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Trade Deadline Notes: Evans, Hill, Hood, Mavericks

February 7th, 2018 at 11:28pm CST by Arthur Hill

One of the most important deadlines on the NBA calendar is less than 24 hours away, and teams are preparing their best offers as we head for 2:00pm Central. We’ll find out soon if any more franchise-altering moves are in store for this season, but in the meantime here are some Wednesday night trade rumors:

  • The Celtics remain in the running for Grizzlies guard Tyreke Evans, but there’s a sense that Memphis is getting better offers elsewhere, according to Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald. A GM from another team tells Bulpett that Boston is waiting to swoop in if talks with those other clubs fall apart. Evans’ value figures to have increased after Lou Williams agreed to an extension with the Clippers today, taking one high-scoring guard off the market.
  • Multiple teams have shown interest in George Hill, but the Kings don’t want to take on bad contracts, reports Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee. The Cavaliers have been the team most prominently linked to the veteran guard, but Jones says the Rockets and others have contacted Sacramento about Hill. Houston could match salaries with Ryan Anderson, but he is owed more than $41MM over the next two seasons and the Kings want to avoid cutting into their future cap space. They are seeking young players and draft picks in return for Hill.
  • Teams have also called the Kings about veterans Garrett Temple, Vince Carter and Kosta Koufos, Jones adds in the same story. Both Temple ($8MM) and Koufos ($8.74MM) have player options for next season, while the 41-year-old Carter is on an expiring deal.
  • Jazz swingman Rodney Hood told Shams Charania of The Vertical that he expects to be traded. “I’ve had great times in Utah, but regardless of where I’m playing, whether it’s there or somewhere else, I’m going to stay professional,” Hood said. “I’m going to stick with it. My gut feeling is that I won’t be here by the deadline. I’ve enjoyed my time here, but I’ve felt isolated the past month and I would not be surprised if I was moved.” 
  • The Mavericks are being offered players by teams trying to unload salary, but they aren’t getting enough incentives to make the deals worthwhile, according to Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. Sefko lists Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle of the Lakers and J.R. Smith of the Cavaliers as players who would be available if Dallas doesn’t mind committing the cap space.
  • The Knicks may be in the market for more deals after sending Willy Hernangomez to the Hornets, writes Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv. Kyle O’Quinn and Courtney Lee are the most likely players to be moved.
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Trade Rumors: Chriss, Knicks, Belinelli, Hood

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

Over at USA Today, Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt broke down trade deadline goals for each of the NBA’s 30 teams. While the duo’s round-up mentioned several players already known to be trade candidates, Amick and Zillgitt also identified a few new names.

Kings center Georgios Papagiannis, Timberwolves guard Jamal Crawford, and Nuggets big man Darrell Arthur are among the players who could be available this week, per Amick and Zillgitt. The duo also suggested that a handful of teams are open for business on nearly all of their players. The Hawks are willing to discuss anyone except John Collins; the Mavericks would talk about anyone besides Dirk Nowitzki, Dennis Smith Jr., and Harrison Barnes; and the only players off the table for the Thunder are Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Carmelo Anthony, and Steven Adams.

Here are a few more trade rumors from around the NBA:

  • The Suns appear to be exploring deals involving second-year big man Marquese Chriss, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, who tweets that the Lakers are one of a few teams involved. However, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7, who is well-connected in Phoenix, tweets that those rumors are “totally false,” suggesting that the club hasn’t discussed deals involving Chriss. Scott Bordow of The Arizona Republic also gets involved, tweeting that the Suns would only consider parting with Chriss in a deal for an established player like Kemba Walker.
  • Having sending Willy Hernangomez to Charlotte, the Knicks continue to take calls about Kyle O’Quinn and Courtney Lee, and are still trying to trade Joakim Noah, says ESPN’s Ian Begley.
  • The Jazz aren’t one of the teams in the mix for veteran guard Marco Belinelli, tweets Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune. According to Michael Cunningham of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Twitter link), Belinelli isn’t making the trip to Orlando with the Hawks, as the team continues to mull its trade options.
  • As many as 15 teams have called the Jazz to inquire about trade candidate Rodney Hood, tweets Tony Jones.
  • In an in-depth look at where things stand for the Kings, James Ham of NBC Sports California says the club doesn’t want to take on a bad contract that runs past 2018/19 or impact its young core led by De’Aaron Fox and Bogdan Bogdanovic.
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Forbes Releases 2018 NBA Franchise Valuations

February 7th, 2018 at 10:02am CST by Luke Adams

The Knicks are still reeling from Tuesday’s news that Kristaps Porzingis has suffered a torn ACL and will be sidelined for the rest of the season. While Porzingis’ injury essentially eliminates the Knicks from the playoff race in the East, team ownership can at least find some solace in the fact that the organization remains the highest-valued franchise in the NBA, according to a report from Kurt Badenhausen of Forbes.

