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New York Times
6 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Addressing Reed Sheppard concerns, spacing questions and more: Rockets mailbag
Welcome to the dog days of the offseason. If you're reading this, you're probably wondering what the next transition is after an underwhelming free agency and summer league. Luckily for Rockets fans, enough has happened within the organization to keep you intrigued from now until training camp opens. Kevin Durant's arrival, sorting through Houston's depth chart, and figuring out what comes next make for a busy rest of the summer. Advertisement You guys had questions; hopefully, I have some answers. Let's get to it. Could the Rockets have gotten more value for Cam Whitmore? Second round picks seem like a cheap price to pay for a former first-rounder that could average 20 points a game. — Bruno C. Thanks for your submission, Bruno. I think you speak for a substantial portion of the fanbase. When the Whitmore chapter closed in Houston earlier this month— he was sent to Washington in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick from Chicago and a 2029 second from Sacramento — the reality of today's NBA and diminishing player valuation became apparent at the same time. Not too long ago, Whitmore was heavily projected as a top-10 pick; there wasn't a mock draft in the country that had him falling outside of the lottery and certainly not to 20. Recouping external value over time isn't impossible, but the Whitmore/Houston marriage didn't pan out how both sides had hoped. The 21-year-old's potential, the longer he remained with the Rockets, excluded from head coach Ime Udoka's rotation, became a double-edged sword. Team officials were certainly aware of Whitmore's potential in the right setting — several advanced analytics projected him as an impact scorer. The problem for Whitmore, and eventually Houston, became that finding the 'right setting' didn't align with a gradually changing timeline. Toward the end of the season, both sides engaged in discussions to find a mutually beneficial decision, whether that was how to reincorporate him or trade him where he could get playing time. On draft night, the Rockets attempted to move Whitmore for a late first-round selection, team sources said, but teams weren't interested in engaging at that price point. The realization that Houston's valuation of Whitmore was higher than the consensus accelerated the process, augmented by the arrival of Kevin Durant. The Rockets' brass, led by general manager Rafael Stone, worked closely with Whitmore's representation at WME (agents Bill Duffy and Joe Branch) to find the optimal solution for both parties — a good return and a team with interest and minutes available. Advertisement There were several other offers for Whitmore involving second-round picks on the table — and Houston could have easily shuttled him in that direction — but Whitmore's representatives put development before anything else, not wanting a repeat of the past two seasons. The Rockets chose a destination close to home (Whitmore played high school ball in Severn, MD, about 25 miles from D.C.) and a team in a rebuilding phase, aligning with his current goals. It was also the best deal available at the time. Perhaps Houston could have gotten more for Whitmore during the season, but that would have required him forcing his way into Udoka's rotation and given their current depth, that always seemed unlikely. I am a fan of our offseason, but I do have one lingering concern. If Reed (Sheppard) struggles, our guard depth will basically be reduced to two undersized guards in (Fred VanVleet) and (Aaron) Holiday. Has the front office hinted at adding any other pieces to fortify the roster? — Jordan E. For anyone who watched Sheppard in Vegas, hoping for similar success stories such as Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, young players who performed well at past summer leagues, odds are you were disappointed. I would have liked to see him make amends for his lackluster performance against Detroit, but Sheppard's stint was limited to two games despite acting summer league head coach Garrett Jackson's public appeal. Sheppard still has improvement to make as a point-of-attack defender and poise as a ball handler amid pressure. Given some of his late-season flashes, Sheppard's up-and-down showing this month shouldn't concern Houston's coaching staff that much — it's more fan frustration than anything — but he's still heading into Year 2 with less than 60 games of experience. It's not out of the realm of possibility to suggest Sheppard might run into some struggles at some point, and to question what the Rockets' Plan B is in that case. And with all due respect to recently-signed veteran wing Josh Okogie, I don't think that's the solution. Following Okogie's addition, Houston is so close to the first apron that they can reach out and touch it. However, if we zoom out a bit, I