Pacific Notes: Buss, Lakers, Karl, Tolliver
Lakers president and part owner Jeanie Buss will face a major decision after the season ends, writes Bill Oram of The Orange County Register. Buss could signal a change of direction for the franchise by firing her brother Jim, who serves as executive vice president, and GM Mitch Kupchak. It has been nearly three years since Jim Buss promised to resign if the Lakers weren’t “contending for a championship” in three or four seasons. Coming off three of the worst seasons in franchise history, L.A. sparked some hope with a 10-10 start, but has lost 12 of its last 13 games. “We’re like every other team that we will play a season and we will assess that season when it’s over,” Jeanie Buss said. “No reason to speculate on any possible changes. It’s a waste of time to speculate.”
There’s more news from the Pacific Division:
- Nearly all of the Lakers‘ offseason signees are now eligible to be included in trades, notes Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders. Power forward Thomas Robinson passed his deadline December 23rd, a day after Metta World Peace. Marcelo Huertas, Luol Deng, Timofey Mozgov and Jordan Clarkson all became eligible on December 15th. The one exception is backup center Tarik Black, who cannot be traded until January 15th. League rules stipulate a later deadline for him because he received at least a 20% salary increase while re-signing with Bird rights.
- Critical comments about the time he spent coaching the Kings were removed from George Karl’s new book, according to ESPN’s Marc J. Spears and Marc Stein. A proof copy of “Furious George” obtained by the network included negative passages about DeMarcus Cousins, GM Vlade Divac and owner Vivek Ranadive. Karl said he had “not authorized” those parts of the book to be included. Sources told ESPN that Karl agreed to refrain from critical statements about the organization in the settlement he reached when he left the team after last season.
- Anthony Tolliver is earning more playing time with the Kings, relays James Ham of CSNBayArea. The well-traveled forward signed with Sacramento in July for $16MM over two seasons. He has been in and out of the rotation during the first two months of the season, but has found a larger role in the past week. “Professional — he can sit five games in a row and his name is called and he’s going to come out and play like it’s his last game,” Cousins said. “True professional. He’s always ready to play.”
NBA D-League Assignments/Recalls: 12/24/16
Here are the D-League moves from Saturday:
- The Knicks have recalled point guard Ron Baker from their D-League affiliate, according to the team’s PR department via Twitter. They have also recalled forward Maurice Ndour and center Marshall Plumlee.
- The Kings have recalled rookies Georgios Papagiannis and Skal Labissiere from their D-League affiliate in Reno, tweets Sean Cunningham of station KXTV in Sacramento.
Community Shootaround: Christmas Wishes
NBA fans already got the gift they wanted most this Christmas when the owners and players hammered out a new collective bargaining agreement. That document, which was ratified by both sides this week, takes effect in 2017/18 and will run for seven years with an opt-out after six seasons.
Labor peace is a great gift for the league, but what’s Christmas with just one present? Around the NBA, there are players and teams who know what they want for the holiday season.
- Nerlens Noel would like a resolution to the frontcourt logjam in Philadephia.
- The Cavaliers would like a veteran point guard to back up Kyrie Irving, and maybe a shooting guard to help ease the loss of J.R. Smith with a fractured right thumb.
- The Raptors would like a starting power forward to insert into an otherwise potent lineup.
- Rudy Gay would like a ticket out of Sacramento, even if he has to wait until summer to opt out of his contract.
- The Jazz, Mavericks and Grizzlies just want better health for their players after an injury-riddled start to the season.
Almost all NBA fans have wishes, too. Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, we would like to hear yours. If Santa could bring your favorite team just one thing tomorrow morning, what would it be?
Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. We look forward to what you have to say.
Magic May Try To Trade Vucevic, Payton
The Magic would like to find a taker for center Nikola Vucevic, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN. Appearing on a podcast with Zach Lowe, Windhorst said Orlando is hoping to make major changes that may also include point guard Elfrid Payton.
After trading for power forward Serge Ibaka over the summer and signing center Bismack Biyombo, the Magic are off to a disappointing 14-18 start. Coach Frank Vogel made some lineup changes last month that included sending Vucevic to the bench. Vucevic, who protested the demotion, is now averaging 27.8 minutes per night, the fewest in his five years in Orlando. His scoring has dropped dramatically, from 18.2 points per game a year ago to 12.8 this season.
Vucevic signed a four-year extension in 2014 and still has two more seasons and $25MM left on his contract.
The Magic are also “down” on Payton, Windhorst adds. The third-year point guard lost his starting job to D.J. Augustin in the November shakeup. Payton is still on his rookie contract and is under team control through the 2017/18 season.
Windhorst says Payton caused a lot of friction between the Orlando front office, which traded two first-round picks to acquire him, and former coach Scott Skiles, who didn’t believe he was good enough to play. The reporter adds that the Magic could be a potential destination for Goran Dragic if the Heat decide to move him.
