Jordan Hall Signs With Nets
22 hours agoFree-agent guard Jordan Hall has signed a contract with the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday. The 21-year-old will compete for one of the final roster spots during training camp. Hall appeared in nine games with the San Antonio Spurs last season. During that time, he averaged 3.1 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 8.8 minutes per game. The assumption is that Hall is going to be additional depth. He'll likely spend most of his time in the G-League.Source: Brian Lewis
Xavier Moon Signs With Clippers
22 hours agoFree-agent guard Xavier Moon has signed an Exhibit-10 deal with the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. The 28-year-old will have a chance to compete for a final roster spot during training camp. Moon made four appearances with the Clippers last season. He averaged 1.8 points, 1.3 assists in 5.0 minutes during those four games. He'll attempt to snag one of the remaining two-way roster spots. It's highly unlikely that Moon has any fantasy value even if he makes the team.Source: Michael Scotto
Aleksej Pokusevski To Miss Next Six Weeks
22 hours agoOklahoma City Thunder forward Aleksej Pokusevski (ankle) will be re-evaluated in six weeks after suffering an injury during a workout on Tuesday. This is a tough break for the 21-year-old after he missed the FIBA World Cup due to an arm injury. It seems unlikely that Pokusevski will be contributing by the beginning of the season. The former first round pick has only played in more than 45 games in a single season once through his first three years in the league. This season could go a long way to determining his role in OKC going forward. Pokusevski does have fantasy value, assuming he's able to carve out a significant role in the rotation.Source: Ryan Stiles
Pacers Attempting To Trade Buddy Hield
22 hours agoIndiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield could be on the move soon after extension talks between the two sides stalled out. The organization has reportedly started dialogue to work on finding a potential trade for the veteran guard. The Pacers shouldn't have too many issues finding a new home for Hield. The 30-year-old has a good track record and has been one of the better shooters from deep over the last few seasons. Last season, Hield averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists over 80 games with the Pacers. Those numbers were good enough to be a top-50 player in nine-category formats last season. The assumption is that Hield will be productive wherever he goes, but possibly not as good as he was last season.Source: Shams Charania
Tyrese Haliburton Enters Season With Improved Driving And Scoring Ability
1 day agoIndiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton appears ready to take his game up a further notch in 2023-24, with NBA skills coach Drew Hanlen saying that the young guard has improved his driving and scoring ability the most this offseason. Haliburton became a 20-point scorer for the first time in his career last season, averaging 20.7 points across 56 contests. He was a nightly double-double threat with a 10.4 assists average, and Hanlen sees Haliburton now becoming an even bigger threat for opposing defenses.Source: Drew Hanlen
Tyrese Maxey Expected To Become 25-Point Scorer In 2023-24
1 day agoPhiladelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey is seen as a player who should put up 25 points per game next season. NBA skills coach Drew Hanlen, who has worked with the young Sixers guard, noted that he would be "disappointed" if Maxey doesn't average 25 points in 2023-24. Maxey notched a career-high 20.3 points last season, boosting his previous best by nearly three points. He's taken big strides in the league with each season, and the upcoming campaign shouldn't be any different.Source: Drew Hanlen
Bilal Coulibaly Rated Very Highly By Scouts Ahead Of Rookie Season
1 day agoWashington Wizards small forward Bilal Coulibaly has drawn big praise from multiple scouts ahead of his first NBA season. Josh Robbins of The Athletic recently spoke to three anonymous NBA scouts, and they all agreed that Coulibaly has impressive athleticism and great defensive potential. One of the scouts even noted that "the sky's the limit" for the French forward, who was the seventh pick in this year's NBA Draft. Coulibaly only turned 19 just a couple of months ago, and he's definitely still very raw, but the young forward should have every opportunity to develop on a rebuilding Washington team.Source: Josh Robbins
Bogdan Bogdanovic A "Player To Watch" In Trade Talks
1 day agoAtlanta Hawks guard/forward Bogdan Bogdanovic became trade-eligible on Saturday, and according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, he is a "player to watch" in trade talks. The Serbian sniper has had an up-and-down three-year ride in Atlanta, mostly coming off the bench and battling injuries. In terms of his offensive output, he has been trending down each year, and a move elsewhere could do wonders for his fantasy appeal. Last season, Bogdanovic put up 14.0 points per game in 27.9 minutes, shooting 40.6 percent from three. His ability to make outside shots will definitely bring interest in his services, and Bogdanovic has also just boosted his stock with an outstanding World Cup performance.Source: Michael Scotto
