Odds & Ends: Clippers, Knicks, Suns
A few random notes from around the league.
- According to a string of tweets from ESPN.com's Marc Stein, Clippers owner Donald Sterling attended Game 1 between the Spurs and Grizzlies in an effort to scout Lionel Hollins for the possible head coaching job opening up with his team. (Hollins and Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro are both on the final years of their respective contracts.) Stein also tweets that the Clippers have not asked to speak with Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer.
- Newsday's Al Iannazzone goes in depth on the Knicks offseason plans, zoning in on what type of players the team should target in free agency.
- The Suns enter the lottery with the probability of landing a high first round pick, but not number one, according to AZCentral.com's Paul Coro. He projects they target height if they land with a pick between four and seven.
Howard Showing Interest In Rockets, Mavericks
Dwight Howard is strongly considering signing with his third team this summer, and the Rockets are the prime candidate, writes CBSSports.com's Ken Berger. Even though the Lakers are strong front-runners to re-sign the All-Star center and make him their next franchise player–they can offer the most guaranteed money and a fifth year of service.
However, Howard is reportedly showing more interest in Houston's young team. They have more room to grow and improve than Los Angeles, and from a purely basketball standpoint they most likely represent his best chance at winning an NBA championship in the immediate future.
The Mavericks are another team that intrigues Howard, and they should be able to carve enough cap space to sign him if the 27-year-old is willing to sign a four-year deal.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 5/13/13 – 5/19/13
Every week, the Hoops Rumors writing team produces top-notch analysis that delves into the inner workings of the NBA, along with interactive polls and other engaging original pieces. If you missed any of the insight from the past seven days, here's your chance to catch up:
- Luke Adams explained the July Moratorium, the latest updated entry in the Hoops Rumors Glossary.
- Zach Links asked you to rank the best unrestricted free agent shooting guards, and Manu Ginobili garnered the most first-place votes.
- The NBA draft lottery is Tuesday. What do all those bouncing ping-pong balls mean? Luke provided a guide.
- Timofey Mozgov didn't see much playing time this season, but don't be surprised to see a team make him a fat offer to try to pry him from the Nuggets, as Luke writes in the latest installment of our Free Agent Stock Watch series.
- Before the Sacramento-based bidders agreed on their deal to buy the Kings, Michael Pina asked whether the team would ever move to Seattle. More than three-quarters of you said no.
- The Offseason Outlook series continued with an assessment of the Celtics, who appear best suited for minor tweaking rather than drastic change.
- We welcomed new Hoops Rumors writer Spencer Lund, who polled readers about the best coaching choice for Team USA. Incumbent Mike Krzyzewski has a narrow lead over Gregg Popovich in the voting.
- I checked the history books to see how the team with the best odds of winning the lottery has fared in the past 10 years.
- Several players are on non-guaranteed deals that become partially or fully guaranteed if they're still on their team's roster once a certain date arrives. I rounded up a complete list of these dates.
- If you missed out on Luke's weekly chat, you can check out the transcript here.
- There are many ways to follow Hoops Rumors, so choose which one best fits your needs.
Suns To Interview Sampson, Interested In Snyder
The Suns will interview Rockets assistant Kelvin Sampson for their head coaching job, and they're interested in CSKA Moscow assistant Quin Snyder for the position as well, reports Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com. The team has not yet parted ways with interim coach Lindsey Hunter, but much like the dynamic between the Hawks and Larry Drew, Phoenix and Hunter are both seeking out other options while not closing the door on a continued relationship. Hunter interviewed with the Pistons last month.
Sampson also interviewed with the Bobcats and Bucks, notes Goodman, who confirms that the Rockets assistant will interview with the Sixers this week, too. The Sixers reportedly received permission for that meeting from the Rockets, but newly appointed GM Sam Hinkie, who came from Houston's front office, indicated that he hadn't heard about any interview with Sampson.
