NEWSLETTER
It’s a big Chicago Bears news day with the hiring of Ryan Poles as the next GM this afternoon, but we still have plenty to talk about on the hoops front, so let’s get right into it with the return of Anthony Davis to the struggling Lakers.
AD’s Return, Lakers Trade Deadline Outlook
Anthony Davis will return to the Los Angeles Lakers tonight when they visit the Nets in Brooklyn. The veteran Lakers big has been sidelined with a sprained MCL for more than a month. During his absence, the Lakers have gone 7-11 and are currently in the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 23-24 record.
After missing over one month with MCL sprain, Lakers star Anthony Davis is probable to return on Tuesday night vs. the Nets in Brooklyn.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 24, 2022
AD’s return to the lineup will certainly help the Lakers, and LeBron James is playing at one of the best levels of his career this season, averaging 29 points per game, but the Lakers better hope that their two biggest stars can carry them because as Shams Charania points out on a recent episode of The Rally on Bally Sports, the Lakers are pretty void of any tradable assets at the upcoming trade deadline, so they’re likely not going to be making any additions to the roster.
"Their moves were made in the offseason."
Stadium #NBA Insider @ShamsCharania says the Lakers will be aggressive but will likely have to look within their roster for reinforcements. #TheRally pic.twitter.com/QfKxGMAYyL
— The Rally (@TheRally) January 24, 2022
It looks like it’s going to be the LeBron and AD show for the Lakers the rest of the way, but I doubt that’ll be enough to make Los Angeles legitimate contenders in a heavily contested Western Conference.
Michael Beasley Eyeing an NBA Return
Michael Beasley was the second-overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft, but his career hasn’t panned out how he or many others thought it would. Still, the 33-year-old hooper is looking to make a comeback over a decade later. Michael Scotto spoke to Beasley about his hope to catch on with another team and his career on and off the court as a whole. It’s a great read and insight into a player’s mind that never really lived up to the hype.
Exclusive: Michael Beasley is eying an NBA return. @Michael8easley opened up about his career, his life behind the scenes traveling three hours after Knicks games to see his mom battling cancer, disproving false narratives about him and more on @hoopshype. https://t.co/Lq3XFuv5RW
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) January 24, 2022
Beasley most recently played for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018-19 season and was set to play for the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA’s bubble restart of the 2020-21 season, but his contract was voided due to a positive COVID-19 test. Beasley has been out of the NBA since.
John Wall Update, Other Rockets Drawing Trade Interest
John Wall has been away from the Rockets recently as he ramps up and prepares for action, with the mindset being that the Rockets are still working towards a potential trade for Wall. The Athletic’s Kelly Iko reported in his recent column that Houston would like to help find a situation that works for Wall, and they’ve received calls regarding Wall. Still, the financials make it challenging to find a deal for the veteran point guard.
Teams have expressed interest in acquiring Rockets veterans Daniel Theis and David Nwaba, sources tell @KellyIkoNBA.
There has also been interest in D.J. Augustin, albeit to a lesser degree.
More: https://t.co/88GMsV38sr pic.twitter.com/vyDlIRouCv
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) January 25, 2022
Iko also reports that veterans Daniel Theis and David Nwaba (old friend alerts) could be on the move as Houston continues to stick to their plan of playing and developing their young pieces. Other teams have also inquired upon D.J. Augustin (another old friend alert), according to Iko.
James Jones Inks Extension with Phoenix
The Phoenix Suns have agreed with GM James Jones on a new contract extension. Jones is the NBA’s reigning Executive of the Year Award winner and the architect of the Suns team that reached the NBA Finals last season and currently sits atop the Western Conference (and the NBA) with a 37-9 record.
Exclusive in @TheUndefeated: Suns general manager James Jones signed to contract extension. #nba @espn https://t.co/WPq8iO5aYC
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) January 25, 2022
Here’s what Jones had to say on the new extension to The Undefeated’s Marc Spears:
“I’m just fortunate and I’m extremely grateful to be a part of it,” Jones said of the contract extension to The Undefeated. “It’s more than I could have ever dreamed of to be a part of a team like this, some of the best professionals across sports. And to have the success that we’re having, it’s so much fun. When you step into this job, you never really know what it’ll be like, you hear stories about what it looks like, what the profession looks like, and the arc of a career in the front office or in an organization.”
And Ones…
• What if Twitter was around in the 90s?
NBA Twitter reacts to Dennis Rodman being traded to the Chicago Bulls (‘95-‘96) pic.twitter.com/9YxXrUv0vW
— Old NBA Tweets (@oldnbatweetz) January 25, 2022
• Melo was really something else when he was in New York:
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1485618515138813963?s=20
• Trae Young shut Bam Adebayo up real quick:
Bam Adebayo talking trash to Trae Young, here’s what Trae did in response: pic.twitter.com/oAX5uGVWhb
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 22, 2022
• When the MLB lockout ends, the Cubs will be in the market for relief pitching. Luka Doncic apparently has a nice curveball:
did that shit curve? pic.twitter.com/ljcnP6fHuM
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 24, 2022
• Speaking of Luka, the Mavericks have been red-hot of late, winning 11 of their last 13 games while holding opponents to below 50 percent shooting in 23 straight games, according to Legion Hoops:
https://twitter.com/LegionHoops/status/1485727541457424387?s=20
• Anthony Edwards became the youngest player in NBA history to make 300 three-pointers on Sunday:
youngest in NBA history to make 300 three pointers.
25 points and the W last night. pic.twitter.com/XPMJoa6pFC
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) January 24, 2022
• Kendrick Perkins joins Matt Barnes and Steven Jackson on the latest episode of All the Smoke on Showtime, and the trio of former NBA players reminisce about the legendary Kobe Bryant as we approach the two-year mark since his tragic death.
https://twitter.com/shobasketball/status/1485769094699749379?s=20
• What a month for the Joker, again.
Nikola Jokic in January:
✅ 324 PTS
✅ 158 REB
✅ 102 ASTIt's the eighth time Jokic has recorded at least 300p/150r/100a in a calendar month.
He has tied Wilt Chamberlain and Larry Bird for the second-most such months in NBA history. Oscar Robertson is the leader with 12. pic.twitter.com/PSmrq74o8e
— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) January 24, 2022
• Shaq knew it…
Rookie Shaq on opposition (1993) pic.twitter.com/MQgML9BA7g
— 90s NBA (@NBA90s) January 24, 2022
