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And-Ones: 2025 Draft, Snell, G League, Garuba, Parker

October 2nd, 2024 at 12:53pm CST by Luke Adams

The 2025 draft class is stronger at the top than 2024’s class was, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN (Insider link), but there still isn’t a clear-cut No. 1 pick in this group like there was in 2023 with Victor Wembanyama.

Cooper Flagg has long been viewed as the best bet to be next year’s top pick, but that’s not yet a lock, Givony writes, putting the odds of the Duke forward coming off the board first at just slightly above 50%. Rutgers wing Ace Bailey is Flagg’s top competition at this point, per Givony, who has Bailey’s odds of going No. 1 at 25%. Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe, and French guard Nolan Traore are also in the mix for the first overall spot, Givony adds.

“I’m going into this year with an open mind about who the No. 1 pick might be,” one NBA executive told ESPN. “This is how mistakes are made: getting anchored to an opinion and then closing yourself off to new, much more important information that we’ll be receiving in the coming months seeing how the season plays out.

“I need to see if Cooper Flagg is indeed a No. 1-type offensive option who can be expected to carry a team at some point in his career, or if he’s more of a superstar role player who is better suited as your second- or third-best player. Every year there are surprises, new players pop up and others take an unexpected leap.”

Mock drafts from last fall illustrate that potential for in-season surprises. ESPN’s November 2023 mock had Isaiah Collier first overall, Ja’Kobe Walter fourth, and Reed Sheppard 25th — they were eventually drafted 29th, 19th, and third, respectively.

Here are more odds and ends from around the basketball world:

  • Nine-year NBA veteran Tony Snell, who last played in the NBA during the 2021/22 season, will join the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the G League this fall, tweets Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The Heat‘s affiliate will need to acquire Snell’s returning rights from the Maine Celtics, the team he played for last season. Snell won’t be signed to Miami’s preseason roster at all, notes Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald (Twitter link).
  • The Rio Grande Valley Vipers (Rockets) traded Jarrett Culver‘s G League returning rights to the Osceola Magic in exchange for Jared Butler‘s rights, per the Vipers (Twitter link). Culver is with Orlando on an Exhibit 10 contract, so it appears he’ll play for the Magic’s G League team this season. Butler remains under contract with the Wizards and would need to be waived and sign an NBAGL contract for Houston’s affiliate to take advantage of his rights.
  • Speaking to Eurohoops’ Javier Molero and Alex Molina, respectively, former NBAers Usman Garuba and Jabari Parker expressed that they’re comfortable no longer playing in the league. Garuba, who returned to Real Madrid this summer after three seasons with Houston and Golden State, said his NBA experience wasn’t quite what he expected and that he’d be “more selfish” if he were doing it all over again. “I left as a kid and grew up,” said Garuba, the 23rd overall pick in the 2021 draft. “I had a lot of ups and downs and learned a lot of lessons over there. I got traded, I got cut, I saw a lot of things, the dark side of the business. I think that made me mature a lot as a player.”
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Jalen Suggs, Magic Express Optimism About Extension

October 1st, 2024 at 12:48pm CST by Luke Adams

Magic guard Jalen Suggs is eligible for a rookie scale extension up until October 21 and expressed optimism on Monday at Orlando’s media day that he and the team will be able to work something out, as Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel relays. President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman echoed that optimism.

“Jalen is a big part of what we’re doing and everybody knows that,” Weltman said. “For the person that he is, for the player that he is, I’m always hopeful that we can get something done. We have great relations with his representatives. I know that Jalen wants to be a part of the Magic. He’s an integral part of the chemistry and the team on and off the court. … We’ve had communications with his reps, but beyond that I won’t speak on those conversations.”

The No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 draft, Suggs struggled to score efficiently during his first two NBA seasons but enjoyed a breakout year in 2023/24.

In 75 games (all starts), the 23-year-old averaged a career-high 12.6 points per game on .471/.397/.756 shooting while also chipping in 3.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per night. He earned a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team and showed up on Most Improved Player and Defensive Player of the Year ballots.

After the Magic parted with Markelle Fultz in free agency and opted not to pursue an upgrade at the point guard spot, Suggs figures to see a “significant” bump in offensive responsibilities, head coach Jamahl Mosley said on Monday. The fourth-year guard is welcoming that challenge.

“It’s something that I’ve wanted from the day I’ve stepped into this league,” Suggs said. “I wasn’t prepared for it (before). I wasn’t ready for it. God knew that and He slowed me down through injuries, bad times and trials, and really tested my resolve and how badly I wanted to be here. And I want to be here. I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

As we noted within our check-in on the Magic’s offseason, Suggs’ representatives at Wasserman Basketball will likely bring up the five-year, $131MM rookie scale extension Jaden McDaniels signed last fall in their conversations with Orlando’s front office.

