Los Angeles Lakers forward Yi Jianlian has been waived by the team on Monday after he asked for his release.

Marc Stein of ESPN was first to report Yi's request.

Per Stein: "Sources told ESPN that, with the Lakers facing roster cut-down decisions by 5 p.m. ET Monday, Yi and his representatives requested that the Lakers let him go to pursue other opportunities, largely because the role he envisioned in L.A. didn't materialize."

The Lakers granted Yi's request just months after signing the Chinese star to a one-year, $8 million deal that included $6.8 million in potential bonuses. Yi last appeared in the NBA in the 2011-12 season for the Dallas Mavericks, but after a strong 2016 Rio Olympics, he decided to leave the Guangdong Southern Tigers to make an NBA comeback.

But he never impressed with the Lakers, averaging 3.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 7.6 minutes per game and shooting 66.7 percent from the field over six contests. Ultimately, he found himself buried behind Julius Randle, Timofey Mozgov and Larry Nance on the depth chart.

Yi's future in the NBA remains unclear. As Stein reported, "It was not immediately known whether Yi would try to catch on with another‎ NBA team or look to return to the Chinese Basketball Association."

In his five-year NBA career, Yi averaged 7.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. With his pending release, the Lakers will likely decide between Thomas Robinson and Metta World Peace for the final roster spot as they trim down to 15 players.

   

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.   

Bleacher Report's most recent NBA mock draft, which was established before training camp began, has received some final touching up before the 2016-17 season officially tips off.  After swapping picks with the Brooklyn Nets, Danny Ainge will do what he's consistently done as Boston Celtics general manager—ignore fit, NBA-readiness and position to draft the No. 1 talent on his board.  North Carolina State's Dennis Smith Jr. and Duke's Harry Giles III could earn consideration, but the Phoenix Suns opt for Josh Jackson, whose textbook fit tips the scales.  The Philadelphia 76ers have been patient with their point guard search, passing on Emmanuel Mudiay, Kris Dunn, Dante Exum and Marcus Smart in recent drafts. With Fultz and Smith off the board, the Sacramento Kings will look at Frank Ntilikina to eventually take over the offense from Darren Collison.  A third knee surgery before 19 years old takes Harry Giles III out of the top-three discussion at this juncture. But unless doctors discover damage that could have long-term effects, the Denver Nuggets won't pass on elite talent.  Behind Fultz, Jayson Tatum is a good bet to finish second among one-and-done standouts in scoring, which will be his forte through college and the pros. Between Ivan Rabb's physical tools/athleticism and productivity through two years at California, teams should wind up viewing him as one of the draft's safer options.  The Los Angeles Lakers give their pick to the Philadelphia 76ers if it lands outside the top three, which is what we're assuming in this scenario. The Dallas Mavericks will take the best available player, and assuming De'Aaron Fox falls in that tier, the fact he's a point guard could be the tie-breaker.  A popular breakout candidate after turning heads during last year's NCAA tournament, OG Anunoby looks poised to rise with athleticism, motor and coveted three-and-D potential.  The Washington Wizards add youth and upside with Marques Bolden to their uninspiring frontcourt.  Back on the floor after taking it easy over the summer with a back injury, Isaiah Hartenstein should emerge as one of the more sought-after 2017 overseas prospects.  Unmatched explosiveness, nonstop energy and a powerful body separate Edrice Adebayo. Wherever he goes, from Kentucky to the NBA, coaches will value his ability to convert catches around the basket into easy, unguardable finishes.  Coming from Finland, Lauri Markkanen doesn't get the same recognition as other projected one-and-done freshmen. But his potential has been brewing, with Markkanen making more and more noise each summer at the European Championships, which he led this summer in scoring.  Tyler Lydon wasn't on NBA radars out of high school, but his athleticism, three-point shooting and role-player potential caught scouts' attention in 2015-16. It's been an encouraging start in Australia for Terrance Ferguson, who's finished with double figures in scoring during two of four games. Jarrett Allen won't win any style awards, but NBA teams will covet his 7'0" size, 7'5 ½" wingspan, mobility and motor.  The NBA draft has been waiting for Jonathan Jeanne's 7'2" size, mobility and ball skills, which scouts have seen over the years during FIBA play and his time as a member of the developmental team for Le Mans Sarthe Basket. Lonzo Ball's passing should carry him into the 2017 first round. His vision is second to none, and at 6'6", he has the size to operate over the defense.  Jaron Blossomgame will be the first senior taken in June after what should be another highly productive season.  Malik Monk's elite athleticism and perimeter scoring will create buzz all season long at Kentucky. We'll be talking about Wenyen Gabriel's energy more than anything else; He lacks strength but not motor. Gabriel runs the floor, crashes the glass and cleans up inside with a nose for the ball. Already playing significant minutes with Mega Leks, Kostja Mushidi should draw NBA attention, even if the efficiency isn't there. A strong National Player of the Year candidate, Grayson Allen appears on track for another productive season.  Expectations are high for Edmond Sumner. Scouts will want to see him convert the freshman flashes into consistent, every-game occurrences.  Rawle Alkins combines power and quickness with dangerous scoring ability. He'll make an impact right away by knocking down jumpers and putting pressure on both the defense and rim.  A much bigger role at Kansas should help Carlton Bragg Jr. earn some NBA looks. Devonte' Graham isn't flashy, but he possesses enough size (6'2"), quickness, toughness and skill to come off looking like an NBA-caliber reserve.  Dwayne Bacon averaged 15.8 points as a freshman, but his game still has holes to fill.  The appeal to V.J. Beachem isn't a mystery. He's hit at least 41 percent of his three-pointers in back-to-back seasons. A shooting specialist with a pure stroke, this a 6'8" 2-guard (or wing) knocks down jumpers by pulling up, spotting up and running off screens. 

