Update On Restricted Free Agents
The only two unsigned players remaining from the latest edition of the Hoops Rumors Free Agent Power Rankings are restricted free agents Eric Bledsoe and Greg Monroe, and that’s not altogether surprising. Negotiations with restricted free agents often drag on, as rival suitors fear the team holding the power to match offers will exercise that right. Still, this year’s market for restricted free agents has been fairly robust, and only five remain without deals, as our Free Agent Tracker shows. Here’s the latest on each of them:
There’s reportedly a wide gulf between Bledsoe, who’s seeking a max deal that would be worth $84,789,500 over five years, and the Suns, who’ve offered four years and $48MM. The Bucks have been in pursuit and apparently discussed an offer sheet with the point guard, but they don’t possess the cap flexibility necessary to make an offer substantially more than what the Suns have on the table, unless they can clear salary via trade. There were some around the NBA who thought agent Rich Paul tried to sell clubs on Bledsoe as they came to make pitches for fellow Paul client LeBron James earlier this month. Still, aside from the Suns, none of the teams who spoke with Paul about LeBron have subsequently been linked to Bledsoe. The Jazz had reportedly been prepared to make an offer to Bledsoe as free agency began, but they used most of their cap room to retain Gordon Hayward, their own restricted free agent.
The Pistons apparently had serious talks with the Blazers about a sign-and-trade that ended when the Blazers came to terms with Chris Kaman. The reported interest from the Magic is “lukewarm at best,” as Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press wrote earlier this month. Monroe visited the Verizon Center in Washington, home of the Wizards, whose interest was identified as early as January, but the Wizards are over the cap now. The Pistons and Pelicans reportedly had talks about a sign-and-trade involving Ryan Anderson, but there’s been little movement on that front since the report emerged on the first day of free agency. The Hawks made contact soon after free agency began, and the Cavs mulled a run too, though that was before Cleveland signed LeBron James.
The Spurs hope to retain the center and will reportedly match any reasonable offer.
No reports since the start of free agency. The combo guard expressed a desire in May to re-sign with the Hawks.
Rival suitors were apparently confident as free agency began that they could snatch him away from the Hawks, though like Mack, he said in May that he would like to return to Atlanta.
Hoops Rumors Originals
Here’s a look back at the original analysis generated by the Hoops Rumors staff this week..
- Chuck Myron took a comprehensive look at the Heat and the salary cap.
- Omer Asik took a long, strange road to the Pelicans and Chuck outlined it all for you in one handy post.
- Chuck also looked at the Bulls and the salary cap.
- Here’s a running list of 2014’s offseason trades.
- Eddie Scarito asked you to pick the best non-LeBron signing and Pau Gasol won the poll.
- We featured the best of your comments in Hoops Rumors Featured Feedback.
- Follow Hoops Rumors on Facebook, RSS, and Twitter.
- If you missed out on this week’s chat, get caught up here.
Bucks Claim Kendall Marshall
SUNDAY, 6:17pm: Marshall to the Bucks is now official, according to Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel (on Twitter).
SATURDAY, 6:03pm: The Bucks intend to put in a waiver claim for Kendall Marshall, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.com (Twittter link). Milwaukee is looking to add passers and backcourt upgrades, tweets Stein, and Marshall will join newly acquired Jerryd Bayless in filling those needs.
Marshall was waived by the Lakers on Friday as the team attempted to clear cap space. Los Angeles had hoped to re-sign the 22 year-old point guard out of North Carolina, but it appears that Milwaukee will put a damper on those plans if they do in fact place a waiver claim on Marshall during the two-day waiver period.
After being considered a bust by the Suns, Marshall revived his career last season when he averaged 8.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG, and 8.8 APG while playing 29 minutes per game. His slash line was .396/.372/.540.
Knicks Open To Trading Smith, Shumpert
As the Knicks work to clear out the logjam in their backcourt, they’re discussing potential trade options involving Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith, and Shane Larkin, according to Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com. Tim Hardaway Jr., however, has been deemed virtually untouchable according to one source.
President Phil Jackson and GM Steve Mills have mentioned the Knicks’ surplus in the backcourt, with Mills saying last week the Knicks are “heavy” at shooting guard. What they can get in return for Smith, Shump, and Larkin remains to be seen, however.
