2018 November | Hoops Rumors

Kemba Walker “Couldn’t Care Less About Big Markets”

November 28th, 2018 at 1:29pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Some within the Hornets‘ organization feel that Kemba Walker may be as meaningful to the franchise as Stephen Curry is to the Warriors in terms of relative importance and cultural influence, Zach Lowe of ESPN.com writes in his latest piece. The 28-year-old point guard enjoys his role in elevating the franchise.

“These guys believed in me,” Walker said. “I couldn’t care less about big markets. That’s not who I am. I want to make this place big. I want to be in the playoffs every year. I want to make Charlotte pop.”

Walker is in the final year of one of the league’s most team-friendly contracts, one that pays him $12MM per season. However, the deal didn’t always seem like such as bargain, as Lowe details.

Walker was navigating his way through his rookie deal and his shooting numbers—which were a red flag of his during pre-draft workout—weren’t improving. When he was up for a rookie-scale extension, Charlotte’s offer topped out at $10MM annually, per Lowe, and Walker wanted his agent Jeff Schwartz to accept it, threatening to call the team and make the deal himself if he didn’t.

The Hornets eventually budged, going to the $12MM annual value, and over the ensuing years, Walker has made critical adjustments to his game to set him up for a much bigger payday once that deal expires.

If Walker makes an All-NBA team this year, the Hornets will be able offer him a designated veteran contract, starting at 35% of next year’s salary cap (roughly $220MM over five years). If he doesn’t, Charlotte can still offer a five-year deal worth approximately $189MM. Lowe speculates that the Hornets could find common ground on a five-year deal in the $163MM range since no rival team could offer him more than a four-year pact.

NBA Announces Deal With Sportsbooks

November 28th, 2018 at 11:55am CST by Arthur Hill

The NBA has announced an agreement to provide official data to licensed sportsbooks to help them set in-game betting odds, writes David Purdum of ESPN.

The partnership, which is the first of its kind with a U.S. oddsmaker, will give Genius Sports and Sportradar nonexclusive rights to create betting data pertaining to the NBA and WNBA. Both companies have worked closely with the NBA in the past, Purdum adds.

“We feel strongly that official NBA betting data provides the best experience for our fans,” said NBA vice president and head of fantasy and gaming Scott Kaufman-Ross. “We want all legal operators to be using official data, and this framework ensures that there is a competitive marketplace for it.”

Live in-game betting is already common overseas and is gaining popularity in the United States, according to Purdum, who notes that United Kingdom bookmakers say they receive more bets during games than beforehand. The NBA believes the speed and reliability of its official data will help provide more accurate betting odds.

“We see the market evolving more and more toward live betting, and having the ability of providing reliable, accurate and timely information to the [bettors] is absolutely crucial,” said Sportradar U.S. president Matteo Monteverdi.

Previously, the NBA issued its official data only to international bookmakers in areas where sports betting is allowed by law. The American market was opened by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in May that struck down a federal law limiting state-sponsored sports betting primarily to Nevada. Seven states have opened legal sportsbooks since that case was decided.

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Cavaliers Willing To Accept Long-Term Salary In Trades

November 28th, 2018 at 10:58am CST by Arthur Hill

As the Cavaliers look to unload some of their expensive veterans, they have informed teams that they will take on long-term salary in exchange for other assets, reports Brian Windhorst of ESPN.

With LeBron James gone and the playoffs seemingly out of reach, Cleveland has no interest in holding onto large contracts that will keep the organization near the luxury tax. The Cavs have already informally parted ways with J.R. Smith as they search for a taker for his $14.72MM salary, and several other players could be moved before the February 7 trade deadline.

Kyle Korver, who remains a dangerous 3-point shooter at age 37, should attract the most attention, according to Windhorst. Korver is shooting 46% from beyond the arc and is averaging 6.8 PPG. He is making $7.56MM with a $7.5MM salary for next season that won’t be guaranteed until July.

George Hill, who makes $19MM this season but only has a $1MM guarantee on his $18MM salary for 2019/20, will also be in demand, Windhorst adds. Hill is sidelined with a shoulder injury, but put up good numbers before being hurt. Channing Frye, who makes a modest $1.5MM but has only appeared in three games, is another candidate to go.

