Atlantic Notes: Rose, Patterson, Sixers Promotions
The Knicks are hoping their lack of point guard depth won’t come back to haunt them, especially early in the season, Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News writes. Projected third-stringer Chasson Randle is expected to miss three to four weeks with an orbital fracture and presumptive starter Derrick Rose has yet to play during the preseason due to his civil trial which is being held in Los Angeles. The earliest Rose could be back with the team would be for Thursday’s contest against the Nets, but even if he return in time for the game, he may not play due to lack of practice time, Bondy notes. “I don’t know [if I’ll play him without a practice]. If we can go through some things in the morning with him the day of the game — it’s a back-to-back situation, so I don’t know if we’d get a chance to,” coach Jeff Hornacek said. “But if somehow we could get a couple guys to work with him, maybe, just to give him a little bit of time before the first game. But we won’t push that.”
Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Patrick Patterson is earning $6,050,000 this season and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The Raptors power forward is keenly aware that he is in a contract year, telling Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports (via Twitter), “My attitude, my demeanor and the way I carry myself on and off the court is going to be drastically different.” Patterson acknowledged that every player wants to get paid, noting that he has added some new moves to his offensive game for 2016/17, Blake Murphy of Raptors Republic relays (Twitter links).
- The Sixers have promoted Ned Cohen to Vice President of Basketball Operations and Chief of Staff, as well as re-structured their analytics department, which will now be led by Vice President of Analytics and Strategy Alex Rucker, and supported by Director of Applied Analytics Dr. Lance Pearson and Sergi Oliva as Director of Basketball Analytics and Innovation, the team announced via press release. “These moves reflect the outstanding performance of many within the 76ers organization and also addresses our desire to enhance and improve our internal processes regarding decision making, athlete performance care and team services. We are very excited about the future of this organization both on and off the basketball floor,” said team executive Bryan Colangelo.
- Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer looked back at how executive Danny Ainge built a “super team” in Boston with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, and what the current state of the Celtics‘ current reconstruction is, as well as what the team needs to take things to the next level.
2016/17 NBA Over/Unders: Central Division
The 2016/17 NBA regular season will get underway next week, which means it’s time to start getting serious about predictions for the upcoming campaign. With the help of the lines from offshore betting site Bovada.lv, we’re going to run through the predicted win totals for each of the NBA’s 30 teams, by division, and have you weigh in on whether you think those forecasts are too optimistic or too pessimistic. Having looked at the Atlantic and Northwest division so far, we’re moving on to the Central today…
Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2015/16 record: 57-25
- Over/under for 2016/17: 56.5 wins
- Offseason in review: Added Chris Andersen, Mike Dunleavy, Kay Felder. Lost Matthew Dellavedova, Timofey Mozgov, Mo Williams.
(App users, click here for Cavaliers poll)
Detroit Pistons
- 2015/16 record: 44-38
- Over/under for 2016/17: 44.5 wins
- Offseason in review: Added Jon Leuer, Boban Marjanovic, Ish Smith, Henry Ellenson. Lost Jodie Meeks, Anthony Tolliver, Steve Blake.
(App users, click here for Pistons poll)
Indiana Pacers
- 2015/16 record: 45-37
- Over/under for 2016/17: 44.5 wins
- Offseason in review: Added Al Jefferson, Jeff Teague, Thaddeus Young, Kevin Seraphin, Aaron Brooks. Lost George Hill, Solomon Hill, Jordan Hill, Ian Mahinmi, Ty Lawson.
(App users, click here for Pacers poll)
Chicago Bulls
- 2015/16 record: 42-40
- Over/under for 2016/17: 38.5 wins
- Offseason in review: Added Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo, Robin Lopez, Michael Carter-Williams, Isaiah Canaan, Denzel Valentine, Jerian Grant. Lost Derrick Rose, Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, Mike Dunleavy, Aaron Brooks, E’Twaun Moore, Justin Holiday, Tony Snell.
(App users, click here for Bulls poll)
Milwaukee Bucks
- 2015/16 record: 33-49
- Over/under for 2016/17: 34.5 wins
- Offseason in review: Added Matthew Dellavedova, Mirza Teletovic, Jason Terry, Thon Maker, Michael Beasley. Lost Jerryd Bayless, Greivis Vasquez, Tyler Ennis, O.J. Mayo, Johnny O’Bryant.
