2016 February | Hoops Rumors

Suns Waive Kris Humphries

February 28th, 2016 at 4:18pm CST by Arthur Hill

4:18pm: The Suns have waived Humphries, the team announced (on Twitter), confirming an earlier tweet from Marc Stein of ESPN.com.

SUNDAY, 11:01am: The Suns are expected to complete a buyout deal with Kris Humphries later today, according to Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic. The Hawks are the favorite to sign Humphries after he clears waivers, as Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops first reported Saturday. Because Humphries is being released before Tuesday’s deadline, he will be eligible to participate in the postseason with his new team. “Basketball always comes down to winning and competing, especially now that the season is so long,” Humphries said, according to Coro. “[Joining a playoff team] is always an option.”

Humphries has been in Phoenix for a little more than a week after Washington traded him there in a deadline deal for Markieff Morris. The Suns also received a top-nine protected draft pick and DeJuan Blair, who was waived on Monday. Humphries is making $4.6MM this season and in 2016/17, so it’s possible he could be giving up a substantial amount of money in the buyout.

The parting of ways with Humphries coincides with Phoenix’s desire to give more time to younger players, as Coro examines in a separate story. Interim coach Earl Watson used the team’s 18th different starting lineup of the season Saturday and wants to see more of Alex Len, Archie Goodwin and Devin Booker.

“I think it’s time to put our young guys in position, as many young guys as we can, in a position to be successful,” Watson said. “I think we have to let them be comfortable.”

The Hawks have an open roster spot and are definitely interested in Humphries, writes Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta has been monitoring buyout candidates as it searches for a replacement for center/forward Tiago Splitter, who is out for the rest of the season after undergoing hip surgery this week. Splitter was averaging 5.6 points and 3.3 rebounds through 36 games, mostly as a reserve.

Humphries could play a role in costing his former team a playoff spot if he signs with Atlanta, writes Ben Standig of CSNMidAtlantic. At 27-30, the Wizards are in 10th place and four games behind the Hawks in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The teams will meet three more times this season.

Steve Novak Out For The Season

February 28th, 2016 at 3:45pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Bucks have announced that Steve Novak will miss the rest of the season with a sprained MCL, tweets Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. The newly acquired small forward suffered the injury during Saturday’s game with the Pistons.

Novak was sent from the Thunder to the Nuggets as part of a deal at the trade deadline for Randy Foye. Denver released him last week, and he signed with Milwaukee on Monday after clearing waivers. Novak played in just three games for the Bucks before the injury, scoring 7 points in 20 minutes of action.

The Bucks don’t have any roster openings and don’t have enough injured players to qualify for a hardship exception. Milwaukee is Novak’s ninth franchise in his 10-year NBA career. He will become a free agent again this summer.

2015/16 Salary Cap Update: Cleveland Cavaliers

February 28th, 2016 at 2:59pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The NBA’s salary cap for 2015/16 is set at $70MM, which is good for an 11% increase from last season, and the luxury tax line is fixed at $84.74MM. With the February 18th cutoff date for trades now past and the de facto deadline of March 1st for buyouts rapidly approaching, we at Hoops Rumors are in the process of updating the salary cap commitments for each NBA franchise for the 2015/16 campaign. Here’s the cap breakdown for the Cleveland Cavaliers, whose regular season roster can be viewed here:

2015/16 Salary Cap= $70,000,000
2015/16 Luxury Tax Line= $84,740,000
Fully Guaranteed Salary Commitments= $106,877,492
Remaining Cap Room= –$36,877,492
Amount Above Luxury Tax Line= $23,241,314*

*Note: James Jones‘ and Richard Jefferson‘s salaries for tax purposes are $1,499,187.

Cap Exceptions Available:

Trade Exception= $2,854,940 (Mike Miller. Expires July 30th, 2016)
Trade Exception= $845,059 (Joe Harris. Expires January 12th, 2017)
Trade Exception= $9,638,554 (Anderson Varejao. Expires February 18th, 2017)
Trade Exception= $947,276 (Jared Cunningham. Expires February 18th, 2017)
Trade Exception= $2,329,471 (Brendan Haywood. Expires July 30th, 2016)

Cash Available to Send Out In Trades= $2,465,386

Cash Available to Receive Via Trade= $3,325,000

Note: Despite the trade deadline having passed, the NBA season technically doesn’t end until June 30th. Teams are able to again make trades upon the completion of the regular season or when/if they are eliminated from the playoffs, whichever comes later. So these cash limits still apply.

