NBA Rumors - HoopsRumors.com

Philip Alston Joins Bucks On Exhibit 10 Contract

September 18th, 2024 at 6:52am CST by Arthur Hill

SEPTEMBER 18: A month-and-a-half after the deal was first reported, Alston signed with the Bucks on Tuesday, according to RealGM’s log of official transactions.

AUGUST 2: Free agent Philip Alston will sign an Exhibit 10 contract with the Bucks, sources tell Jon Chepkevich of DraftExpress (Twitter link).

The 22-year-old forward went undrafted out of Loyola Chicago after averaging 12.2 points and 4.6 rebounds as a senior in 29 games with the Ramblers. He spent the last two seasons at Loyola after playing three years at California, Pa.

Alston was part of Milwaukee’s Summer League team, appearing in three games in Las Vegas and averaging 4.7 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.3 minutes per contest. He was given a start in his final game and responded with 11 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal.

The Bucks have a virtually full roster with 14 players holding guaranteed contracts, plus Andre Jackson on a partially guaranteed deal and no two-way spots available. There’s little chance that Alston will make the team in training camp, but the Exhibit 10 deal provides him with an opportunity to earn a bonus of up to $77.5K if he spends at least 60 days with the Bucks’ G League affiliate.

Celtics Sign Dmytro Skapintsev To Exhibit 10 Deal

September 18th, 2024 at 6:50am CST by Luke Adams

SEPTEMBER 18: Skapintsev has officially signed with the Celtics, according to RealGM’s log of NBA transactions.

SEPTEMBER 17: The Celtics and free agent big man Dmytro Skapintsev have agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).

Skapintsev, 26, played in his home country of Ukraine from 2015-22 before heading stateside two years ago to join the Westchester Knicks in the G League. He has spent the majority of the past two seasons with New York’s G League affiliate, averaging 10.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 blocks in 23.9 minutes per game across 38 Showcase Cup and regular season outings in 2023/24.

Skapintsev earned a brief NBA call-up last December when he signed a two-way contract with the Knicks and appeared in two games for the club. However, he logged just two total minutes in those contests and was waived 10 days later, at which point he reported back to Westchester.

According to Scotto, Skapintsev will look to compete for a roster spot with the Celtics this fall. The 7’1″ center is unlikely to end up on the standard 15-man roster, but Exhibit 10 contracts can be converted to two-way deals before the regular season begins, so perhaps he’ll get an opportunity to unseat a current Boston two-way player (Drew Peterson, JD Davison, or Anton Watson) if he impresses in camp.

Exhibit 10 contracts can also line up a player to earn a bonus worth up to $77.5K if he’s waived by his NBA team and then spends at least 60 days with the club’s G League affiliate. The Maine Celtics would have to acquire Skapintsev’s returning rights for that to be an option for him.

Warriors Sign Javan Johnson, Donta Scott

September 18th, 2024 at 6:48am CST by Luke Adams

SEPTEMBER 18: The Warriors have officially signed Johnson and Scott, per RealGM’s transaction log.

SEPTEMBER 17: The Warriors are signing free agent forward Javan Johnson and Donta Scott to Exhibit 10 contracts, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).

Johnson, 25, was in camp with the Warriors last fall after going undrafted out of DePaul in 2023. He spent his first professional season with the Santa Cruz Warriors – Golden State’s G League affiliate – and appeared in a total of 48 Showcase Cup and regular season games, averaging 9.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 20.9 minutes per contest, with a shooting line of .399/.375/.882.

Scott wrapped up a five-year college career at Maryland this past spring. As a super-senior in 2023/24, he averaged 11.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 1.1 APG in 33 games (30.2 MPG), with a shooting line of .407/.335/.812. He went undrafted in June, then played for the Warriors in the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer Leagues.

In all likelihood, Johnson and Scott will end up being waived before the regular season begins and reporting to Santa Cruz for the start of the NBAGL season. Their Exhibit 10 contracts will put them in position to earn bonuses worth up to $77.5K (on top of their standard G League salaries) if they spend at least 60 days with Golden State’s affiliate.

The Warriors currently have 19 players under contract, so no corresponding moves will be necessary to make room for Johnson and Scott on the 21-man offseason roster.

Northwest Notes: Gupta, Mays, Singer, Jazz Offseason

September 17th, 2024 at 9:51pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Timberwolves executive Sachin Gupta is changing sports. He’s leaving his post as executive vice president of basketball operations to take a prominent position with soccer’s Chelsea FC, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic tweets.

