Washington Wizards Rumors | Hoops Rumors

And-Ones: Bogdanovic, Pierce, Haywood

May 10th, 2015 at 9:40pm CST by Will Joseph

Bojan Bogdanovic, in an interview with Hrvoje Sliskovic of Jutarnji List, said he is happy with the Nets and does not want to be traded. A source told Robert Windrem of NetsDaily that Bogdanovic should have nothing to fear, however, saying, “He is not going anywhere.” The shooting guard was benched earlier this season by Nets coach Lionel Hollins, but seemingly responded well with a solid year. He won Rookie of the Month honors in April. Nets GM Billy King recently talked about Bogdanovic being in the team’s rotation going forward.

Here’s more from around the basketball world:

Paul Pierce, who has a player option for 2015/16 worth $5,543,725 he can opt out of this offseason, continues to prove his worth with the Wizards despite being 37, Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders writes. Pierce’s winning shot in Game 3 of an Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Hawks provided another example, Hamilton writes. “These are the moments why you have a guy like him,” Wizards head coach Randy Wittman said about the shot.
Brendan Haywood is this summer’s top trade chip in terms of shedding expiring salary, Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders writes in a list about the topic. Haywood is due to make $10,522,500 next season in the final year of his deal. Depending on their luxury-tax position, the Cavaliers can bring in a player making $13-15.5MM in salary in return for Haywood, Pincus notes. The team acquiring the veteran center would presumably cut him, Pincus adds, clearing a good chunk of money off their books. Others Pincus lists as top trade chips include: Caron Butler of the Pistons, Wilson Chandler of the Nuggets and the Nuggets‘ Ben Gordon.

Southeast Notes: Pierce, Dedmon, Williams

May 10th, 2015 at 10:14am CST by Arthur Hill

The Wizards are enjoying great dividends from their investment in Paul Pierce, according to J. Michael of CSNWashington.com. Pierce, who hit a game-winning shot against the Hawks Saturday, came to Washington last summer after free agent Trevor Ariza left for Houston. Michael notes that the Wizards were able to sign Pierce for a little more than $5MM a year over two seasons, which was about half the money and half the commitment that Ariza wanted.

There’s more this morning from the Southeast Division:

The Magic moved Dewayne Dedmon into their starting lineup March 4; now he hopes to stay there, writes Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel. Dedmon quickly became a favorite of interim coach James Borrego with his shot blocking and high-intensity style of play. He is signed through next year, although the nearly $950K he is due to make is fully non-guaranteed if he is waived by August 1st.
Consistency was the main thing Marvin Williams brought to the Hornets after signing as a free agent last summer, notes Matt Rochinski of hornets.com. Charlotte lured the North Carolina alum from the Jazz with a two-year deal worth $7MM each season. Through the first four months of the season, Williams averaged 6.7 points and 4.5 rebounds. From March 1 onward, he raised those numbers to 8.8 points and 6.7 boards. “I feel like I finished a lot stronger than I started,” he said. “Obviously with change, sometimes it takes a little while to get acclimated, but that’s an experience I had before in my career so it wasn’t terrible for me.”
With their draft status uncertain, the Heat are turning their attention toward the annual Chicago pre-draft camp, which gets under way Tuesday, according to Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel. Miami faces a 9% chance of losing its first-round pick, but that won’t be determined until the May 19th lottery. In the meantime, team president Pat Riley, GM Andy Elisburg and the scouting staff are going to get an up-close look at the top prospects, not just for the first round, but also for Miami’s second-round pick, which falls at number 40.

Eastern Notes: Thompson, Wizards, Hawkins

May 9th, 2015 at 12:45pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The connection between LeBron James and Tristan Thompson, who share Klutch Sports agent Rich Paul, could make Thompson’s pending free agency more interesting given James’ obvious influence on the Cavaliers‘ personnel decisions, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com writes. The dynamic between the three men has also helped heal the wounds in the Cavs organization that stemmed from “The Decision” James had made back in 2010 to join the Heat, McMenamin adds. Thompson can become a restricted free agent this summer provided Cleveland tenders him a qualifying offer worth $6,777,589.

Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:

Wizards coach Randy Wittman took exception during a press conference to a report that point guard John Wall clashed with the team’s medical staff over the diagnosis of his injured hand, RealGM.com relays. “I have to get this off my chest,” said Wittman. “You guys that know me know I’m completely honest with you guys. I don’t always tell you everything, but I don’t ever come out here and tell you a lie. And what was reported today by Michael Lee [of the Washington Post] was a flat-out lie about John clashing with doctors and the training staff. That’s unfair to this kid. That is so far from the truth, I’ve got to say something. Your inside source is obviously not on the inside. Our doctors are busting their [expletive] to have something like that said. That’s not right. I have to stand up for those people in there.”
As for Wall, who was diagnosed with five displaced fracture in his left hand and wrist, there isn’t much optimism that the star can return to action for the Wizards during the 2014/15 NBA playoffs, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today tweets.
UC Davis senior guard Corey Hawkins worked out for the Sixers this past week, an event which was confirmed by Hawkins himself via his Twitter account. The 6’3″ guard is the No. 97 overall prospect according to DraftExpress.

Eastern Notes: Nets, Draft, Pierce

May 7th, 2015 at 9:16pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Nets GM Billy King said that the franchise’s draft strategy would be to go for the best player available rather than to try and fill a specific need, Thomas Duffy of NetsDaily relays. “We’re not going to just target a position because we might miss on somebody else,” King said. “And I will say that we’re trying to move up in the draft. We’ll explore options to get higher. … We already know of some teams who maybe want to move their pick so we’ll be talking to them next week.” Brooklyn currently owns the No. 29 and No. 41 overall selections in June’s draft.

Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:

While the Nets have dealt away quite a few of their future draft picks, King believes there are moves he can make to offset this handicap, Duffy notes. “I think there are ways to get around [the team’s lack of future draft picks],” King said. “I’ll use my own experience for example. In Philadelphia in 2005, we didn’t have a first-round pick, but we were able to come out of the draft with Kyle Korver and Willie Green. And the next year it was Louis Williams in the second round. It’s incumbent on us, when you don’t have those picks, to be creative and come up with others ways to do it. It’s a challenge, but it’s doable… [Not having picks] doesn’t mean you can’t add quality players to your roster.”
One of the things that Paul Pierce enjoys about playing for the Wizards is the opportunity he has to mentor the team’s younger players, Ben Standig of CSNWashington.com writes. “I feel like even if it’s one year, two years, or three years I’m here, I feel like I’m going to have a relationship with these guys for a long, long time even after basketball,” Pierce said. “It seems like we connect, and I connected with the city.” The veteran forward has a player option for 2015/16 worth $5,543,725 he can opt out of this offseason.
The Bucks improved their win total from 15 during the 2013/14 campaign to 41 and a playoff berth this season. Charles F. Gardner of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel grades how the team and each individual player performed during the 2014/15 season.

Raptors Notes: Future, Casey, D-League

May 7th, 2015 at 3:00pm CST by Chuck Myron

Today’s revelation from the Wizards that John Wall has five non-displaced fractures in his left wrist and hand is tough news for Washington, but it has to sting Toronto, too. There’s no timetable for Wall’s return, but the Raptors will surely wonder what would have happened if the injury had occurred a couple weeks earlier when Toronto was playing the Wizards in the first round. Regardless, Toronto is still picking up the pieces from Washington’s four-game sweep. Here’s more from Canada:

The Raptors abandoned the idea of rebuilding when their level of play surged following the Rudy Gay trade in 2013/14, but GM Masai Ujiri acknowledged that revisiting those plans isn’t out of the question as he spoke Wednesday on TSN 1050 Radio (audio link), notes John Chick of the Score. “That’s an option,” Ujiri said. “Everything we are going to do is going to be what’s good for this organization and competing for a championship in the future.”
Ujiri also said during the radio appearance that he didn’t read anything into Kyle Lowry‘s comments about Dwane Casey in the team’s season-ending interviews, remarks which some have interpreted as backhanded praise, as Chick relays in the same piece. Still, Ujiri made it clear in that interview and one with Sportsnet 590 The FAN that he still hasn’t decided whether to bring the coach back for next season, Chick also passes along.
Casey is set to enter the final guaranteed season of his contract in 2015/16, and while the Raptors are unlikely to sign him to an extension this offseason, Toronto probably won’t fire him just yet, either, according to Sean Deveney of The Sporting News.
A one-to-one D-League affiliate for the Raptors has appeared more likely for 2016/17 than for next season, but regardless, Ujiri, in his TSN radio spot, left little doubt that securing the affiliate is a priority, as Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca tweets. “We’re busting our butt hard to get this done because this would be a huge victory for us,” Ujiri said. “Were in deep, deep talks.”

