Western Notes: Durant, Harden, Redick
Staying with the Thunder presents the best opportunity for Kevin Durant, who becomes an unrestricted free agent after the 2015/16 season, to win the NBA championship, opined columnist Howard Beck of Bleacher Report on Bleacher Report Radio (audio link). Beck cited the Thunder’s myriad of injuries has the reason for the down season and added that this year should not erase the franchise’s recent run of success.
“The Thunder have not failed and they have not failed Kevin Durant,” Beck said. “The requisite talent to win championships is there. If you want to finish your career where the best talent is, where your best shot at winning championships is, that’s still Oklahoma City.”
Here’s more from the Western Conference:
- The Rockets have had a very hard time winning games this season when star guard James Harden has had an off night, notes Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. The Rockets are 6-11 in games when Harden has been held to less than 20 points. The team is 40-12 when Harden totals at least 20 points. The Rockets have been without Dwight Howard since early February. The team didn’t bolster its roster with any major deals before the trade deadline, outside of acquiring rookie guard K.J. McDaniels and veteran guard Pablo Prigioni in two separate deals.
- J.J. Redick is enjoying a career year and has been especially solid this month (21.2 PPG), writes Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com. The eighth-year veteran is in his second season of a four-year, $27MM deal he inked with the Clippers.
Central Notes: Nash, Cavaliers, Jackson
The Cavaliers were interested in signing Steve Nash if he had reached a buyout with the Lakers, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Cleveland made it clear to Nash’s agent, Bill Duffy, that it had interest in Nash after the trade deadline if he could strike a deal with L.A. Cavaliers’ GM David Griffin and Raja Bell, the team’s director of player administration, are both fans of Nash and were interested in having him play some backup minutes to Kyrie Irving. However, Nash’s response was that he only wanted to come back as a Laker.
There’s more from the Central Division:
- After a slow start, the Cavaliers‘ David Blatt has proven he can handle the challenge of a high-profile team, writes Moke Hamilton of SNY.tv. Hamilton points out that Blatt isn’t coaching the team he expected to when he was first hired. The acquisitions of LeBron James and Kevin Love changed the equation, as did an injury to Anderson Varejao and the trade of Dion Waiters. After a 19-20 start brought rumors about his job security, Blatt led the Cavaliers to a turnaround that has them second in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
- The Pistons have said they want to hold on to free agent guard Reggie Jackson, but Susan Bible of Basketball Insiders isn’t sure that’s the best move. Jackson, who was acquired from Oklahoma City in a deadline-day trade, has shown displays of individual brilliance since the deal, but the Pistons have struggled, losing 10 in a row at one point. Jackson praises Stan Van Gundy, Detroit’s coach and president of basketball operations, saying he can “help me on this journey to be one of the best point guards ever,” but Bible worries Jackson may be too focused on individual goals rather than team ones.
Wizards Sign Toure’ Murry To Second 10-Day
The Wizards have signed Toure’ Murry to a second 10-day contract, the team announced. Shams Charania of RealGM reported Thursday that the move was likely even as the team continues to eye Will Bynum, who’s recovering from a hamstring injury. Bynum remained the team’s top free agent target when Murry signed his first 10-day contract, as Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post wrote then. That first 10-day deal for Murry expired overnight Saturday.
It appears Washington’s primary motivation in keeping Murry around is depth. The second-year combo guard has only played in two games for a total of four minutes for the Wizards, even though fellow combo guard Garrett Temple hasn’t played since March 9th because of a hamstring injury of his own.
Washington has 14 other players signed through at least the end of the season, so Murry’s roster spot represents a measure of flexibility for the club. The team can’t sign him to a third 10-day contract, and with Bynum apparently still in the mix, it seems unlikely Murry will see a deal with the Wizards for the balance of 2014/15 once his latest 10-day contract expires.
Western Notes: Howard, Thunder, Nuggets
The Rockets expect to have Dwight Howard back on the court soon, tweets Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston. Howard hopes to play on the upcoming road trip, either Monday in Indiana or Wednesday in New Orleans. Howard said, “That’s a big step” when told his status had been updated from out to doubtful for the Pacers game. (Twitter link). Howard said he hasn’t “circled a day” for his return, but told Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle, “It’s going to depend on how I feel … after the workout I just had.” (Twitter link). Coach Kevin McHale offered little indication about Howard’s return, saying, “As I said to you, I’ll talk to you about (Howard) when I see him out on the floor with us.” (Twitter link). Howard has been sidelined since January 23rd because of ongoing pain in his right knee.
