on, too.”
- Nuggets guard Jamal Murray missed Monday’s game against Phoenix after spraining his right ankle the previous night. The Nuggets will face the Suns again on Christmas Day and Murray is listed as questionable, the team tweets. Murray, who is averaging 19.1 points and 6.1 assists, has missed six games this season.
Spurs Notes: Roster, Possible New Arena, Trades, Sochan
The Spurs’ roster was fully healthy for the first time all season for Thursday’s 133-126 overtime victory over Atlanta, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPN.
“It felt like a big relief,” All-Defensive center Victor Wembanyama said. “Even before the game, I think some of my teammates were still questionable. So we were like, ‘Is it the day, finally?'”
Capitalizing on the team’s surprising health edge, acting San Antonio head coach Mitch Johnson started Devin Vassell for the first time all year, moving Julian Champagnie to the bench for the first time since November 4. Vassell responded with 23 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The story, of course, was Wembanyama, who led his team with 42 points, along with six rebounds, five assists and four rejections.
“I thought he imposed his will in a positive way tonight,” Johnson said. “You can see it physically just because of his sheer size when he’s demonstrative, playing with conviction, where he is going to get the ball to the spots he wants to get to and nothing’s going to stop him.”
San Antonio has gone 14-13 thus far this season, but in the competitive West, that’s only good for the No. 11 seed.
There’s more out of Alamo City:
- A grassroots community group in San Antonio, COPS/Metro Alliance, has come out in opposition to the city using any of its own dollars for a proposed new Spurs arena downtown, per Molly Smith of The San Antonio Express-News. “Whoever says that this is a done deal I think is crazy, because it’s not a done deal,” said Sonia Rodriguez, leader of COPS/Metro Alliance.
- In a Southwest Division mailbag, The Athletic’s Kelly Iko says he’s skeptical the Spurs will be open to offloading many of their rotational pieces in trades this season. Iko does suggest that – if the offer is good enough from a title hopeful – San Antonio could probably be convinced to part with Vassell or Champagnie. However, the club’s current roster seems capable of qualifying for this year’s play-tournament, Iko posits, adding that oft-injured veteran center Zach Collins, who is owed $34.7MM through 2025/26, may be the most tradable current Spur.
- In addressing the Spurs’ current starting five, Iko advocates for a shooting-oriented group made up of point guard Chris Paul, Vassell, Champagnie, forward Harrison Barnes, and Wembanyama. Iko cautions, however, that relegating forward Jeremy Sochan and Castle to bench roles would naturally limit their defensive contributions to the roster.
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’ Zach Collins Fined $35K By NBA
Spurs center Zach Collins was fined $35K for “making an obscene gesture on the playing court” after being ejected in the second quarter of Friday’s game against Sacramento, the NBA announced (via Twitter).
According to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News, Collins became upset after being called for his third foul with 9:07 remaining in the first half. Collins disputed the call and was hit with a technical foul. He was subbed out of the game, but continued to argue with referee Michael Smith and made the obscene gesture on his way to the bench, resulting in a second technical and an automatic ejection (Twitter video link).
The Spurs were already without Victor Wembanyama, who missed the game with back pain, so the loss of Collins left them extremely thin in the middle. He played just nine minutes before the ejection, finishing with two points and two rebounds and wasn’t available to talk to reporters after the game.
“I didn’t see what was said,” interim head coach Mitch Johnson said. “We just moved on and tried to hold the fort together with the group we had.”
Those were the first technical fouls of the season for Collins, according to Spotrac, although he was fined for flopping in a November 3 game. He has amassed $59K in fines through his seven NBA seasons.
In his fourth year with San Antonio, Collins is averaging 6.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per night while shooting 47.6% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range. He’s under contract through the end of next season.
Spurs Notes: Paul, Castle, NBA Cup, Wembanyama
Spurs point guard Chris Paul reached another milestone Friday night, handing out the 12,000th assist of his career, writes Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News. John Stockton may be out of reach at 15,806, but Paul is closing in on Jason Kidd’s second place total of 12,091. At age 39, Paul attributes his longevity to staying in top shape and studying the game.
“It’s training all day and all night,” he said. “The late-night massages. It’s getting up in the morning. It’s eating right. It’s training while you’re on vacation. It’s watching film day in and day out.”
Listed at 6’0″, Paul is by far the shortest player to reach 20 NBA seasons, McDonald adds. That list mostly includes big men, along with a few hyper-athletic wings. One of them is Paul’s close friend LeBron James, who met him after the game and discussed what it’s like to be in the twilight of their careers.
