2017 May | Hoops Rumors

Pacific Notes: Paul, Simon, Abdul-Jabbar, Durant

May 26th, 2017 at 11:07am CST by Arthur Hill

The Clippers view San Antonio as a serious threat to sign Chris Paul this summer, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN.com. “Mutual interest” between Paul and the Spurs was suggested earlier this week by ESPN’s Zach Lowe, and L.A. officials see that as a concern despite San Antonio’s lack of cap space. Paul is expected to use an early-termination option and hit the free agent market. He is eligible for a five-year deal worth about $205MM from the Clippers and four years at roughly $152MM from anyone else. The Spurs only have about $10MM in cap room right now, with Dewayne Dedmon ($3MM) and David Lee ($1.6MM) both owning player options.

There’s more today from the Pacific Division:

The Lakers are finalizing a deal to add Miles Simon to their coaching staff, tweets Tania Ganguli of The Los Angeles Times. He will replace Theo Robertson, who left this week to become an assistant at the University of California. The Most Outstanding Player in the 1997 NCAA Tournament, Simon played just five NBA games, all with Orlando. He spent three years as an assistant coach at Arizona and is currently a college basketball analyst for ESPN.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar may be the next Lakers legend to get a role with the team, according to Mark Medina of The Orange County Register. Abdul-Jabbar says he has been invited to meet with president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and controlling owner Jeanie Buss to discuss a position in the organization. He added that he would like to serve as a mentor to second-year center Ivica Zubac and help him develop his hook shot. “He’s equipped to use it well,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “He has the length to begin with. If he can develop his shooting touch and agility, he’ll use it well.”
As the NBA Finals approach, Warriors star Kevin Durant is “at peace” with his decision to leave Oklahoma City, relays Sam Amick of USA Today. He bristles at suggestions that his move is behind the lack of parity in the NBA. “Like I’m the reason why Orlando couldn’t make the playoffs for five, six years in a row?” he said. “Am I the reason that Brooklyn gave all their picks to Boston? Like, am I the reason that they’re not that good. I can’t play for every team, so the truth of the matter is I left one team. It’s one more team that you probably would’ve thought would’ve been a contender. One more team. I couldn’t have made the (entire) East better. I couldn’t have made everybody [else] in the West better.”

Playoff Mismatches May Lower Salary Cap

May 26th, 2017 at 10:08am CST by Arthur Hill

This year’s NBA playoffs could set a record for fewest games since the current format was adopted in 2003, tweets salary cap expert Albert Nahmad.

If the Warriors or Cavaliers sweep the Finals, that will result in 78 games, which would be the lowest total since the first-round was expanded to best-of-seven. Even if the Finals go to seven games, 81 would be tied for the second-fewest.

The reduction in games means less revenue from gate receipts, which could cause next season’s salary cap to fall below its current projection of $101MM, according to RealGM.

The Warriors have notched the highest gate receipts of any playoff team over the past three years. However, they swept their way into the Finals and have played just six home games so far, compared to 10 at the same point last season. Their Finals opponents, the Cavaliers, are 12-1 and have also played just six games at home.

There have been just two seven-game series so far, with the Clippers and Jazz going the distance in the first round and the Celtics and Wizards doing the same in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The NBA released its cap projection of $101MM in April. The official figure will be calculated in July.

Categories:
Newsstand
Salary Cap

Nets Will Pursue Otto Porter, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

May 26th, 2017 at 9:00am CST by Arthur Hill

The Nets are planning an aggressive push for restricted free agents again, with Washington’s Otto Porter and Detroit’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as targets, tweets Keith Smith of RealGM.

It would be the continuation of a strategy that resulted in a four-year, $75MM offer sheet for Portland’s Allen Crabbe and a four-year, $50MM offer to Miami’s Tyler Johnson last summer. Both deals were matched by their current teams.

Similar offers this year would create financial dilemmas for the Wizards and Pistons, Smith adds (Twitter link).

Brooklyn has about $27MM in cap room right now and could easily get into position to offer a max deal to Porter or Caldwell-Pope. Most of that salary for next season is tied up in Brook Lopez ($22.6MM) and Jeremy Lin ($12MM), with eight players on the roster making between $1.12MM and $1.7MM.

A fourth-year small forward, Porter has been a starter in Washington the past two seasons. He averaged 13.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in 80 games this year. Although the Wizards own his Bird rights, the team is in a bind with only about $7MM in cap space and the need to re-sign Bojan Bogdanovic and rebuild a faltering bench.

Caldwell-Pope has been Detroit’s starter at shooting guard for the past three and a half seasons and averaged 13.8 points per game this year. The Pistons are about $3MM over the cap entering this summer.