The Knicks tried to include Shumpert in deals earlier in the offseason in an effort to unload the contracts of Andrea Bargnani ($11.5MM) and Amar’e Stoudemire ($23.4MM) but no deal materialized for either player. Smith has a player option in his contract for $6.4MM for the 2015/16 season and is coming off of a down year. Larkin was recently acquired from the Mavericks in the trade that also netted Jose Calderon and Samuel Dalembert.
The Knicks have four shooting guards on the roster as of today and they also haven’t ruled out re-signing free agent PG/SG Toure’ Murry.
Hoops Links: Butler, Lance, LeBron
On this date in 2000, Isiah Thomas was named head coach of the Pacers, replacing Larry Bird, who stepped down following the 1999-2000 NBA season. Thomas, then 39, was a 12-time All-Star and led the Pistons to two NBA championships and was the Finals MVP in 1990. He also led Indiana University to the NCAA championship in 1981. As with Bird, who was the 1997-98 NBA Coach of the Year, the Pacers’ job was Thomas’ first coaching experience. Thomas coached the Pacers to three consecutive winning seasons, though each campaign ended with a first-round ouster.
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…
- Six Championship Drive talks D.J. Augustin and Caron Butler.
- RotoWire looks at Lance Stephenson‘s fantasy value in Charlotte.
- FanDuel has seven ways LeBron James‘ return impacts the Cavs.
- There Is No Clutch has some thoughts on LeBron leaving Miami.
- The Starting Five says it’s business, not personal, for LeBron.
- Legion Report looks at more potential offseason moves for the Cavs.
- Red Rock Fantasy Basketball talks Trevor Ariza and more in this week’s podcast.
- Lakerholicz has six reasons why Carlos Boozer makes sense for L.A.
- The Daily Dribble gives us their all-time Lakers starting five.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Week In Review: 7/14/14 – 7/20/14
Now that the Cavs have landed LeBron James, could Kevin Love be next? LeBron reached out to Love to let him know he wants him to come to Cleveland and the Cavs are reportedly willing to include Andrew Wiggins in a deal. Meanwhile, the Warriors are still in it and they may or may not be willing to part with Klay Thompson to swing a trade for Love. Here’s more from the week that was..
- The Hornets signed Lance Stephenson.
- The Heat officially re-signed Dwyane Wade.
- Thompson wants a max extension.
- Ricky Rubio wants a max five-year deal.
- The Lakers claimed Carlos Boozer off waivers after he was amnestied by the Bulls.
- The Rockets, Pelicans, and Wizards worked a three-way swap.
- Andrew Bynum might sit out 2014/15.
- The Suns and Eric Bledsoe have a gap to close.
- The Bulls are close to signing Aaron Brooks.
- The Clippers will retain Glen Davis.
- The Pistons and Kings talked Josh Smith.
- The Cavs will sign Mike Miller.
- The Bucks will sign Jerryd Bayless.
- The Heat re-signed Udonis Haslem.
- The Wizards got DeJuan Blair in a sign-and-trade.
- Kevin Seraphin has signed the Wizards‘ $3.89MM qualifying offer.
- The Knicks signed Jason Smith.
- The Lakers will sign Wesley Johnson.
- The Nets re-signed Alan Anderson.
- The Wizards re-signed Drew Gooden.
- The Pacers and Rodney Stuckey have reached agreement on a one-year deal.
- The Lakers signed Ed Davis.
- The Lakers will re-sign Xavier Henry.
- The Pelicans will sign Jimmer Fredette.
- The Bucks are pushing to move Ersan Ilyasova, unless they’re not.
- The Warriors will sign Brandon Rush.
- The Bulls sent Anthony Randolph to the Magic.
- The Suns guaranteed Shavlik Randolph‘s deal.
- The Pelicans will ink a deal with swingman John Salmons.
- The Mavericks will ink Rashard Lewis.
- The Hornets and point guard Jannero Pargo have struck a deal.
- The Thunder re-signed Grant Jerrett.
- The Cavs and James Jones agreed to a deal.
- The Raptors will cut Dwight Buycks.
- The Rockets talked with draft-and-stash prospect Kostas Papanikolaou but things didn’t work out.
- The Wizards and Garrett Temple agreed to a deal.
- The Rockets re-signed Troy Daniels.
- The Magic will sign Luke Ridnour.
