Here are Sunday’s G League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:
Sixers coach Brett Brown is defending Jimmy Butler, saying he wasn’t disrespectful when he questioned the way he’s being used in the offense, according to an Associated Press story. ESPN reported Friday that Butler has “aggressively challenged” Brown since being acquired from the Timberwolves in November and has “tenuous” chemistry with fellow stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Meeting with reporters before tonight’s game, Brown tried to calm the situation.
“I didn’t feel like any of that crossed the line,” he said of Butler’s comments. “He’s vocal. He’s all in and he has opinions, but it’s instigated by me. None of this should surprise anybody. He’s got opinions. He wants to be heard. And he should be heard.”
Butler missed the game with a respiratory infection and wasn’t available for comment. He reportedly wants to be utilized more often in pick-and-roll situations, which aren’t a standard part of Brown’s offense.
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
Any team that trades for Hawks forward Kent Bazemore should prepare to pay him beyond this season, according to Michael Scotto of The Athletic. Scotto shares a few rumors in a column on New Year’s resolutions for all 30 teams, including a report that Bazemore is leaning toward exercising his $19.27MM player option for next year.
That would represent a modest raise for the 29-year-old, who is making a little more than $18MM this season. Bazemore, who is sidelined with a right ankle sprain that will keep him out for at least two weeks, is one of the most popular names on the trade market, with the Rockets among the teams already expressing interest in acquiring him.
Scotto offers a few more interesting tidbits sprinkled among his advice for 2019:
A prime trade candidate will be sidelined to start the new year, as Kent Bazemore has been diagnosed with a right ankle sprain, according to a press release issued by the Hawks. The team’s announcement indicates that Bazemore will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks.
Bazemore’s absence from Atlanta’s lineup shouldn’t have any real impact on the Eastern Conference playoff race, since the 11-24 Hawks aren’t in contention for a top-eight spot in the East. However, it could affect the team’s spot in the NBA’s reverse standings.
Currently, Atlanta has the fifth-worst record in the NBA, which would give the club a 10.5% chance at the No. 1 overall pick in the spring. The Hawks have also been playing without Taurean Prince, another key swingman dealing with a sprained ankle of his own, so Bazemore’s injury will leave them especially short-handed.
Bazemore had been enjoying one of his most productive seasons so far in 2018/19, averaging a career-high 14.0 PPG to go along with 4.0 RPG, 2.6 APG, and 1.7 SPG. He has been inconsistent from beyond the arc in 2018/19 (32.7%), but came into the year as a 36.0% career three-point shooter.
Bazemore’s ability to make three-pointers and play solid perimeter defense has made him a potential trade target for teams in need of help on the wing. The Rockets and Pelicans have been cited most frequently as possible suitors for the 29-year-old, with a recent report suggesting that Houston has had trade discussions about him.
Still, this ankle injury may compromise the Hawks’ ability to shop Bazemore for at least the next couple weeks. His contract also makes it somewhat challenging to find a viable deal — he has a $18MM+ cap hit this season, followed by a $19.27MM player option for 2019/20.
Here are Sunday’s G League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:
Every week, Hoops Rumors takes a closer look at players who will be free agents or could become free agents next offseason. We examine if their stock is rising or falling due to performance and other factors. This week, we turn our attention to the Southeast Division:
Jeremy Lin, Hawks, 30, PG (Up) – Signed to a three-year, $38.3MM deal in 2016
Lin suffered a season-ending knee injury last October with Brooklyn. He’s bounced back impressively as the backup point guard in Atlanta. He’s averaging 10.9 PPG and 3.2 APG in 18.5 MPG while posting an above-average PER. For a contender looking to fill the same spot, Lin would be a viable option prior to the trade deadline. He’ll have to accept a lower salary with his next contract but he shouldn’t have too much trouble finding work in July.
Frank Kaminsky, Hornets, 25, PF (Down) – Signed to a four-year, $11.8MM deal in 2015
Far removed from leading Wisconsin to the 2015 national championship, Kaminsky continues to disappoint as a pro. Under former coach Steve Clifford, Kaminsky was a steady presence in the rotation. First-year James Borrego has buried Kaminsky so deep on the bench that the stretch four hasn’t played the last three games. Kaminsky could be a restricted free agent if the Hornets extend a $4.9MM qualifying option but that’s not happening. He’ll be looking to hit the reset button in July.
Rodney McGruder, Heat, 27, SG (Down) – Signed to a three-year, $3.4MM deal in 2016
McGruder has started regularly for the Heat this season but that might not last much longer. He’s averaged 5.2 points in his last five outings while shooting 27.6 percent from the field. His PER is well below average. In McGruder’s favor is his team-friendly contract. He’ll be a restricted free agent if the Heat extend a $1.93MM qualifying offer. Whether he receives it will likely depend on how much cap space Pat Riley wants to open up.
Nikola Vucevic, Magic, 28, C (Up) – Signed to a four-year, $53MM deal in 2015
Orlando has some young, athletic bigs but Vucevic is so productive, he’s maintained his minutes under new coach Steve Clifford. The veteran big man is averaging a career-high 20.8 PPG, 11.8 RPG and 3.6 APG. Like many 7-footers his age, Vucevic came into the league as mainly a low post player but has extended his range beyond the arc. He’s made 39% of his attempts this season. Currently ranked No. 10 in our Free Agent Power Rankings, Vucevic should be a nice consolation prize for a team with significant cap space that strikes out pursuing the biggest names on the market.
