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NBA Execs Looking Ahead To 2019 Free Agency

October 24th, 2018 at 8:46am CST by Luke Adams

Front office executives around the NBA, even on probable playoff teams, are already looking ahead to 2019’s free agent period, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com, who notes that next summer’s group of star free-agents-to-be is generating plenty of early interest.

As Windhorst details, executives believe that many of the top players in 2019 free agency are viable candidates to change teams. In 2018, LeBron James signed with a new team, but most of the league’s other elite free agents, such as Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, and Paul George, re-signed with their current clubs. In 2019, Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, and DeMarcus Cousins are all viewed as at least decent bets to change teams, particularly since there will be so much cap room available around the NBA.

Teams are also keeping a close eye on Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, per Windhorst. Davis can’t reach free agency until 2020, but will be eligible for a super-max extension in 2019. If the Pelicans struggle at all this season or if Davis doesn’t immediately sign that extension with New Orleans, potential trade suitors for the star big man will be calling the Pelicans.

As for Irving, he has verbally committed to re-signing with Boston, but nothing is set in stone yet — plus, the Celtics would likely be reluctant to put a five-year max offer on the table if the star point guard battles injuries again, which could change the equation.

Circling back to Durant and the Warriors, Windhorst also observes that many people around the league think 2018/19 will be the last season that the team’s current core remains together. Durant is considered more likely to leave than Klay Thompson, but execs also wonder about Draymond Green‘s future, Windhorst notes.

Green will be extension-eligible again next offseason in advance of his 2020 free agency, and could even qualify for a super-max extension if he earns All-NBA honors. The versatile big man has talked about having taken a discount on his last deal and suggested that he doesn’t intend to do so again this time around.

We’re still more than eight months away from the 2019 free agent period getting underway, but with so much cap room available and so many big-name free agents potentially in play, it figures to be the subject of a ton of speculation throughout the 2018/19 season.

Gordon Hayward Misses Game With Ankle Soreness

October 21st, 2018 at 10:57am CST by Arthur Hill

Knicks rookie Kevin Knox could miss up to a month of action after spraining his left ankle Saturday night, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic. The injury took place late in the first quarter in a collision with Celtics guard Terry Rozier. Knox had to be helped to the locker room for x-rays, and the initial timetable for recovery has been set at two to four weeks.

Gordon Hayward sat out Saturday’s game with “general soreness” in the area of his surgically repaired left ankle, notes Mark Murphy of The Boston Herald. The Celtics forward, who is playing limited minutes, felt pain in the ankle after Friday’s game in Toronto. “We didn’t plan on that,” coach Brad Stevens said about playing without Hayward. “This is something we’ll take game by game, night by night. Obviously with the minutes restriction we’re monitoring it very closely. It’s general soreness, so not overly concerned about it.”

Kyrie Irving Would Have Considered Joining Knicks

October 21st, 2018 at 9:58am CST by Arthur Hill

Kyrie Irving took the suspense out of his free agency plans by announcing that he will remain with the Celtics, but he said Saturday that the Knicks would have been in the running if he had wanted to change teams, relays Peter Botte of The New York Post.

Irving made the remarks during Boston’s first trip of the season to Madison Square Garden, telling reporters that he feels a strong connection to the area after growing up in New Jersey.

“Just being from Jersey and envisioning myself as a free agent and ultimately taking a meeting and playing for [coach David Fizdale] and the great young core they have here, thinking about playing with [Kristaps Porzingis], that was a big thing before I made my decision to sign back — or, I don’t want to get in trouble, to plan on re-signing back — with Boston,” Irving said. “But yeah, of course, New York was a strong consideration.”

The Knicks plan to be in position to offer a max contract during next summer’s free agency, and there were hopes that Irving might be the target. The five-time All-Star would have given the organization its best point guard in years and would have been an exciting running mate to team with Porzingis.

Irving believes he landed in a perfect situation with the Celtics after requesting a trade from the Cavaliers last summer. He is the leader of a talented team that many are projecting to reach the NBA Finals and is surrounded by a mix of veterans and young stars.

“I think if you were in my position, I think it would be an easy decision at this point,” Irving said. “Thinking about who we have, and the future and what we’re set up for, for me, where I am in age and how I envision my career going, and kind of the lineage of guys who’ve come before me in the Boston Celtics, is something that I wanted to be a part of.”

Celtics, Raptors To Rest Hayward, Leonard

October 20th, 2018 at 1:09pm CST by clarkcrum

As we noted this morning, the Lakers plan to be cautious with LeBron James‘ minutes this season. Evidently following suit, the Celtics have announced that Gordon Hayward (link) will sit out tonight’s games against the Knicks. Additionally, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports that the Raptors will rest Kawhi Leonard against the Wizards.

