Tag: DeMar DeRozan

Report: Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan interested in joining Lakers in free agency

The free agency rumors are heating up as Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan both have interest in signing with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers are slated to have over 10 free agents enter the market this summer, and the team is also tight on cap space, so signing quality options will be strenuous.

As evident in the first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns, the Lakers need to reconstruct the roster and surround LeBron James and Anthony Davis with more off-the-bounce threats on offense who can hold it down on defense, too.

Los Angeles had the No. 1 ranked defense during the regular season, but the offensive numbers are the complete antithesis to L.A.’s defensive prowess.

The free-agent market is filled with enticing options, but there’s enough available who would be significant upgrades for L.A. if the franchise can pull it off with the financial constraints.

According to Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan both are interested in playing with the Lakers:

“DeRozan, who starred at Compton High and USC, has interest in returning home to play for the Lakers, even if it is for less than the $27.7 million he earned last season in San Antonio, according to people not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Though the Lakers didn’t acquire Lowry at the trade deadline, he remains interested in joining them, according to people with knowledge of his situation.”

DeRozan last played for the San Antonio Spurs and will be an unrestricted free agent. Lowry last suited up for the Toronto Raptors and will also be unrestricted.

The Lakers and Raptors were in deep trade talks at the trade deadline that would’ve sent Lowry to L.A., but Los Angeles refused to include Talen Horton-Tucker in the deal.

As promising as it sounds that two All-Stars want to join L.A., executing both signings is a tough ask. L.A. has only the $9.5 million taxpayer MLE to play around with and the $674,000 trade exception acquired in the JaVale McGee trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

It’s highly unlikely to expect DeRozan or Lowry to take a minimum deal as this is likely their last chance at landing a big payday.

The free-agent market opens on Aug. 2,

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The All-Underrated Team for the 2020-21 season

HoopsHype selects a starting five, along with a bench, for the 2020-21 season made up entirely of players we consider to be underrated.

With talk of which NBA players are the most underrated right making the rounds on social media this week, we thought it would be a good time to come up with our own All-Underrated Team for the 2020-21 season, both a starting five and an accompanying bench to go along with it.

In total, we picked 15 players at different positions who we believe still don’t get enough respect, be it from fans or the media at large.

Below, check out our All-Underrated Team for the 2020-21 NBA campaign.

Free agency stock watch: DeMar DeRozan, Duncan Robinson, Reggie Jackson and more

The deeper that we get into the regular season, the more indications we get about what the free agency market will look like this offseason.

The deeper that we get into the regular season, the more indications we get about what the free agency market will look like this offseason.

Of course, executives around the league always have tough decisions to make about who they plan to re-sign as well as who they plan to pursue or let walk during free agency. But as the season progresses, it becomes a bit easier to evaluate who would be a good fit for their franchise and who might not be.

As part of our ongoing series at HoopsHype, we are looking at whose free agency stock has gone up – and down – over the last several games.

Note: All statistics are accurate as of games before April 16, 2021.

The Spurs paid tribute to NCAA women’s basketball legends with pre-game jerseys

The Spurs showed love to more players than just Becky Hammon.

Before their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday evening, the San Antonio Spurs paid tribute to some of the best players who have ever stepped on the floor during the NCAA women’s basketball tournament.

Especially after the pathetic weight room originally provided to the NCAA women’s teams and all of the other ways the NCAA has failed its women’s tournament, it was refreshing to see such support from such a respected NBA team.

Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray got things started with a hat tip to his assistant coach, Becky Hammon, who is a legend both on and off the floor.

Hammon, who has been an assistant for San Antonio since 2014, was once one of the best college basketball players in the nation. She ran point for the Colorado State Rams from 1995 until 1999, leading her mid-major squad to the Sweet Sixteen.

Spurs veteran DeMar DeRozan entered the arena wearing a Cheryl Miller jersey.

Miller, like DeRozan, played college basketball for the USC Trojans from 1982 until 1986. She won Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year during three consecutive seasons, securing national championships in 1986 and 1987 as well.

Her jersey number, No. 31, is retired by the University of Southern California.

Rudy Gay was rocking a jersey from Rebecca Lobo, who is celebrated as one of the most decorated athletes in the history of UCONN’s prestigious women’s basketball program.

