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NBA Rumors: Josh Green, Jamal Murray, Keyonte George, Plus More

This edition of NBA rumors and news will look at several players. Among the things that I will look at is whether the Dallas Mavericks should extend guard Josh Green before the season. Also, Jamal Murray, Kristaps Porzingis, and Keyonte George’s injury status. Plus, other items.

NBA Rumors: Josh Green, Jamal Murray, Keyonte George, Plus More

Dallas Mavericks’ Josh Green Is Extension Eligible

Coming off a career season in 2022-23, Green enters the final year of his rookie contract. Therefore, Dallas has a decision to make whether to offer him an extension by opening night. If Mavericks don’t extend him, Green will potentially become a restricted free agent next summer. However, earlier today, Marc Stein reported that the Mavericks and the 22-year-old’s representation have “opened initial talks on a contract extension.”

For his part, Green is certainly interested in working out a deal, as he told ESPN’s Olgun Uluc.

“I hope it happens,” Green said. “I want to be in Dallas. I love Dallas. I love the fan base, love the guys. To think I could be in Dallas long-term would be amazing.”

Green became a key rotational piece this past season. He averaged 9.1 points and 3.0 rebounds with a shooting slash line of .537/.402/ .723 in 60 games.

Green is a versatile “3-and-D” wing-type player who is an outstanding shooter. He is a three-level scorer who finishes exceptionally well at the rim, converting over 76 percent of his attempts from three feet and in. The No. 18 overall pick in 2020 has improved as a three-point shooter over the last three years, although he does have some defensive issues.

Dallas seems to value Green as they reportedly resisted trade overtures this summer. Green, currently playing for Australia’s national team,  is expected to have a significant role this upcoming season. He could compete with Tim Hardaway Jr. for a starting spot during training camp. If so, there is no reason not to extend him now. If the Mavericks and Green agreed to an extension, it would give the Mavs nine players with guaranteed deals for 2024-25 and 14 players under contract overall.

Kristaps Porzingis and Jamal Murray Won’t Play In FIBA World Cup

Latvia and Canada national team’s 2023 FIBA World Cup chances recently took a hit with the news that Porzingis and Murray will not be playing. However, both are expected to be ready when the training camp opens at the end of September.

Porzingis announced on Tuesday that he would unfortunately not be able to play for Latvia during next week’s FIBA World Cup due to plantar fasciitis. According to the Boston Celtics, Porzingis will use the time off to begin a four to six-week rehab program. The Celtics said they expect him to be ready for training camp.

Porzingis is coming off one of his finer seasons in 2022-23. Last year, the 28-year-old center was the most efficient he has ever been and posted 20 double-doubles.

Jamal Murray

Meanwhile, Murray announced that he won’t play for Team Canada today. Despite reporting to Team Canada’s training camp, Murray’s status for the World Cup was always questionable due to the Nuggets’ championship run. The 26-year-old point guard, who will be good to go for training camp, was the most healthy this season since 2018-19.

“When I came into training camp, I wanted to see how my body would respond after a long and demanding season and if I would be physically able to compete at the highest level required for the World Cup,” Murray said. “In consultation with medical staff and the team, it is clear that additional recovery is required, and I have made the difficult decision to not participate in the tournament.

“It’s still a dream of mine to represent Canada at the Olympics. And I will support the team every step of the way as they pursue this goal.”

Even without Murray, Canada should be very competitive in the World Cup. The Canadians still have eight NBA players on their roster. They are grouped with France, Latvia, and Lebanon. Latvia’s chances of finishing in the top two of the group took a massive hit, with Porzingis being ruled out.

Utah’s Rookies Keyontae George and Taylor Hendricks Cleared For On-Court Activities

The Utah Jazz selected three players in the first round of the 2023 NBA draft. George was the only one of the trio to play for the team’s summer league squad, and the 19-year-old guard “killed it.”

George produced 18.7 points and 2.6 threes in six games in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. He shot 45.7 percent from the field, 38.6 percent from the 3-point line, and 75 percent from the charity stripe. The first-team all-2K24 summer league performer also compiled 5.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals. His best game came against the Los Angeles Clippers (July 8), where he recorded a 33-point and ten-assist double-double. George also tallied 26 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The No. 16 draft pick injured his ankle during his third game in Vegas and missed the rest of the summer league. However, he was cleared for all on-court activities on Tuesday per Salt Lake City Tribune’s Andy Larsen.

The Jazz’s top pick Taylor Hendricks, who sat out Summer League due to a right hamstring strain suffered during the predraft process, has been cleared to participate in all on-court activities, according to Salt Lake City Tribune’s Eric Walden. Hendricks is expected to be 100 percent by training camp.

Walden added that No. 28 pick Brice Sensabaugh still has a ways to go but is making progress after having surgery on his left knee in March. The latest setback was the third knee injury that the former Ohio State star suffered dating back to his high school days. It will be interesting to see how Utah proceeds with him.

Indiana Pacers Sign Darius McGhee To Exhibit 10 Contract

The Indiana Pacers signed undrafted rookie Darius McGhee to an Exhibit 10 contract on Tuesday, per ESPN’s Jonathan Giovany.

McGhee, who put up fantastic numbers at Liberty University last year, appeared in two games for the Pacers’ summer league squad. The 5-9 point guard struggled in Las Vegas, compiling 13 points on three of 13 shooting (23.1 percent), including one of six (16.7 percent) from deep. He added four assists and one turnover in 26 minutes of action.

The three-time ASUN Player of the Year is the 19th player on the Pacers roster this year. The Pacers have 15 players on standard deals and three with two-way pacts. Therefore, McGhee will likely begin the season with the G-League’s Fort Wayne Mad Ants as an affiliate player.

Other Happenings

  • Despite Joel Embiid having removed references to his affiliation with the Philadelphia 76ers on his social media accounts, Embiid is still happy to be a 76er, per 975 TheFanatatic.

  • Jordan Miller’s two-way contract with the Los Angeles Clippers is for two years. The No. 48 overall pick, out of Miami (FL), struggled during summer league play. Miller averaged 6.8 points on 43.8 percent shooting from the field and 30 percent from the 3-point line in five games for the Clippers. He also registered 3.8 points, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals in 26 minutes.
  • All three Mavericks signees on Monday — Greg Brown III, Joe Weiskamp, and Jordan Walker — received Exhibit 10 deals. With those deals officially complete, the Mavs have filled 19 of their 21 training camp slots. They have 14 players on standard contracts, and two two-way slots are filled. However, JaVale McGee is not expected to be with the team when the season begins.
  • The Chicago Bulls brought back forward Terry Taylor, who appeared in 31 games last year for the Bulls and Pacers. It is a two-year, nonguaranteed deal with intermittent guarantees after certain points that he is on the roster. Chicago now has 15 players on standard contracts, with Carlik Jones’ deal also nonguaranteed.
  • Unsurprisingly, the New York Knicks have decided to fully guarantee Jericho Sims’ 2023-24 salary. Hoopshype Michael Scotto tweeted this information early this evening. Most of his contract was guaranteed, so this announcement is just a formality.

Daniel Benjamin

Daniel Benjamin

Daniel Benjamin is passionate about all things basketball, especially evaluating talent and analyzing teams, whether the NBA, college basketball, WNBA, G-League or women's college basketball. He also loves to provided insights and gambling incites on basketball.

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