2017 September | Hoops Rumors

Hornets Notes: Monk, Lamb, Batum, Howard

September 17th, 2017 at 3:50pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Hornets’ choices for backup point guards were influenced by the drafting of Malik Monk in the first round, writes Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer. In a mailbag column, Bonnell states that because Monk is an undersized shooting guard with defensive limitations, the team needed larger point guards to pair with him who are better at stopping opponents. That’s why they signed Michael Carter-Williams and Julyan Stone, both 6’6″, when other options were available.

Another factor was cost, as Charlotte was concerned about staying under the luxury tax threshold of about $119MM and was financially limited after trading for Dwight Howard‘s $23.5MM salary. Carter-Williams agreed to a one-year, $2.7MM deal in July, while Stone accepted a minimum-salary contract in August after negotiating a release from his team in Italy.

Bonnell offers more insight into the Hornets:

Monk should be fully recovered from a sprained left ankle that caused him to miss the Orlando Summer League. The 11th overall pick suffered the injury during a draft workout and was sidelined for several weeks, which coach Steve Clifford said affected his conditioning. Monk probably won’t see a lot of playing time early in the season, Bonnell writes, but he should be fully healthy for the team’s October 18 opener.
Jeremy Lamb has impressed the coaching staff with his work this offseason, but he’s not a threat to take Nicolas Batum‘s starting job. Lamb has been a valuable reserve during his two seasons in Charlotte, and Bonnell says the team needs Batum’s playmaking skills and overall versatility in the starting lineup.
The roles of the big men haven’t been firmly established heading into camp. Howard is expected to start at center with Marvin Williams at power forward, but Cody Zeller and Frank Kaminsky could both make a push for more playing time. Howard’s reputation as a poor free throw shooter could limit his fourth quarter minutes, just as it did in Atlanta, with Zeller getting more use late in games.

Weekly Mailbag: 9/11/17 – 9/17/17

September 17th, 2017 at 2:24pm CST by Arthur Hill

We have an opportunity for you to hit us up with your questions in this, our weekly mailbag feature. Have a question regarding player movement, the salary cap or the NBA draft? Drop us a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com.

Are the Spurs keeping LaMarcus Aldridge? Any trade rumors? — ROBZ, via Twitter

The rumors of an Aldridge deal heated up around the draft, when San Antonio reportedly had discussions with at least three teams about taking on the veteran big man. The Spurs were hoping to acquire a top five pick and trim salary to make a run at Chris Paul or another elite free agent, so obviously those motivations no longer exist. There have been persistent rumors that Aldridge is unhappy in San Antonio and would prefer a larger role in the offense like he had in Portland, so don’t count on him finishing his career with the Spurs. However, he will make nearly $21.5MM this year and has a player option worth more than $22.3MM for 2018/19, so any deal would require a major financial commitment. San Antonio may see how the season plays out, then revisit trade scenarios closer to the February deadline.

Do you think Carmelo Anthony will stay put for the whole season as he has reached out to his Knicks teamates in preparation for start of the season? Besides, he controls his situation as he has a no-trade clause in his contract and Houston hasn’t budged for his trade request. — Greg Dizon

It has been a game of chicken all summer with the Rockets, Knicks and Anthony, and we’re coming up on an important date as training camps open next week. The parties are as entrenched as ever, with Anthony determined to go to Houston, the Knicks wanting more than Ryan Anderson in return and the Rockets sticking by their offer with no luck in finding another team to make the deal work. Knicks management seems willing to bring Anthony into camp and hold onto him until a favorable offer emerges. We’ll see how that plays out, but New York is rebuilding and doesn’t want to be stuck with Anthony’s nearly $28MM salary for 2018/19. Every day he spends with the Knicks carries a risk of injury that would make that unavoidable.

Will Nikola Mirotic be back in Chicago? — Ernesto, via Twitter

Mirotic is among the latest victims to be stuck in restricted free agent limbo, and it looks like it might carry into the season, just as it did for Donatas Motiejunas last year. Mirotic skipped EuroBasket this year to concentrate on working out, and recently tweeted a photo of himself with 22 pounds of extra muscle. Mirotic was inconsistent during his three years in Chicago and was briefly relegated to the bench last season, so it’s not clear if the rebuilding Bulls even want him back. This will probably drag out until somebody makes him an offer; then the Bulls will have to decide if it’s worth matching.

