On the heels of a three-game winning streak that put them in play-in position, the Trail Blazers have lost back-to-back games at home and have slipped to 12-18, a half-game ahead of Dallas for the No. 10 spot in the Western Conference. As Joe Freeman of The Oregonian writes in a subscriber-only story, what was supposed to be a season of hope for a Blazers team looking to build … [Read more...] about Northwest Notes: Blazers, Grant, Thunder, B. Brown
Trade Rumors: Sexton, Wolves, Pelicans, Hawks, Bagley
Although the Hornets are willing to discuss potential trades, they still hope they can contend for a play-in spot and aren’t looking to simply sell off veterans, writes Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link). According to Fischer, veteran guard Collin Sexton and his expiring $19MM contract looks like Charlotte’s most logical trade candidate. Minnesota is one team that … [Read more...] about Trade Rumors: Sexton, Wolves, Pelicans, Hawks, Bagley
Southwest Notes: Irving, Zion, Borrego, Rockets
Brett Siegel of Clutch Points wrote on Friday that it “truly seems” as if Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving will be able to return from his ACL tear at some point in January. However, head coach Jason Kidd said this week that there’s still no specific timeline for Irving as he works his way through the rehab process, writes Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal. “There’s no … [Read more...] about Southwest Notes: Irving, Zion, Borrego, Rockets
Ime Udoka Fined $25K For Comments About Officiating
The NBA has fined Rockets head coach Ime Udoka $25K for his public criticism of the officiating after Monday’s overtime loss to the Nuggets, per a league press release (Twitter link). Speaking to reporters after Monday’s game, Udoka referred to it as “the most poorly officiated game I’ve seen in a long time” (Twitter video link via Vanessa Richardson). “Two (referees) have no … [Read more...] about Ime Udoka Fined $25K For Comments About Officiating
Western Notes: Powell, Beringer, Two-Ways, Booker, Suns
Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban shot down a report indicating that big man Dwight Powell will likely retire at the end of this season, tweeting that it’s “not true.” Powell, 34, no longer plays a significant role in Dallas, but has been with the Mavericks for over a decade and has appeared in 20 of the club’s 25 games so far this season, averaging 10.9 minutes per … [Read more...] about Western Notes: Powell, Beringer, Two-Ways, Booker, Suns