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Draft Updates: Ball, Nesmith, Green, Nnaji, Hornets, More

November 11th, 2020 at 11:45am CST by Luke Adams

With one week to go until the 2020 NBA draft, we’re continuing to get conflicting information on LaMelo Ball‘s outlook. Earlier this week, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony said that most front office are operating under the assumption that Ball will be the No. 1 pick. Today, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic writes that league sources have begun speculating that the Timberwolves have decided to draft Ball, assuming they keep the top selection.

However, there’s still plenty of chatter pointing in another direction. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said this week during an appearance on The Jump (video link) that many of the executives he has spoken to think Ball could slide a little on draft night. Jeremy Woo of SI.com has heard similar whispers, writing that there’s an increasing belief that Ball could fall into the 4-6 range of the draft.

As we wait to see which reports pan out, here are several more draft-related updates:

  • Vanderbilt sharpshooter Aaron Nesmith told reporters today that he has worked out for the Pelicans, Suns, Spurs, Heat, and Pistons so far, and has a workout lined up with the Celtics (Twitter link via Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington). Nesmith is considered likely to be drafted in the back half of the lottery.
  • Arizona guard Josh Green has worked out for the Nuggets, while his college teammate Zeke Nnaji has had workouts for the Nuggets, Clippers, and Jazz, according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Green’s workout with Utah and Nnaji’s workout with Miami – both mentioned by Rankin – were previously reported.
  • Count K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago (Twitter link) among those hearing more and more talk around the NBA linking the Hornets to Onyeka Okongwu. Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer previously reported that Charlotte is eyeing Okongwu, but ESPN said the team hasn’t seriously considered picking any prospects outside the top tier of Ball, James Wiseman, and Anthony Edwards.
  • ESPN draft experts Jonathan Givony, Mike Schmitz, and Kevin Pelton share their mock draft detailing which player each team in the first round should pick.
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And-Ones: Social Justice Board, Boatright, Jazz, Moore

November 9th, 2020 at 8:50pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Carmelo Anthony, Avery Bradley, Sterling Brown, Donovan Mitchell and Karl-Anthony Towns are the players chosen to serve on the league’s Social Justice Coalition Board, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania (Twitter links).

The NBA and NBPA agreed to create the group to advance equality and social justice after teams walked out of games in late August to protest a police shooting. Commissioner Adam Silver, deputy commissioner Mark Tatum and NBPA executive director Michele Roberts, as well as owners Micky Arison, Steve Ballmer, Clay Bennett, Marc Lasry and Vivek Randadive and coaches Lloyd Pierce and Doc Rivers.

We have more from around the basketball world:

  • Ryan Boatright has signed with Lithuanian club team BC Rytas Vilnius, the team tweets. Boatright, 28, played in Europe last season after spending time in the G League during the 2018/19 season. The former University of Connecticut guard also played in Italy, China and Turkey.
  • The sale price of the Jazz bodes well for the league’s franchise valuations, Bill Shea of The Athletic notes. The team, along with an arena and a couple of minor-league teams, were sold to Qualtrics founder Ryan Smith for $1.66 billion, and the league’s owners are expected to approve the sale. The valuation falls in line with expectations and doesn’t reflect any pandemic discount, Shea continues. It also reinforces the notion that team values keep going up.
  • Former Pacers forward Ben Moore has signed with South East Melbourne Phoenix of Australia’s NBL, according to the team. Moore is expected to join the club for preseason training next month. Moore, who also spent time in the Spurs organization, logged two games with Indiana during the 2017/18 season.
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Western Notes: Silas, Clippers, Caruso, Jazz

November 8th, 2020 at 7:00pm CST by JD Shaw

New Rockets coach Stephen Silas applauded the team’s diverse approach in hiring a new head coach and general manager this offseason, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle writes.

Silas is one of seven black head coaches in the NBA, joining Doc Rivers, Tyronn Lue, Lloyd Pierce, J.B. Bickerstaff, Monty Williams and Dwane Casey. Rafael Stone is one of 11 black general managers or heads of basketball operations, including the first black GM in Rockets franchise history (53 years).

“It’s gratifying to be in this situation with Rafael and the organization,” Silas said. “The organization, it starts with [owner] Tilman [Fertitta]. For Tilman to, I wouldn’t say think outside the box, but to have that commitment to the best man for the job is great. That’s how it needs to be around the league as a whole.

“We don’t want to have a leg up. We just want to be on an even playing field. In this organization, that’s what it is.”

There’s more out of the Western Conference tonight:

  • Jovan Buha of The Athletic examines a number of topics related to the Clippers in his latest mailbag, including the team’s upcoming free agency and various trade options. Los Angeles disappointed its fanbase by losing a seven-game series to the Nuggets in the second round of the playoffs this year, failing to reach the conference finals despite having stars such as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
  • Lakers swingman Alex Caruso considered playing in Europe after going undrafted in 2016, he said on the JJ Redick Podcast (as relayed by Sportando). Caruso would wind up joining the Sixers for summer league, later playing for the Oklahoma City Blue — G League affiliate of the Thunder. He played an integral role in helping the Lakers win their first championship since 2010 last month.
  • Sarah Todd of The Deseret News explores what the Jazz are looking for this offseason. Utah played without Bojan Bogdanovic during the Orlando restart, losing 4-3 to the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. “Going from good to great is hard,” general manager Justin Zanik admitted at the time, as relayed by Todd.
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Lowe: Rival Execs Think Mavs Could Be Suitor For Gobert

November 5th, 2020 at 3:51pm CST by Luke Adams
  • Rival executives have pitched the idea of the Mavericks acquiring Rudy Gobert from the Jazz, but Lowe is skeptical there will be a match there and believes Dallas will have a tough time acquiring a third star via trade this offseason.

