Mobile Menu
HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Hawks GM Talks Offseason, Howard, Goals

September 27th, 2017 at 9:56pm CST by ChrisCrouse

The Hawks were the fifth-oldest team last season and getting younger was a clear goal of the front office entering the offseason. Another goal was managing the salary cap with an eye on maintaining future flexibility, as GM Travis Schlenk explains (h/t Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal Constitution).

“The reason why flexibility is so important to us [is] it allows us to go out and make deals like we did with the Jamal Crawford trade [which netted Hawks a top-three protected pick in the 2018 draft via Rockets] where we can get assets… as we invest in the future of this franchise,” Schlenk said.

“Now that we have a young core, we have nine draft picks in the next two years so there’s a high probability that we are going to be even a little bit younger next year. So we need to keep developing the young players that we have.”

The GM went on to discuss the Dwight Howard deal and the reason why Atlanta slid down 10 spots on draft night as part of the trade.

“When it got down (to it) with Charlotte, there [were] other players that were going to be in the deal that both teams decided wouldn’t be in there,” Schlenk said. “Obviously the 31st pick was important to them. Us, when we look at our roster moving forward, when you look at the nine draft picks we have in the next few years, it wasn’t as important to us to add that young player this year because we have so many opportunities in next year with the three first-round draft picks. … We would love to have the 31st pick, but to be able to get that financial flexibility for the future to make it worth it to slide down

“We did that trade for the financial flexibility, and we were able to use that flexibility this summer to acquire a draft pick in next year’s draft with the Clippers in the Jamal Crawford trade. It played out well for us.”

While the Hawks are expected to take a step back in the win column this season, don’t expect the team to tank like the Sixers did over the past several seasons. Schlenk reiterated that the front office’s expectation is for the team to be competitive.

“When you look at the guys we signed this year in free agency, those are guys that show up and play hard every night,” the GM added. “We are laying the foundation for the future of the Atlanta Hawks, and that is to play the right way, to play hard and to give it everything you’ve got every single night.”

Retweet 4 Share 0 Send via email0

NBPA Investigating If NBA Is Involved In NCAA Scandal

September 27th, 2017 at 9:00pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Several schools within the NCAA are under federal investigation for fraud and corruption in recruiting and the National Basketball Players Association is currently reviewing the case to determine whether or not there is a link between those named in the filing and NBA players, Chris Mannix of The Vertical reports.

“We are going to be rigorous in making sure that anybody who is engaged in this misconduct is out, at least in terms of being certified by this [players association] to continue to work with our players,” NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts tells Mannix.

Andy Miller, who is one of the league’s top agents, had his laptop at ASM Sports seized as part of the FBI raid earlier this week. Miller represents Kyle Lowry, Kristaps Porzingis, and Myles Turner among many other NBA players.

Roberts anticipates the scandal will impact the league and its players.

“This is the kind of criminal prosecution that generally results in people, in my words, flipping,” Roberts said. “There are too many close associations between some of the named defendants and people that I know are actively engaged with [NBA] players to think that it won’t have any impact. It will. But it’s almost good news. If people are engaged in this kind of conduct and potentially harming our players, thank you U.S. Attorney’s office, I’ll get right on it and get rid of them.

“This is the sort of thing that keeps me up at night. Our players are literally stalked because of their income by people, most with good intentions, but far too many without. It’s disturbing. I feel badly at the college level because to [an] extent it works. Frankly because these kids are not compensated in ways that would make them able to say no to overtures of that kind of cash. It needs to be addressed in the first instance at the college level, but to the extent it impacts our players, we will figure it out and take care of it.”

Retweet 8 Share 0 Send via email0

LeBron James Talks Wade, Carmelo, Front Office

September 27th, 2017 at 7:42pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Longtime friends LeBron James and Dwyane Wade haven’t played alongside each other since Game 5 of the 2014 NBA Finals. That will change with Wade joining Cleveland on a one-year deal and James is thrilled about the new opportunity, as Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com relays.

“I’m happy that we were able to keep him away from everybody else,” James said about Wade choosing Cleveland over other, more lucrative offers. “It’s a guy, come on, man, this is like one of my best friends. It’s kind of like when you start school and you walk into the classroom and you’re not quite sure who your classmates are and when you walk in there and one of your best friends is in there, you’re like, ‘Oh, yeah, this is going to be fun. It’s going to be a good class.’ That’s the type of feeling I got.”

