R.J. Barrett having good season for Knicks

Young Knicks swingman R.J. Barrett is turning some heads lately. Via the New York Newsday:

When the offensively challenged Knicks won at Golden State on Thursday to begin a four-game road trip, it seemed worth noting that RJ Barrett had led the way with a career-high 28 points.

But when Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau talked about Barrett after the game, he made his way through a number of compliments and never got to the scoring output as something worth praising…

While Julius Randle has been the offensive leader for the Knicks, Barrett has emerged as a steady sidekick. His offense has not always been steady, but his play has been. After Thursday’s game, they were tied atop the NBA in total minutes played at 593 (37.1 per game). They have teamed up for a heavy workload, helping spearhead a defensive unit that has allowed the fewest points per game in the league at 102.8.

The Knicks are a solid 8-8 this season, and have played better than many people expected. They are being lead in scoring by Julius Randle at 22.4 points per game, Alec Burks at 18.3 ppg (though in just four games played), Barrett at 17.8 ppg, and Elfrid Payton at 13.3 ppg.

Cavs trade Kevin Porter Jr. to Rockets, who waive Chris Clemons

The Cleveland Cavaliers have traded guard Kevin Porter Jr. to Houston. In exchange, the Cavaliers will receive a future second round draft pick from the Rockets, General Manager Koby Altman announced from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

In a related move, the Rockets have waived guard Chris Clemons, who appeared in 33 games as a rookie last season.

“After careful and thoughtful evaluation, we made the very difficult and collective decision to make this trade,” said Altman. “Given the culture and environment we have worked to cultivate here in Cleveland, we feel this move is in everyone’s best interest. Kevin has a bright career ahead of him as a professional basketball player and, at his core, is a good person. We wish Kevin and his family well in Houston.”

Porter Jr. (6-4, 203) was the 30th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by Milwaukee and was acquired by the Cavaliers in a trade with Detroit on June 26, 2019. He went on to appear in 50 games (three starts) with Cleveland last season, averaging 10.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.92 steals in 23.2 minutes.

Wizards will reportedly sign center Alex Len

The Wizards are in serious need of some help up front, and are set to do something about it. Via the Washington Post:

The Washington Wizards resolved at least one of their major headaches Friday and bolstered a thin frontcourt by reaching a deal with former Maryland center Alex Len.

Len, a 27-year-old whom Toronto released Tuesday, will sign a one-year minimum deal with the Wizards, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The 7-footer gives Washington much-needed depth at center after the team lost starter Thomas Bryant for the season after a partial ACL tear earlier this month.

The Wizards are just 3-8 this season and haven’t played since Monday, January 11 because of coronavirus contact tracing safety reasons.

Nets will be without Kevin Durant against Cavs tonight

The Nets won’t be at full strength tonight. Via the Sun Sentinel:

The second appearance of the Brooklyn Nets’ Big Three was put on hold Friday until the Miami Heat’s Saturday visit to Barclays Center.

As they continue to manage Kevin Durant’s recovery from the torn Achilles that kept him out last season, the Nets announced Friday that Durant would not play in Friday night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Instead, Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden are expected to play for only the second time as a trio when the Heat open their two-game set against the Nets at 8 p.m. Saturday, a set that concludes Monday at Barclays Center.

The Cavs handed the Nets a loss in double overtime on Wednesday.

With Durant out, this gives everyone a chance to focus on how Harden and Irving play alongside each other. Which is actually the biggest thing to pay attention to on the Nets roster right now.

Hornets name Tamara Daniels as Senior Vice President and General Counsel

The Charlotte Hornets have named Tamara Daniels Senior Vice President and General Counsel.

Daniels, who will serve as a part of HSE’s executive leadership team and will advise and counsel across all areas within the organization, will begin her role with the franchise in February.

Daniels joins the Hornets after serving as Vice President & General Counsel of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights and the organization’s other properties: the Henderson Silver Knights, Henderson Event Center, Lifeguard Arena and City National Arena.

“We are very excited to have Tamara join our organization and be a part of our senior leadership team,” said HSE President & Vice Chairman Fred Whitfield. “Tamara is a talented and experienced executive who brings a wealth of knowledge in the sports and entertainment industry that will greatly benefit all areas of our organization. I’d like to welcome Tamara, her husband, Jordan, and their family to Charlotte.”

“I am thrilled to join HSE as General Counsel and look forward to contributing to the ongoing success of the team’s business units,” said Daniels. “The Hornets have a stellar reputation for their commitment to the community and their team members. The newly launched Social Justice Platform is just one example of the franchise’s dedication to crucial initiatives beyond the game that gets me excited. While I will be forever grateful to Bill Foley and the Foley family for the time I spent with the Vegas Golden Knights and its affiliates, joining the Hornets presents an incredible opportunity for me and my husband. We cannot wait to start this new chapter of our lives in Charlotte.”

Grizzlies games scheduled for January 22, 24 and 25 are postponed

The Memphis Grizzlies’ next three games — Friday, Jan. 22 at Portland and Sunday, Jan. 24 and Monday, Jan. 25 vs. Sacramento — have been postponed in accordance with the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols.

The games are being postponed due to unavailable players for the Grizzlies and contact tracing for other players on their roster, and in order to ensure the health and safety of players on both teams.

Wizards vs. Bucks game scheduled for January 22, 2021 is postponed

The NBA game scheduled for Friday, January 22, 2021 between the Washington Wizards and Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum has been postponed in accordance with the league’s Health and Safety Protocols.

The game is being postponed due to the number of unavailable players for the Wizards, contact tracing for other players on their roster, and the length of time preceding the game during which the team was unable to practice.

Pistons rookie Killian Hayes will miss extended time with hip injury

Evaluation on Detroit Pistons rookie guard Killian Hayes’ right hip injury led by Head Team Physician Dr. Bill Motzouros in consultation with Dr. Bryan Kelly in New York and Dr. James Roseneck in Cleveland indicates the origin as a subluxation that will be treated with rest and rehabilitation.

Hayes will be re-evaluated in eight weeks and further updates will be provided as appropriate.

According to the Detroit Free Press, “Hayes, the Pistons’ seventh overall draft pick last fall, suffered the injury Jan. 4, during a road game against the Milwaukee Bucks. He fell to the ground while trying to make a defensive play in transition and immediately was in pain, grabbing at his hip.”

Kings center Hassan Whiteside day-to-day with hip flexor strain

Sacramento Kings center Hassan Whiteside underwent an MRI in Sacramento on Monday afternoon which confirmed a left hip flexor strain.

Whiteside’s status is considered day-to-day.

Whiteside is averaging 6.4 points (.523 FG%, .500 FT%), 4.2 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 0.6 assists, 0.2 steals, and 12.7 minutes per game through nine games (no starts) for the Kings during the 2020-21 season.

Serge Ibaka set to return for Clippers

The Clippers are getting Serge Ibaka back in action. Here’s head coach Tyronn Lue discussing it, via the OC Register:

Lue said he expects Ibaka back in the lineup on Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings. The veteran 7-footer missed his first game as a Clipper on Sunday when an illness unrelated to the coronavirus kept him out of the Clippers’ 129-96 victory over Indiana.

Starring sixth man Lou Williams, however, might need more time before he returns from the sore hip that’s been bothering him.

“He’s gonna do a little bit today in practice, see how he feels,” Lue said.

The Clippers are 10-4 this season, right behind the Lakers atop the Western conference. The team has two clear leaders so far: Paul George, averaging 24.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, and Kawhi Leonard, who is putting up 24.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists per outing.