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Kupchak On D’Antoni, Kobe, Nash, Lakers’ Future

August 15th, 2013 at 7:43pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak participated in a radio interview with ESPN's Colin Cowherd earlier today to discuss a few topics surrounding the franchise. He acknowledged that the transition from Mike Brown to Mike D'Antoni last season was "clumsy" and admitted that there was some feeling that Phil Jackson would coach the team during 2012-13 before eventually handing over the job to D'Antoni. We'll relay more of Kupchak's noteworthy comments, and you can read them below (credit goes to ESPN Los Angeles' Ramona Shelburne and Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times): 

On the health of Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant: 

"Steve, to my understanding, is close to 100 percent, but he's not as young as he once was and Kobe's a big question mark. We're very optimistic, he's getting treatment every day, he's in the facility right now, but he hasn't been on a basketball court. Uncertainty going forward, I guess with our health status would be the biggest question mark."

Regarding any talks of a contract extension with Kobe: 

"There really (have) been no discussions beyond next year for obvious reasons…You have a player who is up in age and just had a devastating injury. Obviously, we created an environment with our team where were looking to have financial flexibility a year from now, so that plays into it."

On the possibility of Pau Gasol remaining a Laker beyond this season: 

"We're in a cycle…We're hopeful that within a year from now, we'll have enough flexibility. We're hopeful that Pau and Kobe can continue to play and we'll have options to rebuild the team."

Thoughts on the idea of tanking for a lottery pick in 2014: 

"The ping-pong lottery thing, even if you have the very worst team in the NBA, you're not guaranteed to get the first pick…I'm not sure getting into the lottery and ending up with 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 is going to give us a top one or two pick in the draft…We still may end up drafting 12, 13 or 14, which is not a great place to draft if you just look back on drafts in this league." 

More comments about the 2014 offseason:

"We'll have a lot of financial resources a year from now…I don't know if we'll get a star player to leave his home team to come here like (Dwight Howard) did to go to Houston. He took a huge financial hit just to do that…We have a pick next year, which is going to be a very good draft. We're very comfortable with the flexibility…It just doesn't mean you get free agents you can take players [via trade].  There are a lot of things you can do with cap room."

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Odds & Ends: Pietrus, Knicks, Johnson

August 15th, 2013 at 6:30pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Mickael Pietrus's agent Bill McCandless tells Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com that the 6'6 forward has a workout scheduled with an undisclosed NBA team in September, and that two other teams have shown interest in bringing him in for a look as well. The 31-year-old swingman last played for the Raptors in 2012-13, averaging 20.3 MPG, 5.3 PPG, and 34.7% shooting from the field in 19 games. McCandless added that Pietrus is currently working out in France and is "100% healthy." Here are a few more news and notes from around the NBA:

  • Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun (via Twitter) confirms that undrafted point guard Myck Kabongo has left agent Rich Paul and will now be represented by Bill Duffy, who also represents Lakers guard Steve Nash. 
  • Citing a source familiar with the Knicks' plans, Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York tweets that the Knicks could possibly be looking to add another big man, but it isn't clear if they're looking to do so now or during veteran's camp (Twitter link). 
  • Along with most free agents right now, Ivan Johnson isn't making much progress on any contract talks, as Zwerling (via Twitter) relays a source close to the situation who says that things are still in "slow motion right now." 
  • Grantland's Jonathan Abrams writes an excellent piece which revisits the circumstances that contributed to Jonny Flynn's struggles with finding a niche in the NBA and the hip injury in Minnesota that stifled his development. Despite the lack of opportunity with the Clippers in this year's summer league, the 24-year-old guard is still determined to make it out of an NBA training camp in the fall. However, he could possibly opt for China or Spain if it doesn't work out.   
  • Jeff Caplan of NBA.com thinks the change of scenery from Milwaukee to Dallas could be just what Mavericks guard Monta Ellis needed to become more efficient and consistent at this point in his career. 
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Poll: Did Wolves Make Good Deal For Pekovic?

