New Orleans Pelicans Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Benson's Death Could Result In Move

March 19th, 2018 at 8:17pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The recent death of owner Tom Benson could eventually result in the Pelicans franchise leaving New Orleans, Tom Ziller of SB Nation discusses in a detailed column. The Pelicans signed a lease six years ago to stay in New Orleans until 2024, but it’s still possible that the franchise could try to break that lease.

Even if Benson’s widow Gayle decides against that, the team’s current arena is 19 years old and will require major renovations if it’s not replaced altogether, Ziller notes. Should the team struggle to get funding for a building upgrade, it could grease the skids for a move, Ziller adds.

In other developments around the Southwest Division:

The adversity that the Spurs have faced this season has brought the team closer together, coach Gregg Popovich told the media, including ESPN’s Michael C. Wright. The reserves have received more opportunities to play and team members are pulling for one another, according to Popovich. “It’s rewarding to see guys react to the minutes that they’re getting; some of these young guys that haven’t played much,” he said. “The way they reach out to each other and stay good teammates while the lineups have constantly changed, they’ve shown a lot of empathy and patience with each other in that regard. And I think that has allowed them to keep their heads up.”
Rockets forward P.J. Tucker has never been named to the All-Defensive team and coach Mike D’Antoni believes that should change this season. “It doesn’t get much better than him,” D’Antoni told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. The Rockets’ defense ranks third in the league since Tucker became a starter, Feigen notes.
Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace will be looking for better shooters during the offseason, as he told Michael Wallace from the team’s website during a Q&A session. Asked about the upcoming draft, Wallace spoke in general terms about what type of players he’d target. “As far as our team need, you can always use outside shooting in the NBA of 2018,” he said. “It’s such a premium placed on the three-point shot, you can never have enough guys who can shoot the three. We also have to get more and more athletic.”
Mavs guard Dennis Smith Jr. will miss at least the next two games with an ankle sprain, according to Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News. The team will play it safe with its star rookie but have no plans to shut him down. “He’s going to be out for a while, but it’s not serious,” coach Rick Carlisle said.

Injury Notes: Hill, Wall, McCaw, Gordon, Anderson

March 19th, 2018 at 1:32pm CST by Luke Adams

After missing the Pelicans‘ first 69 games this season due to a torn left hamstring, Solomon Hill returned on Sunday and said he “felt way better than I thought I would,” per William Guillory of The New Orleans Times-Picayune. Despite the fact that he hadn’t appeared in a regular season game since last spring and only played eight minutes, Hill said he felt comfortable on the court.

“I kind of felt after a while that it was like my fifth game back,” Hill said. “It kind of just came and went. … When it was over, (I) was really thinking I can play more. It’s a good sign.”

As New Orleans works Hill back into its rotation, let’s round up a few more injury-related notes from around the NBA…

It’s not “etched in stone,” but John Wall could participate in five-on-five practice by the end of this week, Wizards head coach Scott Brooks said today (Twitter link via Candace Buckner of The Washington Post). Wall, sidelined since January 25, remains on track to return from his knee injury in advance of the playoffs.
Patrick McCaw is set to return to action on Monday night against San Antonio, and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr doesn’t expect the second-year guard to just sit on the bench. Expect McCaw to play about 15 to 20 minutes, tweets Anthony Slater of The Athletic. “We need him,” Kerr said.
Having passed the concussion protocol, Aaron Gordon will be available to play for the Magic on Tuesday night vs. Toronto, the team announced today (via Twitter). Gordon, a restricted free agent this summer, last appeared in a game on March 7.
Ryan Anderson played in both of the Rockets‘ games over the weekend after missing the previous nine contests with hip and groin injuries. As Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle writes, Anderson struggled a little with his rhythm in his first game back, but said he felt “no pain.”

Pelicans Notes: Davis, Benson, Gentry, Jackson

March 18th, 2018 at 4:58pm CST by marksuleymanov

Pelicans owner Tom Benson passed away earlier this week at 90 years old. Benson, who struggled for almost a month with flu-like symptoms, has been posthumously honored by many in the sports world and earned praise for his efforts to keep professional football and basketball in the city of New Orleans.

Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis was among those to speak highly of Benson. Davis sent out a tweet thanking Benson for all his contributions, both to him personally and the city of New Orleans, William Guillory of NOLA.com relays.

“Mr. Benson has meant so much to this city & to my career in NOLA,” Davis said in the tweet. “Mr. B & his wife Gayle treated me like family since I arrived & I’m forever indebted to them for their kindness & generosity.”

Check out more notes from the Pelicans below:

Following Tom Benson’s death, it was reported that his wife, Gayle Benson, would take over as the owner of the Pelicans. In a statement released to NBA.com, Benson promised to do her best to ensure future success for both the Saints and Pelicans. “I would like to assure you that we planned carefully for this day and, while my husband could never be replaced, I am blessed to be surrounded by a wonderful leadership team and staff and we will move forward successfully together,” Gayle said in the statement. “We cannot thank you enough for all of the joy you gave my husband and will continue to do everything within our power to make you proud of our teams and city.”
Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry has been fined $15K for critical comments of the officials in the team’s loss to the Rockets on Saturday, tweets Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports.
As we relayed yesterday, the Pelicans have given up on rookie Frank Jackson playing this season. Jackson suffered a foot fracture in August and despite a modest three to four-month recovery projection, Jackson did recover as hoped. The team has denied that any setbacks occurred.

Solomon Hill May Be Cleared To Play Sunday

March 17th, 2018 at 9:02pm CST by Arthur Hill

Pelicans forward Solomon Hill may make his first appearance of the season Sunday, according to Christian Boutwell of The Journal Times. Hill has been sidelined for the past 68 games by a torn hamstring that required surgery in late August. Coach Alvin Gentry told reporters tonight that Hill will undergo preliminary tests before the game to see if he’s able to play.

Pelicans Owner Tom Benson Dies

March 15th, 2018 at 4:50pm CST by marksuleymanov

New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson died on Thursday following a near month-long battle with flu-like symptoms, the Pelicans confirmed in a press release. He was 90 years old.

Benson is credited with saving both of his franchises from relocating. He purchased the Saints in 1985 as the team was set to relocate; he also bought the then-Hornets in 2012 and promptly renamed them to the Pelicans. Benson was the only person to own two major sports teams located in his hometown, per The New Orleans Advocate.

Under Benson’s ownership, the Saints captured a Super Bowl in 2010. The Pelicans compiled a 202-266 under his watch, but are on track for a postseason berth this season.

The plan is for Benson’s wife, Gayle Benson, to assume control of both New Orleans franchises, Ramon Antonio Vargas of The Advocate writes.

Pelicans Sign Larry Drew II To 10-Day Deal

March 15th, 2018 at 11:12am CST by Luke Adams

MARCH 15: The Pelicans have made it official, announcing in a press release that they’ve signed Drew to a 10-day contract.

MARCH 14: The Pelicans intend to fill the open spot on their 15-man NBA roster by signing Larry Drew II to a 10-day contract, sources tell Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). Drew will replace Walt Lemon Jr., who won’t be re-signed by New Orleans after his 10-day deal expired last night.

This will be Drew’s second 10-day contract of the season, and his first with the Pelicans. The 28-year-old guard inked a 10-day pact with the Sixers back in January, but wasn’t re-signed by the club when that deal expired. Drew played just 15 total minutes in three games during his brief stint in Philadelphia.

For most of the season, Drew has once again played for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, marking the fifth straight year that he has spent time with the G League club. In 35 games for the Skyforce this season, Drew has averaged 11.8 PPG, 7.4 APG, and 4.6 RPG. The UCLA alum has never shot below 40% from three-point range in a G League season — he’s at 40.1% in 2017/18, and is making a career-best 2.0 threes per game.

While the move to New Orleans is good news for Drew, Sioux Falls – Miami’s G League affiliate – will be scrambling to fill the hole left in its backcourt. Briante Weber, who had also been playing for the Skyforce, just finalized a 10-day deal of his own with the Grizzlies, so the team has now lost two key guards this week.

Pelicans Notes: G League Team, Holiday, Davis

March 14th, 2018 at 2:19pm CST by Luke Adams

A report way back in March of 2017 indicated that the Pelicans planned on launching a G League affiliate of their own for the 2018/19 season. Since then, there have been a handful of updates on the franchise’s hunt for an appropriate spot for that affiliate to play, with an offseason report suggesting the decision would likely come down to Shreveport, Lousiana vs. Pensacola, Florida.

However, during a recent radio appearance, Pelicans GM Dell Demps said that the club’s plans for a G League team are on hold for now, as Adam Johnson of 2 Ways & 10 Days relays.

“Right now, we’ve put things on pause,” Demps said. “We’re trying to, you know, find the right situation, and the right city for the team to play is essential. Currently right now, you know, we use the G League and we’ve been using other teams that have G League teams and right now we just put things on pause until we can find the right home for us. … It will come in the future, it’s just we haven’t narrowed down the specific spot yet.”

With Shreveport’s City Council having voted against financing an arena, Pensacola looked like the odds-on favorite to host the Pelicans’ new G League squad, but based on Demps’ comments, it sounds as if the team’s search is ongoing.

The Wizards are set to launch a G League affiliate of their own in 2018/19, which will bring the list of NBAGL teams to 27 — currently, the Pelicans, Trail Blazers, and Nuggets are the only clubs without an affiliate in place or a concrete plan in place to add one.

