Southeast Notes: Whiteside, Simmons, Frazier, MCW
The knee soreness that forced Heat center Hassan Whiteside to sit out tonight’s game could become a long-term issue, according to Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel. In a video posted on the newspaper’s web site, Whiteside says the knee has been giving him problems since the season began. “It’s really bothering me, man,” Whiteside said. “We’re going to figure it out. We’re going to figure it out when we get back to Miami and figure out what’s wrong.”
The knee problems began on opening night when Whiteside suffered a bone bruise. He was held out of the next five games, but hasn’t missed another one until today. Whiteside has remained productive despite the pain, averaging 14.9 points and 12.7 rebounds in 15 games.
There’s more from the Southeast Division:
- Free agent addition Jonathon Simmons was inserted into the Magic’s starting lineup Monday, and coach Frank Vogel plans to keep him in that role, relays Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel. Simmons took Terrence Ross‘ place in the starting five and responded with a team-high 21 points. Vogel said he will evaluate how he uses players before each game, but added, “I would anticipate ‘Simms’ being in the starting lineup indefinitely, until I decide otherwise.”
- The Wizards just need a steady performance from point guard Tim Frazier as he fills in for the injured John Wall, writes Candace Buckner of The Washington Post. Frazier and Tomas Satoransky will both see increased playing time with Wall sidelined for about two weeks with knee inflammation. “He’s not going to play like John and we don’t expect him to play like John,” coach Scott Brooks said. “We want him to just play to his best ability, and that’s getting our team in the offense and not turning the ball over, take the open shot.”
- Michael Carter-Williams, who joined his fourth team in four years when he signed with the Hornets this summer, believes he has found a comfortable situation in Charlotte, according to Sam Perley of NBA.com. Carter-Williams’ season debut was delayed after getting platelet-rich-plasma injections in both knees, but he has found a role as a defensive specialist off the bench, averaging a team-high 1.25 steals per game. “MCW is a difference-maker,” said Hornets coach Steve Clifford. “He changes our defense, he can guard multiple guys. He’s working his way into shape, he’s got terrific feel, he can play fast and slow [and] he can find people.”
NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 11/29/17
Here are Wednesday’s G League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:
- The Knicks sent Joakim Noah and Damyean Dotson to the G League today, then recalled them after the conclusion of the Westchester Knicks’ day game (Twitter links). Dotson scored 23 points in the loss to Maine, while Noah chipped in with nine points, five boards, and four assists.
- Troy Williams has been re-assigned to the G League by the Rockets, according to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Williams figures to suit up tonight for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers against the Texas Legends.
- The Kings have assigned a trio of players – Georgios Papagiannis, Malachi Richardson, and Justin Jackson – to the G League, the team announced today in a press release. The Reno Bighorns don’t play again until Saturday, so it’s not clear if the three youngsters will stick around that long, or if they’re just on assignment for practice purposes.
- After helping the Delaware 87ers earn a win on Tuesday, rookie guard Furkan Korkmaz has been recalled to the NBA by the Sixers, per a press release from the team. Korkmaz had just 14 points on 3-of-12 shooting for Delaware last night, but was a team-best +19.
- The Pacers have sent rookie center Ike Anigbogu to the G League, the club announced today. Anigbogu has played just 17 total minutes for Indiana so far this season, so assignments to the G League give him an opportunity to get more reps.
Hawks’ Dewayne Dedmon Out For 3-6 Weeks
Hawks center Dewayne Dedmon is expected to be sidelined for the next three to six weeks due to a left tibia stress reaction, the team announced today in a press release. That timeline would put Dedmon on track to return in mid- to late-December at the earliest.
Dedmon, 28, inked a two-year, $12.3MM contract with the Hawks back in July. That deal includes a second-year player option worth $6.3MM, so any health issues Dedmon experiences this season could have an impact on whether or not he picks up that option.
So far, Dedmon has been enjoying a career year as the Hawks’ starting center. The former USC standout is playing a career-high 24.4 minutes per game, and his efficiency hasn’t taken a hit as he has assumed that increased role. In 20 games, he has recorded 11.1 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and a .601 FG%.
With Dedmon sidelined, rookie John Collins figures to see more time at center. Miles Plumlee, Ersan Ilyasova, and Luke Babbitt are among the other candidates to receive more minutes in the frontcourt with Mike Muscala still on the shelf as well.
