2012 June | Hoops Rumors

Money Time: Upcoming Free Agents In The Playoffs

By Chuck Myron | at June 2, 2012 1:54 pm

Three of the four conference finalists should return next season with their rosters largely intact, as the Thunder, Heat and Spurs all have at least eight players with fully guaranteed contracts for next season. By contrast, the Celtics only have four such players, so this week's Money Time has a heavy Boston influence. This week, we'll expand our look at free agents in the playoffs to include players with option years and non-guaranteed deals for 2012/13, and next week we'll wrap it up by identifying the free agents who've had the best and worst postseasons overall.

Winners:

Kevin Garnett, Celtics: His scoring keeps improving with each round of the playoffs, from 18.7 points per game in the first round, to 19.7 PPG in the second, to 21.7 PPG against the Heat. His 9.7 RPG has helped the Celtics, a woeful rebounding team in the regular season, record just three fewer rebounds than the Heat for the entire series. Yesterday Steve Aschburner of NBA.com suggested Garnett might retire this summer, but if he does, he'd be leaving a lot of money on the table from the Celtics, Nets or anyone else in need of a game-changer at power forward.

Keyon Dooling, Celtics: Seeing increased playing time with Avery Bradley out and Ray Allen hobbled, Dooling helped the Celtics clamp down defensively against the Heat in Game 3. Yet his greatest impact has been on offense, as his 6-for-10 shooting from Game 7 against the Sixers through the first three games of the Eastern Conference Finals has kept defenses honest and helped replace the second-unit scoring lost with Allen back in the starting lineup. He probably won't get another $2.246MM payday like he got this year, but his recent performance has shown his value as a part of a backcourt rotation.

Gary Neal, Spurs (non-guaranteed deal): His 3-for-11 in Game 3 against the Thunder notwithstanding, Neal has been a subtle offensive weapon for the Spurs as they've trounced their way through the playoffs. He's the team's sixth leading scorer in the postseason despite playing just 15.2 MPG. That's in large measure because he's nailed 14 of 28 attempts from beyond the arc during the playoffs, but he's more than just a spot-up shooter, as his 20-for-37 rate on two-pointers demonstrates. He's miscast as a backup point guard, but there's no reason to expect the Spurs won't bring him back, especially since his non-guaranteed deal is only for the minimum salary.

Losers

Nazr Mohammed, Thunder: As much as Kendrick Perkins has struggled against the Spurs, it's a little curious why Mohammed has played less than five minutes the entire series. He played in all five games of the conference semifinals against the big bodies of the Lakers, but coach Scott Brooks has gone away from him against the more perimeter-oriented Spurs. Mohammed, shooting 50% in limited action this postseason, could be Oklahoma City's best offensive option inside, and as an ex-Spur, he might know a defensive trick or two that could stymie Duncan. Still, it seems unlikely the Thunder will re-sign Mohammed this summer, and the chances he equals the $3.75MM he made this year are just as remote.

Ronny Turiaf, Heat (player option): Turiaf has started all three games, but he's received fewer minutes than anyone else in the Heat's rotation against the Celtics so far. He's 4-for-5 from the floor against Boston and 10-for-18 in the playoffs overall, but his offense is not why the Heat picked him up midseason. The opposing starter at center in this series is Garnett, and while he hasn't done all his scoring against Turiaf, coach Erik Spoelstra's lack of confidence in his big man is likely to be reflected in the way NBA executives would regard Turiaf as a free agent in the offseason. He'd be wise to take his $1.146MM for next season and stay with the Heat.

Greg Stiemsma, Celtics (non-guaranteed deal): He's had his moments, like his 5-for-5, 10-point game against the Sixers in the second round, but Stiemsma has largely fallen out of the rotation in the playoffs. He's averaging just 8.5 MPG in the postseason, and just 7.0 MPG against the Heat. When the Celtics have used a backup center, Ryan Hollins has most often been the guy. Still, Stiemsma has the team's best postseason defensive rating, per Basketball-Reference.com. Since he's due only the minimum salary if the Celtics guarantee his contract next season, he's a decent candidate to be back in green next year.