August 15th, 2013 at 4:56pm CST by Luke Adams

Typically, it doesn't take long after free agency opens for the offseason's biggest available names to come off the board. Chris Paul reached an agreement with the Clippers almost immediately on July 1st, while even Dwight Howard had finalized his decision just five days into July.

However, the player receiving the third-most guaranteed money among 2013's free agents, Nikola Pekovic, didn't agree to terms with the Timberwolves until yesterday. Despite not having to compete with many rival suitors, the Wolves went to five years and $60MM for their big center, making him the summer's highest-paid restricted free agent. Pekovic could also earn another $8MM in potential incentives.

There's an argument to be made that the Wolves overpaid Pekovic, and were bidding against themselves. After all, the team originally wanted to make a deal in the neighborhood of four years and $48MM. Only the Sixers had the cap space available to make a similar offer, and Philadelphia certainly didn't seem to have the interest. In the end, Minnesota committed a fifth year to a 27-year-old who has had only one standout year, and has yet to play 70+ games in any of three NBA seasons.

On the other hand, talented centers in their prime aren't easy to find, and given the deals we've seen other free agent big men sign in recent years, Pekovic looks like a reasonable value. He comes at a cheaper annual rate than Roy Hibbert (four years, $58MM+) and Brook Lopez (four years, $60MM+) and is only slightly pricier than more one-dimensional centers like DeAndre Jordan (four years, $43MM+) and JaVale McGee (four years, $44MM). The Wolves wouldn't have been able to find a player of his caliber anywhere else, and by relenting and giving Pekovic the fifth year he wanted, the team avoided a repeat of its Kevin Love situation. The Wolves also didn't exceed the $12MM annual salary they initially offered.

So what do you think? Did the Wolves unnecessarily overpay to bring back Pekovic? Did they get a steal by locking up a rising star in his prime for the next five years? Or does the deal seem about right for both sides?

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Western Notes: Janning, Wolves, Lakers, Kobe

August 15th, 2013 at 3:38pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are a few Thursday afternoon items from around the Western Conference:

  • After Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities tweeted last night that former Northeastern guard Matt Janning would work out for the Timberwolves, Shams Charania of RealGM.com confirmed (via Twitter) that the workout happened today. While he could receive a camp invite from the Wolves (Twitter link via Wolfson), Janning has an agreement in place with a Croatian team, and Charania suggests he probably won't receive enough NBA interest to pull out of that deal.
  • In a conversation with Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld, J.J. Barea raved about the Timberwolves' offseason moves and expressed confidence about the team's 2013/14 season.
  • In a piece for the Hollywood Reporter, Ric Bucher quotes Lakers executive vice president Jim Buss as saying Dwight Howard was "never really a Laker," and that D12 was "just passing through."
  • Asked whether he expects Kobe Bryant to be a Laker three year from now, GM Mitch Kupchak replied, "If he can play at a high level, I don't see any reason why he wouldn't be" (Twitter link via Mark Willard of ESPN LA 710).
  • After speaking to executives around the NBA, ESPN.com's Chris Broussard (Insider link) names Stephen Curry as one of his dark-horse MVP candidates for next season.
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Roger Mason Jr. To Run For NBPA President

August 15th, 2013 at 2:15pm CST by Luke Adams

The NBA Player's Association is in need a new president, and the league's top player has indicated he won't run for the position. However, while LeBron James is no longer a candidate, one of the union's current vice presidents will be in the mix. Roger Mason Jr. announced today on his Twitter account that he'll officially be running for NBPA president.

Jerry Stackhouse, who is the NBPA's first vice president, has assumed a vocal leadership role in recent weeks, though he has yet to suggest he'll run for the president position himself. Players like Matt Bonner, James Jones, Chris Paul, Willie Green, Andre Iguodala, and Stephen Curry are also high-ranking members of the union, any of whom could decide to make a run at Derek Fisher's former position. Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com wrote earlier this week that LeBron may throw his support behind Jones if his Heat teammate is a candidate for the opening.

With Fisher's term having expired this summer and former executive director Billy Hunter ousted earlier this year, the NBPA is seeking a new executive director as well as a new president. By the time Adam Silver takes over for David Stern as the NBA's commissioner next February, there could be new leaders in top positions at both the league and the player's union, which will make future negotiations interesting.

