Bruno Manrique Articles - Page 157

Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis knows the anxiety revolving his impending return from injury, but he stressed the eventual timetable for his return date won’t be dependent on him or his comfort, but rather the assessment by the medical team around him. “The return date, it doesn’t depend on me,” Porzingis said during Monday’s Media Day, […]

Los Angeles Lakers new addition Rajon Rondo is slated to begin the 2018-19 season as the team’s starting point guard ahead of Lozno Ball, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “Luke Walton told me today that Rajon Rondo will be the Lakers’ starting point guard to start the year,” said McMenamin during an appearance in ESPN Radio’s […]

Draymond Green is not looking past this 2018-19 season when it comes to Kevin Durant, seemingly not as worried as the rest of the fans and media on a potential departure. Durant is coming off his third straight summer signing a one-and-one deal with the Golden State Warriors, which once again has fanned the rumors […]

Tom Thibodeau’s recent offer to meet with swingman Jimmy Butler after meeting last Tuesday in Los Angeles made the All-Star forward feel skeptical, seeking out Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor for reassurance that trade talks were still under good faith, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. The Minnesota brass’ constant see-saw of indecision has […]

Kyrie Irving wasn’t surprised to be faced with questions about his potential departure during Monday’s Media Day, quickly addressing the possibility from the get-go. The Boston Celtics star has been rumored to be one of the New York Knicks’ targets in the summer of 2019, which now bodes as a possibility after he turned down […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been actively exploring trades at the wish of owner Glen Taylor, now counting three frontrunners to become Jimmy Butler’s new home — the Brooklyn Nets, L.A. Clippers, and the Miami Heat, according to Chris Sheridan of GetMoreSports. The New York Knicks are visibly missing from that list, due to their commitment […]

The Sacramento Kings could play the role of wingman in a three-way trade situation with the Minnesota Timberwolves, eager to haul in any bloated contracts in return for draft compensation to facilitate the trade of All-Star forward Jimmy Butler, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Kings are without their first-round draft pick for 2019, and […]

Teams inquiring for All-Star forward Jimmy Butler are reportedly frustrated and confused by the Minnesota Timberwolves’ chaotic stance since a trade request was submitted in person last Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe. The see-saw has been a non-stop factor in the Twin Cities, with the owner, general manager, and president of basketball operations all […]

Phoenix Suns center and top overall selection Deandre Ayton responded to Joel Embiid’s trash talk, after the Philadelphia 76ers big man teased an a**-kicking during the latest installment of The Jump. Embiid was still irked about a draft night comparison between him and Ayton, as a lively Embiid quickly took to social media to say he […]

Following the arrival of Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri doesn’t want to hear how little pull the city has when it comes to attracting players to play there. “The narrative of not wanting to come to this city is gone. That’s old talk,” said Ujiri on Monday’s Media Day, according to Ryan Wolstat […]

Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers expressed the same sentiment many in the Bay Area have had in mind since the team won its second straight title: hoping Kevin Durant stays past this upcoming season. “I hope Kevin is here, I hope he plays til he’s 50,” said Myers, according to Connor LeTourneau of […]

Minnesota Timberwolves president/head coach Tom Thibodeau had previously resisted trading star player Jimmy Butler upon Tuesday’s request during their meeting in Los Angeles, but after a quick scolding from owner Glen Taylor, Thibodeau has slightly changed his stance heading into training camp. “We’re not going to make a bad deal. If it’s a good deal, […]

Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough didn’t discount the possibility of his star player, Devin Booker, playing on opening night, according to Kevin Zimmerman of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. The fourth-year phenom recently had surgery on his shooting hand after it flared up during offseason workouts at the facility. His timeline to recover was six weeks […]

Third-year forward Patrick McCaw is expected to miss the start of the Golden State Warriors’ training camp due to a contract dispute, according to Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated. McCaw has not signed his $1.7 million qualifying offer, which was extended his way in July. McCaw has until Oct. 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET […]

Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker is confident he will make the city his home for the long haul, expressing his willingness to remain with the team during Monday’s media day. “This is where I want to be. I don’t want to be nowhere else,” said Walker, according to Steve Reed of The Associated Press. […]

New York Knicks big man Kristaps Porzingis isn’t worried about his impending five-year, $157 million extension he could sign prior to the start of the season, according to ESPN’s Ian Begley. The 7-foot-3 unicorn is coming off a devastating ACL injury that could threaten his 2018-19 season, though he declined to speculate on a potential […]

Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade took nearly all summer long to decide on a return for his 16th and last NBA season, and while some saw it coming from a mile away, the 36-year-old veteran was heavily leaning toward retirement. During Monday’s media day, Wade confirmed he was indeed “about 90-10” leaning toward retiring […]

Dwyane Wade is hoping to start for the Miami Heat coming into his 16th and last season in the league after being a perennial starter for the first 14 seasons of his career. Asked if he’d prefer to start, Wade gave a response with his usual humor. “That’s like asking if you want breakfast in […]

Kawhi Leonard spoke to the media for the first time since last season, claiming he doesn’t regret the saga that unfolded upon his quad injury, causing his trade from the San Antonio Spurs to the Toronto Raptors earlier this summer. “I have no regrets. Want to stay in the present, not look back,” said Leonard […]