For the first time, all 30 NBA teams have a perceived worth of $1 billion or more, per Forbes’ annual report. In 2017, 18 teams had a valuation exceeding $1 billion, which was up from 13 teams in 2016 and just three teams in 2015.

The league-wide average of $1.65 billion per team is also a record, with franchise valuations up 22% in total over last year’s figures. NBA franchise values have tripled over the last five years, according to Badenhausen.

Here’s the full list of NBA franchise valuations, per Forbes:

  1. New York Knicks: $3.6 billion
  2. Los Angeles Lakers: $3.3 billion
  3. Golden State Warriors: $3.1 billion
  4. Chicago Bulls: $2.6 billion
  5. Boston Celtics: $2.5 billion
  6. Brooklyn Nets: $2.3 billion
  7. Houston Rockets: $2.2 billion
  8. Los Angeles Clippers: $2.15 billion
  9. Dallas Mavericks: $1.9 billion
  10. Miami Heat: $1.7 billion
  11. San Antonio Spurs: $1.55 billion
  12. Toronto Raptors: $1.4 billion
  13. Sacramento Kings: $1.375 billion
  14. Washington Wizards: $1.35 billion
  15. Cleveland Cavaliers: $1.325 billion
  16. Portland Trail Blazers: $1.3 billion
  17. Phoenix Suns: $1.28 billion
  18. Oklahoma City Thunder: $1.25 billion
  19. Orlando Magic: $1.225 billion
  20. Utah Jazz: $1.2 billion
  21. Philadelphia 76ers: $1.18 billion
  22. Indiana Pacers: $1.175 billion
  23. Atlanta Hawks: $1.15 billion
  24. Denver Nuggets: $1.125 billion
  25. Detroit Pistons: $1.1 billion
  26. Milwaukee Bucks: $1.075 billion
  27. Minnesota Timberwolves: $1.06 billion
  28. Charlotte Hornets: $1.05 billion
  29. Memphis Grizzlies: $1.025 billion
  30. New Orleans Pelicans: $1 billion

For comparison’s sake, Forbes’ 2017 valuations can be found right here.

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Lakers Receive Another Tampering Fine From NBA

February 6th, 2018 at 1:42pm CST by Luke Adams

After being fined $500K for tampering with the Pacers and Paul George during the 2017 offseason, the Lakers have once again been penalized by the NBA for violating the league’s anti-tampering rules. The NBA announced today that the Lakers have been fined $50K for tampering related to Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The latest fine levied upon the Lakers by the NBA comes as a result of a recent interview between ESPN’s Nick Friedell and Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson. During that discussion, Johnson raved at length about Antetokounmpo’s talent and potential, comparing The Greek Freak’s game to his own.

[RELATED: Magic Johnson offered to pay George tampering fine out of his own salary]

“He plays above the rim. I never could do that,” Johnson said of Antetokounmpo. “But in his understanding of the game, his basketball IQ, his creativity of shots for his teammates. That’s where we [have the] same thing. Can bring it down, make a pass, make a play. I’m just happy he’s starting in the All-Star game because he deserves that. And he’s going to be like an MVP, a champion, this dude he’s going to put Milwaukee on the map. And I think he’s going to bring them a championship one day.”

While Johnson appears not to have learned his lesson after the Lakers were fined $500K for tampering with George last offseason, his comments on Giannis seem pretty innocuous, which is why this penalty is a slap on the wrist compared to that initial fine. Still, it serves as another reminder to Johnson and the Lakers’ front office to watch what they say going forward as they plot their next roster moves.

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Lakers’ Free Agency Focus Shifting To 2019?

February 6th, 2018 at 8:23am CST by Luke Adams

The Lakers are recalibrating their free agency focus, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski, who report that the L.A. front office is “looking through a longer lens” as it explores ways to upgrade the roster. Although the Lakers would still like to make a big splash in free agency, they may now be prioritizing the 2019 class over this summer’s group, per Shelburne and Wojnarowski.

Ever since Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka assumed control of personnel decisions in Los Angeles, the team’s desire to pursue free agents in 2018 has been no secret. During the 2017 offseason, the Lakers limited themselves to one-year deals for free agents so as not to cut into their potential cap room for the 2018/19 season.

However, as Shelburne and Wojnarowski detail, there’s still no guarantee that the Lakers will have enough cap space for two maximum-salary free agents this summer, and even if they do, no star players are viewed as locks to head west. The Pelicans are considered the frontrunners for DeMarcus Cousins, who is sidelined with an Achilles injury, while Paul George has hinted recently that he’s leaning toward sticking with the Thunder. And according to Shelburne and Woj, LeBron James is believed to be hesitant about the idea of joining the Lakers without another established star joining him.

