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NBA Trade Candidate Watch: Southeast Division

December 21st, 2018 at 12:46pm CST by Luke Adams

Over the course of the 2018/19 NBA season, up until February’s trade deadline, we’re keeping an eye on potential trade candidates from around the NBA, monitoring their value and exploring the likelihood that they’ll be moved. Each of these looks at possible trade candidates focuses on a specific division, as we zero in on three players from that division.

The Southeast continues to be perhaps the NBA’s most confounding division, as the 15-15 Hornets are still in first place, followed closely by sub-.500 clubs in Orlando, Miami, and Washington. By acquiring Trevor Ariza earlier this week, the Wizards signaled that they still consider themselves buyers, not sellers — it will be interesting to see how many other Southeast teams head into the deadline with the same attitude.

Here’s our latest look at a few possible trade candidates from the Southeast…

Wayne Ellington, G
Miami Heat
$6.27MM cap hit; unrestricted free agent in 2019

Ellington was recently identified as a potential target for the Lakers, but if the Heat make him available, there should be a long lineup of other teams with interest. A career 38.0% three-point shooter, Ellington has made at least 2.4 threes per game in each of the last three seasons despite playing a relatively modest 25.3 MPG over that stretch.

The Cavaliers received a pair of second-round picks and Alec Burks‘ expiring contract when they sent Kyle Korver to the Jazz, so Miami could probably extract a somewhat similar return for a player with a comparable skill set and contract. However, despite an underwhelming 14-16 record, the Heat are tied for the eighth seed in the East. As long as they remain in the playoff picture, they may prefer to hang onto Ellington, especially with injuries sidelining multiple other guards.

Because he re-signed on a one-year contract during the 2018 offseason, Ellington also has the ability to block any trade that involves him. It’s not clear whether he’d exercise that right — if the Heat slip into the lottery and an opportunity arises to join a contender, perhaps he’d sign off on a move. He’d lose his Bird rights in that scenario, however.

Terrence Ross, G/F
Orlando Magic
$10.5MM cap hit; UFA in 2019

Like Ellington, Ross was said last week to be a player the Lakers were eyeing. That report downplayed the idea that Ross would be a realistic option for L.A., but the swingman’s name has come up in multiple reports since then. Marc Stein of The New York Times and Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders both suggested that Ross is generating plenty of interest, and is a popular target for teams in need of help on the wing.

Of course, the Magic are the team tied with Miami for the No. 8 spot in the East, and they’ll need Ross’ help to contend for the postseason. With the 27-year-old headed for unrestricted free agency, Orlando may have to make a tough decision. Is it worth it to hang onto Ross if it just leads to a first-round playoff exit – or a near-miss of a playoff spot – and then he walks in free agency? Or should the club prioritize the long-term view and move Ross for a young player or a pick that could provide value for years to come?

The Magic are reportedly among the teams with interest in Markelle Fultz, and a swap involving Ross and Fultz could make some sense for both sides. Ross would be an ideal fit for a Philadelphia in need of depth, and Orlando’s front office – which has a reputation for rolling the dice on high-upside players – could be willing to take a risk on a former No. 1 overall pick.

Jeremy Lin, G
Atlanta Hawks
$13.77MM cap hit; UFA in 2019

Lin is the sort of player whom the Hawks would likely be happy to keep for the rest of the season if they don’t get any favorable trade offers for him before February 7. He has an expiring contract, so he won’t affect the team’s flexibility going forward, and it probably makes sense to have a veteran point guard like Lin around to help mentor rookie Trae Young.

Still, considering Lin probably isn’t part of Atlanta’s long-term plans, he’d likely be expendable in a deal that returns an asset or two. One report earlier this week indicated that Lin is among the Hawks veterans drawing some interest on the trade market, while another suggested the Hawks were involved in four-team Trevor Ariza trade discussions that would have seen them acquire Brandon Knight and a first-round pick in exchange for Lin (and possibly another asset).

