Transactions Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Heat Issue Qualifying Offers To Orlando Robinson, Jamal Cain

June 26th, 2023 at 3:25pm CST by Rory Maher

The Heat have issued qualifying offers to Orlando Robinson and Jamal Cain, tweets Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Robinson and Cain are on two-way contracts, so they’ll be two-way restricted free agents. However, they’ll still be eligible to sign a standard deal with a rival team (which Miami could match) or with the Heat.

Robinson went undrafted in 2022 after three seasons at Fresno State. He averaged 3.7 PPG and 4.1 RPG in 31 games (13.7 MPG) as a rookie for the Heat in 2022/23.

There was talk of converting the 7’0″ center’s two-way deal into a standard contract at one point during the season, but Miami wound up signing veterans Kevin Love and Cody Zeller to fortify its frontcourt rotation, leaving Robinson on his two-way deal.

Cain, 24, was also a rookie last year after going undrafted. He spend his first four college seasons at Marquette before finishing up at Oakland. Cain appeared in 18 games for the Heat, averaging 5.4 PPG and 2.9 RPG in 13.3 MPG.

Both Robinson and Cain will play for the Heat’s Summer League team, per Winderman.

As Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald notes (via Twitter), there’s a Thursday deadline for the Heat to extend Omer Yurtseven a qualifying offer in order to make him a restricted free agent. The young center, who was on a standard contract, appeared in just nine games last season after a major ankle injury required surgery.

Victor Oladipo also has until Thursday to pick up his $9.45MM player option, Chiang adds, though that’s almost certainly a mere formality since the veteran guard will likely miss most — if not all — of next season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in his left knee in April.

Pistons Waive R.J. Hampton

June 24th, 2023 at 4:08pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Pistons have placed R.J. Hampton on waivers, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic. The team has confirmed the move (via Twitter).

Hampton’s $1,997,238 salary for 2023/24 was non-guaranteed until July 6, so Detroit won’t owe him any further money. If he doesn’t get claimed off waivers, Hampton will become an unrestricted free agent and will be eligible to sign with any team.

The Pistons picked up the third-year shooting guard in February when he cleared waivers after being let go by the Magic. Hampton was signed to a minimum contract that was only guaranteed through the end of the season. He appeared in 21 games for Detroit, averaging 7.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 18.5 minutes per night.

Hampton, 22, was a highly touted prospect when he entered the NBA as the 24th pick in the 2020 draft. The Nuggets acquired him from Milwaukee in a draft night deal, but he lasted less than a season in Denver before being sent to Orlando at the trade deadline.

Suns, Wizards Officially Complete Bradley Beal Trade

June 24th, 2023 at 1:32pm CST by Luke Adams

The Suns and Wizards have issued press releases confirming that the Bradley Beal trade is official. Word of the agreement first broke last Sunday afternoon, with further details trickling out on Monday and Thursday.

The Wizards’ trade with the Pacers that moved Washington up from No. 8 to No. 7 in Thursday’s draft is also being folded into this transaction, making it a three-team deal. The full terms of the blockbuster deal are as follows:

Suns acquire Beal, Jordan Goodwin, and Isaiah Todd.
Wizards acquire Chris Paul; Landry Shamet; the draft rights to Bilal Coulibaly (No. 7 pick); the Suns’ second-round picks in 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2030; first-round pick swaps in 2024, 2026, 2028, and 2030; and cash (approximately $3.5MM; from Suns).
Pacers acquire the draft rights to Jarace Walker (No. 8 pick), the Suns’ 2028 second-round pick, and the Wizards’ 2029 second-round pick.

Because the Suns’ 2028 second-rounder, originally committed to the Wizards as part of the Beal trade, is being rerouted to Indiana, all three teams satisfy the NBA’s “touching” rules for three-team deals.

The Wizards have now traded away their top two leading scorers from the 2022/23 season on consecutive days, having formally finalized their deal sending Kristaps Porzingis to Boston very early on Friday morning.

Wizards owner Ted Leonsis and new president of basketball operations Michael Winger issued statements within today’s trade announcement, wishing Beal well after he spent the first 11 years of his NBA career in D.C.

“Bradley leaves a legacy and impact that will continue to be felt by those he helped during the 11 seasons we watched him develop into a cornerstone of our on-court and off-court efforts,” Leonsis said. “We appreciate and respect the place he holds in our franchise’s history and we’re proud that he established himself as a star player, community leader and family man in Washington, D.C.”