Cleveland will employ half of the famous “banana boat” crew, though – had the front office been willing to part with Tristan Thompson – perhaps Carmelo Anthony would have also been playing for the team. James understands that a Melo-to-The Land deal didn’t work out.

“I mean, from a friend perspective, I wish [Anthony] would have came and we could have worked some things out,” James said. “But at the end of the day I think our front office has done a great job and either the Knicks felt or we felt it just didn’t work out. And it worked out for the Thunder. So, like I said, I’ve been pretty much even-keeled this summer. I wish he would have been here. It would have been great to have him. I love Melo’s game. I love D-Wade’s game. I love [Chris Paul‘s] game. You know how I feel about those three but that doesn’t take anything away from what we got in that locker room which is a lot. I look forward to continuing to grow with these guys, especially the new guys.”

James believes that Wade “adds another championship DNA” to the roster and adds that the shooting guard, who will turn 36 this season, can still be counting on to make plays a high level.

“[The addition of Wade] adds to our depth and we were already pretty deep. It adds even more depth and even more playmaking to our team, which obviously you guys saw last year he can still do,” James said.

Retweet 6 Share 0 Send via email0

Central Notes: Parker, Jackson, Stephenson

September 27th, 2017 at 6:08pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Bucks GM Jon Horst said the team has had positive discussions with Jabari Parker‘s camp about a contract extension, Matt Velazquez of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets. The franchise places a high value on Parker, though Velazquez relays that former No. 2 overall pick’s injuries will play a role in the contract negotiations.

If Milwaukee can’t sign Parker to an extension by the deadline, the forward will become a restricted free agent at year’s end and the team can match any offer sheet he signs. Horst signals that the front office is negotiating with this in mind, as Velazquez relays in a full-length piece.

“Hopefully, the goal is to come to an extension agreement,” Horst said. “If we don’t, we want to be in a place where we can have the same type of productive conversations again as a restricted free agent with a player who we value significantly in our franchise.”

Here’s more from the Central Division:

  • While Parker “definitely” wants to be in Milwaukee, he admits that it’s out of his hands, Velazquez passes along in the same piece. “I have no clue [what’s going on] and that’s why I pay [my agent],” Parker said of his contract negotiations with the Bucks. “I let them do all the madness.”
  • Reggie Jackson, who has dealt with knee troubles since coming to the Pistons, will begin the season on a minutes limit, Rod Beard of the Detroit News relays via Twitter. “He will be on a minutes limit,” coach/executive Stan Van Gundy said. “It will be progressive as the season goes on.”
  • Despite the lack of firepower on the offensive, it appears the Pacers plan on unleashing Lance Stephenson as their sixth man, Jim Ayello of the Indianapolis Star writes.“I love him in that position,” said Pacers General Manager Kevin Pritchard. “It reminds me of [Manu] Ginobili a long time ago. You can’t always get everybody the opportunity to score and make plays in the first five minutes.”
Retweet 4 Share 0 Send via email0

Grizzlies Sign JaMychal Green To Two-Year Deal

September 27th, 2017 at 6:05pm CST by Luke Adams

6:05pm: The Grizzlies have officially signed Green, the team announced today in a press release.

12:49pm: The final restricted free agent of 2017 is nearing a deal that will take him off the market, reports Shams Charania of The Vertical. According to Charania, the Grizzlies and RFA forward JaMychal Green are finalizing a fully guaranteed two-year, $17MM+ agreement. The deal will include bonuses, tweets Ronald Tillery of The Memphis Commercial Appeal.JaMychal Green vertical

Green, 27, enjoyed a breakout season for the Grizzlies in 2016/17 after taking over for Zach Randolph as the club’s starting power forward. Green established new career highs in several categories, including PPG (8.9), RPG (7.1), FG% (.500), and 3PT% (.379).

As a three-year NBA veteran, Green received a qualifying offer from the Grizzlies in June to make him a restricted free agent, but struggled to finalize a deal on the open market. Comments made by agent Michael Hodges early in July indicated that his client might be unlikely to return to Memphis — Hodges said at the time that he was looking at offer sheets and possible sign-and-trade scenarios, suggesting that the Grizzlies were going in a different direction.

However, those rumored offer sheets or sign-and-trades never materialized, leaving a return to Memphis as the most logical outcome to Green’s restricted free agency, particularly after Randolph left the Grizzlies for the Kings. Reports earlier this month had stated that resolution on Green’s situation was expected soon, with a short-term deal considered likely.

