“External fretting” about whether or not Luka Doncic will make a long-term commitment to the Lakers has subsided significantly in recent weeks, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link), who says the star guard and his camp have worked closely with the front office this summer as it has bolstered the roster in free agency. As previously reported, Doncic played a … [Read more...] about Lakers Notes: Doncic, Smart, Vanderbilt, Kleber, More
Pacific Notes: Suns, Beal, Paul, Harden
The Suns are comfortable with their current roster, Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic reports, though they must make at least one more move. Aided in large part by the Kevin Durant trade and the buyout of Bradley Beal‘s contract, the Suns have dropped under the tax aprons and can now aggregate contracts in a trade, do a sign-and-trade and use mid-level exceptions. However, … [Read more...] about Pacific Notes: Suns, Beal, Paul, Harden
Stein’s Latest: Simmons, CP3, Clippers, Nuggets, Simons, Mavs
After his Stein Line teammate Jake Fischer reported that the Kings and Knicks look like the top candidates to land Ben Simmons, NBA insider Marc Stein suggests within his latest Substack article that at least a couple more clubs are in the mix for the former No. 1 overall pick. According to Stein, Simmons has drawn interest from the Celtics since free agency began and has also … [Read more...] about Stein’s Latest: Simmons, CP3, Clippers, Nuggets, Simons, Mavs
Why Matt Ishbia’s Gamble Backfired; John Little To Join Jordan Ott’s Coaching Staff
Owner Mat Ishbia had visions of a dream team when he united Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but the Suns turned into a cautionary tale about the dangers of free spending in the apron era, observes Zach Kram of ESPN. Second apron restrictions forced Ishbia to break up his Big Three this summer by trading Durant to Houston and negotiating a buyout with Beal, who will … [Read more...] about Why Matt Ishbia’s Gamble Backfired; John Little To Join Jordan Ott’s Coaching Staff
Pacific Notes: Suns, Looney, Monk, Niederhauser
The Suns are embracing a new identity, writes Gerald Bourguet for Go PHNX. With Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant gone and Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Mark Williams, Khaman Maluach, and Rasheer Fleming in, the team has pivoted towards a younger, more athletic team construction around the recently extended Devin Booker. The Suns now enter into a phase they will find unprecedented … [Read more...] about Pacific Notes: Suns, Looney, Monk, Niederhauser