Eric Maynor Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Sixers Considered Trading For Eric Maynor

January 7th, 2013 at 8:13pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Sixers have explored a trade for Thunder reserve point guard Eric Maynor, a source tells John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). The Sixers are expected to re-sign Maalik Wayns to a 10-day contract tomorrow after waiving him and his partially guaranteed contract yesterday, but have reportedly been seeking an upgrade at backup point guard, where Wayns and Royal Ivey have both seen time.

"We need to see if we can find maybe another guy who can come in and play pick-and-roll and do some things for us when (starter) Jrue (Holiday) is off the floor," coach Doug Collins said, as Mitchell documents. "We really take a hit when Jrue is off the floor because we don’t have the personnel to do it with the (second) unit."

Tom Moore of PhillyBurbs.com noted that Collins is also looking for a point guard who can better defend the pick-and-roll. It's not clear exactly when the Sixers looked into Maynor, or whether they continue to entertain the possibility.

Maynor played only nine games last season before tearing his ACL, and since his return this year, he has struggled to regain his role as the primary backup to Russell Westbrook, as the Thunder have been going with Reggie Jackson in that role of late. Oklahoma City passed on an extension for Maynor before the season, so he's scheduled to hit restricted free agency in the summer. For his career, the former 20th overall pick has averaged 4.3 points and 2.9 assists in 14.7 minutes per game.

Western Notes: Thunder, Lin, Dwight

December 29th, 2012 at 6:22pm CST by Ryan Raroque

HoopsWorld's Susan Bible wonders whether Thunder sophomore Reggie Jackson, with an assist from extra playing time in the D-League, has surpassed Eric Maynor to become the primary backup to Russell Westbrook. Maynor will be a restricted free agent this summer, while Jackson's rookie deal isn't up until 2015. Jackson and Maynor's respective playing time over the last three games have definitely been worth noting, as the former Boston College product has averaged 16.3 MPG to Maynor's 1.3 (including two DNP-CDs). We have more tidbits to share from the Western Conference, and you can find them below:

Jeremy Lin is becoming a better fit next to James Harden, as Royce Young of CBSSports.com observes. The Rockets have gone 7-2 in their last nine games, with Lin averaging 14.1 PPG and 6.7 APG.
The Mavericks are hoping that Dwight Howard will leave the Lakers in free agency next summer, tweets Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. As Chuck Myron outlined over the summer, signing Howard appears to be a risky strategy from a salary cap perspective, even if it's possible.
Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune provides a fuller picture of Rockets coach Kevin McHale's recent comments about Royce White.
While former Kings second round draft pick Hassan Whiteside isn't currently under contract with an NBA team, Ryan Ripley of Ridiculous Upside highlights how the 7-footer's recent performances with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the D-League has helped quell some past concerns about his play.
Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News thinks that Dan Fegan (the newly hired agent of DeMarcus Cousins) could be instrumental in forcing a trade out of Sacramento with Cousins' chance at a contract extension looming (Twitter link).

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Western Notes: Lakers Assistants, Maynor, Watson

November 25th, 2012 at 10:36pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Comcast's Ric Bucher tweets that the Lakers are expected to keep their coaching staff intact, as many of the players have personal favorites among the current assistants. A few days ago, head coach Mike D'Antoni spoke favorably of the coaches that had carried over after Mike Brown's firing, telling ESPN LA: "They're good coaches. I know almost all of them anyway. They work extremely hard. We are in a lot. I just felt like, 'They're here, they're good, why change it?" The list includes former interim-head coach Bernie Bickerstaff, Steve Clifford, Chuck Person, and most notably Eddie Jordan, who had been originally hired by Brown to install the Princeton offense. Here's the rest of what we're hearing out of the Western Conference tonight:

Darnell Mayberry of NewsOK focuses on the struggles of Eric Maynor and wonders if it will open up an opportunity for the Thunder's Reggie Jackson at back-up point guard.
Jazz point guard Earl Watson told reporters that he's been feeling more comfortable and is getting his rhythm back after returning from a seven month recovery following knee surgery (Bill Oram of the Salt Lake Tribune reports). Head coach Tyrone Corbin remains focused on limiting Watson's minutes accordingly.
In this video from CSNNW.com, Damian Lillard acknowledged that there are "multiple leaders" on the Trail Blazers when asked if he considered himself the leader of the team.
Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe writes about how the Spurs have been able to adapt to the league as their core players have gotten older.
Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times has taken notice of the Lakers' increased production from their second unit led by the emergence of Antawn Jamison.
While Kelvin Sampson and several Rockets players offered their condolences to Kevin McHale after the tragic passing of his daughter during today's practice, Jonathan Feigen of Ultimate Rockets also took note that McHale had been constantly in touch with the team over the last several weeks to check on them and offer his guidance.
Yannis Koutroupis of Hoopsworld discusses the promise that Donatas Motiejunas has been showing in the with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and writes that Rockets GM Daryl Morey has to make a decision on whether or not the rookie big man is ready to be a contributor in Houston.

