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The 2018-19 season for the Houston Rockets was rather unforgettable, as the team was engulfed in many storylines. After a franchise record-setting 2017-18 season that saw the team reach the Western Conference Finals in the first season of the James Harden-Chris Paul pairing, the team was expected to be even better in year two.
However, the team was without Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute, who each signed with other Western Conference ballclubs in the offseason. The Rockets added James Ennis, in hopes of replacing Ariza., which proved to be a mistake.
In addition, the team was marred with injuries, as the aforementioned Paul missed a considerable amount of time, along with Clint Capela and Eric Gordon. The team desperately sought to add depth, ranging from Austin Rivers to Kenneth Faried to Danuel House.
Not to mention the offseason addition of Carmelo Anthony, which was rather short-lived.
At the trade deadline, the franchise made the decision to trade for Iman Shumpert, in what was seen by many as a move to get under the luxury tax.
However, Shumpert had won an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers and had proven himself to be a formidable 3-and-D wing. Shumpert ultimately didn't land much playing time in Houston, but played well in the Rockets' second-round postseason matchup against the Golden State Warriors, averaging 41.7 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from deep- the third-best clip on the team.
Shumpert hasn't taken the court since 2020-21, but isn't ready to call it quits either. Shumpert said as much in a recent interview with NBA reporter DJ Siddiqi.
"People ask me, 'Are you retired?' I don't think I'll ever say I'm done playing. I think if somebody said, 'Hey man, I just need you to come sit here and work out with the guys.' If everything made sense and I liked what I had to do, I wouldn't mind doing it. I don't think I'll ever go on a podium and say, 'I'm retiring from basketball.'"
Shumpert continued.
"I don't think I can do the whole 10-day, two-way contract," says Shumpert. "I have two kids – I don't need to do all that. If somebody needs me to come do what they know I can do. And it's something where I'm going to go there, I'm going to be in weight training, I'm going to be on the team and we're trying to win something, that's totally cool. If not, I'll stay out of everybody's way and do my podcast and play basketball when I feel like it. "
It'll be interesting to see what happens with Shumpert., if anything.
More must-reads:
- Rockets' Fred VanVleet suffers torn ACL, could miss entire season
- Suns adding franchise icon as senior advisor
- The 'Multiple 30-TD pass NFL seasons' quiz
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ESPN experts make bold prediction over LeBron James' future
Earlier this summer, LeBron James opted into his $52.6 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers. That decision ensures he will remain with the franchise for the upcoming season before entering unrestricted free agency. James, 40, inevitably faced questions regarding his long-term future in the NBA after making his decision. After all, he will turn 41 in the coming months, and somehow continues to defy the aging process. However, in a recent poll of 20 NBA experts, including coaches, scouts and front-office executives from ESPN, seven of them predicted that James will remain with the Lakers beyond this season. "It just feels like it's where it's going to end," a Western Conference scout said. The Lakers are well-positioned to contend for a championship in the near future. GM Rob Pelinka has spent the summer adding talent and depth to the Lakers rotation, including the additions of Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia. If the Lakers fall short this season, it's fair to assume James would run it back for another shot at a fifth championship ring. LeBron James isn't concerned about his age In a recent interview for "CGTN Sports Scene," James addressed discussions surrounding his age. "Nah, age doesn’t matter," James said. "Age is just a number for sure. I definitely feel, you know, energetic. You know, anytime I’m out there on the floor trying to give everything I got to my teammates, you know, it’s about that win." Given his production in recent years, James is certainly living by that mantra. He's continued to be among the most productive players in the NBA in terms of offense. Furthermore, he's significantly improved his perimeter-based game in recent years, allowing him to limit his drives to the rim. LeBron James has a chance to add to his legacy James has only won one title since joining the Lakers. He undoubtedly wants to end his career on a high note. Therefore, it makes sense that he will stick around while the franchise is among the favorites to hoist another banner. Ending his career after winning a fifth championship ring would be a fantastic way to bow out of the league. It would mean he left on his own terms, with complete control of his own narrative. And, considering James has been at the top of the league for more than two decades, it would be a fitting end to a legendary career. For that reason, ESPN's panel of experts may be on to something.
Why did the Orioles activate star player during last week of season?
Ahead of the final six games of the season (all against American League East foes), the Baltimore Orioles have activated catcher Adley Rutschman. The move may have little to do with this season and everything about what the Orioles may do with Rutschman in the offseason. Sidelined with a right oblique strain since Aug. 21 (retroactive to Aug. 18), Rutschman has struggled this season, slashing just .227/.310/.373 with nine homers and 29 RBI. His OPS+ of 92 is the lowest in the four years he has been behind the plate in Baltimore. While the Orioles certainly would like to get the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft back behind the plate to finish out the season, this short six-game stint against the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees may also serve as an audition for Rutschman should the Orioles decide to move him in the offseason. Why would the Orioles move on from Rutschman? After playing in just four games, Baltimore signed 21-year-old catcher Samuel Basallo to an eight-year extension worth $67M and could jump up to $88.5M with incentives. The deal means Basallo will be with Baltimore through the 2033 season and has an option to extend that to 2034 as well. With the Orioles investing so much in Basallo, could the 27-year-old Rutschman be on his way out of Charm City? Baltimore could well keep the younger and cost-controlled Basallo behind the plate and use Rutschman as a trade piece this offseason, helping the Orioles rebuild quickly from a season where they will likely finish in the division cellar. With Rutschman coming back, he has the chance to put a positive spin on what has been a disappointing season. If he can show well in the final six games, it could be a great selling point for the Orioles this offseason in any kind of trade talks surrounding him. Orioles are faced with one of two options with Basallo and Rutschman Baltimore interim manager Tony Mansolino has already hinted that Basallo and Rutschman could be in the same lineup together in 2026, emphasizing that Basallo could play first base (a position that could likely be his in 2026 if the Orioles decide to not push Coby Mayo there). Mansolino also added that between first base, catcher and designated hitter, there may be enough at-bats for both Basallo and Rutschman. If that's the case, Baltimore is believing that not only can Basallo play first base at an MLB-level (he has played there in one game so far this season) and Rutschman can bounce back from a down 2025. Baltimore could likely land a nice return package (perhaps centered around pitching) if it decides to trade Rutschman in the offseason, something that MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today believes will happen, writing, "There will be no bigger position player on the trade block this winter than Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman." These next six games may not determine much in the standings for the Orioles, but could give a hint about Rutschman's future and what is to come at catcher in 2026.
