Joakim Noah Leads All-Defensive Team
Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah, Paul George, Chris Paul, Serge Ibaka and Andre Iguodala make up this year’s All-Defensive First Team, the NBA announced in a press release. LeBron James, Patrick Beverley, Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard and Roy Hibbert are on the second team. The news is a boon for the Bulls, who would have had to pay Taj Gibson a $250K bonus for making either the first or second All-Defensive teams. Chicago scrambled late in the season to avoid the possibility that such a bonus for Gibson would force the team to pay the luxury tax. Earning the bonus would have pushed Gibson’s salary cap figure higher for next season, too, since it would have been considered a “likely” bonus for next season.
Noah received 105 first-place votes, far outdistancing George, who with 65 first-place votes earned the second most. Iguodala and James received an identical number of first-place votes (57), but Iguodala’s 34 second-team votes were better than the four-time MVP’s 20, allowing Golden State’s swingman to take the final position on the first team.
Clippers center DeAndre Jordan was the highest vote-getter who missed the cut for the second team, followed by Anthony Davis and Tony Allen. Tim Duncan and Dwight Howard were next, directly in front of Gibson.
Pacers Rumors: Stephenson, Vogel, Hill, Rondo
Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird today reiterated a stance he took early in the season, telling reporters, including Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star, that he wants soon-to-be free agent Lance Stephenson back in a Pacers uniform (Twitter link). A report late last week indicated that some within the Pacers had begun to question whether re-signing the mercurial guard was the right idea.
“When it comes down to it, it’s up to him whether he wants to be here or not. … I always want him back,” Bird said, as Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today notes (Twitter link).
There’s much more from the team’s exit interviews today, much of it coming from Bird, via Buckner, who live-tweeted his remarks. Here are the highlights:
- Coach Frank Vogel also offered his support for re-signing Stephenson, as Buckner passes along via Twitter.
- Bird confirmed that Vogel will return and that his job was never in jeopardy, pinning rumors to the contrary on far-flung reporters, Buckner tweets.
- There appears to be less certainty about the future of George Hill, in spite of three more seasons on his contract, Bird indicated. “Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot about our point guard situation,” Bird said, according to Buckner (Twitter link). “I like George. But you never know what’s going to happen this summer.”
- Bird also cast an eye toward Rajon Rondo, as Buckner notes in a pair of tweets. “He’s a very good player,” Bird said of Rondo, who’ll be a free agent next summer. “Been great for a long time. It’s always good to daydream and wish for these guys, but everything we do has to be through trades.”
- The Pacers have only one pick, at No. 57, in this month’s draft, but Bird suggested there’s a decent chance the team will move up, either into the first round or the early part of the second, according to Buckner (Twitter links).
- Bird also offered support for Evan Turner, Indiana’s major trade deadline acquisition and another soon-to-be free agent, saying that he loves the swingman’s game and predicting that he’ll average 17 points per game wherever he ends up, Buckner tweets.
- Ex-Pacer Danny Granger helped in the locker room, but he “was never this leader that everybody thought he was,” Bird said, according to Buckner (on Twitter).
- Bird refused to say whether anyone on the roster was an untouchable, and hedged about the idea of altering the team’s core, as Buckner passes along (Twitter links). “They’re young, I don’t want to make major changes … but we’re open, we’re going to listen and we’re going to see what’s out there,” Bird said.
Pistons Close To Hiring Jeff Bower As GM
The Pistons are finalizing an agreement with former New Orleans GM Jeff Bower that would make him Detroit’s GM, a role in which he would assist president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. Bower emerged as a candidate for the job Thursday, and apparently he’s beaten out Otis Smith and Stu Jackson, who were the only two known candidates for a few weeks. Spurs assistant GM Scott Layden and former Heat GM Randy Pfund were other latecomers in the race.
Bower was a candidate for the Sixers and Magic GM jobs in 2013 and 2012, respectively, although he’d have had more autonomy in those jobs than he’s in line for with Detroit. He’ll handle the day-to-day duties of the Pistons front office, Wojnarowski writes, while Van Gundy juggles the tasks of being the team’s head coach and top basketball executive. Bower is set to leave his job as the head coach at Marist College, which he took last year after working as a scout following the end of 15 years in the New Orleans organization, as Wojnarowski points out.
He served as the primary basketball executive for the then-Hornets from 2005-10, finishing out his tenure there in a dual role of GM and coach in 2009/10. His experience that season may come in handy for Van Gundy, who’s schedule figures to be packed. Still, Bower is something of a surprise choice, given the connection between Van Gundy and Smith, who worked together with Orlando, and the team’s interview with Jackson.
