Top Undrafted Rookies In 2011/12
A total of 81 players made their debuts in the NBA this past season, according to Basketball-Reference, many of whom weren't picked in last June's draft. A handful of those undrafted players made notable impacts in their rookie seasons this year. Let's take a look at the top undrafted players to debut in 2011/12:
- Just making the Hawks this season was a victory for Ivan Johnson, who long ago fell off even the most ardent fan's radar screen after a single unimpressive season at the University of Oregon in 2005/06. His willingness to do the dirty work inside earned him the opportunity, and his 13 points in 21 minutes during a nationally televised three-overtime game against the Heat was his breakthrough performance. The 6'8", 230-pound big man fortified a depleted Hawks front line, as he averaged 6.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 16.7 minutes per game this season.
- It's only fitting that Johnson is going up against Greg Stiemsma's Celtics in the first round, since Stiemsma had a similar impact this year. He played 19.0 MPG in March and April as the Celtics stormed back from a dismal first half, and shot 66.7% in the season's final month. He was a presence inside for a team that needed one, and blocked 4.0 shots per 36 minutes.
- Donald Sloan started out with the Hawks, inked a pair of 10-day contracts with the Hornets, and finally wound up with the Cavs, signing a deal in March for the rest of the season. Cleveland gave him the chance to play, and he made it count, averaging 9.4 PPG and 5.4 APG in 33.2 MPG in 11 starts as a Cav.
- The Grizzlies felt comfortable enough with Jeremy Pargo, who made the team in training camp, that they traded backup point guard Greivis Vasquez to the Hornets right before the season, leaving his job to the undrafted rookie out of Gonzaga. Though he saw his role diminish as O.J. Mayo and midseason signee Gilbert Arenas took over the minutes behind Mike Conley, he still averaged nearly 10 MPG (9.6) and made five starts.
- Perhaps overshadowed by other talented teammates at Duke, Lance Thomas didn't get a call on draft night after his senior season in 2010. It took him an extra year, but he made it to the NBA with the Hornets this season. His numbers weren't overwhelming, but he still started 10 games and averaged 15.0 minutes in 42 games this season.
Dan Gilbert On Scott, Draft, Irving, LeBron
Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert addressed a few topics of interest during today's press conference with local media. Here are a few of the highlights from the afternoon session, courtesy of Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio and Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal…..
- Gilbert "loves" having Byron Scott as the Cavaliers' coach, noting that he brings stability and credibility to the franchise (Sulia link). The Cavs' owner added that he believes the right people are in the front office and on the coaching staff, and now it's just a matter of bringing in the right players (Sulia link).
- This year's draft is "very important" for the Cavs and the team wants to make it their main area of focus heading into the offseason (Twitter link).
- Gilbert specified that the Cavs want to build "with" Kyrie Irving rather than "around" him, perhaps alluding to a mistake the team made with LeBron James (Twitter link).
- Speaking of LeBron, Gilbert was asked how he felt about comments the former Cav made earlier this season hinting at a possible return to Cleveland. "Nothing in the NBA surprises me," Gilbert said.
Odds & Ends: Woodson, Van Gundy, Jazz, Perkins
With an exciting night of NBA playoff madness still underway, we take a break from the action to catch up on the latest news and happenings from around the league.
- Mike Woodson has done more than enough to get a shot at coaching the Knicks for an entire season, writes Neil Best of Newsday (subscribers only).
- Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today says Stan Van Gundy would like to return to the Magic next season but realizes that decision is not entirely up to him.
- The Jazz could have a busy offseason ahead of them as they look to add depth at the point guard and power forward positions, reports HoopsWorld's Derek Page.
- The Oklahoman's Darnell Mayberry thinks Kendrick Perkins' health is a big question mark as the Thunder look ahead to the second round of the playoffs.
- The Plain Dealer's Mike Pettica has the latest updates on the Cavs' plans for the upcoming NBA draft.
- Mavs center Brendan Haywood discusses in a radio interview why adding Deron Williams to the roster would pay huge dividends for the team in the immediate future.
- The signing of Shane Battier has proven to be fruitful for the Heat especially considering the defense he has been playing against Carmelo Anthony, writes Kevin Armstrong of the New York Daily News.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd is heading to the Hall of Fame soon. We just don't know where he's going on the way there. While both the Mavs and Kidd have reportedly indicated a willingness for him to return as a backup next year, it's unclear whether Dallas will be willing to meet his salary demands. Chris Mannix of SI.com reported earlier this week that Kidd is seeking a deal worth about the mid-level exception amount of $5MM a year. The Mavs figure to have plenty of cap room, but any team would be wary of paying that amount to a player who'll turn 40 before next season ends.
