Charlotte Hornets Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Southeast Notes: Hayward, Hornets, Hawks, Heat

October 14th, 2014 at 9:16am CST by Chuck Myron

Owner Michael Jordan‘s presence in Charlotte’s pitch meeting with Lance Stephenson was key to the team’s ability to strike a deal with the shooting guard, but the mere presence of Jordan via video conference was enough for Gordon Hayward, as Hayward tells USA Today’s Sam Amick. Hayward was “ecstatic” about the idea of playing for the Hornets before the Jazz matched Charlotte’s max offer sheet this summer, Amick writes.

“I didn’t know what to expect … but they blew me away with their presentation,” Hayward said of the Hornets. “They came in and did a whole analytical presentation too, which was really, really impressive. It spoke to the analytical part of me. I was a computer engineer and math major in college, so that was really impressive to see. It just showed that they’re taking steps to try and become a next-level team and push toward trying to win a championship.”

There’s more from Amick’s profile of Charlotte’s legendary player-turned-owner amid the news out of the Southeast Division, as we pass along:

Hornets assistant coach Patrick Ewing was also in the team’s meeting with Stephenson, and head coach Steve Clifford credits the presence of the former Knicks star as a linchpin in the recruitment of Stephenson, a Brooklyn native, as Amick details.
The Hawks will probably release camp invitee Jarell Eddie, since he has a non-guaranteed deal and the team has at least partially guaranteed money out to 15 others, but the swingman has impressed the team’s brass so far, writes Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Justin Hamilton has only a partially guaranteed deal with the Heat and has missed time with a heart condition, but coach Erik Spoelstra on Monday gave a subtle hint that suggests the team intends to keep him around, observes Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. Spoelstra pointed to Hamilton’s absence as a reason why the team’s frontcourt rotation is in flux, Winderman notes.

Southeast Notes: Beal, Magic, Gordon

October 12th, 2014 at 4:46pm CST by Zachary Links

The Heat haven’t looked all that sharp so far in preseason, but they expect to improve once they have forward Josh McRoberts back in the lineup, writes Shandel Richardson of the Sun-Sentinel. When his toe injury heals, McRoberts’ skills – namely his passing – could open things up more for stars Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. Here’s more from the Southeast Division..

The Wizards announced that Bradley Beal‘s wrist surgery from earlier today was successful, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN.com. The new timetable given by the team is six weeks as opposed to the six-to-eight week estimate that was reported Saturday.
Magic guard Ben Gordon, who signed a two-year, $9MM deal with Orlando this offseason, is happy to have Charlotte in his rear view mirror, writes John Denton of NBA.com. “(The struggles in Charlotte) bothered me a lot while I was there. Obviously, I was happy to be out of that situation,’’ Gordon said. “It’s behind me now. It’s just one of those things that happens and you try to learn from it and I’m just moving on.’”
An industry source with knowledge of the Magic‘s thinking tells Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel that the team supports a proposal to alter the NBA Draft Lottery. The proposal would give the teams with the four worst overall records nearly identical chances to win the No. 1 pick.

Southeast Notes: Stephenson, Brand, Magic

October 10th, 2014 at 9:02am CST by Chuck Myron

The Heat will take on LeBron James and his Cavaliers in Saturday’s preseason game for the first time since he left to return to Cleveland, but the sentiments between James and those he left behind in Miami aren’t as raw as the feeling between new Wizards forward Paul Pierce and the Nets. Pierce and his former team have conflicting stories about just what led to his departure, but the Wizards are surely glad about whatever it is that pried the 16-year veteran from Brooklyn. Here’s more from the Southeast Division:

