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Five Key Stories: 5/13/17 – 5/20/17

May 20th, 2017 at 3:19pm CST by Joshua Fischman

Here are some of the biggest stories from the last week at Hoops Rumors:

The Celtics won Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery. One day after winning the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Boston took home the top pick in next month’s draft. The Lakers moved up to No. 2, which ensures that they’ll keep this year’s pick, as well as their 2019 first-round selection. The Sixers grabbed the third overall pick, exercising their right to swap with the Kings. The Suns fell to No. 4.

The NBA announced the All-NBA teams for 2017. Notably, Paul George and Gordon Hayward were not among the 15 players named to this year’s All-NBA squads. This means that neither George nor Hayward will be eligible to receive the Designated Veteran Extension from their teams this offseason, thus drastically lowering the price the Pacers or Jazz could offer their respective stars. Russell Westbrook, James Harden, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Anthony Davis were named to the All-NBA First Team.

The Pelicans will retain head coach Alvin Gentry and GM Dell Demps. Team owner Tom Benson announced this week that Gentry and Demps will keep their jobs entering the 2017/18 season. Gentry has coached the team for the past two seasons, compiling a 64-100 record. Beginning next season with a frontcourt of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins, the expectations will be high, likely meaning that neither Gentry nor Demps would be able to survive another sub-.500 season.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban admitted the team tanked down the stretch. Appearing on The Dan Patrick Show, Cuban said the Mavs “did everything possible to lose games” and improve their draft position after being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. These comments came just a few months after Cuban stated that his team had no interest in tanking.

Marcin Gortat may seek a trade from the Wizards this offseason. The big man claims that he has been underappreciated and sacrificed more than any of his teammates. Gortat still has two seasons and more than $26MM left on his current deal with the Wizards.

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Enes Kanter To Return To United States Tomorrow

May 20th, 2017 at 3:09pm CST by marksuleymanov

3:09 pm: Enes Kanter provided an update to the situation (link via Twitter), indicating that he will hold a press conference tomorrow in New York City with “crazy stories” about what transpired.

2:30 pm: Enes Kanter has landed in London and he and his representatives are now figuring out the next steps, reports Royce Young of ESPN (link via Twitter). Young also reports that NBA sources say that the league helped facilitate getting Kanter to London.

1:24 pm: Romanian border police say that Enes Kanter has been released from custody and permitted to continue his travels, according to Benjamin Hoffman of The New York Times. The official said that Kanter is now on a plane headed for London. Kanter himself has yet to confirm that he has been released.

11:18 am: Thunder center Enes Kanter is celebrating his 25th birthday being detained in Romania after the Turkish embassy canceled his passport on Saturday morning, he said in a Twitter video.

Kanter, who has been an outspoken critic of Turkey’s regime, claimed that the decision to void his passport was politically motivated.

“The reason behind it is just, of course, my political views,” Kanter said in the video. “And the guy who did it is Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey.”

Kanter is currently in the midst of the Enes Kanter Light Foundation tour, which, in addition to Romania, included a visit to Indonesia. Kanter’s website states that the foundation’s objective is to create awareness and provide help to children “education, poverty alleviation and social harmony.” That positive message is the antithesis of Kanter’s view of president Erdogan.

“He’s attacked people in Washington. He’s a bad, bad man,” Kanter added. “He is a dictator, and he’s the Hitler of our century.”

Kanter dealt with issues stemming from his political views last year, when his family severed ties with him. Kanter’s father, Mehment, published a letter through Turkish media disowning his son.

“With a feeling of shame I apologize to our president and the Turkish people for having such a son,” the letter said (via Reuters).

In his own letter published on Twitter, Kanter addressed his family’s decision; a large part of their decisions stemmed from Kanter’s support of Fethullah Gulen, an Islamic leader and the face of the “Gulen Movement.”

“Today I lost my mother, father, brothers and sisters, my family and all my relatives,” Kanter wrote in the letter, which was translated to English. “My own father asked me to change my surname. My mother, who has given me life, disowned me. My brothers and sisters, with which we have grown together, ignore me.”

According to ESPN, the Thunder are going through the proper channels to resolve the situation. Kanter posted totals of 14.3 PPG and 6.7 APG in 72 games for Oklahoma City last season.

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Hoops Rumors Originals: 5/13/17 – 5/20/17

May 20th, 2017 at 1:09pm CST by Joshua Fischman

Every week, the Hoops Rumors writing team compiles original content to complement our news feed. Here are some of our favorite segments and features from the past seven days:

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Kawhi Leonard To Miss Game 3 Due To Ankle Injury

May 20th, 2017 at 11:52am CST by marksuleymanov

Spurs forward and finalist for the 2016/17 NBA Most Valuable Player award, Kawhi Leonard, will miss Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the Warriors tonight due to a sprained left ankle, the team confirmed.

Leonard initially suffered the left ankle sprain in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Rockets, forcing him to miss most of the contest. After also missing the Spurs’ series-clinching Game 6, he returned to play Golden State, but re-injured the ankle on a controversial closeout by Warriors center Zaza Pachulia — who ironically will also miss Game 3 due to an injured heel — in the third quarter of Game 1. Leonard missed Game 2 as the Spurs fell to a 2-0 series deficit.

