Embiid nets 24 in return from 10-game absence

While the Golden State Warriors have interest in trading for LeBron James, it is continued to believe that his preference is to remain with the franchise. James is hoping the Lakers improve the roster and they are on the market for a big man and a guard.

“I’m a gigantic actions over words guy and LeBron’s actions at last year’s trade deadline when he rejected the interest from the Warriors last summer,” said Brian Windhorst on Get Up. “He sat there and offered to take less money from the Lakers if they could find somebody in free agency. They didn’t and then he went ahead and signed a three-year contract with a no trade clause anyway. All of those actions make it extremely clear he wants to be a Laker. That said, we have two months basically, two months from right now is when the trade deadline is- if he changes his mind, I promise you it will get public and we will all know. But right now he wants to be a Laker and he’s focused on having the Lakers help him get some defensive players.”

Amen Thompson offers the Houston Rockets positional versatility, which could complicate certain lineup configurations while amplifying others. Houston’s decision to select Reed Sheppard at No. 3 could allow the coaching staff to continue to allow Thompson to develop into a player that defies traditional roles.

Thompson played approximately ninety percent of his minutes as a rookie at either shooting guard or small forward with the rest being as a traditional point guard. Thompson could share ballhandling duties with Sheppard when on the floor together.

“The consensus from the coaching staff is that Thompson is a basketball player first, rather than having him shoehorned into a hole,” wrote Iko. “I think [Ime] Udoka will stick to that plan, especially given the presence of Reed Sheppard now. Think of Thompson as a ballhandling wing who can be either a primary or secondary creator.”

In 62 games, Thompson averaged 9.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals. Thompson shot just 13.8 percent on three-pointers and 68.4 percent on free throws.