Community Shootaround: Buyouts
Why make a trade when you can get the players you want for free?
Neither Cleveland or Golden State was active around last week’s trade deadline, but the Cavaliers wound up with Deron Williams and Andrew Bogut, while the Warriors first landed Jose Calderon, then replaced him with Matt Barnes.
The NBA buyout process has always benefited the most successful teams, but the outcry seems louder than ever this year as the rich get richer and their competitors are shut out of the process. Williams knew where he wanted to go as soon as his buyout was complete. Bogut took a few days to consider his options before coming to the same conclusion. For veteran players who want to chase a championship ring, there are two options that stand far above the others.
But is this system good for the league, or does it further damage an already shaky competitive balance? With the Big Three in Cleveland and four All-Stars in Golden State, should these teams be allowed to add even more depth through buyouts?
A lot of their rivals don’t think so, and they’re airing their complaints to the league. Zach Lowe of ESPN.com reported on Friday that several alternatives have been offered, including a “buyout wire.” Under that system, players who agree to buyouts would go up for bid among all the teams with available cap space. The team that submits the highest bid would get the player, who would have no say in where he winds up. If no bids are submitted, then teams over the cap would be able to make offers, possibly in reverse order of records like the waiver wire.
We want to hear your opinion on this topic. Would this be a good solution to the buyout market? Do you have a better idea, or does it need to be fixed at all?
Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. We look forward to what you have to say.
Hawks’ Budenholzer Suspended For One Game
9:44pm: Budenholzer has issued a statement on the suspension. “With the league’s permission, I have reached out to and apologized to Ben Taylor for what happened in the game versus Cleveland,” he said. “Ben is an excellent young referee who is a valuable member of the NBA family. We all understand that any contact — including incidental contact — with an official is unacceptable. I accept the NBA’s fine and look forward to putting this situation in the past.”
8:31pm: The NBA has suspended Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer for one game, tweets Chris Mannix of The Vertical.
The incident that prompted the suspension happened Friday night when Budenholzer made contact with an official during a loss to the Cavaliers. He will not be on the sidelines for Sunday’s game with the Pacers and will not be paid.
In announcing the suspension, the NBA noted that Budenholzer had a similar suspension last season, stemming from a Nov. 21st, 2015, game against Cleveland.
Heat Notes: Weber, McGruder, Richardson, Wade
When the Heat host the Hornets on Wednesday, it will mark their first game against training camp cut Briante Weber, notes Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel. Weber had been a fixture on Miami’s D-League affiliate in Sioux Falls for the past two seasons, helping the Skyforce win the league title in 2015/16. He signed two 10-day contracts with the Warriors last month, but was released when Golden State wanted to make room for Jose Calderon, and later Matt Barnes. Weber agreed to a 10-day deal with Charlotte February 27th. “I just told him I appreciated his attitude and his effort and what he brought to us,” Stephen Curry said about Weber’s time with the Warriors. “He has a lot to offer this league, his tenacity on the defensive end and his confidence. … He’s going to be around for a long time.”
There’s more news out of Miami:
- Rodney McGruder has come a long way to earn a starting job and get consideration for the All-Rookie team, Winderman writes in a separate story. McGruder went undrafted out of Kansas State in 2013, then played in Hungary and the D-League before making the Heat roster at the start of this season. “It is nice being mentioned,” he said. “… But I’ve just got to thank my teammates. The coaching staff put me in a great situation, that’s what I always say.”
- The injuries that have followed Josh Richardson through his first two NBA seasons are a new experience, writes Shandel Richarson of The Sun-Sentinel. The former Tennessee standout said he never missed a game in college and only one in high school. But injuries limited him to 52 games last season, and he has sat out 30 already this year because of knee surgery and ankle problems. “Figuring out how to get through injuries has been good for me,” Richardson said. “… Now I just got to get my basketball rhythm back. I think I was starting to show good growth before I was injured the last time.”
