Eastern Notes: Melo, Monroe, Birdman, Celtics
Carmelo Anthony‘s new, slimmer look was spurred by his desire to lead by example for the Knicks, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post. “Amazing people have been hired [in the Knicks organization] and he wants to come in as the leader and a top-three player in the world,’’ trainer Idan Ravin said. “If [he’s] being meticulous, you should not just follow [his] word, but follow [his] actions.’’ More out of the Eastern Conference..
- If Greg Monroe signs for the qualifying offer with the Pistons, it would be in their best interest to trade him between now and the February trade deadline, writes Percy A. Farrell of the Detroit Free Press. Of course, Monroe would have the right to veto any trade after signing the QO, but Detroit would surely prefer to get something in return for the big man rather than just let him walk after the 2014/15 season.
- The Pistons could move Monroe after he signs the QO, but that’s not likely to happen, writes David Mayo of MLive.com. Monroe would lose his Bird rights if he signed off on a deal and he’s reportedly angling for a maximum contract, so any team trading for him would probably have to commit to a monster deal.
- In today’s mailbag, a reader expresses concern to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel over some of the new contracts the Heat have dished out this offseason, including Chris Andersen‘s two-year, ~$10MM pact. Winderman says that the real contract to look out for is Chris Bosh‘s as he might not be able to play well enough to attract free agents in 2016. Instead, his salary could potentially weigh down Miami in the fourth and fifth years of his deal.
- Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com polled some of the web’s foremost Celtics bloggers to ask whether Rajon Rondo will have a career year amidst the trade speculation surrounding him. The panel wound up split, with some suggesting that he can’t top what he did alongside Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce while others believe that he’ll use the trade talk as motivation to excel.
- Jordan Hamilton‘s odds of making the Raptors are slim due to the team’s full roster and glut at the wing, tweets Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun. Toronto agreed to sign Hamilton to a partially-guaranteed deal yesterday.
Paul George Holding Out Hope For 2014/15 Return
At a press conference this afternoon, Pacers star Paul George told reporters that while sitting out all of the 2014/15 season is a possibility, he’s still “holding out a little hope” that he can get back on the court, tweets Michael Lee of the Washington Post.
Of course, George knows that a return this season may be difficult to pull off as his injury required a rod to be placed in his right leg along with pins in his knees and ankles to keep it all in place (video link). George still doesn’t know what the timeline is for his recovery or ultimate return to the court, but he’ll be working hard with an eye on getting back to business this season.
George doesn’t mind “taking a year off to get better for the next season” if that’s what he needs to do and he’ll begin rehabilitating his knee as soon as next week. And while people have been quick to blame USA Basketball for the injury, George termed it as a freak accident and added that he wants to still participate in the 2016 Olympics.
The Pacers received a disabled player exception based on the prognosis that George will be out for the year but if he does beat the odds and makes a return during this upcoming season, the Pacers won’t be penalized in any fashion.
And-Ones: D-League, Garcia, Love, Bost
Sources tell Gino Pilato of D-League Digest (on Twitter) that the 2014/15 D-League season is likely to start a week earlier than last season, which could provide roster opportunities for teams. Also, with the new schedule, the regular season is set to wrap on April 4th (link). More from around the Association..
- Despite some speculation to the contrary, agent Aaron Goodwin says that client Francisco Garcia has not agreed to re-sign with the Rockets, tweets Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com. Late last month it was reported that there is mutual interest between the two sides, however.
- With Kevin Love likely heading from the Wolves the Cavs in a little over a week, Michael Rand of the Star Tribune looked at five things he’ll miss about Kevin Love and five things he won’t miss. Rand will miss Love’s willingness to take big shots and his beautiful outlet passes, but he won’t miss the All-Star’s inability to elevate the team around him and his lack of interior defense.
