Lakers’ final call on Westbrook ‘experiment’; title contenders eye key move: NBA Rumour Mill
The LA Lakers have seemingly had a change of coronary heart on the subject of doubtlessly buying and selling one in all their stars.
Plus a number one championship contender is reportedly in search of depth to strengthen their roster forward of a title push.
Catch up on the entire newest whispers in our NBA Rumour Mill!
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LAKERS LOOKING LIKELY TO KEEP WESTBROOK
All the speak all through the offseason and the Lakers’ disappointing 5-10 begin has been when, and for who, not if Los Angeles would commerce level guard Russell Westbrook.
However, with the 2017 league MVP impressing in a brand new function off the bench and the workforce just lately occurring a three-game profitable streak, his potential departure could also be much less inevitable than as soon as assumed.
According to a report by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, quite a lot of executives across the league suppose that Los Angeles could have second ideas about buying and selling the nine-time NBA All-Star now that his play helps the workforce win video games.
“Some executives believe the Lakers will stand pat and ride out the Westbrook experiment if he continues to produce off the bench,” he mentioned.
Since taking on the reserve level guard function, the two-time league main scorer has been averaging 16.8 factors (up from 10.3), 8.6 assists (up from 4.3) and 5 rebounds per recreation whereas capturing 43.6 p.c from the sector (up from 28.9) and 39.6 p.c from three (up from 8.3), an enormous enchancment on his 30.5 p.c capturing from past the arc for his profession.
Westbrook’s play has improved so dramatically since being faraway from the Lakers’ beginning rotation that he has firmed right into a $2.50 favorite to take out the coveted NBA Sixth Man of the Year award this season.
Odds courtesy of TAB
SUNS EYEING REINFORCEMENTS
The Phoenix Suns are reportedly wanting to pursue a commerce for Atlanta Hawks wing Bogdan Bogdanović, in keeping with The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor.
“League sources say Bogdanović remains on Phoenix’s radar; he checks a lot of boxes as a shooter, ball-handler, and rock-solid defender,” he wrote.
The Serbian worldwide would doubtless assist Phoenix fill the three-and-d function of their rotation, with the Suns nonetheless in search of to commerce Jae Crowder.
However, Bogdanović would doubtless be an improve on Crowder, having averaged 15.1 factors (in comparison with 9.4) and 4.0 rebounds per recreation final 12 months with the Hawks, spending time as each a starter and reserve. He shot 36.8 p.c from three-point territory (in comparison with 34.8) after displaying extra vary in 2021-22 when he hit 43.8 p.c of his makes an attempt (in comparison with 39.9).
The 30-year-old is but to play in 2022-23 as he recovers from a knee harm suffered final season, however reportedly took half in three-on-three motion throughout apply for the primary time Sunday.
Bogdanović isn’t the one participant the Western Conference leaders are fascinated by, with earlier reviews indicating that the Suns are available in the market for function gamers reminiscent of Harrison Barnes of the Sacramento Kings, Kyle Kuzma of the Washington Wizards and Kenyon Martin Jr. of the Houston Rockets, in keeping with Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Charania additionally reported that John Collins from the Atlanta Hawks was on Phoenix’s radar, however that the Suns appear “uninclined to take on the long-term money” of his deal throughout his second season of a five-year, $125 million contract.
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MAVS LINKED TO GUARD AS KNICKS CHASE FUTURE FIRST ROUND PICK
The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly being touted as a attainable vacation spot for New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley as they chase help for star level guard Luka Doncic, in keeping with Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports.
“Dallas is a team that would fit the profile,” a Western Conference government instructed Deveney.
“He [Quickley] would be a good fit there, but they’re trying to get deeper all over, so it is hard to say where they will focus. Point guard is a need.”
The government reportedly additionally believes the Mavericks would want to half with not less than a first-round draft choose to persuade the Knicks to half with Quickley as they’re chasing ammunition to commerce for an enormous identify star.
“The Knicks are still trying to stockpile picks,” the manager mentioned.
“That is what it is all about for them. They are approaching things like there will be a star who they can get – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Davis, [Kevin] Durant, Karl-Anthony Towns, someone – a star who comes on the market soon. They want picks. If they can get two first-rounders for Quickley, they would, but that is too high a price. Maybe a young guy or a prospect playing in Europe, someone like that, and a first-rounder, a protected first-rounder, that is probably where the market ends up on him.”
The Mavericks are hoping to go not less than one step additional within the playoffs this season after dropping 4-1 to eventual champions, the Golden State Warriors, within the Western Conference finals final 12 months.
Despite Doncic seemingly taking his play to a different stage this season, he’s equal $3.50 favorite to win his first league MVP award, Dallas have regarded like a one man present as they at present languish in eighth spot within the stacked Western Conference with a middling 9-7 file.
If they wish to make a critical title run, they may doubtless have to make strikes all through the season to enhance their depth and relieve among the burden positioned on their 23-year-old face of the franchise following the lack of Jaylen Brunson in free company this previous offseason.
Odds courtesy of TAB
TEAMS MONITORING TROUBLED STAR
The Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons are reportedly among the many groups “monitoring” Miles Bridges’ free company scenario, in keeping with Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The 24-year-old stays a restricted free agent after he pleaded no contest to a felony home violence cost on Nov. 3 as a part of a take care of prosecutors and was sentenced to 3 years of probation. He can be required to attend home violence counseling and parenting courses, bear weekly drug testing and full 100 hours of neighborhood service.
Bridges was arrested on June 29 after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend in entrance of their two youngsters.
The NBA is investigating the ahead and may nonetheless high-quality, droop or disqualify him if it determines he violated its coverage on home violence, sexual assault and little one abuse.
Bridges had the most effective season of his profession in 2021-22, averaging 20.2 factors, 7.0 rebounds and three.8 assists in 80 video games whereas capturing 49.1 p.c from the ground and 33.1 p.c from past the arc.
Since the Hornets prolonged their former first-round draft choose a qualifying supply earlier than he was arrested, they’ll match any supply he receives from one other franchise. According to an earlier report by Eric Pincus of the Bleacher Report an “executive familiar with the Hornets’ thinking” believes the franchise nonetheless views Bridges as a “core piece”.
EAST CONTENDERS ‘ENGAGED’ IN TALKS FOR CROWDER
Two of the highest Eastern Conference playoff hopefuls are reportedly fascinated by making an attempt to amass the companies of disgruntled Phoenix Suns ahead Jae Crowder by way of commerce, in keeping with Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Charania reported that each the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks “have been engaged” with the Suns in commerce negotiations centered on Crowder.
The former second-round draft choose had been a productive member of a Phoenix workforce that made back-to-back deep playoff runs, together with a 2021 NBA finals look, during the last two seasons however has not performed in any respect this season amid the Suns makes an attempt to discover a commerce companion.
Crowder is within the closing 12 months of a three-year, $29m ($43.7m AUD) contract, however reportedly formally requested a commerce again in September due largely to his want for a contract extension that the Suns had been unwilling to supply, in keeping with John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7.
