Tag: Memphis Grizzlies

Report: Grizzlies, Hornets seeking trade with Rockets for No. 3 pick; Marcus Smart of interest

Memphis and Charlotte are interested in trading for the No. 3 draft pick, Kelly Iko reports, with veteran Marcus Smart of some interest to Houston.

Memphis and Charlotte are the teams most aggressively calling the Houston Rockets in pursuit of a trade for the No. 3 overall pick of the 2024 NBA draft, The Athletic’s Kelly Iko reports.

The Grizzlies and Hornets are currently slotted at No. 9 and No. 6 in the first-round order, so a trade could potentially include that pick and some form of further sweetener in exchange for the No. 3.

Iko writes:

The Grizzlies and Hornets, in particular, have been rather aggressive in their hopes of acquiring the No. 3 pick, sources said.

Both general manager Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka are fans of veteran guard Marcus Smart, league sources said. Is there a possibility Memphis could entice Houston by offering Smart in addition to the No. 9 pick and future assets, to move up and grab [Donovan] Clingan if he isn’t already gone? Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht, who has fans within the Rockets organization, could be available if Houston were to move back.

Smart was a starter for Udoka’s 2021-22 Celtics, when they reached the 2022 NBA Finals and won the Eastern Conference. He won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award for that season.

Now 30 years old, Smart should have at least a few prime playing years left. Because of that, Memphis isn’t likely to treat him as a throw-in to a potential deal. Thus, whether such a trade is possible could come down to what names are on the board at the No. 3 slot.

For example, Iko writes that Clingan — a strong, rim-protecting center out of Connecticut — could make sense for the Grizzlies. However, if Clingan is off the board, it’s unclear whether a proposal from Memphis would include an asset as desirable as Smart.

The first round takes place next Wednesday night, June 26.

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OKC Thunder’s 2024 Salt Lake City Summer League schedule revealed

OKC Thunder’s 2024 Salt Lake City Summer League schedule revealed.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will again participate in the Salt Lake City summer league. The three-day event features four squads. It is an additional three games for the Thunder to join that accompany their traditional Las Vegas summer league schedule.

The SLC summer league will feature the Thunder, Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers and Memphis Grizzlies. Every team will play each other once. It will take place from July 8-10 — two days before the Las Vegas summer league, which spans from July 12-22.

The Thunder will play three games in three days at Utah. The full details on the slate are below:

  • Thunder vs. Sixers on Monday, July 8 at 6 p.m. CT
  • Thunder vs. Jazz on Tuesday, July 9 at 8 p.m. CT
  • Grizzlies vs. Thunder on Wednesday, July 10 at 8 p.m. CT

This will be the first time the Thunder’s newest additions can suit up for the NBA squad. OKC enters the 2024 NBA draft with the No. 12 selection. Expect it to add undrafted rookies who will look to stick to the NBA.

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Adem Bona lands eith Grizzlies in ClutchPoints mock draft

Bona to Memphis again.

Where will UCLA Bruins star Adem Bona land in the 2024 NBA mock draft? There has been a variety of landing spots for Bona, with some even having him go in the first round.

Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints had his mock draft 3.0 and had Bona at the start of the second round going to the Memphis Grizzlies at 39th overall.

39. Memphis Grizzlies – C Adem Bona – UCLA

The Grizzlies need a big man. If they are unable to trade up for Donovan Clingan, Adem Bona in the second round is not a bad option, seeing as he is comparable to Xavier Tillman Sr., who found success in Memphis before being traded to the Celtics. Bona is a strong big man who tends to play well in pick-and-roll sets, as well as in the paint as a rebounder on both sides of the court.

Siegel also had Bona going to the Grizzlies in a previous mock draft, so this could be an ideal landing spot for both sides.

NBA players paid tribute to Jerry West after the death of the logo, former MVP, and executive

NBA players paid tribute to one of the greatest to ever do it.

Jerry West, the 1969 NBA Finals MVP and 1972 NBA champion, has died. He was 86 years old.

