Report: Wade considering Miami, L.A. if bought out — The last we heard on the Dwyane Wade front, it was a report that both he and the Chicago Bulls expect to reach a buyout agreement at some point this season. Where will he go when or if that happens? That’s anyone’s guess at this point, although contending teams could be at the front of Wade’s list. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, though, Wade might also be interested in a Heat reunion:
Though ESPN reported that LeBron James’ camp expects Dwyane Wade to end up with Cleveland if he reaches a buyout with the Bulls, a Wade associate has been telling people that Miami and Los Angeles are also appealing destinations for Wade.
Chicago media has reported recently that no Bulls buyout talks have happened yet with Wade, and it’s unclear when they will happen.
We would never profess to know what Wade is thinking; only Wade – for whom we have great respect – and those closest to him know that.
So we’re not attempting to mind-read Wade. But the person who mentioned Miami and L.A. to me was the same person who first alerted me to my scoop a few years ago that Wade’s negotiations with the Heat were not going well – the first time that information ever surfaced (and a year later, the sides divorced).
So food for thought.
As WINZ-940’s Andy Slater reported, Wade’s children are encrolled in a South Florida school this year, and the Heat certainly would consider a return.
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Green thinks Parker could be back sooner than expected — San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker — who ruptured his quadriceps tendon in the 2017 Western Conference finals — was at first shooting for a January return to the lineup. Then, there were reports of a potential return in December. Now comes word from Parker’s teammate, Danny Green, that the Spurs’ guard is mending quicker than expected. Jeff Garcia of News4SA.com has more:
Green touched on Parker’s return with French site LCI and revealed No. 9 might be back on the floor a lot earlier than most expect.
“He (Tony Parker) obviously had a tough injury last year but he’s recovering. He’s a couple of months ahead of schedule… I don’t want to leak anything but he might be playing a lot sooner than people think he’s playing.
He’s been doing his rehab like a monster, like a maniac. He’s been working out like a maniac and mentally he’s really focused and trying to get his body healthy and get it right. You’ll probably be seeing Tony playing a lot sooner than what most people expect him to be back by.”
If true, then this is huge news for the Spurs and their point guard issue.
San Antonio is likely to look at Dejounte Murray to take the reigns at the position once tip-off of the new season begins however their depth at the position is questionable. Rookie Derrick White is unproven, Patty Mills and Bryn Forbes aren’t naturally point guards, and London Perrantes is likely G-League bound.
Having Parker back sooner will shore up the point guard spot but don’t expect him to be put on the floor playing heavy minutes. Coach Gregg Popovich will likely ease him back into it the game, he’ll come off the bench and gradually see a spike in minutes.
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Rivers praises Celtics’ offseason haul — The last time the Boston Celtics had a bonanza of blockbuster offseason moves, it was in the summer of 2007. Coach Doc Rivers was the beneficiary of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen being added to the fold then, and now, even as coach of the LA Clippers, Rivers is impressed with his old employers’ offseason work. Stephen Hewitt of the Boston Globe has more:
When he saw the Celtics swing a blockbuster trade for Kyrie Irving last week, Rivers wasn’t surprised. Moves like that are just what he’s come to expect from Danny Ainge.
And he thinks it’s made the C’s better, too.
“I mean, I think Cleveland and them are obviously the two teams to beat in the East, but this tells you why I think Danny and I were successful together, and it’s why Danny and Brad, they’ll be successful, is because they’re never scared to make moves or changes,” Rivers said. “You think about it, they won the East last year and they have six or seven or eight new players, and they really have changed their identity. No Avery (Bradley), no (Jae) Crowder, that’s their heart and soul of their defense.
“They went out and got talent, man. That’s gonna show. I think what they’ve really done, to me, what they didn’t have in the past, and I think every team has to have it, you have to have closers. You can be as good as you want to be, and at the end of the game you need to have guys who are going to close the game for you. Now they have those. I don’t know if they’ve had that in the past, and now they do.”
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” I love what they’ve done. I think the turnaround in four years starting with hiring Brad and then going from … (Ainge) and (assistant general manager) Mike Zarren have done the best job I’ve seen in sports in a long, long time of rebuilding. Maybe ever.”
