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New York Notes: Simmons, Claxton, Brunson, Quickley

October 3rd, 2023 at 5:15pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Ben Simmons spent the offseason trying to show Nets coach Jacque Vaughn and his staff that he’s physically and mentally ready to be the team’s point guard, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports writes. Simmons believes he can regain the All-Star form he displayed in Philadelphia before things went sour.

“Show him that I want to play at this level and be the point guard and do these things,” Simmons said, adding “I think that comes with, we speak about it, is grace. When you put that work in, you really get grace from the surrounding people. Your teammates, your coaches and staff.”

We have more from the New York teams:

Nets big man Nic Claxton believes his hopes for the Defensive Player of the Year award ended last season when Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were dealt, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “I went from being top three in the Defensive Player of the Year to an end of the season, nothing at all. KD and Kyrie, when they left, it’s like my name just fell off the map. It makes my blood boil,” Claxton said with a laugh. “I was robbed of [an All-]Defensive team [spot], not even saying Defensive Player of the Year. It definitely is motivating. It’s an even bigger chip on my shoulder, and I’m ready to be there for my team to prove to everybody, proving myself who I am as a defender and as a player in this league.”
The Knicks didn’t add any star power so improvement will generally have to come from within, Jalen Brunson told Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “It’s pretty much the same group, but we’ve got to continue to find ways to get better,” Brunson said. “It may be the little things, little mental edges, just concentration on the little things. Just our chemistry is going to get a lot better from knowing each other for a year now.”
One of the big questions looming over the Knicks in training camp is whether they’ll reach a rookie scale extension agreement with Immanuel Quickley. The reserve guard brushed aside questions about it on media day on Monday, according to Zach Braziller of the New York Post. “Whatever happens, happens because it’s all up to my agent and the Knicks at that point,” he said, adding “I feel like I can be better. I feel like I can be a lot better. I feel like there’s a lot of untapped potential that I have in my game. And I’m going to do everything I can, like I’ve always done, to reach that.” A recent report indicated there’s optimism an agreement will be reached.

Grizzlies Notes: Morant, Adams, Smart, Rose

October 3rd, 2023 at 3:50pm CST by Luke Adams

Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant won’t be eligible to play until December as he serves his 25-game suspension, but the plan is for him to remain around the team on a full-time basis during that period, according to Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal.

As Cole writes, team officials consulted with the NBA and confirmed that Morant will be permitted to practice with the Grizzlies and to travel on road trips. He simply can’t be in the arena for games.

“I think it’s great to have, I think it’s great for the group that he can be with us,” Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman told reporters. “The NBA has basically said that as long as Ja continues to stay on track, he is going to be cleared to participate in all team activities.”

Although Morant will be able to take part in practices and scrimmages, he’ll likely be part of the second or third unit during those sessions so that head coach Taylor Jenkins can get a look at the lineups he’ll have available for the first 25 games of the season.

“He and I talked about as we go into camp, it’s a unique situation where even though he’s allowed to practice, I’ve got to start diving into not just what our opening night roster is going to be, but seeing those different combinations,” Jenkins said, per Cole.

Here’s more on the Grizzlies:

Veteran center Steven Adams, who hasn’t appeared in an NBA game since January due to a right knee injury, has been cleared for live play, but the team will be “conservative” in ramping him up, Kleiman said on Monday (Twitter link via Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian). Adams told reporters that there were some complications during his recovery process, adding that it would be “irresponsible” for him to say he could play a full game right now. However, he believes he’s “in a pretty good spot” (Twitter links via Cole).
While the veteran leadership that Marcus Smart and Derrick Rose will provide was one reason why the Grizzlies targeted them this offseason, both veterans made it clear on Monday that they’re not in Memphis to “babysit” Morant or any other Grizzlies youngsters, according to Cole and Jonah Dylan of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. “I’m not here to follow you around, I’m not here to cheerlead, I’m here to push you,” Rose said of how he’ll approach his relationship with Morant. “In the league, there are very few opportunities where players get a chance to play with somebody that has a similar style of play. I’m very fortunate to be in a situation where a lot of people look at his game and they kind of compare our games together. But he’s on a whole other level.”
Acquired from Boston in a three-team trade in June, Smart is already connecting with his new teammates in Memphis, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic. “It’s been great,” Smart said on Monday. “As they told you already, I’ve been talking defense in there with those guys, but you realize right away that this is a group of guys that are hungry. They want to win and are trying to get better. They’re asking me questions; we’re laughing and joking, but we’re excited.”
Iko notes in the same story that Jenkins is open to trying different strategies on offense with Morant out for the first 25 games of the season and will experiment with different lineups in the preseason.

