Hoops Rumors

It’s hard to be optimistic about a team with a 5-24 record, but veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon believes the Wizards are moving in the right direction, tweets Josh Robbins of The Athletic. “This team is actually just getting better every day,” Brogdon said after Saturday’s overtime loss to New York. “… We won that one game — maybe that was Denver, or whatever game that was — and … [Read more...] about Malcolm Brogdon Believes Wizards Are Improving

Veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith returned to the Nets‘ starting lineup on Friday vs. San Antonio after missing three games due to a left calf contusion, an injury he admitted was related to a left ankle sprain that cost him several games in November and early December, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post. “Same ankle, which kind of ran up my calf, changed the way I … [Read more...] about Eastern Notes: Finney-Smith, Celtics, Toppin, J. Johnson, Bagley

Jimmy Butler was in the spotlight quite a bit on Thursday but he won’t be on the court tonight when the Heat play in Orlando. He’s listed as out due to return to competition reconditioning, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald tweets. He’s expected to rejoin the team on Friday when it prepares for Saturday’s road game against the Hawks. Heat president of basketball operations Pat … [Read more...] about Southeast Notes: Butler, Banchero, Coulibaly, Sarr, Wong, Miller

NBA executives who gathered for the G League Showcase in Orlando are curious to see how apron restrictions will affect this year’s trade market, Jake Fischer writes in his latest Substack column (subscription required). Fischer states that there are fewer movable contracts than in past seasons, and teams will have to become more creative to get deals done. He adds that front … [Read more...] about Fischer’s Latest: C. Johnson, Kumza, Kings, Little, NBA Cup

The Suns are shopping starting center Jusuf Nurkic, Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic reports. Phoenix’s front office is seeking another big man in return, with the Wizards‘ Jonas Valanciunas and Bulls‘ Nikola Vucevic among the players mentioned in trade talks. There still are conversations about a deal with the Heat involving Jimmy Butler, Rankin adds, confirming a Marc … [Read more...] about Suns Looking To Move Jusuf Nurkic