don't think it's that much of an issue, either. It just takes some creativity from the coaching staff to accommodate potential pitfalls. Advertisement One solution is to stagger VanVleet and Amen Thompson to ensure that at least one of the guards remains on the floor at all times (you could also stagger VanVleet and Alperen Şengün for constant creation). Another option is calling on Udoka's old friend Holiday, who can provide some stability in spots. It's not perfect, but Houston's depth is good enough to withstand a lack of production from Sheppard, who will be sufficient anyway. And hey, if all else fails, just give it to Durant, right? Houston currently only has Kevon Harris signed to a two-way contract and is exploring how to get creative with their remaining two slots (the Rockets await N'Faly Dante's decision after tendering a qualifying offer). But if there isn't a real difference-maker out there, Houston could simply wait until Dec. 15 when someone from the Holiday/Jeff Green/Jae'Sean Tate trio would be trade-eligible. How do the Rockets solve the problem of having two key starters (Şengün and Thompson) unable to shoot from outside? It seems like offense will always be difficult because the team will face a clogged lane with extra defenders available to sag off of those two. — Mark C. It starts and ends with Şengün. From all accounts, the Turkish big has been working to expand his range to get more comfortable taking 3s, which should naturally open up more things in the half court. Consequently, Thompson has been seen online getting in several training sessions to fine-tune his jumper. Two negative shooters improving is an obvious fix. But even if that doesn't happen right away (yes, I'm aware of my previous comments re: Tate), there are still other ways to manufacture good offense with non-shooters. The spacing around both is important, yes, but the positioning of both Şengün and Thompson is important as well. Take the possession below with Şengün at the top of the key and Thompson near the dunker spot. This play is only made possible because of Şengün's screening, his gravity and quick decision-making. He's able to find a man in the corner while Brandin Podziemski is occupied with Thompson. In transition, it's again about Şengün's ability to keep up with Thompson pushing the pace, attacking the rim before making a nifty dump-off pass back to his teammate. Expect Şengün, coming off an All-Star year, to have a better impact on Houston's previous spacing issues, especially with Durant and Dorian Finney-Smith on the roster. In your opinion, have the Rockets actually improved their roster this offseason? — Ed C. Short answer is yes. Houston found their biggest weakness (a lack of a go-to scorer who happens to be an all-time floor spacer) and added a tenacious, legitimate 3-and-D big wing to the mix, all while doubling down on their double-big obsession and retaining the majority of their core. They got a lot better, and after winning 52 games last season, 56-60 isn't that lofty of an expectation, health aside. Advertisement What do you know about the Rockets' coaching staff's offseason priorities for Tari (Eason)? — John A. There's an expectation that Eason, an analytical darling, should improve his 3-point efficiency (28th percentile in spot-ups) after slightly regressing while adding more volume to his outside looks. Other than that, continuing to make him productive in transition (57th percentile last season, per Synergy) and making him a star in his role. At his best, Eason is a switchable menace who is relentless on the glass and in passing lanes while showcasing underrated athleticism. His continued growth will come from smoothening out the rough edges of his game, which can be equal parts exciting and erratic at times. With the signing of Clint Capela as a third big man, do you think the team is intending to use double bigs more than the handful of minutes per game that they did at the end of last year? — Ryan S. Oh yeah. Big time. The stellar production Houston unearthed by playing Şengün and Steven Adams together midway through the season sent them off on a tangent. And they're not the only ones suddenly fascinated with playing bigs more. I recently spoke to a Western Conference general manager who said his team paid close attention to what the Rockets did and essentially hope to duplicate it. Adding Capela to the mix allows them to preserve Adams' knees longer until the postseason, when they'll be relied upon heavily. Capela, 31, is around the same age as Adams and played 55 games to Adams' 58. It's clear at this stage of their careers that asking them to be available for an 82-game season is out of the question, but managing their load can hopefully keep them fresh. This league is all about advantages at the margins and the Rockets have found one and intend to maximize it to the fullest. (Photo of Reed Sheppard:)
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Takeaways from Sixers 41 point loss to Spurs in Las Vegas opener
