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Southwest Notes: Motiejunas, Grizzlies, Barea

November 23rd, 2016 at 6:47pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Rockets haven’t cut ties completely with Donatas Motiejunas even though they pulled their latest contract offer today, relays Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston. Speaking to reporters before tonight’s game, coach Mike D’Antoni said he understands the business aspects of Motiejunas’ situation. He added that the Rockets are moving on without the 26-year-old power forward, but will adjust if necessary. “You always move on; we’re not waiting for him,” D’Antoni said. “You try to develop guys and develop roles, and we are doing that. At the same time, he’s that good that if things change we’ll welcome him in.”

There’s more from the Southwest Division:

  • Injuries are testing the Grizzlies‘ depth at small forward, writes Ronald Tillery of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. Chandler Parsons, who joined the team on a max contract this summer, has a bone bruise on his left knee, and backup James Ennis is suffering from a strained right calf. Both are expected to be out of action for about two weeks. Troy Daniels started tonight for Memphis, but veteran Vince Carter, undrafted free agent Troy Williams and second-year forward Jarell Martin may all see increased playing time.
  • Mavericks guard J.J. Barea is optimistic about his timetable after a severe calf strain, posts Tim MacMahon on ESPN Now. Barea was originally projected to be sidelined for two months, but he believes the recovery time will be closer to six weeks.
  • Spurs veteran guard Manu Ginobili said a less intense attitude played into his decision to return to the NBA for another season. The 39-year-old, who pondered retirement this summer before accepting San Antonio’s offer, said winning and losing used to bother him so much that he couldn’t even enjoy being in the NBA Finals. “I decided the last few years not to let a win or a loss affect my everyday life, my family’s life, and all that,” Ginobili said. “So I’m way more relaxed. I decided to come back because I feel I still enjoy it. I can still help the team. That’s it.”
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Players Who Can Veto Trades

October 4th, 2016 at 10:14am CST by Luke Adams

No-trade clauses are rare in the NBA, and they became even rarer this offseason, when several players with those clauses in their contracts either called it a career or signed new deals. Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett, who all opted for retirement, had no-trade clauses last season, and so did Dwyane Wade, who doesn’t have the same protection on his new contract with the Bulls.

Nonethless, while the list of players with explicit no-trade clauses may be dwindling, there are still several players each year who have the ability to veto trades. A player who re-signs with his previous team on a one-year contract – or a two-year contract with an option clause – is given no-trade protection, and so is a player who signs an offer sheet and has that offer matched by his previous team. Players who accept qualifying offers after their rookie deals expire can also block deals, though no restricted free agents signed their QOs this year.

Taking into account that list of criteria, here are the players who must give their consent if their teams want to trade them during the 2016/17 league year:

No-trade clauses

Players whose offer sheets were matched

Players accepting qualifying offers

  • None

Players re-signing for one year (or two years including an option)

Information from Basketball Insiders and Yahoo! Sports was used in the creation of this post.

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Southwest Notes: Ginobili, Pelicans, Grizzlies

October 3rd, 2016 at 2:54pm CST by Luke Adams

Calling it an “easy decision” to continue his career for at least one more year, Manu Ginobili admitted that the 76ers made a big push to sign him. As Fran Blinebury of NBA.com details, Ginobili praised Philadelphia head coach Brett Brown and called the Sixers’ interest “flattering,” but was happy to return to the Spurs.

“I wasn’t sure how important I was going to be for the Spurs,” Ginobili said. “Once the talks started to go one and the Spurs showed great interest and really wanted me back, of course I wanted back, too. Then I made the decision. At the beginning I was very flattered and honored because it was a coach I appreciated and respected a lot and it made me feel really well.”

Here’s more from around the Southwest division:

  • Pelicans general manager Dell Demps admitted that his team will “have to make a hard decision in the coming weeks,” with 15 guaranteed salaries on the books already and Lance Stephenson also vying for a roster spot. “The key is not going to be who’s the best player,” Demps said, per Justin Verrier of ESPN.com (Twitter link), “but the key’s going to be who’s the best player for us to be a good team.”
  • The decision on the Grizzlies‘ backup point guard will be one of the first real tests for new head coach David Fizdale, writes Ronald Tillery of The Memphis Commerical Appeal. Andrew Harrison and Wade Baldwin are battling for minutes behind Mike Conley.
  • In a conversation with Oliver Maroney of Basketball Insiders, Justin Anderson weighed in on the Mavericks‘ offseason additions, noting that Harrison Barnes has already had an impact on him and helped him improve his game.
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Spurs Notes: Ginobili, Aldridge, Williams, Parker

