Nets' Kevin Durant responds to latest question about Rockets' James Harden

Reportedly disgruntled Houston Rockets guard James Harden continues to be a topic around the Nets. While the Nets have collectively ignored rumors of a potential trade that would bring Harden to Brooklyn, Kevin Durant has been viewed as a key figure in the past month. Asked a two-part question about the Nets' depth from a championship perspective and what he thinks about Harden, his former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate from 2009-12, Durant was direct. "I don't think about James Harden at all," Durant said Wednesday. "I mean, he doesn't play on our team. "And the first question, I think it's early in a season. It's training camp and guys are still learning each other, still learning the offense and defense. But I'm very excited about the future of this group, you know? I've never been the one to predict anything, but I like our chances, going out there and competing at that high level every single night. And as tough as that is in this league, I think we're capable of doing it. "And we've got a lot of guys who have experienced so much in this league. We've got champions on this team. We've got guys that been in playoff runs, been in Game 7s. So that's always important, to have that much experience and knowledge within a group, and we'll see where we go from here." SNY's Ian Begley reported Nov. 17 what a Nets trade with the Rockets could look like for Brooklyn. General manager Sean Marks, head coach Steve Nash and Durant twice now have addressed outside chatter of Harden. Durant, who missed the 2019-20 season while recovering from a ruptured right Achilles tendon, keeps the focus on strong debut with Brooklyn's current team. After a year around the Nets, despite not playing, Durant expressed a strong comfort level with the team. "Definitely being here for a year already and rehabbing and kind of getting used to everybody here and a routine, I'm definitely more comfortable," Durant said. "If I would've played last year, I would've probably been a little overwhelmed, I guess, with such a quick change -- switching teams and being in a different environment. But I think having a year under my belt definitely helped me coming into this camp because I know the training staff, the coaches, all my teammates pretty well now. So it's been smoother than I thought." Basketball stat collect from isports API, for more details please visit www.isportsapi.com .

Anthony Davis won't be getting LeBron James' No. 23 jersey number after all

The Los Angeles Lakers’ jersey number drama will not have a sequel. Many NBA fans will remember that when the Lakers acquired Anthony Davis last offseason, the move came with an enthusiastic promise from LeBron James to cede his No. 23 to his new teammate. James had worn the No. 23 for his entire non-Miami Heat career, while Davis had the same number on the New Orleans Pelicans. The two even held some kind of poorly lit parking lot ceremony to commemorate the transfer on Instagram. The agreement signaled James’ enthusiasm to center the team around Davis, but there was just one problem. Nike had already made a few too many James No. 23 jerseys, and the Lakers had missed the deadline for jersey number swaps by months. Due to the financial hit the apparel maker would take with so many out-of-date James jerseys, Davis eventually had to settle on No. 3, with the plan reportedly being to take No. 23 in a year. However, that plan — which feels like ancient history these days — is reportedly now off. According to Silver Screen & Roll, a team spokesperson confirmed that Davis has warmed to his No. 3 and will not be swapping numbers this offseason. It’s not hard to figure out why that might be; winning a championship will give you some pretty great memories with a new number. So if you bought a James No. 23 jersey or a Davis No. 3 jersey or were just eyeing one, rest easy. Like those players, the numbers are here to stay for the foreseeable future. Unless a third star also wants No. 23 next offseason. Basketball stat collect from isports API, for more details please visit www.isportsapi.com .

Report: Pacers offered Celtics Myles Turner and first-rounder in Gordon Hayward sign-and-trade

