2016 February | Hoops Rumors

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 2/27/16

February 27th, 2016 at 11:35pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Heat scored the biggest prize on the buyout market when they reached an agreement with Joe Johnson. Owner Micky Arison announced the news with a tweet shortly after Johnson cleared waivers at 4pm Central, adding that Johnson will be in uniform for Sunday night’s game with the Knicks.

Johnson hit the open market on Thursday when he agreed to a buyout with the Nets. Even at age 34, he remains a productive player, averaging 11.8 points in 57 games with Brooklyn and shooting 37.1% from 3-point range. That number is especially important to the Heat, who have been searching for long-distance shooting all season and ranked 28th in 3-pointers made entering Saturday.

The addition of Johnson brings some good news to a roster that has been beset by injury. Forward/center Chris Bosh may have to sit out the rest of the season with a blood-clot issue in his left calf. Backup point guard Beno Udrih is expected to miss three months after having surgery on his right foot. And combo guard Tyler Johnson is in danger of missing the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery, though he hopes to return in April.

The signing of Johnson has been drawing praise inside and outside the organization. Shooting guard Dwyane Wade welcomed the addition, saying, “To put somebody on the floor that can shoot the ball, can score in different areas of the floor and make plays, just adds to what we’re trying to do.” LeBron James of the Cavaliers, who along with the Hawks were among the finalists to land Johnson, said, “He’s a great piece for any team.”

That brings me to today’s question: Does Joe Johnson make the Heat a real threat to win the Eastern Conference? Miami is currently fourth in a crowded East race at 32-26. They sit two games behind the third-place Celtics, but only three ahead of the ninth-place Pistons. Can Johnson spark the Miami offense with his 3-point shooting, playmaking and veteran pedigree or will the potential loss of Bosh be too much to overcome?

Please take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on Johnson and the Heat. We look forward to what you have to say.

Southwest Notes: Lee, Pachulia, Stephenson, Miller

February 27th, 2016 at 11:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

The addition of David Lee could cut into the playing time of Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia, writes Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. Lee signed with Dallas as a free agent Monday after agreeing to a buyout with the Celtics, and he’s been productive, posting a 14-point, 14-rebound performance on Friday. Meanwhile, Pachulia’s numbers are declining. He’s shooting just 35.8% from the floor in February, while averaging 6.2 points and 9.7 rebounds. “One of the reasons we wanted to bring Lee on board was we wanted to alleviate a few of his [Pachulia’s] minutes,” said coach Rick Carlisle. “We’ll look at trying to keep everybody as fresh as possible. The thing about Zaza is he’s been a real important chemistry guy for us all year long. I think he’s ready.” Pachulia is making $5.2MM this season in the final year of his contract.

There’s more from the Western Conference:

Although the Rockets have an open roster spot, it’s unlikely that shooting guard Kevin Martin will come to Houston, tweets Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Martin is a candidate for a buyout with the Wolves before Tuesday, but the Spurs are considered to be the front-runner to sign him. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said the Rockets are looking at options to fill the open spot and could sign someone currently playing overseas (Twitter link).
The Grizzlies‘ Lance Stephenson blames an inability to “fit in” for his failures with the Hornets and Clippers, writes Peter Edmiston in The Commercial Appeal. Memphis has a team option on Stephenson’s contract and can bring him back for another season at $9.405MM. “I’ve definitely got something to prove,” Stephenson said. “I just want to get back to my old self, get back to playing in a rotation and helping my teammates win. God is good, so wherever He guides me, I’m going to try my best to figure it out.”
The expected addition of point guard Andre Miller gives the Spurs the two oldest players in the league, according to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News. At 39, Miller is the oldest, 37 days older than center Tim Duncan.

