Hoops Rumors Originals

Extension Candidate: Stanley Johnson

September 10th, 2018 at 8:31pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Twenty-three players became eligible for rookie scale extensions when the 2018/19 NBA league year began in July. One of those 23, Devin Booker, quickly finalized a new deal with the Suns, leaving 22 other players who could sign rookie scale extensions before the October 15 deadline.

In the weeks leading up to that deadline, we’ll be taking a closer look at some of the strongest candidates for new contracts.

Our examination of this year’s candidates for rookie scale extensions continues today with Pistons swingman Stanley Johnson. Let’s dive in…

Why the Pistons should give him an extension:

The ability to guard multiple positions has become an increasingly valuable skill in the current NBA. With so many teams going with smaller lineups, defenders must be able to switch onto smaller, quicker players and bigger, stronger opponents alike and still hold their own. Therein lies Johnson’s calling card.

The No. 8 overall pick in the 2015 draft, the 6’7” Johnson has proven he can defend four positions. He’s got the strength to mix up with a LeBron James and the athleticism and quickness to match up with a Kyrie Irving.

For the most part, Johnson is assigned to the other team’s top wing player. Given the composition of the Pistons’ roster, Johnson serves as a complimentary piece to the team’s other top wings, Reggie Bullock and Luke Kennard. Bullock and Kennard are known for their perimeter shooting but aren’t considered noteworthy defenders.

New coach Dwane Casey has indicated he’d like to play Johnson at power forward at certain times, which would allow him to attack taller, slower defenders off the dribble.

Why the Pistons should avoid an extension:

If Johnson has shown any growth offensively, it’s been a very gradual process. In his rookie season, he averaged 8.1 PPG while making 37.5% of his shots and 30.7% from long range in 23.1 MPG.

He experimented with a new release in his second year and regressed even from those subpar figures. Johnson’s offensive woes and questions about his work ethic led to a dip in playing time, as he averaged 4.4 PPG while shooting 35.3% from the field and 29.2% on 3-point tries in 17.8 MPG.

He got back in former coach Stan Van Gundy’s good graces last season but remained a work in progress offensively. Johnson averaged 8.7 PPG on 37.5% shooting whiile making just 28.6% of his threes in 27.4 MPG.

Points of comparison:

Among recent recipients of rookie scale extensions, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist may be the best point of comparison for Johnson. In 2015, the Hornets gave Kidd-Gilchrist a four-year, $52MM deal, mainly due to his reputation as a lockdown defender.

Kidd-Gilchrist has been a fixture in the team’s starting lineup during the first two years of the extension but his offensive numbers have actually gone down compared to his first three seasons in the league. He doesn’t even attempt 3-point baskets, which makes it easier for defenders to load up on Charlotte’s shooters.

Johnson at least provides some hope of developing into a perimeter threat. In six April games last season, he averaged 12.0 PPG and made 36% of his long-distance tries.

Cap outlook:

Due to the acquisition of Blake Griffin and some poor decisions by the previous regime, the Pistons won’t have a lot of flexibility in terms of their payroll next summer.

The trio of Griffin, Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson alone will eat up $79.6MM of their cap space. The Pistons will still be on the hook for the final years of Jon Leuer‘s and Langston Galloway‘s deals, chewing up another $16.8MM in cap room. And the stretch provision used on Josh Smith will wipe out an additional $5.33MM.

Handing Johnson a deal comparable to Kidd-Gilchrist, i.e. in the $13MM annual range, would leave the Pistons with very little wiggle room to upgrade the roster. They’d have to be convinced that Johnson could expand his game offensively while remaining a bulldog on the defensive end.

It’s not far-fetched, considering Johnson exited college after his freshman season at Arizona. He’s still only 22 and could thrive under the guidance of Casey.

Conclusion:

Under a different set of circumstances, the Pistons might consider locking up Johnson at the right price. He can contribute without being a major offensive factor and the Pistons probably don’t need him to become a 15- or 20-point scorer.

They’ve got two All-Star level frontcourt talents in Griffin and Drummond, an offensively-gifted point guard (when healthy) in Jackson, and some quality 3-point shooters dotting the roster. It’s still difficult to make a long-term commitment to Johnson until he becomes at least enough of an offensive threat that defenders have to pay some attention to him.

It’s even more difficult for the Pistons to lavish Johnson with a multi-year deal given their salary constraints next summer. They can still extend a qualifying offer and see how the market plays out when Johnson becomes a restricted free agent.