- Dwyane Wade keeps dropping hints about opting out of next season’s contract with the Bulls, but Dave Hyde of The Sun-Sentinel argues that it’s not time for a reunion in Miami. Signing Wade, who would want more than the $23.8MM he’s scheduled to get from Chicago, would make it unlikely that the Heat could keep Dion Waiters, who has been a major part of their recent surge back into playoff contention.
Hawks Claim Jose Calderon Off Waivers
The Hawks have claimed Jose Calderon off waivers, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.
Atlanta had been hoping to add Calderon as a backup to Dennis Schroder, either by submitting a claim or signing him once he cleared waivers. Hawks officials decided to go with the safest route and enter their own claim on Calderon.
The move will cost Atlanta $247,991 for the rest of the season, tweets Bobby Marks of the Vertical. That will cover the salary that Golden State gave Calderon when it signed and released him on Wednesday, and that money will come off the Warriors’ cap.
Calderon played 24 games for the Lakers this season before agreeing to a buyout on Monday. He had a salary of slightly more than $7.7MM, and L.A. will still be responsible for the money it owes him for the rest of the season. Calderon didn’t make any salary concessions in his buyout agreement, according to Marks (Twitter link).
The Hawks had an open roster spot after waiving Lamar Patterson, so another move won’t be necessary to add Calderon. He is expected to be in uniform for Sunday’s game with the Pacers, tweets Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The 35-year-old will be eligible for the playoffs after the league ruled that Golden State waived him in time. He is now with his seventh NBA team, if the Warriors are included.
Week In Review: 2/25/17 – 3/4/17
The passing of two major deadlines in the NBA this week yielded a flurry of transactions and, needless to say, the buy out period did not disappoint. Contenders like the Cavaliers and Wizards stocked up on recently released veterans like Deron Williams and Brandon Jennings. Meanwhile, others with grand aspirations like the Warriors and Raptors had fate intervene in the form of long-term injuries to key players like Kevin Durant and Kyle Lowry.
Signed
- The Bucks signed Terrence Jones for the remainder of the season.
- The Cavaliers signed Deron Williams for the remainder of the season.
- The Cavaliers signed Andrew Bogut for the remainder of the season.
- The Wizards signed Brandon Jennings for the remainder of the season.
- The Warriors signed Jose Calderon (sort of).
- The Knicks signed Chasson Randle to a multiyear deal.
- The Hawks signed Derrick Williams for the remainder of the season.
- The Thunder signed Norris Cole for the remainder of the season.
- The Hornets signed Briante Weber to a 10-day contract.
- The Mavs signed Ben Bentil to a 10-day contract.
- The Mavs signed Quinn Cook to a 10-day contract.
- The Lakers signed David Nwaba to a 10-day contract.
Released
- The Knicks released Brandon Jennings.
- The Sixers released Andrew Bogut.
- The Lakers released Jose Calderon.
- The Cavaliers released Jordan McRae.
- The Wizards released Danuel House.
- The Hawks released Lamar Patterson.
- The Nets released Luis Scola.
- The Warriors released Briante Weber.
- The Bucks released Axel Toupane.
- The Warriors released Jose Calderon.
Injured
- Sixers center Joel Embiid was ruled out indefinitely before being ruled out for the season.
- Warriors forward Kevin Durant injured his knee and will be re-evaluated in four weeks.
- Raptors guard Kyle Lowry will undergo wrist surgery and may not return until the playoffs.
- Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith is within 7-10 days of returning from a broken thumb.
- Pelicans guard Jarrett Jack will miss 4-6 weeks with a torn meniscus.
- Hawks forward Mike Dunleavy Jr. is out indefinitely with a right ankle injury.
- Knicks center Joakim Noah will miss the rest of the season after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.
News
- Lakers president Jeannie Buss prevented her brothers from wresting control of the franchise.
- Kings general manager Vlade Divac spoke about the DeMarcus Cousins and explained his comments about having a better offer on the table.
- Mavs forward Dirk Nowitzki is expected to play in 2017/18.
