Southeast Notes: Meeks, Vogel, Calderon, Weber
Magic guard Jodie Meeks is ready to return after being sidelined since January 18th with a dislocated right thumb, Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated posts on ESPN Now. Meeks has received medical clearance and should be available for Monday’s contest with the Sixers. Injuries have limited Meeks to 24 games this season, after he played just three in Detroit a year ago. A part-time starter, Meeks is averaging 8.9 points per night and shooting better than 40% from 3-point range. He is headed toward free agency this summer.
There’s more tonight from the Southeast Division:
- Frank Vogel has overseen a disappointing season in his first year as Magic coach, but he is winning over his players with the way he handles adversity, writes John Denton of NBA.com. “He still fights for us and that makes me want to fight for him,’’ said Aaron Gordon. “I’ve got total respect for Frank because even after a tough loss like that one [against Golden State on Thursday], he can still smile and we can have a conversation. That’s big. As good a coach as he is, he’s an even better person.’’
- Jose Calderon has made an immediate impact since joining the Hawks, according to KL Chouinard of NBA.com. The veteran point guard has provided scoring, playmaking and leadership as Atlanta won three of its first four games after claiming him off waivers. “Sometimes when you get to this time of the season, the problem is that you don’t have the practice time,” Calderon said. “So it’s kind of like my practice being out there [in games]. It’s a little bit more difficult because you don’t want to make mistakes. You’re still learning what your teammates are used to doing.”
- The “Havoc” system that Briante Weber learned at Virginia Commonwealth helped him land an extended contract with the Hornets, relays David Scott of The Charlotte Observer. Weber agreed to a two-year deal after nearly two full seasons of D-League play and 10-day contracts. He has developed a reputation as a defensive specialist who brings a lot of energy to the game. “I’m using my calling card, what got me here,” Weber said. “My defensive abilities, my tenacity. I want those things to help me stay in this league for a long time. They’re what helped me get this shot.”
NBA D-League Assignments/Recalls: 3/18/17
Here are the D-League transactions for Saturday:
10:45pm:
- The Knicks have assigned forward Maurice Ndour to their Westchester affiliate, the team tweeted.
- The Grizzlies have recalled center Deyonta Davis from Iowa, the team announced in an email.
2:17pm:
- The Raptors have assigned forward Bruno Caboclo and center Pascal Siakam to their D-League affiliate, the team’s media department reports on Twitter. Caboclo has seen limited action in just seven games with Toronto this season while Siakam has averaged 4.2 points and 3.3 rebounds in 52 contests at the big league level.
- The Thunder have assigned forward Josh Huestis to their D-League affiliate, the team announced in a press release. Huestis has played 27 games with the OKC Blue already this season.
- The Cavaliers recalled rookie guard Kay Felder from their D-League affiliate, the team reports on its official site. Felder has played 37 games with the franchise already this season.
Community Shootaround: James, Wade, Paul, Anthony
When LeBron James speculated last season about one day joining forces with Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony, it seemed like just a fantasy. But recent events have created uncertain futures for three of the NBA’s four most famous friends.
Wade will miss the rest of the regular season after suffering a sprain and fracture in his right elbow on Wednesday. He left open a chance that he might return for the playoffs, but Chicago has fallen to 32-37 and two games out of the eighth spot in the East. Wade has a $23.8MM player option for next season, which might be tough to top on the open market, but if Wade opts out he may have already played his final game with the Bulls.
Paul is considered a sure thing to exercise his early termination option and forego a $24,268,960 salary for next season. At age 31, Paul will be seeking one last long-term contract to carry him through the end of his NBA career. Whether that deal comes from the Clippers could depend on L.A.’s playoff success. With Paul, Blake Griffin and J.J. Redick all headed to free agency, owner Steve Ballmer will have to decide if huge luxury tax payments are justified to keep the team together. Currently tied for fifth in the West, L.A. is likely to enter the postseason without home-court advantage.
