NBA

Donovan Mitchell trade: Knicks smell like another star, but Barrett and future flexibility are more worth it

Published

7 months ago

September 4, 2022

Rodrigo

Donovan Mitchell trade: Knicks smell like another star, but Barrett and future flexibility are more worth it

Donovan Mitchell appeared to be suddenly traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, and the New York Knicks’ low-key fallout storyline will spark another superstar chase. This is not an unreasonable snack. The Knicks actually have to catch those big fish they’ve been chasing.

But the wrong deal can affect a franchise as much as the right one. Of all the stars who have been following the Knicks to varying degrees of late, are we sure Mitchell will be the one to land?

First, are we sure Donovan Mitchell is a superstar? He is very nice. attack. He’s proven himself to be a great playoff player, which is very important. But Mitchell-Jalen Brunson’s backcourt sounds very small and defensively fragile. If the Knicks waive RJ Barrett in a trade to acquire Mitchell, plus Quentin Grimes or a third protected future first-round pick, which Utah reportedly wants, they Will have the ability to chase another All-Star but is severely hampered across the board.

So if the Knicks lineup that includes Mitchell is closer to the finished product, how good is the Mitchell-Brunson pairing, especially without Barrett’s size and defensive support? In that case, you’d better hope that Julius Randle is back as an All-Star, and even then you’re likely to see a team in the Eastern Conference from the bottom of the playoffs.

The trade Utah got from Cleveland — Collin Sextion, Lauri Markannen, 2022 No. 14 overall Ochai Agbaji, three unprotected first-round picks and the right to trade for two future picks — is more than New York is willing to offer. The good deal, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, reads as follows:

Utah wants three unprotected first-round picks as part of a package when guard Emanuel Quickley is suggested as a trade replacement for Grimes — but New York will only make the first Three first-round picks, including top-five protections. sources said. Those packages will include two second-round picks, two pick swaps and two expiring contracts from a third team, sources said. New York will move Evan Fournier and a first-round pick to a third team to save Utah from accepting Fournier’s remaining $37 million, sources said.

Danny Ainge is a proven thief in these negotiations, and I think New York is wise not to back down. Again, Mitchell is really good. But how good? While the purchase price won’t empty New York’s cart (it has eight tradable future picks), it will only leave three future picks — of debatable value — available to enter future trade talks , and it could be a few years before Oklahoma City Houston clears everyone else’s offer.

To be clear, I’m not saying the Knicks were clearly misguided when they went all-in on Mitchell. New York reportedly thinks the Brunson-Mitchell duo will attract another star. It’s debatable, like whether the Knicks have the resources to add a third star, even if someone suddenly becomes a target.

Ultimately, if the Knicks can keep Barrett, I’d be in favor of adding more unprotected picks to get Mitchell. I think Barrett can grow into an All-Star, and if Brunson becomes an All-Star, that’s your Big Three. If he doesn’t, you can box him with the remaining draft picks and pair him with Mitchell and Barrett. Or you could trade Barrett. That would be plenty of room to still feel comfortable.

But giving up Barrett and several unprotected draft picks is a bridge too far. Mitchell is not that great. When the disappointment of sniffing another star subsides, Knicks fans will, or should, see them in a pretty decent position to move on. Brunson may be overpaid, we’ll see, but he’s a very good player and can take the ball away from Randle who monopolizes him. Barrett now has time to develop, and most importantly, these eight future tradable picks remain.

There could be a huge cap spike in 2025 when the new TV deal goes into effect, and New York could be just a few years away from anywhere near maximum space. At that point, Brunson will have a player option. If it’s worth it, you extend it. If not, it becomes a trade item. It’s called flexibility, and I think it’s better than draining your wealth pool and overextending yourself so that Mitchell becomes the No. 6 seed.

I’ll say it one last time: sane people may disagree with me. The Knicks have to have a real star, and Mitchell is one. I don’t think he’s a superstar, but he’s a real star. It’s understandable if you think the Knicks should give up more unprotected picks and/or Barrett before figuring out the rest, especially with Houston and the Thunder lurking as monsters of trade ace a few years from now of. I didn’t fall, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. Either way, it’s a tough decision. Only time will tell if the Knicks made the right choice.

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Rodrigo

He is the editor of River C Sports. Previously, he was editor-in-chief at other news sites . Rodrigo has spent most of his career as editor-in-chief of various websites and has more than 7 years of experience in the industry.

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NBA

NBA suspends Trey Lyles and fines Brook Lopez for brawl

Published

1 week ago

March 15, 2023

Rodrigo

The NBA recently announced the suspension of Trey Lyles, a player for the San Antonio Spurs, for one game without pay, and fined Brook Lopez, a player for the Milwaukee Bucks, $10,000, both as a result of a brawl during a game between the teams on March 12.

The Incident

The brawl occurred in the third quarter of the game, when Lopez and Lyles got into a shoving match after a play. The players had to be separated by the referees and other players on the teams.

After reviewing the incident, the NBA decided to suspend Lyles for one game without pay and fine Lopez $10,000. Both players were punished for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Consequences for the Teams
The suspension of Lyles and the fine of Lopez had different impacts on the teams. The San Antonio Spurs, who are already out of the playoffs race, lost a player for the next game, which could hurt the team in terms of performance.