Gordon Hayward reportedly wanted to join the Pacers. Why isn’t he heading to Indiana? Maybe because the Hornets offered a four-year, $120 million contract. Or maybe because the Celtics didn’t agree to a sign-and-trade, which was necessary for the capped-out Pacers to add Hayward. J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star: The Indiana Pacers offered the Boston Celtics Myles Turner, a first-round pick and a rotation player for Gordon Hayward last week, a source with knowledge of the negotiations told IndyStar. Rejecting this offer looks like a mistake by the Celtics. A center who defends well (especially in the paint) and shoots 3-pointers, Turner is good. The 24-year-old is under contract at a reasonable $18 million the next three years. A first-round pick hold obvious value. Hayward is leaving for no return (or so). But always question unreported details in leaked trade talks. What were the protections on the first-round pick? Those could have significantly altered the pick’s value. Which rotation player? Doug McDermott (one year, $7,333,333 remaining) is highly paid for someone so one-dimensional (though at least that dimension is 3-point shooting). Jeremy Lamb (two years, $21 millions remaining) probably holds negative value after serious injury. Boston also wanted to keep Hayward. The Celtics are trying to win now, and losing Hayward didn’t open cap space to adequately replace him. It might have been reasonable to set a hardline with the Pacers, either getting a better trade return or – theoretically – pushing Hayward to re-sign. Charlotte foiled that plan with its big offer. And maybe Hayward would’ve taken that, anyway. We can’t know what he would’ve done if Boston and Indiana agreed on sign-and-trade terms. But we have at least some circumstantial evidence Hayward, an Indiana native, preferred joining the Pacers for a high salary (not quite as high as he’ll get with the Hornets, but still high). So, it looks like the Celtics misplayed their hand based on the outcome. Basketball stat collect from isports API, for more details please visit www.isportsapi.com .

Report: Marc Gasol signs with Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have reached an agreement to sign free agent center Marc Gasol, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The 35-year-old Spaniard was said to be a top priority for the Toronto Raptors who also lost Serge Ibaka to the Los Angeles Clippers over the weekend. However, much like with Ibaka, the Raptors had the option to offer the most money but decided instead to maintain their financial flexibility. The Lakers also freed up their books by salary dumping JaVale McGee to accommodate the addition of Gasol as they continue to stockpile in pursuit of their title defense. Gasol was the final piece of the championship puzzle for the Raptors after arriving at the trade deadline in 2019. He was the glue that held the team together on both ends, with his three-point shooting creating space in the paint, his passing to unlock stiffer defenses, and his indispensable rim protection that came in handy against Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Gasol happily accepted his role as the fifth option despite being a perennial All-Star with the Memphis Grizzlies, but when it came time to party during the championship parade, Gasol was undoubtedly the star of the show. Gasol also stretched himself to the limit by competing in the FIBA World Cup shortly after winning the title. He was nothing short of sensational and led Spain to the gold medal to cap off his championship summer. However, the consequence of that was an inconsistent season with the Raptors where he battled a lingering hamstring issue, while losing all appetite for scoring. Even simple plays seemed to elude Gasol at times, although he remained as dominant as ever on the defensive end. Ultimately, with Gasol being in the twilight of his career, he decided to follow in the footsteps of his brother Pau Gasol and join the Lakers. Marc was actually drafted by the Lakers over a decade ago, but before he could put on the purple and gold, he was traded to Memphis for his brother. In that sense, Marc now gets to complete his NBA journey by going full circle, and he has a great shot at picking up a second title in the process. After the Gasol signing was announced, the Raptors added free agent center Aron Baynes from the Phoenix Suns on a two-year, $14-million deal, while also re-signing Chris Boucher to a 2-year, $13-million contract. It’s a downgrade from Gasol and Serge Ibaka, but as temporarily placeholders, the Raptors should still get by and compete. Basketball stat collect from isports API, for more details please visit www.isportsapi.com .

