Odds & Ends: Terry, Nene, Wizards, Cavs, Jazz
Tonight's NBA schedule features six games, with Clippers/Mavericks and Grizzlies/Thunder matchups topping the bill. But most basketball fans will be watching Kansas and Kentucky battle for the NCAA National Championship in New Orleans. With three likely top-five draft picks in Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Thomas Robinson, the game should provide a good preview of next year's rookie class, in addition to being entertaining in its own right.
As we gear up for the title game, here are a few links from around the NBA:
- Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com thinks Jason Terry should stop talking about his impending free agency, for Terry's own sake as much as the Mavericks'.
- In the aftermath of the trade deadline, the Wizards didn't receive rave reviews for their acquisition of Nene, but there's a definitively a more positive vibe around the club lately, writes Stephen Brotherson of HoopsWorld.
- The Cavaliers are making excellent use of the NBA's D-League, writes Bob Finnan of the News-Herald, noting that six current Cavs have played in the D-League.
- ESPN.com's John Hollinger (Insider link) looks ahead to this summer's free agent class, trying to predict which players could end up being undervalued like Brandan Wright was this year.
- The Jazz could be sending or receiving draft picks depending on how the standings end up. Kurt Kragthorpe of the Salt Lake Tribune outlines the potential playoff and draft scenarios for Utah.
The Cavaliers And The Salary Cap
It was confirmed over the weekend that the Cavaliers renounced their free agents rights to Wally Szczerbiak, eliminating his cap hold from their books. Although Szczerbiak hasn't played for the Cavs (or anyone else) since 2008/09, his presence still loomed large when it came to Cleveland's salary cap situation.
A cap hold is a hypothetical figure for free agents that have yet to sign with any club. Cap holds are added to current-player salaries, essentially to prevent teams from using cap room to sign free agents, then using Bird rights to re-sign their own free agents. Since a team doesn't actually have to pay out the amount of its cap holds, the figures are only used for cap purposes, not luxury tax purposes.
Because Szczerbiak's salary was so high in his final season, the amount of his cap hold was a staggering $18MM+. Knowing they weren't going to bring him back, the Cavaliers could have renounced their rights to Szczerbiak at any time. By doing so, however, they risked losing the flexibility that being an over-the-cap team provides. Any cap exceptions the Cavs held, such as the mid-level exception, the bi-annual exception, and traded player exceptions, would have been lost if the team's total salaries fell too far below the cap.
So why did the Cavs renounce Szczerbiak when they did? GM Chris Grant and the team haven't definitively made that clear, but we can take a few guesses.
The move happened on March 16th, immediately after the Cavs traded away Ramon Sessions and before they signed Donald Sloan and Manny Harris to multiyear deals. None of those moves should have impacted the cap situation much — while the Cavs gained some future cost certainty by moving Sessions and his 2012/13 player option, they added $6MM+ in salary to next year's cap by taking on Luke Walton in the trade. And Sloan and Harris are assumed to have signed minimum-salary contracts, so the team shouldn't have needed to clear any cap room to add either player.
It appears the timing of renouncing Szczerbiak just reflects the Cavs getting ready for the summer, since the club seems unlikely to use its newfound cap space this season. With big long-term contracts like Antawn Jamison's and Baron Davis' on their books heading into 2011/12, the Cavs never had a chance to gain much cap room, even by renouncing Szczerbiak. But with Jamison's contract expiring and Davis having been amnestied, the Cavs will head into the summer with only about $28.5MM in guaranteed money on next year's cap. That's not to say Cleveland will have nearly $30MM in cap space — the team will need to sign a pair of first-round picks on rookie contracts, and new cap holds wil chew up some more of the cap. But the Cavs should still have plenty of cap room to pursue and sign free agents, a flexibility they haven't had in years.
Odds & Ends: Rose, Perkins, Smith
One interesting note about NCAA championship as it relates to the upcoming draft: The last time the winner had a player that would subsequently go on to become that year's number one pick was in 1988, when Danny Manning of the Kansas Jayhawks was selected first overall by the Clippers. With a win tomorrow, Kentucky's Anthony Davis (currently projected to go first among several draft boards) could have a chance at ending the 23-year streak.
Should Kentucky lose, Davis could join Derrick Rose, Greg Oden, Elton Brand, and Chris Webber as number one picks who had been on the runner-up team that season. With less than 24 hours until tip-off, here are a few interesting notes to think about from the basketball news wire:
- As per Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times, Derrick Rose's injury could be worse than initially thought.
