Northwest Notes: Wolves, Lottery, Durant
The Wolves have done a lot of background work on Kevon Looney and he could be a potential target if Minnesota decides to trade into the back-end of the first round, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities speculates (Twitter link). The Wolves own the 36th overall pick in the draft as a result of the Corey Brewer trade in addition to the 31st selection, so they have the ammunition to trade up if they choose to.
Here’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune chronicles Minnesota’s poor luck in the lottery. The Wolves have 18 previous lottery experiences, but they have never moved up in the draft and have moved back 10 times. The team has a 25% chance at the top selection this year and is guaranteed to pick no lower than fourth.
- Kevin Durant will become a free agent next offseason and Anthony Slater of the Oklahoman believes his impending decision will linger over the team for the next 14 months. Slater compares the potential situation to the Heat in 2011 when LeBron James first joined and this year’s Cavs.
- The Thunder’s defensive shortcomings this season should, in part, be attributed to Durant’s absence, Slater argues in a separate piece. The team has a 99.5 defensive rating during the 913 minutes that the forward played this season. Oklahoma City defensive rating jumped to 104.3 without last season’s MVP on the court. The Thunder seem to be prioritizing offense over defense, particularly outside shooting, in this year’s draft.
Western Notes: Rockets, Clippers, Game 7
Glen Davis, who will become a free agent at season’s end, attempts to impart his wisdom from earlier in his career to the Clippers, Robert Morales of the Long Beach Press-Telegram writes.
“We have our leaders on this team and so me, I just try to pick and choose when I feel like the moment’s right to lead from my experiences, so I just go out there and do what I can with my actions and try to help my team as much as possible,” Davis said. The LSU product also talked about the difficulty of closing out a playoff series. “The focus level has to go to a whole other level,” he said. “You know, attention to detail, energy. It’s a whole bunch of stuff that goes in a bag in order to finish a game.”
The Clippers will take on the Rockets in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals later today. Here’s some notes from both teams:
- Spencer Hawes has only played in six of the Clippers‘ 13 postseason games because he had a poor regular season rather than an injury, writes Morales in the same piece. Coach Doc Rivers still has faith that the big man can become a contributor. “He’s starting to play better. Spencer Hawes can play. Like I’ve said it all year, whether this year or the playoffs are going well for him or not, I still know he can play and I still believe he’ll be a better player for us this year, next year. I’ve never doubted that.,” Rivers said. Hawes signed a four-year deal worth nearly $22.7MM with Los Angeles last offseason.
- The Rockets need James Harden to dominate if they are to win today’s game, Calvin Walkins of ESPN.com opines. The shooting guard understands that he must put his teammates in a position to succeed. “That’s what it’s about: It’s about being unselfish, and you’re not going to get credit for every play,” Harden said. “So that’s what you have teammates for, and those guys showed a great case of that, especially in the fourth quarter. At this point, it’s about winning and doing the small things to get your team to victory.”
- Jason Terry hopes his Game 7 experience will rub off on his teammates, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle writes. “My biggest advantage is I’ve been in two Game 7s and I’m undefeated,” Terry said. “I’m very confident going in. I understand what it takes to come out with a victory, how I have to approach it and hopefully my teammates will feed off of that.” Terry will become a free agent this offseason.
Bucks Notes: Looney, Hunter, Draft
The Bucks were interested in speaking with Kevon Looney, according to Matt Velazquez of the Journal Sentinel, but he was not among the 18 players they spoke to at the combine in Chicago. The Wisconsin native would be delighted if the team drafts him with their first round selection.
“A lot of people from Milwaukee support me a lot and I think they would love to see me come back and play and represent our city,” Looney said. “I try to represent the best that I can out in LA and everywhere I go.”
The UCLA product is ranked ninth by Chad Ford of ESPN.com, while Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress ranks him 19th. Here’s more from Milwaukee:
- R.J. Hunter met with the Bucks on Saturday, according to Velazquez (Twitter link). The shooting guard is the 21st best prospect according to Ford, while Givony has him ranked 24th.