Per the Celtics, Hayward is out due to “left ankle recovery.” Of course, Hayward infamously broke his left ankle/leg in last season’s season opener in Cleveland. He missed the entire 2017/18 season and has experienced some obstacles and difficulties in returning from that devastating injury. Moreover, head coach Brad Stevens already indicated a minutes restriction may occur early on this season and tonight’s game is a back-to back.

As for Leonard, the Raptors are also playing a back-to-back tonight, having defeated Hayward’s Celtics last night, 113-101. His absence is being attributed to rest, but he also experienced a quadriceps injury last season, limiting him to nine games during the 2017/18 season, so it will be interesting to see how Toronto handles his minutes moving forward. Neither player is expected to miss extended time.

2018 Offseason In Review: Boston Celtics

October 19th, 2018 at 3:46pm CST by Luke Adams

Hoops Rumors is breaking down the 2018 offseason for all 30 NBA teams, revisiting the summer’s free agent signings, trades, draft picks, departures, and more. We’ll evaluate each team’s moves from the last several months and look ahead to what the 2018/19 season holds for all 30 franchises. Today, we’re focusing on the Boston Celtics.

Signings:

Standard contracts:
- Marcus Smart: Four years, $52MM. Includes likely incentives. Re-signed using Bird rights.
- Aron Baynes: Two years, $10.65MM. Second-year player option. Re-signed using Non-Bird rights.
- Jabari Bird: Two years, minimum salary. Second year non-guaranteed. Re-signed using minimum salary exception.
- Brad Wanamaker: One year, minimum salary. Signed using minimum salary exception.
Two-way contracts:
- P.J. Dozier
- Walter Lemon Jr.
Non-guaranteed camp contracts:
- Justin Bibbs: One year, minimum salary (waived).
- Marcus Georges-Hunt: One year, minimum salary (waived).
- Nick King: One year, minimum salary (waived).
- Jeff Roberson: One year, minimum salary (waived).

Trades:

Acquired Rodney Purvis from the Thunder in exchange for Abdel Nader and cash ($450K).
- Note: Purvis was later waived.

Draft picks:

1-27: Robert Williams — Signed to rookie contract.

Departing players:

Kadeem Allen (two-way; waived)
Jonathan Gibson
Shane Larkin
Greg Monroe
Abdel Nader

Other offseason news:

Kyrie Irving announced that he plans to re-sign with the Celtics next July.
Jabari Bird arrested, arraigned on assault charges; away from team.
Assistant coach Jerome Allen faces suspension.

Salary cap situation:

Remained over the cap.
Carrying approximately $126.75MM in salary.
Projected tax bill of $6.03MM.
Full taxpayer mid-level exception ($5.34MM) still available.

Check out the Boston Celtics’ full roster and depth chart at RosterResource.com.

Story of the summer:

During the 2016 and 2017 offseasons, no NBA team added more All-Stars to its roster than the Celtics, who signed Al Horford and Gordon Hayward before trading for Kyrie Irving. For good measure, the club used a pair of third overall picks to draft Jaylen Brown in 2016 and Jayson Tatum in 2017.

However, the Celtics never really got to see that five-man core in action during the 2017/18 season. Hayward went down with a gruesome season-ending ankle injury during the club’s first game of the year, and Irving’s season ended early due to knee issues.

For the Celtics then, the 2018 offseason wasn’t about going out and getting another All-Star — it was about making sure that their current ones got back to full health to see what the entire group looks like on the court.

Boston’s front office was hardly dormant during the summer of 2018. Restricted free agent negotiations with Marcus Smart were tough, Aron Baynes needed to be re-signed, and the team made a few other tweaks around the edges of its roster before also securing a verbal commitment from Irving, a 2019 free-agent-to-be.

However, the Celtics enter the 2018/19 as the Eastern Conference favorites not because of which players they added over the offseason, but rather because of which players they’re bringing back. With Hayward and Irving healthy and Tatum and Brown continuing to develop, this roster has far more upside than last year’s group, even without any significant changes.

Key offseason losses:

Shane Larkin returned stateside last year after spending a season in Spain and was reliable in a limited role for the Celtics. While Larkin didn’t play major minutes – and didn’t put up big per-minute numbers when called upon – his presence was crucial down the stretch when both Irving and Smart were on the shelf with injuries. After his one-year deal with Boston expired, Larkin headed back overseas to Turkey.

