(NBA 2K23) Changing the Landscape of the NBA.

[Deuce2223]

SONICS FINISH NOVEMBER .500

November was a bit of a roller coaster for the Super Sonics as the franchise goes 8-8 and now hold a 11-9 Overall record falling to 3rd in the Northwest Division 3 games back of Sacramento (11-5) and 6th in the Western Conference.

SONIC LEADERS

5 players are currently averaging double digits so far this season and 4 more are averaging over 8 PPG. Last season the Sonics lead the league scoring 126 PPG and so far through Nov 30th, Seattle is 4th in the NBA at 122.7 PPG.

Zion Williamson continues to lead the team at 22.1 PPG with Ingram coming in at 18.8 PPG, CJ McCollum at 18.0, Jarrett Allen at 14.4 and Trey Murphy at 12.6 PPG coming off the bench.

Jordan Hawkins (9.3), Herb Jones (8.4) Dyson Daniels (8.1) and DeMarcus Cousins (8.1)..

ROOKIE REPORT

Aaron Bradshaw has seen action in 18 of the Sonics 20 games and so far is averaging 4.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG well shooing 40%.

Tyrese Proctor has played in 13 games averaging 9.0 MPG, but has struggled offensively averaging just 1.0 PPG and 1..8 APG shooting just 25% FG.

Xavier Booker has played in just 6 games averaging 4.2 MPG and is averaging 2.8 PPG and 1.2 RPG.

**Booker will join JJ Startling in the G league in hopes to get more minutes **

SEATTLE ADDS HARRY BENNETT

With Rookie Xavier Booker headed to the G league for more playing time, Seattle added 28 yr old Harry Bennett (74 Ovr) to the roster. The 6'10 forward was undrafted out of Iowa State but has the ability to play 4 positions (2-5) and could be look to give Coach Green another option.

GM Ryan Derozan

Quote:

"Bennett has a great shooting touch (84 Close, 82 Mid, 91 3PT) and with his size can be a mismatch on the perimeter where he also provides pretty solid defense (76)."

[Deuce2223]

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AROUND THE LEAGUE NEWS (NOVEMBER)

HAWKS ARE ROAD WARRIORS

The Atlanta Hawks are once again the team to beat in the East. The Hawks a perfect 9-0 on the road so far this season and a perfect 10-0 against other Eastern Conference opponents leading to a NBA best 16-2 record at the end of November.


BAD MOVES BY THE BULLS

The Chicago Bulls finished 2nd in the Central last season and claimed the #6 seed in the East. In the off-season they PG Lonzo Ball and PF DeMar DeRozan walk in Free Agency and replaced them with Cole Anthony and Anthony Davis.

Those moves in the stat columns would say the Bulls should be title contenders as Davis is putting up All-Star/MVP type #'s (25.0 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.7 SPG and 2.7 BPG) well Cole is averaging 9.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 6.9 APG.

However right now through November, the Bulls are tied with the Bucks for last place in the East with a 4-13 record.

COULD SPURS PICK #1 IN 3 STRAIGHT YEARS?

Despite a roster that includes Tre Jones and Isiah Collier, OG Anunoby, Keldon Johnson, Gordon Hayward, last year's Rookie of the Year, Victor Wembanyama and Zach Collins the Spurs have won just 2 games this season and have the worst record in the NBA at (2-15).

ROOKIE REPORT

Portland's pick of Ron Holland with the #10 pick in last year's draft is proving to be the best pick of the draft so far through November.

Holland is averaging 15.9 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.4 SPG and 1.4 BPG well shooting 50% starting in 7 of the Trail Blazers 17 games.

His teammate Aday Mara is also putting up solid # as the #5 pick, Mara has started all 17 games and is averaging 11. PPG, 9.8 RPG and 1.4 BPG.


If anyone is going to beat Holland out for ROY, keep an eye on 19 yr old Matt Buzelis of the Hornets. The #6 Overall pick has only started 1 game so far this season but has played in 15 games and is averaging 15.5 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.8 APG well shooting 48% FG and 37% from 3PT.