Throw in California's Ivan Rabb and a handful of other breakout candidates, and this projected group offers both star power and depth. 

We used Las Vegas championship odds provided by Odds Shark to determine the draft order, with the biggest underdog (Brooklyn Nets, whose pick goes to the Boston Celtics) getting the first pick. Personal opinion was used as a tiebreaker for teams with the same odds. 

A scoring ball-handler and willing playmaker, his game is built for the lead guard role in today's NBA. Fultz, who's 6'4" and can bounce above the rim, combines advanced skills, terrific passing instincts and a good head on his shoulders.

He's the total package who'll back up all the potential with volume production at Washington. Bank on D'Angelo Russell comparisons and similar stats to his one season at Ohio State.

Flashes of explosive transition play, ball-handling, passing and shot-making portend offensive versatility. But Jackson's defense and competitive streak should earn just as much praise from scouts and coaches. 

As long as his jumper doesn't set off any alarms, Jackson's well-rounded game and off-the-floor reputation should win him fans in every NBA organization. 

Between the two, we could be looking at the top one-and-done lead guards since Kyrie Irving.

Assuming the bounce returns in Smith's knee following last summer's ACL tear, world-class quickness and explosiveness—along with developing skills and disruptive defense—should carry him toward the top of NBA draft boards. 

The Sixers will have two lottery picks, but they won't be able to land a star point guard with their second, so they'll prioritize and target one first. 

He's been efficient early on, playing 15.7 minutes for Strasbourg and averaging 6.8 points on 13-of-21 shooting and 4-of-10 from three.

Ntilikina's size, defense and unselfishness remind me of Dante Exum. As long as the Frenchman continues to look more comfortable shooting with range, he'll finish the year behind Fultz and Smith as the next-best option at guard. 

It's scary to think what he'll look like if the skills catch up to everything else. 

At No. 5, the potential reward is worth the risk for the Nuggets, who could be looking for a new power forward by 2017-18, anyway. 

As appealing as Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's defense and energy have become, the Charlotte Hornets could use another offensive weapon in the middle of the lineup. 

Ideally, Tatum develops into a small-ball 4 with enough size and too much quickness/skill for traditional power forwards to defend. He still must improve his three-point range to fit alongside Kidd-Gilchrist, however.

Either way, Charlotte takes Tatum at No. 6 as the top available talent after what should be a productive freshman season at Duke.

But Rabb's mid-range jumper has shown signs, as has his footwork in the post. 

The Orlando Magic could look at Kentucky's De'Aaron Fox to replace Elfrid Payton, but similar scoring and shooting limitations could turn them off. They'll add even more frontcourt depth with Rabb, an attractive low-risk prospect once all the high-upside names are taken.

Jonathan Isaac will turn heads early with 6'10" size and the skill set of a 2-guard or wing. He's unpolished and likely to remind scouts often with bad misses and turnovers, but his face-up ball skills are unusually advanced for a player his height. 

An impressive ball-handler with three-point range, versatile shot-making ability and defensive potential, Isaac offers top-five-caliber upside to a Sixers lineup that lists Robert Covington and Hollis Thompson at small forward.

Flashes of pull-up shooting, floaters and crafty drives highlight scoring potential as well, but playmaking at both ends of the floor will represent Fox's bread and butter. 

With Williams entering the final year of his deal, look for the Mavericks to have eyes on this Texas native who's expected to run Kentucky's offense. 

He doesn't project as a creator or scorer, but flashes of shooting, driving and transition aptitude suggest there is still offensive value to unlock. 

The New Orleans Pelicans could chase the upside with Anunoby, whose workload will skyrocket in 2016-17. 

But flashes of spin moves and high-percentage jump hooks hint at scoring potential to develop. 

In terms of value, selling himself as a rim protector would help compensate for his limited shooting range and lack of versatility. 

He's flashed three-point range and post moves, as well as the ability to face up and attack slower bigs. Keeping the ball moving will be a point of emphasis from coaches, but Hartenstein can actually deliver advanced passes.

Though diminishing concerns over his defense and awareness will be priorities, talent alone should be enough to draw late-lottery interest.

Unfortunately, Adebayo isn't particularly skilled and doesn't project as a shot-creator or a shot-maker. Unless he suddenly develops post moves or shooting touch, his moneymakers will be bounce and motor that translate to high-percentage offense and activity at the rim. 

Other than Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat's big men include Derrick Williams, Josh McRoberts and Udonis Haslem. Adebayo will add some life and depth to one of the league's shallower frontcourts. 

With the ability to attack closeouts via drives, as well as convert playing back to the basket, Markkanen's offensive game looks tailor-made for today's NBA.

But he doesn't offer much rim protection, and his rebounding has been underwhelming—weaknesses that drop his value from early to late lottery. 

Don't count on volume scoring, he'll still draw interest based on his particular skill set and fit in today's league, which values frontcourt players who stretch the floor. 

