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Odds & Ends: Camby, Rookies, Conroy

February 10th, 2014 at 5:35pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Going into the 2013 NBA draft, experts had viewed it as one of the weakest in recent memory. There was no franchise savior available, and the lottery was looked on as a guessing game at best. A little more than halfway through the season, the rookie class hasn’t done anything to dispel this notion. Outside of Michael Carter-Williams, Victor Oladipo, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, there hasn’t been much rookie production. Nate Duncan of Basketball Insiders.com believes there are five rookies who might be able to turn their seasons around. The players he examines in the piece are Anthony Bennett, Cody Zeller, Ben McLemore, Alex Len, and Otto Porter.

More from around the league:

  • Free agent center Marcus Camby is progressing in his rehabilitation from foot surgery and expects to be fully healthy by February’s end to join an NBA team, a league source told Shams Charania of RealGM. The 39-year-old, who would become the second-oldest player in the league behind Steve Nash, averaged 1.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 24 games with the Knicks last season.
  • German team Medi Bayreuth and Will Conroy have parted ways, according to an announcement on the club’s official website translated by Emiliano Carchia of Sportando.  The 31-year-old, who was averaging 5.2 PPG across nine games, is already working out with another German team and is likely to sign for the rest of the season, tweets David Pick of Eurobasket.com.
  • A Western Conference executive tells Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News that he expects more coaches to lose their jobs now that Maurice Cheeks has lost his. That’s a grim sign for Mike Woodson, Lawrence observes.
  • It was previously thought that the NBPA would vote on a new union leader in New Orleans during the All-Star break but the latest signals suggest that won’t take place, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN.com. There’s a push from some in the union to start the search over from scratch.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

 

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Pacific Notes: Plumlee, Len, Young, Kings

January 21st, 2014 at 3:52pm CST by Chuck Myron

Eight teams have given out at least one 10-day contract so far this season, and three of those clubs are from the Pacific Division, as our 10-Day Tracker shows. The Clippers have struck three such deals, the most of any team in the NBA, and all of them have gone to point guards as they look to make up for the absence of Chris Paul. Here’s the latest from the Pacific:

  • The Suns insisted that the Pacers include Miles Plumlee in the Luis Scola trade after scouting the 25-year-old center in summer league action, and the result is what Plumlee believes is a “perfect” trade, as he tells Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic. Phoenix’s starting center says he’s grateful for his newfound playing time and harbors no ill will toward the Pacers for burying him on the bench.
  • One of Plumlee’s backups is Alex Len, the fifth overall pick in the draft this past June. Len has played fewer minutes than 45 other NBA rookies, notes Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic. Still, the Suns are no less optimistic about his future, as Coro explains.
  • Nick Young‘s strong performance for the Lakers in place of the injured Kobe Bryant suggests he’ll command much more as a free agent than he’d make if he exercises his minimum-salary player option for next season, as Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com examines. Young took a discount to play in his native Southern California this season, but he’s expressed a desire for more financial stability on his next deal.
  • Ray McCallum has rejoined the Kings after a stint in the D-League, the team announced. The point guard, whom Sacramento took 36th overall this past June, has notched 20.0 points and 4.3 assists per game in seven D-League appearances.
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Pacific Links: Len, Lakers, Kings

September 12th, 2013 at 7:26pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Here are some links to pass along out of the Pacific Division tonight: 

  • Royce Young of CBS Sports relayed a tweet from Suns rookie Alex Len, who revealed that he's been cleared to start practicing and should therefore be ready for the start of training camp. 
  • Adi Joseph and Sean Highkin of USA Today have been ranking NBA teams according to their "watchability" next season and continue their list with the Lakers, who come in at number 24. With the departure of Dwight Howard leaving the roster thinner and the possibility that the team continues to struggle with injuries, Joseph expects the purple and gold to only win 33 games and ultimately miss the playoffs. 
  • Next on the list are the Kings at 23, whom Joseph projects to finish 25-57 and fall short of a playoff berth. Although Greivis Vasquez' unselfish play should benefit DeMarcus Cousins and the team could be very entertaining, Joseph points out that the overall roster remains in flux and will continue to struggle heavily on defense.
  • Kevin Ding of the OC Register (via Twitter) notes that the Lakers training camp will open on September 29 after the team pushed their media day back to the 28th. 
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Suns Sign Alex Len

August 29th, 2013 at 4:29pm CST by Luke Adams

The Suns have signed first-round pick Alex Len to a rookie-scale contract, according to Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic (via Twitter). The team has confirmed the signing in a press release.

Len, the fifth overall pick in June's draft, was one of a handful of first-rounders that had yet to officially sign his deal, along with Nerlens Noel and Michael Carter-Williams of the Sixers, and the Spurs' Livio Jean-Charles, who appears likely to play overseas. As our chart of salaries for 2013 picks shows, the Ukrainian big man will likely earn a salary of about $3.49MM.