“From afar, I’ve admired Bradley as an All-NBA player and a difference-maker in his communities,” Winger said. “We were pleased to work together to find a deal that moved us closer to our goal of eventually competing for championships while getting Bradley to a place where he’ll be able to do so immediately. We wish Bradley and his entire family the best of luck in Phoenix and thank him on behalf of the organization, the fans and the city of Washington for his immeasurable contributions.”

The Suns issued a statement of their own expressing excitement about the acquisition of Beal.

“We are thrilled to welcome Bradley, Jordan and Isaiah to the Phoenix Suns as we continue to build one of the premier organizations in all of sports,” Suns owner Mat Ishbia said. “Bradley Beal is one of the best players in the NBA and brings so much to our team including incredible work ethic, great character, and the mindset of a champion. Jordan and Isaiah add talent and versatility to our roster that will continue to make this team among the league’s best. We are committed to bringing an NBA championship to Phoenix and I could not be more excited about how this organization is coming together heading into the upcoming season.”

The Wizards have already agreed to a separate trade that will send Paul on to Golden State for a package headed by Jordan Poole, but referred to Shamet within today’s press release as someone who will be a “valuable contributor to our organization,” which suggests they plan to hang onto him.

For more details on the Beal trade, you can read our original story here and our Thursday follow-up here. We also have separate full stories detailing the Wizards’ move up to No. 7 and their trade agreement with the Warriors involving Paul and Poole.

Knicks To Decline Derrick Rose’s Team Option

June 24th, 2023 at 11:53am CST by Rory Maher

The Knicks plan to decline Derrick Rose‘s $15,596,339 team option for 2023/24, reports Steve Popper of Newsday (subscriber link).

As Popper writes, Rose was beloved throughout the organization, particularly by head coach Tom Thibodeau, but his on-court role in ’22/23 was virtually non-existent after December. He appeared in just one regular season game after the calendar flipped to 2023.

Still, the Knicks valued his leadership and the way he handled being benched, and a reunion on a minimum-salary deal is still a possibility if Rose is unable to find an opportunity for more playing time, Popper adds.

New York had until midnight on Saturday to make a decision on Rose’s option, per Popper.

Overall, Rose averaged career lows in points (5.6) and minutes (12.5) per game across 27 contests. He posted a .384/.302/.917 shooting line in his limited opportunities this past season.

Fred Katz of The Athletic confirms the news (Twitter links), noting that it may not have been as obvious a decision as it might appear on the surface. As Katz previously wrote, picking up Rose’s option could have given the Knicks an opportunity to use him as a salary-matching piece in trades, but now that has been eliminated as a possibility.

The 2010/11 league MVP and former No. 1 overall pick will become an unrestricted free agent and will be able to sign with any team. He was previously linked to the Bulls and Bucks.

The Knicks project to have access to the full mid-level exception in free agency after declining Rose’s option, tweets Ian Begley of SNY.tv.

Pete Nance To Sign Exhibit 10 Contract With Cavaliers

June 24th, 2023 at 10:21am CST by Rory Maher

Pete Nance has agreed to sign an Exhibit 10 contract with the Cavaliers after going undrafted on Thursday night, sources tell Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscriber link).

As Fedor writes, Nance has ties to the organization — he’s the son of former Cavs legend Larry Nance and the younger brother of Larry Nance Jr., who spent parts of four seasons with Cleveland.

After spending four seasons with Northwestern, Nance transferred to North Carolina for his final “super senior” season in 2022/23, averaging 10.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks on .422/.320/.816 shooting in 30 games (30.1 minutes) for the Tar Heels. He had a larger offensive role with the Wildcats in ’21/22, posting 14.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 blocks on .497/.452/.768 shooting in 30 games (27.2 minutes).

Nance is expected to play for the Cavs’ Summer League squad, Fedor adds, and will be present for training camp. His Exhibit 10 contract could potentially be converted to a two-way deal, but if he’s waived by the Cavs before the 2023/24 season starts, he’ll be eligible for a bonus worth up to $75K if he spends at least 60 days with the Cleveland Charge, the team’s G League affiliate.

Spurs To Sign Charles Bediako, Setric Millner Jr.

June 23rd, 2023 at 3:59pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

The Spurs are reportedly adding two new undrafted prospects to their comprehensive haul this week.

Former Alabama center Charles Bediako will sign a one-year deal with the Spurs, agent Daniel Green informs Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). Terms of the agreement aren’t known, but it’ll likely be non-guaranteed, perhaps with Exhibit 10 language.

Ex-Toledo senior small forward Setric Millner Jr. is inking an Exhibit 10 training camp deal, sources tell Jon Chepkevich of DraftExpress (via Twitter).