LILLARD'S NEW LEASE ON LIFE

Damian Lillard has averaged 25.1 PPG and averaged 38% from 3PT over 13 years in the league playing 11+ years in Portland without a ring. Now in South Beach, Lillard is proving his worth, leading the league with career high's. Lillard is putting up 32.2 PPG 4.3 RPG, 7.6 APG 1.1 SPG well making a insane 47% from 3PT (103/220).

INJURY REPORT

Devin Booker played in just 63 games last season before being lost for the season with a Torn Right ACL. Booker has yet to suite up this season and is expect to miss most of this season as well

Oklahoma City will be without PF Jalen Williams for the next 8-10 weeks with a torn hamstring. Williams the #12 pick in the 2022 draft out of Santa Clara was averaging 15.0 PPG, 3.1 RPG, and 3.4 APG this season after averaging 13.8 PPG, 4.0 RPG and 2.6 APG last season.

Paul George leaving the L.A.. Clippers for Toronto was a bit of a nose scratcher in the off-season. Well now it's George who will miss the next 2 weeks with a Broken Nose. George was averaging a career best 30.4 PPG for the Raptors this season.

[Deuce2223]

SONICS TAKE DIVISION LEAD!!

Seattle played well in the month of December going 10-5 to improve to a (21-14) Overall record as they take over 1st place on the Northwest Division with a 4.0 game lead on the (16-17) Jazz and a 4.5 game lead on Denver (15-17).

The Sonics are also #2 in the Western Conference trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder (22-10) by 2.5 games and have a 1 game lead over the 3rd place Memphis Grizzlies.

Seattle will kickoff January with a game @ Oklahoma City and will face Portland twice in the month but will see 7 games vs Eastern Conference out of their 16 game schedule including the last place Milwaukee Bucks (9-24).

SEATTLE OWNS 3 PICKS IN UPCOMING DRAFT

The future looks bright for the Sonics in draft as they hold the Bucks 1st Round pick via the J. Holiday trade as well as the Lakers 1st Round pick.

Right now the Bucks pick projects as the #1 and the Lakers currently #4 with the Sonics playoff bound likely picking in the mid 20's.

Currently the question of who is worthy of #1 is open to debate. Draft Express currently has 6'6 SG Isiah Elohim of Kentucky as they #1 followed by 6'8 SF Isaiah Evans from Florida State and 6'6 SF Ian Jackson of Duke #3.

2K draft gurus has Evans #1, followed Jackson at #2 and 6'4 SG Tre Johnson from Texas #3, with Elohim ranked #4.

NBA.Com likes Jackson #1, followed by Evans and Johnson but like Nassir Cunningham the 6'8 SF from Missouri #4 with Elohim dropping all the way back to #7.

GM Ryne Derozan

Quote:

" With 2 picks projected in the Top-5, we have a opportunity to create something special in Seattle. The Franchise has had quite a bit of success drafting #2 landing Gary Payton and Kevin Durant, so hopefully our scouts can do their job and figure out who it is we should be taking #1"

TRADE TALKS SWIRLING!!

With the trade deadline just 6 weeks away, the phone call's are starting to come in, but with limited room via the Salary Cap, it doesn't look like Seattle will be big players in this year's trade talks unless they move PG/SG CJ McCollum or PF Zion Williams.

McCollum Wants to Extend

CJ McCollum knows his name has come up in trade talks. The 33 yr old PG/SG has 2 years left on a deal that pays him over 33 million per season ,but it's CJ's desire to retire in the Northwest and rumors are he is looking for a extension to keep him in Seattle.

GM Ryan Derozan

Quote:

"It's true, we have talked to CJ about a possible extension and it is something we are exploring"

DEROZAN PULLS OFF A TRADE

GM Ryan Derozan made a move to start the season signing former All-Star and veteran "BIG" DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins played well for the Sonics averaging 12.8 MPG and produced 8.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG well shooting 51% FG.

