Los Angeles Lakers Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Pacific Notes: Vanderbilt, LeBron, Bronny, Clippers, Valley Suns

September 7th, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

The foot issue that sidelined Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt for most of last season may not have improved during the summer, analyst Mike Bresnahan said on Spectrum SportsNet’s “Lakeshow” podcast (hat tip to Lakers Nation). Vanderbilt, who became the team’s starting power forward after being acquired at the 2023 trade deadline, was limited to 29 games last season and didn’t play at all after February 1.

“Vando is gonna be interesting,” Bresnahan said. “I’m not sure he’ll be ready for training camp or even for the preseason games. It’s a foot injury. He opted not to have a procedure in-season when he got hurt in February. So we’ll see if he’s ready to go. I don’t have a lot of details on it but I’m not sure he’ll be ready for training camp. Regular season is a different story, hopefully he’s ready by then. But nothing concrete on him yet.”

Vanderbilt suffered a right midfoot sprain midway through the season and was never able to return. He received medical clearance for the final game of L.A.’s playoff series, but didn’t see any action.

The Lakers invested heavily in Vanderbilt last summer, signing him to a four-year, $48MM extension. They were counting on an offseason of rest to fix the problems with his foot, but it sounds like that didn’t go as planned. Vanderbilt was used mostly in a reserve role last season, contributing 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 20 minutes per night.

There’s more from the Pacific Division:

On the latest episode of “The Shop” podcast, LeBron James talks about the thrill of being the first NBA player ever to team up with his son (hat tip to Silver Screen and Roll). The Lakers took Bronny James with a second-round pick after one season at USC. “I am so excited for training camp,” LeBron said. “Having your son work with you, it’s like the greatest thing. I can’t wait for this moment. I really cannot wait to hit the floor for him. It’s going to be pretty surreal for me. That might be the first time I sit back and, like, out of my whole career, finally get an opportunity to sit back and be like, ‘Oh s–t, this is really cool.’”
The Clippers are receiving $750K to hold training camp and an exhibition game in Honolulu, according to Duane Shimogawa of Island News. He cites public records showing that the Hawaiian Tourism Authority will receive several marketing opportunities with the team and will be named an official partner of the L.A. Clippers. In addition, Clippers officials will conduct several community events during camp, which begins October 1 and wraps up with a game against the Warriors October 5.
Brendan Sabean, general manager of the G League’s newest team, the Valley Suns, talks to PHNX Sports about the challenges of trying to assemble a roster from scratch.

Five Teams Who May Pursue Cost-Cutting Trades

September 7th, 2024 at 1:23pm CST by Luke Adams

Most of the 29 trades completed so far this offseason by NBA teams have been made with financial considerations in mind. In some cases, those considerations were obvious -- when the Timberwolves sent Wendell Moore to Detroit, the Nuggets dealt Reggie Jackson to Charlotte, or the Grizzlies traded Ziaire Williams to Brooklyn, saving money was the primary motivating factor.

For other trades, cap savings were just one part of the equation. For example, Portland's July deal with the Wizards was primarily about acquiring Deni Avdija, but by including Malcolm Brogdon in their package for Avdija, the Trail Blazers were able to duck out of luxury tax territory. The same is true of the Hawks in the Dejounte Murray trade, which reduced their team salary for 2024/25 and helped them sneak below the tax line.

While some teams have already made their cost-cutting moves for '24/25, there are others who are worth keeping an eye on this fall and winter. Based on their proximity to the luxury tax line or the tax aprons, they look like potential candidates to pursue deals that would shed some salary.

Let's take a closer look at some of those teams...

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Cedi Osman Signs With Panathinaikos

September 7th, 2024 at 12:11pm CST by Tristan Tucker

12:11pm: Panathinaikos has officially announced its one-year deal with Osman.

9:23am: Former Cavaliers and Spurs wing Cedi Osman is leaving the NBA to sign with Greek club Panathinaikos, as detailed in a report from Eurohoops.net.

Earlier reports from this month suggested Osman was in advanced talks with Spanish club Real Madrid, but the two sides were ultimately unable to get a deal done. Eurohoops.net also says Osman had an offer on the table from the Lakers to join the team for training camp, but he turned it down without having assurances he’d make the regular season roster.

Osman was just one of three players left on the Hoops Rumors’ top 50 available free agents list this offseason, having been ranked at No. 46. Only Isaac Okoro (No. 26) and Markelle Fultz (No. 43) remain without teams from that list.

