Pelicans
Jordan Poole’s first season in New Orleans didn’t give either side much to celebrate. A new coaching staff offers a chance to change the conversation.
New Pelicans coach Jamahl Mosley has liked Poole’s work during camp and preseason, according to Rod Walker of NOLA.com. Poole sounds equally encouraged by what Mosley is asking of him.
“They want me to be me,” Poole said. “Play make. Bring my championship-level experience. Score the ball. Put my teammates in position to be successful.”
The Pelicans could use that version of him. Poole appeared in a career-low 39 games last season while dealing with a quad injury.
He shot 37.2 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc, struggling to provide consistent offense even when available.
At 27, he has an opportunity to get back on track. Mosley’s expectations also extend beyond scoring.
“Obviously, defense is a huge identity for us this year,” Poole said. “Just trying to be a leader, bring guys together. A fresh start with a new coaching staff.”
A fresh start sounds good in October. Better health and more efficient offense would give Poole something to build on once the season begins.
Suns
Jamaree Bouyea appears to have played his way into a longer stay with Phoenix.
The Suns plan to retain the 27-year-old point guard for the regular season, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7. His minimum-salary contract would remain non-guaranteed until January, so making the opening roster wouldn’t secure his salary for the full season.
Gambadoro expects Phoenix to leave one standard roster spot open. That puts Haywood Highsmith’s situation in question, since he’s the only other player among the Suns’ 15 standard contracts without a guaranteed salary.
That’s a roster projection rather than a reported decision to waive Highsmith. But the math makes him worth watching.
Gambadoro also suggested Duop Reath could have his Exhibit 10 contract converted to a two-way deal. Reath is 30 but remains eligible because he has just three years of NBA service.
Coach Jordan Ott likes the different offensive look Reath provides as a floor-spacing center. He also wants the big man to meet the same expectations as everyone else.
“Duop is a different piece we didn’t have, but we’re going to change it to his strengths,” Ott said, per Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. “But at the same time, we’re going to ask him to crash. We’re going to ask him to pressure the basketball.”
The shooting gives Reath a way to help. Learning how Phoenix wants to play will help determine how much.
Grizzlies
Zach Edey has another preseason appearance behind him and, more encouragingly, a positive report on his ankle.
After playing his second game in three days, the third-year Grizzlies center said his surgically repaired ankle responded well, according to Michael Wallace of Grind City Media.
“I feel really good where my body is right now. It’s about getting my wind and my conditioning back,” Edey said. “But moving around, jumping and cutting, I feel great.”
That’s welcome news after ankle problems limited Edey to just 11 appearances last season.
Memphis needs more than a brief glimpse of its young center. It needs him available long enough to establish a rhythm and develop through regular minutes.
Conditioning remains part of that process. Being able to jump, cut and move comfortably gives Edey a much better place to begin.
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