(App users, click here for Bucks poll)
Previous voting results:
- Boston Celtics (52.5 wins): Under (54.59%)
- Toronto Raptors (50.5 wins): Over (54.63%)
- New York Knicks (38.5 wins): Over (71.41%)
- Philadelphia 76ers (23.5 wins): Under (54.62%)
- Brooklyn Nets (20.5 wins): Under (60.74%)
- Utah Jazz (49 wins): Under (68.72%)
- Portland Trail Blazers (45.5 wins): Over (69.92%)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (43.5 wins): Over (65.71%)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (40.5 wins): Over (50.11%)
- Denver Nuggets (37 wins): Under (68.81%)
Kyler’s Latest: Expansion, Faried, Suns, Vucevic
In his latest piece for Basketball Insiders, Steve Kyler addresses a few rumors and reports that have popped up around the NBA recently, providing some perspective and some additional information. Let’s dive in and round up the highlights…
- While a recent report from Kevin Nesgoda of SonicsRising.com suggested that the NBA may be considering the possibility of expansion, Kyler was told by an NBA owner that the idea of expansion has been a “non-starter” at Board of Governors meetings. As Kyler writes, there are certain non-NBA markets with interest in bringing in a team, and some sources may view expansion as inevitable down the road, but it’s not in the short-term plans for the league’s Board of Governors.
- With Kenneth Faried at risk of losing his starting job, league sources tell Kyler that the big man may not be thrilled with a move to the bench, which could prompt the Nuggets to ramp up efforts to trade him this season. The Nuggets will be a team to watch when most offseason signees around the NBA become trade-eligible on December 15, particularly if they get off to a slow start.
- There’s a “growing belief” that Brandon Knight would draw a bigger trade return for the Suns than Eric Bledsoe, given Bledsoe’s injury history, writes Kyler. ESPN’s Zach Lowe recently indicated that Knight would be a more likely trade candidate than Bledsoe for the club. Still, sources tell Kyler that the Suns like the “vibe” and culture in Phoenix right now, and are in no rush to clear their backcourt logjam.
- Magic sources continue to “flatly deny” having any interest in trading Nikola Vucevic. However, Kyler wonders if that stance may become a little more flexible if Orlando’s other bigs are playing well, and the right swingman is available in a potential deal.
Spurs Open To Moving LaMarcus Aldridge
The whispers on LaMarcus Aldridge‘s potential availability in San Antonio are getting a little louder, with Jabari Young of The San Antonio Express-News reporting that the Spurs are open to moving Aldridge in a trade, should the right deal surface.
While most teams are “open” to moving most players if the offer is enticing enough, this isn’t the first time there have been rumblings about Aldridge’s name possibly being on the trade block. Last week, ESPN’s Zach Lowe predicted that Aldridge’s name would surface in trade talks, particularly if the Spurs don’t outperform expectations, though he framed that as one of 30 “crazy predictions,” cautioning that the odds were against a deal.
However, ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan has heard some trade rumors of her own on Aldridge, revealing during an appearance on CSNNE’s Early Edition that sources have told her the big man may not finish the season in San Antonio. According to MacMullan, the marriage between Aldridge and the Spurs hasn’t worked out quite as well so far as either side has hoped.
Young echoes that sentiment, writing in his piece that sources close to the situation believe Aldridge may not be happy at the moment. According to Young, the Spurs are believed to have pitched him on a role as their primary offensive weapon when they signed him, and that hasn’t exactly occurred, with Kawhi Leonard assuming that role instead.
Whether or not there’s a little friction behind the scenes in San Antonio, the Spurs aren’t likely to make a major move in the immediate future. Aldridge could become a more viable trade candidate closer to the deadline, but the team figures to open the season with the former Blazer playing a major role.
Kings, Heat Discuss Gay, Collison, Dragic
As ESPN’s Zach Lowe recently reported, the Heat and the Kings have engaged in some “vague” trade discussions since July. Today, Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders fills in some details on those talks, reporting that the two sides have discussed a trade that would send Rudy Gay and Darren Collison to Miami and Goran Dragic to Sacramento.