Thunder Exercise Option On Reggie Jackson

October 29th, 2012 at 5:47pm CST by Michael Pina

The Thunder have excerised their third-year option on guard Reggie Jackson, according to a tweet from SI.com's Chris Mannix. Jackson was selected with the 24th pick in the 2011 draft, and averaged 3.1 PPG, 1.6 APG and 1.2 RPG in 45 games last season. The option guarantees Jackson $1.33MM for the 2013/14 season.

With the team's presumed backup point guard Eric Maynor set to become a restricted free agent after the season, Oklahoma City might be geared towards playing the more economic option (Jackson) this year.

Thunder Won’t Grant Extension To Eric Maynor

October 28th, 2012 at 12:56pm CST by Chuck Myron

Thunder GM Sam Presti said the team will not give Eric Maynor an extension, a day after trading James Harden because they couldn't reach an agreement on an extension for him, either, as Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman reports (Twitter links). Maynor, 25, will become a restricted free agent next summer, and the Thunder will have the right to match any offer he gets from another team.

Presti spoke of the point guard's value to the club and said the two sides engaged in a "positive discussion" about a deal before talks broke off. Maynor is returning this season after missing all but nine games last year with a torn right ACL. He's battled Reggie Jackson in camp for the role of primary backup to Russell Westbrook, and the rest of this season figures to serve as an audition for that role long-term. Zach Links of Hoops Rumors wrote earlier this offseason that Maynor could get an extension worth about $3.5MM per season, but talks never appeared to get serious between Maynor and the team.

The 6'3" Virginia Commonwealth product has averaged 4.5 points, 3.1 assists in 15.2 minutes per game with an 11.6 PER in his three-year career. He came to the Thunder in a trade early in his rookie season from the Jazz, who drafted him 20th overall in 2009.

Western Notes: McGee, Dirk, Biedrins, Jazz

October 12th, 2012 at 10:55pm CST by Luke Adams

Some Friday updates out of the Western Conference:

The Thunder announced a series of staff additions, they announced today. They hired Mike Wilks as a Pro Scout and Amanda Green as Basketball Operations Coordinator/Legal & Administration. They also promoted Paul Rivers to Director of Basketball Operations, Will Dawkins to Director of College Player Personnel and Brandon Barnett to Director of Minor League Operations/Pro Scout.
Also regarding the Thunder, Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman says that the backup point job in Oklahoma City is still up for grabs between Eric Maynor and Reggie Jackson. Maynor is the incumbent but is coming back from a knee injury. With James Harden sidelined with hamstring issues, Thunder coach Scott Brooks said he may experiment with both guards on the floor at the same time to gauge his backcourt flexibility.
John Reid of the Times-Picaynne puts together a lengthy but excellent feature on Austin Rivers, implying that it was Rivers' drive that resulted in him moving up draft boards before landing with the Hornets at the tenth pick.
Nuggets coach George Karl isn't about to let JaVale McGee's lucrative new contract dictate how much playing time he gives the big man, as Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post writes.
Dirk Nowitzki had his knee drained for the second time this month, and is still contemplating the possibility of undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee, according to Tim McMahon of ESPNDallas.com.
Coach Rick Carlisle expects offseason acquisition Darren Collison to "be great" for the Mavericks, writes McMahon.
SI.com's Chris Ballard examines Andris Biedrins' precipitous decline, and wonders whether the big man will be able to turn his career around. Biedrins still has two years and $18MM left on his contract with the Warriors, who no longer have the amnesty clause available.
Al Jefferson was glad to see the Jazz add a number of outside shooters via trades and free agency this offseason, writes Jody Genessy of the Deseret News.

Odds & Ends: Sullinger, Magic, Maynor, Sixers

October 8th, 2012 at 10:09pm CST by Michael Pina

Here are a few bits of news and notes from around the league.

