Hawks Sign Mike Scott
3:26pm: GM Danny Ferry says Scott's contract includes some guarantees and that the rookie big man "will be on the team this year," tweets Cunningham.
3:00pm: The Hawks have officially signed Scott, according to a team press release. The two-year contract is for the minimum salary and includes "few, if any, guarantees," according to Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
12:27pm: The Hawks have agreed to terms on a two-year deal with second-round pick Mike Scott, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). Scott, the 43th overall pick in June, was one of a handful of second-rounders who were not yet under contract for the coming season.
As we noted earlier today when we discussed Quincy Miller's contract offer from the Nuggets, today represents a deadline of sorts for second-round picks. If teams don't submit a required tender to their second-rounders, the players become free agents. Rather than tendering Scott a one-year offer, the Hawks agreed to terms on a multiyear contract, though I imagine it's only partially guaranteed.
Scott, 24, racked up 18.0 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 56.3% from the floor in his final year at the University of Virginia. The 6'9" forward will be the 14th player under contract for Atlanta.
Largest Expiring Contracts Of 2012/13
Prior to last year's trade deadline, we examined the largest expiring contracts of 2011/12, noting that some of those deals could be valuable chips in deadline swaps. That turned out to be the case in a handful of instances — Marcus Camby, Mehmet Okur, and Leandro Barbosa were among the players whose large expiring deals were moved. Meanwhile, some teams that held onto their expiring contracts, such as the Cavs with Antawn Jamison or the Hornets with Chris Kaman, were able to clear big chunks of cap space after the season.
With that in mind, let's take an early look at the largest expiring deals of 2012/13. These players are entering the last year of their contracts, with no team or player options available next summer. In some cases, the player's current team will simply want to re-sign him (think: Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum, and Chris Paul), but many of these guys could be in play at the trade deadline or could allow their teams to create significant cap space in 2013.
Here's the list of all the expiring contracts worth at least $5MM (restricted free agents marked with an asterisk):
Dwight Howard, Lakers: $19.54MM
Chris Paul, Clippers: $17.78MM
Andrew Bynum, 76ers: $16.89MM
Al Jefferson, Jazz: $15MM
Manu Ginobili, Spurs: $14.11MM
Josh Smith, Hawks: $13.2MM
Kevin Martin, Rockets: $12.44MM
Corey Maggette, Pistons: $10.92MM
Jose Calderon, Raptors: $10.56MM
Stephen Jackson, Spurs: $10.06MM
David West, Pacers: $10MM
Paul Millsap, Jazz: $8.6MM
Devin Harris, Hawks: $8.5MM
Mo Williams, Jazz: $8.5MM
Lamar Odom, Clippers: $8.2MM
Chris Kaman, Mavericks: $8MM
DeSagana Diop, Bobcats: $7.37MM
Beno Udrih, Bucks: $7.37MM
Samuel Dalembert, Bucks: $6.7MM
J.J. Redick, Magic: $6.19MM
Luke Walton, Cavaliers: $6.09MM
* James Harden, Thunder: $5.82MM
Nick Young, 76ers: $5.6MM
Jarrett Jack, Warriors: $5.4MM
* Tyreke Evans, Kings: $5.25MM
Zaza Pachulia, Hawks: $5.25MM
Kyle Korver, Hawks: $5MM
Jason Maxiell, Pistons: $5MM
Storytellers Contracts was used in the creation of this list.
Hornets Sign Darius Miller
The Hornets have officially signed second-round pick Darius Miller, the team announced today in a press release. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed, but according to Storyteller's Contracts, the 46th overall pick will receive a two-year deal worth the minimum salary that includes a guaranteed first year.
Miller, 22, was the last of six Kentucky players to be selected in June's draft. In his senior year, he helped lead the Wildcats to a national title, averaging 9.9 PPG on .474/.376/.797 shooting. He'll join Austin Rivers and college teammate Anthony Davis as rookies on this year's Hornets squad.
Jason Kapono Working Out With Spurs
Free agent sharpshooter Jason Kapono has been working out with the Spurs this week, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). The nine-year veteran hasn't had a spot on an NBA roster since last year's trade deadline, when he was acquired from the Lakers by the Cavs, and subsequently waived.