With Giannis Antetokounmpo playing some guard in Milwaukee, the Bucks grab Ferguson in the mid-first round for depth at the wing positions. 

Allen isn't explosive and lacks both touch and the ability to create his own shot. He'll be viewed more as a safer rotation big than a high-upside prospect. 

Jeanne could fall into the boom-or-bust category, but some general manager should be willing to gamble in hopes of landing a unique, unmatchable weapon. 

Even if Emmanuel Mudiay takes a step forward during his sophomore year in Denver, the Nuggets' bench could use another playmaker, considering none of their 2-guards project as big assist men.

But he's already 23 years old, which raises questions about how much room he has to improve. Despite the explosive athleticism, physical tools and big numbers, there wasn't substantial NBA interest last May.

Tom Thibodeau likes finished products though, so the Minnesota Timberwolves could be an intriguing fit.

At No. 21, the Indiana Pacers could view Monk as both the top available player and a long-term upgrade at the 2 spot.

His final year in high school, we even started to see him comfortably knock down jumpers and put the ball on the floor. He's a first-round talent as long as he doesn't consistently get exposed physically. 

Mushidi is clearly a few years away, but that won't stop a team from drafting-and-stashing or chasing the upside.

It's important for Allen to prove last year's 41.7 percent mark from downtown wasn't a fluke. And it wouldn't hurt to duplicate his 3.5 assists per game. 

Average size, no mid-range game and poor defense hold Allen's ceiling in check, but his explosive athleticism and shooting should work nicely in an energizer role.

But he'll have to do something about his jumper and last year's 30.1 percent three-point mark; Shaky shooting mechanics suggest improvement won't happen overnight. 

Sumner's upside screams lottery, but being labeled a project at the NBA's most competitive position makes him a safer gamble in the 20s. 

With a grown-man's body, shot-creating skills and plenty of shooting range, Alkins should find the radar and rise once the season gets going.

Between his finishing ability, rebounding and shooting potential, he looks the part of a pick-and-pop, role-playing big man. 

He'll have to improve defensively—Bragg isn't a shot-blocker and struggled to avoid fouling as a freshman. Otherwise, he'll want to expand his post game to become a tougher one-on-one scorer.

He'll be 22 years old by draft night, but late-first-round teams won't be worrying about upside. 

But you can't teach 6'7", 221-pound size or athleticism. His physical tools and offensive game mirror Arron Afflalo's.

Bacon is a scorer, strong around the basket and skilled facing up. He can create and make shots from all over the floor. 

Considering he isn't a shot-creator or playmaker, he'd be in better shape stock-wise if he played better defense his junior year. 

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandan Wright is dealing with a leg issue that will delay the start to his 2016-17 season. 

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Latest on Wright's Status

Tuesday, Oct. 25

On Tuesday, the team announced that Wright is suffering from posterior tibialis tendinopathy and will miss Wednesday night's season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Grizzlies also added that he will be reevaluated in 10 days and does not have a timetable for a possible return.  

He is just one of numerous Grizzlies who are dealing with the injury bug heading into the new year:

It's an all-too familiar theme for the Grizzlies and their fans, as injuries decimated the team last year. At one point, Memphis was down to just seven healthy players in March after nine different players suffered injuries, per Matt Moore of CBSSports.com. 

One of those players was Wright, who was limited to just 12 games due to knee issuesthat included surgery and a sprained MCL. 

It was his first season with Memphis, as the journeyman has played for six different teams in eight healthy seasons. He lost the entire 2009-10 season with the Golden State Warriors due to a shoulder injury. 

As a reserve big man, Wright offered a decent offensive presence under the basket, averaging 7.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in 16.5 minutes per game in his career. 

He was expected to provide relief minutes for starting center Marc Gasol this year, who is recently coming off a bone bruise in his foot. 

With Wright possibly being sidelined now, though, rookie Deyonta Davis has a chance to make an early good impression coming off of the bench as Gasol's main backup. 

               

Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com. 

We've made it. 

Of course, we must give the preseason a proper send-off before displacing it from our minds. And what better way to do that than by highlighting—and unblushingly hyperbolizing—the biggest takeaways, concerns, storylines and surprises from this year's fall preview that will leak into the regular season?

    

Dwight Howard Career Update

This Dwight Howard career update has been brought to you by Dwight Howard.

    

MCW > D-Rose(?)

Surely the Chicago Bulls wouldn't let another player wear No. 1 mere months after Derrick Rose, the jersey's former owner and once Michael Jordan's heir apparent, was traded to the New York Knicks. 

Or maybe they would, because they did, per Sean Highkin of the Athletic:

— Sean Highkin (@highkin) October 17, 2016

But then Carter-Williams stepped in and wiped Jerry Reinsdorf's handprint off Rose's cheek, per Chuck Garfien of CSN Chicago:

— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) October 18, 2016

Meanwhile, Toni Kukoc, Ben Gordon, C.J. Watson, Tornike Shengelia and Justin Holiday are probably pretty pissed.

    

Cavs Still Don't Need to Play the Games

Or when the Toronto Raptors trade for Paul Millsap. Or when—well, you get the point.

No team in the Eastern Conference did enough over the offseason to threaten LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers' comfy reign. They are, as of now, NBA Finals locks once more.

    

The Hernangomez Takeover 

There has never been a Hernangomez in the NBA. Until now.