“Me and ‘Bron talked about it a little bit,” Paul said. “We don’t know how much longer it’s going to be, but I have so much gratitude for this game and the things I’ve been able to do and learn over the years.”
There’s more from San Antonio:
- James also talked briefly to Stephon Castle after the game ended, which made a strong impression on the rookie guard, McDonald states in a separate story. After the Lakers pulled out a narrow victory, James shared some advice on a few reads that Castle could have made. “I’ve been watching him since I was a kid,” Castle said. “So for him to come up to me and talk to me for even that little bit, it really meant a lot. … I really respect him and appreciate him for coming up and saying that to me. He didn’t really have to.”
- Friday’s losses left the Spurs and Grizzlies as the only teams without an NBA Cup win since the tournament was introduced last season, McDonald adds in the same piece. San Antonio will get three more chances, hosting Oklahoma City on Tuesday and then traveling to Utah on November 26 and Phoenix on December 3.
- Victor Wembanyama will miss Saturday’s game at Dallas with a right knee contusion, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN (Twitter link). Zach Collins will replace him in the starting lineup.
Spurs Notes: Popovich, Sochan, Vassell, Collins
Gregg Popovich missed his fourth straight game for health reasons on Thursday, but Victor Wembanyama is optimistic that he’ll be able to return soon, according to Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. The Spurs announced shortly before Saturday’s game that their 75-year-old coach was “under the weather.” Little information has been released publicly about his condition, and Wembanyama said players haven’t been told much either.
“We don’t hear a lot from Pop,” he told reporters after Thursday’s victory over Portland. “They keep us informed as much as we’re allowed to know. So, I’m not worried about him. I know he’s going to come back soon.”
Orsborn points out that Popovich has missed games before due to health reasons in his 29 years with the team, but never more than two in a row. Interim coach Mitch Johnson, who has guided the team to a 2-2 record since taking over, wasn’t able to provide any new information Thursday on Popovich’s condition.
“I would say he’s doing good, and we have been talking,” Johnson said. “I have had my hands full with this in trying to stay above water. So, have not talked details and I am not sure. … No details.”
There’s more from San Antonio:
- No timetable has been set for Jeremy Sochan to return after he underwent surgery Wednesday for a left thumb fracture, Orsborn states in the same piece. He was off to a career-best start to the season before getting injured Monday, averaging 15.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals through seven games. “We will be conservative and safe with it, but we will have a better idea, I would say, in a few weeks,” Johnson said. Rookie guard Stephon Castle has replaced Sochan in the starting lineup.
- Johnson told reporters, including Orsborn, that he’s looking forward to the scoring boost Devin Vassell will provide with his expected return, which will likely happen Saturday. Vassell, who is recovering from offseason foot surgery, averaged a career-high 19.5 PPG last season. “There is probably a level of scoring, a level of shot-making, shooting, that the other team would have him pretty early on their scouting report,” Johnson said. “So, any time you get a guy like that, it helps everybody.”
- Backup center Zach Collins appears more comfortable with his three-point shot this season, Orsborn adds. He was 2-of-3 from beyond the arc while scoring a season-high 14 points on Thursday, and he’s connecting at 43.8% from long distance after hitting just 32% in 2023/24. “We just need space right now,” Collins said. “Everyone needs to shoot more, not just me. We feel like our offense runs a little more fluid when we are all spaced out. More threes are probably going to come my way, so I need to be ready to shoot it.”
Southwest Notes: Williamson, Ingram, Hawkins, Collins, Sochan
With Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy, CJ McCollum and Herbert Jones all sidelined due to injuries, there’s even more pressure on Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram to carry the Pelicans, The Athletic’s William Guillory writes.
New Orleans dropped three straight before defeating Indiana on Friday. Williamson and Ingram combined for 60 points and 17 assists in that victory.
“People always try to tell us that we can’t hoop together,” Williamson said. “Me and him just want to have fun and make it happen. That’s what basketball is all about.”
However, Williamson was a late scratch himself on Sunday due to right hamstring tightness, the team tweets.
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- Jordan Hawkins entered Sunday’s action with a 17.3 PPG scoring average in his second NBA season. His Pelicans teammates compare his offensive skills to Hall of Famer Ray Allen, according to Christian Clark of the New Orleans Times Picayune. “He’s got a pretty release,” McCollum said. “It’s fast. It’s a lot like Ray Allen. He always seems to be on balance.” Williamson agrees: “Me and him talk about it a lot. I tell him it reminds me of Ray Allen. Being able to catch and shoot on the move, whether you’re facing the basket or not. Or just a spot-up shot.”