Trevor Ariza, Wizards, 33, SF (Up) – Signed to a one-year, $15MM deal in 2018
Phoenix quickly moved Ariza to a team fighting for a playoff spot after giving him a nice one-year payday over the summer. The Wizards are just 1-4 since acquiring Ariza but what’s more significant is how many teams inquired about him before the trade. He reportedly drew interest from at least eight clubs. His 3-and-D skills remain in high demand and he should be able to land at least one more big-money contract before he retires.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Former Hawks guard Josh Magette has found a new home in the EuroLeague, tweets Michael Scotto of The Athletic.
Magette has agreed to a deal with Gran Canaria in Spain. He signed with Cedevita Zagreb in Croatia over the summer, but was released in November.
The 29-year-old got into 18 games last season as a two-way player for Atlanta, averaging 2.6 points and 3.2 assists per night. His numbers were much better in the G League at 15.1 PPG and 10.2 APG.
The Hawks elected not to tender a qualifying offer to Magette after the end of last season. He joined the Warriors’ Summer League team, but wasn’t in training camp with anyone.
Over the course of the 2018/19 NBA season, up until February’s trade deadline, we’re keeping an eye on potential trade candidates from around the NBA, monitoring their value and exploring the likelihood that they’ll be moved. Each of these looks at possible trade candidates focuses on a specific division, as we zero in on three players from that division.
The Southeast continues to be perhaps the NBA’s most confounding division, as the 15-15 Hornets are still in first place, followed closely by sub-.500 clubs in Orlando, Miami, and Washington. By acquiring Trevor Ariza earlier this week, the Wizards signaled that they still consider themselves buyers, not sellers — it will be interesting to see how many other Southeast teams head into the deadline with the same attitude.
Here’s our latest look at a few possible trade candidates from the Southeast…
Wayne Ellington, G
Miami Heat
$6.27MM cap hit; unrestricted free agent in 2019
Ellington was recently identified as a potential target for the Lakers, but if the Heat make him available, there should be a long lineup of other teams with interest. A career 38.0% three-point shooter, Ellington has made at least 2.4 threes per game in each of the last three seasons despite playing a relatively modest 25.3 MPG over that stretch.
The Cavaliers received a pair of second-round picks and Alec Burks‘ expiring contract when they sent Kyle Korver to the Jazz, so Miami could probably extract a somewhat similar return for a player with a comparable skill set and contract. However, despite an underwhelming 14-16 record, the Heat are tied for the eighth seed in the East. As long as they remain in the playoff picture, they may prefer to hang onto Ellington, especially with injuries sidelining multiple other guards.
Because he re-signed on a one-year contract during the 2018 offseason, Ellington also has the ability to block any trade that involves him. It’s not clear whether he’d exercise that right — if the Heat slip into the lottery and an opportunity arises to join a contender, perhaps he’d sign off on a move. He’d lose his Bird rights in that scenario, however.
Terrence Ross, G/F
Orlando Magic
$10.5MM cap hit; UFA in 2019
Like Ellington, Ross was said last week to be a player the Lakers were eyeing. That report downplayed the idea that Ross would be a realistic option for L.A., but the swingman’s name has come up in multiple reports since then. Marc Stein of The New York Times and Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders both suggested that Ross is generating plenty of interest, and is a popular target for teams in need of help on the wing.
Of course, the Magic are the team tied with Miami for the No. 8 spot in the East, and they’ll need Ross’ help to contend for the postseason. With the 27-year-old headed for unrestricted free agency, Orlando may have to make a tough decision. Is it worth it to hang onto Ross if it just leads to a first-round playoff exit – or a near-miss of a playoff spot – and then he walks in free agency? Or should the club prioritize the long-term view and move Ross for a young player or a pick that could provide value for years to come?
The Magic are reportedly among the teams with interest in Markelle Fultz, and a swap involving Ross and Fultz could make some sense for both sides. Ross would be an ideal fit for a Philadelphia in need of depth, and Orlando’s front office – which has a reputation for rolling the dice on high-upside players – could be willing to take a risk on a former No. 1 overall pick.
Jeremy Lin, G
Atlanta Hawks
$13.77MM cap hit; UFA in 2019
Lin is the sort of player whom the Hawks would likely be happy to keep for the rest of the season if they don’t get any favorable trade offers for him before February 7. He has an expiring contract, so he won’t affect the team’s flexibility going forward, and it probably makes sense to have a veteran point guard like Lin around to help mentor rookie Trae Young.
Still, considering Lin probably isn’t part of Atlanta’s long-term plans, he’d likely be expendable in a deal that returns an asset or two. One report earlier this week indicated that Lin is among the Hawks veterans drawing some interest on the trade market, while another suggested the Hawks were involved in four-team Trevor Ariza trade discussions that would have seen them acquire Brandon Knight and a first-round pick in exchange for Lin (and possibly another asset).
That trade obviously didn’t happen, as the Suns and Wizards completed an Ariza deal on their own, but if the Hawks were on board with the structure, it’s an indication of what they’d be looking for in exchange for Lin — it seems they’d be willing to take on a multiyear contract like Knight’s and giving up some 2019 flexibility if it means acquiring another future first-round pick.
Previously:
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.