2016 September | Hoops Rumors

Southeast Notes: Wall, Bosh, Hornets, Ibaka

September 14th, 2016 at 10:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Wizards aren’t going to push John Wall to be ready for opening night, writes Ben Standig of CSNMidAtlantic.com. The 26-year-old point guard had surgical procedures on both knees during the offseason, and the team is being careful with his recovery. “We’re in no rush,” said new Washington head coach Scott Brooks. “We want to make sure that he’s ready. It’s a process. We still have all of training camp. We’ll see. We’re going to keep working, keep pushing him. The one thing about John. He puts the work in.” Wall has started playing one-on-one, but he still has to make progress before he can handle training camp drills or five-on-five games.

There’s more out of the Southeast Division:

Chris Bosh may be planning to join the Heat in training camp, but veteran teammate Udonis Haslem cautions everyone to be realistic in their expectations, relays Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. Bosh has had his last two seasons cut short by blood clots and he hasn’t played competitively since the All-Star break. “Chris’ timetable is just a little bit different than everybody else’s,” Haslem said. “So we have to be mindful. We have to be conscious of the things that are important. And the thing that is most important is that when Chris needs to be ready, that he’s ready.”
Hornets coach Steve Clifford believes the team’s offseason moves have improved the defense more than the offense, according to Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer. Charlottte lost three key free agents in Jeremy Lin, Al Jefferson and Courtney Lee, but brought in Roy Hibbert, Ramon Sessions and Marco Belinelli. Also, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is expected back after missing nearly all of last season with injuries.
Serge Ibaka may help bring a winning culture to the Magic, writes Cody Taylor of Basketball Insiders in a preseason look at Orlando. Ibaka, who was acquired from the Thunder in a June deal involving Victor Oladipo, was part of a very successful team in Oklahoma City and will give the Magic the rim protector they have needed since they lost Dwight Howard. However, many of the Basketball Insiders writers were confused by Orlando’s offseason moves and are concerned that they don’t have enough scorers to be a contender.

Pistons Notes: Leuer, Smith, Johnson, Blake

September 14th, 2016 at 9:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

Pistons players concentrated on recruiting this summer and wound up with two of their main targets, writes Keith Langlois of NBA.com. Coach/executive Stan Van Gundy entered the offseason wanting an experienced backup point guard and a power forward with size who could make 3-pointers. Marcus Morris and Reggie Jackson took care of the first one by convincing former teammate Ish Smith to come to Detroit. Tobias Harris landed the power forward through his connection to Jon Leuer, who broke into the league along with Harris with the Bucks in 2011/12. “Just having a good relationship with Tobias and knowing that he’s been with these guys and knows what it’s like in the locker room and what it’s like to play for coach Van Gundy, it had a big impact on my decision,” Leuer said. “Just somebody that I trust and know has a good sense of what would be good for me.”

There’s more news tonight out of Detroit:

Leuer and the Pistons didn’t fully commit to each other until Al Horford eliminated Detroit from his consideration, Langlois writes in the same piece. When Horford made Boston, Washington and Atlanta his finalists in free agency, the deal was finalized. “Once Al made his decision, it was, ‘OK, let’s figure out how we can get this done,’ ” Leuer said. “We actually came to an agreement before he even landed, so it was more of a celebratory lunch than a meeting.”
After a long learning experience during his rookie year, Stanley Johnson hopes to show the NBA what he is capable of, relays Rod Beard of The Detroit News. Johnson said being a first-year player is like going from kindergarten to being a high school senior. He averaged 8.1 points and 4.2 rebounds in 73 games, but he believes he can do better in 2016/17. “As much as athleticism is involved in the NBA game, it’s more mental than anything,” Johnson said. “You’ll see with the rookies when you watch them play, they’re not behind but they’re making plays slower than everybody because they haven’t seen it yet. That’s where I was last year — except I was playing, I was in the fire, I was in front of everybody and they were watching me make my mistakes on a grand scale.”
Steve Blake, who spent last season with the Pistons, has been working out at the Trail Blazers’ facility, tweets Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com. The 36-year-old point guard is staying in shape and hoping for another opportunity, she added.

Lawyer: Jackson Didn’t Investigate Rose Case

September 14th, 2016 at 8:05pm CST by Arthur Hill

The attorney for the woman accusing Derrick Rose of rape in a civil lawsuit suspects the Bulls traded him because of the legal action and says Knicks president Phil Jackson didn’t investigate the case, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News.

Brandon Anand, who is representing the unidentified woman in a $21.5MM suit, says the Knicks made no attempt to contact her before completing the deal.

“My first reaction was maybe [the Bulls are] hiding this from the Knicks and passed him off without giving full disclosures,” Anand said, “but it seems to me like the Knicks should’ve done their own investigation.”

Jackson responded that he was “aware” of the suit before making the trade, but didn’t see a need to investigate it further, adding that, “Investigation is a big word.”