Snyder, who served as an assistant with the Lakers in 2011/12, is expected to interview with the Bobcats, and has also been linked to the Sixers and the Hawks, though the latest report from Atlanta indicates that he's no longer in the mix there. He and Sampson both have head coaching experience in the college ranks, though neither has been a head coach in the NBA, save for Sampson's brief stint as a fill-in for Kevin McHale this past season.
Pacific Notes: Del Negro, Warriors, Kings, Len
For a third consecutive year, there aren't any Pacific Division teams in the Western Conference Finals, a dry spell that's never happened before. The Lakers are mostly responsible for that history of success, but the Suns have had their moments, too. For most of the city's time with an NBA team, Seattle was a part of the Pacific Division, and the SuperSonics were no stranger to playing for a berth in the Finals. With the league reportedly having approved the sale of the Kings to a Sacramento-based group, it looks like Seattle won't be an NBA destination for at least a while longer.
Here's a check on each of the five current Pacific Division teams as they try to climb their way back into contention:
- Clippers owner Donald Sterling, who's attending today's opener of the Western Conference Finals, has yet to meet with Vinny Del Negro as planned this weekend, but resolution on the coach's future should come within the week, tweets Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
- Tim Kawakami of the Bay Area News Group points out the similarities between the construction of the Warriors roster and the way the Grizzlies were built.
- Ryan Lillis, Dale Kasler and Tony Bizjak of The Sacramento Bee profile new Kings principal owner Vivek Ranadive, who plans to take a hands-on approach.
- Of all the people involved in keeping the Kings in Sacramento, none were as influential as David Stern, who demonstrated that he still has control of the league even as his tenure as commissioner comes to a close, The Bee's Ailene Voisin writes.
- Suns scouts have been high on Maryland center Alex Len since before this past season began, according to Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic, who runs down some of the players the team will likely target with its lottery pick.
- Greg Somogyi impressed Mike Brown when the two were together in Lakers camp last fall, and Brown has invited the 7'3" center to a Cavaliers mini-camp this summer, reports Sportando contributor David Pick (Twitter link).
Latest On Bobcats Coaching Search
The Bobcats will interview Jazz assistant coach Jeff Hornacek by the end of this week, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN.com, adding another name to the list of coaches who are sitting down with Charlotte's brass. Alvin Gentry, Kelvin Sampson and Elston Turner have already interviewed for the job, and according to Stein, Steve Clifford is scheduled to interview Tuesday (Twitter link). The team is also expected to interview Quin Snyder.
Hornacek is set for an interview with the Sixers as well, and is reportedly drawing interest from the Suns and Bucks. His strong relationship with Deron Williams could make him a candidate for the Nets opening, too.
The Bobcats appear to be following the same script as last year, when a drawn-out search involving roughly a dozen candidates took nearly two months to reach a resolution. The team hired college assistant Mike Dunlap in a surprise move, and fired him about a month ago. Many of last year's candidates resurfaced in this year's hunt, including Cavs assistant Nate Tibbetts, who wound up joining Terry Stotts' staff with the Blazers. Another is Brian Shaw, to whom Charlotte has once more been linked. Like last season, the Bobcats would have to wait until after the Pacers' playoff run to speak with him.
Week In Review: 5/13/13 – 5/19/13
It appears the question of where the Kings will be playing next season and beyond has finally been resolved. Vivek Ranadive and his group of Sacramento-based investors this week reached a deal to buy the majority stake in the team from the Maloof family, months after a Chris Hansen-led Seattle group had done the same. The deal with Seattle fell apart as the California capital mounted a furious charge to keep its team in town. Despite pushbacks from Hansen and deep-pocketed partner Steve Ballmer, the NBA's relocation committee made a final recommendation this week that the team's request to move to Seattle be denied. In turn, the Board of Governors voted against the Seattle move, setting up Ranadive's agreement with the Maloofs.
We're still waiting for the Board of Governors to approve the sale of the team to the Ranadive group, but that appears to be a formality at this point. While the Kings saga made plenty of headlines, it wasn't the only significant happening this week:
- The Hawks reportedly interviewed Stan Van Gundy, but then we heard the former Magic coach is unlikely to return to the bench this season. The Hawks may break barriers and go with CSKA Moscow coach Ettore Messina instead.
- Atlanta also interviewed Nate McMillan, while Larry Drew, still technically employed as coach of the Hawks, will meet with the Bucks on Monday.
- Jerry Sloan also met with Milwaukee about the team's coaching vacancy, but the Hall-of-Famer doesn't want the job.
- The Clippers haven't ruled out retaining coach Vinny Del Negro, who'll sit down with owner Donald Sterling this weekend to determine the fate of his job.
- The Pacers and assistant coach Brian Shaw will be in the playoffs for a while longer, but once they're done, he'll interview with the Pistons for their head coaching job.
- Celtics coach Doc Rivers isn't going anywhere, according to Danny Ainge.
- We'll know by Monday whether Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo is in or out. If Colangelo isn't back, Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri may be the man to replace him.
- The Sixers made it official, introducing Sam Hinkie as their new GM.
- There were rumors that Sixers CEO Adam Aron could be stripped of his responsibilities in the team's basketball department, but it's unclear whether that will happen.
- Thunder GM Sam Presti doesn't plan to use the amnesty clause to get rid of Kendrick Perkins.
- The Bobcats are in the process of changing their name to the Hornets, now that the team in New Orleans is known as the Pelicans.
- The Lakers and Hawks might be trying to trade their way into the lottery.
- The Blazers are already in line for a lottery pick, but they're thinking about trying to move up to take Victor Oladipo.
- One of the players Portland could trade away is former second-round pick Kostas Papanikolaou, who is drawing interest from the Spurs, Mavericks, and Knicks, among others.
- No surprises here, but Charlie Villanueva exercised his lucrative option to remain with the Pistons, as did Aaron Gray and Linas Kleiza of the Raptors.
- The Bulls get to call the shots on Richard Hamilton's return to Chicago for next season, and it's likely they'll part ways.
- The same appears to be the case for Francisco Garcia, as the Rockets are expected to turn down his option.
- Chris Copeland will be seeking a raise after his impressive rookie season with the Knicks.
- Gani Lawal has appeared in just one NBA game, but that number might be going up soon, with the Pacers, Raptors and Magic scheduled to work him out.
- Cuttino Mobley has a much longer NBA resume, and he wants back in the league, too.
- We'll probably be hearing plenty about Andrew Wiggins this time next year, and in the meantime, the projected 2014 No. 1 pick will head to Kansas to play college ball.
- Following his dismissal earlier this year as executive director, Billy Hunter is filing suit against the union and its president, Derek Fisher.
- The NBA announced its All-Rookie and All-Defensive teams.
Atlantic Rumors: Amare, Prigioni, Jackson, Rondo
J.R. Smith might have cost himself millions with his poor showing following his suspension in the playoffs this season, but that could make a return to the financially hamstrung Knicks a stronger possibility. He reiterated his desire to retire as a Knick after last night's elimination at the hands of the Pacers, though he still figures to opt out of his $2.9MM contract for next season. With the final Atlantic Division team done for 2012/13, it's time to look ahead to the summer, and that's the focus as we round up the latest from the Atlantic:
- Amare Stoudemire didn't start any games this season, but he thinks a lineup featuring him alongside Carmelo Anthony could work, observes Marc Berman of the New York Post. "We didn’t give it a chance," Stoudemire said. "We need to understand exactly what my style of play is and what I bring to the table. It’s something I have to sit down with Coach Woody (Mike Woodson) and express to him."
- Pablo Prigioni hasn't made up his mind about whether he wants to return to the NBA next season, tweets Chris Herring of The Wall Street Journal. Prigioni has spoken about going back to the Spanish league, but agent George Bass recently said his client is interested in re-signing with the Knicks.