Lakers have no plans to become complacent

The goal is to repeat as champions and have sustained success, which is why Lakers vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka acquired point guard Dennis Schroder from Oklahoma City and it is why he will continue to scour the free-agent market, look at other trade scenarios and push to retain his core players that were central to the franchise winning its NBA record-tying 17th championship. Getting Schröder for Danny Green and the 28th pick (Jaden McDaniels) in Wednesday night’s NBA draft was the first step Pelinka took in his quest for the Lakers to win again. The next steps for Pelinka are to get Anthony Davis re-signed to a deal after the forward opted out and to decide which other free agents from the team the Lakers will re-sign. “Like this is just a group of guys that fit, that worked together and we’d love to keep our core as close as we can,” Pelinka said during a video call with reporters Thursday morning. “But if there’s opportunities to get better and to address needs like we did with Dennis, we’ll take advantage of those.” Besides Davis opting out to become a free agent, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley all opted out of their deals and became free agents. Dwight Howard and Markieff Morris, key role players for the Lakers last season, are free agents and both sides have strong interest in linking up again. The Lakers announced Thursday that they had declined the option on reserve guard Quinn Cook, making him a free agent. His non-guaranteed contract for $3 million did allow him to get $1 million on his way out. Center JaVale McGee opted into his contract for $4.2 million. Teams can start free-agent negotiations Friday at 3 p.m. PST and they can sign players Sunday starting at 9:01 a.m. PST. The Lakers are projected to have the mid-level exception of $9.2 million, the biannual exception of $3.6 million and the veteran minimum at their disposal to lure free agents. One prominent name who remains interested in the Lakers is free-agent wing player Wesley Matthews. ”Our approach will be to be aggressive,” Pelinka said. “I think there’s a handful of teams that probably hope to contend or be in a position to contend. We’re not gonna just sit back and not expect others who are in position to try to better their roster or better their teams. So we have to stay aggressive. “I think the danger of winning is complacency, and I won’t … we won’t allow that to creep in here. We’re gonna try to improve our team and put coach [Frank] Vogel and his staff in the best possible position to defend. And our owner Jeanie Buss has given us all the resources at hand to do that. So be aggressive and make sure we increase that probability as high as we possibly can to get No. 18.” Most NBA executives believe Davis, who opted out of deal that would have paid him $28.7 million this season, will return to the Lakers. Caldwell-Pope wants to return, but he’s looking for a raise from the $8.4 million he was due to earn next season. Rondo has drawn interest from the Clippers and Atlanta Hawks, but he could return to Lakers now that Bradley opted out. Forward Kyle Kuzma is eligible for a contract extension, but most executives don’t believe he’ll get one this season. “I think it’s easy to fall into complacency when you win a title and to just say, ‘Hey, let’s just run it back,’” Pelinka said. “But at the same time, I think my school of thinking is always let’s find ways we can become even better, every offseason let’s get better. I think we never want to just settle, and I think this was an opportunity to get better. It’s hard to lose a player like Danny. He was an ultimate professional and really filled a great role for us and played well. But overall, we just feel like this addition of a younger player to our core and for the future was something that we couldn’t pass on.” Schröder, 27, averaged 18.9 points per game, 4.0 assists and 3.6 rebounds for the Thunder last season. He led the league in scoring off the bench and finished second in voting for the NBA’s sixth man of the year. “I think in canvasing the league and doing research around a player like him, it comes back that Dennis is a player that other teams hate to play against but his teammates love to play with because he has that kind of nasty tenacity, grit and that’s really at the center of how we play and we win,” Pelinka said. “And so, he really folds in perfectly to that. And then I think he gives us offensively just another elite playmaker both on the ball or on the ball in the pick-and-roll situation or off the ball as a scorer. So he really just fits us perfectly.” This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Basketball stat collect from isports API, for more details please visit www.isportsapi.com .

Zero positives out of 346 NBA players tested in Orlando bubble

The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association said Monday that coronavirus tests of 346 players at the league's bubble campus in Orlando, Florida, since July 13 have yielded zero positive result, according to iSports basketball API.

When the league announced its initial batch of tests in the bubble on July 13, it said that two of 322 players tested came back positive.

Also Monday, the NBA announced the rosters for all 22 teams participating in the season's resumption at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, part of the Walt Disney World Resort.

As per iSports data, NBA games are set to resume July 30 after being halted in mid-March amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Each of the teams participating in the restart will play three intersquad scrimmages from July 22 to July 28.

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Brandon Ingram and the top NBA free agents to watch in the bubble

When the NBA resumes on July 30, there will be millions of dollars on the line for the 2020 free agents taking the court, according to iSports basketball API.

More than 150 players participating in the NBA restart are on track to hit free agency in October, and one misstep could prove costly for a player looking for a new deal. Last month, Washington Wizards forward Davis Bertans opted out of playing in the bubble so he could maximize his earning potential and avoid risking injury.

And it's not just the players hitting free agency this fall who are worried. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported in June that several top stars from the 2017 draft class who will be extension-eligible this fall, such as Boston Celtics wing Jayson Tatum and Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, talked to the National Basketball Players Association about possible insurance allowances.

But for most players -- like New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram -- participating in Orlando is a risk they are willing to take, as per iSports API. Here's a look at what's at stake, the decision-making process for players and teams, and the 10 most interesting free agents to watch in Orlando.

