9:14pm: In response to Amico’s note below, Channing Frye has posted an Instagram message dismissing the idea that he’s planning to retire.
Meanwhile, Mavs president Donnie Nelson also addresses an item below, telling reporters that he thinks the Dennis Smith Jr. pick means the Mavs likely won’t target a point guard in free agency (Twitter link via Damon R. Marx of The Dallas Morning News).
8:28pm: The Mavericks may not be ready to hand their offense over to No. 9 pick Dennis Smith Jr. The team still plans to make a run at Pelicans‘ point guard Jrue Holiday once free agency begins, tweets Jonathan Givony of Draft Express. A former All-Star in Philadelphia, Holiday will be seeking a significant raise after making less than $11.3MM this season. The 27-year-old averaged 15.4 points and 7.3 assists in 67 games.
There’s more news from an eventful draft night:
- Dallas coach Rick Carlisle offered a different perspective, posts Tim MacMahon on ESPN Now. Before being asked, Carlisle told reporters that he sees Smith as an immediate starter, noting his blend of intelligence, maturity and athleticism. “We believe he’s going to be a tremendous player for us and right away,” he said.
- Carlisle added that the Mavs definitely preferred Smith over French point guard Frank Ntilikina, who was taken by the Knicks at No. 8. The coach said there was “uproarious” applause in the Dallas draft room when New York’s pick was announced (Twitter link).
- In negotiations for Jimmy Butler, the Celtics refused to part with their No. 3 pick this year or the Nets‘ pick for 2018, according to K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune (Twitter link). Butler was shipped to Minnesota in a deal involving the No. 7 pick, and the Celtics may send Jayson Tatum, whom they drafted at No. 3, to Indiana in a trade for Paul George.
- Cavaliers veterans Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson may retire this offseason, relays Sam Amico of AmicoHoops (Twitter link). If they do, it will reduce the salary commitment in Cleveland and open up two roster spots, giving the new GM some flexibility. Frye, 34, made more than $7.4MM this season, while Jefferson, who turned 37 yesterday, collected a little more than $2.6MM.
Don’t believe KC… he’s the mouthpiece of GarPaxDorf. This is classic GarPax saving face
agree w. that wholeheartedly.
I would love if Tatum was traded for Paul George. Send us Smart or another future first and you got a deal. Tatum has a much more upside than anything the Lakers could offer outside of Ball and Ingram.
After what Jimmy Butler went for, I think the Heat offer I made was too much. But I’d do the same thing without the 14th pick
theres no way that celtics werent offering that 3rd pick, that doesnt add up.
Channing Frye publicly denied that Amico report on his instagram so I’d be surprised if he ends up retiring
I think Mavs go with DJ and spend the money elsewhere. Tim McMahon tweeted saying Nelson said drafting DJ eliminated the need for a PG.
If the Celtics won’t give up the #3/Tatum for a guy with two years of control then they won’t for a guy with only one.