And-Ones: LeBron, Thunder, Fisher
LeBron James is expected to miss the next two weeks of action thanks to injuries to his back and left knee, the Cavaliers have announced. Coupled with the season-ending injury to Anderson Varejao, Cleveland suddenly finds itself a bit short-handed. The league has approved the franchise’s request for a disabled player exception, but with the league maximum 15 players already on their roster the Cavs would need to waive or deal a player to be able to utilize it.
Here’s more from around the league:
- The Thunder are edging closer toward the summer of 2016, which is when Kevin Durant can elect to depart Oklahoma City as a free agent, and the speculation is that it will take an NBA title to keep him in town beyond then. The team’s play as of late has gotten it back on track for the season after enduring a multitude of injuries, Jeff Caplan of FOX Sports Southwest writes. “I’m excited. Obviously we need everybody healthy,” coach Scott Brooks said. “But I like the fact that our guys compete regardless of who’s on the floor. They get out there and compete. We haven’t had as many wins as we would like, but we’re competing every night. We put ourselves in a position to win games and we have a no-excuse mentality.”
- Derek Fisher said that the Lakers never reached out to him after last season, and the Knicks were the only offer he had to become a head coach, Marc Berman of The New York Post writes. “I never had any conversations with the Lakers of coaching the team,’’ Fisher said. “This was the only one. It doesn’t disappoint me in any way. I never pretended to run the Lakers or make decisions for them. I did the best I could when I played. They don’t owe me anything. I don’t owe them anything.’
- Brandon Jennings has emerged as a leader since the Pistons released Josh Smith, Brendan Savage of MLive.com writes. “Brandon has noticeably gotten back to probably what is his natural personality,” coach Stan Van Gundy said. “He’s really having fun. He’s talking a lot, joking with guys, things like that. I think he had been suffering. He hadn’t been playing real well, we hadn’t been winning. He had gotten really quiet.” There were conflicting reports regarding Detroit shopping the veteran point guard prior to Smith being released.
- The Raptors have recalled Bruno Caboclo from the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the D-League, the team announced in a press release. This was Caboclo’s first D-League assignment of the season.
2015/16 Salary Rankings: Small Forwards
Hoops Rumors is in the process of ranking the cap hit for each NBA player by position. I previously ran down the point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center salaries for the 2014/15 season. I’ve also begun looking ahead to the 2015/16 campaign with a rundown of the cap hits for the point guards and shooting guards. Next on the agenda will be a look forward at the salaries for small forwards already inked to deals for next season.
All told, NBA teams have committed a total of $344,562,057 in cap hits so far for next season to the men manning the wing around the league. The average hit for the three spot so far for 2015/16 is a very healthy $6,380,779, with Joe Johnson of the Nets topping the list with an impressive $24,894,863 coming his way. However, it should be noted that the list and rankings will change greatly depending on how the free agent market develops next summer.
I also should add that teams won’t necessarily pay out every dollar listed here. There are quite a few players who have non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed contracts. Some of those players will be sweating it out until the January 2015 deadline. That’s when teams must waive players with no specific guarantee date written into their contracts to avoid having to guarantee their salaries for the rest of that season.
Most salaries align with cap hits, but that’s not the case for players like Jeremy Lin , who’s receiving close to $15MM from the Lakers during the 2014/15 season even though his cap hit was little more than half that amount, because of the contract he signed through the Gilbert Arenas Provision. In addition, incentive clauses that a player either triggers or fails to meet can leave a player with more or less money than his cap hit reflects. Still, the purpose of this list is to show the relative pay scale by position, which is why all contracts are included in this post.
