2018 December | Hoops Rumors

Poll: 2018/19 NBA MVP Race

December 28th, 2018 at 3:56pm CST by Luke Adams

We’re nearing the halfway mark of the 2018/19 NBA regular season, and a clear favorite has emerged in this season’s MVP race.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has led the Bucks to a 24-10 record (second-best in the NBA) with a +8.4 net rating (first). He’s averaging 26.5 PPG on an eye-popping .581 FG% and has posted career highs in RPG (12.8) and APG (5.9) while also chipping in excellent defensive numbers (1.3 SPG, 1.5 BPG).

By maximizing their roster around Antetokounmpo and bringing in a coach (Mike Budenholzer) who can get the most out of those players, the Bucks have paved the way for their 24-year-old star to take his game to the next level, and he looks like the frontrunner to snatch the 2018/19 NBA MVP award at this point.

We still have three and a half months to play though, and several other viable MVP candidates are looking to challenge Giannis. One is the reigning MVP, James Harden, whose league-leading 32.7 PPG have been buoyed by an eight-game run in which he has averaged a staggering 40.5 PPG. After a big Rockets win over the Celtics on Thursday night, Harden said there should be no doubt that he’s a candidate to win another MVP award, as Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com details.

“I mean, I receive a lot of hate, but it won’t stop me from going out there and killing every single night, being that dog that I am,” Harden said. “You can name a few other people that should be in the [MVP] conversation. But realistically? It’s coming back.”

Elsewhere in the West, the conference-leading Nuggets have a candidate of their own in Nikola Jokic, according to Ben Alamar of The Athletic, who explains why it’s not outlandish to consider the young center a realistic contender for the award. Jokic, who has always been an excellent offensive player, has made strides on defense and helped Denver post a 105.4 defensive rating (seventh) so far.

Warriors stars Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry have been as good as ever this season, though they’ll likely split votes and will face an uphill battle if Golden State doesn’t win at least 55-60 games. The Thunder have a pair of stars too, and despite Russell Westbrook averaging a triple-double again, it’s probably Paul George who deserves more MVP consideration at this point — George is averaging career bests in PPG (26.3) and RPG (8.4) while playing solid perimeter defense.

LeBron James had been putting together a strong case for the Lakers before being sidelined by a strained groin this week. That injury could actually work in his favor if he doesn’t miss much time and L.A. struggles to keep winning in his absence. Kawhi Leonard deserves a long look for the NBA-best Raptors, but he has already missed nine games and Toronto has done just fine (7-2) without him.

Joel Embiid has been the best player on a Sixers team stacked with talent, and the same is true of Kyrie Irving and the Celtics. Anthony Davis is also having another monster year, though he’ll need the 15-20 Pelicans to go on a prolonged hot streak to receive serious MVP consideration.

In today’s poll, we’re asking which player should be considered the most serious threat to Antetokounmpo in this season’s MVP race. Place your vote below, then head to the comment section to make your case for your pick — or to explain why Giannis shouldn’t necessarily be the considered the odds-on favorite.

Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.

Dinwiddie Extension Good News For Rozier, Russell?

December 28th, 2018 at 2:45pm CST by Luke Adams

League executives at last week’s G League Showcase in Las Vegas were “raving” about the Nets‘ deal to lock up Spencer Dinwiddie to a three-year, $34.3MM extension, comparing it to the Clippers‘ three-year, $24MM agreement with Lou Williams, writes ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Insider-only link).

According to Marks, two teams he spoke to in Vegas had Dinwiddie ranked as the third-best point guard in the 2019 free agent class before he signed his extension, placing him behind only Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker. That would have put Dinwiddie ahead of younger players like Terry Rozier (Celtics) and D’Angelo Russell (Nets), both of whom are on track for restricted free agency.

Rozier and Russell should benefit from Dinwiddie’s deal, since it takes one of 2019’s top FA point guards off the board and could create additional competition for their services. According to Marks, league execs in Vegas last week identified the Magic and Suns as probable suitors for Rozier and Russell, though the Celtics and Nets will have the upper hand until an offer sheet is on the table.