When we have two.

Some people thought Juan Hernangomez was a draft-and-stash candidate for the Denver Nuggets, but it turns out he's factoring into their immediate plans. So you know he's going to be fun/good.

Willy Hernangomez has already endeared himself to New York Knicks fans. He is pure energy and, at 6'11", moves like a small forward. Though his role with the team isn't clearly defined, let's just say it's going to be tough for Kyle O'Quinn to get any playing time in the Big Apple.

And if all these miniature rookie-year victories don't warrant a special NBA2K edition, what does?

    

It's Raining 3s in Houston...

If the Houston Rockets maintain their current three-point pace during the regular season, they'll end up launching around 3,108 triples. And that's assuming their leading snipers—Ryan Anderson, Trevor Ariza, Eric Gordon, James Harden—don't average more outside looks with additional playing time.

Anyway, the league record for attempted treys in a single campaign, held by the 2014-15 Rockets, is 2,680. So let's go ahead and brace ourselves for the end of 2016-17, when Houston has obliterated that mark, shall we?

    

...And Bricks in Indiana

Is it really fine, though?

We're going to say yes, because Paul George is Paul George, and sub-40 percent clips from superstars in the preseason isn't terribly uncommon.

Then again, George hasn't cleared 43 percent shooting for an entire year since 2011-12. His efficiency is something to monitor within the Indiana Pacers' clunky offense.

    

Death Squad Remade

Apologies to Andre Iguodala, but the Golden State Warriors have no choice but to pull him from the new-look "Death Squad" in favor of Patrick McCaw, whose preseason exploits clearly portend a first-ballot Hall of Fame induction.

Fortunately for Iggy, he is still under contract and, unlike Harrison Barnes, won't be consigned to chasing first-round exits with a fringe playoff team as part of his exile.

    

Come Again, NBA GMs?

One-third of the league's general managers voted DeAndre Jordan as the NBA's best center. He beat out DeMarcus Cousins (26.7 percent), Anthony Davis (16.7 percent), Marc Gasol (13.3 percent), Karl-Anthony Towns (6.7) and Draymond Green (3.3).

I guess you could say—(looks over shoulder)—he squashed the competition.

With all due respect to Jordan, he isn't the league's best center. He's among them, as a superb pick-and-roll finisher and defensive anchor, but he's not the absolute alpha.

Shout-out to the hyper-progressive GM, though, who slotted Green as a 5. And can someone check on Andre Drummond, Al Horford and Hassan Whiteside, just to make sure their feelings aren't hurt?  

    

Lakers, Unburdened

“I’ve talked to most of the guys over there [on the Los Angeles Lakers],” Stephen Curry said, per ESPN.com's Baxter Holmes. “They all love him [Luke Walton] and his approach to coaching their team. That says a lot about who he is and how he’s going to try to change their culture.”

A quick Google search will show nothing this complimentary was ever relayed about former Lakers head coach Byron Scott. D'Angelo Russell's preseason performance and demeanor are nothing if not proof that Walton will guide the team toward an immediate decade-long dynasty, give or take 10 years.

Whatever happens in Tinseltown this season, however many losses are suffered, at least we can be certain the Lakers' post-Scott era will include more smiles.

    

Future Pelicans Box Score

Given the New Orleans Pelicans' recent run of bad luck—read: complete inability to stay healthy—you will never convince me that putting a 23-year-old Anthony Davis into cryosleep for a few seasons is a bad idea.

This way, when the Pelicans are ready to compete, he won't have aged at all. And they, in turn, won't have squandered years off his prime.

    

Too Much Process

Low-hanging fruit here, but the Philadelphia 76ers' misfortune has left me no choice.

The 22-win joke from last go-round feels a bit generous after Ben Simmons fractured his right foot. On top of that, Nerlens Noel isn't expected to be ready to start the regular season, per Tom Moore of Calkins Media. Eclipsing the 20-victory plateau suddenly profiles as a chore.

Ah, well. At least Joel Embiid is healthy and driving the "Process" bandwagon.

Kings Gonna Kings

League sources told Basketball Insiders' Michael Scotto that the Sacramento Kings have talked with the Miami Heat about swapping Darren Collison and Rudy Gay for Goran Dragic—a less-than-sensible move for Sacramento.

Dragic hasn't lived up to expectations since arriving in Miami, and the Kings would be on the hook for the four years and $70.2 million remaining on his deal. If they were on the brink of contention, this is a trade you can justify knowing that Gay (player option) is good as gone. But they won 33 games last season, and Dragic doesn't push their ceiling much higher.

It's the Heat, in fact, who emerge as the mathematical victors of this hypothetical deal.

Their win total projects to increase by four, but you can also see them being on the cusp of top-five lottery contention—a place conducive to doing what the Kings refuse to do: hitting reset. Plus, there is value in shedding Dragic's contract ahead of next summer's free-agency slate.

    

Kevin Durant, Hypocrite

Consider this anecdote from Paul Solotaroff's profile on Kevin Durant's free-agency decision for the Rolling Stone: 

That settles it: Durant is a hypocrite. How could he say that, and then sport Joey Lawrence's hand-me-downs from 1993, a Chef Curry-worthy magazine-cover outfit if there ever was one?

— Dan Favale (@danfavale) October 19, 2016

       

Opening-Tip Sadz

Injuries are, and will forever remain, the worst.