Kapono has contributed next to nothing for the 76ers and Lakers over the last two seasons, playing limited minutes and making just nine of his 35 three-point attempts. However, he's still just 31 years old and has a career .434 3PT%. He would have to show flashes of his old self before he'd be considered a worthwhile investment for any NBA team, but it's possible he could help a club in need of outside shooting.
With Manu Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Jackson, Gary Neal, Danny Green, Derrick Byars, and Nando De Colo already at the two and three spots, the Spurs don't have a real need for Kapono, so I wouldn't be surprised if the workouts were simply due diligence. Adding a big man or two will probably be a stronger priority for the Spurs, particularly if they find a taker for DeJuan Blair.
Scalabrine Turns Down Bulls Coaching Job
SEPTEMBER 6TH: Scalabrine has turned down an offer to coach on the Bulls' staff, instead opting to call Celtics games for Comcast Sports New England this season, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. Scalabrine tells Wojnarowski that he hasn't officially retired as a player, but admits he received "zero" interest from NBA teams this summer. The 34-year-old also hasn't ruled out the possibility of playing overseas later in the season (Twitter links).
AUGUST 28TH: We heard earlier this month that 34-year-old free agent Brian Scalabrine, who spent the last two seasons with the Bulls, was desperate to continue his NBA playing career. It would appear that he has not received the type of interest he was hoping for, as CSN Chicago's Aggrey Sam is reporting (via Twitter) that Scalabrine is close to returning to the Bulls as a coach.
Scalabrine had opportunities to play in Europe and an offer to do some TV work for the Celtics, but the 11-year veteran appears to prefer a chance to get into coaching, something he has expressed interest in before. Scalabrine saw his playing time drop drastically as a member of the Bulls, where he averaged less than five minutes per game. It would appear, however, that Scalabrine's veteran prensence was enough to convince head coach Tom Thibodeau to bring him aboard.
Scalabrine would take the place of Rick Brunson on Thibodeau's staff. Brunson joined the Bobcats bench earlier this offseason.
Southwest Notes: Llull, Lamb, Spurs, Wright
Shortly after the London Olympics, in which Sergio Llull helped lead Spain to a silver medal, we heard that the Rockets' 2009 draft pick was hoping to stay long-term with Real Madrid, who had reportedly offered him a six-year extension. Now, it appears that Llull has agreed to that extension. The translation of this report from Encestando.es is rough, but the outlet suggests that Llull has agreed to a contract to keep him with Real Madrid through 2018. It's not clear whether there would be any NBA outs in the deal, but it certainly seems that Llull won't be playing in Houston anytime soon.
Here are the rest of the morning's notes out of the Southwest Division:
- Jason Friedman of Rockets.com talked to Rockets first-round pick Jeremy Lamb about his expectations for the coming season and what aspects of his game he's working on at the moment.
- While Andray Blatche's deal with the Nets isn't finalized yet, the Spurs are definitely out of the running for the big man. Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News notes that the Spurs' frontcourt is looking "just a wee bit thin" heading into the season.
- The Spurs officially announced the hiring of former Jazz assistant Scott Layden as the club's assistant general manager yesterday. The Jazz, meanwhile, are close to finding a replacement for Layden, according to Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune.
- In a piece for Mavs.com, Earl K. Sneed wonders how high Brandan Wright's ceiling is. Another strong year for Wright could put the former lottery pick in strong position when he hits free agency next summer.
James Singleton To Sign In China?
Earlier this summer, we heard that former Magic guard Von Wafer was heading overseas for the coming season, agreeing to sign with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in China. Now, it appears that another NBA free agent is joining him. Late last night, Wafer tweeted: "My boy James Singleton jus signed with us yes yes yes bro let's go grind time."
While there has been no confirmation from Singleton's camp that a deal with the Flying Tigers has been finalized, at least one Chinese report indicates an agreement has been reached, and the pieces fit — a month ago, it was reported that Singleton had turned down a one-year offer from the Wizards and, in his search for a multiyear deal, was considering four offers from Chinese teams.
