October 2016 – Page 13 – NBA Blog

Grizzlies sign Vince Hunter

The Grizzlies signed forward Vince Hunter today. It is probably a non-guaranteed contract that won’t keep Hunter on the team beyond preseason.

Hunter (6-10, 208) was a member of the Grizzlies’ 2016 NBA Summer League team in Las Vegas, where he appeared in five games (one start) and averaged 11.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.80 steals in 21.8 minutes while shooting 57.1 percent from the field.

The 22-year-old Detroit native began his professional career last season, joining the Sacramento Kings for training camp and splitting the season with the NBA Development League’s Reno Bighorns and Panathinaikos in Greece. In Reno, he started all 32 of his games with the Bighorns and averaged 21.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.00 steals and 1.53 blocks in 31.9 minutes while shooting 58.9 percent from the field. He represented the West in the 2016 NBA D-League All-Star Game and recorded 12 points and seven rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench.

Hunter went undrafted in the 2015 NBA Draft following two seasons at the University of Texas-El Paso, where he was named 2014-15 First Team All-Conference USA as a sophomore and the 2013-14 C-USA Freshman of the Year.

The Grizzlies’ roster now stands at 20 players.

Many Magic players have something to prove

The Magic have a nice chunk of talent coming into this season. Many of their players have been supporting guys in their careers and now have an opportunity to step up and emerge as leaders. There’s plenty of potential on this roster. Seeing how it comes together will be worth watching. For more on the Magic, here’s the Orlando Sentinel:

The Orlando Magic have one of the NBA’s most diverse rosters. The players hail from six different countries. They can speak a dizzying assortment of languages. And they range widely in age, from 20-year-old rookie Stephen Zimmerman to 32-year old veteran C.J. Watson.

But there’s one thing almost all Magic players seem to share in common.

Many of them have something to prove.

Bismack Biyombo and Evan Fournier, signed over the summer to multi-year deals worth $17 million a season, can prove they deserve their big contracts. Jeff Green, Serge Ibaka and Jodie Meeks, who are scheduled to become free agents in July, can show they’re worthy of big investments. And Elfrid Payton and Watson can demonstrate that their disappointing 2015-16 seasons were anomalies.

“It’s definitely a good thing,” said center Nikola Vucevic, who can prove he can become a better defender and also faces competition from Biyombo.

Derrick Rose remains in Los Angeles as trial continues

Derrick Rose should be with the Knicks developing chemistry with Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, Courtney Lee and company, but he’s busy in Los Angeles dealing with a serious trial. It’s totally understandable that Rose is staying out there to focus on it. Here’s the New York Daily News with the latest:

Derrick Rose staying in Los Angeles as trial continues

Derrick Rose decided against taking the 2,500-mile commute.

The Knicks point guard missed Saturday’s preseason game against the Nets on Saturday and, according to Jeff Hornacek, will also skip Monday’s contest because he’s in L.A. awaiting the resumption of his $21.5 million civil trial. It means the New York’s biggest summer acquisition won’t make his Garden debut until Oct. 15, at the earliest, when Joakim Noah is also projected to play for the first time.

If Rose’s contentious trial goes one day longer than expected, he won’t play at MSG as a Knick until Oct. 29 in the regular season against the Grizzlies. The Knicks and Rose had previously discussed a scenario where he’d would fly back-and-forth when possible, but that was before the 28-year-old arrived in L.A. and began his graphic testimony.

Reggie Jackson will receive plasma injection for injured knee

Here’s Michigan Live reporting on Pistons point guard Reggie Jackson, who is dealing with a lingering knee issue:

Reggie Jackson has decided on a course of action to help with the pain in his left knee, and it’s a familiar one.

The Detroit Pistons point guard will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection Monday in New York, coach Stan Van Gundy confirmed, the same non-surgical procedure he underwent while dealing with knee tendinitis in 2011.

The procedure culls blood from the body, spins it and injects it into the affected area to help relieve pain. There is no word yet on a timetable for Jackon’s return, but Van Gundy said last week it could be up to six to eight weeks…

Jackson made his final decision on Friday after consulting team doctors, his agent and getting a second opinion, Van Gundy said. He will be on crutches for up to a week after and will not travel with the Pistons next week for preseason games at Atlanta and Philadelphia.