- Sources tell Jody Genessy of the Deseret News (on Twitter) that Dee Bost‘s deal with the Jazz is guaranteed for $65K. In total, it’s a three-year deal worth $2.35MM, tweets Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders. He’ll attend Jazz camp but will likely play in the D-League for the Idaho Stampede. In 50 games for Idaho last season, Bost averaged 15.2 PPG and 6.1 RPG in 40.5 minutes per night.
The Oldest NBA Players Currently Under Contract
They say 40 is the new 30 and there are a number of NBA free agents who are hoping that’s really true. Yesterday, we learned that the Cavs have legitimate interest in bringing Chauncey Billups aboard even though he’s coming off of a season in which he averaged just 3.8 PPG and 2.2 APG in 19 games. Of course, a veteran like Billups is probably coveted more for his experience and leadership skills than what he can contribute on the hardwood.
Billups isn’t the only older player who could have a spot on an NBA team next season. Mike James, 39, didn’t see much burn with the Bulls last year but he did finish the 2012/13 season as the starting point guard for the Mavericks, so it’s not hard to see a team having interest. Ray Allen, also 39, has been heavily linked to the Cavs and former coach Doc Rivers would love to have him join the Clippers, but he’s also considering retirement. Antawn Jamison (38), Nazr Mohammed (36), and Kenyon Martin (36) are also available, though we haven’t heard much about them in recent weeks.
As we wait to see what happens with Billups, Allen, and the rest, here’s a look at the oldest NBA players currently under contract:
- Steve Nash, Lakers: 40 (41 in February)
- Andre Miller, Wizards: 38 (39 in March)
- Tim Duncan, Spurs: 38 (39 in April)
- Kevin Garnett, Nets: 38 (39 in May)
- Vince Carter, Grizzlies: 37 (38 in January)
- Pablo Prigioni, Knicks: 37 (38 in May)
- Manu Ginobili, Spurs: 37 (38 in July)
- Jason Terry, Kings: 36 (37 in September)
- Paul Pierce, Wizards: 36 (37 in October)
Free Agent Stock Watch: Andrew Bynum
It has been a rough couple of years for center Andrew Bynum. Prior to the 2012/13 season, the big man was shipped from the Lakers to the 76ers as a part of the four-team Dwight Howard trade. Unfortunately, knee troubles cost him the entire year and he never suited up for Philadelphia.
The Cavs then seized the opportunity to sign a potentially elite big man at a discounted rate and inked him to a two-year, incentive-laden deal. Bynum conceded early in the season that his knees were still holding him back and, for one reason or another, he wanted out of Cleveland. He wrote his ticket out by shooting every time he touched the ball in practice regardless of where he was on the floor. Apparently unimpressed by his confident approach to offense and his long-distance range, the Cavs packaged his contract and draft picks to acquire Luol Deng from the Bulls. The Bulls dropped him, the Pacers picked him up, and he played in a grand total of two games for Indiana.
This isn’t quite how we all envisioned things working out for the former No. 10 overall pick. Of course, while the last couple of years have raised major concerns about Bynum’s health and general attitude, it’ll be hard for teams to overlook the potential upside in signing him. After all, he’s only a few years removed from his 2011/12 campaign where he averaged career highs in points (18.7) and rebounds (11.8) on his way to his first career All-Star nomination.
Thanks to his physical condition and reputation, one has to imagine that Bynum can be had for the minimum salary. And, even though he might not be the consummate teammate, we’d be surprised if someone wasn’t willing to roll the dice on him. Earlier this month, the Clippers reportedly auditioned the big man while also scoping out Andray Blatche and Greg Oden in the same week. Agent David Lee said in July that the Knicks could also have interest in his client while Bynum himself would like to reunite with the Lakers. One has to wonder whether the Doc Rivers-led Clippers would want to chance tinkering with locker room chemistry. Same goes for Phil Jackson in New York who waived fellow former pupil Lamar Odom after his conduct was apparently not up to par.
Bynum is also thinking about undergoing German Regenokine therapy on his knees which would cost him the entire 2014/15 season, so he might not sign with anyone for the upcoming season. And, if Bynum decides to never return at all, he won’t be hurting for cash as he has earned nearly $80MM over the course of his career.
