Day: February 10, 2018

Isaiah Thomas plays well in Lakers debut, but in loss to Mavs

The good news is, Isaiah Thomas played well in his debut for the Lakers. The bad news is, the squad still lost to the Dallas Mavericks, 130-123. Of course, the Lakers are not a playoff contender and are focused on the future, in which case losing can also be a good thing. Anyway, here’s the Los Angeles Times reporting:

In his first half wearing purple and gold, Thomas played 14 minutes, scored 16 points and hit four three-pointers with four assists. Bounced around the court, playing with joy and scoring better than he ever did in Cleveland.

He was, as fellow Cleveland export Channing Frye promised he would be, the old Isaiah Thomas…

The Lakers brought Thomas off the bench in his first game since being traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he scored 22 points on seven of 12 shooting, making four of eight three-point attempts. Brandon Ingram also scored 22 points and Julius Randle, a Dallas native, led the Lakers with 26 points. Randle also had eight rebounds and seven assists.

Full article

Grizzlies waive Brandan Wright

The Memphis Grizzlies waived forward/center Brandan Wright today.

According to a report from Yahoo Sports, if he clears waivers Wright intends to sign with the Rockets. That’s a great addition to the bench of an already potent team.

Wright (6-10, 235) appeared in 67 games (eight starts) over three seasons (2015-18) with the Grizzlies and averaged 6.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in 15.3 minutes. Selected with the eighth overall pick of the 2007 NBA Draft following his collegiate career at the University of North Carolina, the 30-year-old has appeared in 427 regular season games (62 starts) over 10 NBA seasons and has averaged 7.0 points and 3.6 rebounds in 16.2 minutes for the Golden State Warriors, New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies’ roster now stands at 16 players.

Isaiah Thomas begins Lakers career as reserve

Nothing’s shocking here, but Isaiah Thomas began his Lakers career as a reserve, coming off the bench. Won’t be surprising if this continues for the time being. But after some time passes, say two weeks or so, if he’s playing well and clearly deserves to start, it’s unclear who should start alongside him. Lonzo Ball and Thomas together? Interesting combo, because of the two Thomas is more of a shooting guard then Ball is. We’ll see. On all of this, here’s ESPN.com reporting:

Lakers coach Luke Walton confirmed Saturday afternoon to reporters that he did not plan to make any changes to his starting lineup. Walton and Thomas had dinner together in Dallas on Friday and discussed expectations and roles, sources told ESPN…

The plan is for Thomas to eventually work himself into position to join the starting five, according to sources.

A 2017 All-NBA second team performer who continues to work himself back into form after a hip injury, Thomas also didn’t start his first game with the Cleveland Cavaliers when they hosted the Portland Trail Blazers on Jan. 2.

— ESPN.com

Pelicans waive Mike James and Rashad Vaughn

The New Orleans Pelicans have waived guards Mike James and Rashad Vaughn.

James, 6-1, 189, who was originally signed to a two-way contract by the Pelicans on January 14, appeared in four games with New Orleans, totaling four points and six assists in 18 minutes.

Vaughn, 6-6, 202, who was acquired from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for forward Dante Cunningham on February 8, did not appear in any games for New Orleans.

New Orleans’ roster currently stands at 15, including one two-way player (Charles Cooke).