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Month: April 2016

Prospect Profile Series

By | at April 27, 2016 11:03 am

The June 23rd draft is less than two months away, and the fate of NBA teams hangs in the balance. Only a few players at the top of the draft rankings have superstar potential, but the remainder of this year’s crop offers some intriguing possibilities. Hoops Rumors will be tracking all of the breaking developments, and one of the ways we’ll cover the potentially franchise-altering event will be to take a closer look at many of the prospects in line to hear their names called on draft night.

Our list of Prospect Profiles will be updated in the weeks ahead as we build our inventory of reports for your perusal. This post can be found anytime under “Hoops Rumors Features” on the right sidebar. The players we’ve profiled so far can be found below, sorted by their rankings on the DraftExpress list of the top 100 prospects for 2016.

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Kings Consider Henry Bibby; Morway Talks End

By | at April 27, 2016 8:48 am

The Kings have reached out to former NBA assistant and USC head coach Henry Bibby about their head coaching vacancy, according to Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee, who includes the information in a story about the team’s desire to meet with Warriors assistant Luke Walton. The team appears set to accelerate its coaching search, as Jones hears the Kings would like to make a hire by sometime next week (Twitter link), though that would require the team to drastically pare its wide-ranging list of candidates.

The Kings are meanwhile no longer engaged in talks with former Bucks and Pacers executive David Morway about a front office role that would have made him an assistant to Vice President of Basketball Operations Vlade Divac, sources tell The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). A deal with Morway was reportedly close as of late last month, when the Kings signed Divac to an extension. Sacramento has sought an experienced hand to pair with Divac, a front office neophyte.

Bibby, 66, joins a crowded field of Sacramento coaching candidates that also includes Grizzlies assistant Elston Turner, as Jones reported Tuesday. The Bee’s Ailene Voisin reported last week that Divac was inquiring about at least two college coaches, so perhaps Bibby is one of them. Still, the father of former Kings point guard Mike Bibby hasn’t been with USC since 2004, having more recently been an assistant for the Sixers, Grizzlies and Pistons. He was last on an NBA bench with Detroit for the 2013/14 season.

Walton appears much higher on Sacramento’s list of priorities, and while Voisin reported that Divac and Walton were expected to meet to discuss the job, Jones raises the possibility that Walton will decline to talk to the Kings about the vacancy. The team has already interviewed Sam Mitchell, Vinny Del Negro and, as Jones reports, Mike Woodson, whose meeting with the team had reportedly been imminent. The Kings intend to meet with Jeff Hornacek, too, as Jones wrote last week.

Kevin McHale is a serious contender and he and the Kings have had exploratory talks, as Marc Stein of ESPN.com reported earlier this week. The former Rockets coach is well-liked within the Sacramento organization and many consider him a front-runner for the job, according to James Ham of CSN California. The Kings would like to interview McHale, but, as of last week, he hadn’t decided whether he wants to talk, as Wojnarowski reported.

Mark Jackson, Brian Shaw, Ettore Messina, Ime Udoka, Nate McMillan, Monty Williams, Jeff Van Gundy, Patrick Ewing, David Blatt and Jay Larranaga are the other reported candidates for the coaching job. Some people around the league think Kings assistant Corliss Williamson deserves an interview, Jones tweets, but it’s unclear if the team is considering him.

2 comments Newsstand Sacramento Kings

Community Shootaround: Dell Demps

By | at April 26, 2016 11:00 pm

The Pelicans had the unfortunate distinction of finishing the 2015/16 campaign with their players missing a total of 351 games due to injury and illness, which was the most in the NBA in the past six years. “It’s been disappointing,” GM Dell Demps said of the seemingly never-ending string of physical maladies New Orleans endured this season. “We had a lot of high hopes coming into the season. And, obviously, not being at full strength has really … it’s been tough. It’s been tough on us. It’s been tough on the organization.“

New Orleans, which had been predicted by many to be a playoff contender this season, went just 30-52 on the campaign, which was a decrease of 15 wins from its 2014/15 showing. Demps is on the hot seat as a result and his position with the organization in doubt. The executive was originally scheduled to have his season-ending press conference on Monday, but it was abruptly rescheduled for an unspecified later date. The Pelicans have reportedly not made any final decision regarding Demps’ future with the team and evaluations of the rest of his staff are still ongoing, though current indications are that the executive will remain in his post for next season, according to Brett Dawson of The Advocate.