The league’s small forwards are listed below, in descending order of cap hit for next season:
- Joe Johnson (Nets) $24,894,863
- Carmelo Anthony (Knicks) $22,875,000
- LeBron James (Cavs) $21,573,398 [Player Option]
- Kevin Durant (Thunder) $20,158,622
- Paul George (Pacers) $17,120,106
- Gordon Hayward (Jazz) $15,409,570
- Chandler Parsons (Mavs) $15,361,500
- Rudy Gay (Kings) $12,403,101
- Nicolas Batum (Blazers) $12,235,750
- Danilo Gallinari (Nuggets) $11,559,259
- Tyreke Evans (Pelicans) $10,734,586
- Luol Deng (Heat) $10,151,612 [Player Option]
- Gerald Wallace (Celtics) $10,105,855
- Jeff Green (Celtics) $9.2MM [Player Option]
- Trevor Ariza (Rockets) $8,193,030
- Wilson Chandler (Nuggets) $7,171,662
- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Hornets) $6,331,404
- Andrew Wiggins (Wolves) $5,758,680
- Martell Webster (Wizards) $5,613,500
- Paul Pierce (Wizards) $5,543,725 [Player Option]
- P.J. Tucker (Suns) $5.5MM
- Josh Smith $5.4MM [Waived by Pistons via the stretch provision]
- Nick Young (Lakers) $5,219,169
- Jabari Parker (Bucks) $5,152,440
- Chase Budinger (Wolves) $5MM [Player Option]
- Kostas Papanikolaou (Rockets) $4,797,664 [Team Option]
- Otto Porter (Wizards) $4,662,960
- Caron Butler (Pistons) $4.5MM
- Thabo Sefolosha (Hawks) $4MM
- Harrison Barnes (Warriors) $3,873,398
- Steve Novak (Jazz) $3,750,001
- Terrence Ross (Raptors) $3,553,917
- Matt Barnes (Clippers) $3,542,500
- Mirza Teletovic (Nets) $3,368,100
- Maurice Harkless (Magic) $2,894,059
- Mike Miller (Cavs) $2,854,940 [Player Option]
- Doug McDermott (Bulls) $2,380,440
- Danny Granger (Heat) $2,170,465 [Player Option]
- Shabazz Muhammad (Wolves) $2,056,920
- T.J. Warren (Suns) $2,041,080
- Tony Snell (Bulls) $1,535,880
- Bruno Caboclo (Raptors) $1,524,000
- Solomon Hill (Pacers) $1,358,880
- Shawne Williams (Heat) $1,356,146
- Rodney Hood (Jazz) $1,348,440
- Damjan Rudez (Pacers) $1,149,500
- Kyle Anderson (Spurs) $1,142,879
- Al-Farouq Aminu (Mavs) $1,100,602 [Player Option]
- Robert Covington (Sixers) $1MM
- Robbie Hummel (Wolves) $880K
- Damien Inglis (Bucks) $855K
- Cleanthony Early (Knicks) $845,059
- Jerami Grant (Sixers) $845,059
- James Ennis (Heat) $507,336
The Basketball Insiders salary pages were used in the creation of this post.
Celtics Notes: Rondo, Young, Smart
Rajon Rondo will return to Boston on Friday night, and the veteran was was emotional when discussing the franchise that helped turn him into an NBA star, Mark Murphy of The Boston Herald writes. “That’s where I started. That’s where I got molded,” Rondo said. “That’s where everything happened for me. The best years are still ahead of me, but I was an All-Star four times, won a championship in Boston. I can’t thank the fans enough. Even when we were losing 18 in a row the first year, the fans still showed a lot of support. They came to every game. When I was out on the streets, they didn’t kill me or heckle me. It was always supportive. They’re true fans. They’re not fair-weather fans, when you’re losing, they’re gone. They ride it out and [want you to be] a Celtic for life.”
Here’s more from Boston:
- The Celtics announced Thursday that they have recalled guard/forward James Young from the Maine Red Claws, their D-League affiliate. Young is averaging 21.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.7 steals in seven contests with the Red Claws this season.
- Brandon Bass disputed the notion that Rondo wanted out of Boston prior to being dealt to the Mavs, Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com writes. “He wanted out? Why would he want out? I don’t think that,” Bass said. “He never told that to me. This is home for him. I thought he would want to finish his career here. I think he’ll finish his career in Dallas now. What better way to start and finish your career?“
- Pairing rookie Marcus Smart alongside the newly acquired Jameer Nelson is benefiting both Smart and the Celtics, Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald writes. “When you’re tasked with running the offense and getting people in spots, and playing well yourself, it’s a difficult job,” coach Brad Stevens said. “I think that being able to manage those duties a little bit with a guy like Jameer is helpful. We’ll see how it continues to play itself out, but [Smart is] going to have some ups and downs. I just hope he continues to play hard through them.”
Arthur Hill contributed to this post.
Eastern Notes: Cavaliers, Henson, Wade
The Cavaliers have some roster flexibility after being granted a disabled player exception on Wednesday, and Nick Borges of ESPN.com [Insider subscription required] suggests a number of players it could be used to acquire. In recent weeks, there have been rumors linking the team to Timofey Mozgov of the Nuggets, Kosta Koufos of the Grizzlies and Robert Sacre of the Lakers. Borges also suggests Brandan Wright of the Celtics, Jerome Jordan of the Nets, Joel Anthony of the Pistons, Ekpe Udoh of the Clippers, Jeff Withey of the Pelicans, Cole Aldrich and Samuel Dalembert of the Knicks, Dewayne Dedmon of the Magic, Joel Freeland of the Blazers and Ryan Hollins of the Kings. The DPE gives Cleveland an extra $4,852,273 to use for a trade, free agent signing or waiver claim through March 10th.
There’s more from the Eastern Conference:
- LeBron James understood what he was getting into when he opted to return to Cleveland, opines Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders. Kyler notes that James said “I’m not promising a championship” when he announced his decision in July. With a massively overturned roster and James’ problems with a sore back and aching knees, he was realistic about what his first season back with the Cavaliers might look like.
