NBA News Today: James Wiseman gets called back from G League, Steve Kerr believes Kevin Durant is the most talented player in the league and more
The Golden State Warriors have recalled former No. 2 pick James Wiseman from the NBA G League after a productive seven-game run.
In other news, Warriors coach Steve Kerr believes Brooklyn Nets superstar forward Kevin Durant is the most talented player in the league.
On that note, here is the latest news from around the NBA as of Dec. 8, 2022.
Warriors recall James Wiseman from G League
The Golden State Warriors recalled third-year center James Wiseman from the team’s G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, on Wednesday.
Wiseman was sent to the Santa Cruz Warriors following his early-season struggles for Golden State. In seven games for Santa Cruz, Wiseman averaged 15.6 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 26.6 minutes per game.
However, upon his call-up, Wiseman played just five minutes in the Warriors’ 124-123 Wednesday night loss to Utah. He finished with just three points and two rebounds.
Following Wednesday’s game, Wiseman is averaging just 6.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game on 58.5% shooting through 12 games for Golden State.
Steve Kerr believes Kevin Durant is the most talented player in the NBA
Steve Kerr remains a fan of Kevin Durant, even after his departure from the Warriors in 2019.
During a recent interview with Michael Rosenberg of Sports Illustrated, Kerr said he still views Durant as the most talented player in the NBA.
“KD, to me, remains even now, the most talented player in the league,” Kerr said.
“His frame, his size — 6'11" — his ability to protect the rim defensively and then get any shot he wants offensively," Kerr continued.
This is a fairly bold statement from Kerr considering he still has superstar point guard Steph Curry on his team. However, few would argue against Durant’s elite skillset.
Durant is averaging 29.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.7 blocks per game on 55.6% shooting in his age-34 season.
NBA analyst says Chicago Bulls should rebuild
NBA legend-turned-TNT analyst Charles Barkley is not a fan of the Chicago Bulls this season.
Chicago currently have a 10-14 record and are 12th in the Eastern Conference. This comes despite the team trying to win now around their star trio of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic. So Barkley thinks it’s time for the Bulls to blow it up and rebuild.
He let his thoughts be known during a recent appearance on Waddle & Silvy on ESPN 1000 radio.
"Blow it up. It's time," Charles Barkley said.
"You've got some good players — not good enough. It's time to start the rebuild. You're not gonna win a championship this year or the next couple of years. You've got some good players. You got to start the rebuild.
"I think you trade all your best players and get draft picks or some young talent. You guys are not close. The Celtics and the Bucks are on a whole other level in the Eastern Conference. You guys aren't even as good as the Cavs. The Cavs are good,” Barkley continued.
Charles Barkley says it’s time to break up the #Bulls with @WaddleandSilvy & @TWaddle87 https://t.co/r5CVb9iSD6
Barkley was certainly harsh in his assessment of the Bulls' future. But given the age of their roster and their overall lack of young talent, most would agree that a rebuild makes sense.
For more on Barkley's commentary on the Bulls, click here.
NBA insider provides Tyrese Maxey injury update
Philadelphia 76ers rising star guard Tyrese Maxey has been out since Nov. 19 with a foot fracture. However, he is still expected to return this month, according to ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.
“I’m told that he is still on target for that one-month timeline from that November 19 injury — that left foot fracture," Wojnarowski said.
"So that takes you to about two weeks from now. There's a stretch there when the Sixers have Toronto, Detroit, the Clippers in that window, but the expectation is he's on course to be back before Christmas,” Wojnarowski continued.
Woj: "I'm told that [Tyrese Maxey] is still on target for that one month timeline from that November 19 [left foot fracture] injury... He's on course to be back before Christmas."
#BrotherlyLove https://t.co/582MSXLnPo
Sixers coach Doc Rivers also added that Maxey has begun some on-court work. However, he is still not able to run yet.
“Today, he ran. He’s still not jumping, though, which is a concern,” Rivers said.
“He did not sprint, but he did run up and down the floor. He’s not been able to do that. I guess the only concerning thing is he’s not able to jump yet, so that would mean he’s ways away, to say the least,” Rivers continued.
Maxey averaged 22.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steal per game on 46.2% shooting through 15 games before his injury. So the Sixers will surely welcome his return as soon as he’s available.
Raptors and Warriors pushing hardest for Jakob Poeltl trade
Since getting off to a hot 5-2 start this season, the San Antonio Spurs have gone just 1-16 to fall to 15th in the Western Conference. They are also currently on an NBA-worst 11-game losing streak.
This has led to a lot of speculation that the Spurs will trade their veterans, most notably rim protector Jakob Poeltl. Poeltl is on an expiring $9.4 million deal, making him a very affordable trade target for contenders.
According to LJ Ellis of SpursTalk.com, the Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors have been the two contenders most persistently pursuing Poeltl.
“According to a pair of sources, the two teams most persistent about acquiring Poeltl are the Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors.
"The talks with the Raptors date back to last season’s trade deadline, but Toronto remains hesitant to offer anything more than a package highlighted by a single first round draft pick with moderate protections,” Ellis said.
The Raptors have lacked a starting caliber 7-footer for the past few seasons. Meanwhile, the Warriors could probably use an upgrade over big man Kevon Looney as well.
Poeltl is averaging 12.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 block per game on 64.0% shooting this NBA season.
For more on the possibility of a Poeltl trade, click here.