The Timberwolves forward averaged 12.1 PPG with a .398 3PT% and excellent defense during the 2022/23 season before signing that contract, so Suggs’ reps could argue that their client deserves a similar deal, given his similar third-year numbers — or perhaps even a more lucrative one, after accounting for his added offensive responsibilities.

If Suggs and the Magic don’t agree to terms on an extension this fall, he’ll be eligible for restricted free agency next summer.

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Southeast Notes: Bryant, Wizards, Williams, Bridges

September 26th, 2024 at 10:54pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Trading newly re-signed big man Thomas Bryant isn’t an option for the Heat at present, writes Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel (subscriber-only link).

The 27-year-old big man doesn’t become trade-eligible until December 15, when most players signed to new contracts this offseason can be dealt. Bryant inked a one-year, $2.1MM veteran’s minimum deal to return to Miami for a second straight year.

Bryant appeared in just 38 contests (four starts) for Miami, as he was toggled in and out of head coach Erik Spoelstra‘s rotations. All told, the 6’10” center averaged 5.7 points on 57.7% field goal shooting and 87.2% foul line shooting, along with 3.7 rebounds, in 11.6 minutes of action.

There’s more out of the Southeast Division:

  • The Wizards are fully embracing their rebuild this season, writes Joshua Robbins of The Athletic. During a preseason press conference on Thursday, top Washington executives Michael Winger and Will Dawkins spoke of their long play for relevance this year. “If we’re really to think about it, the phases of the rebuild… there’s the deconstruction phase,” Dawkins said. “There’s the laying-the-foundation phase. There’s the building it back up, and then there’s fortifying what you build. We’re still focused on deconstructing and laying that foundation. And I think that’s important to remind everyone, that we’re still early (in the process).” The team finished 15-67 in 2023/24, and made a pair of lottery picks this summer in big man Alex Sarr and point guard Carlton Carrington. Washington also acquired the draft rights to wing Kyshawn George, selected later in the first round. The Wizards will also be looking for internal growth from intriguing second-year small forward Bilal Coulibaly, their 2023 lottery selection.
  • The Magic are set to pay tribute to recently deceased co-founder and longtime front office executive Pat Williams this season, the team announced via press release. Orlando players will wear patches with the initials “PW” on their jerseys. Williams served as the Magic’s general manager from their inaugural season in 1989/90 through 1996. He was subsequently promoted to a role as the club’s senior vice president.
  • Recently re-signed Hornets forward Miles Bridges had options from several other clubs in free agency this summer, but wanted to remain in Charlotte, he told Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer. “With coach (Charles) Lee and the new coaching staff coming in, new management, I just feel like we are stepping in the right direction. And I just feel like I wanted to be a big part of that.” Bridges named the Clippers and Cavaliers as two of the teams that expressed interest in him. “Yeah, the Clippers are a great organization,” Bridges said. “They wanted me, the Cavaliers wanted me. But at the same time I was just trying to see what was the best fit for me, and what would make me and my family happy.”
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Pre-Camp Roster Snapshot: Southeast Division

September 24th, 2024 at 9:35am CST by Luke Adams

Hoops Rumors is in the process of taking a closer look at each NBA team’s current roster situation, evaluating which clubs still have some moves to make and which ones seem most prepared for training camp to begin.

This series is meant to provide a snapshot of each team’s roster at this time, so these articles won’t be updated in the coming weeks as more signings, trades, and/or cuts are made. You can follow our roster counts page to keep tabs on teams’ open spots as opening night nears.

We’re continuing our pre-camp Roster Snapshot series today with the Southeast Division. Let’s dive in…

Atlanta Hawks

There are some non-essential pieces on the Hawks‘ 15-man roster — Zeller was acquired via sign-and-trade as a necessary salary-matching piece in the Dejounte Murray deal, while Atlanta traded for Roddy because Phoenix wanted to get off his salary. Still, waiving either of them (or anyone else) in order to sign a new minimum-salary player doesn’t make sense for the Hawks, since doing so would push their team salary into tax territory.

More Exhibit 10 signees are likely coming in order to help fill out the College Park Skyhawks’ roster, but the biggest question here is what happens with Djurisic, the second-round pick who is coming off a foot surgery that will sideline him well into the fall.

