Heat Rumors: LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Allen
LeBron James can have as much say in the Heat’s roster construction as he wants to, as Erik Spoelstra told reporters at Miami’s press conference today, including Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post (Twitter link). Here’s more on the dethroned champs:
- Spoelstra expressed support for potential free agent Dwyane Wade, saying, “I’ll go in that foxhole with Dwyane, any day. It’s funny how the narrative changes in a matter of days,” as Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel quotes the coach.
- Winderman notes that Wade skipped the press conference altogether.
- Chris Bosh maintained what he has been saying in recent weeks, that he wants to return to the Heat along with the other two thirds of the Big Three.
- LeBron was less committal, saying that he hasn’t begun to think ahead to the prospect of opting in or out, or luring other free agents to bolster the Miami lineup. “Being able to have flexibility as a professional, that’s what we all would like,” he said. “I understand what this team, this franchise, brings to the table.”
- LeBron said he wasn’t sure where Wade’s thought process is at the moment, but that the Big Three will gather to get on the same page as planned. “It’s only right. We’ve earned that from each other to have a conversation and see what could happen,” Lieser quotes James as saying (via Twitter).
- All indications are that Ray Allen would put off retirement another season for the chance to play with James again in 2014/15, Bleacher Report’s Ethan Skolnick tweets.
- Earlier, we passed on word of Kyle Lowry‘s interest in Miami and the Mavs’ interest in Chris Andersen.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
And-Ones: Draft, Spurs, Hornets, Hollins, Wolves
Jarnell Stokes‘ representatives are excited about his performance against Adreian Payne in a workout for the Raptors today, with auditions for the Spurs and Clippers still to come, as Zach Links of Hoops Rumors reports (Twitter links). Zach also hears that Rodney Hood has rescheduled workouts with the Wolves and Kings this week after withdrawing from earlier auditions for the teams (Twitter link). Justin Jackson showed off twice for the Hornets last week, with the Hawks, Heat and Suns on his upcoming workout agenda, Zach also tweets. Here’s more from around the league:
- A Western Conference executive who spoke with Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News suggests that teams will be wary of the poor performance that soon-to-be free agent Boris Diaw turned in for Charlotte preceding his tenure with the Spurs. Monroe also hears doubt from an exec about Patty Mills‘ ability to succeed outside of San Antonio.
- The Hornets are interviewing Blazers director of college scouting Chad Buchanan for their assistant GM post, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link). The assistant GM will serve under GM Rich Cho, who gained full control of the front office when president of basketball operations Rod Higgins resigned last week.
- The Rockets are aggressively seeking Lionel Hollins to serve as an assistant coach even though they know it will be difficult to land him as he seeks head coaching jobs, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Hollins has interviewed to become the head man for the Cavs and Lakers.
- The Timberwolves named Sam Mitchell an assistant coach today, the team announced (on Twitter). Mitchell interviewed for the head coaching job and was reportedly a favorite of owner Glen Taylor.
Heat, Kyle Lowry Share Interest In Deal
There’s mutual interest between the Heat and Kyle Lowry, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com, who spoke this morning in an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter (video link; scroll ahead to the 3:45 mark). Grantland’s Zach Lowe wrote in late December that the Heat would “love a shot” at the Raptors point guard. Still, Lowry’s comments have indicated a preference to remain with the Raptors, though he hasn’t explicitly said so.
The Heat would target Lowry as an addition should LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all opt out of their contracts and re-sign for lower salaries, as was rumored with regard to Miami’s interest in Carmelo Anthony, Windhorst says. The latest estimates have pegged Lowry’s value at around $11MM per year, which would require the Heat’s trio of stars to accept not much more if Miami is to accommodate an attractive deal for Lowry under the salary cap.
Raptors GM Masai Ujiri and CEO Tim Leiweke have identified Lowry as a priority, and Leiweke answered affirmatively when asked in April if the team would re-sign the Andy Miller client. That’s no guarantee, of course, but given the affection that Lowry and the Raptors seem to share for one another, the Raptors look well-positioned to retain him. Considering the long shot nature of the idea that all three of Miami’s stars will agree to deep discounts, it would be a surprise if the top point guard in this year’s free agent class winds up in South Beach.
Mavs To Pursue Chris Andersen
The Mavs will ask Chris Andersen‘s representatives about his interest in playing in Dallas, but the Birdman prefers to remain with the Heat, according to Bleacher Report’s Ethan Skolnick (Twitter link). Andersen is reportedly set to opt out of his contract and hit free agency next month.
Andersen proved even more valuable to the Heat this year than he did in 2012/13, when he joined Miami at midseason and helped the club to a championship. He averaged 19.4 minutes per game, his most in four years, and his 5.9 rebounds per contest in the playoffs were second on the team behind LeBron James, as Andersen outdid starting center Chris Bosh in that category.
Andersen is a native of Iola, Texas, a town in between Dallas and Houston. Still, Dallas almost certainly sees the Mark Bryant client as a secondary priority, as the Mavs are again poised to go after marquee free agents. Andersen was on a minimum-salary contract with Miami, but his decision to opt out gives the Heat more cap flexibility, and it’s quite conceivable that Miami, which owns Andersen’s Early Bird rights, winds up bringing the Birdman back once the futures of Bosh, James and Dwyane Wade are resolved.
And-Ones: Leonard, Wallace, LeBron, Randle
It sounds like the Spurs will be able to get the band back together when it comes to the core, but they will have to tackle Kawhi Leonard‘s extension this summer, writes Yannis Koutroupis of Basketball Insiders. Leonard is eligible for an extension starting July 1st and it’s obviously in their best interests to lock up the Finals MVP. Koutroupis believes that a five-year, deal in the neighborhood of $78.8MM would get it done. Here’s tonight’s look around the NBA..
- Chris Wallace is in charge of basketball operations on an interim basis for the Grizzlies but when it comes to the draft, it’s a collaborative effort involving coach Dave Joerger and owner Robert Pera, writes Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal.
- LeBron James joining the Clippers makes sense to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com. Between Dwayne Wade being over the hill and the deterioration of Chris Bosh‘s shooting, Blakely believes that James will seek greener pastures.
- The Lakers will work out Julius Randle tomorrow, according to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. Randle will complete an individual workout, unlike the Lakers’ first pre-draft workout that put a dozen prospects up against each other.
- Darnell Mayberry and Anthony Slater debated the odds of Thabo Sefolosha returning to the Thunder next season. Mayberry says there’s no shot while Slater thinks there’s a slim chance he could return. It would probably be in OKC’s best interest to let Sefolosha walk, Slater writes, but there’s a small chance he stays since his asking price is so low.
- With assistant Kevin Eastman moving up from the Clippers‘ bench to the front office and assistants Tyronn Lue and Alvin Gentry both up for head coaching jobs elsewhere, there could be more changes on the way, tweets Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
- The Clippers are giving some thought to hiring Lawrence Frank as an assistant coach, writes Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. Frank was the Nets’ lead assistant last season until he was reassigned by Jason Kidd. Frank and Clips coach Doc Rivers previously worked together in Boston.
Southeast Notes: Hornets, Heat, LeBron
The Hornets like Jeremi Grant‘s size, writes Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. The 6’8″ forward doesn’t yet have the shooting and ball handling he’ll need to play small forward at the next level but he has tremendous potential. The former Syracuse standout could be a consideration for Charlotte at No. 24. Here’s a whole lot of LeBron talk to round out this look at the Southeast..
- The Heat have lots of work to do but the Big Three should stay put, opines Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. Miami needs to retool their bench after their lack of depth was exposed in the Finals, but no other club will give LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, or Chris Bosh a better chance at winning a title.
- James’ decision on whether to stay with the Heat or leave will come down to three driving factors, writes Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com. James will want to know what kind of production he can expect out of Wade, whether the Heat can add someone to reduce his workload, and whether they can improve their overall depth.
- James can go anywhere, but the Heat are still the only team that makes sense, opines Eric Koreen of the National Post. The Cavs, even with Kyrie Irving and the No. 1 pick, are still an unknown. James could also go to the Rockets to form a new big three in Houston, but that’s not a safe wager given the tough competition in the Western Conference.
Eastern Rumors: ‘Melo, Fisher, Cavs, Chalmers
The Heat won their fourth straight Eastern Conference championship this year, but like the last team to pull that off, the 1986/87 Celtics, they fell short of an NBA title. Miami certainly hopes it doesn’t repeat the fate that befell Boston, which failed to win another Eastern Conference title for 21 years after that. Here’s the latest from the East:
- Carmelo Anthony would prefer to stay in New York, but he knows his best chance to win would be to leave, a source tells Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. ‘Melo is reportedly leaning toward signing with a team other than the Knicks this summer.
- Derek Fisher‘s contract to coach the Knicks runs for four years instead of five, as had been initially reported, according to TNT’s David Aldridge, who writes in his Morning Tip column for NBA.com. Another report indicated the deal contains at least one team option, so perhaps it’s guaranteed for four seasons with a team option for the fifth, though that’s just my speculation.
- It’s logical to suspect that David Blatt would prefer a head coaching job to an assistant’s post, but it seems he won’t wait around on the Cavs opening if they dally, as Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports explains. The Warriors and some close to the former Maccabi Tel Aviv coach believe that he’ll accept a job on Steve Kerr‘s Golden State staff if Cleveland doesn’t move quickly to hire him after its face-to-face interview with him this week, Wojnarowski hears.
- The Cavs continue to pursue high-profile college coaches behind the scenes, Wojnarowski also writes in the same piece.
- The Heat benched the slumping Mario Chalmers in Game 5, but the soon-to-be free agent hasn’t soured on Miami, as he tells fellow Yahoo! Sports scribe Marc J. Spears. “I hope we stay together,” Chalmers said. “I think we have a good thing going.”
Draft Notes: Bucks, Parker, Embiid, Hornets
The Bucks aren’t having any trouble getting a look at the top prospects. Milwaukee is reportedly set for a pair of workouts with Andrew Wiggins, and Chad Ford of ESPN.com hears that Jabari Parker will work out again for the club this week after having done so last week (Twitter link). Joel Embiid was already apparently slated to audition for the club, and GM John Hammond also met with the Kansas big man last week, Ford tweets. The Bucks appear to be the only team with which Wiggins, Parker, Embiid and Dante Exum have all agreed to visit and work out, Ford notes (Twitter link). Here’s more on the draft, now just 10 days away.
- Jerami Grant, De’Mon Brooks, Josh Davis, Jarell Eddie and Mike Moser are among the draft prospects showing off for the Hornets today, the team announced via press release.
- The Heat are auditioning Walter Tavares today, tweets Michael Scotto of SheridanHoops.
- Keith Appling, Dave Dudzinski, Markel Starks, Tyler Stone and Jermaine Marshall are showing off for the Celtics today, as Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com notes via Twitter. Marshall will also audition for the Cavs, Sportando reports (via Twitter).
- Roscoe Smith has the Raptors and Mavs on his agenda, as Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv hears (Twitter link).
- Richard Harris of NBADraft.net adds the Bulls to the list of teams for which Johnny O’Bryant III has worked out. O’Bryant also has auditions slated with the Rockets, Heat, Hornets, Bucks, Grizzlies, Raptors and Pistons, Harris reports.
- Doug Haller of the Arizona Republic adds the Sixers, Mavs, Rockets and Heat to the list of teams that are getting a look at Jordan Bachynski (Twitter link).
- Jahii Carson, Kendrick Perry, Earnest Ross and Alec Brown are all performing for the Rockets, Scotto tweets.
- The Lakers are one of more than a dozen teams for which Ronald Roberts Jr. is working out, a source tells Zagoria (Twitter link).
- The Warriors are auditioning Eric Moreland, Roberto Nelson and Travis Bader, according to Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group (Twitter links).
Shane Battier Retires
Shane Battier confirmed last night that he’s retiring from the NBA, removing any sliver of doubt he may have left in previous statements foretelling the end of his 13-year career, notes Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com. The 35-year-old Heat forward’s contract is up this summer, and he apparently has no intentions of signing a new one.
“I’ve given everything I can to the game and I don’t have any more to give,” Battier said. “And I’m OK with it.”
Battier averaged career lows in points, rebounds, assists and minutes per game this season as he wound up an NBA journey that began when the Grizzlies made him the No. 6 overall pick in the 2001 draft. He also played for the Rockets before joining the Heat, earning praise as the “No-Stats All-Star” along the way for his subtle contributions best appreciated among members of the advanced metrics community. He finished with career averages of 8.6 PPG and 4.2 RPG in 30.7 MPG, numbers that belied his value.
The Jim Tanner client made nearly $56.6MM in the NBA, according to Basketball-Reference. He took in $3.72MM with the Heat this season, and Miami will likely renounce his Bird rights to clear his $6.213MM cap hold if the team elects to dip under the cap this summer.
Chris Andersen To Opt Out, Hit Free Agency
Chris Andersen will opt out of his minimum-salary contract and become a free agent this summer, a source tells Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. The Birdman re-signed with the Heat in 2013 to a two-year deal that included a player option for the second season. Today’s news doesn’t necessarily mean that Andersen will leave the Heat, or even that he’ll wind up with a higher salary, since he took less than market value to stay with Miami last summer. Still, it appears as though the client of Mark Bryant will explore his options as the future of the Heat’s roster is in flux.
Andersen, who’ll turn 36 next month, scored 6.6 points per game this past season, the second-highest total of his 12-year career. He also averaged 5.3 rebounds in 19.4 minutes per contest with an 18.5 PER as Miami’s first big man off the bench.
The Heat have his Early Bird rights, meaning they can sign him for a starting salary of up to 104.5% of the league average salary, which will likely come in around $6MM. It’s unlikely he’ll merit that much, but he’s probably earned a raise on the minimum. Taking another minimum-salary deal would help Miami keep its team together, but given Andersen’s advanced age, I’m not so sure he’ll be willing to pass up another opportunity to cash in. Still, his decision to opt out does the Heat a small favor, since his cap hold will be $915,243, compared to the $1,448,490 he’d take up on Miami’s balance sheet were he to opt in.