“I think [the Knicks] should’ve conducted that big word [and called me],” Anand said. “I think I would’ve shown them the documents that were public, that were fair game, and I think it all speaks for itself. [Rose’s] testimony certainly revealed a lot. Just showing them the evidence that’s already out, they would’ve gotten a very clear idea about what actually happened.”

Rose admits that he and two friends drove to the woman’s home in the early morning hours of August 27th, 2013. He also said in a deposition just before the trade that “you can assume” that the men had sex with her.

An October 4th trial date has been set, meaning Rose would probably miss at least two preseason games and several practices if a settlement is not reached by then.

Agent For Donatas Motiejunas Blasts Rockets

September 14th, 2016 at 7:31pm CST by Arthur Hill

Restricted free agent Donatas Motiejunas has gone all summer without a contract offer, and now his agent is turning up the heat on the Rockets, writes Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com. B.J. Armstrong, who serves as Motiejunas’ representative, said the team hasn’t made a serious offer and then issued a warning about his client’s plans.

“Our moment of truth will be October 1,” Armstrong said. “We’ll make a decision on that day.”

The only move regarding Motiejunas this summer has been the $3.4MM qualifying offer the Rockets made to retain the right to match offers from other teams. His status as a restricted free agent and lingering back problems that limited him to 37 games last season have combined to cool interest in the 25-year-old power forward/center. The Rockets traded him to the Pistons in February, but Detroit voided the deal after Motiejunas failed to pass a physical. He was able to play for the Rockets after returning to Houston, averaging 6.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game after the failed deal.

As a stretch four with 3-point range, Motiejunas figures to be an important weapon in new coach Mike D’Antoni’s offense. Watkins reports that Motiejunas has met with D’Antoni, who promised him a significant role with the team if he re-signs.

Armstrong indicated that Motiejunas may not sign the qualifying offer if the Rockets don’t put together a better deal. However, he recognizes that his client’s options are limited.

“There’s only so much we can do based on the current CBA,” Armstrong said. “I’m not frustrated, this is what it is. We’ll know where the Rockets stand by [Oct. 1]. All deals get done in the 11th hour.”

Sixers Notes: Hinkie, Noel, Okafor, Embiid

September 14th, 2016 at 6:51pm CST by Arthur Hill

Former Sixers GM Sam Hinkie will take at least a year away from basketball to teach at Stanford, he tweeted today. Hinkie, who resigned from the team in April, sent out a series of tweets discussing his present and future. He called this a “gap year,” but didn’t speculate on whether he hopes to return to the NBA (Twitter link). Hinkie, who spent three years in Philadelphia’s front office, refused to comment further on the tweets when contacted by Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. However, a Deadspin report suggests the former GM will be a guest speaker for one or more Stanford classes, rather than actually becoming a faculty member.

There’s more Sixers news this evening:

Nerlens Noel is the most likely player to be traded to ease the logjam in the Sixers’ frontcourt, writes Bob Cooney of The Philadelphia Inquirer. In a series of predictions for the upcoming season, Cooney says it’s a close call between Noel and center Jahlil Okafor, but he suggests that Noel will be sent elsewhere before the trading deadline in February. Cooney also predicts that a minutes restriction on Joel Embiid will last until about Christmas, that rookie Ben Simmons will start right away and lead the team in minutes played, that Dario Saric will need time to adjust to the NBA but will claim a greater role as the season wears on and that Philadelphia will win 27 games, up 10 from a year ago.
The Sixers should consider trading both Noel and Okafor, according to Zach Harper of CBSSports.com. Harper suggests Philadelphia could get a nice return for Noel right now and then deal Okafor next spring or summer to a team that gets disappointed in the draft lottery. If Embiid’s health holds up, Harper states that he and Simmons could be the building blocks of a contender. The writer lists the Celtics, Pelicans, Timberwolves and Rockets as possible destinations for Noel, and the Lakers as the best option for Okafor.

Jeff Ayres Working Out With Spurs

September 14th, 2016 at 5:38pm CST by Arthur Hill

Former Spurs center/power forward Jeff Ayres is working out with the team in advance of training camp, tweets international basketball writer David Pick.

The 29-year-old Ayres spent two seasons in San Antonio and was part of the 2014 championship team, but he wasn’t re-signed after the 2014/15 season. He was the first player selected in the 2015 D-League draft and spent much of the season in Idaho before joining the Clippers in January. After playing on two 10-day contracts, Ayres signed with the team for the remainder of the season. He appeared in 17 games for L.A., averaging 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in limited playing time. Ayres has also played for the Trail Blazers and Pacers in his six-year NBA career.

The Spurs have just 13 players under contract, so they have flexibility if they decide to add Ayres. San Antonio has a need for front court depth after Tim Duncan retired, Boban Marjanovic signed with the Pistons and David West joined the Warriors.

