2012 June | Hoops Rumors

Draft Notes: Sleepers, Bobcats, Hornets, Wayns

By Luke Adams | at June 5, 2012 2:38 pm

With just over three weeks remaining until draft day, ESPN.com's Fran Fraschilla (Insider link) identifies five prospects he feels are undervalued: Terrence Ross, Jared Cunningham, Andrew Nicholson, Royce White, and Moe Harkless. With a number of workouts, interviews, and trades still to come, there's plenty of time for players' stocks to fluctuate dramatically in the coming weeks, so there's no guarantee those five players will stay undervalued for long. As we count down the days until June 28th, let's check in on a few of today's other draft updates….

0 comments 2012 NBA Draft Charlotte Hornets New Orleans Pelicans Maalik Wayns

Offseason Outlook: Los Angeles Clippers

By Luke Adams | at June 5, 2012 1:14 pm

Guaranteed Contracts

Chris Paul ($17,779,458)
DeAndre Jordan ($10,532,977)
Caron Butler ($8,000,000)
Blake Griffin ($7,226,892)
Ryan Gomes ($4,000,000)
Eric Bledsoe ($1,707,720)
Trey Thompkins ($762,195)

Options

Mo Williams ($8,500,000, Player)

Non-Guaranteed Contracts

Travis Leslie ($762,195)

Free Agents (Cap Holds)

Randy Foye ($5,525,000)
Nick Young ($4,435,028)
Kenyon Martin ($3,000,000)
Chauncey Billups ($2,400,038)
Reggie Evans ($854,389)
Bobby Simmons ($854,389)

Draft Picks

2nd Round (53rd overall)

Cap Outlook

Guaranteed Salary: $50,009,242
Non-Guaranteed Salary (including options), Cap Holds: $26,331,039
Total (not including draft picks): $76,340,281

Coming off a season in which the team set a franchise record with a .606 winning percentage and reached the second round of the playoffs, it's hard for Clippers fans to be anything but pleased. Chris Paul gave the team a star point guard to pair with the up-and-coming Blake Griffin, who earned All-NBA honors for the first time in his second full season.

But as successful a season as 2011/12 was, the Clippers will need to be careful to ensure it was the first step on the road to contending perenially, rather than an aberration. With GM Neil Olshey heading to Portland, the Clips will be tasked with finding a worthy successor to guide the franchise through a number of tough roster decisions and contract negotiations in the coming year.

While the Clippers won't be forced to make an immediate decision on either Paul or Griffin, contract extensions for the two stars will be a top priority for the club. Griffin is entering the final year of his rookie contract, making him eligible for an extension this offseason. The Clips are reportedly confident about getting something done before the 23-year-old reaches restricted free agency, so you have to assume they're prepared to offer a maximum-salary contract, or something very close to it.

Paul, meanwhile, has committed to his 2012/13 player option, but will be eligible for unrestricted free agency a year from now. A new contract for him this summer may not be as likely as one for Griffin, given the rules surrounding veteran extensions. So it will be crucial for the Clippers to convince him to stay by showing they're committed to making the moves necessary to ensure the team is a contender for years to come.

With no first-round draft pick and limited cap flexibility this summer, however, what exactly can the Clippers do in terms of roster moves? The team has yet to take advantage of the amnesty clause, and while it could go unused, Ryan Gomes' $4MM 2012/13 salary makes him a candidate. If Mo Williams opts into the final year of his contract though, amnestying Gomes would only reduce the team's cap figure from about $58.5MM to $54.5MM, which wouldn't create any usable cap space.

If Williams opts out, the team will have more options at it disposal, but I have a hard time seeing the veteran guard declining his option. As much as Williams seems to desire long-term security, passing up an $8.5MM salary in 2012/13 in favor of a new contract that would significantly reduce his annual salary seems unlikely.

With Williams on their books, the Clippers will be over the cap and will have only the mid-level and bi-annual exceptions to use on free agents. The MLE could give them a chance to bid on a shooting guard such as Jamal Crawford, Ray Allen, or Jason Terry if they don't elect to re-sign Nick Young. The BAE, meanwhile, may not be significant enough to woo an impact player, but we've seen veterans willing to accept discounted deals to play in Los Angeles or New York before. With Paul and Griffin on board for at least another year, the Clippers have become that sort of destination team that free agents could target.

