Welcome to Around the Realm, where we look at the top news stories from around the league. If I missed any notable stories, feel free to discuss in the comments!
The Suns are chasing Chris Paul
In the first of several big rumors that have emerged over the last 24 hours, the Phoenix Suns are in hot pursuit of Chris Paul, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns are engaged in talks on a Chris Paul trade. @WindhorstESPN and @TimBontemps reporting on ESPN: https://t.co/ohOoKidWT3
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 11, 2020
There is apparently mutual interest. Devin Booker wants to play with CP3, and CP3 would like to reunite with Monty Williams. Williams coached Paul for one season in New Orleans.
Imagine having a head coach who made your non-playoff team desirable for a top 20 NBA player.
Unhappiness in Houston
Woj and ESPN’s Tim MacMahon report that James Harden and Russell Westbrook are concerned about the direction of the Rockets.
James Harden and Russell Westbrook have expressed concerns about the Rockets' immediate future, sources tell @wojespn and @espn_macmahon.
More: https://t.co/Sdwh0VtmJw pic.twitter.com/cU5VwlHWv8
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 11, 2020
Who would have forseen that firing your coach, alienating your GM so he leaves for Philly, and hiring a first-time head coach might not go over well with two expensive, aging stars?
The Knicks and Clippers are both interested in Westbrook according to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor.
Great reporting here by Tim and Woj. Adds detail to my report yesterday that teams believe Russell Westbrook can be had from the Rockets. They note a trade request is a “plausible eventual possibility.” The Knicks and Clippers do have interest in trading for Russ, my sources say. https://t.co/cDuTwx2E7p
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 11, 2020
Timberwolves making a move?
Speaking of KOC, he also reports that the Wolves are trying to acquire an addition lottery pick.
Sources: The Timberwolves are attempting to acquire a second lottery pick. They’ve had talks with the Hawks for #6. A possible deal could include Jarrett Culver and #17.
A number of teams are interested in Atlanta’s #6 pick—the Pelicans and Celtics being among them, sources say.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 11, 2020
Most have assumed the Wolves are trying to trade down, but acquiring a second lottery pick could also be a precursor to a larger trade. The first pick and the 6th pick, for example, could be the key components to trading for a star.
Hawks interested in Holiday?
Hey speaking of the Hawks, Marc Stein reported that Atlanta could be chasing Jrue Holiday.
Any team trading for Holiday, of course, has to be cognizant of his contractual situation, with the Pelicans' guard — regarded as one of the league's foremost two-way players — expected to decline his $27 million option for 2021-22 and become a free agent after this season
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 11, 2020
I love the fit with Holiday next to Trae Young, but it would be a risky move considering Jrue could leave next season.
This rumor was also refuted by Chris Kirschner, who covers the Hawks for The Athletic.
Multiple sources told me the Hawks are currently not a possible trade destination for New Orleans guard Jrue Holiday.
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) November 11, 2020
New guidelines for fan attendance
The Athletic’s Shams Charania shared updated guidelines for fan attendance in arenas, where allowed.
All fans are required to wear masks (above age of 2), socially distance, undergo symptom surveys. Food and beverage are not allowed for those within 30 feet of court. Teams would have option to install a plexiglass behind benches. https://t.co/Rr0YMpebdb
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 11, 2020
For arena suites at 25% capacity or less, testing would not be required for fans. Teams would be permitted for 50% if all fans were tested or if local county's positivity rate is three percent or below and seven-day average of new cases per 100K residents is 10 or fewer. https://t.co/Rr0YMpebdb
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 11, 2020
Considering the current surge across the country, who knows when teams would be able to implement these protocols.
The Thunder have a coach!
At long last the Thunder named a new head coach.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are promoting assistant Mark Daigneault to become the franchise’s next head coach, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 11, 2020
Daigneault spent several years as a head coach for the Thunder’s G League team before joining the main squad last season. He’s not a big name, which matches the expectation that the Thunder are about to enter a rebuilding phase with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, and their 4000 accumulated draft picks.
I’m struggling to see why PHX wants CP3. It will cost them multiple assets and likely won’t move the needle that much in terms of wins. Will he get them to the playoffs? Likely. Will he bring them closer to a title? Not Likely. Why is PHX’s endgame here? IMO, the should be going with youth to build around Ayton and Booker in order to hopefully compete a few years from now.
Also, how dare other teams look into ATL’s #6 pick! That was supposed to be a Buddy for the 6th package!
Maybe the Suns think CP3 will help keep Booker happy so he doesnt ask for a trade? They have some good young talent on that team.
I will say this – CP3 is the kind of player that could have a positive impact on Booker and Ayton even after he’s gone. The acquisition of CP3 makes Phoenix a serious playoff contender (though not a championship contender), and it could be seen as the next progression for the Suns. Paul only has two years on that contract, so if he helps Booker and Ayton grow exponentially, Phoenix could be a legit FA destination in two years when Paul’s contract wraps.
This is a similar sentiment to what I signed in to say. I think he could significantly raise the stature of the franchise that has had its rough moments in the last couple of years, and if they Suns are sold on Ayton being a star, then I think a great move.
Chris Paul could also have a negative impact. He refers to himself as “clutch” but has choked in the playoffs. It seems like his attitude has gotten worse through the years. I used to like him, but I don’t anymore.
The next time Chris Paul has a negative impact on a team will be the first. And his playoff numbers (looking at advanced statistics) are tremendous.
