Kings wing Kevin Huerter, who underwent left shoulder surgical procedure within the spring resulting from a torn labrum, has been cleared for full contact work, the workforce introduced (Twitter hyperlink by way of Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee).
Whereas it’s clearly nice information that Huerter is getting nearer to a return, he’ll nonetheless must clear the Kings’ return-to-play protocol earlier than he fits up in an official recreation, per the workforce.
Huerter, whose identify has popped up in a number of commerce rumors over the previous year-plus, is coming off a down 2023/24 season wherein he averaged profession lows in a number of statistics, together with minutes per recreation (24.4) and three-point proportion (36.1). He’s underneath contract via ’25/26.
Right here’s extra from across the Pacific:
- Kings guard Malik Monk exited Wednesday’s preseason contest early resulting from private causes. He stays away from the workforce and can miss Friday’s preseason contest vs. Golden State, however sources inform Anderson that the Sixth Man of the Yr runner-up is “not anticipated to overlook an prolonged time period” (Twitter hyperlinks).
- Third-year guard Alondes Williams, who’s on an Exhibit 10 cope with the Clippers, impressed a number of of his veteran teammates together with his robust preseason play on Tuesday vs. Brooklyn, tweets Legislation Murray of The Athletic. Williams completed with 10 factors (on 4-of-7 taking pictures), six rebounds, seven assists and a steal in 16 minutes off the bench. If he retains it up, it’s doable the 25-year-old may earn a promotion — Exhibit 10 offers will be transformed to two-way contracts, and the Clips have a two-way opening.
- JJ Redick had some pointed criticism for Bucks coach Doc Rivers, his former head coach with the Clippers, final season whereas he was working as an analyst for ESPN. Requested concerning the standing of their relationship earlier than Thursday’s preseason recreation, the brand new Lakers head coach didn’t supply many particulars, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “I don’t carry beef with folks,” Redick mentioned. “And I’m not going to get into the historical past of Doc and I’s relationship proper now. And I most likely gained’t ever. He’s superb in my ebook.”
- At his media availability on Wednesday, Rivers was essential of the Lakers‘ resolution to fireside Darvin Ham, who’s now his high assistant in Milwaukee (YouTube hyperlink). “I’m not going to get into the entire thing that occurred there, however he took a workforce to a Western Finals, after which the next yr, he gained the in-season event, which they are saying we should always have numerous worth on, after which they launch him,” Rivers mentioned (hat tip to Paul Terrazzano Jr. of TalkBasket.internet). “It actually is not sensible, nevertheless it occurs. It occurs to all of us. It’s a part of what we do.”
