Atlantic Notes: Winslow, Celtics, Raptors
Duke small forward Justise Winslow is “definitely in play” for the Knicks, who pick fourth overall, league sources tell Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com. The Knicks gave Winslow positive feedback after his workout with the team Monday, Begley hears. A more conventional candidate for the fourth pick, D’Angelo Russell, will work out for the Knicks soon, as Russell told reporters in Los Angeles, Begley notes. The team also has tentative plans to work out Wisconsin power forward Frank Kaminsky, reports Marc Berman of the New York Post (Twitter link), another possible sign the Knicks are thinking of trading down. Not surprisingly, many sources have indicated to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders that the Knicks remain torn over their multitude of options for the pick (Twitter link). While the Knicks mull just what to do come June 25th, there’s plenty more draft news from around the Atlantic Division:
- Winslow will also work out for the Sixers, who hold pick No. 3, sources told Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv.
- The Celtics would like to move into the lottery and are offering their pair of first-rounders, at Nos. 16 and 28, to make that happen, league sources tell Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times. Boston also has the 33rd and 45th picks and continues to audition non-lottery prospects. Kentucky center Dakari Johnson, Italian small forward Simone Fontecchio, Xavier center Matt Stainbrook, Villanova small forward Darrun Hilliard and Baylor small forward Royce O’Neale are working out for the Celtics today, as the team announced and as Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston relays (Twitter link). They join previously reported participant Pat Connaughton, a small forward from Notre Dame.
- The Raptors today will audition UCLA shooting guard Norman Powell, Wisconsin forward Duje Dukan, and power forwards Christian Wood of UNLV, Michale Kyser of Louisiana Tech and Darion Atkins of Virginia, the team announced (on Twitter). They’ll join UNLV shooting guard Rashad Vaughn, a previously reported participant.
Poll: Who Will Land Nuggets Coaching Job?
Denver’s coaching vacancy has lingered for months, but it looks like the Nuggets have livened the pace of their search over the past couple of weeks. They reportedly interviewed Michael Malone last week and have been planning to bring him back for a second, if they haven’t already. Mike D’Antoni, Wizards assistant Don Newman and Trail Blazers assistant David Vanterpool have also reportedly interviewed, and it appears as though Mike Woodson might be in line for an interview, too. It’s unclear whether Nuggets interim coach Melvin Hunt has interviewed, but the Denver organization obviously knows him well. An increasing number of other coaches around the league feel as though Hunt will end up with the job, as Marc Stein of ESPN.com recently reported.
All the interviews with others nonetheless cloud the picture. Hunt, Malone and D’Antoni are strong candidates, as Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports heard, and it would appear as though Denver is at least exploring its options. Hunt is the player favorite, and while he has experience as an NBA assistant coach that dates back more than a decade, his six-week stint in charge of the Nuggets was his first experience as an NBA head coach. D’Antoni a much longer track record as a head coach, having guided the Lakers, Knicks, Suns and, for a brief time in 1999, the Nuggets, and he’s also a maestro of the fast-paced offense that Denver has long preferred. Woodson, a former head coach for the Knicks and Hawks, slowed New York’s tempo considerably when he took over that job from D’Antoni and guided the team to 54 wins in his first full season there. Malone is defense-first coach with a shorter head-coaching resume, but he looked like a coach on the rise, connecting with DeMarcus Cousins and leading the Kings to a strong start this season, before Cousins came down with viral meningitis and the Kings fired Malone in December. Newman and Vanterpool are relative unknowns who have impressed as NBA assistants.
Vote below to let us know which way you think the Nuggets will go. If you’re a mobile user, or you simply have more to say about your choice, let us know in the comments.
Southwest Notes: Barea, Grizzlies, Hanga, Jones
The Mavericks have interest in re-signing J.J. Barea, but only to a point, as Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com examines. Barea is seeking a multiyear deal with an average salary around $3MM, as MacMahon reported earlier, while the Mavs want him to sign another minimum salary contract. MacMahon predicts that the sides will settle on a two-year deal with a starting salary close to the value of the $2.139MM biannual exception. Here’s more from around the Southwest Division:
- Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace admits that the player the team takes with the 25th overall pick probably won’t be a factor for Memphis next season, as Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal relays in a subscription-only piece. “When you see what’s going on with the rookies and their usage with the playoff teams, how many rookies play for a playoff team?” Wallace said. “So you’re building your base of talent. You’d love to have a rookie come in and play right off the bat but you can’t draft on that premise. You’re drafting for overall talent, who is going to have the best career and who can provide the most value for that pick down the road.”
