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?
Knicks Notes: Porzingis, Jackson, Smith Jr., Front Office Diversity
The Knicks recently exercised their team option to re-sign Kristaps Porzingis for 2018/19. However, if Phil Jackson were still calling the shots at Madison Square Garden, who’s to say what The Unicorn’s basketball future would look like, Bryan Kalbrosky of Hoops Hype writes.
According to Peter Vecsey, who received the first and to-date only quote from Jackson after his departure from the Knicks, Jackson was legitimately interested in trading Porzingis.
Vecsey said: “People knew, they probably wouldn’t have accepted, but Phil was angling to try and trade Porzingis for the No. 1 pick to Boston and he would have taken [Lonzo] Ball. That’s who he was after. In the end, people might really like that.”
Vecsey adds that when Jackson began embarrassing Porzingis, owner James Dolan knew Jackson was no longer a suitable executive for the team.
Here are some more notes regarding the Knicks:
- Prior to this year’s NBA draft, Dennis Smith Jr. dined with former team president Jackson and was encouraged to eat an octopus tentacle, relays Stefan Bondy of the NY Daily News. Although Smith reluctantly ate the exotic delicacy, the Knicks opted to draft Frank Ntilikina instead. Smith was selected by the Mavericks with the following pick. Smith was a standout performer at the NBA Las Vegas Summer League and has already inked a three-year endorsement deal with Under Armour.
- Seventy years ago, the Knicks’ visionary coach Joe Lapchick pushed racial integration on a league that would merge with another to form the NBA three years later. Lapchick did so by fielding an all-black team that he pushed to have admitted to the league. Today, the Knicks are again at the vanguard of diversity, writes Harvey Araton of The New York Times. This time, New York is blazing trails in its front office, boasting the only African-American president-and-general-manager tandem in the NBA and proceeding to hire three more black front office executives in recent weeks.
- For more news, notes, and rumors on the Knicks, be sure to check out their team page.
Western Notes: Irving, Clippers, Parker, Spurs, Smith Jr., Randolph
Kyrie Irving reportedly would like to play for the Clippers, relays Bryan Kalbrosky of Hoops Hype. While speaking with Alex Kennedy on the HoopsHype Podcast, Peter Vecsey said this about Irving:
“He loves L.A. and he’s been working out there a lot this summer. Do they have the assets they get him? I don’t see how. But they also have Jerry West and he’s been able to figure out before … the Lakers didn’t have the assets to get Shaq and he wheeled and dealed and figured out and they got him … he was able to get Kobe for Divac in the draft.”
Vecsey added that Irving does not have leverage and that a trade does not appear doable despite the disgruntled point guard’s reported preference to play for Doc Rivers in Los Angeles.
Here are some more notes from the Western Conference:
- Spurs point guard Tony Parker expects to be back on the court in four to five months, reports Tom Orsborn of MySA.com. “It’s OK. It’s getting better and better,” Parker said regarding his recovery from the left quadriceps injury that cost him the last four games of the second round of the playoffs and the entire Western Conference Finals this past postseason. “I’m starting to run like a little bit. I’m walking pretty well. I think it’s still going to be a long process. It’s still going to take like another four or five months, but I am very happy with the progresses. I am advancing in my rehab.”
- Sean Deveney of SportingNews writes that, despite the Spurs’ fairly quiet offseason thus far, the team could make some bigger moves in 2018. Deveney argues that what the Spurs may have planned down the line could make this offseason, which was marked by a continuation of the status quo, worth it for San Antonio basketball faithful.
- The Mavericks‘ starting point guard position will be up for grabs in training camp, reports Earl K. Sneed of Mavs.com. Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson further explained that Dennis Smith Jr. must put in the work to earn the job: “Those keys are earned. You know, it’s going to be an interesting training camp. I think Dennis is going to play for one of the best coaches in the NBA. That being said, I think internally you can’t help but be excited by the potential, but he wouldn’t want it any other way. Just knowing the character of Dennis and knowing his family and surrounding structure, he’s going to want to earn those minutes. He’s truly a winner in every sense of the word.”
- Zach Randolph could be banned by the NBA if he is convicted of his felony marijuana charge, writes Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal. Randolph’s former teammate O.J. Mayo was previously banned from the NBA for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.
Five Key Stories: 8/5/17 – 8/12/17
Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the past week at Hoops Rumors:
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor wants assurances from Andrew Wiggins before offering the forward a max extension. Taylor wants to hear these promises in a face-to-face meeting with Wiggins, who was Minnesota’s second-leading scorer last season. If Wiggins is maxed out, the T-Wolves will have five players on the current roster making at least $14MM for the 2018/19 season.
Zach Randolph was arrested on a felony charge of marijuana possession with intent to sell. The embattled big man was signed by the Kings last month to be in part a mentor to the younger players. Randolph, 36, moved from the starting lineup to the bench in Memphis last season, but was still very productive, averaging 14.1 PPG and 8.2 RPG in just 24.5 minutes per game.
The Knicks have signed Michael Beasley to a one-year deal. New York hopes that the signing will bring some much-needed scoring punch off the bench. In 56 games for the Bucks last season , the veteran forward averaged 9.4 PPG with a career-best .532 FG% and .419 3PT%. Beasley was selected one spot after Derrick Rose in the 2008 draft, but has yet to live up to his pre-draft billing.
Ben McLemore is expected to be sidelined for 12 weeks. As a result of the injury that was incurred during a pick-up game, McLemore may not be ready to begin the regular season. The shooting guard signed a two-year contract with the Grizzlies last month.
The Knicks and Rockets have re-engaged on trade talks involving Carmelo Anthony. A third team in a potential trade would be needed since the Knicks do not have interest in Ryan Anderson. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Anthony could begin the season in a Knicks’ uniform.
Ten More Stories
- Isaiah Thomas expects to return from his hip injury in time for training camp.
- The Timberwolves reportedly intend to add three more established veterans to their roster this offseason.
- Here is the latest on the potential sale of the Nets.
- The Knicks have exercised their 2018/19 team option on Kristaps Porzingis.
- After undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery, Patrick Patterson may not be ready for the Thunder‘s training camp.
- The Lakers will sign Briante Weber to a partially guaranteed deal.
- The Bucks have hired Milt Newton as their assistant general manager.
- NBA veterans Ty Lawson and Donatas Motiejunas will play in China this season as teammates for Shandong.
- The NBA is expected to approve player-resting rules, which are designed to cut back on teams benching healthy players for regular seasons games.
- Clippers big man Willie Reed was charged with misdemeanor battery.
Southeast Notes: Richardson, Wizards, Babbit
The contract extension that 2015 second-round pick Josh Richardson is eligible for with the Heat would value him similarly to NBA role players Matthew Dellavedova and Cristiano Felicio, Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel writes.
Considering that Richardson is an established high character rotation piece already familiar with the Heat’s system, such an investment wouldn’t exactly be excessive.
Through two seasons with the Heat, Richardson has averaged 8.4 points on .374 shooting from beyond the arc. His length and ability to contribute on the defensive end make him one of the team’s most well-rounded assets.
As we wrote earlier this week, Richardson may be wise to wait until the June 2018 deadline before making his decision. If he doesn’t accept the four-year, $42MM extension with the Heat he’ll be a restricted free agent come July 1, 2018.
There’s more from the Southeast Division:
- Since 2006, the Wizards have played in the Verizon Center. Effective immediately, the venue that houses both the basketball club and its hockey counterpart will be known as the Capital One Arena, an Associated Press report says.
- Half of Luke Babbitt‘s nearly $2MM contract with the Hawks is guaranteed, Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders tweets.
- Miami beat writer Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel recently ranked Heat players in terms of their importance to the franchise. While Hassan Whiteside came in at No. 1, recently re-signed James Johnson slipped in at No. 2 ahead of Goran Dragic, Dion Waiters and Justise Winslow.
Northwest Notes: Anthony, Georges-Hunt, Christon
While the Rockets remain Carmelo Anthony‘s supposed primary destination, the Trail Blazers have done well to establish themselves as a suitable alternative, Cody Sharrett of the team’s official site writes.
Sharrett cites comments made by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski in a recent radio interview (~25:00 mark), suggesting the Trail Blazers could, theoretically at least, be a good landing spot for the veteran.
“The [Trail Blazers] are an interesting team in this because C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard have done a really good of recruiting Carmelo,” Wojnarowkski said. “They’ve been on him.”
The scribe notes that Anthony’s feelings about McCollum, Lillard or the Trail Blazers are ultimately inconsequential if the club can’t put together a package of assets that appeals to the Knicks.
“But if they could, then the [Trail Blazers] are a sleeper team in this to get Carmelo to waive his no-trade because I’m told they’ve piqued Carmelo’s interest at the very least,” Wojnarowski added.
There’s more from the Northwest Division:
- The Thunder are said to have had talks with undrafted free agent Brad Wanamaker, Emiliano Carchia of Sportando reports. The 28-year-old guard is currently under contract with David Blatt‘s Turkish league club.
- Recently signed Timberwolves guard Marcus Georges-Hunt has the same contract as if he were claimed off of waivers, Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News tweets. Georges-Hunt was waived by the Magic on July 31. It’s a possibility that he sticks on the roster through to the regular season.
- Sportswriters that cover the Thunder are torn as to whether or not Semaj Christon will remain with the team come opening day. Berry Tramel of the Oklahoman, who says ‘Nay’, thinks Christon will be the odd man out after the club re-committed to Nick Collison.
And-Ones: Sellers, Superteams, Ayres
After a quiet offseason, the Magic could be one of the league’s biggest sellers, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders writes. Other teams that could look to aggressively shop their assets include the Suns and Hawks.
Orlando’s front office was smart to lay low and gauge their own in-house talent, Kyler says, now they’ll look to start shaping their future with a number of notable trade chips ranging from Nikola Vucevic on a $12.3MM contract to D.J. Augustin ($7.3MM).
Phoenix, having stockpiled youth for years, could be in a similar boat, eager to unload contributing pieces to the highest bidder. While linked to Kyrie Irving for much of the past few weeks, the Suns won’t be afraid to shop players like Tyson Chandler or Eric Bledsoe around elsewhere if it means they can improve their standing as a franchise.
Kyler notes that the Hawks, fresh off of a summer that saw them part ways with Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard, could be in the market to deal. The club, he says, is in full-rebuild mode now after a year of half measures.
The Nuggets, Bulls and Lakers, Kyler says, could also be sellers over the course of the 2017/18 campaign.
There’s more from around the league.
- Former NBA big man Jeff Ayres has signed a contract to play with Eskisehir Basket in Turkey, Emiliano Carchia of Sportando reports.
- An ESPN Insider report penned by Kevin Pelton zeroes in on the league’s most recent transactions, suggesting that the Knicks‘ move to land Michael Beasley could reflect that the organization is bracing for a future without Carmelo Anthony.
- The Superteam Era has hurt the chances small market teams have to compete and there’s no sign that it will end any time soon, Chris Mannix of The Vertical writes. So long as players are willing to forego max money in order to sign with other stars, there’s little the league can do to curb it.
Julyan Stone Expected To Sign With Hornets
Expect Julyan Stone to finally sign a contract with the Hornets, Emiliano Carchia of Sportando writes. The guard is now expected to part ways with Italian club Reyer Venezia and return stateside for a second NBA stint.
As we wrote about last week, Stone had recently inked a two-year contract extension to stay in Italy but was adamantly seeking a way out in order to return to America and be closer to his ailing father.
While terms of Stone’s exit haven’t been made available, it’s worth noting that his contract didn’t include any formal opt out options. Last week, as discussed in our previous coverage of the story, Stone took to Instagram to express frustration with the EuroLeague team’s apparent reluctance to engage in a conversation about him leaving.
Per Carchia, when Stone officially becomes a free agent, he’ll sign a two-year guaranteed deal with Charlotte.
Prior to playing overseas, Stone played sparingly for the Nuggets and Raptors, logging 47 games across three seasons from 2011-2014.