And-Ones: Kenyon Martin, Will Bynum, 2017 NBA Draft
There have been plenty of headlines about George Karl‘s pending book release, but lost in the Carmelo Anthony barbs that have been heavily discussed in the media of late is the seemingly reignited feud between the ex-Nuggets head coach and his former power forward Kenyon Martin.
Marc Spears of The Undefeated explored the intricacies of the hostile relationship between Karl and Martin.
- Will Bynum has signed a D-League contract with the Windy City Bulls, the 33-year-old last suited it up in the NBA for the Wizards back in April 2015. In 2006, prior to his six-year stint with the Pistons, Bynum won the D-League Rookie of the Year Award.
- Justin Dentmon has signed a contract with the Shandong Bulls. The 31-year-old point guard has served brief stints with the Spurs, Raptors and Mavericks.
- Dallas Morning News beat writer Eddie Sefko explores the various ways the Mavericks could go about acquiring a superstar – and just how badly Mark Cuban wants to get one.
- There could be as many as 10-15 All-Stars in this summer’s draft class, writes Chad Ford for ESPN Insider (subscription required). The group is headlined by Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball.
Week In Review: 12/18/16 – 12/24/16
Here’s a look back at all the notable news items from around the NBA this past week, including several prominent injuries and the announcement of a new basketball league for retired NBAers:
News
- The ongoing saga in Philadelphia continues as the Sixers deliberate over what to do with their frontcourt logjam. General manager Bryan Colangelo has said that he’s content finishing the season without trading one of the team’s young centers but it’s unclear whether that will work out for the rest of the parties involved. The club drew criticism when they publicly elected to remove Nerlens Noel from the rotation, a decision that they appear to have since backed off from.
- The Pistons have plummeted below .500 on the heels of five consecutive losses. Not surprisingly, head coach Stan Van Gundy has vowed to shake things up. Since then, drama in the team’s locker room has escalated considerably, though a trade is not necessarily expected.
- DeMarcus Cousins was fined substantially by the Kings for his actions and behavior regarding the media. A video showcasing the All-Star’s past incidents with the media was published by the Sacramento Bee.
- Pat Riley has decided that it’s finally time for the Heat to rebuild. Riley lauds the team’s collection of promising young assets and promises to rebuild fast.
Business
- The NBA’s salary cap rose dramatically over the summer and could continue to rise over the next few years. According to The Vertical, the official figure could rise from the $94MM it sits at now to as much as $120MM by 2020. In 2015/16, the salary cap was just $70MM.
- NBA owners and NBA players have all ratified the new collective bargaining agreement, making the new deal official.
- The new CBA will significantly change how teams are able to sign and extend their own free agents. For James Harden and Russell Westbrook, two players that signed contract extensions last summer, some these changes will be grandfathered in allowing them to be eligible for extensions this summer as well.
- A new independent medical panel will be established to handle potential life and death cases like the one facing Chris Bosh who has been prohibited from playing for the Heat due to blood clots.
- The wheels are in motion for a new basketball league that will allow retired NBA players to compete in half-court, three-on-three tournaments. Stephen Jackson and Jason Williams are said to be among the earliest batch of players on board.
Rumors
- The injury-depleted Rockets are gauging the trade market, searching for big men to possibly add to their lineup.
- Teams have called the Grizzlies inquiring about Tony Allen and the club is open to hearing offers.
- The Nuggets have been receiving offers for 25-year-old Will Barton, but the swingman is content staying in Denver.
- He’s since denied it, but Goran Dragic was rumored to be “open to a trade” from the Heat.
Injuries
- Blake Griffin will undergo a procedure to clean up “loose bodies” in his right knee, keeping him out of action for the Clippers until the New Year.
- The Rockets will be without center Clint Capela for six weeks as the big man recovers from a left fibula fracture.
- Trail Blazers big man Festus Ezeli has elected for season-ending knee surgery. The center rushed back from an injury prematurely last season and now has his long-term health to consider.
- J.R. Smith is the latest Cavaliers rotation player to go down with an injury, the swingman’s broken thumb could keep him sidelined for 12 to 14 weeks.
- Ian Mahinmi will miss six additional weeks battling back from knee procedures. The newly inked Wizards center will now under go platelet-rich plasma treatment.
Atlantic Notes: Lowry, Nogueira, Anthony
Zach Lowe thinks that the Sixers will absolutely make a run at pending free agent Kyle Lowry this summer. The ESPN journalist spoke on his The Lowe Post podcast with Brian Windhorst Thursday, citing several reasons why the franchise could pursue the veteran Raptors point guard.
Lowry is from Philadelphia, Lowe mentions, and has played under ex-Raptors executive Bryan Colangelo previously. On top of that, the Sixers will have an exorbitant amount of cap space and could benefit from the services of a point guard should they ultimately decide to utilize Ben Simmons in ways other than as a traditional playmaker.
Worth noting is that Windhorst believes Cory Joseph to be a suitable replacement for the 30-year-old point guard while Lowe believes that such a drop off would be too much for the Raptors.
