And-Ones: Las Vegas, Motum, Taylor, Lockout
The success of the summer league in Las Vegas has created hopes that the city may one day have its own NBA team, writes Mark Murphy of The Boston Herald. Former commissioner David Stern planted the seed during a 2007 meeting with Mayor Oscar Goodman, and the annual summertime gathering has strengthened the city’s position. The 20,000-seat MGM Grand Garden Arena is large enough to house an NBA franchise, and the NHL has started to break down the Las Vegas barrier, announcing recently that the city is a candidate for a future expansion team, along with Seattle and Quebec City. City officials should be patient, though. Celtics president Rich Gotham pointed out that the league has no immediate plans for expansion and that sentiment remains high to put a team in Seattle.
There’s more from around the world of basketball:
- The Jazz have offered a partially guaranteed contract to forward Brock Motum, tweets Angus Crawford of NBA.com/Australia. Team officials were impressed by his play in the summer league. Motum is “strongly” considering Utah’s offer, but is also listening to teams in Europe (Twitter link).
- Former Hornet Jeffery Taylor has turned down an offer from Maccabi of the Israeli Premier League, tweets David Pick of Eurobasket.com. The news was relayed by Taylor’s agent, Todd Ramasar.
- The new contract that Miroslav Raduljica signed with Panathinaikos in the Greek League includes a $500K escape clause, according to Pick (Twitter link). The Serbian briefly played for the Wolves last season.
- The NBA is risking its historic success with tough labor talk, writes Tim Bontemps of The New York Post. Both the league and the players’ union issued statements this week, reminding everyone that a potential lockout is just two years away.
- Sixteen teams still have not used their $2.814MM room exception, tweets former Nets executive Bobby Marks.
Atlantic Notes: Amundson, Porzingis, Biyombo
Veteran journeyman Louis Amundson was determined to re-sign with the Knicks if they extended an offer, writes Roderick Boone of Newsday. Amundson agreed to a one-year, $1.65MM deal early in free agency, giving him the type of stability he has rarely enjoyed in a decade-long NBA career that has seen him pass through 10 franchises. “We obviously prioritized having Lou back,” said coach Derek Fisher, “and we feel like from the time he joined our team during the season last year to finish the season, he was just very impactful and he picked up on a lot of things that we are trying to do. He’s a worker and so we felt good about investing in him because of what he invested in us when he showed up last year.”
There’s more news from the Atlantic Division:
- The Knicks would like rookie Kristaps Porzingis to add 10 to 15 pounds by the start of training camp in October, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. New York expects Porzingis to play primarily power forward with some time at center, hence the need for the extra bulk. “I got confirmation he’s not afraid,’’ Fisher said after watching the rookie in summer league. “He isn’t afraid to be in New York. He’s not afraid of competition.”
- The Raptors are excited to add Bismack Biyombo, who officially signed Friday, according to The Associated Press. An unrestricted free agent and former Hornet, Biyombo received a two-year, $6MM deal from Toronto. GM Masai Ujiri said the center is an “exceptional rim protector and his physicality will be a great asset to us defensively.”
- Jordan McRae, whose draft rights belong to the Sixers, is getting interest from Elan Chalon of the French League, according to Orazio Cauchi of Sportando. A Tennessee alum, McRae was the 58th pick of the 2014 draft. He spent last season in Australia and played for the Sixers’ summer league team in Salt Lake City.
Spurs Rumors: West, Lalanne, Marjanovic, Bonner
Signing free agent LaMarcus Aldridge was one of several smart moves that should help the Spurs remain a contender for years, writes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. San Antonio also added David West to strengthen its bench and reached long-term deals with Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. General manager R.C. Buford said the franchise took advantage of a unique opportunity. “The free agent market had some people that may consider San Antonio, which is closer to their home,” Buford said. “That won’t happen every year and this was our chance to see if we could make it work, and fortunately for us it did.”
There’s more this afternoon from San Antonio:
- West’s contract includes a player option for a second season, tweets Shams Charania of RealGM. Because West signed for the veteran’s minimum, he is almost certain to opt out.