Kidd's skills have been in decline for a while now, and the aspect of his game that appeared to take the most significant step back is his playmaking ability, as he dropped from 8.2 APG to a career-low 5.5 this year. The improved outside shot that allowed him to shoot over 40% from three-point range his first three seasons in Dallas has been absent the last two years, as he's shot just 34.5% on treys. He still rebounds at a high rate for a point guard, grabbing 5.2 per 36 minutes this season, but it hasn't kept him from putting up a career-low PER (13.1) for the second year in a row. Perhaps his saving grace has been the ability to force turnovers. He led all postseason performers with 40 steals last year, and through Saturday he was doing so again this year, with 12 steals in four games. Steals, however, don't necessarily mean you're a quality defender, and Mavs coach Rick Carlisle uses cross-matches or a zone to make sure Kidd doesn't have to defend quick point guards.
It's likely most teams will find Kidd's greatest value is his ability to mentor a younger point guard in a role similar to the one Derek Fisher is playing in Oklahoma City. That's clearly what the Mavs have in mind when they think about bringing him back in the hopes that Deron Williams signs to take over the starting role. Kidd has had a Hall of Fame career and owns an NBA championship ring from last season, so he knows what it takes to succeed in the NBA. Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News group said earlier this week the Warriors will explore signing Kidd, a Bay Area native, but that's probably contingent on the unlikely event that Deron Williams signs with Golden State, too. Tayshaun Prince called upon the Pistons to go after a veteran point guard to mentor Brandon Knight, so maybe Kidd heads to Detroit. The Cavs, with young Kyrie Irving in tow, could use some of their ample cap space to go after Kidd, since even at his advanced age, he probably represents an upgrade over current backup point guard Donald Sloan. Kidd could also wind up as Williams' backup in Brooklyn instead of Dallas, as Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com suggests. Both point guards are clients of agent Jeff Schwartz.
Caplan's story also reports that Kidd would like to play two more seasons, which refutes the report earlier in the week from Mannix that Kidd will retire if he doesn't get that mid-level deal. Kidd doesn't think he'll be waiting too long, telling Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News, "I'll land somewhere early, I would think." If that's the case, it suggests Kidd won't wait for Deron Williams to decide where he's going. Judging by his comments this week, my guess is he and the Mavs have talked about a deal and are haggling over specifics. If that's the case, I think Kidd's path to Springfield will continue to detour through Dallas.
Odds & Ends: Curry, Beal, Kidd-Gilchrist, Sloan
Warriors guard Stephen Curry had shown to be one of the league's most promising young talents after two years into his NBA career, but was limited by lingering ankle injuries during his third season. Rusty Simmons of SFGate reports that the former Davidson star views his recent ankle surgery as a relief and that he fully expects to be ready for training camp in October. Curry, who feels that backup power forward and depth are the team's biggest needs, also wants to be more involved with Golden State's draft process and plans to attend prospect workouts over the next two months (Sulia link). Here are the other significant links we've gathered up this evening:
- Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe tweeted that Bradley Beal from Florida has signed with Mark Bartelstein and Priority Sports. Beal is projected to be a top five pick in next month's NBA Draft.
- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist announced via his Twitter account that he has signed with Creative Artists Agency.
- Following a season that likely included an innumerable amount of facepalms compared to high-fives, the Bobcats are now focused on adding a new head coach after recently parting ways with Paul Silas. Mitch Lawrence of the NY Daily News hears that Charlotte might try to pursue Jerry Sloan as a possible replacement, citing GM Rich Cho and Michael Jordan's admiration for the former Jazz coach. He also mentions that Sloan turned down six head coaching offers last season (among them Golden State and Detroit), which would imply that it will take a compelling proposal to convince him to join the league's biggest re-building project.
- Jeff Caplan of ESPN Dallas briefly touches base on the possibility of Rick Carlisle becoming a free agent this summer. Carlisle is finishing up his last year of a four-year contract, and despite president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson continually saying that the Mavericks coach isn't going anywhere, there has been no mention of talks regarding a new deal. Owner Mark Cuban declined to elaborate on the situation today, saying that he "doesn't talk about free agent coaches or otherwise." In a separate article by Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas, Cuban insists that he does not regret letting Tyson Chandler leave because of the financial flexibility he was able to preserve.
- David West has been one of the NBA's most significant free agent acquisitions from last year's offseason, helping the Pacers secure the third seed in the Eastern Conference and homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld discusses how West's presence has benefited the culture and confidence of the team.