The signing of Len seemingly coincides with the finalization of the trade that sent Caron Butler from the Suns to the Bucks. I noted earlier today when I examined that deal that it wouldn't be surprising to see Phoenix make Len's deal official simultaneously, since that would allow the club to go over the cap, creating a sizable trade exception in the Butler swap

Assuming the Suns chose that route, they'll obtain a $5,548,537 TPE, but would have to renounce it to free up cap space. Renouncing the exception would result in $5,241,838 of cap room, according to figures at HoopsWorld and ShamSports. In other words, the TPE could accommodate a slightly more expensive acquisition, but would only allow the team to add a player via trade, rather than via free agency.

The addition of Len means the Suns now have 17 guaranteed contracts on their books, so the club will have to trade or cut at least two players by opening night.

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Mid-Draft Rumors: Noel, 76ers, Warriors, Suns

June 27th, 2013 at 7:46pm CST by Luke Adams

You can follow tonight's draft picks right here, but we're hearing plenty of other rumblings outside of the picks themselves. Let's round up a few….

  • One executive whose team passed on Nerlens Noel told Chris Broussard of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that the Kentucky big man is actually healthier than Anthony Bennett or Alex Len, so injury concerns weren't the reason Noel slipped.
  • The blockbuster trade the Sixers made, acquiring Noel and a 2014 first-rounder for Jrue Holiday, signals one reason the team hasn't hired a coach yet, tweets Broussard. With a rebuild seemingly on the way, the 76ers wanted a new head coach to know what he was getting into.
  • The Warriors are receiving calls on Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes, but value both players "very, very, very highly," according to Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News (via Twitter).
  • The Suns drafted Alex Len to keep him, and have no deals in place, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter).
  • A Luke Ridnour/Ekpe Udoh swap between the Timberwolves and Bucks won't happen tonight, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
  • The Cavs are in the process of trying to move up from No. 19, tweets Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio.
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Wojnarowski On Draft, Len, Zeller, Bucks, Mavs

June 27th, 2013 at 2:14pm CST by Zachary Links

Here's the latest draft news from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, with all links going to Twitter..

  • It's becoming harder to see how Anthony Bennett won't take a tumble in tonight's draft and he could leave the Blazers with a choice to make at No. 10 (link).
  • Other lottery teams are supremely confident that the Magic will take Victor Oladipo at No. 2, but Orlando is still talking trade, tweets Wojnarowski.
  • The Cavs are choosing between Nerlens Noel and Alex Len at No. 1.  If they pick Len, Noel could fall to the Suns at No. 5 (link).
  • Alex Len is still the favorite for the Bobcats if he's there at No. 4, but Cody Zeller has remained in constant dialogue, sources tell Wojnarowski.  
  • Zeller is in strong consideration for the Bobcats at No. 4 and the Suns at No. 5, sources say.  If C.J. McCollum goes to the Pelicans at No. 6 or the Kings at No. 7, then the Pistons, who pick 8th, have Zeller high on their board.
  • The Bucks have discussed swapping their No. 15 pick for the Mavs' No. 13 pick to solidify itself to take Russian swingman Sergey Karasev, according to sources.  However, Milwaukee is worried that the 13th pick may not be high enough to grab Karasev (link).  The 6'7" Russian appears to be a hot commodity as we heard that the Cavs would also like to get their hands on the Mavs' pick in order to take him.  
  • League sources say that Celtics GM Danny Ainge brought guard Ray McCallum to Boston's facility for a workout yesterday in the event that he moves back from No. 16.
  • Some are shying away from North Texas forward Tony Mitchell but he could find a home with the T-Wolves at No. 26, according to league sources.  Flip Saunders was impressed with his workout and there's no question that he has high-lottery talents (link).
  • Everyone in the lottery says that they are extremely impressed by the NBA readiness of IU products Zeller and Oladipo.
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Kennedy On Magic, Noel, Len, McLemore, Cavs

June 27th, 2013 at 2:12pm CST by Zachary Links

Here's the latest draft buzz from Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (all links go to Twitter)..

  • It sounds like the Magic are really high on Nerlens Noel, Kennedy tweets.  If the Cavaliers select Alex Len at No. 1, Orlando may go with Noel.
  • If Noel is gone, the Magic will likely select Ben McLemore or Victor Oladipo.  Many people are assuming Oladipo will be the pick in that case, but Kennedy is not so sure.
  • Some sources tell Kennedy that Shabazz Muhammad will slip out of the lottery, which lines up with him not being invited to green room.
  • There are still questions about Oladipo and teams are intrigued by McLemore's upside.  Kennedy has been told that the Indiana product could slip all the way to the Suns at No. 5.
  • The Mavs continue to shop the No. 13 pick.  The Wolves and Thunder want to move up while the Grizzlies, Rockies, Warriors, and 76ers want to add a first-rounder.
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Ford On Antetokounmpo, Cavs, Jazz, Thunder

June 27th, 2013 at 10:34am CST by Zachary Links

Chad Ford of ESPN.com has posted his latest draft day rumblings and we have the highlights..