Spurs Sign Devin Vassell To Five-Year Extension

October 3rd, 2023 at 3:03pm CST by Rory Maher

OCTOBER 3: The Spurs have officially signed Vassell to his contract extension, the team announced today in a press release.

OCTOBER 2, 5:09pm: Vassell’s extension is a straight five-year deal with no options and features $135MM in guaranteed money, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, who reports (via Twitter) that Vassell can earn another $11MM in incentives.

OCTOBER 2, 4:09pm: Guard/forward Devin Vassell is signing a five-year, $146MM rookie scale extension with the Spurs, his agents at CAA Sports tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Given how much money they’re committing to him, clearly the Spurs view Vassell as a long-term cornerstone of their rebuild alongside No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama, 2022 lottery pick Jeremy Sochan, and Keldon Johnson, among others.

Vassell, 23, was the No. 11 pick of the 2020 draft after two years at Florida State. The Georgia native had a breakout third season in 2022/23, averaging 18.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals on .439/.387/.780 shooting.

However, Vassell was limited to 38 games (31.0 minutes per night) last season due to a left knee injury, which required surgery in January.

Back in June, there were rumors the Spurs might be looking to add another lottery pick. General manager Brian Wright shut down any speculation that the team would entertain trading Vassell, and now San Antonio is inking the young wing to a new contract.

If Vassell’s extension is fully guaranteed, he will earn $29.2MM annually on his new deal, which will begin in 2024/25. He will make $5.89MM this season.

As ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweets, despite the significant financial commitment to Vassell, the Spurs still project to have $45-60MM in cap room next summer, so they could be a major player in free agency.

The Spurs have a history of signing their productive first-round picks to rookie scale extensions. Dejounte Murray, Derrick White and Johnson all inked extensions with San Antonio in recent years, though Murray and White have since been traded.

Vassell is the sixth player to agree to a rookie scale deal this offseason. The full list — as well as the players who are eligible for their own extensions — can be found right here.

Heat Exercise 2024/25 Option On Nikola Jovic

October 3rd, 2023 at 2:44pm CST by Luke Adams

The Heat have exercised their third-year team option on Nikola Jovic, according to Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel (Twitter link). The move has no impact on Jovic’s status for the upcoming season, but locks in his $2,464,200 salary for the 2024/25 season.

Unlike team option decisions on veteran contracts, which are generally due by June 29, team option decisions on rookie scale contracts must be made by October 31, a year before they go into effect. The full list of upcoming ’24/25 rookie scale team option decisions can be found right here — Jovic’s is the first to be picked up.

The 27th overall pick in the 2022 draft, Jovic was limited to 15 appearances as a rookie, in part due to back issues. He averaged 5.5 points and 2.1 rebounds in 13.6 minutes per night, with a shooting line of .406/.229/.947.

The 20-year-old forward offered a promising glimpse of his potential at this summer’s World Cup, where he averaged 10.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 2.6 APG on .566/.423/.769 shooting in eight games (23.9 MPG) for Serbia. He was frequently cited as a possible trade candidate if the Heat made a move for Damian Lillard, but ultimately remained in Miami as the team stood pat.

