After losing center Steven Adams(knee) for the season, the Memphis Grizzlies needed some frontcourt help, and on Wednesday, they made a move.
The Grizzlies have signed center Bismack Biyombo.
According to Shams Charania, it’s a one-year, $5 million contract, with $1 million guaranteed.
Last season, the 31-year-old Biyombo averaged 4.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per contest in 61 games with the Suns.
A 12-year NBA veteran, Biyombo has played 799 career regular season games (324 starts) for Charlotte, Toronto, Orlando, and Phoenix and has averaged 5.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 19.5 minutes while shooting 53.3% from the field.
He also has appeared in 40 career playoff games (11 starts), contributing to the Raptors’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016 and helping the Suns advance to the Western Conference Semifinals in each of the past two seasons.
A native of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Biyombo played two seasons professionally in the Spanish ACB League before joining the NBA.
The Washington Wizards have been very busy over the last few days. First, they dealt Bradley Beal, Isaiah Todd, and Jordan Goodwin to the Suns for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, a few second-round picks, and multiple pick swaps.
Next, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Wizards traded away Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics.
In the deal, Boston will receive Porzingis and two first-round picks from the Grizzlies(2023, 2024). The Wizards get Tyus Jones from Memphis, Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala, and a second-round pick from Boston(35th overall); the Grizzlies get Marcus Smart from the Celtics.
The Wizards are not done dealing; according to Wojnarowski, Washington is finalizing a deal to send Paul to the Golden State Warriors for a package that includes Jordan Poole and future draft assets(2027 second-round pick, 2030 protected first-round pick).
For the Warriors, this deal feels like a salary dump. Last summer, they signed Poole to a four-year, $128 million contract extension. Poole averaged career-highs in points(20.4) and assists(4.5) in the regular season, but he struggled in the postseason.
The 24-year-old will have a more prominent role with Washington. Plus, things also seem to go south for Poole with the Warriors after Draymond Green punched him during training camp. In the end, the fourth-year guard needed a change of scenery.
Regarding the 38-year-old Paul, it should be interesting to see his role with the Warriors. Will he be a starter in Golden State, or will he come off the bench? Regardless, this will allow him to win an NBA title.
Of course, the Wizards continue to rebuild, which is not a bad thing. Washington has been treading water of the past few seasons and something had to change.
Last season, the Phoenix Suns acquired Kevin Durant before the trade deadline. After that deal, the Suns were considered by many to be the favorites to win an NBA title. However, Durant injured his ankle following the trade, which impacted Phoenix’s ability to gel before the playoffs.
Ultimately, the Suns would lose to the world-champion Denver Nuggets in the second round of the playoffs. After the season, the Suns fired head coach Monty Williams and replaced him with Frank Vogel.
Now, they’ve added another enormous piece that could put them over the top.
According to multiple reports, the Wizards are sending Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, a few second-round picks, and multiple pick swaps. More players could reportedly be added to this deal.
Paul could be on the move again as he reportedly could be dealt to the Clippers.
No matter what happens, at this point, the Suns could be the favorites in the West and win a championship. The Suns added Beal, and now, it’s championship or bust.
Phoenix has a Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Beal. In addition, they have Deandre Ayton, but you wonder if he could be on the move to help fill out Phoenix’s roster and add depth.
Beal, 29, signed a five-year, $251 million last summer, which had a no-trade clause, so in essence, he had all the power. The Wizards could have reportedly got better deals elsewhere for Beal, but he wanted to go to Phoenix.
Last summer, the 11-year veteran, who spent his whole career in Washington, battled injuries and played 50 games in 2022-23. He averaged 23.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest.
Regarding the Wizards, they are rebuilding, and that starts now.
Credit to the Suns. They got Beal and did not have to give up much to get him.
On Wednesday, Suns forward Kevin Durant was set to make his home debut against one of his former teams, the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, in warmups, Durant slipped and twisted his left ankle and could not play in the Suns’ 132-101 win over the Thunder.
On Thursday, the Suns announced that Durant had sustained a left ankle sprain. He will be re-evaluated in three weeks, according to the team.
With Durant, who was acquired from the Nets before the trade deadline, in the lineup, the Suns are 3-0. If Durant is out for three weeks, he will return by the end of March and in time for the playoffs, which, if the Suns avoid the Play-In Tournament, begins on April 15.
Overall, this is good news for Durant and the Suns.
Phoenix guard Devin Booker has been named the Western Conference Player of the Week for Feb 27-March 5, the NBA announced Monday.
Booker and the Suns were a perfect 3-0 record over the past week.
In the three games, Booker averaged 36.0 points on 56.0% shooting (50.0% from three-point range), 7.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds.
He had 37 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in a 105-91 win at Charlotte. His 37 points tied as the second-most points scored by a Suns player over the Hornets in franchise history and with his fourth assist in the game, he surpassed Paul Westphal for seventh on the Suns’ all-time assists list.
Booker followed-up his performance against the Hornets with 35 points, six assists and five rebounds in a 21-point, 125-104, win at Chicago. He knocked down six three-pointers in the win to match his career high for triples in the regular season, which he’s now done 20 times. Booker concluded the week with 36 points on 60.0% shooting, 10 assists and five rebounds in the Suns’ win at Dallas on Sunday. The game marked his seventh-career regular season game with 35+ points and 10-plus assists.