There’s more from the Western Conference:
- It’s time for the Thunder to shift their focus toward next season, argues Michael Lee of The Washington Post. With fears that Kevin Durant is done for the season and the reigning MVP’s free agency a little more than a year away, Lee contends Oklahoma City’s urgency has already moved to 2015/16. With Serge Ibaka‘s status also uncertain after undergoing knee surgery, Lee’s advice to the Thunder is to avoid rushing Durant back and save him for a run at the title next season.
- With all the bad news surrounding the Thunder, Dion Waiters is providing some hope, writes Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman. Waiters broke a long shooting slump Friday with 26 points in a win over the Hawks, giving the Thunder the boost they hoped for when they acquired him from Cleveland in a three-team deal in early January. “He’s a good player,” said coach Scott Brooks. “I told him we’re just going to have to keep working with you.”
- The Nuggets are making no effort to hide their intentions to tank, charges Brian K. Schmitz of The Orlando Sentinel. Far out of the Western Conference playoff race, Denver has been “resting” healthy starters, Schmitz claims, and has little interest in picking up late-season wins that might harm its draft position. The Nuggets rank eighth in Hoops Rumors’ Reverse Standings.
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Poll: Is Draymond Green Worth The Max?
Draymond Green will become a restricted free agent this offseason and a player with his kind of talent is certain to garner much attention. There are reports that the Warriors are hesitant to give Green a higher starting salary than they will give Klay Thompson next season. Thompson won’t receive more than $15.5MM, per his agreement with the team. The maximum salary for the 2015/16 season won’t be known until the offseason since it is a product of the salary cap. There is a chance that the true figure comes in above $15.5MM, which would create a conundrum for the team. However, Golden State had given every indication that they will match any offer sheet presented to the B.J. Armstrong client.
Green is very valuable to the Warriors, as he has become the team’s utility knife. His size and quickness allow him defend basically any opponent. Versatility is an asset in the NBA and having Green on the Warriors allows coach Steve Kerr to get creative and exploit mismatches. Kerr has used Green at different positions in various lineups this season, including one with Green at center surrounded by four shooters, which is virtually impossible to defend. Green has also logged minutes at the both forward positions and has guarded shooting guards, forwards and centers.
While Green’s defense has always been his bread and butter, his improved shooting over the last year and half has been a major factor in his increased role. The 25-year-old’s shooting has risen every year he has been in the league and he is currently shooting 44.0% from the field and 34.2% from three point range this season. Green’s ability to effectively defend the opponents’ big men, coupled with his shooting skills, has turned the Michigan State product into the NBA’s quintessential stretch four. The position is in demand now more than ever and teams are often using underqualified players to play the role.
There will be a plethora of teams interested in the forward’s services this offseason. The Pistons should be considered the favorite, outside of the Warriors, to sign Green as reports have indicated that the Michigan native has “significant interest” in signing an offer sheet with them. Detroit only has $37.6MM on the books for the 2015/16 season, as Eddie Scarito of Hoops Rumors points out on our Pistons Salary Commitment page. That figure doesn’t account for cap holds for players like Greg Monroe and Reggie Jackson. I speculate that Monroe will leave Mo Town, while Jackson stays put for a starting salary between $10-13MM. Such moves would give the Pistons cap space for at least one maximum salary contract. The Lakers and Knicks also should have cap space for at least one max contract and those teams are always a threat to steal an opposing team’s free agent.
Green is a budding young talent and many teams will look to secure a meeting with him once free agency begins. Still, this doesn’t mean a maximum salary contract, which is usually reserved for star players, necessarily awaits him. Green, who hasn’t yet made an all-star team, isn’t quite a star in the league, but he is trending in the right direction.
Will Draymond Green Get The Max?
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No 63% (470)
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Yes 38% (282)
Total votes: 752
Atlantic Notes: Sixers, Wiggins, Noel
The Sixers will own the Lakers pick this year if it falls outside the top five because of the Michael Carter-Williams trade. If the Sixers land the pick this year, Tom Moore of Calkins Media (Twitter link) believes the team received good value for the former rookie of the year. The Lakers currently sit in fourth place of our Reverse Standings, meaning Philadelphia would only receive the pick if two or three teams jump ahead of Los Angeles in the lottery.
Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Andrew Wiggins playing for the Raptors isn’t likely to happen anytime soon, but he has hinted privately that he wouldn’t mind returning to play in his home country of Canada one day, according to Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun. The forward will be a restricted free agent following the 2017/18 season, if he doesn’t sign an extension before then.