Lance Stephenson cried when he told Pacers he was signing with the Hornets instead this summer, as he admits to Bleacher Report’s Jared Zwerling, but a surprise appearance by owner Michael Jordan in the team’s meeting helped seal the pitch. “When I shook [Jordan’s] hand, I was shaking,” Stephenson said. “I was very nervous because that’s like everybody in the world who played basketball’s idol. I thought I would never meet Michael Jordan, but when I finally met him and talked to him and got to know him, that was the best feeling ever.”
Kemba Walker‘s endorsement of Stephenson, whom he played against for years when they were both growing up in New York City, helped convince the Hornets to pursue the free agent shooting guard this year, as Zwerling details in the same piece.
Elton Brand‘s ability to guard opposing centers is the chief reason why the Hawks brought him back, and familiarity is what led the 35-year-old to choose Atlanta over a handful of other suitors this summer, as he tells Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Tobias Harris and Nikola Vucevic are starting their seasons by making strong impressions in Orlando, writes Ken Hornack of FOX Sports Florida. Timing is everything for these players as they have until the end of the month to sign extensions to their rookie contracts. Magic head coach Jacque Vaughn isn’t letting his players get distracted by their pending contract statuses. “My message to them has been I’m going to coach you. No matter if you’re in a contract year or your first year in the league. I’m going to coach you the same. Hopefully that puts a little bit of ease underneath their wings in the sense of, ‘Just go play basketball,’“ Vaughn said.

Chris Crouse contributed to this post.

Eastern Notes: DeRozan, Hornets, Stuckey

October 9th, 2014 at 10:26pm CST by Eddie Scarito

DeMar DeRozan may be one of the earliest beneficiaries of the NBA’s new television deal, as Eric Koreen of the National Post points out. DeRozan, who signed what is widely considered a team-friendly $38MM extension in 2012 with the Raptors, can opt out of his contract in the summer of 2016. Koreen adds that even if DeRozan cannot negotiate a maximum-value contract or extension, he is at least likely to double his current $10.1MM salary.

Here’s the latest from the Eastern Conference:

Hornets head coach Steve Clifford said that the team’s primary focus heading into the offseason was to add three-point shooting, Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer writes. Charlotte inked Lance Stephenson and Marvin Williams to try and fill that need this summer.
Rodney Stuckey grew tired of the losing culture with the Pistons, Mark Montieth of NBA.com writes. “I don’t like losing,” Stuckey said. “Sometimes in Detroit, we’d be close in a game and be losing and people would be OK with it because it was a close game and we played hard. But we still lost. I don’t accept that. I want to win. That’s where a lot of the conflict came from. I’m a competitor, man. I don’t like losing. I don’t come out here just to get a sweat and lose and be happy. That’s not me. I try to compete each and every night and let the chips fall.” Now that he’s with the Pacers Stuckey has the chance to enter a more stable environment, and even with the loss of Paul George for the season, Stuckey should have the opportunity to play for a winning team, Montieth opines.
In addition to his mentoring role on the Sixers, Luc Mbah a Moute is looking to improve his game, writes Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Pompey suggests Philadelphia could benefit by re-signing Mbah a Moute, who is set to become a free agent after the season, because of his relationship with new teammate Joel Embiid. But for now the forward is keeping his focus on the court. ”My main focus is this season and having a great season as a team and individually.” Mbah a Moute said. “When it comes to the end of the season, we will look to see where we are and make those decisions.”

Chris Crouse contributed to this post.

Eastern Notes: MCW, Miller, Hornets, LeBron

October 6th, 2014 at 8:37pm CST by Zachary Links

The 76ers appear to be a very future-minded organization, but Michael Carter-Williams is only focused on winning in the present, writes Michael Kaskey-Blomain of Philly.com. “I can’t sit here and look too far in the future,” Carter-Williams explained. “I know that it may seem that that’s where the hope is, in the future, and a lot of people are focused on that, but we won’t get to that future if we don’t go through what we need to go through now.” As we wait to see if MCW can help the Sixers surprise people this season, let’s have a look at the latest from the East:

Wizards guard Andre Miller refuses to say that the upcoming season will be his last, observes J. Michael of CSNWashington.com. Miller, 38, hopes to continue playing beyond this season and says that he feels good as 2014/15 fast approaches. The veteran averaged career lows of 4.9 points and 3.4 assists last season.
The offseason addition of Lance Stephenson should help the Hornets take the next step towards becoming an Eastern Conference contender, writes Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. The controversial forward averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists while shooting 49.1 percent from the field last season, and at 24 years old, he has plenty of room to grow.
Just like a new TV deal was negotiated years in advance, Cavs star LeBron James says he would like to see a new CBA hammered out ahead of time, tweets Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com. “We would love to do it sooner than later,” said James.

Charlie Adams contributed to this post.

