2017 January | Hoops Rumors

Cavs Working Out Hinrich, Chalmers, Stephenson

January 31st, 2017 at 10:17am CST by Luke Adams

The Cavaliers are surveying the free agent market in search of potential reinforcements, according to Chris Haynes of ESPN.com, who reports that the team will work out several veteran players on Wednesday. Kirk Hinrich, Mario Chalmers, and Lance Stephenson are among the players scheduled to audition for Cleveland, per Haynes.

Having made a two-for-one trade when they acquired Kyle Korver earlier this month, the Cavaliers have had an open roster spot for the last few weeks, and could potentially create another one if they decide to waive Chris Andersen, who is out for the year with a torn ACL. Sources with knowledge of the team’s thinking tell Haynes that one of the participants in Wednesday’s workout could be signed before the All-Star break, using that roster opening.

Some of the veteran free agents participating in the Cavaliers’ workout on Wednesday will be out to prove that they’re healthy. Chalmers has been recovering from a torn Achilles for most of the season, but is believed to be ready to return to action. Stephenson, meanwhile, was cut by the Pelicans in the fall after he suffered a groin injury. Like Chalmers, Stephenson is said to be healthy now, according to Haynes.

While one of the participants in Wednesday’s workout could become a Cav, the team is considering many options to fortify its roster, including possible trade scenarios. Former NBA forward Josh Smith is among the other free agents on the club’s radar as well, sources tell Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.net (Twitter link). The Cleveland front office has been under pressure from LeBron James to add a “playmaker” to the roster to help lighten the load for the team’s stars.

Based on the Cavs’ current tax situation, any player added to the roster will count as $2.50 toward the team’s tax bill for every $1 he earns.

ProHockeyRumors.com Has The NHL Trade Deadline Covered

January 31st, 2017 at 9:13am CST by Tim Dierkes

The NHL trade deadline is only a month away, and our sister site Pro Hockey Rumors is all you need to stay on top of the breaking news and rumors. With Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog available, will the Avalanche shake up their core? After more than two decades with the Coyotes, will Shane Doan get one last chance at a Stanley Cup with a new team? Will the Lightning move star goalie Ben Bishop at the deadline? And is this the year the Red Wings finally choose to rebuild? Visit Pro Hockey Rumors today and follow us on Twitter @prohockeyrumors!

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Bulls Notes: Butler, Valentine, Gibson, Rondo

January 31st, 2017 at 8:57am CST by Luke Adams

There are some rival executives who think that the Bulls and Celtics will revisit trade talks involving Jimmy Butler in the coming weeks, according to K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. The two teams discussed Butler around the time of the 2016 draft, and as Johnson points out, Boston still holds the same assets that were a major part of those June talks: Jae Crowder, Marcus Smart, and multiple first-round picks.

Johnson rightly notes that Butler has a chance to become eligible for a designated veteran extension in the summer of 2018, if he makes an All-NBA team next season. The possibility of qualifying for that mega-extension may sour Butler on the idea of a trade, since he wouldn’t be eligible for a designated veteran deal if he changes teams. Of course, the veteran swingman doesn’t have any sort of no-trade clause, so he couldn’t stop a deal if the Bulls wanted to move him.

Since those June trade talks, there has been little to no indication that Chicago intends to move its biggest star. However, as Johnson writes, it’s not out of the question that last week’s drama involving Butler, Dwyane Wade, and Rajon Rondo generates a new round of “internal debate” about the team’s long-term core.

As we wait to see whether Butler stays put through the trade deadline, let’s round up a few more Bulls notes…

The 14th overall pick in the 2016 draft, Denzel Valentine has endured an up-and-down rookie season so far. In his aforementioned piece for The Tribune, Johnson details how Valentine has responded to the injury issues, illnesses, and coaching decisions that have slowed him down in his first NBA season.
Bobby Portis is another young Bulls player who has seen his playing time fluctuate this season under Fred Hoiberg, but he got a chance to see some action on Sunday with Taj Gibson ailing, Johnson writes in a separate article for The Tribune. As for Gibson, he hopes to return to Chicago’s lineup on Wednesday night in Oklahoma City after receiving a cortisone shot on Sunday.
In the wake of Rondo’s Instagram post last week, in which he defended his younger teammates and criticized the actions of Butler and Wade, the veteran point guard has received praise from those younger teammates, according to Johnson. Nikola Mirotic and Jerian Grant are among the Bulls players that referred to Rondo as a great teammate.