- The Suns will sign Anthony Tolliver.
- The Grizzlies are eyeing Glen Grunwald and others for a front office job that could become the GM role.
- The Lakers waived Kendall Marshall. The Bucks will claim him.
- The Bulls have waived Lou Amundson, Ronnie Brewer, and Mike James.
- The Pelicans will likely waive Omri Casspi.
- The Heat signed James Ennis.
- The Rockets have been working with No. 25 pick Clint Capela to secure his buyout from Chalon-Sur-Saone of France.
- The Grizzlies will keep Nick Calathes on their roster next season.
- The Jazz and Trevor Booker agreed to a deal.
- The Pelicans will re-sign Darius Miller.
- The Bulls have offered a three-year contract to Cameron Bairstow.
- Here are some of this week’s renounced players, including the legendary Brian Scalabrine.
- The Heat signed Shabazz Napier.
- The Raptors released Diante Garrett.
- Alessandro Gentile has re-signed with his Italian team for three years.
- The Pistons have waived Josh Harrellson and Peyton Siva.
- The Celtics will keep Phil Pressey.
- The Lakers agreed to sign Ryan Kelly.
- The Rockets signed Ishmael Smith and also Joey Dorsey and Jeff Adrien. Smith was waived by the Suns.
- The Mavs signed Eric Griffin.
- Highly touted 2015 NBA draft prospect Emmanuel Mudiay will play professionally overseas next year rather than attend SMU.
- The Pelicans signed Patric Young.
- Sixers second-round draft pick Vasilije Micic has an agreement to play for Bayern Munich in Germany.
- The Hornets traded Scotty Hopson to the Pelicans. It was one of three trades in four days involving the swingman, who wound up going from the Pelicans to the Rockets in their three-way swap with the Wizards.
And-Ones: Bledsoe, Love, Hinkie, Murry
Eric Bledsoe is the top remaining player still unsigned, though as a restricted free agent the Suns have the right to match any offer sheet that Bledsoe agrees to. Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic looks at why Bledsoe hasn’t received any offers, and examines the player’s options going forward. Bickley also opines that Bledsoe is risking alienating the fans in Phoenix by turning down the Suns’ four-year, $48MM deal.
Here’s more from around the league:
- George Karl told Jerry Zgoda of The Star Tribune that the Wolves can’t afford to pass on trading Kevin Love for Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett, if the Cavs are truly offering that package (via Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer’s tweet). Karl coached through a tumultuous season with the Nuggets when Carmelo Anthony eventually received his desired trade to the Knicks.
- Every year when the dust settles and the free agent signings begin to wind down there are winners and losers. Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today weigh in on this year’s successes and disappointments.
- The Thunder‘s Josh Huestis might become the NBA’s first domestic “draft-and-stash” player, writes Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman. If Huestis does skip signing with the Thunder and heads directly to the NBA D-League, it could signal a major shift in the future of the D-League and how it’s utilized, notes Mayberry.
- Sixers GM Sam Hinkie‘s rebuilding plan might not be popular in Philadelphia as the losses keep piling up. Jason Wolf of USA Today profiles the GM, as well as takes a look at the moves he’s made so far in his efforts to retool the franchise.
- The Jazz are interested in signing free agent Toure’ Murry, tweets Aaron Falk of The Salt Lake Tribune. Falk notes that Murry might be waiting for an offer from the Heat. The Knicks had also expressed interest in bringing Murry back, but currently have a logjam in the backcourt.
Cray Allred contributed to this post.
Central Notes: Pistons, Cavs, Irving
The Pistons have turned over a third of their roster this offseason, and new president and coach Stan Van Gundy has been the architect of that change. David Mayo of MLive examines the team’s moves and believes Detroit may have lost ground in the Eastern Conference with all the improvements made to the Cavs, Bulls, Hawks, and Hornets rosters.
Here’s more out of the Central Division:
- Van Gundy believes being the president and coach of the Pistons is an advantage when recruiting free agents, writes Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press. Van Gundy said, “I can present the roster and talk about roles free agents could play. If you’re talking to them as a coach, it’s probably a little more realistic than just the front office — so a slight advantage, but not a whole lot.” Still, Van Gundy does admit that money is the biggest factor, saying “It’s not as much an advantage as money. My experience with the NBA is about 99.9% of the time the guy takes the best contract offer. Most guys aren’t going to make a big sacrifice, so money is No. 1, but then there are all kinds of things after that.”