It’s unlikely Johnson will develop so dramatically that other teams will be beating down his door with lucrative offer sheets. Better to see if Johnson can make the necessary upgrades in his game before giving him long-term security.

Will Johnson get extended by October 15?

Our prediction: No.

Our estimate: RFA in 2019.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Community Shootaround: Heat Rotation

September 10th, 2018 at 4:36pm CST by Dana Gauruder

There’s still a lot of uncertainty regarding Dwyane Wade‘s status for the upcoming season. A report late last month indicated that Wade was ‘inclined to play’ another season and if he does, it will be with the franchise he’s played for most of his career.

Even if Wade doesn’t return, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra will have a lot of tough decisions to make regarding his rotation during the upcoming season. Miami’s roster is filled with solid but unspectacular players and Spoelstra will have to sort out which are most deserving of steady minutes.

Thanks to team president Pat Riley basically standing pat with his roster this summer, there aren’t a lot of players with clearly defined roles.

Point guard Goran Dragic seems like the only sure thing in terms of the backcourt. Tyler Johnson is the listed backup but Dion Waiters could get some playing time there, as well as Wade if he re-signs.

The shooting guard spot has a major logjam whether or not Wade is added to the equation. Along with Waiters coming back from an ankle injury, the Heat have Johnson, Rodney McGruder, Wayne Ellington and Josh Richardson vying for minutes there.

Richardson could start at small forward but Justise Winslow will also be in the mix, along with summer league star Derrick Jones. Richardson led the team last season in minutes played per game but that was partly due to the injuries sustained by Waiters and McGruder, who started 65 games two seasons ago. Ellington led the team’s rotation players last season with his 39.2% shooting from beyond the arc.

Winslow will also play the ‘four’ in smaller lineups but Spoelstra also has to figure out a way to juggle Hassan Whiteside, Kelly Olynyk, Bam Adebayo and James Johnson at the center and power forward positions. Whiteside brooded about his reduced playing time last season and he won’t be happy with the status quo. But Adebayo’s role should expand in his second season while James Johnson, Olynyk and Winslow all played between 23-27 minutes on average last season.

That’s an awful lot for Spoeltra to sort out.

That leads us to our topic of the day: If you were the Miami Heat coach, what would your starting lineup look like? Which players should get the most minutes off the bench and which should be out of the rotation?

Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to what you have to say.

2018 Offseason In Review: Chicago Bulls

September 9th, 2018 at 10:31pm CST by Austin Kent

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 Chicago Bulls.

Signings:

Standard contracts:
- Zach LaVine: Four years, $78MM. Matched Kings’ offer sheet. Re-signed as restricted free agent using Bird rights.
- Jabari Parker: Two years, $40MM. Second-year team option. Signed using cap space.
- Antonio Blakeney: Two years, minimum salary. Signed using minimum salary exception.
Two-way contracts:
- Rawle Alkins
Non-guaranteed camp contracts:
- Ryan Arcidiacono: One year, minimum salary. $50K guarantee.
- Derrick Walton Jr.: One year, minimum salary.

Trades:

Acquired Julyan Stone in a three-way trade with the Hornets and Magic in exchange for Jerian Grant (to Magic).
- Note: Stone later waived.

Waiver claims:

Claimed Antonius Cleveland off waivers from the Hawks.

Draft picks:

1-7: Wendell Carter — Signed to rookie contract.
1-22: Chandler Hutchison — Signed to rookie contract.

Departing players:

Other offseason news:

Announced a series of promotions in basketball operations department.

Salary cap situation:

Used cap space; now over the cap.
Carrying approximately $102.6MM in guaranteed salaries.
Full room exception ($4.45MM) still available.

Check out the Chicago Bulls’ full roster and depth chart at RosterResource.com.

Story of the summer:

It’s easy to forget that this time two years ago the Bulls were embarking on an ultimately futile attempt to compete within the window of Jimmy Butler‘s prime. Fast forward to today and things are about as promising as they possibly could be for a team that still won’t crack 35 wins.

What’s different about the Bulls this summer is that we’re looking back on the package John Paxson and Gar Forman landed in exchange for Butler entirely differently. Now, frankly, the fact that the club managed to yield Lauri Markkanen and Zach LaVine in exchange for their outgoing star is hard to believe, let alone incredibly underrated guard Kris Dunn as well.

Sprinkle lottery pick Wendell Carter Jr., per-minute god Bobby Portis and the No. 2 pick of the absurdly hyped 2014 draft class (who we will talk about later) and you have some serious cause for optimism. The Bulls have a roster packed with intriguing, hypothetically great assets. This is the honeymoon phase of any good rebuild.