Also in the Atlantic Division:
- Raptors head coach Dwane Casey isn’t opposed to playing big men Jonas Valanciunas and Lucas Nogueira together, says Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun. Typically Nogueira has played the five but has turned heads with his energetic production this season. Casey believes Nogueira is capable of stretching out to the four.
- Former teammates are rallying around Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony this week, says Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders. The veteran was taken to task by former George Karl in an excerpt from his upcoming book. Former Nuggets players Kenyon Martin and J.R. Smith, who played with Anthony and under Karl in Denver, are among those vocal.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 12/18/16 – 12/24/16
Celebrate the holidays with a look back at this week’s original content published by the Hoops Rumors staff:
- Luke Adams searched the archives for some of the most notable December trades in recent memory. Who will be this year’s Rudy Gay or Rajon Rondo?
- Chris Crouse explored some of the fantasy basketball opportunities that will open up in in the Rockets‘ frontcourt now that Clint Capela has been sidelined.
- Luke Adams scoured the basketball blogosphere for the community’s best analysis, including Dig In Denver‘s case for why Jamal Murray should start over Emmanuel Mudiay.
- There were a few contentious issues that arose in the NBA this week, so we asked readers to weigh in with their own opinions.
- The Pistons have started to fall apart, at least according to Stan Van Gundy. Was the head coach right to challenge his under-performing club so publicly in the media? What’s next for Detroit?
- The Nuggets have a logjam in their frontcourt. Should one of Nikola Jokic, Kenneth Faried or Jusuf Nurkic be moved?
- The NBA announced this week that players and the media will now be able to influence All-Star Game starters. Was this a necessary change? Was there a better way of doing things?
- The list of 2017 Hall of Fame nominees has been released and it includes individuals like Tracy McGrady and Ben Wallace. Who do you think is best deserving of a bid?
- The Cavaliers have seen several rotation pieces go down with injuries this season, most recently J.R. Smith and Chris Andersen. Do they need to make a move to accommodate?
Southeast Notes: Gay, Dragic, McRoberts
The Magic have had conversations with the Kings about Rudy Gay, says Steve Kyler over Twitter. In his 11th season as a pro, the 30-year-old forward has shown an ability to produce despite turmoil and instability in Sacramento.
In 23 games so far this year, Gay has posted 18.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game for the Kings and he does so with a reasonable $13.3MM contract, positioning him as a possible answer to the Magic’s offensive woes.
With so much going sideways in Orlando after an aggressive offseason of acquisitions, the decision to kick the tires on another established veteran falls in line with the approach they’ve been taking to their rebuild. Over the summer the Magic brought aboard veterans Serge Ibaka, Bismack Biyombo and Jeff Green, all with hefty contracts.
It’s unclear who would be on the way out of Orlando in such a deal, but there would need to be something significant exchanged as the Magic currently sit above the 2016/17 salary cap.
Also coming out of the Southeast Division:
- Goran Dragic doesn’t know where the rumors started that suggested he was “open to a trade,” writes Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. The 30-year-old guard insists that he is happy with the Heat.
- If the Heat can find a taker for forward Josh McRoberts, he won’t come with much of a price tag adds Windermere in his latest Ask Ira feature. Windermere cites McRoberts’ 2017/18 player option worth $6MM as the biggest deterrent limiting the veteran’s value.
- The Wizards were in the mix for Luol Deng this summer, says Zach Lowe of ESPN. The two parties had been discussing a three-year deal worth $20MM less than what the 31-year-old forward ultimately signed with the Lakers.
And-Ones: Age Limit, Marbury, Boone
Lou Williams, who came into the league out of high school, isn’t a fan of the NBA’s one-and-done rule, Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com relays. “It’s a dumb rule,” Williams said. He added that he wants everyone to be in control of their own path.
“Personally, I understand the NBA and government and all of these things are extremely different,” Williams said. “You can go to war at 18, so you should be able to make a living at 18, especially if college isn’t what you see for yourself. You’re not realistically going there to be a “student-athlete” and wake up at six in the morning and lift weights and then have your day full with study hall and all these things. If you’re really not committed to that process and you’re only there for basketball, then I think that hurts the university as well.”
Here’s more from around the league:
- The NBA age limit isn’t changing anytime soon, Tom Ziller of SB Nation argues. Ziller doesn’t believe the proposed zero-or-two rule would require the league to devote more time scouting the high school ranks, something it aimed to move away from when it established the age minimum. The scribe also believes that the D-League is ready to become a serious alternative to playing in the NCAA.
- Stephon Marbury said his time with the Knicks was the “toughest” stretch of his career, as Ian Begley of ESPN.com passes along. “So much turmoil was going on,” Marbury said. Marbury clashed with teammates and coaches during his five years with the team. He agreed to a buyout with New York back in 2009.
- Melbourne United, a team in Australia’s National Basketball League, has signed Josh Boone, Olgun Uluc of Fox Sports reports. Boone last played in the NBA for the Nets during the 2009/10 season.