Atlantic Notes: Anthony, Jackson, Allen, Celtics

September 17th, 2017 at 11:49am CST by Arthur Hill

Carmelo Anthony‘s college coach says Phil Jackson should have traded the Knicks star before being fired in June, relays Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog. “I think in reality it would’ve been better if they let Phil make the trade and then got rid of him,” said Jim Boeheim of Syracuse. “Now the new guys are going to be held responsible for the deal and nobody’s going to give much up [for Anthony in a trade]. So they’re going to end up not getting a lot for him and it’s really because of what Phil did in poisoning the air.”

Boeheim added that Anthony doesn’t fit in New York anymore because the organization has launched a youth movement and won’t be competitive for at least two or three years. Anthony has two seasons and more than $54MM left on his current contract, which contains an early termination option next summer. Boeheim believes Anthony would be “a great fit” for the Rockets, who are reportedly the only team he will currently waive his no-trade clause to join.

There’s more news out of the Atlantic Division:

In his latest mailbag, ESPN’s Kevin Pelton examines Anthony’s rating of 64th in the network’s list of top 100 players and explains why it’s justified. He shows that the Knicks forward’s usage and efficiency rates have declined steadily since 2012/13.
Nets first-rounder Jarrett Allen is looking forward to teaming up with newly acquired point guard D’Angelo Russell, relays Anthony Puccio of NetsDaily. The big man out of Texas had to skip summer league because of a hip injury, so the preseason will be the first chance for Brooklyn fans to see him in action. In a question-and-answer session with Puccio, Allen says Russell provides a perfect complement for his skills. “Being 6’10” and athletic I’ll be doing a lot of pick-and-rolls with D’Angelo – set him good screens, roll to the basket or pop and let him do his work and lob it up to me eventually,” Allen said. “… He’s great with the ball, makes good decisions and makes really good passes. He’s going to find me.”
Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders updated his salary totals for two Atlantic Division teams in light of recent signings. The Celtics are at $111,505,141 total and $109,873,911 in guaranteed money after camp deals with L.J. Peak and Andrew White and a two-way contract with Jabari Bird. Tyler Zeller‘s deal with the Nets brought Brooklyn to $97,328,061 total and $94,222,526 in guaranteed cash.

Bulls Notes: Wade, Hoiberg, Forman, Dunn

September 17th, 2017 at 10:27am CST by Arthur Hill

Dwyane Wade hasn’t contacted the Bulls’ front office about his desire for a buyout and is hoping the team makes the first move, according to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. Wade made his feelings clear that he doesn’t want to be part of a rebuilding project after Chicago traded Jimmy Butler to Minnesota in June. However, he is reluctant to give up much of the $23.8MM salary for the upcoming season that he opted into and apparently believes he can get a better deal if Bulls management takes the initiative on buyout talks.

A recent report said Wade hasn’t been in contact with anyone from the front office since the Butler deal and that he felt misled because he was given assurances that the Bulls would try to remain competitive before he opted in. At 35, Wade is by far the oldest and most expensive player on Chicago’s roster and he clearly doesn’t fit the team’s youth movement. How far each side is willing to continue before buyout talks begin will be among the most interesting storylines of the new season.

Cowley shares more information out of Chicago:

Expectations will be different for coach Fred Hoiberg with the revamped roster, but he still has to show progress to keep his job. Hoiberg has been under fire from fans and the media since coming to Chicago two years ago and was publicly criticized by Butler early in his first season. Cowley calls it “sink-or-swim time” for Hoiberg, who has to turn a young roster into the type of team he envisioned when he was hired.
GM Gar Forman’s fate is probably tied to Hoiberg’s, Cowley adds. Forman, who made the decision to bring Hoiberg out of the college ranks, is already unpopular with Bulls’ fans, some of whom paid to put up a billboard in July calling for the firing of him and president of basketball operations John Paxson.
Kris Dunn, part of the package acquired in exchange for Butler, has an open path toward being the starting point guard. The fifth pick of the 2016 draft, Dunn had a disappointing rookie season in Minnesota, but the Bulls have no obvious successor to Rajon Rondo.
The Bulls are happy with what they have seen from first-round pick Lauri Markkanen during summer league and EuroBasket. The seventh overall selection will be “a key foundation piece” of the rebuild.
Robin Lopez is the team’s most valuable trade commodity and seems likely to be moved during the season. The 29-year-old center averaged 10.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in his first season with the Bulls after being acquired in a deal with the Knicks.

