The Suns opted not to issue a qualifying offer to forward Darius Bazley, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). As a result, Bazley will become an unrestricted free agent rather than restricted.
The decision doesn’t come as a huge surprise, since Bazley’s qualifying offer would have been worth approximately $6.2MM. While it’s not clear if Phoenix is interested in re-signing the former first-round pick, the team will hold his Bird rights and could probably re-sign him at a more team-friendly rate.
Cavaliers wing Dylan Windler also didn’t receive a qualifying offer and will become an unrestricted free agent, reports Scotto (Twitter link).
Windler was never considered likely to get a QO, which would’ve been worth just shy of $6MM. He has been limited by injuries in his first four NBA seasons and hasn’t become a rotation player in Cleveland, appearing in just 84 total games.
Heat center Omer Yurtseven is another player who was eligible for a qualifying offer but didn’t receive one, according to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press (Twitter link).
Yurtseven’s QO is only worth a projected $2.22MM ($200K more than his minimum salary), but the Heat will be cost-conscious about how they fill out their roster, given that their team salary projects to go well beyond the luxury tax line.
The following players did receive qualifying offers and will be restricted free agents:
- Tre Jones, Spurs ($5,216,324) (Twitter link via Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News)
- Ty Jerome, Warriors ($2,165,000) (Twitter link via Warriors)
- Note: Jerome’s QO will be worth his minimum salary and will only be partially guaranteed.
- Neemias Queta, Kings ($2,019,706) (Twitter link via Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee)
- Note: Queta’s QO will be worth his minimum salary and will only be partially guaranteed.
- Dominick Barlow, Spurs (two-way) (Twitter link via Orsborn)
- Keon Ellis, Kings (two-way) (Twitter link via Anderson)
- Ibou Badji, Trail Blazers (two-way) (press release via Blazers)
- John Butler Jr., Trail Blazers (two-way) (press release via Blazers)
- Trevor Keels, Knicks (two-way) (Twitter link via Fred Katz of The Athletic)
- Duane Washington, Knicks (two-way) (Twitter link via Katz)
Timberpuppies are rumored to be in on signing Yurtseven as they embark on their revolutionary, franchise altering philosophy of playing FIVE BIGS at the same time.
Heat are rumored to have a contract offer out to Yurtfourteen – he’s TWICE as good as Yurtseven.
Good one
Ya, as I said, he got hurt at the wrong time, and I really lile him, and wish they used him in certain matchups, but the Heat have Orlando Robinson as a cheaper, lesser than version of him. Still hope he comes back though, but I could see why they would do that
Windler could be interesting for a couple of teams, if he could ever stay healthy. Portland, Altanta, the Lakers, Clippers, Detroit, Minnesota, Toronto, Heat if they lose Duncan
Yes, Yurt got hurt (pun intended) the wrong time ….. unfortunate, he had steady progress the season before.
He should/could have gotten Zeller’s role this season.
More than O. Robinson/Zeller, Highsmith’s extra-versatility didn’t help Yurt’s case for any spare minutes.
Should have used Yurtseven against the Knicks instead of Zeller. They didnt even look at Zeller on offense in that series. Literally zero people guarding him the entire time
Everyone stop talking about yurt please. Wno cares. John Butler needs to gain weight. Happy for everyone here
Bazley needs to find a good home
Kings
No