That trade obviously didn’t happen, as the Suns and Wizards completed an Ariza deal on their own, but if the Hawks were on board with the structure, it’s an indication of what they’d be looking for in exchange for Lin — it seems they’d be willing to take on a multiyear contract like Knight’s and giving up some 2019 flexibility if it means acquiring another future first-round pick.

Previously:

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NBA Teams With Open Roster Spots

December 21st, 2018 at 11:46am CST by Luke Adams

NBA teams are allowed to carry up to 15 players on their regular season rosters, plus two more on two-way contracts, for a total of 17 players. However, approximately half of the league’s clubs aren’t currently taking advantage of all their roster spots and have at least one open 15-man or two-way contract slot.

[RELATED: 2018/19 NBA Roster Counts]

There will likely be more roster movement starting next month, since January features plenty of important roster dates and deadlines. Teams can begin signing players to 10-day contracts on January 5. Every player on a non-guaranteed contract will have his salary guaranteed if he’s not waived by January 7. And two-way contracts can’t be signed after January 15.

For now though, there are 11 NBA teams with openings on their 15-man rosters and three more with at least one open two-way contract slot.

Here’s a breakdown of those teams with open roster spots:

Teams with an opening on their 15-man roster:

Charlotte Hornets
Cleveland Cavaliers
Golden State Warriors
Houston Rockets
Indiana Pacers
Miami Heat
Oklahoma City Thunder
Philadelphia 76ers
Phoenix Suns
Toronto Raptors
Washington Wizards

Of the 11 teams with an open roster spot, six are projected taxpayers — the Warriors, Rockets, Heat, Thunder, Raptors, and Wizards are all over the luxury tax threshold and will be in no rush to fill the 15th spot on their respective rosters, since doing so would increase that year-end tax bill.

The other clubs are more likely to add a 15th man sooner or later, though the Hornets also aren’t far off from the tax threshold and may exercise some caution with that final roster spot. Teams like the Cavaliers and Suns figure to prioritize developmental players when they eventually fill their rosters, while potential contenders the Sixers and Pacers may focus on finding a immediate contributor.

Teams with an open two-way contract slot:

Boston Celtics
New York Knicks
Portland Trail Blazers (2)

The Trail Blazers have yet to add a two-way player to their roster this season, which is somewhat unusual, even given the club’s uncertain ownership situation. It’s not as if a two-way player requires a significant investment, so that seems like a signing Jody Allen would sign off on if the front office asked.

Portland doesn’t have its own G League affiliate, so maybe the club believes its ability to develop a young player on a two-way deal would be limited. Still, the other two teams without G League affiliates of their own – the Nuggets and Pelicans – have filled both of their two-way contract slots. Perhaps if the Blazers are plagued with injuries at some point this season, they’ll use those two-way openings to add a player or two who can help out immediately at the NBA level.

Meanwhile, the Knicks recently promoted Allonzo Trier to their 15-man roster and haven’t yet filled his old two-way spot. The Celtics are in the same boat, having waived two-way player Walt Lemon Jr. at the end of November. Both teams will likely fill those openings before the January 15 deadline.

Southeast Notes: Waiters, Howard, Walker, Randle

December 20th, 2018 at 5:30pm CST by JD Shaw

Heat guard Dion Waiters was cleared for a full-contact practice this week, his first full session since undergoing ankle surgery in January, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

When asked whether Waiters could return by the end of the calendar year, coach Erik Spoelstra delivered a blunt assessment.

“I don’t know. Basically right now, it’s day-by-day evaluations,” Spoelstra said. “But he’s doing a lot more on the court, which is good.”

Waiters has missed Miami’s first 30 games this season, working to get back to 100 percent and improve his conditioning. The Heat mostly kept his status and progression quiet up until Tuesday, when news suddenly broke of his full participation at practice.

“It’s very encouraging,” teammate Dwyane Wade said on Tuesday. “I think today was the first day that we were on the same unit. He has so much talent. He’s one of the guys that playing against him, I’ve seen the talent that he has on both ends of the floor. Then, obviously, I watched him when he was here and he was healthy, and he played very well.

