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Eastern Notes: Simmons, Nets’ Rotation, Heat, Trade Deadline

September 4th, 2022 at 7:16pm CST by JD Shaw

With former All-Star guard Ben Simmons expected to return this season, John Schuhmann of NBA.com examines how he may fit with the Nets. Brooklyn acquired Simmons in a deal with the Sixers featuring James Harden last season, but he didn’t play due to mental health concerns, both mental and physical.

The Nets will likely consider starting Kyrie Irving, Seth Curry, Kevin Durant and Nicolas Claxton. That places the 6’11” Simmons at power forward, playing between Durant and Claxton. His defensive versatility and passing could allow him to play a role similar to the one Draymond Green plays in Golden State, especially given that he’ll have some of the league’s best shooters (Irving, Curry, Durant, Joe Harris and Patty Mills) around him.

Green, however, can spread the floor. He’s not a great three-point shooter, but opposing defenses have respected him enough. On the other hand, Simmons has made just five three-pointers in his career. It’ll be important for Brooklyn to play in transition this season. The team will likely feature Simmons in the dunker’s spot and play him on the ball, though it’s also possible he plays some minutes at center.

Here are some other notes from the East:

Brian Lewis of the New York Post projects the Nets‘ rotation. As mentioned previously, Brooklyn has flexibility and could play Simmons at the four or five. The team also has weapons such as Mills, Harris, Royce O’Neale and T.J. Warren.
Heat legend Tim Hardaway defended Kyle Lowry over allegations that he weighed too much this season, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel writes. Lowry still managed to have a respectable season, though he dealt with an injury throughout the playoffs that limited his availability and effectiveness.
In his latest “Ask Ira” mailbag, Ira Winderman examines whether the Heat may be active ahead of the trade deadline this year. Heat president Pat Riley is known for being open to making major changes, but Miami decided to stand pat this offseason (except for losing P.J. Tucker to Philadelphia). Since Miami has multiple undersized options at power forward, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the team make a trade — even though it has plenty of talent.

Pre-Camp Roster Snapshot: Atlantic Division

September 2nd, 2022 at 8:27am 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 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 Atlantic Division. Let’s dive in…

Boston Celtics

Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 10
- Malcolm Brogdon, Jaylen Brown, Danilo Gallinari, Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Grant Williams, Robert Williams
Players on non-guaranteed standard contracts: 2
- Al Horford (partial guarantee), Luke Kornet (partial guarantee)
Players on Exhibit 10 contracts: 1
- Bruno Caboclo
Players on two-way contracts: 2
- JD Davison, Mfiondu Kabengele
Restricted free agents: 1
- Brodric Thomas (two-way)
Players who have reportedly reached contract agreements: 2
- Denzel Valentine, Noah Vonleh

Horford is a lock to be on the Celtics’ 15-man regular season roster and Kornet’s partial guarantee gives him an inside path. If we assume Boston will start the season with a roster spot open in order to maintain roster flexibility and reduce the team’s tax bill, that leaves two spots up for grabs.

Caboclo, Valentine, Vonleh, and Thomas will all likely be in the mix for those openings, and the C’s have the spots necessary on their 20-man offseason roster to bring in a couple more camp invitees to take part in that competition.

Brooklyn Nets

Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 12
- Nic Claxton, Seth Curry, Kevin Durant, Kessler Edwards, Joe Harris, Kyrie Irving, Patty Mills, Royce O’Neale, Day’Ron Sharpe, Ben Simmons, Cam Thomas, T.J. Warren
Players on non-guaranteed standard contracts: 2
- Edmond Sumner (partial guarantee), Yuta Watanabe
Players on two-way contracts: 1
- Alondes Williams
Restricted free agents: 1
- David Duke (two-way)
Players who have reportedly reached contract agreements: 2
- Markieff Morris, Donovan Williams (Exhibit 10)

After hanging onto Durant and Irving, the Nets are still working on filling out their roster. It’s possible some combination of Sumner, Watanabe, and Morris will fill the remaining two or three spots on the 15-man squad, but it wouldn’t be shocking if Duke works himself into that mix or if Brooklyn brings in another veteran free agent or two to compete for a roster spot.

