NBA News Today: Dallas Mavericks to unveil Dirk Nowitzki's statue, Mat Ishbia finalizing Suns purchase, and more
NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki is set to be immortalized via his own statue, which will be unveiled outside the Dallas Mavericks’ arena on Christmas Day.
In other news, disgraced Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver has agreed to a deal to sell the team to billionaire mortgage lender Mat Ishbia.
On that note, here is the latest news from around the NBA as of Dec. 21, 2022.
Dallas Mavericks to unveil statue of Dirk Nowitzki on Christmas Day
The Dallas Mavericks have some big plans to honor their all-time leading scorer Dirk Nowitzki.
Nowitzki is already set to be announced as a nominee for the 2023 enshrinement class by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Wednesday. Following this, the Mavericks plan to unveil a statue of him at the American Airlines Arena on Christmas Day on Sunday.
The statue will depict Nowitzki attempting his signature one-legged fadeaway jumper.
Dirk Nowitzki’s statue coming soon.. https://t.co/AiqmFisBd8
When asked about the unveiling of his statue, Nowitzki was in awe and said:
“That’s going to be there forever.
“I think that’s what’s so unbelievable, that this statue will stand there, and my kids will grow up with it. That’s what’s really mindboggling and so amazing about it— that this piece is for really for eternity and will be there long, long after I’m gone.”
Dallas is set to host the LA Lakers as part of the NBA’s highly-anticipated five-game Christmas Day schedule.
Mat Ishbia agrees to purchase Phoenix Suns for record $4 billion
The Phoenix Suns are reportedly set to have a new owner.
Billionaire president and CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage, Mat Ishbia, has agreed to purchase the majority stake of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury. The purchase price will be a record $4 billion, according to current owner Rob Sarver, who announced the sale on Tuesday.
BREAKING: Billionaire mortgage lender Mat Ishbia is finalizing a purchase of the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. The deal, expected to be completed in the near future, would end the tumultuous tenure of owner Robert Sarver.
Official: Mat and Justin Ishbia reach agreement to buy majority stake of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury from Robert Sarver: https://t.co/dEe6QGfZJP
Ishbia will acquire Sarver’s ownership stake of more than 50% in the teams as well as a stake from other minority owners. Mat Ishbia’s brother, Justin Ishbia, a founding partner at Shore Capital, will also make an investment and take on the role of alternate governor.
Following the news, Mat Ishbia spoke about his excitement in an official statement.
"I am extremely excited to be the next Governor of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury," Ishbia said.
"Both teams have an incredibly dynamic fan base and I have loved experiencing the energy of the Valley over the last few months."
Mat Ishbia is a former college basketball player for the Michigan State Spartans and was part of the Spartans' 2000 national championship team. He is also a big NBA fan who is reportedly well-regarded by high-ranking NBA officials, including other owners and commissioner Adam Silver.
Meanwhile, Robert Sarver has been the Suns’ owner since 2004 and has been involved in multiple controversies over the years. This includes allegations of racism and misogyny, which recently forced him to put the team up for sale.
In his own statement, Sarver spoke very highly of Ishbia taking over as owner.
"Mat is the right leader to build on franchise legacies of winning and community support and shepherd the Suns and Mercury into the next era," Sarver said.
For ESPN's full story on the historic sale, click here.
Also read: What is Mat Ishbia's net worth: Looking at Phoenix Suns' prospective new owner's business empire
Raptors' OG Anunoby receiving interest from entire league
Toronto Raptors two-way forward OG Anunoby is reportedly one of the most sought-after players in the NBA, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe.
On his podcast on Tuesday, Lowe spoke about how big of a haul Toronto would be able to get for Anunoby if they opted to trade him.
"The entire league wants OG Anunoby. Everybody wants OG Anunoby. If he ever gets traded, the price and picks are going to surprise people because it might be on par almost with what the Cavs [Cleveland Cavaliers] gave up for Donovan Mitchell," he said.
“The entire league wants OG Anunoby. Everybody wants OG Anunoby. If he ever gets traded, the price and picks are going to surprise people because it might be on par almost with what the Cavs gave up for Donovan Mitchell”
- ESPN’s Zach Lowe https://t.co/LyxYZuEfCT
Anunoby is in the middle of a career year for Toronto, averaging 18.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and an NBA-best 2.4 steals per game while shooting 47.4%. He is also just 25 and on an affordable contract.
So, the Raptors may not be inclined to move him unless they receive an undeniable offer.
Zach LaVine not seeing eye to eye with Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls All-Star shooting guard Zach LaVine is reportedly in disconnect with his team following their rough start to the season. The news comes via Shams Charania and Darnell Mayberry’s Tuesday report for The Athletic. The duo wrote:
"Multiple league sources and sources close to the organization say LaVine and the Bulls are not seeing eye to eye. Over the past few weeks, there's been a palpable feeling across various parts of the franchise of a disconnect over LaVine's situation in Chicago."
Charania and Mayberry added that the Bulls have been doing their best to remedy the situation via team meetings and one-on-one player meetings:
"The Bulls have held multiple team meetings to try to work out their issues, and that has included one-on-one, face-to-face sitdowns with LaVine and DeMar DeRozan."
LaVine also spoke to the two journalists about his frustrations.
"There's a certain level of frustration in people trying to figure out what we can do to help right the ship," he said.
"I think with the players that we have, we try to put it on each other to right the ship. We have those type of guys, those type of mentalities where each of us have been number one options on a team before and then we all come together collectively.
"It's not going to take one person. It's going to take all of us as a unit. I think that's what guys are trying to figure out how to help the group."
The Chicago Bulls are just 12-18 and 11th in the Eastern Conference even while having a roster constructed to win now. LaVine has had a down scoring year so far averaging 21.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game on 44.5% shooting.
If things don't improve for Chicago soon, they may decide to blow up their roster and enter a rebuild.
For The Athletic's full report on the disconnect between LaVine and the Bulls, click here.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading NBA in clutch points
OKC Thunder star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has already made countless clutch shots so far throughout his brief five-year career. The latest came in Monday’s 123-121 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, in which "SGA" hit a baseline fadeaway jumper at the buzzer to win the game.
Following that shot, a stat has been circulating that shows just how clutch Gilgeous-Alexander has become.
The NBA describes clutch points as points scored in the final five minutes of games where the score is within five points. "SGA" reportedly leads all players in clutch points scored this season with 79.
This stat provides fans with yet another argument for why he should receive his first NBA All-Star selection this season, despite OKC’s poor record (13-18).
His 35-point performance against Portland means he is averaging 31.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 block per game this season. Gilgeous-Alexander is also shooting 50.1% from the field and 93.3% at the line.