- Kendrick Perkins' has had a profound impact on Russell Westbrook this season and can be credited for the young guard's further emergence as a special player, writes Darnell Mayberry of NewsOK.
- In an exclusive interview with Raul Barrigon of HoopsHype.com, Kenny Smith indicated that he feels he'll "inevitably be coaching someday."
- Tom Reed of The Plain Dealer provides a more in-depth look at Donald Sloan, the Cavaliers reserve guard who has begun to find minutes under Byron Scott.
- According to Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel, Bucks forward Mike Dunleavy Jr. believes that teammates' trust in each other will be key in Milwaukee's pursuit of New York for the eight and final playoff spot.
- Mavericks guard Jason Terry is alarmed by Dallas' habit of falling behind in the third quarter, only to rally in the fourth but come up short, writes Dwain Price of the Star-Telegram.
- The Toronto Sun's Richard Zussman gives a primer for tomorrow's NCAA Title game and what to expect.
Cavs Notes: Scott, Gibson, Szczerbiak
The News-Herald's Bob Finnan has a few interesting rumors regarding Cleveland's current coaching situation and some salary misconceptions.
- On Friday night the Cavaliers suffered a 38-point loss against the Bucks. The margin of defeat and perceived lack of effort caused Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert to express his displeasure on Twitter. Finnan says that despite the display of dissatisfaction with his team's effort, there's no reason to believe Gilbert will not allow Byron Scott to fulfill the remaining two years on his contract.
- Daniel Gibson's 2012/13 contract is incorrectly being listed as a "team option" on some websites. Only $2.3MM is guaranteed on next year's contract. Gibson's deal is worth $4,792,332 in 2012-13.
- The team renounced former Cavalier forward Wally Szczerbiak on March 16th. They no longer have a cap hold on his deal. It is unknown why they waited to renounce his deal, only that it was a cap move.
Draft Updates: Davis, Young, Beal, Sullinger
Anthony Davis was named the AP's college basketball Player of the Year today, and is a near-lock to be picked first overall in June's draft. The only question left for Davis at this point is whether his left knee is healthy enough to help lead Kentucky to a national title. The Wildcats are set to take on Louisville in the Final Four tomorrow night, and Davis says his knee is at "about 90%." Here are a few more of today's draft-related updates:
- Arkansas freshman B.J. Young has decided to enter the draft, tweets Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com. Young, who is ranked 47th among DraftExpress' top 100 prospects, has yet to hire an agent.
- Another freshman who ranks significantly higher on DraftExpress' board (fifth), Florida's Bradley Beal has yet to decide about his future. "I know it’s going to be a hard decision for him," Bobby Beal, Bradley's father, told Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun. "Some people say (leaving) is a no-brainer, but I know that he loves college, loves the atmosphere down there."
- Don't count on local favorite Jared Sullinger becoming a Cavalier, says Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio. Amico hears from a number of insiders that it would take a "perfect storm" for the Ohio State forward to end up in Cleveland.
- ESPN.com's Chad Ford (Insider link) takes a look at the top prospects in the Final Four, while Doug Smith of the Toronto Star focuses on how Canadian players' stocks have been impacted by the NCAA tournament.
Odds & Ends: Terry, Hill, Parker, Bulls
Let's round up a few Friday morning links….
- According to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld, Jason Terry won't be willing to take a discount to stay with the Mavericks. Terry, an unrestricted free agent at season's end, would prefer to remain in Dallas, but at a fair market price, says Kyler. Terry said yesterday that he'd be interested in signing with the Heat this summer, so I wonder if the no-discount stance applies to them as well — as a taxpaying team, Miami couldn't make Terry a very significant offer.
- Suns forward Grant Hill will undergo minor knee surgery and could miss the rest of the regular season, writes Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic.
- Retirement is becoming a distinct possibility for Anthony Parker, says Bob Finnan of The News-Herald. As he has said before, the veteran Cavalier will weigh his options, including retiring, at season's end: "It's not something I've decided on. Obviously, it will be decided after the season."
- In a mailbag for Bulls.com, Sam Smith fields readers' questions on Derrick Rose, Greg Oden, Joakim Noah, and more.
Cavs Sign Lester Hudson To 10-Day Contract
The Cavaliers have signed Lester Hudson to a 10-day contract, the team announced today in a press release. The Cavs had an open roster spot after waiving Ryan Hollins, so they won't have to make a corresponding move.
Hudson, 27, had been playing for the D-League's Austin Toros, averaging 17.6 PPG in five contests for the team. The 6'3" guard was drafted by the Celtics in the second round of the 2009 draft, and has played 36 career NBA games for the Celtics, Grizzlies, and Wizards.