This brings me to the topic for today: Should the Pelicans retain Dell Demps as GM?

New Orleans has gone 203-273 while under Demps’ control, hardly an earth-shattering track record, but the Pelicans did appear to be a franchise on the rise before the season’s parade of injuries commenced. Do you believe the executive should be given another season to show results, considering how the team’s glut of injuries could not have been foreseen? Or have you viewed a large enough sample size of Demps to decide that he’s not the one to lead the Pelicans to the next level? Take to the comments section to share your thoughts and opinions on the subject, weigh in on what you believe Demps’ best and worst moves were as an executive, or simply to vent about New Orleans’ frustrating season. We look forward to what you have to say.

9 comments Community Shootaround Hoops Rumors Originals New Orleans Pelicans

And-Ones: Taylor, Ridley, Robinson

By | at April 26, 2016 10:43 pm

Glen Taylor has brought two minority-share investors into the Timberwolves ownership group, according to Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link), but the 75-year-old Taylor said today that he’s committed to remaining in charge of the team for at least the next five years, observes Jon Krawczynski of The Associated Press. That aligns with the length of the contracts for new coach/executive Tom Thibodeau and GM Scott Layden. Taylor has been in talks to sell 30% of the team to Grizzlies minority-share owner Steve Kaplan, and they were reportedly discussing a plan to have Kaplan eventually succeed Taylor as primary owner. Presumably, no such plan exists for new Wolves part-owners Meyer Orbach, a New York real estate mogul, and John Jiang, who, according to Walters, is believed to be the first NBA investor from China.

See more from around the NBA:

  • Dave Joerger would like to see Lance Stephenson back with Memphis for next season, the Grizzlies coach said Monday, according to Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal (Twitter link). Memphis has a $9.405MM team option on Stephenson. “He’s had a lot of success here and the guys accepted him,” Joerger said.
  • Agents Matt Babcock and Adie von Gontard of APAA Sports Group have signed Texas senior Cameron Ridley, a source told Hoops Rumors. The 6’10” center was a McDonald’s All-American Game starter in 2012 and ranked 14th in the 2012 Recruiting Services Consensus Index, two spots ahead of current Nuggets shooting guard Gary Harris. Ridley will look to regain that form in predraft workouts with NBA teams and climb his way into the top 100 lists that Chad Ford of ESPN.com and Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress compile.
  • Kentucky coach John Calipari said in March that all 14 underclassmen on his roster would enter this year’s draft, at least to test the waters, but only five Wildcats appear on the NBA’s official list of early entrants released earlier this evening. Florida small forward Devin Robinson was reportedly going to enter the draft and doesn’t appear on the official list either, though that’s no shock, since he’s had major foot surgery since the report that he was draft-bound emerged.

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

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Western Notes: Augustin, Williams, Gobert

By | at April 26, 2016 10:02 pm

Point guard D.J. Augustin, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent, appreciates the opportunity he was given in Denver, but he isn’t sure if he will re-sign with the Nuggets this summer, Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post writes. “This is my fourth summer being a free agent,” Augustin told Dempsey. “You never know what can happen. I’ve been promised things in the past, and it didn’t come true. I’ve had my hopes up in the past [and things] didn’t happen. It’s just all about putting things in God’s hands and my agent’s hands and I’m going to just relax. My wife is having our third child. So I’m going to just see what happens. Anything can happen. I love it here, and hopefully things work out.”

Regarding finally getting an opportunity to play after being buried on the Thunder’s bench, Augustin told Dempsey, “I was in a tough situation in Oklahoma. Like I told a lot of people, it wasn’t working out there. I did the right thing, my agent did the right thing and talked to those guys and they were kind enough to trade me, trade me to a good situation. Everything worked out.”

