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Houston locked up the futures of two rising stars in Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green before the rookie-scale extension deadline elapsed, heading into the new campaign with cautious optimism they can improve upon last season’s encouraging strides taken under Ime Udoka should everyone be fortunate with injuries. Elsewhere, Jalen Suggs and Trey Murphy also inked deals elsewhere. Continue reading “Getting paid: Sengun and Suggs among lucrative rookie-scale contract extensions”
Once you strip away the off-court controversy he has needlessly courted over recent seasons, as well as the persistent questions over his health, Zion Williamson spoke intently in press this week as he knows there’s ample room for personal growth. How long this latest storyline lasts, only time will tell – but you can’t help but feel the clock is ticking for the 2019’s #1 draft pick. Continue reading “The duality of Zion Williamson continues to frustrate, but can’t last for much longer”
Portland were surprisingly willing to trade him mid-season for an underwhelming return haul, and now versatile small forward Josh Hart has been rewarded for his intangibles, defensive effort and invaluable bench impact with a lucrative multiyear extension to stay in New York – paired alongside Villanova’s 2016 NCAA title teammates Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo. Continue reading “Josh Hart’s four-year, $81m extension with Knicks a testament to his work ethic”
As the domestic campaign gets underway this weekend in France, projected 2023 top draft pick and teenage center Victor Wembanyama spoke with understandable caution about preferring team fit as well as a favourable environment rather than just being the No. 1 selection. Zion Williamson’s strength-and-conditioning coach provided an encouraging endorsement, Robert Williams III (knee) will miss the start of the season and more besides. Read the round-up here. Continue reading “NBA news round-up: Zion progressing, Williams’ knee surgery, Wembanyama’s draft caution and more”
A few weeks removed from the All-Star break and now into the home straight for another eventful NBA season, I spoke to LA Clippers fan and NBA expert Jack Brown earlier this month – discussing multiple topics including: under-the-radar players, intriguing offseason storylines, the MVP race as well as why he has a surprise team emerging from the West come playoff time. Continue reading “NBA Q&A: Big questions answered, predictions made as 21-22 season into business months”
Midway through his ninth NBA campaign, after 564 regular season games and 57 more in the playoffs, Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard CJ McCollum has been acquired as part of a seven-player trade package sending him to the New Orleans Pelicans. It’s the end of an era in Oregon for the 30-year-old, while opening up new opportunities elsewhere. But why now?
Continue reading “CJ McCollum to the Pelicans: This exit from Portland felt inevitable, but also long overdue”
As he continues rehabbing his foot injury, New Orleans Pelicans’ All-Star forward Zion Williamson is out for another 2-3 weeks after head coach Willie Green told reporters that he’s progressing in his recovery. His NOLA teammates (1-6) need him back sooner rather than later. Continue reading “Zion Williamson still weeks away from season debut, as foot injury recovery continues”
After an abrupt and messy departure from New Orleans saw him traded to the Dallas Mavericks at the trade deadline last season, veteran shooting guard JJ Redick revealed he wouldn’t be participating in training camp on his own podcast – so will likely bide his time waiting for the right opportunity before agreeing terms with a team at some stage for the 2021-22 season. Continue reading “Veteran sharpshooter JJ Redick to bypass training camp, assessing options”
Lauri Markkanen was tipped to be a future All-Star after an impressive first two NBA seasons. If that’s still to be the case, the Finnish power forward will do it away from Illinois as multiple teams – Boston and Dallas among them – are keeping a close eye on his deteriorating situation. Continue reading “Multiple NBA teams targeting wantaway Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen”
A young playmaking point guard continuing to quietly improve his three-point shot, an under-appreciated spark plug from the bench in Los Angeles and a four-time All-Star shooting guard who is routinely disrespected despite his leaguewide pedigree. How much have these three acquisitions raised Chicago’s ceiling in an Eastern Conference with two clear frontrunners? Continue reading “Necessary or excessive? Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan join Chicago”
After falling two games shy of the postseason play-in tournament, reports claim Chicago want a starting point guards in the upcoming free agency period to bolster their offensive repertoire alongside All-Star duo Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. Pelicans’ RFA Lonzo Ball and Lakers guard Dennis Schroder are linked, while Kyle Lowry and Spencer Dinwiddie are also named.
Continue reading “Lonzo Ball, Dennis Schroder among Chicago Bulls’ free agency guard targets”
The Stan Van Gundy era in New Orleans has endured an underwhelming start this season, with some reported tension between the veteran head coach and his players – merely seven months after agreeing a four-year deal to succeed Alvin Gentry. How long will things continue like this? Continue reading “Time ticking: Stan Van Gundy has work to do, as Pelicans players unhappy”
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