You and your pesky facts. Greg might ruin marriages, but you ruin narratives.
I’m always amazed at the power of “narratives.”
yeah, if you are looking for veteran leadership, you are looking for a Paul-type.
In the meantime, we are discussing whether to keep Bazemore, joking about Z-Bo’s smoking habits or pining for Shumpert.
I’m not pining for Shump, I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Grumpy for Shumpy if you will
I’m not grumpy. Just bored. Waiting for the Toyota dealer to do my basic 5 minutes of maintenance in 2 hours.
That’s why I found a mechanic in the same parking lot as a bowling alley.
Explains a lot.
Yeah for a coach on the floor he’ll point the finger at teammates when he knows it was his effin’ 50 year old knees that caused the defensive lapse. Let the coach be the effin’ coach of the team. Hard Pass.
And don’t even get me started on Harden. When he’s on the court I’m not sure if I’m watching Wrong Way Riegel or Chevy Chase doing his best Gerald Ford. Hell on defense that man is a masterclass in energy conservation and nonparticipatory spectatorship. Let the man retire and coach soccer players on penalty card pratfalls.
Always funny when basketball fans, especially fans that pine for the days of Divac and Webber, disparage soccer players for diving.
Hey when you got an overweight obese diesel at 600 lbs. lowering his shoulder and checking you like a fullback what are you gonna do. Late career Shaw made Oliver Miller look svelte.
Those guys aren’t diving they’re wilting like an aging ballerina wrapping up Swan River in the Catskills. Yeah soccer has all that precision passing and shots on goal and speed and athleticism but those penalty card pansies can move to Hollywood and refine their drama skills.
Who the hell is Shaw? Shaq goddammit!
I’m surprised Paul wants to come to the suns to be honest
Does he have a no-trade in his contract?
Good question but I doubt it.
I don’t see why they wouldn’t, that kind of move would allow them to compete now AND after Paul is gone. No reason to wait a couple years.
On a tangent, how great has the Thunder process been? Get assets AND Paul. Have a great playoff season with Paul. Trade him for more assets. It’s a great example of how a good rebuild plan isn’t executed in a single move or offseason.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Phoenix may pull for a 3rd star wanting to join Booker/CP3 thinking he could be the missing piece. That all depends on whether Phoenix can make the playoffs and show that they have potential, even if it is as the 8th seed.
It may be a winning formula for a smaller fish team. One star on the roster + trade for another + interest from a 3rd that is willing to sign in free agency.
I think you’re underestimating just how good CP3 continues to be. He’ll move the needle on wins, the only question is – for how long?
At this point in his contract with only 2 years left, I consider Paul an asset given he’s still one of the best players in the league.
go all in and try and win at a high level now with Paul, two years from now the massive contract is off the books and your young guys experienced winning and how to approach the game and the cap space is now there to add to Booker and Ayton.
Yep, this exactly. I think people have gotten too caught up in the “window” concept and are overly focused on trying to get all their players in the same age range. Ideally, you would have your stars staggered both in terms of age/experience, but also in terms of contractual context. That way, you have a chance to both be competitive now AND have a reasonable path towards long-term success.
Yeah, I think you’re on the right track TGN. I don’t see much downside for Phoenix here.
I can’t imagine he really costs them all that much. That contract really limits the possible places they can trade him. As long as he doesn’t teach Devin Booker to flop and flail around off of ghost contact, it would be a tremendous get for them.
Listening to JRoss and Doug interview and welcome Mark Jones to Sacramento.
#awkward
Jonathan Givony at ESPN updated his mock draft based on his intel. He has Killian Hayes going to the Kings. Basically, he just says he doesn’t see Hayes falling past #12 . There’s no mention if the Kings are actually interested in drafting him.
I think the Kings draft Hayes if he’s there.
That would be amazing
Kevin O Connor has him rated as the number 1 player on his board. To get Hayes at 12 would be great value. He’s a boom or bust player, but imo that’s what we should be going after to try and find a second star level player to go a long with Fox.
I would probably need to call a doctor 4 hours after the draft if Hayes fell to the Kings, but I *highly* doubt that happens – the Pistons and Knicks both badly need guards and one of them will take Hayes.
I’m not going to count on it, but that would be exciting. A plan (assuming decent values) of trading Hield, resigning Bogdan to a COVID-depressed deal, drafting Hayes would make a lot of sense to me. You start next season with Bogdan starting, then take a look at where the teams performance, Bogdan’s market, and Hayes development is at the next trade deadline to see if you want to move Bogdan and elevate Hayes.
With Vassell’s comments that he hasn’t heard from the Kings, I’m fairly confident now that McNair is focused on pairing De’Aaron with a combo guard. My gut is their pick will come down to Hayes/Maxey/RJ if they stay at #12. I think all three have a compelling case for why they would fit on a team built around Fox.
i guess you could throw Lewis in there as well, but that just feels a bit too redundant. I would think they’d want to pair Fox with someone who has certain skills/size that Fox is lacking.
I’m hoping they take a good player.
On his appearance on Zach Lowe’s podcast it sounded more like “I think he gets picked somewhere top 12” rather than “the Kings like him”.
On a sidenote: he also had the Kings drafting two other PGs (Mannion & Dotson). Which says to me he didn’t actually put much thought into the 2nd round portion of his mock.
Yeah I saw that, and figured it wasn’t really worth mentioning from an intel perspective. I did like that my boy Paul Reed may be available in the range of the Kings #43 pick though.
Badge Legend