- The Bucks have the 17th pick in the upcoming draft and Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel is optimistic that the team can repeat its success drafting near the middle of the first round. “If you look at the history of the draft and you start talking about that 12 to 17 and 18 range, you can miss on those guys,” GM John Hammond said. “We would consider ourselves fortunate when you start mentioning John [Henson], Larry [Sanders], Giannis [Antetokounmpo]. Those guys all have proven to be quality players in this league.” Milwaukee picked Antetokounmpo with the 15th pick in 2013, Henson with the 14th pick in 2012 and Sanders with the 15th pick in 2010.
Southeast Notes: Pierce, Hornets, Dragic, Heat
It’s time for the Wizards‘ Paul Pierce to retire, argues A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com. The former Celtics star has enjoyed a legendary career, Blakely writes, and there is little to be gained by trying to extend it. Pierce, 37, posted statistical lows in just about every category this season. He has a player option worth more than $5.5MM for next year.
There’s more from the Southeast Division:
- Kentucky’s Devin Booker would be just the kind of shooter the Hornets need, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. Charlotte was the worst 3-point shooting team in the NBA at just 31.8% this season. Booker hit 41% of his treys at Kentucky and considers himself “definitely” the best shooter from distance in the draft. The Hornets are currently slotted with the ninth pick heading into Tuesday’s lottery.
- The Heat and Goran Dragic should be able to come to an agreement shortly after free agency begins, writes Surya Fernandez of Fox Sports Florida. Dragic has made numerous statements about how much he likes the city and the team, and the Heat have been open about their desire to keep Dragic, whom they acquired from Phoenix in a three-team deal at the trade deadline. “So far I had a great experience here with the Heat,” Dragic said. “Great coaching staff and teammates.”
- Arizona’s Stanley Johnson would be a nice draft pickup for the Heat, contends Jason Lieser of The Palm Beach Post. Lieser writes that Johnson could provide immediate wing depth and would be an able replacement if Luol Deng leaves the team this summer or in 2016. However, Miami won’t know if it even has a first-round pick until the lottery. If the Heat pick falls to 11th or worse, it will be conveyed to Philadelphia.
- The Magic interviewed Kentucky’s Trey Lyles at the NBA Draft Combine, tweets Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel. Also interviewed was Bobby Portis of Arkansas, Robbins adds (Twitter link).
Bulls Rumors: Butler, Thibodeau, Rose, Rozier
The Bulls must bring back Jimmy Butler, even though it will strain their finances, contends K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. Butler is almost certain to receive a maximum contract, which would start at an estimated $15.8MM per season. Counting the team’s first-round pick, which falls at No. 22, Chicago would have $80MM budgeted for 11 players, which is just below the luxury tax figure of $81.6MM. It will be tough to stay below that number if Mike Dunleavy is re-signed, Johnson writes. One possibility is trading Taj Gibson, who will make $8.5MM next season and is signed through 2016/17.
There’s more offseason news from Chicago:
- The Bulls need to find a way to keep Tom Thibodeau as their coach, writes David Haugh of The Chicago Tribune. Speculation that Thibodeau was on the way out started well before the playoffs, even though the coach has two years left on his contract and the Bulls landed the third seed in the East. Haugh argues that bringing in a new coach would lessen the sense of urgency for Chicago to be a title contender next year.
- Despite the team’s disappointing finish, the Bulls have to be encouraged by the late-season return of Derrick Rose, contends Sean Highkin of Bleacher Report. This will be the first summer since 2011 that Rose won’t be recovering from a major knee injury, Highkin notes. “My body felt good,” Rose said. “It’s all about going into the lab this summer and putting my game back together. See where that takes me.” Chicago needs increased court time from its franchise player, who will make more than $20MM next season and more than $21MM in 2016/17 before becoming a free agent that summer.
- Terry Rozier of Louisville has a Monday workout set for the Bulls, tweets Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders.
Atlantic Notes: Sixers, Celtics, Knicks
The Sixers‘ long rebuilding process could get a boost Tuesday night, writes Tom Moore of Calkins Media. With a little luck in the draft lottery, Philadelphia could acquire two new starters to go with Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid. The Sixers have a 17.2% chance to land the Lakers’ top-five protected selection and a 9% shot at the Heat’s top-10 protected pick. Philadelphia’s own pick is currently slotted at number three and is guaranteed to fall in the top six.
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- The Sixers interviewed Notre Dame’s Jerian Grant about the possibility of playing with his older brother, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Jerami Grant just completed his rookie season in Philadelphia and is under the team’s control through 2017/18.
