Draft Notes: Wolves, Oladipo, Muhammad, Nets
With the NBA Lottery in the rear view mirror, we're roughly one month away from the 2013 Draft. Here's the latest..
- Wolves president Flip Saunders is a big fan of Indiana's Victor Oladipo, league sources tell Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN, and the only way to nab him is to trade up from the No. 9 pick. Meanwhile, if Minnesota winds up keeping their pick, one league source predicts they will take UCLA's Shabazz Muhammad. Word has it that the Wolves like him but so do the Pistons, and they pick at No. 8.
- The Nets, who have the 22nd pick in the draft, are looking for a solid role player, writes Tim Bontemps of the New York Post. Despite the fact that this year’s draft class has been labeled as weak by many observers, the Nets believe they'll have a chance to draft a player who can help them off the bench. They'll likely be targeting players that can help them immediately since they have no cap room and their mini mid-level exception will be used on Bojan Bogdanovic.
- Kansas big man Jeff Withey worked out today for the Celtics, a source tells Adam Zagoria of SNY (on Twitter). Withey is ranked No. 3 amongst NCAA seniors by DraftExpress and is slated to go No. 22 in their latest mock draft. The Celtics could likely grab him with their No. 16 selection in the first round.
Odds & Ends: Sixers, Shaw, Nets, Pritchard, White
As our American readers prepare for a long weekend, let's check in on a few odds and ends from around the NBA:
- Since taking over as the Sixers' head of basketball operations, Sam Hinkie has focused on structuring the front office rather than the team's coaching search, which is moving slowly, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
- One candidate who has been linked to the Sixers is Brian Shaw, but Shaw's agent, Jerome Stanley, tells Ken Berger of CBSSports.com that his client hasn't spoken to any teams about head coaching jobs yet. Several teams have asked for permission to talk to Shaw, but he and the Pacers have decided to deny those requests as long as the team's postseason run continues. Says Stanley: "Any interviews will be conducted when the season is over, if there is still availability" (all Twitter links).
- Former Nets coach P.J. Carlesimo tells the Associated Press (link via Star-Ledger) that he's not sure winning a title is a realistic expectation for Brookyln, based on the current roster.
- Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star takes an in-depth look at Pacers GM Kevin Pritchard, who is rumored to be receiving some interest from the Raptors.
- Former Pistons second-rounder Terrico White will return stateside in hopes of earning an NBA contract this summer after spending the season in Serbia, writes Emiliano Carchia of Sportando.
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 them:
- We'll be keeping a close eye on free agency this summer with the help of our list of 2013 free agents. If you want to look ahead to the summer of 2014, we've rounded up those free agents as well. Both lists will continue to be modified as needed.
- Our Free Agent Tracker, which features data sortable by team, position, contract years, and contract amount, currently includes last summer's signings and will be used to track the upcoming summer's deals as well.
- Speaking of those upcoming signings, we've started looking ahead to a number of specific free agent cases in our Free Agent Stock Watch series, which we'll continue through July.
- Our agency database is a handy reference point for determining the representation for virtually every NBA player.
- We've taken a closer look at a number of this year's draft-eligible players in our Prospect Profile series.
- Using our 10-day contract tracker, you can find any 10-day contract signed since 2007, sorting by player, team, year, and other variables.
- On Mondays at 4:00pm CT, I answer readers' questions in a live chat. You can check out transcripts of our past live discussions here.
- Our list of outstanding traded player exceptions is updated whenever a trade exception is created, is used, or expires.
- We're also tracking teams' amnesty provisions — using our complete list, you can check to see which clubs have used the amnesty clause and which will carry it into the summer.
- The Hoops Rumors glossary helps explain some of the more complex concepts in the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- Zach Links rounds up the best of the blogosphere every Sunday in his weekly Hoops Links feature.
- If you're looking to catch up on a few days worth of content, our Week in Review posts round up the week's news and rumors, while our Hoops Rumors Originals posts recap the site's original content for the week. Both round-ups are published every Sunday.
- Be sure to check out the Featured Posts section on the right sidebar for more original pieces from the Hoops Rumors writing team. Recently, we listed offseason guarantee dates for players on non-guaranteed contracts for 2013/14, re-examined Stephen Curry's contract extension, and explained how playing time will affect certain players' qualifying offers this summer.
Masai Ujiri To Meet With Raptors Today
12:14pm: Raptors officials are meeting with Ujiri in Colorado today, according to Wojnarowski, who says (via Twitter) things are "moving fast" now.
11:22am: The Nuggets have granted the Raptors permission to speak to NBA Executive of the Year Masai Ujiri, and a meeting between Ujiri and the Raptors is expected to take place within the next 24 hours, reports Adrian Wojnarwoski of Yahoo! Sports. Ujiri is reportedly the preferred candidate for Toronto as the team searches for a head of basketball operations.
According to Wojnarowski, the Raptors intend to make Ujiri an offer that would pay him nearly $3MM annually. Ujiri, whose contract expires next month, is prepared to leave Denver for the chance to run the Raptors unless the Nuggets respond with a competitive offer. As Wojnarowski notes, the Nuggets have historically been reluctant to pay big money to general managers, so there's a belief they won't match the commitment the Raptors are prepared to make to Ujiri.
If Ujiri and the Raptors don't reach an agreement, Toronto's next target may be Pacers GM Kevin Pritchard, who was previously cited as a candidate by the Toronto Star's Doug Smith. Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports that the Raptors have requested permission to speak to Pritchard, though the Pacers prefer to wait until the playoffs to allow a meeting.
According to Berger, Tim Leiweke and the Raptors are intrigued by the possibility of pairing Pritchard with Thunder assistant GM Troy Weaver. However, the Thunder may not allow Weaver to interview for what would be a lateral move, and it still appears Ujiri is the Raptors' first priority anyway.
Former Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo remains in the organization as team president, but won't be as involved in basketball decisions. Whoever the Raptors hire as their new GM will have full control over the club's basketball operations.
Pacific Rumors: Gentry, Howard, Kings, Evans
As we head into the offseason, the Clippers and Lakers are looking to retain elite free-agents-to-be, the Warriors are looking for ways to upgrade a roster that's dangerously close to tax territory, the Clippers and Suns are in the market for a new head coach, and the Kings are in the process of changing ownership groups. The Pacific Division certainly isn't lacking for storylines, so let's round up the latest on a few of them:
- Alvin Gentry has a standing invitation to join Mike D'Antoni's staff with the Lakers as an assistant, but is more interested in the Clippers' open head coaching spot, as Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com writes. Gentry is expected to be among the candidates receiving consideration once the process gets more serious, says Shelburne.
- Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game (Sulia link) downplays the significance of a recent report listing Golden State among Dwight Howard's potential destinations. According to Bucher's source, since making a wish list last year that included the Nets, Mavericks, and Lakers, Howard has become more open to the Rockets, but there's been no indication his position on the Hawks or Warriors has changed.
- Once the new ownership group is able to officially take control of the Kings, Vivek Ranadive and Co. intend to begin sorting out the team's basketball operations "very quickly," as Ranadive tells Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee.
- Jones adds within the same piece that Tyreke Evans' free agency figures to be the biggest roster decision facing the Kings this summer. For his part, Evans plans on waiting until the ownership situation stabilizes, and says agent Arn Tellem will meet with management once things are settled.
Broussard On Coaching Searches, Wolves, Lottery
We briefly touched on the latest Insider-only offering from ESPN.com's Chris Broussard last night, but let's take a more in-depth look at Brousard's newest tidbits today:
- NBA executives are curious to see who the Pistons hire as a head coach, since it may indicate whether advisor Phil Jackson or GM Joe Dumars has more sway in Detroit. Dumars is believed to favor Nate McMillan or Maurice Cheeks, while Jackson's pick would likely be Brian Shaw.
- Had Chris Hansen's purchase of the Kings gone through, Jackson would have run the team's front office in Seattle, and intended to hire Shaw as head coach, says Broussard.
- The Nets have yet to approach any coaching candidates besides Jackson, who told the team he wasn't interested in coaching. Brooklyn is currently conducting "rigorous checks" on potential candidates, and is seeking someone tough and firm who is able to get the most out of the talent on the roster.
- The Clippers are high on McMillan, according to Broussard.
- Sources tell Broussard that Bobcats GM Rich Cho is interested in hiring Quin Snyder to replace Mike Dunlap.
- "Many league insiders" believe Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer is the favorite to land the Hawks' job, says Broussard.
- While Celtics GM Danny Ainge has privately told teams he won't grant them permission to speak to Doc Rivers, Broussard says if Rivers really wanted a change of scenery, Ainge would probably allow him to explore other options. There's no indication that's the case though.
- Although Flip Saunders will run the Timberwolves' basketball operations, he's looking to hire a general manager, and is currently performing background checks on possible candidates. A hire likely won't happen until after the draft, according to Broussard.
- Rival lottery teams aren't necessarily jealous that the Cavaliers landed the first overall pick. Said one GM: "I'd rather be two, three or four in this draft than one."
- Another executive from a lottery team on the process: "We didn't want to win this year's lottery. Next year's the one to win. Then after that, you want to be out of the lottery."
Andris Biedrins To Opt In For 2013/14
As expected, Andris Biedrins will opt in to the final year of his contract, waiving his early termination option, agent Bill Duffy confirmed to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com. The option will pay Biedrins a $9MM salary in the last season of his six-year, $54MM deal with the Warriors.
With Biedrins on the books for next season and Richard Jefferson expected to pick up his $11MM+ player option, the Warriors won't have much flexibility when it comes to re-signing Jarrett Jack or pursuing outside reinforcements. Last fall, we heard that the team was attempting to trade or buy out Biedrins, so perhaps those efforts will be revisited once the big man's contract becomes an expiring one.
Biedrins, 27, is coming off the worst season of his NBA career, having averaged 0.5 PPG, 2.9 RPG, and a 7.7 PER in 53 contests (9.3 MPG). There was some speculation that perhaps the Latvian center would exercise his ETO and opt out if it meant securing a multiyear deal at a lower annual salary (but a higher overall total). Based on his play in recent years, I would have been surprised if the Warriors were interested in locking him up for an extra season, even if it meant gaining some wiggle room in '13/14.
Western Notes: Dwight, Gasol, Kings, Grizzlies
We've rounded up a few links on Dwight Howard tonight. Peter May of Sheridan Hoops explains why it wouldn't make sense for him to choose a return to the Lakers over a chance to join the Rockets. Marcus Thompson II of Mercury News - going off of the speculation linking Dwight to the Warriors - lists some of the biggest obstacles standing in the way of Golden State being able to acquire him. Tim Cowlishaw of SportsDayDFW thinks that the Mavericks will finish fourth behind the Hawks, Houston, and Los Angeles in the sweepstakes for Howard, adding that Dallas has little else to offer aside from no state income tax. Here are a few more links to share out of the Western Conference:
- On an appearance with Fitzsimmons and Durrett on KESN-FM, ESPN's Chad Ford explained why the Mavericks could have some issues in trying to deal their 13th overall pick. With a draft pick owed to Oklahoma City next year, Dallas can't technically deal their pick until draft night and would have to select a player for a team that they've made a prearranged deal with. Only until after they've drafted a player would they be able to trade his rights in order to get around the NBA rule that prohibits teams from trading a first-round pick in consecutive seasons (hat tip goes to SportsDayDFW). Though it is a strategy that Ford disagrees with, he admits that the pick will likely be moved.
- Later in the interview, Ford spoke about Dallas' chances of adding Dwight, saying that he's more available to them than Chris Paul at this point. He also said that their pitch could also depend on whether or not they can make the team attractive enough to make Howard believe it will contend, and that Houston looks further along in the process in that respect.
- Completely focusing on the situation between Howard and the Lakers heading into the summer, Steve Kyler of Hoopsworld says that the big man just wants to enjoy the game again and that it will be up to the team to convince him that he can do so in Los Angeles. Kyler reiterates that Brooklyn had been Howard's initial choice and that L.A. had been someone else's preference (Twitter links).
- As for Pau Gasol, Kyler predicted that the Lakers will keep him, let his deal expire, and then re-sign him to a cheaper deal, also mentioning that he doesn't think they'd trade him without knowing what happens with Dwight first.
- Ailene Voisin of The Sacramento Bee hears that the NBA Board of Governors will take a formal vote on the Kings sale between the Maloofs and the Ranadive-led group on Tuesday next week (Twitter link).
- Though there appeared to be some disagreements on the Grizzlies' practice court with regards to making adjustments against the Spurs, Matt Moore of CBS Sports says that there weren't any indications that the players were upset or angry with each other or coach Lionel Hollins and chalks it up to any normal frustration from a team being down 2-0 in the playoffs. Though I wouldn't think that Hollins' future in Memphis is exclusively determined by whether or not he gets the team past the conference finals, it will be intriguing to see if the way they finish the postseason factors into the team's decision on potentially offering him an extension.
- Darnell Mayberry of NewsOK gave Kevin Durant his season report card, listing that while he had his best season to date, his good-but-not-great playmaking, the instances where he lacked poise, and his propensity to turn the ball over were reasons why the Thunder superstar didn't earn straight A's this year. To Durant's credit, Mayberry explains why his playoff struggles in recent years may make the 6'9 wingman more determined than ever next season. Lastly, a few of The Oklahoman's staff writers provide their take on Durant's season.
