2018 May | Hoops Rumors

Marcus Smart: I’m Worth More Than $12-14MM

May 28th, 2018 at 8:41am CST by Luke Adams

In the wake of their Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Cavaliers, the Celtics will face a number of important roster decisions this offseason, with Marcus Smart‘s looming restricted free agency among the issues on the club’s docket. Asked about the possibility that the C’s might not be able – or willing – to pay $12-14MM per year to retain him, Smart told ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan that price may actually be too low for him.

“To be honest, I’m worth more than $12-14 million,” Smart said. “Just for the things I do on the court that don’t show up on the stat sheet. You don’t find guys like that. I always leave everything on the court, every game. Tell me how many other players can say that.”

Smart, 24, has never been a reliable shooter or scorer since entering the NBA. His .367 FG% in 2017/18 matched a career high, and his .301 3PT% was only a little better than his career rate. Battling a thumb injury in the Eastern Finals, Smart shot .328/.226/.722 against Cleveland, including 1-for-10 in the decisive Game 7.

Still, Smart’s play on the defensive end of the court and his on-court leadership resulted in many of his teammates defending his 1-for-10 showing on Sunday night and calling him the heart of the Celtics, as MacMullan writes.

“That’s what people say,” Smart said. “I’m not sure if you can put a price on that.”

Since Smart will be a restricted free agent, the Celtics will be able to match any offer sheet he signs this summer, and there are no cap rules restricting what Boston can pay him. However, Smart and the C’s discussed an extension last fall and were too far apart in terms of dollar figures, sources tell MacMullan, so it will come down to how much the club is willing to invest in the former sixth overall pick.

The club is already on the hook for expensive deals for Gordon Hayward and Al Horford, with raises for key players like Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown coming down the road. Terry Rozier is also extension-eligible this offseason, and Boston seems unlikely to commit to long-term contracts for both Rozier and Smart.

Frank Urbina of HoopsHype examined potential landing spots for Smart if he leaves the Celtics, suggesting that teams like the Nets, Spurs, and Clippers could be fits.

Western Notes: Rockets, Jazz, Westbrook, Allen

May 27th, 2018 at 9:45pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Rockets have reduced their rotation to seven players but they won’t use fatigue as an excuse for their second-half collapse against the Warriors in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports. Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Stephen Curry have all played more minutes per game than any Rockets player, Feigen notes. “Fatigue is never a factor in the playoffs,” Rockets forward Trevor Ariza told Feigen and other media members. “This is what we prepare for. This is what we work hard all summer for. They started playing harder. They started making shots. That’s it.”

Also around the Western Conference:

The Jazz might keep their core group intact going into next season, GM Dennis Lindsey told Mike Sorensen of the Deseret News. “My best guess is the option that we’ll ultimately consider, is bringing the team back intact, but I don’t know what other things are going to come our way,” Lindsey said. In order to do that, they’d have to sign unrestricted free agent Derrick Favors and restricted free agent Dante Exum. If both players receive significant raises and the Jazz make other moves, they could find themselves close to the luxury tax. They currently have approximately $90MM in salary guarantees next season.
If Paul George re-signs with the Thunder, it will deal a blow to the narrative that other stars don’t like playing with Russell Westbrook, Brett Dawson of The Oklahoman writes. That’s why Westbrook has made public statements about wanting George to return, saying he thinks George “definitely wants to be here,” Dawson adds.
Duke combo guard Grayson Allen could be an option for the Kings if he slips into the second round, according to Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee. Sacramento holds the No. 36 overall pick and Allen is currently ranked No. 30 by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. Allen would be a fit because the Kings need guards who can provide size and shooting, Jones adds.

Draft Withdrawals: Copeland, Dorn, Keeling

May 27th, 2018 at 8:27pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Nebraska’s Isaac Copeland is withdrawing from the draft and will return to school for his senior year, ESPN’s Jeff Goodman tweets. The 6’9” Copeland averaged 12.9 PPG and 6.1 RPG for the Cornhuskers in his junior campaign. Copeland is a transfer from Georgetown.

In other draft news:

North Carolina State’s Torin Dorn is headed back to school for his senior year, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports tweets. The 6’5” Dorn averaged 13.9 PPG and 6.3 RPG as a junior. He played his freshman season at Charlotte.
Charleston Southern’s Christian Keeling is headed back to school for his junior season, Goodman tweets. Keeling averaged 17.6 PPG and 5.2 RPG last season but shot just 31.5% from long range.
Miami forward Dewan Huell was among a handful of other players who withdrew from the draft in recent days.