Steven Adams dealing with ankle sprain

There are always lots of injuries in preseason, but most of them are day-to-day and usually very minor. Hopefully that’s the case with Thunder center Steven Adams. Here’s the Oklahoman with the latest:

The Thunder was back at practice on Saturday after a return trip from Spain. But Steven Adams didn’t participate.

Oklahoma City’s starting center sat out Saturday with what the team said is a sprained right ankle. He injured it in the second quarter of last Monday’s loss to Real Madrid and did not return. He missed Wednesday’s win against FC Barcelona Lassa.

Brice Johnson out with herniated disc

Clippers forward Brice Johnson suffered an acute herniated disc in his lower back in the fourth quarter of the Clippers preseason win over the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 6.

Johnson is out indefinitely and will continue to undergo additional evaluation by the Clippers medical staff.

According to ESPN, “a source told ESPN’s Jeff Goodman that Johnson is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.”

Grizzlies waive Tony Wroten

The Grizzlies have waived guard Tony Wroten.

The 6-foot-6, 205-pound Wroten played in one preseason game with the Grizzlies, and produced two points, one assist and one steal in six minutes on Oct. 6 against the Hawks.

Drafted by Memphis in the first round (25th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft following his freshman season at the University of Washington, the 23-year-old has appeared in 145 regular season games (34 starts) over his four-year NBA career and averaged 11.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 21.2 minutes for the Grizzlies and Philadelphia 76ers.

The Grizzlies’ roster now stands at 19 players.

Jerryd Bayless has wrist injury

The Sixers have a lot of frontcourt talent (even with Ben Simmons injured), but they’re pretty empty in the backcourt. Jerryd Bayless could have a big role on the team this season. But first, his wrist needs to heal. Here’s the Philadelphia Inquirer reporting:

It appears that Jerryd Bayless’ left wrist is worse that the 76ers had originally expected.

The point guard had an MRI on Wednesday, and the test results weren’t favorable. The Sixers have been hush on the details, saying that it will make announcement in the near future. Bayless said Thursday night that he wasn’t sure what was wrong.

Dirk Nowitzki already a big Andrew Bogut fan

Dirk Nowitzki and Andrew Bogut are already familiar with each other thanks to their years in the NBA, plus tons of international competition. But it’s always different when a guy becomes your teammate. Then you really get to know what kind of player and guy somebody is. Here’s the Dallas Morning News reporting on the Mavs:

Dirk Nowitzki is already a big Andrew Bogut fan

Andrew Bogut hasn’t played in the preseason yet, although that could change Saturday or certainly in the games next week.

But his impact has been quickly felt by his teammates and coaches, specifically a certain tall German who is No. 6 on the all-time scoring list.

“He wants to share the ball and he’s fun to play with,” Dirk Nowitzki said. “Playing with him the last two weeks, it’s no wonder Steph (Curry) was always open (at Golden State). He (Bogut) is so smart, he just picks the right angles and spots to set great screens. He’s one of the smartest players I’ve ever played with.”

Timberwolves have room for another guaranteed contract

The Timberwolves have a young, talented roster that will be worth watching this season. They also have some space at the end of their bench for another player with a guaranteed contract that will keep him on the roster this season. Here’s the Minneapolis Star Tribune reporting:

Thibodeau was asked about the final roster spot. The team currently has 14 guaranteed contracts, and that includes Nikola Pekovic, who won’t play this season. That means one more spot will need to be filled. The team currently has Toure’ Murry, Rasual Butler and John Lucas III on non-guaranteed deals vying for that spot. But Thibodeau could also bring someone else in from the outside. “For us, the (preseason) games will be very helpful,” Thibodeau said. “It will reveal the things that we need to do better. It will reveal the things we’re doing well and, also, it will give us a better idea of who may help us the most with practice in the event you have an injury.’’

In other words, it’s likely too early to speculate. A potential injury could mean the need for a shooter, or another big man.