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Latest On Wizards, Randy Wittman

April 13th, 2016 at 4:45pm CST by Chuck Myron

4:45pm: Multiple Wizards players tell J. Michael of CSN Mid-Atlantic they expect the team will fire Wittman.

12:47pm: The belief is widespread in NBA coaching circles that the Wizards are poised to fire Wittman, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

9:52am: It’s unlikely the Wizards will keep Randy Wittman for next season, the last on his contract, league sources tell Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post, who adds that Wizards players believe that Wittman senses the team won’t retain him. That jibes with the general sentiment of late, with Michael Scotto of SheridanHoops reporting last week that Wittman isn’t expected to keep his job and Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com expressing that same belief in a recent appearance on WTEM-AM’s “The Tony Kornheiser Show” (audio link, scroll to 10:45; transcription via James Herbert of CBSSports.com).

Conversely, the Wizards are expected to retain team president Ernie Grunfeld, Castillo writes. Previous reports have conflicted on that matter.

Wittman’s contract calls for him to make more than $3MM per year, Castillo notes, though only an unknown portion of that is guaranteed for next season. Several people around the league wondered as the season began about the possibility that the Wizards would let Wittman’s fate hang in the balance until July so that free agent target Kevin Durant could weigh in on the decision, as The Vertical’s Chris Mannix reported for SI.com in November. That was before a disappointing season that’s appeared to dampen the chances of Durant choosing to play in his native Washington, D.C.

The season has taken a toll on the relationship between Wittman and his players, as J. Michael of CSN Mid-Atlantic recently wrote, and it’s the combination of that and the team’s subpar performance that have sparked the belief amongst the players that Wittman thinks he’s about to lose his job, according to Castillo. Wittman took the team to the second round of the playoffs the past two years, the first time that’s happened for the franchise since back-to-back trips to the Finals in 1978 and 1979, but Washington has been eliminated from contention for a postseason berth with a 40-41 record this season.

Does Wittman deserve to take the fall for the struggles of the Wizards? Leave a comment to share your thoughts.

And-Ones: Felder, Thibodeau, Neal

April 9th, 2016 at 10:47pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Kay Felder has decided to hire Mike Silverman and Brandon Grier of the Athlete Management Group and remain in the draft, tweets Shams Charania of The Vertical. The junior out of Oakland is the 47th best prospect, according to ESPN’s Chad Ford. Jonathan Givony of Draft Express ranks him as the 70th best prospect.

Here’s more from around the league:

Hornets coach Steve Clifford believes Tom Thibodeau will return to the league next season, Ian Begley of ESPN.com tweets. “I know he misses [it],” Clifford said.
Gary Neal is on track to start resuming basketball activities in June after undergoing surgery this week to repair a torn hip labrum suffered in December while he was a member of the Wizards, Marc Stein of ESPN.com relays (ESPN Now link). Neal, 31, was waived by Washington in March in order to clear a roster spot for the signing of Marcus Thornton. The point guard played well for the Wizards prior to his injury, knocking down 41.0% of his 3-point attempts as he averaged 9.8 points in 20.2 minutes per game across 40 appearances.
JaKarr Sampson has played well since signing with the Nuggets and he is focusing on improving in different areas of his game, writes Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post. “My first year in the league I was just focused on defense,” Sampson said. “Now, my offensive side is coming out and I’m making progress. It’s showing.”

Eddie Scarito contributed to this post.

2015/16 Salary Cap Update: Washington Wizards

April 9th, 2016 at 5:18pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The NBA’s salary cap for 2015/16 is set at $70MM, which is good for an 11% increase from last season, and the luxury tax line is fixed at $84.74MM. With the February 18th cutoff date for trades and the de facto deadline of March 1st for buyouts now past, we at Hoops Rumors are in the process of updating the salary cap commitments for each NBA franchise for the 2015/16 campaign. Here’s the cap breakdown for the Washington Wizards, whose regular season roster can be viewed here:

2015/16 Salary Cap= $70,000,000
2015/16 Luxury Tax Line= $84,740,000
Fully Guaranteed Salary Commitments= $84,291,562*
Remaining Cap Room= –$14,291,562
Amount Below Luxury Tax Line= $1,448,438

*Note: This amount is the $10,000 in salary paid to Jaleel Roberts, the $5,613,500 due Martell Webster, the $2,139,000 owed to Gary Neal and the $200,426 due Ryan Hollins, all of whom were waived by the team.

