Kings Shutting Down Malachi Richardson
Kings rookie Malachi Richardson won’t return to the court for Sacramento this season, according to James Ham of CSN California. CSN’s Kayte Christensen was the first to break the news (video link).
Richardson, one of three players drafted by the Kings in the first round last June, suffered a partially torn hamstring in mid-February. At the time, the Kings announced that Richardson’s recovery would take about four to six weeks, which would put him on track to return now. However, with the team out of the playoff race, there’s little incentive to rush the rookie guard back if he’s not 100% healthy.
Rather than having Richardson return for the final couple weeks of the 2016/17 season, the Kings will take the cautious approach and focus on getting him ready for summer league action.
With Richardson no longer on track to return in 2016/17, his rookie season will end with averages of 3.6 PPG and 1.0 RPG in 22 contests for the Kings. Although he didn’t see much action in Sacramento, the 21-year-old played well during his stints with the D-League’s Reno Bighorns, putting up 21.0 PPG and 4.3 RPG in 11 games.
Southeast Notes: Winslow, Oubre, Calderon, Delaney
Justise Winslow turned 21 on Sunday, spending his birthday away from the team as he continues to recover from a torn right labrum. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra used the occasion to point out Winslow’s potential, while mentioning the character he’s built at this stage of his career.
“He still has had a productive year of improvement,” Spoelstra told Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. “A summer of improvement, where he and J-Rich [Josh Richardson] were two of the top five players in the Orlando summer league; his summer improvement in August and September; the kind of preseason he had was terrific. Then he got hurt with his wrist. Going through all of that, I think, is important for a young player, and even going through adversity, can find a silver lining out of this. Even though it’s not ideal, it does develop character.”
More from the Southeast…
- Scott Brooks has given Kelly Oubre chances to earn a spot in his rotation, unlike former Wizards coach Randy Wittman. According to J. Michael of CSN Mid-Atlantic, Brooks has limited Oubre’s usage during “undisciplined” stretches, but Kelly’s role as a wing defender has emerged in 2016/17. “The game for Kelly, to me, is simple. Just compete,” Brooks said. “Deflections. Getting into the passing lanes. Contesting at the rim. Switching on our pick-and-roll coverage because he can guard one through four depending on the matchup and then rebound. The game rewards him when he does that.”
- The Hawks are still evaluating backup point guards after acquiring Jose Calderon, Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution writes. Calderon received minutes in each of his first five games following the trade, only for Malcolm Delaney to recently supplant him for the role of primary back-up. “We are excited about both of them,” Mike Budenholzer said. “I think they both can help us. I think it was great to give Jose a five-game stretch. Now, we are probably at a four- or five-game stretch for Malcolm. We’ll continue to look at that. We are considering both and think both will be helpful.”
And-Ones: Stackhouse, Porter Jr., EuroHoops
Sam Fortier of The Ringer detailed Jerry Stackhouse‘s decision to coach in the D-League as opposed to working as an NBA assistant coach. Stackhouse, coaching Raptors 905, often works in front of small crowds with little fanfare, but the two-time All-Star doesn’t mind.
“Until I got this job this year, I hardly even knew the D-League existed,” Stackhouse said. “I’m a pro. I’m an NBA guy, and I’m not wasting time, you know? I get it when people don’t understand the D-League. It’s part of it. But I’m here to tell ’em it’s a gem. A hidden gem.”
Stackhouse explained the frustration of watching Jason Kidd and Derek Fisher seamlessly transition from their playing career to a head coaching job. After a stint as a TV analyst covering the Pistons, Stackhouse pursued a coaching job with the 37-11 Raptors 905.
“Seeing [Fisher and Kidd] get those head-coaching jobs, I was like, I know I’m — you hate to say better — but I know I’m damn as good as those guys when it comes to coaching,” Stackhouse said. “I wouldn’t have been ready [to be a head coach] in 2012–13, but Jason Kidd came in and my mind was like, ‘I have more of a pulse of this team than he could ever have. They respect me.’ I look at all of the other relationships you have to have to make it work, and the people you need to know in organizations. … It’s hard to get that.”
