THE FLATS – The 2023-24 NBA regular season begins next Thursday … Why the Phoenix Suns need Josh Okogie … Thaddeus Young’s experience valuable as the Toronto Raptors navigate new coaching staff … Jose Alvarado talks his return to action and his defensive mindset … Michael Devoe waived with Utah Jazz … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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WHAT JOSH OKOGIE BRINGS TO THE PHOENIX SUNS
Phoenix Suns forward Josh Okogie was largely seen as an afterthought signing in July of last year when he departed the Minnesota Timberwolves to sign a one-year deal with Phoenix.
Okogie, a former first-round pick, was largely considered a disappointment in Minnesota. The Georgia Tech product was largely seen as a lockdown defender with significant upside as a scorer coming into the NBA, but the jump shot never translated in Minnesota,
The Nigeria national team star only played 49 games and averaged a paltry 10 minutes a game in his last season in Minnesota. The opportunity the Suns presented him was widely seen to be a similar role that he previously had in Minnesota, especially with the Kevin Durant rumors swirling at the time.
The at-the-time five year vet surely exceeded expectations in his first season in the desert, becoming the Suns’ main POA defender and a regular starter in the absence of Mikal Bridges.
Phoenix decided to bring Okogie back on another one-year deal in July, and he quickly became a prime candidate to start for the franchise once again.
Josh Okogie 💪 😤 #Suns pic.twitter.com/HlINVBFc8U
— Suns Geek (@sunsgeek) October 20, 2023
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JOSE ALVARADO TALKS HIS RETURN TO THE COURT, DEFENSIVE MINDSET
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado’s post-practice interview from Oct. 19, 2023 at Pelicans Training Camp ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season.
“Meanwhile, Jose Alvarado participated in non-contact portions of practice. “It’s getting better,” Alvarado said of the progress of his right ankle. “It’s frustrating for me, because I want to be out there. We’re improving every single day.” Asked about his chances of playing in the regular season opener Wednesday at Memphis, Alvarado said, “That’s my plan. Obviously (recently getting) the flu took me out unexpectedly. But the plan is still to be there for opening night and be myself.””
“[Brandon Ingram] what’s been the biggest hurdle so far offensively for you guys? Is it the lack of chemistry from not playing together?”
*Jose Alvarado interrupts*
Jose: “Tell them we got to get our sh*t together” 😂
(via @ProPelsTalk)pic.twitter.com/ALA3xBY9O7
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 16, 2023
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DAY 11: THE SUNS NEED JOSH OKOGIE
Kellan Olson: Through everything that happened for the Suns last year and in the offseason, along with how his postseason went, I think we collectively forgot the huge success story Okogie was. And it’s good to revisit that since it looks like he’s going to be a key part of this Suns team as well.
First-round picks who see their first contract expire and then sign elsewhere for the minimum are at a real line-in-the-sand moment in their career. They are either going to figure it out within two to three years or end up pursuing basketball outside the NBA. Okogie’s four seasons in Minnesota had finished with his playing time decreasing across the last two and Phoenix was his first get-right pitstop attempt.
He didn’t start last year in the rotation, but thanks to injuries and the Suns getting stuck in a rut, Okogie’s energy was enough of a difference-maker to get enough chances to show he belonged in the rotation. It earned him spot minutes. But then because of the three-for-one wing swap for Kevin Durant that also included Durant missing a ton of time, Okogie got more playing time than he ever had before. He logged 28.9 minutes per game post-Durant trade.
Josh Okogie and Kevin Durant warming up pic.twitter.com/Xr03wWrIxa
— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) October 17, 2023
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THAD YOUNG’S EXPERIENCE VALUABLE AS RAPTORS NAVIGATE NEW COACHING STAFF
After 16 seasons and 1139 NBA games, there’s not much new to Thaddeus Young. He’s played for seven different teams and worked for 12 different coaches.
He’s used to seeing things for the first time.
In that sense, he’s the Toronto Raptors expert on the matter.
“For me, it doesn’t really matter because I’m in my 17th year. I’ve played for so many different coaches, and played under so many different systems. I’m used to change,” he said.
But as the Raptors are working to get ready for a new season under a new head coach, Darko Rajakovic, and an entirely new staff, Young is having his expertise put to the test.
Top active scorers 👀 pic.twitter.com/aU1OE0qmNE
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 13, 2023
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BULLS WAIVE FAVORS, WHO MAY START SEASON IN G LEAGUE
From Hoops Wire
Veteran big man Derrick Favors said he was looking to play in the G League and that appears to be precisely where he is headed.
That’s because both Favors and small forward Kahlil Whitney were waived by the Bulls one day after signing with the team. The idea was to send both to the Windy City Bulls, making them eligible for a $75,000 bonus should they remain with the team for 60 days.
“I still love the game. I love everything about it,” Favors told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. “I love the whole process of working out, getting better, the weight room and conditioning, and the on-court work. … I’m 32. I want to keep playing until my body tells me I can’t play anymore. I’m playing until the wheels fall off.
“I still feel like I’ve got a lot more years left in me, and I still feel like I can compete at a high level. I still feel like I can help a team. I think I’ve shown in the past that I can adjust to any role that I’m in. I can come into the game on the offensive and defensive end. I can still do a lot of things out there on the court with the right team and the right situation to help a team either win a championship or be a mentor to a younger team.”
Favors is 6-foot-9 and spent most of last season as an unrestricted free agent. He did sign a 10-day deal with the Hawks in January, though he didn’t appear in a game.
His last full season came with the Thunder in 2021-22, when he made 39 appearances and averaged 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds. His best run came with Utah from 2010-19.
Overall, Favors has compiled career averages of 10.6 points and 7.1 boards in 790 career NBA games. He reportedly worked out for at least the Trail Blazers and Warriors this past offseason.
Derrick Favors talks NBA return – Hoops Hype
Sources: NBA veteran Derrick Favors will play in the G League. Favors discussed being involved in Deron Williams and Carmelo Anthony trade talks, why the Jazz fell short in the Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert era and his potential NBA return on @hoopshype https://t.co/rdgVSuHMmv
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) October 14, 2023
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MICHAEL DEVOE WAIVED BY UTAH JAZZ
From CBSSports.com
Michael Devoe was waived by Utah on Tuesday.
Devoe will be available on waivers for all other teams, but he’ll likely catch on with Utah’s G League affiliate to begin 2023-24. The 6-foot-4 guard has yet to appear in a regular season NBA game.
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