Cap Exceptions Available:

Mid-Level Exception= $680,329

Cash Available to Send Out In Trades= $3,400,000

Cash Available to Receive Via Trade= $3,400,000

Note: Despite the trade deadline having passed, the NBA season technically doesn’t end until June 30th. Teams are able to again make trades upon the completion of the regular season or when/if they are eliminated from the playoffs, whichever comes later. So these cash limits still apply.

The Basketball Insiders salary pages were used in the creation of this post.

Six Contracts In One Season For Ryan Hollins

April 8th, 2016 at 3:57pm CST by Chuck Myron

Ryan Hollins has lived a journeyman NBA existence, playing for nine teams in 10 NBA seasons and starting just 76 times, but he’s had a knack for staying in the league. The 31-year-old entered this season having been waived only once in his career, by the Cavs in 2012, and that was reportedly a mutual decision that led to his signing with the Celtics shortly after he cleared waivers. Circumstances changed this year, however.

When Hollins hit waivers Thursday, it was the fourth time a team released him this season. If no team claims his contract, a prorated minimum-salary deal for the rest of the season, Saturday will mark the sixth time he’s become a free agent this year since Memphis originally signed him on September 25th.

The Grizzlies and the Wizards are the only teams Hollins has played for this season, and Washington only signed Hollins to one of the six contracts he’s been on, so much of his whirlwind of movement is courtesy of the Grizzlies. That’s not just because of the injury problems in Memphis, which only became profound over the past six weeks or so.

Instead, several other factors have been at play, as we’ve detailed below as part of this timeline of the moves involving the Todd Ramasar client this season.

September 23rd — Hollins agrees to a non-guaranteed, minimum-salary deal with the Grizzlies after fielding interest from multiple other teams over the summer.
September 25th — Hollins formally signs with the Grizzlies, though the team doesn’t announce it until three days later.
October 26th — The Grizzlies waive Hollins, keeping Jarell Martin instead.
October 28th — Hollins clears waivers, becoming a free agent.
November 30th — The Wizards sign Hollins to a non-guaranteed deal for the minimum salary to replace the injured Martell Webster. The contract includes language stipulating that Hollins’ salary would become fully guaranteed if he sticks through December 27th.
December 22nd — The Wizards waive Hollins to instead sign Jarell Eddie, though they don’t announce the move until the next day.
December 24th — Hollins clears waivers, becoming a free agent and missing out on the December 27th guarantee date.
December 29th — The Grizzlies again sign Hollins to a non-guaranteed, minimum-salary contract, waiving Russ Smith to make room. Brandan Wright‘s injury had created the need for a big man like Hollins, and coach Dave Joerger asked the front office to re-sign him.
January 7th — The Grizzlies waive Hollins on the final day they could without his minimum salary becoming fully guaranteed, electing to keep James Ennis and guarantee his salary instead. Memphis signs Elliot Williams to a 10-day contract the next day.
January 9th — Hollins clears waivers, becoming a free agent.
January 21st — The Grizzlies sign Hollins to a 10-day contract, electing not to re-sign Williams on a second 10-day.
January 31st — Hollins’ 10-day contract runs to term, so he again becomes a free agent.
February 1st — The Grizzlies sign Hollins to a second 10-day contract.
February 11th — Hollins’ 10-day contract runs to term, so he again becomes a free agent. The Grizzlies carry an open roster spot into the February 18th trade deadline, filling it through a three-way trade with the Hornets and Heat in which Chris Andersen and P.J. Hairston come in and only Courtney Lee goes out.
March 2nd — The Grizzlies backtrack on a decision they made nearly a month prior to keep Ennis over Hollins, waiving Ennis and signing Hollins to a minimum-salary contract for the rest of the season. Hollins’ prorated salary is guaranteed through the end of the season.
April 7th — The Grizzlies waive Hollins again, this time to re-sign Xavier Munford. Memphis had been allowed to carry Hollins and Munford, along with others, via the hardship provision, but it doesn’t appear likely the NBA will allow the team to continue carrying extra roster spots once the playoffs began.