Anthony Randolph Discusses Possibility Of NBA Return

September 17th, 2017 at 9:02am CST by Arthur Hill

Anthony Randolph, who played for four teams in six years after being selected 14th in the 2008 draft, hasn’t given up on his NBA dream, writes Mike Schmitz of ESPN.

The 28-year-old has reworked his game and his body and is serving as a center with 3-point range for a Slovenia team that reached today’s EuroBasket championship. Randolph, who shares an agent with Slovenian star Goran Dragic and 2018 draft prospect Luka Doncic, became a naturalized citizen to join the team. He has averaged 24.7 points per 40 minutes in the tournament while hitting 9-of-11 shots from 3-point range.

“I think he should be in the NBA,” Dragic said. “It’s just life. He said he made some choices that maybe he would do differently, and I still believe he can make it. He is a huge addition to our team. He can play multiple positions — 3, 4, 5. He gives us a different type of game. In the past, we never had a guy you can throw an alley-oop to, can switch everything, can take the big guys out, shoot the mid-range or a 3. He’s a complete player.”

Randolph, who entered the league at age 19, admits he was immature during his time in the NBA, where he was considered a “tweener” who didn’t quite fit traditional size requirements for a small forward or power forward. He is now 6’11” and 230 pounds with a 7’3″ wingspan and has the ability to stretch the floor that teams are seeking in a big man.

Randolph admits being “knocked down from my pedestal” after being waived out of the league on his 25th birthday in 2014. He never quite lived up to expectations with the Warriors, Knicks, Timberwolves and Nuggets and had to look overseas to continue his basketball career.

“I had to go back to the basics,” Randolph said. “It was a different experience. It helped me realize why I really started playing basketball again.”

He signed with Lokomotiv Kuban in Russia, far from the glamour of the NBA lifestyle, and developed his skills as a 3-point shooter. He spent last year with Real Madrid alongside Doncic and earned a contract extension with the Spanish team. That deal includes an escape clause next season if an NBA team comes calling, but Randolph won’t take just any opportunity.

“I won’t go back in the NBA just to say, ‘Oh, I’m back in the NBA,'” Randolph said. “I feel like I have to know that I’m going to have a role and that I can help the team and that I have an opportunity to play. I don’t want to go sit on the bench, I want to play. I love playing basketball.”

Boris Diaw Set To Play In France

September 17th, 2017 at 8:14am CST by Luke Adams

SEPTEMBER 17, 8:14am: Diaw’s signing is official, the French club announced in a tweet.

SEPTEMBER 14, 1:47pm: Veteran NBA forward Boris Diaw will head back to France to start the 2017/18 season, according to David Cozette of SFR Sport (Twitter link), who reports that Diaw has agreed to sign with Levallois Metropolitans. The deal will feature an NBA out clause, per Sportando (Twitter link).

Diaw, 35, has spent the last 14 seasons in the NBA, beginning his career with the Hawks before moving on to the Suns, Bobcats, Spurs, and Jazz. Diaw started 33 games and appeared in 73 overall regular season contests for Utah last season, but saw his production dip — his PPG (4.6), FG% (.446), and 3PT% (.247) marks were all among the worst of his career. He had a $7.5MM salary for 2017/18 that would have become guaranteed if the Jazz had not waived him in July.

While Diaw has played in the NBA for nearly a decade and a half, he’s no stranger to French competition either. Before being drafted 21st overall in 2003, Diaw spent multiple seasons with Pau-Orthez in France, and he returned to his home country during the 2011 lockout to play for JSA Bordeaux. The veteran forward has also represented France in several international tournaments.

Levallois Metropolitans, Diaw’s new team, was formerly known as Paris-Levallois Basket. The club was led last season by former Florida State standout Jason Rich and Knicks draft-and-stash big man Louis Labeyrie, but both players have found new homes for the 2017/18 campaign, so the team figures to lean heavily on Diaw.

Northwest Notes: Mitrou-Long, Nuggets, Adelman, Wolves

September 16th, 2017 at 9:46pm CST by Arthur Hill

Naz Mitrou-Long is the latest international player on the Jazz roster, writes Jody Genessy of The Deseret News. The 24-year-old Canadian signed with the team this week, likely for a non-guaranteed camp contract. Mitrou-Long seems to have little chance at a roster spot with Utah, which has Rodney Hood, Alec Burks and first-round pick Donovan Mitchell entrenched at shooting guard. The Jazz also have 15 guaranteed salaries, so Mitrou-Long appears headed to the G League.