The former Cavaliers wing is a seven-year pro who spent his first six seasons in Cleveland. He was sent to the Spurs last offseason in the sign-and-trade deal that re-routed Max Strus from the Heat to the Cavs. In 476 games (186 starts), Osman holds averages of 9.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per game on 35.7% shooting from deep.

Although his per-minute production was his lowest since his rookie year last season in San Antonio, Osman set a career high with a .389 3PT% and offers value as a sharpshooting veteran wing. However, with roster spots dried up around the league, he’s making the move overseas.

According to a separate report from Sportando, the deal between Osman and Panathinaikos happened quickly. Reportedly, the deciding factor was a conversation between the forward and Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman, who also coaches Osman on the Turkish national team.

Lakers Sign Jordan Goodwin To Camp Deal

September 6th, 2024 at 7:20pm CST by Luke Adams

SEPTEMBER 6: The Lakers have officially signed Goodwin, the team announced in a press release. After signing and waiving Alex Fudge, the club is now back to a full 21-man offseason roster.

SEPTEMBER 3: Free agent guard Jordan Goodwin has agreed to sign with the Lakers, according to veteran NBA reporter Chris Haynes (Twitter link).

Haynes describes it as a “camp deal” for Goodwin, which suggests the contract will be non-guaranteed and worth the veteran’s minimum. It will likely include Exhibit 9 language and possibly Exhibit 10 language too, though that hasn’t been confirmed.

Goodwin, who will turn 26 in October, spent the first half of the 2023/24 season with the Suns before being sent to Brooklyn as part of the three-team trade that landed Royce O’Neale in Phoenix. After being waived by the Nets, the former Saint Louis standout inked a 10-day contract and then a two-way deal with the Grizzlies, finishing the season in Memphis.

In total, Goodwin appeared in 57 games for the Suns and Grizzlies, averaging 6.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 18.5 minutes per contest. His shooting efficiency dropped off significantly, however, as he made just 36.9% of his field goal attempts, including 29.8% of his three-pointers.

Goodwin previously appeared in 64 games for the Wizards from 2021-23, averaging 6.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG, and 2.6 APG in 17.4 MPG, with a shooting line of .444/.319/.768.

The Lakers have a full 15-man standard roster, with all three of their two-way slots filled, so the club would need to trade or waive one of those players in order to create a path for Goodwin to earn a regular season roster spot. For what it’s worth, if he signs an Exhibit 10 contract, Goodwin would be eligible to be converted to a two-way deal prior to opening night.

Lakers Waive Alex Fudge

September 6th, 2024 at 3:37pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

After announcing on Thursday night that they’d inked free agent small forward Alex Fudge to a contract, the Lakers announced on Friday that they’ve waived the 6’8″ Florida alum (Twitter link).

Fudge went undrafted last summer, but quickly latched on with L.A. via a two-way contract. He suited up for four contests with Los Angeles last season and 24 with the team’s G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. After being waived by the Lakers in January, Fudge joined the Mavericks on another two-way agreement, but was cut in August.

Between Los Angeles and Dallas, Fudge appeared in a grand total of six NBA contests in 2023/24, averaging 2.5 points and 0.8 rebounds. In 33 NBAGL total games for South Bay and Dallas’ affiliate, the Texas Legends, Fudge averaged 8.2 points and 4.4 boards across 18.5 minutes a night. He posted a shooting line of .480/.235/.550 during his G League tenure.

Because he almost certainly received an Exhibit 10 contract, Fudge is on track to rejoin South Bay as an affiliate player. Assuming he sticks with the team for at least 60 days, he’ll earn a bonus worth up to $77.5K.

Lakers Sign Alex Fudge

September 6th, 2024 at 7:15am CST by Luke Adams

The Lakers have signed free agent forward Alex Fudge to a contract, the team announced in a press release.

While the terms of the deal weren’t specified, it’s highly likely to be a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract, since Los Angeles already has 15 players on guaranteed standard contracts and three on two-way deals. The move pushes L.A.’s offseason roster count to the maximum 21 players.

Fudge, 21, signed a two-way contract with the Lakers last July after going undrafted out of Florida. He appeared in just four games at the NBA level for the team and was waived in January before his two-way salary could become fully guaranteed, but he was on the roster long enough to secure a lucrative bonus when L.A. won the in-season tournament.

Fudge caught on with the Mavericks in March on a two-year, two-way deal and finished the season in Dallas before being waived last month. He appeared in two games for the Mavs for a total of six NBA outings in his rookie season.

