After his recent appearances in the FIBA World Cup with Slovenia, Luka Doncic has created concern in the Dallas camp over his lingering thigh injury which started last season. As the Mavericks are only days away from starting their training camp on September 27, coach Jason Kidd referred to his star’s status. 

“I think hopefully, as we go forward here, that he will be ready to go,” he said in an interview with insider Marc Stein. “I presume that sometimes in our career, we are not 100 percent. Maybe we’re 99 or 95 percent. The more games you play, the longer your career, I think you can ask anyone. No one’s really 100 percent.”

The Mavs trainer recognized the need to count on his roster’s depth and not depend entirely on Doncic, who must rest and not be overburdened with responsibility.

“Now, looking at our roster, hopefully, we don’t have to play him 40 or more minutes per night,” Kidd assured. “With the depth that we have, I thought Nico [Harrison] did an incredible job this summer, but I’m excited with Luka and Kyrie Irving, and having Luka ready to go and achieve his goals, and that’s to win a championship.”

Just as Slovenia was eliminated by a 100-84 loss to Lithuania in the past international competition, Luka revealed he’d been suffering with thigh pains and had some concerns. “It’s not okay,” he said after the match.

Even though he wasn’t 100% healthy, he still played 37 minutes in that contest, right after logging 38 minutes the night before against Italy. “I do not know what to say. It’s not okay. At the same time, I have to prepare for one more game, and then for a whole season in the NBA,” he later admitted.

Dallas are getting ready to start their upcoming NBA campaign against the San Antonio Spurs on October 25, as the basketball world will be tunning in to see the official debut of No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama.

Texas Legends head coach praises rookies Dereck Livelly II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper and describes them as ‘gym rats’

As the Dallas camp is about to begin this Wednesday, there is a shared optimism around the fanbase for the upcoming season. Not only is Doncic gonna team up with Kyrie Irving since the start of the campaign, but there is a lot of talk over their rookies’ potential.

According to Texas Legends’ coach Jordan Sears, both Dereck Lively II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper have proven why they are worthy of NBA basketball during their summer workouts.

“Honestly, we’ve spent a lot of time with them from Summer league through now,” he said. “Because they’ve been in the gym every week, and they’ve been really committed to their work. You really can’t find guys like who are just so genuine and are just so focused and committed to learning. I think those are two of the best young guys I’ve seen with that. They’re very mature in their approach on the day-to-day, [and] they understand what they don’t know.”

ICYMI: Dallas Mavericks rookie center Dereck Lively II seems pumped to play with Luka Doncic, and he recently spoke about how he’ll be able to help him when on the floor together.@austinmcgee15 has the story.https://t.co/0Dq5U2KVIF

— The Smoking Cuban (@thesmokingcuban) September 15, 2023

As for Lively, he believes the 19-year-old big man not only has an impressive physical gift, but also a high basketball IQ.

“I know everybody’s talked about his defense, and obviously he has the size and the mobility and the athleticism to do all of those things,” Sears shared. “I think for a big, you try to keep the game simple for them in terms of screening angles, rolling to the rim, putting pressure on the rim, finishing around the rim and protecting the rim conversely on the defensive side of the ball, [and] being able to communicate your pick-and-roll coverages.”

The Miami Heat were defeated in five games by the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Finals, and the Eastern Conference contender lost a few notable stars during free agency, with expectations of trading for Portland Trail Blazers veteran Damian Lillard.

Therefore, if Miami cannot trade for the seven-time All-Star, is the team’s offseason a failure? At the moment, the Toronto Raptors are in position to offer Portland a generous trade package for Lillard. So the clock is ticking. Miami could miss out on the chance to add Dame.

Former CBS Sports NBA writer Ethan Skolnick has kept in touch with a reporter close to Lillard’s agent.

“Toronto is a place that Dame would make it ugly. He didn’t mention Chicago. And he didn’t mention any other teams,” Skolnick said on the”5 on the Floor” podcast.

“He mentioned Toronto as a place that Dame would make it ugly. And I know for a fact, 100 percent, that this particular reporter has a great relationship with Dame’s agent and has for a very long time.”

The Toronto Raptors are confident they could outbid the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets for Damian Lillard, per @michaelgrange

“By all accounts, the Raptors seem at least reasonably confident they can maneuver their way to the front of the line, past the Miami Heat — Lillard’s… pic.twitter.com/sCyb18jvXJ

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 25, 2023

Even if the Raptors can trade for Damian Lillard, it doesn’t mean the 11-year veteran wants to play for Toronto. Plus, NBA insider Marc Stein believes it has yet to be determined whether the Raptors are willing to go all in to trade for the California native.

“The Toronto Raptors have convinced numerous teams around the league that their interest in trading for Lillard is genuine,” he wrote.

