Bucks Renew Interest in LaVine; Sixers Hand Point-Forward Duties to George; Nets Rookie Wolf Keeps Impressing
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Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have resumed background checks on Kings guard Zach LaVine while examining potential upgrades around Giannis Antetokounmpo, league sources told The Athletic’s Sam Amick. Milwaukee previously explored LaVine’s availability and has again contacted Sacramento about the two-time All-Star.
Sacramento is still willing to discuss LaVine as it gauges the franchise’s long-term direction. The 30-year-old is earning $47.5 million this season and holds a $48.9 million player option for 2026-27, a contract figure that complicates trade talks. NBA reporter Marc Stein recently noted LaVine’s market could expand if the guard declined that option in favor of a longer, lower-annual deal.
LaVine is averaging 20.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists while hitting nearly 39 percent of his three-point attempts. Internally, Kings general manager Scott Perry and head coach Doug Christie have expressed concern about the veteran’s defensive effort during the club’s early struggles, according to DallasHoopsJournal.
76ers
Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse has increasingly used Paul George as a point forward, and the experiment is delivering results. George has recorded 13 assists across his last three outings, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
“I’m comfortable with the ball,” George said. “It’s about trusting my body and gaining confidence on the floor.” Nurse hopes the adjustment will add another playmaking option while easing pressure on the rest of the rotation.
Nets
Rookie center Danny Wolf continued his strong run Friday, finishing with 17 points and seven rebounds in a loss to Dallas. The first-year big man is averaging 13.5 points over his past six contests after a productive stint with Brooklyn’s G League affiliate, Long Island.
“When he had the opportunity to play with Long Island, he took advantage of his minutes,” head coach Jordi Fernández said. “Now that he’s in the rotation, he’s taking advantage of his minutes. He’s a special player because at his size he can do so many different things.”
Fellow rookie Egor Demin saw only a brief fourth-quarter appearance, logging just over two minutes as Brooklyn faltered late. “He was trying to fix mistakes by trying to make things happen,” Fernández noted. “That’s not how the team needs him to play. He’s got to be better, otherwise the minutes are going to go down.”
Source: Hoops Wire
