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Good morning, everybody. We’re trudging along, slowly towards the resumption of basketball, but we’re getting there. There were a few bits and pieces of worthwhile info from the Association yesterday.
Corey Brewer signed by Sacramento Kings
Free agent Corey Brewer plans to sign a deal with the Sacramento Kings during NBA’s transaction window, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Brewer chose the Kings over multiple potential offers.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 23, 2020
This as close as we’re getting to any Timberwolves news these days, but it’s good to see Brewer get another chance in the league. The Kings are a fun, young team, but Brewer feels like a solid addition for them. They needed a bit more length on the wing, and in a setting where some teams/players may take some time to get up to speed, maybe Brewer can use his relentless energy to gain an advantage.
New York Knicks targeting Jason Kidd
The Knicks have requested and received permission to interview the Lakers' Jason Kidd for their head coaching vacancy, @NYTSports has learned
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 22, 2020
Have you ever seen two awful people who end up together and just think, “Yeah, that makes perfect sense. They deserve each other.” Well, that’s what we’d be looking at here in a marriage between Jason Kidd and James Dolan. Aside from the fact that Kidd is an objectively terrible basketball coach, he’s also proven to be a pretty bad human as well. He and James Dolan are meant for each other.
The real winner here would be the Los Angeles Lakers, who would have Kidd off of their sidelines. The rich get richer, I suppose.
Players begin opting-out
Reporting with @TimBontemps: Washington Wizards F Davis Bertans has decided to sit out the Orlando restart, sources tell ESPN. Bertans is entering free agency off of his most productive NBA season – with two ACL injuries in his past.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2020
The Mavericks will be among the teams looking for roster reinforcements Tuesday when the NBA's one-week transaction window opens after veteran swingman Courtney Lee suffered a calf injury during the shutdown that required surgery, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 22, 2020
As you can see, Davis Bertans and Courtney Lee have chosen to opt-out of the Orlando “bubble” (can we really even call it that?), along with Trevor Ariza and Kelly Oubre. I’m sure that’s just the beginning, and more players will follow suit for whatever reasons they might have. Most of these are injury-related, but the truth is it’s really none of our business WHY players might not want to/be able to return.
Are we sure this is a good idea?
This is what I’ve been thinking about most these days. I want basketball back more than anybody. I love the sport more than any sane person should. I also can’t help but think the league is going to be making a mistake when it sends hundreds of players, coaches, staff, and family members into Orlando.
Tests received by the Orange County, Florida department of health yesterday show a positive coronavirus test rate of 11.4%.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) June 22, 2020
The good: That's down.
The bad: Sixth straight day over 10% in the Orlando area.
The Covid-19 situation in Orlando (and everywhere else in America, frankly) is getting worse, with each passing day. I fear that NBA players and their families are going to end up being guinea pigs.