Nuggets Finalize Coaching Staff

September 14th, 2016 at 5:14pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Nuggets have hired former Rockets assistant Chris Finch to join their coaching staff, the team announced today. Finch, who spent five years as an assistant in Houston and two as a D-League coach with Rio Grande Valley, is among four hirings and five promotions as Denver finalized the staff for head coach Michael Malone.

Today’s other announced hirings were assistant coach Jordi Fernandez, who spent the past two seasons as coach of the Cavaliers’ D-League affiliate in Canton; player development representative Stephen Graham, who played six years in the NBA and served as a D-League assistant in Fort Wayne last season; and head video coordinator Travis Armenta, who spent the past five seasons as assistant video coordinator for the Kings.

Wes Unseld Jr., an assistant coach with the Nuggets last season, has been promoted to Malone’s lead assistant. He coached with the Wizards, Warriors and Magic before coming to Denver. Also promoted were assistant coaches Micah Nori and Ryan Bowen, new player development coach Ognjen Stojakovic and new assistant video coordinator Tommy Massimino Jr.

Chris Bosh: “I’m Ready To Play”

September 14th, 2016 at 4:06pm CST by Arthur Hill

Chris Bosh has sent the clearest message so far that he intends to play this season, relays Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. Appearing today on “Open Run,” a podcast on LeBron James‘ Uninterruped digital media outlet, the All-Star forward expressed confidence that his blood clot issues are under control.

“I’m ready to play,” Bosh said. “We’ve been talking about it for a long time.”

Bosh has missed significant parts of the past two seasons with clotting issues, and concerns about his health have lingered since doctors discovered blood clots in his calf in February. Bosh has suggested that he could play while taking blood thinners, a plan the Heat haven’t fully endorsed despite a recent report that they are warming up to the idea.

In today’s podcast, Bosh referenced NHL player Tomas Fleischmann, who has been able to play with a similar condition. Fleischmann receives anticoagulant injections after each game, and the medication is out of his system in time for the next contest. Bosh and his wife Adrienne contacted Fleischmann for the name of the doctor who set up his treatment, writes Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.

“That’s the best part about this — I’m not the first athlete to do this regiment,” Bosh said. “[Fleischmann had the] same problem I actually had the second time [with blood clots]. This is five, six years [ago]. He’s been playing for five years now. And this particular doctor has had the same regiment with other athletes. So this is nothing that is new. It’s not ground breaking. We’re not reinventing the wheel here. It’s pretty standard. It’s been proven. Guys have played on it. Like I said, for anybody to have worries, there are guys playing basketball and hockey and football [with this regiment].”

Bosh has been working out by himself in Los Angeles and has been posting videos on line to show that he’s ready to return to the NBA, including a pair of new ones on Tuesday. Bosh said he definitely plans to join the Heat when training camp opens September 27th in the Bahamas, calling it his “contractual and professional obligation.”

“I have full confidence that, yeah, I’ll be there,” he said. “Will I be cleared? I don’t know. But that’s out of my hands. I will play basketball in the NBA. I’m confident.”

A Heat spokesman declined comment today on any of Bosh’s statements.

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September 14th, 2016 at 2:46pm CST by Eddie Scarito

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Kings Sign Jordan Farmar

September 14th, 2016 at 1:32pm CST by Luke Adams

SEPTEMBER 14th: The signing is official, the team announced.

SEPTEMBER 13th: After finishing the 2015/16 season with the Grizzlies, veteran guard Jordan Farmar will reunite with head coach Dave Joerger in Sacramento. According to international basketball reporter David Pick (via Twitter), Farmer has agreed to sign with the Kings, who are now being coached by Joerger.

Farmar, who will turn 30 in November, has played more than 500 regular-season games over the course of his nine-year NBA career, though he appeared in just 12 games last season. Farmar joined the Grizzlies in March when Memphis’ roster was hit hardest by injuries, and was the club’s starting point guard down the stretch and in the postseason.

Farmar played well in the regular season with the Grizzlies, averaging 9.2 PPG, 3.1 APG, 1.3 SPG, and 1.3 3PT. However, his production dipped in the playoffs, as he shot just 32.3% from the floor during the club’s first-round loss to San Antonio.

Having lost Rajon Rondo in free agency, and facing the possibility of a Darren Collison suspension, Sacramento has made an effort to add some point guard depth to the roster. In addition to bringing in Farmar, the Kings also recently signed Ty Lawson.

The Kings currently have 14 guaranteed salaries on their books for the 2016/17 season, and that total doesn’t include Lawson’s non-guaranteed deal, so it’s not clear yet whether there will be room on the 15-man regular-season roster for Farmar. The ex-Laker, who played his college ball at UCLA, has spent time playing in Israel and Turkey in past seasons, so he may head back overseas if things don’t work out in Sacramento.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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