Mitrou-Long spent five years at Iowa State, red-shirting during the 2015/16 season because of lingering pain from hip surgeries. He recovered to play 35 games last season, averaging 15.1 points per night and earning All-Big 12 second-team honors. He played for the Kings’ entry in the Las Vegas Summer League, scoring 9.8 points per game.

There’s more from the Northwest Division:

The Nuggets improved with the signing of Paul Millsap, but still may struggle to make the playoffs in a tough Western Conference, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE. Millsap will team with Nikola Jokic to give Denver an impressive inside game, but the team has several questions to resolve, starting with finding a role for former starting point guard Emmanuel Mudiay.
David Adelman has formally joined the Nuggets‘ coaching staff, the team announced on its website. The son of longtime NBA coach Rick Adelman, David spent last season as an assistant in Orlando after several years in Minnesota. Denver also promoted Tommy Balcetis to Director of Basketball Strategies and Analytics.
The impressive numbers posted by Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns should translate into more wins now that he has better talent around him, writes Jorge Sierra of HoopsHype. In Minnesota’s season preview, Sierra says Jimmy Butler gives the team a legitimate two-way star, but the Wolves have to make great strides on defense and outside shooting to become a legitimate playoff contender.

Texas Notes: Nowitzki, Gay, D’Antoni

September 16th, 2017 at 8:21pm CST by Arthur Hill

Fans are paying an average of $1,300 per ticket for the Mavericks‘ season finale in hopes of seeing Dirk Nowitzki‘s final game, but Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News warns that Nowitzki’s retirement isn’t a sure thing. The German star hasn’t made a decision about playing beyond this season and says health may be the main factor. A right Achilles problem early last season limited Nowitzki to 54 games and doomed the Mavericks to a 3-17 start.

“If I miss another 30 to 40 games in a row, then obviously, it’s not meant to be,” said Nowitzki, who is preparing for his 20th NBA season. “But if I can stay sort of healthy like I did at the end of the season, when I thought I moved OK and had some good games, then maybe we’ll do two more [seasons]. But we’ll see how it goes.”

There’s more news tonight out of Texas:

Assuming he spends the entire year in Dallas, Nowitzki will join Kobe Bryant as the only players with 20 years of service to the same organization. During an appearance this week on Sirius XM radio, Nowitzki lamented the league’s move away from franchise cornerstones (h/t to Michael Singer of USA Today). “The new NBA is a little different,” he said. “It’s about making money, it’s about winning and not as much about being loyal anymore.” Nowitzki displayed his loyalty this summer by re-signing for $10MM over two years after opting out of a $25MM salary.
Rudy Gay hasn’t played a game yet for San Antonio, but he already calls himself “a Spur for life,” relays Jabari Young of The San Antonio Express-News. Gay agreed to a two-year, $17MM contract this summer that contains an $8.8MM player option for next season, but he sounds fully committed to San Antonio. “I think it was a do-or-die point in my career,” said Gay, who is coming off an Achilles injury that ended his season in January. “I wanted to be with an organization that was known for winning and can help me raise my game to the next level.”
Rockets mentor Mike D’Antoni accepted his Coach of the Year award Friday from the National Basketball Coaches Association, writes Steve Aschburner of NBA.com. D’Antoni was a co-winner along with Miami’s Erik Spoelstra after guiding Houston to a 55-27 record and the third seed in the Western Conference. “The tie was legitimate and there were five or six others who received significant votes,” said NBCA president Rick Carlisle of the Mavericks. “So it really spoke to the quality job that everybody did from top to bottom.”

Community Shootaround: New Playoff Teams

September 16th, 2017 at 6:56pm CST by Arthur Hill

Change is constant, especially in the NBA. It wasn’t long ago that the Bulls and Pacers seemed like perennial playoff contenders in the East and the Jazz were a rising power in the West.

Gordon Hayward single-handedly changed the fortunes in Utah when he left for greener pastures in Boston. Chicago reacted to a string of disappointing seasons by trading Jimmy Butler to Minnesota. And Indiana didn’t want to be left empty handed when Paul George reached free agency, so the All-Star forward was shipped to Oklahoma City.

