The Nets have been popular in Asia for years, and Caris LeVert is adding to that surprising hotbed of Brooklyn fandom. LeVert is going to participate in Basketball Without Borders Asia, with an announcement set for Thursday. Brooklyn’s rising young combo guard will be joined in India by Corey Brewer of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kelly Olynyk of the Miami Heat and Dwight Powell of the Dallas Mavericks. BWB Asia 2018 will be held from May 30 through June 2 at the NBA Academy India in Delhi, and will be run in partnership with Nike. It’s the second time the development and community outreach program – run by the league and by FIBA – will be in India. It’s also not LeVert’s first trip to Asia, either.
Miami Heat Rumors
Ira Winderman: Heat center Kelly Olynyk is among those who will participate in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders from May 30 to June 2 in India at The NBA Academy India in Delhi National Capital Region.
Jay King: Looks like Kelly Olynyk is sitting a row behind the Celtics bench.
Center Hassan Whiteside leveled his latest dig against the Heat this week, suggesting on Instagram that he’s not permitted to take perimeter shots. Meanwhile, there is strong sentiment inside the Heat organization to move on from Whiteside and the Heat is expected to explore trades involving him this offseason, according to multiple sources.
This week’s video marked at least the fifth time in recent months that Whiteside has either complained or expressed some level of dissatisfaction about how the Heat handles him – which is one but not the only factor contributing to internal sentiment toward moving on from him this summer, if a viable trade opportunity arises. But the Heat might have difficulty trading him, considering he’s coming off a disappointing season and due $24.4 million and $27.1 million in the final two years of his contract.
Most of Whiteside’s complaints in recent months concerned playing time, including an expletive-filled rant that drew a substantial fine from the Heat in late March. In his latest video, Whiteside is seen sinking a long jump shot. “You don’t know I got this jumper,” he said in the video. “There’s a difference between you can’t shoot and you’re not allowed [to shoot].” The Heat declined to comment on the video.
Kent Bazemore: Josh Richardson should’ve been All-Defense