Celtics Notes: Fultz, Crowder, Johnson

May 25th, 2017 at 11:03pm CST by ChrisCrouse

The Celtics lost to the Cavs in a series that was mainly uncompetitive and it was proof that the Celtics should continue to add premier talent regardless of position, A. Sherrod Blakely argues. Blakely believes Markelle Fultz is the clear choice for the franchise even with Isaiah Thomas having a remarkable campaign. IT will be a free agent at the end of the next season.

Here’s more from Boston:

Jeremias Engelmann of ESPN.com believes it wouldn’t be best for the Celtics to give up Jae Crowder in a trade that brings them just one of the Gordon Hayward, Jimmy Butler or Paul George trio. Crowder nearly matches the production of each player individually and he does so at a much lower salary.
In the same piece, Engelmann argues that the Celtics should prioritize re-signing Amir Johnson over their other free agents. The scribe points to Johnson efficiency as reason for the claim.
Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer examines the Celtics‘ franchise and wonders what the team’s best course of action is. Simply adding someone like Hayward wouldn’t necessarily get the team past LeBron James and the Cavs, but O’Connor notes that it’s not smart to try and wait out James’ prime. We’ve never seen an athlete like LBJ produce at this level and there’s no telling when he’s going to stop.

Categories:
Boston Celtics

Lonzo Ball Considering Sixers Workout

May 25th, 2017 at 10:00pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Lonzo Ball is mulling a workout with the Sixers, sources tell Chris Haynes of ESPN.com. Ball, who has been linked to the Lakers at No. 2, declined to work out for the Celtics, the team with the top selection in the draft.

Ball’s agent and Sixers GM Bryan Colangelo are expected to sit down and have a conversation about the team. Once that happens, Ball will make a final decision.

Sources tell Haynes that Ball’s camp has concerns over how the team will use Ben Simmons with the worry being that the 2016 No. 1 overall selection will be placed in a ball-dominant role next season. The UCLA product is arguably better served to play a ball-dominant role, so pairing him with Simmons may not be best for his individual game.

The Sixers have confidence that the Simmons-Ball pairing can work, Haynes adds. Ball is expected to be off the board by time Philadelphia picks at No.3, but it appears the Sixers are interested in the point guard should the Lakers shock the world and go in another direction.

Pacific Notes: Bogdanovic, Cousins, Jackson

May 25th, 2017 at 9:09pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Bogdan Bogdanovic would have been a top-15 pick in this year’s draft had he entered it this season, sources within the league tell Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee. Bogdanovic entered the 2014 draft and was selected by Phoenix. The Kings acquired his rights in a 2016 draft night trade.

Bogdanovic will be free to negotiate with Sacramento without the rookie scale restrictions come July since it has been three years since he was drafted. Voisin adds that he is expected to garner an annual salary between $5MM and $10MM.

Here’s more from the Pacific Division:

In the same piece, Voisin adds the organization has a different vibe this offseason—the first since the Kings traded away DeMarcus Cousins. The team’s younger players are actually staying in Sacramento and working out at the facility, something that hasn’t happened in quite some time.
Doug Haller of The Arizona Republic wonders if the Suns will pass on Josh Jackson because of his off-court issues. Jackson’s two-way game makes him a great fit for the team and he could easily to be available at No. 4.
Haller (separate piece) takes a look at several prospects whom could be fits for the Suns in the second round. In addition to owning the No. 4 overall pick, Phoenix has the No. 32 and No. 54 selections.

Eastern Draft Notes: Tatum, Fultz, Knicks

May 25th, 2017 at 7:48pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Scouts and GMs who spoke with ESPN’s Chad Ford at this year’s combine peg Jayson Tatum as the favorite to win 2018 Rookie of the Year award. Tatum is one of most polished prospects in the upcoming draft and many scouts believe the Celtics would be the best fit for the small forward. He’s unlikely to go No. 1, but could Boston ostensibly trade down and select him at No. 3.

Here’s more from the Eastern Conference on the upcoming draft:

All signs point to the Celtics taking Markelle Fultz with the top selection in the draft, Ford writes in the same piece. Lonzo Ball, who is widely regarded as the only threat to Fultz at No. 1, announced that he will not work out for Boston.
ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla believes the Knicks would have a good draft if they selected either Dennis Smith Jr. or Frank Ntilikina with the No. 8 pick in the upcoming draft, as Al Iannazzone of Newsday relays. “They both have very good long-term upside. They have NBA guard characteristics. They’re both athletic. They’re both reasonably well put together. It’s going to be a matter of do you like vanilla or chocolate, and how they come in and interview and work out with the teams,” Fraschilla said.
Purdue’s Caleb Swanigan could be an option for the Bulls at No. 38, Mark Strotman of Comcast Sportsnet writes. Nikola Mirotic will be a restricted free agent this summer and if Chicago plans on letting him walk, the franchise could look for frontcourt depth in the draft.

