Basketball Wiretap

Paul George Says Clippers 'Don't Have An Identity'

Mar 18, 2024 8:53 AM

The LA Clippers were beaten soundly by the Atlanta Hawks at home on Sunday night. Following that loss, several Clippers talked about how the team needs to figure things out with the playoffs looming.

When asked if LA feels like they can just flip a switch, Paul George said “I mean, that's what we're appearing to look like, which is not good. Not good. We want to be a team that's consistent and we want to establish an identity. I've always spoken about having an identity and I think it's extremely important. When you're a team that has an identity, teams know what they're going up against. Right now, I don't think we have an identity.”

Related to the same topic, Clippers head coach Ty Lue said his team needs to be better at matching the opponent's energy from the start.

“We definitely can play harder for a 48-minute stretch. It can’t be 32 minutes or it can’t be when you get down. That comes with a veteran team. They think we can turn it on, but these teams are young, they’re fast, they’re turning it on from jump ball, so we got to be able to keep up and we got to be able to match that," Lue said. "Nothing to overreact to like the guys in the locker room, they understand what we need to do... I told you we have things we got to do consistently every single night. And if you don’t do that, you can consistently get beat by anybody.”

Kawhi Leonard chalked up the loss, as he has other games recently, to a lack of effort from the Clippers.

"We didn't really give all the effort that we could have gave," Leonard said.

Tomer Azarly/Clutch Points

Tags: Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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NBA Instructed Officials To Curb Foul Hunting

Mar 16, 2024 10:32 AM

The NBA isn't saying there was a directive to reduce offense. Instead, the league cited a number of factors that have reduced scoring in recent months.

The NBA noted: "This trend will continue to be monitored. Slower pace, style of play, competitive intensity, officiating focus, etc., have all been contributing factors identified thus far."

Part of "officiating focus" was the league instructing officials to not call fouls when offensive players are hunting for free throws or veering off path to seek fouls.

In a memo, the NBA said there would be a point of emphasis to "evaluate the state of offensive vs. defensive balance with a focus on legal guarding position and level of contact on pathway plays to the basket."

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kai Jones, Sixers Agree To 10-Day Contract

Mar 14, 2024 9:49 PM

The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to sign Kai Jones to a 10-day contract.

Jones was released by the Charlotte Hornets in October amid off-court concerns.

Jones was the 19th overall pick in the 2021 draft.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Kai Jones, Philadelphia Sixers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Gregg Popovich: We Have A Lot Of Possibilities Ahead Of Us

Mar 14, 2024 11:36 AM

The San Antonio Spurs have a tremendous amount of optionality heading into the offseason as they continue to build around Victor Wembanyama.

"We all have opinions every day, coaches meet every day," Popovich said on Tuesday. "We talk about that sort of thing along with everything else. So when the season ends, we'll sit down with management and have that discussion. But whether it's a young team or an older team, every team has that discussion. Changes are made every year. That just goes with the territory."

The Spurs will miss the playoffs for the fifth straight season while Wembanyama is the probable Rookie of the Year.

"I don't pretend to know what we're going to do," said Popovich. "We have a lot of possibilities ahead of us, whether it's money in the bank or draft picks or being creative trade-wise. All those things are on the table. But aren't they for every team? I don't know why we're any different. We're just younger."

Popovich and Brian Wright don't expect to feel any pressure from ownership. 

"If your organization is unable to understand that rebuilding takes time, then you just never get there," Popovich said. "We’re fortunate because we’ve always had under the leadership of the Holt family the ability to do what we think has been best. So we’re always grateful for that."

Tom Orsborn/San Antonio Express-News

Tags: San Antonio Spurs, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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D'Angelo Russell Has 'Value This Summer' Beyond Lakers

Mar 13, 2024 10:42 PM

D'Angelo Russell has played his way from trade candidate with the Los Angeles Lakers where his $18.7 million player option for 24-25 was viewed as a negative to a player who has more value across the NBA.

The Lakers considered trading Russell as part of a package for Dejounte Murray, but ultimately felt it was only a marginal improvement.

"And now you see D'Angelo Russell as a player who has not just value for the Lakers, but value this summer elsewhere," said Adrian Wojnarowski.

