NBA Atlantic

Veteran forward Blake Griffin agreed to a one-year, fully-guaranteed contract with the Boston Celtics on Friday, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Griffin, 33, spent the last season-and-a-half with the Brooklyn Nets. He averaged a career-low 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 42.5 percent from the floor in 2021-22.

A six-time All-Star, Griffin's career has been ravaged by injuries. He's dealt with persistent knee pain for several seasons, taking him from one of the game's best players to someone who could barely hang on the fringes of the Nets rotation.

Nets coach Steve Nash played Griffin only 25 minutes in Brooklyn's first-round series against the Celtics last season and benched him entirely for two games. Nash had also taken Griffin out of the rotation earlier in the regular season before injuries thrust him back into a role.

"Well, I feel for him," Nash told reporters in November. "That's not easy. You know it's tough when you go through a rough stretch of play and the world kind of caves in on you a little bit. I've been there and understand it. We have to give other guys an opportunity at this point, but Blake's had a great attitude. I really admire him for being positive through this and keeping himself ready so if his opportunity comes back, he can have an impact."

As disappointing as it is given his brilliance during his prime, there is a good chance Griffin is done as a valuable NBA contributor. The man who once dunked over a car in a dunk contest went 15 months without a dunk from December 2019 to March 2021. He had only 13 total dunks last season.

The lack of explosion near the rim makes Griffin a perimeter-bound player and hurts him on the defensive end. While he made massive strides to become a solid perimeter shooter, it's not a skill that should be the focal point of his game.

However, by signing with Boston, Griffin has a chance to carve out a role for himself, especially during the early part of the season.

The Celtics are short on frontcourt bodies with center Robert Williams set to miss the start of the season due to a knee injury, and while Griffin is a completely different player than the defensive-minded Williams, he could provide some needed minutes at power forward.

The Process is officially a United States citizen.

Philadelphia 76ers superstar center Joel Embiid, who was born in Cameroon, told Dan Gelston of the Associated Press on Thursday that he was sworn in as an American citizen two weeks ago.

"I've been here for a long time," he said. "My son is American. I felt like, I'm living here and it's a blessing to be an American. So I said, why not?"

Embiid also has French citizenship, though he still hasn't made a decision on which team he might represent in international basketball.

The MVP runner-up from each of the last two seasons averaged 30.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals per game in the 2021-22 campaign, leading the Sixers to their fifth straight postseason appearance.

Jalen Brunson is going to feel what true pressure is like during his first season with the New York Knicks, but the veteran point guard doesn't believe playing in the Big Apple will get to him.

"For one, it's not really pressure to me," Brunson told reporters Thursday. "I'm just going out there and playing basketball the way I've played for a long time. And two, I'm just going to be myself. I'm ready to go. Whatever it takes."

During an appearance on The Old Man and The Three podcast in July, Brunson said that he recognized the added pressure of playing in New York:

"I mean definitely [I've started to prepare myself]. I mean it wouldn't be smart not to. I'm definitely thinking about how everything's going to be; best-case scenarios, worst-case scenarios. But I think no matter what's going on, I just gotta own it.

"If I play bad, I gotta own it. I gotta be better. If I play well, it's because of my teammates who made it easier for me. I just gotta be a person who's authentic and owns everything that he does. That's, I think, the first step to being a guy who can connect with the fans."

Brunson signed a four-year, $104 million deal with the Knicks after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Dallas Mavericks, who selected him in the second round of the 2018 NBA draft.

Playing in New York is pressure alone, but Brunson will also be shouldering the load of trying to effectively fill a Knicks' point guard position that hasn't seen a true leader in a long time.

The Knicks have cycled through a number of players at point guard over the last several years, including Elfrid Payton, Kemba Walker, Derrick Rose, Trey Burke and Frank Ntilikina. None were able to fill the role effectively enough to hold onto the position for the long haul.

New York is optimistic about the potential of Brunson, hence why it signed him to such a large deal.

The 26-year-old had a breakout 2021-22 season, averaging 16.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 79 games while also shooting 50.2 percent from the floor and 37.3 percent from deep.

He was just as effective in the playoffs, averaging 21.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 18 games while shooting 46.6 percent from the floor and 34.7 percent from deep.

However, Brunson never shouldered much of the load in Dallas, playing alongside superstar Luka Dončić. So, there are some questions about whether he will be able to sustain that success in a larger role.

If Brunson is unable to shoulder that load, the Knicks will be back to the drawing board at the position.

But, if Brunson does find success, the Knicks should make the Eastern Conference playoffs with a roster that also includes RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson and Evan Fournier.

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving believes that "anything's possible" for teammate Ben Simmons as he gets ready to make his on-court debut for the team.