The Lakers haven’t ruled out the possibility of landing a big-name player this July, but shifting their focus to the summer of 2019 would reduce the urgency to clear cap room right away. It would also give L.A.’s young prospects more time to develop into the type of players that would attract veteran stars. The 2019 free agent class includes several intriguing potential targets, with Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson, and Jimmy Butler among the players expected to be up for new contracts.

While the Lakers could still end up moving players like Jordan Clarkson or Julius Randle this week in an effort to create more flexibility for July 2018, one league source suggested to Shelburne and Wojnarowski that the odds of a meaningful deal are “50-50 at best.” The Lakers have received some offers for Clarkson and Randle, but none of those offers would create significant cap space going forward and give them the sort of draft picks they’re seeking, sources tell ESPN.

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Ball Unable To Ramp Up Workouts

February 5th, 2018 at 10:45pm CST by Dana Gauruder
  • Lakers rookie point guard Lonzo Ball was unable to ramp up his workouts last week without experiencing soreness in his sprained left knee, Bill Oram of the Orange County Register reports. His workouts never progressed to lateral movement or running close to full speed, Oram continues. Ball has missed the last 10 games.
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NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 2/5/18

February 5th, 2018 at 8:30pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Here are Monday’s G League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:

  • The Pacers assigned swingman Glenn Robinson III to their Fort Wayne affiliate on a rehab assignment and then quickly recalled him, according the team’s website. Robinson has appeared in two G League games and is close to returning after suffering a left ankle injury during the preseason.
  • The Bulls assigned guard Cameron Payne to the Windy City Bulls, the team tweets. Payne has not played for either team this season due to a right foot injury.
  • The Lakers assigned center Thomas Bryant to the South Bay Lakers, according the G League team’s Twitter feed. Bryant has already appeared in 22 games with South Bay, averaging 19.3 PPG and 7.0 RPG.
  • The Blazers recalled rookie forward Caleb Swanigan from the Canton Charge, The Oregonian reports. Swanigan has posted averages of 14.2 PPG and 11.9 RPG in 14 G League games.
  • The Spurs recalled rookie guard Derrick White from the Austin Spurs, according to a team press release. He’s averaged 15.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG and 2.6 APG in 13 games with Austin.
  • The Warriors assigned center Damian Jones to their Santa Cruz affiliate, per team release. Jones has started all 33 games for the G League team, averaging 15.3 PPG and  8.0 RPG.
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Lakers Cautious With Ball As He Recovers From MCL Injury

February 4th, 2018 at 3:56pm CST by marksuleymanov
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Seven Pacific Trade Candidates To Watch

February 2nd, 2018 at 2:35pm CST by Luke Adams

The NBA trade deadline is less than one week away, and there’s no shortage of players around the league who could change teams. With that in mind, we’re taking a closer look at some of those top trade candidates, breaking them down by division.

While our focus will be primarily on teams expected to be sellers at the deadline, our lists may also include some players on contenders who could be used as trade chips when those teams look to make upgrades.

So far, we’ve covered the Southeast, Southwest, Atlantic, Northwest, and Central. We’re wrapping things up today by examining the Pacific Division, so let’s dive in and identify seven players who could be on the move on or before February 8…