Clippers Notes: Rivers, Gallinari, Teodosic
While speculation about Doc Rivers‘ job security has subsided somewhat since the team snapped its nine-game losing streak last week, Rivers was asked about it today, and suggested it’s “so easy” to become a target when your team gets hit by injuries and losses start piling up (Twitter link via Arash Markazi of ESPN).
“There’s nothing much I can do about it though,” Rivers said (Twitter link via Markazi). “It’s different than it was 15 years ago. Now people want to place blame right away. Blame me, blame whatever. It’s the way it’s going to work. Who cares? That doesn’t bother me at all. I don’t read it anyway.”
As the Clips prepare for Thursday’s game against Utah, here are a few more notes on the club:
- While online observers are pushing for the Clippers to undergo a rebuild, that means next to nothing to Rivers, as Markazi tweets. “The day I start answering the internet people is the day I’m an internet person,” Rivers said. “That’s not going to happen. I don’t listen to all that stuff. We’re going to do what’s best for the franchise.”
- In a piece for The Vertical, Michael Lee makes a case for why Blake Griffin‘s latest injury should have the Clippers mulling the possibility of a drastic move.
- Although the Clippers are expected to be without Griffin until January, two other injured players – Danilo Gallinari and Milos Teodosic – are making progress and should be back on the court within the next five or 10 games, per Markazi (Twitter link).
- On a scale of 1 to 10, the Clippers’ panic level should be at about a 7, according to Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN.
Poll: Which Backcourt Duo Is NBA’s Best?
With Chris Paul healthy and James Harden playing some of the best basketball of his career, the Rockets‘ backcourt is making its case to be considered the NBA’s best, writes Brian Mahoney of The Associated Press.
Harden and Paul have combined for 14 All-Star nods between them, and the duo has helped lead the Rockets to a West-best 16-4 record so far this season. Harden, who has taken his game to another level, as Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer outlines, is currently leading the league with 31.7 PPG and 9.8 APG. Paul, who hasn’t yet played enough games to qualify for the NBA’s leaderboard, is also averaging a double-double – 10.8 PPG and 10.8 APG – and has only turned the ball over seven times in six games.
Although Houston’s new starting backcourt has looked unstoppable as of late, it’s not the NBA’s only pairing of All-Star guards. Any conversation about the league’s best backcourts would have to include the Warriors‘ combination of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, and the Trail Blazers‘ duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.
Over in the Eastern Conference, one could argue that Wizards stars John Wall and Bradley Beal, along with the Raptors pairing of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, should also receive consideration.
Today, we’re asking you to make the call. Which backcourt duo is currently the NBA’s best? This isn’t about which one you’d rather have for the next 10 years, but which one you’d prefer now, for the rest of the 2017/18 season.
Vote below in our poll and jump into the comment section to explain your pick!
Which backcourt duo is the NBA's best?
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Warriors (Curry/Thompson) 44% (612)
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Rockets (Harden/Paul) 27% (376)
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Another one 9% (123)
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Trail Blazers (Lillard/McCollum) 8% (113)
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Wizards (Wall/Beal) 7% (92)
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Raptors (Lowry/DeRozan) 6% (81)
Total votes: 1,397
Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.
Mirotic Accepts Portis’ Apology, Ready To Move Forward
Bulls power forward Nikola Mirotic confirmed to reporters today that he has accepted Bobby Portis‘ apology for the punch Portis threw last month. However, Mirotic’s follow-up suggested that the relationship still isn’t overly friendly. Asked if he had told Portis he’d accepted his apology, Mirotic responded, “I guess he will know now,” per Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times.
Mirotic’s comments to reporters today represented the first time he has spoken to the media since last month’s altercation. The 26-year-old, who continues to recover from facial injuries suffered as a result of Portis’ punch, declined to discuss the specifics of that incident, telling the media that he wants to focus on the future, writes Madeline Kennedy of The Chicago Sun-Times. That includes working alongside Portis.
“If I’m here, it’s because I want to support the team. He’s a part of the team. I’m going to support him too.” Mirotic said of Portis, according to K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. “Bobby and me and all the team is doing what we’re supposed to do, being professional. I think so far we’re doing good. We’re in a good way.”
While Mirotic is saying the right things and sounds ready to “be professional” with Portis, I expect he would still be willing to waive his no-trade clause when he becomes eligible to be dealt on January 15. There’s no indication yet that the Bulls are considering a move, but Mirotic’s camp reportedly issued an ultimatum last month, expressing a desire for him to be dealt if Portis remains on the roster. Asked today about that request, Mirotic sidestepped the subject, as Cowley details.
