The start of the 2023-24 NBA season is just around the corner. Transfer news have settled down lately, and most teams are already fitting their new acquisitions into their system; whether it may be through the draft, trades, or free agent signings.
Some household names will wear new threads next season, which may take time to get used to, while other stars’ transfer news are still in the air.
With that being said, here are the latest offseason news courtesy of SBOTOP.
NBA stars show interest to suit up for the Olympics
After failing to medal at the 2023 World Cup in Manila, there is an immense interest from NBA superstars to suit up for team USA in the 2024 Olympics.
Spearheaded by two-time Olympic gold medalist LeBron James, perennial NBA stars such as Anthony Davis, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, and, Damian Lillard, to name a few, are candidates to represent team USA.
Age and Injuries are obvious concerns for some of these players. It was evident in the World Cup that the Americans are in need of size to match up with top teams in the International stage.
Team USA would look to Anthony Davis, arguably the best big available, to anchor the paint for the Americans. It is well documented that AD is injury-riddled, so his health for the Olympics should be a priority for Team USA.
In the same breath, some of the candidates for team USA are already savvy veterans in their own right. Stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Chris Pau l are all over 35 years old by next year.
Witnessing these athletes still playing at such a high level is a marvel to watch, and it will be interesting to see how their longevity holds up in international play.
Official commitments have yet to be confirmed, but the fact that the biggest names in the NBA are showing early signs of interest can mean nothing but good news for basketball fans all over the world.
Load Management
Load management has scourged the NBA for years. Over the past seasons, teams have been strategically resting their star players, which lead to the dismay of fans around the world, who pay to see their favourite players in action.
To the league’s credit, it has tried to mitigate teams resting their players by limiting the number of back-to-backs, especially if the latter is a nationally televised game. The NBA also mandated players compete in at least 65 of 82 regular-season games to be eligible for awards such as NBA Most Valuable Player.
Now, the NBA board of governors is anticipated to vote within this week regarding a new policy that would imply stricter guidelines on resting players for national televised games and would not allow teams to rest multiple “star” players in the same game, as reports claim.
Players that are considered stars are the players who made an All-Star or an All-NBA team in the past three seasons. Teams could face a fine of $100,000 for the first violation, $250,000 for the second, and $1 million for any additional penalty.
This is a will be great for fans hoping to see their idols showcase their talents on the hardwood, and even help dictate the NBA 2023 results, but it would ultimately depend on how the teams and players take this new rule seriously.
Other News
The San Antonio Spurs waive veteran point guard Cameron Payne after acquiring him from the Phoenix Suns earlier this summer.
Payne was a serviceable backup point guard for the Phoenix Suns last season averaging 10.8 points and 4.6 assists. With the Suns’ roster overhaul this offseason, Payne, a second-round draft pick, and cash were traded to the San Antonio Spurs for a protected second-round pick in 2024.
Many have thought Payne’s veteran presence would help develop no. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama, who is still the heavy favourite to win Rookie of the Year in the NBA 2023 betting odds.
Elsewhere, Kevin Porter Jr. is charged with felony assault and strangulation for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend Kysre Gondrezick, a former WNBA player. Porter was arrested in New York City but was released on a $75,000 cash bail after pleading not guilty for the charges.
The NBA has recognised Porter’s arrest and is currently in contact with the Houston Rockets, as per league spokesperson Mike Bass. The Rockets organisation may not impose any punishment on Porter Jr. while the NBA is still conducting their investigation.
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