The playoffs aren’t a concern in New York, where Anthony is toiling for the 12th best team in the East. He has been in a long-running feud with team president Phil Jackson and was the subject of trade rumors involving the Clippers, Cavaliers and Celtics prior to the deadline. Anthony is signed through next season, then has an early termination option for 2018/19. There’s a growing feeling that he might be willing to waive his no-trade clause this summer to join a contender and get away from Jackson.
That brings us to today’s question: Where do you think Wade, Paul and Anthony will be playing next season, and will they someday team up with LeBron before they all leave the NBA? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. We look forward to what you have to say.
Steve Kerr Offers Health Update On Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is making progress in his effort to return from a knee injury, tweets Chris Haynes of ESPN.com.
Speaking to reporters before tonight’s game, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Durant has progressed from shooting in a wheelchair to standstill shooting and is now able to handle jump shots.
Durant was diagnosed with a Grade 2 MCL sprain and a tibial bone bruise after injuring his left knee in a February 28th game. He was first diagnosed with a hyperextended knee before an MRI showed the real extent of the damage. Doctors said they planned to re-evaluate him after four weeks, which would be 10 days from now.
Golden State has gone 4-4 without Durant and leads San Antonio by just a game and a half coming into tonight’s action.
Clippers, Heat Interested In Carlos Boozer
Veteran forward Carlos Boozer has piqued the interest of some NBA teams by leading his Chinese club to within a game of the league finals, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com.
A source with connections to basketball in China tells Stein that the Clippers and Heat are among the teams closely following Boozer’s exploits with the Guangdong Southern Tigers. Both teams have fully stocked rosters and would have to waive someone to make room for Boozer. The Heat have an obvious candidate as they are expected to seek a medical retirement for Chris Bosh at some point.
The 34-year-old Boozer last played in the NBA during the 2014/15 season, when he appeared in 71 games with the Lakers. He also spent time with the Cavaliers, Jazz and Bulls during a 13-year career.
Boozer would be eligible for the playoffs because he hasn’t been on another NBA roster this season. However, Guangdong’s success may work against him if the Chinese postseason lasts too long. Boozer must return to the United States and be signed by April 12th, the last day of the regular season, to participate in the playoffs.
Could Doc Rivers Be Headed To Orlando?
6:03pm: Rivers is trying to quell rumors that he might go to Orlando, tweets Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times. Speaking with reporters before tonight’s game, Rivers insisted that he has “no future” with the Magic.
5:15pm: League insiders are discussing the possibility that Clippers coach/executive Doc Rivers could take a similar role in Orlando, writes Marc Stein of ESPN.com.
The theory, according to Stein, starts with the likelihood that Rob Hennigan will be fired as Magic GM at the end of the season. Add in the upcoming free agency for Clippers stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin and there’s a possibility that changes are coming in L.A.
Stein hints that the Clippers could be broken up if they fail to reach the conference finals, something the team hasn’t done in the six years Paul and Griffin have been together. If those changes include a coaching move, then Rivers, whose contract as coach and president of basketball operations runs through 2018/19, would become available for Orlando.
If that scenario happens, it would mark a homecoming for Rivers, who started his coaching career with the Magic in 1999.
It’s not clear if Orlando is ready to dismiss current coach Frank Vogel, who was given a four-year contract last summer. Stein says Hennigan’s trade of Serge Ibaka to Toronto last month was an admission that the roster was overstocked with big men, and it appeared to absolve Vogel of blame for a disappointing season.
If Vogel remains, the Magic will consider former Orlando player Pat Garrity to replace Hennigan. Garrity currently serves as associate GM with the Pistons.
Another possibility for the Clippers, Stein notes, is to request that Rivers give up his front office duties and concentrate on coaching. If that happens, the team may reach out to Bob Whitsitt, a former executive with the SuperSonics and Trail Blazers who has close ties to Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.
Stein also says to watch for the possible departure of L.A. shooting guard J.J. Redick in free agency this summer. Redick complained publicly about the organization this week and may become too expensive for the Clippers to re-sign.