If Duke doesn’t get a promotion to the Nets’ 15-man roster, he’s the best bet to fill the open two-way slot next to Williams.

New York Knicks

Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 13
- RJ Barrett, Jalen Brunson, Evan Fournier, Quentin Grimes, Isaiah Hartenstein, Miles McBride, Immanuel Quickley, Julius Randle, Cam Reddish, Mitchell Robinson, Derrick Rose, Jericho Sims, Obi Toppin
Players on two-way contracts: 2
- Feron Hunt, Trevor Keels
Players who have reportedly reached contract agreements: 2
- Garrison Brooks (Exhibit 10), Jean Montero (Exhibit 10)

Up until Thursday, it looked like the Knicks’ roster may still undergo a major overhaul, with the possibility of a Donovan Mitchell trade threatening to shake things up. Now that Mitchell is headed to Cleveland, New York’s offseason to-do list appears nearly done.

The Knicks do still have two openings on their 15-man roster and aren’t in any danger of going into tax territory, so they could comfortably fill both of those remaining spots. A veteran free agent signing or two is one possibility — New York could also look to make a minor trade, or could wait until the preseason to see which players currently on rosters might shake loose as teams make cuts.

Philadelphia 76ers

Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 12
- Joel Embiid, James Harden, Tobias Harris, Danuel House, Furkan Korkmaz, Tyrese Maxey, De’Anthony Melton, Shake Milton, Georges Niang, Jaden Springer, Matisse Thybulle, P.J. Tucker
Players on non-guaranteed standard contracts: 4
- Charles Bassey (partial guarantee), Isaiah Joe, Trevelin Queen (partial guarantee), Paul Reed
Players on Exhibit 10 contracts: 1
- Michael Foster Jr.
Players on two-way contracts: 2
- Charlie Brown Jr., Julian Champagnie
Players who have reportedly reached contract agreements: 1
- Aminu Mohammed (Exhibit 10)

With 12 players on guaranteed contracts and four on partially guaranteed or non-guaranteed deals, the Sixers will have to trade or release at least one player before opening night.

Given how close they are to the hard cap, the 76ers seem more likely to cut a player who doesn’t have a full guarantee in order to create a little extra flexibility, so Queen and Joe are among those who could be in danger. A trade involving a player like Korkmaz also shouldn’t be ruled out, though it will be trickier to pull off.

Toronto Raptors

Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 13
- Precious Achiuwa, OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, Khem Birch, Chris Boucher, Malachi Flynn, Juancho Hernangomez, Christian Koloko, Otto Porter Jr., Pascal Siakam, Gary Trent Jr., Fred VanVleet, Thaddeus Young
Players on non-guaranteed standard contracts: 4
- Dalano Banton (partial guarantee), Justin Champagnie (partial guarantee), Josh Jackson (exact details TBD), D.J. Wilson (partial guarantee)
Players on Exhibit 10 contracts: 1
- Gabe Brown
Players on two-way contracts: 2
- Jeff Dowtin, Ron Harper Jr.
Restricted free agents: 2
- Jalen Harris (two-way), David Johnson (two-way)

Even after waiving Svi Mykhailiuk, the Raptors have a crowded roster. It seems likely that all 13 players on guaranteed contracts will open the season on the 15-man squad — Hernangomez may not be a lock, but Toronto wouldn’t have given him a fully guaranteed salary if he wasn’t part of the team’s plans.

If we pencil in those 13, it leaves two open spots for Banton, Champagnie, Jackson, Wilson, and possibly two-way RFAs Harris and Johnson. The latter two are wild cards, since they could also factor into the two-way picture if Toronto is willing to carry one or both of them over Dowtin and/or Harper. There’s plenty still to be sorted out here.

Previously:

Winfield: Nets Could Still Use Depth At Center, Point Guard

September 1st, 2022 at 12:56pm CST by Luke Adams

While the Nets‘ additions of Royce O’Neale, T.J. Warren, Edmond Sumner, and Markieff Morris should provide some depth around their stars, the team could still use more depth at center and a reliable backup point guard, argues Kristian Winfield of The New York Daily News. Winfield views Kyrie Irving and Patty Mills as score-first guards and notes that Ben Simmons will be used all over the court, meaning there still may be a need for a traditional floor general.