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Odds & Ends: Spurs, Thunder, Bobcats, Hornets

By Zachary Links | at June 2, 2012 11:48 am

French guard Nando De Colo is ready to join the Spurs as his contract with Spanish team Valencia BC is up at the end of the month, according to a report from Encestando passed along by Tim Griffin of the San Antonio Express-News. The 25-year-old combo guard was the taken by the Spurs with the 53rd pick in the 2009 draft and will play for the French team with current Spurs Tony Parker and Boris Diaw next month. More links from around the web..

0 comments Charlotte Hornets Chicago Bulls Cleveland Cavaliers New Orleans Pelicans Oklahoma City Thunder San Antonio Spurs Nando De Colo

Prospect Profile: Jeff Taylor

By Zachary Links | at June 2, 2012 10:38 am

Confidence is everything in life, and that includes basketball. Despite being blessed with a whole lot of natural talent, Vanderbilt forward Jeff Taylor could never seem to produce consistently. This season, head coach Kevin Stallings sat down with the 6-foot-7, 225-pound senior and explained to him that he wasn't expected to be perfect each and every night.

"I just told Jeff that he couldn't allow great to be the enemy of good," Stallings told Chris Dortch for NBA.com. "And that good was more than acceptable a lot of the time. We would take great when we could get it, but we didn't want to feel bad about good."

0 comments Prospect Profile Jeff Taylor

Hoops Links: Lewis, Warriors, Thomas, Sefolosha

By Zachary Links | at June 2, 2012 8:52 am

On this date in 1996, the SuperSonics topped the Jazz 90-86 in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, putting them in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1979. Shawn Kemp led the way with 26 points while Gary Payton had 21. The Sonics would of course succumb to Michael Jordan's Bulls in the Finals but earned the distinction of being only the second team in NBA Finals history to battle to a Game 6 after trailing 3-0 in the series.

If you have a great blog piece that you think we should feature in Hoops Links, then send it to me at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. This week's linkage..

0 comments Hoops Links

Odds & Ends: Gordon, Blazers, Mavs, Beal, Draft

By Alex Lee | at June 1, 2012 9:45 pm

Yesterday we heard that Eric Gordon would test free agency despite the Hornets winning the Anthony Davis sweepstakes. Gordon was back at it today, reiterating to John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayne his intentions to listen to offers once he is a restricted free agent on July 1.

Gordon did express some excitement about Davis, comparing his ability to catch lobs to his former teammate Blake Griffin. Gordon added, "I will still be open with my free agency to hear other opportunities. But like I said before, New Orleans has a very bright future to be a championship-caliber team soon."

With the Celtics up big in Boston, here are a few other notes from around the NBA:

3 comments Dallas Mavericks New Orleans Pelicans Portland Trail Blazers Eric Gordon Jared Sullinger Kendall Marshall

Prospect Profile Series

By Luke Adams | at June 1, 2012 7:22 pm

As June 28th approaches, Hoops Rumors will preview the NBA draft by taking a look at a number of prospects expected to be selected. DraftExpress updated their top 100 ranking on May 25th, and our profiles are listed below accordingly. This list will continue to be updated in the coming weeks, becoming more comprehensive leading up to the draft, and can be found anytime under "Hoops Rumors Features" on the right sidebar.

0 comments 2012 NBA Draft Prospect Profile

Prospect Profile: Dion Waiters

By Alex Lee | at June 1, 2012 6:45 pm

If you've been following the fluctuating draft stocks of potential lottery picks, one name you've probably heard a lot is Syracuse guard Dion Waiters. Waiters was initially thought to be destined to go in the second half of the first round but lately his prospects are on the rise. Chad Ford recently bumped Waiters all the way up to eighth on his top 100 which probably was at least partly due to an NBA general manager telling him that outside of Anthony Davis, Waiters may have the most star potential in the draft.