- Small forward Adam Hanga tells BB1.hu, a website in his native Hungary, that he’ll attend a Spurs mini-camp in San Antonio but prefers to remain overseas (translation via Sportando’s Emiliano Carchia). The draft-and-stash prospect whose NBA rights belong to the Spurs added that he wants to play again for Laboral Kuxta, the Spanish club that loaned him to Italy’s Avellino this season.
- Former Duke point guard Tyus Jones has returned to action from a back injury, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities. Chad Ford of ESPN.com had speculated that the injury was actually a ruse to cover up a promise from the Rockets, but Jones’ workout with Houston was cut short, according to Wolfson, apparently because of his back. In any case, the Timberwolves are interested in auditioning Jones but haven’t scheduled a workout with him yet, Wolfson adds.
Western Notes: Okafor, Suns, Jazz
The Lakers are looking at more than just basketball ability in their evaluations of draft prospects, and one of the most important intangibles to Los Angeles’ front office is overall character, Kevin Ding of BleacherReport writes. Duke big man Jahlil Okafor has impressed the Lakers in this regard, Ding notes. Mike Krzyzewski, Okafor’s coach with the Blue Devils, sings the praises of his former player’s off the court demeanor, saying, “He’s going to be a franchise player. And he’s going to be a franchise person.”
Here’s what else is happening around the Western Conference:
- The Suns held pre-draft workouts for Treveon Graham (VCU), Ryan Harrow (Georgia State), Sir’Dominic Pointer (St. John’s), Corey Hawkins (UC-Davis), Yanick Moreira (SMU), and Gabriel Olaseni (Iowa), Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic relays (Twitter links).
- The Jazz will host a free agent minicamp on Thursday for 27 players, Jody Genessy of The Deseret News writes. Attendees will include Brock Motum, Jarvis Varnado, Fuquan Edwin, and former Bulls first-rounder Marquis Teague, Genessy notes.
- Former Kansas swingman Kelly Oubre may be too tempting for the Thunder to pass up with the No. 14 overall pick, Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman opines. One aspect of Oubre’s physique that is garnering him attention is his 7’2″ wingspan, Mayberry adds. “Bringing length to a team is definitely something that can be one of my strong suits,” Oubre said. “And just being able to lock in on defense. My lateral movement is pretty good.” You can check out Hoops Rumors’ full prospect profile for Oubre here.
2015/16 Roster Counts: Dallas Mavericks
During the offseason it’s OK for teams to carry as many as 20 players, but clubs must trim their rosters down to a maximum of 15 by opening night. In the meantime, some teams will hang around that 15-man line, while others will max out their roster counts. Some clubs may actually have more than 15 contracts that are at least partially guaranteed on the books. That means they’ll end up paying players who won’t be on the regular season roster, unless they can find trade partners.
With plenty more movement still to come, here’s the latest look at the Mavericks’ roster size, the contract guarantee status of each player, and how each player came to be on Dallas’ roster.
(Last Updated 2-22-16, 12:15pm)
Fully Guaranteed (15)
- Justin Anderson (G/F) — 6’6″/21 years old. Drafted with the No. 21 overall pick in 2015.
- J.J. Barea (G) — 6’0″/31 years old. Free agent signing.
- Jeremy Evans (F) — 6’9″/27 years old. Free agent signing.
- Raymond Felton (G) — 6’1″/31 years old. Acquired via trade from Knicks.
- Devin Harris (G) — 6’3″/32 years old. Free agent signing.
- David Lee (F) — 6’9″/32 years old. Free agent signing.
- Wesley Matthews (G/F) — 6’5″/28 years old. Free agent signing.
- JaVale McGee (C) — 7’0″/27 years old. Free agent signing.
- Salah Mejri (C) — 7’1″/29 years old. Free agent signing.
- Dirk Nowitzki (F) — 7’0″/36 years old. Draft rights acquired via Bucks.
- Zaza Pachulia (C) — 6’11″/31 years old. Acquired via trade from Bucks.
- Chandler Parsons (F) — 6’9″/26 years old. Free agent signing.
- Dwight Powell (F) — 6’11″/23 Years old. Acquired via trade with Celtics.
- Charlie Villanueva (F) — 6’11″/30 years old. Free agent signing.
- Deron Williams (G) — 6’3″/30 years old. Free agent signing.