Nets Inquired About Doc Rivers
Jackie MacMullan of ESPN Boston reports that according to league sources, the Nets contacted Danny Ainge and requested permission to speak with Doc Rivers about their vacant head coaching position. Ainge, who chose not to comment on Brooklyn's reported interest when reached for comment today, denied the request. On the record, the Celtics' President of Basketball Operations was pretty straightforward about Rivers' current standing with the team:
"Doc has told me he's coming back..I talk to him almost every day about our team and what we are going to do moving forward…We know people want Doc. We know people want Rajon Rondo and (Kevin Garnett) and Paul Pierce. They are the Celtics. They've all had great success."
MacMullan looks back at the time Rivers signed his extension with Boston back in 2011, pointing out that when asked about the inevitable lean years to follow once the Celtics' core was no longer competitive, he explicitly stated that he'd be willing to be part of a rebuilding situation:
"I don't think anyone is looking forward to [rebuilding]…but I'm willing to do that. I've had a group that has been very loyal to me, and I think it would have been very easy to just run and go somewhere else and chase something else. … I just don't think that's the right thing to do. Coaches talk about loyalty and team, and I just thought it was time to show it."
Though it seems that Boston is expecting Rivers to continue coaching the team, MacMullan writes that it won't prevent other teams from continuing to make overtures for their head coach. She also alludes to the fact that the Magic had offered Doc their team presidency last year, and while he said that he had "little to no interest" of running a team and ultimately turned them away, it had been enough for the Orlando resident to briefly consider it.
Interestingly enough, MacMullan adds that if Rivers should decide to return to broadcasting next year and beyond, Boston would still own his rights over the life of his contract – which still has three years left on the deal. If a team were to pursue him at that point, they would still have to negotiate and possibly compensate the Celtics. Rivers is expected to get in touch with his assistant coaches this weekend, all of which have expiring contracts.
Grousbeck On Celtics, Offseason, Rivers, Pierce
According to Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston, Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck called in on 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston to speak on what he deems is an uncertain offseason: "I don’t know what will happen, I’ll know more about the plan in early July. At the moment, we just have to see what the options are." You can find a roundup of Grousbeck's notable comments below.
His thoughts on the current roster:
"We don’t feel like we have a championship team [at the moment]; It’s pretty obvious, we lost in the first round…We have to see who is with us, we have to see what offers there are for people, we’ve got to decide what to do. It might be a multi-year plan. We’ve never intentionally lost games and we don’t intend to trash things now. We've got players — (Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Jeff Green, Jared Sullinger), Brandon Bass, the younger guys are not going to let us win the lottery anyway. That’s a good roster. We hope that Paul [Pierce] and [Kevin Garnett] are back with them and we hope we can reload along the way.
On possible changes and when they'll be made:
"By the end of June, we’ll have different options to go in with this team…Keeping it all together just as it was is one option, but we lost in the first round, so there is an obvious possibility that we ought to start making some changes. And we’re going to have to make those decisions. They won’t be made in May."
His thoughts on Doc Rivers, who he expects to be a big part of the draft process and free agency:
"Our indications are that Doc’s coming back…I expect Doc is going to help Danny with the draft workouts, I expect he’s going to be in the war room on June 27th when all the drafts and trades — if any — are made. And then over the free-agency period, a week or two after that. So between now and July 15th, there’s a lot of work to do to put the team together for next year. And I expect Doc’s going to be there for that."
More on Rivers:
"I haven’t spoken to Doc, but I don’t typically talk to Doc at this time. I spoke with him right after the last game and thanked him for what he had done, and it was a great talk. He’s been in touch with our team president [Rich Gotham] — maybe it was an e-mail, maybe it was a phone call, I’m not sure which, but he made some suggestions for how the locker room could be reconfigured for next year, because there’s going to be a little construction over the summer.
Grousbeck added that his comments don't necessarily mean that Rivers is obligated to come back or that the 51-year-old coach has told him personally that he will return, though he pointed to Doc's strong relationship with GM Danny Ainge and some time off to decompress would be enough to imagine that he'd continue working with the Celtics.
On Paul Pierce and the idea of keeping the core together:
"I want to retire Paul’s number, but I don’t want to do it any time soon because I want him to keep playing for us, to be honest…I want KG back. I want Doc back. I’d love to have Rondo back. I just want to get them more help, that’s my going-in assumption."