NBA Rumors: James Bouknight, Sidy Cissoko and Gradey Dick, Plus More

Cissoko showed a lot of promise with the G-League Ignite due to his athleticism and ability to get to the hoop. But he still has much to work on, which was more emphasized during summer league action. Those areas of improvement are shooting, particularly from the 3-point line, rebounding, and defense.

Cissoko played well in 10 minutes of action in San Antonio’s preseason-opening loss to Oklahoma City. While he doled out two assists and posted a +5 plus/minus rating, he didn’t take a shot and only grabbed one board.

On Monday, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told reporters that the 6-8 wing would spend most of his rookie campaign with the G-League Austin Toros.

Gradey Dick Has Work to Do Before Getting Regular Minutes

The Toronto Raptors used a late lottery pick in this year’s draft on Kansas sharpshooter Gradey Dick. However, rookie head coach Darko Rajakovic didn’t put him in the Raptors’ preseason-opening win over Sacramento until late in the contest.

Rajakovic explained to The Athletic’s Eric Koreen what Dick has to do to work his way into the Raptors rotation.

“There is no skipping steps there,” Rajaković said. “He needs to do his job in the weight room. He’s already doing a great job and is very compliant. But it just takes time. You know, you cannot be 22 before you’re 19. And for him, he will take a second to get there.

Dick struggled in the game on October 8. The teenager scored five points on 2 of 6 shooting, including 1 of 4 from the 3-point line, in 14 minutes. He grabbed three boards, doled out an assist, came up with two steals, and had two turnovers.

NBA Notes

• As long been rumored, New York Knicks forward Josh Hart will see plenty of time at the four. Hart told Fred Katz of the Athletic that he is okay with seeing time at power forward despite being undersized at 6 foot 5.

“I’m whatever we need, man. I (would bring) the ball up last year. You’ve seen there’s times when I’m setting screens, rolling. I’m guarding point guards, shooting guards, small forwards, power forwards. It’s just a little whatever they need.”

“Now, especially how the game is going, it’s small ball, small pick-and-rolls, stuff like that. “So, I’m used to being able to get the ball, short roll in space and be able to just create. So, it’ll be fun.”

Hart did not play in New York’s 114-107 preseason-opening win over Boston. Instead, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jacob Toppin, and Jericho Sims saw action in the frontcourt off the bench.

• Not surprisingly, the Denver Nuggets are picking up the third-year option on Christian Braun, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowskisixth-man.

Braun was a contributor in his rookie season. But he is slated to be the Nuggets’ sixth man this year.

During the 2022-23 season, the 22-year-old wing appeared in 78 games, including six starts, while averaging around 16 minutes and scoring in double-figures 14 times. He shot nearly 50% from the field and 35.4% from the 3-point line.

Braun is making $2.9 million this year and $3.08 million next season. The Nuggets have until the end of next October to decide whether to exercise his fourth-year option worth $4.9 million.