Key offseason losses:

There’s so much fluidity in the Bulls plans as they amass intriguing young assets in order to watch which ones actually pan out that they haven’t really had to experience any major losses (yet). In fact, over the summer, the Bulls only lost two players that played more than 20 minutes per game in 2017/18.

Seeing Jerian Grant and David Nwaba head to Orlando and Cleveland respectively won’t cause fans in Chicago to lose any sleep but it’s important to note that the two were solid, rotation pieces that understood their roles and eventually the club will need to bring guys like that back.

Key offseason additions:

There’s considerable variance in what people are expecting out of Carter Jr. in his rookie campaign but while there will always be a time and place to get excited about a shiny new lottery pick, the most significant addition that the Bulls brought aboard this summer is Jabari Parker.

In a day and age when it’s chic for basement dwelling franchises to use their cap space to absorb ugly contracts in exchange for draft assets, the Bulls made an old-fashioned investment in a once-promising young player.

There’s merit to concerns whether or not the 23-year-old will be healthy or even fit enough to be the future All-Star we cast him as back in 2014 but, as far as I’m concerned, the move was a wise one for the franchise to make.

Two years from now Parker could be the most impactful player on this roster and while that’s obviously far from guaranteed, it’s possible. That very possibility makes his signing a better use of Chicago’s available cap space than the hypothetical pair of second rounders they would have landed in exchange for eating some panicked general manager’s albatross contract from the ill-fated summer of 2017.

Outlook for 2018/19:

There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the state of the Bulls franchise but don’t confuse those for high, short-term expectations. The roster remains a hodgepodge of exciting but still largely unproven prospects and forgettable big men with regrettable contracts.

The early consensus is that surprise success Markkanen will continue to impress in 2018/19. Meanwhile, expect Dunn to take another step forward in his first full season as the obvious starter at point and don’t be surprised if his backcourt mate LaVine’s fresh new four-year contract starts to look stale quick.

If last year was this roster’s first chance to run amok with carte blanche and see what level of talent they had on the payroll, this year will be the one we start seeing the club’s four or five hypothetical future stars carving out an actual hierarchy between themselves.

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

Hoops Rumors Glossary: Salary Cap Exceptions

September 9th, 2018 at 5:01pm CST by Luke Adams

There are a number of ways that teams without salary cap space are able to add players. These players’ salaries still count against the team’s cap figure and are taken into account for tax purposes. However, teams can use these exceptions in lieu of available cap room to acquire players.

When we discuss trades and free agency at Hoops Rumors, we’ll often refer to these salary cap exceptions. In case you’re wondering what we mean when we mention a “Non-Bird exception” or a “bi-annual exception,” we’ve compiled a brief overview for reference. The NBA’s salary cap exceptions under the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement are listed below:

Bird Exception: If a player has been on the same team for three years (not necessarily full seasons), his team can re-sign him for up to the player’s maximum salary. Generally, a player who changes teams via trade retains his Bird rights, but he loses them if he signs with a new team as a free agent. A Bird player can sign for up to five years with maximum annual raises of 8%.
- For further reference: Hoops Rumors Glossary: Bird Rights
Early Bird Exception: If a player has been on the same team for two years (not necessarily full seasons), his team can re-sign him for up to 175% of his previous salary or the average player salary, whichever is greater. Early Bird contracts must be for at least two seasons (no more than four), with maximum annual raises of 8%.
- For further reference: Hoops Rumors Glossary: Early Bird Rights
Non-Bird Exception: If a player finishes a season with a team without having earned Bird or Early Bird rights, his team can re-sign him for 120% of his previous salary, 120% of the applicable minimum salary, or – if he’s a restricted free agent – the amount of his qualifying offer. A non-Bird player can sign for up to four years with maximum annual raises of 5%.
- For further reference: Hoops Rumors Glossary: Non-Bird Rights
Mid-Level Exception: A non-taxpaying team can offer a player a contract for up to four years with maximum annual raises of 5% using the mid-level exception. The MLE amount for 2018/19 is $8,641,000; it will increase annually at the same rate as the salary cap. This exception can be used on one or multiple players.
- For further reference: Hoops Rumors Glossary: Mid-Level Exception
Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception: A taxpaying team can offer a player a contract for up to three years with maximum annual raises of 5% using the mid-level exception. The taxpayer MLE amount for 2018/19 is $5,337,000; it will increase annually at the same rate as the salary cap. This exception can be used on one or multiple players.
- For further reference: Hoops Rumors Glossary: Mid-Level Exception
Room Exception: If a team uses room under the cap to sign players, it forfeits its mid-level and bi-annual exceptions. In that case, the team receives this exception, which isn’t available to teams above the cap. After using its cap room, a team can offer a player a contract for up to two years with a maximum raise of 5%. The room exception amount for 2018/19 is $4,449,000; it will increase annually at the same rate as the salary cap. This exception can be used on one or multiple players.
- For further reference: Hoops Rumors Glossary: Mid-Level Exception
Bi-Annual Exception: A team can offer a player a contract for up to two years with a maximum raise of 5% using the bi-annual exception. However, it’s only available to teams that remain over the cap and below the tax apron. The bi-annual exception amount for 2018/19 is $3,382,000; it will increase annually at the same rate as the salary cap. This exception can be used on one or multiple players.. As its name suggests, this exception, which isn’t available to taxpaying teams, can only be used every other year.
- For further reference: Hoops Rumors Glossary: Bi-Annual Exception
Minimum Salary Exception: A team can offer a player a contract for up to two years worth the applicable minimum salary. A team can also use this exception to trade for minimum-salary players. There is no limit to the number of players a team can acquire using this exception.
- For further reference: Hoops Rumors Glossary: Minimum Salary Exception
Rookie Exception: A team can sign its first-round draft picks for up to 120% of the rookie salary scale amount.
- For further reference: Rookie Scale Salaries For 2019 First Round Picks
Disabled Player Exception: If a player suffers an injury deemed to be season-ending, a team can be granted this exception by the league. It can be used to sign or trade for a replacement player for one year, and is worth 50% of the disabled player’s salary or the amount of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, whichever is lesser. This exception, which must be applied for between July 1 and January 15, can only be used once and is forfeited if not used by March 10.
- For further reference: Hoops Rumors Glossary: Disabled Player Exception
Traded Player Exception: Any team can replace a traded player – or traded players – simultaneously (in the same transaction) with one or more players whose total salaries amount to no more than 125% of the outgoing salary, plus $100K. For non-taxpaying teams, the incoming value can increase to as high as 175% of the outgoing salary, depending on the amount of that salary. Alternately, both non-taxpaying and taxpaying teams can replace a traded player non-simultaneously (within one year) with one or more players whose total salaries amount to no more than 100% of the traded player’s salary, plus $100K.
- For further reference: Hoops Rumors Glossary: Traded Player Exception

Note: This is a Hoops Rumors Glossary entry. Our glossary posts will explain specific rules relating to trades, free agency, or other aspects of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Larry Coon’s Salary Cap FAQ was used in the creation of this post.

An earlier version of this post was published in 2012 by Luke Adams.

Community Shootaround: Milwaukee Bucks

September 9th, 2018 at 3:59pm CST by Eric Spyropoulos

Having hired Mike Budenholzer as head coach and acquired several players who can help space the floor around Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks appear poised for a breakout season in the Eastern Conference. With LeBron James taking his talents west and depleting the Cavaliers’ chances of competing, the Bucks will look to take the next step and become a serious playoff contender.

After adding Eric Bledsoe during the 2017/18 season, the Bucks continued to struggle with inconsistency despite Antetokounmpo blossoming into a perennial MVP candidate and Khris Middleton enjoying a breakout season alongside him. While Bledsoe fit in well and averaged 17.8 points, 5.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game to complement Middleton and Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee’s supporting cast failed to provide quality depth and a mediocre defense continued to hold the team back.

After finishing 25th in the NBA in 3-pointers attempted per game last season and 22nd in the league in 3-point percentage, the Bucks focused on adding shooting and floor-spacing bigs in the offseason. They were successful in achieving this goal, signing Ersan Ilyasova to a three-year, $21MM deal (the last year is non-guaranteed) and Brook Lopez on a one-year, $3.4MM contract to fill in at center.

Both Ilyasova and Lopez are capable shooters, providing more offensive weapons for Budenholzer to use alongside Bledsoe, Middleton and Antetokounmpo. Ilyasova shot 36% from beyond the arc in 2017/18 for the Hawks and 76ers, while Lopez hit 34.5% of his 3-pointers last season, attempting 4.4 per game.

With Budenholzer brought in as head coach, the Bucks should implement a more diverse and modern offense, utilizing the increased floor spacing and ball movement to maximize the talents of Antetokounmpo, Middleton and Bledsoe.