Gupta, 42, has been in the Timberwolves’ front office since May 2019. He also had stints with the Rockets, Sixers and Pistons. Gupta served as the interim head of basketball operations in Minnesota following the 2021 dismissal of Gersson Rosas before the organization hired Tim Connelly in 2022.

We have more from the Northwest Division:

The Timberwolves’ NBA G League franchise, the Iowa Wolves, has acquired the returning player rights to guard Skylar Mays from the Westchester Knicks in exchange for the returning player rights to guard Vit Krejci and a 2025 G League first round pick, according to a Wolves press release. The Timberwolves signed Mays to an Exhibit 10 contract on Tuesday. By trading for Mays’ returning player rights, the Wolves can offer him a bonus worth up to $77.5K if he’s waived and then spends at least 60 days with the Iowa Wolves.
A former Nuggets beat writer is joining their organization. Denver is hiring former Denver Post reporter Mike Singer as their director of intelligence and strategy, according to The Denver Post’s Bennett Durando. In addition to hiring Singer, the Nuggets are promoting Todd Checovich to the position of scouting director. Drew Nicholas, who held that position for two years, accepted a new job with the Nets this summer.
Many of the Jazz players stayed close to their NBA home during the offseason. Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, Isaiah Collier, Brice Sensabaugh, Cody Williams, Kyle Filipowski, Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton spent the majority of the summer working out in Utah, according to Sarah Todd of The Deseret News.

Pistons Notes: Duren, Ivey, Harris

September 17th, 2024 at 8:35pm CST by Dana Gauruder

It’s a pivotal season for Pistons center Jalen Duren, who will be extension-eligible next offseason. Duren’s development is one of the major questions for the franchise as training camp approaches, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com writes.

Duren has not established himself as a defensive anchor despite the fact that he’s as athletic as any NBA center, Langlois notes, considering his 250-pound frame and 7-foot-5 wingspan. His end-to-end speed also stands out.

Duren is already an elite rebounder, as his pair of 20-20 games last season would suggest. If he can become a defensive force, the 20-year-old has All-Star potential, Langlois concludes.

We have more on the Pistons:

Like Duren, Jaden Ivey is also looking his make his mark during his third Pistons season, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press notes in a subscriber-only story. Ivey, who will likely have the ball in his hands during times when Cade Cunningham isn’t on the court, has displayed breathtaking speed and the ability to generate open shots but has been among the league’s most turnover-prone players, Sankofa points out. Whether Ivey starts or runs the second unit, he’ll need to improve as a play-maker and show more discipline on defense.
Melanie Harris has been named the Pistons’ president of business operations, according to a team press release. Harris, who previously worked for Nike, will be responsible for leading the organization’s business lines, expanding revenue opportunities and driving engagement with partners, sponsors, ticketholders and fans.
Our readers believe the Pistons will exceed their projected win total this season. Check out the results of that vote here.

Cavaliers Re-Sign Isaac Okoro To Three-Year Contract

September 17th, 2024 at 7:18pm CST by Rory Maher

SEPTEMBER 17: Okoro’s new deal is official, the Cavaliers confirmed today in a press release.

SEPTEMBER 14: The Cavaliers are re-signing restricted free agent Isaac Okoro to a three-year, $38MM contract, agents Michael Tellem, Jeff Schwartz and Marcus Monk tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Okoro, 23, came in at No. 20 on our list of 2024’s top 50 free agents, making him the top remaining player who had yet to sign a new deal. It took more than two months, but the NBA’s lone restricted free agent has reached an agreement to return to Cleveland.

As ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweets, Okoro’s $11.8MM qualifying offer would have expired on Oct. 1, though he still would’ve been a restricted free agent had a deal not been reached by that point. The Cavs were approximately $10.4MM below the luxury tax line before accounting for Okoro’s new contract, Marks adds.

According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (Twitter link), Okoro’s three-year deal features $33MM in guaranteed money. Sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype that Okoro’s contract features some unlikely bonuses tied to his team’s success (Twitter link).

The No. 5 overall pick of the 2020 draft, Okoro averaged 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting a career-best 39.1% from three-point range in 69 regular season games in 2023/24, including 42 starts (27.3 minutes per contest). The 6’5″ wing is primarily known for his defense, particularly on the ball, where he’s frequently tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player.