Djurisic had been playing in Serbia, so there has been speculation that he’ll remain overseas as a draft-and-stash prospect. However, Nebojsa Covic – the president of Crvena Zvezda, one team linked to Djurisic – denied that his club has any plans to add him, noting that the 20-year-old is “in America.”

My best guess is that the Hawks plan to have Djurisic start the season with their G League affiliate and will consider promoting him to the 18-man roster (either on a standard or two-way contract) later in the season, once he’s fully recovered.

Charlotte Hornets

It seems safe to assume Gibson will make the Hornets‘ opening night roster, but that still leaves an open spot on the projected 15-man standard roster. Charlotte doesn’t need to fill that spot, but the club’s salary is so far below the luxury tax line that it would make sense to add a 15th man on a non-guaranteed deal.

There are plenty of free agents still available who would be fits in Charlotte. Some of the team’s camp invitees could be in the mix for that spot too, though they may also be battling for the final two-way slot alongside Diabate and Simpson.

Of the current Exhibit 10 players on the roster and those who have been reported, only Giles has too many years of NBA service to qualify for a two-way deal, so he’s a possible candidate for the standard roster.

Miami Heat

Reports throughout the offseason have indicated that the Heat aren’t interested in carrying a full 15-man roster into the regular season since doing so would push their team salary above the second tax apron. So it came as a bit of a surprise on Monday when word broke that the team had agreed to a deal with Little.

Moving slightly above the second apron isn’t that big a deal though — based on reports out of Miami, it sounds like Little’s contract will be either non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed, allowing them to waive him in a month or two (or even earlier) and duck back below the second apron if they so choose.

Plus, while teams above the second apron aren’t permitted to aggregate salaries in a trade, the Heat would still be able to do so if they’re below the second apron upon completion of the deal. So if they were operating above the second apron by $1MM and made a trade in which they aggregated three contracts in order to take back two while shedding $3MM in salary, that’d be permitted.

While the 15th spot is the bigger story to watch here, it’s also worth keeping an eye on the two-way slots. The Heat already made one change to those spots this offseason when they waived Pullin in order to sign Christopher. Stevens and Pullin (who is back on an Exhibit 10 contract) could make cases to be converted to two-way deals with strong performances in camp and the preseason.

Orlando Magic

The Magic‘s 15 players on standard contracts look set, but with only one two-way slot filled so far, they could put the other two spots up for grabs in a camp competition.

McClung is reportedly viewed as a good candidate to claim one of those two-way deals. Of the current camp invitees, only Culver – who has four years of NBA service – is ineligible to be converted to a two-way contract.

Washington Wizards

Butler appeared in 40 games for the Wizards last season, but the only way he’ll be part of this year’s opening night roster is if the team trades or waives a player on a guaranteed contract. That’s not out of the question — Baldwin is probably the player whose roster spot would be most in jeopardy, since the former first-round pick has yet to establish himself as a reliable rotation player and didn’t look great in Summer League.

Interestingly, Lewis and Nowell agreed to Exhibit 10 deals with Washington despite being ineligible for two-way deals, so they’ve either resigned themselves to joining the Capital City Go-Go or were promised a shot to compete for a standard roster spot.

Black could be in the mix for the open two-way slot here. Butler would also be two-way eligible, but he’d have to be waived and re-signed. The Wizards could also look outside the organization to fill that spot, perhaps targeting a player from another roster who’s cut during or after the preseason.

Previously:

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Southeast Notes: Bogdanovic, Nance, Sarr, Suggs

September 22nd, 2024 at 2:22pm CST by Arthur Hill

Recent photos of Bogdan Bogdanovic in Partizan Belgrade training gear sparked rumors that he might have an interest in returning to the Serbian team, but the Hawks guard told Mozzart Sport that he’s happy in the NBA, BasketNews relays. Partizan was Bogdanovic’s first team when he entered professional basketball in 2010. He played four seasons there before moving on to Fenerbahce and eventually the NBA in 2017.

“I just wanted to send support to the team where I started my professional career,” Bogdanovic explained. “We all know how much I love Partizan, I practiced in their hall, they gave me conditions for practicing, that’s how I wanted so send a message that I’m thankful for that. I know people want me back in Partizan, but my focus is now on NBA, I won’t lie. I want to impress there in best way possible. And when it is time to come back, I’m sure emotions will make the judgement.”

Bogdanovic’s contract has two seasons remaining, plus a team option for 2026/27, so it should be a while before he plays again in Europe. His current focus is helping Atlanta remain competitive in the Eastern Conference, and he’s hoping to reach a standard that he’s yet to accomplish in the NBA.