But for every team on the decline, there are others on the rise. The bottom half of the Eastern playoff picture was already jumbled before the offseason started, and some young teams looked ready to challenge the traditional powers in the West.

With training camps about a week away, let’s examine some of last year’s non-playoff teams that might be ready for the postseason:

Sixers: It’s rare that a team has two Rookie of the Year candidates, but Philadelphia enters this season with the top picks in the last two drafts in Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz. Assuming good health, which has been an issue with the Sixers, both should have significant roles on a talented young team. Free agent additions J.J. Redick and Amir Johnson will bring some playoff experience, but Philly’s fortunes fall mainly on the health of Joel Embiid, who was limited to 31 games last season as team doctors were reluctant to take any chances with his surgically repaired right foot.
Hornets: Charlotte acquired Dwight Howard at a bargain price, and the former All-Star will try to rebuild his reputation as he joins his third team in three years. The Hornets needed a defensive anchor on an otherwise fine team that actually scored more points than it gave up a year ago, despite winning just 36 games. ESPN’s real plus-minus rating projects 44.1 wins and a fifth-place finish in the East for Charlotte.
Heat: Miami nearly rallied to make the playoffs after a horrible start to last season and was able to retain its key free agents. The Heat have a solid core with Goran Dragic, Dion Waiters, Hassan Whiteside, James Johnson and the return of Justise Winslow, and have an outside chance of signing Dwyane Wade once his buyout in Chicago is complete.
Nuggets: Denver was probably the best team that missed the playoffs last season, finishing one game behind Portland for the final spot in the West. Everyone knows about the talent of Nikola Jokic, but a series of shrewd drafts has given the Nuggets plenty of young talent to surround him with. The offseason signing of power forward Paul Millsap may be the addition Denver needed to challenge the West’s top teams.
Timberwolves: Few organizations had a better offseason than Minnesota, which now has veteran talent to team with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. Butler was the big addition, of course, as he upgrades the team on both offense and defense. Adding Jeff Teague, Taj Gibson and Jamal Crawford allowed the Wolves to take a huge step forward in rebuilding.
Pelicans: Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins never seemed to mesh after New Orleans acquired “Boogie” at the All-Star break, but with a full offseason and training camp to prepare, we’ll find out if that experiment can work. The Pelicans upgraded their depleted backcourt by signing Rajon Rondo and Ian Clark this summer, and recently added defensive force Tony Allen.

How many of these teams are playoff ready, and should some others be added to the list? Please share your thoughts in the space below.

Central Notes: Moreland, Bulls, Draft Lottery, Cavaliers

September 16th, 2017 at 5:13pm CST by Arthur Hill

Pistons power forward Eric Moreland got a significant increase in his salary guarantee by remaining on the roster through Friday. The 25-year-old, who signed with Detroit this summer, saw his guarantee for the upcoming season rise from $500K to $750K. Moreland inked a three-year contract, but it’s filled with guarantee dates that require him to remain with the team. The next one is opening night, October 18, when Moreland’s salary will increase to $1MM.

Undrafted out of Oregon State in 2014, Moreland began his career with the Kings, but played just 11 NBA games in two seasons. He was waived by the Cavaliers in training camp a year ago and spent the entire season with the team’s G League affiliate in Canton, earning a spot in the All-Star Game and third team all-league honors. The Pistons used a portion of their mid-level exception to sign Moreland.

For a complete look at upcoming guarantee dates around the NBA, see our breakdown.

There’s more from the Central Division:

The Bulls should get at least one shot at a top draft pick before lottery reform is implemented, writes Mark Schanowski of CSNChicago. Chicago launched a rebuilding project by trading Jimmy Butler this summer and seems headed toward one of the league’s worst records. Even if owners approve the latest proposal to reform the lottery, the changes won’t take effect until 2019, meaning next summer’s draft will be conducted under the current system. If the Bulls finish with the worst record in the league this season, they will have a 25% shot at the top pick in June. Schanowski notes that the team will have $40MM to $50MM in cap space next summer, which could speed up the rebuilding process if combined with an elite draft choice.
The Cavaliers may have improved after a summer of chaos, according to Shaun Powell of NBA.com. Powell gives the team high marks for the return it got from Boston in exchange for Kyrie Irving, even though new point guard Isaiah Thomas will take a while to get back on the court. He speculates that the package of players, and especially Brooklyn’s unprotected first-rounder for 2018, could motivate LeBron James to remain in Cleveland beyond the upcoming season.

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