NBA rumors: Draymond Green praises this rookie class
Draymond Green cannot say enough about this rookie class's maturity. "When you look at this rookie class, it doesn't really look like a rookie class. Like even our two rookies, like you put those guys in the game and they don't make mistakes that rookies make. It's the same thing for the Thompson twins and Wemby, even Marcus Sasser...they don't look like rookies."
Green specifically shouted out Wemby and the Thompson twins, claiming they're making it increasingly difficult for Green to make the All-Defensive team with the way they've defended. As a matter of fact, Ausar Thompson was ranked third on the first Kia Rookie Ladder of 2023-2024. This is partly because Ausar is somehow the leading rebounder in the class of 23, despite being 6-foot-6. Draymond Green is undersized in the same way, so it takes one to know one.
Green says he's happy to see young guys come into the league and put an emphasis on defense. Green explained, "So many young guys come into this league like I gotta score. It's all about scoring. How can I get my shot off? And it's such the wrong mindset to come in with. So, it's good to see these young guys come in with a different mindset."
Green has made a living as a defensive anchor and centerpiece in the NBA. You can tell he's excited to see others, especially younger players embracing that side of the ball.
NBA rumors: Bradley Beal nearing his Phoenix Suns debut
According to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic, Bradley Beal could make his Phoenix Suns regular-season debut Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls. Beal has missed Phoenix's first seven regular season games due to back issues. Beal practiced in full on Tuesday. Frank Vogel spoke with Rankin after practice and said Beal looked good and will be listed as questionable for Wednesday's game.
"It's great to see him doing his thing in the Suns uniform and soon enough fans will get a chance to see that as well." Vogel said.
As Vogel explains in the video, it's a marathon, not a sprint. "He's not going to do something that compromises a bigger chunk of games, you know, to just play in one," said Vogel. We don't know when the three-time All-Star will play. Though, you can't help but think Bradley Beal's return would help since Devin Booker is out and Kevin Durant has been carrying the offensive load lately.
Without Beal and Booker, the Suns' offense relies solely on KD. The thing is Kevin Durant is 35 years old and plays almost 36 minutes a night. That's not the worst thing. After all, it's Kevin Durant, a prolific scorer. However, these minutes could come back to haunt Phoenix if the Suns demand too much from the slim reaper. If I'm the Suns, I want a fresh Kevin Durant come the playoffs, which means I'd hope to avoid burning him out early in the season. Clearly, the Suns need to find a way to get their other stars on the court. Hopefully, Beal returns soon.
NBA rumors: Lakers interested in Alex Caruso
The Lakers could be in the market for Alex Caruso, according to Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports. One Eastern Conference exec told Heavy Sports that, "the Lakers are worried they don't have enough of an edge. He could be someone who helps fix that." Caruso is known for his hustle and can make an impact beyond his 6.4 points per game average.
Alex Caruso left the Lakers for the Bulls in 2021, but was a Lakers' fan favorite, and supposedly even the organization "regretted letting him go almost immediately after it happened." Last year, the Bulls were asking for two first-round picks for Caruso. However, Deveney argues that given Chicago's tumultuous start to this season, they may need to adjust their expectations and get more realistic about Caruso's value.
According to the anonymous executive, "[The Lakers] wouldn't give up a (first-round) pick but they could give up (Jalen) Hood-Schifino and another contract if they wait until December 15. Or Max Christie, he has some value." However, Deveney doesn't expect the market to be limited for a guy like Caruso - a valuable role player with a high motor that's also a proven winner. Caruso won a championship with the Lakers previously.
This is still in the rumor stage, so there's no official word from Chicago yet. Come Dec. 15, contracts signed this summer can be dealt. That being said, we'll have to monitor the situation in LA and Chicago until then.
