D.J. Augustin Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Eastern Notes: Hopson, Augustin, Heat

April 1st, 2014 at 8:57pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Cavs used the room exception to sign Scotty Hopson on Monday, but because the maximum 4.5% raise permitted via the exception is tied to what he actually makes, rather than the exception’s full value, Hopson isn’t a particularly intriguing trade chip. Mark Deeks of ShamSportsexplains the matter in his latest piece for the Score, noting that Hopson’s salary of about $1.37MM this season and $1.44MM next season is roughly equivalent to what a veteran of 10 seasons or more would make on a minimum-salary deal. Hopson is ineligible to be traded until July 10th, meaning he’s of no use for a draft-night trade.

More news from around the east:

Since being picked up by the Bulls after Toronto waived him in December, D.J. Augustin has averaged 14.3 PPG on nearly 42 percent shooting, including 41 percent from 3-point range, in 30.4 minutes per contest. He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, but would love to return to Chicago, writes Cody Westerlund of CBSChicago.com.
The Heat‘s “Big Three” of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh can all become free-agents after the season. There has been speculation that one or all three would consider leaving Miami, but before making any decision, the trio plan to sit down together to discuss their options, writes Darren Rovell of ESPN.com.
Phil Jackson has been to only two of the eight games the Knicks have played since he took over their basketball department. Some say Jackson should be with the team as much as possible to get to know the players and staff and help them in any way he can as they try to make their playoff push, but Carmelo Anthony is not one of them, writes Al Iannazzone of Newsday. Anthony said, “He’s smart. He knows what he’s doing. He’s been in this situation before with fighting for spots and trying to win basketball games. So he knows what to expect, and now he’s on the outside looking in. I guess he’s giving us our space. We’re not really concerned about that.”

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Eastern Notes: Bulls, Pacers, Hawks

March 12th, 2014 at 6:06pm CST by Eddie Scarito

With the Pacers going through a bit of a rough patch, team president Larry Bird expressed his frustration with the team’s players and coach Frank Vogel to Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star. “I’m sort of going to Frank’s side because he’s had so much success by staying positive,” Bird said. “We do have to stay the course. But I also think he’s got to start going after guys when they’re not doing what they’re supposed to do. And stay on them, whether you’ve got to take them out of the game when they’re not doing what they’re supposed to do or limit their minutes. I will say, he hasn’t done that enough.”

Bulls Notes: Gibson, Augustin, Boozer

February 7th, 2014 at 11:59pm CST by Cray Allred

The Bulls have continued to look like a playoff team in the East despite the loss of Derrick Rose to another season-ending injury and the cap-relief trade that sent Luol Deng to the Cavs. Their salary concerns remain as well. After paying the luxury tax for the first time in franchise history last year, the Deng move signaled the front office’s aim to avoid paying the dreaded repeater tax enforced under the current CBA. Decisions surrounding their current roster will play a large role in whether their plans can accomodate a buyout of Nikola Mirotic‘s overseas contract and/or another major free agent addition this summer. Here are some recent rumblings in Chicago:

Taj Gibson receives a $250K bonus if he makes either the first or second All-Defensive team this season, and that appears to be having an effect on the Bulls personnel decisions as they try to keep from crossing the tax line, writes Mark Deeks of ShamSports. Still, the Bulls have enough room under the tax to add to their roster even if Gibson earns the bonus, so Deeks surmises that the Bulls are worried another bonus, as yet unreported, could tip the scales. Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors also examined Chicago’s tax dilemma a few weeks ago.
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times thinks that Gibson’s steady improvement as a player, coupled with Carlos Boozer‘s recurring injuries, makes the Bulls’ option to amnesty Boozer more attractive. Gibson is averaging career highs in points, blocks, and minutes per game.
In another piece, rejuvenated Bulls point guard D.J. Augustin tells Cowley he would like to stay with the Bulls. ‘‘I definitely would like to be here [for the] long term.” Augustin said. “I want to be on a winning team, I want to be in a winning organization. Chicago is definitely those two things. When the summertime comes, that’s when I’m going to have to weigh everything.’’ It might take a home-town discount for the Bulls to retain Augustin, as Cowley points out that coach Tom Thibodeau’s penchant for getting the most out of his players ends up driving up their price when they hit free agency. Augustin fits that bill, and the Bulls might need him to spurn their competitors if they wish to retain the 26-year-old. “I’m definitely thankful for the opportunity Chicago gave me,’’ Augustin said. ‘‘You remember things like that, just that they gave me a chance.”

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Odds & Ends: Stern, Pistons, Augustin, Mavs

January 27th, 2014 at 9:30pm CST by Zachary Links

In today’s column, David Aldridge of NBA.com recaps the history of commissioner David Stern‘s tenure in office. “The Life and Times of Stern” was culled by talking with people that worked with him, for him, and played in or were a part, directly or indirectly, of his league. As you might expect, not everyone who dealt with Stern was happy with him at the time, but there’s a tremendous amount of respect for what he did from all corners of the game. Here’s more from around the Association..