Iguodala, Looney Listed As Questionable For Game 7

May 27th, 2018 at 7:22pm CST by Dana Gauruder

7:22pm: Warriors coach Steve Kerr calls Iguodala doubtful for Game 7 but says the veteran forward is working around the clock to try to play, Tim Bontemps of the Washington Post tweets.

6:49pm: Warriors small forwards Andre Iguodala and Kevon Looney are both questionable to play in Game 7 against the Rockets on Monday, the Warriors’ public relations department tweets.

Iguodala has missed the last three games due to a left lateral leg contusion, suffered in Game 3 when he banged into James Harden. Looney’s addition to the injury list, due to a sore left toe, is a surprise. He has started in place of Iguodala.

Sounds as if at least one of them will play in the deciding game of the Western Conference Finals but if not, Golden State would be very thin at the wing position.

Golden State also lists guard Patrick McCaw as probable. McCaw received four minutes of playing time in Game 6, his first on-court appearance since injuring his back against the Kings on March 31st.

Of course, the Rockets have an even bigger injury issue with the uncertainty surrounding Chris Paul. Their starting point guard missed Game 6 and is questionable at best to play Monday.

Community Shootaround: West Game 7

May 27th, 2018 at 7:17pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Warriors roared back after halftime of the Western Conference Finals on Saturday to force a deciding Game 7 on Monday night.

Naturally, it helped that the Rockets played without their floor leader, Chris Paul. After pulling his hamstring late in Game 5, Paul could only watch from the bench and occasionally give a piece of his mind to the officials in Game 6. He’s a game-time decision for Game 7 but even if he goes, he’ll likely be limited in terms of minutes and mobility.

The Warriors’ Big 4 will play, though small forwards Andre Iguodala and Kevon Looney are questionable because of injuries. Houston will have the home court on Monday, which they earned by playing more consistently that the Warriors during the course of the regular season. But each team has won a game on the other’s court during the series, so the energy boost from the crowd will only help the Rockets to a certain extent.

Golden State has looked much less focused and more vulnerable during these playoffs than it did last season, when it cruised to the title. But Paul’s iffy status puts Houston in a bind, even though its players are clearly hungry for a ring.

This could be the night that James Harden puts his team on his shoulders and carries it to the Finals. Or the Warriors’ overall talent could simply be too much for the Rockets to handle.

This leads us to our question of the day: Who will win Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals and why?

Please take to the comments section and voice your opinion. We look forward to what you have to say.

Southwest Notes: Ariza, Cuban, Scandal

May 27th, 2018 at 4:56pm CST by marksuleymanov

Rockets veteran Trevor Ariza has suited up for seven teams in his NBA career, including two separate stints in Houston. As he heads for unrestricted free agency this summer, and the possibility of an eighth team in his future looms, ESPN’s Zach Lowe chronicled Ariza’s well-traveled and decorated career.

As Lowe writes, after various trades early in his career, Ariza questioned why he was constantly changing uniforms and couldn’t stick with one team. It all started coming together for Ariza when he joined the Lakers and evolved his style to the now invaluable “3-and-D,” where you shoot well from the perimeter and play solid defense. Ariza’s former teammate Kobe Bryant spoke glowingly of Ariza in the story.

“We were inseparable,” Bryant said. “If you saw Trevor, you saw me. He didn’t need me to show him how to work. He had it already — that ambition.”

In Houston, Ariza’s role, and therefore his style of play, has been altered to suit the Rockets’ needs. And it has worked so far as the team is one win away from the NBA Finals. Lowe’s piece is well worth the read and provides further insight into how Ariza has become a self-described chameleon in the NBA.

Check out more Southwest Division notes below:

Brandon George and Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News conducted an investigation into a former team employee, nicknamed “Pants DJ,” who allegedly showed and viewed pornographic content at work and made inappropriate gestures. Chris Hyde, a former account executive with the Mavericks, allegedly carried on this behavior for six years and, despite a warning from team owner Mark Cuban, continued it.
As the Mavericks enter the summer, the team has cap space to utilize in free agency and Cuban does not see a reason to save if upgrades are available, even before the NBA Draft, Sefko writes.
In case you missed it, Rockets point guard Chris Paul will likely miss Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals tomorrow night as he nurses an injured hamstring.