The 6’8″ forward, known more for his defense than his offense, played a more significant role in the G League for the South Bay Lakers and Texas Legends, averaging 8.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game across 33 contests, with a shooting line of .480/.235/.550.

Assuming Fudge’s new contract includes Exhibit 10 language, he could be converted to a two-way deal before the regular season begins or could qualify for a bonus worth up to $77.5K if he’s waived by the Lakers and then spends at least 60 days with the team’s South Bay G League affiliate.

Pacific Notes: Lakers, LaVine, Zubac, Suns

September 5th, 2024 at 5:44pm CST by Tristan Tucker

As has been covered at length this summer, the Lakers‘ only outside additions to their standard roster this offseason came in the form of draftees Dalton Knecht and Bronny James.

“They’re stuck,” one Eastern Conference executive said of the Lakers, according to Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times.

A Western Conference executive who spoke to Woike said the Lakers should consider adding Bulls guard Zach LaVine, who has been the subject of trade rumors for quite some time. LaVine’s contract (he’s owed nearly $138MM over the next three seasons, including a 2026/27 player option) has been a holdup in getting a deal done. If the Lakers were to pursue such a trade, Woike points out that it would have to be constructed around D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura and either Jarred Vanderbilt or Gabe Vincent to match salary since L.A. can’t take in more than it sends out.

The downside would be LaVine’s injury concerns and his questionable fit in a role that would require more from him on defense and less on offense. However, Woike doesn’t get the sense the Lakers are all that interested in LaVine, suggesting that they’re more concerned with seeing how a roster with more continuity performs. Additionally, Woike reasons the Bulls could stand to hold LaVine and try to rebuild his value this season.

We have more from the Pacific Division:

Clippers center Ivica Zubac received a 5% trade kicker as part of his three-year extension, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto (Twitter link). That means if Zubac is traded, he’d be eligible for a bonus worth 5% of the remaining salary on his contract. The highest percentage allowed on a trade kicker is 15%.
Despite being one of the most efficient three-point shooting teams in the league, the Suns only ranked 25th in attempts, Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports writes. That should change in 2024/25, with Tyus Jones, Monte Morris and a healthy Damion Lee among players who could help in that regard. Bourguet runs through several statistical red flags the Suns should look to address under Mike Budenholzer, including how they attack the rim and playing more in transition.
In a similar article for PHNX Sports (subscriber link), Bourguet outlines one area for improvement for every player on the Suns‘ roster, excluding rookies and two-way players. For my money, it’ll be interesting to see how Bradley Beal continues to adapt to being an off-ball third option. His scoring decreased last season (to 18.2 PPG) as he played fewer than 60 games for the third straight season. If he’s fully healthy, it will be intriguing to see if he can resemble the form of the player who recorded back-to-back 30 PPG seasons from 2019-21.

Lakers Sign, Waive Vincent Valerio-Bodon

September 5th, 2024 at 1:34pm CST by Arthur Hill

September 5: Valerio-Bodon has been waived, the Lakers announced (Twitter link). He’ll likely be heading back to South Bay for the upcoming season.

September 4: Vincent Valerio-Bodon has signed with the Lakers, the team announced (via Twitter). It’s an Exhibit 10 contract, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).

The 23-year-old swingman from Hungary was in training camp with L.A. last fall, but was waived before the start of the season. He joined the Lakers’ South Bay affiliate in the G League, where he averaged 5.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 10 games.

L.A. has a full complement for training camp already, so it will be difficult for Valerio-Bodon to earn a roster spot. The Lakers have 15 players on standard contracts, and all three two-way spots are filled. In addition, the team signed Kylor Kelley and Quincy Olivari to Exhibit 10 contracts last month, plus it reached an agreement Tuesday with Jordan Goodwin and reportedly plans to sign Sean East II. With a 21-man roster limit for camp, someone will have to be released before all the moves can be completed.

Assuming Valerio-Bodon winds up with South Bay again, he will be eligible for a bonus of up to $77.5K if he spends at least 60 days with the team.

And-Ones: Hines, NBL Blitz, Diamond Sports, Milestones

September 4th, 2024 at 11:00am CST by Luke Adams

Former UNC Greensboro standout and four-time EuroLeague champion Kyle Hines announced on Wednesday that he has decided to retire as a player at age 38 (Instagram link).

Hines, who won a pair of EuroLeague titles with Olympiacos (in 2012 and 2023) and two more with CSKA Moscow (2016 and 2019), also spent time with Veroli (Italy), Brose Bamberg (Germany), and Olimpia Milano (Italy) during his 16-year professional career.

The 6’6″ forward was named to the EuroLeague’s All-Decade team for the 2010s, claimed Best Defender honors in 2016, 2018, and 2022, and will retire as the EuroLeague’s all-time leader in games played (425). He also excelled in domestic competitions, winning three Italian League (LBA) championships to go along with six titles in the Russian League (VTB United) and one in the Greek League (GBL).

“When I didn’t get drafted (in 2008), what I thought would be one of the biggest disappointments in my life turned out to be my biggest blessing,” Hines wrote within a longer statement. “Coming to Europe gave me the opportunity to grow as a person. It allowed me to compete at the highest level. It allowed me to become a competitor, a leader, and champion. Off the court it has given me the opportunity to travel the world, meet so many great people, and share in some amazing memories that will last a lifetime.”

Here are more odds and ends from around the basketball world:

Australia’s National Basketball League is expecting 25 NBA scouts and executives – representing 22 separate teams – to visit the Gold Coast to attend the league’s preseason tournament, the NBL Blitz, reports Olgun Uluc of ESPN. The eight teams not sending representatives are expected to scout NBL talent at a later date — the Trail Blazers, for instance, will instead attend the HoopsFest in Perth later this month, per Uluc. Nets general manager Sean Marks is among the most notable NBA executives expected to be at the NBL Blitz, according to Uluc, who notes that NBA teams will be able to scout draft-eligible prospects for 2025 and 2026 in addition to veterans who could eventually come stateside.
A federal bankruptcy judge signed off on Diamond Sports Group’s new agreements with the NBA and NHL on Tuesday and approved the company’s parting of ways with the Pelicans and Mavericks, reports Anthony Crupi of Sportico. The same judge will preside over a status conference in early October, with a date for a final confirmation hearing expected to be set at that session. Diamond Sports – the owner of the Bally Sports networks that will regionally broadcast 13 NBA teams’ games in 2024/25 – is looking to exit bankruptcy this fall.
An ESPN.com story explores a handful of individual NBA milestones that may be reached during the 2024/25 season, including Lakers star LeBron James potentially passing 50,000 career points (for the regular season and postseason) and becoming the league’s all-time leader in regular season minutes. James needs 1,364 more total points and 850 more regular season minutes to achieve those feats.

Los Angeles Notes: George, Valanciunas, James

September 3rd, 2024 at 7:05pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Paul George‘s father, Paul George Sr., didn’t hold back his feelings about how his son’s contract negotiations with the Clippers played out. Appearing on his son’s podcast, ‘Podcast P with Paul George,’ George Sr. said he felt betrayed by his son’s former club.

“I felt like they stabbed us in the back because I thought Paul did a whole lot for the team, as far as the fanbase, the fans was there. He was there,” he said, per Tomer Azerly of Clutch Points. “I think he gave them 110% and what he was asking, it wasn’t a whole lot. But they saw something different.”

The younger George detailed earlier that he felt the Clippers’ initial offer was “disrespectful.” That offer was for two years and $60MM.

“I didn’t want him just to take anything,” George Sr. said. “So his whole thing is, he does stand up for what he believes in. And so he felt that that was a bunch of bull that they came at him with. And I wasn’t gonna sugarcoat it either. Yeah, I’m behind you 100%. If you’ve got to leave, we’re gonna leave.”

We have more on the Los Angeles teams:

Jonas Valanciunas, who was signed by the Wizards, was one of the free agents reportedly on LeBron James‘ wish list this offseason. The Athletic’s Jovan Buha believes the Lakers could pursue an in-season trade for the veteran big man but would prefer other centers if they’re on the market, he said on a podcast (hat tip to HoopsHype). “There was some interest obviously and he was on LeBron’s list so I think the Lakers will probably revisit that, but I don’t think there’s as much interest as a guy like a Wendell Carter or some of these other guys that have popped up,” Buha said. “So I view it more as like a mid-to-low tier trade target for the Lakers.”
Speaking of James, he’s not expected to be on Team USA’s roster for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. He claims he could compete for an Olympic medal in other sports, if given enough time to train, he said on ‘The Shop’ podcast (hat tip to BasketNews.com). “If you give me some time, about six months, eight months, or whatever, I think I could do the long jump, maybe, or the high jump,” James said.
In case you missed it, the Lakers agreed to a training camp deal with Jordan Goodwin. Get the details here.