When we polled our readers about Okoro’s situation last week, 59% of those who voted thought he would end up accepting his qualifying offer — essentially just a one-year contract — to hit unrestricted free agency in 2025. About 17% thought he would re-sign with the Cavs on a multiyear contract.

Scotto reports (via Twitter) that the Nets and Hornets were among the teams that showed sign-and-trade interest in Okoro before he agreed to a new contract with Cleveland.

Once Okoro’s signing is official, the Cavs will have 14 players on standard contracts, though only 11 of those deals are fully guaranteed. Tristan Thompson and Sam Merrill are on non-guaranteed contracts, while Craig Porter Jr. has a $1MM partial guarantee on his $1.89MM salary. All three of the team’s two-way slots are filled.

Pistons To Sign Dereon Seabron To Exhibit 10 Contract

September 17th, 2024 at 6:50pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Pistons have agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with guard Dereon Seabron, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets.

Seabron has played on two-way deals with the Pelicans over the past two seasons. He has appeared in a total of 11 NBA games, averaging 1.6 points in 6.1 minutes per contest.

Seabron has spent the bulk of his two pro seasons in the G League. He appeared in 28 games with the Birmingham Squadron last season, including 26 starts, and averaged 18.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 33.3 minutes per game.

This summer, Seabron played in three Las Vegas Summer League games for the Bulls, averaging 8.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG and 2.7 APG in 21.4 MPG.

Seabron, 24, went undrafted out of North Carolina State.

An Exhibit 10 contract would allow Seabron to receive a bonus worth up to $77.5K (on top of his standard G League salary) if he’s waived by the Pistons and then spends at least 60 days with the Motor City Cruise.

Southwest Notes: Jones, DeRozan, Rose, Pippen Jr., Thompson

September 17th, 2024 at 5:31pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Tre Jones has started 113 games for the Spurs at the point over the past two seasons. He’ll likely be relegated to the second unit this season with the free agent addition of Chris Paul. Jones isn’t upset about losing his starting job to a future Hall of Famer, as he told Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News.

“It was extreme excitement right away,” Jones said of the Spurs signing Paul. “To be able to learn from a generational point guard like that, it’s something I’ll never take for granted.”

Jones looks at the upcoming season as a learning experience.

“He’s a guy who thinks the game at such a high level,” he said. “He’s been on some of the best teams and been around some of the greatest to play the game. He’s gone to the Finals. He’s been in huge moments in the playoffs. Just being able to pick his brain and learn from him all year – I’m going to take full advantage of that.”

It’s a crucial season for Jones — he’s entering his walk year and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2025.

We have more from the Southwest Division:

The Spurs showed some interest in bringing free agent wing DeMar DeRozan back to San Antonio, Sam Amick of The Athletic reports. At the same time, the Spurs made it clear they would be willing to help him get to the team of his choice by helping facilitate a three-team trade. And that’s exactly what happened, as DeRozan was dealt by the Bulls in a sign-and-trade transaction to the Kings in a three-team swap. Harrison Barnes was sent to San Antonio as part of that trade.
The backup point guard spot is the biggest question hovering over the Grizzlies, according to Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Derrick Rose and Scotty Pippen Jr. are the top candidates for the job, but Rose has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and only appeared in 24 games last season. Pippen played well in the second half of the season but didn’t play much with the team’s biggest stars due to the team’s injury issues. If neither of them emerges, Memphis may have to lean on non-traditional options like Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane to back up Ja Morant at the point, Cole writes.
Amen Thompson‘s versatility makes it difficult to pinpoint what position he’s best suited to play, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle notes. When Thompson was at his most impactful last season, he defended point guards, but offensively was more of a rim-running center, according to Feigen. However, Rockets coach Ime Udoka said he plans to have Thompson back up Fred VanVleet at the point this season.

2027/28 Season Viewed As Target For NBA Expansion

September 17th, 2024 at 4:00pm CST by Luke Adams

One reason the NBA isn’t yet prepared to dive head-long into expansion talks is that a potential Celtics sale could reset the market, sources tell ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Kevin Pelton, and Brian Windhorst. If the Celtics set a new record for the highest sale price ever for an NBA team, it would only increase the price tag for incoming expansion franchises, as ESPN’s trio notes.

Commissioner Adam Silver recently stated that the NBA is “not quite ready” to move forward on the expansion process, though he left the door open for those discussions to happen later on in the 2024/25 league year.

With the NBA continuing to drag its heels on expansion, league sources and people connected to potential bidding groups are viewing the 2027/28 season as the target date for when one or more expansion teams could begin playing, with the ’26/27 campaign considered an increasingly unrealistic – albeit not impossible – option, according to Bontemps, Pelton, and Windhorst.

