2017 July | Hoops Rumors

Axel Toupane Will Play In Lithuania

July 27th, 2017 at 8:40am CST by Arthur Hill

Axel Toupane, who was waived Tuesday by the Pelicans, has signed with Zalgiris Kaunas in Lithuania, according to Dario Destri of Sportando.

The 6’7″ swingman agreed to a non-guaranteed minimum salary deal with New Orleans late last season and appeared in two games with the Pelicans. He also played two games for the Bucks on a 10-day contract in February. Toupane spent most of the season with Raptors 905, Toronto’s affiliate in the G League.

Tuesday was a salary guarantee date for Toupane, whose partial guarantee would have risen from $25K to $200K if he had been kept on the Pelicans’ roster.

Central Notes: Bledsoe, Cavaliers, Morris, Pistons

July 26th, 2017 at 10:59pm CST by Arthur Hill

Suns guard Eric Bledsoe is adding fuel to the rumors of a possible deal to Cleveland by working out with LeBron James and newly signed Cavaliers guard Derrick Rose this week in Las Vegas, according to ESPN.com. Bledsoe is among several players who have been tied to Cleveland in the past week in rumored trades involving Kyrie Irving, but he has a unique connection by being a client of Klutch Sports, just like James and teammates Tristan Thompson and J.R. Smith. “I love everything about [the Phoenix area],” Bledsoe told Scott Bordow of The Arizona Republic this week. “At the same time, I want to win.” A report Tuesday said the Suns wouldn’t be willing to part with first-round pick Josh Jackson in an Irving deal.

There’s more from the Central Division:

Today’s press conference with owner Dan Gilbert and new GM Koby Altman did little to calm the nerves of Cavaliers fans, writes Marla Ridenour of The Akron Beacon-Journal. Despite Altman’s assurances that the feud between James and Irving is “overblown,” there is clearly a rift between the stars and Irving’s trade request could sour team chemistry if he is not moved before the season starts, Ridenour adds. Gilbert and Altman both used the word “fluid” to describe Irving’s situation, and Altman admitted that he has been in touch with Irving’s agent.
Pistons guard Ish Smith understands the business side of the NBA that can result in losing a teammate and friend like Marcus Morris, relays Tony Paul of The Detroit News. During a public appearance today, Smith, who has played for 10 teams in eight seasons, commented on the trade that sent Morris to Boston in exchange for Avery Bradley. “It’s a business. You gotta move on,” Smith said. “I stand by Coach (Stan Van Gundy). I hate losing one of my good friends, but we’re excited about Avery and how talented he is, how good he is and what he brings.”
Van Gundy says the Pistons are done with major moves before the season starts, Paul adds. The coach believes the team has significantly improved its 3-point shooting by obtaining Bradley and Langston Galloway and drafting Luke Kennard.
Mike McCarthy, who has been the Bucks‘ chief operating officer for the past eight months, has submitted his resignation, according to Rich Kirchen of The Milwaukee Business Journal. McCarthy will serve as a consultant to the team.

Mikhail Prokhorov May Consider Selling Nets

July 26th, 2017 at 10:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov has “warmed recently to the possibility” of selling controlling interest in the team, according to Josh Kosman and Brian Lewis of The New York Post.

Prokhorov’s original plan was to sell a minority stake in the franchise — up to 49% — while remaining the majority owner. However, the tepid response to that offer, combined with the potential sale price of the Houston Rockets that may go as high as $2 billion, has Prokhorov rethinking his decision.

Sources tell the authors that Nets officials believe some of the prospective buyers of the Rockets may be interested in Brooklyn if a majority share becomes available.

The two teams are among the most popular NBA franchises in China, given Houston’s connection to Yao Ming and the Nets having Jeremy Lin in their backcourt. Mike Zavodsky, the Nets’ executive VP of global partnerships, is touring China this week and has 20 meetings arranged with potential buyers.

“Our brand in China is growing, in merchandise sales and commercially,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of the Nets and Barclays Center.

The team lost roughly $150MM three years ago, but its finances have improved dramatically since then, with much of the windfall coming through a deal with the YES Network that pays the Nets $50MM a year. Reducing salary has also played a role as the team may turn a profit for the first time since coming to Brooklyn in 2012.

The NBA Finance Committee recently approved Prokhorov’s plan to split corporate ownership of the team and Barclays Center.

Pistons To Sign Landry Nnoko

July 26th, 2017 at 9:12pm CST by Arthur Hill

Ex-Clemson big man Landry Nnoko has agreed to a partially guaranteed minimum deal with the Pistons, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype.

The 23-year-old Cameroon native played with Detroit’s summer league team in Orlando, averaging 2.0 points and 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in three games. He went undrafted out of Clemson in 2016 after averaging 8.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game in his senior season with the Tigers.