Atlantic Notes: Horford, Bridges, Draft Strategy, Leonard

May 27th, 2018 at 3:08pm CST by marksuleymanov

As the Celtics prepare for a Game 7 showdown against the Cavaliers, Al Horford‘s story of redemption in the postseason is an intriguing storyline, Chris Mannix of Yahoo! Sports writes. In 2015, then a member of the Hawks, Horford thought he was headed for the NBA Finals after two quick postseason series victories. A sweep at the hands of the Cavaliers that year ended those dreams.

Horford has now become a key part of the Celtics’ core and once again, he will need to get past LeBron James and the Cavaliers if he wants to reach the NBA Finals. A disappointing series aside, Horford has been a positive influence on a young Celtics roster that has faced injuries to several of its star players.

“He’s been such a stabilizing force since he walked into our locker room,” head coach Brad Stevens said. “He provides a very calming influence to the younger players.”

Check out more news and notes from the Atlantic Division:

While injuries to Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward put a damper on the Celtics‘ original plans, the team is still one win away from the NBA Finals. Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel writes that with a healthy roster next season, the Celtics are poised to become the latest NBA super team. One scout Winderman quotes in the story compared a healthy Celtics roster to what the Warriors assembled out west.
Both Mikal Bridges and Miles Bridges fit the bill for the type of player the Knicks are seeking in the NBA Draft. Both players are roughly the same size, have similar names and are expected to be available when the Knicks select a player with their ninth overall pick. Marc Berman of the New York Post breaks down both players, examining which one is a better fit for New York’s roster.
Ian Begley of ESPN has several notes pertaining to the Knicks’ draft strategy for next month. League officials have said that Missouri’s Michael Porter Jr. and Wendell Carter Jr. have been mentioned by Knicks officials as possible targets but it’s unlikely either is available by the time the Knicks’ turn comes. Also, Begley notes Mikal Bridges is currently ranked ahead of Miles Bridges by the Knicks.
Derek Bodner of The Athletic (subscription required) answers several Sixers-related questions in his latest mailbag. In particular, Bodner addresses the possibility of Philadelphia pursuing Kawhi Leonard and how he would fit on the current roster.

Cavs Notes: James, Love, Green

May 27th, 2018 at 1:44pm CST by marksuleymanov

The Cavaliers are set to face the Celtics in Boston tonight in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, setting the stage for the victor to advance to the NBA Finals. This is not unfamiliar territory for LeBron James, who has almost single-handedly willed the Cavaliers to this juncture, looking to advance to his eighth straight NBA Finals.

As both teams prepare for tipoff, this scenario is eerily similar to one James encountered eight years ago when the Cavaliers traveled to Boston for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Jimmy Golen of the Associated Press writes. James posted a triple-double in a losing effort and then weeks later, made the decision to leave Cleveland in free agency. A lot has been made of James’ upcoming free agency and whether or not he bolts this summer, but his teammates feel another trip to the NBA Finals is possible.

“There’s something different about LeBron, period,” Larry Nance Jr. said. “I think (coach Tyronn Lue) said it best: ‘We’re going into a Game 7 with the baddest dude on the planet on our team.’ I like our chances.”

Check out more Cavaliers notes below:

James’ return to Cleveland ahead of the 2014/15 NBA season has been nothing short of success. He helped guide the organization to its first NBA title in 2016 and with a win tonight, the Cavaliers will have made the NBA Finals in every season since his comeback. Jerry Bembry of The Undefeated breaks down the implications of James’ potential departure from Cleveland and his legacy, regardless of tonight’s outcome.
Kevin Love, who is currently in the NBA’s concussion protocol, will not play in today’s decisive Game 7. However, that does not necessarily give an advantage to the Celtics, A. Sherrod Blakley of NBC Sports Boston writes. The absence of Love likely means a heavier dose of James, Nance, and Jeff Green on Al Horford, who did a fine job defending him in Game 6.
Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue confirmed that Green will start in place of Love, Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com writes. “I think he attacked the small guys, the switches, and took his time, did a good job attacking, rebounded the ball well,” Lue said of Green’s Game 6 effort. “I just think defensively being able to switch and guard multiple positions, that’s huge for us.

