2018 June | Hoops Rumors

Nuggets Decline Nikola Jokic’s Option, Extend QO

June 25th, 2018 at 10:20pm CST by clarkcrum

JUNE 25, 10:20pm: The Nuggets filed the paperwork to decline their team option late Monday night, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets. That clears the way for Jokic to sign what will likely be a five-year max contract next month, Wojnarowski adds.

JUNE 25, 2:19pm: The Nuggets have officially extended a qualifying offer to Jokic, per RealGM’s transactions log. That’s a signal that the club has formally turned down his option.

As we heard earlier today, Jokic and the Nuggets are expected to finalize a five-year, maximum-salary contract once free agency begins.

JUNE 24, 1:50pm: In a story primarily regarding the decision of Wilson Chandler to exercise his player option with the Nuggets for the 2018/19 season, Gina Mizell of The Denver Post is reporting that a league source says Denver will decline the $1.6MM team option for franchise big man Nikola Jokic.

By declining the option, the Nuggets will make Jokic a restricted free agent eligible to sign a maximum-salary contract with Denver this summer – something that Jokic’s camp has been jockeying for since early-May (link).

The reported declination, while substantial, really comes as no surprise, with Jokic’s agent telling the Nuggets earlier this year that picking up his client’s 2018/19 option would hinder Denver’s chances of locking Jokic up long-term.

Moreover, if Denver does exercise the option, Jokic would become an unrestricted free agent next summer, leaving the Nuggets without a right of first refusal during free agency

“Nikola’s going to be here for a long, long time,” president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said following Thursday night’s 2018 NBA draft. “I think whatever we do, we’re going to ensure he’s here as long as possible. When that moment happens, we’re going to talk to Nikola and his brothers and his representation. He’ll be in Denver for a long, long time. He’ll be buying (a home) here.”

Assuming the report is accurate and the Nuggets decline his option, Jokic, 23, will be eligible to sign a five-year contract worth approximately $146.45MM this summer.

Harden Tops James, Davis For MVP Award

June 25th, 2018 at 9:56pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Rockets guard James Harden was named the league’s Most Valuable Player during the NBA’s second annual awards show.

Harden topped the Cavaliers’ LeBron James and the Pelicans’ Anthony Davis for the league’s most coveted individual award. Harden finished second in the voting last season to the Thunder’s Russell Westbrook.

Harden led the league in scoring at 30.4 PPG. He was fourth in assists (8.8) and second in 3-pointers made per game (3.7) while also finishing in the top 10 in steals (1.8). Houston’s regular-season success, with its league-best 65-17 record, played a role in Harden’s victory.

The Cavaliers needed James’ Herculean efforts just to finish fourth in the East. He averaged 27.5 PPG, 8.6 RPG and 9.1 APG while appearing in all 82 contests.

Davis led the Pelicans to the playoffs, and a first-round knockout of the Trail Blazers, despite DeMarcus Cousins‘ season-ending Achilles injury. He posted averages of 28.1 PPG, 11.1 RPG and 2.6 BPG.

Here are the other awards announced on Monday night:

Rookie of the Year: Ben Simmons, Sixers
Coach of the Year: Dwane Casey, Raptors
Sixth Man of the Year: Lou Williams, Clippers
Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert, Jazz
Most Improved Player: Victor Oladipo, Pacers

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Dwane Casey Chosen Coach Of Year

June 25th, 2018 at 8:52pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Dwane Casey was named the league’s Coach of the Year at the NBA’s second annual awards show.

This continues the awkwardness of Casey getting a top coaching award for his efforts with a franchise that fired him after the playoffs. He was let go by the Raptors after they were swept by the Cavaliers. His peers at the National Basketball Coaches Association also named him their Coach of the Year days before he fired.

He was named the Pistons’ new head coach earlier this month.

The Jazz’s Quin Snyder and Celtics’ Brad Stevens were the other finalists. The Rockets’ Mike D’Antoni earned the honor the previous season.

Lou Williams Wins Sixth Man Award

June 25th, 2018 at 8:39pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Lou Williams career year earned him the league’s Sixth Man of the Year award, it was announced at the NBA’s annual awards show. The 31-year-old Clippers guard easily beat out the other finalists, the Rockets’ Eric Gordon and the Raptors’ Fred VanVleet.

Williams had always provided instant offense off the bench during his career but he turned it a couple of notches this past season. He easily surpassed his previous scoring standards by averaging 22.6 PPG while dishing out 5.3 APG, another career best. Williams shot 43.5% from the field and 35.9% on 3-point attempts in 79 games in 19 career starts.