Northwest Notes: Martin, Sampson, Thunder

February 27th, 2016 at 10:03pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Wolves will probably reach a buyout agreement with shooting guard Kevin Martin before Tuesday, according to Jerry Zgoda of The Star Tribune. The Spurs were reported earlier today as the front-runner to land Martin if a buyout occurs. However, San Antonio already has a full roster and is expected to sign point guard Andre Miller, who was waived by Minnesota on Thursday, so it’s uncertain how that will affect their pursuit of Martin.

The Wolves already have one open roster spot with the loss of Miller. It’s not cleaer whether he or Martin will be replaced, but coach Sam Mitchell said injuries to Nemanja Bjelica, Kevin Garnett and Nikola Pekovic have created a need for an extra big man.

There’s more from the Northwest Division:

Getting used to the altitude is the biggest adjustment for JaKarr Sampson as he settles in with the Nuggets, writes Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post. The Nuggets signed Sampson on Monday after Philadelphia waived him to make room for Joel Anthony in a three-way trade with the Pistons and Rockets that was later voided. “I’m blessed to be here,” Sampson said. “I think it’s a great situation for me. There’s a lot of young talent here. They are a great, young team. I feel like it’s a real good situation for me.”
Sampson could find himself in the starting lineup in the wake of Danilo Gallinari‘s ankle injury, Dempsey writes in a separate story. That’s a possibility if coach Michael Malone wants to keep his bench rotation intact. Otherwise, Will Barton could get the starting nod.
The Thunder recalled forwards Josh Huestis and Mitch McGary from Oklahoma City Blue of the D-League, the team announced today. Huestis has played 16 games for the Blue, averaging 11.8 points and 5.9 rebounds. McGary has appeared in 15 games for the D-League team, averaging 14.4 points and 9.1 rebounds.
Former Blazer Tim Frazier has joined the D-League’s Maine Red Claws as a returning player, tweets Chris Reichert of Upside & Motor. Portland waived Frazier on February 18th when it traded for Anderson Varejao, though Varejao was subsequently waived as well.

Suns, Kris Humphries Discuss Buyout

February 27th, 2016 at 8:08pm CST by Arthur Hill

Kris Humphries is in “advanced talks” with the Suns on a possible buyout, tweets Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops. He cites the Hawks as the favorites to land Humphries if the deal goes through.

Humphries was sent from Washington to Phoenix in a trade at the deadline that brought Markieff Morris to the Wizards. Since the deal, Humphries has played four games for the Suns, averaging 7.3 points and 8.0 rebounds. He is making $4.6MM this season and in 2016/17, so it’s uncertain how much money he would have to give up in the buyout.

The Hawks have a roster spot open, so no corresponding move would be needed to sign Humphries. If the deal happens, Atlanta would be his seventh team in a 12-year NBA career.

Sixers Notes: Free Agents, Colangelo, Brown

February 27th, 2016 at 6:50pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Sixers’ front office recognizes that it hasn’t created an attractive environment for free agents, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Although that means being ignored by Kevin Durant, Andre Drummond and Dwight Howard this summer and probably by Stephen Curry, Blake Griffin and Russell Westbrook next year, the long-term goal is to turn Philadelphia into a contender for big-name free agents. “I think you have to create an atmosphere that is really attractive to free agents,” said chairman of basketball operations Jerry Colangelo, “and you need to create a pool of players that others want to join, and they see the future and the potential. We could talk in theory about how that’s going to happen. But we just need to go out and start doing things. When we do, I think we will have a shot to become a destination.”

There’s more out of Philadelphia:

Colangelo will be evaluating his roster over the remainder of the regular season, Pompey writes in a separate story. Colangelo, who was hired to his current position in December, was in Philadelphia late this week to meet with coach Brett Brown and GM Sam Hinkie to plot strategy for the draft and free agency. “So right now the important thing is, and this is what we’re talking about: What can we get out of the last 25 games?” Colangelo said. “Find out as much as we can about what we have before you talk about what we’re going to be doing.”
Colangelo defended Brown’s performance and indicated the front office will continue to be patient with its coach, according to Brian Seltzer of Sixers.com. Brown has an ugly 45-177 record in nearly three years in Philadelphia, but Colangelo believes he is a solid coach because of what he has accomplished in other venues. “I’ve had chances to see him in action [as an assistant coach] in San Antonio, but more importantly, in U.S.A. Basketball world competition,” Colangelo said. “He coached the Australian team. I’ve seen what he can do.”

