2015 November | Hoops Rumors

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 11/27/15

November 27th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Kobe Bryant has suffered several major injuries in recent seasons but the biggest pain he’s experiencing now is the sting of criticism. The longtime Lakers superstar has been struggling mightily with his shooting and coach Byron Scott is getting bombarded with questions and critiques regarding what he should do about it.

Bryant is shooting a career worst 31.1% from the field and 19.5% from 3-point range. Just this week, Bryant matched the worst shooting performance of his career by going 1 for 14 from the field against the Warriors. Bryant, as always, remains supremely confident in his ability and says he’s not concerned about his shooting slump.

Scott has held firm that Bryant will come around. Scott indicated this week that he has no plans to cut down on the veteran small forward’s minutes. When asked on Friday if he might bench Bryant for poor play, Scott shot back that he would “never, never, never” do that.

However, there’s a strong argument that removing Bryant from the rotation would help the Lakers in the long run. Bryant won’t be around when lottery picks Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell hit their prime, so having him play such a prominent role — especially at the offensive end — does nothing to facilitate their development and chemistry.

On the flip side, Bryant has given so much to the franchise that it’s hard to shove him to the end of the bench. Bryant doesn’t seem interested in finishing his career somewhere else and his contract is so huge that even if he agreed to a trade, it would be hard to move him. He’s also still a huge fan favorite and a draw. Love him or hate him, people still like to see him play.

This leads us to our question of the day: Should the Lakers reduce Kobe Bryant’s minutes or even bench him?

We’d love to hear your thought on this subject. Please be aware of our commenting policy and use the comments section below to give us your opinion.

Pistons Notes: Jennings, Van Gundy, Jackson

November 27th, 2015 at 10:30pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Point guard Brandon Jennings cannot go full speed yet and remains weeks away from returning, coach Stan Van Gundy told the gathered media this week, including Hoops Rumors. Jennings, who is still recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in January, has been participating in practices but is still targeted to return sometime next month. “He doesn’t have his quickness back,” Van Gundy said. “He’s a ways away but he’s getting there. He can do pretty much everything. It’s just getting back into being able to play at that tempo. There’s definitely been progress but he’s still a ways away.” When he returns, Jennings will likely move ahead of Steve Blake and Spencer Dinwiddie on the second unit.

In other news around the team:

Van Gundy believes opponents should be able to use the Hack-A-Dre strategy at any point in the game or not at all, he declared during the same press conference. Opponents will sometimes resort to intentionally fouling center Andre Drummond, a career 40% free throw shooter, off the ball. The strategy is only useful until two minutes remaining in a quarter, when off-the-ball infractions result in a free throw plus possession. “I don’t like rules that apply to just the last two minutes of a game,” Van Gundy said. “To me, let’s play with the same rules for 48 minutes. If we can grab guys in the first 46 minutes, let us grab guys in the last two or don’t do it at all. And I don’t like the replay rule in the last two minutes. It’s like the other calls don’t matter. A call at 2:05 affects a game as much as 1:55 but we’re not going review that one.”
Van Gundy has gone to a nine-man rotation, expanding the role of first-rounder Stanley Johnson. With backup shooting guard Jodie Meeks sidelined since the first week of the season with a broken right foot, Reggie Bullock got the first crack at the role. But Bullock made just one basket in 10 games and Van Gundy is reluctant to give rookie second-rounder Darrun Hilliard a rotation spot. Thus, Johnson is now the primary backup at both small forward and shooting guard. Neither Bullock nor Hilliard played against the Thunder on Friday night.
The Pistons made the quickest improvement of the three teams involved in the blockbuster that netted point guard Reggie Jackson, David Mayo of MLive.com opines. The Thunder and Jazz also achieved their objectives in the trade deadline deal but the Pistons got the point guard they coveted without giving up a major piece, Mayo continues. They traded two players who are now reserves for the Thunder, point guard D.J. Augustin and small forward Kyle Singler, and two future second-round picks. Jackson signed a five-year, $80MM contract this summer as a restricted free agent.

Eastern Notes: Harris, Biyombo, Lamb

November 27th, 2015 at 9:31pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Former Bucks coach and current Magic coach Scott Skiles said he was never in favor of trading power forward Tobias Harris to Orlando, according to Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Sentinel. Skiles didn’t give Harris a lot of playing time as a rookie and second-year player but liked Harris’ potential and attitude, the story continues. Harris was dealt from the Bucks to the Magic on Feb. 21st, 2013 in a six-player swap. None of the players Milwaukee acquired are still with the team. “At that time, we just felt (Luc) Mbah a Moute was a better defender and (Mike) Dunleavy was a better offensive player, and Tobias didn’t get as many minutes. But we were high on him,” Skiles told Gardner. “Not that anybody would have listened to me, but if I would have still been the coach, I would not have been for moving Tobias.

