2015 September | Hoops Rumors

Western Notes: Wolves, Lakers, Blazers

September 27th, 2015 at 6:45pm CST by Will Joseph

Wolves interim head coach Sam Mitchell told Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune in a wide-ranging Q&A that the team did not stop believing in Anthony Bennett and instead reached a buyout deal with the young player because the team had enough depth.

“I wouldn’t say we gave up on him,” Mitchell said. “Look at the sheer numbers at that position and even take K.G. out of the equation and we have three, four guys who can play power forward. We just felt we had an overabundance of people at that position. It wasn’t us giving up on A.B. I think A.B. came to us. His representative felt like they’d have a better chance somewhere else with a fresh start. We never approached A.B. with that [a contract buyout].”

The entire interview is worth a read because it is as entertaining as it is informative.

Here’s more on the Western Conference:

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak dismissed the idea that the franchise is concerned about Nick Young‘s personality and instead, Kupchak pointed out that Young suffered through injuries and a career-worst shooting season, Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Daily News writes. The Lakers tried trading Young this offseason, only to keep him after failing to find any suitors.
After signing the richest contract in Blazers history — a five year, $120MM extension — and now without LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews on the team, Damian Lillard is ready to take on a leadership role with Portland, Jason Quick of The Oregonian writes in a lengthy profile that is definitely worth a read. Lillard, as Quick points out, got off to a good start with a big team-building event during the summer.
Maurice Harkless, who was acquired by the Blazers from the Magic in July, is only 22 and has plenty of room to grow in Portland’s system, Mike Richman of The Oregonian writes. Harkless will make $2,894,059 in the final year of his rookie deal, as Richman points out.

Pistons Notes: Drummond, Van Gundy, Morris

September 27th, 2015 at 5:45pm CST by Will Joseph

The question of whether to grant Andre Drummond an extension will be key for the Pistons, who would like their cornerstone center to delay signing until next year, David Mayo of MLive.com writes. Drummond is entering the final year of his rookie contract and the Pistons have just more than a month to sign him to an extension in the five-year, $120MM range, Mayo adds. If not, he can become a restricted free agent next summer. The reason the Pistons would rather Drummond wait to sign, according to Mayo, is because until Drummond actually signs his contract, only his cap-hold figure of about $8.2MM would be factored into the Pistons’ 2016/17 payroll for salary-cap purposes, not the $21MM he actually figures to make that season. Mayo’s entire list of things to watch is a worthy read.

Here’s more out of Detroit:

With only three players still remaining on the Pistons from May 2014, which was when Pistons president/coach Stan Van Gundy was hired, Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press runs down all of the teams’ moves since then.
Van Gundy, in an interview with Keith Langlois of Pistons.com, said he understands why Marcus Morris would be upset, but also adds that the situation should not be an issue going forward. Morris has bruised feelings toward the Suns after being traded away and separated from his brother.

Atlantic Notes: Nets, Celtics, Knicks

September 27th, 2015 at 2:45pm CST by Will Joseph

The Nets have a much younger team than in recent years heading into training camp and Brooklyn head coach Lionel Hollins believes replenishing a roster with young talent is a necessity nowadays, Roderick Boone of Newsday writes. The Nets made several changes to their roster from last season and Andrea Bargnani is the eldest addition at 29, as Boone points out.

Here’s more out of the Atlantic Division:

Carmelo Anthony, who underwent surgery on his left knee back in February, told reporters, including Marc Berman of the New York Post, that he is ready to show he has fully recovered this week. Anthony again rejected rumors that suggested he was upset with Knicks president Phil Jackson‘s offseason moves, Berman adds.
The battle for playing time is much greater in training camp this season for the Celtics, but James Young is more optimistic than he was at this time last year because he is fully healthy, A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com writes. Young’s development was hampered by a car accident prior to the draft that prevented him from playing on the Celtics’ summer league team last year, Blakely continues. Young played well in the D-League last season, but it remains to be seen whether he can be a consistent piece for Boston. Young’s game significantly improving from a year ago would be a huge plus for the Celtics, Blakely points out.
With the Celtics desiring to score more this season, there is a strong possibility that Isaiah Thomas, who emerged as one of the league’s best bench players last season, will be the team’s starting point guard, Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald details. Thomas would still love to be a starter, Murphy adds, but the point guard is open to any role with the team.
In the same piece, Murphy suggests that of the three guards from the draft in training camp, combo guard Terry Rozier has the best shot at cracking the rotation.

Sixers Make Four Signings Official

September 27th, 2015 at 2:14pm CST by Will Joseph

The Sixers have officially signed J.P. Tokoto, T.J. McConnell, Jordan McRae and Christian Wood, the team announced. All four moves were expected. The Sixers have 13 fully guaranteed deals.

Wood, McRae and Tokoto had already put pen to paper, according to reports, but the Sixers had yet to acknowledge the deals.

McRae, the No. 58 overall pick from the 2014 draft, is reportedly with the team on a non-guaranteed contract for the minimum salary that covers one season. McConnell’s deal includes a partial salary guarantee, according to reports. Wood reportedly has a deal for four years with a partial guarantee worth $50K. Tokoto has a one-year, non-guaranteed deal, it has been reported.