The RealGM transactions log was used in the creation of this post.

Reports Conflict On Ernie Grunfeld’s Job Security

April 8th, 2016 at 12:49pm CST by Chuck Myron

Conflicting reports have emerged about the job security of Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld, as two people with knowledge of the situation told J. Michael of CSN Mid-Atlantic recently that his position is safe while league sources told Michael Scotto of SheridanHoops that Grunfeld is no lock to return. The 60-year-old executive is under contract through next season, as Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post revealed this week, but people around the league have for the past few months brought up Danny Ferry‘s name as a possible replacement, according to Scotto. Thunder assistant GM Troy Weaver has also drawn mention as a potential candidate, Scotto writes.

Coach Randy Wittman‘s salary for next season is only partially guaranteed, and Scotto writes that he’s “not expected” to return. However, it doesn’t appear as though the team has made any final decision.

The Wizards are on the brink of elimination from playoff contention, three and a half games back of the eighth-place Pistons with four to play. They’re also in line to relinquish their first-round pick to the Suns as part of the Markieff Morris trade. Washington has long planned to recruit Kevin Durant, a D.C. native, in the summer ahead, but the team’s losing season has dimmed its hopes of a homecoming for the former MVP, as Scotto notes. The uncertainty surrounding the future of several soon-to-be free agents on the Wizards is one of several contributing factors to the team’s slippage this year, Castillo posits.

Ferry’s name has emerged frequently in recent months following the buyout deal that ended his tenure as GM of the Hawks, as he’s reportedly been a candidate for GM vacancies with the Nets and Sixers, in spite of the controversy regarding the racially charged remarks he read from a scouting report in 2014. Weaver has been with the Thunder since the 2008/09 season, helping build Oklahoma City into a perennial title contender.

Grunfeld is one of the NBA’s longest tenured executives, having run the Wizards front office since the 2003/04 season. Every player on the team was acquired under his watch.

Castillo: Questions About Commitment Plague Team

April 8th, 2016 at 8:59am CST by Chuck Myron

Questions about commitment dogged the Wizards this season, one in which the team’s soon-to-be free agents have known they’re essentially rentals amid plans to open cap space to chase Kevin Durant this summer, writes Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post. That plus defensive regression, a new and ill-fitting perimeter-oriented attack, the uncertain status of coach Randy Wittman, a lack of leadership and injuries combined to doom the team this season, Castillo observes.

Ernie Grunfeld Likely To Stick For Next Season

April 5th, 2016 at 12:59pm CST by Chuck Myron

It’s been a down year for the Wizards, but team president Ernie Grunfeld doesn’t appear to be going anywhere, since he’s under contract for next season, league sources revealed to Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post. The terms of Grunfeld’s pact hadn’t been clear, and it remains unknown when Grunfeld and owner Ted Leonsis included this season in the arrangement. The pressure remains on coach Randy Wittman, who’s also under contract for next season but with only a partial guarantee on his salary, and Wittman’s relationship with the team’s players has reportedly deteriorated.

Two soon-to-be free agents on the Wizards have dropped their agents to instead hire Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, as SportsBusiness Journal reports in a subscription-only piece. Ramon Sessions left Allegiant Athletic Agency’s Jared Karnes to team up with Bartelstein while Garrett Temple parted with John Hamilton of Performance Sports Management.

Beal Stands Behind Critical Comments

April 3rd, 2016 at 6:59pm CST by Arthur Hill

Bradley Beal stands behind the pointed comments he made about the Wizards‘ shortcomings following this week’s loss in Sacramento, according to Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post. Beal, a restricted free agent this summer, said his team lacks the hunger to be successful and does too much complaining. Teammate Marcin Gortat objected on Twitter, but Beal isn’t backing down. “I do not regret what I said at all,” Beal said. “I meant what I said and I said what I meant. I’m not going back on it.”