Exhibit 10 contracts can be converted to two-way deals or can put a player on track to receive a bonus worth up to $75K if he’s waived before the regular season and then spends at least 60 days with his team’s G League affiliate.

During a two-year college career, the seven-foot Bediako was named to the 2023 All-SEC Tourney and SEC All-Defense teams. Across his two college seasons with the Crimson Tide, he averaged 6.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.7 BPG, 0.7 APG and 0.6 SPG during 19.3 MPG.

Millner averaged 15.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.7 APG, and 1.1 SPG during 2022/23. He was a two-time All-MAC and a 2023 All-MAC Tourney honoree. Chepkevich notes that the 6’6″ wing number among 64 seniors brought to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament this spring.

San Antonio was of course the headliner in this week’s draft, as the team had the opportunity to select a potential generational talent, French big man Victor Wembanyama, with the top pick. The Spurs also added G League Ignite guard Sidy Cissoko in the second round.

Pacers To Sign Oscar Tshiebwe To Two-Way Deal

June 23rd, 2023 at 3:08pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

The Pacers will ink undrafted Kentucky big man Oscar Tshiebwe to a two-way deal, sources inform Shams Charania of The Athletic (via Twitter).

The 6’9″ power forward/center was a consensus All-American Second Teamer with the Wildcats in 2023, but a consensus All-American First Teamer in 2022, probably his best college season.

That junior year in 2021/22, his first with Kentucky after spending his first two college seasons with West Virginia, Tshiebwe won the Kareem Abdul Jabbar Center of the Year Award and the Pete Newell Big Man Award. He was also named the SEC Player of the Year, an SEC All-Defensive Teamer, and the National College Player of the Year by a variety of organizations.

He was twice the NCAA’s rebounds leader, averaging 15.1 RPG in 2022 and 13.7 RPG in 2023, and a two-time All-SEC selection during his final two college seasons.

The 23-year-old averaged 16.5 PPG, the aforementioned 13.7 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.6 SPG, and 1.0 BPG across 32 contests in 2022/23.

Indiana also added several new young players during this week’s draft. The club acquired Houston forward Jarace Walker in the lottery and Belmont forward Ben Sheppard later in the first round. The Pacers then added G League Ignite guard Mojave King and Miami guard Isaiah Wong in the second round.

Thunder, Adam Flagler Agree To Deal

June 23rd, 2023 at 2:40pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Undrafted Baylor shooting guard Adam Flagler will sign a contract with the Thunder, sources inform Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).

After spending his first NCAA season at Presbyterian in 2018/19, Flagler became a key reserve on the NCAA title-winning Bears in 2020/21. While at Presbyterian, he was named the Big South Freshman of the Year in 2019. He was subsequently an All-Big 12 Second Team inclusion in 2021/22, and then was named an All-Big 12 First Teamer during the 2022/2023 season.

Last year, the 6’3″ swingman posted career bests of 15.6 PPG on .426/.400/.790 shooting splits. He also chipped in 4.6 APG, 2.4 RPG, and 1.2 BPG across 32 contests during his final collegiate season.

It is unclear at present what the exact nature of this contract is, though an Exhibit 10 agreement seems most likely.

Javan Johnson To Sign With Warriors

June 23rd, 2023 at 12:28pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Undrafted DePaul forward Javan Johnson has reached a contract agreement with the Warriors, Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and TNT tweets. While contract terms were not specified, it’s likely an Exhibit 10 deal.

Johnson had a winding journey through his college career. He played two seasons at Troy, sat out a season after transferring, then played one year at Iowa State.

He spent the past two seasons with the Blue Demons, though his first season with DePaul was limited to 10 games due to a hand injury. Last season, the 6’6” Johnson started 33 games and averaged 14.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG and 2.4 APG while making 41.2% of his 3-point attempts.

Assuming he’s inking an Exhibit 10 contract, Johnson could earn a $75K bonus by joining the G League Santa Cruz Warriors and spending at least 60 days with them if he’s waived by the NBA Warriors.

Hawks Signing Jarkel Joiner To Exhibit 10 Deal

June 23rd, 2023 at 12:14pm CST by Arthur Hill

Jarkel Joiner of North Carolina State will receive an Exhibit 10 contract with the Hawks, according to Jon Chepkevich of Draft Express (Twitter link).

The 24-year-old guard averaged 17.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game in his lone season with the Wolfpack after transferring from Mississippi. Joiner, a second-team All-ACC selection, is an accomplished shot creator with an aggressive approach to the game, Chepkevich adds.

Joiner will likely be with the Hawks in training camp and will get an opportunity to earn a two-way contract. If he’s waived, he can pick up a $75K bonus by spending 60 days with Atlanta’s G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks.