And Ones: G-League, Expansion Draft, 2018 Rookies
The NBA Draft class of 2017 is preparing for the start of camp and shortly thereafter, the regular season, where the league’s top youngsters will look to prove their worth against basketball’s elite. But it’s never too early to look into the future and Kevin O’Connor at The Ringer provides us with an in-depth look at five standouts who could make up a superstar-laden draft class in 2018.
Michael Porter Jr., who is rated by most outlets as the top player heading into next season, is committed to the University of Missouri. O’Connor likes Porter’s size (6’11”), scoring ability, and ability to improve as a passer. O’Connor is particularly intrigued by Marvin Bagley III, who possess raw size and skill that can be shaped into some special. While he has had flashes of immaturity — something that’s expected with teenagers — the Ringer scribe says that Bagley “embodies qualities found in evolutionary big men with excellent athleticism, speed, and flashes of ballhandling and shooting.”
The other three players O’Connor highlights are DeAndre Ayton, Mohamed Bamba, and Luka Doncic. Size is a recurring theme in O’Connor’s piece and he consistently notes that while next year’s draft does not figure to be as deep as this year’s class in terms of talent, the impact of the top picks makes for an interesting draft.
Read about other news around the basketball world below:
- Starting next week, the NBA will head to Israel as part of an effort to expand the presence of international talent in the league. Commissioner Adam Silver will be on hand as part of the Basketball Without Borders program that hosts training camps for top teenage players. Israeli-born Omri Casspi will also be in attendance with NBA legend David Robinson doing some coaching.
- The NBA G League Player Invitational will take place today and here is the roster of players currently set to play as they hope to impress scouts and officials enough to gain entry into the G League draft come October.
- With four new teams added to the G League, 2Wins10Days breaks down the expansion draft and how each team is selected and who will/will not be eligible.
Central Notes: Jackson, Turner, Pacers, Bucks
The Pistons have postseason aspirations in 2017/18 and those plans will significantly hinge on the performance of Reggie Jackson. Jackson is coming off an injury-riddled 2016/17 season in which he was limited to 52 games and averaged just 14.5 PPG and 5.2 APG, both totals being his lowest in a single season since his 2013/14 season with the Thunder.
With Jackson a liability last year, head coach Stan Van Gundy trotted out Ish Smith in favor of Jackson. Entering this season, Smith remains the backup to Jackson at point guard; despite their standings, Smith tells Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press that Jackson has been working hard this summer and is showing glimpses of the player who averaged just under 19 PPG two seasons earlier.
“He’s out there in California enjoying himself, but he’s getting better,” Smith said. “He’s getting back to the Reggie Jackson everybody knows and loves.
Jackson’s coach echoed Smith’s sentiments, boasting about his point guard having a renewed confidence.
“He’s doing well and feeling good, and I think feeling confident too,” Van Gundy said. “Things are going in the right way so I’m going to go out there sometime in the next couple weeks and spend some time with him.”
Read additional stories around the NBA’s Central Division:
- The Bucks announced a sponsorship deal with Harley-Davidson which will allow the motorcycle company’s logo to appear on the team’s jerseys next season, ESPN’s Darren Rovell writes. With the deal, the Bucks become the 12th NBA franchise to reach a sponsorship deal that will feature a company logo on its jerseys.
- The Pacers are a weakened team without longtime star Paul George, who was traded to the Thunder, but third-year big man Myles Turner, still believes Indiana will be in the playoffs, We recently examined the team’s playoff aspirations in a Community Shootaround but making the postseason — despite the players’ optimism — remains a challenging task.
Kyrie Irving Notes: Communication, Future, LeBron
In a somewhat comical yet harsh column, Mike Polk Jr. of Cleveland.com breaks down Kyrie Irving‘s highly publicized trade request as the former NBA champion reportedly wants out of Cleveland. The Cavaliers have been fielding offers for their All-Star point guard but at this juncture, no deal appears close. Polk believes that Irving’s ego is clouding his judgment and could ultimately ruin his legacy.