Sixers Waive Gerald Wallace

September 27th, 2015 at 1:11pm CST by Eddie Scarito

SUNDAY, 2:11pm: The Sixers made the move official in an emailed press release.

SATURDAY, 4:14pm: The Sixers have waived forward Gerald Wallace, Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). MassLive’s Jay King first reported the move was coming (Twitter link). Philadelphia will still be on the hook for Wallace’s fully guaranteed salary of $10,105,855 for the 2015/16 season, which is the final year of the veteran’s current contract. The team could possibly recoup some of that amount via set-off rights if Wallace were to sign with another team.

The move is not an unexpected one for Philadelphia, as Wallace likely didn’t fit it into its long-term plans. The 33-year-old was acquired from Golden State at the end of July in the deal that sent Jason Thompson to the Warriors. Waiving a player is also a necessary move for the Sixers, who have contract agreements with 21 players, which is one over the preseason maximum.

Wallace appeared in 32 games for Boston last season, averaging 1.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in 8.9 minutes per contest. He was the No. 25 overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, and his career averages are 11.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 2.1 APG to accompany a shooting line of .469/.312/.709.

Northwest Notes: Mudiay, Nuggets, Aminu, Stone

September 27th, 2015 at 12:59pm CST by Arthur Hill

Rookie guard Emmanuel Mudiay will be in charge of the Nuggets‘ offense from the first day of training camp, according to Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post. The Nuggets are counting on the 19-year-old Mudiay to usher in a new era after trading Ty Lawson over the summer. Veteran Jameer Nelson is still on hand to mentor Mudiay, who is expected to become the second rookie point guard in Nuggets history to start on opening night. “I’m just trying to learn from the old heads. Everything that they can feed off, I’m going to just take it in,” Mudiay said. “That’s just what I’m going to do because they’re going to help me be me, if that makes sense.”

There’s more from the Northwest Division:

After a summer of change, Nuggets GM Tim Connelly believes the franchise has a “fully committed locker room,” Dempsey writes in a separate story. Apart from drafting Mudiay and dealing Lawson, Denver brought in an all-new coaching staff and welcomed back executive Pete D’Alessandro. “I like the fact that we have a bunch of guys here that don’t just care about the team but care about the city,” Connelly said. “They’ve chosen to be here despite being coveted by other markets that might be painted bigger markets.”
Al-Farouq Aminu has the talent to develop into a double-double threat, according to Joe Freeman of The Oregonian. The Blazers signed Aminu over the summer to be their starting small forward after trading Nicolas Batum to Charlotte. Although Aminu doesn’t possess Batum’s shooting skills, Freeman believes his defensive ability and rebounding desire will make him a valuable part of Portland’s lineup.
The Thunder’s $981K minimum deal with Julyan Stone is a non-guaranteed summer contract, tweets Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders.

Knicks Rumors: Williams, Fisher, Jackson, Draft

September 27th, 2015 at 12:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

Derrick Williams could compete for a starting role if rookie Kristaps Porzingis isn’t ready, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. Williams was widely considered a draft bust after being selected second overall in 2011, and many were surprised when the Knicks gave the free agent a two-year, $10MM offer in July. But team president Phil Jackson likes Williams’ versatility and said he and Carmelo Anthony may alternate between the small forward and power forward spots. Jackson said Williams possesses “the speed and activity to play with or for Carmelo in any situation.”

There’s more news as the Knicks near training camp:

Jackson’s intentions to get more involved with the coaching staff could be ominous for head coach Derek Fisher, Berman writes in the same story. Jackson said he “stepped back too far” last season while the Knicks slid to a 17-65 record. Berman doesn’t think Fisher’s job is in immediate jeopardy, but calls it a “story that bears watching.”
After spending $110MM over the summer on six free agents and two rookies, Jackson is staying away from predictions on his revamped team, writes Al Iannozzone of Newsday. Anthony, Jose Calderon and Cleanthony Early are the only members of last season’s opening-night roster who are still with the organization. “This does feel like a group that’s kind of been hand-picked,” Jackson said.
Fisher tells Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com he doesn’t regret the two late-season wins that prevented the Knicks from finishing with the league’s worst overall record. New York slipped to fourth in the draft lottery, while the Timberwolves, who had the worst mark, landed the top pick. “How can you be disappointed that you’re going to get a top-5 pick in the NBA draft?” Fisher said. “There have been guys at every number who’ve proved to be great and who’ve proved to be not so great.”

Categories:
New York Knicks

Southwest Notes: Rockets, Motiejunas, Spurs, Mavs

September 27th, 2015 at 11:01am CST by Arthur Hill

Daryl Morey, who has established a reputation for big deals during his eight years as Rockets GM, sounds content with his current roster, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Morey picked up another star over the summer, sending four players to the Nuggets in exchange for Ty Lawson. The GM compares the Rockets’ current situation to that of the champion Warriors last offseason when they kept their roster mostly intact and added a point guard in Shaun Livingston. “This is the first time I feel like, without any changes, we’re good enough to win it,” Morey said.