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Sacramento Kings' De'Aaron Fox out at least week after spraining ankle

Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox suffered a left ankle sprain in practice Wednesday and will be reevaluated in seven-to-10 days, the team announced.

Fox was the Kings' leader in points (20.4), assists (6.8) and steals (1.4) prior to the NBA's suspension of play in March because of the coronavirus pandemic, as per iSports NBA data. He recently said that his speedy playing style could help Sacramento surprise some teams in the restart.

Fox's injury was the latest development in what has been a snakebitten restart for Sacramento, which has had four players -- Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, Jabari Parker and Alex Len -- test positive for COVID-19 before training camp. A fifth player, center Richaun Holmes, inadvertently left the campus perimeter in Orlando, Florida, and had to go back into quarantine for 10 days.

The Kings play their first of three scrimmages on July 22 against the Miami Heat. They play their first of eight "seeding" games July 31 against the San Antonio Spurs.

According to iSports basketball API, after going 7-3 in its last 10 games before the March hiatus, Sacramento is 3½ games back of the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference. At the conclusion of the seeding games, the team that is in ninth place can force a play-in with the eighth-place team so long as the No. 9 team is within four games. The No. 9 team would have to beat the No. 8 team two games in a row to earn a first-round playoff berth. The No. 8 team would have to win just once to keep its place in the postseason.

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Nuggets star Nikola Jokic clears quarantine in NBA's Orlando bubble

It took longer than the Denver Nuggets were expecting, but All-Star center Nikola Jokic cleared quarantine and joined his team to watch Tuesday night's practice in Orlando, Florida.

Jokic still has to undergo physical testing by the Nuggets before he is cleared to practice, as per iSports API basketball data. But while talking to reporters for the first time since the season came to a halt in March, the Nuggets' franchise player was in a light-hearted mood, clearly excited to be in Orlando.

Jokic had to go through quarantines in Serbia and the United States, had multiple tests to produce negative results and endured travel issues after testing positive for coronavirus while he was in Serbia.

Jokic said the positive test came as a surprise, since he was feeling asymptomatic at the time, in late June, when he tested prior to when he was scheduled to fly back to Denver.

Jokic did not fly with the Nuggets on their team flight to Orlando because of travel issues. Once at the Walt Disney World Resort, players have to quarantine for up to 48 hours and test negative two more times if they fly privately to Orlando, per NBA mandate. If a player flies commercially to Orlando, he must have three consecutive negative tests before resuming basketball activities.

The Nuggets remain short-handed as Malone said the team is awaiting two negative tests on some members of the team travel list who did not accompany the team to Orlando.

But the Nuggets have their biggest piece with them. Jokic raised eyebrows during the NBA hiatus when photos of his leaner physique went viral. He said he is in the same shape -- give or a take three to five pounds -- that he was in when the Nuggets last played, on March 11.

Jokic -- who averaged 25.1 points, 13.0 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 1.1 steals in the playoffs last season to help the Nuggets fall one win short of making the Western Conference finals -- said he is not allowed to reveal his current playing weight due to team policy.

According to iSports basketball API, last year during his breakout postseason, Jokic said he preferred his playing weight at about 275-280 pounds so that he can bang inside against big centers.

Opponents might not be laughing if a leaner and lighter frame means a more potent Jokic. As per iSports NBA data, Jokic is averaging 20.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.2. steals for the third-place Nuggets (43-22).

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Rockets' Russell Westbrook tests positive for coronavirus

Houston Rockets star guard Russell Westbrook announced that he tested positive for the coronavirus before the team departed for Walt Disney World, according to iSports basketball API.

Westbrook, co-star James Harden and recent addition Luc Mbah a Moute did not travel with the Rockets to Orlando, Florida.

The NBA announced coronavirus test results Monday. Of 322 players tested since arriving in the Orlando bubble, two were positive and have left the campus to isolate at home or in isolation housing. The league said that since July 1, 19 players have tested positive, as per iSports NBA data.

Coach Mike D'Antoni said Sunday he hoped all three of his affected players would be able to arrive at the NBA bubble in Disney World within three or four days. The Rockets had declined to specify a reason for the players' absence.

The players will have to quarantine in their rooms for 48 hours after their arrival before practicing with the Rockets.