Here’s more from Marks:

Teams are monitoring Markelle Fultz, not just to keep an eye on his health and future, but also to see how Fultz’s status will impact Sixers teammate T.J. McConnell, according to Marks. McConnell is headed for unrestricted free agency and is unlikely to get an in-season extension if Philadelphia intends to maximize its 2019 cap room. McConnell could command a salary in the $5-7MM range, Marks notes.
Teams around the NBA believe there could be a strong group of buyout candidates available later this season. According to Marks, the veteran players that clubs are keeping an eye on include Carmelo Anthony, Robin Lopez, Zach Randolph, Anthony Tolliver, Enes Kanter, Kenneth Faried, Jerryd Bayless, Iman Shumpert, Kosta Koufos, Alec Burks, J.R. Smith, and Jabari Parker. Some of those vets may be traded and some figure to remain with their current teams, but I could definitely see several of them ending up on the buyout market.

Thunder Waive Davis, Sign Grantham To Two-Way Deal

December 28th, 2018 at 1:53pm CST by Luke Adams

DECEMBER 28: The Thunder have officially signed Grantham to a two-way contract, the club confirmed today in a press release.

DECEMBER 27: The Thunder are turning over one of their two-way contract slots, announcing today in a press release that they’ve waived center Tyler Davis. According to Brett Dawson of The Athletic (via Twitter), Oklahoma City will replace Davis by signing Donte Grantham to a two-way contract.

Davis, who went undrafted in June after forgoing his final year of college eligibility to declare as an early entrant, signed a two-way contract with the Thunder in August. The 21-year-old big man appeared very briefly in just a single game for OKC, but racked up double-doubles for the club’s G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue. In 15 NBAGL games, Davis averaged 17.2 PPG and 11.5 RPG in 26.7 minutes per contest.

As for Grantham, this will technically be the second stint with the Thunder for the former Clemson forward. Grantham, who tore his ACL during his senior season, signed a camp deal with Oklahoma City during the offseason, but was cut before the regular season began and joined the Blue. He has posted 10.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 2.8 APG with a .400 3PT% in nine G League games so far, as he gets back to full health.

There will likely be plenty of turnover in the two-way ranks in the coming weeks, since January 15 represents the deadline for clubs to sign players to two-way deals in 2018/19.

Rookie swingman Deonte Burton holds the other two-way contract slot in OKC.

Marvin Bagley III Out At Least Two More Weeks

December 28th, 2018 at 1:43pm CST by Luke Adams

An on-court return isn’t imminent for Kings rookie Marvin Bagley III, according to a press release issued by the team. While Bagley is making progress in his recovery from a left knee bone bruise, he isn’t expected to resume full basketball activities for about two more weeks.

Bagley, who suffered his knee injury on December 14 against Golden State, was initially ruled out for at least 10-14 days. He hasn’t suffered any setbacks, but Sacramento announced a new recovery timetable as a result of a re-evaluation today.

The second overall pick in this year’s draft, Bagley had settled into a regular role off the Kings’ bench, averaging 12.7 PPG and 6.1 RPG in his first 26 games (23.1 MPG) in the NBA.

In Bagley’s absence, starting power forward Nemanja Bjelica has seen a slight uptick in his minutes, while Justin Jackson has played more frequently at the four. Harry Giles and Skal Labissiere have also seen some occasional playing time up front.

Warriors Notes: McCaw, Slump, Green

December 28th, 2018 at 1:06pm CST by Luke Adams

Patrick McCaw has officially signed his two-year, $6MM offer sheet with the Cavaliers, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). However, the Warriors are still waiting to receive a copy of it, Haynes notes. Once they do, they’ll have two full days to finalize a decision on whether or not they want to match it.

Mark Medina of The Bay Area News Group suggests (via Twitter) that the Warriors’ potential interest in matching the Cavaliers’ offer may be more about maximizing an asset rather than actually retaining McCaw long term. Golden State is mindful of its projected tax bill and will consider how McCaw would be welcomed back into the locker room after his lengthy absence, Medina adds.

Although McCaw’s offer sheet with the Cavaliers is non-guaranteed, that won’t give the Warriors much added flexibility as they weigh their decision. The league-wide salary guarantee date is January 10, and a non-guaranteed player must clear waivers before then to avoid having his full cap hit apply to team salary. In other words, even if the Dubs match McCaw’s offer, they’d have to make a decision on him by January 7, and he wouldn’t be trade-eligible during the 2018/19 season.

Here’s more on the Warriors:

Multiple reports have suggested that McCaw appears to want to leave the Warriors. Logan Murdock of The Bay Area News Group adds some more context on that subject, tweeting that McCaw felt like the team’s coaches and staff didn’t adequately communicate with him during his free agency process. One of his only conversations with the club during the offseason involved negotiations to give up his No. 0 to DeMarcus Cousins, according to Murdock.
Despite a rare slump (13-12 in their last 25 games), Warriors head coach Steve Kerr remains optimistic about his club’s outlook, writes Nick Friedell of ESPN.com. “The bar’s been set high,” Kerr said on Wednesday. “I told our guys that; I gave them that line today. You guys have set the bar really high. So everything takes on a little greater sense of urgency in terms of what happens around the team. We’re maybe the most scrutinized team in the history of the league. … As long as you keep responding, keep showing up to work, keep sticking together, keep working, good things are going to happen. That’s what I believe with this group.”
Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic explores the adjustments that the Warriors and Draymond Green need to make to bounce back from their recent swoon, while Drew Shiller of NBC Sports Bay Area explains why he’s still buying stock in Green, who is struggling on offense.

Rajon Rondo Expected To Miss 4-5 Weeks

December 28th, 2018 at 12:17pm CST by Luke Adams

12:17pm: Rondo underwent surgery today to repair a ligament in his right ring finger, the Lakers announced in a press release. He’s expected to make a full recovery in about four or five weeks, according to the team.

11:03am: A frustrating season for Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo has taken another unfortunate turn, as the finger injury he suffered earlier this week will require surgery, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter links). According to Charania, Rondo is expected to miss about four weeks of action after undergoing the procedure on his right hand.

That right hand has been banged up for much of the 2018/19 season, as Rondo already missed a month due to a separate surgical procedure on the hand. He had been back on the court for just three games before being sidelined again, and has appeared in only 14 total games for the Lakers so far this season.

With Rondo likely out of action until late January, the Lakers will be without two of their veteran leaders for the short term. LeBron James is battling a strained groin, and while the team is calling him day-to-day, he’s reportedly expected to miss at least a few games.

In the absence of Rondo and James, the Lakers will lean more heavily on point guard Lonzo Ball and forward Brandon Ingram. Both youngsters played well in Los Angeles’ loss to the Kings on Thursday night — Ingram posted 22 points, while Ball nearly had a triple-double (20 points, 12 assists, nine rebounds).

Alexis Ajinca To Play In France

December 28th, 2018 at 12:14pm CST by Luke Adams

Veteran NBA big man Alexis Ajinca is headed overseas, with French team ASVEL Basket announcing today in a press release that it has reached an agreement to sign Ajinca (hat tip to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando).

Ajinca, the 20th overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft, has appeared in 293 total regular season games, averaging 5.3 PPG and 3.9 RPG in 13.3 minutes per contest.

Frequently slowed by health problems throughout his career, Ajinca spent the last several years with the Pelicans, but missed the entire 2017/18 season with a knee injury. He was subsequently traded to the Clippers in an offseason deal for Wesley Johnson, then was waived by Los Angeles, making him a free agent.

Ajinca’s new deal with ASVEL – the French team run by veteran NBA point guard Tony Parker – represents a homecoming for the 30-year-old. Ajinca was born in France and spent the early years of his professional career playing there. He also had a stint in his home country from 2011 to 2013, when he played for Strasbourg.

NBA Issues Memo Reminding Teams Of Tampering Rules

December 28th, 2018 at 10:21am CST by Luke Adams

The NBA has issued a memo to all 30 of its teams, reminding them about the rules – and warning them of the consequences – related to tampering, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The league’s statement to clubs indicates that “employment contracts are to be respected and conduct that interferes with contractual employment relationships is prohibited.”

The memo is presumably a response to last week’s mini-controversy, which arose after Lakers star LeBron James said it would be “amazing” to play with Pelicans big man Anthony Davis. As Wojnarowski detailed last Friday, the NBA’s lack of response to those comments upset several general managers around the league, especially those in smaller markets. Among those GMs, there’s a perception that the NBA turns a blind eye to tampering violations when big-market teams go after smaller-market stars.