Based on the growing valuations of NBA franchises, it’s not unrealistic to project that a pair of new teams could net the league $10 billion combined – or even more than that – in expansion fees, ESPN’s reporters suggest.

While some current NBA team owners are wary of further diluting their share of the league’s revenue by slicing off two more pieces of a “pie” currently being shared 30 ways, expansion fee payments (which don’t have to be shared with the players’ union) exceeding $300MM apiece could help sway those ownership groups, as Bontemps, Pelton, and Windhorst point out. Additionally, the $76 billion media rights deal negotiated by the NBA earlier this year has assuaged some owners’ concerns about sharing revenues with 31 partners instead of 29, the ESPN trio adds.

Here are a few more items of note from ESPN’s in-depth FAQ on the possibility of expansion:

Although the National Basketball Players Association has no real voice in the expansion process, the union would be “very much in favor” of adding 36 new jobs (30 standard roster spots and six two-way slots) for its members, sources tell ESPN.
Seattle and Las Vegas are widely considered the favorites to land expansion teams, but they likely won’t be the only cities receiving consideration. Sources who spoke to ESPN view Mexico City as the most likely candidate to seriously enter the mix along with Seattle and Vegas, though Bontemps, Pelton, and Windhorst acknowledge there would be a number of “logistical hurdles” to contend with.
If Seattle and Las Vegas land expansion teams, they would both have to be Western Conference clubs, meaning one current Western team would have to move to the Eastern Conference. According to ESPN, that decision would likely come down to the Pelicans, Grizzlies, and Timberwolves, with Minnesota considered the most logical choice to move East since the Wolves are geographically closer to five Eastern opponents than they are to their closest Western opponent (Denver). Still, it could be a “protracted fight” to determine which team would change conferences.
The ownership group of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken – led by Samantha Holloway and her father David Bonderman – is considered the most likely bidder for a Seattle franchise, per ESPN. Hall of Fame NBA executive Rick Welts has served as an advisor for the Kraken ownership group, which also includes the sons of former Sonics owner Barry Ackerley. Chris Hansen, who previously attempted to relocate the Sacramento Kings to Seattle, isn’t expected to lead a bid to bring the NBA to the city, but would be willing to assist in the process, ESPN’s trio adds.
Active NBA players aren’t permitted to own a stake in an existing franchise, but the rules for an active player becoming a stakeholder in an expansion franchise (before it begins play) aren’t as clear. Those rules may need to be clarified in the coming years, with LeBron James seriously interested in getting involved in a bid for a Las Vegas team. According to ESPN’s report, former Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry is putting together a group to bid for a Vegas franchise — that group is expected to include longtime WNBA star Candace Parker.

Alondes Williams Reportedly Joining Clippers

September 17th, 2024 at 2:55pm CST by Luke Adams

Former Heat guard Alondes Williams is set to join the Clippers on a training camp contract, according to Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel (subscription required).

Williams, who played college ball for Triton College, Oklahoma, and Wake Forest, went undrafted in 2022 and spent his rookie season with the Nets and their G League affiliate in Long Island. Last August, he signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Heat and opened the season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Miami’s G League affiliate, before signing a two-way contract with the Heat in February and finishing the season on their 18-man roster.

Although Williams has only played 21 total minutes across eight appearances for Brooklyn and Miami at the NBA level, he’s coming off a big year in the G League. In 43 Showcase Cup and regular season appearances for the Skyforce in 2023/24, he put up 20.3 points, 7.1 assists, and 5.3 rebounds in 37.4 minutes per game, with a shooting line of .499/.369/.742. The 25-year-old also helped the Heat win a Summer League title this summer, averaging 12.0 PPG and 4.8 APG with a .480 3PT% in five games in Las Vegas.

The Heat initially tendered Williams a two-way qualifying offer to make him a restricted free agent, but they withdrew that QO in July after filling their two-way slots, freeing him up to sign outright with any team.

Williams will likely sign an Exhibit 10 contract with the Clippers and could be a candidate to have it converted to a two-way deal, since Los Angeles has a two-way slot open alongside Jordan Miller and Trentyn Flowers.

Since Sioux Falls still controls Williams’ G League returning rights, he wouldn’t be eligible for a $77.5K Exhibit 10 bonus with L.A. unless the San Diego Clippers acquire his rights from the Skyforce.