    

Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com and NBA.com unless otherwise cited. Salary information via Basketball Insiders.

Dan Favale covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @danfavale.

New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Live Score, Highlights and Reaction

The Toronto Raptors announced on Sunday that power forward Jared Sullinger would undergo surgery to put a screw into the fifth metatarsal in his foot on Monday. An official date for his return has yet to be announced.

---

Latest on Sullinger's Timetable for Return

Monday, Oct. 24

Raptors president and general manager Masai Ujiri stated that doctors told him Sullinger could be out "a couple or three months," but Sullinger could also return quicker than that, according to Eric Koreen of TheAthletic.com.

---

Sullinger Pegged to Play Key Role with Raptors

Sullinger signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Raptors in free agency after the Boston Celtics pulled his qualifying offer, and head coach Dwane Casey instantly tabbed the burly big man as Toronto's likely starter at the 4, per the Toronto Sun's Ryan Wolstat.

Sullinger averaged 10.3 points and a career-high 8.3 rebounds per game on 43.5 percent shooting from the field and 28.2 percent shooting from distance in 81 appearances last season with the Celtics.

A power forward by trade and small-ball center when necessary, Sullinger is among the Raptors' most versatile frontcourt pieces.

If there's any good news for Toronto, it's that Casey can pivot to capable stretch 4 Patrick Patterson while Sullinger is on the shelf.

New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis is officially the latest member of Team Adidas, per Adidas, after Nike failed to match a competitive offer sheet. The multiyear agreement will give Porzingis an opportunity to earn anywhere between $3 million and $6 million annually in endorsement cash, according to Nick DePaula of The Vertical.

This contract serves as a huge upgrade from the $25,000 per year he was earning with Nike, according to DePaula. It also gives Porzingis the honor of having one of the loftiest shoe deals ever for a European-born NBA athlete.

Porzingis joins the ranks of James Harden, Derrick Rose, Kyle Lowry, Damian Lillard and Andrew Wiggins as torchbearers for Three-Stripe hoops. Although we haven't fully grasped what Adidas' long-term play is here, developing a path to increase basketball sales and bolster brand awareness is almost guaranteed with this latest signee.

Politic over this: Porzingis could be the first European-born NBA player to receive his own signature sneaker with the German-based brand.

Perhaps this will open the door to Adidas using more of a hemispheric approach to courting players overseas. Who better to start this trend than Porzingis?

Of course, all of these accolades won’t be handed to him on Day 1. As DePaula notes, Porzingis would have to be selected to an NBA All-Star Game, among hitting other thresholds marinated in his contract, to even be considered for a signature shoe.

If Adidas wants to simplify things, it can always make him another popular face used to carry Adidas' basketball empire. By wearing the company's base model, the high-top Crazy Explosive, the brand will continue to keep eyeballs on their products.

Either way, it was a smart decision for Adidas to poach Porzingis from Nike. The last time a marquee athlete bailed on the crew from Beaverton, Oregon, he went on to become the face of Under Armour and captured two NBA MVP awards along the way—hello, Stephen Curry.

Porzingis already is a merchandiser's dream. He plays in the biggest media market in the world and has a proven track record of selling jerseys. Last year—his rookie season—Porzingis' jersey ranked No. 15 in total sales, according to Maury Brown of Forbes.

Can that level of success translate over to a signature shoe?

There's no denying the narrative. Big men in the NBA have generally struggled to move product. When Dwight Howard was signed with Adidas, his kicks couldn't find a way off the tarmac. In 2015, Howard's shoes bottomed out at $1.5 million in sales, according to Kurt Badenhausen of Forbes.

Adidas and Howard cut ties shortly after—Howard now calls the Chinese sports brand, Peak, his home.

On the reverse side, there have been NBA centers and power forwards who enjoyed a successful run in the footwear game. Zack Schlemmer of Sole Collector revealed Patrick Ewing, Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley all evaded the dreaded big man curse.

Let’s experiment for a second: If Porzingis gets his own sneaker, what will it look like? How will it function?

We know Boost technology continues to be a driving element behind any Adidas signature model. It has been featured on everything from Derrick Rose’s shoes to Three-Stripe runners and the uber-popular Yeezy Boost line. Porzingis’ sneaker will have to use Boost technology as its base if it wants to stay within the confines of the group.

Next up is the type of cut he’ll wear. Backtracking to the sneakers he sported during his Nike tenure, Porzingis clearly has shown a level of comfort with high-tops. He frequently wore the Kobe X “Elite,” which uses lightweight, Flyknit material to weave a robust upper and increase protection around the ankles.

Understanding his past leads you to believe Porzingis’ signature shoe would in many ways reflect the Crazy Explosive. That particular sneaker uses Adidas’ Primeknit pattern to mold to an individual's foot, bolstering support from the ankle down to the sole—similar to the Kobe X “Elite.”

A variation of the Crazy Explosive, perhaps with additional bells and whistles, like a Yeezy-inspired strap and a more complex lacing system, would be a safe bet for his debut sneaker.

Below is a conceptualized look at what his signature shoe might look like if his love of high-top kicks was incorporated with Adidas' forward-thinking design.

Whether he reaches the pinnacle of sneaker allure or not remains to be seen. As a big man in the NBA, Porzingis is going to have an uphill climb.

