Tag: Saddiq Bey

Rockets reportedly interested in signing ‘two-way veteran’ in free agency

Alec Burks, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Eric Gordon could be names to watch as the Rockets pursue a “two-way veteran” in free agency, Kelly Iko reports.

Guards and wings such as Alec Burks, Talen Horton-Tucker, Saddiq Bey, and Eric Gordon are names to watch as the Rockets pursue two-way veteran players in free agency, The Athletic’s Kelly Iko reports.

Houston has several spending tools available to use in the 2024 offseason, including the non-taxpayer mid-level exception — which offers a starting salary of approximately $13 million annually.

Head coach Ime Udoka previously identified shooting and defensive versatility as among the team’s needs this offseason. But according to Iko, it’s important that both of those come in the same package, so that Houston isn’t sacrificing one for the sake of the other.

Iko writes:

Shooting is seen as paramount but simply adding sharpshooters who can’t defend is not ideal. So, a player like Doug McDermott wouldn’t be a fit with Udoka.

Two-way veterans like Alec Burks, Gary Harris, Talen Horton-Tucker and Saddiq Bey (among others) are of interest, but Bey’s restricted free agency makes things difficult. Free agent Eric Gordon is “50-50” on a return to Phoenix, according to a source close to the veteran guard, but is also interested in a Rockets reunion.

From the 2023-24 season, key statistics for those players are:

  • Alec Burks (Pistons, Knicks): 10.4 points in 18.4 minutes; 37.6% on 3-pointers
  • Talen Horton-Tucker (Jazz): 10.1 points, 3.5 assists in 19.8 minutes; 33.0% on 3-pointers
  • Saddiq Bey (Hawks): 13.7 points, 6.5 rebounds in 32.7 minutes; 31.6% on 3-pointers
  • Eric Gordon (Suns): 11.0 points, 2.0 assists in 27.8 minutes; 37.8% on 3-pointers

2024 NBA free agency agreements can be reached between teams and external players starting on the night of Sunday, June 30.

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Ranking the 20 most interesting NBA players who could get traded and where each may go

A look at the players who could be dealt by Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.

The NBA trade deadline is one week from Thursday, and while it might seem quieter than normal, there could still be a lot of activity.

Even if there isn’t a looming blockbuster move like when the Nets and Sixers swapped James Harden and Ben Simmons last season, there are teams around the league that could have an entirely different roster before the beginning of the All-Star break.

While there are some obvious sellers (e.g. Pistons, Hornets, Spurs, Rockets), others (e.g. Raptors, Pacers, Jazz) have slightly less clear intentions.

Based on the latest rumors and intel provided by insiders around the NBA, these are the players considered most likely to get traded — and where each player is rumored to go.

But remember: The trade deadline is always full of surprises. No one in the league predicted the Kings would have traded Tyrese Haliburton last season! So in addition to these players, expect the unexpected.

March Madness has officially fallen upon the NBA with so many 50-point games in the month

SO. MANY. 50. POINT. GAMES.

If you feel like there’s been a ton of wild scoring performances in the NBA lately, you’re not tripping. There have definitely been more than usual.

There’s definitely a wild scoring kick going on around the league. It’s apparently a historic one, too.

One week Jayson Tatum gets a 50-point game. Then LeBron does it. Then…LeBron again?!? Then Kevin Durant does it. Then…Karl-Anthony Towns, you too? Kyrie? KYRIE?!?!?

And, now, Saddiq Bey?!? No, seriously. Saddiq Bey just dropped off the Orlando Magic with 51 points, 10 rebounds and 10 3-pointers (!!!!). There’s something about the Magic in March that just has people going off against them.

There was even a point where he scored 5 points in 7 seconds. No, seriously.

That’s just the sort of March the NBA has been having, man. With Bey’s performance here, this officially became the most 50-point game in the month surpassing the 7 we had just a few years ago in 2019, per ESPN.

The history doesn’t stop there. Keep in mind that it’s only March 18. There are still about two weeks left in the month. And that means there’s a chance we’ll get a few more of these games.

If we do, it’ll be the most we’ve seen since 1962, per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.

Now that’s what I call March Madness. Will this happen? Probably not. But you can best believe everyone is rooting for it.

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Pistons’ Saddiq Bey, after dropping career-high 51 points, said dyed green hair is to channel The Joker

Saddiq Bey used to listen to ‘The Joker’ soundtrack before big games.

If you were wondering why Detroit Pistons forward Saddiq Bey looked so serious after scoring a career-high 51 points, there is a perfectly good reason.

It was objectively hilarious to have the only NBA game scheduled during the first day of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament be a lowly showdown between two of the league’s worst teams, Bey’s dominance against Orlando was no joke.

Bey, one of the more promising young sharpshooters in the league, went off against the Magic on Thursday. His career-best performance, which included an absurd ten 3-pointers, also came with a career-best quote.

After the game, the former Villanova standout was hit with an odd question.

