NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz on Sergey Karasev Trade, Kings' Pursuit of John Calipari
Tired of hearing about the Golden State Warriors dominating everyone they face? Fed up with comparisons between kids who can’t legally drink and all-time greats? Had enough future free agency buzz?
Let’s talk NBA rumors, people.
We’re dealing with a potential trade demand from a relatively unknown player on a struggling team (and that’s a gentle description), as well as some wackiness from the Sacramento Kings. Because that’s always fun.
Let’s begin with the former.
Karasev Done with the Nets
Sergey Karasev wants out of Brooklyn, apparently. Can you really blame him?
The 2-11 Nets are getting smacked around pretty much every night, and they lose even when they do put up a fight.
Oh, and the Russian-born forward isn’t seeing any action.
"Sergey is starting to discuss trade scenarios,” his father, a Russian coach, told SovSport (h/t NetsDaily for the translation). “He's a young guy (22), he has to play. He feels that he's fully rehabbed, that his health is good. So to sit on the bench for a whole year is just not acceptable.”
The elder Karasev went on to take a few shots at Brooklyn head coach Lionel Hollins, who “does not see Sergey as part of the team.”
Sources also told ESPN’s Mike Mazzeo that Karasev does, indeed, want out. Mazzeo noted that the third-year player’s “frustration over not playing has been building for a while now, especially given the team’s [2-11] record.”
This season, the former Cleveland Cavalier has played just six minutes. Last year, he started 16 games, saw 16.8 minutes a night and averaged 4.6 points.
Hollins is a tough-as-nails, play-defense-or-you’re-sitting type of coach. Karasev is a talented offensive player who has often lacked interest on the other side of the ball.
So, from an objective standpoint, it’s really not surprising the former No. 19 pick in 2013 has been benched during Brooklyn’s rocky start.
After his father’s comments created quite a buzz—and rightfully so—Karasev quieted the rumors, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
"My dad, he’s my biggest fan, so he has his own opinion. I can’t control what he says to the press. A lot of people want that I play, especially back home in Russia, so they have their own opinion. I’m with the Nets. I love this organization, I like Coach Hollins, so I just keep working hard. I’m just with this team right now. All my focus, all my mind is to win the game. That’s why I’m here.
"
It should be noted that earlier in November, the Nets did not pick up the option on Karasev’s contract for next year:
Look, this isn’t LeBron James stomping his feet in Cleveland. This is a guy who doesn’t play much and is clearly frustrated by the situation.
But it shows that at least one Nets player is seeking greener pastures. If Brooklyn continues to stumble down the mountain, how many more will start trying to jump ship, too?
Kings Getting Wild
Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive is hilarious…for non-Kings fans. The guy does what he wants.
Last December, Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski wrote that prior to firing former coach Mike Malone, Ranadive urged him to run a four-on-five defense with one player always cherry-picking:
"The owner played the part of a fantasy league owner, treating the Kings like a science experiment. He shared tactical experiences with Malone about coaching his child's youth team, and pressed him to consider playing four-on-five defense, leaking out a defender for cherry-picking baskets.
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When he’s not trying to bring his youth sports success to the big leagues, Ranadive is hanging out with Drake:
Or he’s throwing up his cool “hang tight” sign:
What a guy.
If things weren’t already weird enough in Sac-town, Bleacher Report’s Ric Bucher reported that it’s a “matter of when, not if” current head coach George Karl gets the boot.
Bucher went on to say that Ranadive plans to give Kentucky head coach John Calipari “an offer that [he] simply cannot refuse” after swinging and missing last summer.
That type of move would certainly satisfy former Wildcat DeMarcus Cousins, who seems to clash with anyone manning the sideline.
Would it work, though?
Cal is certainly a great recruiter and college coach, but he struggled during his stint with the New Jersey Nets from 1996-2000. He went 72-112 and made the playoffs just once.
While he wouldn’t be open to any of that four-on-five nonsense, having former Kentucky players Willie Cauley-Stein and Rajon Rondo on the roster could convince Calipari to make the leap.
Again, the Kings are already pretty funny for the non-Sacramento fan. They’re extremely entertaining.
Coach Cal would keep that entertainment level high, but more importantly, he could give fans of the team something to actually cheer about.