Windhorst notes that owner Dan Gilbert conducted a similar selloff when James left the team in 2010. The assets he collected in that process enabled him to bring in Kevin Love and some other valuable pieces when James returned four years later.

John Henson Has Surgery On His Left Wrist

November 28th, 2018 at 10:41am CST by Luke Adams

NOVEMBER 28: Henson underwent successful surgery, the team announced on its website. The Bucks are hoping he will be back for the playoffs or maybe even earlier, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

NOVEMBER 16: Bucks backup center John Henson will undergo surgery after being diagnosed with a torn ligament in his left wrist, the team announced today in a press release. Henson initially sustained the injury on November 6 before reporting additional discomfort after Milwaukee’s game on Wednesday, per the club.

While the Bucks don’t provide a specific timeline on Henson’s recovery in their announcement, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports (via Twitter) that the big man is expected to be sidelined for at least the next 12 weeks. While Henson plans to return this season, it likely won’t happen until after February’s All-Star break, according to Charania.

It’s a tough break for the Bucks and for Henson, who had been giving the team solid minutes as Brook Lopez‘s backup at the five. In 14 games (13.4 MPG), the 27-year-old had recorded 5.6 PPG and 5.1 RPG. He has even added a three-point shot to his game this season under new head coach Mike Budenholzer, making 0.8 threes per game at a 35.5% rate.

With Henson on the shelf, Thon Maker figures to take on a larger role off Milwaukee’s bench, while Christian Wood could also get a chance to earn minutes.

The Bucks’ update today also notes that Donte DiVincenzo will miss at least the next three games after suffering a minor left quadriceps strain. Pat Connaughton figures to be first in line to help replace DiVincenzo’s production.

Knicks Notes: Lee, Dotson, Playoffs, Trier

November 28th, 2018 at 10:00am CST by Arthur Hill

Courtney Lee is almost ready for his season debut after overcoming a neck problem, but the Knicks may not have a regular role for him, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post.

Lee said he needs two more practices before playing again, which puts his first game on Saturday at the earliest. The injury occurred when he was hit while driving to the basket during training camp, leaving him with pain in his chest and back. He still gets occasional spasms, but said the pain is mostly under control.

“Definitely gotta get in practice to get my timing down, learn all the plays,” Lee said. “I pretty much know all of them. But [new coach David Fizdale] changed a couple wrinkles in some. Gotta get in there and feel comfortable with the guys, grow some chemistry. Once I get that rhythm, I should be fine from there. Definitely need multiple practices.”

The Knicks have plenty of depth at shooting guard and small forward, so it’s not clear how much playing time Lee will receive once he’s available. The team would like to find a taker for his contract, which pays him $12.25MM this season and $12.76MM in 2019/20.

There’s more this morning from New York:

Damyean Dotson, who has been the subject of trade inquiries as his playing time has dropped, put on an impressive performance in last night’s loss to the Pistons, Berman notes in a separate story. With Mario Hezonja in foul trouble, Fizdale called on Dotson, who responded by making six of eight shots and scoring 17 points. “You’re always right there even if you haven’t played a game or two,’’ Fizdale said. “He stepped up big time. That’s what you call a pro.” If the Knicks don’t trade Dotson, they’ll face a decision this summer as his $1.6MM salary for next season won’t become guaranteed until July 15.
At 7-15, the Knicks are on the verge of playoff contention, but Fizdale doesn’t want that to become a distraction, Berman adds in another piece. Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Enes Kanter all recently said the postseason is their goal, but Fizdale wants to emphasize development. “I’m keeping them focused on the work,’’ he said. “We’re going to keep working at what we do. Trying to stay in the details of our development and our growth and our competition.”
Allonzo Trier is on our list of the two-way players most likely to have their deals converted to standard contracts as soon as next month.

Chris Andersen Still Hopes For NBA Return

November 28th, 2018 at 8:56am CST by Arthur Hill

Could the “Birdman” be flying back into the NBA? Chris Andersen, who spent 16 years in the league, spoke with reporters at the Nuggets game last night and emphasized that he hasn’t officially retired from basketball, tweets Duvalier Johnson of Mile High Sports.

Andersen, who played in the BIG3 League over the summer, said he could bring veteran leadership to a team and provide help on defense and in the locker room.