- A rash of injuries has given the Bucks‘ John Henson a chance to show off his skills, writes Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. With Jabari Parker, Ersan Ilyasova and Larry Sanders out of action, Henson has responded with 10 blocks in his last two games. “He brings another dimension to our team and it’s not just defensively,” said teammate Kendall Marshall. “He’s very good offensively, making plays, being in the right spots at the right times.” Henson is under the Bucks’ control through the 2016/17 season.
- Dwyane Wade gave up approximately $10MM in salary by opting out of his deal and then re-signing with the Heat, but despite Miami’s struggles this season it isn’t something he laments over, Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press writes. “I’ll be all right,” Wade said. “It cost me a lot. But it wasn’t ‘The Decision’ [James’ return to the Cavs] that cost me. It was my decision. I opted out for the better of the team, not for any individual. I opted out for the better of the team and it cost me some money. I’m not concerned about it. Not overly concerned, anyway.”
Eddie Scarito contributed to this post.
Atlantic Notes: Nets, Hollins, Brown
Two Cleveland castoffs have been instrumental in the Nets‘ recent hot streak, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News. When the Cavaliers were trimming salary last summer to sign LeBron James, they sent Sergey Karasev and Jarrett Jack to Brooklyn as part of a three-team deal with the Celtics. Both recently entered the Nets’ staring lineup and helped lead the team to within a game of .500 and back into the Eastern Conference playoff race.
There’s more news from the Atlantic Division:
- Nets coach Lionel Hollins credits “changing attitudes” for the turnaround, writes Tim Bontemps of The New York Post. “It’s getting everyone to buy in, it’s getting everybody to believe and trusting each other,” Hollins said. “You hear all coaches talk about team, and it’s not easy to get going, especially with a more veteran team when all the players have had success doing it their own way. To then get them to do it a little bit different for the group, and make sacrifices for the group is always difficult, but I see it coming.”
- The Nets made two roster moves Thursday, Bontemps tweets, sending rookies Markel Brown and Cory Jefferson to the Maine Red Claws, Boston’s D-League affiliate. Brooklyn no longer has its own affiliate in the league.
- Sixers coach Brett Brown understands that he hasn’t been given the talent to win right away, but he tells Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer that he is concerned about the effect losing is having on his players. “I don’t want our guys feeling embarrassed,” Brown said after Tuesday’s 40-point rout by the Warriors. “I don’t want them feeling ashamed. I want them finding a way to take a deep breath and understand this is where the Philadelphia 76ers program is at the moment. At times, it is painful. But we move on.”
Southeast Notes: Heat, Jefferson, Magic, Hawks
Doomsday predictions for the Heat in the wake of losing LeBron James are starting to come true, and Jason Lieser of The Palm Beach Post reports that players are searching for answers. “I just don’t even know what the point of this season — I don’t know. I have no idea,” Chris Bosh said after Wednesday’s loss to the Pacers. After four straight trips to the NBA Finals, Miami is struggling through a season beset by injuries and adjustment to life without its former superstar.
There’s more from the Southeast Division:
- Hornets coach Steve Clifford told Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer that the decision to shut down Al Jefferson came midway through Monday’s loss to the Bucks. “At halftime we spoke and agreed that we were going to sit Al down and say, ‘We appreciate you want to play, but…’” Clifford said. “It’s great that he wants to be out there and is team-first and wants to play. But he just can’t move.” Jefferson has been diagnosed with a strained adductor muscle in his left groin and is expected to be out of action for at least four weeks.
- Former Magic coach Stan Van Gundy likes Orlando’s roster but warns there will be some tough choices ahead, writes Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel. “Like everybody, you get to the point in all of these projects where then you have to make decisions on money, and that’s actually in some ways tougher than assembling a lot of guys to begin with,” said Van Gundy, now coach and president of basketball operations for the Pistons. “Who are you going to pay and how much and how are you going to put the whole thing together?” Orlando’s decisions will start in July when Tobias Harris and Kyle O’Quinn are set to become restricted free agents.
- The Magic have recalled Devyn Marble from the D-League, Robbins tweets.
- The Hawks are among the best teams in the Eastern Conference, and Adam Fromal of Bleacher Report opines that they have a chance to be in that position for a long time. Atlanta has slightly more than $41MM committed in salary for next season, with Paul Millsap, DeMarre Carroll, Elton Brand and John Jenkins as expiring contracts. The Hawks also can exchange first-round draft picks with the Nets as one of the lingering benefits of the Joe Johnson trade, and they have an extra second-rounder coming from the Raptors.