However, the more pressing issue regarding the upcoming season for the Bucks will be their defense, which must improve if they hope to become a legit threat in the playoffs. If Thon Maker can show more development this season and earn more minutes at center, Milwaukee would be able to utilize a more switch-heavy defensive scheme, a scheme in which Bledsoe, Middleton and Antetokounmpo could thrive.

The Bucks will also need strong supporting contributions from Malcolm Brogdon, Tony Snell and John Henson, while recent draft picks D.J. Wilson and Donte DiVincenzo will look to buck the recent draft struggles Milwaukee has had.

With a more modern offense and improved defensive strategies implemented, the Bucks could make a big jump in the Eastern Conference. Competing for the third seed in the conference isn’t out of the question, and the Bucks should certainly be aiming for home-court advantage in the playoffs this season, although the top three Atlantic teams and the Pacers will provide tough competition.

How do you think the Bucks will do this season? Do you think they had a strong offseason? Weigh in below with your thoughts and predictions on the Bucks.

Community Shootaround: 2019 Free Agents

September 8th, 2018 at 7:48pm CST by Arthur Hill

Training camps haven’t opened yet, but it’s never too early to start thinking about next summer, which will feature one of the most impressive free agent classes in recent history. LeBron James may be off the market, signing a four-year contract with the Lakers after a series of one-year deals with options, but there are plenty of big names to replace him as we outlined Friday in our 2019 Free Agent Power Rankings 1.0.

The Warriors’ Kevin Durant holds the top spot and will probably be there all year. He has solidified his position among the league’s elite players by helping Golden State capture back-to-back titles in his two seasons with the team. While he’s in a great situation with the Warriors, Durant may decide he wants another challenge, and speculation has already started about possible destinations. He has played on one-year contracts with options the past two seasons, but at age 31 he may be ready for a long-term deal similar to LeBron’s.

Karl-Anthony Towns is currently No. 2 on the list, but there’s a good chance he’ll sign an extension with the Timberwolves before the October 15 deadline. If he doesn’t, that’s a strong sign that the locker room chemistry in Minnesota is even worse than we’ve been led to believe. If Towns hits the open market, his combination of skills and youth will create a league-wide demand, even though he’ll be a restricted free agent.

The Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard checks in at No. 3 with another situation that could change during the season. Leonard’s desire to play in Los Angeles is one of the factors that pushed him out of San Antonio, and a trade to the Lakers or Clippers could happen if Toronto isn’t confident about re-signing him when we reach the February trade deadline.

The reported dissension in Minnesota may also affect Jimmy Butler, who is fourth on our list. Butler brings an old-school mentality to the game and has reportedly clashed with Towns and Andrew Wiggins over their more relaxed attitudes. The Wolves surrendered a lot to get Butler just 15 months ago, so they may look to move him before the deadline if they decide it’s not a good fit.

Klay Thompson rounds out the top five heading into a pivotal offseason for Golden State. With two of the top five free agents plus Draymond Green eligible for an extension, it’s about to get a lot more expensive to keep the core of the back-to-back champions together.

Tonight we want you to predict how many of the top five free agents will be changing teams next summer. Incumbent teams hold the advantage of being able to offer longer contracts and bigger annual raises, but the 2019 free agent market looks unsettled with two sets of teammates in the top five and Leonard possibly in a short-term arrangement in Toronto. Please give us your feedback in the space below.

Hoops Rumors Originals: 9/1/18 – 9/8/18

September 8th, 2018 at 3:51pm CST by clarkcrum

Every week, the writing team here at Hoops Rumors creates original content to complement our news feed. With the NBA offseason in full swing, here are our numerous segments and features from the past seven days:

Take a glance at our initial list of the top free agents in 2019 -the 2019 NBA Free Agent Power Rankings 1.0.
In three Community Shootaround posts this week, we asked:
- Which team can offer Luol Deng the best situation, or do you believe he’s too far past his prime to help anybody?
- Do you believe the Pistons will make the playoffs this season?
- Who will emerge as the Lakers’ No. 2 scoring option during the upcoming season?
In his Weekly Mailbag, Arthur Hill discusses the Lakers’ next moves after waiving Deng and how Carmelo Anthony will fit with the Rockets.
Luke Adams analyzes the different contract options for the Suns to sign rookie De’Anthony Melton.
In more Deng news, we took a look at six possible landing spots for the veteran forward.
In our Extension Candidate series, we analyzed the pros and cons of extending Nets’ guard D’Angelo Russell
Luke Adams listed the highest-paid NBA players by team.
We began our 2018 Offseason in Review, and analyzed the following teams:
- Atlanta Hawks
- Orlando Magic
Luke Adams takes a look at the primary storylines to keep an eye on in September.
Which teams now have a full 20-man roster this offseason? Find out here.
In our one Poll this week, we asked for your opinion on the best NBA coaching hire of the offseason.