The Heat’s next major decision on Jovic’s contract will come in the fall of 2024, when they’ll have to decide whether to exercise his fourth-year option, worth approximately $4.46MM, for the 2025/26 season.

Heat Notes: Herro, Lowry, Roster, Swider

October 3rd, 2023 at 2:25pm CST by Luke Adams

While Tyler Herro recognized that the Heat had every right to trade him this summer, he admitted on Monday that the uncertainty of his situation wasn’t easy to deal with throughout the offseason, according to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald.

“There was a little bit of frustration,” Herro told reporters. “But at the end of the day, it’s a business. I understand that. I would just like some clarity. I feel like I’ve gained enough respect around here to know what’s going on a little bit, whether my name is involved or not. That’s really it. I want to be involved. I feel like I gained the respect and I put the work in.”

Herro has seen his name pop up in trade speculation multiple times since arriving in the NBA in 2019, but said this year’s rumors felt “more real” than past ones. He went on to say that he simply wants to play where he’s wanted and that he understands why Miami might have considered moving him in a package for Damian Lillard.

“I don’t think I’m not wanted here. There’s a great player who was on the market at the time,” Herro said. “Whatever happens happened and we’re now in this situation. I’m excited to be back and ready to play. Like I said, I’ll play here or somewhere else. It doesn’t matter to me.”

Appearing later on ESPN 106.3 FM (Twitter video link via Clutch Points), Herro addressed the offseason reports suggesting the Trail Blazers didn’t have much interest in him, offering a spicier take when asked if he’s excited to face the Blazers this season.

“I’m ready to just play (against) the best,” Herro said. “Portland ain’t the best, so I’m not really worried about Portland.”

Here’s more on Herro and the Heat:

Although Herro was activated for Game 5 of the NBA Finals in June, he said on Monday that he wasn’t actually healthy enough to return from his broken hand until about a month after the Heat’s season ended, tweets Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Kyle Lowry was moved to the bench during the second half of the 2022/23 season, but with Gabe Vincent no longer in Miami, he expects to returning to the starting five this fall, according to Winderman. “I don’t expect to come off the bench,” Lowry said on Tuesday, noting that he feels great physically. “… I’ll do whatever it takes for my team to win basketball games, but I expect to be the starting point guard.”
Asked about Lowry’s assertion, head coach Erik Spoelstra was noncommittal, indicating that he hasn’t made a decision yet: “That’s what camp’s for. That’s what preseason’s for. And I love that Kyle thinks that way. A lot of guys are thinking that way and we’ll figure out the best lineup.”
While a segment of the Heat fanbase is clamoring for a roster move after the team missed out on Lillard and Jrue Holiday, Spoelstra said on Monday that he likes the current group and isn’t looking to make changes, per Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald.
The Heat’s impressive track record of developing undrafted prospects swayed Cole Swider when he became a free agent this summer and was considering his options, Jackson writes for The Herald. “The biggest thing everyone has told me about coming to the Heat [is] every person in the building has scouted [you] at a very high level,” Swider said. “There’s a reason you’re in the building. Maybe some other teams are bringing you in on their G League team or giving you a quick look and ship you somewhere else.” Swider is currently on an Exhibit 10 contract, but could be a candidate for a conversion to a two-way deal if he impresses in camp.

James Harden Expected To Join Sixers For Training Camp

October 3rd, 2023 at 1:23pm CST by Luke Adams

Veteran guard James Harden didn’t show up for the Sixers‘ media day on Monday in Camden, N.J. and wasn’t in attendance for the club’s first practice at Colorado State University on Tuesday.

However, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link), Harden is expected to arrive in Colorado and join the 76ers for training camp soon — perhaps even later today.

The NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement states that a player is in violation of his contract and can be prevented from becoming a free agent if he withholds his services for more than 30 days during the final year of his deal.