More from around the game…
- Green Bay’s Kerem Kanter will test the NBA draft process, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports (Twitter link). Per Rothstein, Kerem (brother of Enes Kanter), will graduate and transfer if he doesn’t remain in the draft.
- Michael Porter Jr., the nation’s top recruit, announced on Twitter that he has committed to Missouri (link). When speaking to Jeff Goodman of ESPN, Porter said “It wasn’t an easy decision at all, but I’m very comfortable with the program and Coach Martin. I trust my dad. I think we have a chance to do something special. … I’m excited beyond words.”
- International basketball reporter David Pick was asked who the best player in Europe was (Twitter link). Pick replied “Milos [Teodosic] is a magician, but most Euroleague GMs love Nando De Colo. Sergio Llull is a stud, Keith Langford voted best US-born overseas.” De Colo, who has played with CSKA Moscow since 2014, appeared in 119 NBA games with the Spurs and Raptors between 2012-14. In a recent interview with BasketInside.com, de Colo said returning to the NBA is “not a priority” at the moment.
Southwest Notes: Boogie/Brow, Randolph, Barea
The Pelicans still have a ways to go following their acquisition of DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer writes. Anthony Davis won’t become a free agent until 2020, but if Pelicans ownership doesn’t build a better team around him by then, Davis could leave for greener pastures.
“Cousins is a talented, ball-dominant player, but his biggest talent diminishes Davis’s value,” O’Connor writes. “The Brow’s worst offensive skill is his 3-point shooting, yet when Cousins bulldozes defenders, all Davis can do is float around the arc.”
The ‘elephant in the room’ regarding the Cousins deal, O’Connor writes, is Boogie’s agent stating it is “highly unlikely” DeMarcus would sign an extension following a trade. Despite acquiring Cousins for excellent value, his departure would leave the Pelicans back at square one.
“Right now the Pelicans are a team with zero title hopes, clinging to 8-seed dreams,” O’Connor concludes. “Over league history, stars stuck in those spots don’t stick around too often. Maybe things will be different with Davis, but it won’t be unless the Pelicans make drastic changes before time’s up.”
More from around the Southwest…
- Grizzlies vet Zach Randolph shared his memories of playing in the tournament with Michigan State. “When we went to the Final Four. Playing in front of our home crowd and having all the State fans being there in a big arena, it was a great experience,” Z-Bo told Grizzlies.com. Vince Carter also spoke about the experience of participating in March Madness, talking up the Final Four-bound Tar Heels. “I think they’ve established themselves as a one seed,” Carter said. “It’s all about luck and a little opportunity, but I think if they just stay disciplined and be who they are, they should be ok.”
- Donatas Motiejunas spoke about the contract debacle he endured with the Rockets. “I try not to look at it. At the end, everything is going to be cleared up,” D-Mo told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. “It was a long time for me not playing basketball of course. There were a lot of options, I thought about playing in Europe, a lot of teams were offering me a contract.” A free agent-to-be, Montiejunas has accumulated four DNPs in New Orleans’ last seven games.
- Mavs coach Rick Carlisle liked the aggression his team showed following J.J. Barea‘s altercation with Blake Griffin. “That was such a blatant flop, I mean how physical did you think it was?” Carlisle told Eddie Sefko of Dallas News. “The nature of that play was aggressive. It got our fans going. I think it got us going. And it was kind of one of those situations where you take a stand. And that’s how it’s got to be from here on out for our team.” While the original ruling on the court was a Flagrant-2 foul on Barea, Carlisle hopes the league can overturn the call.
Are The Pistons Tuning Out Stan Van Gundy?
Aaron McMann of MLive.com discussed Stan Van Gundy‘s role with the Pistons in a recent column, questioning whether the veteran coach has lost the clubhouse. Per McMann, Van Gundy opted against addressing the team following Friday’s blowout loss to the Magic. What’s more, when Van Gundy was asked whether his players had ‘given up’, Stan replied “I don’t know, you’d have to ask them.”