Poll: Will NYC’s Teams Make The Playoffs?
You can’t walk a block in New York City without seeing an orange-and-blue or black-and-white jersey, but those fans could also be sporting frowns next spring. The Nets and Knicks, for all of their star power both on the court and on the sidelines, aren’t looking all that formidable heading into the 2014/15 season.
The high-priced Nets started to give Mikhail Prokhorov his money’s worth starting in the the second half of last season, but they won’t be bringing the same team back this year. Coach Jason Kidd shocked everyone when he bolted for the Bucks and Paul Pierce quickly followed suit. Pierce was a vocal leader, a solid scoring threat, and the key to the team’s Brook Lopez-less small ball lineup. The Nets get Lopez back this year and while the return of one of the league’s top offensive centers is nothing to sneeze at, it’s worth noting that the team enjoyed greater success with Lopez in a suit and tie. Highly touted draft-and-stash pick Bojan Bogdanovic is finally joining the team, but the Nets will surely miss guard Shaun Livingston, especially with starting one-guard Deron Williams coming off of double ankle surgery.
Meanwhile, the Knicks accomplished their No. 1 goal of retaining Carmelo Anthony but it’s hard to say whether they’ve actually improved from last season. Their biggest transaction of the offseason, aside from re-signing Melo, was trading Tyson Chandler and Ray Felton to the Mavericks for Jose Calderon, Wayne Ellington, Samuel Dalembert, Shane Larkin, a pair of second round picks (Cleanthony Early and Thanasis Antetokounmpo). Later, in a trade with the Kings, the Knicks turned Ellington and Jeremy Tyler into forwards Quincy Acy and Travis Outlaw. To oversee this tweaked version of the Knicks, new team president Phil Jackson appointed the inexperienced Derek Fisher as head coach. Fisher believes the Knicks can win 8-10 more games as currently constructed, but not everyone agrees with him.
How do you see things playing out for NYC’s teams?
Will The NYC Teams Make The Playoffs
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The Nets will make the playoffs, but not the Knicks. 31% (330)
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No, neither team will make the postseason. 24% (256)
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The Knicks will make the playoffs, but not the Nets. 23% (243)
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Yes, both the Nets and Knicks will make the playoffs. 22% (239)
Total votes: 1,068
Derrick Rose On Bulls, Gasol, Carmelo
Bulls star Derrick Rose looks well and confident about his upcoming return to NBA action this season after a long recovery from knee surgery, observes Sam Smith of NBA.com. In addition to saying that he has no fears and has developed into a more controlled player, the one-time MVP shared his thoughts on the upcoming season and some of the player movement this summer. You can find a handful of the highlights from the above piece below:
On the Bulls roster for 2014/15:
“I think we have a solid team. We’re definitely contenders in the East. But we know it’s a long year and we have to gel pretty quickly, knowing that we’re not going overseas like we did at the beginning of the season with Brazil like we did last year. I think we’re going (staying here) so we get a lot of time here to really go at it in training camp.”
On the team’s highly-touted free agent signing, Pau Gasol:
“We needed him. Pau (adds) another dimension to our team that we didn’t have and I think I never had since I’ve been in the NBA. I think (Taj Gibson) did a great job last year (being) a low post presence. But with (Pau) being seven feet (and) (Joakim Noah) with Taj on the other side cleaning up everything else, I think that we just need shooting and just one other playmaker. But I think we have that.”
On losing out on Carmelo Anthony in free agency:
“I always say when a player like Carmelo doesn’t sign with you, of course you’re going to be kind of devastated. But at the same time, the world (doesn’t) end and basketball (doesn’t) end just because someone doesn’t come to your team. I think (Bulls management) did a great job with pursuing Pau. And we got it done.”
