Kings Not In Mix For Milos Teodosic?
MAY 12, 11:53am: A day after suggesting that the Kings were a strong contender for Teodosic, Pick has shot down his own report, citing a Sacramento executive who says the team won’t be in the mix to sign the Euroleague star (Twitter link).
MAY 11, 1:10pm: The Kings are a legitimate contender in the Milos Teodosic sweepstakes, a source tells international basketball reporter David Pick (Twitter link). As Pick observes, Sacramento GM Vlade Divac has a strong connection to Teodosic, a fellow Serbian.
Teodosic, who is primarily a point guard but can also play off the ball, will be coming off another strong season with CSKA Moscow this summer. In 27 Euroleague games, the veteran guard has averaged 16.2 PPG and 7.0 APG en route to leading his club to a spot in the Euroleague Final Four.
We heard way back in September that Teodosic was eyeing a potential jump to the NBA in 2017. The 30-year-old, who is in the final year of his contract with CSKA Moscow, suggested at the time that he was ready to “compete against the best players in the world” in North America, and he has received plenty of NBA interest since then, having been linked most frequently to the Nets.
The Kings, who only have about $35MM in guaranteed salaries on their books for the 2017/18 league year, will certainly be able to compete financially with any other suitor, including the Nets. But, while money will obviously be one factor Teodosic considers, he has also stated that the team he joins will have to meet his “competitive ambitions.” Neither the Kings nor the Nets are expected to be a legit contender in 2017/18.
Frank Jackson To Remain In 2017 NBA Draft
Having initially elected to test the waters without hiring an agent, Duke guard Frank Jackson has now decided to keep his name in the draft and go pro, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical (Twitter link). Jackson will forgo his remaining three years of NCAA eligibility.
Jackson, who turned 19 last week, is ranked as the 45th-best prospect in this year’s draft class by ESPN’s Chad Ford, while Jonathan Givony of Draft Express has him at No. 48 on his big board. Jackson averaged 10.9 points and 1.7 assists in 24.9 minutes per game during his lone season at Duke, with a shooting line of .473/.395/.755.
Ford wrote last month that Jackson has generated some “buzz” as a possible late first-round pick, though there’s some uncertainty about whether he’ll be an undersized two guard or a legit point guard at the NBA level. ESPN’s Jeff Goodman suggests that Jackson will likely be a second-round pick, citing sources who say that Grayson Allen return to Duke and the school’s probable addition of Trevon Duval were factors in Jackson’s decision to leave the Blue Devils.
According to Goodman (Twitter link), Jackson will sign with Bill Duffy of BDA Sports for representation.
NBA Player Option Decisions For 2017/18
A number of NBA contracts include player options in the final year. Those option years give the player the opportunity to either opt into the final year of his deal, finishing out his contract, or to opt out and hit the free agent market a year early.
A year ago, 29 veterans held player options on their contracts for 2016/17, and 26 of those players declined to pick up those options, choosing instead to enter free agency. The three players that exercised their options were Tim Duncan, Caron Butler, and Mo Williams — none of the three played a single NBA minute this past season.
In other words, if you had a player option on your contract last year, declining it was a no-brainer, unless you didn’t expect to land another contract. Even someone like Shane Larkin, who spent the season overseas playing ball in Spain, turned down a player option for that opportunity.
This year’s player option decisions will likely follow a similar pattern, with a few exceptions. Although the salary cap won’t make the same leap in 2017 that it did in 2016, there’s still plenty of money available out there for free agents, so guys with player options may turn them down in search of a longer-term contract that will pay more overall.
This year’s player options are detailed below. We’ll keep this list updated through the end of June to note the latest decisions.
Point Guards
- Langston Galloway, Kings ($5,434,000): Opting out
- Kyle Lowry, Raptors ($12,000,000): Opted out
- Chris Paul, Clippers ($24,268,959): Opted in*
Shooting Guards
- C.J. Miles, Pacers ($4,772,675): Opting out
- Dwyane Wade, Bulls ($23,800,000): Opted in
- Dion Waiters, Heat ($3,028,410): Opting out
Small Forwards
- Kevin Durant, Warriors ($27,734,405): Opting out
- Danilo Gallinari, Nuggets ($16,100,000): Opting out
- Rudy Gay, Kings ($14,263,566): Opted out
- Gordon Hayward, Jazz ($16,736,710): Opted out
- Luc Mbah a Moute, Clippers ($2,302,135): Opted out
- Nick Young, Lakers ($5,668,667): Opted out
Power Forwards
- Dante Cunningham, Pelicans ($3,106,500): Opting out
- Blake Griffin, Clippers ($21,373,952): Opted out*
- David Lee, Spurs ($2,328,652): Opted out
- Josh McRoberts, Heat ($6,021,175): Opted in
- Paul Millsap, Hawks ($21,472,407): Opted out
- Willie Reed, Heat ($1,577,230): Opting out
Centers
- Aron Baynes, Pistons ($6,500,000): Opted out
- Dewayne Dedmon, Spurs ($3,028,410): Opting out
- Pau Gasol, Spurs ($16,197,500): Opting out
- Spencer Hawes, Bucks ($6,021,175): Opted in
- Greg Monroe, Bucks ($17,884,176): Opted in
- Marreese Speights, Clippers ($2,116,955): Opted out
* Note: Paul and Griffin have early termination options on their contracts. These aren’t technically player options, but practically speaking, they serve the same function.
