Denver Nuggets Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Nick Johnson To Play For Spurs D-League Team

December 27th, 2015 at 7:55pm CST by Eddie Scarito

SUNDAY, 7:55pm: The affiliate of the Spurs has claimed Johnson off D-League waivers, a source tells Reichert (Twitter link).

SATURDAY, 5:00pm: Nuggets camp cut Nick Johnson has signed with the NBA D-League, Chris Reichert of Upside and Motor reports (Twitter ink). Johnson will be subject to the league’s waiver process to determine which franchise he is assigned to. NBA teams can begin signing players to 10-day contracts on January 5th, and this move by Johnson should make him a more attractive option for teams seeking backcourt help, though that is merely my speculation. Johnson is still collecting a NBA paycheck thanks to his contract with the Nuggets being fully guaranteed for this season and the next. He is making $845,059 for 2015/16 and is owed $980,431 for the 2016/17 campaign by Denver.

The combo guard is no stranger to the D-League having made 20 appearances in 2014/15 for Rio Grande Valley, the Rockets’ affiliate. He averaged a solid 18.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 33.9 minutes per contest for the Vipers. His shooting numbers were .428/.283/.789.

Johnson, 22, had been acquired by Denver from Houston as part of the Ty Lawson trade. The 2014 42nd overall pick appeared in 28 NBA games last season, averaging 2.6 points and 1.4 rebounds in 9.4 minutes per game, and he owned a slash line of .347/.238/.680.

Northwest Notes: Barton, Thunder, Blazers

December 24th, 2015 at 9:21pm CST by Charlie Adams

Let’s take a quick look at a few notes pertaining to the Northwest Division..

Will Barton’s strong play this season has Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders wondering if the Nuggets’ guard might garner some serious consideration for the Sixth Man of the Year award. Barton inked a three-year, $11MM deal with Denver last summer, and the early returns have the contract looking quite team friendly. Barton is averaging 15.7 points while playing 29.0 minutes per night and hitting 45.9% of his shots from the floor.
Sports Illustrated’s Nate Duncan runs down each of the teams with new coaches this season and grades how well each bench boss has performed thus far. Duncan gives the Thunder’s Billy Donovan a mark of ‘C’, suggesting that Oklahoma City’s defensive schemes might be holding the club back.
The Blazers lost four of their starters over the offseason and haven’t been able to replicate the success they’ve had in recent years, but the pairing of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum has all the makings of a dynamic building block that will yield victories for years to come. Shaun Powell of NBA.com examines how the members of the duo play off of one another so well.

Western Notes: Malone, Leonard, Jones

December 22nd, 2015 at 8:14pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry declined to discuss how much contact he had with the Nuggets over the summer regarding Denver’s then open coaching position, which ultimately went to Michael Malone, but firmly believes the franchise made a good choice in its hire, Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post writes. “They got themselves a really, really good coach, a guy that works his butt off,” Gentry said. “I don’t think there’s anybody out there that works any harder [than Malone] or understands the game. He’s been around it his whole life. So, I think they did great.“

Malone noted that Emmanuel Mudiay‘s recent ankle injury is related to the injury the rookie sustained while playing in China last season, Dempsey adds. When asked when Mudiay might return to game action, Malone said, “We trust our athletic training staff to tell us when he can get back on the floor to start practicing. And then obviously he’ll have to get through a practice before he can play in a game. To be honest, I think he’s probably a little ways away from that. So we’ll be cautious. It’s an injury he sustained while in China, and it’s kind of come back a little bit.“

Here’s more from the Western Conference:

The reports that Blazers big man Meyers Leonard was offered and turned down a four-year, $60MM extension from the team are “grossly inaccurate,” according to Jason Quick of CSNNW.com (Twitter link). Leonard is eligible to become a restricted free agent next summer provided Portland extends him a qualifying offer worth $4,210,880.
The Timberwolves have recalled point guard Tyus Jones from the Idaho Stampede, the team announced. The rookie had been with the Jazz’s D-League affiliate since December 5th as part of the league’s flexible assignment program.
The Grizzlies have assigned James Ennis, Jarell Martin and Russ Smith to their D-League affiliate in Iowa, the team announced. This will be Ennis’ fifth stint with the Energy and the second for both Martin and Smith.