McMann continued, noting “Players have appeared unresponsive to Van Gundy of late, from Stanley Johnson walking away from his coach during a game last week against Phoenix to visible sparring with players.”
While the Pistons have dropped seven of their last 10, they remain in contention for the eighth seed, trailing Miami by 1.5 games. Van Gundy, who is also the president of basketball operations in Detroit, took accountability for the team’s struggles in a recent presser.
“I think it’s pretty clear from these six games that I’m not finding the answers and not doing a very good job, so it starts with me. I’m the person in charge,” Van Gundy told Keith Langlois of Pistons.com. “I selected everybody in that locker room. I’m the one who wanted them in there. I decide who plays. I put lineups out there. I decide on defensive coverages. I call plays. So it’s all on me.”
Southwest Notes: Motiejunas, Davis, Anderson
Donatas Motiejunas passed up on a contract that could have paid him as much as $37MM over four years with the Rockets, deciding instead to sign a one-year minimum salary arrangement with the Pelicans. The power forward hasn’t played much in New Orleans, but he doesn’t regret his decision, Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle writes.
“Life is too short to regret for something,” Motiejunas said. “We’ll move aside and look forward. I try not to look at it. At the end, everything is going to be cleared up. Everyone’s going to forget that situation. I try not to think about it.”
Here’s more from the Southwest Division:
- Motiejunas was “fighting for his rights,” for a fair deal, according to his agent, B.J. Armstrong, as Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com relays (ESPN Now link). At the time, Motiejunas was considering options outside the NBA. “It was a long time for me not playing basketball of course,” Motiejunas said. “There were a lot of options, I thought about playing in Europe, a lot of teams were offering me a contract.”
- Although the Pelicans‘ February acquisition of DeMarcus Cousins was a good step forward in building a competitive roster around Anthony Davis, the team still has a ways to go, and doesn’t have a ton of flexibility, writes Kevin O’ Connor of The Ringer. Anthony Davis can’t become a free agent until 2020, but if New Orleans doesn’t take steps toward contention soon, speculation about an eventual departure will grow louder.
- Ryan Anderson will miss the next two weeks with an ankle injury, Walkins passes along in a full-length piece. The power forward is expected to be back before the end of the season. “The important thing is he can play two or three games before we get into the playoffs,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “And it looks like he will be on that timetable, we won’t push it, and we’ll deal with whatever and hopefully he’ll be back sooner rather than later.”
Milo Taibi contributed to this post
NBA D-League Assignments/Recalls: 3/26/17
Check out Sunday’s D-League assignment and recalls:
- The Pistons have recalled Henry Ellenson from their D-League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Drive, Rod Beard of The Detroit News tweets. Beard notes that the rookie will be available for Detroit’s matchup with the Knicks on Monday.
- The Cavaliers have assigned Larry Sanders to the Canton Charge, per Sam Amico of Amico Hoops (Twitter link). Sanders has only seen two minutes of action for Cleveland this season.
- The Spurs have assigned Davis Bertans and Bryn Forbes to the Austin Spurs, according to the team’s website. Bertans has appeared in three games for San Antonio’s D-League affiliate, while Forbes has seen action in 18 contests.
- The Mavericks have recalled Manny Harris and Jarrod Uthoff from the Texas Legends, Earl K. Sneed of Fox Sports tweets. Both players will see their respective 10-day contracts with Dallas expire at the end of the day on Tuesday.
- The Rockets have recalled Chinanu Onuaku, Isaiah Taylor and Troy Williams from their D-League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, per the team’s Twitter feed.
- The Grizzlies have recall Wade Baldwin and Deyonta Davis from the Iowa Energy, according to the team’s website. Baldwin has played in 33 D-League games this season, while Davis has seen action in 11 contests.