The 40-year-old hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2016/17 season, when he got into 12 games with the Cavaliers. In February of 2017, he was traded to the Hornets, who immediately waived him.

Andersen, who served as a backup center with the Heat during the LeBron James era, had his best years with Denver, spending seven seasons there. He was never a big scorer, but was a fan favorite as an intense competitor with an outlandish appearance and personality. He saluted the Nuggets’ faithful during Tuesday’s brief session with reporters.

“All the years, and all the games that there was a snow storm or it was -20 degrees outside or really cold, the fans always showed up,” Andersen told Jeff Bailey of The Denver Post. “They always showed up, and those were always the greatest memories because they were the ones that influenced me to play harder and faster all the way to the end.”

Terry Rozier Discusses His Future, Desire To Start

November 27th, 2018 at 11:03pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Terry Rozier showcased his ability to be a starting point guard in the NBA during last season’s playoffs, yet he’s stuck behind Kyrie Irving in Boston. Rozier’s future with the club remains unclear, as he will be a restricted free agent after the season. During an appearance on Rick Pitino’s podcast, he spoke about his desire to run with the first team.

“I’m going into my fifth year after this, so I would love to start,” Rozier told Pitino (via Darren Hartwell of NBC Sports). “Nothing is wrong with being the sixth man coming off the bench, but I don’t really look at myself as that. But that’s not my main focus. Of course I want to win. I’ve been a winner all my life, coming through your program and then being with the Boston Celtics.

“I like winning. I don’t know how I can adjust if I try to take a starting job somewhere but I’m playing for an awful team and we’re not winning no more. It’s just something that I don’t think that I can adjust to — being around people that’s OK with just losing.”

Rozier said he wants to keep his options open. “I feel like I’ve seen a lot in these four years how much a business this is. I think I should get everything I deserve,” he explained.

GM Danny Ainge is a huge fan of Rozier, though it will difficult for the Celtics to pay top dollar for a player who won’t be able to crack the starting five. That scenario assumes Irving stays put, as the former No. 1 pick stated he would. Should Irving change course and depart as a free agent this summer, Scary Terry may be able to find “everything” he’s looking for without leaving town.

Jimmy Butler “Loving” His Time With The Sixers

November 27th, 2018 at 10:05pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Jimmy Butler will be a free agent after the season and while Butler warned that it’s too early to talk about his future, he recently told the media that he can picture himself staying in Philadelphia long-term.

“I could see this being home,” Butler recently said (video link via Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer).

Prior to the deal that sent Butler to the Sixers, it was rumored that the Knicks were one of his preferred destinations. New York will have the cap space to sign the four-time All-Star outright this summer, though it sounds like any interest in the Big Apple has curtailed.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t even talk about the trade no more, because I’m here, and I’m loving it here. All of that is in the past. So I leave it just there,” he said (via Pompey in a full-length piece).

Butler did add that New York is a “good, young team” that plays hard. “They got some guys that can put the ball in the basket,” he continued. The Sixers will play the Knicks four times this season with the first coming on Wednesday night.

NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 11/27/18

November 27th, 2018 at 8:28pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Here are Tuesday’s G League assignments and recalls from across the NBA:

The Suns assigned De’Anthony Melton to the Northern Arizona Suns, according to the team’s website. This will be Melton’s third stint in the G League this year.
The Clippers have recalled Jerome Robinson and Sindarius Thornwell from their G League affiliate, the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario, per the team’s Twitter feed.
The Magic have recalled Melvin Frazier Jr. from the Lakeland Magic, according to the team’s Twitter feed. The rookie has appeared in two games for the NBA club, seeing a total of 11 minutes.

Rockets Looking For Wing Help

November 27th, 2018 at 7:30pm CST by ChrisCrouse

The Rockets‘ primary focus is acquiring wing talent, sources tell Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Iko’s source described Houston’s intensity in searching for a trade as “not in emergency mode, but not sitting back either.”

The Rockets have spoken to the Wizards about potential, trades but no player has been involved in “deep discussions” yet. Iko speculates that Markieff Morris, Jeff Green, and Kelly Oubre would fit what Houston is looking for.

Houston is also keeping an eye on the Cavaliers‘ situation. Cleveland guard J.R. Smith is currently on the trade block and the Cavs could look to move other veterans before the trade deadline.

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