Eastern Notes: Cavs, Bucks, Sixers, Temple
Another team with a top-three pick has inquired with the Cavs about trading up for the first overall pick, reports Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio. That means either the Bucks, currently picking second, or Sixers, at No. 3, would like to see if they can improve their respective draft positions. Here’s more from the Eastern Conference, home to the teams with five of the top six selections in the draft:
- Soon-to-be free agent Garrett Temple says he’ll consider teams that offer an expanded role for him, but he nonetheless adds that he’d “love” to be back with the Wizards, as Ben Standig of CSNWashington.com observes.
- NBA veteran Lance Thomas has dropped out of this week’s Nets workout, tweets Tim Bontemps of the New York Post.
- Semaj Christon, Bryce Cotton, Deonte Burton, Russ Smith, Kendrick Perry, Kyle Casey, Reger Dowell and Tim Frazier are the previously unreported players working out for the Celtics today. Baxter Holmes of The Boston Globe passes along the list on Twitter.
Offseason Outlook: Orlando Magic
Guaranteed Contracts
- Arron Afflalo ($7,500,000)
- (Glen Davis $6,600,000)*
- Victor Oladipo ($4,978,200)
- (Al Harrington $3,804,900)**
- Nikola Vucevic ($2,751,260)
- Tobias Harris ($2,380,594)
- Maurice Harkless ($1,887,840)
- Andrew Nicholson ($1,545,840)
Options
- None
Non-Guaranteed Contracts
- Jameer Nelson ($8,000,000; guaranteed for $2,000,000)***
- Jason Maxiell ($2,500,000)****
- Ronnie Price ($1,316,809)*****
- Doron Lamb ($915,243)******
- Kyle O’Quinn ($915,243)*******
- Dewayne Dedmon ($816,482)********
Free Agents / Cap Holds
- No. 4 pick ($3,326,700)
- Fran Vazquez ($1,898,300)*********
- No. 12 pick ($1,803,400)
- E’Twaun Moore ($1,148,163 – QO)***********
- (Jeremy Richardson $915,243)
Draft Picks
- 1st Round (4th overall)
- 1st Round (12th overall)
Cap Outlook
- Guaranteed Salary: $33,448,634
- Options: $0
- Non-Guaranteed Salary: $12,463,777
- Cap Holds: $9,091,806
- Total: $55,004,217
While a lot of the teams that struggled last season are dreaming of a playoff berth, the Magic have a different timetable than most. Orlando, coming off of a 23-59 season, isn’t expecting a major transformation in 2014/15 and while they’d surely like to make the postseason, they know that the road back to contention may have to be a bumpy one for the next couple of years.
That’s not to say that Magic fans don’t have reason for optimism. Orlando has a promising young core featuring rookie Victor Oladipo, Nikola Vucevic, and Tobias Harris, and their continued development alone should mean an improvement over last year’s dismal mark. However, Orlando’s offseason moves will mean the difference between a five game bump and significant steps forward.
The Magic’s main problem in 2013/14 was a matador defense (Ole!) that allowed 104.6 points per 100 possessions. Their defensive lapses can’t be pinpointed to one player or one unit, but we can start the finger pointing with the front court. Orlando has just one real shot blocking threat in Kyle O’Quinn and that’s not enough to keep anyone at bay. The easy solution, after looking at O’Quinn’s stat sheet, would be to play him more than ~17 minutes a night. However, his offensive shortcomings mean that starters minutes would be a bad idea. Arron Afflalo and Oladipo were solid defenders on the outside last season, but they’ll need some big bodies behind them to keep opponents honest.
Speaking of O’Quinn’s offense, or lack thereof, it’d be great for Orlando if they could get a big man that can make an impact on both ends of the floor. If the ping pong balls went the Magic’s way, rather that the Cavs’, they could have an easy fix in Kansas big man Joel Embiid. Unfortunately for the Magic, they’ll be picking fourth. It’s not a bad consolation prize, especially in this year’s draft, but it seems like the KU big man won’t be on the board for them, unless his medicals leak out and appear questionable.
So, if Embiid is out, who is in play for the Magic at No. 4? Australian guard Dante Exum seems to be getting rave reviews from everyone and if he gets past the Sixers at No. 3, he could give Orlando their one-guard of the future. Exum is a dynamic athlete who can score but isn’t purely a chucker. The 19-year-old has great court vision and the ability to dish on offense and his 6’6″ frame should allow him to be a pesky defender at the NBA level.
Exum’s arrival, or the acquisition of any promising young point guard, could spell the end for Jameer Nelson‘s time in pinstripes. The veteran guard is set to make $8MM in 2014/15, but he’s guaranteed only $2MM, so the Magic could let him go elsewhere without much penalty. Orlando has until July 15th to decide his fate: that’s when his deal goes from $2MM guaranteed to fully guaranteed at $8MM.