- Despite a second straight lottery season for the Cavaliers, owner Dan Gilbert remains a popular figure in Cleveland, writes Plain Dealer columnist Bill Livingston. With such a close connection to the team's fan base, Livingston sees Gilbert as a more wealthy, modern-day version of legendary baseball owner Bill Veeck.
Suns Pursuing Alonzo Gee
The Suns are targeting Cavs restricted free agent Alonzo Gee with a multi-year offer worth $4MM per season, according to a tweet from Brendan Bowers of SLAM Online. Teams can't start signing other teams' free agents until July, but Bowers says the Suns are the early leaders for Gee's services.
Gee blossomed this season in Cleveland, having bounced around the NBA and the D-League his first two seasons after going undrafted out of Alabama. The 6'6", 220-pound swingman averaged 10.6 PPG and 5.1 RPG, both career highs, while posting a 13.2 PER. He supplanted Omri Casspi as the starter at small forward midway through the season. Gee just finished the second year of a minimum-salary contract he signed with the Cavs in December 2010 shortly after the Wizards waived him.
The Cavs figure to have plenty of cap space this summer, particularly once they get rid of the $18MM+ cap hold of Antawn Jamison, who's unlikely to re-sign with the team. They should have the ability to match, if they so choose. The Suns will have a lot of cap space, too, and their pursuit of Gee indicates they may be reluctant to re-sign incumbent small forward Grant Hill, who turns 40 in October. Phoenix's offseason plans are beginning to take shape, as earlier this week Lon Babby, the team's president of basketball operations, said it was likely the Suns would match any offer for restricted free agent Robin Lopez.
Odds & Ends: Pistons, Kobe, Nelson, Nene, Nets
Some Wednesday afternoon items from around the NBA:
- Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News identifies John Henson as a potential fit for the Pistons in the draft and explores the team's upcoming amnesty-related decision.
- Prior to last season's blood-platelet therapy, Kobe Bryant was seriously questioning his basketball future, says Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
- In addition to conducting a Cavaliers-centric chat this afternoon, Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio examined a few potential NBA coaching openings.
- Chad Ford of ESPN.com also answered questions in a chat that featured a number of interesting draft tidbits.
- The Magic and their fans shouldn't let the Dwight Howard saga overshadow Jameer Nelson's future in Orlando, argues Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.
- Michael Lee of the Washington Post writes about the positive influence Nene had on the Wizards' young players following the deal that sent him to Washington in March. When I previewed the Wizards' offseason yesterday, I noted that finding another strong veteran presence like Nene could have a strong impact on the team's young nucleus.
- Fred Kerber of the New York Post wonders which of the Nets' free agents will be re-signed this summer.
Offseason Outlook: Cleveland Cavaliers
Guaranteed Contracts
- Anderson Varejao ($8,368,182)
- Luke Walton ($6,087,927)
- Kyrie Irving ($5,375,760)
- Tristan Thompson ($3,894,240)
- Omri Casspi ($2,277,306)
Options
- None
Non-Guaranteed Contracts
- Daniel Gibson ($4,792,332; partially guaranteed for $2,492,332)
- Samardo Samuels ($854,389)
- Manny Harris ($854,389)
- D.J. Kennedy ($762,195)
- Donald Sloan ($762,195)
Free Agents (Cap Holds)
- Antawn Jamison ($18,091,071)
- Anthony Parker ($4,275,000)
- Alonzo Gee ($2,695,391 – QO)
- Luke Harangody ($1,029,389 – QO)
- Semih Erden ($1,029,389 – QO)
Draft Picks
- 1st Round (Pending lottery; 13.8% chance at first overall pick)
- 1st Round (24th overall)
- 2nd Round (33rd overall)
- 2nd Round (34th overall)
Cap Outlook
- Guaranteed Salary: $28,495,747
- Non-Guaranteed Salary, Cap Holds: $32,653,408
- Total (not including draft picks): $61,149,155
For the first few weeks of this season, the Cavaliers were playing well enough to be part of the Eastern Conference playoff conversation, led by first overall pick Kyrie Irving and veteran big men Antawn Jamison and Anderson Varejao. However, Irving and Varejao suffered injuries and the Cavs eventually finished the season by losing 27 of their final 35 games.
Although the team tied for the NBA's third-worst record, it wasn't a lost year in Cleveland. The Cavs appear to have landed a future All-Star in Irving, and Tristan Thompson showed flashes of the promise that made him a top-five draft pick in 2011. Cleveland also landed a first-round pick in exchange for free-agent-to-be Ramon Sessions, and now head into June armed with a pair of first-rounders in a deep draft.