Here’s more from out West:

  • Mavs point guard Deron Williams‘ sports hernia is getting worse and he will likely need offseason surgery to repair the injury, as Earl K. Sneed of Mavs.com relays (Twitter links). Williams, who has a player option worth $5,621,026 for next season, impressed the team and seemed to have fun for the first time in the past few seasons, executive Donnie Nelson said, according to Sneed.
  • Lance Stephenson said he would be comfortable remaining with the Grizzlies if they exercise their team option on his contract worth $9,405MM for next season, when asked if he would prefer to ink a multiyear deal instead, tweets Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal.
  • Despite struggling with injuries this season, Jazz big man Rudy Gobert feels like his overall game has improved, as Jody Genessy of The Deseret News relays. “It’s been kind of weird this year with injuries to try to come back and get my rhythm back,” Gobert said. “My teammates got me involved, but it was kind of tough this year. I feel like I still got better. You can’t really see it on stats, but I feel like I got better.”
0 comments Dallas Mavericks Denver Nuggets Memphis Grizzlies Utah Jazz

Eastern Notes: Caldwell-Pope, DeRozan, Gores

By | at April 26, 2016 9:05 pm

Pistons shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is eligible to ink a rookie-scale contract extension this summer, but he says his focus is on improving his game and not on his next deal, David Mayo of MLive relays. “Yeah, I mean, why do it now? It’s not in my mind. I mean, it could happen. If it does happen, it happens. But right now I’m going to stay focused and get better,” Caldwell-Pope said. “Right now, I’m just going to let my agent handle all that. If you have any questions about that, I really can’t answer them. I let my agent answer for me. I don’t know. We haven’t really talked about it.” If Caldwell-Pope and Detroit are unable to reach an agreement by October’s deadline, he would be eligible to become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2017.

Team owner Tom Gores, one of the principals who will be involved in the Pistons’ future decisions regarding Caldwell-Pope, is involved in a bid to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to Detroit, Vince Ellis of The Detroit Free Press relays. Gores is partnering with Cavs owner Dan Gilbert on the venture, Ellis notes. “I’ve always believed a sports franchise is a community asset with the power to unite and inspire people,” Gores said in his official statement. “I’m excited to partner with Dan and help in Detroit’s resurgence. Together we have all the tools we need to make a new team successful.”

Here’s more from the East:

  • Raptors swingman DeMar DeRozan‘s struggles this postseason call into question whether or not he is worthy of a max salary deal this summer, should he choose to opt out of his current deal and become an unrestricted free agent, Steve Simmons of The Toronto Sun writes. The 26-year-old is averaging 13.3 points and shooting a woeful 29.6% from the field in four playoff outings. His player option for 2016/17 is worth $10.15MM, but he’ll almost certain decline it and end up with more than that.
  • The Nets hiring of the hard-working Kenny Atkinson as their new coach is another positive sign of the franchise trying to change its culture for the better, NetsDaily opines.
  • If the Wizards intend to maintain their “pace-and-space offense,” they need a playmaker off the bench who’s capable of sinking the long ball and should consider signing Seth Curry, Ben Standig of CSN Mid-Atlantic.com writes. The Kings combo guard averaged 16.4 points, 5.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 45.9% from the field, including 48.9% from beyond the arc over Sacramento’s last seven contests, Standig notes. Curry, 25, has a player option on his deal for 2016/17 worth $1,015,696.
0 comments Brooklyn Nets Detroit Pistons Toronto Raptors Washington Wizards

NBA Announces Early Entrants For 2016 Draft

By | at April 26, 2016 8:00 pm

The NBA officially announced the list of college underclassmen and international players who have declared themselves eligible for the 2016 NBA Draft. A total of 162 players, including 117 players from colleges/post-graduate institutions and 45 international players, constitute those who are testing the draft waters this year. Players who don’t hire agents can withdraw prior to May 25th and return to school for the 2016/17 campaign. The complete list of early entrants is below in alphabetical order:

Underclassmen

*Note: Players in red were not previously announced.

International
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LSU SG Antonio Blakeney Pulls Out Of Draft?

By | at April 26, 2016 7:09 pm

APRIL 26TH, 7:09pm: The NBA released its official early entrants roster and Blakeney’s name is among those listed, Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com tweets. The freshman still can withdraw and return to school prior to the May 25th deadline, provided he doesn’t hire an agent.