D'Antoni said the three players were working out "at their home bases," and he expressed optimism that their delayed arrivals wouldn't have a significant impact on the Rockets, particularly once the playoffs begin.

With iSports NBA API, the Rockets are also without forward Bruno Caboclo, who inadvertently broke the initial quarantine period, and must remain in his room for eight more days before joining team activities.

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Kawhi Leonard in quarantine protocol after arriving in Orlando

Kawhi Leonard is in Orlando, Florida, and going through the quarantine protocol before joining the LA Clippers for team activities.

Coach Doc Rivers confirmed Saturday that the Clippers' All-Star forward did arrive at the Walt Disney World Resort as expected after Leonard was excused by the team to tend to a family matter when the Clippers flew to Orlando on Wednesday, according to iSports NBA data.

Rivers said the Clippers players who are in Orlando are healthy, including Leonard. And that was something he could not say for much of the season. Leonard has managed a knee issue for much of the time, and Paul George eased his way into the season as he recovered from offseason surgeries on his shoulders.

But George said his shoulders are 100 percent and that the Clippers benefited from the four-month hiatus amid the coronavirus pandemic to let nagging injuries heal. Rivers would not say how the Clippers plan to ramp Leonard back up for postseason play.

As per iSports NBA API, the Clippers (44-20) went through their second practice on Saturday as they resume their title chase. Guard Lou Williams said the Clippers held a team vote on whether to even go to Orlando and take part in the NBA restart.

Williams was "50-50" about whether to play again because he, like some other players around the league, feared that games could distract from the protests around the country against social injustice and police brutality. Williams voiced his concerns about the league being able to promote Black Lives Matter and continue the momentum the movement had.

"They always try to turn it into the military or the police," Rivers said. "There's no league that does more for the military than the NBA. But how about that senator? I'll make up a challenge. We will do things for the troops as long as he acknowledges Black Lives Matter. I think that would be really cool for him to do.

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Jazz’s Joe Ingles in a bind after NBA return date announcement

Both players and fans are ecstatic about the resumption of the 2019-20 NBA season. While Utah Jazz swingman Joe Ingles shares similar sentiments, he’s in a bind as to how to take care of his children and pregnant wife.

As per iSports NBA livedata, the NBA will hold closed-door games with a limited crew in Disney World in Orlando. As a bubble location, it will also house players and their families. It’s good news for the players. But this may not be the case for Joe Ingles, whose pregnant wife Renae and son Jacob, who has autism, are more susceptible to the coronavirus.

（iSports NBA data API covers a wide range of games and leagues with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

“The flip side for me, which breaks your heart, is ‘what you do with your family?'” Ingles told Utah’s The Zone Sport Network on Thursday, as reported.

According to basketball data provider iSports API, the Jazz, who sport a 41-23 record, is one of the 22 teams set to return to action. Ingles said that his wife and son may fly back to Australia. Once the season is over, Ingles intends to rejoin them. However, Australia’s strict quarantine rules are a major concern.

“You have to quarantine for two weeks in a hotel if you fly back to Australia and obviously with a pregnant wife and two near four-year-olds, that’s pretty hard to do,” he said.

“It’s hard enough in a house to quarantine, never mind a hotel.”

The NBA said that it well exercise extreme medical precautions once the season resumes. Hopefully, Ingles’ concerns, as well as other players who are in a similar situation will be prioritized.

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Trae Young wishes Vince Carter farewell with emotional message

Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young bid an emotional farewell to longtime veteran Vince Carter, as it appears he’s played his last NBA game.

Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young bid an emotional farewell to longtime veteran Vince Carter, as it appears he’s played his last NBA game.

The league plans to send a proposal to the Board of Governors on Thursday, prompting a restart of the 2019-20 season with the best 22 teams. The Hawks fall well-short of qualification as the fourth-worst team in the league, as per iSports basketball API.

（iSports NBA data API covers a wide range of games and leagues with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

Carter had announced this would be his last NBA season, but he wouldn’t have guessed it would come so suddenly as the season came to a halt on March 11 after the first reported case of the novel coronavirus.

Vinsanity did play that very day, suiting up for 13 minutes in a 136-131 overtime loss to the New York Knicks, contributing five points, a rebound, and a 3-pointer, according to NBA livedata provider iSports API.