Markieff Morris' Deal With Nets Won't Be Guaranteed

August 31st, 2022 at 11:28am CST by Luke Adams

The Nets‘ one-year deal with Markieff Morris won’t be guaranteed, according to reports from ESPN and Brian Lewis of The New York Post. We’ll have to wait until after the signing is official to confirm whether Morris’ salary will be fully non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed — either way, he seems like a good bet to earn a regular season roster spot if he looks healthy in training camp.

Contract Details: Koloko, Caboclo, Silva, Tillman, Watanabe, Spurs

August 29th, 2022 at 8:29pm CST by Luke Adams

As initially reported by Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca, the Raptors used exactly $1.5MM of their mid-level exception to sign rookie big man Christian Koloko to a three-year contract on Friday. With the second and third years worth the minimum, Koloko’s deal has a total three-year value of $5,239,563.

The first two years of that contract are fully guaranteed, Hoops Rumors has learned, with the third year non-guaranteed. Koloko’s salary for 2024/25 would become fully guaranteed if he hasn’t been waived within 48 hours of the 2024 NBA draft.

Here are a few more details on newly-signed contracts from around the NBA:

The new one-year, non-guaranteed contracts for Bruno Caboclo (Celtics), Chris Silva (Hawks), and Justin Tillman (Nuggets) all include Exhibit 10 language. Silva’s and Tillman’s deals could be converted into two-way contracts, but Caboclo’s can’t, since he has too many years of NBA service to be two-way eligible.
Yuta Watanabe‘s one-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Nets includes an Exhibit 9 clause, but not an Exhibit 10. That essentially means that Watanabe is only in the mix to compete for a regular season roster spot and probably won’t be joining Brooklyn’s G League affiliate if he’s cut (he’s ineligible for a two-way deal).
Alize Johnson‘s non-guaranteed contract with the Spurs is an Exhibit 9, but not an Exhibit 10. Tommy Kuhse‘s deal is an Exhibit 10, so he could have it converted into a two-way deal or could become an affiliate player for the Austin Spurs.

Holden Expected To Become G League GM

August 29th, 2022 at 7:03pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Kevin Durant and the Nets have smoothed over their differences for the time being and Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report delves into the question of whether they can continue to maintain a peaceful relationship. It’s likely the team will keep an awkward status quo while hoping to make a deep playoff run, Pincus writes. If things go awry, they can revisit offers for Durant at the trade deadline or next offseason.
Speaking of the Nets, former Euroleague standout J.R. Holden is expected to be named GM of their G League affiliate in Long Island, Emiliano Carchia of Sportando tweets. Holden would replace Matt Riccardi, who accepted a front office position with Dallas this summer.

Markieff Morris, Nets In Advanced Discussions

August 29th, 2022 at 7:00am CST by Luke Adams

The Nets are engaged in “advanced” discussions with free agent forward Markieff Morris, according to veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein (Twitter link).

Morris, who will turn 33 this Friday, was limited to just 17 appearances last season in Miami due to a neck injury that sidelined him for much of the year, but he has a strong overall NBA résumé, having appeared in over 700 regular season games for six teams since entering the league in 2011.

In his last full season, Morris averaged 6.7 PPG and 4.4 RPG in 61 games (19.7 MPG) for the Lakers in 2020/21. He’s known for his toughness and defensive versatility, and can also stretch the floor a little on offense — he has posted a .341 career 3PT%.

Brooklyn’s interest in Morris was reported last week, with a subsequent report from Stein indicating that the division rival Sixers also had an eye on the veteran forward.

Morris’ last couple contracts have been minimum-salary deals and he seems unlikely to earn a raise after losing most of the 2021/22 season to an injury. As such, he and the Nets could be discussing whether the team’s offer would be fully guaranteed and/or what sort of role he might play in Brooklyn.

The Nets currently have 12 players on fully guaranteed standard contracts, with Edmond Sumner on a partially guaranteed deal and Yuta Watanabe on a non-guaranteed pact.