- Nerlens Noel deserves consideration for the Rookie of the Year award, opines Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The big man leads all rookies with 7.9 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.8 steals per game. Eddie Scarito of Hoops Rumors has Noel in third place on his Rookie of the Year award rankings in his latest mailbag.
- Two years ago, the Knicks were on the verge of clinching the Atlantic Division title, but the roster has changed dramatically since then, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post. Carmelo Anthony is the only remaining member from the 2012/13 team.
Southwest Notes: Rockets, Terry, Mavs
Memphis sits atop the Southwest Division with a record of 49-21. New Orleans resides in last place in the division, but sits two games back of the Thunder for the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a record of 37-32. The division could become the first since the Central Division in 2006 to have all of its teams make the playoffs.
Here’s more from the Southwest Division:
- The Rockets have had their share of injuries this season, but the team views it as an opportunity to get other players valuable experience, writes Jenny Dial Creech of the Houston Chronicle. “It gives the other guys more chances to play and they have to come in the game and really make impacts,” forward Josh Smith said. “It’s a chance for us to be better as a whole.”
- Rockets guard Jason Terry admires the career of Steve Nash, who announced his retirement on Saturday, writes Jenny Dial Creech in a separate piece. “He brought back the point in point guard position in our era,” Terry said. “It was a time where guards were starting to become scoring guards. He was a true general on the floor. He was never selfish. He always looked to make his teammates better and he will be missed, but his mark on history will be left.”
- Dallas only has $28.06MM in guaranteed salary on the books for 2015/16 season, as Eddie Scarito of Hoops Rumors notes in his Mavs‘ Salary Commitments piece. That figure doesn’t include player options for Raymond Felton, Al-Farouq Aminu and Monta Ellis. I’d speculate that Ellis and Aminu both turn down their options and become free agents.
Celtics Notes: Smart, Playoffs, Olynyk
The next 12 days are crucial for the Celtics, as they includes matchups against Brooklyn, Miami, Charlotte and Indiana. All of those teams are hovering around the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. Boston currently occupies the eighth seed in the conference with a record of 30-38.
Here’s more from Boston:
- Part of the reason the Celtics drafted Marcus Smart is because of the point guard’s fire and passion, but his flagrant fouls are really hurting the team, writes Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com. Smart was suspended for one game without pay for hitting San Antonio Spurs center/forward Matt Bonner in the groin, the league announced on Saturday.
- If Boston makes the playoffs, they will not have home court advantage and coach Brad Stevens believes the team needs to play better in road games, as he tells Abby Chin of CSNNE.com. “It’s hard to go on the road and win if you’re not physical. It’s hard to go on the road and win if you don’t believe and work together,” Stevens said. “[The Celtics] are better at it. We’re not as good as we need to be.”
- Kelly Olynyk has struggled early in his return from an ankle injury, but the team is optimistic about the big man’s future, writes Chris Forsberg in a separate piece. “I think Kelly is starting to get back,” president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said. “There was definitely some rust for being out so long … but Kelly has had some really good offensive games and his defense is improving. We’re happy with Kelly’s development.”
And-Ones: Kilpatrick, World Peace, Ellington
Sean Kilpatrick was in the right place at the right time to get a 10-day contract with the Timberwolves, writes Jerry Zgoda of The Star Tribune. The short-handed Wolves were looking for a player who could get to Thursday’s game in New York quickly, so they turned to Kilpatrick, who was 45 minutes away in Delaware, where he played for the 87ers of the D-League. Despite missing shootaround, Kilpatrick played 10 minutes. “I was just trying to fit in,” he said. “You just go out there and try to play defense. You want to do the right things to stick out and that’s something I wanted to do.”
There’s more from around the world of basketball:
- Metta World Peace will sign with Pallacanestro Cantu of the Italian league, according to his brother, as Sportando’s Emiliano Carchia relays. The one-time NBA player, formerly known as Ron Artest, reached an agreement by phone and will leave Wednesday for Italy, his brother said. World Peace last played in the NBA with the Knicks in 2013/14.
- Lakers coach Byron Scott said the team will “absolutely” consider bringing back free agent Wayne Ellington, according to Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Daily News. Scott noted Ellington’s improved shooting and defense, but said the Lakers still have to set their priorities in the draft and free agency. “He made himself a valuable part of this team,” the coach said. “We don’t know what next year holds. But he has shown 30 teams he knows how to play the game.”
- The time may be right for Duke freshman point guard Tyus Jones to enter the NBA draft, tweets Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv. Zagoria quotes an unidentified NBA scout who says, “He should leave because his stock will never be higher.”