Wizards Notes: Mahinmi, Porter, Wall

January 30th, 2017 at 10:30pm CST by ChrisCrouse

The Wizards are in no hurry to make a trade, sources tell J. Michael of Comcast Sportsnet. The team is content to wait for offseason addition Ian Mahinmi to make his return to the court as he recovers from a pair of knee ailments. The center previously had surgery on his left knee and he developed tendinitis in his right one. He had platelet-rich therapy on both knees last month and sources tell Michael that the team expects him to have a chance to play before the All-Star break.

Here’s more from Washington:

Re-signing Otto Porter will be the Wizards‘ top priority this offseason, Michael relays in the same piece. The scribe adds that Washington may be reluctant to trade for a starting-caliber player who’s set to hit the free agent market at the end of the year since the franchise will likely not have enough cap space accommodate two top-end contracts.
In a separate piece, Michael makes a case for Porter as the league’s Most Improved Player and he examines the small forward’s competition for the award. In a recent Community Shootaround, we handed out our midseason awards and gave Giannis Antetokounmpo the hardware.
John Wall will compete in the skills challenge during All-Star weekend, according to Candace Buckner of The Washington Post. Wall will also play in the All-Star game and you can check out all the participants of the game here.

NBA D-League Assignments/Recalls: 1/30/17

January 30th, 2017 at 10:01pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Monday’s D-League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:

10:01 pm:

The Bulls have assigned Denzel Valentine to their D-League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls, according to a team press release. The rookie scored 24 points while adding eight assists and seven rebounds in his only D-League appearance this season.
The Clippers have assigned Diamond Stone to the Salt Lake City Stars, according to the team’s website. The franchise does not have its own D-League affiliate, so it will use the league’s flex assignment rule.

2:05 pm:

The Pelicans have taken advantage of the flexible assignment rule by sending rookie big man Cheick Diallo to the D-League, the team announced today (via Twitter). Because New Orleans doesn’t have its own NBADL affiliate, Diallo will join the Greensboro Swarm, Charlotte’s D-League club.
The Raptors have assigned Bruno Caboclo to the D-League, according to the team (Twitter link). The Raptors 905 will play in Canton tomorrow, though it’s not clear if Caboclo’s assignment will last that long, given how often he has been shuttled up and down this season.
Pistons youngsters Henry Ellenson, Darrun Hilliard, and Michael Gbinije have been sent to the Grand Rapids Drive, per a press release issued by the club. The trio hasn’t seen a ton of action for the NBA team this season, but has combined to average 57.2 total PPG in D-League action.

Lakers GM On Ingram, Russell, Team’s Future

January 30th, 2017 at 8:53pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak said he’s very excited about the future of the franchise, as he tells David Aldridge of NBA.com.

“I think we’ve got six or seven young players that I think all have a great future in front of them,” Kupchak said. “And we have a mix of older veterans that I think are going to help our young guys mature and make progress. We’re very excited about the future, and the development of the young players on this team.”

Kupchak added that he feels Brandon Ingram is making steady improvements this season. He believes the rookie can become a Giannis Antetokounmpo–type player down the road but also admits that the team doesn’t know where Ingram’s greatest strengths are yet.

“I think it’s going to be a challenge to figure out where he’s most productive, whether it’s bringing the ball up the floor and facilitating, or is it catching the ball on the wing and making a play? We don’t know yet. But for the last month or so, he’s demonstrated he can bring the ball up the floor. He doesn’t lose it. I don’t think that part’s the question. I think it’s a matter of us figuring out where he can be most productive,” Kupchak said.

The GM gave a similar answer when he was asked about D’Angelo Russell. The team is still evaluating its young guys, though he believes the roster has the necessary pieces to play at a high level on both the offensive and defensive ends.

It was reported earlier in the month that Los Angeles isn’t expected to trade Ingram, Russell and Julius Randle. The team is reportedly unlikely to trade Larry Nance Jr. or Jordan Clarkson as well.

And-Ones: Players Association, Campazzo, Fredette, Neal

January 30th, 2017 at 7:23pm CST by Milo Taibi

Several NBA players and coaches (including Steve Kerr, Stan Van Gundy, Kyle Lowry, and Luol Deng) have launched criticisms of President Trump’s executive order banning entry to the U.S. of all refugees. Most recently, the NBA Players Association lent their voice to the conversation, releasing the following statement to members of the press:

“Anything that might compromise our players’ freedom as members of the global basketball community is a cause of concern for the NBPA,” relayed USA Today reporter Jeff Zillgitt. “With that in mind, we have been working diligently to gather all available information regarding the recent executive order on immigration and its potential affects on our players. We’ve also been in regular contact with the players who could be impacted, and we will continue to monitor the situation very closely.”

Mavs Reluctant To Move Deron Williams?