Nets Don't Feel Urgency To Acquire Donovan Mitchell; Nic Claxton Knows His Time Is Now

August 28th, 2022 at 6:20pm CST by JD Shaw

While the Nets have been rumored as a possible suitor for Donovan Mitchell, members of the organization like Brooklyn’s roster and don’t feel a sense of urgency to pursue Jazz guard, Ian Begley of SNY.tv reports. With Kevin Durant and the Nets recently agreeing to move forward together, it doesn’t seem like Brooklyn will be eager to make a major trade ahead of the season — even though Mitchell listed Brooklyn as a trade preference.
Nets center Nic Claxton knows his time is now, according to NetsDaily. With Brooklyn allowing Andre Drummond to sign with the Bulls — and LaMarcus Aldridge and Blake Griffin no longer on the roster — Claxton has an opportunity to establish himself at center. The Nets may test Ben Simmons at the five, but Claxton can still be valuable as a rebounder, rim protector, screen-setter and lob threat at 6’11”.

Nets Sign Yuta Watanabe

August 28th, 2022 at 4:34pm CST by JD Shaw

The Nets have signed free agent Yuta Watanabe, the team announced in a press release. The terms of the agreement weren’t revealed, but Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports (via Twitter) that Brooklyn signed Watanabe to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract.

A 6’8″ forward, Watanabe has played in 121 NBA games across four seasons with the Grizzlies and Raptors. He appeared in 38 contests with Toronto last season, averaging 4.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 11.7 minutes per outing. He also shot 41% from the floor and 34% from three-point range.

Brooklyn has 15 players on its 20-man offseason roster. One of those players (Alondes Williams) is on a two-way deal, while the other 14 are on standard contracts — in addition to the 12 with fully guaranteed salaries, Watanabe is now on a non-guaranteed deal and Edmond Sumner has a partial guarantee. Watanabe will presumably join the team for training camp with a chance to earn a roster spot this fall.

The Nets are coming off a tumultuous summer headlined by Kevin Durant‘s trade request. With Durant and the team recently agreeing to move forward with their partnership, the club is now focused on competing for a championship.

Heat Notes: Mitchell, Potter, Eastern Conference, Lineups

August 28th, 2022 at 3:26pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

With Nets forward Kevin Durant off the table as a trade target for the time being, the Heat could look elsewhere for All-Star reinforcements. In a mailbag, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel discusses alternatives, including Jazz All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell. Winderman does not consider the undersized shooting guard to be worth a package centered around reigning Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro and future draft picks.

Winderman also notes that the Heat should be cautious when it comes to trading forward Duncan Robinson, who will earn $16.9MM in 2022/23 after falling out of the club’s rotation near the end of last season due to his defensive shortcomings. Winderman notes that Robinson’s contract could be crucial as an inclusion for a trade to acquire a maximum-salaried superstar. Herro remains on his rookie deal, and will make just $5.7MM this season.

There’s more out of South Beach:

In another mailbag, Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reflects on the recent decision by the Heat’s NBAGL affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, to offload Micah Potter to the Pistons’ G League club, the Motor City Cruise. Winderman writes that the decision ultimately came down to which players Miami is prioritizing developing, noting that other prospects – including Orlando Robinson – took priority over Potter.
Now that the Nets are, at least for now, stabilizing and whole heading into the 2022/23 season, Winderman wonders if Brooklyn has leapfrogged Miami in the Eastern Conference pecking order and explores just how dangerous the Nets coul dbe.
Even beyond the departure of starting power forward P.J. Tucker, the Heat’s rotation could look markedly different than it did during the 2021/22 NBA season, when a top-seeded Miami club pushed the Celtics to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals, Winderman writes in another Sun Sentinel story. As Winderman observes, 6’5″ Caleb Martin appears to be the current leader in the competition to become Miami’s new starting power forward, though that situation remains fluid with training camp still ahead of the team. Miami’s internal search for its starting swingman next to point guard Kyle Lowry and small forward/shooting guard Jimmy Butler also remains fairly open, with several intriguing candidates on the roster.