"That level of talent, and IQ and motivation and drive—anything's possible," Irving told reporters, per ESPN's Nick Friedell. "He has that 'it' inside of him so now we just have to slowly develop him where he knows that he can just go out there and be himself. We want him to be his highest potential of himself as a player, be able to accomplish things out on the floor that he wasn't able to do the last few years. And just have some fun being at peace around him."

Simmons took time away from the game last year to focus on his mental health when he was with the Philadelphia 76ers. The three-time All-Star was eventually traded to the Nets on Feb. 10 in a deal that brought James Harden to Philadelphia. Simmons did not play for Brooklyn last year after suffering a herniated disk in his back.

During an appearance on former teammate and ESPN commentator JJ Redick's The Old Man and the Three podcast, Simmons said he didn't feel that he got enough help from members of the organization.

"I was in such a bad place where I was like, f--k, I'm trying to get here and you guys are, like, throwing all these other things at me to where you're not helping. And that's all I wanted, was help," Simmons said.

"I didn't feel like I got it from coaches, teammates—I won't say all teammates, because there's great guys on that team that did reach out and are still my friends—but I didn't feel like I got that, and it was just a tough place for me."

Thankfully, it appears Simmons is in a much better place with his mental and physical health. This Instagram post proved encouraging in June:

Good to see this from Ben Simmons. pic.twitter.com/6oPa5BeD1K

— Ryan Ruocco (@RyanRuocco) June 30, 2022

He's also clearly looking forward to his Nets debut.

"It's going to be sick," Simmons told Redick (h/t Gina Mizell of the Philadelphia Inquirer).

"I can't wait. I’m so excited. Got a new number, new jersey. I'm just looking forward to it. I think we have a special team. I think if we get it all together, we're going to be the champions. That's the end goal."

This season starts on Oct. 19 for the Nets, who will take on the New Orleans Pelicans. Irving talked about the importance of having Simmons on the floor:

"Having a point guard 6-10, 6-11, I'm also a point guard, lead guard, whatever you want to call my position. It's good to get off the ball and have him get up and down the floor. It's going to take time obviously for health-wise, but we're patient, so just wait for him to look like he's in All-Star form again, which I know will happen soon."

Simmons will try to help turn around a Nets team that lost in the first round of the playoffs last year to the Boston Celtics.

James Harden believes he's unselfish. NBA fans disagree.

The guard explained Thursday that he can accept a smaller role with the Philadelphia 76ers thanks to his unselfish mindset:

"I'm one of the most unselfish players probably that this league has ever saw"

James Harden says this season will be different than previous years.@BGeltzNBA | @SamMitchellNBA | @sixers pic.twitter.com/qvU0wQD3jH

— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) September 29, 2022

Harden won three straight scoring titles with the Houston Rockets from 2017-20, but he said Thursday he didn't need to score as much once he joined the Brooklyn Nets alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. He also said he can take a backseat next to Joel Emiid in Philadelphia.

"You can't come in here expecting to average 30 points, so again, finding ways to impact the game," Harden said of the 76ers.

Fans weren't as convinced, mocking the superstar's initial statement:

Bro really said (yes this is the best picture I could get of this) pic.twitter.com/qKtkCravjW

— Blazer Bud (@BeefBos87100166) September 29, 2022

pic.twitter.com/UNLCsCjU72

— TyreseMaxeyEnthusiast (@BotardP) September 29, 2022

If you have to tell someone you’re the best at something, you’re probably not the best at said thing. Tim Duncan didn’t have to tell everyone how unselfish he was lmao

— nah (@casualtweeter02) September 29, 2022

https://t.co/o3BNBiajua pic.twitter.com/FKxq2junZd

— diesel (@CPTDiesel) September 29, 2022

pic.twitter.com/98vx2uSpxM

— Da Almighty Von 🔜💍💍💍💍💍 (@Da_Almighty_Von) September 29, 2022

Say what now pic.twitter.com/b4LJxskO4R

— LeCurry. (@Curry4daW) September 29, 2022

pic.twitter.com/jpONMVRkPq

— GLrebirth (@GLrebirth) September 29, 2022

Had to triple check this wasn’t a parody account cuz 🤣🤣🤣

— Prep 🌒 (@PrepTheftAuto) September 29, 2022

The 10-time All-Star is certainly more than his scoring as one of the top triple-double threats in the game. In 21 games with Philadelphia, the veteran averaged 21.0 points, 10.5 assists and 7.1 rebounds per game.

Harden averaged 10.3 assists per game across 65 appearances with the 76ers and Nets last year, ranking second in the NBA behind only Chris Paul.

