Isaiah Thomas Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Cavaliers Notes: LeBron, Lue, Love, Thomas

January 20th, 2018 at 7:58pm CST by Arthur Hill

LeBron James offered a tepid endorsement of his coach after the Cavaliers gave up 148 points in today’s loss to the Thunder. In a clip tweeted by Cleveland.com, James responds to a reporter asking whether Tyronn Lue should be fired after the team dropped to 2-6 in its last eight games.

“I would hope not, but really don’t know,” James said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen with our team. I have no idea what conversations have been going on. I’ve been trying to stay as laser sharp as I can to keep my guys ready to go out and play.”

Lue signed a five-year, $35MM extension in 2016 after leading the Cavs to their first NBA title. Firing Lue would mean swallowing a lot of money for owner Dan Gilbert, who is already committed to a massive team salary and large luxury tax payments each year. Lue has a 105-63 record since taking over for David Blatt midway through the 2015/16 season.

There’s more news out of Cleveland:

The Cavaliers have been at the center of several trade rumors, but Lue doesn’t believe a deal is necessary, relays Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. DeAndre Jordan, Lou Williams and George Hill are among the names that have recently been connected to Cleveland. “I like the group that we have,” Lue said before today’s game. “We just haven’t been healthy the whole year, have had to do some different things, but I’m just focused on coaching the guys that we have. I like our group, any further questions with that you’ll have to talk with [GM] Koby [Altman]. Sorry.”
Kevin Love‘s usage percentage has dropped significantly since Isaiah Thomas returned from a hip injury, raising the question of whether they can be effective in the same lineup, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. “Whoever has it going or whoever is open should get the basketball, so it’s really not an option thing,” Lue said. “Kevin’s been great all year and we got to continue to get him touches and continue to feature him, no matter who’s on the floor.”
The Cavs are reluctant to part with the unprotected Brooklyn pick, and ESPN’s Kevin Pelton doesn’t see anyone on the market worth trading it for. Cleveland got the selection from Boston in the Kyrie Irving deal and would like to keep it as insurance in case James leaves again in free agency. The pick is almost guaranteed to land in the lottery as the Nets are tied for seventh in our current Reverse Standings.

Cavs Notes: Thomas, Thompson, James, Lue

January 15th, 2018 at 7:30pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Isaiah Thomas has shot poorly in his last two outings and he attributes that to his ongoing recovery from his hip injury, as he told Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer and other media members. Thomas scored a combined 13 points on 5-for-26 shooting from the field against the Raptors and Timberwolves after averaging 18.0 PPG in his first two games with the Cavaliers. “I knew it was going to be like this,” the point guard said. “I have no legs. So it’s going to take some time to get it back. Even when I played well those first two games I told coach [Tyronn] Lue it didn’t feel right. It was kinda fool’s gold.” Thomas sat out Friday’s game against the Pacers.

In other developments concerning the Cavaliers:

Center Tristan Thompson is doing his best to block out trade rumors that surfaced last week, as he relayed to Joe Vardon of the Cleveland Plain Dealer and other media members. Cleveland is reportedly willing to part with Thompson in order to land DeAndre Jordan from the Clippers. “That business side, people get paid to do that stuff. I get paid to be out there on the court and compete and do my job,” Thompson said. “Guys get paid to make decisions and move pieces around. For me, seven years in the league and seeing guys get traded and just understanding the business of basketball, it doesn’t faze me at all.”
Retirement isn’t on LeBron James‘ radar screen at the moment, as he told Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. James is enjoying one of his best statistical season and says he feels “great.” “The game will let you know when it’s over with,” James told Zillgitt. “Retirement for me is like getting engaged. I didn’t know if I was ready or not. I just felt it was the time. Timing was right. The vibe was right. … I definitely never had nobody in my family play in the NBA and retire. So, we’ll see.”
Some players are grumbling about Lue’s lineups, Vardon writes in a separate piece. Those team members are wondering if Thompson should be re-inserted into the lineup on a regular basis and believe power forward Channing Frye should receive more playing time, Vardon adds. The team had lost three straight entering Monday’s marquee matchup against the Warriors.
Lue doesn’t anticipate the team making any moves before the trade deadline, Vardon relays in another notebook.

Cavs Notes: Rose, Shumpert, Thomas, Thompson

January 10th, 2018 at 2:53pm CST by Luke Adams

Neither Derrick Rose nor Iman Shumpert has appeared in a game for the Cavaliers since November, and it sounds like both players will remain sidelined for at least a little longer.

While there was an expectation that Rose may return to action for the Cavaliers during their current road trip, that won’t happen after all, head coach Tyronn Lue said today. As Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com writes, it sounds like Shumpert’s return isn’t imminent either.

“We thought he was (closer),” Lue said of Shumpert, who is recovering from a knee injury. “He had some soreness in his foot or whatever.”