Singleton, who has played in 243 career NBA games for the Clippers, Mavericks, and Wizards, finished the season strong in Washington last season. In his 12 contests for the club, he averaged 8.2 PPG and 6.8 RPG with a .547 FG% and a 19.6 PER.
When Wafer signed in China, agent Terrance Doyle noted that his client hoped to sign with an NBA team late in the season, after the CBA season comes to an end. However, it sounded as if Singleton was searching for at least a two-year contract wherever he signed, so he may not have the same priorities as Wafer.
Lakers Sign Greg Somogyi
THURSDAY, 8:12am: Somogyi's deal with the Lakers is non-guaranteed, confirms Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times.
WEDNESDAY, 6:21pm: In addition to adding former UCLA forward Reeves Nelson, the Lakers have signed undrafted rookie Greg Somogyi, according to Mike Trudell of Lakers.com (via Twitter). Both players were part of the Lakers' Summer League roster in Las Vegas.
Somogyi, who will turn 23 next month, never received more than limited minutes in his four years at UC Santa Barbara. The 7'3" center averaged 3.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 11.8 minutes per contest in his senior year before going undrafted this June.
Terms of Somogyi's deal weren't released, but I imagine the contract includes a partial guarantee at best. The big man will receive an invite to camp and should get a chance to earn a spot in a frontcourt that will include Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, Antawn Jamison, Jordan Hill, and Earl Clark.
Eastern Notes: Heat, Celtics, Knicks, Pistons
Earlier tonight, we learned that the Nets have reached an agreement with Andray Blatche on a non-guaranteed, minimum-salary contract. While that removes Blatche from the equation for the Heat, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel thinks it could ultimately benefit Miami, increasing the team's chances of being able to add a "known quantity on the cheap" (Sulia link). Here are a few more evening links from around the Eastern Conference:
- Coming off a season in which the Celtics struggled on the boards, WEEI.com's Ben Rohrbach looks into whether the team improved its rebounding with its offseason moves.
- Steve Novak and the Knicks have organized a "pre-training camp" that's set to begin on Monday, the sharpshooter tells Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com.
- In previewing the Pistons' upcoming season, David Mayo of MLive.com examines the position where the team seems to be thinnest: Shooting guard.
- Reggie Miller tells Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star that he wouldn't rule out returning to the Pacers in a front-office role down the line.
- In a Nets press release, the team announced that tryouts for the Springfield Armor, Brooklyn's D-League affiliate, will be held in New Jersey on September 22nd and in Springfield on October 21st.
Nets In Lead To Sign Andray Blatche
7:01pm: The Nets are confident about completing a deal for Blatche this week, Stein adds in a tweet.
6:44pm: ESPN.com's Marc Stein hears that the Nets are the team "in pole position" to sign Blatche (Twitter link).
4:39pm: Andray Blatche has been on the free agent market since being amnestied by the Wizards in mid-July, having been linked to the Spurs and Heat, among other teams. Most recently, the Nets were said to have interest in Blatche, working him out in Houston this weekend. Speaking to Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld, the 26-year-old big man said he felt good about how the workout went.
"It went well," Blatche said. "It was me and one of the coaches, and we worked out. I thought I did great. But I'm still going to continue to work out with John [Lucas] until I'm on a team, so I can continue to get my body in better shape, and continue fine-tuning my game."
Blatche, who is working out with Lucas in Houston, added that "hopefully within the next couple of days I can be on an NBA roster." While it may not happen quite that quickly, it appears the former Wizard is aiming to join a team in time for training camp. As for the Wizards' decision to amnesty him, Blatche told Ingram that the experience was humbling, but that it didn't catch him off guard.
"It was a mutual feeling," Blatche said. "I wasn't so much surprised as a lot of other people were because it was something that was talked about, and it was something that I'd pretty much seen coming after how the season went."
Blatche, whose production fell off a cliff last year, in large part due to conditioning issues, still has a 15.5 career PER in seven NBA seasons. He also shouldn't require a significant financial commitment, since he'll still earn north of $23MM from Washington over the next three years.