10-Day Contracts (0)
- N/A
TOTAL ROSTER COUNT (15)
Atlantic Notes: Jackson, Casey, Knicks
Warriors consultant Jerry West is not impressed with the work of Knicks team president Phil Jackson thus far, Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com relays. West questioned the trades Jackson has made with the Knicks and wondered about his ability to succeed in a front office role, Begley notes. In an interview on SiriusXM Bleacher Report Radio’s “NBA Sunday Tip,” West said, “It’s a little easier for [Heat president Pat Riley]. He’s had a lot more experience on both sides in coaching and now in the front office. With Phil, it’s going to be interesting to see what happens back there. They didn’t have the kind of year I’m sure they wanted to have. Everyone in the league feels like they made two trades that helped Cleveland tremendously and one that helped Dallas this year.”
Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Raptors coach Dwane Casey says that he wasn’t concerned about his job security for next season, despite his squad getting swept in the first round of this year’s NBA Playoffs, Steven Loung of Sportsnet.ca writes. “I wasn’t worried about my job, never have been, never will be,” Casey said during an appearance on Sportsnet 590 the FAN’s “Brady and Walker” program. “[GM] Masai [Ujiri] has every right to look at the entire organization, [like] the coaching staff, and evaluate everything that we’ve done as a staff and as a team but I think, if we’re all honest with ourselves and look where we come from and look how the growth process is going, we’re going in the right direction. I think that’s what the evaluation process shows. Did we make mistakes as a coaching staff? Yes. Did we make mistakes as an organization and players making mistakes as players? Yes. We all do. We all are accountable for everything that goes on, but again, big picture, we’re going in the right direction from where we started last year.“
- The Knicks held workouts this past Friday for Andrew Harrison (Kentucky), Quinn Cook (Duke), Jordan Sibert (Dayton), and Kevin Pangos (Gonzaga), Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv relays.
- Notre Dame swingman Pat Connaughton is scheduled to work out for the Celtics on Wednesday, Mark Murphy of The Boston Herald tweets.
Eastern Notes: Pistons, Wizards, Carroll
Pistons coach/executive Stan Van Gundy had the opportunity to veto the team’s hire of Arn Tellem as the vice chairman of Palace Sports and Entertainment, David Aldridge of NBA.com writes. “[Team owner] Tom [Gores] told me, if you’re not comfortable with this, you can veto this,” Van Gundy said. “And I had no intention of doing that. I have 100 percent confidence in Tom. I respect his intellect. I respect his integrity.”
Van Gundy will still make the final calls on personnel in Detroit, but he plans to use Tellem’s experience and knowledge in determining player values, Aldridge adds. “Clearly he has a lot of contacts and people that have a loyalty to him,” Van Gundy said. “And that’s what most people will focus on. But the other side that will help us even when it’s with people that Arn doesn’t have a relationship with is, Arn’s been through this so many times with so many clients, he knows what pushes players’ buttons in the recruiting process. He’s been on the other side of it to know what works and what doesn’t. He can bring to us the other side and educate us on the other side of things.”
Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:
- The Wizards have workouts scheduled on Wednesday for Traevon Jackson (Wisconsin), Antoine Mason (Auburn), Gabriel Olaseni (Iowa), M.J. Rhett (Mississippi), Satnam Singh (India), and Maurice Walker (Minnesota), the team announced.
- Kentucky shooting guard Devin Booker and Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker will work out for the Hornets on Wednesday, Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer tweets.
- DeMarre Carroll reiterated past comments indicating that the Hawks will be his first choice in free agency this summer, adding that he’ll nonetheless keep his options open as he spoke in a radio interview on Paul Gant’s “Go For It” show (audio link; transcription via Kurt Helin of ProBasketballTalk).
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
2015/16 Roster Counts: Cleveland Cavaliers
During the offseason it’s OK for teams to carry as many as 20 players, but clubs must trim their rosters down to a maximum of 15 by opening night. In the meantime, some teams will hang around that 15-man line, while others will max out their roster counts. Some clubs may actually have more than 15 contracts that are at least partially guaranteed on the books. That means they’ll end up paying players who won’t be on the regular season roster, unless they can find trade partners.
With plenty more movement still to come, here’s the latest look at the Cavaliers’ roster size, the contract guarantee status of each player, and how each player came to be on Cleveland’s roster.
(Last Updated 3-9-16, 3:00pm)
Fully Guaranteed (14)
- Matthew Dellavedova (G) — 6’4″/24 years old. Free agent signing.
