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Atlantic Notes: Reed, Sixers, Antetokounmpo

October 16th, 2015 at 9:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Nets big man Willie Reed underwent successful surgery today to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb, the team announced. Reed is one of seven Brooklyn players without a fully guaranteed deal, but the Nets would have be required pay him until he’s healthy, even if they waived him. He is expected to be out of action for a period of six to eight weeks.

Here’s more from out of the Atlantic Division:

The Sixers’ point guard situation is unsettled, and thanks to injuries to Kendall Marshall and Tony Wroten, it is likely to remain that way after the regular season tips off, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “They are a ways away” from playing in games, coach Brett Brown said. “I feel like you always get nervous about throwing out dates. I think it would be fair to say that we are not going to see Kendall for the month of October and beyond. I hope not much further beyond. And Tony [will be sidelined] further along after that, probably not until sometime in December.“
Thanasis Antetokounmpo maintains that he won’t accept a D-League assignment from New York if he doesn’t make the Knicks‘ regular season roster, and he hopes that another NBA team will show interest if he is waived, Marc Berman of The New York Post writes. “First off, hopefully things works out here,’’ Antetokounmpo told Berman. “If they don’t, hopefully another NBA team. That’s the first goal. And after that, we’ll see. Hopefully everything goes well. I don’t want to think about it now. I can control what I can control — being positive and optimistic.’’ The swingman’s agents have also been in contact with overseas clubs, Berman adds.
Amir Johnson, who inked a two year, $24MM deal with the Celtics this offseason, is impressing the team’s coaching staff with his play on both ends of the court, Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders notes. “He just knows how to play both ends,” coach Brad Stevens said of Johnson. “He makes easy plays with the ball, and then on the defensive end, he makes everyone better.”

Southeast Notes: Splitter, Hardaway, Richardson

October 15th, 2015 at 9:45am CST by Chuck Myron

Tiago Splitter knew that the Spurs were planning a major play in free agency and says he expected that he would be traded this past summer, observes Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News. Sure enough, the Spurs sent him to the Hawks, and Splitter admits that leaving San Antonio was difficult to accept at first, as McDonald relays. Spurs coach/president Gregg Popovich struggled with the decision but is optimistic it’ll work out for all involved, notes Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“It was very difficult,” Popovich said. “When someone is with you for a while you get close to the family. That’s the business side of the situation that shows its ugly head once in a while. If we wanted to add the talent that we added, you had to do something. You can’t pay everybody. Tiago being here in Atlanta is a perfect fit for both parties.”

The center says he’s since warmed to Atlanta, according to McDonald. See more on another player the Hawks brought in via trade this summer and other items from the Southeast Division:

The Hawks traded for Tim Hardaway Jr. because he offers a combination of upside and experience and because they needed a backup shooting guard behind Kyle Korver, Vivlamore writes in a separate piece. He’s following Korver’s lead as he adjusts to Atlanta’s offense, which is quite different from the triangle he played in last season with the Knicks, as Vivlamore details.
Justise Winslow isn’t the only Heat 2015 draftee making a strong impression in camp, as second-rounder Josh Richardson is showing his scoring touch and meshing with Justise Winslow, observes Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post. The Heat were shocked when Richardson, whom they pegged as the 24th-best prospect in the draft, slipped to No. 40, Lieser notes. “He’s a very competitive two-way player and you just don’t see those types of guys that often that really want to take on the challenge defensively,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Richardson. “He’ll guard multiple positions and stick his nose in their for loose balls. And offensively, he’s got nice poise.”
Paul Pierce left a leadership void in Washington when he opted out of his Wizards contract and signed with the Clippers, and while trade acquisition Jared Dudley believes he can fill it in one regard, he likes John Wall‘s leadership by example so far, as J. Michael of CSN Mid-Atlantic details.

Atlantic Notes: Anthony, Robinson, Holmes, Wood

October 14th, 2015 at 9:28pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony issued a challenge to the team’s coaching staff to hold him accountable for any mistakes he makes on the court, and he hopes that this tactic will help make him a better player, Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com writes. “Call it out in the film session so everybody can see that and hear that. By them doing that, it kind of forces me to be at the top level of my game on both ends of the court,” Anthony said. “Call it out in the film session so everybody can see that and hear that. By them doing that, it kind of forces me to be at the top level of my game on both ends of the court.”

The veteran scorer also noted that the team is taking more of a group approach to coaching this season, which is a change from last season when coach Derek Fisher was the only one calling players out for their errors, Begley adds. “It’s more of a collective unit,” Anthony continued. “… We’re just sitting down with [members of the coaching staff and video department] and sitting down with players on the team kind of going through different scenarios, different situations and just kind of wanting to be held accountable out there.”

Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:

Thomas Robinson is hoping to shed the journeyman label that he has acquired and to resurrect his career with the Nets, writes Tim Bontemps of The New York Post. The combo forward also relayed that signing with Brooklyn this offseason was an easy decision for him to make, Bontemps adds. “Because they showed interest from Day One,” Robinson said. “Even at the draft, they showed heavy interest, and then the pick got swapped out. Over the years, I’ve just liked it was a new organization, and they were building something, and it’s New York. … I wanted to be here in New York. I’m glad I’m here a few years down the road, after the stuff I’ve been through. I’m more mature now than I was when I probably wanted to come here. [I want to] take advantage of all of my opportunities. I feel like I’m right back where I was getting drafted again … now it’s just time.”
Sixers rookies Richaun Holmes and Christian Wood were afterthoughts when the team began training camp, and now both have become key figures for Philly heading into the season thanks to a run of frontcourt injuries, Bob Cooney of The Philadelphia Daily News writes.

Knicks, Lamar Odom Engaged In Recent Talks?

October 14th, 2015 at 2:41pm CST by Chuck Myron

2:41pm: The Knicks never brought up the idea of signing Odom and made no offer, team sources tell TMZ Sports.

8:51am: Lamar Odom‘s camp and the Knicks had recent discussions about a comeback for former Lakers sixth man, his personal trainer Fareed Samad told TMZ Sports, adding that he was optimistic about Odom’s chances with New York. Odom was hospitalized Tuesday night after having been found unresponsive in a legal Nevada brothel. He’s in a coma and his heart is failing, according to a separate TMZ Sports report.

The Knicks signed Odom on the last day of the season in 2013/14 and released him before he ever saw action with the team. Phil Jackson, who coached Odom on the Lakers and had taken over as Knicks team president shortly before the Odom signing, brought him aboard in one of his first moves, but Odom never showed up to work out with the team while under contract that summer, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post (Twitter link).

Odom, who turns 36 next month, last appeared in an NBA game in the 2013 playoffs with the Clippers. Still, he’d lost 35 pounds off his 6’10” frame since the beginning of June this year in preparation for an NBA comeback attempt, Samad said to TMZ Sports.

The Knicks went to camp with 19 players on the roster, one beneath the preseason roster limit. Sasha Vujacic, a former Lakers teammate of Odom and another Jackson protege, is one of 13 with fully guaranteed deals even though he has played just two games in the NBA since 2010/11, demonstrating Jackson’s fondness for his purple-and-gold connections.

Still, Odom’s pressing health condition would appear to overshadow the notion of a return to the Knicks or any NBA team. The Jeff Schwartz client gained friends around the league amid a life marred by tragedy, as Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports details.

Atlantic Notes: Bennett, Zeller, Williams, Grant

October 13th, 2015 at 10:02am CST by Chuck Myron

People who know Anthony Bennett speak well of his character, and it appears his mission with the Raptors is to restore his self-confidence, writes Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca. So far, he’s made a positive impression on coach Dwane Casey, as Lewenberg relays.

“One thing that has impressed me is his defense,” Casey said. “His defense is ahead of his offense. That was a surprise. I didn’t know he was as good a defender as he’s showed since we’ve had him, which has been very impressive. And that’s helped get ingratiated with his teammates and the staff. He’s done a good job. The main thing for him is just to relax and play, enjoy the game, get that No. 1 pick necklace off his neck and just play basketball, have fun.”

See more from the Atlantic Division:

Tyler Zeller is glad to work with Celtics coach Brad Stevens and would like an extension before his eligibility window closes on November 2nd, but he’s OK with the prospect of not signing an extension if that’s how it plays out, as he explains to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.
Derrick Williams, confident that the triangle will be the right long-term fit for him, made up his mind to join the Knicks 10 minutes after meeting with the team, and he decided not to speak to Kings coach George Karl about re-signing with Sacramento, as Williams told Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv. “Nope, I didn’t really care,” Williams said. “I knew where I wanted to go.”
Knicks team president Phil Jackson coached Horace Grant on the Bulls, and the Zen Master admits that connection gives him greater confidence in Knicks rookie Jerian Grant, Horace’s nephew, observes Marc Berman of the New York Post. Carmelo Anthony, who was reportedly upset to see Tim Hardaway Jr. go out in the trade that brought in Grant, has been impressed with the poise and ability to control the tempo that this year’s No. 19 overall pick has demonstrated, Berman notes.

And-Ones: Young, Afflalo, Pelicans

October 12th, 2015 at 10:36pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Rookie Joseph Young has earned the Pacers’ backup point guard job, according to Nate Taylor of the Indianapolis Star. Pacers coach Frank Vogel announced on Monday that the second-round pick had taken that spot after making a strong impression through the first three preseason games, Taylor continues. Young, who is averaging 11.3 points, has displayed the quickness needed to get to the rim and make shots over taller defenders, Taylor adds. “He’s going to struggle at times,” Vogel told Taylor. “We’re committed to getting [Young and first-round rookie Myles Turner] some minutes early on as long as they keep proving themselves and having the right approach. We want to see how they develop early on.”

In other news around the league:

The opportunity to play with Carmelo Anthony again was a major reason why Arron Afflalo signed with the Knicks, David Aldridge of NBA.com reports in his weekly column. Afflalo and Anthony were teammates on the Nuggets from 2009-11. “It was a mixture of individual opportunity, and maybe some unforeseen potential,” Afflalo told Aldridge. “I get to play with ‘Melo again, and I knew the coaching staff. I knew the management. I knew what they were trying to build.” Afflalo signed a two-year, $16MM contract with a player option in July.
The Pelicans could add another point guard to their training camp roster in the next few days, John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune tweets. Backup Norris Cole suffered a high ankle sprain in practice on Sunday which could jeopardize his status for opening night, according to the team’s website.
The NBA is exploring the possibility of having a D-League team in Omaha, Nebraska, Chris Reichert of UpsideMotor.com reports. Gary Green, who owns a minor league baseball team in Omaha, said in a recent interview with Omaha.com that he has talked to NBA and D-League representatives and a deal is in place, Reichert continues. However, Green is struggling to find an affiliation because NBA teams prefer to have their D-League team close to home, Reichert adds.

Cavs Lead With 16 Free Agent Signings

October 12th, 2015 at 5:01pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Cavaliers have drawn plenty of attention the past few months for a free agent they haven’t signed, but even though Tristan Thompson lingers in free agency, Cleveland has taken care of more free agent business than any other team in the league during the 2015 offseason. They signed 16 free agents, three more than the Spurs, the team that recorded the next most free agent signings. The Cavs just made their latest signing this weekend, replacing Michael Dunigan with Dionte Christmas on the camp roster.

It might be easy to presume a direct correlation between free agent activity and success, given the teams at the very top and bottom of the list below. The Cavs and Spurs are strong bets to win their respective conferences this season, while the Jazz, Timberwolves and Sixers are nowhere near the title picture. The presence of the Warriors and Thunder on the bottom half of the list and the Kings and Nets close to the top debunk that theory, however. It has more to do with the fact that the Cavs had only four players signed for 2015/16 when they ended last season, while the Jazz had 13. Cleveland simply had more jobs to hand out.

Still, other factors are at play, since free agent signings don’t encompass draft picks, draft-and-stash signings, trades or waiver claims. The Trail Blazers made significant changes to their roster, but they did much of their work via trade instead of free agency. The Rockets had 10 players under contract on July 1st, but they still wound up making 11 free agent signings.

Here’s a look at the number of free agent signings for each team. Click the team’s name to see the names of each of their signees via our 2015 Free Agent Tracker.

Eastern Notes: Knicks, Cavs, Raptors

October 11th, 2015 at 8:00pm CST by Will Joseph

Carmelo Anthony used to despise Sasha Vujacic back when both played in the Western Conference, but now that the combo guard is a member of the Knicks, Anthony sees it from a different perspective, Al Iannazzone of Newsday writes. The Knicks signed Vujacic to a guaranteed deal during the summer.

“We got into it a couple of times,” Anthony said. “He was one of them little dirty players, sneaky, grab your jersey, foul you after the play. He was speaking in his language and now I understand what he was saying to me — it makes me hate him even more back then. Having him on my team is a big plus, knowing how feisty he is. He’s a vet. He knows how to play the game. He knows the system. I think having him is a big plus.”

Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:

Joe Harris is a lock to make the Cavs‘ regular season roster, reports Chris Haynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group. Harris’ salary for this upcoming season is guaranteed at $845,059, as Haynes points out.
The development of Otto Porter, who projects to be the Wizards‘ starting small forward, especially defensively for Washington this season, will be vital for the Wizards’ success, J. Michael of CSNMidAtlantic writes.
Anthony Bennett is playing with a sense of urgency and is impressing on defense for the Raptors, Ryan Wolstat of The Toronto Sun writes. Toronto signed Bennett to just a one-year deal for the minimum salary after he was waived by the Wolves.

Atlantic Notes: Raptors, Sixers, Knicks

October 11th, 2015 at 4:15pm CST by Will Joseph

There is already some added intensity from Raptors head coach Dwane Casey, and the fact that he is now in the final guaranteed year of the three-year extension (the final year of the deal next season is a team option) he signed in May 2014 likely has something to do with it, Mike Ganter of the Torono Sun writes. Casey would like to see better defense out of the Raptors, who are in win-now mode, Ganter adds.

Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:

There is no reason to panic — not yet, at least, from the Sixers‘ perspective — about Jahlil Okafor‘s performances offensively because the team spent all of training camp working on defense and even highly-touted rookies experience a learning curve, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes.
Kyle O’Quinn is comfortable playing for the Knicks because the versatile 6’10” power forward grew up a Knicks fan and lived in nearby Queens, Zach Braziller of the New York Post details. “Being in the home locker room, putting on the white jersey, it felt good,” O’Quinn said. “My mom was there, she was happy to be there. It was a good feeling being at the Garden. It was definitely a good feeling getting a win at the Garden.” The Knicks acquired O’Quinn in a sign-and-trade with the Magic during the summer. O’Quinn received a four-year, $16MM deal from the Knicks.

Knicks Rumors: Anthony, Williams, O’Quinn, Fisher

October 11th, 2015 at 12:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

Carmelo Anthony has looked like a star in his first two preseason games after knee surgery, writes Al Iannozzone of Newsday. The veteran forward, whose 2014/15 season was cut short by a damaged patella, has shot 18-for-25 while scoring 38 points in 45 minutes of action. “The most important thing is being healthy,” said Anthony, who isn’t completely finished with rehab yet. “When you’re healthy, everything kind of falls into place mentally. There’s a lot of clarity for me at this moment. I can kind of just play ball and not have to worry about ticky-tack injuries or having surgery. I can just focus on my team.”

There’s more news out of New York:

Derrick Williams is offering the Knicks hope that their gamble on him over the summer will pay off, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. Williams, who received a surprising two-year offer worth nearly $9MM to join the Knicks, led the team with 23 points in Friday’s win over the Wizards. Coach Derek Fisher likes the confidence he sees in Williams, who has mostly struggled since being chosen second overall in the 2011 draft. “He trusted his game,’’ Fisher said. “He didn’t think too much about what he needs to do and where he needs to be. He’s still learning offensively where he should be. But it’s basketball, and we want them to trust themselves to make plays and he did that.
Kyle O’Quinn, who grew up near Madison Square Garden, felt right at home during his preseason debut, writes Zach Braziller of The New York Post. The Knicks acquired O’Quinn during the offseason in a sign-and-trade deal with Orlando. “Being in the home locker room, putting on the white jersey, it felt good,” O’Quinn said. “My mom was there; she was happy to be there. It was a good feeling being at the Garden.”
Anthony tells Frank Isola of the New York Daily News that Fisher is not letting his reported altercation with Matt Barnes become a distraction. “Whatever he’s dealing with, he’s going through, he’s going on his own time,” Anthony said. “He comes in here and it’s Derek Fisher. He comes in here, he’s kind of upbeat. He’s not letting that come into our locker room. When you have that mentality as a leader, then it trickles down to everybody.”

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