The Sixers opened their Las Vegas play at the 2K26 summer league falling flat to the San Antonio Spurs 111- 70. Sixers fans were frightened by last night's news that VJ Edgecombe was ruled out for tonight's matchup with a thumb sprain. According to PHLY's Kyle Neubeck & Derek Bodner, who are currently in Las Vegas, Edgecombe was getting shots up in practice and appeared unbothered by the sprain. Concerns should be further quelled as the third overall pick joined ESPN's Katie George for an interview during the second quarter. Edgecombe said he is hopeful he will play in Vegas after being reevaluated on Saturday. Check out the post below for the full interview. 'I was ready to go hoop,' Edgecombe on his 28-point summer league debut. This game was a bloodbath from the start. The Sixers were down 18-4 after six minutes with only one made shot. That shot was a Justin Edwards three, and it was one of only two shots he would make the whole game, on only six attempts. Despite having a solid outing to close out play in Salt Lake, he would not carry any momentum into tonight. He finished with six points off of two threes, one rebound and three turnovers, looking disinterested to match the intensity displayed by the Spurs early on. Not to be unfair to Edwards, as everyone on the roster appeared jet-lagged until the second quarter. Adem Bona displayed his athleticism, holding his own defending on the perimeter, being trusted as the point man in a zone defense, and going coast-to-coast himself to finish a contested layup in transition. He would have a similar transition play in the fourth quarter, but off of a dime from Judah Mintz and finishing with a violent slam. Bona would finish with six points, five rebounds, two blocks, a steal, and only four fouls. Sixers newest signing Dominick Barlow also played a part in changing the tone in the second half, bulldozing Spurs forward Riley Minix and finishing for two. He made three of his five shots, did not attempt any threes, and tacked on five rebounds. Keve Aluma led the team in scoring with 12, but it was St. Peter's Prep product Mark Armstrong (10 points) who lit a spark off the bench, showcasing shot creation and movement shooting for a squad that desperately needed it. Spurs forward David Jones-Garcia continued his hot summer league start and set the tone for them physically. He finished with a game-high 24 points, efficiently making nine of his 12 shots. This happens to be the same 'David Jones' Sixers fans may remember from last year's summer league roster. There just may have been some bad blood. The Sixers will be back in action in Vegas against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. More from Liberty Links: Jayson Tatum should not be a top-five pick in 2017 NBA Draft Sixers Tinder: Shawn Long and Alex Poythress will be forgotten Markelle Fultz could be the icing on the Sixers' cake Sixers Mailbag: Would you trade Dario Saric in a package to acquire the No. 1 pick? Brett Brown highlights list of keepers from 2016-17 Sixers Ben Simmons says he worked on his shot while out for the year Liberty Links: More than half of ESPN writers pick Joel Embiid for Rookie of the Year
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jahmai Mashack's shooting highlights 3 takeaways from Grizzlies summer league loss vs 76ers
The Memphis Grizzlies went into their third and final game of summer league action in Salt Lake City with a shortened roster. Many of the previous starters rested, while other players got extended opportunities against the Philadelphia 76ers. Memphis led by as many as 14 points before the 76ers took control early in the third quarter. The Grizzlies fought back after trailing by as many as 16 points and got within one with 1.9 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies got a steal on a Sixers inbounds pass, but a near fullcourt heave shot fell short. Memphis dropped its Salt Lake City summer league finale in a 91-90 loss on July 8. Here are three takeaways from the Grizzlies' summer league loss at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Missing in action Memphis rested all of its starters from the first two summer league games. Zyon Pullin, Cam Spencer, GG Jackson, Jaylen Wells and Armando Bacot all sat out against the 76ers. Rookie Grizzlies guard Javon Small also missed his second consecutive game while nursing a groin strain. In addition to those absences, Grizzlies first-round pick Cedric Coward has yet to make his summer league debut while recovering from a shoulder injury suffered in college. Coward is considered doubtful to play in summer league, but he hasn't been ruled out. There is a small chance that Coward could play in Las Vegas if he performs well in five-on-five action and contact drills. Jahmai Mashack stats Jahmai Mashack didn't get a chance to play in the Grizzlies' first summer league game, but he has made his presence felt in the last two. After fouling out on July 7, Mashack stayed out of foul trouble