September 29th, 2016 at 7:50pm CST by Arthur Hill

Veteran guard Manu Ginobili continues to enjoy basketball too much to think about retirement, writes Jabari Young of The San Antonio Express-News. The 39-year-old decided in mid-July to play another season, accepting a one-year, $14MM contract from the Spurs. He remained productive last season, averaging 9.6 points, 3.1 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 58 games, then followed that up by representing Argentina in the Olympics. Ginobili says he doesn’t have a timetable for retirement, and he wasn’t influenced by Tim Duncan‘s decision to step away from the game. “Those type of decisions that define your future …  and family and all of that usually doesn’t depend on what Tim does,” said Ginobili. “I just felt like I still wanted to do it. That I can help the team. That I enjoy it. That I’m healthy. That was the main key.”

There’s more from the Spurs’ camp:

  • LaMarcus Aldridge is enjoying his reunion with new Spurs executive Monty Williams, relays Nick Moyle of The San Antonio Express-News. Williams, who joined the organization over the summer as vice president of basketball operations, was an assistant coach with the Trail Blazers when Aldridge broke into the league in 2006. They were together until Williams left to become head coach of the Pelicans in 2010. “It’s been fun,” Aldridge said. “I think he said the other day he hadn’t seen me in so many years that he didn’t realize I was bigger and play so much different. Playing him what, three times a year, that was different. But it’s kind of fun having him back around.”
  • Aldridge plans to shoot 3-pointers more frequently this season, according to Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. It was a weapon he used a lot in Portland, but nearly abandoned last year. Aldridge shot 16 3-pointers during the season and missed all of them. “Pop, after last season, told me to get back with it, so I’ll start taking that shot more this year,” Aldridge said.
  • Tony Parker‘s role continues to evolve away from scoring and more toward game management, according to Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News. The 34-year-old averaged just 11.9 points per game last season, the lowest since he was a rookie, and his scoring has dropped each of the past three years. Parker explains that he’s just doing what coach Gregg Popovich is asking of him. “It’s not going to be Tony scoring 20, 25 points every game,” Parker said. “It’s not that way anymore. I have to do it in a different way.”
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Spurs Notes: Duncan, Ginobili, Gasol, Belinelli

September 28th, 2016 at 9:02pm CST by Arthur Hill

Tim Duncan showed up at practice today, but his role with the Spurs remains undefined, according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com. Newly retired after 18 years with the team, Duncan will be used in some type of coaching or advisory capacity. Head coach Gregg Popovich said the former All-Star will be “coach of whatever he feels like,” but won’t be on the bench during games. It also hasn’t been determined whether Duncan will travel with the team on road trips. GM R.C. Buford said Duncan’s role will define itself as the season wears on, adding that the team “want[s] to let it kind of morph into its own sort of thing.” “I think he’s learning about life after playing,” Buford said. “And he can impact us in so many ways. I think we need to sit back and get a better understanding of how he feels like he wants to fit in, and what works for his family. Then, we’ll figure it out from there. But the gym feels better when he’s in it.”

There’s more news out of San Antonio:

  • Buford is grateful that Duncan and Manu Ginobili didn’t retire at the same time, relays Tom Orsborne of The San Antonio Express-News. Calling it a “lonely summer” with so much player turnover, Buford was gratified that he was able to convince Ginobili to play one more season with a $14MM contract. “To have had to replace them both at the same time would have been even more impactful than when each one decides to leave as individuals,” Buford said. “I don’t know how you judge that or gauge that other than that we know there is a transition approaching for our organization and it will be better if it’s a more managed transition than if it all happens at the same time.”
  • A year after joining the Spurs in free agency, LaMarcus Aldridge is the most tenured member of the big-man rotation, notes Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News. Not only did Duncan retire, but Boris Diaw was traded to the Jazz, Boban Marjanovich signed with the Pistons and David West left for the Warriors. Veteran shooting specialist Matt Bonner is working out in New Hampshire and hoping for another chance at the NBA. Taking their place are free agent additions Pau Gasol, David Lee and Dewayne Dedmon. “We were lucky to sign him,” Tony Parker said of Gasol. “Losing Timmy, you can’t replace a guy like that. At least we have Pau and LaMarcus. It’s going to be a great combination.”
  • Marco Belinelli is on his second team since leaving San Antonio in 2015, but the new Hornet still has fond memories of his time with the Spurs, according to Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer. “Pop is unbelievable and for sure I can say [there were] so many examples to me: Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker,” Belinelli said. “They so can make you a better basketball player and a better person.”
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Spurs Notes: Gasol, Roster Battle, Denmon, D-League