As the club waits for its injured players to get healthy, here are a few more notes out of Cleveland:

The NBA announced today that it has fined Isaiah Thomas $20K for striking Andrew Wiggins above the shoulders in Monday’s game against Minnesota (link via ESPN.com).
Whlie the Cavaliers continue to be linked to DeAndre Jordan as a potential trade target, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com makes the case that the club should pass on Jordan if the Clippers insist on getting the Nets’ 2018 first-round pick in a deal.
Bill Livingston of The Plain Dealer takes a closer look at big man Tristan Thompson, exploring whether the veteran center is still a fit for the Cavs’ system and style of play.
In a roundtable, several NBA.com reporters, including David Aldridge, Shaun Powell, and John Schuhmann, examine potential fixes for the Cavaliers’ defensive problems.

Isaiah Thomas’ Best Chance At Top Deal May Be With Cavs

January 9th, 2018 at 5:52pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Isaiah Thomas will be a free agent at the end of the season and league executives tell ESPN’s Brian Windhorst that the point guard’s best chance at a lucrative deal is with the Cavaliers.

Windhorst also hears that Cleveland will have interest in retaining Thomas regardless of whether or not LeBron James returns to the team, as long as Thomas can prove he’s past the hip injury. If James bolts, the Cavs cannot simply let go of other assets just because they will no longer be serious contenders for a championship.

According to Windhorst, although the Cavs made it clear behind the scenes that the Nets’ pick was the top piece in the Kyrie Irving trade, the organization will feel some pressure to keep Thomas, as he was the best player sent to Cleveland in the deal. The scribe also notes that owner Dan Gilbert loves underdogs and players who have overcome challenges. The Cavs paid $2.4MM to buy a draft pick in 2016 in order to take Kay Felder—an undersized point guard who went to a smaller university—because of Felder’s ability to overcome challenges. Felder didn’t work out for Cleveland, but Thomas’ career fits the mold of what caught Gilbert’s eye.

Thomas is making roughly $6.3MM this season, though he spoke last summer about desiring the max. That was before he was dealt to Cleveland and before he missed significant time with his hip injury. It was reported last week that the market for his services will be difficult to predict. However, the point guard is thriving in limited minutes with his new club and signs appear to be pointing in the right direction.

The Cavs have the league’s highest payroll at approximately $134.1MM, but they hold Thomas’ full Bird rights, which means they are eligible to go well beyond the cap to make him an offer.

The point guard market could help Cleveland retain Thomas at a rate lower than the max. Players such as Kyle Lowry and George Hill found out last summer that the market for veteran floor generals was underwhelming and both point guards settled for less than they were expecting just months before.

Furthermore, most of the teams projected to have cap space for a $20MM annual offer are not expected to make a play for an expensive point guard. The Bulls like what they have in Kris Dunn. The Sixers will continue to let Ben Simmons handle the one and the Mavs just drafted Dennis Smith Jr. with the No. 9 overall pick back in June.

Windhorst names the Nets, Suns, and Pacers as possibilities, but the scribe is bearish on all three, especially Phoenix since it already traded Thomas away once.

Thomas has played in three games with Cleveland (2-1 record) so far, taking some of the offensive responsibilities off of James’ plate. The point guard is averaging 15.0 points and 3.3 assists in 19.7 minutes per contest.

Jamal Crawford Wanted To Play With Isaiah Thomas

January 8th, 2018 at 8:16pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Veteran shooting guard Jamal Crawford would have signed with the Cavaliers if their blockbuster trade with the Celtics had happened sooner, he revealed to Joe Vardon of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Crawford is close friends with Isaiah Thomas and that would have played a pivotal role in deciding where to go as a free agent last summer.

“That’s my brother,” Crawford told Vardon and other media members. “We’re past like friends or basketball relationship. … Like, we go on vacation, like it’s his family and my family. … so that would’ve had to change things.”

Cleveland wanted to sign Crawford for the veteran’s minimum but the Timberwolves offered their $4.3MM room mid-level exception. Crawford has a player option worth $4.6MM for next season.

Crawford also considered signing with the Warriors after the Clippers traded him to the Hawks. Atlanta had no intention of keeping Crawford after acquiring him in a three-team deal in July and the two sides reached a buyout agreement.

Crawford also liked the idea of joining a team on the upswing, instead of one of the reigning conference champions, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

“If I would go there and we would win a championship, I’d be like ‘OK, what’s next Jamal?’ You want to embrace that journey and I wanted to go through it with these guys,” said Crawford, referring to the Timberwolves. “There’s nothing against , like, I have the ultimate respect for the Cavs and the Warriors and all those teams. But they’re already there. I wanted to go somewhere where they can kind of build up.”