The Celtics also lost a depth piece to free agency when Greg Monroe hit the market. Monroe, who eventually landed with the Raptors, averaged 19.1 minutes in 26 regular season games for the C’s after being signed last season on the buyout market, but his playing time dropped to just 9.5 MPG in 11 playoff contests. The veteran could only be relied upon in certain matchups where having a traditional center on the floor wasn’t a liability, and wouldn’t have had a substantial role in Boston if he had returned.

Key offseason additions:

With so many solid second-unit contributors on the roster already, the Celtics didn’t need to go out and find veteran replacements for Larkin and Monroe. As long as Irving and Smart are healthy, Terry Rozier will handle the backup minutes at the point, and the presence of Daniel Theis, Marcus Morris, Semi Ojeleye in the frontcourt behind Monroe and Baynes reduced the need for another big man.

As such, neither Brad Wanamaker nor Robert Williams – the Celtics’ two most notable additions – are expected to play a ton in 2018/19. Wanamaker, a former standout at the University of Pittsburgh, has played in Europe since going undrafted back in 2011, earning multiple All-Star nods in the Turkish and French leagues. Like Larkin last year, he’ll likely only be relied upon in a pinch — if the Celtics need him, they can be confident that he’s far more seasoned than a typical NBA rookie.

Speaking of typical NBA rookies, Williams fits that bill. This year’s 27th overall pick, who just turned 21 years old on Wednesday, has faced questions about his character, and didn’t help quiet those concerns by oversleeping and missing his very first media availability after being drafted. There have also been rumblings that health concerns played a part in Williams’ slide down the 2018 draft board. The Celtics are taking their chances on the big man’s upside, but they’ll bring him along slowly — I expect the Texas A&M alum to see more action in the G League than in the NBA this season.

Outlook for 2018/19:

The Celtics have played in the last two Eastern Conference Finals, but they were significant underdogs in 2017 and significantly shorthanded in 2018. This season, for the first time, it feels like anything short of an appearance in the Finals would be a bit of a letdown in Boston.

Of course, if the team requires reinforcements at the trade deadline or ultimately falls short in its quest for a championship this season, there are paths to improve the roster beyond just counting on continued improvement from youngsters like Tatum and Brown.

While the Nets no longer owe the Celtics any assets from their trade for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, Boston could still have as many as four first-round picks in the 2019 draft, putting the club in position to make another major splash on the trade market, even after adding three veteran All-Stars and a potential future star in Tatum over the last two offseasons. The future is bright in Boston.

Salary information from Basketball Insiders was used in the creation of this post. Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Marcus Morris Prepared For Uncertainty With Minutes

October 18th, 2018 at 5:13pm CST by JD Shaw

Marcus Morris is prepared for the uncertainty that comes with earning minutes on the Celtics, writes A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston. Morris could be asked to play major minutes on some nights, and significantly less minutes on other nights. “The only thing I can do is go out there and be effective with the minutes I’m given and that’s my whole motto during the season,” he said.

Sixers Turned Down Suns’ Trade Offer For McConnell

October 17th, 2018 at 8:47am CST by Luke Adams

The Suns, who were on the lookout for a point guard for much of the offseason, approached the Sixers in recent weeks to inquire on T.J. McConnell, league sources tell Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. According to Pompey, Phoenix was willing to part with a second-round pick for McConnell, but the 76ers passed on that offer.

Philadelphia’s decision to turn down a second-round pick for McConnell comes as no surprise. The 26-year-old has developed into a regular part of the Sixers’ rotation, providing backup minutes at point guard and serving as one of the club’s only reliable ball-handlers. With the 76ers still unsure about what they’ll get from Markelle Fultz this season, it would take a strong offer to pry away McConnell, who is earning just $1.6MM.

It’s also worth noting that the Sixers probably don’t need to add any more second-rounders to their overflowing stash of draft picks. In addition to holding all its own selections, Philadelphia has also acquired two extra second-round picks for 2019, two more for 2020, and three for 2021. The team has even added the Pistons’ 2023 second-rounder for good measure.

The Suns have been linked to several point guard trade targets since sending Brandon Knight to the Rockets over the summer. Cory Joseph, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Patrick Beverley are among the veteran point guards the team has reportedly looked into, but Phoenix is said to be reluctant to part with a first-round pick in any deal.

Terry Rozier‘s name is another one that has been frequently connected to the Suns, and John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 tweeted this week that the club would have “loved” to acquire the Celtics point guard. According to Gambadoro, both Ryan McDonough and new interim GM James Jones attempted to make a deal for Rozier, but he’s “very unlikely” to be traded.

