NBA Rumors: Guards

Coach Kenny Atkinson said Friday that Garland taking eight three-pointers per game would be a "conservative number," Evan Dammarell of FearTheSword.com reports.

Branham is among the contenders to open the 2024-25 season in the starting lineup while Devin Vassell recovers from foot surgery, writes Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News.

The Lakers believe Christie is ready to take on a larger role in the 2024-25 season, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN. "I think for me it's kind of just proving myself again," Christie said. "I haven't proven too much as a player in this league. I've had spurts and sporadic moments where I've been really good, but I want to put a whole season together. Hopefully I get the opportunity to do that this year."

Mitchell posted a 63.7 effective field-goal percentage on 128 step-back jumpers last season, leading all qualifiers in efficiency.

Doncic posted a 59.2 effective field-goal percentage on 539 step-back jumpers last season, leading all qualifiers in efficiency and volume.

Powell views the free-agency departure of Paul George as "addition by subtraction," creating a prime opportunity for himself and others to step up, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.

Thompson listed winning the Most Improved Player award and being selected for an All-Defensive Team as his personal goals for the season, Ben DuBose of USA Today reports.

Thomas expressed Monday that he feels he has proved himself of being a worthy component of future Brooklyn teams.

Reports of DiVincenzo being "unhappy with the idea of coming off the bench" have been refuted by league sources, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post reports.

Coach Mike Budenholzer showed Beal a series of clips Monday in which the guard should have taken threes instead of passing up the shots for other opportunities, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Allen weighed in at a career-high 230 pounds Monday, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Shamet is the favorite to claim one of the open spots on the Knicks' bench, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.

Thomas is eligible for a rookie-scale extension and can sign a new deal with the Nets until Oct. 21, but he seems more likely to reach restricted free agency next summer instead, Brian Lewis of The New York Post reports. "I'm pretty sure my agent will have conversations with them, but I'm just worried about the season," Thomas said. "This is the opportunity I've been wanting since I got into the league: to play, be free, so I'm just gonna make the most of it, and whatever happens, happens."

There is optimism regarding the possibility of Suggs signing a contract extension with the Magic before the Oct. 21 deadline, according to Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel.

Paul decided to sign with the Spurs because he'll likely have a bigger role than the one he had with the Warriors in 2023-24, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic. "The opportunity to play. That was a big part of it," Paul said. "I think for me, especially since signing in San Antonio, a couple things I've been focused on have been making sure I'm ready to play. Totally different role than I was in last season."

Ball remains optimistic about his progress from a gruesome knee injury that has kept him sidelined since 2022 and is aiming to be available for the start of the regular season in late October, according to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.

Giddey is rehabbing from an ankle injury he sustained with Australia during the 2024 Olympics but expects to be "fine" for the start of the regular season in late October, according to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.

Konchar has established a goal when it comes to his three-point percentage for the 2024-25 season, Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.

Richardson is recovering from a season-ending shoulder injury and didn't participate in the first day of training camp, but head coach Erik Spoelstra stated Monday that the wing will eventually participate in camp, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.

Russell apologized for some of the behavior he had during the 2023-24 season, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com. "I think for me, honestly, I really want to apologize in the sense of showing a lack of professionalism at times," Russell said. "Showing a lack of team-first perception at times. So for me, just keeping that maturity and that professionalism throughout the year no matter the ups and downs. Holding myself more accountable on the defensive end."

Lee's meniscus tear that sidelined him for the entirety of the 2023-24 season was "a rare one that lengthened his rehab and had setbacks within that. He wasn't sure if he was going to be able to play again," Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Ellis is open to "any role" the Kings ask of him this season, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.

Suggs praised Orlando on Monday, saying "this place raised me...I can't wait to come on the court and show how appreciative and grateful I am for this place and everything they've done for me," Dan Savage of the Magic's official site reports.

Holiday expressed love for Houston on Monday, addressing how his comfort in the organization and bond with his teammates fueled his decision to stay with the Rockets on a two-year, $10 million deal this offseason, Ben DuBose of USA Today reports.

Raptors president Masai Ujiri mentioned Monday that Quickley's "work ethic is incredible," while highlighting the elements of the young guard that prompted Toronto to acquire him at the 2023-24 trade deadline, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.