The Kings appear open to moving Gay, who has expressed some frustration with the franchise and has indicated he’ll opt out and explore the open market next summer. Sources tell Scotto that Sacramento would like to land a starting-caliber point guard in a deal involving Gay, and Dragic would fit that bill. However, the Heat gave up two first-round picks in their previous trade for Dragic, so they may require a more significant return to part with him.
Still, acquiring Gay and Collison would make some sense for the Heat. Gay is a talented scorer who could help make up for the loss of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in the short term, while Collison could provide some backcourt depth — he likely wouldn’t require as significant a role as Dragic, which could free up some minutes for Miami’s younger players.
Both Gay and Collison will also come off the books in 2017, whereas Dragic has a pricey cap hit through at least the 2018/19 season. Moving Dragic for a pair of expiring contracts would give the Heat much more financial flexibility to go out and pursue top free agents next July.
No deal seems imminent at this point, with Scotto reporting that both teams are “kicking the tires” on the possibility. However, it’s worth keeping an eye on the Heat and Kings as potential trade partners before the 2017 deadline.
Heat Sign Luis Montero, Waive Keith Benson
The Heat continue to cycle through camp invitees, announcing today in a press release that they’ve waived center Keith Benson, replacing him on their roster with guard Luis Montero. The Blazers just waived Montero on Saturday, so Miami didn’t waste much time in snatching him up once he cleared waivers.
A 6’7″ swingman from the Dominican Republic, Montero signed with the Blazers last summer. He appeared in 12 games as a rookie last season, averaging 1.2 points and 0.3 rebounds per night in limited playing time. Montero played just one game this preseason for Portland before he was cut, scoring three points against Utah on October 3.
Benson’s deal with the Heat was only partially guaranteed, with the big man getting $75K from the Heat. The details on Montero’s contract aren’t yet known, but he’ll likely receive little to no guaranteed money as well. Both players are candidates to end up with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Miami’s D-League affiliate.
Miami continues to carry 20 players on its roster after waiving one and adding another. The team will have to make five cuts before opening night.
Knicks Re-Sign Cleanthony Early
OCTOBER 18: The Knicks have officially re-signed Early, the team announced today (Twitter link).
OCTOBER 13: The Knicks will re-sign forward Cleanthony Early, sources told Shams Charania of The Vertical (Twitter link). Early will likely start his season in the D-League as he continues his rehab from a hamstring injury, Charania adds.
The 6’8″ Early, 25, has played both of his NBA seasons with New York. He appeared in 17 games last season, including two starts, and averaged 1.8 points and 1.5 rebounds in 9.1 minutes. During the 2014/15 campaign, he appeared in 39 games, including seven starts, and averaged 5.4 points and 2.5 rebounds in 16.6 minutes.
The Knicks have mulled bringing back Early for quite some time and ultimately decided to give the former second-round pick another chance. They renounced their rights to him in early July in order to sign high-profile free agents, including Joakim Noah.
Early’s 2015/16 season was marred by an incident in late December which he was shot in the right knee and robbed. He did not return to action until the beginning of April.
Early’s hamstring injury occurred prior to the summer league, preventing him from participating with the Knicks’ entry in Orlando in July, and is apparently still affecting him. He’ll eventually give new coach Jeff Hornacek another option at the small forward spot.
Sixers, Nerlens Noel Not Discussing Extension
Among the players eligible for rookie-scale extension until October 31, Nerlens Noel is one of the more interesting candidates. The 22-year-old is a promising rebounder and defender whose offensive game still needs some work, and he also plays for a team whose frontcourt is loaded with young talent. Given the uncertainty surrounding Noel, it makes sense that he and the Sixers have yet to engage in extension negotiations, as Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
“It’s not really something that we’ve discussed, given some of the concerns that I think Nerlens has had, right now,” Sixers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo said. “There’s been very little – if any – discussion with his agents about any extension scenarios.”
Noel’s “concerns” that Colangelo mentions likely refer to the comments the big man made at the start of training camp about the Sixers’ logjam at center. Noel called the situation “silly” and expressed surprise that Philadelphia hadn’t made a trade. Presumably, while he’d like to secure a payday, Noel will be reluctant to sign long-term with the Sixers unless he gets a clearer sense of how the team plans to resolve that situation.