“The uncertainty at this point stems more from gauging Toronto’s true willingness to push all the way forward with its Lillard pursuit when it’s believed that the All-Star guard, behind the scenes, remains so resistant to the idea of becoming a Raptor.”

Would the Miami Heat’s offseason be considered a disappointment if they cannot trade for Damian Lillard? Miami lost Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, and Victor Oladipo

During this offseason, the Heat made various additions and subtractions. In June, Victor Oladipo exercised his $9.45 million player option for the 2023-24 season before Miami traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder, along with a 2029 second-round draft pick and a 2023 second-rounder for cash.

Centers Thomas Bryant (two-year, $5.37 million) and Orlando Robinson (two-year, $3.92 million) inked deals as well. Forward Kevin Love signed a two-year, $7.86 million contract, and guard Josh Richardson agreed to a two-year, $5.94 million deal.

Additionally, the Heat traded wing Max Strus to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team sign-and-trade. Cleveland traded Cedi Osman and Lamar Stevens to the San Antonio Spurs; Miami traded a 2026 second-round pick to San Antonio; and the Spurs sent their 2027 second-rounder to the Heat.

Moreover, guard Gabe Vincent signed a three-year, $33 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. Also, Heat veteran center Udonis Haslem announced his retirement from the NBA after a 20-year career.

Not so long ago, Toronto made it clear that Scottie Barnes was 100% off the table in any trade scenario with Kevin Durant….

But yes, I’m sure they’ll say let’s give up our franchise cornerstone now for Damian Lillard, a player that unequivocally doesn’t want to be there. 👍 https://t.co/Jlh20D0ado

— Miami HEAT UK 🇬🇧 (@TheMiamiHeatUK) September 25, 2023

Following Miami’s NBA Finals series loss to Denver, then-Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal named the Heat his preferred destination. On June 18, Beal was traded to the Phoenix Suns.

Perhaps Miami dodged a bullet by not trading for an injury-prone Beal. After all, he’s owed $207.7 million over the next four years. Likewise, Lillard is owed $216.2 million over the next four seasons as well.

If Miami fans had a say on this decision, they would probably take Lillard over Beal.

While the Heat still have Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro, next season could be quite a roller-coaster ride for them. Since Vincent and Strus are gone, Miami cannot afford to lose Butler or Herro to a serious injury next season.

Miami’s 2023-24 win total is set at 48.5. In the 2022-23 regular season, the Heat finished 44-38.

NBA Betting Content You May Like

The Golden State Warriors and veteran guard Klay Thompson have not yet negotiated any official offers or counteroffers for the five-time All-Star’s potential contract extension, per sources.

“There’s more built-in complexity to the Klay Thompson contract talks. Here’s where it currently stands: No official offers or counteroffers have been made from either side, according to league sources,” wrote The Athletic’s Anthony Slater.

“No exact salary numbers have been floated. There isn’t a rush from either side, and there isn’t a deadline. It could theoretically be done in-season, though I’d expect serious discussions (and perhaps an agreement) to come before that. That Poole-for-Paul swap should be viewed (among other things) as a clear sign of the Warriors’ commitment to keeping Thompson.”

According to a few NBA betting sites, the Golden State Warriors hold seventh-shortest odds to win next season’s 2024 championship. Check out which sportsbooks are showing better odds for the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Klay Thompson is on an expiring contract entering camp. The Warriors and Thompson want to stay together long-term. But the new second apron impacts the situation. Here’s a look at the extension factors at play. https://t.co/mCMyT16qCG

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) September 25, 2023

Thompson, 33, is owed $43.21 million next season. This is part of the five-year, $189.9 million max contract he signed with the Warriors in July 2019. Since neither side is in a rush to get a new deal done and Thompson remains committed to Golden State, his new deal will likely be signed in 2024.

In the 2022-23 season, Thompson made 69 starts. He averaged 21.9 points, a career-high 4.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 33 minutes per game while shooting 43.6% from the floor and 41.2% beyond the arc. The four-time NBA champ led the league with 301 3s last season.

Klay Thompson’s 12 threes on Feb. 24th highlighted his flamethrowing season!

🔥 1st player to hit 12+ threes 3x in a career
🔥 1st player to hit 12+ threes 2x in a season
🔥 Led NBA with 301 threes last year

What history will Klay make in 2023-24?pic.twitter.com/ywG6QiX0FZ

— NBA (@NBA) September 21, 2023

Of course, in Golden State’s 143-141 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 2, 2023, the guard recorded a season-high 54 points, eight boards, three assists, and one block in 46 minutes of action.

Moreover, Thompson ranks 11th on the NBA’s all-time 3-pointers list, with 2,213 3s. He needs nine more 3s to pass Jamal Crawford (2,221) for 10th place. Not to mention, future NBA Hall of Famer LeBron James (2,261) ranks ninth.

At least Warriors fans can say that Thompson is worthy of another extension.

NBA Betting Content You May Like