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Cavs Still Hope To Sign Ray Allen

September 22nd, 2014 at 8:29pm CST by Charlie Adams

The Cavs’ roster reached the training camp maximum size of 20 players when they came to terms on deal with A.J. Price this weekend, but the club’s front office is still holding out hope that it can find a way to land the heavily targeted Ray Allen, reports Jason Lloyd of the Beacon Journal. Allen is contemplating retirement, but Lloyd hears the Cavs still privately believe he’ll return to action and sign with Cleveland.

“I don’t think we’d ever give up on (Allen),” said Cleveland GM David Griffin on Monday. “Until he signs, that’s going to be a target for everybody.”

Allen, 39, is coming off his worst year statistically, but he still shot an impressive 37.5% from beyond the arc. He’s received interest from a variety of teams this summer, including the Spurs, Wizards, and Bulls. While he isn’t likely to put up numbers close to those from the prime of his career, he could still be a valuable bench piece for a Cavs team with title aspirations.

In addition to their continued pursuit of Allen, Lloyd hears Cleveland wants to bring aboard a big man to supplement their frontcourt. The team recently inked Lou Amundson to a minimum-salary deal, and Lloyd hears the the UNLV product is likely to make the opening night roster. Although Griffin said he’s optimistic about center Brendan Haywood‘s progress coming off of injury, Lloyd writes that the Cavs are still “aggressively” seeking to add another rim protector to their squad.

Just 12 of the 20 contracts on Cleveland’s books are fully guaranteed, meaning the Cavs can easily make a move to accommodate Allen or a free agent big man if they’ can strike a deal that both sides see fit. The Cavs are limited to paying any free agent no more than the minimum.

Eastern Notes: Allen, Chandler, Sixers, Celtics

September 19th, 2014 at 6:49pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Wizards have reached out to Ray Allen once again, J. Michael of CSNWashington.com reports. Washington is still waiting to get a concrete answer from Allen as to whether or not he’s returning for another season, but one possible note of encouragement is that Allen’s agent Jim Tanner hasn’t told the Wizards that they wouldn’t be a free agency option for the veteran shooting guard.

Here’s what else is happening in the Eastern Conference:

Tyson Chandler takes exception to the rumors that he was traded because he was causing chemistry issues in the Knicks locker room, Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com writes. “I did nothing but try to help the culture there the three years I was there,” Chandler said. “You can say I didn’t live up to whatever or you didn’t like the way I played or anything. But to ever question who I am and the type of leader I am in the locker room, I don’t even know where that came from. I honestly don’t know where that came from. I don’t know if Phil put that out there or who put that out there, but to me, that was the ultimate shock. And you don’t have to say that to get rid of me or to trade me. The trade is over. So to judge my character and what I’ve done, you can go look at all my teammates and ask all of my teammates in the past, and the coaches I’ve played for, and I’ve never been a problem and never had a problem. So that was a shock to me that I didn’t appreciate.”
The 2014/15 season is all about player development for the Sixers and not the won-loss record, Michael Kaskey-Blomain of Philly.com opines. This development includes their unsigned overseas talent like Dario Saric, Jordan McRae, and Vasilije Micic as well, notes Kaskey-Blomain.
The crew over at HoopsHype previews the Celtics‘ 2014/15 campaign, projecting Boston to finish 4th in the Atlantic Division, and 12th overall in the Eastern Conference.

Bulls Interested In Ray Allen

September 7th, 2014 at 4:37pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bulls are believed to be among almost a dozen teams to have contacted free agent Ray Allen and his representatives, according to Sam Smith of Bulls.com. Plenty of teams have probably reached out to the guard’s camp, but this is the first we’ve heard of Chicago putting a call into his people.

The Bulls could make sense for Allen on a few different levels. The veteran was coached by Tom Thibodeau in Boston, so there’s a pre-existing relationship between the two. Also, the Bulls are probably the only significant contender pursuing Allen who do not have a true starting two guard. Jimmy Butler is slated to start at shooting guard but Chicago might prefer to move him to the three, start Allen at shooting guard, and move Mike Dunleavy Jr. to the bench.