Categories:
Hoops Rumors Originals

Poll: Best NBA Coaching Hire Of Offseason?

September 7th, 2018 at 3:59pm CST by Luke Adams

After no NBA teams made coaching changes during the 2017 offseason, the league seemingly made up for lost time this summer. Eight clubs have replaced their head coaches since the 2017/18 season ended, with a ninth (the Grizzlies) announcing that their interim coach (J.B. Bickerstaff) would get the permanent job.

In some cases, these coaching changes functioned as a game of musical chairs. Dwane Casey was fired by the Raptors but quickly caught on with the Pistons. Steve Clifford, having been dismissed by the Hornets, was hired by the Magic. David Fizdale joined the Knicks less than a year after being let go by the Grizzlies. And Mike Budenholzer was scooped up by the Bucks shortly after parting ways with the Hawks.

In other cases, teams opted for fresh blood in the head coaching ranks. New Hornets coach James Borrego and Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce are veteran assistants getting their first shot at a head coaching job. The same goes for new Suns coach Igor Kokoskov, the NBA’s first European-born head coach, and Nick Nurse of the Raptors, who got a promotion to replace the reigning Coach of the Year.

In today’s poll, we want to know which of these offseason hires you liked the best. Your choice doesn’t necessarily have to be the one that will improve his new team’s win-loss record most significantly in 2018/19, but rather the hiring that will pay the most dividends in the long run.

Here’s a recap of all eight coaching changes this offseason:

Atlanta Hawks: Hired Lloyd Pierce to replace Mike Budenholzer.
Charlotte Hornets: Hired James Borrego to replace Steve Clifford.
Detroit Pistons: Hired Dwane Casey to replace Stan Van Gundy.
Milwaukee Bucks: Hired Mike Budenholzer to replace Joe Prunty (interim).
New York Knicks: Hired David Fizdale to replace Jeff Hornacek.
Orlando Magic: Hired Steve Clifford to replace Frank Vogel.
Phoenix Suns: Hired Igor Kokoskov to replace Jay Triano (interim).
Toronto Raptors: Hired Nick Nurse to replace Dwane Casey.

What do you think? Which move did you like the best? Vote below in our poll and jump into the comment section to share your two cents.

Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.

2019 NBA Free Agent Power Rankings 1.0

September 7th, 2018 at 2:53pm CST by Luke Adams

The list of remaining 2018 free agents continues to dry up, which means it’s nearly time to shift our focus to the group of players on track to reach the free agent market in 2019. We’ve got a full list of those 2018 free-agents-to-be, divided by position and FA type, and a separate list that sorts them by team.

Since we’re still nearly 10 months away from the 2019 free agent period opening, those lists look a little more star-studded now than they’ll end up being. A handful of top-tier restricted free agents figure to sign extensions with their current teams before opening night in October, and it’s possible that a couple veterans will be extended in the coming months as well. Kevin Love, for instance, was eligible to reach the open market in 2019 up until he signed a four-year, $120MM extension with the Cavaliers.

Still, even though not all of the top potential 2019 free agents will reach the open market – and not all of them will change teams if they do – the current list includes so many big names that it should still look pretty impressive when next July rolls around.

Below, we’ve taken our first crack at ranking some of the top potential free agents for 2019. While this is our first extended look at 2019’s top free agents, it certainly won’t be our last. Extensions, injuries, breakout years, trades, and poor performances figure to affect these rankings over the course of the 2018/19 season, so we’ll be revisiting the list every month or two to make updates and changes.

Our list reflects each player’s current expected value on the 2018 free agent market, rather than how we think they’ll perform on the court for the 2018/19 season. For instance, older players like J.J. Redick and Trevor Ariza have solid short-term value, but weren’t considered for our top 20 because they’re unlikely to sign huge, long-term deals next summer. In other words, age and long-term value is important.