- Cady Lalanne doesn’t expect to spend next season with the Spurs, but overseas trips are nothing new for him, writes Mike Monroe of The Express News. The late second-round pick came to the United States with his family from Haiti in an overcrowded boat at age 6. He went on to star at the University of Massachusetts and caught the eyes of Spurs brass in a private workout two days before the draft. “He came in and had a really good workout,” Buford said. “He’s an athletic big guy that has a really good shooting form.”
- Serbian center Boban Marjanovic’s contract with the Spurs is for one year at a guaranteed $1.2MM, tweets Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders. The 7’3″ center has been a professional since 2006 and made the All-Euroleague First Team for 2015, according to Monroe.
- Even though he had to wait for his contract, Matt Bonner is excited to be returning to the Spurs for another season, writes Dan McCarney of The Express News. The veteran sharpshooter re-signed Wednesday for the veteran’s minimum. “I’m not naive enough to think I’m a top priority at this point in my career,” he said. “I knew I just had to be patient and let the process take its course.”
Nets Rumors: Sale, Hollis-Jefferson, Brown, Vaulet
An August 12th deadline may speed the resolution of ownership of the Nets and Barclays Center, according to NetsDaily. Bruce Ratner’s parent company, Forest Center Enterprises, revealed last week that Ratner must repay his debts to MP Entities by that date or his ownership interests in the team “will be diluted from 20% to approximately 8%.” The other 92% would be owned by Mikhail Prokhorov. The website expects FCE to retain its 20% interest by paying the tens of millions it owes to Prokhorov, saying what would be lost is more valuable than the amount still owed. Negotiations for Ratner’s complete stake in the team have either started or will begin soon. The Nets’ cost-cutting moves have made the team a more attractive purchase, as the website speculates that the franchise could turn a profit next season.
There’s more news out of Brooklyn:
- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson could be the type of strong personality the Nets need, writes Tim Bontemps of The New York Post. He speculates the “effervescent” Hollis-Jefferson will be a welcome addition to a team sometimes accused of lacking emotion and passion. “He doesn’t hold anything back,” said Brandon Ashley, Hollis-Jefferson’s teammate at Arizona. “Sometimes that’s a good thing and sometimes that’s not the best [thing], but you always know what to expect from him.” Hollis-Jefferson was drafted 23rd overall by the Blazers last month, and his rights came to Brooklyn in a deal for Mason Plumlee.
- Markel Brown, who was inserted into the starting lineup as a rookie this season, is happy to have Hollis-Jefferson on board, Bontemps writes in a separate story. Brown was made a starter as the Nets tried to improve their defense and athleticism, and he views Hollis-Jefferson as a similar player. “I see us locking down a lot of players in the future, and I see a lot of promise for both of us on the defensive end,” Brown said. “It’s just about going out there and contributing on offense for both of us.” Brown’s salary of $845,059 is only partially guaranteed for next season. He received $150K by staying on the roster through July 15th, and that figure increases to $200K September 1st. Brown’s contract will become fully guaranteed if he is not waived by September 29th, as the schedule of salary guarantee dates shows.
- The Nets are coordinating Juan Pablo Vaulet‘s recovery from tibia surgery with his Argentinian team, according to NetsDaily. The Nets reportedly think Vaulet has a bright NBA future and are hoping to add him to the team next season. He was a drafted by the Hornets in the second round last month, and his rights were dealt to Brooklyn.
Southeast Notes: Heat, Richardson, Taylor, Bynum
Faced with a luxury tax problem, the Heat have been aggressively trying to deal Mario Chalmers and Shabazz Napier, reports Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. An unidentified GM from another team said Miami’s preference is to deal Chalmers because he is due to make $4.3MM next season. Miami would reportedly settle for a second-round pick — or even less — to get Chalmers’ salary off its books. The GM adds that Chris Andersen is another candidate to be dealt, although the center has not been offered to the GM’s team. He also says the Heat are not trying to trade Josh McRoberts.
There’s more from the Southeast Division:
- Miami will make an offer to Josh Richardson to keep his rights, but may encourage the rookie guard to play overseas, Jackson writes in the same story. Richardson will have to choose whether to seek a spot with a foreign club or try to make the Heat’s roster in training camp. Richardson hasn’t decided if he is willing to spend a year overseas, saying the NBA “has always been my dream; nobody wants to play anywhere else.” The Heat currently have 17 players under contract, stacking the odds against Richardson earning a roster spot.
