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Rockets Notes: Green, Paul, Weber

December 29th, 2017 at 10:58am CST by Arthur Hill

Gerald Green went from unemployed to a member of the Rockets’ rotation in a few hours Thursday. In need of depth with Chris Paul, Clint Capela and Luc Mbah a Moute all sidelined by injuries, Houston signed Green to a non-guaranteed contract Thursday afternoon and used him against the Celtics a few hours later. He went scoreless with one rebound in 11 minutes. With all NBA contracts becoming fully guaranteed January 7, Green’s arrangement serves as an unofficial 10-day deal as the Rockets will have approximately that long to decide whether or not to keep him.

There’s more news today from Houston:

  • Green was signed to take some of the stress off forward Trevor Ariza, explains Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Ariza ranks 13th in the league in minutes played at 36.0 per game and had topped 40 in six straight games before last night. Mbah a Moute, his primary backup, is projected to be out another week with a dislocated shoulder. “He’s a vet, he knows how to play,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said of Green. “We’re not real complicated. If he can take a few minutes off Trevor, that’s what we’ll use him for. We’re just really shorthanded on the wings. Obviously, he’s played at a good level before.”
  • Because the Paul trade was competed six months ago, the point guard becomes eligible for an extension today, notes Bobby Marks on ESPN Now. Marks adds that it’s unlikely anything will happen during the season, but Paul could agree to a $132MM extension over four years that would give him a $29.5MM salary for 2018/19. He’s more likely to head into free agency next summer, when he will be eligible for a five-year, $205MM deal that would start at $35.3MM.
  • Paul’s injury has created an opportunity for Briante Weber, who signed a two-way contract with the Rockets in late October, writes Owen Pence of The Houston Chronicle. Weber, 24, had brief stays with the Grizzlies, Heat, Warriors and Hornets, but is still searching for his NBA breakthrough. “[I’m] just trying to learn and figure out how to play with two Hall of Famers,” he said. “It’s a continued learning experience. I’m going to continue to learn and continue to grow as a player behind those two guys and hopefully the minutes can increase when I can gain some trust from Coach [D’Antoni].”
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Southwest Notes: Capela, Leonard, Weber, Simmons

December 27th, 2017 at 10:40am CST by Dana Gauruder

Rockets center Clint Capela has a right orbital fracture and will miss at least the next two games, the team tweets. Capela will be re-evaulated later this week, the tweet adds. Capela suffered the injury during the third quarter of the Rockets’ loss to the Thunder on Christmas Day. He had missed three of the previous four games with a heel injury. Capela, who is averaging 14.2 PPG and 11.2 RPG, will miss Thursday’s matchup against the Celtics and Friday’s game against the Wizards.

In other developments around the Southwest Division:

  • Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard admits he’s still not 100% as he works his way back from a quad injury but the team appears ready to go on a run, according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN. Leonard played 26 minutes in San Antonio’s victory over the Nets on Tuesday. “I don’t feel like I’m there yet,” Leonard told Wright and other reporters. “But I tried to do what I can. It’s really nothing tonight. Just the whole process of going through playing limited minutes, and just seeing how I feel each game.” With Leonard and Tony Parker back from long-term injuries, the Spurs finally have their full roster together. “It’s a good time to get everybody playing, everybody feeling good, get Kawhi and Tony back to their usual selves, back to their rhythm and feeling good,” guard Manu Ginobili told Wright.
  • Briante Weber has played meaningful minutes as a backup point guard with Rockets starter Chris Paul on the mend, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle relays. Paul could return as early as Thursday from an adductor strain. Weber, who is on a two-way contract, played a total of 34 minutes over the last two games, though he only contributed two points and three assists. “It’s a learning process, just trying to figure out what to do to play my game and not take away from what the team has,” Weber told Feigen.
  • Rookie guard Kobi Simmons, another player on a two-way deal, has given the Grizzlies a boost of energy, Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal notes. Simmons has played a total of 51 minutes over the last two games, supplying 12 points, nine rebounds and five assists. “He brings a spark,” interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff told Tillery. “He’s got a natural talent that we’ve got to do a great job of developing. He can help us.”
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Southwest Notes: Barnes, Kleber, Rockets

November 24th, 2017 at 10:30pm CST by Austin Kent

The Mavs have a new go-to guy after decades of relying on Dirk Nowitzki to shoot the ball in the final minutes of close ball games. As Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News writes, this week Harrison Barnes experienced first-hand what that can mean.

After missing a potential game-winner on Monday night, the 25-year-old forward banked home a winner on Wednesday. The Mavs’ new No. 1 threat will have to soon get accustomed to both the highs and lows of getting the final shot.

“When the team trusts you to have the ball in your hands late in the game and you miss a shot like that, you kind of beat yourself up a little,” Barnes, who averages 19.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game for the Mavs, said. “But you have to move on. So when you come to [the Wednesday game], and to make that shot, it felt great.”