However today we learned Cousins is on the move as he heads back to Denver where he spent part of the 21-22 season.

Derozan

Quote:

"I have all the respect for Boogie in the world, and I think most teams he has played for do as well. It's not very often that a team trades with a division rival, but Denver called looking for a backup for Aaron Gordon and Jokic and we felt like we were in a good spot wanting to give Aaron Bradshaw more minutes in the post. I also had my eye on a guy who I have liked for along time and seeing how he had fallen out of the Nuggets rotation I felt it was time to pounce"

Coming back to Seattle in the deal is 23 yr old SF Christian Braun. Braun the #21 Overall pick of the 2022 draft out of Kansas averaged 6.9 PPG and shot 35% last season averaging 18 MPG, but saw those minutes drop to 13 MPG after Denver acquired veteran SF Bojan Bogdanvic from Detroit.

COULD BRAUN LEAD TO HERB JONES TRADE?

The Sonics now have 3 young SG/SF on the roster in the form of 21 yr old Dyson Daniels, 22 yr old Jordan Hawkins and now the 23 yr old Braun, leading to many trade rumors it is not Herbert Jones as the most likely Sonic heading out before the trade deadline. Jones the #5 pick in the 2nd round of the 2021 draft, played great as a rookie averaging 9.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.1 APG and 1.7 SPG well shooting 34% from 3pt earning a new deal making over 12 million for the next 3 years, but saw those #'s drop last season averaging 7.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG and 1.5 SPG well shooting just 24% from 3PT.

Derozan

Quote:

"We love Herbie and honestly we have very interest in trading him but I would be lying if I didn't say we get at least 1 to 2 calls a week about his availability"

[Deuce2223]

PORTLAND DEALS GRANT BACK TO THE PISTONS!!

Jerami Grant is returning to the Motor City as Portland goes into a full rebuild mode. The Trail Blazers are currently 11-20 sitting in last place in the Western Conference well Detroit has surprised going 19-16 through December and are currently sitting in 6th place in the East and are just 4 games back of the Cav's in the Centeral.

Coming back to Portland in the deal is a pair of younger PF's that will compete for the chance to join the core of Henderson/Simmons/Sharpe in Portland.

Marvin Bagley III was the #2 pick Overall in the 2018 draft by Sacramento where he averaged 14.1 PPG, 7.5 RPG, but in the 21-22 season he joined Detroit where he has averaged just 9.2 PPG and 5.9 RPG.

Joining Bagley will be 23 yr old Isaiah Stewart the #16 Pick of the 2020 Draft.
Stewart has averaged 8.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG over the course of 4 seasons for the Pistons.

Grant averaged 18.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.2 APG in his 1st season with the Blazers but saw those #'s drop to 15.7 PPG, 3.1 RPG and 2.0 APG so far in the 23-24 season.

[Deuce2223]

AROUND THE LEAGUE UPDATE

STANDINGS AS OF JAN 1ST

EAST
Boston Celtics (33-16)
Cleveland Cav's (31-17)
Atlanta Hawks (31-17)
Detroit Pistons (30-19)
Philadelphia 76er's (28-19)
New York Knicks (27-22)
Toronto Raptors (26-23)
Charlotte Hornets (25-23)
Indiana Pacers (25-24)
Miami Heat (25-24)
Brooklyn Nets (24-23)
Washington Wizards (18-31)
Orlando Magic (18-31)
Chicago Bulls (18-32)
Milwaukee Bucks (15-32)

"The Big stories here is the race for the #1 seed and the playoffs. Well it looks like a 3 way race for #1 with the Celtics, Cav's and Hawks, Detroit has done a excellent job in putting their name into the mix with the addition of Grant at PF.

Well the Top-4 seeds look pretty clear, the biggest question is seeds 6-8. Can Miami make a push and get Lillard a shot at a title? The former Trail Blazer is having a MVP season in South Beach averaging 30.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 7.6 APG well shooting 44% from 3pt. But Miami is going to need more then just their Big 3 to compete for a NBA title.