Although free agency seems like the Clippers' best bet at adding another rotation player, a trade is also a possibility. Eric Bledsoe represents the team's strongest and most likely trade chip, though the club has been reluctant to move him in the past. Perhaps if the Clips get the impression that Paul is a good bet to re-sign long-term, they would be more willing to shop Bledsoe, who figures to be the successor at the point if CP3 leaves L.A.

With two star players entering contract years, the Clippers will be faced with a number of challenging decisions within the next year or so. Those decisions will begin this summer, which means Los Angeles will have to move quickly to find a general manager capable of making the right moves. The Clips are in no danger yet of jeopardizing the long-term futures of Paul or Griffin in L.A., but the next few months will be crucial for a franchise that enjoyed its most successful season in 2011/12 and has no desire to backslide into mediocrity.

Storytellers Contracts and Sham Sports were used in the creation of this post.

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0 comments Los Angeles Clippers Offseason Preview

Pacific Notes: Bynum, Clippers, Suns, Warriors

By Luke Adams | at June 5, 2012 12:01 pm

It's been an eventful 24 hours in the Pacific Division, with Clippers GM Neil Olshey bolting for Portland and the Lakers officially locking Andrew Bynum into the final year of his contract. Let's round up a few notes on the fallout of those decisions, along with the rest of the Tuesday morning updates out of the Pacific….

0 comments Golden State Warriors Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Lakers Phoenix Suns Andrew Bynum

Kyler On Draft, Olshey, Harden, Celtics

By Luke Adams | at June 5, 2012 10:57 am

While most mock drafters simply forecast the first 30 picks, Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld doesn't stop after the first round — in his latest mock, he predicts all 60 selections, from Anthony Davis at No. 1 to Kris Joseph at No. 60. He also shares a few more items of interest in his NBA AM column and via Twitter. Here are a few highlights:

1 comment 2012 NBA Draft Boston Celtics Los Angeles Clippers Portland Trail Blazers James Harden Neil Olshey

Notable Outstanding Option Decisions

By Luke Adams | at June 5, 2012 9:46 am

The Lakers officially exercised their option on Andrew Bynum yesterday, locking him up for the final year of his contract. Bynum's isn't the first option decision of the year — Beno Udrih has picked up his 2012/13 player option, while Dwight Howard famously waived his early termination option earlier in the season. Over the next few weeks, we'll hear about even more team, player, and early termination options, as teams prepare for the July free agency period. Listed below are a few key decisions to watch in the coming weeks….

Deron Williams, Nets ($17.78MM player option): Okay, so there's no real drama here. But when Williams declines his player option, the biggest free agent of the 2012 market will be set to officially hit the open market.
Lou Williams, 76ers ($5.35MM ETO): Williams is expected to exercise his early termination option, making him an unrestricted free agent. Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld reported last week that the Sixers guard may seek a deal similar to the five-year, $43MM contract Thaddeus Young signed a year ago. Will Philadelphia be willing to make that sort of offer, or will Williams sign elsewhere?
Gerald Wallace, Nets ($9.5MM player option): Wallace turns 30 in July, so this summer may represent his best chance to sign one more big-money, long-term deal. Even if he doesn't match $9.5MM annually on a new deal, I expect him to take advantage of that opportunity and turn down this option in search of a multiyear contract.
Brandon Bass, Celtics ($4.25MM player option): A solid contributor to the Celtics this season, Bass would certainly draw interest if he decides to opt out and test the open market. He has said he'd like to remain in Boston long-term, but opting out to renegotiate a new deal with the C's could complicate the team's offseason plans.
Elton Brand, 76ers ($18.16MM ETO): For the 33-year-old Brand, waiving his ETO seems like a lock. The real question is what will happen after he picks up the final year of his contract — the Sixers still have the amnesty clause at their disposal, and the opportunity to clear $18MM+ off their cap figure in a single stroke may be too tempting to pass up.
Ramon Sessions, Lakers ($4.55MM player option): Before the postseason, it seemed like a sure thing that Sessions would opt out and negotiate a new contract with the Lakers. But following a poor playoff performance, Sessions' future is less clear. If he declines his option in search of a new deal, I don't think there's any guarantee he re-signs with the Lakers. It's still probably the likeliest scenario, but given the number of point guards available this summer, L.A. figures to explore all their options.
J.R. Smith, Knicks ($2.44MM player option): If Smith turns down his player option, he almost certainly won't be a Knick next year, so his decision will come down to how much he enjoys playing in New York. Because there's little doubt that he could find a more lucrative contract as a free agent.
Mo Williams, Clippers ($8.5MM player option): Long-term security seems important to Williams, but it's hard to imagine him turning down an $8.5MM guarantee for next season, since he's unlikely to find that in free agency. His decision will affect how much flexibility the Clips have to pursue other free agents this summer.
Jameer Nelson, Magic ($8.6MM player option): Like the Clippers' Williams, he'll likely only opt out if he can renegotiate a new deal with his current club. However, I think that's a more probable option in Nelson's case. He has talked about not wanting to always be on the trade block, so I think he'd be willing to take a pay cut for next season if it meant being locked up for the next two or three.
Jamal Crawford, Trail Blazers ($5.23MM player option): Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports has reported that Crawford will decline his option, which makes sense. A team like the Clippers or Timberwolves that has been missing a viable two guard will likely make Crawford an attractive multiyear offer.
Kelenna Azubuike, Mavericks ($993K team option): The money may not be significant, but with the Mavs trying to clear room to make a run at Deron Williams and other free agents, every million counts. Dallas signed Azubuike with an eye toward 2012/13, so it would be a little surprising if the team turned down its option, but it could be necessary if cap space gets tight.

