NBA Rumors Roundup: Steph Curry on the verge of signing a $1 billion deal, 15 NBA executives unanimously name Luka Doncic best U-25 player, and more - September 14th, 2022

The Robert Sarver saga may have only just begun

The NBA has finished its investigation on Phoenix Suns team owner Robert Sarver on charges of racism, misogyny and a couple more. Sarver has been handed a one-year suspension, a $10 million fine and will undergo a training program that will reinforce respect and appropriate behavior

Marc Stein has a Substack report explaining why things could get bigger once training camp starts:

“It really shouldn’t fall on them to make up for punishment this light, but the reality is that how players and Suns staffers - and, of course, sponsors - react will have significant influence on what happens next in terms of a potential external push to urge Sarver to sell the team.

Several analysts consider Sarver’s mistakes to be more blatant and vicious than what former LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling was found guilty of. Sterling eventually sold the team to its current owner Steve Ballmer for a record $2 billion.

In a cruel twist of fate, Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul was also in the middle of the Sterling affair. He undoubtedly has to answer questions on the Sarver situation as well.

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The Washington Wizards need significantly better defense from Rui Hachimura next season

When the Washington Wizards drafted Rui Hachimura as the 9th pick in the 2019 draft, they were hoping he’d turn into at least an elite-level defender. Three years later, that potential hasn’t only not materialized, but he’s seemingly regressed on that end.

Josh Robbins of The Athletic reported on what two NBA scouts thought of Hachimura’s defense:

“That was the area that you kind of thought maybe he had the most upside in college, and it’s turned out to be almost the opposite, where the majority of his value is derived on the offensive end as opposed to the defensive end.”

In Rui Hachimura’s first two seasons with the Wizards, he started in every game he was available. Last season, he played only 42 games and was a part of the starting unit only 13 times. Granted injuries may have cost him the starting job, but still, he left much to be desired on defense.

The Japanese international has all the tools to become a superb defender. If he can put his effort and mind on the defensive end, the Wizards could have the player they hoped to become.