The one thing we do know is Adidas has reached into Nike’s pocket and stolen an asset. Porzingis’ popularity has made him a fast-rising star in the NBA and a global ambassador of the sport. His leap from Nike to Adidas opens up yet another chapter in the ongoing war for basketball supremacy.

              

All production information and release dates via Nike News and Adidas News, unless noted otherwise.

Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh stated in the final episode of his UNINTERRUPTED miniseries, Bosh Rebuilt, that he's still focused on continuing his NBA career for his five children.

On the topic of potentially walking away from the game in order to ensure his health for his kids, he stated: "I want my children to know that daddy was a fighter and he just didn't give up very easily."

UNINTERRUPTED provided a trailer of the fifth and final installment in the miniseries:

— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) October 11, 2016

Bosh's status remains up in the air with the 2016-17 NBA season set to get underway this month.

The Georgia Tech product is under contract with the Heat through the 2018-19 campaign with a cap hit of more than $23 million each season, per Spotrac. But the team has been hesitant to let him back into an active role due to the health complications. 

Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel provided remarks from team president Pat Riley about whether the team is thinking about Bosh's return after he failed the Heat's preseason physical.

"We are not," Riley said. "I think Chris is still open-minded. But we are not working toward his return. We feel that, based on the last exam, that his Heat career is probably over."

It creates a difficult situation for Bosh.

He's maintained his interest in pushing on with his NBA career, but the Heat's stance means he'd likely need to help facilitate a trade or reach some type of buyout agreement in order to land with another team, and he'd still need to gain medical clearance from the new organization.

While the odds of that happening are uncertain, Bosh's comments make it clear he's not prepared to officially walk away, and his family is a key reason for his decision to fight on.

For NBA scorers, 20 points per game is a solid baseline, but it’s right around 25 per night that superstars separate themselves from the pack. Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive confirmed to USA Today’s Sam Amick what everyone and their mother already knew. Back in September, Stephen Curry insisted to ESPN’s Darren Rovell that he and the Golden State Warriors’ holdovers won’t have to give up anything to get the best out of Kevin Durant: Anthony Davis has flirted with the 25-points-per-game mark the past two seasons. In 2014-15, he finished with an average of 24.4. Last year, he tacked on 24.3 for the New Orleans Pelicans. How will Kevin Durant so much as sniff 25 points per game, let alone reach his career average of 27.4, while playing on a ridiculously loaded Golden State Warriors squad? Paul George would’ve been forgiven had he taken a step back on the court last season. He’d missed most of 2014-15 after breaking his leg during a Team USA scrimmage and returned to an Indiana Pacers squad in transition from big, bruising conference finalist to run-and-gun Eastern threat. New Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni joked that James Harden will be the team’s “'points guard' because he’s going to score some points,” per ESPN’s Calvin Watkins. LeBron James has averaged fewer than 25 points per game in a season just once: 2003-04...when he was a rookie. Since returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014, he’s scored 25.3 points during each of his two seasons—the second-lowest marks of his illustrious career. Damian Lillard figures to have the ball in his hands less this season but could see his scoring numbers skyrocket anyway. The Portland Trail Blazers plan to give C.J. McCollum, Allen Crabbe and free-agent signing Evan Turner greater command of the offense while Lillard works to get himself into scoring position off of screens, pindowns, curls and the like. Russell Westbrook has emerged as a chic MVP pick across the NBA, and for good reason. With Kevin Durant gone, he’ll have to be all for the Oklahoma City Thunder, from point man to emotional leader and everything in between. Last season, Drew Hanlen, trainer to a slew of young NBA stars, told Bleacher Report that his client Andrew Wiggins would be a 25-points-per-game scorer in the league once he became a consistent perimeter shooter.

Last season, 20 players topped the 20-point mark on a nightly basis, but only six—Stephen Curry, James Harden, Kevin Durant, DeMarcus Cousins, LeBron James and Damian Lillard—went for 25.

Changing circumstances around the league could dictate a spike in top-shelf scoring around the Association this year. For example, the loss of reliable point-producers in Oklahoma City and New Orleans should open up opportunities for incumbent stars to step up in a big way. Some among the league’s next generation of studs are poised to break through, and it's always possible that a new face will come out of nowhere to tear up opposing defenses.

At this point, these 10 guys, listed in alphabetical order, look like near locks to crack the Quarter Club in 2016-17, based on individual scoring ability and the roles they’ll play for their respective squads this season.

Despite that discord, Cousins went out and averaged a career-best 26.9 points on 20.5 shots per game last season. This time around, he’ll be working under the auspices of Dave Joerger in an offense that he seems to be fond of.

“I love it. I love it. I love it,” Cousins told the Sacramento Bee’s Jason Jones.

If Joerger’s attack generates cleaner looks for Boogie, all the better; he has yet to hit more than 50 percent of his shots as a pro. Cousins may not be so lucky this season, given Sacramento’s sordid situation at point guard, yet another 25-points-per-game campaign should be well within his reach.

Were he to sniff that dividing line in 2016-17, Cousins could become the first traditional center to challenge for the scoring title since Shaquille O’Neal paced the Association in 1999-2000.

In broad strokes, Curry was right. The Warriors have already established a highly effective style of play, one that’s yielded an NBA title and 140 regular-season wins during head coach Steve Kerr's first two years in charge. Durant should slip seamlessly into that fast-paced, pass-happy, three-point-heavy framework.