Kyle Lowry Opts Out Of Contract
MAY 12: Lowry has officially opted out of his contract, according to his agency, ASM Sports (Twitter link).
MAY 8: As expected, Kyle Lowry will opt out of his contract with the Raptors and become a free agent this summer. Lowry confirmed the decision today to reporters in his exit interview following the Raptors’ elimination from the playoffs, though he’s not sure what his next move after that will be, as Josh Lewenberg of TSN 1050 tweets.
“Honestly I haven’t thought too far ahead of any of that,” Lowry said of his looming free agency. “I will be opting out, but that’s as far as I’ve gotten.”
Lowry, who called the prospect of entering free agency “fun, but stressful” (Twitter link via Sportsnet’s Michael Grange) had indicated way back in October that he’d likely opt out at season’s end. The decision is an easy one, as Lowry’s player option for 2017/18 is worth just $12MM. The 31-year-old will be able to easily exceed that on the open market.
Just because Lowry will opt out of his Raptors contract though, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll leave Toronto. The Raps will still have a leg up in contract negotiations, since they can offer him more years (five) and higher raises (8%) than any other team can (four years and 5% raises).
Still, Masai Ujiri and company will face some tough decisions this summer, with Serge Ibaka, Patrick Patterson, and P.J. Tucker also facing free agency. The Raptors front office will have to determine whether it’s worth potentially going into tax territory to keep the club’s current core together after a demoralizing second round sweep at the hands of the defending champion Cavaliers.
[RELATED: Community Shootaround: Raptors’ Free Agents]
For the 2016/17 season, Lowry averaged a career-high 22.4 PPG to go along with 7.0 APG, 4.8 RPG, and a .464/.412/.819 shooting line in 60 games. He was named an All-Star for the third consecutive year.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Northwest Notes: Wolves, Combine, Singler, Jazz
The Northwest division is no longer represented in the playoffs following Utah’s elimination earlier this week, but Northwest teams will face plenty of key decisions this offseason as they look to improve their rosters. Here’s the latest out of the division…
- The Timberwolves are formally interviewing a number of prospects this week at the draft combine in Chicago, including Kentucky’s Bam Adebayo and UNC’s Justin Jackson, per Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News (Twitter links). Minnesota is in line for the No. 6 pick heading into the lottery — Adebayo and Jackson aren’t expected to be selected that high, but the team is doing its due diligence.
- Kyle Singler has two more fully guaranteed years left on his contract with the Thunder, but his future with the franchise remains unclear, writes Brett Dawson of The Oklahoman. As Dawson notes, Singler was virtually non-existent for Oklahoma City this past season, and will be a candidate to be traded or waived.
- If the Jazz were to re-sign key free agents like Gordon Hayward, George Hill, and Joe Ingles, they’d likely remain a top-four team in the Western Conference going forward, says Brad Rock of The Deseret News. However, given how quickly the club was dispatched by the Warriors, Rock believes it will take more than standing pat for Utah to move toward legit title contention.
- With Hill and Shelvin Mack facing free agency and Dante Exum and Raul Neto entering the final year of their respective contracts, the Jazz will face some tough decisions at the point guard position this summer, as Mike Sorensen of The Deseret News details.
Draft Notes: Wilson, Ojeleye, Adebayo
D.J. Wilson, who has yet to hire an agent, injured his ankle during today’s combine, as Rod Beard of The Detroit News passes along.
“He’s not working out; he pulled a quad in an earlier workout. He’s been nursing it for four or five days and it’s still not where he wants it to be,” Michigan coach John Beilein said. “We’re hoping it’s more day-to-day, but we may have to cancel some (team) workouts this week too; we’ve got to wait and see.”
Wilson has until May 24 to decide whether or not he will return to Michigan for his junior season. The big man is the 32nd best prospect in the draft, according to Jonathan Givony of Draft Express.
Here’s more on the upcoming draft:
- SMU’s Semi Ojeleye will sign with an agent and stay in the draft, per Evan Daniels of Scout.com (Twitter link). The combo forward is the 28th best prospect in the upcoming draft, according to Givony.
- Seton Hall’s Angel Delgado is currently testing the draft waters and he has not hired an agent. However, the university does not expect him to return to campus, sources tell Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog. Delgado, who recently worked out for the Hawks, is not expected to be drafted, according to Draft Express.
- Kentucky coach John Calipari said he’ll be “stunned” if Bam Adebayo isn’t a lottery pick, as Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com relays via Twitter. Givony has the center going 29th in his latest mock draft.