Irving has notoriously been criticized for his defense, something that, depending on who you ask, stems from his lack of defensive skill or defensive effort. While scoring is not an issue for Irving (25.2 PPG in 2016/17), team’s — at least so far — have not blown the Cavaliers away with offers. Polk opines that Irving’s attitude and limited defense may be scaring off suitors and that alone is a red
However, Irving and James could both be on their way out by the end next season, which could put the Cavaliers in a dire situation. Therefore, fans should embrace their superstar duo and Irving should set aside his desire to “lead a team” in lieu of making possibly one final run at the title, Polk writes. It may be easier said than done, but with three NBA Finals appearances and one title on their combined resume, Irving and James have proven they can be successful together.
Read more Irving-related news tidbits below:
- In another Cleveland.com column, Bud Shaw criticizes Irving for not addressing his trade demand. Instead, Irving is focused on his brand with Shaw citing a recent sneaker release in which Irving collaborated with Kobe Bryant. Irving has been bashed throughout the NBA for wanting to break up a super team to create a core in which he’s the leader. Shaw writes that the Cavaliers’ hope is for Irving to assure interested teams he will not pull a similar stunt in two years when his current deal expires, which should facilitate a deal.
- On a recent edition of The BBall Breakdown Podcast, ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin reported that Irving went several days last postseason without speaking to his Cavaliers teammates. “Phoenix, of course, hired James Jones this offseason,” McMenamin said (via USA Today). He’s been inside that locker room. He’s seen Kyrie Irving – I think I reported this on SportsCenter this week – he saw Kyrie Irving in the playoffs this year – in between the first round when they beat Indiana and the second round when they played Toronto – go consecutive days without speaking to a teammate at practice.” With Irving a seeking a chance to lead, reports of him secluding himself from teammates contradicts his reported intentions.
Pacific Notes: Josh Jackson, Williams, Clippers
In a recent interview on Sirius XM NBA Radio, Suns rookie Josh Jackson said he is confident he won’t be part of a potential deal with the Cavaliers for Kyrie Irving. LeBron James is reportedly interested in bringing Jackson to Cleveland and is using his connection with new Phoenix executive James Jones to try to make it happen. The Suns have assured Jackson, the fourth pick in this year’s draft, that he won’t be traded, according to reports last month.
“I think if that was going to happen, it would’ve happened by now,” Jackson said in the interview. “A little talking to my agent, not really checking social media because that’s not the way to go. People just say whatever. I handled it the same way I tried to handle draft night. Coming in, I didn’t know what was going to happen, I still don’t know what is going to happen. I’m going to make the most of whatever situation I’m presented with. If I’m traded to China, whatever, I’m gonna come out, I’m gonna be happy, just try to make the best of it. I was kind of in the dark a little bit. But I got a feeling that the trade wasn’t going to happen.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Jackson said in the same interview that he is continuing to get taller, according to a tweet from PerSources. Listed as 6’8″ at Kansas, Jackson said he has grown to 6’10.5″ over the summer.
- Brandon Williams, who joined the Kings‘ front office in late July as assistant GM, talked with Kyle Ramos of NBA.com about what he brings to the job. Williams, who holds a law degree from Rutgers, had brief NBA stops as a player for the Warriors, Spurs and Hawks. He is excited about the youth movement in Sacramento, which had three first-round picks in this year’s draft. “I’d encourage everyone to be patient because the great strength of our team is going to be in our belief that these players will improve, that chemistry will develop and that they will develop into professionals,” Williams said. “Our veterans are going to help mentor them and pave the way. It will happen over time – and you can believe that everyone in the front office and the coaching staff is working together, giving it everything we’ve got to do our part.”
- The Clippers‘ plan for a new arena in Inglewood is being opposed by people who fear it will cost them their businesses, writes Nathan Fenno of The Los Angeles Times.
Weekly Mailbag: 8/7/17 – 8/13/17
We have an opportunity for you to hit us up with your questions in this, our weekly mailbag feature. Have a question regarding player movement, the salary cap or the NBA draft? Drop us a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com.
