Orlando Magic Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Free Agent Stock Watch 2019: Southeast Division

December 28th, 2018 at 7:55pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Every week, Hoops Rumors takes a closer look at players who will be free agents or could become free agents next offseason. We examine if their stock is rising or falling due to performance and other factors. This week, we turn our attention to the Southeast Division:

Jeremy Lin, Hawks, 30, PG (Up) – Signed to a three-year, $38.3MM deal in 2016
Lin suffered a season-ending knee injury last October with Brooklyn. He’s bounced back impressively as the backup point guard in Atlanta. He’s averaging 10.9 PPG and 3.2 APG in 18.5 MPG while posting an above-average PER. For a contender looking to fill the same spot, Lin would be a viable option prior to the trade deadline. He’ll have to accept a lower salary with his next contract but he shouldn’t have too much trouble finding work in July.

Frank Kaminsky, Hornets, 25, PF (Down) – Signed to a four-year, $11.8MM deal in 2015
Far removed from leading Wisconsin to the 2015 national championship, Kaminsky continues to disappoint as a pro. Under former coach Steve Clifford, Kaminsky was a steady presence in the rotation. First-year James Borrego has buried Kaminsky so deep on the bench that the stretch four hasn’t played the last three games. Kaminsky could be a restricted free agent if the Hornets extend a $4.9MM qualifying option but that’s not happening. He’ll be looking to hit the reset button in July.

Rodney McGruder, Heat, 27, SG (Down) – Signed to a three-year, $3.4MM deal in 2016
McGruder has started regularly for the Heat this season but that might not last much longer. He’s averaged 5.2 points in his last five outings while shooting 27.6 percent from the field. His PER is well below average. In McGruder’s favor is his team-friendly contract. He’ll be a restricted free agent if the Heat extend a $1.93MM qualifying offer. Whether he receives it will likely depend on how much cap space Pat Riley wants to open up.

Nikola Vucevic, Magic, 28, C (Up) – Signed to a four-year, $53MM deal in 2015
Orlando has some young, athletic bigs but Vucevic is so productive, he’s maintained his minutes under new coach Steve Clifford. The veteran big man is averaging a career-high 20.8 PPG, 11.8 RPG and 3.6 APG. Like many 7-footers his age, Vucevic came into the league as mainly a low post player but has extended his range beyond the arc. He’s made 39% of his attempts this season. Currently ranked No. 10 in our Free Agent Power Rankings, Vucevic should be a nice consolation prize for a team with significant cap space that strikes out pursuing the biggest names on the market.

Trevor Ariza, Wizards, 33, SF (Up) – Signed to a one-year, $15MM deal in 2018
Phoenix quickly moved Ariza to a team fighting for a playoff spot after giving him a nice one-year payday over the summer. The Wizards are just 1-4 since acquiring Ariza but what’s more significant is how many teams inquired about him before the trade. He reportedly drew interest from at least eight clubs. His 3-and-D skills remain in high demand and he should be able to land at least one more big-money contract before he retires.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Dinwiddie Extension Good News For Rozier, Russell?

December 28th, 2018 at 2:45pm CST by Luke Adams

League executives at last week’s G League Showcase in Las Vegas were “raving” about the Nets‘ deal to lock up Spencer Dinwiddie to a three-year, $34.3MM extension, comparing it to the Clippers‘ three-year, $24MM agreement with Lou Williams, writes ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Insider-only link).

According to Marks, two teams he spoke to in Vegas had Dinwiddie ranked as the third-best point guard in the 2019 free agent class before he signed his extension, placing him behind only Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker. That would have put Dinwiddie ahead of younger players like Terry Rozier (Celtics) and D’Angelo Russell (Nets), both of whom are on track for restricted free agency.

Rozier and Russell should benefit from Dinwiddie’s deal, since it takes one of 2019’s top FA point guards off the board and could create additional competition for their services. According to Marks, league execs in Vegas last week identified the Magic and Suns as probable suitors for Rozier and Russell, though the Celtics and Nets will have the upper hand until an offer sheet is on the table.

Here’s more from Marks:

Teams are monitoring Markelle Fultz, not just to keep an eye on his health and future, but also to see how Fultz’s status will impact Sixers teammate T.J. McConnell, according to Marks. McConnell is headed for unrestricted free agency and is unlikely to get an in-season extension if Philadelphia intends to maximize its 2019 cap room. McConnell could command a salary in the $5-7MM range, Marks notes.
Teams around the NBA believe there could be a strong group of buyout candidates available later this season. According to Marks, the veteran players that clubs are keeping an eye on include Carmelo Anthony, Robin Lopez, Zach Randolph, Anthony Tolliver, Enes Kanter, Kenneth Faried, Jerryd Bayless, Iman Shumpert, Kosta Koufos, Alec Burks, J.R. Smith, and Jabari Parker. Some of those vets may be traded and some figure to remain with their current teams, but I could definitely see several of them ending up on the buyout market.

Magic's Bench Struggling; Ross Fined $25K

December 27th, 2018 at 3:49pm CST by Luke Adams

Even with an underwhelming 14-19 record, the Magic remain in the playoff hunt in the East, two games back of the No. 7 seed. However, a thin bench is hurting the club, according to Josh Robbins of The Athletic, who notes that offseason acquisitions like Jerian Grant and Isaiah Briscoe have struggled to make an impact for the second unit.
Magic sharpshooter Terrence Ross has received a $25K fine from the NBA for throwing the game ball into the stands, the league announced today in a press release. The incident occurred at the end of Orlando’s overtime loss to Phoenix on Wednesday.

Rival Execs Expect Simmons To Be Available

December 27th, 2018 at 11:30am CST by Luke Adams

Rival teams believe Magic swingman Jonathon Simmons will be among the players available on the trade market this season, per Charania. A previous report indicated that Orlando would probably prefer to move Simmons instead of Terrence Ross.

[SOURCE LINK]

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.

Magic Rumors: Fultz, Rozier, Russell, Ross, Simmons

December 19th, 2018 at 11:17am CST by Luke Adams

As they cling to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the Magic are said to be exploring the trade market in search of possible deals, writes Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders.

According to Kyler, an ideal trade for Orlando would involve a starting-caliber point guard. While D.J. Augustin is having another solid season for the Magic, averaging 10.3 PPG and 5.0 APG with a shooting line of .450/.439/.875, the 31-year-old is almost certainly not the long-term solution at the position for the franchise.

Here’s more on the Magic’s hunt for a point guard, along with a couple other rumors out of Orlando:

While the Magic have been named as a team with interest in former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz, team sources have downplayed the seriousness of any talks they’ve had with the Sixers, Kyler reports.
The Magic have begun to do due diligence on some of 2019’s free agent point guards, with Terry Rozier and D’Angelo Russell among the players on their radar, sources tell Kyler. Rozier is considered Orlando’s top potential target, Kyler adds. However, he’ll be a restricted free agent and figures to attract interest from several other teams too.
Although many teams believe the Magic are “open for business,” the front office won’t be willing to make any deals that compromise their long-term outlook, says Kyler. In other words, players on expiring or short-term contracts are Orlando’s most likely trade candidates.
Marc Stein of The New York Times suggested on Tuesday that the Magic are more inclined to move Jonathon Simmons than Terrence Ross, but league sources have repeatedly told Kyler that Ross would have more value on the trade market, even though he’s on track to reach unrestricted free agency in 2019. Ross’s name is the one that comes up most frequently from teams that have been “poking around” Orlando’s roster, per Kyler.

Stein’s Latest: Melo, Bazemore, Ross, Davis

December 18th, 2018 at 8:42pm CST by ChrisCrouse

The Rockets continue to search for a taker for Carmelo Anthony, Marc Stein of The New York Times reports in his latest newsletter. Moving Anthony’s $2.4MM salary – which has a cap hit of $1.5MM, would afford the team roughly $2.6MM in luxury tax savings.

Stein notes that the Sixers and Lakers—two teams often mentioned as potential landing spots for Melo—appear uninterested in bringing the prolific scorer aboard. The Hornets have also resisted the idea of adding Anthony despite the connection between team owner Michael Jordan and Anthony through the Jordan Brand.

Anthony became trade-eligible on the weekend and perhaps as NBA clubs gather in Las Vegas for the G League showcase, a rival team will strike a deal with Houston.

Here’s more from Stein’s latest newsletter.

Kent Bazemore is generating interest from contending teams looking for a swingman, Stein reports. Bazemore has one more year and $19.3MM left on his deal with the Hawks after this season and the interest in the wing at that price speaks to how highly he’s regarded in the marketplace, Stein writes.
Hawks veterans Jeremy Lin and Dewayne Dedmon are also receiving interest from around the league. Both players are on expiring deals.
Terrence Ross is the Orlando wing who is generating the most interest. However, the Magic would prefer to trade Jonathon Simmons over Ross, who is on an expiring $10.5MM contract.
It’s unlikely that the Pelicans deal Anthony Davis this season but a critical point is approaching. New Orleans can offer Davis a massive contract extension worth over $200MM in total value this summer and should the big man decline it, the Pelicans will realistically have to trade him.

Magic, Pistons Interested In Markelle Fultz

December 13th, 2018 at 5:50pm CST by JD Shaw

The Magic and Pistons have expressed interest in trading for Sixers guard Markelle Fultz, who remains away from the team dealing with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, according to Dave Early of SB Nation’s Liberty Ballers.

Vincent Ellis of the Detroit Free Press also relayed Detroit’s interest in trading for Fultz, speculating that a future first-round pick and salary filler likely wouldn’t get a deal done. Jose Calderon, Glenn Robinson III and Zaza Pachulia all become trade-eligible for the Pistons on Saturday.

The Magic have long been targeting a point guard and could offer Terrence Ross in a potential package. Ross will become a free agent on July 1, which would allow the 76ers to re-sign him on a separate deal or create cap space for a star talent. Orlando has a talented young core of Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Mo Bamba, with the team starting 11-year veteran D.J. Augustin in its first 27 games of the season.

The Suns have also monitored Fultz’ situation, although their interest has since cooled, according to the Liberty Ballers report. Phoenix prefers to find an established backcourt player in trade discussions to play alongside Devin Booker.

Fultz would welcome a fresh start on a new team, The Athletic reported last month. He’s played in 33 games across two seasons since being drafted No. 1 overall by the Sixers in 2017, holding per-game averages of 7.7 points and 3.4 assists while shooting 41% from the field.

Bamba Held Out On Monday For Violating Team Rules

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

Mohamed Bamba sat out the Magic‘s most recent game on Monday after violating team rules, head coach Steve Clifford said, per ESPN.com. “It’s just bad on my part, and I need to be better. I’ve got to be on time,” Bamba said. He’s expected to return to Orlando’s lineup on Thursday night against Chicago.

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.