[Charania] Paul George has sustained multiple nagging injuries this season and it has gotten to the point where he is taking pain-numbing injections to play for the last 4-5 games.
Kawhi Leonard in a blowout win against the Memphis Grizzlies: 34 MINS │ 25 PTS │ 5 REB │ 4 AST │ 3 STL │ 9-19 FG │ +25 +/-
Kyrie Irving helps Dallas get a much needed win against Golden State: 42 PTS │ 7 REB │ 0 AST │ 15-25 FG │ 7-10 3P │ 5-5 FT │ +8 +/-
Luka Doncic checks out vs. the Jazz: 16/4/4 on 6/13 shooting, 5 turnovers, 5 fouls, -19
Hornets’ Jusuf Nurkic to reporters on the Magic: “They are a really good young team and they are doing a really good job. They have a really good coaching staff, but I think they are missing one player. I can't name it, but that's my little fella from Portland.”
Should the 76ers consider trading Joel Embiid while his value is at an all-time low? If so, which NBA team is desperate enough to trade for Joel Embiid and what would the package look like?
[Marks] The Charlotte Hornets and their new ownership group “will need to decide if [LaMelo] Ball is a foundational player or someone they should explore moving for significant draft compensation and players.”
[Charania] The Los Angeles Lakers are canvassing the marketplace for a center and are expected to make a move in the next 24-48 hours.
Bobby Marks on the Hornets filing a grievance with the NBA on the Mark Williams trade: “If the trade was [only] Knetch for Williams would the Lakers have passed it? Maybe. Maybe not. Let’s face it, every player in the NBA, you could find something wrong with them.”
[ESPN] After a convincing win against the mighty Utah Jazz, Shannon Sharpe proclaims his belief for this Lakers squad: “If the Lakers get the OKC Thunder in the Western Conference, we are going to the NBA Finals.”
[Kosel] David Griffin has an expectation that Herb Jones will be shut down for the season, this after getting further opinions on his shoulder injury.
The Luka Dončić Foundation is donating $500,000 towards the wildfire relief efforts in LA. Also promises to help “rebuild courts, playgrounds and fields that were destroyed, because every kid needs a safe place to play.”
[McMenamin] It wasn't lost on James' camp, sources said, that Pelinka prioritized Doncic's involvement upon his arrival and immediately engaged in the Williams trade that he'd asked for, when James had for years wanted the team to trade its picks to improve its roster.
[Stein] It is feared that the Mavericks’ newly acquired Anthony Davis will be sidelined for an indefinite period … with the severity of his adductor injury sustained Saturday still being determined.
[Neubeck] On the broadcast just now, Lisa Salters just relayed after talking with Embiid that he believes “It will likely take another surgery and a long recovery period" to get his knee right.
Max Christie continues to impress in a win against Houston since being traded from the Lakers: 23 PTS │ 2 REB │ 2 AST │ 5-10 FG │ 4-5 3P │ 9-10 FT
[Mannix] A name to watch today is Atlanta's De'Andre Hunter. Hawks have been fielding calls on Hunter, with the Cavs emerging as a frontunner for the 6'8" swingman, sources tell @SInow.
[Youngmisuk] Steph Curry just emerged from the Warriors locker room to resume his warmup. Warriors locker room remains closed to media.
[Stein] The Phoenix Suns are not limiting themselves to trade talks with the Warriors and have spoken with multiple teams about Kevin Durant. Both Houston and Dallas appear unlikely as trade destinations for Durant this season.
The Golden State Warriors on Instagram posted 12 players boarding their team plane. Not among them: Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney, Buddy Hield and Lindy Waters III.
[Lowe] Lots of eyes and ears around the league on the Kevin Durant situation right now.
[Mannix] There’s an increasing belief among rival execs that if Phoenix can’t land Jimmy Butler, the Suns will engage on a Durant deal. Phoenix working two fronts right now.
[Scotto] Kevin Durant is now listed as doubtful with an ankle sprain for tomorrow's Phoenix Suns game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
[Amick] The Dallas Mavericks are interested in acquiring Kevin Durant to pair with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis.