“In the end, I guess it’s my decision,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told reporters, including Melissa Rohlin of the San Antonio Express-News, at shootaround on Saturday. “He’s not thrilled that he’s not playing, but he’s not ready, so we’re not going to play him.”

In a separate piece, Rohlin spoke to Leonard about what needs to improve in his ankle before he’s ready to return to the court.

“Just seeing if I can run and at least be myself on the court,” Leonard said. “Don’t want to hobble around or shoot off balance shots. Just want to be able to push with both legs. Just that, really.”

In 12 postseason games, Leonard has averaged 27.7 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 4.6 APG while providing his usually stellar defense. Instead, the Spurs will enter tonight’s game without its best player as the team tries to salvage a win against the defending Western Conference champions.

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Pacific Notes: George, Ball, Perry, NBA Draft

May 20th, 2017 at 9:34am CST by marksuleymanov

While a snub from the All-NBA teams cost Paul George the chance to receive a super-max deal this offseason, the Pacers All-Star is more focused on winning than money, USA Today’s Sam Amick writes.

George, 27, is one year away from free agency but is keeping his eye on joining his hometown Lakers. Amick notes that George idolized Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and despite the gap in dollars, George is “more focused on legacy than ever.” Also, with the Lakers not having made the playoffs since the 2012/13 season, George “believes he can lift the Lakers out of the darkness,” Amick writes.

The Lakers could entertain trading for George but would run the risk of surrendering their No. 2 overall pick in the NBA draft this year. Also, the team reportedly feels confident it can lure George to Los Angeles in free agency next year, but run the risk of Indiana trading him elsewhere, which could lead to George re-signing with his new team. In either case, Amick paints a picture of a man who wants to be in Los Angeles sooner than later.

Here are additional notes around the Pacific Division:

  • The Lakers should trade their No. 2 overall pick to the Pacers and acquire George this offseason, Marc J. Spears of the Undefeated opines. Spears points out that acquiring George, a four-time All-Star, is the biggest upgrade any team can make this offseason. While such a deal could also appeal to a club like the Celtics, the growing belief that George wants to end up in L.A. makes it less viable for other suitors to roll the dice — still, the Lakers may not want to take the risk of letting him land elsewhere.
  • With point guard Lonzo Ball the likely No. 2 overall pick by his hometown Lakers, his outspoken father, LaVar Ball, figures to come with the package. Head coach Luke Walton believes somebody in the organization will reach out to UCLA to gauge just how involved the elder Ball will be, Alysha Tsuji of USA Today relays. Speaking on Friday’s Dan Patrick Show, Walton expressed more concern with how Lonzo Ball would help the team, saying, “I’m mostly concerned with what player can help us win more than 26 games the most.”
  • Despite no playoff appearances since 2006 and a slew of disappointing draft picks, new executive vice president of basketball operations Scott Perry is optimistic on the Kings’ future. Speaking to Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated, Perry wants to bring a winning culture back to the team.“I am very excited about this opportunity to help Vlade and ownership to get the Kings back to the culture they had a while back,” he said. “There is a lot of young talent in the fold. Through the draft, we can create some pieces. It’s an exciting time.”
  • NBA.com has the full list of prospects scheduled to participate in a pre-draft workout with the Kings this upcoming Monday. Among the scheduled participants are Pittsburgh’s Jamel Artis, Georgia’s J.J. Frazier, Vanderbilt’s Luke Kornet and more.
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Isaiah Thomas Injures Right Hip

May 19th, 2017 at 10:24pm CST by Austin Kent

The Celtics fell apart in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Finals clash with the Cavaliers but that may not be their only concern. As Chris Forsberg of ESPN details, All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas left the game with a hip strain after the first half and didn’t return.

The injury may not be a new one, however, and Chris Mannix of the Vertical tweets that, per Danny Ainge, Thomas even went to a hospital for tests on the same hip following Game 6 of the C’s Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup against the Wizards. Within the C’s organization, Mannix tweets, there were doubts that he would even play in Game 7 of that series.

The club will know more about Thomas’ prognosis ahead of Game 3 after the guard is evaluated on Saturday, Forsberg tweets.

Although the game was well out of reach when Thomas was ultimately shelved, the big question surrounding Boston now is whether or not they’ll have their leading scorer when the series shifts back to Cleveland.

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Northwest Notes: Jazz, Westbrook, Collison

May 19th, 2017 at 9:33pm CST by Austin Kent

The biggest priority for the Jazz this summer will be retaining their players, an Associated Press report says. General manager Dennis Lindsey is aware of the challenge and accepts it head on.

“Player retention would be the next step,” Lindsey said, before expanding with ways that the Jazz can improve upon this year’s success. “Player development. A strategic add that can complement the group where there’s just a really good fit. Whether that fit is mentality, experience or skill-set.”