The Pistons have lots of questions to address between now and the trade deadline as Vince Ellis of USA Today Sports explains.
Bulls guard D.J. Augustin has a certain comfort level with his club after joining them about a month ago, writes Adam Fluck of Bulls.com. Since joining the Bulls, Augustin has averaged 30.4 minutes per game. The only time in his professional career he’s seen more playing time was in 2010/11 with the Bobcats , when he turned in his best statistical season, averaging 14.4 points and 6.1 points over 82 games, all starts.
In a recent radio interview, former Mavericks guard Jimmy Jackson claimed that the club and Stern were guilty of collusion when negotiating his rookie contract, writes Tom Ziller of SBNation.com. Those accusations were never proven in a court of law, but Ziller writes that it wouldn’t be surprising in the least if they were true.
Stern has been calling NBA owners to let them know he will be out of sight for a while and Adam Silver is the guy to call/email for all issues, tweets Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. Stern hasn’t officially handed off the torch to Silver yet, but it sounds like the transition has effectively taken place.
There are tons of recognizable names still looking for NBA jobs and Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders runs them all down by position. Those looking for work include Richard Hamilton, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, Chris Duhon, Seth Curry, Josh Howard, Mickael Pietrus, Corey Maggette, Stephen Jackson, Marcus Camby, and more.

Odds & Ends: Embiid, Bynum, Kings, Petro

January 17th, 2014 at 4:19pm CST by Chuck Myron

Many talent evaluators around the NBA wish the talented but raw Joel Embiid would stay in school for another year, according to Chad Ford of ESPN.com, who debates the freshman Kansas center with fellow ESPN.com scribe Kevin Pelton for an Insider-only piece. NBA teams usually want to see intriguing collegians enter the draft, so the stance on Embiid is an unusual one, as Ford explains. The 19-year-old is the No. 1 prospect on Ford’s Big Board. Here’s more from the Association:

Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star doesn’t get the sense that the Pacers will sign Bynum just to keep him away from the Heat, but Kravitz believes Indiana should take a low-risk flier on the big man regardless of where he might otherwise end up.
An Eastern Conference scout didn’t think the trade that brought in Rudy Gay would go as well as it has for the Kings, telling Marc Stein of ESPN.com that the move has made the team “relevant again.”
Johan Petro announced via Twitter that he’s left the Guangsha Lions of China, so it appears he’s free to sign with any team (translation via Sportando’s Emiliano Carchia). The 27-year-old center spent each of the past eight seasons in the NBA.
The Bulls had next season in mind when they signed D.J. Augustin, but it’s unclear whether the team or the point guard will want to continue their relationship beyond 2013/14, as Sam Smith of Bulls.com writes in his latest mailbag column.
Former 11th overall pick Jerome Moiso has retired, reports L’Equipe (translation via Carchia). Moiso spent five seasons in the NBA after the Celtics drafted him in 2000. He finished last season with Piratas de Quebradillas in Puerto Rico.
Louisiana-Lafayette point guard Elfrid Payton is a fast riser in the eyes of many NBA teams, tweets Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times. Ford has the 6’4″ junior at No. 54 in his ESPN.com rankings, while Payton is No. 64 for Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.

Bulls Notes: Thibodeau, Augustin, Teague

January 15th, 2014 at 12:58pm CST by Chuck Myron

Last week’s Luol Deng trade has done nothing to worsen the relationship between Tom Thibodeau and Bulls GM Gar Forman, since the coach understands owner Jerry Reinsdorf must approve every move, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Thibodeau feels that Reinsdorf appreciates him, and the owner is usually supportive of his employees, writes Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald, so it appears as though Reinsdorf’s blessing of the trade has been key to Thibodeau’s acceptance of it. There’s more from Cowley, McGraw and other reporters on the Bulls beat here:

Thibodeau is unlikely to try to force his way out of his contract, and the fact that the Bulls gave him his first shot to be an NBA coach weighs heavily on his thinking, a source close to Thibodeau tells Cowley. On top of that, Reinsdorf wants to keep Thibodeau around, according to McGraw.
Recent signee D.J. Augustin has lived through Hurricane Katrina, so his NBA struggles don’t bother him much, and he doesn’t resent the way his tenures with the Bobcats, Pacers and Raptors ended, as he tells Sam Smith of Bulls.com. “Toronto, I really don’t know what happened there,” Augustin said. “When I signed with them I thought it would be a good opportunity. It just didn’t work out. Coming here [to Chicago], it’s been a blessing. I love being here, love the city, love coach Thibs, love my teammates.”
The Bulls recalled Marquis Teague from the D-League, the team announced. The point guard averaged 12.0 points and 4.8 assists per game in eight contests for the Iowa Energy.
Cowley writes that the Bulls “would love to nab Lance Stephenson” in free agency, but that probably represents a general observation rather than a reflection of the team’s plans for the summer.