Fact or fiction: Carmelo Anthony and Kyrie Irving will be on new teams before training camp begins. — Deven Parikh
These will be the top two stories to watch in the next six weeks or so until training camps open. To recap, Anthony has agreed to waive his no-trade clause, but so far only to join the Rockets, while Irving has asked Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert for a trade so he can escape the long shadow of LeBron James. Whether the deals happen before camp starts — or at all –depends on how the front offices in New York and Cleveland view their situations. The Knicks have launched a youth movement that Anthony doesn’t fit. However, they don’t want to take on an expensive long-term contract in return, and the Rockets have to find a taker for Ryan Anderson to accommodate Anthony’s salary, so at least one more team is needed to make the deal work. The danger for the Knicks in holding onto Anthony is that he may not opt out of a nearly $28MM salary for 2018/19, limiting the team’s free agent options for another year. In Cleveland, it’s a matter of chemistry as the once-private feud between Irving and James is now very public and it’s almost impossible to imagine them co-existing for another season. The Knicks and Cavaliers will keep searching for the best deal, so this might take a while, but I expect Anthony and Irving to be both traded prior to camp and certainly before the season opens.
Who could the Thunder target in a trade that would make them contenders? I feel Thunder are one star away from being able to challenge Golden State. — Sawbone Sanchez
One more star to team with Russell Westbrook and Paul George would certainly make Oklahoma City a serious challenger. However, there aren’t any stars on the market right now except for Anthony and Irving and neither is a realistic option for OKC. The Thunder are also low on tradable assets after sending Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis to the Pacers in exchange for George. Their best chance to add a star may come at the trade deadline in February, but to fit another hefty salary, they would have to find a taker for Steven Adams, who is owed $100MM over the next four years, or Enes Kanter, who will make nearly $17.9MM this season with an $18.6MM player option for 2018/19. Oklahoma City is also well over the cap for this season and the next one, so they will likely have to get by with the two stars they have.
Do you think the Lakers can make the playoffs this year with their current roster? – Armond Godfrey, via Twitter
L.A. has done a lot to improve over the offseason, trading for Brook Lopez, signing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and drafting Lonzo Ball to add to an already-impressive collection of young talent. The Lakers will be better, but they still look overmatched in a loaded Western Conference. The team is coming off a 26-56 season, so just getting near .500 will be a significant improvement, but a .500 record won’t get them into the playoffs. Even so, the future is very bright in L.A., and if the rumors about George and LeBron joining the team next summer are true, the Lakers will be among the league’s elite teams again very quickly.
Ex-Maverick Manny Harris Signs With Greek Team
Shooting guard Manny Harris, who played briefly for the Mavericks last season, has signed to play in Greece, according to Orazio Cauchi of Sportando. Harris joins the AEK Basketball Club, based in Athens.
The 27-year-old signed a pair of 10-day contracts with Dallas in March and appeared in four games. He averaged 2.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 6.3 minutes and was not retained when the second deal expired.
Harris signed with the Cavaliers after going undrafted out of Michigan in 2010. He played 80 games over two seasons in Cleveland before being waived after the 2011/12 season. Harris also had a nine-game stint with the Lakers in 2014.
Malik Monk Was Convinced Knicks Would Draft Him
The Knicks were under Phil Jackson‘s reign during this summer’s draft and the team selected Frank Ntilikina with the No. 8 overall pick. Jackson has since been ousted, though the current front office is confident in the team’s first round selection, as Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News relays.
“I talked to our scouts a lot about Frank before the draft. I went over and watched Frank play prior to the draft, met with Frank’s coaches and learned a lot about who he is as a player and who he is as a person,” said Steve Mills, who has been with the organization since 2013, but has been recently promoted to Team President. “So I’m very comfortable with that draft pick. I would have selected Frank at that point in the draft myself. He’s a guy that fits in everything that we’re talking about right now. He’s a smart basketball player. He focuses defensively and his approach to the game, his work ethic, fit exactly in the direction that we want to take this team.”
New York decided to take the Ntilikina over other notable guards. The front office had internal debates about taking Dennis Smith Jr., Donovan Mitchell or Malik Monk over the French point guard, but ultimately passed on each.
Monk met with the team leading up to the draft and believed he would be the selection at No. 8.
“Me, my agent, everybody in my agency, my family – we all thought we were going to NY,” Monks said (via Bondy’s Twitter feed.