At the top of Lindsey’s list of players to retain will be All-Star forward Gordon Hayward. Though the Butler alum just missed out on an All-NBA selection – and the resulting financial reward – the Jazz can still make a solid case to convince the forward to return to the team that drafted and developed him.

Point guard George Hill is another body that Lindsey will look to keep in town over the offseason. Hill will be an unrestricted free agent after his one season with the Jazz and will likely generate considerable interest coming off a career year.

There’s more from the Northwest Division:

  • The Thunder will look to extend point guard Russell Westbrook‘s contract this summer and can do so with the Designated Veteran Player Extension. Per Bobby Marks of the Vertical, even though Westbrook renegotiated his existing contract prior to the new CBA, he’s been deemed eligible by the league to ink a five-year deal worth as much as $207MM this summer.
  • Veteran Nick Collison isn’t finished playing in the NBA and will look to come to terms with the Thunder for 2017/18, Fred Katz of the Norman Transcript writes. Despite the big man’s loyalty to the franchise that drafted him 2003, there’s no guarantee that he’ll be back with Oklahoma City if another organization offers a more appealing role.
  • If the Jazz are able to bring Gordon Hayward and George Hill back this summer, two players that may be sacrificed for financial reasons are Derrick Favors and Alec Burks, Tim Bontemps of the Washington Post suggests.
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Atlantic Notes: Nets, Fultz, Prigioni

May 19th, 2017 at 8:28pm CST by Austin Kent

According to Nets guard Jeremy Lin, a total of five of his former teammates across stints with the Knicks, Rockets and Hornets asked him if Brooklyn would be willing to make a trade for them, Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype writes.

Kalbrosky breaks down a Nets Daily report based on a translation of an interview that Lin gave to Chinese website JD.com.

The combined appeal of the Nets’ willingness to play together, the culture unfolding in Brooklyn and the presence of head coach Kenny Atkinson makes the franchise an intriguing one as the free agency period approaches.

The Nets are projected to have approximately $26MM of cap space this summer to fortify their roster and, yes, several of Lin’s former teammates will be available, including Patrick Patterson, Donatas Motiejunas, Thomas Robinson, Aaron Brooks and Omri Casspi.

There’s more out out of the Atlantic Division:

  • It didn’t take long for Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas to reach out to Markelle Fultz, the expected No. 1 draft pick that could suit up in green next season, Chris Forsberg of ESPN writes. The two players currently play the same position but Thomas thinks the pair could thrive together.
  • Managing owner of the Sixers, Josh Harris, is confident in the direction of the franchise, even after this week’s lottery results that didn’t exactly work out in their favor, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. “We now are stacked for the future,” Harris said. “We have a young team already. So that leaves some slots for some vets to put around our young guys and teach them about what it’s like to be in the NBA.”
  • The Knicks are said to be interested in hiring former point guard Pablo Prigioni as an assistant coach, Emiliano Carchia of Sportando relays.
  • The Knicks will hope that Malik Monk is available to the at the No. 8 spot in next summer’s NBA Draft, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. College basketball analyst Wally Szczerbiak sees him as a good fit as a playmaker in Phil Jackson‘s triangle offense.
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NBA Reveals Award Finalists

May 19th, 2017 at 7:05pm CST by Austin Kent

The NBA is in the process of revealing its finalists for each of the major year-end awards on TNT, the winners of which will be announced at the official award show on June 26.

Below is an ongoing list that we’ll update as the NBA on TNT crew reveals more.

Most Improved Player of the Year
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Rudy Gobert
Nikola Jokic

Hoops Rumors Analysis: MIP

Sixth Man of the Year
Eric Gordon
Andre Iguodala
Lou Williams

Hoops Rumors Analysis: Sixth Man

Rookie of the Year
Malcolm Brogdon
Joel Embiid
Dario Saric

Hoops Rumors Analysis: ROY

Coach of the Year
Mike D’Antoni
Gregg Popovich
Erik Spoelstra

Hoops Rumors Analysis: COTY

Defensive Player of the Year
Rudy Gobert
Draymond Green
Kawhi Leonard

Hoops Rumors Analysis: DPOY

Most Valuable Player of the Year
James Harden
Kawhi Leonard
Russell Westbrook

Hoops Rumors Analysis: MVP

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Blazers Deny Hawks Request To Interview Olshey

May 19th, 2017 at 6:16pm CST by Austin Kent

6:16pm: A later tweet from the Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski says that, even though the probing of Olshey was stymied, it indicates that the Hawks are willing to spend significant money on an elite executive.

5:52pm: The Hawks were denied a request to discuss their vacant general manager position with Trail Blazers general manager Neil Olshey, Adrian Wojnarowski of the Vertical reports. The Blazers executive has managed Portland’s roster since 2010.

The Hawks have been in the market for a general manager ever since the roles of Mike Budenholzer and Wes Wilcox were modified earlier this month. As we wrote at the time, head coach Budenholzer relinquished his title as the president of basketball operations and Wilcox was transferred to a different role in the front office.

Lately the Hawks have been scouring the industry for possible replacements, with names like Scott Perry, David Griffin and Joe Dumars all popping up over the course of the past few weeks.

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