This marks Booker’s seventh career NBA Player of the Week, which ties Steve Nash for the most Player of the Week nods in franchise history.
On Thursday night, the Dallas Mavericks(33-32) got a combined 82 points(Doncic 42, Irving 40) from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and they defeated the visiting 76ers 133-126.
On Sunday against the visiting Suns(36-29), Doncic and Irving became the first pair of Mavericks teammates to each score 30-plus points in consecutive games. Doncic had 34 points, while Irving scored 30 points.
However, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker almost did to the Mavs what Doncic and Irving did to the 76ers. Booker had 36 points, and Durant had a game-high 37, including the game-winning jumper with 14.2 seconds to go as the Suns defeated Dallas 130-126 at American Airlines Center.
“I’ve been on the other side of it,” Booker said about Durant’s shot. “I know it’s a tough cover. It’s one of those situations where no matter what you do, he’s playing with just him and the hoop out there. His skill set for his size is second none. That was another example of that tonight.”
Durant added on the final shot: “Once I had him on my hip, I felt like I was in good position to just stop on a dime.”
Mavs coach Jason Kidd showed love to Durant.
“I thought that’s what KD [Kevin Durant] does,” Kidd said. “He went away from the double team, and when he rises, he’s longer than 7 feet, and he got to his spot.”
Dallas had a chance to tie, but Doncic’s short floater rimmed out.
“I just missed that one,” Doncic said. “I thought it was in, but I just missed it. One of my friends texted me saying, ‘I would have even made that.’”
After the miss, Doncic and Booker had a little altercation, and the two went face-to-face.
However, neither Doncic nor Booker would say what words were said to cause the confrontation.
“I don’t think you can say it on camera,” Doncic said. “He was talking to me. It’s not for TV. I would get fined… It’s just a competitive game; just next time, don’t wait till there are three seconds left to talk.”
Booker, who added five rebounds and a season-high 10 assists, says he has no issues with Doncic.
“I’m not here to tattle tale,” Booker said. “I was talking to the ref. He said something to me; first, I responded. You guys [the media] always say you don’t want everyone to be ‘friendly-friendly,’ so there you go, you got some smoke. It’s just two competitors going at it. Everybody speaks on how friendly the NBA is now, and they don’t like that. I have no problem with Luka [Dončić] on or off the court, but when we’re competing, we’re competing. You guys are just trying to stir the pot. I don’t have problems with nobody.”
There is a little rivalry between the Suns and Mavs after Dallas defeated Phoenix in 7 in the Western Conference semifinals last season, and Irving can feel it.
“You see it from afar. It’s definitely different, obviously, being out here,” Irving said. “The level of play rises. Emotions rise. I think we see everyone display that on their facial expressions or communicating with the refs, going back-and-forth. At the end of the day, No one is really going to fight out there. “
With the loss, the Mavs are the seventh seed in the West. Dallas is 2-3 on their current six-game homestand, and they conclude the homestand on Tuesday night against the Jazz.
Notes:
The Suns move to 3-0 with Durant in the lineup.
-Doncic added nine rebounds and four assists, and Irving added four rebounds and seven assists.
-Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 21 points on 6-8 shooting from 3-point range. Hardaway Jr. finished the first half with 18 points, helped by his 5-6 shooting clip from 3-point range. The first half was his highest-scoring first half of the season and tied his career-best for the most 3FG in the first half.
-Christian Wood came off the bench for 17 points on 5-7 shooting to go with three rebounds. Wood has scored 10+ points in nine straight games, averaging 15.3 points per game in that span.
The Phoenix Suns made a splash move and a move that could put them in a position to win an NBA title.
On Thursday, they acquired forwards Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four future first-round picks, and a pick swap.
Durant, 34, had requested a trade in the offseason but decided to stay with the Nets. However, Kyrie Irving requested a trade last week and was sent to the Dallas Mavericks, and ultimately, Brooklyn decided to move Durant.
Suns owner Mat Ishbia is excited to bring Durant and Warren to Phoenix.
“Today is a transformative day for this organization,” said Ishbia via a press release. “We are thrilled to welcome Kevin and T.J. to the Valley as we build a championship culture both on and off the court,” Ishbia added. “Not only is Kevin one of the greatest and most accomplished players in the history of the sport, but his character also embodies the world-class commitment to excellence we are instilling across every facet of this organization.”
Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager James Jones is also excited about the possibilities.
“We are elated to welcome Kevin and T.J. to the Valley,” Jones said. “Both players are dynamic scorers and fierce competitors who compete with intensity night in and night out. We’re excited to see the added value they will contribute to our team.”
Durant has been out since January 8 with a sprained meniscus and reportedly could return sometime after the All-Star break.
The Phoenix Suns are all in, and that has to be exciting for anybody associated with the team. Durant has three years left on his contract, Devin Booker signed a four-year, supermax contract extension last offseason; Deandre Ayton got a four-deal last summer, and Chris Paul has two more seasons left on his contract after this one, so again, this team is locked and loaded to go after a title for the next few seasons.