Western Notes: Wright, Ellis, Miller

December 16th, 2015 at 9:33pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Grizzlies big man Brandan Wright says that he expects to miss six to eight weeks after a knee surgery he’s scheduled to undergo Thursday, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports tweets. This confirms an earlier report by Chris Vernon of 92.9 FM. Memphis GM Chris Wallace, discussing Wright’s scheduled surgery, said, “There is a need to do the procedure at this time. We tried the rest and rehab route,” Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal relays (Twitter links). Tillery also notes that the team had believed that Wright, prior to his latest diagnosis, was merely suffering from tendinitis and was “soft” for sitting out.

Here’s more from out West:

Nuggets swingman Mike Miller had considered retirement after the 2011/12 season, but the veteran says that he feels rejuvenated and may continue his playing career for longer than expected, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Post writes. “If my body feels the way it is right now, I want to play a couple of more years for sure,“ Miller told Tomasson. “I never would have believed [in 2012] that I’d still be playing now,” Miller added.
Despite competing with each other for minutes, Suns centers Tyson Chandler and Alex Len work well together, Matt Petersen of NBA.com writes. “Those guys have a great relationship,” GM Ryan McDonough said. “They’re two of the most unselfish guys we have on the team. I’m not really as concerned about that. It’s a nice luxury for us and the coaches that they can go with whoever’s playing better, especially if somebody is either in foul trouble or has an off night.”
Mavs power forward Dirk Nowitzki says he wasn’t surprised that Monta Ellis opted out of his deal after last season in order to become an unrestricted free agent, Candace Buckner of The Indianapolis Star tweets. “I mean, you figure since he had two good years for us and he’s [30 years old] now … you figure he’s going to get out and sign one more deal,” Nowitzki said. “I’m happy for him. He signed a four-year deal, got some good money, obviously. He is on a very good team in Indiana that is playing well, well-coached and well-run. I’m happy for him.“

Nuggets Make J.J. Hickson, Randy Foye Available?

December 15th, 2015 at 12:26pm CST by Chuck Myron

J.J. Hickson and Randy Foye are said to be available as belief grows around the league that the Nuggets may be moving closer to trading away talent, writes Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders. It appears unlikely Denver will offload Danilo Gallinari or another key component barring a major offer, Kyler cautions. Denver is 10-14 and in 11th place in the Western Conference. Hickson and Foye are in the final seasons of their respective contracts.

Hickson has started nine times this year and is averaging 17.9 minutes per game, but he didn’t appear in either of the last two outings for the Nuggets. He began his tenure with the Nuggets as a full-time starter in 2013/14, but he’s played a much more limited role in the two seasons since. Still, trade chatter surrounding the 27-year-old has been relatively quiet since he was reportedly a part of Denver’s offer for Brook Lopez last winter. He’s making nearly $5.614MM this season.

The last two games have also seen a sharp reduction in playing time for Foye, who’s played only 15 minutes combined in Denver’s last two contest after having started the previous six. The 32-year-old, in his 10th NBA season, is averaging career lows in points, assists and minutes per game. He’s seeing an even $3.135MM salary. The Nuggets apparently talked about trading Foye in January, but, as with Hickson, it’s largely been quiet on that front since.

Denver is slightly under the cap and without trade exceptions to use. Trading both Hickson and Foye without taking back salary in return would drop the team beneath the $63MM salary floor, so that’s an unlikely scenario.

Which team do you think would be a fit for either Hickson or Foye? Leave a comment to share your thoughts.

Western Notes: Garnett, Fournier, Morris

December 9th, 2015 at 8:32pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Timberwolves don’t expect Kevin Garnett to end his playing days with much fanfare, and the veteran intends to make the twilight of his career more about helping the younger players around him, Andy Greder of The Pioneer Press writes. “He’s never gonna go out on a Harley,” said Clippers head man Doc Rivers, who coached Garnett in Boston.”He’s really into it with his guys, loves the young guys. Kevin loving young guys is really good, because if you don’t have the right kind love of the game, for Kevin, he’s not gonna love you back, and that’s a fact. Clearly, he feels like they got it right with the young guys, not only guys with talent, but guys that want to be winners.”