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

Northwest Notes: Miller, Novak, Hickson

February 28th, 2016 at 2:03pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Timberwolves‘ willingness to agree to a buyout with Andre Miller demonstrates the team’s commitment to developing its younger players, Jerry Zgoda of The Star Tribune writes. Parting ways with Miller now slides Tyus Jones up the depth chart where he will act as the primary backup to Ricky Rubio, Zgoda notes. “At this point where we are, it’s about giving these guys the opportunity to grow and develop,” interim coach Sam Mitchell said. “We’re never going to get where we need to go until these young guys learn how to play in certain situations.”

While he will miss Miller’s veteran presence, the coach agreed with the move to waive the playmaker, Zgoda adds. “Absolutely. Andre has been great. He was great for me. I think he helped Ricky out a lot, and I think he has helped Zach LaVine and Tyus a lot. At this point of the season, he has a chance to sign with a great team like San Antonio that’s going to have a chance to win a championship. I’m happy for Andre,” Mitchell told Zgoda.

Here’s more from the Northwest Division:

J.J. Hickson relinquished $396,242 of his 2015/16 salary to secure his buyout from the Nuggets, Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders relays (on Twitter). Denver is still on the hook for $5,217,258 in salary to the power forward, who signed with the Wizards for the remainder of the season after clearing waivers.
The Nuggets also agreed to a buyout arrangement with Steve Novak, who parted with $416,886 of this season’s salary as part of the transaction, Pincus tweets. As a result, the franchise’s cap hit for the combo forward is $3,333,115. Upon clearing waivers Novak signed with the Bucks for the remainder of the campaign.
The Trail Blazers have surprised the league with their stellar play of late, as many predicted the franchise would be lottery-bound in 2015/16 after losing LaMarcus Aldridge to the Spurs via free agency last July. The team may lack star power beyond Lillard, but it makes up for that with excellent locker room chemistry, Jason Quick of CSNNW.com relays. “How much we like each other, how much time we spend around each other, that shows you a team that is really together,” Lillard said. “It is a unit, and that makes up for us not being Cleveland. It makes up for us not having LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love. We are a group. We have each other’s back.’’

Nets Sign Sean Kilpatrick To 10-Day Pact

February 28th, 2016 at 1:54pm CST by Chuck Myron

SUNDAY, 1:54pm: The Nets have officially signed Kilpatrick to a 10-day contract, the team announced via press release.

FRIDAY, 3:36pm: The Nets are expected to sign former Timberwolves and Nuggets shooting guard Sean Kilpatrick, reports Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (Twitter link). Brooklyn opened two roster spots in buyout deals with Joe Johnson and Andrea Bargnani this week, so the team doesn’t need to make a corresponding move. It’s unclear whether the signing would be a 10-day arrangement or cover the rest of the season.

The 26-year-old Kilpatrick has been putting up impressive numbers for the D-League affiliate of the Sixers this year. He’s averaging 26.4 points in 38.4 minutes per game with 42.6% 3-point shooting in 28 appearances.

Kilpatrick has seen extremely limited action in the NBA thus far in his career, having made a total of 12 appearances over parts of two seasons. His NBA numbers are 4.1 points, 1.0 rebounds and 0.6 assists to accompany a slash line of .366/.267/.917.

Celtics Notes: Mickey, Olynyk, Winslow, Thornton

February 28th, 2016 at 12:59pm CST by Arthur Hill

Celtics rookie Jordan Mickey doesn’t regret leaving LSU early and missing a chance to play with freshman sensation Ben Simmons, writes Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald. The move worked out well for Mickey, who was drafted 33rd overall last summer and received a four-year contract with the first two seasons guaranteed at a combined total of nearly $2.4MM. Mickey has spent most of this season with Boston’s D-League affiliate in Maine, but remains convinced that he made the right choice. “I have no regrets,” he said. “I feel I made the best decision for myself and my family. I’m in a pretty good situation, I would say.”