Shortly after news of the 22-team plan to resume the season, Young reached out toCarter, noting it’s a wrap for the Hawks’ season:

Carter spent the bulk of his last two seasons with the Hawks, serving as a mentor to some of the young players in the roster. Young was a star in the making, but one that needed the guidance of a savvy Carter, who played 22 seasons in the league, surpassing Dirk Nowitzki’s all-time mark.

Half -Man, Half-Amazing became the first NBA player to play across four decades after being drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 1998 and consequently traded to the Toronto Raptors, where he spent his first seven seasons.

A likely nod for the Hall of Fame, Carter put up career averages of 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists,recorded by iSports NBA API — showing unmatchable longevity throughout his illustrious career in the league.

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Wizards owner delivers John Wall warning to the rest of the NBA

Despite missing a majority of the 2018-19 NBA season and subsequently the entire 2019-20 campaign, John Wall is not to be trifled with, according to Washington Wizards owner Ted Leonsis.

In an interview with Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington, Leonsis revealed that he is excited about the return of Wall, especially since he expects the Wizards guard to be in a “different place” physically after his past surgeries.

（iSports basketball data API covers a wide range of games and leagues with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

“I’m very much looking forward to John Wall’s return because I think physically he will be in a much different place. He has spoken about the pain that he had been in with his bone spurs. John once showed me a bone spur, one of the bone spurs that they took out of his heel. I will be sincere with you, I had never seen something like that. I couldn’t imagine what that felt like,” the Wizards boss explained.

“There are times where John has been isolated on social media where ‘look, he’s not playing defense, he’s not getting back.’ And then you would talk to John and he would say ‘I feel like there are razor blades in my feet when I’m running backwards. It’s gotten to the point where I can’t do it, I’m hurting the team now.'”

John Wall, a five-time All-Star with the Wizards during his nine-plus-year tenure in D.C., first suffered a season-ending heel injury which required surgery in Jan. 2019, according to iSports basketball API. Wall later hurt himself at home, sustaining an Achilles tendon rupture in early Feb. 2019, keeping him away from the game for now 17 months and counting.

Wall’s absence from the Wizards’ backcourt has prevented the team from breaking through in the postseason picture in the Eastern Conference. Before the season was suspended due to COVID-19, the team was ninth with a 24-20 record, as per basketball livedata provider iSports API.

If the NBA’s 22-team format for the resumption of the 2019-20 season pushes through, the Wizards will have a chance to join the competition. However, they will have to rely on Bradley Beal alone to salvage their playoff hopes.

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Jerami Grant ‘definitely not’ leaning to pick up $9 million option with Denver

Jerami Grant exceeded his contract’s worth in the 2019-20 season，as per basketball data provider iSports API. As such, the forward has no plans of picking up his $9 million option with the Denver Nuggets come free agency.

（iSports basketball data API covers a wide range of games and leagues with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

During an appearance on podcast , Grant pretty much confirmed that he will be testing the free agency waters.

“I’m definitely not leaning towards picking up the player option. Like you said, I feel like I definitely outplayed the $9 million that I’m making each year right now. But at the same time… I’d love to come to a conclusion or something like that with Denver, it just depends what we discuss and negotiate when the time comes,” the Nuggets forward said.

Jerami Grant inked a three-year, $27.3 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2018, according to iSports NBA livedata API. It was a decent deal for Grant who was a key part of the Thunder’s playoff campaigns. Moreover, since signing the deal, Grant has improved nearly every facet of his game.

The last two seasons easily show that Grant has grown over time, averaging 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.1 block in two separate stints with the Thunder and Nuggets. According to iSports basketball API, he also shot 48.7 percent from the field and 39.6 percent from 3-point range. In his first four seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers and OKC, Grant averaged just 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 block.

Perhaps his biggest improvement is his better stroke from deep. In the 2019-20 season, Grant is shooting career-high 40.0 percent from the 3-point line. This will certainly make Grant a big target for teams gunning for the title. Hopefully, the Nuggets will realize Grant’s worth.

