Good morning to everybody however particularly to…
RUI HACHIMURA AND THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS
With the commerce deadline simply over two weeks away, the Lakers made the primary important transfer, buying Rui Hachimura from the Wizards in alternate for Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks (2023, 2028 and 2029).
Hachimura, 24, was the ninth decide within the 2019 draft. He has averaged double-digit factors every of his 4 seasons and shot a good 35.6 % from three, although that is down this yr.However, he struggled to search out constant minutes because of Washington’s logjam at ahead and a number of other well being points. He has not performed greater than 57 video games in a season.In his remaining recreation with the Wizards on Saturday, he tied his career-high with 30 factors and declared afterward, “I may also help groups.”
The Lakers desperately want his assist. The 6’8″ Hachimura can fill a key position in each small and large lineups, and even when the capturing by no means returns to final season’s degree (47 % on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers), issues must be simpler enjoying alongside LeBron James.
Our Sam Quinn gave the Lakers an “A-” grade for the buy-low transfer whereas acknowledging there’s work to be executed.
Quinn: “Lakers: A- | The Lakers do effectively with younger athletes who can shoot. That broadly describes Hachimura. The Lakers have spent months looking for a approach to land such a participant with out together with their 2027 or 2029 first-round picks. They’ve now executed so. … This is an effective commerce. The Lakers want an excellent commerce to get into the championship image.”
The Wizards, in the meantime, earned a D-, and it’s very deserved. They have not signed their first-round decide to an extension since Otto Porter Jr. (drafted in 2013), and as Sam writes, “Yet once more, the Wizards have confirmed both unwilling or unable to correctly develop younger gamers.”
Oh, and as for these second-round picks? No Wizards second-rounder from the previous 10 drafts has even performed for the workforce. Washington additionally introduced that Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) is week-to-week. Sigh.
Honorable mentions
And not such morning for…
THE KANSAS JAYHAWKS AND DUKE BLUE DEVILS
Kansas has tied historical past, and never in a great way. The No. 9 Jayhawks fell, 75-69, at No. 17 Baylor for his or her third straight loss. That matches their longest dropping streak underneath Bill Self (since 2003-04).
Baylor’s guards dominated: LJ Cryer had 22 factors (19 within the first half), Adam Flagler added 17, and Langston Love scored 11. The Bears completed with an 17-8 benefit in second-chance factors, a 19-8 benefit in factors off turnovers and a 13-2 edge in bench factors.
Those points seemingly aren’t going away for Kansas:
The Jayhawks’ lead guard, Dajuan Harris Jr. has extra turnovers (13) than factors (5) over his previous 4 video games. After Gradey Dick (24 factors) and potential first-team All-America choice Jalen Wilson (23 factors), there’s not a ton of shot creation. Kansas can be useless final within the Big 12 in bench factors per recreation.Unlike years previous, the Jayhawks do not have a standout heart. They’ve been out-rebounded in every of their three straight losses.
Our Kyle Boone has extra ideas on the sport right here.
Elsewhere in a foul night time for blue bloods, Duke fell at Virginia Tech, 78-75, in a recreation marred by controversy and harm.
Making issues worse for Duke, Filipowski’s fellow star freshman Dariq Whitehead left the sport early with a left leg harm and didn’t return. He watched the top of the competition on crutches. It’s his second lower-body harm this season, and an prolonged absence would not solely actually harm Duke, but in addition Whitehead’s NBA Draft inventory, Kyle notes.
Elsewhere from Monday…
Not so honorable mentions
What we discovered from the divisional spherical, plus a Mahomes harm replace 🏈
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And then there have been 4: the Eagles, 49ers, Chiefs and Bengals.
We discovered loads over the weekend, however I feel the largest takeaway is how harmful the Bengals are. They did not simply go to Buffalo and beat the Bills. They went to Buffalo and dominated the Bills. It begins with Joe Burrow, who joined some choose firm with the win.
But Burrow mentioned one thing following the sport that stands out: “I feel we’re a extra full workforce [than last year].” He’s not incorrect:
The offense is healthier at defending Burrow and never turning the ball over.The protection is healthier at complete protection, pink zone protection and turnovers.The workforce is healthier at anticipated factors added on each offense and protection.
But don’t fret, Bengals followers: Your workforce nonetheless feels disrespected and is utilizing that as motivation. As for the workforce they will face, the Chiefs are intently monitoring Patrick Mahomes‘ ankle. Andy Reid issued an replace Monday, saying they will take a “wait-and-see” method concerning his follow reps and that this ankle harm is not as dangerous because the one Mahomes suffered in 2019. Tackle Orlando Brown Jr. says the workforce will rally round Mahomes and play even more durable for his or her star quarterback.
The Burrow-vs.-Mahomes historical past is well-documented, however over within the NFC, Brock Purdy and Jalen Hurts have some historical past, too: an absolute thriller again of their school days of 2019. They’re set to make some historical past as effectively.
You can try our championship recreation primers right here.
What will the Baseball Hall of Fame class of 2023 seem like? ⚾
USATSI
The 2023 Baseball Hall of Fame class will probably be introduced tonight, and there are many storylines to go round. You can see your entire poll right here.
The high query mark is Scott Rolen, who’s in his sixth yr on the poll and trending in the best route. But the margins are skinny, and getting the requisite 75 % of votes is not straightforward.
Is this Rolen’s yr? Here’s what our Matt Snyder says.
Snyder: “It nonetheless issues whether it is this yr or subsequent or the yr after, although. First off, from a human perspective, absolutely Rolen is worked up to get in and if he simply misses the lower, it is one other yr of ready. In phrases of huge image Hall of Fame voting, it is a spot on the poll and clearing them helps each different reliable candidate. … He was polling at 71 % final yr and the precise vote revealed him at 63.2 %. Right now, he sits at 79.2 % in polling and if there is a related shortfall in personal ballots, he’ll be only a few % shy of creating it.”
That’s one of many six issues to look at for tonight that Matt highlighted.
What we’re watching Tuesday 📺
⚽ Lazio vs. AC Milan, 2:45 p.m. on Paramount+
⚾ Baseball Hall of Fame announcement, 6 p.m. on MLB Network
🏀 Celtics at Heat, 7:30 p.m. on TNT
🏀 No. 5 Kansas State at No. 12 Iowa State, 9 p.m. on ESPNU
🏀 Clippers at Lakers, 10 p.m. on TNT