Pacific Notes: Leonard, Anthony, Paul
The Suns did not select Kawhi Leonard during the 2011 draft in part because of how he acted during the combine that year, Charles Curtis of USA Today shares. It wasn’t that the MVP candidate was misbehaving or appeared to dismiss the process — it was because Leonard was nervous during interviews. The San Diego State product sweated through his suit and Lance Blanks, who was Phoenix’s GM at the time, apparently took that as a negative indicator.
Phoenix had the No. 13 overall pick and selected Markieff Morris out of Kansas. Leonard went to the Pacers at No. 15 before being dealt to the Spurs for George Hill.
Here’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post believes the Clippers have the best shot at landing Carmelo Anthony should the 10-time All-Star waive his no-trade clause and leave New York. Bontemps can’t envision coach/executive Doc Rivers passing up on a chance to acquire Anthony if the opportunity presents itself.
- Chauncey Billups, who played with the Clippers for two seasons, believes the team is asking Chris Paul to do too much, as Paul Coro of the Los Angeles Times relays.“This isn’t a jab at anyone but they just don’t have enough guys who can make plays late in games,” Billups said. “They depend too much on Chris.”
- The Kings front office appears more stable than it has in past season, Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee details. The scribe writes that the franchise was previously “viewed as a mess,” but now it has a changed approach, something that should help with securing visits from top prospects. Projected No.1 overall pick Markelle Fultz met with the team on Wednesday.
Atlantic Notes: Casey, Porzingis, Lowry
On the surface, Raptors GM Masai Ujiri may have sounded during his season-ending presser like he was considering a coaching change. However, Michael Grange of Sportsnet believes Ujiri’s comments suggest he has faith in head coach Dwane Casey to adjust his coaching style going forward.
“Yes there is commitment [to Casey],” Ujiri said. “But we are all going to question ourselves. We are all going to seriously question ourselves now, and figure out the best way to do it. Because coach Casey has been a phenomenal part of our success here, you know, and in some ways we owe that to him [the opportunity to continue].
“But I’ve told him that we all have to be accountable. I haven’t slept, and I know he hasn’t slept too, because we’re thinking of ways that we can continue to make these things better, and make the right decisions.”
Ujiri added that the team needs to play a different style and that Casey will be given a chance to make the switch.
Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Coach Jeff Hornacek firmly believes Kristaps Porzingis will be on the Knicks next season, as Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News tweets. “There’s no doubt in my mind,” Hornacek said of Porzingis’ place on the team. Porzingis’ brother recently said that the big man wants to remain in New York.
- The Knicks are at the combine in Chicago with an eye on finding players who fit into their system, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. Phil Jackson, who met with several point guard prospects, recently said that the team is “interested in skill players that know how to play together in team form.”
- It would not be smart for the Sixers to sign Kyle Lowry, Dennis Chambers of Basketball Insiders opines. Chambers believes adding Lowry wouldn’t put the team in the championship-contender conversation, but it would push them to mediocrity—a place where Philadelphia sat prior to The Process.
Draft Notes: Jackson, Bulls, Sixers
UNC’s Justin Jackson would be happy to play for any team in the league, but he believes he could help the Bulls on both ends of the floor, as Adam Zagoria relays for The Herald Sun.
“I can shoot the ball pretty well, which helps with spacing,” Jackson said. “Defensively, I can do a few things and so you kind of add both of those into it. At the end of the day, the Bulls are a great organization already but if I’m blessed to be drafted by them or whoever it might be, I can add a few things to it.”
The small forward is the 13th best prospect in the upcoming draft, according to Jonathan Givony of Draft Express, and Chicago owns the No.16 overall pick.
Here’s more notes leading up to the June 22 event:
- The Pistons struggled from behind the arc this year and Ansar Khan of Mlive wonders if Jackson could be a fit because of his improved 3-point shot. The small forward shot 29.2% from behind the arc as a sophomore, but he increased it to 37.0% last season. Detroit is currently slotted in the 12th spot, but the team has a chance to move up during Tuesday’s lottery.
- Former NC State coach Mike Gottfried believes Dennis Smith Jr. would be a great fit on the Sixers next to Ben Simmons, as Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer relays. “I think he has a chance to become an elite-level guard in time in the NBA,” Gottfried said of Smith Jr. “I personally think with Ben [Simmons] healthy that the two of them together would be quite an amazing combination. I think their skills actually complement each other.”
- Markelle Fultz will meet with several teams during the combine, but the Magic won’t be among them, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports. Orlando has an 8.8% chance at landing the No.1 overall pick.
Kawhi Leonard Won’t Play In Game 6
Kawhi Leonard will sit out tonight’s Game 6 against the Rockets with knee and ankle injuries, according to Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). If the Spurs fall tonight, they will play against Houston in Game 7 on Sunday.
Gregg Popovich made the decision to sit Leonard and he was asked if the MVP candidate fought him on the matter, as Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post tweets. Popovich responded with a Popovichian line: “He’d rather play.”
Jonathon Simmons, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, will start in Leonard’s spot. It’s a great opportunity for Simmons to increase his market value in free agency. The 27-year-old Houston native has seen 16.4 minutes per game this postseason and he’s averaging 7.9 points per game while shooting 45.5% from the field.