Though he often gets mocked for his defensive effort on social media, Harden finished last year with 2.7 defensive win shares, per Basketball Reference. This would have ranked second for Philadelphia over the full season, with only Embiid posting a better mark.

With Embiid set to return as an MVP candidate and Tyrese Maxey emerging as one of the bright young stars in the league, Harden can take on a smaller role while helping the team 76ers contend for a title.

Of course, the term "unselfish" could take on different meanings for NBA fans.

Harden was traded midseason in each of the last two years after ugly exits from the Rockets and Nets. It will be up to the 33-year-old to prove himself on and off the court in 2022-23.

Jay Larranaga has reportedly decided to remain an assistant under Tyronn Lue with the Los Angeles Clippers rather than return to the Boston Celtics' coaching staff.

Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reported Thursday the Celtics received permission to speak with Larranaga, who worked for the team from 2012 through 2021, after head coach Ime Udoka was suspended for the entire 2022-23 NBA season. However, Larranaga "prefers to remain" in L.A. where he's a "valued member" of Lue's staff.

Larranaga, the son of longtime college basketball head coach Jim Larranaga, played 13 professional seasons as a guard, mostly overseas, before starting his coaching career in 2008.

The 47-year-old North Carolina native spent time as head coach of Ireland's national team and the G League's Erie BayHawks before joining the Celtics in 2012.

One of his main success stories in Boston was helping transform Jayson Tatum from a high-end prospect into one of the NBA's best all-around players.

Larranaga left the Celtics to join Lue's staff in L.A. last summer as the C's went through a coaching transition, which saw Brad Stevens leave the sideline to take over as the team's president of basketball operations followed by the hiring of Udoka.

He likely could have taken on a prominent role alongside interim head coach Joe Mazzulla in a return to Boston, but he will instead stick with the Clippers.

Larranaga, who's often mentioned as a potential NBA head coach, received praise from Stevens in 2018.

"He's great," Stevens said. "He's super smart. He works exceptionally hard. He always is looking proactively at projects. He's great with individuals and helping individuals get better. His player development stuff is off the charts."

If Udoka ultimately doesn't return to the Celtics—the team's statement said they'll decide his future "at a later date"—it wouldn't be a surprise if Larranaga ends up on the shortlist to become the C's next head coach.

For now, he'll continue to help the Clippers prepare for the new campaign, which opens Oct. 20 when they take on the rival Los Angeles Lakers.

Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash knows Ben Simmons isn't a three-time All-Star because of his outside shooting, and he isn't going to force him to be someone he isn't on the floor.

"Very unique," Nash said of Simmons, per ESPN's Nick Friedell. "That's what makes Ben great. That's why I don't care if he ever shoots a jump shot for the Brooklyn Nets. He's welcome to, but that is not what makes him special and not what we need. He's a great complement to our team, and he's an incredible basketball player because of his versatility."

Nash is right about Simmons being "unique."

The 6'11", 240-pound Australian can play the role of facilitating point guard, try to attack from the wing or even slide in as a small-ball center. Nash suggested center is "a role we would definitely play him at" depending on the matchup, which would put even less pressure on the 26-year-old to shoot from the outside.

Simmons' resume includes a Rookie of the Year, two All-Defensive nods and a spot on the 2019-20 All-NBA third team. Yet he has shot just 34 three-pointers in his career, connecting on five for a mere 14.7 percent.

While he is yet to take the court for the Nets, his inability to shoot from the outside as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers allowed opposing defenses to sag off him and either double-team Joel Embiid on the blocks or clog up driving lanes.

However, that will be far more difficult to do against the Nets because Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving should take advantage of the resultant space on the outside with their shooting and driving abilities.

Their presence means Simmons doesn't have to score to be effective, as he can facilitate and attempt to get his All-Star teammates the best possible looks.

"You're playing with some great NBA players—some of the greatest," Simmons said. "So, for me, it's just playing alongside them, figuring out where they want their shots, how they move, different spots on the floor where I need to be. It's just timing."

The LSU product is set to return this season after missing the 2021-22 campaign, so there will likely be some growing pains as they become accustomed to each other on the floor.

But it seems those pains will not come from Nash expecting Simmons to shoot from the outside just to fit the role of a traditional point guard.

New York Knicks forward Cam Reddish reiterated he never requested a trade from the team during the offseason.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Reddish explained he came across rumors on social media that he asked out while lifting weights this summer and said it wasn't true.

This marks the second time this month Reddish has denied requesting a trade. He did it on Sept. 1 in response to a comment on Instagram:

Cam Reddish has NOT requested a trade pic.twitter.com/1YdXd1bL34

— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) September 1, 2022

Marc Berman of the New York Post reported on Sept. 1 that Reddish was looking for a "change of scenery" with a team that would be able to give him a larger role than the Knicks have been willing to offer.