- Channing Frye (F) — 6’11″/32 years old. Acquired via trade from Magic..
- Kyrie Irving (G) — 6’3″/23 years old. Drafted with No. 1 overall pick in 2011.
- LeBron James (F) — 6’8″/30 years old. Free agent signing.
- Richard Jefferson (F) — 6’7″/35 years old. Free agent signing.
- James Jones (F) — 6’8″/34 years old. Free agent signing.
- Sasha Kaun (C) — 7’0″/30 years old. Draft rights acquired from Thunder.
- Kevin Love (F) — 6’10″/26 years old. Acquired via trade from Timberwolves.
- Jordan McRae (G) — 6’5″/24 years old. Free agent signing.
- Timofey Mozgov, (C) — 7’1″/28 years old. Acquired via a trade with Nuggets.
- Iman Shumpert (G) — 6’5″/25 years old. Acquired via trade from Knicks.
- J.R. Smith (G) — 6’6″/29 years old. Acquired via trade from Knicks.
- Tristan Thompson (F) — 6’9″/24 years old. Drafted with No. 4 overall pick in 2011.
- Mo Williams (G) — 6’1″/32 years old. Free agent signing.
10-Day Contracts (0)
- None
TOTAL ROSTER COUNT (14)
Pacific Notes: Thompson, Towns, Okafor
Count Andrew Bogut among the Warriors glad the team didn’t budge on its refusal to trade Klay Thompson to the Cavs for Kevin Love, as the Australian center told Grantland’s Zach Lowe. “Thankfully, we didn’t pull the trigger,” Bogut said. “I don’t know if that trade would have gotten us to this point. I didn’t think it would be a huge upgrade. David Lee provides the same output, besides the 3-point shooting. I thought we could have just found a stretch 4 at the veteran’s minimum — someone like James Jones.”
Here’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Steve Kerr lobbied against the trade this past summer because he preferred to see how a largely untouched Warriors roster would continue to develop, as he said to Lowe for the same piece. “Continuity was the biggest thing for me,” Kerr said. “When you’ve got something good, let it grow organically. We were already really good on defense, and I knew we would get better on offense. Why do something dramatic? I had a real fear of the unknown.”
- Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak says that the franchise has been unsuccessful thus far in getting Kentucky big man Karl-Anthony Towns to come in for a workout or interview, but he does believe it will happen prior to the NBA Draft, Kevin Ding of BleacherReport tweets.
- Duke center Jahlil Okafor has downplayed the reports that he is angling to become a member of the Lakers, but he definitely sounds like a player who wants to wear purple and gold in the NBA, Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Daily News notes (Twitter link).
- You can see Hoops Rumors’ full prospect profiles for Towns, Okafor, and many other potential draftees here.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Northwest Notes: Jokic, Tomic, Winslow
Nikola Jokic has been making it known he’s on his way to the Nuggets for next season, as David Pick of Eurobasket.com hears (Twitter link). The Serbian whom Denver took 41st overall last year intends to join the Nuggets, as Pick reported earlier, after spending this past season as a draft-and-stash prospect. It’s unclear just what sort of terms it’ll take to make that happen, as Pick reported last month that Jokic was insistent upon a long-term deal. There’s more on another draft-and-stash big man amid the latest from around the Northwest Division:
- Ante Tomic is apparently once more leaning toward a multiyear extension with Barcelona of Spain, sources tell Sportando’s Emiliano Carchia. Utah’s draft-and-stash center was reportedly set to ink a three-year extension with Barcelona as of April, but he’s yet to do so, and earlier he wouldn’t rule out signing with the Jazz. Last week, he appeared thoroughly undecided on his future.
- The Nuggets are indeed working out Justise Winslow on Wednesday, the team announced, confirming a report from Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post, who said that the team was expected to audition the Duke small forward.
- The Blazers brought in Virginia small forward Justin Anderson, Connecticut point guard Ryan Boatright, French center Mouhammadou Jaiteh, Arizona point guard T.J. McConnell, and Maryland shooting guard Dez Wells for a predraft workout today, the team announced (Twitter link). Arizona small forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, as Jabari Young of CSNNW.com previously reported, is also a part of the workout.
- The Jazz will hire Hawks strength and conditioning coach Jeff Watkinson as an assistant coach, reports Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer confirmed Watkinson is leaving the team to rejoin Jazz head coach Quin Snyder, whom Watkinson used to work with on the Hawks and at the University of Missouri, as Vivlamore details.