In other news around the Eastern Conference:

Bismack Biyombo‘s stint as Jonas Valanciunas’ injury replacement is off to a strong start, Lori Ewing of The Canadian Press reports. Coach Dwane Casey likes what Biyombo brings to the starting unit as the new Raptors starting center after he had 11 points and 12 rebounds against the Cavs this week, Ewing continues. “He set the tone for us defensively,” Casey told the Toronto media. “Protecting the paint, talking, being physical, being a deterrent at the rim and that was big for us.” Valanciunas is out approximately six weeks with a hand injury.
Jeremy Lamb could be a serious candidate for the league’s Sixth Man and Most Improved Player awards if he continues to produce at his current level, Steve Aschburner of NBA.com write. The Hornets shooting guard is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists and field goal percentage. Lamb, who agreed to a three-year, $21MM extension, has surprised coach Steve Clifford with his passing ability, Aschburner continues. “I knew he could shoot — I mean, he can really shoot — but I had no idea how well he could pass the ball,” Clifford told Aschburner. “He can pass off the dribble. He makes good decisions, so he’s a better pick-and-roll player than I thought. And what he’s done for us, he’s given us a lot of drive-and-kick plays that I didn’t know he was capable of doing.”
The Celtics have assigned rookie power forward Jordan Mickey to the D-League’s Maine Red Claws, the team tweets. Mickey, an early second-round pick out of LSU, has played a total of just five minutes with Boston.

Lakers Rumors: Rotation, Bryant, Nance Jr.

November 27th, 2015 at 8:27pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Lakers coach Byron Scott is pondering some rotation changes, though he may wait a few more games to see if things improve, according to Lakers.com’s Joey Ramirez. Scott wouldn’t say whether changes to playing time would affect the starters or bench, though he’s already tinkered with the second unit. Guards D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson, power forward Julius Randle and center Roy Hibbert have started every game, as has small forward Kobe Bryant when Scott hasn’t given him the night off. “I would love to play the same type of rotation and get productivity from both [units],” Scott said to the assembled media after practice. “But that’s not happening on a consistent basis. And then when it doesn’t, you have to make changes.” But Scott also preached patience, adding he wants “to give it a few more games” before he makes any moves.

In other news regarding the club:

Scott has no plans to bench Bryant, ESPN.com’s Baxter Holmes reports. “I would never, never, never do that,” Scott told the media after practice on Friday. “That’s not an option whatsoever. No, that’s not an option.” Bryant is shooting a career-low 31.1% and ESPN’s Real Plus-Minus Ratings place Bryant 379th in the NBA and 73rd for small forwards.
A willingness to chase rebounds and accept a limited offensive role has earned Larry Nance Jr. a rotation spot in his rookie season, NBA.com’s Scott Howard-Cooper writes. Nance has the maturity to carry out his role, which has endeared him to Scott, as he told Howard-Cooper. “He doesn’t go outside that box,” Scott said. “He sticks within himself. But he plays hard. That’s the thing I love about Larry.”
The team assigned rookie small forward Anthony Brown to the D-League, the D-Fenders announced via Twitter. Brown, a second-round pick out of Stanford, has played nine minutes over three games with the Lakers.

Southwest Rumors: Nowitzki, Rockets, Lamb

November 27th, 2015 at 7:13pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Dirk Nowitzki remains the focal point for the Mavericks and while he’s slowed down in some ways, he’s handling the burden well, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com. While the 37-year-old power forward can’t create off the dribble like he used to, he’s shooting over 50% from the field as well as on his 3-point attempts, MacMahon continues. Dallas has been unable the past four offseasons to make him their second-best player, MacMahon adds, but he’s still one of the league’s most efficient shooters. Nowitzki’s body has held up remarkably well over the years, Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News points out, but the Mavs need to have a diverse attack with a variety of players taking big shots.