Exciting Jordan Addison Development Occurs Ahead of Vikings-Steelers
The Minnesota Vikings are fourth-worst in the NFL with 503 passing yards through three weeks, but they've been compromised. Wide receiver Jordan Addison was suspended for the first three games for violating the NFL's Substances of Abuse Policy. The 23-year-old was arrested on suspicion of DUI near Los Angeles International Airport in July 2024 and pleaded no contest to a "wet reckless" charge this past July, which is a misdemeanor offense. The Vikings drafted Addison No. 23 overall out of USC in 2023, and he was productive in his first two seasons. The 5-foot-11-inch, 175-pounder has career totals of 1,786 receiving yards on 133 catches with 19 touchdowns over 32 games. Addison is now done with his suspension, via NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "Suspensions are over for 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and Vikings WR Jordan Addison, who both served three games and are now back with their teams," he reported on Monday. Minnesota will now have its No. 2 receiver back moving forward. Superstar wideout Justin Jefferson leads the team with 12 catches and 200 yards, while the next receiving leader is fellow wideout Josh Nailor with 96 yards. Tight end T.J. Hockenson also has nine receptions for 76 yards. Addison has a better track record than Nailor, who has never topped 414 yards in a season since entering the league in 2022. On the other hand, Hockenson notched 95 catches, 960 yards, and five touchdowns in 2023, but he's a safety blanket underneath and over the middle. Addison can help take the top off of the defense alongside Jefferson, which should open up the Vikings' offense. Vikings Positioned for Success Against Steelers Not only is Minnesota getting Addison back for this Sunday's bout with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it'll face a defense that ranks 23rd in the NFL with 25.7 points allowed per game. The Steelers did hold the New England Patriots' offense to 14 points in last Sunday's win, but they coughed up 32 points to the New York Jets in Week 1 and 31 to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) is out, but veteran backup Carson Wentz showed he can still play in Sunday's 48-10 trouncing of the Cincinnati Bengals, completing 14 of 20 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns. They're now 2-1 ahead of their Week 4 matchup with the Steelers in Dublin, Ireland, and could go 3-1 if Addison picks up where he left off.
The Commanders' defense is being led by a breakout player who actually leads the NFL in the one thing the team needed him to do
The Washington Commanders' defense needed to rebound against the Las Vegas Raiders after surprising a lot of people the week before, and they did just that. It wasn't perfect by any means, but the defense rallied behind impressive performances by some key contributors on Sunday. The team hit Ashton Jeanty in the backfield and put pressure on Geno Smith, and finished with five sacks as a team. One player, however, is off to an amazing start and leads the NFL in pressures. Dorance Armstrong's breakout season is loading Dorance Armstrong has been off to a hot start in his second season with the Commanders, and we all wanted him to do one thing: get to the quarterback. Through the first three games, Armstrong has three sacks, 18 pressures, and 11 hurries. His 18 pressures and 25% pressure rate actually lead the NFL right now. On Sunday, Armstrong finished with five tackles, one sack, two tackles for a loss, and a quarterback hit to help set the tone on defense. A second season with the Commanders after coming over with head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr from the Dallas Cowboys seems to be paying off massively. Dorance Armstrong Quick Facts This Season Dorance Armstrong is one of only seven players in the NFL this season to have a sack in all three games. Armstrong becomes the third player in franchise history to start the season with a sack in the first three games, joining only Preston Smith and Matt Ioannidis. First time in his career that he has had three straight games with a sack. He only played on limited snaps with the Cowboys as a rotational player, and came to the Commanders to be an every-down defensive end, and he's living up to the expectations. Last season, Armstrong finished with 51 pressures, 10 sacks, and 33 hurries, and he's on pace to clear that by a good margin if he can continue to dominate. The team needs youth to step up, and having a sure starter at an important position at only 28 years old will go a long way for the oldest team in the league. Not a one-trick pony Getting to the quarterback is obviously the flashy side of being a defensive end, but you can't be a liability in the run game like we saw last season. The run defense as a whole is playing much better than last year, and Armstrong is also off to his best start in the run game. Through three games, he has his highest PFF grade in run defense, and he's up to a 75 grade, which is vastly improved over his 41 grade in 2024. Landing a starting defensive end was one of the biggest storylines all offseason, but not enough people gave credit to Dorance Armstrong, who has stepped up massively, especially with Deatrich Wise out for the season on the other side of the line. The Commanders can rotate players on one side of the line, and it helps a lot knowing you have Armstrong holding it down and leading by example on the other side.
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