There’s more news out of Boston:

Kelly Olynyk is making progress in returning from his right shoulder sprain, but his timeline hasn’t changed, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE. Olynyk was injured in a February 10th game and is projected to return in early March. “Taking a couple losses on that West coast trip, it’s tough; sitting in the back watching where you know you can help and want to be out there helping,” Olynyk said. “You have to do what you can to get back as quickly as possible.”
The Celtics got another up-close look Saturday at Miami’s Justise Winslow, a player they coveted on draft night, Blakely writes in a separate story. Boston offered a package of picks to Charlotte for the ninth selection in the draft, but the Hornets opted to take Frank Kaminsky and Winslow fell to the Heat, who also reportedly turned down an offer from Boston, with the 10th pick. “It doesn’t mean anything until possibly being a free agent or anything,” Winslow said of the Celtics’ interest. “It’s just business, just like it is with the other 28 NBA teams.”
Marcus Thornton, the 45th pick in last summer’s draft, is back from Australia and has joined the Celtics’ D-League affiliate, writes Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. Boston intended for Thornton to spend a season overseas, which led him to sign with the Sydney Kings of the National Basketball League. “I think it was a good experience,” said his father, Wayne Thornton. “The team had some of their own issues, but overall it was a good experience for him.”

Central Notes: Monroe, Butler, Bullock, McCallum

February 28th, 2016 at 12:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

Bucks coach Jason Kidd is defending his decision to use center/forward Greg Monroe off the bench, writes SB Nation’s Paul Flannery. Monroe was Milwaukee’s prize offseason addition, but the team’s disappointing season has led Kidd to shake up the rotation. Monroe was placed in a reserve role, along with former Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams. “Our bench has gotten better with Michael and Moose,” Kidd said. “You start those two and our bench gets really thin. With those two guys being unselfish and knowing that they want to start, and we all know they do, for the betterment of the team right now we need those guys to come off the bench.”

There’s more from the Central Division:

The Bulls got some good news Saturday about injured shooting guard Jimmy Butler, according to Nick Friedell of ESPN.com. The latest MRI on Butler’s sprained left knee “looked good,” said coach Fred Hoiberg. “The swelling is significantly down and now it’s just a matter of Jimmy getting back out there, getting his timing back, getting his conditioning and getting comfortable,” Hoiberg said. “He still hasn’t exploded off the one leg, he’s done some two-foot jumping. He’s done some lateral slides, now it’s about getting him out there in scrimmage-type situations and getting him ready to play.” Butler hasn’t played since hurting the knee on February 5th. He was orginally projected to be out for three to four weeks.
Reggie Bullock may have revived his career in Detroit with a 16-point outburst Wednesday, writes Rod Beard of The Detroit News. Bullock, who came to the Pistons from Phoenix in the Marcus Morris trade, was used in 10 of the season’s first 15 games, but offensive problems forced him out of the rotation and eventually to D-League assignments. “Reggie always plays to his strengths and he knows who he is,” said coach/executive Stan Van Gundy. “He’s got to defend and he’s got to make open shots. He certainly made open shots [Wednesday]. Those are the two things that really make him a good player.”
Van Gundy has a long friendship with University of Detroit Mercy basketball coach Ray McCallum Sr., which may give the Pistons some interest in McCallum’s son if the Spurs release him, tweets Vince Ellis of The Detroit Free Press. The younger McCallum will likely be waived to make room for the signing of Andre Miller.

Heat Rumors: Copeland, Johnson, Green, Whiteside

February 28th, 2016 at 10:01am CST by Arthur Hill

After signing Joe Johnson on Saturday, the Heat still may need another move to challenge the top teams in the East, writes Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. Miami remains in need of shooters and has another roster spot open, although luxury tax concerns may prevent the Heat from signing anyone else. If they do decide to fill the opening, Winderman tabs Chris Copeland, who was waived this week by the Magic, as a possibility. Another is Kevin Martin if he gets bought out by the Wolves before Tuesday. The columnist also says Miami could use another point guard to protect against injury to Goran Dragic.

