NBA Latest News for 2016-17 NBA Season: Gobert with Contract Extension, Ilyasova to Sixers
The 2016 NBA regular season is at its early stages, and so far, there are only 2 teams that remain undefeated: the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, each with a record of 4-0. Here are the latest news in the NBA season.
1. Rudy Gobert Extends Contract
ESPN reports that Rudy Gobert has just recently signed a contract extension for 4 years' worth $102 million. The French center understands that this means the team puts a lot of trust in him and that he is ready to face the responsibilities associated with having a hefty paycheck.
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Gobert said, "I've got a lot of room to grow. I know I'm not the player I can be yet. I've got a lot of work to do. It all starts now."
Dennis Lindsey, general manager for Utah, actually just wants Gobert to continue doing what he is good at doing, and not necessarily be a great center, at least not right away. Lindsey said that "if there's anything more than that, that's gravy. It's icing on the cake."
Rudy Gobert is a key defensive piece in the Jazz roster. He is one of the best blockers and rebounders in the league right now, and while he doesn't score that much, the team believes he is capable of improving in the offensive side as well.
Gobert averaged 10.2 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.2 blocks last season.
2. Ersan Ilyasova to Philadelphia 7ers
The Sixers just recently traded Jerami Grant to acquire Ersan Ilyasova and a future draft pick from OKC Thunder.
This move is consistent with what Bryan Colangelo and the Sixers have been doing in the off-season. The team has been getting veteran players to improve a rotation filled with holes. Ilyasova can be a threat from the outside who, as a big, can stretch the floor and provide open lanes.
Letting go of Jeremi Grant could be a strategic move as well. Despite his upsides in terms of defense and athleticism, he isn't a consistent shooter. He can't help the Sixers improve the team's spacing problems; something which Ilyasova is more than capable of doing.
That said, the Sixers may be giving up on long term solutions with the acquisition of a veteran who is likely past his prime. But it seems to be a good strategy, at least on hindsight, for this season in particular.
Ilyasova averaged 5.0 points and 5.3 rebounds with the Thunder before moving to Philadelphia, where he scored 14 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in his first game as a Sixer.