- Former Hornet Jeffery Taylor has been offered a two-year contract by Maccabi of the Israeli Premier League, tweets David Pick of Eurobasket.com. Pick termed the situation a “done deal” if Taylor agrees. Last month, the Hornets decided not to extend a qualifying offer to Taylor, making him an unrestricted free agent. He spent three years in Charlotte, although his second season was cut short by an Achilles tear and the third was interrupted by a 24-game suspension imposed by the league.
- Barcelona may offer a contract to former Wizards guard Will Bynum, according to Enea Trapani of Sportando. Bynum spent most of the 2014/15 season in China, but signed with Washington late in the year and appeared in seven games.
Rockets, Nuggets In Advanced Talks On Ty Lawson
SUNDAY, 8:13pm: The Rockets and Nuggets have reached advanced stages of trade talks regarding Ty Lawson, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Nuggets Rumors: Clark, Lawson, Mudiay
Ian Clark is hoping a strong summer league showing will earn him an invitation to the Nuggets’ training camp, writes Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post. Battling for an NBA job is nothing new for Clark, who played two seasons with the Jazz but spent much of his time in the D-League. Clark was claimed by Denver after being waived by Utah in March. He averaged 13.4 points per game and shot 50% from the 3-point line during summer league, which he hopes is enough to land a spot in camp. “I haven’t talked to my agent [David Mondress] just yet, so we’ll find out,” he said. “I play out here. I let them deal with everything else.” Denver’s roster is nearly filled with guaranteed contracts, which makes it difficult for a player like Clark to break through.
There’s more news out of Denver:
- The Nuggets’ first priority with Ty Lawson should be to help him overcome his alcohol problem, writes Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post. Lawson, the subject of trade rumors, was ordered to complete a 30-day residential treatment program this week by a Colorado judge.
- Emmanuel Mudiay has already become more of a leader for the Nuggets than Lawson, according to Denver Post columnist Woody Paige. Calling the rookie an “amalgamation” of Chauncey Billups and Allen Iverson, Paige states that the team was “flabbergasted” when Mudiay slipped to the No. 7 spot in the draft. New coach Mike Malone is a huge supporter of Mudiay, Paige writes, and the two have been having nightly film sessions.
- Mudiay was the most promising, NBA-ready point guard in summer league play, writes Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. Although Mudiay only worked out for the teams with the top four picks in last month’s draft, the Nuggets were confident they knew him well enough when it was time for their selection. They had studied video of the 11 games he played in China, along with some high school games. “We had a good sense of who he was a player and certainly we did a lot of background on who he was as a kid, but you really don’t know someone until you’re around them on a consistent basis,” said GM Tim Connelly. “Since being around Emmanuel, we’re even more excited. We’ve seen how serious his approach is and how much he really wants to be a special player.”
Knicks Rumors: Antetokounmpo, Ndour, Mudiay
Thanasis Antetokounmpo‘s impressive performance in Friday’s summer league game could change the Knicks’ minds about signing him for training camp, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. Antetokounmpo performed below expectations in the D-League last season, and the team was reportedly not committed to giving him a shot in camp. His agent, Nick Lotsos, said Antetokounmpo would consider staying in Europe if the Knicks didn’t offer a contract. Antetokounmpo made all seven of his shots in a 17-point performance Friday that may have changed the team’s mind. “That’s what being a professional is all about,” said coach Derek Fisher. “It’s not about getting minutes every game, getting what you want the whole time but being ready when called upon. He did that [Friday]. We’ll have decisions to make going forward about what we want to do. He did everything he can do. I thought he finished the right way and left us with something to think about.’’
There’s more news this morning from New York:
- Maurice Ndour impressed the Knicks with his summer performance, but he may not be invited to camp, Berman reports in the same story. An undrafted 6’9″ power forward out of Ohio University, Ndour stood out with his energy and impressive mid-range shooting. However, the Senegal native may have to seek a camp invitation from another team. “Maurice was solid, he brought energy and activity to our game,’’ Fisher said. “He showed ability to shoot fairly well and defend, block shots, rebound. He represented himself well. We may not be able to keep him. Our roster’s filling up pretty fast.’’
- Denver’s Emmanuel Mudiay wasn’t upset about being passed over by the Knicks with the No. 4 pick in the draft, Berman also writes. Mudiay was reportedly concerned that he wouldn’t fit in with the Knicks’ triangle offense.
