NBA Notes: Cavs, James Harden, Clippers, Gradey Dick, Nets

Cavaliers

James Harden sounds impressed with Mario Hezonja, and the Cavs could use what their new forward brings.

“He brings something to our team that we didn’t have,” Harden said, according to comments reported by Marca and relayed by Zach Weiss of Cavs On SI. Harden praised Hezonja’s strength and ability to shoot, pass and attack the basket.

Hezonja is returning to the NBA after six seasons overseas. The Cavs aren’t asking him to carry the offense. They’re hoping his size and versatility give Harden and Donovan Mitchell another option when possessions get ugly.

Harden has played with enough good players to know what one looks like. We’ll see how quickly Hezonja adjusts to this league again, but the early reviews in Cleveland have been awfully friendly.

Clippers

Max Strus’ foot injury may create an opening for Gradey Dick. Whether Dick takes advantage is another matter.

Strus suffered a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his right foot during Sunday’s preseason opener and will be reevaluated in four weeks. With Brandon Ingram, Bradley Beal and Jordan Miller also expected to miss time, the Clippers are running short of healthy perimeter players.

Cem Yolbulan of Clippers On SI points to Dick as a possible beneficiary. The former lottery pick arrived from Toronto in the Kawhi Leonard trade and is entering the final season of his rookie contract. His shooting was supposed to be his calling card, but he went 1-of-5 from the field in his Clippers preseason debut.

One exhibition won’t decide anything. Los Angeles’ injury list should give him more chances to make his case.

Nets

The Nets have young guards to develop, veterans who expect to play and a starting lineup that hasn’t played a game together. Jordi Fernandez will have some sorting to do.

Ivan White of Nets On SI argues that Fernandez should experiment with his first five, perhaps even bringing Michael Porter Jr. or Julius Randle off the bench for certain matchups. That’s White’s suggestion, not a reported Brooklyn plan.

Still, preseason is a good time to look at combinations. Egor Demin and Mikel Brown Jr. need the ball and the minutes to grow. Porter and Randle give Brooklyn proven scoring. Fernandez’s job is to find groups that can do something useful at both ends, regardless of who hears his name during introductions.