In other news around the Southwest Division:

With his full complement of point guards available, interim Rockets coach J.B. Bickerstaff plans to juggle them in creative ways, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports. Patrick Beverley, Ty Lawson and Jason Terry will share the position and Bickerstaff will pair them up at times, Feigen adds. “I think we’re going to try to play those guys together,” Bickerstaff told Feigen. “We’re going to stick with our same starting lineup. We like the leadership Jet [Terry] brings with that first group. But then we’re going to bring those other guys in off the bench.”
Doron Lamb, who was waived by the Mavericks during training camp in 2014, has signed with Buducnost in Montenegro, the team announced via Facebook (translation via Sportando’s Emiliano Carchia). The Mavs had retained Lamb’s D-League rights by making him one of their affiliate players with NBA experience. Lamb previously played in the NBA with both the Bucks and Magic.
Power forward Ryan Anderson is averaging more than 19 points a game but Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said his defense has been even more essential to his club, Jeff Zillgitt of USAToday.com reports. “Ryan’s really scoring the basketball. But where he’s really helped us is that he’s really improved defensively,” Gentry told reporters, including Zillgitt. “His rebounding and physicality that he plays with has been the things that have helped us the most.”

Southeast Notes: Hawks, Clifford, Winslow

November 27th, 2015 at 4:40pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Coach Mike Budenholzer’s ability to sell the virtues of the Hawks organization will determine their long-term success, Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN.com opines in a detailed look at the team’s structure and roster. While the front office appears stable, the roster could undergo major changes after the season, Arnovitz continues. Center Al Horford will enter unrestricted free agency next season, starting shooting guard Kyle Korver is in his mid-30s, center Tiago Splitter has injury issues and point guards Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder may have trouble co-existing over the long haul, Arnovitz adds. They also haven’t adequately replaced small forward DeMarre Carroll, so Budenholzer and the front office need to show free agents that Atlanta is a desirable landing spot, Arnovitz concludes.

In other news around the Southeast Division:

Veteran center Al Jefferson gives a ringing endorsement to the contract extension that coach Steve Clifford received from the Hornets this week, Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reports. “The one thing I love about him is he keeps it real with you. He doesn’t say one thing to your face and another thing behind your back,” Jefferson told Bonnell. “He changed this whole team around from Day 1. He works harder than any head coach I’ve been around. He demands you play hard and play together.”
The Heat’s long-term outlook depends upon the development of rookie small forward Justise Winslow and center Hassan Whiteside, as Michael Lee of Yahoo Sports explains while taking an in-depth look at the roster. Winslow has embraced the role of defensive specialist and hasn’t been overwhelmed by the task of shadowing the opponent’s top scorer. “At this point, we’re peers,” Winslow told Lee. “I don’t put those guys on a pedestal.” Whiteside, the league’s top shot blocker, is determined to show that his breakout season a year ago wasn’t a fluke, Lee adds.
The Wizards’ outlook after 12 games is troubling for a team expected to make a run in the Eastern Conference, according to J. Michael of CSNMidAtlantic.com. There has been an extraordinary amount of drama in the early going, J. Michael points out, ranging from center Marcin Gortat getting irritated at coach Randy Wittman for calling him soft to point guard John Wall brooding over his lack of shots.

2016/17 Salary Cap Projection: Brooklyn Nets

November 27th, 2015 at 3:27pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The NBA’s salary cap for 2015/16 has been set at $70MM, which is an 11% increase from last season, and the luxury tax line is fixed at $84.74MM. The last cap projection from the league prior to the official numbers being announced had been $67.1MM, and the projection for the tax line had been $81.6MM. Many league executives and agents believe that the salary cap will escalate to a whopping $95MM for 2016/17, a higher figure than the league’s last projection of $89MM. This significant bump is a result of the league’s new $24 billion TV deal that kicks in just in time for next season.

The increase in the salary cap will almost assuredly set off a flurry of activity in the free agent market next summer, and it will also make it easier than ever for teams to deal away their higher-priced stars. Prudent executives are acutely aware of exactly how much cap room they have to play with, not just for the current campaign, but for next season and beyond as well. While the exact amount of 2016/17’s salary cap won’t be announced until next summer, it always pays to know just how much salary is on the books for each franchise. With this in mind, we at Hoops Rumors will be breaking down the projected 2016/17 financial commitments for each franchise, and we’ll continue onward with a look at the Brooklyn Nets:

Fully Guaranteed Salary Commitments: $50,549,334*
Partially Guaranteed Salary Commitments: $500,000
Non Guaranteed Salary Commitments: $5,800,000
Total Projected Salary Cap Commitments: $56,849,334

*Note: This amount includes the player options for Shane Larkin ($1.5MM), Wayne Ellington ($1,567,500), Andrea Bargnani ($1,551,659) and Thomas Robinson ($1,050,961). It also includes the $5,474,787 due Deron Williams, who was waived via the stretch provision.