Celtics rookie Jared Sullinger may have a body type that mirrors former Celtic forward Glen Davis, but the two players boast very different games, writes WEEI.com's Paul Flannery.
AJC.com's Chris Vivlamore writes about how Hawks point guard Jeff Teague needs to become a vocal leader this season.
NBA.com writer Josh Cohen dives into whether or not the Magic will be active at February's trade deadline.
Glen Davis says the Magic starters have great chemistry so far, writes the Orlando Sentinel's Josh Robbins.
CSNPhilly.com's John Finger asks how the Sixers are going to replace Andre Iguodala's elite perimeter defense.
CSNNW.com's Chris Haynes introduces fans to Trail Blazers big man guru Kim Hughes, a coach who should be integral to lottery pick Meyers Leonard's development.
If James Harden re-signs with the Thunder, it will signal the end of Eric Maynor's tenure with the team, according to The Oklahoman's Darnell Mayberry.

Latest On Thunder, Harden, Maynor

October 5th, 2012 at 8:32pm CST by Sean Highkin

As the October 31 deadline approaches for the Thunder and James Harden to agree to an extension, here's the latest on Harden's contract situation and other developments out of Oklahoma City:

The Oklahoman's Jenni Carlson believes that Harden and the Thunder will not agree to an extension before the deadline, citing a gap in their desired dollar amounts. If an extension is not signed, Harden will become a restricted free agent on July 1.
The Oklahoman's John Rohde examines the future of Thunder backup point guard Eric Maynor, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Rohde believes it will be difficult for the Thunder to retain both Harden and Maynor, and a productive season from Maynor may place him out of OKC's price range.
Rohde also speculates that if Harden does not sign an extension, he and Maynor could both become trade chips during the season.

Northwest Links: Blazers, Osbourne, Maynor

August 29th, 2012 at 4:49pm CST by Luke Adams

Let's round up a few afternoon links relating to a handful of Northwest Division squads….

The Trail Blazers have hired Dale Osbourne as an assistant coach, the team announced today (Twitter link). Last season, Osbourne served as the head coach for the Tulsa 66ers, the Thunder's D-League affiliate.
Speaking of the Thunder, Royce Young at DailyThunder.com takes an in-depth look at a few of the options available for Oklahoma City and Eric Maynor. Young thinks Maynor is unlikely to be extended this offseason, but says that doesn't mean the point guard won't remain part of the Thunder past this season. Our Zach Links examined Maynor as an extension candidate over the weekend.
In his latest column, Josh Cohen of OrlandoMagic.com poses three potential trade scenarios that he feel would benefit each team involved. Cohen's ideas include the Timberwolves acquiring Pau Gasol in a three-way deal with the Lakers and Hawks, and the Jazz trading for Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, and Jimmy Butler.

Extension Candidate: Eric Maynor

August 25th, 2012 at 9:18pm CST by Zachary Links

With all of the hoopla surrounding the recently-inked contract extension for Serge Ibaka and the concern over whether the Thunder will have enough left over to retain James Harden, there hasn't been much talk about a new deal for point guard Eric Maynor. The former VCU star saw his season end just nine games into the season on January 7th when he tore his ACL on a drive to the basket, so he won't be dealing from a position of strength. He also doesn't have the kind of stats that scream for a sizable multi-year deal with career averages of 4.5 PPG and 3.1 APG in just over 15 minutes per contest.

However, as John Rodhe of The Oklahoman rightfully points out, the one-guard's numbers don't tell the entire story. The 25-year-old carries himself with the maturity of a much older player and plays a decidedly conservative game, especially when juxtaposed with starter Russell Westbrook. Maynor's career assist-to-turnover ratio is 3.04-to-1, a number that Rodhe notes would have ranked seventh in the league last season.

So, how much is a young point guard with a skyhigh basketball IQ but a less-than-skyhigh stat sheet worth? That's a tricky question to answer, especially when considering the financial quandry facing the Thunder. Of course, their top priority will be to keep the 2012 Sixth Man of the Year in place for the foreseeable future. Journalists and rival executives are already wondering if Sam Presti & Co. will be able to find space for Harden as they'll be pressed up against the luxury tax threshold. Maynor obviously won't command as much as the club's big four, but a multi-year commitment for a few million per season could be an indulgence that is simply to rich for their blood.

Maynor's agent Andrew Vye is keeping mum on how talks are progressing between him and the Thunder, but we can safely assume that the club won't come to the table with a solid offer until they know what the future holds for Harden. Maynor will earn just over $2.3MM this season and Rodhe suggests that locking him up could require anywhere between $14MM and $18MM over four years. With all due respect for Maynor's skillset, it's hard to imagine a club pressing the high end of that range for a backup point guard. The Thunder can probably get a deal done with an average annual value around $3.5MM – the question is, will they instead look to save some scratch and look to build a cheaper bench for the next few seasons.