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Remaining Unsigned 2013 Draft Picks

August 15th, 2013 at 12:34pm CST by Luke Adams

Over the last several weeks, we've been keeping tabs on the NBA contracts signed by this year's first- and second-round draft picks. Because first-rounders are subject to the NBA's rookie scale, typically there isn't much negotiation required, so most of 2013's top picks have been locked up. However, for second-rounders, the outlook is a little murkier. This year's late selections have signed for a wide variety of years and dollars with their respective NBA clubs or with teams overseas.

So far, 24 of this season's 30 first-round picks have signed with their NBA clubs, while one (Lucas Nogueira) is set to spend another year in Spain. These five first-rounders remain unsigned:

  • Anthony Bennett, Cavaliers (1)
  • Alex Len, Suns (5)
  • Nerlens Noel, Sixers (6)
  • Michael Carter-Williams, Sixers (11)
  • Livio Jean-Charles, Spurs (28)

In some cases it makes sense that these players haven't signed yet. The Sixers, for instance, still have a significant chunk of cap space available, and can maximize that room by keeping Noel's and Carter-Williams' cap holds on the books, rather than their final salaries (which will likely be 20% higher). Philadelphia will eventually sign the two lottery picks, but for now the team continues to maintain as much flexibility as possible, should a trade opportunity arise.

As for Jean-Charles, he appears likely to play overseas in 2013/14, so it's not surprising that he hasn't signed with the Spurs. It's not entirely clear why Bennett and Len haven't signed yet, but like the aforementioned Sixers duo, it'll just be a matter of time.

Here are the second-rounders who have yet to sign and aren't confirmed to be spending 2013/14 overseas:

  • Grant Jerrett, Thunder (40)
  • Marko Todorovic, Rockets (45)
  • Raul Neto, Jazz (47)
  • Ryan Kelly, Lakers (48)
  • Romero Osby, Magic (51)
  • Lorenzo Brown, Timberwolves (52)
  • Deshaun Thomas, Spurs (58)
  • Janis Timma, Grizzlies (60)

None of these players are assured of NBA roster spots this year, and in fact, it looks like many of them will end up playing elsewhere. Todorovic will likely remain with FC Barcelona, the Jazz may not have a spot available for Neto, Thomas is reportedly close to signing in Spain, and there probably won't be room for Timma in Memphis, where the Grizzlies already have 17 players under contract.

Brown appears to be a good bet to participate in training camp with the Timberwolves, with a chance to earn the team's 15th roster spot, and the Magic may extend the same opportunity to Osby. In that case, the Wolves and Magic would lose Brown's and Osby's respective NBA rights if they don't make the teams' regular-season rosters.

For Jerrett, his NBA future figures to depend on how many of their non-guaranteed players the Thunder decide to retain for next season. The club only has 12 players on guaranteed contracts, but Hasheem Thabeet, Daniel Orton, DeAndre Liggins, and Ryan Gomes all have non-guaranteed deals. Meanwhile, we haven't heard much about Kelly and the Lakers, but L.A. should definitely have room for him, depending on what other moves the team makes this offseason.

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Celtics, Grizzlies Swap Fab Melo, Donte Greene

August 15th, 2013 at 11:23am CST by Luke Adams

The Celtics have acquired Donte Greene from the Grizzlies in exchange for Fab Melo and cash considerations, the C's announced today in a press release. Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal first reported that the two sides were working on a deal involving Greene and Melo.

Melo, the 22nd overall pick in last year's draft, only appeared in six NBA games for the Celtics in 2012/13. The Syracuse product spent most of the season with Boston's D-League affiliate, averaging 9.8 PPG and 6.0 RPG in 33 contests for the Maine Red Claws. While he's considered a young big man with raw potential, he's also viewed as a long-term project, and given his lack of significant progress in his rookie season, it seems the Celtics didn't want to wait on him.