Here’s more on the Pelicans:

Jrue Holiday has cashed in on another one of the incentives in his contract, as ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweets. By appearing in 66 games this season, Holiday triggered a $255K bonus to go along with the separate $255K bonus he earned earlier in the season for surpassing the 2,075-minute threshold.
In spite of DeMarcus Cousins‘ season-ending injury, this season has been a major success so far for the Pelicans, quieting speculation about the possibility of Anthony Davis‘ eventual departure. Frank Urbina of HoopsHype takes a closer look at how that discussion may resurface in future seasons, noting that losing Davis could even jeopardize the Pelicans’ long-term future in New Orleans.
The Pelicans reportedly intend to fill their open roster spot by signing Larry Drew II, as we detailed earlier today.

Walt Lemon Jr., Xavier Rathan-Mayes Won’t Be Re-Signed

March 14th, 2018 at 10:15am CST by Arthur Hill

Two players won’t be re-signed as they reach the end of their 10-day contracts, according to Chris Haynes of ESPN.

The Pelicans have decided not to retain Walt Lemon Jr., Haynes tweets. The 25-year-old guard completed two 10-day deals with the team and would need to be signed for the rest of season to remain in New Orleans. Lemon appeared in five games during his 20 days with the Pelicans, averaging 3.4 points in 7.0 minutes per night.

The Grizzlies’ impending signing of Briante Weber means guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes won’t receive a second 10-day contract (Twitter link). The 23-year-old saw action in five games with Memphis, playing 23.6 minutes per night and averaging 5.8 points.

Also expiring overnight was a second 10-day contract for Antonius Cleveland, whom the Hawks are expected to sign to a multi-year deal.

Injury Updates: Leonard, Hill, Williams, Ross, Wall

March 12th, 2018 at 9:50pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard will meet with coach Gregg Popovich on Tuesday to discuss his progress rehabbing from a quad injury, Michael C. Wright of ESPN reports. Leonard could return as early as Thursday if both parties feel he’s ready to play again. The team’s franchise player has been sidelined since January 13th with the lingering quad issue that has cost him all but nine games this season.

In other injury updates from around the league:

Pelicans forward Solomon Hill could make his season debut as early as this weekend, William Guillory of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. Hill has been sidelined by a torn hamstring suffered in late August. “We’re so close to the finish line that we’re definitely not going to rush the situation now,” coach Alvin Gentry told Guillory. “I can see a situation where he might be able to play a few minutes here or there.” Hill is in the second year of a four-year, $48MM contract.
Suns reserve center Alan Williams could make his season debut on Tuesday, according to Scott Bordow of the Arizona Republic. Williams underwent surgery in September to repair the meniscus in his right knee with a six-month timetable to return. He went through a full practice on Monday. Williams, whose three-year, $17MM contract is only guaranteed through this season, averaged 11.4 PPG and 9.1 RPG after the All-Star break last season.
Magic swingman Terrence Ross is questionable to return this season, according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. Ross has been sidelined since November 29th with a knee injury. A bone bruise has stalled Ross’ return, Robbins adds. “Some days it feels good, and then some days it kind of flares up,” Ross told Robbins. Ross has one season left on a contract that pays him $10.9MM annually.
Wizards point guard John Wall went through some non-contract drills Monday as he works his way back from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports relays. If medically cleared, Wall could practice in full for the first time on Friday, Hughes adds.

Anthony Davis Hurts Ankle; MRI Reveals Sprain

March 8th, 2018 at 4:33pm CST by Arthur Hill

4:33pm: Davis has been diagnosed with a left ankle sprain, today’s MRI revealed, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. He is being listed as day-to-day and his doubtful for tomorrow’s game against the Wizards.

8:32am: Pelicans star Anthony Davis will undergo an MRI today to determine the extent of the damage to his left ankle, according to an ESPN report.

An injury forced Davis out of a game for the second straight night, this time when he rolled the ankle after grabbing a rebound in the third quarter. X-rays taken Wednesday night were negative, and the MRI will be conducted once the team returns to New Orleans from its West Coast swing.

“Won’t know anything until tomorrow,” coach Alvin Gentry told reporters after the game. “They took X-rays but couldn’t really tell a lot from the X-rays, so we’ll go back home, and I’m sure he’ll have an MRI at some stage tomorrow, and we’ll have more information.”

The Pelicans topped the Kings for their 10th straight win, and Davis has been putting up MVP numbers throughout the streak. He had 17 points, five rebounds and five blocks in 23 minutes before leaving the game. He also suffered bruised ribs Tuesday against the Clippers, but was able to return to the floor.

Davis, who was apparently being fitted for a walking boot after last night’s game, didn’t sound concerned that the injury will be a long-term problem.

“I feel fine, but they’ll have the team doctor look at it tomorrow and go from there,” he said. “Any time you twist an ankle it hurts, especially coming off somebody’s foot, because you really don’t have any protection. It was sore. I just wanted to make sure everything was fine.”