According to Berman, the Los Angeles Lakers had interest in acquiring the 23-year-old.

New York acquired Reddish from the Atlanta Hawks during the 2021-22 season. Berman reported shortly after the deal happened that Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau "didn't want" Reddish, but the team made the trade anyway.

Based on Reddish's usage after the move, it's hard to argue Thibodeau was enthusiastic about the acquisition. The 6'8" forward averaged 14.3 minutes per game off the bench in 15 appearances.

A shoulder injury suffered during New York's 131-115 win over the Sacramento Kings on March 7 ended Reddish's season prematurely.

Reddish is entering the final season of his rookie contract. He is eligible for an $8.1 million qualifying offer as a restricted free agent next offseason.

Since being selected with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, Reddish has had an inconsistent career. The Duke alum has averaged 10.5 points per game with a 38.7 field-goal percentage, but his 84.1 free-throw percentage suggests there is more shooting potential that can be tapped into.

It could be difficult for Reddish to get extended playing time for the Knicks this season. RJ Barrett and Quentin Grimes are ahead of him on the depth chart at wing.

Thibodeau has historically been aggressive with playing his starters a lot of minutes. He will likely be under pressure to get the Knicks back into playoff contention coming off a disappointing 37-45 record in 2021-22.

Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash told reporters Tuesday that he didn't think the reports of Kevin Durant's summer ultimatum to team owner Joe Tsai were 100 percent accurate.

"I never thought that was 100 percent. It's not black and white like that. There's a lot of factors, a lot of things behind the scenes," Nash said, per James Herbert of CBS Sports.

He added that "a lot of things that are reported are not 100 percent accurate, so you get fragmented bits of truth, you get things that are flat-out not true."

After Durant requested a trade, The Athletic and Stadium's Shams Charania reported on Aug. 8 that the veteran gave Tsai a clear ultimatum to either pick him or Nash and general manager Sean Marks.

The Nets finished seventh in the Eastern Conference with a 44-38 record last season and were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs in what was a disappointing result for the franchise.

Speaking for the first time since requesting a trade this summer, Durant expressed an issue with how the team failed to put up much of a fight while he was sidelined with an injury during the regular season:

"When I went out with the injury, we lost [11] in a row. And I'm like we shouldn't be losing some of these games that we lost, regardless of who's on the floor. So I was more so worried about how we're approaching every day as a basketball team. And I felt like we could have fought through a lot of stuff that I felt held us back. Championship teams do that. You've seen Steph Curry and the Warriors, he was injured going into the playoffs. Their team still fought and won games. Luka [Doncic], he was hurt and their team still fought and won games."

It's unclear if that contributed to his clash with Nash, but the head coach added Tuesday that he and Durant have worked out their issues.

"Ever since we talked, it's been like nothing's changed," he said. "I have a long history with Kevin. Love the guy. Families have issues. We had a moment and it's behind us. That's what happens. It's a common situation in the league."

Teams expressed interest and made offers for Durant this summer, though none of those offers were seen as desirable for the Nets, who didn't want to let the superstar leave for nothing.

Durant went on to rescind his trade request in late August, and he appears to be fully focused on bringing Brooklyn a title in 2022-23.

The Nets are expected to be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference this season with the returns of Durant and Kyrie Irving, who opted in to his player option for the 2022-23 campaign.

In addition, a fully healthy Ben Simmons and the signing of veteran Markieff Morris should help the Nets reach new heights this season.

The Nets open the season on Oct. 19 against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash is encouraged by Ben Simmons' progress as the three-time All-Star ramps up for the 2022-23 campaign after missing all of last year.

"Ben looked great," Nash told reporters. "Ben’s been doing really well. He’s put in the time this summer. He’s continually getting better every week."

The Nets acquired Simmons on Feb. 10 from the Philadelphia 76ers. He did not play with the 76ers due to a holdout and to focus on his mental health.

Simmons suffered a herniated disk in his lower back and did not play with the Nets last season. He underwent a microdiscectomy procedure in May.

Simmons told reporters Monday that the current goal is to be ready when the Nets' season starts.

Ben Simmons says his goal is to play when the season starts for the Nets, "That's the goal, that's the plan."

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) September 26, 2022

Brooklyn begins the season Oct. 19 against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Nets will be led by a big three of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Simmons, who averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists in his last full season in the league (2020-21).

Brooklyn is looking to bounce back from a disappointing campaign that saw the team finish seventh in the Eastern Conference and lose in the first round to the eventual East champion Boston Celtics.