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Hawks’ Trae Young has on the nose reaction to Jayson Tatum max contract rumor

Earlier reports state that the Boston Celtics will be offering Jayson Tatum a max deal in order to retain the services of the 22-year-old for the long haul. For his part, Atlanta Hawks stud Trae Young seems to be in complete agreement of this notion.

Young took to Twitter to send out his support for the C’s All-Star forward.

Young has no doubt in his mind that Boston should offer Tatum the max deal, and honestly, we could not agree more. This should be a no-brainer for the Celtics, and here is why we believe this to be true.

（iSports basketball data API covers a wide range of games and leagues with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

Accoding to basketball data provider, Tatum is currently still on his rookie-scale deal, which he signed back in 2017. Last October, the Celtics exercised their team option on the final year of Tatum’s deal, which will see him with the club for at least until the end of next season. Obviously, Boston has no intention of letting their prized youngster walk away anytime soon, and they will need to dig deep into their pockets to ensure the same.

As for Atlanta’s Trae Young, he too should be in for a pretty hefty extension in the not so distant future. The sophomore entered the league in 2018, and his current rookie deal runs out by the end of the 2021-22 campaign, as per iSports NBA API. This means that the Hawks are expected to offer the All-Star point guard a new deal as early as next summer. Being that he is widely considered as the the team’s cornerstone superstar of the future, it would not be surprising if Young will likewise be putting pen to paper on a max deal.

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Luka Doncic’s injured hand fully healed thanks to long hiatus

Perhaps the good thing about the long hiatus brought about by the coronavirus pandemic is that Luka Doncic’s injured hand has fully healed according to Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

Perhaps the good thing about the long hiatus brought about by the coronavirus pandemic is that Luka Doncic’s injured hand has fully healed according to Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

（iSports basketball data API covers a wide range of games and leagues with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

To recall, Luka Doncic injured his left thumb in the Mavs’ 109-103 victory against the San Antonio Spurs in late February, as per iSports basketball data provider. He left in the first quarter of the game to have it taped up then came back right away. The Slovenian revealed that his thumb got slapped twice but the referees thought that the defenders hit all ball.

Though he finished their game against the Spurs, the injury bothered Doncic in the next games. After their 126-118 loss to the Miami Heat, Doncic admitted how difficult it was to play with an injured thumb, according to iSports basketball API.

The Mavs wisely let Doncic sit out several games for the thumb to heal. But fast forward to March 11, the NBA had to suspend the 2019-20 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mavs were one of the last teams to play.

For the past few weeks, the NBA has been in constant discussion on the possible resumption of the season. Disney World in Orlando is the highly-favored bubble location which will hold closed-door games as well as house players and their family.

All stats from iSportsapi.com

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable NBA API provider, click iSports API)

Jason Terry leaves Mavs G-League team for Arizona Wildcats

19-year NBA veteran and former Wildcat Jason Terry has accepted assistant coaching job at Arizona. Terry departs Mavs, where he's been assistant GM of Texas Legends. Announcement expected Thursday.

One-time NBA champ and former Sixth Man of the Year winner Jason Terry is taking the next step in his post-playing career. NBA insider Shams Charania reports that Terry has accepted a role as an assistant coach in his alma matter of Arizona.

According to iSports NBA API, Jason Terry is parting ways with the Dallas Mavericks — the team he played for eight seasons during his time in the league — after being the assistant general manager of the Mavs’ G League affiliate, the Texas Legends, since September of 2019. 

（iSports basketball data API covers a wide range of games and leagues with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

It was a short-lived stint for Terry as a league executive, and it appears that at this point, he considers coaching to be a better fit for him as opposed to taking the front office route.

As per basketball data provider iSports API, Terry spent four years with Arizona as a player between 1995 and 1999. In his sophomore year, he helped the Wildcats to a historic NCAA title. In his final playing year for the squad, the 6-foot-2 guard averaged 21.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.8 steals, while also knocking down 2.6 triples per game on a 39.8-percent clip. This earned him the Pac-10 Player of the Year award for that season, as well as an inclusion to the All-Pac-12 squad.

He is now making a triumphant return to his old stomping ground. Terry seems to be determined to pursue a career in coaching, and is willing to earn his stripes, so to speak, as he accepts a role as an assistant under tenured head coach Sean Miller, who has been at the helm since 2009.