If Noel receives certain assurances from the Sixers about the team’s future, perhaps he and the team will open extension negotiations sometime within the next couple weeks. It’s also possible – albeit not particularly likely – that Philadelphia trades him before the October 31 extension deadline, allowing to ink an extension with a new team. That sort of move is rare, but not unprecedented. For instance, the Rockets signed James Harden to a max extension in October 2012, just days after acquiring him from the Thunder.
For now though, it seems as if the most likely scenario for Noel and the Sixers is for Halloween’s extension deadline to pass without a deal, putting Noel on track to become a restricted free agent in 2017, either with Philadelphia or another club.
NBA GMs Weigh In On 2016/17 Season
NBA.com has completed its annual survey of NBA general managers, asking each of the league’s 30 GMs an array of questions about the league’s top teams, players, and coaches. As John Schuhmann of NBA.com details in his piece announcing the results, it comes as little surprise that NBA GMs are just as bullish on the Cavaliers‘ and Warriors‘ chances in 2016/17 as the rest of us are — those are the only two teams GMs predicted to become this season’s NBA champion, with Golden State getting 69% of the vote and Cleveland getting 31%.
While there are many responses in the GM survey worth checking out, we’ll focus on rounding up some of the more interesting ones related to rosters and player movement. Let’s dive in…
- LeBron James led the way in votes for 2016/17’s MVP award, but Karl-Anthony Towns was the clear choice for the player most GMs would want to start a franchise with today.
- The Warriors were the only team to receive more than two votes for which team made the best offseason moves — Golden State was the runaway winner at 83.3%, largely due to the signing of Kevin Durant. The addition of Durant was easily voted the move most likely to make the biggest impact this season, and it was also viewed as the most surprising move of the summer, just ahead of Dwyane Wade joining the Bulls.
- The Jazz‘s trade for George Hill received at least one vote for the move likely to have the biggest impact, and it was the winner for the most underrated player acquisition of the offseason.
- Dejounte Murray (Spurs), Kris Dunn (Timberwolves), and Patrick McCaw (Warriors) were considered the biggest steals of the draft by GMs, who voted Milos Teodosic and Sergio Llull as the top international players not currently in the NBA.
- NBA general managers view Tom Thibodeau as the new coach most likely to make an immediate positive impact on his new team, and think Chris Paul is the player most likely to become a future NBA head coach.
- The rules that GMs wants to see changed or modified include the draft lottery system, the number of timeouts per game, and intentional fouling.
Tayshaun Prince Looking To Continue NBA Career
While most of 2016’s NBA free agents have either signed a contract or at least been linked to some potential suitors, there hasn’t been much chatter surrounding Tayshaun Prince over the last few months. Nonetheless, Prince tells Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated that he hasn’t thought about retiring, and wants to continue his playing career in the NBA.
According to Spears, Prince has received some interest – but no concrete offers – from NBA teams. The veteran forward would like to join a contender, and doesn’t have interest in heading overseas to continue his career, so he’s still hoping to hear from a team soon — perhaps once the dust settles after teams make preseason cuts.
“The hardest part about the wait is that there are a lot of teams out there that know what I bring to the game,” Prince said. “I know I have good leadership, and they know I’m a great locker room guy. Obviously, some of the assistant coaches that you’ve played for are dispersed around the league. A lot of them are accustomed to what I do and what I bring to teams.
“Now is the time where teams are checking out their roster with 18 or 19 guys,” Prince continued. “They are trying to see if some of these guys can make the roster. After all that settles, I hope to hopefully hear something.”
As Spears writes, Prince has been working out and staying in basketball shape, so he’d be ready to contribute if he got a call. However, after posting double-digit scoring averages during the prime of his career, Prince has seen his production dip in recent seasons. In 2015/16, he set new career lows in PPG (2.9) and 3PT% (.174), though he did still appear in 77 games for the Timberwolves, starting 44 of them and averaging 19.0 minutes per night.
You can check out our full list of 2016 NBA free agents, including Prince, right here.