NBA Game Action: 1/31/2018

Yawn. Although that Heat - Cavs game could be good.

 

Go Knicks and Trailblazers, I guess.

 

Woj on the broadcast:

Knicks have told Joakim Noah that he will not be required to return prior to the trade deadline (Feb. 8). They sent him away after a confrontation. Knicks will try on potential trades, which will be difficult. If they don't have a trade, which is unlikely, they have to discuss how they'll go forward. He may have played his last game for the Knicks.

Their best option?

Stretch & waive, which would get his money off the cap in the short term. They could work a buyout but I'm told Noah is not motivated to give back guaranteed money.

DeAndre Jordan?

Most likely he'll be moved. Clippers have been talking with teams for a deal for him - Cleveland, Milwaukee - question for teams is he'll be a free agent, what are we willing to pay him & how big of an impact can he be? Cleveland will not put in the Brooklyn pick for DeAndre. That deal for Boston with Kyrie Irving, they valued that pick. If LeBron said I'm staying or I'm committed, Cleveland would proceed differently. Without that, they won't give it up.

Lou Williams?

While the Clippers are talking to a lot of teams, they're also negotiating a contract extension. It's possible he re-signs with LA. Teams are leery of giving up first round picks.

Why the hesitation?

Start with the guy sitting on the baseline, Danny Ainge. The price Brooklyn paid for the Garnett deal, it transformed two franchises. No one wants to be on the wrong end of picks that become top, young players. Teams are using firsts to get off bad contracts & for superstars like Blake Griffin. You may not see many moved.

Celtics?

If Boston can find some help - Tyreke Evans, who Memphis is trying to get a first for - Boston & others are hesitant to give a 1st. Memphis will sit Evans until the deadline. Best available, not necessarily a position or need.

Knicks?

They're trying. Hernangomez, there's interest. It gets back to the fact teams are leery about giving up draft picks for role players. Noah is untradeable. We've seen some difficult contracts moved but unless they attach draft picks, they aren't getting it off.

Mirotic & Kemba Walker?

Walker is interesting. So many teams have interest. At $12M, he has a team friendly contract. Charlotte would like to attach some bad contracts - Batum, Howard. Mirotic has some control over this decision. If a team doesn't guarantee the 2nd year, he can veto it. Pelicans tried, still talking today.

(Griffin) It went from no deal Sunday to serious Sunday night to a framework Monday. Lawrence Frank sat down with Blake earlier in the day on Monday & told him there's a possibility we made trade you. Once they had an agreement, they let him know.

Warriors & Rockets?

Golden State less so. It may be something at the end of the bench. I think Golden State stands pat. Houston-OKC-Toronto among the contenders, they don't have draft picks going forward. It'll be harder to do deals. They can't give someone a pick for short term help. OKC lost Roberson. They'd love a backup center who can help.

New Orleans/Washington?

New Orleans has remained aggressive, now building around Anthony Davis. They're trying to find whether it's wing help - Mirotic, in discussions on wing players but very few tradeable assets in New Orleans. Washington would love to improve the PG position but not a lot of pieces to move along.

Sellers?

Atlanta. Ersan Ilysova, Marco Belinelli, Kent Bazemore. Atlanta is open for business. Gobert/Mitchell are safe in Utah but everyone else is available.

Future of the Lakers?

Lakers are in a tough spot to clear salary cap space. Clarkson is a good player but teams say how much do we want to give up for him? They've had conversations with Cleveland about Clarkson. Deng is like Noah, untradeable. Lakers have moves to make to clear just one max slot, let alone two. Lakers also want to show progress this year, that they're on the uptick & their young players are worth buying into. Lakers need to start shedding money.

Will you speak to any member of your family once before the deadline?

Absolutely. I'd like to make one of my son's game between now & next Thursday.

 

Lebron hasn’t been that good for his standards for like a month now

he is definitely gone...he knows his team will be lucky to get a game off of GS if they make the finals

there’s no future for him in Cleveland...that roster is old and flawed

CP3
Harden
Ariza
Bron
Capela

I can’t wait

CP3, Harden, and Bron will be competing for who can throw the best dime every night

GS-Hou will be the matchup of the century

 

Oh James Johnson ... gotta get a shot off.

 

IT: 2-15, including 0/6 from deep

Lol

Got booed

 

He's gonna average 30.

Ask him.

 

McCollum going for 112 tonight.

 

the media might have crowned porzingis too soon.

 

Omg. Isiah Caanan just went down with a gruesome injury. Sighs. This week has been terrible for the NBA

 

NO

what happened

i dont want to rewatch it most likely if its that bad

 

Canaan was just carted off the court. Didn't see the play.

 

Canaan injury. Warning, it's gross:

 

Horrible!! Made me want to throw up.

Such bad luck of Cannaan! He was playing so well in Phoenix! Come back strong!

 

ugh why did i click play on that video :X

 

I think it's MUCH worse than PG and Hayward.

 

It's Canaan's lower leg. He landed wrong after mid-air contact.

Somewhat gruesome, but don't watch if you're squeamish. He took the pain well.

 

These days are complete jinx in the NBA. Everyday some serious injury. Just hurry up and go to ASW.