WEST

Oklahoma City Thunder (33-15)
Seattle Super Sonics (32-19)
Golden State (26-23)
Memphis Grizzlies (28-21)
Denver Nuggets (26-23)
Las Vegas Hustlers (26-24)
Houston Rockets (25-23)
Dallas Mavericks (24-24)
San Antonio Spurs (23-25)
Utah Jazz (21-28)
Los Angeles Lakers (20-28)
Los Angeles Clippers (20-30)
Sacramento Kings (19-29)
Portland Trail Blazers (16-31)
Phoenix Suns (16-33)

Oklahoma City seems to love their new spot in the Southwest as they take the #1 seed away from Memphis in a division in which all 5 teams are still vying for a playoff spot.

The Clippers and Suns have dropped 8 straight and both squads appear to be out of the playoff race. L.A is without Kawhi Leonard who is out with Lower right Leg Stress Fracture for the next 2-4 months leaving James Harden to leave a star depleated roster, well Phoenix's Devin Booker still hasn't played this season with a Torn Right ACL.

BEAL ON THE MOVE AGAIN

Phoenix made a move to try and help Kevin Durant (25.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 4.2 APG) as the Suns deal SG Bradley Beal (23.3 PPG) for SG Jordan Clarkson (14.0 PPG) and PF John Collins (15.6 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.0 BPG), but so far it hasn't paid off.

Could Durant be heading out the door? Rumors are he wants to finish his career where it started back in Seattle. Question is how does Durant fit on a roster with Ingram and Williamson? He doesn't as one of those guy's probably would have to be included in the deal to get this done.


LEBRON HEADED HOME

The Lakers firmly out of the playoff race has given Lebron James a chance at one more title, a return home and a chance to play with his son.

Cleveland traded PG Kira Lewis and a pair of 2nd Round picks to the Nets for Bronny James earlier in the day and the Cav's then dealt SF Isac Okoro, SG Carvis LaVert and veterans Georges Niang and Dean Wade to the Lakers for the King himself.

Lebron will settle into the Cav's lineup at SF, well Bronny will see some minutes off the bench as the 3rd PG on the Cav's roster, with veteran Mike Conley currently backing up Darius Garland.

Senior Lebron was averaging 27.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG 6.4 APG, 1.5 SPG and 1.9 BPG this season for the Lakers showing he still has something left in the tank at the age of 40.

Little Lebron saw action in 19 games for the Nets averaging 12.8 MPG, with a 3.9 PPG, 2.1 RPG and 2.5 APG average.


GIANNIS READY TO EXPLORE NEXT CHAPTER

With Milwaukee currently the worst team in the NBA, super star Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready to move on and explore other options. G.A. has spent his entire 12 year career with the Bucks averaging 22.3 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, and 1.4 BPG.

Rumors are the Atlanta Hawks are offering a trade package of SF De'Andre Hunter-81 Ovr (4th Overall pick in 2019), PF Onyeka Okongwu-82 Ovr (6th Overall pick in 2020) as well as 3-1st Round picks (a 2024 Lottery protected via Sacremento, a 2026 Swap with San Antonio, and a 2028 unprotected.

[Deuce2223]

BUCKS DISMANTLE

Milwaukee finished last season (41-41) but have struggled all year to win games dropping to a NBA worst record after 7 straight loss's to (15-39) going 8-19 at home and 7-20 on the road, leaving Giannis ready to get out of town as he heads to Atlanta for a package of 3 future 1st Round picks and 2 former 1st round picks in De'Andre Hunter and Oneyka Okongwu.

The Bucks were not done though as they deal veterans Brook Lopez and Russell Westbrook to the Celtics for PG Dalano Banton and 2 years of Jusuf Nurkic's contract.