If the salary cap were to fall in line with the projection of $89MM, Brooklyn would have approximately $32,150,666 in cap space, or $38,150,666 if the cap were to be set at the higher mark of $95MM. Again, these are merely predictions until the exact cap amounts are announced, and they are not meant to illustrate the exact amount that the team will have available to spend this coming offseason.

Brooklyn will also need to make decisions regarding Willie Reed and Markel Brown, both of whom are eligible to become restricted free agents next summer. If the Nets wish to retain the right to match any offer sheets the two players were to receive, the team would need to submit qualifying offers to both, with Reed’s being worth $1,215,696 and $1,180,431 for Brown. This would increase the team’s projected cap commitments by a total of $2,396,127, though that number would merely be a place holder until the players either inked new deals or signed their qualifying offers, which would then set them up for unrestricted free agency the following offseason.

Trades and long-term free agent signings made during the season will also have a significant impact on the figures above, and we’ll be updating these posts to reflect the new numbers after any signings and trades have been made official.

The Basketball Insiders salary pages were used in the creation of this post.

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November 27th, 2015 at 2:31pm CST by Chuck Myron

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Poll: Will The Warriors Win 34 Straight?

November 27th, 2015 at 1:33pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Warriors appear to be an unstoppable juggernaut this season after rattling off 16 straight victories. That mark is the best start to a season in NBA history and the team shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Golden State’s next mark to set its sights on is the 33 straight wins notched by the 1971/72 Lakers, a record that doesn’t appear out of reach judging by how well the team is playing. The Warriors have won 20 straight regular-season games dating back to last season, which means that the team needs 13 more victories to tie the record and 14 wins to be able to make history.

Warriors superstar Stephen Curry admitted to reporters (h/t to Diamond Leung of The Bay Area News Group) that he and his teammates are well aware of the 33 straight wins benchmark, saying, “We talk about 33. I think I’ve probably talked about it more than anybody else on the team, just because I know about the history and just really how hard it is. We’ve had like two 16-game winning streaks the last two years, and those are pretty special feats. For us to have to double that output, I mean we’re going to play hard and hopefully close in on that record, but it won’t be a disappointing effort if we don’t get there. Because there are so many talented teams in this league and for us to just be playing at a high level right now, that’s what we’re worried about. And if we close in and get to 29, 30 games, we’ll talk about it a little bit more.”

It will take more than just skill to break this record, as the team will need to remain healthy and continue shooting the ball as successfully as they have been. Neither are sure bets, especially given some of the talented teams that stand between the Warriors and history. But what say you? Will the Warriors be able to win 14 more games in a row and shatter the mark, or is it something that is likely out of reach? Cast your vote below and don’t be shy about voicing your opinions in the comments section. We look forward to what you have to say.

2015/16 NBA Projected Payroll Rankings

November 27th, 2015 at 12:17pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The NBA’s salary cap for 2015/16 has been set at $70MM, which is an 11% increase from this past season, and the luxury tax line is fixed at $84.74MM. Only five NBA teams are currently under the salary cap, while eight franchises are currently in danger of having to pay luxury tax at the end of the season. We at Hoops Rumors broke down the cap commitments for each franchise, and listed below is how each franchise ranks for total projected payroll in descending order. You can also click on each individual team name to see the franchise’s complete cap rundown for this campaign.

Cleveland Cavaliers: $109,845,352
Oklahoma City Thunder: $97,157,411
Los Angeles Clippers: $96,452,986
Golden State Warriors: $95,487,927
Miami Heat: $90,269,303
Chicago Bulls: $89,024,375
Houston Rockets: $87,263,972
San Antonio Spurs: $86,393,645
Brooklyn Nets: $83,332,111
Memphis Grizzlies: $82,491,067
New Orleans Pelicans: $81,680,265
Washington Wizards: $81,495,782
Boston Celtics: $77,554,204
Charlotte Hornets: $76,792,845
Detroit Pistons: $76,654,794
Phoenix Suns: $74,555,313
New York Knicks: $73,780,604
Sacramento Kings: $72,671,296
Dallas Mavericks: $72,544,449
Milwaukee Bucks: $72,323,736
Indiana Pacers: $72,146,260
Toronto Raptors: $71,969,710
Los Angeles Lakers: $71,965,372
Atlanta Hawks: $71,547,369
Minnesota Timberwolves: $71,466,973
Denver Nuggets: $68,615,742
Orlando Magic: $68,460,002
Utah Jazz: $62,736,415
Philadelphia 76ers: $59,874,618
Portland Trail Blazers: $49,375,118

The Basketball Insiders salary pages were used in the creation of this post.

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