NBA Notes (Jan. 11): Kawhi Leonard’s New Deal, Warriors Want Change, Draft Shakeup, More – Bleacher Nation

The week’s wrapping up in the NBA, and we have some big names in the headlines!

As the Clippers are playing some great basketball, one of their stars got a new deal. The Warriors need some help and seem to be acknowledging that. The Bulls are set to honor some legends.

We have a whole lot to cover!

NBA Notes

Kawhi Leonard Inks New Deal With Clippers

In Tuesday’s NBA Notes, I talked about the Clippers being in the middle of a great season and how the “Big Three” of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden was working out. Well, clearly, Los Angeles likes what they’re seeing, too. On Wednesday, the Clips inked star forward Kawhi Leonard to a three-year, $153 million contract extension. Leonard also left some money on the table in order to help make things easier to keep Paul George and James Harden in the fold. Leonard and George were both eligible for four-year, $223 million max extensions.

It certainly feels like this deal will lead to a Paul George extension soon enough. I’m just fascinated by the Clippers this season and how they handle George and Harden now – mainly Harden. On one hand, Harden has worn out his welcome just about everywhere he’s been. On the other hand, he finally seems like he’s in a place that fits him better than anywhere he’s been in a while. I won’t say I’m rooting for the Clippers, but I think just for the sheer entertainment factor and the “anything can happen” nature of that group, they’ve become my favorite team to track out West.

Steph Curry Knows Warriors Need Help

The Warriors are s-t-r-u-g-g-l-i-n-g big time with their latest loss coming Wednesday night in blowout fashion 141-105 to the Pelicans. I doubt there have been many times the Dubs have been booed in their own building, but last night Warriors fans let them have it. In their last two games, Golden State has lost by 15 points and 36 points. They’ve allowed 133 and 141 points. Things are getting beat bad, and Steph Curry acknowledged that there might need to be some changes.

Here is what the superstar told ESPN:

“It’s pretty evident that if things stay the same, that’s the definition of insanity, right? Keep doing the same thing but expecting different results…You get to a point where you’re trying to explain it, trying to figure out what can change specifically that can help us…those conversations are happening in between games, in film sessions, in the locker room. But it’s headed in the opposite direction. I don’t know what to say about it. We’re not used to this vibe around our team. … It all sucks.”

It’s hard to recall a time in the last 10+ years when the Warriors have been down this bad, but here they are. Something needs to change, and Chris Paul eventually returning from his injury ain’t it. Eli wrote about it earlier this week, but if Golden State wants to make a meaningful move and truly make one more run with this core, Zach LaVine could be their answer – especially the version of Zach we’ve seen since his return from injury.

LaVine can provide instant offense to a group that needs help in that category. Defensively, while not perfect, he’s shown a much bigger commitment since his return to the lineup. His all-around game has been far more complete, he’s grabbing rebounds, dishing assists, and working hard in the paint. Dare I say he has … impacted winning!

Yes, the Lakers have been the center of all the rumors, but if Golden State is serious about another run with this core, LaVine is absolutely a shakeup they should explore.

New NBA Draft Schedule Coming

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski dropped some news this morning that this summer’s NBA draft will be a two-day event as opposed to the one-day showcase it’s always been.

Round 1 will take place on June 26th and Round 2 on June 27th. I’ll be honest, I don’t really see the allure in tuning into Day 2 of the NBA Draft for just second-round picks. The multi-day event works for the NFL Draft because Rounds 2 & 3 often have a similar amount of impact players as Round 1. Round 2 of the NBA Draft usually just ends up being a bunch of 14th or 15th players on a roster that struggle to make an impact.

I understand why ESPN and the NBA might want to try this new format. I think the first round will do solid numbers and will be similar to what we’ve seen in the past, but I just have a hard time believing that a lot of people are going to go out of their way to tune into Day 2 of the NBA Draft.

And Ones