Allen, who pretty much has the pick of the litter amongst NBA contenders, has been in contact with a number of teams including the Cavs and Clippers. The Wizards were added to the mix with a report last week indicating that the club reached out to Allen soon after free agency got underway. J. Michael of CSNWashington.com wrote that Allen likely would be willing to accept a minimum-salary deal and Smith hears the same. Most clubs only have the minimum to work with but the Spurs are one team with the full $5.305MM mid-level exception at their disposal.

Allen is coming off of the worst season of his career statistically but he’s still a dangerous threat from the outside and could serve as a strong veteran presence for a top team. The 39-year-old averaged less than double figures for the first time with 9.6 PPG and also shot 37.5% from beyond the arc, down from ~42% the season before. Allen could come back to the hardwood in an effort to play more like his old self or he could opt to retire instead. In a poll last month, nearly 85% of you said that Allen would play in 2014/15.

Wizards Pursue Ray Allen

September 2nd, 2014 at 4:41pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Wizards made contact with Ray Allen soon after free agency began, and they’re still interested in signing the sharpshooter, reports J. Michael of CSNWashington.com. It’s nonetheless a long shot amid stiff competition from other NBA teams and Allen’s thoughts of retirement, though Allen and Wizards signee Paul Pierce are on good terms after Allen’s acrimonious departure from Boston in 2012, according to Michael.

Michael indicates that Allen likely would be willing to accept a minimum-salary deal, which is all the Wizards can offer, but the 39-year-old has publicly expressed reluctance to do so. The Cavs, the team most frequently linked to Allen this summer, can’t give him more than the minimum, either, but the Spurs have the full $5.305MM mid-level exception at their disposal, and San Antonio is among those in pursuit. The Clippers and Mavs are also reportedly in the mix, but the Jim Tanner client has repeatedly emphasized that he’s seriously considering retirement.

The Wizards don’t intend to carry a full 15-man roster come opening night, Michael writes, and that ostensibly would leave them greater flexibility to sign Allen at midseason if he were still available. Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com recently suggested that it would make sense for Allen to sit out the start of the season and sign later, though there’s been no indication that the NBA’s all-time three-point shot maker is truly thinking about that option.

And-Ones: Allen, Thabeet, Arroyo, Ingles

September 2nd, 2014 at 3:15pm CST by Chuck Myron

Only a half dozen second-round picks from this June are without deals to play in the NBA, overseas or the D-League, as our log of this year’s draft pick signings shows, and Friday looms as a key date for them. That’s the last day their NBA teams have to make a required one-year tender for the minimum salary without losing their rights to them. Such glorified training camp invitations might not be ideal for draftees who’d hoped to establish more solid footing in the NBA, but if any are at an impasse in negotiations, the deadline could be a tipping point. While we wait to see how that plays out, here’s the latest from around the league:

Ray Allen has fielded recruiting calls from LeBron James and others, as the sharpshooter tells Don Amore of The Hartford Courant, but Allen cites a desire to stay around his family as he continues to insist that there’s a strong chance he’s played his last game. “I don’t want to go into a situation where I don’t understand the coaching, don’t understand the direction of the team,” Allen said. “My family is very important in making the decision. Right now, there is nothing that I need to do. If I ultimately decide this will be it for me, I’m content with that.”
Hasheem Thabeet remains on the Sixers roster, so it appears they’ve guaranteed his salary for the coming season. Monday was the last day they could waive him without owing him his $1.25MM pay for 2014/15, as Anthony Slater of The Oklahoman confirmed. Philadelphia was reportedly likely to waive him in advance of that deadline.
NBA teams would have to buy Carlos Arroyo out of his deal with Galatasaray in Turkey to bring him stateside for this season, and while he’d consider returning to the Association, no one from the NBA has shown serious interest, as he tells HoopsHype’s David Alarcon.
The widespread NBA interest in Joe Ingles is surprising, observes David Pick of Eurobasket.com (Twitter link). The Australian small forward was having a tough time generating interest from European teams before this week’s strong FIBA World Cup showing, according to Pick.