But Durant isn’t Harrison Barnes, the player whose place he essentially usurped. Golden State won’t be getting nearly what it should out of its prize free-agent catch if Durant simply settles for the 9.6 shots per game and minimal on-ball duties that came with Barnes’ old role.

For Durant to be a next-level difference-maker in Golden State, he’ll need something closer to the 19.1 shots and 30.5 percent usage percentage he’s averaged over his nine previous NBA seasons. Curry won’t be the only one who has to sacrifice then, but as the reigning scoring champion (30.1 points per game) and the Warriors’ leader in usage and assists, he may be the first.

Still, getting to 25 points per game shouldn’t be a stretch for Curry, even if he is regularly rested for chunks of the fourth quarter again. He may surrender some of the 30.1 points on 20.2 shots he averaged last season, but with Durant around, the looks he gets should be cleaner and yield plenty of points.

To his credit, Davis intends to do much more than that in 2016-17, making a concerted effort during the preseason to be more of a leader for New Orleans both on and off the court.

“He has taken on more of a verbal leadership role already,” head coach Alvin Gentry told Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding. "The guys respect him, and I think the great thing about him is that he respects his teammates. He wants to be one of the guys, but I think he has realized that: 'I'm one of the guys, but I'm the leader. So there are certain things I've got to step up and do.'"

First and foremost to the Pelicans’ postseason hopes: put the ball in the basket.

With his size, length, athleticism and burgeoning skill set, Davis should do plenty of that, especially while he awaits the return of New Orleans’ other core players.

He’ll get his touches and his shots because it’s in Golden State’s best interest for him to do so. Durant is already up to 15.0 points on 10.0 shots per game in 23.1 preseason minutes. So, assuming he creeps closer to his career average of 19.1 shots, cracking 25 points a night shouldn’t be a problem. As NBA.com’s John Schuhmann noted, the Warriors can trust Durant to take matters into his own hands when it comes to scoring:

If he and Curry combine for 50 or more points per game, they’d hardly be the first duo, championship-caliber or otherwise, to pull that trick in the NBA. An informal crawl through Basketball Reference revealed at least 20 separate instances of teammates each topping the 25-point mark over the same campaign. No fewer than nine of those pairings made it to the Finals.

Durant and Curry clearly have the scoring capacity and the squad around them to be the 10th.

This, on a team that finished 17th in points last season with 102.2 per game. George expects that number to skyrocket in 2016-17, with Jeff Teague and Thaddeus Young ready to turbocharge new head coach Nate McMillan’s go-go approach.

“We’ve been so used to a set or calling of plays and now we’re getting that freedom,” George said, per the Indianapolis Star’s Nate Taylor. “I think that’s going to take some time, but once we get it, we could easily be a 115-point team a night.”

Now that George is on a fast-paced roster that’s been entirely retooled around his talents, he should get as good a crack as ever at the 25-points-per-game plateau.

Harden’s role within Houston’s offense will only expand in 2016-17, as D’Antoni explained:

"He's more or less responsible giving rhythm to the team, that's what a point guard does. He's going to be on the ball and he's going to be distributing the ball and it will take some adjusting. He's got a lot more responsibilities as a point guard. A play-caller, a good basketball mind, he's already telling guys we can do this, we can do that."

What Harden will be able to do most is score whenever he wants.

And with the Rockets poised to push the pace under D’Antoni, there will be no shortage of buckets for Harden (or his teammates) to rack up.

James doesn’t look like he’s going to break down just yet. And if there are any concerns about his longevity, Cleveland can always turn to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love to step up as scorers.

Until then, look for James to finish among the league’s elite point-producers for the umpteenth year running.

Portland should be stoked, too.

Lillard dropped a career-best 25.1 points per game last season while playing more of a hybrid role next to McCollum, another 20-point-per-game scorer. Another shift in that direction could make Lillard even more lethal for a young Blazers team looking to build off its serendipitous second-round playoff run.

It’s a role with which Westbrook is already familiar. Two seasons ago, he led the league at 28.1 points per game, while Durant fought through a troublesome foot fracture. Once KD was out for good in mid-February 2014, Westbrook upped the ante to 31.3 points per night during his failed attempt to will OKC into the playoffs.

The struggle will be even more real this season, with Durant now wearing Golden State’s threads. Westbrook will be the Thunder’s sun and stars from the jump, but if he had his druthers, he might play in a more egalitarian offense like the ones OKC has seen in Europe.

"Their offenses are 10 times better than NBA offense just because they move around a lot,” Westbrook said, per the Norman Transcript’s Fred Katz. “A lot of movement and not as much talent so they have to do different things to be able to score the basketball."

The Thunder don’t need quite as much trickery to generate scoring chances, with an elite attacker like Westbrook on the payroll. For better or worse, he’ll touch the ball every trip down the floor and may well wind up with his second scoring title as a result.

Lo and behold, Wiggins spent much of his summer launching jumpers to fashion himself into a reliable long-range threat.

The early returns have been spotty, at best. Through two preseason games, Wiggins has hit just 6-of-24 (25 percent) from the field and attempted just a single three-pointer.

Not that anyone should put much stock in exhibition results, especially in Wiggins’ case.

Like all the other Timberwolves, he’s adjusting to new head coach Tom Thibodeau and all the changes that accompany that transition. Once Wiggins finds his comfort zone under the new regime, though, he’ll get to show his true colors as the budding stud for which he’s been pegged since his high school days.

Playing with unselfish teammates should help to elevates Wiggins' profile as a scorer, as well. Ricky Rubio and Karl-Anthony Towns are both precise passers, capable of setting Wiggins up for easy opportunities inside and out.

Josh Martin covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. 

While the Golden State Warriors may still be feeling the sting of their loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals, new comments from Kevin Durant suggest that defeat netted the Dubs a major victory in free agency.

Durant's agent initially expressed trepidation about signing with the Warriors:

Golden State set an NBA record with 73 regular-season wins in 2015-16, and if it had managed to win its second consecutive title, there wouldn't have been much incentive to make big changes to the roster. A defeat to the Cavs gave the front office a reason to go after one of the biggest free agents of all time.

Golden State has already looked strong during the preseason with wins over the Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings in its past two games.

With Durant in the fold for 2016-17, there is little doubt the Warriors are better equipped to win the title, even though they lost key players in Leandro Barbosa, Harrison Barnes, Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli.

     

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.

New York Knicks point guard Derrick Rose has been accused of sexual assault and is in the midst of a civil lawsuit regarding the alleged incident.

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Rose's Direct Examination Complete 

Tuesday, Oct. 11 

Julia Marsh of the New York Post provided a summary of what Rose said during his direct examination: 

— Julia Marsh (@juliakmarsh) October 11, 2016

— Julia Marsh (@juliakmarsh) October 11, 2016

— Julia Marsh (@juliakmarsh) October 11, 2016

According to Marsh, Rose attributed inconsistencies in his testimony to being blinded by the accuser's beauty. 

"I was just more caught up with her beauty when I entered the room to be honest," Rose said, per Marsh. "I walked over to the bed. She grabbed me, started playing with my penis a little bit. Of course I got hard."

Rose also said he was nervous when he testified that he didn't understand what consent meant during his deposition, per Marsh. 

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Lawyer Seeking Mistrial

Tuesday, Oct. 11

Marsh reported the judge in the case was "seriously considering" awarding a mistrial.

"Let me be very blunt with you. You have been very careless with these exhibits," Judge Michael Fitzgerald said, according to Marsh. However, Fitzgerald said he was "hesitant" to call off the trial because the NBA season starts on Oct. 25 and the jury has already spent a week with the case, per Marsh.

On Oct. 7, Rose's attorney, Mark Baute, asked the judge for a mistrial because "the woman who filed suit had failed to turn over a profane text message from the morning of the alleged incident in 2013," per the Associated Press (via the Washington Post).

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Rose Testifies on Alleged Assault

Friday, Oct. 7

"She came into the room and started to try to grab me, started to try to kiss me, and that's something I'm not used to," Rose said, per Nancy Dillon and Rich Schapiro of the New York Daily News. "I just don't like being forced into the issue."

"She grabbed me. Nothing I could say," Rose testified, per Dillon and Schapiro. "She just started oral sex."

"I'm sensitive to it," Rose added, per the Associated Press (via Fox Sports). "I feel I didn't do anything wrong."

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Rose Accuser Details Alleged Assault

Friday, Oct. 7 

Rose's accuser took the stand Thursday and discussed the alleged incident, per Brian Melley of the Associated Press:

"I'm not going to order the witness not to cry any more than I'm going to order her not to breathe," U.S. District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald said. 

During the cross-examination, Rose's lawyers presented text messages from the accuser, such as "I need a very wealthy man. We should go find one," per ESPN.com.

The accuser said she sued Rose to hold him accountable for his actions and denied money was a motive behind the lawsuit, according to ESPN.com.

Describing a visit to see Rose at a hotel, she said, "I dropped weed off for Derrick. I don’t recall who else was there," per Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.

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Rose Comments on Potential Settlement

Tuesday, Oct. 4

"I haven't heard any of that yet," Rose said, per Marc Berman and Marsh of the New York Post. "That's one of the reasons why I wanted to take it to court because I didn't want to settle. I still haven't heard anything yet. I'll see [Wednesday]."

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Rose to Play vs. Rockets, Will Balance Trial Schedule and Practice

Tuesday, Oct. 4

Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle noted that Rose will be on the court against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday. 

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Rose to Balance Trial Schedule and Practice

Tuesday, Oct. 4

Per Al Iannazzone of Newsday, Rose said he will fly to Los Angeles for the trial Wednesday. Berman added that Rose believes he "may have to miss a practice or two."

According to Berman and Marsh, Rose's former girlfriend is seeking $21.5 million in damages after alleging she was raped by Rose and his friends while she was unconscious in 2013.

Rose is set to testify, per Berman and Marsh. A judge told prospective jurors the trial is expected to last for eight days and will likely end next Friday, per Nancy Dillon of the New York Daily News.

The Knicks have preseason games scheduled against the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 8 and the Washington Wizards on Oct. 10. It isn't yet known if Rose will be available to play in those contests.

New York will open its 2016-17 regular-season slate Oct. 25 against the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers, and Rose is expected to make his first career start for the team at point guard.    

    

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.

LeBron James won't stand for untidiness.

"Hopefully I only have to say something once," James said, per Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. "Can't leave the locker room like that."

Arguably the biggest superstar in all of sports, James isn't above helping out his team's locker room attendants. After all, a clean workspace is key to success.

[Cleveland.com]