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.”
Man, if I were the Cavs GM, I would have definitely went hard after Bridges in order to try and get the Cavs over the hump this year to at least attempt to match the talent of the rosters the Knicks, 76ers, and the Celtics put together.
A starting five consisting of:
Garland
Mitchell
Bridges
Mobley
Allen
With their back-up rotations consisting of guys like:
Strus, Okoro, LaVert, Porter Jr., Wade, Niang, 40% 3pt. shooter Merrill, T.Thompson, and even Emoni Bates showed some flashes last year and some growth.
The Cavs could have afforded to mix and match better with more versatility, kept their guys fresh by significantly lengthening and strengthening the depth of their rotations, and as a result, they could have pretty mcuh always been able to keep at least two-three main starters on the floor at all times.
Their potential starting five I would have put up against anyone else from a talent perspective. High volume scoring at all three levels, multiple ball handlers, excellent passing, excellent post defense, and they could easily afford to gameplan around any of each of their five guys depending on match-ups and whichever guy had the hot hand.
Their perimeter defense might lack a little bit, but if you look at their bench they have Okoro, Strus, and Porter Jr. to help out, and then Wade helps them with some length, and LaVert is easy offense off the bench alongside Niang and Merrill, both 40% 3pt guys if they need to help space the floor.
I think tje Cavs really missed out on an opportunity to upgrade their roster and significantly strengthen their chances at competing for the East #1 spot, but it is Bridges we are talking about here, so I’ll give them a pass for his question marks off the court not making his addition such an easy decision…
How exactly could they have added him and his salary while keeping the rest of their rotation intact?
So that sounds like a great idea but is completely impossible based on the salary cap rules. Unless of course they also send out salary, thus not keeping their previous rotation.