If the Magic tab Exum at No. 4, they can get another talented international prospect at No. 12 in Jusef Nurkic. Nurkic, also 19, would give the Magic a big presence, serious strength, and a 7’2″ wingspan: just the type of enforcer that they can use on defense. The very fair knock on him is that he’s something of an unknown. Due to conditioning issues, the Bosnian saw limited minutes last season, averaging 15.4 minutes in Eurocup action and 16.6 minutes per night in the Adriatic league. Even with his question marks, teams have been drooling over Nurkic’s upside as his stock has shot up from a mid-to-late second round prospect to a very real lottery possibility. If the Magic intend to be patient with their timetable, they can afford to take the time to help the center realize his full potential.
Another major area of need for Orlando is outside shooting. The aforementioned Exum would give them a scorer, but not a three-point shooter. At No. 12, the Magic could be in line for Michigan standout Nik Stauskas or sharpshooting Duke small forward Rodney Hood. Stauskas is currently pegged to go No. 13 in DraftExpress’ mock. Hood is slotted at No. 15, but he told me in May that he could go as high as No. 6. That guarantees very little, but the possibility exists that he won’t be an option for Orlando with their second first-rounder.
Of course, with just ~$33.4MM in guaranteed salary for next season, the Magic aren’t just confined to the draft. They can turn to the free agent market to get impact veterans at their need positions and this summer is ripe with quality options. No, LeBron won’t be taking his talents to Epcot, but one has to think that the Magic could come away with a Luol Deng, Kyle Lowry, or Lance Stephenson, even if a recent report indicated that such a move would be a “shock“.
Dwight Howard is long gone and Orlando’s title contention hopes are as well – at least for now. With the right moves and responsible spending, the Magic can position themselves for a small step forward in 2014/15 and a big leap the following year.
Cap footnotes
* — The Magic waived Davis in February despite guaranteed salary remaining on his contract through 2014/15.
** — The Magic waived Harrington in August 2013 despite partially guaranteed salary remaining on his contract through 2014/15.
*** — Nelson’s salary becomes fully guaranteed if he’s not waived on or before July 15th.
**** — Maxiell’s salary becomes fully guaranteed if he’s not waived on or before July 10th.
***** — Price’s salary becomes fully guaranteed if he’s not waived on or before July 10th.
****** — Lamb’s salary becomes fully guaranteed if he’s not waived on or before July 1st.
******* — O’Quinn’s salary becomes fully guaranteed if he’s not waived on or before July 15th.
******** — Dedmon’s salary becomes guaranteed for $250,000 if he’s not waived on or before opening night.
********* — The Magic hold the draft rights to Vazquez, who’s yet to sign an NBA contract. He was the 11th overall pick in 2005, and his cap hold is equal to 100% of the rookie scale for the 11th overall pick in this year’s draft. The Magic can erase it from their books and still retain the draft rights to Vazquez if he and the team agree in writing that he won’t sign during the 2014/15 season.
*********** — Moore’s cap hold would be $915,243 if the team declined to tender his qualifying offer.
ShamSports and Larry Coon’s Salary Cap FAQ were used in the creation of this post.
And-Ones: Rockets, Melo, Fisher, Corbin
Rockets owner Les Alexander says he wants to make a “big splash” this summer but wanting to doesn’t make it so, writes Bill Ingram of Basketball Insiders. Carmelo Anthony is clearly target number one for Houston, but he is also the least likely to get Houston beyond the second round. Scoring was not the Rockets’ problem in 2013/14, so adding Anthony wouldn’t make them substantially better, Ingram argues. Others possible targets like Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving could make a huge difference, but it’ll be hard to land either one for different reasons. More from around the NBA..
- Derek Fisher told reporters, including Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman (on Twitter), that it’s too early to determine if he’s going to retire. Of course, if the Thunder veteran steps away from playing, he’ll find himself among the hottest coaching candidates in the league with vacancies on the Lakers and Knicks benches.
- Croatian forward Damjan Rudez will workout for the Cavaliers in the coming days, according to a report from Gigantes passed along by Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. Rudez, who went undrafted in 2008, ended his season with CAI Zaragoza averaging 10.4 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. He is under contract with the club but he does have a buyout clause.
- Former Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin is set to interview for an assistant coaching gig with the Kings, a source tells Jody Genessy of the Deseret News. Corbin had spent the past ten years with Utah in various capacities.
