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| Warriors investigating source of Ellis' injury | Saturday 8/30, 11:44 AM CT |
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The Golden State Warriors have questions about the explanation guard Monta Ellis gave them about how he hurt his ankle and are investigating, according to the Contra Costa Times. During a conference call on Wednesday, team executive vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin said he didn't know the details of what led to Ellis' injury, only that "I was told he was working out in Jackson."
Our View: Ellis, who was recently awarded a huge pay raise by the Warriors, will be sidelined at least three months after suffering a severe high ankle sprain in his hometown of Jackson, Mississippi. He underwent surgery Wednesday in Birmingham, Alabama, to repair a torn deltoid ligament in his left ankle. However, team officials, according to one of the sources, are skeptical about Ellis' explanation because of the severity of the injury, according to the report. The team has sent athletic trainer Tom Abdenour to Jackson, Mississippi, to examine Ellis. The Warriors declined comment and calls to Ellis were not returned, the newspaper reported. Ellis' ankle will be immobilized for six weeks, followed by at least six weeks of off-court rehab before the 6-foot-3 guard can return to basketball workouts, ruling Ellis out for all of training camp and the preseason and at least the first month of the regular season. Chances are that he won't play until December. |
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| Deng gets insurance for Olympic bid | Saturday 8/30, 10:38 AM CT |
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Earlier in the week we reported Great Britain Basketball [GBB] officials feared the insurance problems preventing Luol Deng from playing for his country will rule him out of the 2012 Olympic Games in London and even put Britain's involvement in the tournament in doubt. Today we learn those issues have been resolved after the national association bumped up the insurance to cover his lucrative NBA contract, according to the Associated Press.
Our View: Deng signed a new deal with the Chicago Bulls last month reportedly worth up to $80 million. British Basketball had been struggling to pay the insurance for the 23-year-old Sudanese-born player, who moved to London as a child to escape the conflict in his homeland. However, the association said Saturday it had "reluctantly" agreed to increase his coverage, meaning Deng can play against Israel in Tel Aviv on Wednesday and against the Czech Republic in London next Saturday. Deng is Britain's biggest basketball star, and the team would have little hope of reaching next year's Eurobasket tournament in Poland without the forward. He is also the cornerstone of Britain's push to have a competitive team at the 2012 London Olympics. |
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| Jazz interested in Gordon, Bulls in Boozer? | Saturday 8/30, 9:28 AM CT |
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Rumors out of Salt Lake City have the Jazz giving a strong look towards the situation between the Chicago Bulls and guard Ben Gordon, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. A potential trade involving either Andrei Kirilenko and/or Ronnie Brewer seems to have the local hardwood fans excited about giving point guard Deron Williams a worthy running mate.
Our View: In terms of salary, Matt Harping might also make sense if the Bulls would have interest in adding the talented swingman. There is also concern attached as the Jazz might consider dealing Carlos Boozer, due to become a free agent next season. If the talks swing that way, it could become rather intriguing and will definately include several names of interest. We will keep you posted. |
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| Kupchak visits with Bynum | Saturday 8/30, 9:23 AM CT |
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As we continue to ponder the potential of the Lakers in the season ahead, team general manager Mitch Kupchak reports he has visited with center Andrew Bynum and is confident he will regain full health in time for training camp, according to the Orange County Register. "Andrew Bynum has dedicated another summer to getting into the best possible shape," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said. "A month ago he was cleared from the knee surgery he had and at that point he began working on conditioning and getting into shape and I thought he looked like he has made progress. I could see improvement in his body, his conditioning and mobility," Kupchak said. "I didn't see any signs of effects from the surgery."
Our View: There may have been peripheral talks about money as well. Bynum has made comments that should lead to concerns about his view of his contract situation, and Kupchak is sure have those emotions in mind when he visits to talk to Bynum. Getting him healthy is the top priority, but if he continues to progress as his talent dictates, his bank account will demand more attention as well. |
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| Fernandez makes impression on McMillan | Saturday 8/30, 9:16 AM CT |
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Rudy Fernandez, who will join the Blazers this month, excelled during the Olympics, which included a team-high 22 points in the gold medal loss to the Americans. And after getting a front-row view for many of Spain's games, Nate McMillan said Fernandez, 23, is so talented that he will "definitely" play, and play a lot, for the Blazers, according to the Oregonian.
Our View: Fernandez will be fighting for time behind Brandon Roy, thus his fantasy implications seems fairly limited as we move towards the season ahead. However, it seems he will garner more playing time than we might have anticipated otherwise and it may be worth your time to track his progress. |
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| Heat shopping for centers today | Saturday 8/30, 9:06 AM CT |
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Heat president Pat Riley said Friday the team could address its void at center as early as Saturday, according to the Miami Herald. Miami has worked out free agents Lorenzen Wright, Jamaal Magloire and D.J. Mbenga, and has inquired about others in recent days with hopes of finding a quality competitor for oft-injured Udonis Haslem and veteran Mark Blount.
Our View: With the Heat operating above the league's salary cap and having already utilized all of its $5.6 million mid-level exception, Riley said a ''methodical approach'' has been taken to upgrade the center position as the Sept. 27 start of training camp looms. The Heat is within about $2 million of triggering the league's $71 million luxury-tax threshold. But it could offer its $1.9 million lower-level exception or the veteran's minimum salary, which tops out at about $1.3 million and is partially funded by the league. After paying roughly an $8 million tax bill last season, Riley said the team intends to avoid such a penalty this season. Either Wright, 32, or Magloire, 30, would appear to meet Riley's preference for an established veteran capable of starting. Mbenga, 27, is considered raw after four seasons but is athletic and would fit into the team's rebuilding process. Riley could also explore other options, including a trade, in advance of possible return from knee surgery at midseason. |
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