January 30th, 2017 at 6:05pm CST by Milo Taibi

In his “Monday Morning Tip” column, David Alridge of NBA.com divulged an interesting tidbit from the Mavericks‘ front office. Explaining why Dallas isn’t in the market for Carmelo Anthony, Aldridge noted that Wesley Matthews is “off-limits,” as is Deron Williams. Signed to a one-year, $9MM pact, Williams also isn’t interested in a buyout.

It’s to be expected that Donnie Nelson would hesitate to include Matthews in trade talks; Matthews has kept Dallas’ offense afloat through much of the season and is under contract through 2018/19. What’s more surprising is Williams’ unavailable status. A 32-year-old veteran, Williams has posted solid numbers while remaining healthy, with the exception of an eight-game stretch in November. Once J.J. Barea returns from a calf injury, Dallas will have a loaded depth chart at the 1, making Williams expendable for a team without playoff aspirations.

Dallas News columnist Tim Cowlishaw had a different take when it came to Williams’ trade status, observing “I would certainly trade Deron Williams if there was any trade interest although I can’t imagine that would amount to much with his age and injury status.”

Cavaliers Notes: Thompson, Love, Griffin

January 30th, 2017 at 5:31pm CST by Milo Taibi

Now in the second year of a five-year, $82MM pact, Cleveland big man Tristan Thompson balked at criticisms that he hasn’t lived up to his contract. “I earned my money,” Thompson told Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “LeBron’s not my agent. I earned my money doing what I do; you can ask anyone around the league. I opened doors for other guys. It’s a business, and you get paid what the market value is for you. I got my money and opened up doors for other guys that play hard and do the little things.”

While Thompson certainly hasn’t been a hindrance to the 32-14 Cavs, his numbers aren’t what they were in 2012 and 2013. Thompson has averaged 7.5 points with 9.7 rebounds through 46 games while shooting a career-worst 49.3% from the free-throw line. For what it’s worth, Thompson still has LeBron James‘ stamp of approval. “He’s the one rim protector that we have, and we need him to continue to do that,” James said. “You know he’s going to clean glass, but when he’s active like that — trying to get shots blocked and things of that nature, it helps us a lot.”

Other goings-on in the ‘Land…

Kevin Love was removed from the second half of Cleveland’s 107-91 win over OKC on Sunday, and did not make the trip for tonight’s match-up with Dallas. Love, who suffered lower-back spasms in a 12-minute outing, will remain in Cleveland to undergo an MRI. “It’s nothing to play with,” James told Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “It’s a terrible feeling when your back is hurt. It just limits you more than anything. I know it’s very frustrating for him because he puts in a lot of work. He’s in the weight room all the time, and he’s doing his thing to keep his body in shape, then this is happening to him, so it’s very frustrating.”
Cleveland will use their “next man up” mentality without Love against the Mavericks tonight. “Guys have got to step up. This has been our mantra since we first all came together, ‘The Next Man Up,'” Thompson told Matthew Florjancic of WKYC. “We hope Kevin gets well, takes care of his body because we’re going to need him for the long haul. Whatever he has to do to get to 100 percent, that’s the most important thing because we need Kev for the long haul. Everyone wants to push it through, but if you’re hurt or you’re not well, get right because we’re going to need the big fella.” With Love sidelined, Channing Frye appears to be the most logical candidate to receive a bump in court time.
The Cavaliers were among the teams featured in Bobby Marks’ NBA trade guide on The Vertical. To their detriment, Cleveland has only $750K to offer in a trade, and just one second-round pick over the next four years. GM David Griffin has displayed an aggressive nature on the trade market, Marks notes, having completed three January trades since joining the team in 2014. Marks predicts Cleveland will swoop in to sign veterans bought out after the trade deadline.

DeMarcus Cousins Cleared In Nightclub Incident

January 30th, 2017 at 4:34pm CST by Milo Taibi

DeMarcus Cousins won’t be arrested or prosecuted for his role in a December nightclub brawl, according to Marc Stein of ESPN. The incident occurred on December 5, after the Kings wrapped a loss to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. While Cousins has been “cleared of all wrongdoing,” teammate Matt Barnes is still expected to turn himself in to authorities, though it is unclear when he will do so.

This develop comes as a partial relief to the Kings, who endured a PR crisis when footage of Barnes and Cousins discussing the incident circulated on TMZ. As Stein noted, Cousins may still face punitive damages; both he and Barnes have been named in a civil suit, alleging that the two assaulted a man and woman.

The December incident marks the second time in the last year Cousins has been involved in nightlife trouble. Boogie was involved in a fracas at “The Drynk SoHo” in Tampa last May (also documented on TMZ), being pulled from the scene before police arrived.

The reigning Western Conference Player of the Week, Cousins has one year left on his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent.

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