NBA Roundup: Cavaliers weigh final roster move, Warriors plan for Curry rest, Grizzlies hope Morant improves from long range
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The Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies all face key questions as training camp approaches, with roster decisions, star player workloads and shooting concerns topping their respective agendas.
Cavaliers still have one roster slot to fill
Cleveland must sign one more player to a standard contract before camp opens in roughly six weeks. While front-court depth remains an option, Sports Illustrated’s Tommy Wild has floated free-agent guard Malcolm Brogdon as a possible target. Brogdon, a former Sixth Man of the Year, could steady the backcourt early in the season if Darius Garland (toe surgery) is not ready for opening night and if the club restricts Lonzo Ball from back-to-back games. Beyond that trio, the Cavaliers have rookie Craig Porter Jr., whose ability to handle a regular rotation role is still uncertain.
Warriors search for answers when Curry sits
Golden State’s offense produced just 104.2 points per 100 possessions without both Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler last season, ranking in the fifth percentile leaguewide, according to Cleaning the Glass data cited by ESPN. With Curry on the floor, that figure jumped to 120.1 (85th percentile). After Butler arrived at the trade deadline, the Warriors logged a 113.9 offensive rating in Butler-only minutes, paired with elite defense, helping the team finish 23-8 with the NBA’s third-best net rating during that stretch. Now 37, Curry is expected to rest more often, but Golden State must resolve the uncertain status of forward Jonathan Kuminga before making further moves.
Grizzlies need Morant’s long-range accuracy to climb
Ja Morant has connected on just 30.5 percent of his three-point attempts over the past three seasons—a rate that ranks last among point guards with at least 500 tries in that span, per ESPN. His career mark stands at 31.6 percent, second worst among active point guards with 1,000 attempts, ahead of only Russell Westbrook. Memphis sent out Desmond Bane in an offseason trade yet still fields a deep roster anchored by high-salary stars, but improving Morant’s perimeter efficiency is viewed as essential to the club’s playoff hopes.
Source: Hoops Wire
