The Dallas Mavericks continue to spotlight rookie forward Cooper Flagg, while the Sacramento Kings weigh a potential deal with Russell Westbrook and the Philadelphia 76ers prepare an Exhibit 10 contract for MarJon Beauchamp.
Mavericks
Head coach Jason Kidd said Flagg’s “superpowers” are his toughness and willingness to play through discomfort. “His winning DNA—he stood in line a little longer to get that,” Kidd told reporters, underscoring Flagg’s team-first approach.
Kidd also envisions an immediate impact from a front-court pairing of Flagg and second-year center Dereck Lively II. The coach’s main concern after Saturday’s preseason loss to Charlotte was rebounding; the Hornets held a 54-37 edge on the glass.
Flagg, who finished the game with five turnovers, said he is still learning how to complement veteran big man Anthony Davis. “I gotta find ways to help AD more,” the No. 1 overall pick said after the game.
Kings
Shams Charania reported on ESPN’s “NBA Today” that there is still “strong mutual interest” between Westbrook and Sacramento. The Kings ranked 29th in bench points and assists last season and view the 36-year-old guard as a solution.
Westbrook’s existing ties include former teammates Domantas Sabonis and Dennis Schröder, plus new assistant general manager B.J. Armstrong, who knew him during their shared agency days.
Sactown Sports host Carmichael Dave placed the likelihood of a deal at roughly 70 percent, adding that salary considerations remain the lone obstacle. Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 75 games for Denver last year and contributed 11.7 points per game in the postseason. Sacramento currently carries 13 guaranteed contracts, leaving room on the roster.
The guard also has a lucrative offer to play in China, though that option is not expected to be revisited until after the All-Star break.
Sixers
Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that free-agent wing MarJon Beauchamp has agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with the 76ers, though the contract has not yet been finalized. Portland, which briefly signed and then waived the 25-year-old, remains involved in the process.
Selected by Milwaukee in the first round of the 2022 draft, Beauchamp has appeared for the Bucks, Clippers and Knicks. He owns career averages of 4.1 points across 135 games and shot 35 percent from three-point range last season.
If Philadelphia signs and then waives him before opening night, Beauchamp would be eligible for an $85,300 bonus by spending 60 days with the G-League Delaware Blue Coats. The 76ers are at the 21-player offseason limit, so another transaction will be necessary to make the deal official.
Source: Hoops Wire