They then dealt Bobby Portis Jr to the Cav's for Max Strus and a 2028 1st Round pick and clearing out their final starting slot they dealt Kris Middleton to the Thunder along with Scotty Middleton for Luguentz Dort, Jaylin Williams, Tre Mann and a 2024 1st Round Pick and a 26 1st Round pick via the Clippers.

In all, the Bucks landed 6 future 1st Round Picks and 4 former 1st Round picks to rebuild their starting lineup.

[Deuce2223]

DEADLINE UPDATE

Seattle had multiple offers for both Herb Jones and Dyson Daniels but at the end of the day both players are staying put.

Ryan Derozan did however add veteran PG John Wall (78) to the roster as a backup for CJ McCollum giving up last year's 2nd Round pick Xavier Booker in the process. Wall averaged 16.2 PPG and 6.2 APG last season for Chicago and was averaging 14.9 PPG, and 5.8 APG for the Bucks at the time of the trade.

[Deuce2223]

APRIL 1ST UPDATE

PLAYOFF BOUND
With the end of the season less then 2 weeks to play, the Seattle Sonics are once again playoff bound. Seattle with 8 games to play is currently (46-28) with a 3 game lead over the Denver Nuggets in the Northwest Division and are currently #2 in the Western Conference, 2.5 GB of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

ZION LEADING THE WAY

The Sonics so far have been blessed to have Zion for 70 of their 74 games this season. Williamson averaging 28.7 MPG is leading the team with a 23.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 3.6 APG average well shooting 69% FG.


Zion however isn't doing it along as Seattle has 9 players averaging over 20 MPG, with 8 of those putting up double digits PPG each night. Besides Zion here is a look at some of the other stat lines

B. Ingram-30.2 MPG, 18.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.0 APG 39% 3PT
CJ McCollum-28.8 MPG, 15.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 4.9 APG, 43% 3PT
J. Allen-30.6 MPG, 13.9 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.4 BPG 62% FG
J. Wall-23 MPG, 13.0 PPG, 5.4 APG, 1.0 SPG 30% 3PT
T. Murphy-23 MPG, 12.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 41% 3PT
J. Hawkins-21 MPG, 10.4 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.7 APG, 46% 3PT
D. Daniels-22 MPG, 9.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.1 SPG 34% 3PT
H. Jones-23 MPG, 8.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.5 SPG, 31% 3PT
C. Braun-15 MPG, 6.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 39% 3PT

ALLEN LOOKING TO F.A.

Jarrett Allen has been the center that the Sonics were hoping for when they made the trade with Cleveland last season averaging a double double over both seasons, but reports are Allen is unhappy with his current contract of 2 years (20 million per season) and rather then talk extension is instead going to wait and see what the Free Agent market claims his worth to be.

McCollum Possible Sign and Trade

Reports are CJ McCollum is looking to extend his contract, but at the age of 33 and with youngsters like Dyson Daniels and Jordan Hawkins showing their abilities this season it appears the CJ and Herb Jones will both be potential trade chips for GM Ryan Derozan this off-season.

SONICS STILL UNDECIDED ON DRAFT

Seattle's trade for Milwaukee's 1st Round pick in the upcoming draft is currently looking like a strong shot at #1 or at least a Top-3 pick, well their 1st Round pick via the Los Angles Lakers appears to also be a Top-10 as well.

Reports are Seattle is continuing to look at the Trio of SG Isiah Elohim (Kentucky), SF Ian Jackson (Duke) and SF Isaiah Evans (FSU) but also have a strong interest in PG Dylan Harper (Rutgers), SF's Cody Williams (Colorado) and Nassir Cunningham (Missouri) as well as C Baris Baga'yoko of Spain.

Baga'yoko originally was listed as the #11 Overall prospect in this year's draft but the #1 Center and he is quickly moving up the boards. The 18 yr old is listed at 6'10 221 lbs.

Ryan Derozan

Quote:

"It's no secret that we need to add some size to the roster especially for a potential replacement for Jarrett, but honestly our scouts say Baga'yoko's ceiling is probably Andre Drummond and has a floor of JaVele McGee."