There’s more from the Southwest Division:

  • Don’t mistake Harrison Barnes‘ banked-in Wednesday night winner for anything more than luck, Matt Mosley of The Dallas Morning News adds in a question-and-answer with readers. Although he notes that Barnes’ “clutch” stats are actually pretty strong, he views him as more of a No. 2 or No. 3 option for the Mavs, long-term.
  • The Mavs slotted Maxi Kleber into their starting lineup four games ago and have been pleased with the result. Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News writes that the undrafted rookie has played just 16 minutes per game since moving into the starting lineup but has done a solid job making sure that the team doesn’t get off to slow starts, an issue that had occasionally plagued them.
  • The Rockets opted to keep two-way guard Briante Weber with the big league club, as well as forward Troy Williams so that they have more manpower available at practice and late in blowout games, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle writes.  Yes, that’s a big enough concern for head coach Mike D’Antoni to legitimately plan around. Nine of Houston’s 14 wins so far this season have been by at least 15 points.
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Texas Notes: Noel, Leonard, Anderson, Weber

November 22nd, 2017 at 9:46pm CST by Arthur Hill

Nerlens Noel will regret turning down the Mavericks‘ four-year, $72MM offer this summer, states Newy Scruggs in a chat for The Dallas Morning News. Scruggs contends Noel is not viewed as a hard worker by the organization, which has lowered his standing with coach Rick Carlisle. Noel has slipped into a reserve role, starting just six of the 17 games he has played this season.

Noel was hoping for a maximum offer, either from the Mavs or another team, when he entered restricted free agency in July. But nothing in that neighborhood materialized and Noel opted to accept Dallas’ $4,187,598 qualifying offer and try his luck as an unrestricted free agent next year. Scruggs said he expects Noel to be traded before the February deadline.

There’s more NBA news from the Lone Star State:

  • Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told reporters he has never seen an injury like the one that is keeping Kawhi Leonard out of action, relays Michael C. Wright of ESPN. Leonard is dealing with quadriceps tendinopathy, which has prevented him from taking the court all season, even in practice, and there’s still no definitive timetable for his return. Popovich had better news about Tony Parker, who also has a quadriceps injury that dates back to last season’s Western Conference semifinals. Parker has said he hopes to return in November, and it sounds like that may be possible. “For real, sooner than later,” Popovich said tonight. “And I’m serious. I’m being honest.” 
  • Leonard’s injury has created an opportunity for fourth-year swingman Kyle Anderson, who is getting serious minutes for the first time in his career. Anderson has started all 18 games, and Popovich plans to keep him in the rotation even when Leonard returns, tweets Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News. “When Kawhi does come back, I’ve got some figuring out to do,” Popovich said. “[Anderson] should still be on the court, somehow or another.”
  • After signing a two-way deal with the Rockets last month, Briante Weber is eager to make the most of his latest shot at the NBA, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Weber, the leading scorer for Houston’s G League affiliate in Rio Grande Valley, was called up to the Rockets today for the first time since joining the organization. He previously played for the Grizzlies, Heat, Warriors and Hornets, but never spent more than 13 games with any of those teams. “I’ve been prepared,” Weber said. “It’s just about the opportunity. That’s all it’s about, me taking advantage of the opportunity when I get in. I’ve always been prepared. It’s just basketball.”
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Rockets Sign Briante Weber To Two-Way Deal

October 24th, 2017 at 10:25am CST by Arthur Hill

OCTOBER 24: Weber’s two-way contract with the Rockets is now official, the team announced today (via Twitter). Weber will immediately report to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

OCTOBER 23: The Rockets will fill their second two-way slot by signing Briante Weber, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The deal includes a team option for 2018/19.

The defensive-minded point guard signed with the Lakers for training camp, but was waived just before the start of the regular season. L.A. had a two-way opening at the time, but elected to give it to Vander Blue.

Weber will report to Houston’s G League affiliate in Rio Grande Valley for the start of training camp today. The 24-year-old may get an early opportunity to prove himself with the Rockets as Chris Paul remains sidelined with a sore knee that is expected to keep him out of action for two to three more weeks.

Demetrius Jackson, also on a two-way contract, has been serving as the team’s backup point guard in Paul’s absence. As long as they are on two-way deals, both Weber and Jackson will be limited to 45 days apiece in the NBA, starting today.

The Rockets still have an open roster spot, but they don’t plan to fill it right away, sources tell Wojnarowski.

Weber has received opportunities with several NBA teams since going undrafted out of Virginia Commonwealth in 2015. He excelled in the G League and had brief stints with the Grizzlies, Heat, Warriors and Hornets. His longest stay with one team came in 13 games with Charlotte at the end of last season, when he averaged 3.8 points in about 12 minutes per night.

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Lakers Waive Blue, Wear, Weber

October 14th, 2017 at 1:37pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Lakers have reached the roster limit by waiving Vander Blue, Travis Wear and Briante Weber, the team announced on its website.

Blue has played just five NBA games — three with the Celtics and two with the Lakers — since going undrafted out of Marquette in 2013. The 25-year-old was MVP of the G League last season with L.A.’s affiliate and had a strong showing in the Las Vegas Summer League. His camp contract contains a $50K guarantee.

Wear has an Exhibit 10 deal, which could still be converted to a two-way contract as the Lakers have an opening. The 27-year-old forward will receive a bonus if he winds up in the G League.