Southeast Notes: Carroll, Green, Wall

May 6th, 2015 at 4:10pm CST by Eddie Scarito

DeMarre Carroll‘s play for the Hawks this season has likely tripled the value of his next contract, Shaun Powell of NBA.com writes. But the forward’s age, 28, and his lack of a solid performance track record prior to this season could complicate the market for the unrestricted free agent, Powell adds. Interested franchises will need to determine if Carroll’s best years are ahead of him, or if he is a role-player who took advantage of the Hawks’ system, the NBA.com scribe opines. Powell also believes that the Lakers, Knicks, and Mavs will be competitors for Carroll’s services this summer.

Here’s more from the Southeast Division:

Willie Green, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, wants to return to the Magic next season, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel relays. “I feel like I still have a good maybe three or four years — who knows? — or even more,” Green said. “It’s no secret that I met with [GM] Rob [Hennigan] and I met with the coaches and stuff here, and I expressed to them that I’m definitely open to being back here in Orlando. I like the foundation that the team has. I like our young fellas, and I think I can help them on and off the floor. So if the possibility is open, then I’m definitely open to exploring it.”
Wizards point guard John Wall‘s elevated play this season is a result of a commitment to film study and a year round fitness regimen, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today notes. “It took us a year or two,” athletic trainer Rob McClanaghan said. “I was straight up with John. I can’t have him come to L.A. for four weeks and say, ‘See you next summer.’ It has to be all year. He loves the film and he loves the extra work. All the work he has put in has made him a much more confident player.“
Injuries derailed what was a promising first season with the Magic for Evan Fournier, Ken Hornack of FOX Sports Florida writes in his profile of the player. The 22-year-old was acquired last June in a deal with the Nuggets. Fournier appeared in 58 contests this season, averaging 12.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 28.6 minutes per night.

Southeast Notes: D-League, Payton, Wizards

May 4th, 2015 at 2:25pm CST by Chuck Myron

D-League president Malcolm Turner foresees two new D-League teams for 2016/17, a signal that he expects the circuit to remain at 18 teams next season, observes Adam Johnson of D-League Digest, though that may be a conservative estimate. The Hawks are once more determined to strike up a one-to-one affiliation, according to Johnson, and the Raptors are in advanced talks about an affiliate of their own, too. The league appears ready to plant teams in the southeastern United States, where there are none now, Johnson writes, and at least one more Southeast Division team has its eyes on securing a one-to-one affiliate soon, as we pass along:

The Hornets today formally announced their intention to own and operate a one-to-one affiliate by 2016/17, as Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer first reported. Conversely, the Wizards haven’t made much progress toward a one-to-one affiliate, a source tells Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post (Twitter link). The Heat and Magic already have one-to-one affiliates in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Erie, Pennsylvania, respectively.
Rookie Elfrid Payton showed a surprising level of toughness as he exceeded expectations for the Magic this season, excelling as a passer and rebounder, as Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel observes. He struggled with his shooting, though that was no shock, as Robbins details about the point guard whose rights the Magic traded for on draft night last June.
Drew Gooden was out of the league at midseason last year, and at the same time Otto Porter languished outside the rotation for the Wizards. Now, they’re key parts of a Wizards team that’s 5-0 in the playoffs, as Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post examines.

Southeast Notes: Gortat, Sessions, Wittman

May 3rd, 2015 at 10:53am CST by Arthur Hill

After an up-and-down regular season, Marcin Gortat is justifying the Wizards‘ faith in him in the playoffs, writes Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post. Last summer, Gortat received a five-year, $60MM contract that made him one of the team’s cornerstones. But the relationship began to sour around midseason when Gortat’s playing time and touches both declined. However, the team started using more small-ball lineups — a philosophy that Gortat thrived under in Phoenix — and his numbers improved, especially in the first-round sweep of the Raptors. “I mean, he is 7 feet, so we got to get him the ball whenever he’s open,” teammate Bradley Beal said of Gortat. “You got to throw it to him because he can score.”