against the 76ers. Mashack joined the starting lineup and had a quality performance. He continued to be a pest defensively, but the best part of his performance was the 3-point shooting. When Mashack first spoke to local media members inside FedExForum, he stated that he believes his shooting will surprise some people. So far through summer league, he's been right. Mashack made three 3-pointers against the 76ers and looked confident shooting. He finished with 13 points on 4-for-9 shooting overall. There's no understating the importance of Mashack's growth as a shooter. It's his ticket to a long and impactful NBA career. He was arguably the best perimeter defender in the 2025 draft class, so that's where he's expected to make the biggest difference. However, if he can consistently knock down 3-pointers, Memphis may have found a steal with the last pick of the draft. Vying for a spot? With the usual starters out, several other players had a chance to make a bigger impact. Tyler Burton took advantage of that opportunity as much as anyone. The 6-foot-7 forward led the Grizzlies with 23 points. He knocked down five 3-pointers and shot 6-for-11 overall. The Grizzlies have a crowded group of forwards on the roster, but Burton's performance will be something to monitor through the remainder of summer league action. What's next The Grizzlies now will head to the Las Vegas summer league tournament. Memphis will play four games before vying for a chance to win the championship. Last season, Memphis lost in the championship game against the Miami Heat. Summer league action in Las Vegas begins on July 10, but the Grizzlies will play their first game on July 11 against the Boston Celtics (3 p.m., NBA TV). Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Grizzlies summer league highlights: Jahmai Mashack, Memphis takeaways
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers are waiving center Trey Jemison III
With NBA summer league play now over, the Los Angeles Lakers filled two of their two-way roster spots on Monday. They decided to sign center Christian Koloko and undrafted rookie wing Chris Manon, both of whom showed some promise during summer league play this month. Koloko joined the Lakers on a two-way contract last summer after missing all of the 2023-24 season due to a blood clot issue. They also had Trey Jemison III, another center, on a two-way contract this past season, and Jemison was also on their summer league roster this month. On Monday, Los Angeles decided to waive Jemison. Jemison, 25, went undrafted in 2023 and has two seasons of NBA experience with four different teams. As a member of the Lakers this past season, he averaged 2.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.4 blocks in 10.3 minutes a game and played with plenty of energy. During the main Las Vegas summer league this month, he registered 0.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 12.1 minutes a game. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers are waiving center Trey Jemison III
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers to sign Christian Koloko, Chris Manon to two-way contracts
After getting former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart to agree to sign a two-year contract, the Los Angeles Lakers made a couple more minor roster moves on Monday. During NBA summer league play, they got a look at some of their young players. Guard Bronny James, after a slow start, put forth some promising play on both ends of the court, and forward Darius Bazley played some high-energy basketball until he suffered a leg injury in the team's penultimate game. On Monday, the Lakers decided to sign center Christian Koloko and wing Chris Manon to two-way contracts. Koloko was with them during summer league play, while Manon suited up for the Golden State Warriors. Koloko was a second-round draft pick in 2022 after three seasons at the University of Arizona. He missed all of the 2022-23 season due to a blood clot issue, and in 37 games with the Lakers this past season, he averaged 2.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.4 blocks in 9.2 minutes a game. While in the G League, he put up 14.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per contest. He had originally signed with L.A. on a two-way contract last summer. Manon, who went undrafted in last month's NBA draft, averaged 11.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 steals in 18.1 minutes a game during the Las Vegas summer league. He isn't a 3-point shooting threat, but at 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, he hustles and plays hard on the defensive end and has a strong motor. On Sunday, the Lakers waived guard Jordan Goodwin, whom they had called up from the G League at midseason. Perhaps Manon will essentially be Goodwin's replacement as far as a high-motor wing they will look to develop. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers to sign Christian Koloko, Chris Manon to two-way contracts