- NBA commissioner Adam Silver says changes are coming to the All-Star Game.
Rumors
- The Jazz were said to be unlikely to sign contract extensions with Derrick Favors or George Hill prior to the February 28 deadline. (They didn’t).
- Former Kings lottery pick Jimmer Fredette is eyeing a return to the NBA.
- The Hawks are hoping to sign recently waived Jose Calderon.
Central Notes: Zipser, Portis, Harris
With Taj Gibson now a member of the Thunder, the Bulls have shifted Bobby Portis into his spot at power forward and rookie Paul Zipser into the sixth man role, writes Sam Smith of Bulls.com. Zipser, a 23-year-old forward, has stepped up of late as a competent two-way player able to defend opposing team’s scorers while hitting the occasional big shot.
Smith isn’t the only one touting the rookie who returned to the lineup after a month’s absence. “He really kind of solidified himself as our sixth man (before the injury) and a guy who’s closing games for us,” Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg told Mark Strotman of CSN Chicago. “We missed him, there’s no doubt about that. He’s got size, he’s got length, he can put it on the floor and he can really defend.”
The change in rotation goes to show that trades aren’t always about what a team acquires, Smith writes, but also about who they open up opportunities for. Portis has averaged 12.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game since stepping into the larger role with the Bulls seven games ago.
There’s more out of the Central Division:
- All season long LeBron James commented that he’d like the Cavaliers‘ front office to go out and get a playmaker. Little did he know then that one would fall into their laps. In Deron Williams, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com writes, the Cavs got just what they wanted. In his first game with Cleveland, Williams became the first reserve to dish out more than four assists in a game all season (he managed seven).
- The Pistons made the wrong choice when deciding to shake up their starting lineup, Stephen Shea of Basketball Analytics Book writes. A deep dive on Tobias Harris reveals that he is Detroit’s most efficient scorer and that the team performs better when he’s on the floor.
- The 15-year-old son of Dwyane Wade won’t stop talking trash, Bulls teammate Jimmy Butler tells Alysha Tsuji of USA Today. Zaire Wade is highly regarded as a high school player. “When he makes it to the league, every single NBA player is going to try to score 50 on him,” says Butler.
Bucks Release Toupane, Formally Sign Jones
The Bucks have officially signed forward Terrence Jones and released Axel Toupane from his 10-day contract, the team reports in a press release on its website. Milwaukee’s roster now sits once again at 15.
Toupane, whose 10-day deal was set to expire today anyway, will presumably return to the Raptors 905 of the D-League as Chris Reichert of The Step Back speculated earlier today. He saw action in two games with the Bucks during his NBA stint but had a negligible impact in the 6 minutes he saw on the floor.
In Jones the Bucks get an intriguing 25-year-old big man who’s flashed potential with both the Rockets and Pelicans previously. Jones averaged 11.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in 51 games with New Orleans this season but was released when the club added DeMarcus Cousins.
Jones – who has been signed for the remainder of the season – will wear No. 6 for the Bucks, according to the press release.
Cavs Sign Derrick Williams For Rest Of Season
March 4, 12:13pm: It’s official. According to an official press release on their website, the Cavaliers have signed Derrick Williams to a contract for the remainder of the season.
March 1, 8:13pm: Signing for the rest of the season would give Williams $268,029, tweets Bobby Marks of The Vertical. That will count $230,690 against the cap for the Cavaliers and will result in $576,725 in luxury taxes.
7:22pm: Cavaliers forward Derrick Williams will receive a contract for the remainder of the season when his second 10-day deal expires Saturday, tweets Shams Charania of The Vertical.
The 25-year-old has been productive since joining the team in early February. He has appeared in seven games, averaging 10.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in 24 minutes per night. Williams started the season in Miami, where he played 25 games before being waived.