And-Ones: Nets, Williams, Bucks, Durant

October 5th, 2014 at 10:40pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The NBA’s new television deal will help with the Guggenheim-Nets talks, Robert Windrem of NetsDaily notes (Twitter link). Brooklyn could reverse its fiscal issues and become profitable with the new influx of money, which would also serve to increase the overall value of the franchise. The Nets reportedly lost $144MM during the 2013/14 season.

Here’s more from around the league:

Another development to watch for in regard to the new television deal will be Kevin Durant‘s pending free agency in the summer of 2016, Tim Bontemps of The New York Post opines (Twitter link). The salary cap is projected to increase significantly by July 1st, 2016, and it could possibly jump from the $63.065MM this season to $80MM for the 2016/17 campaign. The higher cap will not only potentially net Durant a much bigger windfall, it could also increase the number of teams with enough room under the cap to make a play for the “Slim Reaper.”
Marvin Williams, one of the newest members of the Hornets, received praise from his new head coach and teammates, Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer writes. Bonnell also explains how Williams’ role has changed from a scorer to a smart role player, and that Williams has “made peace” with who he is at the NBA level.
Brian Fleurantin of SB Nation previews the Bucks’ upcoming 2014/15 campaign. Jason Kidd managed an aging group in Brooklyn, so it’ll be interesting to see how he does in coaching a significantly younger core in Milwaukee.
Alex Tyus, an undrafted center out of Florida, had a chance to display his talents during Tel Aviv’s 107-80 exhibition game loss to the Cavs this evening. Tyus logged 13 points, six rebounds, and five blocks for Tel Aviv. “The NBA is all about opportunity and getting a chance. I never got mine because of the NBA lockout and my pursuit of an Israeli passport,” Tyus told David Pick of Eurobasket. The Heat and a few other teams expressed interest in the 6’8″ 26-year-old this summer, and Miami had considered inviting him to training camp, Pick reports.

Chris Crouse contributed to this post.

Eastern Notes: Thompson, Rondo, Hornets

October 5th, 2014 at 10:44am CST by Eddie Scarito

The results of the starting center competition in Cleveland might have an impact on the team’s roster next season, Jason Lloyd of The Akron Beacon Journal writes. Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao are both entering the final year of their contracts as well as competing to tip off games at the pivot. Varejao should come a bit cheaper, but Thompson is nine years younger and has a much higher upside, notes Lloyd, and Thompson needs minutes to put up numbers worthy of a deal in the four-year, $49MM range that Derrick Favors signed with the Jazz, which will be the likely starting point in negotiations with the Cavs.

Here’s more from the east:

Though he doesn’t get a vote in the matter, Celtics legend Bob Cousy is among those who thinks the team should hold onto Rajon Rondo, Bill Doyle of The News Telegram writes. Cousy, who knows a bit about point guard play said, “Guys like Rondo come along only every 20 years. So I would do everything I could to keep him. Obviously you don’t want to lose a talent like that and get nothing for him. I’m a big Ainge fan. I think Danny has done an excellent job since he’s been there. He’s a hard worker, he’s a good guy, he’s smart. If he really thinks he’s [Rondo] going, then sure try to salvage something.”
One item that didn’t factor into LeBron James‘ decision to return to the Cavs was who the head coach was, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com writes. Discussing his new head coach David Blatt, James said, “Him being here, it wasn’t part of my process of coming back. Obviously, I was excited once I made the decision to get to know him, get to know what he’s about and it’s been good so far.” James also added that he feels like he can work with any coach regardless of how impressive or pedestrian their past might be, notes McMenamin.
The Hornets talent level has improved over last season but the team also hopes that the remarkable locker room chemistry last year’s squad had will carry forward to this season, Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer writes. “It’s not going to be easy,” said Jannero Pargo. “If you change one player, one aspect of a team, you change the whole dynamic. But we have a good core of guys, so it can be done.”

And-Ones: Barea, White, Johnson, Walker

October 4th, 2014 at 12:33pm CST by Eddie Scarito

J.J. Barea has been the odd man out in Minnesota, especially after the Wolves signed Mo Williams back in July. But the veteran guard believes there is a roster spot for him on the team, Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press writes. “I see the players and know this team could use me,” Barea said. “I could help them a lot.” Barea is in the final year of his contract and there has been speculation that Minnesota would attempt to deal or reach a buyout arrangement with him.