  • The excitement over Giannis Antetokounmpo might be fading a bit as teams want the raw prospect to stay in Greece for a couple of years while he wants to come to the NBA now.  For GMs who don't think he's ready, that means that he will make for a very expensive D-League player.
  • If the Cavs can't trade the No. 1 overall pick for a veteran plus a 2014 lottery pick, they'll keep attempting to move whomever they draft until all their options have been exercised.  That could be a tall order since the hardest asset for a team to get right now is a 2014 lottery pick. Ford puts the odds at 95 percent that no potential 2014 lottery pick is moved tonight. 
  • The teams working hardest to move up higher in the lottery are the Jazz, Wolves and Thunder. The Jazz appear to be targeting Lehigh's C.J. McCollum and are offering picks No. 14 and 21, but they might have to give up Alec Burks as well to get high enough.
  • The Wolves are also trying to get up very high in an attempt to land Victor Oladipo or Ben McLemore.  As we've heard, they're dangling the No. 9 pick, No. 26 pick, and Derrick Williams. 
  • The Thunder want a big man – they like Nerlens Noel and Alex Len – but they don't have a ton to offer.  Movable assets like Jeremy Lamb, Perry Jones, and possibly Reggie Jackson don't have enormous trade value.  Their own pick next year won't be high and the Mavs pick that they own is top-20 protected next year. 
  • The Bobcats (No. 4) and Kings (No. 7) look like the two teams most willing to move down. 
  • A ton of teams want the Mavs' No. 13 pick.  The Cavs have been the most proactive but the Bucks, Hawks, and Nets are also in the mix. In virtually every case, the target is Sergey Karasev.  Trouble is, the Sixers or Thunder could grab him before 13. 
  • The Celtics are trying to pick up a late-first or early-second-round pick and sources say their target is Missouri's Phil Pressey if they decide to go big with their first pick. 
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Draft Notes: Noel, Cavs, Zeller, Kabongo

June 27th, 2013 at 9:29am CST by Zachary Links

Chad Ford of ESPN.com revealed his mock draft 7.0 this morning and just like every previous incarnation, Nerlens Noel sits at No. 1.  Ford heard that the Cavs' top option is to trade the No. 1 overall pick for a combination of a veteran plus a 2014 first-round pick, but if not, he believes Noel will be the pick.  Owner Dan Gilbert likes Victor Oladipo and other people in the front office are pushing for Alex Len, but GM Chris Grant likes Noel and Ford sees him as the tiebreaker.  Here's more as we approach tonight's draft..

  • Cody Zeller could be a surprise high pick, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports.  One NBA executive who loves the Indiana product's athleticism says that he is someone to keep an eye on towards the top of the board.  Last night's mock draft from Alex Lee of Hoops Rumors had Zeller going No. 11 to the Sixers.
  • One NBA exec told Spears (Twitter link) says that guard Myck Kabongo is a possible late first-round pick after an impressive interview.  The Texas standout gave the impression that he can be a leader at the next level and also looks bigger than expected.
  • Lucas Nogueira has officially extended his contract with Asefa Estudiantes through June 2015, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando (via Twitter).  The center is in tonight's draft and has picked up some buzz as a possible stash pick.
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Draft Updates: Wednesday Evening

June 26th, 2013 at 11:31pm CST by Chuck Myron

On the night before the draft, three "people of importance" in the Cavs front office have differing views on whom the team should take first overall, tweets Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio. This is shaping up as one of the most compelling drafts in years with all the unknowns, even if the talent at the top is subpar. Here's the latest draft-related scuttlebutt:

  • Nets GM Billy King tells Fred Kerber of the New York Post that there's "about a 60% chance" that the team will trade the No. 22 pick, perhaps in pursuit of a frontcourt player (Twitter link). The Nets are reportedly in three-way talks with the Cavs and Wolves.
  • Shabazz Muhammad has at least one fan in the Wolves front office, but it isn't anyone at the top of the organization, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities, who says he'll be surprised if the team takes the UCLA small forward.
  • The Cavs' first preference has been to trade the No. 1 overall pick, but failing that, it looks like it's down to Nerlens Noel and Alex Len, with Anthony Bennett as a dark horse, The Plain Dealer's Mary Schmitt Boyer writes. 
  • The Sixers worked out second-round hopeful Dwayne Davis on Wednesday, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Earlier updates:

  • The Kings, Pistons and Timberwolves like Shabazz Muhammad and may draft him earlier than most executives be believe he'll go, which is between Nos. 13 and 20, according to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). 
  • The Heat have been told they could possibly trade for a late lottery pick, but team president Pat Riley says if the team trades for a selection, it will be one of the early picks. "After the first 10 or 12 picks, I'm not so sure there's that player out there," Riley said, as Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel notes.
  • Sergey Karasev wants to play in the NBA next season, so he won't be a "draft-and-stash" pick, tweets Berger, who hears Karasev may go as high as No. 12 to the Thunder. Chad Ford of ESPN.com wrote earlier today that he could go to the Sixers at No. 11.
  • Several teams are trying to move up in order to draft Victor Oladipo, HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy hears (Twitter link). One of those teams appears to be the Timberwolves, as Marcus Fuller of the St. Paul Pioneer Press examines.
  • There's a "decent chance" the Warriors will try to trade cash for a pick in the middle of the second round, according to Tim Kawakami of the Bay Area News Group.
  • Alex Lee unveiled the latest version of the Hoops Rumors Mock Draft earlier tonight.
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