It’s uncertain how Williams’ role in the rotation will be affected by the additions of Deron Williams and Andrew Bogut this week or the eventual return from injury by Kevin Love and J.R. Smith. If he signs just for the rest of the season, Williams will be a free agent this summer for the third straight year.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 2/25/17 – 3/4/17
- Luke Adams weighed in on the two teams due to cross the luxury tax threshold; the Cavaliers and Clippers.
- We’ve seen plenty of notable players waived since the All-Star break, here’s a summary of where they’ve ended up so far.
- Here’s a quick look at the 10-day contracts that have been signed this season, including the half dozen players who’ve turned opportunities into season-long deals.
- Luke Adams broke down the financial situations of all the teams currently under the salary cap, including those that are also beneath the salary floor.
- Chris Crouse continued to examine the impact that trade deadline deals will have on the fantasy basketball landscape, including Nerlens Noel move to the Mavs.
- Luke Adams wrote about the deadlines that NBA fans had to keep tabs on this week, including the one that players needed to be waived by in order to retain postseason eligibility.
- Arthur Hill answered reader’s questions in the latest edition of our Weekly Mailbag, including one about what the Pistons might expect to get in an Andre Drummond trade. Don’t forget to hit us up with your questions for next week.
- Every day we get a better idea of the playoff picture but what about the other end of the spectrum? Don’t forget to check out our Reverse Standings as lottery teams start looking forward to the draft.
- We like to hand the mic over to readers and hear what they say about popular headlines, here are this week’s Community Shootarounds.
- When Brandon Jennings was cut by the Knicks, we asked where the guard might end up. [Spoiler].
- Was Joel Embiid‘s injury-shortened rookie campaign so impressive that the Sixers star should be in contention for the Rookie of the Year award regardless?
- An injury to Kevin Durant calls to question the Warriors‘ claim to the Western Conference. Can they win without him?
- Here are last week’s Hoops Rumors Originals in case you didn’t catch them the first time around.
Northwest Notes: Nurkic, Cole, Nuggets
Acquired from the Nuggets in the days leading up to the trade deadline, Jusuf Nurkic is a valuable component already breathing new life into the Trail Blazers, writes Joe Freeman of the Oregonian. In five games with his new club, Nurkic has averaged 14.0 points and 8.4 rebounds in 29.8 minutes per game.
“I think his energy is definitely good for our team,” Damian Lillard told Freeman of the big man, later adding that the fiery 22-year-old adds a valuable emotional boost. “I guess you would call him a tough guy — every play he’s saying something.”
This isn’t the first time Nurkic has shown impressive potential, he flashed signs of promise during his rookie campaign in 2014/15. Still, a 2015/16 injury coupled with the emergence of Nikola Jokic this year and last inhibited the Bosnian’s development in Denver.
There’s more out of the Northwest Division:
- So long as the Trail Blazers are within reach of the playoffs, Damian Lillard will be competing at the highest level, writes Jason Quick of CSN Northwest. “We have an opportunity to make the playoffs and I’m going to play until that opportunity is gone, and then I’m still going to play. We have a whole summer until the next season, so I’m going to play.” The veteran understood the appeal of tanking during his rookie campaign when the postseason was never an option but has no desire to rely on the draft for immediate help.
- The recent signing of Norris Cole gives the Thunder a reliable veteran to back up Russell Westbrook at the point, writes Brett Dawson of the Oklahoman. “[We] just need him to run our team when he’s in there, make good decisions, defend,” says head coach Billy Donovan, “All the things he’s done for most of his career.“
- The Timberwolves have experimented with both Tyus Jones and Kris Dunn in the lineup at the same time, writes Jerry Zgoda of the Star-Tribune. The pair of point guards has been deployed of late when starter Ricky Rubio takes a seat. “I like Tyus and Kris together; that’s a big plus,” head coach Tom Thibodeau said. “They have good chemistry together. It gives you a second pick-and-roll player.”
- Rookies have stepped up and made an impact for the Nuggets this season, writes Nick Kosmider of the Denver Post. He speaks, of course, about the emergence of Jamal Murray and Juan Hernangomez as valuable contributors even as Denver competes for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.