Crawford is averaging 9.7 PPG and 2.3 APG in 18.8 MPG as one of Minnesota’s key reserves.

Cavaliers Notes: Jordan, Rose, Thomas, Crowder

January 7th, 2018 at 12:04pm CST by Arthur Hill

Trading for Clippers center DeAndre Jordan might be the answer to the Cavaliers’ defensive woes, writes Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com. Although they have a 26-13 record, defense has been a problem all season for Cleveland, which is allowing 107.2 points per game and ranks 28th in the league in defensive efficiency. One of the issues is the lack of a shot blocker in the middle, which Jordan would immediately solve.

There were reports last month that the Cavs “quietly explored” the possibility of trading for Jordan, who has spent the past decade with the Clippers. He has a player option worth slightly more than $24MM for next year, and L.A. may want to get some value for him now rather than risk losing him in free agency.

Pluto notes that Tristan Thompson at $16.4MM and Channing Frye at $7.4MM would provide a workable salary match for Jordan, and said sources have told him the Clippers would “strongly consider” the deal if Cleveland includes the Nets’ unprotected first-rounder for this year’s draft. However, the Cavs don’t plan to part with that asset given LeBron James‘ uncertain future. Pluto suggests an offer of Thompson, Frye and the Cavs’ draft pick, which falls at No. 25 in our latest Reverse Standings.

There’s more today out of Cleveland:

Depth at point guard is the most valuable thing Derrick Rose will provide when he returns from his ankle injury, Pluto adds in the same story. Coach Tyronn Lue would like to reduce the minutes for Dwyane Wade, and Rose may take some of his playing time.
In just two games since returning from a hip injury, Isaiah Thomas is having a profound effect on the Cavaliers’ offense, notes Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. Thomas came off the bench Tuesday, scoring 17 points in 19 minutes, then added 19 points in 22 minutes in his first start with the team Saturday as Cleveland scored a season-high 131 points in a win at Orlando. “I’m able to push the pace a little more, get the ball out of Bron’s hands and show the defense something different that they haven’t seen all year,” Thomas said. “I think with me being out there it definitely gives us another level that we can reach.”
After being acquired as part of the Kyrie Irving trade, Jae Crowder is enjoying his surroundings with older, more accomplished teammates in Cleveland, relays Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe [subscription account].

Cavaliers Notes: Bogut, Trade Exception, Thomas, Thompson

January 6th, 2018 at 6:39pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Cavaliers aren’t interested in bringing back Andrew Bogut, who was waived by the Lakers today, tweets Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Cleveland already has 15 players on its roster and isn’t willing to open a space to take another shot at the veteran center.

Bogut signed with the Cavs in March, but suffered a fractured left tibia 58 seconds into his first game with the team and was subsequently waived. The 33-year-old appeared in 24 games for L.A., but averaged just 9 minutes per night. He is hoping to sign with a contender if he clears waivers Monday.

There’s more news out of Cleveland:

Having 15 players with guaranteed contracts makes it unlikely the Cavaliers will use a $4.8MM trade exception before it expires Monday, writes Dan McCormack of AmicoHoops. With the team already far over the salary cap, the front office doesn’t want to take on extra salary that would result in higher luxury-tax penalties. Cleveland is unlikely to hand out any 10-day contracts for the same reason, McCormack adds, with any roster moves expected to come through trades.
Isaiah Thomas is making his first start of the season tonight in Orlando, McCormack adds in a separate piece. The high-scoring guard, who was acquired from Boston in the Kyrie Irving trade, put up 17 points in 19 minutes Tuesday in his first game since recovering from a hip injury. LeBron James believes Thomas will provide an instant boost to the offense. “It definitely adds another playmaker on the floor, another shotmaker on the floor, another guy who can command a double-team, especially off pick-and-rolls,” James said.
Tristan Thompson has been criticized for his lack of production, but he is beginning to contribute again after returning from a calf injury, McCormack notes in another story. The former starting center, who has taken over Channing Frye‘s role as the first big man off the bench, is averaging eight rebounds per game over the past three contests. “I think it’s getting back into rhythm,” Thompson said. “Especially, a guy like me. My whole strength is flow of the game. You take that away for six weeks, the first couple of games back was like a training camp.”

Central Notes: Rose, Thomas, LaVine

January 6th, 2018 at 9:22am CST by marksuleymanov

Cavaliers point guard Derrick Rose could return during the team’s current five-game road trip. When he does, the former NBA Most Valuable Player will take away some playing time from veteran Dwyane Wade, head coach Tyronn Lue told reporters, including Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com.

“I think playing D Wade on a lot of back to backs has been tough for him,” Lue said. “Some games where he doesn’t feel great, but we don’t really have the extra ball handler to sit him. So when D Rose gets back, he’ll definitely help with that and help with D Wade getting his rest and being able to feel good on the floor.”