  1. DeAndre Jordan verticalDeAndre Jordan, C (Clippers): It’s a virtual lock that no trade completed between now and next Thursday will feature a bigger name than Blake Griffin, who was dealt to Detroit on Monday. Still, his former frontcourt partner in Los Angeles is no slouch — Jordan has an All-Star appearance and three All-NBA nods on his résumé. The numbers that Jordan has posted this season suggest he’s not the same dominant rim protector he has been in past years. For instance, his 1.0 BPG average is his lowest mark since 2009/10, back when he was playing nearly half the minutes he is now. Still, the 29-year-old remains an elite rebounder and is leading the NBA in field goal percentage for a sixth consecutive year. He could be a game-changing addition for a team in need of a center. The only roadblock will be his contract situation, as his $24MM+ player option for 2018/19 raises some questions. Will he be a rental, opting out this summer in search of a max deal? Or will a dearth of teams with cap room prompt him to exercise that $24MM option? Uncertainty about Jordan’s looming decision could influence what a team is willing to offer for him.
  2. Lou Williams, SG (Clippers): While Jordan’s contract situation is somewhat tricky, potential suitors for Williams know exactly what they’re getting, as Lou Will’s $7MM cap hit is very team-friendly, and his contract will simply expire this summer. That means he’ll probably be a rental, but any team acquiring him would also land his Bird rights, creating some flexibility to re-sign him in the offseason. Even if he only spends a few months with a new team, Williams is worth investing in. He’s putting up career-high numbers nearly across the board, averaging 23.5 PPG and 5.2 APG to go along with a .443/.390/.895 shooting line. If the Clippers are looking to move some multiyear money, they could look to attach a player like Wesley Johnson, Austin Rivers, or even Danilo Gallinari to Williams in a trade.
  3. George Hill, PG (Kings): Hill put up some of the best numbers of his career in 2016/17, but his age (31) and injury history prevented him from landing a mega-deal as a free agent. Even so, the $40MM in guaranteed money that Hill received this past offseason – including a $20MM cap hit for 2017/18 – may stand in the way of the Kings completing a deal. The Cavaliers still look to me like the best fit for the veteran point guard, but Kevin Love‘s hand injury complicates matters, since suddenly Channing Frye and his expiring contract don’t look so expendable for Cleveland — Sacramento would likely be unwilling to take back more than one expensive multiyear contract in exchange for Hill.
  4. Jordan Clarkson, G (Lakers): If the Lakers truly want to land two maximum-salary free agents this offseason, they’ll almost certainly have to trade Clarkson and his $12.5MM annual salary by July. It might make more sense to hang onto him until the summer to see if their ambitious free agency plan is realistic, but if the Lakers get an appealing offer for the veteran guard now, they probably won’t wait. For Rob Pelinka and Magic Johnson, an “appealing” offer may include an expiring contract and a draft pick, though it seems unlikely that any team covets Clarkson to that extent. Given his relatively modest production (14.7 PPG, 3.3 APG, .316 3PT%), he’s probably overpriced, with a guaranteed contract that runs through 2019/20.
  5. Julius Randle, PF (Lakers): The seventh overall pick in the 2014 draft, Randle is still just 23 years old, and has played some of his best ball in recent weeks. Since entering the Lakers‘ starting lineup on December 29, Randle is averaging 16.3 PPG and 9.2 RPG with a .554 FG% in 17 games. It seems as if the former Kentucky standout should be a part of Los Angeles’ long-term plans, but that may only happen if the club doesn’t land its top free agent targets. Randle will be a restricted free agent this summer, and it would make some sense for the Lakers to keep him around — his qualifying offer could simply be renounced if they secure commitments from a top free agent or two. If they don’t get those commitments, Randle would be a great Plan B. Still, if L.A. wants to avoid the risk of losing the fourth-year big man for nothing in the offseason, an opportunistic team – perhaps the Mavericks? – could swoop in and make a play for him at the deadline, securing his Bird rights and the right of first refusal before he reaches the RFA market.
  6. Alex Len, C (Suns): After buying out Greg Monroe, there’s no real urgency for the Suns to trade Len or Tyson Chandler, who figure to split time at center going forward. Still, a case can be made for moving either player — Len is on an expiring contract and the 35-year-old Chandler probably won’t be a part of Phoenix’s next playoff team. Of the two, Len looks to me like the more viable trade candidate. Chandler’s veteran presence is valued in the Suns’ locker room, and his pricey multiyear contract will be difficult to move. Len, on the other hand, is just 24 years old, and is having the best season of his five-year NBA career, with 8.5 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and a .558 FG%. If the Suns don’t expect him to be part of the team’s long-term plans, they should shop him. The only problem? Len would lose his Bird rights if he’s dealt, which gives him veto rights. So even if Phoenix gets an offer it likes, the club may not be able to complete a deal.
  7. Patrick McCaw, SG (Warriors): The Warriors envisioned McCaw as eventually slotting into an Andre Iguodala-type role with the franchise, but he’s struggling through an up-and-down sophomore season, averaging just 3.9 PPG and knocking down 25% of his three-point attempts. He’s only 22 years old, so Golden State isn’t giving up on him yet, but if the team has any concerns about its bench production this season, dangling McCaw in trade talks would make sense, as Tim Kawakami of The Athletic suggested this week. The second-year shooting guard is eligible for restricted free agency this offseason, but shouldn’t get too expensive, based on this year’s performance. For a team that believes in his potential, acquiring him now and securing the right of first refusal for his free agency could be worthwhile.

Here are a few more potential Pacific trade candidates to monitor:

  • Avery Bradley, G (Clippers): The Clippers can’t aggregate Bradley’s salary with another player’s salary in a trade after acquiring him this week, but he’s trade-eligible. We’ll see if the Clips view him as a long-term piece.
  • Larry Nance Jr., PF (Lakers): Nance is a surprising trade candidate, but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported last month that his name has come up in the Lakers‘ discussions. Of course, the club would rather move Luol Deng or Brook Lopez, but their unwieldy contracts will make that very challenging.
  • The rest of the Kings’ veterans: Hill has been involved in the most trade rumors, but for the right offer, the rebuilding Kings would also be willing to move Zach Randolph, Kosta Koufos, Vince Carter, or Garrett Temple.
  • Skal Labissiere, PF (Kings): In addition to shopping their veterans, the Kings reportedly made Labissiere and Malachi Richardson available. I’d be a little surprised if Sacramento trades either player.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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