It doesn’t appear Harden intends to test that CBA clause. According to Tim Bontemps of ESPN, when he met with league officials during the NBA’s investigation into his public comments calling Morey a “liar” in August, Harden indicated that he planned to fulfill his contractual obligations to the Sixers if the team didn’t end up trading him.

Still, the fact that Harden intends to report to the team doesn’t mean that he’ll withdraw his trade request or that the standoff between him and the Sixers has been – or will be – resolved. While Wojnarowski’s latest report doesn’t include any additional details on Harden’s mindset, president of basketball operations Daryl Morey told reporters on Monday that the former MVP continues to seek a change of scenery, as Bontemps details.

Prior to Wojnarowski’s report on Tuesday, one person who knows Harden well told Yaron Weitzman of FOX Sports, “I wouldn’t be surprised if he returns and is destructive.”

Here’s more on Harden:

Although the Clippers are still Harden’s preferred destination, there has been no traction on a deal between Los Angeles and Philadelphia, according to Wojnarowski, who hears from sources that the Sixers’ asking price remains high and L.A. isn’t eager to bid against itself.
Harden has already received 50% of his $35.64MM salary for the 2023/24 season, sources tell Bontemps. The star guard received a 25% payment on July 1 and another 25% by October 1. If he were to hold out, the Sixers could withhold future payments or seek to recoup some of the money Harden has already been paid.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Morey responded to Harden’s assertion that he’s a “liar,” explaining why he hasn’t addressed those comments until this week. “I haven’t responded to that because I think it falls flat on its face,” he said, per Bontemps. “In 20 years of working in the league, always followed through on everything. Every top agent knows that. Everyone in the league knows. You can’t operate in this job without that. So, you know, privately I’ve appreciated all the key people in the league reaching out to me and knowing obviously that’s not true. But like I said before, obviously it was disappointing that he chose to handle it that way.”
Weitzman’s full story on the relationship between Harden and Morey and how they got to this point is packed with interesting tidbits and is worth checking out in full.

Celtics Notes: Holiday, Tatum, Mykhailiuk, Porzingis

October 3rd, 2023 at 12:49pm CST by Luke Adams

The last-minute trade for Jrue Holiday ahead of training camp upended some of the preparations that Celtics players had made for the coming season, notes Brian Windhorst of ESPN. As Windhorst writes, Derrick White had spent time with assistant coach Sam Cassell in Colorado this summer getting ready to become Boston’s new starting point guard, but Holiday figures to take on that role now.

Meanwhile, Kristaps Porzingis had spent a couple weeks before training camp getting to know Robert Williams and assessing how the two big men might play together. Porzingis will no longer get the opportunity to play with Williams, who was sent to Portland as part of the package for Holiday.

“I already could see how Rob is that charismatic guy for this group,” Porzingis said on Monday. “So it definitely hurts for this organization that he’s not here anymore.”

Still, the Celtics’ players, coaches, and executives alike are excited to get the opportunity to add Holiday, who is one of the league’s mostly highly regarded teammates and defenders.

“There’s a list of guys in the league that you always think you’ve never had a real chance to get that you think are perfect fits,” president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said on Monday, per Windhorst. “And Jrue is one of those guys.”

Here’s more on the Celtics:

Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe has more reactions and quotes from media day following an offseason of change that also saw longtime Celtics like Marcus Smart and Grant Williams head elsewhere. “I played together with Smart for seven-plus years, with Rob for (five-plus), so it’s like you grew up with these guys,” Jaylen Brown said. “For them not to be around is a little bit weird, but everybody has a journey and I know those guys are going to do great.”
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Jayson Tatum explained his decision to forgo surgery on a left wrist issue during the offseason.“I just got a bunch of second, third and fourth opinions (and) surgery wasn’t a common one,” Tatum said, per Windhorst. “I wasn’t all the way certain about it, but did all the right things this summer, took all the right measures, I guess, to make sure I was healthy and prepared to come into the season with no distractions.”
Svi Mykhailiuk could have signed a more lucrative contract to return to Europe as a free agent this summer, but opted to accept a one-year, minimum-salary offer from the Celtics that only includes a $200K partial guarantee. “Just being a part of something special,” he said on Monday in explaining his decision to remain stateside (Twitter link via Jared Weiss of The Athletic). “… I still feel like I’m an NBA player and I belong in the NBA and to keep on my journey.”
Porzingis said on Monday that he’s feeling great and will have no limitations in training camp after dealing with plantar fasciitis this summer, tweets Weiss. “Medical staff did a great job of loading up slowly and now as I’m getting close to training camp, we start tomorrow and I’m totally fine, ready to go,” Porzingis said.
Fellow big man Al Horford said he has been impressed by what he has seen from Porzingis so far in workouts, according to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. “When you really see a guy like that — he’s really 7-3, maybe even a little taller — just the way that he moves, his feel for the game, and some of the things he brings, I’m just really excited,” Horford said of his new teammate.

Rockets Notes: VanVleet, Brooks, Bullock, Udoka

October 3rd, 2023 at 12:05pm CST by Arthur Hill

Structure, stability and order will be the emphasis for a Rockets team that lacked all three during its rebuilding process, writes Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Sporting a roster filled with young players, Houston ranked 27th and 26th in points per possession during the past two seasons, and Iko notes that former coach Stephen Silas’ philosophy of giving his guards the freedom to improvise didn’t work out the way he hoped.

Rockets management signaled an end to that approach by replacing Silas with Ime Udoka and offering big money to free agent Fred VanVleet, who is one of the league’s most efficient ball-handlers. At Monday’s media day, VanVleet said he wants his professionalism and work ethic to become “contagious” with his new teammates.

“A lot of that comes down to systems and schemes, seeing what sets we’re going to run, how coach puts us out there and who’s gonna do what,” VanVleet said. “But ultimately, it’s just having that poise and presence to slow things down and get guys where they need to be. It’s time to rein it in and get some structure and figure out how to maximize these guys’ potential. I think I can be key there.”

There’s more from Houston:

Dillon Brooks, the Rockets’ other significant addition in free agency, mentioned “baby steps,” “learning lessons” and “slow process” when talking about revamping the team’s defense, Iko adds in the same piece. Brooks, a second-team All-Defensive selection with Memphis last season, also vows to be a “second voice” to emphasize the messages delivered by Udoka. “You always need a second voice after the first voice commands it,” Brooks said. “I’m gonna do everything I can on the defensive end — if it’s guarding the best player, diving on loose balls, getting physical with another player. I’m about all of that. … I’m just a competitor. I love to compete at a high level. I just feel like a lot of guys want to play in their bubble, and then when the heat gets turned up, they start feeling a way. I do everything to get into a player’s head, make him tired. I’ve been pretty good at it, been working that trade for a while.”
Reggie Bullock should have a “significant role” in Udoka’s rotation after reportedly committing to the Rockets following a buyout with San Antonio, Iko states in another story with Shams Charania. Houston has been looking for more shooters, especially with Kevin Porter Jr. unlikely to return, and Bullock is a proven three-point threat.
The main message coming out of media day is that rebuilding is finished and it’s time for the team to be competitive, per Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Houston made several veteran additions in the offseason to try to speed up the process, but Udoka said the most important factor will be progress from the young core. “Internal growth is going to be the biggest step for us,” Udoka said. “The guys that have been here and have gone through the rough times, we need to see growth and improvement from them.”

Celtics Sign Wenyen Gabriel

October 3rd, 2023 at 11:32am CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

OCTOBER 3: Gabriel’s signing is official, the Celtics announced in a press release.

OCTOBER 1: Journeyman power forward/center Wenyen Gabriel is signing with the Celtics, sources inform Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).

With Robert Williams III now en route to the Trail Blazers, the Celtics have acted quickly to shore up their frontcourt depth. Charania notes that Gabriel will hope to carve out rotation minutes off the bench with Boston. He will play behind expected starters Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.

The 6’9″ big man out of Kentucky spent the past two seasons as a springy reserve with the Lakers.

In 2022/23, Gabriel was mostly employed by head coach Darvin Ham as a small-ball five. Across 68 contests with Los Angeles, the 26-year-old averaged 5.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 0.5 BPG and 0.5 APG in just 15.1 MPG. He largely fell out of the team’s rotation during its run to the Western Conference Finals this spring, as his shooting deficiencies and inability to guard true centers made him something of a liability.

Charania tweets that Boston had brought in Gabriel for workouts recently as the club looked to fill out its roster. Gabriel helped his native South Sudan nab its first Olympic berth ever during the FIBA World Cup this summer. He averaged 9.2 PPG and 6.8 RPG during the tournament, Charania notes.

Gabriel has also played for the Kings, Trail Blazers, Pelicans, and Nets during his four-year NBA career.

Raptors Notes: Rajakovic, Lillard, Siakam, VanVleet

October 3rd, 2023 at 11:03am CST by Luke Adams

The arrival of new Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic looks like a reason for optimism in Toronto, according to Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca, who says that Rajakovic is bringing a “people-first” approach to his new role and appears to be connecting quickly with his players.

Scottie Barnes said on Monday that he loves the “energy” and “joy” Rajakovic brings to the job, while Gary Trent Jr. told reporters that the coach’s communication has been “great,” noting that Rajakovic is interested in talking to his players about topics beyond basketball.

“I’ve been in the NBA six years and I’ve had more conversations with him (outside of basketball) than with any coach I’ve ever had,” Trent said, per Lewenberg. “It’s been refreshing.”

The start of Rajakovic’s first NBA head coaching job has been marred to some extent by a lawsuit filed by the Knicks which claims that a former Knick employee shared proprietary information with Rajokovic and the Raptors after being hired by the franchise. The Raptors, who issued a statement in August disputing the claims in the suit, downplayed the case again on Monday, as William Lou of Sportsnet.ca writes.

“I know who I am. I know how my parents raised me. I know what I see in the mirror,” Rajakovic said in maintaining his innocence. “I cannot wait for this lawsuit to be over so everyone can see the truth.”

Here’s more out of Toronto:

Speaking to Danielle Michaud of Sportsnet, Raptors general manager Bobby Webster confirmed that the team’s interest in Damian Lillard was real. “You’d have to ask (the Trail Blazers),” Webster said when asked how close Toronto got to landing Lillard. “We were very aggressive. I’d say probably the biggest offer we’ve ever made for a player, but it’s up to them to accept it and so I think that’s, you know, you kind of never know what tilted a deal towards you or not. But maybe time will tell, we’ll find out.”
Pascal Siakam pushed back against any implication that he might have been one of the Raptors who played selfishly last season, as Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca relays. “I’ll speak for me, personally, I’ve never been a selfish player in my life,” Siakam said. “I’ve always played the game the right way and that’s from the first time I started playing basketball. I’ve always been a team player. All the things that I do on the basketball court is about the team and I’ve been like that my whole career.”
The free agency departure of veteran point guard Fred VanVleet was one of the topics Raptors president Masai Ujiri addressed on Monday, per Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca. “Could we have traded Fred at the trade deadline? If that was a failure, we take responsibility for it,” Ujiri said. “Sometimes it depends on opportunity and respect (for) the player. We respected Fred. Fred decided to go somewhere, to better opportunities. It was good for him. Maybe it was good for us, too.”
The Raptors are one of five teams that John Hollinger of The Athletic is confident will beat their consensus over/under (36.5 wins) this season. While Hollinger acknowledges that going to VanVleet to Dennis Schröder is a downgrade at point guard, he notes that Toronto won 41 games in a down year last season, played better after acquiring Jakob Poeltl, and will have incentive to be as good as possible, since San Antonio owns the Raptors’ top-six protected 2024 first-round pick.

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