“My choice in coming back here had a lot more of a plan and a future involved in to it,” Garnett said. “I understand that it’s not about me, it’s about Andrew Wiggins, it’s about Karl-Anthony Towns, it’s about Ricky Rubio and Zach LaVine and these young guys in here,” Garnett said. “I’m just trying to teach the things I know and teach the things that I’ve experienced since I’ve been here.”

Here’s more from the Western Conference:

Denver “will always be in my heart,” said Evan Fournier, who spent his first two NBA seasons with the Nuggets, but as far as basketball is concerned, he’s moved on, as he told Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post. Fournier is poised for restricted free agency this summer, with his camp having reportedly asked the Magic, who apparently offered $8MM annually, for salaries well in excess of $10MM a year.
Markieff Morris says that he is still happy to be a member of the Suns despite his reduced role on the team, though he wouldn’t directly answer questions about whether he still wanted to be traded and whether his relationship with the organization had gotten better, Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic relays. “I’ll contribute any way I can, whether it’s cheering my teammates on or being in the game,” Morris said after Monday’s game. “Coach [Jeff Hornacek] is a great guy. Our team fought real hard. He put me in for a little bit of time and I just wanted to go out there and play hard and contribute any way I can. I didn’t score but I got a couple stops. We got the win. That’s what is important. I keep in high spirits and keep my confidence. Whenever my number is called, I’ll be ready always.”
The Kings have assigned Duje Dukan to the Reno Bighorns, their D-League affiliate, the team announced. This will be Dukan’s third trek to Reno on the season.

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Northwest Notes: Nelson, Mitchell, Davis, Crabbe

December 9th, 2015 at 10:01am CST by Chuck Myron

The Nuggets see Jameer Nelson as more than just someone who can shepherd rookie Emmanuel Mudiay, coach Michael Malone insisted Tuesday to reporters, including Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. Denver re-signed Nelson to a three-year deal worth more than $13.6MM in the offseason.

“We believe in Jameer regardless of Emmanuel,” Malone said. “I think everybody thinks that [Jameer is around] just because we have a young point guard. We believe in Jameer because he’s a vet with tremendous experience, a very good leader on the court [and] in the locker room. And now you couple that with a young point guard like Emmanuel Mudiay, so Jameer can not only mentor him but push him. It’s always a competition.”

See more on Nelson amid our check around the Northwest Division:

Nelson had long envisioned finishing his career with the Magic, but he sensed that he and the team were heading in different directions before he left as a free agent last year, as Robbins details in the same piece. Still, the Nuggets veteran has a fondness for his old home. “I’m here in Denver, but I always talk to my wife about moving back to Orlando just because that’s where we basically spent the majority of my adult life so far,” Nelson said, according to Robbins. “Of my 33 years, 10 of it was in Orlando and that’s when I was a real adult.”
Timberwolves interim head coach Sam Mitchell isn’t assured of remaining in his position beyond the season, but Kevin Garnett is a fan of the job his coach and former teammate is doing, as Garnett expressed to Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune. “Fiery, competitive, wants to win, hates to lose,’’ Garnett said of Mitchell. “He coaches really hard, and he wants it, for everybody. He roots for guys. At the same time he wishes he could put a jersey on and [play]. But his spirit is there. You know, you want a coach who has your back, and everybody feels like that. They feel the coach goes out and fights for you, puts you in positions to be successful, too. ‘’
Damian Lillard calls Trail Blazers offseason signee Ed Davis “the ultimate teammate,” and coach Terry Stotts finds a lot to like about Allen Crabbe, two role players who are making a convincing case to be part of the team’s long-term plan, argues Jason Quick of CSNNW.com. Davis is already in place contractually, with a three-year, $20MM deal, but Crabbe is set for restricted free agency at season’s end.

Western Notes: West, Gobert, Arthur

December 6th, 2015 at 8:36pm CST by Will Joseph

After crunching the numbers, Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald notes that David West left $10,500,813 on the table to sign with the Spurs after opting out of the final year of his contract with the Pacers. West explained to Bulpett that a shot to win a championship meant more than money.

“The only question I needed to answer was, ‘Will my lifestyle change? Will my family’s lifestyle change?’ That was a no,” West said, per Bulpett. “I’ve been preparing to make a decision like this for quite some time, just planning the right way and being a little patient early on and just always having the idea of living well below my means. That’s always allowed me the room to make a decision like I made. A lot of people can’t understand that because they just don’t know me. A lot of that criticism is from far off. To me, it was just a basketball decision.”