- Spurs big man Zach Collins has been fined $2,000 by the NBA for flopping, according to the league (Twitter link). Collins was assessed the flopping fine after a post-game review of a play in which Minnesota’s Julius Randle drove to the basket and made contact with Collins.
- Jeremy Sochan has been getting under opponents’ skin. The Spurs believe Sochan has been unburdened this season because he’s no longer tasked with playing the point, according to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News. “It’s part of his game,” center Victor Wembanyama said. “It can also be beneficial sometimes.”
Southwest Notes: Doncic, Spurs, Kennard, Rockets, Ingram, Zion
Mavericks star Luka Doncic likely won’t play in the team’s preseason finale vs. Milwaukee on Thursday, head coach Jason Kidd told reporters today. However, Doncic went through a full practice on Wednesday and did “really, really well,” Kidd said, per Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal (Twitter link).
Doncic was diagnosed with a left calf contusion during the early days of training camp. At the time, it was deemed a minor injury that wasn’t expected to affect his availability for the team’s regular season opener on October 24.
Despite the fact that Doncic may not end up playing a single minute this preseason, it still doesn’t sound as if his ability to return for next Thursday’s game vs. San Antonio is in any doubt, given that he’s fully participating in practice more than a week out from opening night.
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- Based on the way Gregg Popovich has managed his rotation this preseason, it appears likely the Spurs will open the season with a starting five of Chris Paul, Julian Champagnie, Jeremy Sochan, Harrison Barnes, and Victor Wembanyama, with Keldon Johnson, Stephon Castle, Zach Collins, and Blake Wesley also getting regular minutes, writes Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News (subscription required). However, Popovich said his rotation isn’t set in stone yet, and obviously it’s subject to change once Devin Vassell is ready to return from his foot injury, Orsborn notes.
- The Spurs received $2MM in cash from the Kings in the Jalen McDaniels trade, tweets ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Marks also fills in the cash details from a couple of the Spurs’ offseason trades, confirming that San Antonio received $1MM from the Pacers for moving from No. 35 to No. 36 in the draft and $110K from the Hornets in the Devonte’ Graham salary dump.
- Grizzlies sharpshooter Luke Kennard was feeling some soreness in his foot after Monday’s game in Indiana, according to head coach Taylor Jenkins, who said that Kennard may have to miss some time as a result of the ailment (Twitter link via Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal).
- The Rockets‘ preseason win over New Orleans on Tuesday showed how they can benefit this fall from offseason continuity after making significant roster changes in 2023, says Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle (subscription required). “We’ve been playing with each other since last year,” veteran forward Jeff Green said. “We know what we want to do. We know what the goal is out there.” As Christian Clark of NOLA.com observes, Tuesday’s game was the first of the preseason for Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, while Zion Williamson sat out for what head coach Willie Green called a “rest day.”
Texas Notes: Thompson, Hardy, Collins, Johnson
Klay Thompson bristled as the notion that he can’t guard at a high level anymore and is eager to prove skeptics wrong, he told Eddie Sefko of Mavs.com.
“I still want to get rid of that notion that I’m not the same defender I once was,” Thompson said. “I truly believe I am. I’m excited to prove people wrong, that I can still guard the elite players in this league.”
The fact that he has joined a Mavericks team with two stars in Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic adds to that motivation.
“That’s a big reason why I came here, those two guys,” Thompson said. “(I have) big dreams and aspirations with this team. They were so close last year (reaching the NBA Finals) and I really feel we have everything we need.”
We have more on the Texas teams:
- Reserve guard Jaden Hardy is intent on establishing himself as a rugged defender, he told Grant Afseth of Sportskeeda.com. “Right now, I’m focused on defending the three better, picking up full court, and challenging guys while they bring the ball up,” he said. “I’m also working on being in the right spots on defense, communicating, and bringing energy.” Hardy will be a restricted free agent next summer.
- Spurs big man Zach Collins made his preseason debut on Saturday after recovering from right shoulder surgery. He contributed 11 points in a win over Utah. “Considering (the layoff), I thought he looked really good,” coach Gregg Popovich said, per Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express News. “He boarded. He banged with people. He wasn’t afraid of the shoulder or anything like that.”
- In the same preseason game, Keldon Johnson excelled as the Spurs’ sixth man, pouring in 20 points. Johnson shed 10 pounds during the offseason and believes that has made a difference in his performance level, he told McDonald. “I feel fast, I feel strong,” Johnson said. “Best I felt in a long time.”