- One new Knick who has no fear of the triangle is point guard Jerian Grant, whose uncle Horace learned it while playing for Phil Jackson‘s Bulls in the 1990s, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News. “With his IQ and being in a program like Notre Dame, I think he’s a perfect fit for the triangle from the standpoint of the way he passes, the way he can command the game, getting guys in the right position, and I know Phil and I know D-Fish — and they knew he was the perfect guy for that triangle,” Horace Grant said. “… He’s the type of person that I feel will definitely push for the starting point guard spot.”
Southwest Notes: Smith, Cuban, Curry, Allen
Owner Mark Cuban said the Mavericks weren’t pursuing Josh Smith before he left the Rockets to sign with the Clippers, according to The Dallas Morning News. “We weren’t in that mix at all,” Cuban said in a radio interview with KESN-FM, adding that the Mavericks unsuccessfully tried to sign Smith after he was waived by the Pistons in December. There was a report last week that Dallas was one of the teams in play for the free agent forward.
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- Cuban overpaid free agents by millions to prove his loyalty, charges Tim Bontemps of The New York Post. Being spurned by DeAndre Jordan affected Cuban’s judgment in subsequent deals, Bontemps contends. He praises the Mavericks owner for acquiring Zaza Pachulia cheaply and gambling on Deron Williams for $11MM over two seasons, but writes that the deals given to Wesley Matthews ($70MM over four seasons) and J.J. Barea ($16MM over four seasons) could lead to an ugly cap situation in the future.
- The Pelicans haven’t decided whether to offer a contract to Seth Curry, tweets John Reid of The Times-Picayune. GM Dell Demps discussed the possibility tonight on NBA TV. New Orleans is rumored to be close to giving a guaranteed deal to Curry, who was the top scorer in the Las Vegas summer league heading into today’s games.
- The Grizzlies‘ Tony Allen is convinced that he made the right choice when he left Boston for Memphis five years ago, writes Geoff Calkins of The Commercial Appeal. The defensive specialist signed with the Grizzlies as a free agent in July of 2010. Allen has two more seasons and more than $10.6MM left on his current contract. “I can’t envision myself no place else,” he said. “I got about five more years.”
Central Notes: Smith, Antetokounmpo, Granger
J.R. Smith will probably regret turning down his $6.4MM option for next season, writes Terry Pluto of The Plain Dealer, although the free agent guard could still rejoin the Cavaliers at a lesser rate. The team was unhappy with Smith’s decision and started looking for a replacement, Pluto reports. Although Smith is still trying to find a better deal, most free agents have been signed and the list of teams with cap space is dwindling. Pluto notes that Cleveland would like to bring Smith back, but only on a “modest” one-year contract.
There’s more tonight from the Central Division:
- The Cavs‘ “immediate need” for “championship caliber” players may keep Rakeem Christmas and Sir’Dominic Pointer from making the roster, according to Joe Vardon of The Northeast Ohio Media Group. The second-round picks were acquired from the Wolves in a draft-day deal that sent Tyus Jones to Minnesota, and although the Cavaliers like both players there may not be room on the roster for them to sit and learn the NBA game. “We’re in a really unique situation roster-spot wise, where both of them could be affected by that,” said Cavs GM David Griffin. “What we need are guys that can compete in championship caliber games. We ended up in a situation where we ran out of bodies in the Finals and guys that were ready to play significant minutes.”
- Giannis Antetokounmpo would like to spend his entire career with the Bucks, the 20-year-old Greek star wrote on his blog. Antetokounmpo expressed gratitude to the Milwaukee front office for drafting him and making him a team leader at such a young age, though he did include a qualifier that could make Bucks fans nervous: “Okay, if LeBron [James] said to me ‘Come to my team and play with me,’ I’d think about it! [laughs] He’s the best player in the world and a member of that exclusive group of the best that have ever played the game. Still, though, the Milwaukee Bucks would come first. They will always be the team that gave me my chance and opened up the doors to paradise.”
- Veteran Danny Granger will be among five players battling for the last two roster spots with the Pistons, according to Vince Ellis of USA Today. The others in contention, according to Ellis, are second-round pick Darrun Hilliard, Reggie Bullock, Cartier Martin and Adonis Thomas.