And-Ones: Flynn, Pistons, Love

August 30th, 2014 at 10:55am CST by Eddie Scarito

Former NBA lottery pick Jonny Flynn has signed a contract with Capo d’Orlando of the Italian League, the team announced (translation by Sportando). Flynn last saw action in the NBA with the Blazers during the 2011/12 season. His career numbers are 9.2 PPG, 1.9 RPG, and 3.9 APG. His career slash line is .400/.338/.809.

Here’s more from around the league:

With Greg Monroe likely to sign his qualifying offer, the Pistons‘ frontcourt trio of Monroe, Josh Smith, and Andre Drummond will be together for another season. Coach Stan Van Gundy‘s challenge will be to figure out how to use them more effectively than they were last season, writes Perry A. Farrell of the Detroit Free Press.
Kevin Love has essentially traded places with Chris Bosh, writes Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. Love is now the third option on the Cavs, much like Bosh was alongside LeBron James and Dwyane Wade with the Heat, Winderman notes, and it’s the statistical sacrifices of the third player that determines if these star trios are successful.
With the news that the Spurs are interested in Ray Allen, Nick Borges of ESPN.com runs down the free agent market for the future Hall-of-Famer. Borges notes that if Allen is seeking a title contender and the highest salary, then San Antonio is the best option. The Spurs can offer Allen the $5.3MM non-taxpayer mid-level exception. The Clippers, Mavs, Heat, and Cavaliers can only give Allen a veteran’s minimum contract.

Spurs Interested In Ray Allen

August 30th, 2014 at 8:51am CST by Eddie Scarito

The Spurs are showing interest in signing free agent Ray Allen, Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports (Twitter link). San Antonio’s preseason roster count currently sits at 17 players, after the recent signings of Josh Davis, Bryce Cotton, and JaMychal Green. The Spurs have also expressed interest in re-signing restricted free agent Aron Baynes, and bringing in power forward Gustavo Ayon.

For his part, Allen hasn’t even decided on whether or not he wants to play for another season or to retire. “It will require a perfect storm scenario for me,” said Allen earlier this month. “I’m in great shape, and I’ll continue to be in great shape, but I don’t want to go to a situation where I don’t understand the rhythm of how a coach coaches. He has to be a great coach, a veteran coach.” The Spurs’ Gregg Popovich certainly fits that requirement.

If Allen does decide to return for his 19th season in the NBA, he’ll have no shortage of suitors. Other teams already linked to Allen are the Cavs, Clippers, and Mavericks, notes Stein (Twitter link). The Cavs would seem to be the front runners, with former teammates LeBron James, Mike Miller, and James Jones already on the roster, and Cleveland primed to make a run at the title this season.

In 18 seasons, Allen’s career averages are 18.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 3.4 APG. His career slash line is .452/.400/.894. Hoops Rumors’ Chuck Myron took a look at the free agent stock of Allen, who is a surefire Hall of Famer, and though past his prime, he can still be a valuable asset off of the bench for a contending team.

Eastern Rumors: Brown, Allen, Mahinmi

August 29th, 2014 at 9:21pm CST by Cray Allred

Derrick Rose will be coming off the bench for Team USA, but the point guard and Team USA officials have insisted his limited role and rest patterns are about team fit and precaution, not physical concerns. Bulls fans certainly hope that is the case, and that the explosive Rose won’t be limited in any way when he returns to Chicago’s starting lineup for the 2014/15 season. Here’s a look around the rest of the Eastern Conference:

Shannon Brown‘s one-year deal with the Heat is completely non-guaranteed, tweets Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders.
Although Ray Allen is receiving interest from “several teams,” the shooting guard is still unsure if he wants to return for another season, tweets Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. The Cavs have been considered a front-runner for the storied veteran’s services, although the Clippers are expected to take a run at reuniting him with former coach Doc Rivers.
Ian Mahinmi is expected to miss 2-3 months with a shoulder injury, the French national team’s doctor tweets (translation via the Indianapolis Star). Mahinmi withdrew from FIBA competition, and that timetable could cut into the Pacers’ season. Mahinmi’s status could affect Indiana’s willingness to shop starting center Roy Hibbert, although it’s worth noting that injuries can be overstated to reduce the negative reaction to a player opting not to represent their country.