“I just know that right now the only goal – [the] Bulls’ goal and my goal – is to make me get back with the team and practice together and get my strength back and as soon as I can, play with the team,” Mirotic said when he was asked about the reported ultimatum. When a reporter asked if he wants to be traded, Mirotic replied, “I’m really excited to be back. That’s all I can tell. That’s something my agent can tell you.”
Although the situation may not be entirely resolved, Mirotic’s stance is good news for the Bulls — as long as the 6’10” forward isn’t demanding a trade out of Chicago, the Bulls will retain some leverage should they decide to explore a deal.
As for Mirotic’s potential 2017/18 debut, head coach Fred Hoiberg indicated today that it’s not clear yet whether the big man will be back next week, but said the team is hoping he’ll be ready to go after participating in a few more practices (link via Nick Friedell of ESPN).
Grizzlies Notes: Gasol, Fizdale, Pera
Marc Gasol acknowledged this week that his relationship with former Grizzlies coach David Fizdale was rocky, and confirmed that he has spoken to Grizzlies owner Robert Pera since Sunday. However, Gasol says that conversation with Pera happened after team management had made its decision to fire Fizdale, as Ronald Tillery of The Memphis Commercial Appeal details.
“They called me after the decision was made to let me know the direction they were going,” Gasol said. The veteran center also dismissed the idea that he’s a “coach killer,” indicating that he never asked the Grizzlies to let go of Fizdale.
“I never try to accomplish anything like that,” Gasol said. “I always have (the coach’s) back… It’s shocking but it’s the nature of this business. Next time, it might be me. Next time it might be somebody else. The franchise is bigger than any player or coach. We’ve all got to be ready (for change).”
Here’s more from out of Memphis:
- Two people with knowledge of the situation tell Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today that there was “little to no communication” between Fizdale and Gasol for the better part of 10 months. While Sunday’s fourth-quarter benching of Gasol was a tipping point, the situation had been bad for quite some time, per the USA Today duo.
- In an in-depth and interesting piece for The Commercial Appeal, Chris Herrington takes a closer look at what the Fizdale firing says about Fizdale, Gasol, Memphis’ front office, team ownership, and more.
- Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders explores whether it makes more sense for the Grizzlies to fully rebuild their roster or to simply retool it.
- After a couple off-days, the Grizzlies will return to action on Wednesday night in San Antonio, as the team looks to snap its eight-game losing streak. It will be J.B. Bickerstaff‘s first game as Memphis’ interim head coach.
NBA Execs Expect Sixers To Pursue LeBron James In Free Agency
LeBron James is headed for free agency again in the summer of 2018, and executives around the NBA believe that the Sixers and president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo will make a play for the four-time MVP, according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today.
As Zillgitt lays out, James and young Philadelphia star Ben Simmons share an agent in Rich Paul of Klutch Sports; LeBron has spoken highly of Sixers head coach Brett Brown; and the 76ers figure to be one of the few teams in the NBA that have a clear path to creating a maximum-salary slot. Those factors – along with the presence of standout center Joel Embiid, versatile swingman Robert Covington, and 2017’s first overall pick Markelle Fultz – should allow the Sixers to craft a compelling pitch.
[RELATED: 2018 Salary Cap Outlook: Atlantic Division]
While it’s never too early to start speculating about the next career move for one of the best players in NBA history, James has revealed next to nothing about his 2018 plans so far. The 32-year-old has publicly said he’s happy with the Cavaliers and has talked about finishing his career in Cleveland, but hasn’t committed long-term to the franchise, fueling speculation that he’ll head elsewhere.
The Lakers have been frequently mentioned as a possible landing spot for James, but the team still has work to do if it wants to open up two maximum-salary slots to land LeBron and another star. Other possible suitors like the Rockets and Spurs would face salary-cap roadblocks if they attempt to sign James. That could open the door for a club like the Sixers, since Philadelphia is further along in its rebuild than L.A. and has the kind of cap flexibility that’s rare among contenders.
With more than seven months to go until James can become a free agent, plenty can change between now and then. However, as Zillgitt writes, if the future Hall-of-Famer takes meetings with teams when he reaches free agency next July, it would make sense for him to consider the Sixers.
Hoops Rumors Glossary: Minimum Salary Exception
The minimum salary exception is something of a last resort for capped-out teams seeking to add players, as well as for players seeking NBA contracts, but it’s the most commonly used cap exception. It allows an over-the-cap team to sign a player to a one- or two-year minimum-salary deal, as its name suggests.