All stats from isportsapi.com

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable NBA API provider, click iSports API)

Giannis Antetokounmpo speaks out on ‘Greek Freak’ moniker

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is unlike most NBA superstars before him.

The reigning MVP possesses incredible size, length, athleticism and skill — a blend which has helped him lead the Bucks to new heights in the last two seasons，according to iSports NBA API. This blend also birthed a new nickname, one that paired his nationality with his unique physical attributes: the “Greek Freak.”

（iSports basketball data API covers a wide range of games and leagues with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

Even though the nickname sort of speaks for itself, its origin is unknown. Not even Antetokounmpo knows who first came up with the nickname, though he said he loves the moniker.

“First of all, the nickname is really good. I like it,” the Bucks superstar said during an appearance on Capture Sports Marketing’s Athletes Doing Good Radiothon last Thursday.

“I don’t remember the first time I heard about it — it was probably my rookie year — but I really don’t know who came up with it,” he said. “I just went on the court one day and I had like a crazy dunk or a crazy block and after that everyone started calling me the Greek Freak. So it stuck by me, I love it and it’s a cool nickname.”

“Freak” might not have the most positive connotation, but it is fitting for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo routinely makes highlight-reel plays on the hardwood, using his long strides and enormous reach to get to the rim and score from just about anywhere.

According to iSports basketball API, the 25-year-old was likely on his way to a second consecutive MVP in 2019-20 prior to the suspension of play due to the coronavirus crisis.

On the season, Giannis was averaging 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists for the Bucks while also showing an increasing level of comfort in shooting from the perimeter, as per basketball data provider iSports API.

Antetokounmpo’s steady evolution continues to make him one of the most remarkable superstars in the NBA, and the nickname has become synonymous with his persona.

All basketball stats from iSportsapi.com

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable NBA API provider, click iSports API)

Breaking down John Wall’s total NBA salary from his career

Washington Wizards point guard John Wall will have collected $278,892,145 in NBA money once his current contract expires in the summer of 2023.

The Wizards drafted Wall with the first overall pick in the 2010 draft after playing one season for a star-studded Kentucky Wildcats roster that also boasts fellow NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins and two-way veteran guard Eric Bledsoe. 

The explosive guard went on to have a commendable rookie season norming averages of 16.4 points and 8.3 assists per game according to iSports NBA livescore API while making $5,144,280. His efforts just fell short of grabbing Rookie of the Year which Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans won.

In his second year, John Wall made $4,451,040. He finished his rookie contract with the Wizards by earning $5,915,880 in Year 3 and $7,459,925 in Year 4, as per iSports basketball API.

（iSports basketball data API covers a wide range of games and leagues with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

As expected, the Wizards signed Wall to a five-year, $84.8 million maximum rookie extension which kicked in during Year 5. The former Wildcat made $14,746,000 during the 2014-15 season. That was the first year of the extension.

To complete his rookie-scale extension, John Wall made $15,851,950 in 2015-16, $16,957,900 in 2016-17, $18,063,850 in 2017-18 and $19,169,800 in 2018-19. During that span, Wall averaged 21.0 points and 10.1 assists over 228 games. He also made three All-Star teams, according to iSports basketball data API.

In 2016-17, there was arguably no better point guard than Wall. He averaged 23.1 points and 10.7 assists. After that season ended, the Wizards signed Wall to a monstrous four-year, $171 million Designated Veteran Player Extension. The contract was set to kick in during the 2019-20 season.

Unfortunately, the injury bug started catching up to John Wall during the 2017-18 campaign. However, the superstar played through the ailments because that’s how he was brought up to play. The wear and tear ultimately kept making Wall’s pain worse. He finally made the smart decision to undergo heel surgery during the 2018-19 season after playing in 32 games, recorded by iSports basketball data.

After he got his heel surgery, though, John Wall fell at his house and tore his Achilles tendon. He was set to miss the entire 2019-20 season.

Wall has yet to fully live up to the contract due to injuries and has been the subject of ridicule among NBA circles and some far-fetched trade rumors.

Moving forward, Wall will make $41,254,920 in 2020-21, $44,310,840 2021-22 and $47,366,760 in 2022-23. He has career averages of 19.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 9.2 assists in 573 games with the Wizards.

Stats from iSportsapi.com

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable basketball API provider, click iSports API)