Heat Sign Joe Johnson

February 27th, 2016 at 5:55pm CST by Arthur Hill

5:55pm: The move is official, the team announced.

5:32pm: Joe Johnson, who reached a buyout agreement with the Nets on Thursday, will sign with Miami, tweets Heat managing general partner Micky Arison. Johnson cleared waivers this afternoon, and Arison’s tweet indicates that he will be available for Sunday night’s game with the Knicks.

On Friday, the Heat emerged as the favorite to sign Johnson after initial speculation that he might go to Cleveland. Miami has two open roster spots, so no move would be necessary to add Johnson. However, the signing will push the Heat back over the luxury tax line. Miami dipped below the line with moves at the trade deadline, but left itself unable to sign any player at any salary before March 6th without crossing the line again. The Heat will pay repeat-offender tax penalties of at least $2.50 for every dollar they’re over the tax line on the final day of the regular season.

Johnson averaged 11.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 57 games with Brooklyn this season. The Heat will be his fifth franchise in a 15-year NBA career.

The move has the enthusiastic support of veteran guard Dwyane Wade, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. “To put somebody on the floor that can shoot the ball, can score in different areas of the floor and make plays, just adds to what we’re trying to do,” Wade said. “Joe is a friend of mine. I tried to do my best to paint the picture that this is a good place to be, and the decision from there is his. Make sure he sees my name in his in-box a lot. He made the decision what’s best for them… Open arms in Miami for him.”

Heat Rumors: Stokes, Johnson, Whiteside

February 27th, 2016 at 3:53pm CST by Arthur Hill

Jarnell Stokes, who was traded from Miami to New Orleans at the deadline and then waived by the Pelicans, has rejoined the Heat’s D-League affiliate, tweets Chris Reichert of Upside & Motor. Despite the trade, Sioux Falls retained the rights to Stokes under a D-League provision because he appeared in more than 10 games for the Skyforce this season. (Twitter link). The 6’9″ center/power forward has played five games for Miami, scoring 7 points in 14 minutes. Stokes is not eligible to rejoin the Heat this season, notes Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel, as traded players cannot go back to the team that dealt them away.

There’s more news out of Miami:

Tyler Johnson, who hasn’t played since undergoing surgery on his left shoulder February 3rd, hopes to be back on the court by the end of the season, Winderman writes in the same story. The Heat haven’t set a timetable for the backup guard’s return, which was initially estimated at three months. However, Johnson is encouraged by how much he has recovered so far. “I feel like I’m progressing really well,” Johnson said. “I’m going to shoot to get back. Even if it was possible, it would probably be in April.”
Former Net Joe Johnson, who is rumored to be signing with Miami this weekend, is the best talent available in this year’s buyout market, according to Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post. Johnson, who was waived by Brooklyn on Thursday after agreeing to a buyout, has been a durable player who was the focus of the offense with both the Nets and Hawks, Bontemps writes.
One way for free-agent-to-be Hassan Whiteside to increase his value is to improve his free-throw shooting, and Jason Lieser of The Palm Beach Post suggests he is doing that. The 7’0″ center recently changed his approach at the line and is hitting 67.9 percent over his last six games. He averages 53 percent for his career and 56.4 percent for the season. “You know that feeling when you get under the covers in the bed and you snuggle up? You know that comfortable feeling?” Whiteside said in explaining his improved performance. “I feel that. I feel comfortable.”