The Athletic’s James Edwards, who does fantastic work covering the Pistons, asked Bey where his “villain mentality” comes from. But somehow, without even missing a beat, the 6-foot-7 forward had an excellent answer prepared.

Bey said that he actually derives his villain mentality from loving The Joker.

Believe it or not, this is not news for me. When I spoke with Bey and interviewed him during the pre-draft process, he had a somewhat similar answer for me when I asked what he listened to before he played big games (via HoopsHype):

“I actually used to listen to The Joker soundtrack. It’s crazy to say but I did. He is my favorite character in the Batman universe. If you listen to it when you watch the movie, you’ll hear little things that capture the moment. That helps set the mood for how I’m going to play on the court. I can’t explain it because it’s just so personal to me.”

For the average person reading this, and learning that he also has his hair partially dyed green as a tribute to the iconic Batman role, it might be strange to learn just how much Bey likes this nefarious character.

However, if it helps him on the court, I think it’s only a good thing for both Bey and the Pistons. Basketball is a hard game and if it takes channeling Joaquin Phoenix or Heath Ledger of Jack Nicholson in order to compete at the highest level, go for it.

Bey, 22, was a top-20 pick in the 2020 NBA draft and is enjoying a solid sophomore campaign as a professional basketball player. He is averaging 16.3 points per game for the Pistons and he has started all 70 games of the season.

Only five players in the league have played a larger percentage of possible minutes for their team than Bey has logged for Detroit.

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NBA Rising Stars: Cade Cunningham named MVP to lead Team Barry to win

Cade Cunningham was named MVP of the NBA Rising Stars game to lead Team Barry to the championship and tip off All-Star Weekend.

Detroit Pistons rookie Cade Cunningham on Friday was named the Most Valuable Player of the NBA Rising Stars game to lead Team Barry to the championship and tip off All-Star Weekend from Cleveland, Ohio.

Cunningham recorded five points, including a huge 3-pointer late, three assists and two rebounds in the final game over Team Isiah. He scored a team-high 13 points, six assists and five rebounds to lead Team Barry in the semifinal round versus Team Payton.

Orlando Magic rookie Franz Wagner sent Team Barry to the win after hitting his first free throw to cross the 25-point threshold to win. The teams played to 50 points in the semifinal round and 25 points in the final to commemorate the 75th-anniversary season of the NBA.

Here is how each player and team fared in the competition.

NBA Rising Stars 2022: Player pool revealed for revamped game format

The NBA on Tuesday unveiled the 28 players set to participate in the Rising Stars game during All-Star Weekend.

The NBA on Tuesday unveiled the list of 28 players set to participate in the annual Rising Stars game on Feb. 18 as part of All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, Ohio.

The showcase game will feature four seven-player teams competing in a mini-tournament consisting of three games. Each game will be played to a final target score, meaning that a game will end with a made basket or a made free throw instead of a running clock.

The semifinal games will be played to a final target score of 50 with the final game being played to 25, for a total of 75 points across the semifinal and final to celebrate the league’s 75th anniversary season.

NBA All-Star Game: Rookie players to earn All-Star selections

The pool of 28 players for the game consists of 12 first-year players, 12 second-year players and four players from the NBA G League Ignite. The rookies and sophomores were selected by assistant coaches and the Ignite players were chosen by G League head coaches.

The teams will be coached by members of the NBA’s 75th-anniversary team. The coaches will select their rosters in a Rising Stars draft with each team consisting of seven players, including one from the Ignite. The details of the coaches and draft will be announced at a later date.

TNT will televise the competition beginning at 9 p.m. EST.

What’s behind the Pistons’ hot start to the new year and can they keep going?

It’s only been three games, but the Pistons already have more wins in January than they did in all of December

For the first time since last March, the Detroit Pistons can say they’ve built a winning streak.

After victories over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday and Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, Detroit was undefeated in the New Year and already has more wins in January than it did in all of December.

A 140-111 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday snapped the streak but left a few lingering questions.

Did the Pistons simply get lucky against teams that underperformed, or did they finally turn a corner with a young roster, doing things that can lead to sustained competitiveness?

A look at the tape – and the numbers – suggests it’s the latter. If the Pistons can sustain the type of defensive activity they’ve shown the last couple games, they’ll continue to prove so.

Against the defending NBA champion Bucks this week, the Pistons played with an energy on the defensive side of the ball that wasn’t present when these teams last met. Whether it’s young players gaining a better understanding of defensive assignments and rotations or coach Dwane Casey finally hammering home the importance of defending, they’ve been getting to the ball faster and with an urgency that simply didn’t exist before this stretch.

According to NBA Stats, the Pistons rank fourth in the number of average field goal attempts they’ve contested in their previous two games before losing to Charlotte—a huge leap for a team that is bottom five on the season. In those games, their opponent field goal percentage on defended shots dropped by more than five percentage points.

Detroit’s improved defensive effort can actually be traced back four games when they played the New York Knicks. The Pistons lost, but they held the Knicks to just 94 points on 38 percent shooting from the field and 26 percent from three—bad by even the Knicks’ low standards. Before Wednesday, the Pistons held a defensive rating of 103.8 in their last three games, a dramatic improvement on their 110.5 for the year and a number that would rank second in the NBA over the entire season.

There have also been other variables impacting Detroit’s performance, too. Saddiq Bey is in the midst of a career stretch, averaging 25 points in his last nine games, 29 in the last three, and he hit the game-winner against the Spurs. Against Milwaukee, top draft pick Cade Cunningham, Trey Lyles, Killian Hayes, Josh Jackson and others returned to the lineup from COVID-19 protocols. But at the root of their mini-win streak, no matter who was in the lineup, was an ability to get stops. 

Detroit may not make the postseason anytime soon with, but the rebuild is beginning to show signs of life that didn’t exist when the year began. That can only help push the franchise along as it looks to become a powerhouse in the East once again. 

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Luka Garza’s first double-double helps Pistons players make history

Garza, along with Saddiq Bey and Hamidou Diallo, accomplished something no teammates have done in 50 years.

Saddiq Bey on Saturday drained a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds left in overtime to send the Detroit Pistons to a victory over the San Antonio Spurs and snap a four-game losing streak.

Bey finished with 21 points and 17 rebounds while Hamidou Diallo scored a game-high 34 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Pistons during the 117-116 win. Pistons rookie Luka Garza had 20 points and a career-high 14 rebounds for his second 20-point game.

With Bey, Diallo and Garza each recording at least 20 points and 14 rebounds, they became just the third trio of teammates to reach those numbers in the same game in the past 50 years.

Garza recently stepped into the rotation with the Pistons dealing with a lengthy injury report with players banged up and in the health and safety protocol. He has started in each of the past three games, averaging 14.7 points and 9.7 rebounds over that span.

Detroit is in mostly a developmental role this season and has had the opportunity to get extended looks at several players on the roster, including Garza. He has played sparingly this season but has flashed his potential this week in an increased role.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Pistons’ Saddiq Bey doesn’t believe loss of Cade Cunningham is a setback

The Pistons have gone with a next-man-up approach so far in training camp without Cunningham.

Cade Cunningham has yet to suit up with the Detroit Pistons in the preseason but teammate Saddiq Bey doesn’t believe his absence is a big setback for the team.

Cunningham turned his ankle in practice last week and has been unable to fully participate in training camp. He missed the Pistons’ preseason opener on Wednesday versus the San Antonio Spurs but is progressing toward a return to the court.

Without Cunningham, the Pistons have relied on their depth in the backcourt with the likes of Rodney McGruder, Saben Lee, Cory Joseph and Hamidou Diallo. The team, as Bey said, has gone with a next-man-up approach so far in training camp.

I don’t really think it’s a big setback. He is really attentive during practices and he knows what we’re doing, our sets and concepts. The next man up is ready in filling their role as well so everybody kinda knows what we’re doing; everybody knows each other’s games. I don’t think it’s a setback at all.

While the team is moving toward the next man, Cunningham is still missing out on a valuable opportunity to play during training camp and the preseason. He is still able to learn and be around the team off the court but he will be a bit behind on the court.

Cunningham has been highly touted for his basketball IQ and knowledge of the game so he likely will be able to pick things up rather quickly. Certainly, the Pistons and Cunningham himself can’t wait until he can take the court.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Pistons’ Saddiq Bey promoted to Team USA for Olympic exhibition games

Bey is reportedly among three players that will be promoted from the USA Basketball select team to the Olympic team.

Detroit Pistons guard Saddiq Bey is reportedly among three players that will be promoted from the USA Basketball select team to the Olympic team for five upcoming exhibition games, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Bey, along with San Antonio Spurs guard Keldon Johnson and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland, will be filling in for Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton during the exhibition games. Those three players will join the team after the NBA Finals.

The U.S. will begin its exhibition schedule on Saturday versus Nigeria from Las Vegas, Nevada (8 p.m. EST on NBC Sports Network). The Americans will then play two games against Australia and wrap up exhibition play with one game apiece versus Argentina and Spain.

Bey, who was named to the NBA All-Rookie first team, was among 17 players named to the select team that practiced and scrimmaged against the Olympic team this week. Bey said earlier this week he was surprised to receive the invitation but was excited nonetheless.

“It is my first time being a part of a USA event so it’s a blessing and an honor,” Bey said on Tuesday. “Once I found out, I was ecstatic for the opportunity and continue to work and trying to be the best I can and help the main team bring home the gold.”

Preliminary play in the Olympics, which will feature 12 teams across three groups, will begin July 25 and run through Aug. 2. The quarterfinals will start on Aug. 3 and consist of the top two teams in each group from the preliminary phase.

USA Basketball was placed into Group A for the Olympics, which also features France, the Czech Republic and Iran. The U.S. will open with France on July 25 at 8 a.m. EST.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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