Jalen Duren Reportedly The Favorite To Start At Center For Pistons
1 day agoDetroit Pistons center Jalen Duren is the favorite to start at the center position this season, according to Keith Langlois of NBA.com. The 19-year-old was the NBA's youngest player last season and already earned some starts then, but it looks like he's now set to fill the role full-time. Duren made 67 appearances with 31 starts, averaging 9.1 points and 8.9 rebounds for his rookie campaign. His numbers received a slight bump in the starting unit at 10.5 points and 10.6 rebounds. With James Wiseman, Marvin Bagley III, and Isaiah Stewart also in the mix, Detroit's center situation has looked complicated, but we have gotten some clarity now, and Duren should have a good sophomore season if he hangs on to the starter's position.Source: Keith Langlois
Malcolm Brogdon Angry With Celtics Following Trade Attempt
1 day agoBoston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon is reportedly angry with the team after the Celtics tried to trade him to the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason. "Malcolm is the one I'm concerned about, too, because we've heard nothing," Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe said on a recent episode of the Celtics Beat podcast when discussing pre-training camp injuries. "And he's angry with the team. So, I don't think communication between the two sides has been fruitful." Brogdon suffered an elbow injury in the Eastern Conference Finals. Washburn suggested that Brogdon might elect to skip surgery, which will slow his recovery process, to fix the issue as something of a revenge act for the team's trade attempt.Source: Gary Washburn
Damian Lillard Trade Rumors Starting To Pick Up
3 days agoAccording to NBA insider Marc J. Spears, the Trail Blazers have talked with "several teams" regarding a trade surrounding All-Star guard Damian Lillard. The veteran expressed his desire to play in Miami for the last few months. However, since a deal with the Heat doesn't look promising, Lillard recently indicated he would report to training camp for any team, including Portland. Interestingly enough, Spears stopped short of naming "another Eastern Conference" franchise that could emerge for Lillard's services. But for now, not much has changed, although updates should intensify with the start of the season right around the corner.Source: Marc J. Spears
Clippers Move On From James Harden Trade
3 days agoThe Los Angeles Clippers were reportedly the desired trade spot for superstar guard James Harden this offseason. Harden has quickly become frustrated in Philadelphia and made it known he wants to be traded this offseason. The Clippers and 76ers discussed a possible Harden trade, but they never finalized anything. Now, it appears the Clippers are ready to move on from Harden trade discussions. It remains to be seen what Harden plans to do if the Sixers are unable to find a trade partner before the beginning of the season. It looks like the Clippers are out on Harden for now, so the Sixers will likely have to look elsewhere.Source: Realgm.com
Zhaire Smith Signs Exhibit-10 Deal
3 days agoFree-agent guard Zhaire Smith has agreed to an exhibit-10 deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 24-year-old is attempting to make an NBA comeback, but will have to compete for a roster spot in training camp. Smith was the 16th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2018 NBA Draft. He played 13 total games across two seasons with the Sixers. Smith was an impressive prospect out of Texas Tech, but it's hard to imagine him carving out a legitimate role on this Cavs roster.Source: Michael Scotto
Daishen Nix To Join Timberwolves
3 days agoFree-agent guard Daishen Nix has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 21-year-old will head to training camp with the Wolves and attempt to make the final roster. Nix has spent each of the last two seasons with the Houston Rockets. Last season, Nix averaged 4.0 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists through 16.0 minutes per game in 57 contests. The expectation is that Nix will serve as depth for the T-Wolves next season. It's tough to imagine him having reliable fantasy value to begin the season.Source: Shams Charania
Jose Alvarado Uncertain For Training Camp
3 days agoNew Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (ankle) has suffered an injury during a workout over the weekend. The 25-year-old was beginning to ramp up his basketball activities after missing the FIBA World Cup due to a leg injury. Now, his availability is uncertain for training camp. The Pelicans first preseason game is on Oct. 10, so Alvarado does have time to heal up before the beginning of the season. Last season, Alvarado averaged 9.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 21.5 minutes per game through 61 contests with the Pelicans. The expectation is that he'll have a similar role once again, assuming he's healthy for the beginning of the season.Source: Shams Charania