Antetokounmpo Returns to Bucks Camp; Pistons Weigh Rotation Choices
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Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo rejoined the team on Monday after sitting out the first week of training camp with COVID-19, according to Eric Nehm of The Athletic. The 6’11” forward has not yet participated in contact drills but said he expects to be ready for the Oct. 24 season opener.
“I’m not feeling 100 percent yet, physically,” Antetokounmpo told reporters. “Just take it day by day, get back in shape. I was able to do some 5-on-0, run up and down a little bit. I’ve got 18 days until the first game, so I think I’ll be fine.”
In Detroit, the Pistons opened their preseason schedule Monday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. Ahead of the game, Hunter Patterson of The Athletic projected a depth chart that places offseason additions Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson with the second unit, while Jaden Ivey returns from a leg injury and aims to resume his role in the starting backcourt next to Cade Cunningham.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said training-camp competition has made final roster decisions difficult. “There’s not one guy out here that I can tell you doesn’t deserve to play,” Bickerstaff told Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press. He is evaluating veteran reserves Javonte Green and Paul Reed, second-year forward Bobi Klintman, and rookie guard Chaz Lanier for the remaining spots in the rotation.
Elsewhere in the Central Division, the Cleveland Cavaliers plan to keep reserve guard Lonzo Ball on a minutes restriction and hold him out of back-to-back games once the regular season begins.
Source: HoopsRumors
