Nets
The Nets aren’t in any hurry to make a long-term decision on Michael Porter Jr.
General manager Sean Marks said the organization values Porter and expects extension talks to happen eventually, but indicated there’s no urgency.
“We’ve got time,” Marks said, via Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. “We value him a lot. He had a terrific year.”
Marks also praised Porter both on and off the court.
“I love Mike, the guy, the person, the player, and I hope he is part of this team,” he said.
Porter averaged a career-high 24.2 points and 7.1 rebounds in his first season with Brooklyn. Still, some around the league have wondered if the 28-year-old fits the timeline of a Nets team that’s fully committed to building around its young core.
76ers
Sixers coach Nick Nurse is looking forward to finding ways to utilize newcomer Anfernee Simons.
“I really like Anfernee a lot,” Nurse said, via Tony Jones of The Athletic. “Obviously, he can really score.”
Nurse said he envisions Simons and rookie Labaron Philon providing a spark together off the bench, while adding that Tyrese Maxey will continue to play a pivotal role as both a scorer and facilitator alongside Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid.
“I want him to continue to grow as a leader,” Nurse said of Maxey. “I want him to continue to get better defensively.”
Philadelphia has remained active this offseason after acquiring Brown in a blockbuster trade and continues to be linked to LeBron James as the four-time MVP weighs his free-agent options.
Wizards
The Wizards had more than just their Summer League roster in Las Vegas.
According to Josh Robbins of The Athletic, all 11 of Washington’s players on standard NBA contracts attended a three-day veteran mini-camp over the weekend, including Anthony Davis and Trae Young.
Second-year forward Kyshawn George believes it’s another sign the franchise is headed in the right direction.
“We’ve been trying to build a culture for the past two years,” George said. “I think it’s showing right now.”
George added that seeing teammates such as Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly in attendance encouraged the veterans to join them, creating what the Wizards hope becomes the foundation of a winning environment.
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