CAVALIERS
The Cavaliers may have found the big, versatile wing they’ve been seeking for years in De’Andre Hunter, who was acquired from the Hawks at the trade deadline.
Hunter made an immediate impact in his Cleveland debut on Monday, scoring 12 points in 23 minutes during the easy win over the Timberwolves.
“I’m not coming here … trying to change anything,” Hunter said. “I’m just trying to add my skill set to what they already have. They had a need they felt needed to be addressed. I feel like, as someone who prides himself on defense and kind of going out there and (trying) to be a two-way player as best I can.
“So I think that could really help this team, especially at the small forward. But like I said, they were doing good without me.”
- With the roster at 13, the Cavaliers have to sign someone before February 20 to reach the NBA limit. Could that person be a big man? We have the breakdown here.
- Coach Kenny Atkinson is obviously a big Hunter fan. Read what Atkinson had to say about the new acquisition here.
MAGIC
Magic guard Jalen Suggs has endured a frustrating stretch of injuries this season. After missing 10 games due to a low back strain, Suggs has now been sidelined for another eight games with a left thigh contusion.
He has only been able to do non-contact work since the latest injury. Even if Suggs is able to return for Orlando’s final game before the All-Star break on Wednesday, he will be on a minutes restriction.
“It’s just very important that we keep understanding that everyone’s body is different [and] how they respond to treatment is different,” coach Jamahl Mosley told Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. “We’re going to make sure he’s taken care of the right way and understand exactly how we integrate guys back because this is for the long haul.”
The Magic have struggled in Suggs’ absence, going 5-14 over their last 19 games. While Orlando’s overall defensive rating of 109.0 still ranks third in the league, it has slipped from 106.4 prior to Suggs’ first injury to 113.9 (14th) during the span without him.
“Jalen is a huge piece for us in what he does and his energy and his enthusiasm — same as Moe Wagner (who is out for the season),” Mosley said. “You can’t replace those pieces whether you try to or not. To put the weight of the entire defense on a young man and what he provides, it’s tough to do.”
76ERS
When the 76ers signed Guerschon Yabusele to a one-year, minimum-salary contract in the 2024 offseason, they likely didn’t expect such a strong impact.
The big man has been a bright spot for the team, averaging 11.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 26.8 minutes per game across 49 outings, including 26 starts. His shooting splits of 52.4% from the field and 40.4% from three have been especially impressive.
Ahead of the trade deadline, there was speculation that Yabusele, who reportedly attracted trade interest, could be moved due to the team’s limited cap flexibility. However, president of basketball operations Daryl Morey confirmed that the Sixers are optimistic about retaining him beyond this season.
Morey also noted that trading Caleb Martin, who had a guaranteed $8.6 million salary for next season, freed up additional cap space. This move gives the Sixers more flexibility to offer Yabusele a new deal using the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, potentially worth up to $14.1 million.
Yabusele, who previously played for Boston from 2017-2019, expressed his affection for Philadelphia, saying he’s eager to work out a deal with the team. “I really love this city,” he said, “and I really do think we got something going on in the team.”
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