Here’s the first installment of our 2019 free agent power rankings:

Kevin Durant, F, Warriors (player option): One of the top two players in the NBA, Durant has taken below-market deals in each of the last two years, but 2019 could be the summer in which he makes up for it — the Warriors will finally have his full Bird rights, meaning he could sign a five-year deal worth a projected $221MM+.
Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Timberwolves (RFA): Towns is a near lock to sign an extension with the Timberwolves before the October 15 deadline, with both Tom Thibodeau and team owner Glen Taylor expressing confidence it’ll get done. While there are some concerns about Towns’ defense and reported tension in the Minnesota locker room, his age, his offensive game, and his durability would make him one of the NBA’s safest long-term investments if he somehow reached the open market.
Kawhi Leonard, F, Raptors (player option): The fact that Leonard ranks this high after missing all but nine games with a quad injury last season and then forcing his way out of San Antonio is a testament to his talent. So far this offseason, reports on his health have been positive. If he looks like the old Kawhi in 2018/19, he has the potential to rise the top of this list by next July.
Jimmy Butler, G/F, Timberwolves (player option): One of the best two-way wings in the NBA, Butler can do a little bit of everything — over the last four seasons, he has averaged 21.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.6 APG, and 1.8 SPG with a .461/.352/.848 shooting line, earning four consecutive All-Star nods. He should have several suitors when he reaches the open market next summer.
Klay Thompson, G, Warriors: Thompson has earned a top-five spot on this list for now due to his otherworldly outside shot, his underrated perimeter defense, and his durability — he has missed just 21 total regular season games in seven NBA seasons. He may be the third option for the Warriors, but Thompson would be a bona fide star and a perennial threat for the league’s scoring title if he played for a team that leaned on him more heavily.
Kyrie Irving, G, Celtics (player option): Irving will likely rise on this list if he shows that his knee issues are behind him and has a healthy 2018/19 campaign. He’ll only be 27 years old next summer, and teams will be willing to accept his defensive shortcomings to get his offensive play-making into their lineups, so his health will be the primary X-factor — he has missed at least seven games in each of his NBA seasons, including 61 over the last three years.
Kristaps Porzingis, F/C, Knicks (RFA): Like others on this list, Porzingis’ upside outweighs his health concerns, but his ranking could fluctuate depending on how he looks upon returning from his ACL tear. Of course, the Knicks could take his name off this list entirely by locking him up to a rookie scale extension by October 15.
Khris Middleton, G/F, Bucks (player option): Giannis Antetokounmpo deservedly receives the lion’s share of the attention in Milwaukee, but Middleton has developed into one of the most effective wings in the NBA, averaging 20 PPG for the first time last season while starting all 82 games and chipping in 5.2 RPG and 4.0 APG. Throw in his .391 career 3PT% and his dangerous length and wingspan on defense, and Middleton will be in line for a substantial raise in 2019.
Kemba Walker, G, Hornets: Walker isn’t a top-five NBA point guard, but he’s a two-time All-Star who might look even better if he got the opportunity to play alongside a second star. A Hornet since 2011, Walker is fond of the city and the franchise, so it will be interesting to see if he stays put or seeks a free agent opportunity that puts him closer to title contention.
Myles Turner, C, Pacers (RFA): Although injuries and the arrival of Domantas Sabonis diminished Turner’s impact in 2017/18, the 22-year-old capable of protecting the rim (1.8 career BPG) and making outside shots (.353 3PT% over the last two years). He should only get better, and if he reaches restricted free agency, an up-and-coming organization looking for a young building block may put pressure on the Pacers with an aggressive offer sheet.
Tobias Harris, F, Clippers: Harris reportedly turned down an extension offer from the Clippers worth about $80MM, so he seems to be betting on a major payday in free agency — if the 26-year-old keeps playing like he did after being traded to L.A. last season, he should get it. In his first 32 games for the Clippers, Harris recorded 19.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 3.1 APG with a .473/.414/.800 shooting line.
Al Horford, C, Celtics (player option): Horford is one of a few players on this list who may ultimately exercise his player option rather than opting out. He remains one of the NBA’s most underrated and effective frontcourt players and could probably secure one last lucrative multiyear contract next summer, but his $30MM+ player-option salary will be tough to turn down.
DeMarcus Cousins, C, Warriors: This spot seems simultaneously too high and too low for Cousins, who is one of the NBA’s most productive players when he’s healthy, but is still recovering from an Achilles tear, one of the most challenging injuries for an NBA player to return from. Even if he looks good for the Warriors in the second half and helps the team win another title, Cousins will essentially be a role player for the star-studded squad, which will limit his chances of signing a massive long-term deal in 2019.
Goran Dragic, G, Heat (player option): Coming off his first All-Star performance, Dragic’s stock is high, but he’ll turn 33 years old next May and there’s no shortage of productive point guards around the NBA. His market won’t bottom out, but he won’t be signing a $100MM contract either.
DeAndre Jordan, C, Mavericks: Jordan opted for a one-year contract this summer, presumably expecting a more player-friendly market in 2019. That’s certainly possible, but as this list shows, there will also be more elite free agents available than there were in 2018, which will work against the veteran center. He’ll also turn 31 next summer, and his shot-blocking numbers have fallen off sharply in recent years. While his ability to rebound, defend, and finish at the rim should earn him a solid deal, Jordan probably won’t be one of 2019’s most sought-after free agents.
Julius Randle, F/C, Pelicans (player option): After settling for a short-term, mid-level contract in 2018, Randle will look for a big year playing next to Anthony Davis. He’ll be 24 when he returns to unrestricted free agency, assuming he declines his 2019/20 player option.
Terry Rozier, G, Celtics (RFA): Of the restricted free agents on this list, Rozier is the most likely to switch teams, given the presence of Irving and Marcus Smart in Boston. The Celtics will have to make sure they can re-sign Irving before making letting Rozier get away, but he’d be a nice fit for a young team in need of a point guard, such as the Suns or Magic.
Eric Bledsoe, G, Bucks: Bledsoe was inconsistent as a Buck, but he’s still just 28 years old and is capable of being a strong defender and play-maker when he’s making the right decisions. A year under new head coach Mike Budenholzer could help improve his stock.
Harrison Barnes, F, Mavericks (player option): Like Horford, Barnes may simply decide to opt into the final year of his contract if he determines he won’t be able to top his $25MM+ player-option salary. If he chooses free agency, he’s the sort of three-and-D wing who would look good to a lot of teams as a second or third option.
Marc Gasol, C, Grizzlies (player option): 2017/18 was mostly a lost season for Gasol and the Grizzlies, but the veteran big man continued to impress, adding a three-point shot (.362 3PT% over the last two years) to complement his ability to rebound, defend, and score and pass out of the post. Staying healthy will be a key component in Gasol’s option decision next summer — a healthy year could earn him one last big contract, but he’ll be 34 in January and will probably pick up his option if he struggles through an injury-plagued season.