Week In Review: 3/11/17 – 3/18/17
A number of teams elected to shut down key players this week, either to play it safe with injuries or “develop young players”. There were also a number of 10-day players who managed to convince their teams to commit for the remainder of the season. Hey, not every week can be exciting as the trade deadline! Here’s everything you need to know.
Transactions
- The Cavaliers signed center Larry Sanders to a multi-year contract.
- The Cavaliers waived center Andrew Bogut.
- The Pelicans signed guard Jordan Crawford for the remainder of the season.
- The Hornets signed guard Briante Weber to a multi-year contract.
- The Hornets signed forward Johnny O’Bryant III to a multi-year contract.
- The Nets signed guard Archie Goodwin to a 10-day contract.
- The Grizzlies signed guard Wayne Selden to a multi-year contract.
- The Grizzlies waived guard Toney Douglas.
- The Sixers signed forward Shawn Long to a multi-year contract.
Injuries
- After missing a month with an injured knee, Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is expected to return soon.
- An MRI revealed that Jazz forward Derrick Favors has a bone bruise and will be out indefinitely.
- Sidelined with a heart arrythmia, Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge has been cleared to resume playing.
- Diagnosed with an elbow sprain and slight fracture, Dwyane Wade will miss the remainder of the season for the Bulls. He could return in the postseason.
- Citing his knee soreness, the Suns have elected to shut down Eric Bledsoe for the remainder of the season.
- An injured foot will sidelined Timberwolves forward Nemanja Bjelica for the remainder of the season.
- Free agent forward Omri Casspi has been cleared to play after breaking his thumb.
News
- The Lakers have shut down center Timofey Mozgov so that they can get a closer look at young players. He is not injured.
- The Lakers also shut down a healthy Luol Deng for the remainder of the season, too.
- Highly anticipated international guard Sergio Llull is expected to remain in Europe net season. His rights are held by the Rockets.
- Much anticipated 2016 draft pick Ante Zizic is expected to be on the Celtics roster for 2017/18.
Rumors
- Waived by the Pelicans due to injury, free agent forward Omri Casspi, now healthy, is looking to sign on with a contender.
- Finished in China, Celtics rookie Guerschon Yabusele will spend time and could ultimately play with Boston’s D-League affiliate.
- Pending free agent Jeff Teague likes New York but isn’t a fan of the triangle offense that the Knicks run.
- The Pelicans could explore replacing head coach Alvin Gentry and general manager Dell Demps.
- To some Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony appeared to be staging a “protest” against the triangle offense.
- The Knicks are unlikely to move away from head coach Jeff Hornacek despite the teams struggles.
- Former Pelicans coach Monty Williams is expected to be among the “elite candidates” on the coaching market this offseason.
- Last seen with the Knicks, former head coach Derek Fisher would like to return to coaching.
Grizzlies Sign Selden, Release Douglas
4:11 pm: According to a press release on the team’s official website, the Grizzlies have signed Selden to a multi-year contract.
12:32 pm: The Grizzlies are planning to sign guard Wayne Selden whose ten-day contract with the Pelicans expired overnight, tweets Shams Charania of The Vertical. To make room, the club will waive Toney Douglas.
In three games for the Pelicans, all starts, Selden averaged 15.7 minutes and 5.3 points per game but the club didn’t extend the offer of a second 10-day contract, opening the door for Memphis to swoop in and add the undrafted rookie.
Though this will be Selden’s first taste of in-season action with the Grizzlies, it’s not his first stint with the franchise. The forward signed with the club in July but was one of the final roster cuts in training camp.
Douglas, in contrast, signed a pair of 10-day contracts with Memphis prior to the All-Star Break this year and was subsequently inked for the remainder of the season with a team option for 2017/18.
Though featured heavily in February and early March, the 31-year-old veteran had fallen out of Memphis’ rotation of late.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 3/11/17 – 3/18/17
Every week the Hoops Rumors staff compiles original content to complement its news feed. Here are a few of our favorite segments and features from the past seven days.
- We doubled back on all of the probable 2017 lottery picks that have been involved in trades and explored where they’re likely to end up now that we’re into the final month of the regular season.