On LeBron James heading back to the Central Division:
“ (I feel the) same way I would if anyone else was in my division. Just because it’s him it’s not going to get me to play even harder. I know that every night that I step on the floor, I’m going to do whatever it takes to win the game no matter who is on the floor. Just knowing how great he is and the game, I hope the fans appreciate the game even more.”
On Kevin Love likely being traded to Cleveland:
“(That’d be a) great move (to get) a player like KLove. He’s very, very skilled (for) a big. I work out with him every summer. I didn’t work out with him this summer. But every summer I’ve been in the league, I’ve worked out with him in the offseason. If he does go (to the Cavs), I’m just happy he gets an opportunity to go somewhere and actually play and feel good about playing to win. I think that he deserves it. I think they should have a great team if he was to go there.”
Thunder Sign Lance Thomas
SEPTEMBER 29TH: The deal is official, the team announced via press release.
AUGUST 14TH: The Thunder have reached an agreement to sign Lance Thomas to a training camp deal, sources tell Shams Charania of RealGM (Twitter link). Oklahoma City currently has 14 guaranteed contracts on the books for next season and will have until September 1st to decide on Hasheem Thabeet‘s contract, which becomes fully guaranteed for 2014/15 if he isn’t waived by then.
Thomas spent his first two seasons in the league with the Pelicans and was waived after five games into the start of his third year. Over 106 games and 19 starts in New Orleans, the 26-year-old forward averaged 3.0 PPG, 2.3 RPG, and 46.5% shooting from the field in 12.4 MPG. Last December, Thomas headed overseas to play for the Foshan Dralions of the Chinese Basketball Association.
The former Blue Devil reportedly drew interest from the Nets in June but would later drop out of a scheduled workout. In July, Thomas joined the Bulls for summer league play in Las Vegas, posting 7.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 58.3% shooting from the field in 21.8 MPG over a span of five games.
And-Ones: Cousins, Durant, Blair
Here are some miscellaneous news and notes to pass along this evening:
- Earlier today, ESPN reported that Kings center DeMarcus Cousins injured his right knee during Team USA practice today. Fortunately, an MRI reveled no structural damage, and Cousins is now listed as day-to-day, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports.
- USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo described Kevin Durant‘s decision to drop out of Team USA as a “contractual situation” in which “he had no choice,” notes Erik Horne of NewsOK, who doesn’t think that those comments are consistent with Durant’s official statement for withdrawing. Last week, the Thunder star mentioned an inability to fulfill his responsibilities from a “time and energy standpoint” as a reason for his departure.
- Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski was among many who were caught off-guard by Durant’s decision to leave the national team, notes Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com.
- DeJuan Blair is eager to build on a productive playoff series against the Spurs this past May as he suits up for the Wizards in 2014/15, writes Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post. “I was very excited when I (learned I was traded from Dallas to Washington). It was like a dream come true…Last year, I saw what type of team they had. The youth, the big men coming up, the ingredients around the team. And I think I’ll be a great addition.”
- Based on what he’s seen from Andre Drummond so far, Team USA assistant Tom Thibodeau spoke glowingly about how Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy will be an ideal coach to help the 21-year-old big man reach his potential (piece from Keith Langlois of Pistons.com).
Bulls Expected To Sign E’Twaun Moore
Former Magic guard E’Twaun Moore is expected to sign with the Bulls in the next few days, reports Mary Stevens of SportsTalkFlorida.com (hat tip to HoopsHype). Moore held off on signing a deal with Olimpia Milano in Italy earlier this month after reportedly receiving interest from two NBA teams; the 6’4 guard was linked to the Cavaliers just last week.
Moore played in 79 games for Orlando last season, averaging 6.3 PPG in 19.1 MPG while shooting 42.8% from the field and 35.4% from long distance. The former Boilermaker put on quite a shooting display over the final month of the season, scoring 9.1 PPG on 52.9/47.1. Moore also matched his season high in points during a game against the Nets in early April, netting 17 points while going a perfect 6-for-6 (including 5-for-5 from downtown) in 18 minutes.