On the day of the draft, Chad Ford of ESPN.com predicted Monk or Ntilikina would be the selection for New York. Monk was nabbed by the Hornets with the No. 11 overall pick.
Community Shootaround: Pacers’ Playoff Chances
The Pacers are entering year one without Paul George, but that doesn’t mean the team will slide out of the top eight in the Eastern Conference, according to the franchise’s longest tenured player.
“I feel like we’re definitely going to be overlooked this year,” Myles Turner said (via Matthew VanTyron of the Indianapolis Star). “A lot of people look at us as young team that’s going to rebuild, but we’re a young team that’s trying to compete. We’ve got a lot of guys who can come in and make an impact right away. I expect to make the playoffs this year.”
Kevin Pelton of ESPN.com projects Indiana to finish 11th in the conference and earn a lottery appearance, something that’s only happened once since the team drafted George back in 2010.
Pelton foresees the team struggling on offense and it’s easy to see why. Scour the roster for a No. 1 scorer. Will Victor Oladipo expand his game? How about Darren Collison? Should either Lance Stephenson or Bojan Bogdanovic lead a team in shots?
The questions on offense will likely persist all season, though that alone doesn’t mean a playoff birth is inconceivable. The Eastern Conference appears weaker than it has in several years and somewhere between 35 and 40 games could be enough to lock in a lower seed. Pelton projects the team to get 32 wins this season, a total that’s slightly behind his projections for the Magic, Sixers, and Pistons—the team that the statistician has in the conference’s eighth seed with just 35.1 wins in his simulations.
If the Pacers see just a few players outperform their expected output this season, the team could end up playing games that matter in April.
That leads us to tonight’s topic: Will the Pacers make the playoffs this season? If not, what moves can they make before the trade deadline to improve their chances? Please take to the comment section below to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say!
Wolves Interested In Shabazz Muhammad Reunion
The Wolves renounced the rights to Shabazz Muhammad earlier this summer, something that allowed the UCLA product to become an unrestricted free agent. He hasn’t yet found a home and with the market settling, Minnesota would like to bring him back, according to Darren Wolfson of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
The team only has the ability to offer him a minimum salary slot after making several additions this offseason. Minnesota exhausted its cap space by signing Taj Gibson and Jeff Teague and it used its mid-level exception to ink Jamal Crawford. Taking a minimum salary agreement would be disappointing for the young swingman, as he was certainly expecting better offers. He’s one of the best remaining wings remaining on the market, as I recently outlined.
Muhammad drew interest from several teams toward the beginning of free agency. The Hawks, Nets, Bucks, and Knicks all eyed the 24-year-old in July, though it’s unclear if any of those teams still have an interest in him now.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 8/5/17 – 8/12/17
Every week, the Hoops Rumors writing team compiles original content to complement our news feed. This week, we were particularly productive with our original content. Enjoy our favorite segments and features from the past seven days:
- Here is our updated 2017 NBA Free Agent Tracker.
- Which NBA teams are projected 2017/18 taxpayers?
- What is the current Offseason Roster Count for each NBA team?
- Which teams are carrying at least 15 guaranteed contracts?
- Which NBA players cannot be traded until December 15?
- And which NBA players cannot be traded until January 15?
- Three 2017 free agents signed five-year contracts. Who are they?
- Who are the longest-tenured active head coaches in the NBA?
- Who are the longest-tenured active GMs/presidents in the NBA?
- Arthur Hill discussed the prospect of Paul George being recruited by the Warriors, what the Knicks need for a change in direction, and what factors into waiver claims in his weekly Sunday mailbag. Submit your questions via Twitter (@HoopsRumors) or by sending us an email (hoopsrumorsmailbag@gmail.com).
- Check out our free Trade Rumors app available for IOS and Android.
- Here are the questions we asked you in our Community Shootaround discussions and polls this week:
- Who will win the Northwest division this season?
- Which NBA team has had the best offseason?
- Which Southwest division team had the best offseason?
- Which Southeast division team had the best offseason?
- Which Central division team had the best offseason?
- Which Pacific division team had the best offseason?
- What do you think of one person holding both head coach and president roles in the NBA?
- Which potential matchup on the NBA schedule are you most anticipating?
- Which of the revealed NBA jersey patches look the nicest?