“I made myself a goal to play 82 games, I never did that and it’s very tough,” Bogdanovic said. “Last season I missed two, once I was sick, once injured, I think I can accomplish that now.”

There’s more from the Southeast Division:

  • Veteran big man Larry Nance Jr. is eager to play for coach Quin Snyder after being traded to the Hawks this summer, writes Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Nance is already getting involved in the community and was among several Atlanta players who volunteered at Saturday’s Million Meal Pack at State Farm Arena. “Quin is a basketball mastermind,” Nance said. “I was a huge fan of his when he was at Utah, and obviously, these past few years in Atlanta. Now I’m excited to play for him, and we’re gonna get along really well. Yeah, I consider myself a high-IQ basketball player, and he’s very high IQ. Yeah, so. But the roster is exciting. Obviously, it’s a young roster and a team that’s looking to make some noise here going forward.”
  • Appearing on a Monumental Sports Network podcast, Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said fans should be excited about what Alex Sarr might be able to accomplish in his rookie season. “I wouldn’t put limitations on it, to be honest with you,” Dawkins said of the No. 2 overall pick. “I think he’s someone that by the end of the season you’ll be like ‘okay, that was different.’ He’ll have his moments throughout the beginning of the year, both negative and positive. But the stuff he can do on the floor long-term, I think you guys will be pretty excited about.”
  • Jalen Suggs is coming off his best NBA season, but the Magic will need him to improve his point guard skills as he takes over the offense, per Mike Shearer of Basketball Poetry.
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And-Ones: Sports Betting, NBA Offseason, Injury Returns

September 21st, 2024 at 12:10pm CST by Luke Adams

While the NBA is in favor of federal regulations for sports betting, the league doesn’t unequivocally support the bill introduced last week in Congress, which is considered to have both positives and negatives, per David Purdum of ESPN.

The Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet Act, also known as the “SAFE Bet Act,” would prohibit sportsbook advertising from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm (and during live sports broadcasts) and would ban in-game betting. The proposal to eliminate live wagering is one aspect of the bill likely to be opposed by the NBA and other sports leagues, given the increasing popularity of that form of betting, notes Purdum.

A league source tells Purdum that the NBA is keeping an eye on the legislation and views it as a “starting point to a very lengthy process.”

Here are more odds and ends from around the

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Offseason Observations: Exhibit 10 Terms, Okoro, Current FAs, Stretch Provision

September 20th, 2024 at 5:36pm CST by Luke Adams

With the start of most NBA training camps just 11 days away (and even sooner than that for the Celtics and Nuggets), the 2024 offseason is nearing its end.

Before we put a bow on the summer of 2024, we have one more installment of our "Offseason Observations" to share today, following up on similar articles published in July and August.

Here are some of the under-the-radar cap- and CBA-related stories I'm keeping an eye on as teams around the league prepare for their media days and training camps.

The disparity between Exhibit 10 bonuses

As we've written many teams in recent weeks, when a player signs an Exhibit 10 contract with an NBA team, is waived before the regular season begins, and then spends at least 60 days with his club's G League affiliate, he's eligible to earn a bonus worth up to $77.5K.

We always clarify that those bonuses can be worth "up to" $77.5K because that's the maximum possible Exhibit 10 bonus in 2024/25 (up from $75K a year ago, having increased at the same rate as the salary cap). But not every player who signs an Exhibit 10 contract is able to negotiate that maximum bonus.

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Magic Sign Three Players To Exhibit 10 Contracts

September 19th, 2024 at 11:01pm CST by Luke Adams

The Magic have maxed out their offseason roster at 21 players by signing free agent guards Mac McClung, Javonte Smart, and Ethan Thompson, the team announced today in a press release (Twitter link). All three players received Exhibit 10 contracts, per Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel.

McClung’s deal with the team was previously reported. The 6’2″ guard is the reigning G League MVP and two-time dunk contest champion. In 41 Showcase Cup and regular season games for the Osceola Magic last season, he averaged 25.5 points, 6.5 assists, and 4.6 rebounds in 35.5 minutes per contest, with an excellent shooting line of .492/.380/.846.

Smart, a 6’4″ guard, began last season on a two-way contract with Philadelphia but appeared in just one game for the Sixers before being waived in December. He signed with Serbian team Crvena Zvezda in January and finished the season overseas. The 25-year-old also had previous NBA stints with the Bucks and Heat.

Thompson, a 6’5″ shooting guard who went undrafted out of Oregon State in 2021, has primarily played in the G League since going pro, spending time with the Windy City Bulls and Mexico City Capitanes. He also played in Puerto Rico for Osos de Manati earlier this year.