Our complete list of outstanding team, player, and early termination options can be found here.

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0 comments Brandon Bass Deron Williams Elton Brand Gerald Wallace J.R. Smith Jamal Crawford Jameer Nelson Kelenna Azubuike Lou Williams Mo Williams Ramon Sessions

Clippers Optimistic About Extending Blake Griffin

By Luke Adams | at June 5, 2012 8:47 am

In spite of Neil Olshey's departure, the Clippers are still confident in their chances of signing Blake Griffin to a long-term contract extension. Sources tells ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the absence of Olshey, who accepted the Trail Blazers' GM job, will have "no significant impact" on negotiations with Griffin. According to Stein, the Clips continue to believe that Griffin will sign a long-term extension this offseason rather than hitting restricted free agency next summer.

2 comments Los Angeles Clippers Blake Griffin

Odds & Ends: Bucks, Grizzlies, Gay, Wizards, Suns

By Zachary Links | at June 4, 2012 10:13 pm

The Bucks may be in need of a big man following their trade of Andrew Bogut to the Warriors, but Milwaukee is also taking a hard look at the guards in this year's draft, writes Charles F. Gardner of the Journal-Sentinel. While the club is expected to target size with their No. 12 pick, they could go after a guard with size at No. 42 in support of Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis. Marquette's Darius Johnson-Odom and Wisconsin's Jordan Taylor were among those auditioned yesterday. Here's a look at tonight's links..

0 comments 2012 NBA Draft Memphis Grizzlies Milwaukee Bucks Orlando Magic Phoenix Suns Sacramento Kings Washington Wizards

Atlantic Notes: Knicks, Anthony, Nets, Humphries

By Zachary Links | at June 4, 2012 9:39 pm

Earlier this week, we learned that the Suns believe that their three biggest competitors for Steve Nash are out of the Atlantic Division: the Knicks, Nets, and Raptors. However, a piece of news today from Knicks coach Mike Woodson might indicate that they're not going to be the players for Nash that the Suns are expecting. Here's the latest from Madison Square Garden and the rest of the Atlantic..

2 comments Brooklyn Nets New York Knicks Jeremy Lin Kris Humphries

GM Olshey To Leave Clippers, Join Blazers

By Zachary Links | at June 4, 2012 9:12 pm

9:12pm: Olshey's deal is for three years with a team option for a fourth, according to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com. According to sources, the Clippers were willing to match the offer but Olshey ultimately decided to take the Blazers job.

7:12pm: The Clippers announced that they have mutually agreed to part ways with General Manager Neil Olshey. Olshey will now take over as the GM of the Trail Blazers, a source confirmed to David Aldridge of TNT (via Twitter).

2 comments Los Angeles Clippers Neil Olshey

Olshey Fallout: Canales, Blazers, Buchanan, Clips

By Zachary Links | at June 4, 2012 8:55 pm

Just days after announcing a new deal with General Manager Neil Olshey, the Clippers announced today that the two sides mutally agreed to part ways. Mere minutes later, news broke that Olshey had reached an agreement to become the next GM of the Trail Blazers. Here are the latest reactions and fallout from today's shocking news..

0 comments Los Angeles Clippers Portland Trail Blazers Neil Olshey

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Month: June 2012