Rose, 29, has not played since he went down with an ankle injury on November 7. Shortly after the injury, Rose took an indefinite leave from the team, leading many to believe he was contemplating retirement. However, Rose has since denied he was looking to leave the NBA and expressed excitement to pursue a championship with Cleveland.

In seven games before the injury, Rose averaged 14.3 PPG, 2.6 RPG, and 1.7 APG in 26.9 minutes per game.

Check out other Central Division news and notes below:

One night after making his season debut, Isaiah Thomas was forced to sit Cleveland’s road contest against his former team, the Celtics, in Boston. The Cavaliers are being cautious with Thomas’ return from a hip injury that sidelined him for over seven months. As Sean Deveney of Sporting News writes, the difference in Cleveland’s performance without Thomas after just one night was noticeable.
Zach LaVine has made progress in his recovery from a torn ACL and the Bulls hope to set an exact return date for the two-time Dunk Contest champion next week, per USA TODAY Sports. LaVine, 22, was the Bulls’ significant acquisition as part of the offseason’s Jimmy Butler trade.

Addition Of Thomas Has Swift Impact On Cavs

January 3rd, 2018 at 6:28pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Isaiah Thomas impacts the Cavaliers in a number of ways, as Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer breaks down. Thomas adds another dimension to the starting lineup, with LeBron James and Thomas sharing playmaking duties.

“It’ll be a good balance,” coach Tyronn Lue told the assembled media. “I just think LeBron has the ball, Isaiah is going to have the ball. They just play off each other. That’s what I like. I like being able to have two ball handlers in that first unit that can create and score the basketball and also playing off Kevin [Love].”

Dwyane Wade, who has played a lot at the point this season, can return to his usual shooting guard spot with Thomas on the floor. Thomas had 17 points and three assists in his season debut Tuesday.

“He’s a scorer, and when he has the ball it allows me to be a scorer and not have to worry about being a playmaker,” Wade said. “I can be a little more aggressive, so it was fun.”

Thomas’ return is also a boon to center Tristan Thompson in pick-and-roll situations, freeing the big man to get garbage baskets. “When [Thomas] raises to shoot, bigs are trying to contest his shot and that gives T-Top a free run at the rim to get those offensive rebounds,” Lue said.

In other Thomas-related news:

Thomas may have been a high-scoring All-Star last season but he felt like he was starting his career all over again on Tuesday, as he told Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports. “I couldn’t sleep (Monday) night,” Thomas said. “This was a crucial moment for me to step foot on the floor. New team, new arena … I’ve felt like I didn’t know what to expect, what it felt like to be on an NBA court. I felt like a rookie.”
Thomas went from the last pick of the 2011 draft to one of the game’s most dynamic players, and James has a deep appreciation for Thomas’ work ethic, as he relayed to Joe Vardon of the Cleveland Plain Dealer and other writers. “What I like most about him is he has a chip on his shoulder for life,” James said. “That’s just who he is. When a guy’s got a chip on his shoulder for life he ain’t going to, he’s never going to not work hard.”

Central Notes: Oladipo, Thomas, Contracts

January 2nd, 2018 at 5:44pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Victor Oladipo will remain out of the lineup for Wednesday’s game against Milwaukee. The Pacers haven’t won a game since the shooting guard injured his knee against the Pistons last week and coach Nate McMillan understands why the team has struggled.

“He was doing a lot for us, as far as scoring and leading transition and bringing a kind of leadership role and energy that our guys feed off of,” McMillan said of Oladipo (via Jim Ayello of the Indianapolis Star. “You know, it’s not only the fans [he engerizes] with his playmaking.”

Oladipo, who’s in the first year of a four-year, $84MM deal, came to Indiana via the Paul George trade and he’s played at an All-Star level, helping the Pacers become playoff contenders. Despite losing the last four games, the franchise remains in the mix, entering the day with sole possession of the eighth seed in the conference with a record of 19-18.

Here’s more from the Central Division:

Isaiah Thomas will be a free agent at the end of the season and a front office executive tells Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer that his potential earnings are hard to predict. Some teams may overlook his hip injury while others will scratch him off their list entirely because of it. O’Connor notes that a Kyle Lowry-level three-year, $100MM deal may be Thomas’ best case scenario while the worst case would be a lucrative one-year, prove it deal.
Another executive tells O’Connor (same piece) that Thomas’ best offer could come from a team looking to use the Washington product as a short-term bridge option at the point. The executive adds that the Bulls and Mavs are franchises that fit the mold.
The Cavaliers are planning on an initial 20-to-22 minute restriction for Thomas and the “flow of his comeback” will determine the amount of court time he will receive going forward, Shams Charania of The Vertical tweets. Thomas will make his debut for Cleveland tonight against Portland.