Raptors HQ Favourite Cam Tabatabaie: I love the Gasol trade. Even at 34, he's a former All-Star and a tested veteran. More importantly, the move checks two important boxes for Toronto. First, the best of the East all got better at the deadline. The Bucks earned key rotation players, the Sixers took a shot at building a Big 4, and the Celtics opened up a roster spot for future buy out player signings. Toronto needed to make some sort of upgrade just to keep pace. Gasol certain

USA Today Last night, Lonzo Ball was carried off the court in the game against the Houston Rockets with what looked like a nasty ankle sprain. As he planted his left ankle, all of his weight was distributed to the lateral aspect of his foot, causing a varus stress. That movement then resulted in the stretching and straining of the lateral ligaments of his ankle. After having to go to the nearest hospital to get x-rays, the Lakers and their fans got more clarity today after ge

I believe the first trade that the Miami Heat need to make before the trade deadline should involve Wayne Ellington, the man with the golden arm. Ellington fell out of the rotation about a month ago, and with Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson, Rodney McGruder, Dwyane Wade, Tyler Johnson, and even Dion Waiters firmly ahead of him in the depth chart, it seems highly unlikely he will find enough minutes anywhere in the near future. Ellington is more valuable than most people migh

New York Post Luke Walton stated last night that Rajon Rondo fractured his hand and would be missing a couple of weeks. The team is unsure of when the injury ocurred during their 126-117 win against the Portland Trailblazers. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk report that Rondo fractured the third metacarpal in his right hand and will be seeing a specialist today to determine whether or not surgery is warranted. The initial assumption by the Lakers is that they will be

Oregon Live The Lakers deficiencies at the center position have been well documented. Outside of JaVale McGee their most capable player at the five is rookie Johnathan Williams. The signing of veteran big man Tyson Chandler will help fill the void at the spot. Phoenix’s decision to buyout Chandler immediately brought up the immediate possibility of Los Angeles as his next destination. The new Lakers backup center was originally selected by the franchise with the number 2 over

Grizzly Bear Blues *The NBA offseason is cooling down, but the takes at OTG aren't. This month, we are hitting you with the Hot Take Marathon. Check back every day for a spicy NBA take!* The Western Conference is going to be an absolute slugfest next season. Last season, only 3 wins separated the third seed Portland Trail Blazers (49 wins) and the ninth seed Denver Nuggets (46 wins). 2018-19 could see things get even tighter. Teams like the Nuggets, Lakers and Clippers all im

Celtics Blog The 2019 free agent class is even more stacked than this year’s one was. With rumours already heating up about some possible big names moving and/or teaming up, the 2019 free agency period is expected to produce some major fireworks. While this year’s period has been somewhat underwhelming , next year is sure to heat up. Here’s some of the biggest names available on next year’s market. Klay Thompson NY Post Klay is one of the premier shooting guards in the league

This week on JBT: -We cover the Raptors/Spurs trade from all angles including who won the deal and which team outside of Toronto and San Antonio benefitted most. -We also chat about the Carmelo Anthony trade by OKC, 2K19 ratings and have a chat about the awesomeness of social basketball. All that and more on this week's episode Just Ball Things! KEEP BALLIN' SUPERSTARS! https://www.facebook.com/JustBallThings/ https://twitter.com/TheJManJBT https://twitter.com/JBTnick #JBT #n

Courtesy of NBA.com Not all free agency moves are created equally. I previously wrote about some of the best new fits for teams around the league, on the flipside, here are some of the worst. You can debate as to whether the following signings were wholly horrible yet it can’t be argued there are going to be at least some issues with how the following players fit with their new squads. Jabari Parker: Chicago Bulls Courtesy of NBA.com Financially the Bulls did fine in signing

Source: Chicago Tribune This year’s free agency period has been a little slower than we all expected. In saying that, plenty of players have found new homes and there are still a few notable names on the market. With that, let’s look at some of the best fits for players who have changed teams. Tyreke Evans: Indiana Pacers Source: The Commercial Appeal My boy Kory Waldron was ecstatic with the Pacers signing of the former Grizzlie and with good reason. Evans had the best seaso

Image Courtesy of The Players' Tribune LeBron’s departure has left his former teammate, Kevin Love, in no man’s land. He’s the lone All-Star in a island of misfit toys that is the Cleveland Cavaliers. While his production has certainly waned in his time since leaving Minnesota, he’s still one of the best stretch big men in the league and a nightly double double threat. Love still has a lot to offer and his skills are best utilised outside of Cleveland, who should be looking t

This week in a special offseason edition of JBT: -LeBron is officially a Laker, how good will L.A. be in a stacked Western Conference? -Who takes Cleveland's spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs? -Did LaVar cause Lonzo's knee injury? -Should Charlotte trade Kemba Walker? -Will KD leave the Warriors following his current contract? Plus we go through all the moves made so far in free agency. All that and so much more on a jam-packed episode of Just Ball Things! KEEP BALLIN'

This week on JBT: We discuss Andrew Wiggins' future in Minnesota, the injuries affecting the top teams around the association and whether Isaiah Thomas needs to change his mindset. Speaking of, should the Lakers re-sign his teammate, Julius Randle? Will the Grizzlies win another game this season? And are the Pacers the biggest overachievers? Plus we've got JBTeam, Rookie Watch and DBS is back for all you 'tanking' fans. All that and more on this week's episode of JBT. KEEP BA

Lonzo Ball in Magic Johnson’s Los Angeles is looking like a match made in Laker heaven. It’s a symbiotic relationship with each adding to the fuel of the other: Lonzo has all of the pressure he could wish for, his Big Baller Brand camp has a platform for promotion and the Lakers have a young franchise cornerstone with popularity befitting Hollywood and potentially the talent to continue the Showtime and Kobe Bryant Laker dynasties. Off-court and on-paper everything adds up, b

The Los Angeles Lakers and their fans have always shared a relentlessness toward winning championships. When you’re considered arguably the greatest franchise in the history of your sport, there comes a certain scepter you have to wield when sitting on the throne. In other words, “rebuilding” is simply not enough. With their young talents coming into their own while showing no signs of All-Star candidacy and MVP caliber players, the Lakers know they are currently years behind

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…. Like so many fans around the world, I have been wrapped up in Star Wars mania over the holiday season. The latest installation to the franchise, The Last Jedi, is breaking box office records and has received widespread acclaim. Around the same time as the Last Jedi’s release, NBA fans also witnessed the jersey retirement ceremony of one Kobe Bean Bryant earlier this month. Bryant had the distinction of having both his #8 and #24 jer

In his fourth season, young Mavs center, Nerlens Noel is averaging career lows in basically every key statistical category. He’s barely getting on the court; of the 32 games this season he’s been active for a total of 18 of them. When he’s activated he’s barely getting game time, averaging a paltry 12.5 minutes per outing. For a man looking to prove himself worthy of a max contract after reportedly turning one down before the start of the season, a change of scenery looks not

Things did not look good for Lakers forward Julius Randle on opening night: L.A.’s plan to chase two max free agents likely meant letting Randle go in the offseason, his starting spot was usurped by Larry Nance Jr., and rookie Kyle Kuzma’s emergence chipped into his playing time. Shortly into their first game with the Los Angeles Clippers Randle checked in, but was quickly yanked and scolded by coach Luke Walton for his lacking defensive effort. All these factors pointed to a