Teams can use the exception multiple times in a given league year, allowing clubs that have spent all of their cap room and other exceptions an avenue to add to their rosters. It also allows for the acquisition of minimum-salary players via trade, and players signed via the minimum salary exception don’t count as incoming salary for salary-matching purposes.
Players are entitled to varying minimum salaries based on how long they’ve been in the NBA. In 2017/18, a player with no prior NBA experience was eligible for a $815,615 minimum salary, while a player with 10 or more years of experience was eligible for $2,328,652. Over the course of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, the minimum salary will increase each season. For 2018/19, the breakdown is as follows:
| Years in NBA |
Salary |
|---|---|
| 0 | $838,464 |
| 1 | $1,349,383 |
| 2 | $1,512,601 |
| 3 | $1,567,007 |
| 4 | $1,621,415 |
| 5 | $1,757,429 |
| 6 | $1,893,447 |
| 7 | $2,029,463 |
| 8 | $2,165,481 |
| 9 | $2,176,260 |
| 10+ | $2,393,887 |
Those numbers demonstrate the wide disparity between the minimum salary for rookies and for long-tenured players. A minimum-salary veteran of 10 or more seasons will earn almost three times as much as a rookie making the minimum next season.
The NBA doesn’t want those pricier deals to discourage clubs from signing veterans, however, so the league reimburses teams for a portion of a minimum-salary player’s cost if he has three or more years of experience, as long as the contract is a one-year deal. For instance, when the Cavaliers signed 14-year veteran Dwyane Wade to a one-year pact for 2017/18 using the minimum salary exception, the contract called for a salary of $2,328,652, but the team’s cap hit was just $1,471,382. The league reimburses the Cavs for the remaining $857,270, which is important for a Cleveland team with a massive projected tax bill.
Most salary cap exceptions can only be used once each season. For example, when a team uses its full mid-level exception to sign one or more players, the club can no longer use that exception until the following season. Unlike the mid-level and other cap exceptions though, the minimum salary exception can be used any number of times in a single season. The Cavs, for instance, used the minimum salary exception to sign Jeff Green, Derrick Rose, and Jose Calderon in addition to Wade.
While many exceptions begin to prorate on January 10, the minimum salary exception prorates from the first day of the regular season. Under the new CBA, the season is 177 days long, so if a player signs after five days have passed, he would only be paid for 172 days. That’s what happened this season with Jameer Nelson, who joined the Pelicans via the minimum salary exception on October 22, the sixth day of the regular season, making his salary and cap hit 172/177 of their usual amounts. Instead of a $1,471,382 cap charge for New Orleans, Nelson’s cap charge is $1,429,818. Meanwhile, his salary is $2,262,871 instead of $2,328,652.
Finally, the vast majority of 10-day contracts are for the minimum salary, and often the minimum salary exception is the only way for clubs to accommodate any 10-day deals.
Note: This is a Hoops Rumors Glossary entry. Our glossary posts will explain specific rules relating to trades, free agency, or other aspects of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Larry Coon’s Salary Cap FAQ and the Basketball Insiders salary pages were used in the creation of this post.
Earlier versions of this post were published in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 by Luke Adams and Chuck Myron.
Mavs’ Seth Curry Not Close To Return
Mavericks guard Seth Curry, who continues to recover from a stress fracture in his leg, is still not close to returning to the court, head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters on Tuesday. Carlisle indicated that he won’t provide another update on Curry’s status until December 11, suggesting that the 27-year-old will remain sidelined at least until then, if not longer.
“Seth’s not close,” Carlisle said on Tuesday, per Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. “Today’s the 28th. So let’s say Monday, the 11th. He ain’t playing ’til then.”
Curry’s absence this season has hurt the Mavericks, who have one of the NBA’s worst records at 5-16. Stephen Curry‘s brother enjoyed a breakout year in 2016/17, averaging 12.8 PPG on .481/.425/.850 shooting in 70 games (42 starts) for Dallas, and was viewed as a key part of the Mavs’ backcourt heading into this season.
In addition to impacting the Mavs, Curry’s extended absence may have an adverse effect on his value as he nears unrestricted free agency. The Duke alum is earning a modest $3MM salary this season, but should be in line for a raise and perhaps a long-term deal if he comes back healthy and gets a chance to build on last year’s performance before he reaches the open market next July.