Weber, a 24-year-old point guard, played 13 games with the Hornets at the end of last season.

The moves bring the Lakers’ roster down to 16 players, including a two-way contract for Alex Caruso.

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Lakers Sign Briante Weber

August 14th, 2017 at 2:28pm CST by Luke Adams

AUGUST 14: The Lakers have officially signed Weber, the team announced today in a press release. L.A. now has 18 players on NBA contracts and one on a two-way deal, leaving one spot open on the club’s offseason roster.

AUGUST 8: The Lakers are adding a little more backcourt depth to their roster, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical, who reports (via Twitter) that the club has reached an agreement with free agent point guard Briante Weber on a partially guaranteed deal.

Weber, 24, signed a pair of 10-day contracts with the Hornets after the All-Star break last season, then earned a rest-of-season deal from the team. In 13 games in Charlotte, Weber played limited minutes, averaging 3.8 PPG, 1.7 RPG, and 1.2 APG. His contract included a non-guaranteed salary for 2017/18, but the Hornets opted to waive him last month, making him a free agent.

Although Weber’s NBA production has been modest, he filled up the stat sheet in 31 G League games last season, averaging 16.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 7.3 APG, and 3.3 SPG for the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He also posted a shooting line of .455/.356/.778 for the club.

While I wouldn’t necessarily expect Weber to break camp with the Lakers this fall, the team currently only has 14 players on fully guaranteed contracts, so there may be an opportunity for the young guard to earn the final spot on L.A.’s 15-man roster.

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Hornets Waive Briante Weber

July 28th, 2017 at 2:21pm CST by Luke Adams

The Hornets are waiving point guard Briante Weber, according to Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer (Twitter link). The team has issued a press release making the move official. If Weber goes unclaimed on waivers, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent.

Weber, 24, signed a pair of 10-day contracts with the Hornets after the All-Star break last season, then earned a rest-of-season deal from the team. In 13 games in Charlotte, Weber played limited minutes, averaging 3.8 PPG, 1.7 RPG, and 1.2 APG.

Weber’s contract with the Hornets included a non-guaranteed salary for 2017/18. While his minimum salary isn’t guaranteed yet, it would have become locked in if he had remained under contract through August 1, per Basketball Insiders. That explains the timing of the move for Charlotte — the club won’t be on the hook for that money.

The Hornets, who also lost Ramon Sessions this offseason, signed Michael Carter-Williams to be Kemba Walker‘s backup at the point, but remain on the lookout for a third point guard to join the backcourt mix. Norris Cole, Donald Sloan, and Demetrius Jackson were among the free agents to work out for the club earlier this week, and Bonnell indicates that a signing remains likely.

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Eastern Rumors: Nets, Hardaway, Hornets, Celtics

July 7th, 2017 at 11:30am CST by Luke Adams

Before Rudy Gay signed with the Spurs, the Nets expressed interest in the veteran forward, having viewed him as a contingency plan in the event that the Wizards match their offer sheet for Otto Porter, reports Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link).

With Gay off the board and Porter likely to be retained by Washington, the Nets will be a “strong contender” for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com. That’s no surprise, now that the 24-year-old is unrestricted, but for Caldwell-Pope to be an option for Brooklyn, his camp may have to be patient, since the Nets’ cap room may be tied up for a few days until the Wizards make their decision on Porter official.

Here’s more from around the East:

  • Before the Knicks swooped in with a $71MM offer sheet, the Hawks were willing to offer Tim Hardaway Jr. a four-year deal in the $48MM range, league sources tell ESPN’s Zach Lowe. We’ll see if Atlanta is willing to go significantly higher than that to match New York’s offer, or if Hardaway will return to the Knicks.
  • The Hornets are in the market for another big man, GM Rich Cho said today (Twitter link via Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer). Charlotte is also evaluating whether to sign a third point guard or keep Briante Weber in that role. Weber has a non-guaranteed contract.
  • Raptors president Masai Ujiri said today that he’s comfortable entering the 2017/18 season as a tax team, but there’s still plenty of time to make moves. He’s waiting for the trade market to open up a little, tweets Josh Lewenberg of TSN 1050.
  • The plan for the Celtics has always been to have draft-and-stash prospect Guerschon Yabusele on their roster this fall, a league source tells Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe (Twitter link). As ESPN’s Bobby Marks notes (via Twitter), Boston will likely need to waive or trade Jordan Mickey and Demetrius Jackson to retain Yabusele’s cap hold.
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NBADL Announces All-NBA D-League Teams

April 25th, 2017 at 4:30pm CST by Luke Adams

The NBA Development League has announced its All-NBA D-League teams for the 2016/17 season, headlined by league MVP Vander Blue. While Blue didn’t play in the NBA at all this season, many of the players on the NBADL’s three All-NBA D-League squads received call-ups throughout the year, and some of them finished the season on an NBA roster.

Here are this year’s 15 All-NBA D-League players, many of whom will have a decent chance of finding their way onto an NBA roster next season:

First Team:

Second Team:

Third Team:

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