Disagree strongly with any of our rankings? Feel like we omitted any players that should be in the top 20? Weigh in below in the comments section to let us know!

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NBA Teams With Full 20-Man Rosters

September 7th, 2018 at 1:46pm CST by Luke Adams

Training camps are still two and a half weeks away from opening, but a number of NBA teams have already reached their 20-player offseason roster limits, either officially or unofficially.

The Hawks became the latest team to fill their 20-man roster. Atlanta announced the signing of 19th man R.J. Hunter earlier today, and has also reportedly reached an agreement with veteran center Cole Aldrich, who will fill the 20th spot. The Hawks, of course, could make adjustments to their roster before camps begin, signing or releasing various players, but for now it looks like they’ve chosen their 20-man squad.

Here are the other teams besides Atlanta who have full 20-man offseason rosters:

Boston Celtics: After signing three players to camp deals earlier this week, the Celtics now officially have 20 players under contract, including 15 on guaranteed salaries and two on two-way contracts.
Dallas Mavericks: Not only are the Mavericks carrying 20 players (15 guaranteed contracts, three non-guaranteed, two two-way), but the team has also reportedly reached an agreement to sign undrafted free agent Donte Ingram to a camp contract. Dallas would have to trade or release a player to finalize Ingram’s deal.
Milwaukee Bucks: At the moment, the Bucks have 14 players on guaranteed deals, four on non-guaranteed contracts, and a pair on two-way pacts. However, the club also still has a qualifying offer out to two-way player Xavier Munford and has agreed to sign both Shabazz Muhammad and Christian Wood. More roster moves are coming at some point for Milwaukee.
Orlando Magic: The Magic seemingly finalized their offseason roster earlier this week when they inked B.J. Johnson and Gabe York to non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contracts. Orlando now has 14 players on guaranteed salaries, one with a partial guarantee, three on non-guaranteed deals, and two on two-way contracts.
Utah Jazz: Last week’s signing of Trey Lewis may be the last move for Utah before camps get underway. The Jazz now have 14 players on fully guaranteed salaries, four on non-guaranteed deals, and a pair on two-way contracts.

For more details on how many players each team is carrying, be sure to check out our roster counts page, which is updated daily. As that list shows, there are a number of clubs around the NBA with just one spot open on their 20-man rosters.

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