Knicks Notes: Anthony, Fisher, Larkin
Despite a league-high 29 losses, first-year Knicks coach Derek Fisher still has a powerful ally in Carmelo Anthony, reports Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com. “I think if it was anybody else in his position, I think this probably would’ve crumbled already,” Anthony said Wednesday after New York’s 21-point loss to the Clippers. “I think he’s doing a great job of keeping everybody focused on the task at hand and believing in what we’re trying to do.” Anthony reiterated that surgery on his sore left knee is a “last resort,” and he hopes to hold off any procedure until after the season.
There’s more regarding Fisher and the Knicks:
- Clippers coach Doc Rivers can understand the pain that Fisher is going through, writes Al Iannazzone of Newsday. After Wednesday’s game, he recalled similar experiences that he suffered through as a coach in Orlando and in his early days in Boston. “We lost 18 in a row [with the Celtics in 2006/07] where I believed every night we were going to win, and every night I got my heart broke,” Rivers said. “And that’s just coaching. It’s part of it. And you have to deal with it.”
- The Knicks welcomed Andrea Bargnani and J.R. Smith back from injuries Wednesday, but Ben Bolch of The Los Angeles Times observed that it only seemed to make the team worse. He also noted that Fisher is doing his best to stay positive despite an inept defense and players who can’t seem to figure out the triangle offense. “It’s been difficult,” Fisher said, “but that doesn’t define our life and whether we’re good people or whether we know how to play basketball just because we’re not winning right now. It just means you have a lot of work to do.”
- One bright spot in New York has been the play of Shane Larkin, according to Sara Peters of Bleacher Report. She argues that the 22-year-old should take over as the Knicks’ starting point guard for the rest of the season, noting that the team is 3-9 with him as a starter and 2-20 otherwise. Larkin, who came to New York in an offseason trade with the Mavericks, will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. Because the Knicks chose not to pick up his third-year option in October, they are limited to offering him $1,675,320, the amount of the option that was declined.
Cavaliers Notes: James, Irving, Blatt
“Outlandish” was the word LeBron James used Wednesday to dismiss rumors that he might be leaving the Cavaliers again, reports Joe Vardon of the Northeast Ohio Media Group. “I’m here to build, build something great in the present and the future, and that’s the reason I’m back,” said the four-time MVP. “I’ve got no other reason to have to continue to talk about things that’s so outlandish. So, I’m here, this is where I’ll be, and this is where I’m comfortable.” Rumors of unrest in Cleveland have accompanied a disappointing 18-14 start and have fueled reports that James is looking elsewhere. He has a two-year, $42.1MM contract with a player option after this season, but he has stated many times that he signed the short deal to maximize his market value.
There’s a lot more from Cleveland:
- Some of those rumors stemmed from a video of a conversation between James and former Heat teammate Dwyane Wade after their Christmas Day game, but Wade tells Shandel Richardson of the Sun Sentinel that they weren’t talking about basketball. “It had nothing to do with [reuniting],” Wade said. “It was about bigger and better things later.”
- Despite the dysfunction in Cleveland, Kyrie Irving says it’s still better than not being in contention, according to Chris Fedor of the Northeast Ohio Media Group. “I’d rather be in this position right now than [where] I was last year,” he said. “We’re just in a great mental place and I’m in a great mental place.” Irving signed a five-year, maximum-salary extension in July.
- It’s up to owner Dan Gilbert to settle the team’s coaching situation, opines Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Stein contends the Cavaliers made a mistake by hiring David Blatt, who had no experience as an NBA head coach, before they knew if James was returning. He says Gilbert needs to either fire Blatt and take the heat for the move or demand that James throw his full support behind the coach, although he admits the second option is hard to picture considering James’ immense power in the organization.
Eric Moreland To Miss Rest Of Season
Kings forward/center Eric Moreland will undergo surgery to repair a labral tear in his left shoulder and miss the rest of the season, reports Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders (Twitter links). The rookie first injured the shoulder while in college at Oregon State but had been playing through it this season, Kennedy adds. Moreland appeared in just three games for Sacramento and seven contests for the team’s D-League affiliate.
The 23-year-old, whose rookie minimum salary is partially guaranteed for $200K, is set to be on a de facto non-guaranteed contract by Wednesday, the final day on which teams can waive players who don’t have fully guaranteed deals without guaranteeing their salaries for the rest of the season. Moreland will have earned in excess of $200K if he remains on the roster through Saturday. The Kings, who already have an open roster spot, would need to keep Moreland on the roster to receive a disabled player exception. That exception, which would be worth $253,668, wouldn’t be a sizable financial asset, but it would give the team a financial advantage to sign a player later this season to a contract more lucrative than the minimum salary, which prorates, could provide.
The news isn’t much of a blow to the Kings, who seem primarily focused on a long-shot playoff run rather than player development. Moreland is on a three-year contract that’s non-guaranteed in 2015/16 and 2016/17, so the Kings can cheaply keep him on the roster for the long term.