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Unsigned Draft Picks: Southeast Division

June 18th, 2016 at 3:52pm CST by Eddie Scarito

As the 2016 NBA draft rapidly approaches the term draft-and-stash will be mentioned quite often in regard to international players and late second-rounders. While some of these athletes will eventually sign with an NBA team,  it seems like the majority of them stay overseas and never make it to the league. Those players in the latter category aren’t without value as they become trade assets for the teams holding their rights.

While many players fail to work out the way teams expect them to, they can at least become tradeable assets for teams that don’t want to part with a future second-round pick in a deal.  Each team must give up something in a trade, which is why many swaps include top-55 protected second-round picks.  Older draft rights held players who clearly will never come over to the NBA are essentially the same as flipping those heavily protected second-rounders, for all intents and purposes.

Listed below are the current unsigned draftees for the teams of the Southeast Division:

Atlanta Hawks

  • Dimitrios Agravanis — Selected No. 59 overall in 2015.
  • Augusto Binelli — Selected No. 40 overall in 1986.
  • Alain Digbeu — Selected No. 49 overall in 1997.
  • Marcus Eriksson — Selected No. 50 overall in 2015.
  • Sergey Gladyr — Selected No. 49 overall in 2009.

Charlotte Hornets

  • None

Miami Heat

  • Roberto Duenas — Selected No. 58 overall in 1997.
  • George Banks — Selected No. 46 overall in 1995.

Orlando Magic

  • Fran Vazquez — Selected No. 11 overall in 2005.
  • Tyler Harvey — Selected No. 51 overall in 2015.
  • Janis Timma — Selected No. 60 overall in 2013.
  • Ramon Van De Hare — Selected No. 52 overall in 2003.
  • Rashard Griffith — Selected No. 38 overall in 1995.

Washington Wizards

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Rich Cho Talks Draft Strategy, Batum

June 18th, 2016 at 1:11pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Hornets GM Rich Cho, speaking at a pre-draft press conference on Friday, told reporters that the team is likely to draft the best available player and would not target a specific need given the large amount of the roster set to hit free agency, Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer writes. “With eight free agents, I don’t know what’s going to happen, so we’re just trying to get more depth,” Cho said. “[Need] is a hard question to answer because we have so many free agents and don’t know how it’s going to play out.” The executive also reiterated that the team’s top offseason priority is re-signing unrestricted free agent swingman Nicolas Batum, Bonnell adds. “We hope to meet with him as soon as free agency starts,” Cho said of Batum. “Our goal is to get something done with him.”

  • The Hornets held a workout earlier this week that included Marshall Plumlee (Duke), Matt Costello (Michigan State), Frank Eaves (Appalachian State), Angel Rodriguez (Miami) and Wayne Selden (Kansas), Bonnell relays in a separate piece.
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Latest Draft News

June 17th, 2016 at 12:29pm CST by Eddie Scarito
  • Former North Carolina point guard Marcus Paige worked out for the Hawks on Thursday and will do the same for the Hornets today, Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution relays (via Twitter).
  • Hornets GM Rich Cho, speaking at a press conference today, noted that the team believes it can land an impact player with the No. 22 overall pick, but didn’t rule out making an attempt to move up in the draft, Charlotte relayed in a series of tweets. “We feel like it’s a deep draft and we’ll get a good player at pick 22. At the same time we’re looking at our options,” Cho said. “With 8 free agents, I don’t know what’s going to happen. We’re trying to get more depth with our team and get guys that can play in our rotation. At this point in the process, we’ve already done all our work. Scouted tons of games and did all background work and intel. We’ll be ready.“
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Hornets Pre-Draft Workouts

June 15th, 2016 at 8:13pm CST by Eddie Scarito
  • The Hornets have workouts set for Thursday with Isaiah Cousins (Oklahoma), Anthony Gill (Virginia), A.J. Hammons (Purdue), Codi Miller-McIntyre (Wake Forest), Chinanu Onuaku (Louisville) and Kyle Wiltjer (Gonzaga), the team announced.
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Poll: 2016 Community Mock Draft (Pick No. 22)