Extension Roundup: Rozier, Portis, Jones, Russell

October 15th, 2018 at 5:15pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Celtics point guard Terry Rozier turned down a rookie scale extension offer prior to Monday’s deadline and will become a restricted free agent next summer, A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston reports. Boston offered Rozier approximately $12MM annually, according to Blakely, but chose to take his chances in free agency. Talks were cordial and the two parties will revisit each other when Rozier hits the market, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets.

“I’m in a great situation,” Rozier told Blakely. “My team (representatives) felt it wasn’t good for me to sign an extension right now. It opens my options a little bit, but I’m focused on what’s happening right now.”

Rozier is expected to have multiple suitors even as a restricted free agent, since Kyrie Irving recently announced that he plans to re-sign with the Celtics next summer, Blakely notes. Rozier broke out last season, particularly after Irving went down with a knee injury. He was especially potent in the playoffs, averaging 16.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG and 5.7 APG.

We have more extension decisions:

The Timberwolves and point guard Tyus Jones did not reach a rookie scale extension agreement. Jones will be a restricted free agent, and that’s been the expectation all along, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic tweets. Minnesota would have to make a $3,573,205 qualifying offer before free agency next summer, otherwise Jones would be unrestricted. Jones saw action in all 82 regular-season games last season, including 11 starts, and averaged 5.1 PPG and 2.8 APG in 17.9 MPG.
The Bulls and forward Bobby Portis couldn’t come to an extension agreement before Monday’s deadline, Wojnarowski tweets. Agent Mark Bartelstein and Chicago GM Gar Forman had lengthy negotiations as the deadline approached, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune tweets, but couldn’t close the financial gap. “We had very positive talks,” Bartelstein told Johnson. “These are hard extensions to get done.” (Twitter link). Portis will be a restricted free agent if Chicago gives him a $3,611,813 qualifying offer. He averaged 13.2 PPG and 6.8 RPG in 73 regular season games after returning from his eight-game team suspension following his well-publicized dust-up with former teammate Nikola Mirotic.
Nets guard D’Angelo Russell and forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson did not receive extensions, Michael Scotto of The Athetic tweets. Neither player was aware of Monday’s deadline, according to Scotto, suggesting that the Nets never made a serious pitch to lock them up before free agency. The Nets would have extend a $9,160,706 qualifying offer to Russell to make him a restricted free agent. Hollis-Jefferson’s qualifying offer would be $3,594,369.

Hayward's Minutes Likely To Be Limited Early In Season

October 14th, 2018 at 2:28pm CST by JD Shaw

Just one year following his gruesome ankle injury that sidelined him the entire 2017/18 season, Gordon Hayward made his return to the court this preseason with the Celtics. He appeared in three contests, working to regain his footing and talent that helped him become a top small forward in the league before the injury.

The Celtics refuse to rush the process of his return, allowing Hayward to control his pace and progression as Tuesday’s season opener against Philadelphia nears.

“I think Gordon will probably be a little limited early from a minutes standpoint,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens told reporters. “Not in any big way, but we’ll probably have to manage that just because he’s been out for so long.”

Despite the possible limitation, Hayward is expected to play in back-to-backs this season, Stevens added. The same goes for teammate Kyrie Irving, who underwent knee surgery in April. With a healthy Hayward and Irving, the Celtics are expected to be at the forefront of contention in the East.

Celtics Waive Marcus Georges-Hunt

October 13th, 2018 at 5:12pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Celtics have waived Marcus Georges-Hunt, tweets Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston. The 24-year-old guard signed with the team at the start of October.

Georges-Hunt played 42 games with the Timberwolves last season, but saw just 5.3 minutes per night. His only other NBA experience was five games with the Magic after coming to Orlando late in the 2016/17 season. He originally signed with the Celtics in 2016, but was waived before the start of the season.

Georges-Hunt is likely headed to Boston’s G League affiliate in Maine and may rejoin the Celtics once they resolve the situation with Jabari Bird, according to Keith P. Smith of CelticsBlog. Bird is on a leave of absence while his assault case goes through the legal system.

Smith points out that if Bird is suspended, he would remain on the roster for at least five games. After that, Boston could put him on the suspended list and recall Georges-Hunt to fill the roster opening.

Bird signed a two-year contract for the league minimum this summer with a guarantee for the first season. If the NBA rules that he has violated its domestic violence policy, his contract could be voided and the Celtics would have no further financial obligation. If Boston waives Bird before the league makes a decision, his contract will remain on the cap and will continue to affect the luxury tax. The Celtics plan to keep Bird on the inactive list until his case is resolved.