Weekly Mailbag: 5/21/18 – 5/27/18

May 27th, 2018 at 12:56pm 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.

Would beating the Celtics in Game 7 make LeBron James more likely or less likely to leave the Cavaliers this summer? — Daniel, via Twitter

There’s a school of thought that LeBron returned to Cleveland four years ago because he felt he owed a debt to the city. That was paid off with the championship in 2016, and another Finals appearance would only add to his legacy. It also removes any obligation he might feel about staying. When LeBron ponders his future this summer, his main focus will be whether any situation gives him a better shot at winning than staying with the Cavaliers does. If the team had fallen in the first round against Indiana or the second round against Toronto, that might have helped push him out of town, but now it’s clear that the Cavs are still among the top teams in the East and can remain there with a roster upgrade. Win or lose, tonight’s game probably won’t factor into his free agency decision.

Which players should be on the Bucks’ radar and who are the top three most likely players to land in Milwaukee? — Dan Vachalek, via Twitter

The Bucks are over the salary cap, even without making a decision on restricted free agent Jabari Parker, so they won’t be able to chase any elite free agents. Milwaukee could use another 3-point shooter, more scoring off the bench and rebounding help, but they’ll have to address those needs in affordable ways. They might get some help in the draft, where they have the No. 17 pick, but if you’re looking for free agent targets, Tyreke Evans could be a possibility with the mid-level exception, as could veteran guards Avery Bradley and Danny Green.

With the Warriors now having a legitimate challenger in the Western Conference, how many more seasons will they be favored to win the NBA title? — JR, via Twitter

Age isn’t a concern — Golden State’s four All-Stars are 28 to 30 — so the Warriors could still have another three- to four-year run of championships if the roster stays together. The more immediate obstacles are financial. Kevin Durant has a player option for next season, but he isn’t going anywhere. However, if he winds up with a max contract similar to Stephen Curry‘s, Golden State will be spending about two thirds of its cap room on two players. Klay Thompson‘s contract expires after next season, and Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala both follow in 2019/20. The Warriors have Bird rights on all those players, so they can hold onto them as long as they’re willing to pay an escalating luxury tax, but the point will eventually come where the roster is too expensive to keep together.

Hornets Notes: Walker, Whiteside, Draft, Salary Cap

May 27th, 2018 at 11:41am CST by Arthur Hill

The lack of teams with cap space and a weak crop of free agent point guards could work to the Hornets’ advantage if they decide to trade Kemba Walker, writes Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer. That’s the assessment of ESPN’s Bobby Marks, a former executive with the Nets, who thinks Walker will reach his peak trade value this summer. Walker has one year left on his contract, and Marks states that teams would rather pick up a player in the offseason rather than close to the trade deadline.

Addressing trade rumors during the season, team owner Michael Jordan said he would only consider moving Walker if it meant getting an All-Star in return. Marks considers that unrealistic, saying a lottery pick is likely the best the Hornets can hope for. The franchise is near the tax threshold and would like to unload one of its expensive contracts in any Walker deal, but Marks says that will only happen if Walker’s new team gets assurances he will re-sign.

There’s more today from Charlotte:

Hassan Whiteside would help the Hornets get younger at center, but his contract woudn’t make him a wise pickup, Bonnell cautions in a separate piece. Whiteside clashed with Heat coach Erik Spoelstra this season over reduced playing time, and there are indications out of Miami that the team would like to deal him. Charlotte has Dwight Howard signed for one more year at $23.8MM, while Whiteside is owed $25.4MM next season with a $27MM player option for 2019/20. Bonnell doubts the investment in Whiteside would be worth it, considering the NBA is trending away from traditional low-post centers.
In another story, Bonnell analyzes the Hornets’ draft prospects and takes a look at new GM Mitch Kupchak’s drafting history. Bonnell identifies a top eight of DeAndre Ayton, Luka Doncic, Marvin Bagley III, Jaren Jackson Jr., Mo Bamba, Michael Porter, Wendell Carter and Trae Young, and states that anyone else has a reasonable chance of being available when Charlotte picks at No. 11.
This year’s extended playoffs, which feature a seventh game in both conference finals for the first time since 1979, will provide the NBA with extra revenue that will affect next year’s salary cap, Bonnell tweets. That should raise the $101MM cap projection at least slightly and benefit cash-strapped teams like the Hornets, who already have $117.9MM in committed salary for next season.

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