June 15th, 2016 at 4:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The results of the 2016 NBA Draft lottery are in and the Sixers finally landed the elusive No. 1 overall pick after missing out the past two seasons. Now that the exact draft order is locked in, teams can begin targeting specific players who are likely to still be on the board when it is their time to choose. Drafting players is far from an exact science, and many a GM has been second-guessed for his draft night decisions. I’m willing to bet that every team executive has at least one pick that he would like a mulligan for. We at Hoops Rumors thought it would be fun to give our readers the chance to predict the results of this June’s draft, which is what we are doing with a series of polls.

We are now two-thirds of the way through the first round and have come to the Hornets. Readers, you are now on the clock! Cast your vote for Charlotte’s pick and check back Thursday for the results, as well as to cast your vote for who the Celtics will select with the No. 23 overall pick. But don’t limit yourself to a simple button click. Take to the comments section below and share your thoughts on the No. 22 overall pick and why you voted the way that you did.

Previous Selections

  1. Sixers — Ben Simmons (LSU)
  2. Lakers — Brandon Ingram (Duke)
  3. Celtics — Dragan Bender (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
  4. Suns — Jaylen Brown (California)
  5. Timberwolves — Buddy Hield (Oklahoma)
  6. Pelicans — Kris Dunn (Providence)
  7. Nuggets — Jamal Murray (Kentucky)
  8. Kings — Henry Ellenson (Marquette)
  9. Raptors — Marquese Chriss (Washington)
  10. Bucks — Jakob Poeltl (Utah)
  11. Magic — Skal Labissiere (Kentucky)
  12. Jazz — Denzel Valentine (Michigan State)
  13. Suns — Domantas Sabonis (Gonzaga)
  14. Bulls — Deyonta Davis (Michigan State)
  15. Nuggets — Timothe Luwawu (Mega Leks)
  16. Celtics — Thon Maker (Australia)
  17. Grizzlies — Wade Baldwin (Vanderbilt)
  18. Pistons — Tyler Ulis (Kentucky)
  19. Nuggets — Furkan Korkmaz (Anadolu Efes)
  20. Pacers — Demetrius Jackson (Notre Dame)
  21. Hawks — Taurean Prince (Baylor)

For Trade Rumors app users: [Direct Link]

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Kidd-Gilchrist Vows To Be Ready For Next Season

June 11th, 2016 at 4:07pm CST by Arthur Hill
  • The Hornets‘ Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is focused on training camp after twice tearing the labrum in his right shoulder and missing nearly all of the 2015/16 season, writes Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer. Kidd-Gilchrist, who was limited to seven games during the year, was recently cleared for on-court activities and vows to be healthy when training camp begins. “I’m shooting, I’m lifting, I’m running,” he said. “I’ll be ready for next season.” The Hornets have him under contract for four more years.
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Latest Draft News

June 10th, 2016 at 7:32pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Former NC State point guard Cat Barber would love to remain in the state of North Carolina and hopes the Hornets select him in this year’s NBA Draft, Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer relays. “I know it a lot [about them]. I came to the last regular-season game,” Barber said. “I’d love to come in and play behind Kemba Walker.” Barber, 21, is a projected second-rounder, coming in at No. 55 overall according to Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress. The point guard’s agent has told Barber he could go as high as No. 20 overall, Bonnell adds. Charlotte owns the 22nd pick, though there is no indication that the Hornets are currently considering selecting Barber at that slot.