- Arkansas forward Michael Qualls will have a pre-draft workout for the Sixers on Tuesday, Pompey tweets. Connecticut’s Ryan Boatright will work out for the team on the same day, according to Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv (Twitter link).
- Rakeem Christmas of Syracuse will work out for the Celtics later this month, tweets A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com.
- The Knicks are among 14 teams to meet with Kentucky’s Trey Lyles, Zagoria tweets. Also, Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky met with team president Phil Jackson this week, tweets Marc Berman of The New York Post. Kaminsky quipped that even though he is only 22 years old, teams are treating him like he is 65. Duke’s Justise Winslow also met with Jackson and the Knicks, according to Chris Herring of The Wall Street Journal (Twitter link).
- Bojan Bogdanovic gave the Nets plenty to like in his first NBA season, according to Reed Wallach of netsdaily.com. Brooklyn signed the Croatian forward last summer after Paul Pierce left for Washington. Bogdanovic proved to be an effective shooter and won Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors for April. He is under a three-year contract and is scheduled to make more than $3.4MM next season and nearly $3.6MM in 2016/17.
Grizzlies Rumors: Gasol, Playoffs, Randolph
Grizzlies center Marc Gasol was characteristically silent about his future after Memphis’ playoff run ended Friday, writes Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal [subscription required]. As the free-agent-to-be exited the game with a few seconds remaining, many in the crowd encouraged him to remain with the Grizzlies. But Gasol, who has offered few public clues about his long-term plans, didn’t seem to acknowledge them. “I normally don’t hear anything that the crowd shouts, either good or bad,” he said. “I haven’t even spent a second thinking of that.”
There’s more from Memphis after a second-round exit:
- Gasol will have plenty of suitors this summer, according to Shaun Powell of nba.com. With quality centers in short supply, the two-time All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year is expected to get a flood of offers. Powell speculates that the best fit might be in San Antonio, where Gasol could play alongside Tim Duncan for another year or two and then take over Duncan’s role when he retires. If Gasol prefers a big city, the Knicks and Lakers are expected to be very interested.
- The Grizzlies need to re-examine whether their style will ever bring playoff success, contends Royce Young of ESPN. He notes that Memphis’ grit-and-grind philosophy is a rarity in the modern NBA and points out that the team has been ousted in the first or second round of the playoffs in four of the past five seasons. “We have who we have,” said Mike Conley. “We have our personnel. We play through our personnel. We have big guys, and that’s what we have to play through our strengths. We can’t change that. We have to work with what we have.”
- Zach Randolph‘s desire to acquire a few shooters this offseason is a familiar refrain, writes Michael Cohen of The Commercial Appeal [subscription required]. “Add some shooting, get some shooting,” Randolph said after Friday’s loss. “Spread the floor, open the floor. We’re right there. We have a good team.” But Cohen notes that the Grizzlies signed Vince Carter last summer and traded for Jeff Green during the season, but barely improved their playoff 3-point output. Carter is inked through 2016/17, while Green has a player option this summer.
Northwest Notes: Donovan, Thunder, Batum
Recently fired Pelicans coach Monty Williams is among Billy Donovan’s targets for assistants with the Thunder, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. Other rumored candidates are Bulls assistant Andy Greer, Blazers assistant Nate Tibbetts and Knicks assistant Brian Keefe, who left Oklahoma City for Derek Fisher’s staff in New York last season. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook reportedly have a close relationship with Keefe and would be happy to see him return. Mike Brown, former head coach of the Cavaliers and Lakers, allegedly turned down an offer to join Donovan’s staff. Wojnarowski reports that Donovan will retain Thurnder assistants Mark Bryant and Darko Rajakovic and will make ex-Alabama coach Anthony Grant his third assistant coach. Billy Schmidt, who was part of Donovan’s staff at Florida, may come to OKC in a player development role.
There’s more from the Northwest Division:
- More than half of the Thunder’s interviews at this week’s NBA Draft Combine were with point guards and shooters, notes Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman. With Oklahoma City slotted at 14th headed into Tuesday’s draft lottery, that’s probably too low to get any of this year’s talented big men. However, Mayberry points out that the Thunder are in need of shooting help. “They said they know they need outside shooting,” said Kentucky’s Aaron Harrison, one of the players interviewed. “And I’m a shooter. I just got to hopefully get a workout with them and just dominate the workout.”