There’s more from the Southwest Division:

Extension candidate Donatas Motiejunas will not be ready for the start of training camp, and his status for the start of the season is uncertain, Feigen reports in the same story. The Lithuanian forward missed the end of last season after undergoing back surgery. Dwight Howard, who had a problem with fluid in his knee last season, will be ready for camp but will be rested at times during the year. Howard can opt out of his current deal and become a free agent next summer.
The addition of LaMarcus Aldridge and David West will require Gregg Popovich’s third major revision of how the Spurs play, according to Buck Harvey of The Express-News. Recent San Antonio teams have embraced the modern philosophy that emphasizes three-pointers and layups, but Harvey contends the team will have to adapt because of the effective midrange game possessed by both Aldridge and West.
Wesley Matthews was the Mavericks‘ best offseason addition, according to Cody Taylor of Basketball Insiders. Taylor notes that the max deal given to Matthews is somewhat of a gamble because of concerns over his Achilles rupture, but argues that when healthy he is one of the NBA’s best two-way guards. The contributors to the site’s season preview agree that Dallas lost a major asset when DeAndre Jordan backed out of his free agent commitment.

Heat Rumors: Chalmers, Andersen, Spoelstra, Deng

September 27th, 2015 at 10:05am CST by Arthur Hill

A comment from Heat coach Erik Spoelstra may provide a clue about the future of Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen, according to Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel. Spoelstra praised the professionalism of both players, who have been rumored to be on the trading block to ease the Heat’s luxury tax bill, but he added, “They know we care about them and they know it’s a business.” Winderman takes that to mean that if young point guards Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnson can mature quickly and the Heat have enough quality big men, Chalmers and Andersen may both be gone by February’s trade deadline.

There’s more news from Miami:

Spoelstra’s biggest task as Heat coach will be turning a talented fantasy league roster into a real winner, Winderman writes in the same story. During the offseason, Miami added Amar’e Stoudemire, Gerald Green and Justise Winslow to an already productive roster, but concerns remain about pace of play, defense and a shortage of three-point shooters. “You have to be able to adapt in this business,” Spoelstra said, “and figure out where your strengths are and try to maximize those and minimize your weaknesses more than other teams.”
Spoelstra said he has a better understanding of how to use Luol Deng, who is entering his second training camp with Miami, Winderman writes in a separate story. Deng, who will be a free agent next summer, averaged 14.0 points and 5.2 rebounds in 72 games after signing as a free agent in 2014 for two years at nearly $20MM. “We got together this summer” Spoelstra said, “and we both just kind of laughed, and kind of said, ‘You know even when you’re a veteran coach or a veteran player and you come together, it does take some time to build a relationship, build a comfort level,’ and we started to hit our stride in the spring last year.”
Five league insiders all agree the Heat got good value in signing Gerald Green to a $1.4MM deal, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. The paper assembled a panel of two scouts, two GMs and an assistant coach to rate the Heat’s offseason. The reviews were also mostly positive on Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson, and most think Stoudemire will be productive, but only in limited minutes.

Categories:
Miami Heat

Celtics Rumors: Crowder, Lee, Sullinger

September 27th, 2015 at 9:01am CST by Arthur Hill

Celtics coach Brad Stevens is confident that a new five-year, $35MM contract won’t change Jae Crowder‘s game, writes Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald. Boston acquired the 25-year old in a December trade with Dallas and rewarded him with the big contract over the summer. He averaged 9.5 points and 4.6 rebounds in 57 games for the Celtics after the deal. “With Jae, you do feel like even with that understanding that he’s going to play and the comfort of a long-term contract, it doesn’t change how he plays,” Stevens said. “He’s a competitive guy. He wants to do well, and he’s prideful. He would play just as hard in an open gym game in the summer as he will when it’s all on the line.”

There’s more this morning out of Boston:

David Lee, who was acquired from the Warriors in an offseason deal, likes the chemistry he sees in Boston, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com. “That’s something we had last year in Golden State and something that is already well-established here,” Lee said. “The guys get along great and that was part of their success towards the end of the year last year; kind of establishing that from the start with some fresh faces.” Lee is looking for a bounce-back year in Boston after appearing in just 49 games with Golden State last season. A lingering back injury and the emergence of Draymond Green limited his playing time.
Lee already sees similarities between the Celtics’ camp and Steve Kerr’s first camp with the Warriors last season, writes Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald. Kerr guided Golden State to 67 wins and an NBA title while finishing second in the Coach of the Year balloting. “The details are the biggest thing,” Lee said. “[Stevens is] a numbers guy and a technical guy. He throws a lot of stats in there about how the team can get better from last year, and how thin the line is from being fourth and 12th. It’s good for players to know from Day 1 what needs to be accomplished.”
Extension candidate Jared Sullinger plans to spend more time in the post this season, Murphy writes in the same story. “The game will tell you what to do,” Stevens said of Sullinger. “There will be opportunities down there, opportunities for open shots, opportunities at the free throw line.”

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