The Milwaukee Bucks, who are among the top teams in the league and are looking to win the championship, may feel a temporary absence of Lopez in future games. Additionally, the $10,000 fine is a financial blow for the player and the team.

The NBA’s Role in Punishing Unsportsmanlike Conduct

The NBA has a clear set of rules and guidelines aimed at maintaining a healthy and respectful environment during games. Unsportsmanlike conduct, such as brawling and heated arguments, is not tolerated by the league and is punished rigorously.

The punishment of Lyles and Lopez serves as a demonstration that the NBA takes the conduct of players on and off the court seriously, and that they will be held accountable for their actions.

Conclusion

In summary, the NBA suspended Trey Lyles for one game without pay and fined Brook Lopez $10,000 for their unsportsmanlike conduct during a game between the San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks. The punishment serves as a reminder to all players that respectful conduct is paramount in the NBA, and that violating the rules will be punished.

NBA

Lakers triumph over grizzlies in nba and secure play-in spot

Published

2 weeks ago

March 8, 2023

Rodrigo

Los angeles lakers beat memphis grizzlies in the nba, securing a spot in the playoff play-in tournament. in a 103-112 win, the california team was able to clinch a spot in the 9th place in the western conference, giving anthony davis and his team a chance to chase their playoff dream. davis stood out as the star of the game, scoring a double-double with 30 points and 22 rebounds. dennis schroder, rui hachimura, and austin reaves also contributed with 17 points each, playing a crucial role in the lakers’ victory.

On the other hand, the grizzlies had to go without ja morant, who is suspended from the league for conduct-related issues. jaren jackson jr. stepped up as the top scorer for the team, finishing the game with 26 points. tyus jones also played well for the grizzlies, contributing 16 points to the scoreboard.

In another game, the golden state warriors suffered another defeat, losing 128-137 to the oklahoma city thunder. despite stephen curry’s 40-point performance, shai gilgeous-alexander and his team outperformed the warriors, making it harder for them to maintain their stability in the race for the playoffs.

Anthony davis leads lakers to victory over grizzlies and sends “greedy” message to his teammates

In the absence of lebron james, anthony davis has been taking on the role of the los angeles lakers’ star player, and he proved himself once again in their game against the memphis grizzlies on tuesday night. the lakers were victorious, winning 112-103, thanks to davis’ 30 points and 22 rebounds.

Speaking after the game, davis stressed the importance of his team’s desire to win and their hunger for success. “it’s good, but we’re not satisfied. we don’t want to stop there. we want to be greedy. the guys out there are confident, and when you play basketball like that, it leads to victories.”

The lakers’ win has brought them closer to the play-in zone, with the team fighting hard to secure their place in the playoffs. as the nba regular season comes to a close, davis is eager to maintain a strong winning streak and keep his teammates motivated and greedy for success.

The grizzlies game provided the lakers with a much-needed boost in confidence after a three-game losing streak, which included a defeat against the golden state warriors. the lakers will now focus on their upcoming game against the toronto raptors on saturday, may 11th, as they continue their quest for nba glory.

NBA

Damian Lillard Becomes Eighth Player in NBA History to Record 70-Point Performance

Published

3 weeks ago

February 28, 2023

Rodrigo

Lillard was absolutely unstoppable, finishing 22 of 38 from the field and 13 of 19 from beyond the arc. He also converted all 14 of his free throw attempts and committed just two turnovers without committing a foul. Blazers coach Chauncey Billups called it “one of the best offensive performances I’ve ever seen”.

The performance was a masterpiece as Lillard kept the defense guessing all night. When they were aggressive, he drew fouls and when they were more cautious, he took advantage of the space to shoot. His passes came easy after double teams as well, making for an unforgettable performance.

It was a special night for Lillard who said afterward that he didn’t go into the game thinking about getting 70 points but rather focusing on helping his team maintain their lead. It’s clear that his hard work paid off with this remarkable feat and it will certainly be remembered for years to come.

Record

Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers made history on Sunday night, becoming the first player to score over 70 points in less than 40 minutes and make 10 or more three-pointers. His historic performance included a new personal-best of 71 points and also marked him as only the third player ever with multiple 60 point performances.

The 32-year-old guard’s impressive stats were even more remarkable given that he was the oldest player to ever reach this milestone. His achievement has been applauded by both fans and fellow players alike, including former NBA champion Chauncey Billups, who said: “You have to sometimes pound your chest and show what you are capable of, and Damian proved that through his performance.”

Lillard’s record-breaking evening has been an incredible testament to his skill and dedication throughout his career, and is sure to inspire future generations of basketball players for many years to come.

Defense

A Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard had an impressive performance on Sunday night, scoring a career-high 71 points against the Houston Rockets. Despite the Rockets’ best efforts, they were unable to stop the Blazers star from achieving the feat, as the Rockets coach Stephen Silas admitted that it was a matter of Lillard being in a great offensive state. Silas went on to say that their defense was not lacking effort and that Lillard made some really difficult shots. This historic night will certainly be remembered as one of the best performances in NBA history.

Antidoping

Today, the NBA made history by requiring Damian Lillard to undergo a drug test after his game. This is the first time that a player in the league has been tested for drugs and it came as a surprise to Lillard. Although he was willing to take the urine test, he admitted to being scared of needles due to his many tattoos. He joked that while having a tattoo is one thing, having a blood test is quite another. It remains to be seen whether this new policy will be implemented across the league or if it will remain specific to Lillard.