- The Pelicans recalled Cheick Diallo from Greensboro, the team announced through a press release. Diallo, who has averaged 22.3 points over his last three D-League games, will be available for tonight’s match-up with Denver.
Hoops Links: LeBron, Tucker, Lakers, Kings
On Sundays, we link to some of the very best work from around the basketball blogosphere. Do you have a link to a great basketball blog post – either your own or someone else’s – that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors? Send it to us at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s rundown:
- Same Page Team takes a look at LeBron James‘ and Kawhi Leonard‘s candidacies for the MVP award.
- South Of The 6ix believes the Raptors may be better off prioritizing P.J. Tucker over Serge Ibaka in free agency this summer.
- Go 2 JVP offers a solution to make the NBA playoffs more competitive and exciting.
- The Jump Ball makes a convincing argument for Draymond Green to win the Defensive Player Of The Year award.
- In addition to that piece, The Jump Ball also released a podcast this week, chatting with ESPN’s John Ireland about tanking, the Lakers-Clippers relationship with the City of Los Angeles, and how the Lakers should proceed with their young core.
- The Step Back examines the Kings’ roster post-DeMarcus Cousins and finds several bright spots.
- RealGM breaks down the game of Markelle Fultz and takes a look at how he would fit on the Lakers, Celtics or Suns.
- The 76er Files believe the Sixers should select De’Aaron Fox in the upcoming draft.
Weekly Mailbag: 3/20/17 – 3/26/17
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. Here are this week’s inquiries:
The upcoming offseason will be a summer of rumors and speculation in Boston. What do you guys feel they may do within the current confines of the rumor mill? Do they wait for Gordon Hayward to become a free agent and attempt a trade for Jimmy Butler (after the draft) or see how the offseason plays out and see how the land lies in Indiana and trade for Paul George? — Christopher Hawkins
The Celtics will be in a uniquely favorable position once the offseason arrives. They have a top draft pick, assets to trade for a star and about $30MM in cap room. They pursued Butler and George before the trade deadline and still have interest in both. Boston may try to play the Pacers and Bulls against each other to see who will make the best offer, and those offers could be significant if the Celtics wind up with the first or second pick in the May 16th lottery. If neither deal works out, they will draft Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball and make a serious run at Hayward. No matter what happens, Boston, which may be the East’s number one seed this year, should be much improved next season.
What free agents do you foresee actually being interested and fitting in the triangle offense Phil Jackson is shoving down the NYK roster? It seems like every player that has played for NYK since PJax had no affinity for the system. With no track record of it working in modern-day NBA, does this mean NYK will be terrible until we have a new president? — Anthony Williams
It’s hard to picture the triangle being a selling point for any current free agent. Jackson hasn’t coached in the NBA since 2010/11, and nearly everyone from that team is out of the league. If anything, the triangle and its negative reputation among today’s players will make free agents look elsewhere. If the Knicks hope to lure a quality free agent, they will have to use other bargaining chips, like the chance to play in New York, to be part of a young team with Kristaps Porzingis and this year’s pick or to play with Carmelo Anthony, if he’s still around.
With Becky Hammon getting an offer from University of Florida to coach their women, do you think that is the best offer she’ll ever get, or do you think someone will take a chance with her and give her a head coaching position in the NBA down the road, especially since she’s on the staff that half of the coaches originally were on? — Michael Thompson
The best way for an assistant to get an NBA coaching job is to remain in the NBA. The question for Hammon is whether she wants to stay with the pros and try to make history or jump at the chance to run her own team in college. With her background, she could be an excellent women’s coach at Florida, but that probably won’t get her any closer to being an NBA head coach. If Hammon stays put, she’s first in line to become the NBA’s first female head coach, but there’s no guarantee that will ever happen.
Okafor Uncertain For The Rest Of The Season
A balky right knee may mean Sixers center Jahlil Okafor won’t play again this season, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
One option for Philadelphia is to shut down Okafor for the rest of the season. At 27-45, the Sixers are far out of the playoff race and are tied for sixth in our latest Reverse Standings.