We are only less than a week before the new NBA season starts and this SBOBET writer, along with our basketball fans, are really excited to see how it will all unfold.
We’ve seen a lot of things happen in what was one of the craziest offseasons ever as players either switched teams or stayed put after signing lucrative long-term deals.
For now, allow us to provide you with some of the most recent updates in the Association.
Coby White looking good in Chicago
Chicago Bulls point guard Coby White churned out one of his best performances in the preseason days after fellow rookie Carsen Edwards had his scoring outburst. White went off for 29 points, six rebounds, and one block plus he knocked down six three-pointers – all in 23 minutes of playing time in their win against the Atlanta Hawks.
The 19-year-old was drafted seventh overall by the Chicago Bulls during the NBA Draft a few months ago and big things are expected from him by head coach Jim Boylen. While the NBA 2019 odds of making it to the playoffs are unlikely for the Bulls, White will certainly provide depth to a young core with the likes of Tomas Satoransky, Zach Lavine, and Lauri Markkanen.
“He wants to be great. He’s not scared which I love. He’s more physical than I thought this early [and] he’s a big body. He’s shot the ball very well [so far] and we’re very thankful for him,” said Bulls coach Jim Boylen.
“I just feel like I’m learning. I’m taking big steps, and every day is a process. I’m just trying to continue to get better each and every day,” said White when asked to evaluate his preseason experience.
Buddy Hield makes his case for a max deal
The Sacramento Kings and Buddy Hield are in the midst of contract negotiations as his rookie-scale extension deadline is looming, but it seems that the two sides are currently at an impasse.
After the Kings’ win against Melbourne United on Wednesday, the Bahamian sharpshooter shared his thoughts about the team’s recent offer of a four-year, $90-M extension.
“I see it as an insult. I feel like I’m worth more than that. I love playing here. I want to be here,” said Hield in a recent interview with The Sacramento Bee.
The 26-year-old apparently is seeking $20-M north of his current offer, and if the two camps can’t reach to an agreement by Monday’s deadline, Hield will have a chance to test free agency for the first time in his young career.
“I love Sacramento, but if they don’t want me here, I’ll find somewhere else to be. There are 30 teams out there. If they don’t want to give me what I think I deserve, some team will give it to me,” he added.
Hield came to Sacramento as part of their trade with New Orleans involving DeMarcus Cousins. The Oklahoma product since then has emerged as one of the league’s deadliest snipers with an average of 17.1 points per game while shooting 42-per cent from distance over the last two seasons.
The Kings will have their work cut out for them as they try to maintain their young exciting core. According to several reports for our NBA 2019 news, they also offered a similar long-term extension to Serbian shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic.
Bradley Beal stays in DC
After months of speculation on whether what the Washington Wizards will do with their roster, they did a big step towards a better direction by extending Bradley Beal to a two-year, $72-M contract, as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Since the start of the offseason, Bradley Beal, along with front office staff Ted Leonsis and Tommy Sheppard have discussed about the team’s future. Sheppard, who was promoted to be Washington’s permanent general manager last July, made his promise to Beal that they will do all they can to surround him with the necessary talent to possibly contend in the postseason.
“Brad has always made it clear to me, that in a perfect world, he would never leave Washington,” said player agent Mark Bartelstein.
“He has felt an obligation to be the focal point in turning the Wizards into an elite team. He’s thrilled about all the resources that Ted is pouring into the franchise and thrilled how committed [Leonsis] and Tommy are to building something special,” he added.
Beal is coming off his best career season playing for the Wizards. Last term, he tallied norms of 25.6 points, 5.5 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per contest. The two-time NBA All-Star was drafted third overall by the Wizards back in 2012 and he has helped the franchise make it to the playoffs in four seasons.
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