The latest round of NBA news and rumors has covered a wide variety of topics.
From league scouts “messing” into a certain Eastern Conference team’s games to the future of a core member of the Golden State Warriors and a return potential of a five-time All-Star, there is a lot going on around the Association.
It’s time to buy or sell the latest collection of NBA titles.
As the Los Angeles Clippers attempt to integrate James Harden’s system into their system, there may be another reason for the team’s recent losing streak.
Backup center Mason Plumlee has missed the last three games with a sprained MCL, an injury that could sideline him for several months. Since his fall, the Clippers only rank 26th defensively (Score of 119.5) and 24th in defensive rebounding (66.9 percent).
According to Shams Charania from The Athletic and Stadium, Los Angeles is interested in Indiana Pacers center Daniel Theis, who has all but fallen out of the rotation.
The 31-year-old expressed his frustration, especially after helping Germany win gold at the FIBA World Cup last summer.
“Obviously, after a great summer, I’m not happy with the situation I’m in right now,” Theis said. Brian Robb from MassLive. “I want to play and incorporate all the good things from the summer into the season, but it’s a long season. We’ll see what happens and what happens.”
Could LA use Theis? Yes, especially until Plumlee can come back.
Will an exchange take place? Probably not, because matching his $9.1 million salary is no easy task for the cash-strapped Clippers, a team that has already sent out its best expiring offers to acquire Harden.
Los Angeles won’t trade Terance Mann ($10.5 million) for Theis, nor would the Clippers package players such as Bones Hyland, Kobe Brown and others to try to stretch the money.
Instead, expect the Clippers to play small while relying on Ivica Zubac and PJ Tucker for center minutes or explore free agency until Plumlee can return.
Buy or sell: Sell the Clippers in exchange for Theis, as their best salary pieces have already been sent out for Harden.
Five-time All-Star point guard, Rookie of the Year, All-NBA and All-Defensive team member John Wall isn’t ready to leave the game at 33 just yet.
He last played for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2022-23, playing in 34 games before being waived after the trade deadline.
The veteran floor general went unsigned after his release and has yet to receive a call from a team since.
During a visit to the South East Melbourne Phoenix, the team he co-owns in Australia, Wall told reporters:
“I love the game, I still get up every morning at 6 a.m., (I’m) training. I’m still determined to come back, I think something will happen soon. For me, I still love work, I still love I love getting up and working. You just saw me practice for an hour, hour and a half. Anyway, I still love the game. If I still have the hunger and desire to be (in the NBA), I’m going to continue to chase my dream to come back. It’s just about being patient, staying ready, letting God do his work and being ready whenever your name is called.
If teams are looking for a point guard in free agency, Wall may be one of the best of the bunch.
He should eventually land in a team, even if it means signing a 10-day contract later in the season. He can always make it easier for others (35.3 assist percentage8.5 assists per 36 minutes last year) and brings experience from 37 playoff starts.
Buy or sell: Buy Wall to get another NBA opportunity.
The Golden State Warriors are the most expensive team in all of basketball this season, with a payroll of $208.3 million and a luxury tax bill exceeding $195 million.
Even if some relief comes with the end of Chris Paul’s contract, Golden State will need a new deal for Klay Thompson, who is making $43.2 million this season.
Stephen Curry’s salary jumps to $55.7 million in 2024-25, and the Warriors already have more than $140 million in guaranteed salary for next year. Despite these potential financial restrictions, Thompson is not expected to seriously test free agency.
NBA insider Marc Stein said Warriors pregame live (h/t Ali Thanawalla from NBC Sports Bay Area):
“With Klay, it might be a little more complicated just because of all the financial implications of a new contract in this new CBA, the Warriors are still trying to get a handle on that. But I just can’t imagine him in another uniform. and listen, his father, former NBA player Mychal Thompson, said it best. He’s not going anywhere. It’s a dub. Those are Mychal Thompson’s words and I think he controls Klay Thompson’s rhythm quite well.
The Philadelphia 76ers set themselves up to own significant cap space next season and should be a title contender with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Teams like the Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz and Orlando Magic should also be able to make a substantial offer.
Still, it’s hard to imagine Thompson leaving while a fair contract is on the table. A four-year, $100 million contract like the one Draymond Green just signed could work for both sides, especially since he’s off to a modest start to the season (16.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 34 .7 percent on three) and should not be expecting a maximum deal at 33.
With Curry, Green and Andrew Wiggins all under contract for next year, don’t expect Thompson to go anywhere either.
Buy or sell: Sell Thompson leaving the Warriors.
The Chicago Bulls’ eventual breakup is the NBA’s worst-kept secret, with a 4-6 start to the season and minus-3.3 net rating (20th overall) has the league wondering when this thing is going to blow up.
There is talent in Chicago, however, with plenty of suitors likely waiting to take a winning veteran off the Bulls’ roster and insert him into his own rotation.
“In talking to some people around the league, scouts are going into Bulls games because they realize that at some point the Bulls could break this team,” ESPN said. Brian Windhorst said NBA today. “And they’re all collecting intelligence like, ‘What’s going to happen with the Bulls?'”
While DeMar DeRozan will be the headliner here (and to a lesser extent, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević), we could see a fire sale in the Windy City.
Alex Caruso makes $9.5 million and could be immediately plugged into any contender’s backcourt. Andre Drummond is a low-cost rebounding machine ($3.4 million), and even recently signed Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig could be repackaged in a month.
Barring a miracle, this Bulls team is headed for a teardown.
Buy or sell: Buy. Chicago is a prime candidate for the next franchise to rebuild.
During Zion Williamson’s short NBA career, we’ve learned that the New Orleans Pelicans are pretty good when he’s on the court.
At least that’s what we thought?
Despite playing in eight of New Orleans’ first ten games, the 23-year-old’s numbers are down as the Pelicans have lost five in a row to fall to 4-6 on the season.
“Last year we had a team meeting and we talked about some things I can do better, including sticking to the program,” Williamson said. told reporters. “Right now, it’s tough. I’m taking a step back right now. I’m trusting the process. I’m doing my best to buy in right now.”
Williamson currently ranks third on the Pelicans in scoring behind Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum, which is simply inexcusable. One of the most unstoppable forces in all of basketball, he needs to get every touch he can handle, as he is dangerous with the ball in his hands as a scorer and facilitator.
The Duke product also needs to help himself, returning to the rim-dominant offensive game we saw previously. This season, only 47.0 percent of his total number of shot attempts came from 0 to 3 feet from the basket, down from his career mark of 68.6 percent. The majority of his attempts have come from 3 to 10 feet (47.8 percent), where he is much less accurate (35.9 percent shooting from 3 to 10 feet compared to 71.4 percent from 0 to 3 feet ).
New Orleans’ coaching staff needs to find a way to get Williamson to look at the rim as much as possible, where he is one of the best in the NBA and where he finishes at the basket.
Buy or sell: Buy Williamson’s frustration here. The Pelicans need to use their All-Star forward more while he’s healthy, and he’s also making better shots.