There’s more this morning from South Beach:

Saturday’s loss to the Celtics pointed out how much the Heat need a player like Johnson, Winderman writes in a separate story. Miami made just 1 of 13 shots from 3-point range while falling to a rival in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Dragic expects Johnson to make the Heat more dangerous from the perimeter. “He can shoot the ball,” Dragic said. “He can take it off the dribble, and he makes good passes. And of course, he’s a clutch guy. He can make shots at the end. To have that guy … it’s going to be awesome.”
Gerald Green is most likely to lose playing time because of the Johnson addition, writes Jason Lieser of The Palm Beach Post. Green has been shut out in his last three games and is shooting just 39% from the field for the season. “My strength is scoring,” he said. “That’s always been my strength. When I’m not able to go on my strengths, I’ve gotta figure out other ways to be effective.” Green is on a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal with the Heat and will be a free agent this summer.
Dwyane Wade is making a pitch for Miami to keep free agent Hassan Whiteside, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. Wade had high praise for Whiteside after the center posted 13 points, 15 rebounds and eight blocks in Saturday’s game. “Hopefully one day I can look back at a Hall of Fame career and say I was there for the beginning of it,” Wade said. “He has an immense amount of talent. Since the break, he’s been playing a dominant big man game and we love it.”

Cavs To Ink Jordan McRae To 10-Day Pact

February 28th, 2016 at 9:08am CST by Eddie Scarito

SUNDAY, 9:08am: The signing is official, the team announced this morning.

SATURDAY, 2:40pm: A league source has confirmed the expected signing to Jason Lloyd of The Akron Beacon-Journal, saying the Cavaliers need more players in practice because of injuries.

FRIDAY, 6:25pm: The Cavaliers intend to sign shooting guard Jordan McRae to a 10-day contract, Chris Reichert of Upside & Motor reports (Twitter link). Cleveland currently has two available roster slots, so no additional moves will be required to bring McRae into the fold.

It would appear Cleveland will gain some depth in its backcourt, though McRae is certainly a step down in stature from Joe Johnson, whom the Cavs were reportedly targeting for once he clears waivers. Johnson, who reached a buyout arrangement with the Nets, will reportedly sign with the Heat instead.

McRae, 24, has already tasted some NBA action this season while he was with the Suns via two 10-day deals. Phoenix declined to sign him for the remainder of the season when his second 10-day deal expired and he subsequently returned to the Sixers’ D-League affiliate.

The shooting guard appeared in seven contests for the Suns and averaged 5.3 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 11.8 minutes per night. McRae’s D-League numbers are far more eye-popping, as he’s notched 23.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 29 contests on the season.

Knicks Rumors: Anthony, Jackson, Aldridge, Grant

February 28th, 2016 at 8:59am CST by Arthur Hill

Knicks president Phil Jackson is wasting the prime of Carmelo Anthony‘s career by failing to bring another star to New York, charges Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News. Bondy relates a story that Portland free agent LaMarcus Aldridge had legitimate interest in joining the Knicks last summer after Anthony recruited him, but Jackson demanded that Aldridge play center to make room for newly drafted power forward Kristaps Porzingis. Aldridge responded by canceling his meeting. “When I heard that, I didn’t know that,” Anthony said. “I took my headband and threw it.”

Bondy also jabs Jackson for letting another trade deadline pass without making a major move and says the team president isn’t fully committed to either winning now with Anthony or rebuilding with younger players. The columnist expects several teams to take a shot at trading for Anthony during the offseason, and says Jackson is pushing away a star who would prefer to remain in New York.

There’s more this morning from New York City:

Jackson may have to sign a significant free agent this summer to keep Anthony happy, according to Harvey Araton of The New York Post. Araton speculates that Anthony sees “diminishing value” in staying with the Knicks through the end of his contract, which runs through the 2018/19 season. Miami could be a destination that would entice Anthony to waive his no-trade cause, Araton writes, as Heat president Pat Riley could promise a talented roster and a playoff spot.
Rookie point guard Jerian Grant wouldn’t mind being sent to the D-League if it means more playing time, writes Fred Kerber of The New York Post. Grant has appeared in just three games since Kurt Rambis took over as interim coach but has performed well, with a combined 20 points and 10 assists. The Knicks prefer to keep Grant on the main roster, but he’ll be all right with a demotion if it means more time on the court. “I talked to coach about it a little bit,” Grant said Saturday. “Obviously playing is a good opportunity no matter where it is. Obviously, you want to be in a game in the NBA, but if I can go down there and get a lot of minutes and get back in a rhythm, I think it would be OK.”

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