Category: QA Category

Austin Reaves Q&A: Lakers travel stories, D’Angelo Russell’s free agency, LeBron James’ future, Anthony Davis, Nuggets rematch

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves discussed how he travels privately during the offseason by booking hotels and flights, a wild travel story with the Lakers in Portland, what happens on the team flight after games, the possibility of being a Laker for life, D’Angelo Russell’s free agency, what he’s learned from LeBron James, why Anthony Davis should be in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation, and the chip on the team’s shoulder going up against the Denver Nuggets in a playoff rematch with HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto.

On his path from an undrafted rookie to stardom with the Los Angeles Lakers, Austin Reaves has had many memorable moments in hotels, including a life-changing call to play in the NBA while in El Segundo, California, and avoiding a fire while playing for the Lakers at a Portland hotel.

“I was in there for probably two months and got a call from my agent (Aaron Reilly), and it was them offering me a regular contract that, for me, was the start of my journey, so the Residence Inn always has a special place in my heart,” Reaves said during a Hotels.com “Perfect 10” digital content segment.

Following his segment, Reaves spoke with HoopsHype and discussed how he travels privately during the offseason when booking hotels and flights, a wild travel story with the Lakers in Portland, what happens on the team flight after games, the possibility of being a Laker for life, D’Angelo Russell’s free agency, what he’s learned from LeBron James, why Anthony Davis should be in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation, and the chip on the team’s shoulder going up against the Denver Nuggets in a playoff rematch.

Knicks’ Isaiah Hartenstein on free agency: ‘I love it here, hopefully we’ll figure something out’

New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein tells HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto he wants to re-sign in free agency.

New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein has made the most of his chance as a starter and is earning himself a nice pay raise this summer as one of the top unrestricted free-agent centers on the market.

Several executives who spoke with HoopsHype believe Hartenstein could command around $13 million a year in free agency this summer, roughly the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception.

While averaging career-highs in minutes (24.9), rebounds (8.3), steals (1.1), and following a season-high nine assists in a win versus the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden, Hartenstein spoke to HoopsHype about his free agency future and journey to this point.

Hartenstein discussed falling in the draft unexpectedly, how his time with the Los Angeles Clippers changed his career trajectory, working with Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau behind the scenes to improve defensively, how Nikola Jokic helped him as a passer, and why he’d like to re-sign with the Knicks this summer.

D’Angelo Russell: ‘The language Kobe Bryant spoke was foreign to me at the time’

Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell discussed the similarities and differences between playing alongside LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, the unfair injury-prone label on Anthony Davis, his bond with Austin Reaves, and more with HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto.

Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell recently discussed how he’s handled the pressure of a contract season and wants to remain a Laker in free agency this summer as part of a lengthy interview with HoopsHype.

In the remainder of the interview, Russell explained how the birth of his son, Riley, has changed his life, the similarities and differences between playing alongside LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, how the season has gone for the Lakers, the unfair injury-prone label on Anthony Davis, his bond with Austin Reaves, and more below.

Potential No. 1 NBA Draft pick Ron Holland: ‘I feel like I’m the one that stands out because of my motor’

Potential No. 1 NBA Draft pick Ron Holland discussed how he can impact the NBA as a rookie next season, player comparisons, a scouting report of his game, why he’s the top prospect in the draft, and more in an interview with HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto

Heading into the start of 2024, G League Ignite forward Ron Holland is a potential No. 1 overall pick with teammate Matas Buzelis, Perth Wildcats big man Alex Sarr, and USC’s Isaiah Collier.

At the G League Showcase, Holland spoke with HoopsHype about why he chose to play for the Ignite instead of going to Texas University, how he can impact the NBA as a rookie next season, player comparisons, a scouting report of his strengths and weaknesses, why he’s the top prospect in the draft, his career goals at the NBA level, and more in an extensive interview.

Nic Claxton hopes to re-sign with Brooklyn: ‘I love it here’

Nic Claxton hopes to re-sign with the Brooklyn Nets in free agency, he tells HoopsHype’s Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto.

The Brooklyn Nets have reportedly been linked to Donovan Mitchell with trade interest if he becomes available and have several attractive trade candidates on their roster, but the Net player rival NBA executives are monitoring the most is Nic Claxton – one of the top free agents on the market in 2024.

Claxton’s projected salary heading into free agency is $21 million per year, according to 12 NBA executives polled by HoopsHype. Two of the 12 executives believed Claxton could get as high as $27 million annually, four other executives pegged Claxton’s value in the $20-25 million range, and two executives valued Claxton at $20 million annually.