Lobo helped lead the team to an undefeated record and a national title in 1995. It was only the second time that a women’s team ran the table for an entire season.

Of course, NBA veteran guard Patty Mills had to show some love to his wife, former Saint Mary’s wing Alyssa Levesque.

Mills, who is one of many Australian basketball players who have attended Saint Mary’s in California, met Alyssa when they were both in college in the late 2000s.

They were married in July 2019 and reportedly have a pretty cute pre-game coffee routine scheduled for whenever the Spurs play in San Antonio.

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Drake gives shoutouts to Patrick Mahomes, DeMar DeRozan on ‘Lemon Pepper Freestyle’

Mahomes responded!

Drake dropped his latest EP, Scary Hours 2, on Friday, and the world’s biggest Toronto Raptors fan dropped the name of a former beloved Rap in Lemon Pepper Freestyle, which features Rick Ross.

DeMar DeRozan, who spent nine seasons with the franchise before he was dealt to the San Antonio Spurs in the trade that sent Kawhi Leonard to the North, got mentioned in the lyrics: “For real, and my city love me like DeMar DeRozan.”

You’ll recall Drake devoted an Instagram post to DeRozan with “10 million thank yous” after the trade and the star guard said he met with the rapper after the trade to talk for hours. Maybe they’re still close.

There was also a shoutout to Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, who also happened to co-star in a Super Bowl State Farm commercial with … Drake! Here’s the line: “Patty Mahomes ’bout to fall short a couple hundred.”

Mahomes appeared to take note:

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Trae Young, Devin Booker and the complete list of 2021 NBA All-Star Game snubs

The fact that all these players were left off shows us just how much talent is in the NBA right now.

While there is no exact science to an NBA All-Star candidacy, earning a spot among the league’s best players is always a tough challenge.

The 10 starters (five players from each conference) were selected based on weighted voting from fans, current NBA players and a media panel. The reserves (seven players from each conference) were chosen by head coaches around the league.

All-Star captains LeBron James and Kevin Durant will choose their teams from the player pool during the 2021 NBA All-Star Draft on March 4.

Ultimately, however, only 24 players earned the invitation to participate in the game on March 7. Given how many deserved consideration, there are still several others who made a serious case to receive the honor as well.

Below are some of the candidates who did not receive the nod but are still enjoying All-Star caliber campaigns. The fact that all these players were left off shows us just how much incredible talent exists in the NBA right now.

Rockets reaction: John Wall, Eric Gordon not enough in loss to DeMar DeRozan, Spurs

John Wall and Eric Gordon combined for 53 points on 56% shooting, but Victor Oladipo’s 9 points on 29% shooting proved tough to overcome.

Rockets guards John Wall and Eric Gordon combined for 53 points on 56.3% shooting, but the third member of Houston’s backcourt trio didn’t have a similar contribution in Saturday’s 111-106 home loss (box score) to San Antonio. DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 30 points.

Victor Oladipo scored just 9 points on 4-of-14 shooting (28.6%), and his unnecessary foul with 3:01 left in the fourth quarter allowed San Antonio to quickly tie the game after the Rockets had taken their first (and only) lead. After those two free throws by Jakob Poeltl, DeRozan scored the next seven points as the visitors pulled away at Toyota Center.

With star big man Christian Wood out indefinitely with an ankle injury, DeMarcus Cousins had 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks as Wood’s replacement in the starting lineup. Yet, the Rockets clearly missed Wood’s athleticism on defense and as a roll threat on offense.

In his return from a three-game absence due to his own ankle sprain, defensive ace David Nwaba had 14 points and 5 points in 22 minutes off the bench, shooting 6-of-7 from the field (85.7%). Yet, it wasn’t enough to offset Oladipo’s struggles for the Rockets — especially when considering the big game on the other side from DeRozan.

It’s was only the second loss for the Rockets (11-11) in their last nine games. Yet, it could potentially be a meaningful one, since it allowed the Spurs (13-10) to stay ahead of Houston in the Southwest Division and clinch the potential tiebreaker by securing the regular-season series, 2-1.

See below for select highlights and postgame reaction. The Rockets return to action on Monday in Charlotte for what will be the first game of a road back-to-back, concluding in New Orleans the next day.

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Spurs wing DeMar DeRozan to miss game against OKC Thunder

DeMar DeRozan is one of five San Antonio Spurs players on the injury report ahead of the OKC Thunder matchup.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will take on a San Antonio Spurs team that is missing its leading scorer on Tuesday.

San Antonio wing DeMar DeRozan remains out for personal reasons, according to the injury report in the game notes prior to the matchup.

DeRozan missed the Spurs’ game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday to travel to Los Angeles and be with his sick father, according to San Antonio Express-News reporter Jeff McDonald.

Big Drew Eubanks (health and safety protocols), guard Quinndary Weatherspoon (left knee surgery) and guard Derrick White (left toe fracture) are all out for the Spurs, while rookie wing Devin Vassell was questionable with left knee soreness.

The only name on the Thunder’s injury report was Ty Jerome, who remains out with a left ankle sprain.

Mike Muscala could return to the court. After suffering a rib injury against the New York Knicks on Friday, he was active on Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets but did not play. Head coach Mark Daigneault said the injury was less of a factor in the absence than the team wanting to get forward Isaiah Roby playing time, though it presented apt timing for the Thunder.

Tipoff between the Thunder (5-4) and Spurs (5-5) is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Lakers vs. Spurs recap: Aldridge, DeRozan snap Lakers win streak at 4

LaMarcus Aldridge had a big night from the field and the Spurs shot the lights out from the 3-point line to knock off the Lakers in L.A.

It turns out that a third time and the addition of LaMarcus Aldridge turned out to be the charm for the San Antonio Spurs as they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night, 118-109, snapping a four-game winning streak that had been the longest of the season for L.A.

The Lakers won the first two games against the Spurs last week in San Antonio but the Spurs shot the lights out on Thursday night, going 16 for 35 from the 3-point line while also getting a dominant 28 points from Aldridge. The Lakers got plenty of production from their two stars, with LeBron James leading the Lakers with 27 points and 12 assists, while Anthony Davis had 23 points and 10 rebounds, but the Spurs simply had too much offensive firepower for the Lakers to keep up with.

In addition to Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan (19 points, 8 assists), the Spurs got a boost from Rudy Gay (15 points), Patty Mills (10 points), and Devin Vassell (6 points, two assists) off the bench. The Lakers started Kyle Kuzma (13 points, 10 rebounds) for the third straight game as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope continues to recover from a sprained ankle.

The Lakers have no time to recover, however, as they face the Chicago Bulls on Friday night.

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Lakers vs. Spurs: Live stream, how to watch, TV channel (Jan. 7)

The Los Angeles Lakers are back home and they will face a familiar foe when they welcome the San Antonio Spurs to Staples Center.

The Los Angeles Lakers return to Staples Center on Thursday night but they will face a very familiar opponent, welcoming the San Antonio Spurs to Staples after playing them twice last week in San Antonio. For those who don’t recall, the Lakers won both games in San Antonio, with the second game being a much tougher win for the Lakers.

The Lakers found themselves down by three late and needed a 9-0 run to close out the Spurs on Jan. 1. One difference, however, is that All-Star big man LaMarcus Aldridge is back in the lineup for the Spurs after missing both of the first two games against L.A. DeMar DeRozan was a major factor in both games against L.A., shooting excellent from the 3-point line, where he has shot 46% to begin the season.

As for the Lakers, Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were all listed as questionable as of the 8:30 p.m. report from the NBA. James was considered questionable prior to the Jan. 5 game against Memphis but ultimately played, while Caldwell-Pope sat out. Alex Caruso, who was not with the team during the road trip due to the NBA’s health and safety protocols, is available to join the Lakers and was not on the injury report.

Here’s when you should tune in to see the game:

  • Date: Thursday, Jan. 7
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: NBA League Pass, Spectrum SportsNet, Fox Sports Southwest
  • Spread via BetMGM: Lakers -5.5

Probable starting lineups

Spurs (3-4)

  • Lonnie Walker
  • Keldon Johnson
  • LaMarcus Aldridge
  • DeMar DeRozan
  • Dejounte Murray

Lakers (2-2)

  • Anthony Davis
  • LeBron James
  • Marc Gasol
  • Dennis Schroder
  • Kentavious Caldwell-Pope