An NBA spokesperson issued a statement to Woj last week to explain why the league didn’t view James’ comments as tampering. Still, it seems the league office found it necessary to further clarify its tampering-related rules as speculation about a possible Davis trade continues.

“Teams should be aware that the scope of the anti-tampering rule is broad, and its application in any given case is based on all facts and circumstances,” the NBA’s memo reads, per Wojnarowski. “Accordingly, conduct that doesn’t violate the rule in any single instance may nevertheless constitute a violation if it becomes repeated or part of a broader collection of improper actions. Teams should therefore refrain from any conduct – including public statements – that could be viewed as targeting or expressing interest in another team’s player.”

The league also warned that respecting other teams’ contracts with players is particularly important in “today’s media environment,” since public comments speculating about potential player movement receive “immediate and widespread” attention and coverage.

“Teams should be entitled to focus their efforts on the competition this season with the players they have under contract, without having to divert attention or resources to conduct or speculation regarding the potential destinations of those players in future seasons once their contracts expire,” the NBA said in its memo.

Atkinson: Faried Hasn’t Asked For Buyout

December 28th, 2018 at 9:41am CST by Luke Adams

After having his minutes cut back during his final season in Denver in 2017/18, Kenneth Faried has seen his playing time reduced even further this year in Brooklyn. With his contract set to expire at season’s end, Faried appears to be a buyout candidate, but Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson said on Thursday that the big man and his camp haven’t broached the topic of a buyout, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post.

“No [he hasn’t asked],” Atkinson told Lewis. “I just like him on this team. He’s been really good. I just hope we can get him an opportunity. He’s been fantastic. I don’t feel great about it, because he’s been fantastic. It’s weird, some guys, they check out. He hasn’t.”

Faried, who was acquired by the Nets in a salary-dump deal with the Nuggets in July, has appeared in just nine games so far in Brooklyn, averaging a career-low 5.6 MPG. The 29-year-old has been effective in his limited minutes, making 11-of-14 shots from the field, but there hasn’t been room for him in a frontcourt rotation that features Jarrett Allen and Ed Davis. Faried likely wouldn’t be a great fit alongside either of those bigs, since the Nets typically use a smaller, more versatile power forward like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Jared Dudley, or DeMarre Carroll.

“That four position has become a little bit of a guard when you go small, so that hurts [Faried] a little,” Atkinson said. “I do think his ideal position is a rolling five in this league, and I think he could be really good at it. It’s just with Ed playing fantastic ball, it’s more about the other guys – and being satisfied with our bigs – than him.”

Atkinson added that he wants to do a “better job” finding minutes for Faried, but as long as Allen and Davis remain healthy and productive, the former Nugget could end up on the trade block instead. There’s a belief that Brooklyn might end up being a buyer at the trade deadline, and Faried’s $13.76MM expiring contract would be a useful salary-matching piece in certain deals.

If the Nets do try to upgrade their roster, they’ll likely consider trade scenarios in which they attach an asset to Faried to acquire a contributor. If nothing materializes on that front, a buyout would presumably become a more viable possibility for the big man after the February 7 deadline.

Former Spur Brandon Paul To Play In China

December 28th, 2018 at 8:48am CST by Luke Adams

Former Spurs shooting guard Brandon Paul has reached a deal to join China’s Zhejiang Golden Bulls, a source tells Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. According to Carchia, Paul will be replacing ex-NBA guard Archie Goodwin and injured guard Marcus Denmon on Zhejiang’s roster.

Paul, 27, made his NBA debut last season and appeared in 64 total games for the Spurs. While he only averaged 2.3 PPG and 1.1 RPG in just 9.0 minutes per contest, he provided the team with strong perimeter defense.

Paul’s contract with San Antonio included a non-guaranteed salary for 2018/19, but the club waived him in July, before that money became guaranteed. Since being cut by the Spurs, Paul has been linked to several international teams, including clubs in Spain, Montenegro, and Greece. He also worked out for the Cavaliers and Timberwolves in early September.

After going undrafted in 2013 out of Illinois, Paul spent time with international club in Russia, Spain, and Turkey, so the move to China won’t be his first stint overseas. He’ll join a Zhejiang team that also features former NBA big man Tyler Hansbrough and is currently out of the CBA playoff picture at 8-16.

Month: September 2024