Kyrylo Fesenko Working Out With Bulls
Kyrylo Fesenko is set to work out with the Bulls today, according to Fesenko himself. The five-year NBA veteran announced the workout yesterday via Twitter: "Just landed in Chicago. Tomorrow I have a workout with the Bulls. Really excited to see Korver, Boozer and Brewer!"
Fesenko clearly hasn't been following the Bulls' offseason too closely, as two of the three players he mentioned are no longer in Chicago — Kyle Korver was traded to the Hawks, while Ronnie Brewer was waived and subsequently signed by the Knicks. If Fesenko is unfamiliar with the team's current roster, you have to wonder if he knows about its cap situation. The Bulls are up against a hard cap, meaning if they were to sign Fesenko, it would have to be a non-guaranteed deal, and another roster move would be required to keep him into the regular season.
Fesenko, 25, reportedly worked out for the Spurs earlier this month and may have had a workout with the Cavs as well. The Hawks and Heat were also said to be in contact with the seven-footer, who played just three games last season for the Pacers. In 135 career NBA contests, the former second-round pick has averaged 2.3 PPG and 2.0 RPG in 8.2 MPG.
Odds & Ends: Pacers, Valanciunas, Wallace, Kidd
Let's consolidate all the odds and ends from Sunday night in this post:
- Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York reports, via Twitter, that Mike Bibby likely won't sign with a team before the start of training camps. The veteran point guard does expect to sign somewhere, however, but not the Knicks and we heard yesterday, probably not the Celtics.
- Ben Golliver of CBS Sports provides his offseason report for the Clippers. Golliver says that after decades where the goal was to not screw up their draft, the Clippers were able to employ a more competitive approach of acquiring established veterans to fit around Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
- Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman outlines the roster changes and season outlook for each team in the Northwest division, including the hometown Thunder.
- The Kamenetzky brothers of ESPN Los Angeles discuss via video who has the most to gain and the most to lose on the bolstered roster of the Lakers.
Earlier updates:
- The staff at HoopsWorld puts together their season preview on the Pacers. All five of their writers selected the Pacers to win the Central Division, a year after finishing second behind the Bulls. Lacking the star power of the Heat, Indiana will need popular breakout candidate Paul George to fulfill his potential if they want to go deep into the playoffs.
- Raptors Lithuanian prospect Jonas Valanciunas injured his left foot, reports the Toronto Sun. After Toronto used the fifth pick in last year's draft on him, Valanciunas enters his first NBA season with a ton of hype. The seven footer was spotted with a walking boot, though all indications are that it is a minor injury.
- Keith Schlosser of the Knicks Journal gives his take on the news that Rasheed Wallace is being considered by the Knicks. If that move comes to fruition, Wallace would be joining a roster full of late 30-somethings. Jason Kidd, in this NBA.com video, seems confident that the supplemental pieces that the team added could put them over the top.
Louis Amundson Nearing Deal
Free agent big man Louis Amundson is closing in on a deal with a mystery team, tweets Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York. Zwerling reports that the deal could be completed as early as Monday, but adds that it is unknown which team it is with.
The 29-year-old Amundson is the ultimate NBA journeyman, playing on five teams in his six years in the league. He played 60 games as a member of the Pacers last year, averaging 3.5 points and 3.7 boards in 12.6 minutes per game. Assuming it happens this week, we will report Amundson's destination as soon as we know where he is headed. Stay tuned.
Brian Butch Signs With Jazz
9:46pm: Brian Smith from the Salt Lake Tribune confirms the deal, tweeting that a person close to Butch described it as a "make-good deal." According to Smith, the Jazz's roster is now at 15 and Butch will be competing with Darnell Jackson and Trey Gilder for a roster spot. Smith averaged 15.3 points and 9.8 rebounds for the D-League's Bakersfield Jam last season.
7:59pm: Brian Butch has signed with the Jazz, tweets Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times. After going undrafted in 2008 out of Wisconsin, Butch has bounced around the D-League and Europe. This is undoubtedly a non-guaranteed deal that gives Butch nothing more than an opportunity to make the team in training camp. We last heard from Butch less than a month ago when the Spurs brought him in for a workout.
Poll: Which Third-Year Player Gets Paid The Most?
Earlier this week, Luke Adams detailed which fourth-year players are eligible to receive extensions. As Luke notes, Blake Griffin and Serge Ibaka, both of whom fall into this category, have already signed long-term deals this summer. Griffin signed a maximum-salary deal and Ibaka signed for 4-years, $49MM. The rest of the guys on the list have until October 31 to sign new deals with their respective teams or they will become free agents next summer.
Teams also have until October 31 to pick up their fourth-year option on players entering the third year of their rookie contracts. Luke posted a list of those guys as well, none of whom look like surefire NBA stars just yet. That said, several of them will likely get paid big bucks next summer. But which ones? Out of all of these guys, who deserves the biggest extension next summer? Feel free to justify your vote in the comments section.
Which Third-Year Player Gets Paid The Most?
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John Wall 50% (283)
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DeMarcus Cousins 26% (145)
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Greg Monroe 10% (57)
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Paul George 6% (36)
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Evan Turner 4% (24)
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Derrick Favors 3% (16)
Total votes: 561
Hoops Rumors Originals: 9/17/12 – 9/23/12
Here's a look back at all the work that was produced by our team of writers from the past week.
- Zach Links gave us his weekly Hoops Links feature.
- Chuck Myron covered Al Jefferson in our Extension Candidate series.
- A look at some offseason coaching deals.
- A look at option decisions for some second year players.