Once they officially lock up Green, the Grizzlies will have 16 players on guaranteed salaries under contract. Jarell Martin is expected to be the odd man out, barring a last-minute change of plans. Tillery reported this week that Martin has been informed he’ll be waived, but was given the opportunity to remain with the Grizzlies in camp as an opportunity to showcase himself for potential suitors.

With Randolph and Martin no longer in the picture up front, youngsters Deyonta Davis and Ivan Rabb may see some action backing up Green at the four this season.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Retweet 6 Share 0 Send via email0

Hoops Rumors Commenting Policy

September 27th, 2017 at 4:42pm CST by Luke Adams

We strongly encourage commenting at Hoops Rumors, but we do have basic rules of civility. Comments of this nature are not allowed at Hoops Rumors:

  • Attacks or insults toward other commenters, the post author, journalists, players, or agents.
  • Inappropriate language, including swearing and related censor bypass attempts, lewdness, insults, and crude terms for body parts, bodily functions, and physical acts. In essence, we don’t want any language that parents would not want their kids to see.
  • Juvenile comments or extensive use of text message-type spelling.
  • Writing comments in all or mostly caps.
  • Spam-type links or self-promotion.
  • Comments about how you’re sick of this topic or it’s not newsworthy.
  • Inappropriate avatars or images.
  • Anything else we deem bad for business.

If you see comments that fit the above criteria, please flag them and/or contact us. Bans may be handed out liberally by our moderators, without second chances. Remaining civil is not that difficult, and most commenters have no problems doing so, nor with helping rein each other in. We are grateful for long-time commenters and readers, though this policy applies equally regardless of tenure.

This policy is always available at the bottom of the site, and will be re-posted monthly.

Retweet 1 Share 0 Send via email0

Cavaliers Sign Dwyane Wade

September 27th, 2017 at 4:09pm CST by ChrisCrouse

SEPTEMBER 27, 4:09pm: After clearing waivers, Wade has signed his new contract with the Cavs and will report to the team’s evening practice session tonight, says Wojnarowski. Assuming Wade’s signing is official, that means the Cavs have also waived JaCorey Williams, as reported earlier today.Dwyane Wade vertical

SEPTEMBER 26, 4:37pm: Dwyane Wade plans to sign with Cleveland once he clears waivers, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Wade agreed to a buyout with the Bulls earlier this week and he’ll be free to sign with any club on Wednesday. Cleveland currently has 20 players under contract–the maximum allowed for training–so an immediate corresponding move will be needed to make the transaction official.

It was reported earlier today that Wade had “no intention of going anywhere” else besides Cleveland and that the two sides were nearing an agreement. The Thunder, Heat, Lakers, Warriors, and Spurs were all linked to the 35-year-old, though it appears Wade simply wants to compete for a championship alongside his good friend LeBron James.

Wade’s deal with the Cavaliers will be for one season at the minimum salary, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical (Twitter link). The Chicago native is entering his 15th season in the league, meaning his minimum salary will come in at approximately $2.33MM.

Wade was scheduled to make $23.8MM in Chicago this season, but the team’s offseason plans forced him to consider a buyout agreement. The Bulls traded away Jimmy Butler and appear to be in a full rebuild, something that didn’t appeal to Wade. After seemingly amicable negotiations with Chicago’s front office, Wade ended up forfeiting roughly $8MM for the right to be a free agent.

With Wade in the fold, the Cavs could roll at as many as three new starters on opening night, just four months after representing the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. The team traded away Kyrie Irving this summer, netting Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder along with Ante Zizic and a pair of future picks, and many speculate that the team could slide Kevin Love to the five in order to make room for Crowder in the first unit.

Wade played a career-low 29.9 minutes per contest in Chicago last season and it would be surprising if he tops that mark with Cleveland this year. In 60 games with the Bulls in 2016/17, he averaged 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while posting a player efficiency rating of 18.5.

Photo courtesy of USA Today.

Retweet 10 Share 0 Send via email0

Poll: Detroit Pistons’ 2017/18 Win Total

September 27th, 2017 at 3:36pm CST by Luke Adams

Coming off a 44-win season, the Pistons looked poised to take another step forward in the Eastern Conference in 2016/17, but many of Detroit’s key young contributors didn’t make the improvements the club had anticipated.

Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson, Tobias Harris, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – all in their early- to mid-20s – essentially put up the same numbers last season that they did the year before, or took a step backward in terms of overall production. In Jackson’s case, his struggles could be chalked up largely to injury issues, but that doesn’t change the end result — the Pistons slipped in the standings due in large part to the lack of internal growth, finishing the season with a 38-44 mark.

While the team was essentially capped out and couldn’t make major changes over the summer, Detroit did swap out Caldwell-Pope, Marcus Morris, and Aron Baynes for a new group of contributors that includes Avery Bradley, Langston Galloway, and Anthony Tolliver. Rookie marksman Luke Kennard also enters the picture to help make up for losing KCP’s outside shooting.

The Pistons seem hopeful that those roster tweaks – along with improvements from the likes of Jackson, Drummond, and Harris – will allow the team to get back above .500, but oddsmakers aren’t as optimistic. Offshore betting site Bovada has the Pistons’ over/under mark right about where it was last year — 38.5 wins.

What do you think? Is this Pistons team ready to bounce back and get back in the playoff picture out East, or is Detroit in for more of the same this season? Vote below and jump into the comments section to share your thoughts!

Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.

Previous over/under voting results:

Retweet 2 Share 0 Send via email0

And-Ones: Pitino, ASM, Rosters, Delfino

September 27th, 2017 at 2:21pm CST by Luke Adams

After being linked to a federal investigation into fraud and corruption in recruiting, the University of Louisville has placed head coach Rick Pitino on administrative leave. Pitino, who is expected to formally be fired soon, has explored the idea of a return to the NBA in recent years, but there has been little interest and that’s unlikely to change, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

That federal investigation into the NCAA also affected player agency ASM Sports, where lead agent Andy Miller had his computer taken by the FBI, tweets Darren Heitner. Darren Rovell of ESPN confirms (via Twitter) that phone lines were shut off at the agency, which represents Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, Kristaps Porzingis, and many other NBA players.

Former ASM representative Christian Dawkins, who was fired from the agency for racking up more than $40,000 in Uber charges on an NBA player’s credit card, was among those accused of bribery and arrested on Tuesday. The FBI’s raid of ASM is believed to be a result of Dawkins’ former employment there.

Here’s more from around the basketball world:

  • Bobby Marks of ESPN breaks down the roster situations for every NBA team and examines some of they key preseason issues that each club will have to address.
  • Several NBA insiders provided Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer with some of their thoughts on how they’d improve the league. Among the suggestions? Getting rid of two-way contracts, removing live-ball timeouts, and eliminating the age limit for the NBA draft.
  • Former NBA forward Carlos Delfino will begin the season with Baskonia in Spain, as Orazio Cauchi of Sportando details. Delfino, who appeared in more than 500 regular season games, last played in the NBA for the Rockets in 2012/13.
Retweet 5 Share 0 Send via email0

Kings Extend Vlade Divac, Dave Joerger Through 2019/20

September 27th, 2017 at 12:19pm CST by Luke Adams

The Kings have extended the contract of general manager Vlade Divac and exercised their fourth-year option on head coach Dave Joerger, the team announced today in a press release. As a result of the moves, both Divac and Joerger will now be under contract with Sacramento through the 2019/20 season.

While neither Divac nor Joerger was expected to be on the hot seat entering the season, the decision to extend their contracts before opening night represents a show of support from the franchise as the Kings kick off their rebuilding process in earnest. Having entered last season intent on making the playoffs, the DeMarcus Cousins-less Kings will head into the season focused more on developing young players and taking incremental steps forward.

Divac, who has been with the Kings since 2015, made some questionable moves and decisions during his first year or two with the franchise, and was widely criticized for the club’s return in the Cousins trade. However, the Cousins package – essentially Buddy Hield, Justin Jackson, Harry Giles, and Frank Mason – looks a little more promising today than it did at the time, and the Kings had a good offseason. Sacramento drafted a potential franchise point guard in De’Aaron Fox and made some solid veteran signings in free agency, picking up George Hill, Zach Randolph, and Vince Carter.

As for Joerger, in 2016/17 – his first season with the Kings – he led the team to a 32-50 record. Prior to arriving in Sacramento, Joerger had a 147-99 (.598) record in three seasons with the Grizzlies. While the club in Memphis had perennial aspirations of contending, Joerger will be tasked with coaching a different sort of club in Sacramento over the next couple seasons — the Kings’ decision to pick up his 2019/20 option indicates the team believes he’ll be up to the challenge of developing the young players on the roster.

Retweet 5 Share 0 Send via email0
Load More Posts