The 6’10” center spent last season with Pesaro in Italy.

Community Shootaround: Kyrie’s Future In Cleveland

July 26th, 2017 at 8:31pm CST by Arthur Hill

After five days of non-stop Kyrie Irving trade rumors, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert tried to slam on the brakes at a press conference this afternoon.

The purpose of the event was to introduce newly appointed GM Koby Altman, but the subject inevitably turned to Irving and the trade demand he reportedly made during a private meeting with Gilbert earlier this month.

Gilbert refused to acknowledge that Irving wants to be traded and wouldn’t say if he and Altman plan to grant the request if it is true. He then threw the media a curveball, saying he expects to have Irving on the floor when training camp opens in September.

“Right now, Kyrie Irving is under contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers for two or three years, depending on the last year,” Gilbert said, as Irving holds a player option for 2019/20. “As of now, he’s one of our best players, and sure, we expect him to be in camp.”

Prepare for an overflow media turnout for the first day of camp if that happens. Irving’s desires to get out of Cleveland and his simmering social media feud with LeBron James have been on public display since the subject of that meeting with Gilbert was made public last Friday.

According to reports, Irving has named the Spurs, Heat, Timberwolves and Knicks as the places he would like to go. The Cavaliers have been inundated with calls inquiring about an Irving deal, and ESPN’s Zach Lowe wrote on Monday that the team is “acting as if a trade is almost inevitable.”

However, Gilbert and the Cavs have no obligation to honor Irving’s request. If they can’t find an acceptable deal, they could hand onto to Irving through the summer and bring him into camp just as Gilbert suggested.

Our question for today is: How do you think that would turn out? Could Kyrie and LeBron bury the hatchet and combine their talents for another trip to the NBA Finals? Or would the inner strife tear the team apart?

Please take to the comments section and share your thoughts on this topic. We look forward to what you have to say.

Atlantic Notes: Thomas, Celtics, Knicks, Carroll

July 26th, 2017 at 7:16pm CST by Arthur Hill

Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas won’t need surgery to fix the right hip injury that forced him out of the playoffs, according to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. Several hip specialists evaluated Thomas, but no course of action could be determined until the swelling lessened. The injury first struck Thomas in mid-March, then was aggravated in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Wizards. “Isaiah is making good progress,” said Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge. “He’s out on the court, he’s shooting. He’s full speed ahead on the stationary bike and working in the swimming pool. He’s progressing nicely.” As long as there are no setbacks, Thomas is expected to be ready for training camp.

There’s more from the Atlantic Division:

For the second straight season, the Celtics appear headed to camp with more than 15 guaranteed contracts, Himmelsbach writes in a separate story. Shane Larkin reached an agreement with Boston last week on a fully guaranteed deal, which brings the total to 16. The roster will have to be trimmed to 15 by the start of the season, not counting a pair of two-way contracts, so the Celtics will either have to make a trade or waive a player with guaranteed money. In the same situation last fall, Boston waived R.J. Hunter and his $1.2MM deal.
The Knicks are still hoping to find a veteran point guard to team with Ron Baker and rookie Frank Ntilikina, relays ESPN’s Ian Begley. The team believes its best chance to get one is in a potential Carmelo Anthony trade.
The Nets didn’t require DeMarre Carroll to undergo a physical before completing their trade with the Raptors because they received so much compensation, tweets Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders. Brooklyn picked up Carroll, Toronto’s 2018 first-rounder and an additional 2018 second-rounder, while the Raptors got Justin Hamilton, who has since been waived, and an $11.8MM trade exception. Carroll played 72 games last season after having knee surgery in his first year in Toronto and being limited to 26 games.
Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov intends to sell up to 49% of the team while keeping ownership of the Barclays Center, writes Mike Ozanian of Forbes. The NBA’s advisory finance committee has approved Prokhorov’s lease terms, but a final OK must come from the league once a seller is found.

Ian Clark Wants More Than Minimum; Wolves Still Interested

July 26th, 2017 at 6:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

Free agent Ian Clark is still hoping for more than the minimum salary, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News.

The Timberwolves are interested in signing the fourth-year guard shooting guard, who spent the past two seasons in Golden State. Tony Allen, formerly of the Grizzlies, remains another free agent possibility for Minnesota.

Clark has received multiple minimum-salary offers but is holding out for something better, according to Wolfson. The Wolves are operating just under the cap and already used their $4.3MM room mid-level exception on Jamal Crawford.

Clark appeared in 77 games for the Warriors last season, averaging 6.8 points per night and shooting a career-best 37% from 3-point range. He is seeking a raise from his 2016/17 salary of a little more than $1.015MM.