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra praised the growth of center Hassan Whiteside, confirming he will head into the 2018-19 season as the team’s starting center, according to the Five Reasons Sports Network. Spoelstra called Whiteside a key player in Miami’s equation, one he intends to let flourish throughout the course of the season. “I’m […]

Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse is not concerned about Kawhi Leonard’s health heading into training camp, noting that it’s “all systems go” heading into training camp, according to Ryan Wolstat of The Toronto Sun. Leonard has looked good health-wise, but the Raptors are expected to closely monitor him throughout the season, according to Eric […]

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau has been known to ruffle some feathers with players due to his old-school methods and fiery attitude. Karl-Anthony Towns is no exception to that, yet the newly extended center has “tremendous respect” for his coach despite not always seeing eye-to-eye. “Me and Thibs may not see eye-to-eye every day, […]

The up-and-coming trio of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Gary Harris are being deemed “untouchable” by the Denver Nuggets, according to TJ McBride of Mile High Sports. The three players, all 24 or younger, are viewed as the future pillars of the franchise and the ones who will eventually rid the Mile High City of […]

The Brooklyn Nets are not engaging the Minnesota Timberwolves in trade conversations for All-Star forward Jimmy Butler, according to Greg Logan of Newsday. The Nets are one of the three teams handpicked by Butler, but the most quiet so far, likely reflecting the same confidence as the LA Clippers and the New York Knicks that […]

Despite the urgency in trading All-Star forward Jimmy Butler before the start of the regular season, the Minnesota Timberwolves won’t stick to his handpicked list of three preferred teams, according to Sean Deveney of The Sporting News. The Timberwolves will take an approach similar to the San Antonio Spurs’ when they traded franchise star Kawhi […]

The Dallas Mavericks could execute the proverbial passing of the torch rather literally, as rookie Luka Doncic is projected to start at power forward this season, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, as franchise legend Dirk Nowitzki vacates the position he occupied during the last two decades. Head coach Rick Carlisle said Friday Nowitzki will likely […]

Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle knows franchise icon Dirk Nowitzki will have to make some sacrifices in what could be the last year of his 21-year NBA career, but skipping out on a farewell tour isn’t one of them. Nowitzki is one of many NBA players expected to retire after this season, along with Dwyane […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves are hopeful to unload Gorgui Dieng’s beefy contract in any trade conversations for All-Star forward Jimmy Butler, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe. Dieng signed a four-year, $64 million extension in 2016, and he still has three years, $48 million left on the deal. The Wolves are likely to take a loss in […]

Jimmy Butler’s camp has denied reports of the All-Star forward seeking a move out of the Minnesota Timberwolves due to contractual differences with the team, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. While there has been plenty of talk of Butler’s distaste for the nonchalant duo of Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, there was […]

Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor is more open to trading star forward Jimmy Butler than president/head coach Tom Thibodeau, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. “Nevertheless, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor has become fully engaged in the decision-making process on a potential Butler trade and is far more open to the idea of orchestrating a deal than […]

Behind General Manager Daryl Morey, the Houston Rockets made plenty of moves after losing three-and-D specialist Trevor Ariza in the first day of free agency, inking Chris Paul and Clint Capela to long-term deals while securing the signing of Carmelo Anthony after he was traded by the Oklahoma City Thunder and later bought out by […]

Dallas Mavericks icon Dirk Nowitzki is likely to come off the bench during his 21st and potentially final season in the NBA, said Mavs coach Rick Carlisle, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN. Nowitzki had expressed willingness to do whatever is necessary for the team to thrive earlier this month, which could include coming off […]

Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is confident his bet on acquiring perennial All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony will yield a fortune with head coach Mike D’Antoni at the helm. While his signing could spell an increase in long 2s, typically a no-no in D’Antoni’s offense even with Chris Paul adding some mid-range juice last season, […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly just as concerned about Andrew Wiggins’ lack of heart and disposition to rise to the NBA’s elite, much like former league journeyman Stephen Jackson brought up in a video response to Wiggins and his brother Nick. Michael Grange of SportsNet, who covered the Canadian international through the years, gave a […]

Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor could try and broker a deal for All-Star forward Jimmy Butler during the annual owners’ meetings in New York, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Suitors are reportedly operating under the belief that working through ownership is the way to go in these negotiations. Inquiring teams have been met with resistance from […]

In light of the recent roadblock the Minnesota Timberwolves have imposed on Jimmy Butler trade discussions, there’s a possibility that the team could choose to delay trade conversations and drag this out until the trade deadline. The situation itself could get really awkward in the Twin Cities, putting Butler next to young stars Andrew Wiggins […]

Jamal Crawford’s one-year stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves could be described as miserable. Crawford was unable to see the court as much as he would have liked under coach Tom Thibodeau, a known starter loyalist who plays his stars to the grind. The three-time Sixth Man of the Year award winner had the New Orleans […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves have shut down recent trade conversations for All-Star forward Jimmy Butler, telling teams he’s an elite player and that they plan to keep him, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Owner Glen Taylor is expected to be a major factor in deciding when and if Butler will be moved, as he did with […]

The New York Knicks front office has been resistant to offer any “assets” in any transaction made throughout the NBA season, including any deals for Minnesota Timberwolves estranged swingman Jimmy Butler, who requested a trade during a Tuesday meeting in Los Angeles. Any package they could ready up, given their restrictions, would not be enough […]