- The Blazers‘ Nicolas Batum won’t be resting this summer after a disappointing season, writes Casey Holdahl of nba.com. Batum plans to represent France at EuroBasket [the European Championships], which his nation is hosting. Batum, who is entering the final season of a four-year contract and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, admits the recently ended season didn’t go as he had hoped. “I can say this was my toughest [season],” Batum said. “I didn’t play the way I used to play. I was thinking too much.”
- Tim Frazier presents an intriguing decision for the Blazers, Holdahl contends in a separate story. The D-League’s Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player signed with Portland late in the season and has a non-guaranteed contract for next year worth $845K. Holdahl also focuses on Blazers veteran guard Steve Blake, who will probably be entering his final NBA season, Holdahl contends.
2014/15 D-League Usage Report: Spurs
The relationship between the NBA and the D-League continues to grow, and 17 NBA franchises currently have one-to-one D-League affiliates amongst the 18 D-League teams. The remaining 13 NBA teams shared the Fort Wayne Mad Ants this season. We at Hoops Rumors will be recapping each team’s use of the D-League this season, looking at assignments and recalls as well as the players signed out of the D-League. We’ll continue onward with a look back at how the Spurs utilized the D-League during the 2014/15 campaign…
D-League Team: Austin Spurs
Affiliation Type: One-to-one
D-League Team Record: 32-18
Number of NBA Players Assigned To D-League: 1
Total D-League Assignments: 7
Player Stats While On Assignment:
- Kyle Anderson: 7 assignments, 26 games, 21.4 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 4.8 APG. .447/.354/.789.
D-League Signings
- Reggie Williams (Oklahoma City Blue-Thunder affiliate): Signed 1st 10-day deal on January 28th. Inked 2nd 10-day pact on February 8th. Signed for the remainder of the campaign on February 20th.
- JaMychal Green (Austin Spurs-San Antonio’s affiliate): Signed 10-day deal on January 18th.
Assignment/Recall Log
- November 23rd: Assigned Kyle Anderson (Recalled November 24th)
- January 20th: Assigned Kyle Anderson (Recalled February 20th)
- February 21st: Assigned Kyle Anderson (Recalled March 9th)
- March 12th: Assigned Kyle Anderson (Recalled March 16th)
- March 26th: Assigned Kyle Anderson (Recalled April 8th)
- April 11th: Assigned Kyle Anderson (Recalled April 12th)
- April 17th: Assigned Kyle Anderson (Recalled April 22nd)
Southeast Notes: Pierce, Heat, Hornets
With the sting of his last second shot being waived off because time had expired and his team being eliminated from the postseason still fresh, the Wizards‘ Paul Pierce now has to make a decision regarding his player option for 2015/15 worth $5,543,725, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com writes. “I haven’t really thought about it,” Pierce said. “I don’t even know if I am going to play basketball anymore. These seasons get harder and harder every year, every day. Summers get even harder when you start getting back in shape. I’m 37 years old. I’m top two or three oldest in the league.” Pierce indicated he would take some time and discuss the matter with his family before making his call on next season, Youngmisuk adds. “I have been playing this game [for] like 32 years. Since I was a little kid. Probably going to be the hardest thing to do is put the game down. But I know that time is coming one day. I am not sure if it is this year or next year. I will sit down with my family and figure things out,” Pierce said.
Here’s more out of the Southeast Division:
- Wizards coach Randy Wittman indicated that he’d be very surprised if Pierce didn’t opt in and return to the team next season, J. Michael of CSNWashington.com relays (Twitter link).
- Heat president Pat Riley interviewed Kansas swingman Kelly Oubre at the draft combine, Jason Lieser of The Palm Beach Post tweets.
- While at the draft combine Hornets executives met with Kentucky’s Devin Booker and Willie Cauley-Stein, as well as Duke forward Justise Winslow, Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer reports in a series of tweets.
- Riley also sat down with Booker for an interview, who said that the Heat executive told him that Dwyane Wade was in the final stage of his career and that the young guard would be able to learn from him, Lieser tweets. Also meeting with the team while in Chicago were Arkansas forward Bobby Portis and Kentucky forward Trey Lyles, Lieser adds (Twitter links).