APRIL 19TH, 2:09pm: LSU freshman shooting guard Antonio Blakeney has decided against entering the draft, the school announced. Blakeney earlier this month said he would go into the draft without an agent, a move that would allow him to work out for NBA teams and retain his college eligibility as long as he withdrew by May 25th, but it appears he’s had a change of heart and has decided against testing the waters. The 6’4″ 19-year-old was only a fringe draft prospect, ranking 94th in Chad Ford’s ESPN Insider listing and outside Jonathan Givony’s DraftExpress top 100.

Blakeney entered college as a highly touted prospect, ranking 15th in the Recruiting Services Consensus Index, but his numbers underwhelmed as he averaged 12.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game with 33.5% shooting from 3-point range. He stands to benefit from increased offensive opportunity next season, since teammates Ben Simmons, who’s a strong candidate to become the No. 1 pick this June, and Tim Quarterman are both staying in this year’s draft.

A lack of strength is one of Blakeney’s weaknesses, according to Ford, who also suggests he’d be undersized as an NBA two-guard. He averaged less than an assist per game, so work on his passing would probably benefit him even if he doesn’t end up converting to the point.

0 comments 2016 NBA Draft

Los Angeles Notes: Paul, Griffin, Walton, Fisher

By | at April 26, 2016 6:54 pm

The Lakers don’t want their search for a new coach to be a prolonged one and hope to have their new hire in place prior to the NBA draft in June, writes Bill Oram of The Orange County Register.  “We’re looking to have a big offseason,” GM Mitch Kupchak said. “It would be nice to have our staff in place during the draft and certainly when July 1st [when teams can begin negotiating with free agents] rolls around.” The executive also expressed hope for a quick turnaround in fortune for the franchise, Oram adds. “We feel we’re positioned well as an organization to quickly be in a different position a year from now,” Kupchak said. “Does that mean 50 or 55 [wins]? I don’t know. … But I do feel we can make great progress.”

Here’s more from L.A.:

  • The Clippers‘ playoff hopes took a major blow today with the team announcing that point guard Chris Paul and power forward Blake Griffin would likely miss the remainder of the postseason. Paul underwent surgery on his right hand this morning and will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks after fracturing his hand during Monday night’s game, while Griffin is dealing with a left quad injury and is done for the year.
  • Luke Walton, who is rumored to be a favorite for the vacant Lakers coaching post, reiterated his love for being with the Warriors and his focus on the playoffs when asked about potentially coming to Los Angeles next season, as Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group relays. “I love my job here,” Walton said. “I absolutely love it. I love the playoff battles that we’re in right now. We’ve got prep work to do. Every bit of focus right now should be on the playoffs. So any questions I’m asked about anything else is a distraction in my opinion, and then I’m being selfish. So I’m not answering anything about anything except for our team and the playoffs.”
  • Former Knicks coach Derek Fisher has expressed interest in the Lakers coaching position, Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com relays (ESPN Now link). Fired by the Knicks in February, Fisher’s record in a season and a half with New York was 40-96.
  • Clippers small forward Paul Pierce is adjusting to limited minutes during the postseason but understands his true value as a veteran is to provide leadership, writes Dan Woike of The Orange County Register.
6 comments Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Lakers

Kings Eye Elston Turner For Coaching Job

By | at April 26, 2016 4:25 pm

The Kings will consider Grizzlies assistant Elston Turner for their head coaching vacancy, reports Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee (Twitter link). The 56-year-old Turner is a former Kings assistant, as Jones notes, and one of several candidates whom various reports have identified for the position.

The only official interviews for the team’s vacant coaching slot thus far has been with former Timberwolves interim coach Sam Mitchell and former Clippers and Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro. Also said to be on the Kings’ list of candidates are former Hawks and Knicks coach Mike Woodson, former Rockets coach Kevin McHale, former Warriors head man Mark Jackson, Pacers assistant Nate McMillan and former Suns coach Jeff Hornacek. Sacramento apparently reached out to Tom Thibodeau and Scott Brooks prior to both men landing new posts and has also touched base with Spurs assistant Ettore Messina, Warriors assistant Luke Walton and former Cavs coach David Blatt, according to Ailene Voisin of The Sacramento Bee.

Hornets assistant Patrick Ewing and Celtics assistant Jay Larranaga are those without NBA head coaching experience apparently in the running for the vacant post, though GM Vlade Divac indicated that the team is seeking an experienced hand when making its next hire.

9 comments Sacramento Kings
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