Basketball Intelligence For 8/19/23
Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis
TEAM-SPECIFIC STORIES
BKN: Claxton has been a success story, but another step forward is as necessary as it could be expensive
Brian Lewis, NY Post
CLE: Cavs schedule takeaways
Chris Fedor, cleveland.com
PHI: NBA launches inquiry into James Harden's situation
Adrian Wojnarowski/Ramona Shelburne, ESPN
Harden has privately indicated that his public comments calling Morey a "liar" on Monday morning had only been a response to Morey ending trade discussions with an expectation that Harden would start the season with the Sixers, sources said
Neither the Sixers nor Harden would be in violation of any league guidelines should that be communicated to league officials.
Philadelphia informed Harden that it hadn't found a suitable trade with his preferred destination of the LA Clippers and that it expected him to report to the team's training camp in September --- something sources say Harden plans to do. Despite public speculation, Harden has made no allegations of a previous handshake agreement with the Sixers on a future contract
MIA: How would a trade for Lillard impact some of the leading players currently on the roster?
Ira Winderman, SunSentinel
ORL: Paolo Banchero’s defense
Philip Rossman-Reich, Orlando Magic Daily
PHI: Harden's pressure on Daryl Morey could cost Sixers more than 1 unhappy star
Vincent Goodwill, Yahoo Sports
POR: Damian Lillard talks Phoenix Suns, preparing for season amid trade request
Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic
LEAGUE-WIDE STORIES
1 Word to Describe Each NBA Team's Offseason
Greg Swartz, Bleacher Report
NBA schedule czar dishes on creating 2023-24 slate, In-Season Tournament challenges
Mike Vorkunov, The Athletic
The top candidates to push Victor Wembanyama for NBA Rookie of the Year
Kevin Pelton, ESPN