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 4/1/16

April 1st, 2016 at 9:14pm CST by Arthur Hill

Stories of unhappiness continue to emerge from Washington, and coach Randy Wittman seems most likely to pay the price. It has been a disappointing season for the Wizards, who entered tonight 10th in the Eastern Conference, three games out of a playoff spot at 36-39. With seven games remaining, they would need to leapfrog both the Pacers and Bulls just to earn a place in the postseason.

Much more was expected from a team that went 46-36 a year ago and won a playoff series. Injuries have been part of the problem, but the real reasons for the Wizards’ poor showing go much deeper, as J. Michel of CSN Mid-Atlantic details. The team is making too many poor decisions on the court, Michael writes, and there has been constant feuding between veterans and younger players. There are also charges that the backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal can be too stubborn and difficult to approach during games.

Another problem Michael addresses is communication, especially on defense where he says the team does a poor job of switching on screens. Much of the blame for that falls on Wittman, who Michael says is slow to make in-game adjustments and who has seen his authority questioned publicly several times this season.

Wittman had a dispute with Marcin Gortat in November when he criticized the center for finishing a game with just one rebound. Gortat went months without talking to his coach about the incident, and hard feelings persist between them. Michael claims they have had a “checkered” relationship since Gortat first arrived in Washington in 2013.

Wittman guided poor teams in Cleveland and Minnesota before being promoted to head coach of the Wizards midway through the 2011/12 season. His overall record in Washington is 173-197, and Washington’s back-to-back playoff appearances are the only two winning seasons of his career. He has one year remaining on his contract, but next season only carries a partial guarantee.

That brings us to the topic for tonight. Should the Wizards fire Wittman once the season is over, and who should replace him if they do? There are plenty of proven coaches on the market right now. David Blatt, Tom Thibodeau, Kevin McHale and Monty Williams all guided teams into the playoffs last season. If the Wizards believe they have a real shot at Kevin Durant in free agency, maybe former Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks should get some consideration. Or should the Wizards concentrate on the college ranks and try to duplicate the success that Billy Donovan has brought to the Thunder?

Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the topic. We look forward to what you have to say.

Suns Notes: Morris, Bogdanovic, Booker

April 1st, 2016 at 5:11pm CST by Arthur Hill

A lack of “trust” was the issue that made Markieff Morris want to leave Phoenix, relays Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic. Morris had been unhappy with the Suns since his brother Marcus Morris was traded to the Pistons last offseason. Markieff Morris finally got his wish to go elsewhere at the trade deadline when Phoenix shipped him to Washington. “I always felt free to play,” Markieff Morris said of his time with the Suns. “It was just tough to do certain things with no trust and play for people that you really don’t trust.” He refused to identify who it was that he didn’t trust but said he’s happy to be with the Wizards.

There’s more news out of Phoenix:

The Suns appear serious about adding Bogdan Bogdanovic to the team next season, according to Adam Green of ArizonaSports.com. Bogdanovic has played overseas since Phoenix selected him in the first round of the 2014 draft. He spent this season with Fenerbahce Ulker, averaging 10.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in the Euroleague. “We’re going to go meet with Bogdan after the season; he does have ways to get out of his contract with Fenerbahce and come to the NBA,” Suns GM Ryan McDonough said of the 6’6″ swingman. “We’ll present a plan for him about how we kind of envision his role with the Suns.”
Rookie Devin Booker has been the best part of another nonplayoff season in Phoenix, writes Dan Bickley of The Arizona Republic. The 13th overall pick in last year’s draft, Booker has been such a surprise that he might change the Suns’ long-term planning. Bickley speculates that Phoenix may make renewed efforts to trade point guard Eric Bledsoe or go back to a three-guard lineup. Booker remained patient as he waited for his opportunity with the Suns to arrive. “At the beginning of the season, I wasn’t playing at all,” he said. “I used that as motivation to stay in the gym, work on my game, attack what people thought were my weaknesses. … It’s unfortunate that a couple of injuries happened, but that opened up my opportunity to play. And once I got that chance, I never wanted to come off the bench or play limited minutes again. I would’ve never thought this would’ve come at such a young age. But this has always been my ultimate goal.”