Wizards Waive Daniel Ochefu
The Wizards have waived second-year big man Daniel Ochefu, a league source tells Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link). The move reduces Washington’s roster count to 18 players, including two on two-way contracts.
Ochefu, who played his college ball at Villanova, signed with the Wizards last year as an undrafted free agent. The 6’11” forward/center was an unexpected addition to the club’s 15-man regular season roster and spent the year with the franchise, appearing in 19 games. Ochefu played sparingly in those contests, averaging 1.3 PPG and 1.2 RPG in 3.9 minutes per game.
Ochefu’s contract with the Wizards includes a $50K guarantee, so that figure will remain on the club’s cap for 2017/18. Washington won’t be on the hook for the rest of his minimum salary, however.
With Ochefu no longer in the mix, the Wizards have 16 players on NBA contracts, including 13 on fully guaranteed deals. The Wizards figure to part with at least one of Carrick Felix, Donald Sloan, and Sheldon Mac before the regular season begins to reach the 15-man limit. If Mac is the player waived, Washington will remain on the hook for his salary until he recovers from an Achilles tear.
Celtics Have Yet To Engage Marcus Smart On Extension
Although fourth-year guard Marcus Smart has a strong desire to remain with the Celtics for the long term, he and agent Happy Walters have yet to hear from the team about a possible rookie scale extension, he tells Shams Charania of The Vertical.
Smart, the sixth overall pick in the 2014 draft, is extension-eligible for the first time this offseason. He and the Celtics will have until October 16 to work out an agreement. If the two sides don’t finalize a new deal, Smart would remain on track to become a restricted free agent during the summer of 2018.
Although Smart has provided solid defense during his three years with the Celtics, he continues to struggle with his offensive game. The 23-year-old averaged a career-high 10.6 PPG and 4.6 APG in 2016/17, but his .359 FG% and .283 3PT% were about in line with his unimpressive career rates.
Smart, who reportedly lost about 20 pounds during the offseason, will have an opportunity to claim a larger role in the Celtics’ rotation this year, with so much roster turnover taking place around him. Backcourt mate Avery Bradley is no longer in the picture, and neither is fellow defensive stopper Jae Crowder.
Deadlines often spur action, so the Celtics could reach out and engage in negotiations with Smart’s camp within the next week. The team no longer has to worry about paying Bradley or Isaiah Thomas in free agency next summer, and doesn’t project to have any cap room to pursue outside free agents, so it would make sense for the club to try to lock up its own players. For now though, it doesn’t look like an extension for Smart is imminent.
Lakers Waive V.J. Beachem, Stephen Zimmerman
The Lakers have begun to make cuts to their roster with the preseason nearing an end, announcing today in a press release that they’ve requested waivers on V.J. Beachem and Stephen Zimmerman. Beachem and Zimmerman will become unrestricted free agents on Wednesday, assuming they clear waivers.
Beachem and Zimmerman both signed contracts with the Lakers this summer, but saw very limited action during the preseason, and weren’t strong candidates to make the club’s 15-man roster.
Beachem, a 6’8″ forward who played his college ball at Notre Dame, averaged 14.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.4 3PG, and 1.1 BPG in his senior year last season. He received a $50K guarantee when he signed with the Lakers and looks like a candidate to join the club’s G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.
Zimmerman, the 41st overall pick in the 2016 draft, was waived by the Magic after just one year with the franchise, but had some success in the G League last season. In 21 games for the Erie BayHawks, the young center averaged 13.4 PPG and 8.9 RPG.
The Lakers’ roster is now down to 18 players, including one (Alex Caruso) on a two-way contract. The club will have to make at least two more roster moves before the regular season begins.
Vince Carter Discusses FA Decision, Kings, Future
Vince Carter, who will turn 41 in January, is the NBA’s oldest active player. However, while many players in his position would prioritize getting a ring above all else, Carter wasn’t interested in signing with a title contender and being buried in that team’s rotation all season. As the veteran forward tells Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated, he would love to win a championship, but he also wants to contribute and feel like he has earned it
“It’s easy to play for a good team and sit there,” Carter said.
That outlook resulted in the former fifth overall pick signing with the Kings as a free agent this offseason. Sacramento’s roster is packed with first- and second-year players, and no one will mistake the club for a title contender in 2017/18. Still, Carter is looking forward to the opportunity to play a significant role for the Kings and act as a mentor for the team’s young players.
Carter expanded on his motivation and touched on a few other topics during his conversation with Spears, so here are a few more highlights from the 19-year veteran:
More on why he chose the Kings in free agency:
“Opportunity. They have given me the opportunity to still play and teach and mentor. I wasn’t ready to sit on anybody’s bench and play limited minutes when I feel like I still have something to give. When I don’t have much to give, I can accept the reality. I’m not ready for that.
“Maybe teams and people see that. ‘A limited role. Maybe we want him to mentor.’ Maybe they see that. But I wanted to see if all teams felt that way. When all teams feel that way, then the mentality, the approach and what you look for is different. It helped being with [Kings head coach Dave] Joerger and the stay before [with the Grizzlies]. It’s like walking back into the Memphis locker room again with him. It was just a great situation.
On receiving an $8MM offer from the Kings:
“The money is always cool, but it wasn’t about that, to be honest with you. But when you get to this age and get that kind of money is there for you, you’re like, ‘Thank you.’ They understood and being around the coaching staff with Dave before, they know my approach. They know what I can bring to a team. It didn’t matter if I am a high draft pick or not. My approach to the game is still the same. It will never change.”
On whether 2017/18 will be his last season:
“I go year to year. I’ll wait until after the season to see how I feel. And I swear that every year when the season is over, I feel good and say, ‘I can do it again.’ It gets harder and harder throughout the summer to just prepare and get myself where I need to be. But at the same time, the challenge and motivation is still there to do so to fight through that.
“I don’t know how many more years that will happen. But doing that while trying to establish my second career is kind of the clash. I want to make sure I am prepared for phase two of my life. I want to do some broadcasting. I like that. It’s something I enjoy. I work hard at that as well. So, I’ve learned how to balance the two out, which has made it tougher to get prepared. But I know if I want to play this game, I have to do that as well.”
Poll: Brooklyn Nets’ 2017/18 Win Total
It has been a tough couple years for the Nets, who have lost a total of 123 games since the start of the 2015/16 campaign. Brooklyn’s 41 wins during that time wouldn’t even have been enough to surpass the .500 mark if they’d come in a single season.
Still, there are some reasons for optimism in Brooklyn, as fans start to glimpse the light at the end of the tunnel. The Nets used their cap flexibility to acquire some assets this offseason, most notably acquiring D’Angelo Russell from the Lakers. The franchise has lost its own lottery picks to Boston in recent years, but the Nets essentially got one back in Russell – 2015’s second overall pick – for their willingness to take on Timofey Mozgov‘s unwieldy contract.
While longtime Nets mainstay Brook Lopez departed in that trade with the Lakers, the team has added some other interesting pieces, with Allen Crabbe, DeMarre Carroll, and rookie Jarrett Allen among the new players entering the mix. The roster still isn’t exactly brimming with transcendent talent, but GM Sean Marks and head coach Kenny Atkinson have worked hard to build a positive culture in Brooklyn as the team takes small steps forward.
Oddsmakers are forecasting a step forward in the standings this season, with offshore betting site Bovada putting the Nets’ over/under for 2017/18 at 27.5 wins. Brooklyn would have to improve by eight games over last season to beat that projection, which will be a tall task without Lopez, the club’s leading scorer. But the Nets’ competition in the Eastern Conference makes the number a realistic target.
What do you think? Will the Nets finish among the NBA’s bottom-feeders again, or will this be the season that the team starts its climb up the standings, winning 28 or more games? Vote below in our poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comment section!
How many games will the Nets win?
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Over 27.5 66% (599)
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Under 27.5 34% (304)
Total votes: 903
Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.
Previous over/under voting results:
Western Conference:
- Golden State Warriors: Over 67.5 (53.57%)
- Houston Rockets: Over 55.5 (65.57%)
- San Antonio Spurs: Over 54.5 (67.74%)
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Over 50.5 (71.77%)
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Over 48.5 (55.69%)
- Denver Nuggets: Under 45.5 (50.44%)
- Los Angeles Clippers: Over 43.5 (60.7%)
- Portland Trail Blazers: Over 42.5 (56.3%)
- Utah Jazz: Over 41.5 (55.94%)
- New Orleans Pelicans: Over 39.5 (65.26%)
- Memphis Grizzlies: Over 37.5 (53.43%)
- Dallas Mavericks: Under 35.5 (54.95%)
- Los Angeles Lakers: Over 33.5 (50.4%)
- Phoenix Suns: Over 28.5 (50.41%)
Eastern Conference:
- Boston Celtics: Over 55.5 (63.5%)
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Over 53.5 (68.82%)
- Toronto Raptors: Over 48.5 (64.21%)
- Washington Wizards: Over 47.5 (71.29%)
- Milwaukee Bucks: Over 47.5 (63.88%)
- Miami Heat: Over 43.5 (55.39%)
- Charlotte Hornets: Over 42.5 (51.07%)
- Philadelphia 76ers: Under 41.5 (53.37%)
- Detroit Pistons: Over 38.5 (51.95%)
- Orlando Magic: Under 33.5 (75.24%)
- Indiana Pacers: Under 31.5 (54.85%)
- New York Knicks: Under 30.5 (57.87%)
Five Looming Team Option Decisions To Watch
NBA rookie contracts for first round picks feature a pair of team options in years three and four, and – unlike standard team options – the deadline for those decisions doesn’t fall on June 30. If a team wants to exercise its 2018/19 option for a player on a rookie contract, that team must do so this month, with an October 31 deadline looming.
Despite being forced to make decisions a year early, most teams simply pick up their club options on rookie-scale players. Even players who have underwhelming rookie seasons deserve an extra year or two to prove their value, and rookie-scale salaries are generally inexpensive, making them a worthwhile investment for NBA teams.
Still, not every former first round pick is worth keeping around for four full seasons on his rookie contract. With the help of our full list of 2018/19 rookie scale team options, here are five players who aren’t locks to have their options for next season exercised this month:
Jarell Martin, Grizzlies (fourth year, $2,416,222): A report at the start of training camp indicated that the Grizzlies had informed Martin he’d be waived, but had given him the opportunity to stick with the club for the preseason to help boost his stock. He has done just that in the early going, scoring 16 points in 22 minutes in his preseason debut, then nearly recording a double-double (eight points, nine rebounds) in just 13 minutes against the Sixers. Even if the Grizzlies remain prepared to move on from him, it will be interesting to see whether the team finds a taker on the trade market — a new team may be more willing to keep Martin around and perhaps pick up his 2018/19 option.- Cameron Payne, Bulls (fourth year, $3,263,294): It seems unfathomable that the Bulls would decline this option just months after making Payne the centerpiece of a deadline-day deal that saw them give up Doug McDermott, Taj Gibson, and their 2018 second-round pick. However, the early reviews on Payne in Chicago were negative, and he continues to be plagued by foot issues. If the Bulls want to maximize their cap flexibility in 2018, they’ll have to think hard about letting Payne become an unrestricted free agent.
- Kevon Looney, Warriors (fourth year, $2,227,081): The Warriors will likely have the NBA’s highest tax bill this season, and figure to be well over the threshold next year too. That means Looney’s fairly modest $2.23MM salary will be worth exponentially more in tax payments. The former UCLA standout has only played 468 total minutes in his first two NBA seasons, so unless the Warriors plan on having him take on a much larger role in year three, it may make sense to turn down this option — the Dubs can get more bang for their buck by signing a minimum-salary veteran.
- Josh Huestis, Thunder (fourth year, $2,243,326): Even after being stashed in the G League for his first professional season, Huestis hasn’t proven ready to contribute during his first two years with the Thunder — he has played in just seven regular season NBA games. Oklahoma City doesn’t have a deep roster this season after completing a pair of two-for-one trades for Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, so now would be the time for Huestis to step up. If the taxpaying Thunder aren’t confident he can do so, they should re-allocate their 2018/19 money elsewhere.
- Rashad Vaughn, Bucks (fourth year, $2,901,565): The Bucks’ roster is littered with promising young players expected to be part of the long-term core in Milwaukee, but Vaughn has remained on the outside of that group looking in. A former 17th overall pick, Vaughn has struggled mightily during his first two NBA seasons, with a shooting line of just .327/.303/.700 in 111 games. Still, the 6’6″ guard has looked good in the preseason, and is still just 21 years old, which will make the Bucks reluctant to give up on his potential quite yet.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Wizards’ Sheldon Mac To Miss 6-8 Months
OCTOBER 9, 9:54am: Mac will undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair his torn left Achilles and is expected to miss six to eight months, league sources tell Shams Charania of The Vertical.
Mac’s 2017/18 salary is mostly non-guaranteed, but the Wizards will have to pay his salary until he returns to health, whether or not he remains on the roster. If Washington expects him to miss most or all of the season, the club may waive him simply to open up a roster spot.
OCTOBER 8, 3:47pm: The Wizards have scheduled an MRI for Monday for guard Sheldon Mac, tweets Candace Buckner of The Washington Post. A source tells Buckner the team believes Mac may have torn an Achilles tendon during today’s preseason game.
Mac had to be carried off the court after getting hurt on an attempted drive to the basket against the Cavaliers. He was quickly ruled out for the rest of the game.
Formerly known as Sheldon McClellan, the 24-year-old shooting guard appeared in 30 games for Washington last season, averaging 3.0 points in 9.6 minutes per night. His contract for this season only carries a $50K guarantee through January 10.
Magic Sign Rodney Purvis
OCTOBER 9: The Magic and Purvis have officially finalized their agreement, with the team confirming it today in a press release. After initially announcing a 19-man preseason roster, the Magic are now at 20 players. Meanwhile, Purvis is expected to eventually play in the G League for the Lakeland Magic, tweets Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel.
AUGUST 28: Former University of Connecticut shooting guard Rodney Purvis has agreed to a partially guaranteed deal with the Magic, league sources told Ian Begley of ESPN.com. The contract includes an Exhibit 10 clause, which would give Purvis a bonus if he’s waived and then signs with the Lakeland Magic, their G League affiliate, Begley adds (Twitter links).
The Exhibit 10 clause also gives Orlando the ability to convert Purvis’ camp deal into a two-way contract prior to the season, Jared Weiss of CelticsBlog.com tweets. Currently, the Magic have just one player on a two-way deal (Adreian Payne), leaving the second spot open.
Purvis, who began his college career at North Carolina State, is a longshot to make the Magic’s opening-day roster. He went undrafted after his senior year with the Huskies. The 6’4” Purvis averaged 13.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG and 2.5 APG last season. He appeared in two games with the Jazz’s summer-league team in Las Vegas but only scored one point.
Once they finalize Purvis’ deal, the Magic will have 18 players under contract.
Lowe’s Latest: Wolves, Suns, Parker, Bucks
In another one of his in-depth NBA preview features, ESPN’s Zach Lowe has grouped the NBA’s 30 teams into tiers, with the Warriors in the top tier on their own, followed by the Cavaliers, Thunder, Rockets, and Spurs in tier two. Lowe’s piece examines each club, with a handful of Eastern Conference teams – the Nets, Hawks, Knicks, Pacers, and Bulls – bringing up the rear.
Along the way, Lowe drops a few noteworthy tidbits of information about roster moves and trade possibilities, so let’s dive in and round up the highlights…
- The Timberwolves have dangled Cole Aldrich‘s contract and a second-round pick in search of veteran help, sources tell Lowe. We heard reports of Aldrich’s availability back in July, and nothing came of it, but the Wolves still project to have an open roster spot or two, so it’s possible the team will revisit this scenario at some point.
- The Suns have explored trading Jared Dudley and/or Tyson Chandler, but they likely feel no urgency to move either player at this point, says Lowe. The ESPN scribe adds that Phoenix “will surely listen” if the team receives inquiries on Eric Bledsoe.
- Bucks forward Jabari Parker is unlikely to return before February, at the earliest, according to Lowe. The former No. 2 overall pick continues to recover from a torn ACL as his October 16 contract extension deadline nears.
- The Bucks – who got out of the tax this year – would risk going back over the tax threshold for 2018/19 with an extension for Parker. Sources tell Lowe that Milwaukee has discussed dumping John Henson and/or Mirza Teletovic, but teams are “squeezing hard.” Henson and Teletovic are on the books for about $10.5MM each in 2018/19.
Southeast Notes: Isaac, Porter Jr., Richardson
The Magic have been hard at work gaining insights about their roster this preseason and have already come up with a five-man group that they’re fond of. John Denton of the Magic’s official site writes that Frank Vogel particularly enjoyed playing Elfrid Payton alongside Jonathon Simmons at the two with Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon at the three and four, respectively, with Bismack Biyombo at center.
“That’s scary for other teams because there is a lot of athleticism out there and a lot of guys who can guard point guard through power forward,” Payton, entering his fourth year with the Magic, said. “There’s so much speed and athleticism there. Even though we’d be seen as a small unit, Jonathon [Simmons] is athletic, Isaac is athletic, A.G. is athletic and I don’t think we’d lose anything on the rebounding end. I look forward to seeing that [lineup] more.”
The scribe also notes that Isaac, while famously raw as a 20-year-old, 210-pound forward, could still be utilized as a defensive specialist for the Magic in his first year in the pros. “He’s NBA-ready to come in and impact our team on the defensive end right now,” Vogel said.
There’s more from the Southeast Division:
- The Wizards will need to come up with a suitable temporary power forward until Markieff Morris is ready to step back in, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington writes. Head coach Scott Brooks will have several options, including sliding small forward Otto Porter Jr. up to the four.
- The Magic have made a concerted effort to play a modernized style of basketball and Frank Vogel, synonymous with gritty, hard-nosed basketball from his days at the helm of the Pacers, is leading the operation. John Denton of Orlando’s official team site discusses how Vogel has handled the transition.
- The Heat have been starting Rodney McGruder at small forward but don’t be surprised if Josh Richardson gets some looks as well considering the results thus far from preseason, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes.