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Warriors Confirm Thompson Is Leaving, Pledge To Retire His Jersey

July 1st, 2024 at 8:30pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Warriors organization acknowledged in a press release on Monday that longtime shooting guard Klay Thompson will not return while promising to retire his jersey.

Thompson is headed to the Mavericks in a three-team sign-and-trade deal that will also include the Hornets.

Golden State’s statement reads, in part:

“We can’t overstate Klay Thompson’s incredible and legendary contributions with the Warriors during his 13 years with the team, highlighted by four NBA championships, six trips to the NBA Finals, five NBA All-Star Game appearances and several NBA records, including the most points ever scored in a quarter in NBA history (37) and the most 3-point field goals in a game (14). … Klay’s legacy will live on forever and we look forward to the day we can retire his #11 jersey at Chase Center, where he will join a host of Warriors immortals, including those who helped shape this recent dynasty—himself included.

“We thank Klay for his contributions and wish him the best as another chapter in his journey is written.”

The statement can be somewhat construed as an olive branch after extension talks fizzled and the relationship between the team and the five-time All-Star reportedly grew strained. That led to Saturday’s news that he intended to leave the Warriors for a new team.

Heat Re-Sign Dru Smith To Two-Way Contract

July 1st, 2024 at 7:03pm CST by Luke Adams

The Heat have re-signed guard Dru Smith to a two-way contract, the team announced today in a press release.

Smith, who began last season on Miami’s 15-man roster, appeared in just nine games before a major ACL injury cut his season short and led to his eventual release. Smith suffered that injury in Cleveland when he fell awkwardly into the bench area, prompting the Heat to contact the NBA to express concerns with what they viewed as an unsafe drop-off along the sidelines.

Smith was playing well in limited minutes prior to the injury, averaging 4.3 points, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game, with a shooting line of .455/.412/1.000. He also appeared in 15 NBA regular season games in 2022/23 with the Heat and Nets.

Outside of his half-season stint in Brooklyn to close out the ’22/23 season, Smith has spent much of his professional career bouncing on and off the Heat’s roster since going undrafted out of Missouri in 2021. He has been waived by Miami four separate times since 2021, but is back under contract with the team heading into ’23/24.

The Heat also officially signed undrafted rookie Zyon Pullin to a two-way contract today. Another undrafted free agent, Keshad Johnson, is expected to occupy Miami’s third two-way slot.

International Notes: Hall, Claver, SGA, Murray, Almansa, FIBA Rosters

July 1st, 2024 at 6:59pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Former NBA big man Donta Hall could have an opportunity to return to the league, Aris Barkas of Eurohoops reports. The American big man has an opt-out clause in his contract with his current team, Monaco, and is believed to be receiving NBA interest. Hall averaged 4.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in 13.4 minutes over 38 games in EuroLeague action with Monaco last season. Hall has appeared in 22 NBA games with Detroit, Brooklyn and Orlando.

We have more from around the international basketball world:

Former NBA forward Victor Claver has announced his retirement, according to release from Valencia Basket. Claver, 35, played 18 years professionally, beginning and ending his career with Valencia, Eurohoops notes. Claver appeared in 82 games with the Trail Blazers from 2012-15. He was also a longtime member of the Spanish national team.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray will be playing together on the Canadian national team for the first time. Murray couldn’t play the last two summers while recovering from injuries and long playoff runs. Michael Grange of Sportsnet and Eric Koreen of The Athletic examine how the two star guards will mesh together as they prepare for the Olympics. SGA doesn’t seem worried. “I drive, he shoots,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Simple as that.”
Izan Almansa, considered a first-round prospect in next year’s draft, has chosen to spend next season in the NBL Next Stars program with the Perth Wildcats, according to an NBL post. It’s the same path taken by this year’s No. 2 pick, Alex Sarr. Almansa, 19, participated in the NBA draft combine but decided to withdraw from this year’s draft and improve his stock for 2025. The 6’10″ big man, who hails from Spain, possesses a 7’1″ wingspan and was named MVP of the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup, 2022 FIBA U18 European Championships and 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup.
The rosters for the 24 participating teams in the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournaments have been confirmed. They can be viewed at this Eurohoops post. Those tournaments, which will determine the final four qualifiers for the Paris Olympics, tip off on Tuesday.

Fischer’s Latest: Markkanen, Isaac, DeRozan, Lakers, D-Lo, Nets

July 1st, 2024 at 6:51pm CST by Luke Adams

The Jazz are “welcoming” inquiries on Lauri Markkanen, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, who wonders if Utah’s offseason could play out like Brooklyn’s has. The Nets agreed to trade Mikal Bridges after efforts to pair him with an impact player came up short. Utah has also explored the trade market for a possible second star to complement Markkanen, talking to Brooklyn about Bridges (as previously reported) and to the Hawks about both Dejounte Murray and Trae Young, sources tell Fischer.

While it’s possible the Jazz will follow the Nets’ lead, selling off their lone star after failing to land another one, they don’t appear eager to part with Markkanen. According to Fischer, the Jazz have conveyed that they remain interested in renegotiating and extending Markkanen’s contract later this offseason and that listening to every offer for the star forward is just about due diligence.

As reported earlier today, both the Warriors and Spurs have interest in Markkanen, Fischer confirms, naming the Kings and Timberwolves as a couple more teams to watch. However, Sacramento’s reluctance to put Keegan Murray on the table in trade scenarios – which NBA personnel believe would be necessary to land Markkanen – may result in the Kings shifting their trade focus to Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, Fischer writes. As for the Wolves, they’re operating over the second apron and barely have any future draft capital available, so it’s hard to envision a way for them to make a serious play for Markkanen.

Here’s more from Fischer:

The Magic may not end up using all of their cap room on free agents or trades — according to Fischer (Twitter link), they’re working on possibly renegotiating and extending forward Jonathan Isaac‘s contract. A team with cap space can use it to give a player a raise on his current-year salary, then reduce his salary by up to 40% in the first year of an extension, so Orlando may be looking at essentially giving Isaac a bonus this season to get him a team-friendly deal beginning in 2025/26.
Although LeBron James has expressed a willingness to take a pay cut if it allows the Lakers to bring in an impact player, Fischer writes that the team seems to be running out of potential targets – and time – to make that happen. The Lakers “hold an affinity” for DeMar DeRozan, but they’d likely have to incorporate a third team to move off some salary, including perhaps D’Angelo Russell or Gabe Vincent, to have a shot at DeRozan, according to Fischer.
The Nets could be a trade destination for Russell. Sources tell Fischer that Brooklyn has been open to the idea of a reunion with Russell since February’s trade deadline.
If Klay Thompson had re-signed with the Warriors, the plan was to bring him off the bench next season behind second-year guard Brandin Podziemski, according to Fischer. Thompson appears likely to be a starter in Dallas.

Mavericks To Acquire Klay Thompson In Three-Team Sign-And-Trade

July 1st, 2024 at 6:49pm CST by Luke Adams

6:49pm: The Warriors will receive a pair of second-round picks from Dallas to complete the Thompson sign-and-trade, according to reports from Shams Charania of The Athletic and Wojnarowski (Twitter links).

One of those picks will be the Mavs’ own 2031 second-rounder, Woj adds (via Twitter). The other will be the least favorable of the Sixers’ and Nuggets’ 2025 second-rounders, tweets Anthony Slater of The Athletic. That 2025 pick belonged to the Hornets, so it appears one of the second-rounders Charlotte is sending to Dallas is immediately being rerouted to Golden State.

Combining all of today’s reporting, it sounds like the trade will break down as follows:

Mavericks to acquire Thompson (via sign-and-trade) and a future second-round pick (from Hornets).
Hornets to acquire Green (into cap room).
Warriors to acquire either the Nuggets’ or Sixers’ 2025 second-round pick (whichever is least favorable; from Hornets) and the Mavericks’ 2031 second-round pick, in addition to generating a trade exception worth about $16MM.

1:34pm: After spending his first 13 NBA seasons with the Warriors, Klay Thompson is reportedly headed to Dallas. Thompson intends to sign a three-year, $50MM contract with the Mavericks, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter links).

As Wojnarowski outlines, the plan is for the Mavs to acquire Thompson from Golden State in a three-team sign-and-trade, with swingman Josh Green heading from Dallas to the Hornets in the deal.

The Warriors and Mavericks are still working through the sign-and-trade details, according to reports from Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and Anthony Slater of The Athletic (Twitter links), who both say that the deal isn’t considered done from Golden State’s perspective.

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports tweets that there’s a framework in place for a deal sending Green to Charlotte, while Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer (Twitter link) also hears that the Hornets are in agreement on their part of the deal.

As Marc Stein tweets, it sounds like Thompson, the Mavs, and the Hornets are all on board, with just the Warriors left to sign off. Golden State doesn’t want to take back salary in the transaction, Stein adds.

Wojnarowski reports (via Twitter) that the Hornets will be sending Dallas a pair of second-round picks for Green and that one of those second-rounders may be rerouted to Golden State.

The 11th pick of the 2011 draft, Thompson is one of the most accomplished shooters in league history, ranking sixth all-time in three-pointers made. The 34-year-old, who has knocked down 41.3% of his attempts from long distance over the course of his career, made five All-Star teams and won four championships with the Warriors.

While Thompson has remained an extremely productive rotation player, averaging 17.9 points per game with a .387 3PT% in 77 games (29.7 MPG) this past season, he has lost a step since suffering a torn ACL in 2019 and a torn Achilles in 2020. He was removed from the starting lineup in Golden State this season and his relationship with the franchise appeared to fray leading up to the expiration of his contract, resulting in Saturday’s news that he intended to leave the Warriors for a new team.

Thompson reportedly intended to talk to the Lakers, Clippers, and Sixers in addition to the Mavs when free agency opened on Sunday, with the Magic among the other teams said to have interest in the veteran sharpshooter. According to Wojnarowski (Twitter link), Thompson had four-years offers worth more overall money available, but the opportunity to win another championship and the difference in state taxes were among the factors that made him choose Dallas.

Thompson will give the Mavs another shooter on the wing alongside star guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. So far this offseason, the team has essentially swapped out three wings – Tim Hardaway, Derrick Jones, and now Green – for three new ones: Thompson, Naji Marshall, and Quentin Grimes.

Assuming the deal is completed as reported, the Mavs’ team salary will be a few million above the tax line and about $3MM below the first apron, which will be their hard cap, per cap experts Bobby Marks of ESPN and Yossi Gozlan (Twitter links).

The Hornets were interested in Green back at the trade deadline when they worked out a separate deal with Dallas involving P.J. Washington, notes Fischer (via Twitter). They’ll get their man now and – based on the details reported so far – figure to operate as an under-the-cap team in order to take the incoming salaries of both Green and Reggie Jackson, whom they’re acquiring in a trade with Denver.

The Warriors, meanwhile, will be in position to create a trade exception worth Thompson’s new salary if they don’t take back any contracts in the deal. With Thompson and Chris Paul off their books for 2024/25, the Dubs have some newfound financial flexibility and appear poised to use their full mid-level exception to sign free agent guard De’Anthony Melton.

Hinton, Samuels Rejoining Rockets On Exhibit 10 Deals

July 1st, 2024 at 6:16pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Nate Hinton and Jermaine Samuels Jr. have agreed to Exhibit 10 deals with the Rockets that are expected to eventually be converted to two-way deals, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

They were on two-way deals with Houston last season, then briefly became unrestricted free agents when Houston didn’t extend a qualifying offer to either player.

Hinton appeared in 15 games with Houston last season but only averaged 5.0 minutes in those outings. He’s also played for Dallas (21 games) and Indiana (two games) after going undrafted out of the University of Houston.

Samuels played 14 games as a rookie last season but only averaged 4.3 minutes. He went undrafted out of Villanova.

Both players spent a chunk of time last season with the G League Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

An Exhibit 10 contract is a non-guaranteed minimum-salary deal that doesn’t count against a team’s cap unless the player makes the regular season roster. It can be converted to a two-way contract before the season begins or can put a player in line to earn a bonus if he’s waived and then spends at least 60 days with his team’s G League affiliate.

Hinton got a “max” Exhibit 10 deal, Kelly Iko of The Athletic tweets, meaning he could earn a bonus of $77.5K. The maximum Exhibit 10 bonus, which was $75K last season, increases at the same rate as the salary cap.

Magic Re-Sign Goga Bitadze On Three-Year Deal

July 1st, 2024 at 5:10pm CST by Dana Gauruder

JULY 6: The Magic have officially re-signed Bitadze, the team announced today in a press release.

JULY 1: The Magic have reached a three-year agreement with one of their own free agents, center Goga Bitadze, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweets. The contract will be worth $25MM.

Orlando signed Bitadze midway through the 2022/23 season after the Pacers waived the former first-round selection. The Magic then exercised their $2.07MM team option on him last summer.

Bitadze started 33 games last season, appearing in 62, and averaged 5.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 blocks per contest.