Here’s more from around the Western Conference:

While a definitive timeline was not provided, Jazz coach Quin Snyder hinted that Rudy Gobert, who is out indefinitely after suffering Grade II sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee, could be out for a couple of months, Jody Genessy of the Deseret News tweets.
Alvin Gentry‘s job as Pelicans head coach has been made much more difficult because of the rash of injuries the team has experienced, Justin Verrier of ESPN.com writes. The Pelicans have used 11 different lineups so far this season, according to Verrier. New Orleans is 5-15, which is obviously not the start Gentry had in mind when he took the job in May and inherited what was thought to be a promising team.
Darrell Arthur, whom the Nuggets re-signed to a two-year deal in August, is playing better than he has in recent years and his success lately can be attributed to a rediscovered jumper, Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post writes. Arthur has scored in double-figures in five of his last eight games, Dempsey adds.

Northwest Notes: Barton, Nelson, Donovan, Lillard

December 6th, 2015 at 10:15am CST by Arthur Hill

In his second season with the Nuggets, Will Barton is emerging as a candidate for the Sixth Man award, writes Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post. Barton’s scoring average has doubled to 14.0 this season, and coach Michael Malone calls him one of the team’s “one or two” best players. “I put in a lot of work in the offseason, even during the season — going back to the gym after practice, things of that nature. So it’s expected,” Barton said. “And I want more for myself and also for this team. So I can’t just get satisfied. I can do so much more.” Barton, who was acquired in a deal with Portland in February, is signed through 2017/18.

There’s more news from the Northwest Division:

For the second straight game, Malone opted to go with veteran point guard Jameer Nelson over rookie Emmanuel Mudiay in the closing minutes of a tight contest, Dempsey writes in a separate story. “For me it’s always going to be a balancing act, Emmanuel or Jameer,” Malone said. “… I trust Jameer with the ball in his hands.”
Thunder coach Billy Donovan is enjoying the transition from the college game to the NBA, writes Shandel Richardson of The Sun Sentinel. Donovan left Florida to take over a team coming off a rare non-playoff season and has Oklahoma City off to an 11-8 start. “I really enjoy it,” Donovan said. “It always starts with the organization, the people you’re working with. The staff’s been great. I’ve really enjoyed those guys. They’ve been helpful. The players have been really, really good. I think I’m coaching a hard-working team. The one thing I respect about [Kevin] Durant and [Russell] Westbrook is those guys come in every day and work.”
Damian Lillard, who received a five-year max extension over the summer from the Blazers, hasn’t lived up to his clutch reputation, contends Jason Quick of CSNNW.com. Lillard is known for the buzzer-beating shot that knocked the Rockets out of the 2014 playoffs, but Quick points out that he hasn’t been sinking those late-game shots as much as expected. In fourth quarters this season, Lillard is shooting just 26% from the floor and 20.9% from 3-point range, and a year ago, he made just 34.1% of his shots in “clutch moments.”

Jamaal Franklin Signs With Lakers D-League Team

December 4th, 2015 at 3:13pm CST by Chuck Myron

Former Grizzlies and Nuggets shooting guard Jamaal Franklin has joined the D-League affiliate of the Lakers, the team announced (Twitter link). It’s the second stint with the Los Angeles D-Fenders for the 24-year-old Franklin, who played 21 games for the club last season in between his time with China’s Zhejiang Guangsha and his brief encounter with Denver. He remains eligible to join any NBA team.

The Grizzlies made Franklin the 41st overall pick in 2013, but they waived him the following summer after he appeared in only 21 NBA games his rookie season. Memphis still owes him about $163K each season through 2018/19 because the team used the stretch provision to spread out the remaining guaranteed salary on his deal. The Nuggets inked him shortly before the end of the regular season this past spring to a three-year deal that didn’t include guaranteed salary beyond 2014/15, and they took advantage of that, waiving him in mid-July, though he continued to play for Denver’s summer league squad.

The 6’5″ Franklin only started in eight of his 21 appearances with the D-Fenders last season, but he proved an all-around threat. He averaged 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 3.7 turnovers in 34.1 minutes per contest.