And-Ones: Wolves, Martin, Allen

August 29th, 2014 at 7:36pm CST by Zachary Links

Wolves president Flip Saunders hopes the Wolves new players’ athleticism will translate into improved defense, Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press writes. Saunders said, “I’m hoping that the biggest change is going to be defensively. Always a key in your ability to guard is your athleticism. The quicker you are, the longer you are, the better chance you have to be a good defensive team.”

Here’s more from around the league:

Doc Rivers was in contact with free agent guard Ray Allen earlier this summer, and Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com (on Twitter) expects the Clippers to make a run at him again.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is still over the moon about reacquiring Tyson Chandler this summer, as NBA.com’s Jeff Caplan writes. “It was kind of surprising that we got it done, just because with that many pieces and the fact that no one finds out,” Cuban said of the trade. “I’m glad we got it done. We’re excited. He can kind of quarterback our defense, he makes everybody better defensively and he’ll make Monta [Ellis] better offensively.”
Keith Schlosser of The Knicks Blog wonders if the Knicks would welcome back Kenyon Martin. Martin gave the Knicks one of the most intimidating and physical defensive presences they’ve had in years, but he struggles to stay on the court. Even though he’s seen just 50 games of action over the last two seasons, Schlosser sees K-Mart as a player who the Knicks could call on midseason if Amar’e Stoudemire, Andrea Bargnani, or Samuel Dalembert have injury troubles of their own.

Eddie Scarito contributed to this post.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas Mulls Comeback With Cavs?

August 26th, 2014 at 11:23am CST by Chuck Myron

11:23am: Herb Rudoy, the agent for Ilgauskas, denies the rumor, telling Shams Charania of RealGM that his client is not considering a comeback (Twitter link).

9:13am: Zydrunas Ilgauskas is considering a comeback, according to Tony Rizzo of ESPN Cleveland, and Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com suggests that the Cavs would consider signing the 39-year-old at midseason. Rizzo and Windhorst made their comments Monday on Rizzo’s “The Really Big Show” on ESPN Cleveland radio (audio link; move forward to the 0:48 mark).

Rizzo hears that Ilgauskas is contemplating a return as soon as training camp, but Windhorst doesn’t think the 15-year veteran plans on coming back until after the season has begun. The defensive shortcomings that stemmed from his lack of mobility in 2010/11, his final season in the NBA, would be difficult to overcome, though he’s otherwise fit enough to play in the NBA, Windhorst suggests.

In any case, the Cavs are likely to consider an array of veterans, including free agents who didn’t sign this past summer, those bought out during the season, and players who retired, like Ilgauskas, during the season, according to Windhorst. There’s a decent chance that Ray Allen, a Cavs target for much of the summer, will be among them, Windhorst says, pointing to the possibility that Allen envisions sitting out the start of the season and signing later.

It’s likely that the 15th player the Cavs carry at the beginning of the season will be on a non-guaranteed contract “or at least be very movable,” Windhorst says, adding that there’s a distinct possibility that the Cavs will maintain flexibility with another roster spot, too. Cleveland has 10 deals known to be fully guaranteed, and presumably Shawn Marion and second-round pick Dwight Powell will have fully guaranteed salaries, too. One of their partially guaranteed contracts belongs to Anderson Varejao, but Erik Murphy, Alex Kirk, John Lucas III, Malcolm Thomas are the players seemingly in contention for the final two places on the regular season roster.

Ilgauskas spent his final season with the Heat, but he otherwise spent his entire playing career with Cleveland. He rejoined the organization after he retired, when former GM Chris Grant hired him as a special assistant within the front office. Ilgauskas was a teammate of LeBron James for eight seasons, the longest anyone ever played with the four-time MVP.