Hoops Rumors Features
Hoops Rumors passes along the latest news and rumors on NBA player movement 365 days a year, but those aren't the only updates you'll see on the site. On our right sidebar, you'll find a number of additional features and featured posts. Here's a rundown of a few of the features we've introduced so far:
- Along with our list of current free agents, we also have up-to-date free agent lists for both this summer and next summer.
- Our tentative draft order for June 2012 is updated every morning to reflect the results of the previous night's games.
- Using our 10-day contract tracker, you can find any 10-day contract signed since 2007, sorting by player, team, year, and other variables.
- Our list of outstanding traded player exceptions is updated whenever a trade exception is used or expires.
- Every NBA player assigned or recalled from the D-League this season can be found in our comprehensive list.
- For a simple explanation of the different kinds of salary cap exceptions available to over-the-cap teams, check out our primer.
- Zach Links rounds up the best of the blogosphere every Saturday in his weekly Hoops Links feature.
- As we approach the June draft and July's free agency period, we'll be taking a closer look at players who will be entering the draft or becoming free agents this summer, with Prospect Profile and Free Agent Stock Watch pieces.
- Be sure to check out the Featured Posts section as well for more original pieces from Hoops Rumors' writing team. Recently, we explained postseason eligibility for late-season additions, discussed how NCAA success translates to the NBA, and broke down this year's deadline trades financially.
The Cavaliers And The Salary Cap
It was confirmed over the weekend that the Cavaliers renounced their free agents rights to Wally Szczerbiak, eliminating his cap hold from their books. Although Szczerbiak hasn't played for the Cavs (or anyone else) since 2008/09, his presence still loomed large when it came to Cleveland's salary cap situation.
A cap hold is a hypothetical figure for free agents that have yet to sign with any club. Cap holds are added to current-player salaries, essentially to prevent teams from using cap room to sign free agents, then using Bird rights to re-sign their own free agents. Since a team doesn't actually have to pay out the amount of its cap holds, the figures are only used for cap purposes, not luxury tax purposes.
Because Szczerbiak's salary was so high in his final season, the amount of his cap hold was a staggering $18MM+. Knowing they weren't going to bring him back, the Cavaliers could have renounced their rights to Szczerbiak at any time. By doing so, however, they risked losing the flexibility that being an over-the-cap team provides. Any cap exceptions the Cavs held, such as the mid-level exception, the bi-annual exception, and traded player exceptions, would have been lost if the team's total salaries fell too far below the cap.
So why did the Cavs renounce Szczerbiak when they did? GM Chris Grant and the team haven't definitively made that clear, but we can take a few guesses.
The move happened on March 16th, immediately after the Cavs traded away Ramon Sessions and before they signed Donald Sloan and Manny Harris to multiyear deals. None of those moves should have impacted the cap situation much — while the Cavs gained some future cost certainty by moving Sessions and his 2012/13 player option, they added $6MM+ in salary to next year's cap by taking on Luke Walton in the trade. And Sloan and Harris are assumed to have signed minimum-salary contracts, so the team shouldn't have needed to clear any cap room to add either player.
It appears the timing of renouncing Szczerbiak just reflects the Cavs getting ready for the summer, since the club seems unlikely to use its newfound cap space this season. With big long-term contracts like Antawn Jamison's and Baron Davis' on their books heading into 2011/12, the Cavs never had a chance to gain much cap room, even by renouncing Szczerbiak. But with Jamison's contract expiring and Davis having been amnestied, the Cavs will head into the summer with only about $28.5MM in guaranteed money on next year's cap. That's not to say Cleveland will have nearly $30MM in cap space — the team will need to sign a pair of first-round picks on rookie contracts, and new cap holds wil chew up some more of the cap. But the Cavs should still have plenty of cap room to pursue and sign free agents, a flexibility they haven't had in years.
Joey Dorsey Drawing Interest From Rockets
After Joey Dorsey's Olympiacos squad advanced to the Final Four in the Euroleague postseason, the former Memphis Tiger took the opportunity to discuss his future. The original story from Superbasket is in Greek, but Sportando provides a translation of some of Dorsey's more interesting comments:
"It would be nice to continue here," Dorsey said. "There are several NBA teams that are already interested in me and watched me live. But I feel my priority is Olympiacos. I am a sentimental guy. I will talk with Olympiacos before anyone else. In Toronto I used to play 13-14 minutes per game — here I feel I am much more important for the team. The Rockets came to see me recently. They believe in me and they show it. We talk a lot and I think in the summer they will make me an offer."