West, who remains the logo of the league, was one of the most accomplished individuals in basketball history. Not only was a 14-time All-Star (earning the nod every year he played) but he was just as successful, if not more so, after his playing career.

He won eight championships as an executive, helping assemble some of the greatest teams to ever step on the court, including uniting Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal on the Los Angeles Lakers.

West was named NBA’s Executive of the Year two times, receiving the honor in 1995 and 2004.

His life touched decades of players and his memory was honored by several around the league who had the opportunity to learn from him on and off the court.

NBA players remembered The Logo

Adem Bona to Grizzlies in ClutchPoints 2.0 mock draft

Bona to Memphis again.

Where will UCLA Bruins big man Adem Bona land in the 2024 NBA Draft? The second round has been the most common projection for Bona after the NBA Combine concluded.

It has been a flurry of different teams, ranging from the Indiana Pacers to the Los Angeles Clippers and even the Boston Celtics in the first round of one mock.

Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints had Bona going to the Clippers in his first mock draft, but now he has Bona going at No. 39 to the Grizzlies in his latest mock:

At some point, the Grizzlies will grab a big man either in free agency or during the NBA Draft. Assuming they don’t end up with Clingan, Adem Bona could be a solid fit in Memphis, given the aggressiveness and strength he plays with. Honestly, there are some similarities that can be drawn to Xavier Tillman here. Bona is a strong big man who tends to play well in pick-and-roll sets as well as in the paint as a rebounder on both sides of the court. There isn’t much reason to believe that Bona can’t make a difference defensively early on in his career.

Bona impressed a lot of scouts at the NBA Combine, and landing in Memphis is an ideal spot for him.

Report: Rockets talking to Nets, Grizzlies about trades involving No. 3 draft pick

Brooklyn (Mikal Bridges) and Memphis (No. 9 pick and more) are potential trade partners for the Rockets with their No. 3 overall draft pick, Kevin O’Connor reports.

Through great lottery luck, the Rockets landed the No. 3 overall draft pick in the NBA’s 2024 first round. Yet, with a clear emphasis on winning now under head coach Ime Udoka and a young core that already consists of six first-round prospects from each of the previous three years, it’s unclear if Houston has the immediate playing time available to develop a player drafted that high in the order.

Thus, expectations are for the Rockets to actively engage in trade talks leading up to the June 26 first round.

Per Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, a longtime league insider, two candidates could already be at the front of the line.

As part of the video reveal of his latest mock draft (via YouTube), O’Connor says of the Rockets and the No. 3 pick:

The Rockets, according to my sources, are listening to trade offers for that No. 3 pick. They’re talking to the Nets, they’re talking to the Grizzlies. They could end up moving down to No. 9, if it’s Memphis, or out, if it’s Brooklyn — and then get back Mikal Bridges.

In the Memphis scenario, the Rockets would likely get some combination of future draft assets and/or a current role player in exchange for moving down from No. 3 to No. 9. The Grizzlies are seemingly targeting Connecticut center Donovan Clingan at No. 3, and the Rockets could have less of a need for Clingan — since they already have a talented young starter at center in Alperen Sengun.

In the Brooklyn scenario, Bridges would potentially be an upgrade over Dillon Brooks at small forward. He’s under contract for two more seasons at an average annual value of near $24 million.

Earlier this year, Houston reportedly inquired about Bridges, but the Nets had no interest in trading him at that time. But in the aftermath of a 32-50 season, perhaps the thinking has changed.

O’Connor didn’t report who Houston’s matching salary along with the No. 3 pick would be in any trade. To make a deal work under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Rockets would need to send out something in the range of $20-25 million in 2024-25 salary.

That might be Brooks ($22.3 million), but time will tell as to whether the Nets are interested in such an arrangement.

Now 27 years old, Bridges averaged 19.6 points (43.6% FG, 37.2% on 3-pointers), 4.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game last season. He’s also well regarded for his defensive talent and versatility.

