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Month: December 2013

Hoops Links: Sixers, Cavs, Gay, Asik

By | at December 15, 2013 1:30 pm

On this date in 1994, the NBA announced that it was changing the statistical minimum needed for a player to qualify for the three-point field goal percentage title from 50 to 82.  With attempts from downtown skyrocketing, it was a necessary move.

Here at Hoops Links, we’re never afraid to pop it from beyond the arc.  Got a great basketball blog post that you want featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send it to me at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here’s this week’s look around the basketball blogosphere..

If you have a suggestion for this feature, please email Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.

0 comments Hoops Links

Texas Notes: Mavs, Rockets, Lin, Dalembert

By | at December 15, 2013 12:02 pm

A quick look at the Mavericks and Rockets..

  • Multiple GMs tell Alan Hahn of ESPN Radio (audio link) that there’s a strong feeling around the league that the Rockets will move Jeremy Lin if they find a taker (h/t Patrick Harrel of The Dream Shake).  If Houston was able to move center Omer Asik for draft picks and deal Lin for an expiring contract, they could have enough room to offer a near-max deal this summer.
  • Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is disappointed in what he’s seen out of offseason pickup Samuel Dalembert so far.  “I think he can be playing better,” Cuban said, according to Dwain Price of the Star-Telegram.  ” I just don’t think he’s been in a position where he’s been expected to perform to help a team win since his first one or two years…So I think this is a new situation for him and hopefully he’ll perform.“
  • In his 2013/14 debut, Brandan Wright picked up right where he left off by shooting 9-10 from the floor, writes ESPNDallas.com’s Bryan Gutierrez.  Wright re-signed with the Mavs this offseason on a two-year, $10MM deal.  While he put up 19-and-six, Dalembert recorded his first DNP-coach’s decision of the season.
1 comment Dallas Mavericks Houston Rockets

Atlantic Notes: Sixers, Smith, Knicks, MWP

By | at December 15, 2013 10:26 am

The 7-17 Sixers are only 3.5 games out of first place in the Atlantic Division, but Tom Moore of The Intelligencer says they should pump the brakes.  After all, he argues, the Sixers won’t be able to do much of anything in the playoffs against the likes of the Heat.  Improving their draft position, however, could set them up nicely for years to come.  More from the Atlantic..

  • Knicks guard J.R. Smith was criticized by coach Mike Woodson for his poor shot selection in last week’s game against the Bulls and the guard responded by taking just one shot in 27 minutes against the Celtics, writes Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.  “Mike said that after all I’ve done for you I can’t have you talking back to me like that,” the source claimed. The same source added that Smith made a lewd comment that angered Woodson.
  • Anthony Reiber of Newsday sat down with Knicks veteran Metta World Peace for a wide-ranging interview in which he said that he wouldn’t be hurt if he was traded from New York just months into his time there.
  • The Raptors are winning without Rudy Gay and playing more like a team, but coach Dwane Casey told reporters, including Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun, that it isn’t a case of addition by subtraction. “It has nothing to do with Rudy whatsoever.  I think just the pieces fit more from that respect. It has nothing to do with Rudy personally.  Rudy’s a talented player, he’s a big-time wing player. Just the fit is a different thing.  If you were on a different team that needed a wing, you’d definitely have Rudy Gay on your team,” (via these Twitter links).
  • First-year Nets forward Mirza Teletovic is playing well but without a real open spot in the rotation, he may not see consistent minutes, writes Tim Bontemps of the New York Post.
1 comment Brooklyn Nets New York Knicks Philadelphia 76ers Toronto Raptors

Lakers Interested In Shumpert, Chandler

By | at December 15, 2013 8:59 am

The Lakers recently called the Knicks to express their interest in Iman Shumpert, sources close to the situation tell Chris Broussard of ESPN.com.  No trade is imminent, however, and sources say the Lakers’ call was more about doing their due diligence.

The Lakers are unlikely to make a deal before the end of their current four-game trip, but they could be interested in bolstering their backcourt given the recent rash of injuries.  Steve Blake has now joined point guards Steve Nash and Jordan Farmar on the injured list thanks to an elbow injury that will sideline him at least six weeks.  Shumpert, of course, is a two-guard, but Kobe Bryant has been uncharacteristically pass-happy since making his return.

Shump isn’t their only possible target  Sources tell Broussard the Lakers also are interested in center Tyson Chandler but have yet to inquire on him.  Los Angeles is deciding whether to propose a Pau Gasol-for-Chandler trade and even though the Knicks aren’t looking to move him, they’ve gotten several calls.  The Knicks would rather keep Chandler, but they’d consider moving him if it meant also dealing struggling guard J.R. Smith.