Here’s what else is happening around the league:

Also from Greder’s article, Williams said that he would like to try his hand at coaching once his career is over, though he did say that he still has a few more years left in him as a player.
Former NBA player DJ White has inked a one-month deal with Baskonia of the ACB, the team announced via their website (translation by Emiliano Carchia of Sportando). The 6’9″ power forward spent the last two seasons playing in China, but did appear in two games for the Hornets in 2013/14 after signing a 10-day contract. In six NBA seasons White’s numbers are 5.9 PPG and 3.2 RPG.
The Reno Bighorns, the D-League affiliate of the Kings, are hiring former NBA player Darrell Walker as head coach, Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders reports (Twitter link).
Raptors GM Masai Ujiri has prioritized continuity on his roster, but the team’s plans for Amir Johnson aren’t clear, Eric Koreen of The National Post writes. With Patrick Patterson under contract for three more years, Ujiri might decide against giving long-term contracts to both players since their games are so similar, opines Koreen.

Eastern Notes: Hawks, Sixers, McDaniels, Vonleh

October 3rd, 2014 at 2:30pm CST by Chuck Myron

There’s concern around the league that NBA franchises are overvalued, in part out of worry that the union will negotiate a better deal for itself in the next collective bargaining agreement, as Sean Deveney of The Sporting News details. That “buy low, sell high” mentality helps explain why Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov seems motivated to cash out on at least part of his majority share of the team. There’s more from Deveney’s piece pertaining to another team on the market, as we pass along here:

Deveney also hears that Hawks owner Bruce Levenson was open to selling his controlling interest in the team even before the discovery of his racially charged email. We rounded up today’s latest on the Hawks sale right here.
The Sixers only signed two players in free agency this year, both to minimum-salary deals, as our Free Agent Tracker shows, but co-owner Josh Harris insists he’s willing to spend in the future, notes Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News (Twitter links). “We’ve bottomed out and now together we build,” Harris said.
Grantland’s Zach Lowe confirms that the deal that K.J. McDaniels signed with the Sixers was indeed the team’s required tender, as I speculated. Teams must offer their second-round picks a one-year, non-guaranteed contract for the minimum salary to retain their draft rights, and those are the terms that McDaniels signed for.
Hornets rookie Noah Vonleh says he didn’t work out for Charlotte before the draft because his agent didn’t believe he’d still be available when the Hornets picked at No. 9 overall, as Vonleh tells Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer.

Western Notes: Gee, Mills, Nedovic, Ballmer

October 3rd, 2014 at 10:30am CST by Chuck Myron

The players union encourages agents to negotiate contract guarantee dates into non-guaranteed deals for their clients in part to help ward off what happened to Alonzo Gee this summer, writes Grantland’s Zach Lowe. Teams played hot potato with Gee’s contract, which was to remain non-guaranteed until the leaguewide guarantee date in January, and the Kings waived him late last month, in time for him to receive no more than another non-guaranteed pact for the minimum salary with the Nuggets. Gee’s agent Happy Walters didn’t represent the small forward when he signed the contract that teams passed around via trade this summer, and vows to Lowe that he’ll never let a player agree to a non-guaranteed deal without a guarantee date, though it’s unclear what guarantee dates, if any, are involved in Gee’s arrangement with Denver. While we wait to see how that dynamic plays out around the league, and whether Gee can crack the Nuggets opening-night roster, here’s more from around the Western Conference:

The Hornets planned to pursue Patrick Mills last summer but backed off when he was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff just as free agency was beginning, according to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News. Mills re-signed with the Spurs for three years and $11MM.
Agent Misko Raznatovic is skeptical that the Warriors are giving a fair shot to Nemanja Nedovic, the 30th overall pick in 2013, as Raznatovic tells Saša Ozmo of the Serbian website B92 (Ozmo provides an English translation on TwitLonger). “I don’t know if he’s going to get a proper chance,” Raznatovic said. “They’re promising he will, but we’ll see, he’s had a lot of injuries. I hope everything is going to be all right.” A decision on Nedovic’s third-year team option is due by October 31st.
New Clippers owner Steve Ballmer insists he won’t micromanage coach/executive Doc Rivers as he runs the basketball operations for the team and doesn’t agree with the notion that $2 billion was too much to pay for the team, as Ballmer tells USA Today’s Sam Amick. Ballmer also says to Amick that he intends to own the team “until essentially I die.”