Blue Devils in the NBA 2024-2025

This is where I hope and expect the Brotherhood and K to step up if AJ is receptive to the support.

Best of luck to AJ. Hope to see you in future K academy pics, surrounded by people who love you unconditionally.
I hope you are correct. I have zero context for what is happening with the young man, but I can absolutely hope the best for him.

It's very easy for us to pin dreams and expectations on these young people and forget that they have their own set of issues, complications, traumas, and life experiences.
 
Luke Kennard update on his offseason and on throwing a ceremonial pitch for a Memphis Redbirds game.


Luke Kennard walked toward the pitching mound at AutoZone Park, stopped and turned around while preparing to throw the first pitch at the Memphis Redbirds game.

Then, the Memphis Grizzlies guard thought twice about his shorter distance and decided to challenge himself. Kennard walked back about 10 more feet and uphill onto the pitching mound for the ceremonial first pitch Saturday afternoon. A lefty on the court, Kennard delivered a chest-high strike with his right hand.

Of course I found the video.


Kennard has spent a lot of time this offseason envisioning his role on what should be a stacked roster. One of his goals is to continue spacing the floor and knocking down 3-pointers at a high level. To prepare for that role, Kennard has emphasized taking different types of shots other than just spot-up 3-pointers.

He also talks about rookie draft pick Zach Edey and Exhibit 10 signee Armando Bacot in the above linked article.
 
This is going to sound worse than it is, but the Minnesota Timberwolves signed Trevor Keels yesterday and waived him today.

Hoops Rumors explains:

"The 6’3″ guard had only recently been inked to an Exhibit 10 training camp deal with the club. Should he join Minnesota’s G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves, and stay with the club for at least 60 days, he’ll earn a bonus worth $77.5K."

The signing-and-waiving thing is a formality for Minnesota to get players for their G League team. Last year Keels got to participate in training camp before being waived and spending the season with the Iowa Wolves.

Per Shams, Harry Giles has signed with the Hornets.

I don't have a great handle on what the nature of this deal is between Harry Giles and the Hornets. Spotrac says that it's an Exhibit 10 deal, which means it's not that different from what Trevor Keels signed with Minnesota. The terms are the 1 year minimum for a player with 5 years experience, in this case $2.4 million, but it's non-guaranteed.

If Giles is waived, before or after the Hornets training camp (taking place at Duke, if you recall), he could receive up to $77,500 for 60 days with the Greensboro Swarm. Or, you know, he could make Charlotte's roster.
 
I hesitate to say more about Griffin's career or personal life without dipping deeply into unwarranted speculation. That doesn't stop the DBR front page from doing what it does best: pontificating without copy editing.
.
Not much need for speculation when Griffin himself has explained that he's leaving basketball to pursue the ministry.
 
Shams Charania says that Jahlil Okafor has a training camp deal with the Indiana Pacers.



The 28-year-old center, who was selected by Philadelphia with the third pick in the 2015 draft, gets a chance to return to the NBA after three years away. Pacers officials watched him in workouts over the summer and were impressed by his conditioning level, Charania adds.
The Pacers only have 12 players in camp with fully guaranteed contracts, so Okafor should have an opportunity to compete for a roster spot. They will be at the offseason limit of 21 players once his signing becomes official.

NBA training camps have started are starting soon; we already know that the Charlotte Hornets are using Duke facilities later this week, and that Seth Curry, Mark Williams, and Harry Giles should be there. (Which could also mean they'll stick around for Countdown to Craziness.)

Edit: spoke too soon. ESPN reports that Mark Williams will miss training camp and some of the preseason; he strained a tendon in his left foot during practice Thursday.

I'll try to put something together this week if I can. I don't think anyone has a training camp tracker, and the information comes out piecemeal.
 
Last edited:

McCain was the talk of the gym on Wednesday afternoon. By all accounts, his showing in the morning -- just his second official practice as a professional -- made a strong impression on many. That includes the one person McCain would like to impress the most.

"I continue to really like him," Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said. "He's got a really good IQ for the game. His toughness level is up there, man. He's a scrapper. He really works at the defensive end."
 
Grayson looked significantly bigger than I remembered him in one of the Duke videos this off-season. He must have hired Hans and Franz in the off-season.
Not accusing Grayson of anything because I know he has an incredible work ethic, but if this was a Tar Heel, there would be non-stop speculation about nefarious means of gaining strength and bulk.
 

• Embiid on what he has been doing in training camp, with some praise for a new teammate:

"I haven't played [in scrimmages]. I'm just doing a lot of drills... But the guys have been looking good. Probably, our best player has been Jared McCain, which is pretty good."

• Embiid on what stood out about McCain:

"He competes. He's tough... Great shot. I mean, shot-maker. He's been shooting the ball extremely well. Great energy. I think he has a pretty good chance. I don't want to put expectations out there... He's been good. Great personality."

• Embiid on why McCain excites him:

"I saw the same thing with Tyrese [Maxey]. He's exciting, I think... He seems to be more in control... Both are great shooters, great personalities, seem to always be smiling for no reason."
 
Grayson was listed as 6'5, 205 as a Duke senior, so I'm doubtful he was ever 195 while in the NBA. That would be pretty slender.

On the other hand, 6'4, 230 is beyond solid for an NBA guard.
 
Grayson was listed as 6'5, 205 as a Duke senior, so I'm doubtful he was ever 195 while in the NBA. That would be pretty slender.

On the other hand, 6'4, 230 is beyond solid for an NBA guard.
It is he as solid as the infamous Kon Knueppel? JJ can only hope to be as savvy or the shotmaker as KK.
 
We must assume that the Suns coaches felt Grayson would be a better defender if he were bigger and stronger. From the video we saw, it didn't look like his shot was affected.
 
Back
Top