    [SOURCE LINK]
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Northwest Notes: Jazz, Timberwolves, Nuggets

November 3rd, 2020 at 3:00pm CST by Luke Adams

The sale agreement that will transfer controlling interest of the Jazz from the Miller family to Ryan Smith is a “seismic change” for the franchise, writes Tony Jones of The Athletic. However, it remains to be seen whether the average fan will notice the impact of the change in team ownership.

As Jones points out, the coming offseason will be a good early test to see how Smith intends to run the team. Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert are both eligible for extensions, while Jordan Clarkson is a free agent and the Jazz would also like to fortify their roster with another solid rotation player, if possible.

Re-signing Clarkson and using the mid-level exception on an outside free agent may put Utah into tax territory, which is something the Miller family generally avoided — but if the Jazz are willing to go into the tax in Smith’s first year at the helm, it would bode well for his willingness to spend going forward.

Here’s more from around the Northwest:

  • The sale price for the Jazz ($1.66 billion) should be encouraging to Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, who is exploring the sale of his own franchise. However, as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst observes in an appearance on Darren Wolfson The Scoop podcast (audio clip), Taylor hasn’t wavered from his stance that any buyer must keep the team in Minnesota, which will limit his ability to maximize the value of the team in any sale.
  • The Timberwolves finished the 2019/20 season just slightly over the tax line as a result of their deadline trade, a source confirms to Dane Moore of News Talk 830 WCCO (Twitter link). However, as Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic tweets, president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas is confident the team will stay out of the tax in 2020/21, reducing the likelihood of repeater penalties down the road.
  • The Nuggets are fairly set at point guard with Jamal Murray and Monte Morris under contract, but they shouldn’t rule out the possibility of drafting another one at No. 22 if certain prospect – such as Cole Anthony – are still on the board, writes Mike Singer of The Denver Post.
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Examining Nine Big Men Kings Should Consider Drafting

November 1st, 2020 at 6:58pm CST by JD Shaw

Former Jazz owner Gail Miller discussed her decision to sell the franchise last week in an exclusive interview with Doug Robinson of the Deseret News, explaining why she made the move, what the future holds for her family and more.

Jazz sponsor and Utah native Ryan Smith ultimately purchased the organization for $1.66 billion, assuring the team would remain in Utah for years to come.

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Excitement Building For Smith; Gail Miller To Retain Ownership Stake

October 28th, 2020 at 9:04pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum
  • Having agreed to sell controlling interest in the Jazz to Qualtrics founder Ryan Smith, former majority owner Gail Miller will retain a 20% stake in the franchise, Tony Jones of The Athletic tweets.
  • Though the Jazz will miss the Miller family, who owned the team for 35 years, an excitement is building for young new Jazz owner Ryan Smith, according to Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune. Larsen writes that Smith is considered more willing to spend than the Miller clan has been over the decades, which could help Utah weather the storm of financial uncertainty caused by COVID-19 complications that are expected to restrict revenues in the 2020/21 season.
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Miller Family To Sell Utah Jazz To Ryan Smith

October 28th, 2020 at 10:35am CST by Arthur Hill

After owning the Jazz for 35 years, the Miller family has reached an agreement to sell the team to Qualtrics founder Ryan Smith, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The purchase price will be $1.66 billion, according to Scott Soshnick of Sportico.

The Jazz confirmed the agreement in a press release on their website. The deal will include Vivint Arena, the G League Salt Lake City Stars, and management of the Salt Lake City Bees, a Triple-A baseball team.

“I have known Ryan for several years and admire the values by which he and his wife Ashley live their lives,” said Gail Miller, owner and chair of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies (LHM Group). “They have such love for and a connection to Utah and this team. Because of our friendship and several high-level conversations over the years, Ryan recently approached our organization to inquire about the possibility of purchasing the Utah Jazz and some of our other sports and entertainment properties.

“After much soul searching, lengthy discussions and extensive evaluations of our long-term goals, my family and I decided this was the right time to pass our responsibility and cherished stewardship of 35 years to Ryan and Ashley, who share our values and are committed to keeping the team in Utah. We have every confidence they will continue the work we have undertaken and move the team to the next level. Our family remains invested in the success of the Utah Jazz and these businesses, and we will retain a minority interest.”

As the creator of Qualtrics, Smith has been a corporate partner of the Jazz for a long time. He was the co-creator of the team’s “5 For The Fight” jersey patch, which has brought in more than $25MM in charitable donations in the past three years. Smith founded the Provo, Utah-based a subscription software company in 2002 and sold it in 2019 for a reported $8 billion.

“The Miller family has had an unbelievable impact on countless people through the Utah Jazz and the other organizations they run,” Smith said. “We all owe a great debt to the Miller family for the amazing stewardship they have had over this asset for the past 35 years. My wife and I are absolutely humbled and excited about the opportunity to take the team forward far into the future – especially with the greatest fans in the NBA. The Utah Jazz, the state of Utah, and its capital city are the beneficiaries of the Millers’ tremendous love, generosity and investment. We look forward to building upon their lifelong work.”

Larry and Gail Miller originally bought a 50% stake in the Jazz in 1985 for just $8MM, then bought the other half a year later for $14MM, according to The Associated Press.

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