- Newsday's Al Iannazzone identifies five offseason questions for the Knicks, pointing to a post threat, youth and athleticism as pressing needs.
- Bradford Doolittle of ESPN.com also chimes in on the summer ahead for the Knicks, whom he believes must "hit a home run" with the 24th overall pick this June (Insider only).
- The notion that Phil Jackson could wind up overseeing the Raptors front office is "total bunk," according to Bob Finnan of The News-Herald.
- One NBA general manager tells Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald that he isn't hearing Rajon Rondo's name discussed as heavily on the trade market as it has been in the past.
- Danny Ainge is open to trading the 16th pick in the draft, and there is "major speculation" that the Celtics will indeed do so, either to move up or move down in the draft order. Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe has the details amid his roundup of NBA news.
Offseason Guarantee Dates
Mark Deeks of ShamSports recently updated his NBA salary database, and included in his listings are the particulars on when a host of non-guaranteed contracts becomes guaranteed. By rule, all contracts becomes guaranteed for the season on January 10th, unless the team and player negotiate an earlier date. Some contracts include multiple thresholds that incrementally increase the guarantee as long as the player remains on the roster. Others, like Robin Lopez's deal, include dates that trigger guarantees for multiple seasons.
With an assist from Deeks, here's a list of the guarantee dates from now until November 1st, sorted by team.
Hawks
- Mike Scott — $788,872 salary is non-guaranteed until August 15th, when it becomes guaranteed for $100K
Celtics
- Paul Pierce — $15,333,334 salary for 2013/14 is guaranteed for $5MM until June 30th, when it becomes fully guaranteed
- Terrence Williams — $947,907 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until June 30th, when it becomes guaranteed for $200K
- Shavlik Randolph — $1,106,942 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until August 1st, when it becomes fully guaranteed
- D.J. White — $1,027,424 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until August 1st, when it becomes fully guaranteed
Nets
- Kris Joseph — $788,872 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until August 1st, when it becomes guaranteed for $100K. It becomes guaranteed for $200K on October 29th.
Bulls
- Richard Hamilton — $5MM salary for 2013/14 is guaranteed for $1MM until July 10th, when it becomes fully guaranteed
- Malcolm Thomas — $884,293 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until July 24th, when it becomes guaranteed for $250K
Mavericks
- Bernard James — $788,872 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until July 15th, when it becomes fully guaranteed
Nuggets
- Quincy Miller — $788,872 salary for 2013/14 is guaranteed for $150K until opening night, when it becomes fully guaranteed
Pistons
- Rodney Stuckey — $8.5MM salary for 2013/14 is guaranteed for $4MM until June 30th, when it becomes fully guaranteed
- Slava Kravtsov — $1.5MM salary for 2013/14 is guaranteed for $500K until June 29th, when it becomes fully guaranteed
- Kim English — $788,872 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until July 12th, when it becomes fully guaranteed
Warriors
- Dwayne Jones — $1,106,942 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until August 1st, when it becomes fully guaranteed
- Scott Machado — $788,872 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until August 1st, when it becomes fully guaranteed
Rockets
- Carlos Delfino — $3MM salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until June 30th, when it becomes fully guaranteed
- Aaron Brooks — $2.508MM salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until June 30th, when it becomes fully guaranteed
- Chandler Parsons — $926,500 salary for 2013/14 is guaranteed for $600K until June 30th, when it becomes fully guaranteed
- James Anderson — $916,099 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until October 31st, when it becomes fully guaranteed
Pacers
- Lance Stephenson — $930K salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until July 15th, when it becomes fully guaranteed
Clippers
- Grant Hill — $2,045,065 salary for 2013/14 is guaranteed for $500K until July 1st, when it becomes fully guaranteed
- Willie Green — $1,399,507 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until July 1st, when it becomes fully guaranteed
Lakers
- Chris Duhon — $3.75MM salary for 2013/14 is guaranteed for $1.5MM until June 30th, when it becomes fully guaranteed
Heat
- Jarvis Varnado — $788,872 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until opening night, when it becomes guaranteed for $250K
Timberwolves
- Greg Stiemsma — $2,690,875 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until July 17th, when it becomes fully guaranteed
- Mickael Gelabale — $916,099 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until July 22nd, when it becomes fully guaranteed
Pelicans
- Robin Lopez — $5,119,761 salary for 2013/14 is guaranteed for $500K until July 5th, when it becomes fully guaranteed. $5,340,229 salary for 2014/15, which is non-guaranteed, also becomes fully guaranteed on that date.