John Wall Signs Four-Year Extension With Wizards

July 26th, 2017 at 5:07pm CST by Austin Kent

JULY 26, 5:07pm: The signing is official, according to the NBA’s transactions log.

JULY 21, 9pm: The Wizards have agreed to sign guard John Wall to a four-year, $170MM extension, David Aldridge of TNT tweets. The deal will include a fourth-year player option and trade kicker that ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski adds will be worth 15%.

The extension will take effect in 2019, at which point the All-Star’s current deal will expire. Wall signed a five-year max extension back in the summer of 2013 just prior to the NBA’s salary cap skyrocketing on the heels of a new TV deal.

As Zach Lowe of ESPN adds, one point worth noting is that this was a good time for Wall to lock in the extension. If he didn’t make an All-NBA team in 2017/18 as he did in 2016/17, Wall would miss out on being eligible for the designated veteran extension supermax. The new contract mechanism rewards the league’s superstars, opening them up to a higher tier compensation.

In 2016/17, Wall raised his game to a new level, playing a major role in the Wizards clawing their way back to contention in the Eastern Conference. The 26-year-old posted 23.7 points and 10.7 assists per game in 78 games.

Wall’s major contract extension puts the Wizards in a precarious financial position, although the money that they’ve committed is primarily tied up in their own core. Per Bobby Marks of ESPN, Washington has $126MM, $126MM, $108MM and $98MM locked up over the next four respective seasons.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Cavs Owner: Pacers ‘Could Have Done Better’ In Paul George Trade

July 26th, 2017 at 4:56pm CST by Luke Adams

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert is perhaps most known among NBA fans for an angry farewell letter printed in Comic Sans that he published in the wake of LeBron James‘ departure from Cleveland in 2010. Seven years later, Gilbert and James are on much better terms, but Gilbert was still showing a penchant for saying things other team owners wouldn’t during a press conference today.

Asked about the Cavaliers’ pursuit of Paul George, Gilbert told reporters that the Pacers “could have done better than they did,” per Sam Amico of AmicoHoops (Twitter link). While that’s a view widely held by NBA observers, it’s still surprising to hear it coming in a public forum from a rival team’s owner. The Cavs were reportedly close to acquiring George last month before the Pacers opted to go in another direction, so perhaps Gilbert was conveying some lingering frustration from those discussions.

Here’s more from today’s presser in Ohio:

When pressed directly, Gilbert said he expects Kyrie Irving to be in camp with the Cavs this fall, but neither Gilbert nor GM Koby Altman would confirm that Irving won’t be traded, or even that he’s asked to be dealt. The duo referred to the situation as “fluid,” as Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com details.
Altman called the idea that there’s animosity between Irving and James “overblown,” and added that the Cavs still believe they’re in great shape as a franchise, despite the offseason narrative of turmoil and drama.
James remains “deeply committed” to the Cavaliers, Altman said today, according to Vardon. Gilbert added that the four-time MVP has been “as helpful as he’s even been” this offseason, having helped recruit Derrick Rose and Jeff Green.

Clippers Sign Second-Rounder Sindarius Thornwell

July 26th, 2017 at 4:20pm CST by Luke Adams

4:20pm: Thornwell will get a three-year, $3.8MM deal, according to Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders, who adds that the first two years are fully guaranteed (Twitter link).

The fact that it’s a three-year pact means that the Clips used their mid-level exception, leaving a very small portion of that MLE available. Assuming Thornwell signed for the minimum, the exact value of the deal over three years will be $3,812,377.

4:05pm: The Clippers have signed rookie shooting guard Sindarius Thornwell, the team announced today (via Twitter). Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but there’s no mention of it being a two-way contract, so Thornwell appears to have received a spot on the NBA roster.

[RELATED: 2017 NBA Draft Pick Signings]

The 48th overall pick in this year’s draft, Thornwell was the SEC Player of the Year in 2016/17 for South Carolina, averaging 21.4 PPG to go along with 7.2 RPG and 2.1 SPG. He also upped his shooting percentages to .445/.395/.830, all career-bests.

The Clippers entered this year’s draft without any picks, but used cash to buy a pair of second-rounders and inject some youth into their roster. In addition to trading for Thornwell’s rights, Los Angeles also drafted and signed Jawun Evans with the 39th overall pick.

Evans received a portion of the Clippers’ mid-level exception, as did Euroleague point guard Milos Teodosic, but the club still has about $1.6MM of that MLE left. It appears likely that L.A. will use another chunk of that MLE to finalize Thornwell’s deal — a report last week from The State indicated that the rookie guard would sign a three-year contract, which is more than he could get with the minimum salary exception.

Month: November 2024