NBA Season 2022

[Jaymann]

Lakers trade Kuzma, Harrell and KCP to Wizards for Russell Westbrook.

The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a deal with the Washington Wizards to acquire Russell Westbrook in exchange for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the No. 22 pick in Thursday night's NBA draft, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Not the biggest fan of Westbrook, but I'm glad they retained Talen Horton-Tucker. I think that kid is destined for big things.

[Pyperkub]

Hopefully they got a Great Doctor, Orthopedist and Physical Therapy person in the deal too!

PS Westbrook is a good fit for what the Lakers needed, especially after what they gave up - he is a fantastic PG and he can clean the glass as well as dole out assists. In a perfect world, they would have gotten someone who shot better from 3, but you can find shooters to go with that kind of core (if they stay healthy - see Lakers, Nets, Clippers, '19 Warriors, etc. - having great players doesn't mean squat if they can't play in the playoffs).

[Lorini]

Hopefully they got a Great Doctor, Orthopedist and Physical Therapy person in the deal too!

PS Westbrook is a good fit for what the Lakers needed, especially after what they gave up - he is a fantastic PG and he can clean the glass as well as dole out assists. In a perfect world, they would have gotten someone who shot better from 3, but you can find shooters to go with that kind of core (if they stay healthy - see Lakers, Nets, Clippers, '19 Warriors, etc. - having great players doesn't mean squat if they can't play in the playoffs).

Yep, Kuzma was a waste (should have gone to NO instead of Ingraham), I like KCP but I'll happily exchange him for Westbrook, and Montrell was a disappointment. Very happy about this trade.

[Pyperkub]

Hopefully they got a Great Doctor, Orthopedist and Physical Therapy person in the deal too!

PS Westbrook is a good fit for what the Lakers needed, especially after what they gave up - he is a fantastic PG and he can clean the glass as well as dole out assists. In a perfect world, they would have gotten someone who shot better from 3, but you can find shooters to go with that kind of core (if they stay healthy - see Lakers, Nets, Clippers, '19 Warriors, etc. - having great players doesn't mean squat if they can't play in the playoffs).

Yep, Kuzma was a waste (should have gone to NO instead of Ingraham), I like KCP but I'll happily exchange him for Westbrook, and Montrell was a disappointment. Very happy about this trade.

Yeah, seeing Westbrook back in LA is really nice. I think that will give him even more juice (and playing w/LeBron and AD? That will be fun to see).

[Jaymann]

Lakers try to resign Alex Caruso, but he got a better offer from the Bulls. Then they bring back Dwight Howard.

Los Angeles is also reportedly bringing back Trevor Ariza, Wayne Ellington and Kent Bazemore.

I always liked Ariza, hope he has something left in the tank.

[Jaymann]

Now the Lakers add Carmelo Anthony?!? Plus Malik Monk, and Kendrick Nunn. It's like an old timers all star team. Will at least be interesting to watch.

[Jag]

Excited for this Heat team. Amazing defensive lineup but a bit concerned about the spotty shooting of Dunkin and Herro. Lowry really adds a nice piece we were missing in the paint with his ability to create shots. Going to be a fun year.

Lakers will be fun as always but I really, really dislike Howard and instinctively cheer against him no matter what team he is on. He still brings some value, when he's not in foul trouble (which is always) but he's a useful piece for the Lakers.

[Pyperkub]

Now the Lakers add Carmelo Anthony?!? Plus Malik Monk, and Kendrick Nunn. It's like an old timers all star team. Will at least be interesting to watch.

Per above, the LA Geezers will need:

Hopefully they got a Great Doctor, Orthopedist and Physical Therapy person in the deal too!

[Ralph-Wiggum]

Looks like Ben Simmons wants out. I guess this is what happens when your teammates and coach (deservedly?) throw you under the bus.

Spoiler:

Ben Simmons has told the 76ers he no longer wants to be part of the team and doesn't plan on reporting to training camp, per
@PompeyOnSixers

[Jaymann]

Rondo back to the Lakers. At 35 I guess he was old enough to make the team.