September 25th, 2016 at 11:55am CST by Arthur Hill

Pau Gasol may not be the best replacement for the retired Tim Duncan, cautions Jesse Blancarte of Basketball Insiders. In the site’s season preview of the Spurs, Blancarte notes that while Gasol remains an effective passer and all-around player, most of his scoring comes from the midrange area, where San Antonio already produces much of its offense. Gasol left the Bulls to sign a two-year, $30MM deal with the Spurs in July. Although Blancarte picks San Antonio to repeat as Southwest Division champions, he expresses concern about the age of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili and states that Kyle Anderson and Jonathon Simmons will have to be ready to take on larger roles.

There’s more news out of San Antonio:

  • The Spurs have 14 players with guaranteed contracts and a four-way battle is shaping up for the final roster spot, Eric Pincus writes in the same story. Patricio Garino, Ryan Arcidiacono, Bryn Forbes and Ryan Richards are expected to compete for the 15th position, with the D-League looming as a consolation prize.
  • San Antonio has waived its rights to Marcus Denmon, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. The Spurs made the former Missouri combo guard the 59th pick in the 2012 draft. He has spent his professional career overseas and played last season in the Turkish Basketball League.
  • An Austin Spurs tryout Saturday attracted 110 players hoping to duplicate Simmons’ unlikely path to the NBA, writes Lorne Chen of NBA.com. Simmons was a semi-pro player who was thinking about giving up basketball when he came to the 2013 tryout. He impressed coaches enough to earn a contract with the D-League team, then graduated to the NBA two seasons later. “Jonathon came from this spot and has been a part of our group ever since,” said Austin GM Andy Birdsong. “And the thing is there are many stories like his coming out of the D-League. It’s a real story. It’s one that’s tangible. And it gives the guys here a lot of hope.”
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Western Notes: Parker, Ginobili, Henry, Karl

August 17th, 2016 at 10:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

Longtime Spurs stars Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili both wrapped up their international careers with Olympic losses today in Rio de Janeiro. Parker confirmed that this afternoon’s defeat to Spain was his “last game” for the French team, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN.com. The 34-year-old Parker, whose playing time was limited during this Olympics, added that he’s “not gonna change his mind like that.”

Ginobili, 39, also acknowledged his retirement from international basketball after his Argentinian team was soundly defeated by the United States. He got more of a sendoff than he was expecting, writes Sean Deveney of The Sporting News. “It was emotional,” Ginobili said. “I didn’t want it to be. I was hoping to sneak out and go to the locker room and do what I had to do there, but everybody conspired against it. The coach put me back in to play together one last time, somebody gave me the ball and brought me back in, somebody threw me a shirt. Then my teammates — it got emotional.” Ginobili has already signed with the Spurs for next season, and Parker is under contract until 2017/18.

There’s more news tonight from the Western Conference:

  • Former Laker Xavier Henry is optimistic as he continues the long road back from a ruptured left Achilles tendon, writes Joey Ramirez of NBA.com. Henry, who was one of several NBA veterans at L.A.’s mini-camp today, spent last season with the D-League’s Santa Cruz Warriors and credits their coaching and training staffs for helping with his comeback. “I’ve been doing a lot of workouts this summer with a lot of different teams and getting feedback and seeing how I feel,” Henry said. “I’ve been feeling really good. I’m feeling blessed that I can even play basketball again.”
  • The Lakers will hire Coby Karl, son of former NBA coach George Karl, to be head coach of their D-League affiliate, tweets Shams Charania of The Vertical. Karl was an assistant with the D-League’s Westchester Knicks last season.
  • The Grizzlies have made the final two additions to new head coach David Fizdale’s staff, the team announced today. Bob Bender, who worked as a scout for the Nets last season, was hired as an assistant coach, and former Clippers and Nets shooting coach Bob Thate will fill that role in Memphis.
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Atlantic Notes: Sixers, Ginobili, Okafor, Celtics

July 22nd, 2016 at 10:32am CST by Luke Adams

As Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported last week, the Sixers aggressively pursued Manu Ginobili in free agency earlier this month, making him a contract offer that would have guaranteed him $16MM+ in year one, forcing the Spurs to significantly increase their own offer. As Ginobili tells Michael Lee of The Vertical, he didn’t simply talk to the 76ers as a negotiating ploy, since the presence of head coach Brett Brown intrigued him.