Williams scored 30 or more points in 17 games and blew up for a career-best 50 points against the Warriors on January 10th. Gordon won the award in 2017 while Williams was one of the finalists.

Rudy Gobert Named Defensive Player Of Year

June 25th, 2018 at 8:38pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Jazz center Rudy Gobert was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year at the NBA’s second annual awards show.

Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis and Sixers center Joel Embiid were the other finalists.

Gobert was a finalist in 2017 but the award went to the Warriors’ Draymond Green. Gobert finished second to Davis in blocks this past season with an average of 2.27 per game but his overall defensive excellence won him the honor.

Victor Oladipo Captures Most Improved Award

June 25th, 2018 at 8:29pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Pacers guard Victor Oladipo was named the league’s Most Improved Player award, it was announced during the NBA’s annual awards broadcast.

He beat out Rockets center Clint Capela and Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie, as expected. Oladipo blossomed into a star after getting dealt by the Thunder in the Paul George blockbuster.

Oladipo averaged 23.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG and 5.2 APG while leading the Pacers to the playoffs, where they pushed the Cavaliers to the brink before succumbing in seven games. He also shot a career-best 47.7% from the field and 37.1% from 3-point range.

Oladipo had never averaged more than 17.9 PPG in his previous four seasons.

Ben Simmons Wins Rookie Of Year

June 25th, 2018 at 8:21pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Sixers point guard Ben Simmons beat out a strong field to win the league’s Rookie of the Year award, it was announced during the NBA’s Second Annual Awards show.

Simmons was the top pick of the 2016 draft but his debut was delayed a season by a foot injury. Once he returned, Simmons quickly showed what all the fuss was about. He guided the Sixers to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, where they fell to the Celtics.

The 6’10” Simmons was a triple-double threat every game while posting averages of 15.8 PPG, 8.1 RPG and 8.2 APG. He shot 54.5% from the field by confining himself inside the 3-point arc, as he failed to make a 3-point try.

Donovan Mitchell (Jazz) and Jayson Tatum (Celtics) were the other finalists. Malcolm Brogdon (Bucks) was the 2017 winner.

Danny Green Exercises Option, Stays With Spurs

June 25th, 2018 at 7:07pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Shooting guard Danny Green has exercised his player option of $10MM for next season to remain with the Spurs, Adrian Wojnarowksi of ESPN tweets.

The San Antonio Express-News reported last week that Green would likely pick up his option.

Green, 31, appeared in 70 games last season and averaged 8.6 PPG and 3.6 RPG with a shooting line of .387/.363/.769.

Although Green profiles as a three-and-D wing, his ability to knock down outside shots has wavered a little in recent years. He has converted just 35.7% of his three-point attempts over the last three seasons.

Considering that drop in performances plus his age, Green would have struggled to find a suitor who would have paid him more than his current salary. League sources told Young that Green would probably have received offers in the mid-level range ($5-8MM) if he opts out.

With Green staying, the Spurs will now have approximately $88.4MM in guaranteed salaries for next season. That figure doesn’t include cap charges for free agents Tony Parker and Kyle Anderson, or for Rudy Gay and Joffrey Lauvergne, who also hold player options — Gay is expected to opt out.

Adrian Griffin Reaches Agreement To Join Raptors’ Staff

June 25th, 2018 at 6:30pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Thunder assistant coach Adrian Griffin has agreed to join the Raptors’ staff as the lead assistant to new head coach Nick Nurse, Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports reports.

Griffin served as an assistant to Billy Donovan the past two seasons. Griffin, who had a nine-year playing career, has also coached with the Bucks, Bulls and Magic.

Griffin interviewed for head coaching openings with the Rockets and Magic prior to joining Donovan’s staff.

League Approves Debt Limit Increase For Owners

June 25th, 2018 at 4:47pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The league has raised the debt limit of owners to $325MM, a move that should lessen the impact of increased payrolls and luxury-tax payments next season, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

The rising value and financial health of NBA franchises was the primary reason for the decision, Wojnarowski continues. Teams with cash flow problems already have mechanisms to get relief but the ability to take on debt is often focused on infrastructure and facility improvements, Wojnarowski notes.

The $325MM debt limit is a $75MM increase and the first time it’s been raised since 2014. The Board of Governors approved the move on Friday but it didn’t become public until Monday.

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