- The annual MIT Sloan Conference is an excellent place to get insight from some of the best minds in basketball, we polled past and current executives about some player awards and the trade deadline.
- A handful of player options could dramatically impact certain possible free agents, not to mention the teams that they play for. We looked at just what hinges on the decisions that players like Dwyane Wade and Greg Monroe will have to make this offseason.
- There’s no denying that role of analytics in basketball has grown tremendously over the course of the past two decades. We looked at how traditional scouting tactics and modern data-driven management have evolved over the years.
- We took a good look at some of the best content the NBA blogosphere has to offer. Take a look for yourself and be sure to hit us up with the best reads you find heading forward.
- The NBA draft is approaching and that means we’ll soon get waves of reports that certain underclassmen are testing the waters to see how they might fare in the draft. Keep your web browser locked on Hoops Rumors for our updated accounts of the NBA Draft’s Early Entrants.
- Our latest fantasy basketball column zeroes in on a pair of big men who have seen their stocks skyrocket over the course of the past month. Go add Jusuf Nurkic and Alan Williams in your leagues, then check back in for the rest of the fantasy tips.
- You have questions, we have answers. Here is the latest Weekly Mailbag with answers to legitimate questions like “Would the No. 1 seed impact Kawhi Leonard‘s MVP chances?” and “Why is Spencer Hawes still a Buck?“
- Oh yeah, and send us your questions for next week’s mailbag!
- So your favorite team is terrible! That’s okay, there’s still reason to be optimistic. Follow along with our 2016/17 NBA Reverse Standings to get a better idea of where you might land in the lottery. Except maybe you, Nets fans, it’s probably better that you don’t.
- Keeping up with the wave of players slated to star in this summer’s BIG3 league can be overwhelming, so we broke down everything that there is to know so far, all in one place. From player age to their NBA career PER, consider Hoops Rumors your one-stop shop for BIG3 roster news.
- Every now and then we like to hand the mic over to our readers so that they can weigh in on some of the pertinent topics in the league. Here are this week’s Community Shootarounds.
- You can still catch up on the Hoops Rumors Originals from last week, too. Check them out and let us know what you think.
Pacific Notes: Walton, Buss, Crawford
When Luke Walton shifted from his role as an assistant coach with the Warriors to head coach of the Lakers, an adjustment period was expected. ESPN’s Baxter Holmes recently profiled the transition that Walton has undergone in California, adjusting not only to a new routine and staff but an entirely new culture.
“Really, it shifts your entire life because your daily routine is so much different from the stress and the grind and the everything,” Walton told him as the Lakers look back on a 20-49 record, “I do my best to stay in the right frame of mind.”
Walton adds that there have been plenty of sleepless nights but remains optimistic about the young Lakers roster and about coaching in general.
“The job itself is still the same,” he says now amid the ongoing Lakers rebuild. “It’s rewarding. It’s exciting. Now we’re competing for different things there and here, but the competition level is right there from the daily practices to the games.”
There’s more out of the Pacific Division:
- In an effort to open up communication across all levels of the organization Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and new general manager Rob Pelinka have been meeting with players at practice. “It’s good for us being able to talk to them and pick their brains as well and having that open-door presence,” Jordan Clarkson told Mark Media of the Los Angeles Daily News.
- Current franchise president Jeanie Buss has asked her brothers for permanent assurances that they’ll vote for her to remain the controlling owner of the Lakers, writes Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, as well as to remain on the board of directors.
- Veteran guard Jamal Crawford recently spoke with Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype about the trade rumors that popped up with his name in them prior to the trade deadline. “It was a little bit frustrating. You hate to hear it, and this time was a little bit different since I had just re-signed [with the Clippers on a three-year contract] this past summer. […] For me, I’m just glad it’s over with and we’re just moving forward.“
- The Warriors were left with a lack of depth after signing Kevin Durant in the offseason and Marcus Thompson II of the Mercury News speculates that Omri Casspi, Mario Chalmers and Jimmer Fredette could be options to help bolster the roster as the playoffs near. That, of course, begs the question of who the team would need to cut if they made an addition.