- Jason Smith — $2.5MM salary for 2013/14 is guaranteed for $1MM until June 30th, when it becomes fully guaranteed
- Lance Thomas — $884,293 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until September 1st, when it becomes fully guaranteed
- Darius Miller — $788,872 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until July 27th, when it becomes fully guaranteed
- Brian Roberts — $788,872 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until July 8th, when it becomes guaranteed for $50K. It becomes fully guaranteed on July 20th.
- Terrel Harris — $884,293 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until October 31st, when it becomes guaranteed for $150K.
Knicks
- James White — $916,099 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until June 30th, when it becomes fully guaranteed
Magic
- Kyle O'Quinn — $788,872 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until opening night, when it becomes fully guaranteed
- E'Twaun Moore — $884,293 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until June 30th, when it becomes fully guaranteed
Sixers
- Justin Holiday — $788,872 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until August 15th, when it becomes guaranteed for $50K
Suns
- Shannon Brown — $3.5MM salary for 2013/14 is guaranteed for $1.75MM until 36 hours after the draft, when it becomes fully guaranteed
- Hamed Haddadi — $1,397,500 salary for 2013/14 is guaranteed for $200K until June 29th, when it becomes fully guaranteed
- P.J. Tucker — $884,293 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until July 1st, when it becomes fully guaranteed
Spurs
- Matt Bonner — $3.945MM salary for 2013/14 is guaranteed for $1MM until June 29th, when it becomes fully guaranteed
Raptors
- Kyle Lowry — $6.21MM salary for 2013/14 is guaranteed for $1MM until July 15th, when it becomes fully guaranteed
Jazz
- Kevin Murphy — $788,872 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until August 1st, when it becomes guaranteed for $75K. It becomes guaranteed for $200K on November 1st.
- Jerel McNeal — $884,293 salary for 2013/14 is non-guaranteed until October 31st, when it becomes fully guaranteed.
Woelfel On Nets, Dunleavy, Draft, Bucks
Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times begins his look around the NBA with a profile on first-round prospect Glen Rice Jr., who could become the most highly drafted player to come out of the D-League. The Journal Times scribe also touches on offseason rumblings from around the league, and we'll round up the highlights here:
- Woelfel hears the Nets are "honing in on Lionel Hollins" for their coaching vacancy. That would appear to be an exercise in futility, since Hollins says there's mutual interest in his return to the Grizzlies, the team he's guided to the Western Conference Finals. Woelfel also mentions Scott Skiles as a candidate, echoing a report by Sam Amick of USA Today earlier this month.
- Soon-to-be free agent Mike Dunleavy has piqued the interest of several teams around the league. I examined Dunleavy's free agent stock last month, figuring he could fit in as a role player with a title contender.
- Woelfel passes along a few draft rumors, noting that Kelly Olynyk and Michael Carter-Williams will work out for the Bucks, while the Magic, Nets and Knicks have shown interest in Phil Pressey. The Nuggets interviewed Otto Porter.
- Bucks interim coach Jim Boylan is gone, but his assistant coaches remain. Their contracts are up at the end of June, along with a couple members of the team's front office staff, but it remains to be seen whether any of them will return.