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LOOK: Former Spartan working with Xavier Booker

Xavier Booker is putting in work with a former Spartan

Xavier Booker was a 5-star coming into MSU in the 2023 recruiting class. Booker, who has high expectations among the fanbase, is someone that fans are expecting a big season from in the 2024-25 campaign. If the Spartans are going to have the success fans desire in 2024-25, Booker is going to be a key component in that happening.

Here at the start of summer, it appears that Booker is getting some good work in with a former Spartan many believe Booker should be modeling his game after.

https://x.com/ssn_nba/status/1795952112414720266?s=46&t=wsijTQ4eyzHYcpF51dS9BA

Yes, Booker is getting workouts in with Jaren Jackson Jr., who is the player comparison that fits Booker best.

 

New trade proposal would send Chicago Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic to Memphis Grizzlies for wing depth

Would both parties pull the trigger on this hypothetical swap?

A Bleacher Report new trade proposal would send veteran Chicago Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic to Memphis Grizzlies for wing depth. The deal, cooked up by B/R league analyst Andy Bailey, would send Vooch to Memphis for sharpshooting 2 guard Luke Kennard and backup forward Ziaire Williams.

Pointing to the fact that while it might have been helpful for the Griz’ Jaren Jackson Jr. to have tried playing the 4 with center Stephen Adams out, it became clear he is more of a power forward in Bailey’s estimation. “He’s also more effective defensively when a burlier big takes the post presence while he’s allowed to roam,” writes the author.

Vooch “doesn’t check the defensive boxes the way Adams does, but he is more functionally a 5 than JJJ,” he adds.

“Having a starting five with two shooting bigs—Vooch made a respectable 35.9% of his triples over the three seasons prior to this one—could give Morant wider driving lanes than he’s ever seen,” writes Bailey.

“This price may seem steep, but losing Kennard stings less when you consider the ascension of Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson. And Ziaire Williams is effectively the functional equivalent of including a second-round pick in the deal.”

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NBA All-Rookie: Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren unanimously voted to first team

Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren and Brandon Miller headlined the 2023-24 NBA All-Rookie first team announced on Monday.

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren and Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller headlined the 2023-24 NBA All-Rookie first team announced on Monday by the league.

Wembanyama, the Rookie of the Year, and Holmgren were unanimous selections to the first team, earning all 99 votes from a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Miller finished in third place with 97 first-team votes.

Joining the trio are Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski. Jaquez received 89 first-place votes, while Podziemski earned 64 in the final tally released in the announcement by the league.

Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II, Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson, Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George, Thunder guard Cason Wallace and Memphis Grizzlies guard GG Jackson II were named to the All-Rookie second team.

Jackson, after a strong finish to the season, edged Warriors center Trayce Jackson-Davis, Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson and Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson for the 10th and final place on the second team.

The 10 players selected to the two teams emerged as the top of the class following productive campaigns. They each have bright futures ahead and are cornerstones for their respective organizations.

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Grayson Allen, Luke Kennard end NBA season as the two best 3-point shooters

Grayson Allen and Luke Kennard, two of the best Blue Devils of the last decade, finished first and second in 3-point percentage for the 2023-24 NBA season.

The two best 3-point shooters during the 2023-24 season both played their college basketball in Durham.

Grayson Allen and Luke Kennard finished as the two most accurate 3-point shooters this past season.

Allen, who played for the Phoenix Suns, connected on 46.1% of his attempts. Kennard, a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, made 45.0% of his looks.

Both former Duke stars balanced their consistency with volume, too. Allen averaged 5.9 3-point attempts per game and Kennard averaged 6.1. Only two other players in the league finished above 43% while averaging at least five 3-point attempts per game.

Kennard played in only 39 games for the Grizzlies, but he averaged 25.6 minutes over those appearances. Allen averaged 33.5 minutes across 75 games for Phoenix.

The two played together at Cameron Indoor Stadium, too. Allen’s career started during the 2014-15 season before wrapping up as a senior in 2017-18. Kennard joined the program one year after Allen in 2015-16, but he left for the NBA after his sophomore year in 2017.

Allen’s Suns made the playoffs, but they lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opening round.