By moving Melo's guaranteed rookie-scale contract in exchange for Greene's non-guaranteed minimum salary deal, the Celtics immediately reduce team salary by about $300K, and could shave another $1MM or so off by releasing Greene. Considering Boston was above the tax line by about $780K before the deal, those savings could be crucial.

The Grizzlies should create a trade exception worth Greene's salary ($1,027,424) in the transaction by absorbing Melo using the rest of their Marreese Speights TPE. For Boston, Greene can't be absorbed using the minimum salary exception since he's on a three-year deal, so the C's create a small TPE worth the difference between Melo's salary and Greene's ($283,816).

Both the Grizzlies and Celtics now have 14 guaranteed contracts on their respective rosters. The Grizz will likely add a 15th when they officially announce the signing of Nick Calathes.

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Extension Candidate Series

August 15th, 2013 at 8:54am CST by Luke Adams

When Nikola Pekovic re-upped with the Timberwolves yesterday, he became the last of the summer’s big free agents to come off the board. As such, the next few big names to sign contracts may not be players on the open market, but rather players signing extensions with their current teams. Players heading into the fourth and final seasons of their rookie contracts are eligible to sign extensions, as are a number of veterans. We’ll be taking a look at some of those guys in Extension Candidate pieces.

This list of our Extension Candidate posts can be found at any time under the “Hoops Rumors Features” menu on the right sidebar. It will continue to be updated as we examine players that might be in for long-term deals in the near future. Here are the extension candidates we’ve previewed so far, in alpabetical order:

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Sixers Notes: Brown, Hinkie, Ownership

August 14th, 2013 at 10:15pm CST by Alex Lee

After the longest head coaching search in recent memory, the Sixers finally introduced Brett Brown as their guy today at a press conference at the Wells Fargo Center.  Here are some reactions to what Brown and general manager Sam Hinkie had to say, as well as some other Sixers news:

  • Brown and Hinkie have a huge mountain to climb to bring the Sixers back to respectability, but because of the commitment the team made to Brown, it is appears that they are in for the long haul together, writes Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer.  With the Sixers roster in the shape its in, Brown prioritized the guarantee of four-year pact. 
  • In the short term, both Brown and Hinkie, as well as Sixers fans, will have to exhibit a level of tolerance and patience, writes Sean Deveney of the Sporting News.  Brown, of course, came from San Antonio where the Spurs haven't had a losing season since 1996/97, which led to them landing Tim Duncan. 
  • While Brown's introductory press conference was a long one, Max Rappaport of Sixers.com was able to sit down with the former Spurs assistant afterwards for a one-on-one interview.  The team's website also has the press conference in its entirety in three different pieces.  
  • Team owner Joshua Harris is in negotations to buy the NHL's New Jersey Devils, which has some paranoid Sixers fans expressing concern that the New York City-based Harris could attempt to move the team north to Newark's Prudential Center, which no longer houses an NBA team with the Nets in Brooklyn.  Hinkie alleviated some of those concerns today after the Brown presser, telling Tom Moore of PhillyBurbs.com, "Josh Harris is more committed than ever to owning the Sixers and the fans of Philadelphia and keeping the Sixers here forever."
  • Brown's job this year is to see what he has, Moore writes, adding that next summer will go a long way to deciding the fate of the Sixers under Brown.  With significant cap space and two potential lottery picks in a loaded draft, Philly could quickly become an appealing destination for free agents. 
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Knicks Interested In Earl Barron

August 14th, 2013 at 8:32pm CST by Alex Lee

The Knicks and free agent center Earl Barron have mutual interest in reuniting, reports Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York, who cites a source close to Barron.  Barron spent a brief amount of time with New York late last season, appearing in only one game, and also played with the team in 2009/10.  He has played for six other NBA teams, including the Wizards early last season.

Zwerling says the signing of Jeremy Tyler may not preclude them from bringing in Barron as well, especially with the Nets and Pacers both beefing up their frontcourts.  The source indicates that Barron has received five other NBA camp invites and has international options, but will wait to hear from the Knicks before deciding anything and would accept a minimum salary offer from them.  Barron and the Knicks have met several times this offseason, according to the source.

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