Poll: 2013 Draft All-Star Appearances

May 25th, 2017 at 6:22pm CST by ChrisCrouse

The 2013 NBA draft class was initially thought to be one of the worst in league history, though its talent has proven that it doesn’t belong in that conversation. Several players have developed into solid rotation players and some of the prospects have become pillars for their teams to build around.

Many of the players will see new deals kick in next season from extensions that were previously signed and others will agree to new deals in restricted free agency this summer. The collection of talent is deeper than initially anticipated, but the group lacks star power compared to other draft classes.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the 2013 draft class’ only true superstar. He made his first All-Star appearance this year (the group’s only appearance ever) and he’ll likely participate in the exhibition games for years to come.

Outside of Milwaukee’s star, Rudy Gobert stands the best chance to earn multiple All-Star appearances, though C.J. McCollum could also easily accomplish that feat.

Nerlens Noel could possibly earn an All-Star nod down the road if he expands his game and takes on a bigger role, but is that likely? Maybe Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Dennis Schroder develop into more efficient, productive versions of their respective selfs over the next few seasons. What if Otto Porter signs with a team that gives him a bigger piece of the offensive pie and he’s able to maintain his efficiency? Perhaps Steven Adams is allowed to rebound again now that Russell Westbrook accomplished his triple-double conquest and he morphs back into the player who dominated the Warriors early in the Thunder’s 2016 Western Conference Finals appearance.

All of those scenarios are unlikely and I’d peg the over-under for total All-Star appearances in this particular sub-group at an uninspiring 1.0.

So here’s tonight’s poll question: Which side will end up having more All-Star appearances: Antetokounmpo or the remainder of the 2013 draft class? Don’t limit yourself to a click of a button. Do you believe someone in the draft class isn’t properly represented? Are we underrating someone’s potential? Let us know in the comment section below. We look forward to what you have to say!

Raptors To Receive Second Rounder For Weltman

May 25th, 2017 at 5:05pm CST by Dana Gauruder

5:05 PM: The deal includes a provision that restricts the Raptors and Magic from trading with one another through the end of the 2017/18 season, Shams Charania of The Vertical reports (Twitter feed). This type of provision is common for teams trading executive/coaches, as it the league doesn’t want teams to make side deals. The last trade involved pick compensation for an executive was Boston’s Doc Rivers deal. The Clippers and Celtics were forbidden to trade with one another for the entire 2013/14 campaign once the trade was completed.

1:26 PM: The Raptors will receive a 2018 second-round pick from the Magic as compensation for Orlando’s decision to hire Jeff Weltman as President of Basketball Operations, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical tweets. The pick will be the lesser of two that the Magic currently control, Wojnarowski adds.

Orlando possesses an extra second-rounder as a result of a 2012 trade with the Lakers. The Raptors had traded away their second-round pick for next season to the Suns as part of the P.J. Tucker deal this February, so this agreement puts them back in the second-round mix.

Weltman reached a five-year agreement with the Magic on Monday. He had been Toronto’s GM, working under Raptors President Masai Ujiri.

Lakers Notes: Scott, Russell, Ingram

May 25th, 2017 at 4:54pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Former Lakers coach Byron Scott said he “felt betrayed, lied to and deceived” by former GM Mitch Kupchak and former team president Jim Buss, Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News writes. Scott said that the pair of executives promised him that the team would pick up his third-year option on his contract and he believes that they made him a scapegoat for the franchise’s struggles during Kobe Bryant‘s final season. He also believes the front office used him to manage Bryant.

“If I asked him to do certain things, Kobe would do it because of his respect for me,” said Scott. “Basically, you just wanted me there to help you guys get through the next two years, so Kobe doesn’t go crazy on you guys. I would be the one that can handle it. They know me. I’m not going to back down. I’m not going to be intimidated by anybody.”

Here’s more from Los Angeles:

Scott remains a big fan of Julius Randle, but he’s not as bullish on D’Angelo Russell, Medina passes along in the same piece. “I don’t know if his work ethic has gotten any better. Some of the people I’ve talked to in the organization said that it hasn’t,” Scott said of Russell. “I just wish him all the best. The maturity level will catch up to him sooner or later when he realizes it’s an honor and a privilege to be in the NBA and be in the position that he’s in. He has to take full advantage of it.”
Team president Magic Johnson only considers one player on the Lakers to be untouchable, Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com relays. “I would say probably the only player that we would say, hey, we would probably not move is Brandon Ingram,” Johnson in an ESPN radio appearance. “I think that we’re excited about Brandon, his length, his size, his agility, his athleticism. And then when you think about, you know, he was a baby coming in, in his first year last season and we see that he really has a high ceiling and we’re excited about what he can possibly turn into.”
The Lakers have hired Gunnar Peterson as their Director of Strength and Endurance Training, per NBA.com. Peterson has worked with many entertainers and athletes as a fitness trainer.

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