In this edition of NBA rumors and news, I will look at the recent happenings surrounding James Bouknight’s injury and how it affects his status with the Charlotte Hornets. I also look at the roles of two rookies.
NBA Rumors: James Bouknight, Josh Hart, Sidy Cissoko and Gradey Dick, Plus More
James Bouknight To Undergo Surgery
Bouknight suffered a left knee strain last week while participating in training camp late last week. Early last night, the Hornets announced that the 23-year-old guard will undergo arthroscopic surgery on Wednesday to repair a meniscus injury. The team said that Bouknight will be reevaluated in four weeks. Therefore, he will likely miss the first month of the NBA season.
Bouknight has struggled since being tabbed with the No. 11 pick in the 2021 draft. The 23-year-old has compiled 5.6 points and a shooting slashing of .353/.316/.770 in 65 games over the last two seasons.
Bouknight also struggled shooting during Summer League action. He scored in double-figures in four of his six games, including pouring in 28 in the Hornets’ final game in Las Vegas. However, Bouknight shot only 38.4% from the field and 23.1% from the 3-point line.
With the team’s announcement about when he will be re-evaluated, it is now known the 6-5 wing has made the 15-man roster — not that he was in real jeopardy. However, it has yet to be determined what role Bouknight will have when he returns if he has a role.
Regardless of what happens when Bouknight returns, the injury puts his future with the organization that much more in doubt. The Hornets have until October 31 to decide whether to pick up his $6 million option for the 2024-25 campaign. While the Hornets would likely pass anyway, his unavailability through the rest of preseason sealed that fate.
Sidy Cissoko to Spend Most of the Season In G-League
The San Antonio Spurs selected French teenager Sidy Cissoko, the No. 44 pick in this past June’s draft, with an eye toward the future. Still, the Spurs signed the 19-year-old to a three-year standard contract rather than a two-year, two-way pact.
Cissoko showed a lot of promise with the G-League Ignite due to his athleticism and ability to get to the hoop. But he still has much to work on, which was more emphasized during summer league action. Those areas of improvement are shooting, particularly from the 3-point line, rebounding, and defense.
Cissoko played well in 10 minutes of action in San Antonio’s preseason-opening loss to Oklahoma City. While he doled out two assists and posted a +5 plus/minus rating, he didn’t take a shot and only grabbed one board.
On Monday, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told reporters that the 6-8 wing would spend most of his rookie campaign with the G-League Austin Toros.
Speaking of the Spurs' other French rookie, Pop says the plan going into the season is for Sidy Cissoko to spend the bulk of his time in the G League.
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) October 9, 2023
Gradey Dick Has Work to Do Before Getting Regular Minutes
The Toronto Raptors used a late lottery pick in this year’s draft on Kansas sharpshooter Gradey Dick. However, rookie head coach Darko Rajakovic didn’t put him in the Raptors’ preseason-opening win over Sacramento until late in the contest.
Rajakovic explained to The Athletic’s Eric Koreen what Dick has to do to work his way into the Raptors rotation.
“There is no skipping steps there,” Rajaković said. “He needs to do his job in the weight room. He’s already doing a great job and is very compliant. But it just takes time. You know, you cannot be 22 before you’re 19. And for him, he will take a second to get there.
Dick struggled in the game on October 8. The teenager scored five points on 2 of 6 shooting, including 1 of 4 from the 3-point line, in 14 minutes. He grabbed three boards, doled out an assist, came up with two steals, and had two turnovers.
Welcome to the big leagues, rook @gradey_dick 🤝 pic.twitter.com/UXGoLj8a1N
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) October 9, 2023
NBA Notes
- As long been rumored, New York Knicks forward Josh Hart will see plenty of time at the four. Hart told Fred Katz of the Athletic that he is okay with seeing time at power forward despite being undersized at 6 foot 5.
“I’m whatever we need, man. I (would bring) the ball up last year. You’ve seen there’s times when I’m setting screens, rolling. I’m guarding point guards, shooting guards, small forwards, power forwards. It’s just a little whatever they need.”
“Now, especially how the game is going, it’s small ball, small pick-and-rolls, stuff like that. “So, I’m used to being able to get the ball, short roll in space and be able to just create. So, it’ll be fun.”
Hart did not play in New York’s 114-107 preseason-opening win over Boston. Instead, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jacob Toppin, and Jericho Sims saw action in the frontcourt off the bench.
- Not surprisingly, the Denver Nuggets are picking up the third-year option on Christian Braun, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowskisixth-man.
As expected, the Denver Nuggets are picking up the third-year option on guard Christian Braun, sources tell ESPN. Braun — the fifth player to win back-to-back NCAA and NBA titles — is expected to assume a sixth man role this season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 11, 2023
Braun was a contributor in his rookie season. But he is slated to be the Nuggets’ sixth man this year.
During the 2022-23 season, the 22-year-old wing appeared in 78 games, including six starts, while averaging around 16 minutes and scoring in double-figures 14 times. He shot nearly 50% from the field and 35.4% from the 3-point line.
Braun is making $2.9 million this year and $3.08 million next season. The Nuggets have until the end of next October to decide whether to exercise his fourth-year option worth $4.9 million.