The Exhibit 10 contracts for McClung, Smart, and Thompson would make them eligible for bonuses worth up to $77.5K if they’re waived by Orlando and then spends at least 60 days with the Magic’s G League affiliate (Osceola).

It’s worth noting that Exhibit 10 deals can also be converted to two-way contracts up until October 21 and the Magic are currently only carrying one player (Trevelin Queen) on a two-way contract, leaving two spots available. All three newcomers are two-way eligible, and McClung in particular “seems primed” to earn one of those deals, according to Beede.

Orlando had been carrying 20 players but opened up two additional roster spots earlier today by waiving forwards Tre Scott and Myron Gardner.

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Magic Waive Tre Scott, Myron Gardner

September 19th, 2024 at 7:16pm CST by Luke Adams

The Magic have placed a pair of players on waivers, cutting forwards Tre Scott and Myron Gardner, according to the NBA’s official transaction log.

Scott, who has played professionally since 2020, has spent time in Puerto Rico, France, and Canada but has primarily competed in the G League in recent years. He split last season between the Greensboro Swarm and the Osceola Magic (Orlando’s affiliate), averaging 8.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 22.6 minutes per game across 41 total appearances.

Gardner also played for Osecola in 2023/24, appearing in 47 Showcase Cup and regular season games for the team. He posted averages of 5.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 15.4 minutes per contest, with a shooting line of .425/.317/.600.

Both Scott and Gardner also played for Orlando’s Summer League team in Las Vegas this July. Because the Magic hold both players’ G League returning rights, Scott and Gardner will be in line for Exhibit 10 bonuses if they reported back to Osceola and spend at least 60 days with the NBAGL club this season.

Orlando now has 18 players under contract, including 15 on guaranteed deals, Trevelin Queen on a two-way pact, and Jarrett Culver and Jalen Slawson on Exhibit 10 contracts. The team figures to fill out its 21-man roster before training camp begins.

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And-Ones: Expansion, EuroLeague, G League Trades, Hawes

September 18th, 2024 at 1:21pm CST by Luke Adams

What would it look like if the NBA awarded expansion teams to a pair of new cities? In an entertaining story for ESPN.com, Bobby Marks broke down the rules governing expansion drafts, then submitted lists of protected players for each team to Tim Bontemps and Kevin Pelton, who conducted a mock expansion draft on behalf of the two hypothetical new franchises.

As Marks details, the rules for expansion drafts aren’t specifically laid out in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, but in the past, each existing NBA team has been permitted to protect up to eight players in the spring, including pending restricted free agents and/or players holding options. In those instances, expansion teams weren’t allowed to select more than one player from any of the NBA’s existing clubs.

Marks also lays out how expansion teams would be incorporated into the annual rookie draft (they’re typically not given the opportunity to land the No. 1 overall pick during their first couple seasons) and how the salary cap would work for them (their cap would be two-thirds of the league-wide cap in year one, 80% in year two, and the full cap in year three).

While expansion is likely still at least two or three years away, ESPN’s exercise is an informative one that helps illustrate with practical examples how new teams would fill out their rosters.

Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:

  • Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com (subscription required) takes a look at 10 notable players in the EuroLeague who are on expiring contracts and will reach free agency in 2025. Mathias Lessort, Kevin Punter, and Chima Moneke are among the headliners on Urbonas’ list who figure to be monitored by NBA teams in 2024/25.
  • The Westchester Knicks – New York’s G League affiliate – completed a pair of trades on Tuesday. Westchester sent Dmytro Skapintsev‘s returning rights to the Maine Celtics in exchange for the rights to Brandon Slater and Joe Wieskamp; in a separate deal, the Knicks’ NBAGL team acquired Brandon Williams‘ returning rights and a 2025 G League international draft pick from the Osceola Magic in exchange for the rights to Charlie Brown Jr. (Twitter links). The NBA’s Celtics signed Skapintsev to an Exhibit 10 contract on Tuesday.
  • Cyro Asseo de Choch of HoopsHype spoke to former NBA big man Spencer Hawes about the ups and downs of his playing career, which saw him appear in 684 regular season games for six teams from 2007-17. A 7’1″ center who made 35.0% of his career-three pointers, Hawes was asked if he felt like he arrived in the league a few years too early. “I kind of joke about my buddies. I missed the max (contract) by a couple of years,” Hawes said. “Well, I think the game just wasn’t in such a good place and my game as well. I came in kind of as a more traditional old-school post-up player and I realized that pretty quickly that wasn’t working. So, I kind of had to figure out a different way to try and get on the floor and help the team win.”
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