Central Notes: Augustin, Bulls, Cavs, Thompson

December 30th, 2013 at 4:48pm CST by Zachary Links

Tonight’s look at the Central Division as the Pistons get set to take on the Wizards and the Bulls travel to Memphis to face the Grizzlies..

Mark Deeks of ShamSports.com confirms (via Twitter) that D.J. Augustin’s contract with the Bulls is fully non-guaranteed and is just a one-year deal. James Johnson’s contract with the Grizzlies is also a one-year, non-guaranteed pact worth the minimum salary.
The Cavs nearly traded for Klay Thompson on draft night in 2011, a source tells Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon-Journal. Cleveland GM Chris Grant was trying frantically to add a third top ten pick in that 2011 draft to make it happen. Former coach Byron Scott told Lloyd months later it was the night he really came to believe Grant knew what he was doing and was the right man for the job.
More from Lloyd, who adds that the Cavs talked to the Kings about a deal involving J.J. Hickson for the No. 7 pick, but the Kings ultimately dealt the pick in a different deal and the Cavs sent Hickson to the Kings after the draft for Omri Casspi and a future pick. Then the Cavs had a deal in place with the Jazz for the No. 12 pick, but the Warriors snatched Thompson at No. 11. The Jazz ultimately backed out of the deal with the Cavs and nabbed shooting guard Alec Burks.

Eastern Notes: Bulls, Waiters, Nene, Pistons

December 18th, 2013 at 12:30pm CST by Luke Adams

After losing in Indiana last Tuesday, the Heat will get another shot at the Pacers tonight, this time in Miami. As we look forward to the evening’s showdown between the only two Eastern teams that look like title contenders, let’s round up a few notes from around the conference….

The Bulls are considering their options with Marquis Teague and D.J. Augustin, and could ultimately end up trading the former or waiving the latter. If that happens, the team may re-sign the recently waived Mike James, according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today (Twitter link).
Dion Waiters moved quickly to shoot down yesterday’s report that he wanted to be traded from the Cavs to the 76ers, and Michael Kaskey-Blomain of the Philadelphia Inquirer hears from a source that the Sixers are unlikely to land Waiters anyway.
Addressing the trade rumors surrounding Waiters and Anderson Varejao, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown suggested those reports were laughable, tweets Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio.
While he has said in the past that he may retire before the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, Wizards big man Nene acknowledged in a Q&A with Grantland’s Zach Lowe that he’d be open to playing beyond that date, health permitting.
Keith Langlois of Pistons.com fields Pistons-related questions from readers in his latest mailbag, including inquiries on the futures of Greg Monroe and Rodney Stuckey in Detroit.

Eastern Notes: Irving, Rondo, Augustin, Nets

December 14th, 2013 at 6:03pm CST by Zachary Links

WIll Kyrie Irving stay or go? It’s probably too early to say considering he’s still on his rookie deal with the Cavs, but this is a fanbase that has been burned before. If the yahoo who ran on to the court with a shirt imploring Kyrie not to leave is any indication, Cleveland fans will continue biting their nails until 2016. Scott Cacciola of the New York Times looked at the road ahead for the star guard and the attention that will be around his decision (with a lower case “d”) over the next few years. More from the Eastern Conference..

Celtics coach Brad Stevens says Rajon Rondo was cleared for contact practice today but he won’t play until the New Year, tweets Jeff Goodman of ESPNBoston.com. Rondo was all over Hoops Rumors earlier this month when it was reported that Carmelo Anthony was working to woo him to New York for the summer of 2015. Both players have denied that ever happening, however.
D.J. Augustin passed on NBA interest from elsewhere to sign on with the Bulls, writes Shams Charania of RealGM. “My agent and I both felt this would be the best opportunity,” Augustin said. “I just couldn’t pass it up.”
The win-now approach of the Nets and Knicks is more about seeing who can spend the most money than actually vying for a title, writes Tomas Rios of Sports On Earth.

Bulls Sign D.J. Augustin

December 13th, 2013 at 9:58am CST by Charlie Adams

FRIDAY: The Bulls have officially signed Augustin, according to a press release from the team. I’d guess it will be a non-guaranteed pact, but terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed.

WEDNESDAY: The Bulls and D.J. Augustin have a reached a deal, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. We had heard earlier that Chicago was the clear favorite to sign the recently waived Augustin, and Wojnarowski reports that the two sides have reached an agreement, pending a Thursday morning physical.

The Raptors waived Augustin in order to make room on an overcrowded roster that came about as a result of the seven-player blockbuster that sent Rudy Gay to the Kings. The Bulls were seeking some much-needed depth in their backcourt after losing Derrick Rose to a season-ending injury. Augustin has played limited minutes this year; he’s averaging 8.2 MPG in 10 contests. Still, the four-year veteran will help supplement an ailing cast of guards in Chicago.