With what they added in Durant, anything short of an NBA title in the next couple of seasons would be a huge disappointment in Phoenix.
The Cavs(26-15) continued their five-game road trip in Phoenix against the Suns on Sunday night. After resting in the team’s loss to the Nuggets on Friday night, Cleveland got back their leading scorer Donovan Mitchell.
Fortunately for the Cavs, the Suns(20-21) were without their starting backcourt of Chris Paul(hip) and Devin Booker(groin), and ultimately, Cleveland led by as many as 22 points and defeated Phoenix 112-98 at Footprint Center.
With the win, the Cavs, who beat the Suns 90-88 last week at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, swept the season-series.
Cleveland has won four out of their last five, while the Suns have lost six straight.
Here’s the Great, Not So Great, and the Bottom Line of the Cavs’ win over the Suns.
Great:
Starting Backcourt: Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland had 22 points apiece. Garland added seven assists. Mitchell and Garland combined for 44 points, and they were reunited, and it felt so good.
Jarrett Allen had his team-leading 15th double-double on Sunday with 13 points, a game-high 12 rebounds, and a season-high five assists.
Shooting: Cleveland shot 57% from the field against the Suns. Cleveland made 11 threes on Sunday night, but most of their damage came in the paint, as the Cavs had 52 points in the paint.
According to Cavs Notes, this is their highest field goal percentage in any road game since 2015.
Fourth Quarter: The Cavs took an 80-79 lead into the fourth, and they took over from there. Cleveland went on a 23-4 run to take a 103-83 lead with just under four minutes to go. The Cavs shot 66% from the field in the fourth, outscored the Suns 32-19 in the quarter, and a close game became a rout!
Not So Great:
After that fourth quarter for the Cavs, there are no complaints. Turnovers(14) were a little high, but hey, they won.
Bottom Line:
In the NBA, when you have an opportunity to defeat a team that is down, you have to get the job done, and that’s what the Cavs did on Sunday night. They took advantage of a depleted Suns team.
The Cavs have reached the halfway point of their schedule, and after 41 games, here are a few things we know about this team:
-Donovan Mitchell is the real deal
-The Cavs are an outstanding home team(18-4)
-The Cavs are a mediocre road team(8-11)
-Cleveland is a great defensive team(the number one-rated defensive team in NBA)
-They are legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference and could make a deep playoff run
What’s Next:
Cleveland heads to Utah to battle the Jazz on Tuesday night as Mitchell faces off against his former team.
Best of the Rest:
Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro had 14 points apiece, and Caris LeVert had 13 points off the bench. Cleveland had six players in double figures, including all five starters.
For the Suns, Duane Washington Jr. led the Suns with 25 points off the bench, and Deandre Ayton had a double-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.
The Phoenix Suns will be without their leading scorer for at least a month.
On Wednesday, the Suns announced that Devin Booker had sustained a left groin strain. He will be re-evaluated in four weeks, according to the team.
Booker had recently missed six games due to hamstring and groin injuries and played only four minutes against the Nuggets on Christmas Day before being forced to leave.
The 26-year-old guard is averaging a career-high 27.1 points per contest in 29 games this season. Without Booker, reserve guard Landry Shamet will probably be the starter.
Phoenix(20-15) continues their six-game road trip in Washington against the Wizards on Wednesday night.
Former NBA player and coach Paul Silas has died, his family announced Sunday.
He was 79.
As a player, Silas, who played 16 seasons in the NBA, won three NBA titles(two with the Celtics, one with the Sonics) and was a two-time All-Star.
During his playing career, Silas spent time with the Hawks, Suns, Celtics, Nuggets, and Sonics.
As a head coach, he started with the Clippers(1980-83) before waiting 16 years to become a head coach again, this time with the Charlotte Hornets(1999-2003). After Charlotte, he became the head coach in Cleveland(2003-05) and was LeBron James’ first coach. He would return to Charlotte to coach the team in 2010 and be there until 2012.
In total, Silas spent 12 seasons as an NBA head coach
Currently, Silas’ son, Stephen, is the head coach of the Houston Rockets.
The Rockets released this statement on the passing of Silas: “The Fertitta Family and the Rockets organization are deeply saddened by the passing of Paul Silas, father of Rockets head coach Stephen Silas. Our heartfelt thoughts are with Stephen and his family during this difficult time.”
The Cavs released the following statement on the death of Silas: “Paul Silas served as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2003-05,” the Cavs wrote in a statement on S. “His engaging presence and huge personality inspired legions of NBA players and coaches. We send our deepest condolences to the Silas family and everyone that loved him. Rest in power Coach!”
The Suns released a statement on the death of Silas: “The Phoenix Suns are saddened by the passing of Paul Silas, a beloved basketball figure and former player and assistant coach with the team,” the team said in a statement. “The first Suns center to be named an NBA All-Star and the first All-Defensive selection in franchise history, Paul still holds the Suns’ record for rebounds in a single season. Respected by all those who encountered him throughout the NBA, we are grateful for his contributions to the game across a lifetime in basketball. Our condolences go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