“You want him to get back healthy, understanding that he can definitely help us with his ability to score the basketball, to make plays and to defend. It’s going to take him a while to get to where he wants to get to, but he’s getting closer each day. It’s good to see him out there.”

Waiters, 27, was a key cog in the Heat’s late season run two years ago. He’ll provide the team with a much-needed boost of energy upon his return after it was revealed Goran Dragic would miss two months with a knee injury, further depleting the club of ball-handlers.

There’s more from the Southeast Division tonight:

Wizards center Dwight Howard shared his first health update since undergoing back surgery, explaining his improvements to NBC Sports’ Chris Miller. “Physically, I’m a lot better than I was before the surgery,” Howard said. “The nine games I played, I basically played on one leg. So, you know, I’m just happy that that’s out the way and I can rehab and get ready for the second half of the season.” The Wizards could greatly benefit from Howard’s return, with the team just 12-20 on the season and 4-6 in their last 10 games.
Hornets guard Kemba Walker remains focused on improving his team, despite the mass speculation about his upcoming free agency. “That’s just how it is. I know how it goes,” Walker told Jeremy Woo of the Crossover. “It’s something I try not to think about. There’s nothing I can do about it right now. I don’t know my future at this point.” Walker will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Despite his one-year deal with the Wizards being non-guaranteed, Chasson Randle is excited for his new opportunity to play in Washington. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Randle told Candace Buckner of the Washington Post on Tuesday. “I’m in Atlanta playing for the Wizards. It’s just awesome to be here.” Randle, who went undrafted in 2015, held NBA experience with the Sixers and Knicks before joining the Wizards. He signed his contract with the team on Tuesday.

Goran Dragic Undergoes Knee Surgery

December 19th, 2018 at 12:26pm CST by Luke Adams

12:26pm: Dragic has undergone surgery to clean up his right knee, the Heat announced in a press release. According to the team, the veteran guard is expected to be out until about the All-Star break, which coincides with the two-month timetable suggested by Wojnarowski (as noted below).

11:31am: Heat guard Goran Dragic is set to undergo a scope on his troublesome right knee, says Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald (Twitter links). According to Jackson, it was determined that Dragic would undergo the procedure after his knee failed to respond to rest and treatment.

No specific timeline has been set yet for Dragic’s return, but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link) hears from a source that Miami’s starting point guard is expected to miss the next two months. The Heat figure to provide an official update on Dragic’s recovery timetable after he has formally undergone the procedure.

It has been a tough season so far for the Heat and for Dragic, who has been limited to just 14 games. In those games, he’s averaging 15.3 PPG and 4.9 APG with a .410 FG% and .314 3PT%. Both of those shooting percentages would be the second-worst of his 11-year NBA career.

As for the Heat, they were widely viewed as a playoff team in the East entering the season, but are currently outside the top eight, with a 13-16 record. While the club is only one game out of a postseason spot, the fight for the playoffs will be even more challenging with Dragic sidelined for the foreseeable future.

Miami’s roster is somewhat thin on traditional point guards behind Dragic, but they have a number of players who can handle the ball. Josh Richardson, Rodney McGruder, Tyler Johnson, Justise Winslow, and Dwyane Wade are among the players who could take on adjusted responsibilities or roles during Dragic’s absence.

Bulls Notes: Parker, Boylen, Alkins

December 16th, 2018 at 10:54am CST by Arthur Hill

Jabari Parker is refusing to lash out at the Bulls, even though he finds himself on the trading block after being pulled from the rotation, writes K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. Parker’s situation in Chicago soured quickly after he joined the team as a free agent in July. New coach Jim Boylen reportedly cites poor effort on defense and a selfish attitude on offense as the basis for his decisions, but Parker doesn’t want to get caught up in a war of words.

“I chose to come here,” Parker said. “I did everything I can to prove that I belong here. And I’m going to continue to do that. My job is to be ready to be on the court. My agent’s job is to just be my defense and be that voice for me that I’m not able to say.”