Bitadze has a minimum cap hold that will put the Magic in position to go over the cap to re-sign him with his Early Bird rights, cap expert Yossi Gozlan tweets. That would allow the Magic to preserve their remaining $27MM in cap space and still have the $8MM room exception at their disposal.

The Knicks were viewed as a possible suitor for Bitadze, but reporting earlier today indicated that the Magic were prepared to offer more for him that New York could realistically put on the table.

Bitadze figures to once again back up Wendell Carter Jr. Orlando declined its team option on Moritz Wagner but could still work out another contract with the 27-year-old big man.

Thunder To Add Buddy Boeheim On Exhibit 10 Deal

July 1st, 2024 at 4:49pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Thunder have agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with wing Buddy Boeheim, The Athletic’s Shams Charania tweets.

Boeheim cleared waived on Monday after the Pistons cut him loose over the weekend. He had a two-way contract that ran through next season.

Boeheim, 24, appeared in 10 games for the Pistons last season, averaging 3.4 points per contest on .310/.320/.800 shooting. He appeared in 31 games for the G League Motor City Cruise, averaging 17.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists while draining 43.1% of his 3-point attempts.

The son of longtime Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim also appeared in 10 games with Detroit during the 2022/23 season.

An Exhibit 10 contract is a non-guaranteed minimum-salary deal that doesn’t count against a team’s cap unless the player makes the regular season roster. It can be converted to a two-way contract before the season begins or can put a player in line to earn a bonus if he’s waived and then spends at least 60 days with his team’s G League affiliate.

Cavs President Believes Mitchell Will Sign Extension

July 1st, 2024 at 4:18pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman expressed optimism that the club will reach an extension agreement with star guard Donovan Mitchell this offseason, Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Altman and new head coach Kenny Atkinson visited Mitchell this past weekend in Los Angeles when the guard hosted a summer camp.

“We feel good about Donovan,” Altman said. “He’s in a great space mentally. He’s healthy. He was out there with those young high school players, hooping in a really good space. Really enjoyed the fact that him and Kenny could sit down and talk about the future, talk about the team. He is still under contract right now, so I think we can talk about him as a Cavalier. He’s invested. He’s really invested in what we’re doing, and hopefully soon we’ll have more of a decisive answer on [a contract extension] for you. But he’s been great. He’s been super involved and super collaborative and very, very much pro-Cleveland.”

Mitchell is eligible to sign a four-year, $200MM+ extension as early as Saturday (July 6), when the league’s moratorium ends. A new deal would see the see the 27-year-old decline his $37.1MM player option for 2025/26. He’ll make $35.41MM in ’24/25.

Mitchell’s involvement with the franchise this offseason included his input during the Cavs’ coaching search. He had a conversation with Atkinson and at least one other candidate during the search, according to Fedor. Mitchell endorsed the hiring of the former Warriors assistant.

Atkinson said they connected on a personal level. That’s a key, since Mitchell reportedly was unhappy with former coach J.B. Bickerstaff last season over a number of issues.

“We had a great sitdown,” Atkinson said. “We also have a little bit of East Coast, similar backgrounds. We didn’t grow up far from each other really, if you think about it.”

If Mitchell decides not to sign an extension, Cleveland would look into potential trades, Fedor writes. However, he says all the momentum is headed in the other direction.

Jazz Waive Omer Yurtseven

July 1st, 2024 at 3:55pm CST by Dana Gauruder

JULY 1: The Jazz have officially waived Yurtseven, the team announced today in a press release. He’ll become a free agent on Wednesday if he goes unclaimed.

JUNE 30: The Jazz are planning to waive center Omer Yurtseven, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweets.

Yurtseven, who spent one season with Utah after two years with the Heat, had a non-guaranteed $2.66MM contract. Yurtseven appeared in 48 games this past season, including 12 starts, and averaged 4.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in 11.4 minutes per game.

With the Jazz drafting Kyle Filipowski in the second round, Yurtseven became more expendable, though it’s certainly not out of the question they could re-sign Yurtseven on a more cap-friendly deal. A new minimum-salary pact would have a lower cap hit than his previous contract.

Yurtseven became an unrestricted free agent last summer when the Heat opted not to give him a qualifying offer. He had a promising rookie year, but was limited to nine games in 20222/23 after undergoing ankle surgery.

With a glut of centers on the free agent market, it wouldn’t be surprising if he looked at overseas options. He received interest from two Turkish teams before deciding to sign with the Jazz last year.