Southwest Notes: Howard, Motiejunas, Joseph

February 27th, 2016 at 2:35pm CST by Arthur Hill

Rockets center Dwight Howard offered little explanation about his motive for firing agent Dan Fegan in comments to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Howard, who seems virtually certain to opt out of the final year of his contract this summer, announced Friday that he was severing ties with Fegan and Relativity Sports. “It was nothing against my agent,” Howard said. “It wasn’t anything bad that he did to me. Sometimes, change is good. I just made a decision based on what I feel I needed to change. I always respect him and love him. We still talk now. But as far as him being my representation, I decided to go other ways.” Howard said he hasn’t thought about choosing a new agent or his possible free agency, but said he has been considering how to improve his “situation” since the All-Star break.

There’s more from the Southwest Division:

The Rockets‘ Donatas Motiejunas, whose trade to the Pistons was voided Monday due to health reasons, has received medical clearance to start playing again, Feigen writes in a separate story. The Lithuanian big man was able to participate in the Rockets’ shootaround this morning. Back troubles have limited Motiejunas to 14 games this season, and he hasn’t played for Houston since December. “All the doctors that I consult are one of the best in the United States for back injuries and none of them saw any change or anything,” he said. “I’m ready to go. I played four games in the D-League. I practiced already with the team. I practiced by myself. I feel great lately.”
Cory Joseph, who signed with the Raptors in free agency last summer, credits the four years he spent with the Spurs with making his a better player, according to Chris O’Leary of The Toronto Star. “I went to two finals, I went to the Western Conference finals, and was knocked out in the first round of the playoffs last year,” Joseph said. “You play a lot of big games and you get the full experience.” Joseph, who received about $30MM over four years, is averaging 9.1 points per game as a reserve in his first season in Toronto.
The loss of Bryce Dejean-Jones less than a week after signing a three-year contract continues a three-year string of injuries for the Pelicans, writes Justin Verrier of ESPN.com. Dejean-Jones is expected to miss six to eight weeks after breaking his right wrist.

2015/16 Salary Cap Update: Charlotte Hornets

February 27th, 2016 at 1:30pm 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 Charlotte Hornets, 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= $78,231,465*
Remaining Cap Room= –$8,231,465
Amount Below Luxury Tax Line= $5,641,391**

*Note: This amount includes the $80K owed to Elliot Williams, who was waived.

**Note: Al Jefferson‘s salary for tax purposes is $12,886,364, Marvin Williams‘ is $6,985MM, and Tyler Hansbrough‘s is $1,185,784

Cap Exceptions Available:

Mid-Level Exception= $5,464,000
Trade Exception= $646,250 (Matt Barnes. Expires June 25th, 2016)
Trade Exception= $548,000 (Luke Ridnour. Expires June 25th, 2016)

Cash Available to Send Out In Trades= $3,400,000

Cash Available to Receive Via Trade= $2,857,286

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.

Hoops Rumors Originals 2/20/16-2/27/16

February 27th, 2016 at 12:31pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Here’s a look back at the original analysis generated by the Hoops Rumors staff this past week…

If you missed the week’s live chat, you can view the transcript here.
Zach Links highlighted some of the better basketball blogs around in his weekly installment of Hoops Links.
Chuck Myron ran down the list of players who have recently hit waivers as well as those who are available to sign with NBA clubs now that their Chinese Basketball Association season has come to an end.
Will Joseph answered reader questions in our Weekly Mailbag.
I ran down the updated 2015/16 salary cap numbers for the Nets, Celtics and Bulls.
Chuck reviewed the number of trades each team made this season.
If you missed any of our daily reader-driven discussions, be sure to check out the Community Shootaround archives.
Here’s how you can follow Hoops Rumors on social media and RSS feeds.
Chuck looked at the financial impact of the trade deadline and buyout market moves made by the teams of the Southwest and Pacific Divisions.
You can keep track of where your favorite team currently stands in relation to the 2016 NBA Draft lottery with our reverse standings tracker.
We reviewed our commenting policy. Play nice everyone.
Here’s how you can follow specific players on Hoops Rumors.

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Hoops Rumors Originals

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