With that in mind, over the past few weeks I have heard more than one Dwyane Wade comparison for Waiters. While surprising, this comparison isn't that far fetched. Like Wade, Waiters is an excellent penetrator and ball handler whose aggressive play makes those two strengths stand out. Waiters has yet to develop a consistent jump shot and at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds doesn't traditionally fit into either guard spot – both of which were questions about Wade. That said, let me say that I think that a Wade-type player is the absolute utopian progression for Waiters.

Waiters' best attribute is his ability to score. As previously mentioned, he relentlessly penetrates and will aggressively attack the basket despite his size. Like many scorers, Waiters has a short memory and plays with confidence. As a sophomore, he nearly doubled his freshman scoring average to finish at 12.6 points-per-game on a loaded Syracuse team. Perhaps most impressive about that jump was that it was accompanied by a rise in shooting percentage (47.6 percent this year after 41.1 percent as a freshman). On the other end of the floor, Waiters' athleticism and tenacity make him a solid defender.

What could make Waiters is an intriguing option to many teams is the thought of him playing point guard. While he probably could never be a traditional point guard, he has shown flashes of being a very good passer (similar to Wade). But as we all know, being a good point guard goes beyond just being able to pass – things like leadership and unselfishness are arguably just as important. If scouts decide Waiters has a future as point guard, he could end up in the top 10.

Like every player, Waiters has his warts. Waiters has the ability to get open jump shots at will, but can he make them? In today's NBA, unless a guard can bring something else incredible to the table ala Rajon Rondo, he better be able to shoot. Waiters doesn't have the prettiest jump shot and he will probably need to work on his form to shoot consistently at the next level. He did shoot 36.3 percent from three as a sophomore, which is encouraging. Like any scorer, he shows flashes, but in the NBA consistency is the name of the game.

Not the ideal height to play shooting guard and lacking the instincts to play the point, many project Waiters as an "instant offense" type player on a NBA bench. While there is nothing wrong with that, those types of players don't usually crack the top 10. Expect him to go between 10-15, but if teams think his scoring abilities outweight his tweener status or that he can in fact play point, expect him to go in the top 10. Anything beyond 15 and he is a steal.

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0 comments 2012 NBA Draft Prospect Profile Dion Waiters

Odds & Ends: Warriors, Garnett, Roy, Hornets

By Luke Adams | at June 1, 2012 4:53 pm

With Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, David Lee, and Andrew Bogut penciled into their 2012/13 starting lineup, the Warriors seem to be prioritizing a small forward to fill out their starting lineup this offseason. However, Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com argues that the Warriors have bigger needs to address. According to Steinmetz, Richard Jefferson and Dorell Wright are capable of handling the three spot, and Golden State should prioritize the acquisition of a point guard and a big body up front before pursuing a small forward.

Here are a few more Friday afternoon notes, including updates on a Celtics veteran, a former Blazer, and trade possibilities for the Sixers….

1 comment Boston Celtics Golden State Warriors New Orleans Pelicans Philadelphia 76ers Brandon Roy Kevin Garnett

Offseason Outlook: Denver Nuggets

By Luke Adams | at June 1, 2012 3:01 pm

Guaranteed Contracts

Danilo Gallinari ($9,450,000)
Arron Afflalo ($7,562,500)
Al Harrington ($6,687,400)
Wilson Chandler ($5,912,500)
Chris Andersen ($4,526,000)
Corey Brewer ($3,243,000)
Kosta Koufos ($3,000,000)
Ty Lawson ($2,544,529)
Kenneth Faried ($1,311,240)
Jordan Hamilton ($1,121,520)

Options

None

Non-Guaranteed Contracts

Timofey Mozgov ($3,140,429; partially guaranteed for $1,589,415)
Julyan Stone ($762,195)

Free Agents (Cap Holds)

Andre Miller ($11,711,592)
JaVale McGee ($6,156,000)
Rudy Fernandez ($5,451,108)
(Wesley Person – $854,389)

Draft Picks

1st Round (20th overall)
2nd Round (38th overall)
2nd Round (50th overall)

Cap Outlook

Guaranteed Salary: $46,948,104
Non-Guaranteed Salary, Cap Holds: $26,486,298
Total (not including draft picks): $73,434,402

Over a year removed from the blockbuster trade that sent Carmelo Anthony to New York, the Nuggets have moved quickly to lock up their new franchise cornerstones. Three players acquired in that deal, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, and Kosta Koufos, received extensions for three or more years, while veteran guard Arron Afflalo signed a five-year contract to stay in Denver.