- I asked which player is most likely to be extended in this poll.
- Luke Adams takes a look at option decisions for third year players.
- Fourth year players eligible for an extension.
Week In Review: 9/17/12 – 9/23/12
A look back at the previous week's NBA related news.
- Yi Jianlian's agent says his client will play the upcoming season in China.
- The Knicks might be interested in adding retired center Rasheed Wallace.
- The Clippers added Gerald Madkins to their front office.
- The Jazz are expected to sign Darnell Jackson.
- The Sixers have promoted Tony DiLeo to general manager.
- The Raptors signed Chris Wright and Jerel McNeal.
- The Bulls are set to sign Andre Emmett.
- Keyon Dooling retired from the NBA.
- Hamady N'Diaye signs with the Kings.
- Terrence Williams signs with the Pistons.
- The Clippers picked up the fourth year option on Eric Bledsoe.
- The Bucks agreed to terms with Marquis Daniels.
- The Celtics signed Micah Downs.
- The Spurs agreed to terms on a deal with Derrick Brown.
- The Celtics signed Darko Milicic.
- The Kings signed Tony Mitchell.
- No-trade clauses were revealed in new Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan contracts.
- The Magic are expected to sign Armon Johnson and DeQuan Jones.
- Jerome Dyson signed in Israel.
- Solomon Jones signs with the Suns.
- The Wizards re-sign Brian Cook.
- The Grizzlies waived D.J. Kennedy.
- The Mavericks are set to sign Josh Akognon.
- The Rockets waived Diamon Simpson.
- The Hawks waived Jordan Williams.
- The Trail Blazers signed Adam Morrison.
Positional Notes: Davis, Acy, Sixers
With the season right around the corner, tons of speculation surrounds positional rotations on several teams. Here are a few recent articles that shine a little light on where certain players currently stand on their team's respective depth charts.
- Terry Pluto from The Cleveland Plain Dealer writes that Samardo Samuels will be fighting for a spot in the Cavaliers front court next season, but with the addition of Tyler Zeller and the return of Anderson Varejao from injury, it'll be difficult.
- The Toronto Star's Doug Smith believes that with six players in front of him, rookie Quincy Acy will have a very difficult time cracking the Raptors front court rotation.
- With the Sixers offseason addition of Andrew Bynum at center, former center Spencer Hawes will be forced into a role as the team's power forward, writes the Philadelphia Inquirer's John Mitchell.
- Kent Williams of SheridanHoops.com has a few notes worth discussing, including Glen Davis' status as the Magic's starting power forward and J.J. Barea's rapidly decreasing role with the Timberwolves.
Odds & Ends: Renfroe, Knicks, Cavs, Grizzlies, Bell
Guard Alex Renfroe was reportedly close to signing with the Warriors earlier this month, but now it appears the former Belmont University standout is headed to the Spanish club CB Valladolid, David Pick reports via Twitter (hat tip to Sportando). Renfroe is like many who remain as free agents this time of year, faced with the choice between more money overseas and a shot at making an NBA roster on a non-guaranteed minimum-salary deal. While the NBA remains far and away the premier league worldwide, there is legitimate competition for players on the fringes of the Association. Here's the latest:
- Raptors radio analyst Eric Smith says the Knicks have hired former Raptors assistant Dave Hopla as an assistant coach for player development (Twitter link).
- The Cavaliers considered adding another veteran this summer to fill the leadership vaccum left by the departures of Antawn Jamison and Anthony Parker, but decided against it, believing coach Byron Scott as well as Anderson Varejao and Daniel Gibson can provide voices that are strong enough, writes Terry Pluto of the Plain Dealer.
- Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal writes that the Grizzlies will remain in the top tier of an improved Western Conference if they can stay healthy.
- Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel believes Raja Bell would be a welcome addition to the Heat. The 36-year-old shooting guard says the Heat would be his first choice if he can secure a buyout from the Jazz.
- Former Spurs enforcer Bruce Bowen talked to Raul Barrigon of HoopsHype.com about the Spurs' decision to largely stand pat this season, the Heat's chances to repeat, and his desire to get into coaching or a front office job someday.
- Keith Schlosser of Ridiculous Upside spoke with guard Cameron Jones, who made first team All-Rookie in the D-League last season after spending training camp with the Heat. Jones is a cousin of Raptors guard Landry Fields.
Washburn On Ujiri, Fisher, Williams, Barnes
Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe caught up with Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri, who received plaudits this summer after trading for Andre Iguodala but still faces an uphill battle in a stacked Western Conference. He has more to share from around the league, and we'll hit the highlights here.
- Washburn believes free agent point guard Derek Fisher could be a consideration for the Celtics, though we heard yesterday that A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com doesn't think the team will pursue him. Boston is thin at point guard following the retirement of Keyon Dooling.
- Hawks GM Danny Ferry's decision to buy out Jordan Williams was curious, according to Washburn, who wonders why they didn't try to dangle him in a trade offer. The Globe scribe says at 6'10" and 260 pounds, with the ability to rebound and play center, Williams shouldn't remain a free agent for long. One report has linked Williams to the Knicks.
- Washburn also heard from Matt Barnes, who recently signed with the Clippers, about his experience on the other team in L.A. "I think you really learn a lot about yourself, playing for the Lakers, you are on the biggest stage in the world,” the forward said. “All eyes are always on you. You’re never supposed to miss a shot and you’re never supposed to lose. You really have to control your feelings and emotions when people try to jump on you, because they expect 82-0 and they expect titles every year. It’s not a bad tradition to live up to, but you definitely find out a lot about yourself.”