Dorsey, 28, was a second-round pick in the 2008 draft, spending time with the Rockets, Kings, and Raptors over the next three years. He played 43 of his 61 career games with Toronto in 2010/11, before heading overseas for this season.
Atlantic Notes: Celtics, Sixers, Knicks
The Celtics have ridden a five-game winning streak to the top of the Atlantic Division. With the Sixers trailing just one game behind as well as having an easier schedule moving forward, Boston will have to remain sharp in order to head into the playoffs with home court advantage and avoid meeting the Heat or Bulls in the first round. The upcoming week will pit the Celtics against Chicago, San Antonio, and Miami, whereas the Sixers have Miami, Toronto, and Orlando before the two division rivals meet a week from tonight.
- Doc Rivers believes that his team is still trending up at this point in the season. Peter May of ESPN Boston takes a closer look at his mindset.
- Doug Collins looked to Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand to provide more leadership after the Sixers appeared at a low point after dropping a game to the Wizards last week. Bob Cooney of Philly.com caught up with Collins after the team had responded with a victory against Atlanta.
- The injury-riddled Knicks face an uphill battle for the remaining 13 games of the season, but the team isn't making any excuses, writes Al Iannazonne of Newsday.
Draft Updates: Melo, Sullinger, Ross, Moser
We'll post today's draft-related updates here:
- Fab Melo has signed with agent Arn Tellem, which basically nixes a return to Syracuse next year (tweets Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress).
- Jared Sullinger appears undecided about whether or not to return to Ohio State next year, says Doug Lesmerises of The Plain Dealer.
- Jeff Borzello of CBSsports.com reports that Washington sophomore Terrence Ross plans to hire an agent and will declare for the NBA draft.
- According to Matt Youmans of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, forward Mike Moser will return to UNLV for his sophomore season instead of committing to the NBA draft.
- Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog.com writes that high-school star Nerlens Noel is still undecided on where he will commit to for next year. His list is down to Georgetown, Kentucky, and Syracuse. Noel could possibly be among the headliners for the 2013 NBA draft.
Odds & Ends: Rose, Perkins, Smith
One interesting note about NCAA championship as it relates to the upcoming draft: The last time the winner had a player that would subsequently go on to become that year's number one pick was in 1988, when Danny Manning of the Kansas Jayhawks was selected first overall by the Clippers. With a win tomorrow, Kentucky's Anthony Davis (currently projected to go first among several draft boards) could have a chance at ending the 23-year streak.
Should Kentucky lose, Davis could join Derrick Rose, Greg Oden, Elton Brand, and Chris Webber as number one picks who had been on the runner-up team that season. With less than 24 hours until tip-off, here are a few interesting notes to think about from the basketball news wire:
- As per Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times, Derrick Rose's injury could be worse than initially thought.
- Kendrick Perkins' has had a profound impact on Russell Westbrook this season and can be credited for the young guard's further emergence as a special player, writes Darnell Mayberry of NewsOK.
- In an exclusive interview with Raul Barrigon of HoopsHype.com, Kenny Smith indicated that he feels he'll "inevitably be coaching someday."
- Tom Reed of The Plain Dealer provides a more in-depth look at Donald Sloan, the Cavaliers reserve guard who has begun to find minutes under Byron Scott.
- According to Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel, Bucks forward Mike Dunleavy Jr. believes that teammates' trust in each other will be key in Milwaukee's pursuit of New York for the eight and final playoff spot.
- Mavericks guard Jason Terry is alarmed by Dallas' habit of falling behind in the third quarter, only to rally in the fourth but come up short, writes Dwain Price of the Star-Telegram.
- The Toronto Sun's Richard Zussman gives a primer for tomorrow's NCAA Title game and what to expect.
Mike James Has Interest In Knicks
Ian Begley of ESPN New York writes that guard Mike James would welcome a chance to play for the Knicks, according to James' agent Brian Lee. New York is currently at the maximum roster limit and would have to waive a player in order to make room for Mike, which is why Lee isn't expecting a call from the team.
