Новости за 21.09.2023

Brian Windhorst on how likely it is for a Damian Lillard trade resolution by the start of the season: The Blazers are trying. For weeks, I don’t think there was any movement, but I do think in these last seven to 10 days, there’s been movement on the Blazers’ front. There are attempts to make things happen. Only the Blazers know what they’re holding in their hands in terms of real offers. … I don’t know what their offers are but I think they are making an attempt to resolve this before training camp. Читать дальше...

NBA on ESPN: Brian Windhorst: I do not expect Donovan Mitchell to sign an extension with the Cavaliers this summer, nor do I expect that to cause a major alarm. I expect him to go into next year. But the way that he handles discussing it is important. Because look at the way Giannis Antetokounmpo has chosen to talk about [his future with his current team]. On his own volition several times this summer, he has basically made it known his future in Milwaukee is not assured. The way Donovan Mitchell... Читать дальше...

Brian Windhorst on how likely it is that Giannis Antetokounmpo is a member of the Bucks after his contract expires: I would say right now it’s 50/50 at best and I don’t think that’s new information, I think the Bucks knew that already. They knew that even before they got knocked out out of the playoffs last year. If you look at the Bucks’ roster, which is primarily in its 30s, if you look at their asset base, which is depleted, and you look at Giannis, who’s 28 years old, these are on different tracks. Читать дальше...

The future Hall-of-Famer also offered up his own personal take on what the best year of his career was, something that’s often debated between the likes of the 2019-20 bubble season, the 2020-21 campaign, and his most recent brilliance from 2022-23. “I feel like this past season was my best season. I had like a 35-game stretch where I averaged like 39. It was like December to March, and I had 50, I had 60, I had 70. I had 40 a bunch of times. And every game I went out there, like, they gone try their hardest to gameplan... Читать дальше...

PHLY_Sports’ Kyle Neubeck upped the ante late Wednesday by saying on his outlet’s podcast that the Bulls “might be trying to move LaVine as part of a multi-team deal just to see if they can get into the Lillard sweepstakes.” Multiple league sources indicated throughout the offseason that the Trail Blazers showed little interest in acquiring LaVine directly, mostly because he doesn’t match their rebuilding path and commitment to a young backcourt of Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons.
Source... Читать дальше...

Naturally there is a ton of excitement about Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 pick in the Draft. What’s realistic for him as a first-year player? Chauncey Billups: Scoot is going to be a star in this league. He plays both sides of the floor with ferocity. He is very, very driven. He’s a playmaker, he’s a real point guard. Got some leadership about him. He looks like he’s the starting safety of the Denver Broncos. He’s going to be an exciting player for the whole world to watch but our fan base, they can rest assured they’ll be entertained. Читать дальше...

Any sense that Lillard lobbying publicly for a trade and where he prefers to go could drain the goodwill he’s built up there? Chauncey Billups: Dame has been incredible. To the fans of Portland, to our organization. He hasn’t been negative at all to anybody in our organization. Dame has been a stand-up guy. A professional the whole way through. It’s the business at hand. I don’t think there’s pressure on either side.
Source: Steve Aschburner @ NBA.com

Here's how NBA Twitter reacted to Buddy Hield trade rumors.

The Indiana Pacers have begun working to find a potential trade for Buddy Hield, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Hield is currently extension-eligible and can also renegotiate his contract with the Pacers, allowing him to increase his $19.3 million salary for this season. Hield rejected a recent extension offer, so the Pacers are expected to listen to trade offers for him.

Austin Rivers is still looking for a home for next season just weeks away from the start of NBA training camps and one potential landing spot may end up being in Boston. The veteran guard revealed in a new appearance on the Bill Simmons podcast that he has reached out to the Celtics directly about joining the team in recent weeks. “I had a great talk with Brad (Stevens) actually like a week ago,” Rivers said.
Source: Brian Robb @ Booth Newspapers

Jason Dumas: Source: Dwight Howard has wrapped up his two-day interview process with the Warriors. A decision could come as soon as today. The vets have signed off on the idea of bringing Dwight into the fold. He will now head to LA to workout with Draymond & CP3 on Thursday.
Source: Twitter @JDumasReports

After contract extension negotiations stalled out, Buddy Hield and the Indiana Pacers have started a dialogue to work on finding a potential trade with another team, league sources say. Hield is open to a trade elsewhere, according to rival team sources, but no deal is imminent and there aren’t any current substantive talks with any other team. The Pacers did offer Hield an extension in recent weeks, but it’s believed their proposal did not make the seven-year guard feel desired, league sources said. Читать дальше...

Daniel Greenberg: According to @KyleNeubeck , the Chicago Bulls have been making calls the last few days trying to get into the Damian Lillard sweepstakes.
Source: Twitter

Damian Lillard on if he had an issue with Blaers drafting Scoot Henderson: No. Me and Scoot Henderson, we’ve had a few conversations with him coming into the league. That wasn’t a deal breaker for me at all. I respect his game. I think in that position he was the best player available, so that’s what you’ve gotta do if you’ve got the pick. I wasn’t offended at all because, at the end of the day, you’ve gotta come in and play. I’ve been doing this for a long time, so to me, that wasn’t a knock on me or anything. Читать дальше...