[Dogstar]

Looks like Ben Simmons wants out. I guess this is what happens when your teammates and coach (deservedly?) throw you under the bus.

Spoiler:

Ben Simmons has told the 76ers he no longer wants to be part of the team and doesn't plan on reporting to training camp, per
@PompeyOnSixers

Deservedly. All the Sixers asked him to do was develop some semblance of a jump shot in his time with the team and, you know, take a few jump shots per game. Instead, we got to the playoffs and the guy passed up an open dunk while shooting somewhere south of 40% from the free throw line. I have no idea on what team he'd be a good fit, but it's definitely not with Embiid.

Also, Simmons' agent has told local Philly businesses not to try to partner with Tyrone Maxey, a budding young talent on the Sixers, because he doesn't want him developing roots there. Not exactly the best off-season for the team.

[stessier]

Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
Karl-Anthony Towns lost 50 pounds after he contracted COVID-19. He thought about stepping away from the game and had the symptoms of a panic attack when he was first cleared to travel with the Timberwolves.

On what Towns went through, and where he is now https://t.co/5yhvNV8RQi?amp=1

[stessier]

The Nets will not allow Kyrie to practice or play with the team until he can be a full participant. Seems fair. A bummer all he forfeits is his home game checks though.

Marks also said the only salary Irving will forfeit will be for home games due to New York City's vaccine mandate.

Irving wasn't even eligible to practice with the Nets in New York until Friday, when the city told the team that its training facility was considered a private venue.

Irving then joined the team at an outdoor practice Saturday and worked out with the team Sunday, but he didn't play in Brooklyn's exhibition game at Philadelphia on Monday.

NBA players are not required to be vaccinated, but unvaccinated players face more testing and restrictions on their ability to be around their teammates. The league had said that players wouldn't be paid for games they miss because they are ineligible to play.

Irving hasn't said he isn't vaccinated, asking for privacy when he spoke via Zoom during the team's media day on Sept. 27. Teammates have said they are supportive of his personal choice.

On Tuesday, asked by the media if Irving wasn't vaccinated, Marks said: "If he was vaccinated, we wouldn't be having this discussion. I think that's pretty clear."

[Ralph-Wiggum]

Huh. I would think he would also forfeit games when played against teams/locations that also have vaccine mandates (e.g., the Knicks, the Warriors, etc.)

[stessier]

Huh. I would think he would also forfeit games when played against teams/locations that also have vaccine mandates (e.g., the Knicks, the Warriors, etc.)

He might - I think the exec might have been talking generally without thinking about all the intricacies.

[Jaymann]

Anybody else remember when the Clippers begged DeAndre Jordan not to go to the Mavs? Now he can't get on the court with the 7th place Lakers, even with Anthony Davis out with injury.

[gilraen]

Nuggets-Warriors game last night: Nuggets trailed the entire game until 14.9 seconds to go, then gave up the lead, and then this:



Masterful pass from Jokic and an uncontested 3 by Morris, as the GSW defense forgets that the game isn't over yet.

[stessier]

I really don't think he's human.

[Lassr]

I really don't think he's human.

Ah, reminds me of my younger years....when I wished I could do that.

[Jaymann]

A couple of surprises in the playoffs:

Celtics in the eastern conference finals (bad).

Suns eliminated by Mavericks (good).

[stessier]

No offseason thread, so I'm putting it here.

Sarver has announced he is looking to sell the Suns and Mercury.

[Isgrimnur]

ESPN: Allegations of racism and misogyny within the Phoenix Suns: Inside Robert Sarver's 17-year tenure as owner

Editor's note: ESPN's investigation into Phoenix Suns majority owner Robert Sarver and the Suns' workplace culture originally published on Nov. 4, 2021. On Sept. 13, the NBA announced the conclusion of its report, suspending Sarver for one year and fining him $10 million.

[stessier]

Celtics coach Udoka may be suspended for the year by the Celtics for violating team rules by having a consensual relationship by a member of the organization.