The Amityville product signed a nonguaranteed contract and two 10-day deals with the Bulls this season, and put up a notable 16 points and seven assists in 23 minutes before fouling out in a loss to the Nets on February 18th.
Week In Review: 3/26/12 – 4/1/12
- Sixers guard Louis Williams discussed his 2012/13 option.
- Earl Boykins agreed to a 10-day contract with the Rockets.
- Alan Anderson was signed by the Raptors to a 10-day contract.
- College basketball's Austin Rivers of Duke declared for the NBA draft.
- Clippers owner Donald Sterling voiced his support for head coach Vinny Del Negro.
- Ben Uzoh was signed by the Raptors to a 10-day contract.
- The Spurs signed Patrick Mills.
- The Rockets signed Malcolm Thomas to a 10-day contract. They also announced that Courtney Fortson would be signed for the rest of the season.
- Jerryd Bayless will miss the remainder of the season because of a torn left oblique muscle.
- Dominic McGuire spoke about his desire to stay with the Warriors beyond this season.
- NBA commissioner David Stern shared a few thoughts on the CBA, Seattle, replay during the game, and the NCAA.
- We noted some injury updates for Amare Stoudemire, Richard Hamilton, and Eric Gordon.
- The Wizards signed Cartier Martin to a 10-day contract.
- Kirk Hinrich, an unrestricted free agent this summer, says he wouldn't mind a return to the Bulls.
- Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley closed talks with billionaire Larry Ellison regarding the sale of the team.
- Steve Nash discussed his impending free agency.
- Paul Allen denied that he was entertaining offers for the sale of the Trail Blazers.
- North Carolina's Harrison Barnes, John Henson, and Kendall Marshall declared for the NBA draft.
- Jason Terry says that he would be interested in joining the Heat as a free agent.
- The Cavaliers signed Lester Hudson to a 10-day contract.
- The Nets signed Dennis Horner to a 10-day contract.
- Rasheed Wallace is unlikely to play this season.
- The Kings signed Terrence Williams for the remainder of the season.
- Fresh off of a championship run in the Chinese Basketball Association, Stephon Marbury says that he has no interest in joining the Knicks.
- The Warriors signed Mickell Gladness for the rest of the season.
Michael Jordan Remains Committed To Bobcats
Nearly a day after we heard a report that Bobcats owner Michael Jordan was contemplating selling the team, Jordan issued a statement which denied that notion (via The New York Times):
"I was disturbed to hear the false report that I intend to sell my majority interest in the Charlotte Bobcats. I am 100 percent committed to building the Bobcats into a contender and have no plans to sell the team."
At seven wins and 43 losses, the Bobcats remain the only team in the NBA that has not reached the 10-win mark this season. They are currently on pace to have their lowest season winning percentage since being introduced to the NBA during the 2004/05 season.
Odds & Ends: Bulls, Davis, Pistons, Spurs
The Bulls are doing battle with the Thunder today in another possible Finals match-up. Chicago is once again without their best player, Derrick Rose. In an Insider piece on ESPN.com, Basketball-Reference's Neil Paine explains that despite the team experiencing recent success without Rose, they have no chance at winning a title if he doesn't play.
- Tim Griffin from Spurs Nation has a piece on San Antonio's probable decision to change their lineups as the playoffs grow near.
- ESPNNY.com's Ian Begley writes about the importance of Baron Davis now that Jeremy Lin will have knee surgery.
- Vincent Goodwill from The Detroit News thinks Joe Dumars needs to take the Pistons in a new direction.
- Since Ray Allen went down with an ankle injury, and Mickael Pietrus suffered a concussion, Avery Bradley's insertion in Boston's starting lineup has been a revelation for the team's playoff chances, writes The Sporting News' Sean Deveney.
- CSNNW.com's Chris Haynes poses an interesting question regarding a difficult decision Portland might have this offseason. With both J.J. Hickson and Nicolas Batum being restricted free agents, which one should the team set as a priority for keeping? For reference, here's a look at our list of 2012/13 free agents.
- The Sacramento Bee's Stephen Magagnini wrote a piece about the impact rookie Isaiah Thomas has had both on the court and in the community.
- The Indianapolis Star's Mike Wells writes about the relationship Pacers guard George Hill still shares with Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. Also, Indiana head coach Frank Vogel talks about why he's decided it isn't worth it to rest his veterans despite the season's hectic schedule.