Parker is open to a deal, and his agent, Mark Bartelstein, is working with the team to resolve the situation. According to Johnson, the Bulls began seeking trade partners well before restrictions were lifted on newly signed free agents yesterday.

“It’s not easy,” Boylen said. “I’ve been direct and honest with him about what I expect and what I hope he can continue to work on.”

There’s more this morning out of Chicago:

The Heat, Suns, Cavaliers and Hawks are teams that might be good fits for Parker, writes Frank Urbina of HoopsHype.
Boylen had a strong supporter in Spurs coach Gregg Popovich even before the Bulls’ surprising win in San Antonio last night, Johnson adds in the same story. Boylen, who has been under fire since replacing Fred Hoiberg two weeks ago, spent two years as an assistant with the Spurs and was with the team when it won the 2014 NBA title. “He’s a pretty straightforward, honest individual, and he’ll do it the way he thinks is best for that group,” Popovich said. “And he’ll be fair, he’ll be demanding, and he will try to make everything clear so whatever system he wants to employ will get across. I’ve learned as much from him as he’s learned from us here.”
If there’s a bright side to Zach LaVine‘s injury, it gives the Bulls a chance to evaluate rookie Rawle Alkins, notes Michael Walton of NBC Sports Chicago. Alkins signed a two-way contract this summer and has spent the season in the G League at Windy City, where he is averaging 15.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. He will be called up in time for tomorrow night’s game, tweets Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic.

Enough Minutes To Go Around For Winslow, Jones?

December 13th, 2018 at 12:56pm CST by Luke Adams

If the Hornets were to fall out of the playoff picture, they could explore the trade market for 2019 free-agents-to-be like Jeremy Lamb and Frank Kaminsky, per Bonnell. However, it would require a major slump to slip out of the playoff race in the East, where the ninth-seeded Heat have an 11-16 record.

In a pair of articles for The South Florida Sun Sentinel, Ira Winderman explores whether the Heat will be able to continue to find enough minutes and opportunities for both Justise Winslow and Derrick Jones if and when their roster is fully healthy.

Lakers Eyeing Wayne Ellington, Terrence Ross

December 13th, 2018 at 10:25am CST by Luke Adams

Trevor Ariza isn’t the only veteran trade candidate the Lakers have looked into acquiring, according to Sean Deveney of The Sporting News. As Deveney details, the Lakers have also been eyeing players like Wayne Ellington and Terrence Ross as they look to shore up their depth on the wing.

Rival executives tell Deveney that the Lakers have been among the “most aggressive pursuers” of trades in the early going this season. While the front office doesn’t want to give up its top young prospects for a short-term fix and likely won’t make a deal that compromises the team’s 2019 cap flexibility, the Lakers want to fortify their rotation in order to give this year’s club a chance to make a deep playoff run, writes Deveney.

Ellington, who signed a one-year, $6.27MM deal with the Heat during the 2018 offseason, has the power to veto any trade, but might welcome a move to a contender if Miami continues to struggle. Sources tell Deveney that the Heat would be open to sending the veteran sharpshooter to a playoff team for a first-round pick — that’s a lot to ask for a role player on an expiring contract, but if the pick has protections and Miami takes back an unwanted contract, it may not be unrealistic.

Meanwhile, although Deveney identifies Ross as another potential target, he concedes that the 27-year-old Magic swingman may have too much value to be a realistic option for the Lakers, given what Los Angeles is willing to surrender in a potential trade. Ross, who is also in a contract year, is enjoying the best season of his career, with career highs so far in PPG (14.1) and FG% (.453), among other categories.

There has also been chatter that the Lakers may pursue another big man, per Deveney, though he acknowledges that’s unlikely. There aren’t as many viable frontcourt targets on the trade market, and after signing Tyson Chandler earlier this season, L.A. probably has a stronger need for wing depth.

Lakers Notes: LeBron, Ingram, Rondo, Walton

December 9th, 2018 at 1:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

After a decade and a half as competitors and teammates, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are preparing for their final meeting tomorrow night, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Wade, who hasn’t relented on plans to retire after this season, will travel with the Heat to meet LeBron and the Lakers in L.A.

“It’s bitter, and it’s sweet,” James said. “It’s sweet and sour. The sweet part about it is I’ve always loved being on the same floor with my brother. We struck up a relationship together at the combine in 2003, and it started from there. And the sour part about it is that this is our last time sharing the same court.”

James was destined for stardom as the top pick in the 2003 draft. Wade was taken at No. 5 and quickly established himself as an All-Star in Miami. They won a pair of championships as teammates with the Heat, then briefly reunited last season in Cleveland. Wade’s retirement will leave Kyle Korver and Zaza Pachulia as the only other active members of the 2003 draft class.

“The older I get and the more I’m in the game, I gain even that much more respect for these guys — the legends that we’re starting to lose along the way,” said Lakers center Tyson Chandler. “… You cherish every moment you get to compete against those type of competitors.”

There’s more Lakers news to pass along:

Brandon Ingram‘s sprained left ankle will keep him out of action longer than expected, according to Kyle Goon of The Orange County Register. The team’s second-leading scorer at 15.2 PPG, Ingram will miss at least another week. “We really just miss the fact that we keep losing out on a great opportunity for our team to kind of find that rhythm together,” coach Luke Walton said. “Every time we start to find a little bit of a rhythm, we lose a big piece.”
Rajon Rondo is still experiencing swelling in his broken right hand, tweets Mike Trudell of NBA.com. However, the swelling is considered normal and isn’t a sign that Rondo’s recovery will take longer than expected. He was given a four- to five-week projection to return after the November 15 operation.
A brief experience with the Memphis Tigers provided Walton with the inspiration to become an NBA coach, relays Jason Munz of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. Walton joined a former Arizona teammate on the college team’s staff during the 2011 lockout. “I went back and played for a few years after that,” Walton said, “but it was pretty evident to me after that that coaching was what I wanted to do when I got done playing.”

Spoelstra: Whiteside Leaving Bench Early Is “Unacceptable”

December 5th, 2018 at 5:31pm CST by clarkcrum

In last night’s loss to the Magic, Heat center Hassan Whiteside left the bench early during the closing seconds of the fourth quarter and did not return. Per ESPN, head coach Erik Spoelstra was not given an explanation at the time, surmising that Whiteside was “probably extremely upset like we all are.”

However, teammate Dwyane Wade provided a more detailed explanation, telling reporters that Whiteside simply left the bench area to return to the locker room early because he had to go to the bathroom, which Whiteside confirmed today, per David Furones of the Sun-Sentinel.

“I didn’t know it was going to be as big of a deal as it was. I couldn’t hold it. My stomach was bothering me,” Whiteside said. “I had to go to the bathroom. I’m sorry if that makes me a bad guy.”

Despite Whiteside’s explanation, Spoelstra apparently still wasn’t happy, perhaps not believing that the center’s absence was completely caused by stomach issues. Per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, Whiteside was disciplined internally.

“It’s totally unacceptable behavior by Hassan,” Spoelstra said. “We handled it, as a team, in the locker room today. That’s all any of you need to know.”

Whiteside, who averaged just 25.3 minutes per game last season, his lowest since his first season with the Heat in 2014/15, has so far logged a similar 26.9 minutes per game this season. However, both his rebound and block numbers are up, with his 13.7 RPG good enough for third in the NBA behind Andre Drummond and DeAndre Jordan.

Ugetti: Heat Among Teams Most In Need Of Trade

December 5th, 2018 at 3:57pm CST by Luke Adams

The Pelicans, Rockets, Wizards, Heat, and Mavericks are the would-be contenders who most need to make a trade, in the view of Paolo Uggetti of The Ringer. Meanwhile, a handful of NBA.com writers weigh in on the teams most in need of a shake-up, and many of the same clubs are mentioned.