Draft Notes: Smart, Randle, Jazz, Knicks
Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders cautions us not to overlook Julius Randle. Randle, a surefire lottery pick and possible top five selection, has the killer instinct and confidence that NBA talent evaluators love. That fire is something Randle has had dating back to his high school days and he continued that at Kentucky. Here’s a look at the latest draft news..
- Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart knows that he’s a polarizing prospect heading into the NBA draft, writes Aaron Falk of The Salt Lake Tribune. A year ago, Smart might have been the No. 1 overall pick. Instead, he stayed in school and played out a sophomore season that raised more question marks than anything. Still, Smart is a talented point guard and a tenacious defender and appears to be a mortal lock for the lottery.
- The Jazz will work out second-round candidates Aaron Craft, LaQuinton Ross, Roscoe Smith, and Cam Bairstow tomorrow morning, tweets Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune. Ross and Smith will be the first two underclassmen that the Jazz have brought in (link). Ross has a connection to the state of Utah as his father, Chris Russell, played at Utah State.
- UNC’s James Michael McAdoo and Middle Tennessee State’s Shawn Jones worked out for the Knicks today, tweets Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com.
Hoops Links: Parsons, Beal, Suns, Sonics
On this date in 1994, Pacers guard Reggie Miller drilled an NBA Playoff record five three-point field goals in the fourth quarter of the Pacers’ 93-86 win over the Knicks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Miller finished with a game-high 39 points, including 6-of-11 from three-point range. Five players have since tied Miller’s record of five three-pointers in one quarter of a playoff game.
Got a great basketball blog post that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors? Send it to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s look around the basketball blogosphere…
- House Of Houston gives props to Chandler Parsons.
- Rotowire looked at the playoff performances of Bradley Beal and Draymond Green.
- iSportsWeb gives us an NBA Draft primer for the Suns.
- Sonics Rising dug up a Seattle classic from 1992.
- Bright Side Of The Sun previews the season ahead for the Phoenix Mercury.
- Nets Daily reviewed Joe Johnson‘s season.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Atlantic Notes: Katz, Melo, Ewing, Noel
There was tragic news this morning as Daniel Rubin and Alfred Lubrano of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that former Nets owner Lewis Katz died Saturday night in a plane crash. All seven people, including three crew members, perished in the accident at a Massachusetts airfield. Katz was known not only for being an investor in the Nets, New Jersey Devils, and New York Yankees, but also as a prolific philantropist. Hoops Rumors would like to extend our condolences to the friends and family of Katz and all of those who lost their lives in the awful tragedy. Here’s the latest out of the Atlantic..
- Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com weighs the pros and cons of Carmelo Anthony opting in from all sides. If Melo opts in, it’ll allow the Knicks to get a clear idea of how much cap space they’ll have to work with next summer. As for Melo, he can potentially make more money overall by waiting until next summer to sign his next big deal, whether it comes from the Knicks or someone else.
- Once again, Patrick Ewing wants to coach the Knicks but has not been contacted about the vacancy, writes Ken Berger of CBSSports.com. “My family’s still there I still have a home there,” Ewing said Saturday on CBS Sports Radio’s Eye On Basketball show. “I don’t know what is going to happen in terms of who they’re going to have to fill that void. But if I get a call, I’ll be ready.” Ewing has plenty of experience as an assistant coach but for one reason or another has not been given serious consideration for a head coaching gig.
- After sitting out all of last year, Sixers center Nerlens Noel is eager to show what he can do, writes Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. “The whole offseason I’ve really focused on getting stronger, putting on weight and gaining muscle, and that’s what I did,” the 6’11” Noel said. “Every aspect and skill point, I’ve been working on, too. My shot, I’ve progressed a lot, and I’m working on my technique. Every part of my game I’ve improved on.”
Northwest Notes: Wolves, Love, Perkins
Former Syracuse star Jerami Grant is feeling confident after his workout today for the Wolves, according to the team’s Twitter account. Meanwhile, he says he needs to work on his shooting consistency to take the next step (link). The small forward is currently slated to go No. 25 in DraftExpress’ mock draft. The Wolves own the No. 13 pick in the first round. More out of the Northwest Division..
- Kevin Love may be vacationing in Boston, but Wolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders told reporters, including The Associated Press, that he expects the All-Star back in Minnesota next season. Love declined comment when asked if he was scouting out the city as a possible destination, but that hasn’t helped to quell any of the speculation that he wants to join the C’s.
- When asked if it’s time to turn the page on Kendrick Perkins, Thunder coach Scott Brooks replied, “That remains to be seen. There’s a lot of work to be done this summer,” tweets Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman. Perkins is entering the final year of his deal and is set to earn $9.15MM.
- Pending free agent Thabo Sefolosha says that he has “no clue” if he’ll be back with the Thunder next year, Mayberry tweets.