Kawhi Leonard has spoken out about the new rules when it comes to resting stars – and doesn’t think much of it. The Spurs are extending Devin Vassell and in Toronto, boss Masai Ujiri is publicly counting franchise star Pascal Siakam. Here you can find news and rumors from the NBA.
© getty
NBA: Kawhi Leonard talks about new protection rules
Kawhi Leonard unintentionally became the face of “load management”, which has found its way into the NBA in recent years, and now the NBA wants to counteract this with new rules. When asked, Leonard was unimpressed:
“I didn’t miss any games because I was rested. Okay, my year in Toronto was a little different because I was coming back from a serious injury. You can read it all in the medical records,” Leonard said. That year, Leonard didn’t play in any back-to-backs and only played 60 games for the Canadiens.
“If the league is accusing me of that, they should stop because I was injured all year. But when I’m fit, I play basketball. I’m in the hall every day in the summer to play. These new rules will So it won’t help me to play more games.
The 2019 Finals MVP will also spend the preseason with the Clippers after injuring his meniscus in the playoffs. Coach Ty Lue was similarly optimistic: “If my players are healthy, then they’ll play. I know that’s a big deal and a lot of people think that our players don’t want to play, but that’s wrong. They want to play, but they had “We have a lot of injuries.”
Kawhi Leonard: His statistics in the 2022/23 season
SpieleMINPTSFG%3P%REBAST5233,623,851,241,66,53,9
© getty
NBA: Devin Vassell extends contract with Spurs
According to Adrian Wojnarowski (ESPN), the Spurs have agreed to an early contract extension with Devin Vassell. The shooting guard will stay at Alamo River for five more years and will earn around $146 million (135 is guaranteed) during this period.
In the first year, Vassell will receive around 23.3 million, which corresponds to around 16.4 percent of the salary cap; up to 25 percent would have been possible. Vassell is the sixth player from the 2020 rookie class to agree to an early contract extension. Anthony Edwards (Wolves), LaMelo Ball (Hornets), Tyrese Halliburton (Pacers), Isaiah Stewart (Pistons) and Desmond Bane (Grizzlies) had previously received new deals.
Vassell was the 11th pick in 2020 and put up 18.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 38 games in the preseason. His three-point rate of 38.5 percent was also a personal best.
© getty
Raptors: Ujiri meets Ansage and Pascal Siakam
Pascal Siakam is entering his final year of contract with the Toronto Raptors, and it is still completely unclear what will happen next for the Cameroonian. There were a lot of trade rumors about the forward in the summer, but nothing happened on this front.
“I’m under contract,” Siakam said dryly. “I’m a Toronto Raptors player. That’s my focus. I’m focused on the present,” Siakam added. Team president Masai Ujiri, on the other hand, became more clear when a possible contract extension for Siakam was asked and why it had not yet been finalized.
“Many players didn’t play the game properly in the preseason,” noted Ujiri. “We were selfish and didn’t play the game properly. Now let’s see where it takes us if we approach things the right way.”
Ujiri also revealed that the Raptors did toy with the idea of rejuvenating the team, but ultimately didn’t succeed: “Sometimes there are opportunities, sometimes there aren’t. I know everyone wants trades. Believe me, if there’s something suitable, Then maybe we’ll take the chance.”
© getty
NBA: Kevin Porter Jr. suspended by the Houston Rockets
Kevin Porter Jr. no longer plays a role in the Houston Rockets’ plans for the time being. The guard was arrested in September after he allegedly hit his former girlfriend, WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick, breaking her neck.
The 23-year-old still sees himself as innocent, and a new trial will take place in Manhattan on October 16th. The allegations include domestic violence and choking. “These allegations are deeply disturbing,” Rockets GM Rafael Stone said on media day. “When I heard the allegations in September, I immediately informed his agent that Kevin could no longer be part of the Rockets.”
The Rockets have not yet issued a penalty because this case must be handled by the NBA in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement. Porter signed a new four-year contract worth $82.5 million last year, with only the first year of the contract worth $15.9 million guaranteed. However, Stone did not want to say what the Rockets wanted to do next.
2023-10-03 07:13:00
#protection #rules #Kawhi #Leonard #appears #indifferent