1 comment Los Angeles Lakers New York Knicks

How They Were Signed: Mini Mid-Level & Room Exception

By | at December 14, 2013 10:05 pm

Continuing to look at how players on current NBA rosters were signed; we will combine the two non-standard forms of the mid-level exception. As previously discussed, there are three versions of the mid-level exception dependent upon where the team’s salary is in relation to the salary cap and luxury tax amount.

Teams below the salary cap are given what is referred to as the room exception. Teams above the luxury tax line are given what is referred to as a mini mid-level exception. Teams above the salary cap but below the luxury tax are allotted the full mid-level exception. We have already looked at players signed under the full mid-level exception and today we will focus on those players signed under the room exception and mini mid-level exception.

The room exception allows teams to sign players for up to two years. The amount they are allowed to offer that player in the first year of the contract changes each year and in 2013/14 that amount was $2.65MM. The contract can grow each year to a maximum of 4.5%. Therefore teams who were looking to offer a player a contract this past offseason and were under the salary cap could use the room exception to offer that player up to a $5.42MM contract.

The mini mid-level exception allows teams to sign players for up to three years. The amount they are allowed to offer that player in the first year of the contract also changes each year and in 2013/14 that amount was $3.18MM. The contract can grow each year at a maximum rate of 4.5%. Therefore teams who were looking to offer a player a contract this past offseason and were above both the salary cap and the luxury tax amount could use the mini mid-level exception to offer that player up to a $9.98MM contract.

Teams are allowed to use both of these exceptions each year and are not required to use it on only one player but can split it among multiple players. A more detailed explanation of these exceptions is available here.

Below is a team-by-team list of which players on current NBA rosters were signed under either the room exception or the mini mid-level exception. Assume the player was signed using the mini mid-level exception unless otherwise stated.

  • Atlanta Hawks 
    • None
  • Boston Celtics 
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Bobcats
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers 
    • None
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets 
    • None
  • Detroit Pistons
    • None
  • Golden State
    • None
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
    • None
  • Los Angeles Clippers
    • None
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
    • None
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
    • None
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
    • None
  • New Orleans Pelicans
    • None
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
    • None
  • Orlando Magic
    • None
  • Philadelphia 76ers
    • None
  • Phoenix Suns
    • None
  • Portland Trailblazers
    • Mo Williams ($2.65MM 13/14; $2.77MM 14/15) (Room Exception)
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
    • None
  • Toronto Raptors
    • None
  • Utah Jazz
    • None
  • Washington Wizards
    • None

StorytellersContracts and ShamSports were used in the creation of this post.

0 comments 2013 Free Agent Market

Pacers Notes: Bird On Stephenson, West, Hibbert

By | at December 14, 2013 9:15 pm

Mark Montieth of Pacers.com sat down with Larry Bird to discuss all things Pacers. Here are a few highlights from that discussion.

  • Bird thinks the Pacers are the best option for Lance Stephenson and says the Pacers would want to resign Stephenson next summer. Bird claims they will offer Stephenson a “great offer” but doesn’t know what is going to happen next summer.
  • Bird attributes David West‘s signing with the Pacers for less money than the Celtics were offering, to West’s agent, Lance Young of Excel Sports Management, expressing to him that West was very interested in playing for the Pacers as well as his willingness to meet with Pacers’ doctors regarding his knee injury.
  • Had it not been for Roy Hibbert‘s agent, David Falk, the Pacers might not have drafted Hibbert. Bird was promised by Falk that he would make sure Hibbert fell to the Pacers 17th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. When Falk kept his end of the deal, Bird followed through and drafted Hibbert.
5 comments Indiana Pacers

Odds & Ends: Thibodeau, Lowry, Jazz, Bobcats

By | at December 14, 2013 7:35 pm

Despite some speculation to the contrary, Joe Cowley of the Sun-Times insists that Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau isn’t going anywhere. It was recently reported that the Knicks could make a run at the defensively-minded coach.  More from around the Association..

