THE FLATS – Iman Shumpert continued to impress on “Dancing with the Stars” … James Banks III waived by the Pelicans, Moses Wright released by Clippers, but hopeful of G League roster spot … OKC invested in elevating Derrick Favors back to prominence … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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IMAN SHUMPERT SHOWING SOLID MOVES IN “DTWS”
Now in its 30th season, “Dancing with the Stars” has featured many active and retired football players among its celebrity contestants, but just a few NBA players. Only Clyde Drexler, Rick Fox, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Derek Fisher and Charles Oakley have taken to the dance floor. This season, Iman Shumpert has laced up dancing shoes and shown he’s got some skills.
“Just trying something new,” said Shumpert, who has played with both the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets. “I’m not from a dancing background. I’m one of those guys that I’ve got to try stuff before I can even knock it and down it. I try and do my best to understand things. When [my management] hit me to be a part of the show, I didn’t have [an NBA] contract, so I figured, let’s try.”
- ‘DWTS’ Disney Night: Fans praise Daniella Karagach for Iman Shumpert’s splendid lifts
- Iman Shumpert Talks ‘Dancing With the Stars’
https://youtu.be/m1-btRaatO8
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BANKS WAIVED BY PELICANS, BUT COULD WIND UP IN G LEAGUE
According to RealGM.com, the New Orleans Pelicans waived three players, including James Banks III, as they begin the process of finalizing their regular season roster. New Orleans also waived Wenyen Gabriel and Malcolm Hill.
Banks and Hill were added earlier in the week, after New Orleans waived Zylan Cheatham and Jared Harper. Banks and Hill were added in hopes of gaining Affiliate Player rights for the G League.
All four players of Banks, Cheatham, Harper and Hill are expected to play with the Birmingham Squadron of the G League. 2021-22 is the first year New Orleans will have the Squadron as their singly-affiliated G League club.
Banks, 6-10, 250, most recently played for Hapoel Be’er Sheva of the Israeli Super League, appearing in 13 games and averaging 5.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 20.5 minutes per game.
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WRIGHT WAIVED BY CLIPPERS, ALSO HOPEFUL FOR G LEAGUE SPOT
Former Georgia Tech star Moses Wright fell short in his bid for a roster spot with the Los Angeles Clippers, being waived along with George King earlier this week. The ACC player of the year signed an Exhibit 10 training-camp deal in September.
In three preseason games, Wright averaged 5.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and .7 assists in 11.9 minutes of play while shooting 53.8% from the field. The Clippers played their final tune-up game Monday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Wright played just 3:47 and did not score.
Wright could still wind up with a spot on the Clippers’ Agua Caliente G League.
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OKC INVESTED IN RAISING FAVORS’ PROFILE
After 11 years in the NBA, power forward/center Derrick Favors arrived in Oklahoma City in a salary dump, and the sooner the Thunder can trade him, the better it will be for both parties.
After averaged 5.4 points and 5.5 rebounds last season, Favors will need to get more playing time and post better numbers for a playoff contender to take him on and for the Thunder to get out his cap hit off the payroll.
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