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Free Agent Rumors: Durant, Conley, Whiteside

June 9th, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Within his latest piece for Basketball Insiders, Steve Kyler examines a few of this year’s top free-agents-to-be, taking stock of their situations and passing along the latest notes and rumors he’s heard on each player. Here’s a round-up of some of the key info from Kyler’s piece:

  • Even though Kevin Durant is considered most likely to return to the Thunder, he’s expected to take meetings, and Kyler hears that the Warriors and Spurs are “planning big pitches.” The belief around the NBA is that Durant will return to OKC on a deal that allows him to opt out in a year so that his free agency will line up with Russell Westbrook‘s and Serge Ibaka‘s in 2017.
  • Sources close to Mike Conley‘s camp have suggested recently that Conley is “more open to new situations” than the Grizzlies would like. According to Kyler, those sources believe that the point guard wants to see signs that Memphis is serious about fortifying its roster with other pieces before committing to the team for the long term. Kyler identifies the “dark horse” in the Conley sweepstakes as the Spurs, who are believed to be willing to make some changes to their core if it means landing another high-level player.
  • Hassan Whiteside is expected to land a maximum-salary contract, with the Lakers and Celtics among the teams believed to be interested. The Heat remain the favorites for the big man, but if they “try to play games,” Whiteside will shop around for other offers, according to Kyler.
  • The Raptors and Knicks are among the clubs with interest in Nicolas Batum, but Batum will likely be in line for a max contract or something close to it, and the Hornets are viewed as the team most likely to accommodate such a deal.
  • DeMar DeRozan is viewed as a near-lock to return to the Raptors on a max deal.
  • Assuming they don’t land Durant, the Warriors sound prepared to keep their current roster intact, even if that means matching a “crazy offer sheet” for Harrison Barnes, writes Kyler.
  • The odds of RFA-to-be Jordan Clarkson ending up with any team besides the Lakers are slim, but it’s possible his camp will seek out an offer sheet from another club if necessary, in order to get more favorable terms.
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Hornets Have Workouts Scheduled Friday

June 9th, 2016 at 6:48pm CST by Eddie Scarito
  • The Hornets have workouts scheduled for Friday with Cat Barber (NC State), Nathan Boothe (Toledo), Jake Layman (Maryland), Isaiah Miles (St. Joe’s), Tyler Ulis (Kentucky) and Stephen Zimmerman (UNLV), Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders relays (on Twitter).
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Five Trade Exceptions Expiring This Month

June 8th, 2016 at 11:00pm CST by Luke Adams

NBA draft day is fast approaching, with just 15 days remaining until the Sixers will be on the clock with the first overall pick. The salary cap and free agent contracts will be significantly on the rise this summer, but rookie contracts will remain relatively affordable, meaning we could see a handful of trades consummated during the draft, as teams look to acquire affordable young talent.

In those trade discussions, draft picks and veteran contracts figure to be the key pieces, but it’s also worth considering which teams have traded player exceptions to utilize. Could a team use a trade exception before it expires to acquire a player without sending out any salary? Perhaps, but of the five trade exceptions set to expire this month (before the July moratorium begins), none are particularly sizable, and there’s a good chance that all five will go unused.

The most noteworthy of the five expiring exceptions is the Thunder’s $2.75MM trade exception, set to expire on June 30th. There are plenty of players around the league earning less than that amount, and with Kevin Durant due for a new deal, Oklahoma City will be on the lookout for inexpensive talent to fill out the roster, so it’s possible the team makes use of it.

Here are all five trade exceptions set to expire later this month, sorted by amount:

  1. Oklahoma City Thunder
    • Amount: $2,750,000
    • Obtained: Luke Ridnour (Raptors)
    • Expires: 6/30/16
  2. Brooklyn Nets
    • Amount: $1,357,080
    • Obtained: Mason Plumlee (Trail Blazers)
    • Expires: 6/26/16
  3. Charlotte Hornets
    • Amount: $646,250
    • Obtained: Matt Barnes (Grizzlies)
    • Expires: 6/25/16
  4. Charlotte Hornets
    • Amount: $548,000
    • Obtained: Luke Ridnour (Thunder)
    • Expires: 6/25/16
  5. Memphis Grizzlies
    • Amount: $122,441
    • Obtained: Jon Leuer (Suns)
    • Initial amount: $967,500
    • Used: James Ennis ($845,059)
    • Expires: 6/26/16

For the complete list of outstanding trade exceptions around the NBA, including one held by the Cavaliers worth nearly $10MM, check out our full breakdown. And be sure to take a look at the Hoops Rumors Glossary entry on trade exceptions for a refresher on exactly how they work.

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