- With all the buzz about a potential Kevin Love for Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett trade being in the works, Kyrie Irving isn’t worried if the Cavs complete the deal or not, writes Cameron Moon of the Northeast Ohio Media Group. Irving claims he hasn’t seriously thought about the deal being made, and also said, “There are so many guys who have inside sources. Until it happens and I get the call from our GM, other than that I haven’t really considered anything.“
- The Cavaliers have had quite a busy and surprising offseason so far. The crew at Basketball Insiders (video link) break down all the moves the team made and what they mean for the franchise going forward.
Western Notes: Warriors, Rockets, Wolves
The Warriors have until October 31st to decide if they will exercise Nemanja Nedovic’s $1.15MM third-year option for the 2015/16 season, writes Tim Kawakami of The Bay Area News Group. The deadline is tricky for the team because Nedovic hasn’t performed all that well in the Summer League this year, and the franchise wants to maintain as much financial flexibility as possible heading into free agency next summer, notes Kawakami. One major determining factor in what the team decides in regards to Nedovic is the play of undrafted rookie and Warriors summer leaguer Aaron Craft. If Craft shows he’s capable of being the third point guard for the Warriors, then Nedovic will be expendable, according to Kawakami.
More from the west:
- Chandler Parsons believes the Rockets undervalued what he could do on the court and that they figured they could get him back for a cheaper price, writes Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Parsons was surprised that Houston didn’t match the offer sheet the Mavericks signed him to, saying “I definitely was a little surprised that they didn’t match. I thought that was the plan going forward that they were going to match. But I think [agent] Dan Fegan and my agency … did a great job with this contract and really put pressure on them. They decided what they thought was best for their future and they told me to go get my best individual contract, and we both did what we thought was best for ourselves.”
- Dwight Howard doesn’t believe the departure of Parsons will impact the Rockets’ title hopes for next season, writes ESPN.com. “It won’t affect us at all,” Howard said. “We have myself and James [Harden],” Howard said. “We have the best center and the best two guard in the game on the same team. It’s on us.” Howard also praised the signing of Trevor Ariza, saying, “He’ll go through a wall for you. Just to have soldiers on your team like that is great. We have that one-two punch with me and James. We’re filling out our roster with guys who are willing to go through that wall and doing whatever it takes to win.”
- The Timberwolves now hold all the cards in the Kevin Love trade talks, writes Tom Powers of the Pioneer Press.
Clippers Re-Sign Glen Davis
SATURDAY: The signing is official, the team announced.
THURSDAY: Glen Davis is on his way back to the Clippers, a source tells Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times (Twitter link). It’s a minimum-salary deal, Turner adds in a second tweet, which is somewhat surprising, since he turned down that same amount from the Clippers when he declined his player option last month. L.A. already committed its mid-level and biannual exceptions, but they could have given Davis 20% more than the minimum through his Non-Bird rights.
Davis joined the Clippers in February shortly after securing his release from the Magic, but he saw just 13.4 minutes per game, which would have represented a career low if extrapolated over an entire season. He wasn’t particularly efficient in those minutes, either, compiling a 10.3 PER, which also would have been a career-worst mark. He had a more prominent role with the Magic, where he put up 12.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in 30.1 minutes per contest with a 13.7 PER in the first half of the season.
The 28-year-old John Hamilton client might have looked for a place where he could return to a larger role, and Clippers coach/executive Doc Rivers might have opted against re-signing a player who fell flat for the team last season. Still, their relationship seems to have proven too much of a draw. Rivers coached Davis to a championship on the Celtics in 2008, serving as coach and mentor for the first four years of Big Baby’s career. The Clippers appeared to be the only team with which Davis had serious talks.
Davis, a seven-year veteran, will receive $1,227,985 in the deal, but only $915,243 will count against the cap. That leaves just $1,149,228 of breathing room against the hard cap created when the Clippers used their mid-level and biannual exceptions on Spencer Hawes and Jordan Farmar, respectively. The only way the Clippers can fit multiple additional signees on the roster is if they’re both making the minimum salary. The crunch helps explain why they didn’t give Davis 20% more than the minimum as his Non-Bird rights would have allowed.