“I could see $25 million per year as an inflation of Jarrett Allen’s deal for Claxton, or I could see Allen’s deal at $20 million annually,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype.

The consensus among the executives is Claxton’s shot blocking, switching ability on defense to stay in front of smaller guards on the perimeter, ball handling for a player his size, youth, and athleticism were the needle-moving points to pay him. The downsides were his lack of perimeter floor spacing and foul shooting.

With roughly a quarter of the season complete, Claxton spoke with HoopsHype about Brooklyn’s start, expectations for the Nets the rest of the way, the team’s core, goals, his free agency future, and much more.

Gordon Hayward on LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Mark Williams and Rudy Gobert comparison, future

Hornets forward Gordon Hayward explains why LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller have All-NBA upside, why Mark Williams reminds him of Rudy Gobert, and discusses his future with HoopsHype Senior NBA insider Michael Scotto.

With the Charlotte Hornets struggling out of the gate and multiple playoff-caliber teams who’ve called Charlotte to gauge Gordon Hayward’s trade availability, Hayward sat down with HoopsHype to discuss the All-NBA upside of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, why Mark Williams reminds him of Rudy Gobert, his tenure with the Hornets, his future, and more.

Jaime Jaquez Jr: ‘First offseason, trade rumors… Welcome to the league’

Miami Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. discussed Damian Lillard trade rumors, the NBA Draft, and more with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. has made an immediate impact and been one of the best rookies so far this season, ranking first in steals per game (1.1), fifth in points (11.2) while shooting 50.7 percent from the field, and 40 percent from beyond the arc.

In his last 10 games entering Sunday, Jaquez Jr. has become an increased fixture in Miami’s rotation, averaging 14.9 points on 52.2 percent from the field, 50 percent from downtown and 4.5 rebounds.

Jaquez Jr., who appears on his way to making an All-Rookie Team, sat down with HoopsHype and discussed the biggest adjustments to NBA rookie life, the meaning of Heat culture behind the scenes, pushing back against the notion of four-year college players having a lesser ceiling than younger draft prospects, dealing with the Damian Lillard trade rumors, and more.

TJ Warren eyes NBA return: ‘I’m 100 percent healthy now’

Free agent forward TJ Warren is eying a return to the NBA and discussed his future with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

TJ Warren, who has averaged 14.6 points on 50.6 percent shooting during his career, discussed what he can bring to an NBA playoff team, overcoming injuries, the bubble, playing with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons with the Brooklyn Nets, and more in a recent interview with HoopsHype.

Cam Thomas: ‘We’re coming up trying to prove people wrong’

Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas spoke about his breakout start this season, what he learned from Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, playing with Ben Simmons, Nic Claxton’s growth, expectations for himself and the Nets this season, and much more with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas has been lighting up the scoreboard like Times Square on New Year’s Eve while making an early case for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award and potential All-Star consideration.

As of November 6th, Thomas ranks second in the league in points per game on drives (14.4), trailing only De’Aaron Fox, 13th in points per game (26.0), and has the 28th-highest HoopsHype Global Rating (17.73). Defensively, Thomas has also made strides as a defender, which has earned him consistent playing time to start the season.

Thomas spoke with HoopsHype about his breakout start this season, what he learned from Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, playing with Ben Simmons, Nic Claxton’s growth, expectations for himself and the Nets this season, and much more.

Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie on Ben Simmons, Cam Thomas, Cam Johnson, Kevin Durant, James Harden, free agency

Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie discussed the Kenny Atkinson and Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden eras, All-NBA expectations for Ben Simmons,  All-Star expectations for Mikal Bridges, why Nic Claxton will get a $100 million contract, why Cam Thomas could win Sixth Man of the Year, Dinwiddie’s free agency, and more with host Michael Scotto on the latest HoopsHype podcast episode.

Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie discussed the Kenny Atkinson and Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden eras, All-NBA expectations for Ben Simmons,  All-Star expectations for Mikal Bridges, why Nic Claxton will get a $100 million contract, why Cam Thomas could win Sixth Man of the Year, Dinwiddie’s free agency, and more with host Michael Scotto on the latest HoopsHype podcast episode.

For more interviews with players, coaches, and media members, be sure to like and subscribe to the HoopsHype podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts. Listen to the podcast above or check out some snippets of the conversation in a transcribed version below.