“It was not my main option. I never wanted to leave San Antonio,” Ginobili said. “But I had to listen to all the options that are there. … The fact that (the Sixers) had a great coach and a person I appreciate so much as Brett Brown, made it more appealing in the case the Spurs didn’t happen. But the Spurs happened and they always had the priority.”

As we ponder the possibility of what it looked like to see Ginobili wearing a 76ers uniform next season, here are a few more notes out of the Atlantic:

  • Expectations for the new-look Knicks are high, Derrick Rose admits in a conversation with Lang Whitaker of NBA.com. Curiously, the veteran point guard believes his team is viewed in NBA circles as a top-tier contender alongside the Warriors, telling Whitaker, “They’re saying us and Golden State are the super teams.”
  • Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer explains why it wouldn’t make a ton of sense for the Sixers to trade Jahlil Okafor to the Celtics, writing that Boston has concerns about possible character issues. As Pompey outlines, the C’s typically minimize risk by avoiding investing heavily in players with off-court question marks — as such, the 76ers would have a hard time extracting fair value in a trade.
  • On Thursday, we passed along some comments Jae Crowder made about the Celtics‘ failed pursuit of Kevin Durant. That wasn’t the only subject Crowder weighed in on during his conversation with Tom Westerholm of MassLive.com, however. The Boston forward also talked about the Eastern Conference outlook – the Cavaliers are the only team he’s worried about – and the team’s recruitment of Al Horford. As Crowder noted, Horford was also drawing interest from the Wizards as the C’s pursued him. “We beat them four times this year,” Crowder said of Washington. “You don’t want to go there.”
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And-Ones: Ginobili, Beaubois, Arcidiacono

July 14th, 2016 at 8:43pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Spurs‘ initial offer to unrestricted free agent Manu Ginobili was in the range of one-year, $3MM, but the team was forced to significantly increase its offer because of the Sixers, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reports (video link). Philadelphia offered Ginobili a two-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $16-$17MM in the first season, Wojnarowski notes. Sixers coach Brett Brown has an excellent relationship with the shooting guard dating back to his days as a Spurs assistant, the scribe adds.

Here’s more from around the league:

  • The Mavericks and unrestricted free agent point guard Rodrigue Beaubois continue to discuss a potential deal that would bring the former No. 25 overall pick back to Dallas, Marc Stein of ESPN.com relays (on Twitter). The 28-year-old last appeared in the NBA during the 2012/13 season when he played in 45 games for Dallas and averaged 4.0 points and 1.9 assists.
  • Ryan Arcidiacono‘s multiyear deal with the Spurs includes a partial guarantee for $75K this season, plus includes a number of trigger dates for further guarantees, Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops relays (Twitter link).
  • The Bulls and Mavericks have expressed interest in unrestricted free agent Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders relays (on Twitter). The forward appeared in two games for the Knicks this past season.
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Spurs Re-Sign Manu Ginobili

July 14th, 2016 at 5:41pm CST by Luke Adams

JULY 14, 5:41pm: The signing is official, the team announced via press release.

4:50pm: The Spurs and Ginobili have agreed to a one-year, $14MM deal, Shams Charania of The Vertical tweets.

1:07pm: The Spurs and Ginobili are discussing a one-year deal in the $10MM range, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein (via Twitter). Ginobili figures to be one of the last deals the Spurs make official, since they’ll have to use up their cap room, then go over the cap (using his Bird rights) to re-sign him.

JULY 7: Early in the free agency period, Manu Ginobili announced his intention to play at least one more NBA season. And despite the fact that we’ve seen multiple star players leave their longtime franchises within the past few days, Ginobili won’t follow in their footsteps. The veteran guard tweeted this morning that he’ll be “coming back to the Spurs for another season.”

While no formal contract agreement is in place yet, agent Herb Rudoy expects to finalize one soon, telling Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News that a one-year deal could be completed by Friday or Saturday. “We are very close on terms and conditions,” Rudoy said. “It just needs some tweaks.”

While a return to San Antonio is imminent for Ginobili, Rudoy tells Orsborn that he turned down a “very serious, big offer” from another club on behalf of his client. “He was committed to coming back (to the Spurs),” Rudoy said. “Those were my marching orders.”

The Spurs hold Ginobili’s Bird rights, so the team can go over the cap to give him a raise, as long as his current cap hold doesn’t need to be renounced to create additional room.

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