There’s more from the Southeast Division on a playoff Sunday:

A midseason trade to the Wizards has reinvigorated Ramon Sessions, Castillo writes in a separate story. Washington sent Andre Miller to Sacramento at the deadline in exchange for Sessions in hopes of bringing a faster pace to its second unit. The Wizards have been pleasantly surprised by his shooting since the deal — 41.4% from the field and 43.9% from three-point range. Sessions admits he was playing the worst basketball of his career with the Kings, which he attributes to a back injury and a changing role on a team that had three coaches before the deal.
Wizards owner Ted Leonsis says coach Randy Wittman makes “proper use of analytics,” despite his old-school approach, Castillo writes in another story. One way that Wittman has adapted to the new thinking around the NBA is by using Paul Pierce and Drew Gooden as stretch fours in the series against the Raptors. “I didn’t really understand it, and I mean that sincerely,” Leonsis said of an ESPN report that listed the Wizards as “skeptics” when it comes to analytics. “I read it and I just said, ‘I think that’s because our coach is not driven by PR.’ ”
Jeff Teague‘s emergence as an elite defender helped the Hawks become the top seed in the East, according to KL Chouinard of nba.com. Teague limited opposing guards to just 38.4% from the field this season and 42.8% from two-point range. He is in the middle of a four-year, $32MM contract and will become an unrestricted free agent in 2017.

Southeast Notes: Carroll, Wittman, Walker

May 1st, 2015 at 3:16pm CST by Chuck Myron

Soon-to-be free agent DeMarre Carroll has benefited from Atlanta’s focus on player development and from playing almost exclusively at small forward, SB Nation’s Paul Flannery details. Some numbers suggest that Carroll, who’s exceeded the team’s expectations on his two-year deal, has been the most important player for the Hawks in their series against the Nets, Flannery points out.

“Player development is big in this league,” Carroll said. “When coaches take time to work kids on their player development, they can succeed. It’s about opportunity and player development. That’s what I believe.”

Atlanta will have Carroll’s Early Bird rights this summer, as we explained. Here’s more from around the Southeast Division:

Randy Wittman‘s job has never been in jeopardy this season, even when the Wizards lost back-to-back games to the Timberwolves and Sixers, according to J. Michael of CSNWashington.com, and the Wizards coach looked shrewd in the team’s sweep of the Raptors, as Michael details. Marc Stein of ESPN.com wrote shortly after those losses that while Wittman’s job wasn’t in immediate danger, there was increasing pressure on him and others within the organization.
Henry Walker faces a stiff challenge to remain with the Heat into next season on his non-guaranteed deal, but Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said he was an obvious choice when the team sought a midseason addition this year, as Surya Fernandez of Fox Sports Florida relays.
Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel believes the Heat should avoid their pattern of reuniting with their former players when it comes to Dorell Wright, who will become a free agent when his contract with the Blazers expires at the end of June.

Southeast Notes: Porter, Playoffs, Magic

April 26th, 2015 at 2:03pm CST by Arthur Hill

Not only is Paul Pierce hitting big shots in the Wizards‘ playoff series, his star pupil is, too, writes J. Michael of CSNWashington.com. Otto Porter made a key three-pointer in Washington’s Game 3 win Friday, and he has been an important defensive presence throughout the series. “I constantly stay in Otto’s ear pushing him, trying to get him to be the best he can be,” Pierce said. “He’s responded. He’s starting to play with a little bit more fire.” Porter is justifying the Wizards’ decision in October to exercise their third-year contract option on him.

There’s more from the Southeast Division:

Pierce isn’t the only one noticing Porter’s value, reports Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post. The Raptors see it, too, and they are saying Porter is a big reason why the Wizards own a 3-0 series lead. “He’s been the difference,” said Toronto guard Greivis Vasquez. Washington can look forward to several more years of defensive prowess from Porter. It has club options on the young forward this offseason and next, and he can become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2017.
The Magic have a chance to develop quickly if they keep their young core together, contends Jason Hall of Fox Sports Florida. He notes that Orlando had one of the youngest rosters in the NBA, and its nucleus of Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo, Tobias Harris, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic were all born after 1990. The first challenge for keeping the team together will be Harris, who will become a restricted free agent this summer.