Tag: free agency

During an episode of ESPN’s “The Jump” …

During an episode of ESPN’s “The Jump” on Tuesday, former Celtic Paul Pierce and longtime NBA reporter Jackie MacMullan touched on the difference in the team’s leadership. Specifically, the departure of Kyrie Irving and the arrival of Kemba Walker. “They got better leadership in there,” Pierce said. “Let’s just call it how it is.”

After ESPN reporter Rachel Nichols — …

After ESPN reporter Rachel Nichols — the show’s host — offered a clarification that the leadership was simply “different,” Pierce jumped back in. “It’s better,” reiterated Pierce. “Kemba, he’s known throughout the league as being a great leader. I mean, he played on losing teams, he stayed positive. He went out and played hard every night, and that can be infectious. That can be the difference between losing and winning and chemistry. That’s what he’s brought to the Celtics.”

NBA Rumors: Could Portland be interested in trade for Danilo Gallinari?

Gallinari has shown himself to be a capable stretch four, which is what the Trail Blazers need to complement their explosive back court.

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Surprise, surprise. Danilo Gallinari’s name has come up in trade rumors again.

Every since Gallo came to Oklahoma City as part of the blockbuster deal for Paul George in July, his tenure with the Thunder has had an expected expiration date.

It’s not really surprising, to be honest. The better he plays during the early part of the season, the more his name is going to get tossed around as a potential player on the move.

And Gallinari has been really good as of late.

He’s second on the team in scoring at 18.6 points per game. His three-point play has been a huge boost to a Thunder team that hasn’t shot three’s well in recent years. Gallinari is hitting 43.7% of his shots from the perimeter, which is sixth-best in the NBA.

Which makes it reasonable to believe that the Portland Trailblazers would be interested in acquiring him.

Per The Ringer’s Paolo Uggetti, Portland may be on the lookout for a big man they can bring in after suffering roster turnovers and inconvenient injuries. Gallo could be the perfect fit.

“Danilo Gallinari is another trade candidate who could fit in well with this team. He would be the perfect stretch 4 to play with Portland’s deadly backcourt. And while it’s unclear what Oklahoma City’s ultimate goals are for this season, Gallinari and his expiring contract could be a tasty asset for Sam Presti to try to swap for another first-round pick.”

Inquisitor’s JB Baruelo likewise believes that Portland could be a good landing spot for Gallinari, should the Thunder still be committed to an overhaul.

“Gallinari would be an incredible addition to the Trail Blazers, giving them an All-Star-caliber power forward who could serve as their third-best scoring option behind Lillard and McCollum. Having a floor-spacing big man like Gallinari would further improve the Trail Blazers’ offensive efficiency, which currently ranks 10th in the league.”

The question is, would a first-round pick being enough to entice Presti to move a guy that has been so integral so far this season. It might have to be.

As Baruelo points out, ‘trading him for future draft assets before the 2020 February NBA trade deadline would be their best option, rather than letting him walk away in the 2020 NBA free agency as an unrestricted free agent without getting anything in return.”

Though a couple of NBA executives …

It was only three years ago Thomas was …

It was only three years ago Thomas was talking about bringing out Brinks trucks before finishing fifth in MVP voting. A series of injuries later, he still wants his elusive paycheck, but he also craves a more sustainable lifestyle for his two sons, his 1-year-old daughter, Journey, and his wife, Kayla. “I want to be somewhere I can be three or four years,” he said. “I was in Sacramento for three years. I was in Boston for three years. Even though that’s not a long time, I was comfortable there. My family was able to build relationships with people around the organization, people around the city. It just made things easier. So, what I am looking for — obviously, I want to get paid the most I possibly can, because I feel like I deserve that, but I also want to be able to be somewhere for a while.”

If he stayed healthy, he might have …

If he stayed healthy, he might have received a max contract in free agency in 2018. Instead, he’s gotten the minimum in back-to-back years. He hasn’t forgotten about the money. He said just a few weeks ago Brooks “wants what’s best” for him. “He wants me to play well, obviously, and get what I deserve,” Thomas said. “And that’s to get paid one day.”

There is just no bad blood. Leonard …

There is just no bad blood. Leonard said he has watched some Raptors games and has been impressed with the play of Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby and that he was looking forward to seeing his old teammates when the teams play on Monday. “It’s not like he left (on) bad terms, really,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “It’s one of those leave-good situations, not one of those leave-awful situations. And let’s be honest: In our league, it’s usually the other way. He’s had the benefit, the rare benefit, of being able to leave in a happy state. That’s rare. Has it happened? If it (has), it’s rare.”

Serge Ibaka, centre: Of course he …

Serge Ibaka, centre: Of course he changes (our team). It’s like Freddy says: He’s a superstar. … We already had a good team, and then when you add a guy like him, a superstar, he gives you the next level of being good. That is something we all know. It’s one of the reasons we traded for him. Anunoby: Mad? Nah. He’s a fun guy. He doesn’t get mad. He doesn’t get mad. He’s cool, a cool personality. Always in a good mood.

LaMelo Ball staying in Australia?

Illawarra Hawks insist rumours LaMelo Ball could quit the club mid-season appear off beam after he reinforced his NBA No.1 draft pick claims with his finest NBL performance. The 18-year-old did plenty to excite the NBA scouts as he lit up the court with 24 points -15 from three-pointers – eight assists and six rebounds as he steered the Hawks to a much-needed 101-91 win over Cairns Taipans on Saturday night.