Assuming the Cavaliers don't land the first overall pick, they seem like a good bet to draft a player like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Harrison Barnes, or Bradley Beal. Adding one of those guys to a core that includes Irving, Thompson, Varejao, and maybe restricted free agent Alonzo Gee would bode well for the team's long-term prospects.
If Cleveland hopes to contend for the postseason in the short term though, the club will need to replace Jamison's production, since the veteran forward has indicated that he won't re-sign. Jamison may have been overpaid at $15MM+, but he also averaged more than 17 points per game for the Cavs, scoring that won't be easy to find elsewhere.
The good news? Renouncing Jamison will immediately remove an $18MM+ cap hold off Cleveland's books, giving the team room to pursue free agents. The Cavaliers won't be players for the top free agents on the market, but kicking the tires on guys like O.J. Mayo, Leandro Barbosa, Nicolas Batum, and Ryan Anderson could pay off.
The Cavs have a lot of options when it comes to filling out their roster for 2012/13. I expect them to use at least a couple of their draft picks, and to bring back some of their own low-cost free agents or players on non-guaranteed deals. Even so, they should have room to take advantage of their cap space to bring in a free agent or two.
Heading into this offseason, Irving, Thompson, and Varejao are the only Cavs under contract past 2012/13, so the team is in great shape when it comes to cap flexibility. With another lottery pick on the way, the team shouldn't feel any pressure to deal Varejao to get even younger. If the team explores a trade, I think it would involve moving one or two of their draft picks for a veteran.
With the LeBron James era a little further in the rear-view mirror, the Cavaliers seem to be rebuilding the right way. A few smart moves this summer and some better luck with injuries could make Cleveland a playoff contender again as soon as next season.
Storytellers Contracts and Sham Sports were used in the creation of this post.
Odds & Ends: Chandler, Jackson, Kidd, Cavs
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Tuesday night:
- The Nuggets' official website notes that Wilson Chandler is recovering successfully from his recent hip surgery. Chandler signed a five-year deal with the Nuggets in March after returning from his stint in China.
- MySanAntonio.com's Buck Harvey wonders how Stephen Jackson's career would have differed had he remained with the Spurs the entire time.
- The Bay Area News Group's Marcus Thompson speculates that the Warriors may look at Jason Kidd as an option at backup point guard this offseason.
- Fox Sports Ohio's Sam Amico compares the Cavaliers' current roster and financial flexibility to that of the rest of the Eastern Conference lottery teams.
Odds & Ends: Magic, Trail Blazers, Cavaliers
With Sunday afternoon's playoff action already underway, let's catch up on the latest news and headlines from around the league.
- FoxSportsOhio.com's Sam Amico writes why he believes the Cavaliers are headed in the right direction.
- Mike Tokito from The Oregonian gives a by the numbers rundown of the Trail Blazers and what they'll have to work with this offseason.
- The Magic's upset victory over the Pacers wasn't fueled by the team's desire to prove to Dwight Howard that they could win without him, writes Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel. Instead, the team is focusing on what they can control and attempting to eliminate any outside distractions that may keep them from achieving their goal of winning playoff basketball games. "We're not here to prove anything about Dwight," Hedo Turkoglu said. "He's our best player and we wish he were here. But we can't think about that. We have to accept who we are right now, move on and play our best."
- SI.com's Sam Amick says USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo is reconsidering adding players to the roster of Olympic team finalists after Derrick Rose tore his ACL on Saturday against the Sixers. While the loss of Rose weakens the point guard position, Colangelo is confident that the team has a deep enough backcourt to overcome his absence. Amick points to DeMarcus Cousins as a potential addition to the list of finalists after enjoying a season in which he averaged 18.1 PPG and 11.0 RPG for the Kings.
- The Grizzlies have put together a dangerous playoff team using a combination of discarded parts, role players and overachievers, contends Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. From Marc Gasol, acquired in a salary dump for his brother, to Tony Allen, not considered a highly-attractive free agent due to a perceived limited skill-set, the Grizzlies have seemingly come out of nowhere to take the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoffs. "They played to their strengths," Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins said. "It's usually the best team that wins. Good basketball teams are good whether they have people noted as stars or not.
- Joel Brigham of HoopsWorld wonders if the Bulls can still contend in the Eastern Conference playoffs after losing their star point guard for the remainder of the season. As the team managed an 18-9 record without Rose during the regular season, Brigham says the Bulls still may advance beyond the second round in what would be a matchup against either the Celtics or the Hawks. The journey would end, however, in the Eastern Conference Finals if the Bulls have to face the Heat.