Russell is represented by Aaron Mintz and Austin Brown of CAA.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: D'Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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DaQuan Jeffries, Knicks Agree To 2nd 10-Day Deal

Mar 13, 2024 9:47 PM

The New York Knicks have agreed to a second 10-day contract with DaQuan Jeffries.

Jeffries has averaged 22.9 points and 5.9 rebounds in the G League with the Westchester Knicks.

Michael Scotto/HoopsHype

Tags: DaQuan Jeffries, New York Knicks, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Jamahl Mosley, Magic Agree To Four-Year Extension

Mar 12, 2024 9:08 AM

The Orlando Magic and head coach Jamahl Mosley have agreed to a four-year contract extension. Mosley's new deal will run through the 2027-28 season.

In two-plus seasons as Orlando's head coach, Mosley has a 93-136 record. Under Mosley's watch, the Magic have steadily improved from 22 wins in 2021-22 to 34 wins last season. Orlando has already won 37 games this season.

The Magic are in contention for the team's first playoff berth since 2020. Orlando opens play on Tuesday in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Orlando Magic, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Otto Porter Jr. Announces Retirement After Being Waived By Jazz

Mar 11, 2024 3:29 PM

The Utah Jazz have waived Otto Porter Jr., who subsequently announced his retirement.

Porter is not eligible to appear on the playoff roster of any team this season.

The Jazz acquired Porter from the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline and had been away from the team. Porter won a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2022 before signing a two-year, $12.4 million deal with the Raptors.

“For the past 11 years, I had the chance to live my lifelong dream of playing in the NBA,” said Porter Jr. “That dream was capped by winning an NBA Championship! Unfortunately, my body is not allowing me to play at the level that I expect of myself, and I have therefore decided to retire.”

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Otto Porter, Utah Jazz, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA Waiver

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Saddiq Bey Out For Season With Torn ACL In Left Knee

Mar 11, 2024 1:00 PM

Saddiq Bey has suffered a torn ACL in his left knee.

Bey, who is a restricted free agent in the offseason, will miss the rest of the season.

Bey averaged 13.7 points and 6.5 rebounds in his first full season with the Atlanta Hawks.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Saddiq Bey, Atlanta Hawks, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Darius Bazley, Jazz Agree To Three-Year, Non-Guaranteed Deal

Mar 11, 2024 12:58 PM

Darius Bazley has agreed to a three-year, non-guaranteed deal with the Utah Jazz.

Bazley averaged 21 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists for Delaware in the G League this season.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Darius Bazley, Utah Jazz, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kenneth Lofton Jr., Jazz Agree To Three-Year, Non-Guaranteed Deal

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

D'Angelo Russell Says Public Humiliation Made Him A 'Killer' On The Court

ESPN

Rudy Gobert Insinuates Gambling Is Influencing Officials

Joe Vardon and Jon Krawczynski/The Athletic

Sixers To Host Kai Jones For Workout

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Mat Ishbia: We Made A Calculated Decision On Second Apron

Ramona Shelburne/ESPN

Wenyen Gabriel, Grizzlies Agree To 10-Day Deal

Michael Scotto/HoopsHype

Hornets Hire Dotun Akinwale As Assistant GM

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Zion Williamson: If I'm An All-Star, I'll Do the Dunk Contest

Clutch Points

Andrew Wiggins Returns To Warriors

Shams Charania, Anthony Slater/The Athletic

Patty Mills Agrees To Sign With Heat For Remainder Of Season

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Quenton Jackson, Pacers Agree To Two-Way Contract

RealGM Staff Report

Jahmi'us Ramsey, Raptors Agree To 10-Day Contract

RealGM Staff Report

Raptors Sign Mouhamadou Gueye To Two-Way Contract, Waive Markquis Nowell

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Alex Fudge, Mavericks Sign Two-Way Deal

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Otto Porter Jr. Remains Away From Jazz Post-Buyout Deadline

Tony Jones/The Athletic

Caitlin Clark Passes Pete Maravich For Scoring Record

espn.com

Sixers Waive Kenneth Lofton Jr.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Jamaree Bouyea, Spurs Agree To Two-Way Deal

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Dominick Barlow, Spurs Agree To Standard NBA Deal

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Shake Milton Agrees To Buyout With Pistons, Will Receive Interest From Multiple Contenders

Shams Charania/The Athletic