While the Nuggets only have about $47MM committed to 2012/13 salaries so far, the offseason likely won't be about pursuing free agents as much as it will be about continuing to lock up their current players. JaVale McGee and Ty Lawson are next in line for potential long-term deals, with McGee facing restricted free agency this summer and Lawson entering the final year of his rookie contract. If both players receive new contracts from Denver in the coming months, the Nuggets will essentially have their core in place through 2016.

Of course, it's no guarantee that McGee will be re-signed or that Lawson will be extended. McGee has only been a Nugget for a couple months, having been acquired from the Wizards in a deadline deal. He showed flashes of brilliance in the team's playoff series against the Lakers, and moving from Washington to Denver seemed to reduce the mental lapses and errors in judgment that plagued him as a Wizard. Typically, bidding is fierce for big men in restricted free agency, and perhaps the Nuggets would be unwilling to match an aggressive offer for McGee, but I fully expect them to at least think hard about matching offers up to $9-10MM.

Lawson may actually be the better bet to receive a long-term contract from Denver this summer, following an impressive third season in which he set career highs in PPG (16.4) and PER (19.4), among other categories. The Lawson that showed up in the postseason (19.0 PPG, 6.0 APG, 51.4 FG%) looked like a player on the verge of stardom, and one that the Nuggets won't want to let hit the open market next summer.

If the team re-signs McGee, its free agent options will likely be limited to the mid-level and bi-annual exceptions, but that wouldn't be a bad scenario — with McGee, Kenneth Faried, Al Harrington, and Koufos in the frontcourt, along with Gallinari, Chandler, Afflalo, and Corey Brewer on the wing, and Lawson manning the point, there are no glaring holes that need to be addressed in free agency. Another point guard will be necessary, whether that means re-signing Andre Miller or looking elsewhere, and if the Nuggets decide to amnesty Chris Andersen, acquiring another big would make sense. But the Anthony trade allowed Denver to address multiple positions in a single stroke, and the club can afford to look for value on the free agent market rather than desperately trying to land any particular player.

Also at the Nuggets' disposal is the 20th pick in the draft. If McGee isn't re-signed, that could be a spot to target a young center like Fab Melo, but otherwise the Nuggets have the freedom to take the best player available, which could end up being a guy like Moe Harkless, Quincy Miller, Tony Wroten Jr., or Marquis Teague. With no need to insert a rookie into the rotation, the team could even consider selecting French guard Evan Fournier and stashing him overseas for the immediate future.

The Nuggets' roster is well-constructed, with balance at every position and no obvious weaknesses. Time will tell whether this young squad can develop into a legit contender without an elite, go-to scorer like Anthony, but for this summer at least, I expect the Nuggets to continue the approach they've taken since the 'Melo deal. In addition to maintaining strong depth throughout the roster, that will mean locking up the young players that figure to be part of the nucleus in Denver for years to come.

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

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0 comments Denver Nuggets Offseason Preview

Wizards Notes: Wittman, Draft, Robinson

By Luke Adams | at June 1, 2012 1:50 pm

So far this week, we've heard that the Wizards will shop Andray Blatche and Rashard Lewis before the draft and that they intend to retain coach Randy Wittman. We've also seen the team land the third overall pick in the lottery, and heard owner Ted Leonsis say it won't be traded. What other news is coming out of Washington as the week approaches its end? Let's round up today's Wizards updates….

0 comments 2012 NBA Draft Washington Wizards Randy Wittman Thomas Robinson

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Month: June 2012