  • With the Nets unwilling to give up a first-round pick for Kyle Lowry and the Knicks saying they won’t part with a first rounder or Tim Hardaway Jr., Al Iannazone of Newsday (on Twitter) wonders if the Knicks will wind up caving.
  • The Jazz announced that they have assigned rookie guard Ian Clark and rookie center Rudy Gobert to its D-League affiliate, the Bakersfield Jam. Gobert, a 7’1″ rookie center has made 17 appearances for the Jazz in a reserve role, averaging 2.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.82 blocks in 10.7 minutes. Clark, 22, has appeared in eight games as a reserve for the Jazz, averaging 2.8 points in 8.8 minutes.
  • The accountability of first-year coach Steve Clifford sets a good tone for the Bobcats, writes Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer.
  • Blazers forward Dorell Wright doesn’t sound terribly upset about the Sixers‘ decision to not re-sign him.  “You see what direction they were going in. That was not in my plan at all,” said Wright, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter).
  • Magic officials have challenged Andrew Nicholson to become more physical since taking him with the 19th overall pick in the 2012 draft and he’s finally responding, writes Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel.
1 comment Brooklyn Nets Charlotte Hornets Chicago Bulls NBA G League New York Knicks Orlando Magic Philadelphia 76ers Portland Trail Blazers Transactions Utah Jazz

Eastern Notes: Irving, Rondo, Augustin, Nets

By | at December 14, 2013 6:03 pm

WIll Kyrie Irving stay or go?  It’s probably too early to say considering he’s still on his rookie deal with the Cavs, but this is a fanbase that has been burned before.  If the yahoo who ran on to the court with a shirt imploring Kyrie not to leave is any indication, Cleveland fans will continue biting their nails until 2016.  Scott Cacciola of the New York Times looked at the road ahead for the star guard and the attention that will be around his decision (with a lower case “d”) over the next few years.  More from the Eastern Conference..

  • Celtics coach Brad Stevens says Rajon Rondo was cleared for contact practice today but he won’t play until the New Year, tweets Jeff Goodman of ESPNBoston.com.  Rondo was all over Hoops Rumors earlier this month when it was reported that Carmelo Anthony was working to woo him to New York for the summer of 2015.  Both players have denied that ever happening, however.
  • D.J. Augustin passed on NBA interest from elsewhere to sign on with the Bulls, writes Shams Charania of RealGM.  “My agent and I both felt this would be the best opportunity,” Augustin said. “I just couldn’t pass it up.”
  • The win-now approach of the Nets and Knicks is more about seeing who can spend the most money than actually vying for a title, writes Tomas Rios of Sports On Earth.
0 comments Boston Celtics Brooklyn Nets Cleveland Cavaliers New York Knicks

Team Facebook/Twitter/RSS

By | at December 14, 2013 4:50 pm

If you want to keep tabs on all of Hoops Rumors’ stories and updates, you can follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or subscribe to our feed through your RSS reader of choice. However, if you prefer to only receive news about your favorite NBA team, we have you covered. Below are links to our Facebook, Twitter, and RSS pages and feeds for all 30 teams.

Atlantic

Central

Southeast

Southwest

Northwest

Pacific

Transactions only: Twitter / RSS

0 comments Uncategorized

Odds & Ends: Randolph, Rockets, Lakers, Siva

By | at December 14, 2013 3:24 pm

Since a report surfaced this week suggesting the Grizzlies are shopping Zach Randolph, team sources have adamantly denied that the big power forward is on the block. Nonetheless, Randolph has heard the rumors and admits to NBA.com’s Fran Blinebury that he can’t altogether ignore them.

“It bothers me. It hurts a little bit. I can’t deny that,” Randolph said. “But it goes to show you that there ain’t no loyalty in this game. It seems like you only get loyalty in certain organizations. You see it in winning organizations like the Spurs, the Lakers, the Heat.”

Here’s more from around the league on a Saturday afternoon:

  • GM Daryl Morey and the Rockets have used their D-League affiliate as a “laboratory of sorts” to test ideas and strategies that could be used in the NBA, as Kevin Pelton of ESPN.com writes (Insider-only link). This season, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers are pushing the pace and shooting three-pointers at a record rate, prompting Pelton to wonder if we’ll see the Rockets employ a similar approach soon.
  • Jabari Davis, Joel Brigham, and Yannis Koutroupis of HoopsWorld weigh in with their thoughts on Kobe Bryant‘s two-year extension and how it affects the Lakers‘ short- and long-term future.
  • Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim questions whether tanking is really worth it for NBA teams this season, since he views this year’s top freshmen as talented, but not “transcendent” players. Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv has the details.
  • Pistons rookie Peyton Siva says he has Louisville coach Rick Pitino to thank for his smooth transition to the NBA, writes Brigham in a separate HoopsWorld piece. “[Coach Pitino] prepares you mentally for everything that’s coming up ahead. He’s a great coach when it comes to that mental preparation,” Siva told HoopsWorld. “A lot of players lose focus and break down mentally, but he makes sure you stay alert, stay on task and builds a great work ethic in you.”
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