To keep tabs on the latest 10-day deals being signed around the league, be sure to check out our 10-day contract tracker. As the tracker shows, Hudson is the third guard the Cavs have signed to at least one 10-day contract this season. The team also signed Donald Sloan to a rest-of-season deal after the trade deadline.
Draft Updates: Moultrie, Mock Draft, Cavaliers
The NBA officially announced today that this year's draft will be held at the Prudential Center in New Jersey. With exactly three months until the June 28th event, let's round up the latest news and rumors….
- Arnett Moultrie, who projects as a mid-to-late first-round pick, intends to enter the draft, as he tells Brad Locke of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. "I… have decided to explore my options and enter my name into the 2012 NBA Draft," the Mississippi State big man wrote in a text message. "I have not signed with an agent, as of yet. However, I do anticipate doing so."
- Moultrie's declaration will prevent him from returning to Mississippi State for his senior year. However, there's one loophole that could allow him to withdraw and play one more year of college basketball, as Gary Parrish of CBSSports.com explains.
- ESPN.com's Chad Ford released his second mock draft today (Insider-only link) and fielded draft-related questions in a chat. In another Insider piece, Ford previews the best of the 2012/13 NCAA freshman class.
- Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio also answered a number of draft questions in his latest chat, with a strong focus on the Cavaliers' draft prospects.
Odds & Ends: James, Gibson, Draft, Stuckey
It's being reported by ESPN.com's Chris Broussard that early on in Miami's 105-90 loss against Indiana last night, LeBron James may have dislocated the ring finger on his left hand. In 41 minutes, James scored 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds in what was Miami's second straight loss.
- According to the Associated Press, Georgetown junior Hollis Thompson is planning on hiring an agent, and will enter the NBA draft. This year he shot 43% from behind the three-point line, which led the entire Big East. Thompson finished the season as the Hoyas' second leading scorer, and third leading rebounder.
- Cavaliers shooting guard Daniel Gibson has a torn tendon in his right foot and may miss the remainder of the season. Gibson is currently seeking multiple opinions pertaining to the injury's severity, but with only a month left in the season and Cleveland all but out of the playoff picture—not to mention the fact that they recently signed guards Donald Sloan and Manny Harris—it's more than likely he won't see the court again.
- In a recent USA Today article, Rodney Stuckey told writer Jeff Zillgitt that he saw a psychologist in order to cope with all the recent losing he's experienced with the Pistons. Stuckey is in the midst of a resurgent season that last saw him hit a game-winning shot against the Wizards last night.
- Since being traded to the Nets, Gerald Wallace has experienced loss after loss, but he's keeping a positive attitude, according to the Newark Star-Ledger's Colin Stephenson.
- The Bobcats haven't found the most success this season. The Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell writes that if they don't turn things around, they could go down as the worst team in NBA history.
Odds & Ends: Bell, Cavs, Nocioni, Macklin
On this date in 1990, the Bulls re-signed sharpshooter Craig Hodges, who backed up Michael Jordan on Chicago's first two championship teams, in addition to winning three straight three-point contests at the All-Star Game. Here's what's happening around the league tonight:
- Jazz guard Raja Bell's bothersome left knee could require microfracture surgery that would end his season, according to Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune. Apparently one doctor has recommended microfracture, but Bell has sought a second opinion, the results of which are due Monday (All four Twitter links).
- Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio shared a number of observations following the Cavs' 108-83 loss to the Suns today, including his thoughts on the team's needs in the draft. Even though they could use a center and a shooting guard, Amico believes the team should pursue the most explosive scorers at any position. The Cavs will have a pair of first-round picks this year thanks to the Ramon Sessions trade.
- Andres Nocioni, who signed to play in Spain this week, received offers from two playoff teams, but none of them would make any promises about playing time, he writes in Spanish on a blog on ESPNDeportes.com (translation courtesy HoopsHype).
- Pistons big man Vernon Macklin, a second-round pick in last year's draft, has been impressive in the D-League, notes Brendan Savage of MLive.com. The 6'10", 227-pound University of Florida product is averaging 17.2 rebounds a game. Still, the Pistons plan on leaving him with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants for another five games, tweets Keith Langlois of Pistons.com.
- Jonathan Givony of Draft Express gives his best guesses about who will be a part of this year's Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, an annual showcase for seniors coming out of college.
- Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel mentions Anthony Carter as a candidate for the Heat should the team look to sign a point guard in the wake of its loss to the Thunder tonight (Twitter link).