Central Notes: Pacers, Bell, Bulls
The Pacers have made a concerted effort to play a faster tempo and managed to do just that thanks to their new-look backcourt spearheaded by Victor Oladipo. As Clifton Brown of the Indianapolis Star writes, Indiana managed to up their pace eventually outrunning their opening day opponent altogether.
While Oladipo led the squad in scoring with 22 points in Indiana’s first game, he wasn’t the only guard to post an impressive stat line. Veteran Darren Collison added 21 and 11 of his own while reserve guard Cory Joseph – plucked from the Raptors this offseason – put in 11 points and 4 assists of his own for the victorious Pacers.
“[Pacers coach] Nate MacMillan’s done an unbelievable job of letting us take the onus as point guards and kind of let us run the show,” Collison said. “He was a point guard himself. He knows what it’s like to let us see the game, instead of micromanaging every single play. If we can play like that, call a guard game, play with one another, we’ll be alright.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- The Bulls have gotten flak for, among other things, selling second-round pick Jordan Bell to the Warriors. Cody Westerlund of 670 The Score tweets that VP of basketball operations John Paxson said that he was “building up equity” with ownership when he sold the No. 38 pick to Golden State for $3.5MM.
- After a down year besieged by injuries in 2016/17, Reggie Jackson has recovered and returned to the court for the Pistons. He’s “only going to get better as time goes on” head coach Stan Van Gundy told the media, Brendan Savage of MLive included.
- The Bulls are looking to regroup after a fight in practice set the team into chaos before the season even began. Sam Smith of the team’s official website offers an inside account of what happened and what comes next.
2017 Offseason In Review: Oklahoma City Thunder
Hoops Rumors is breaking down the 2017 offseason for all 30 NBA teams, revisiting the summer’s free agent signings, trades, draft picks, departures, and more. We’ll evaluate each team’s moves from the last several months and look ahead to what the 2017/18 season holds for all 30 franchises. Today, we’re focusing on the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Signings:
- Andre Roberson: Three years, $30MM.
- Patrick Patterson: Three years, $16.355MM. Third-year player option.
- Nick Collison: One year, minimum salary.
- Raymond Felton: One year, minimum salary.
- Daniel Hamilton: Two-way contract. One year. $50K guaranteed.
- P.J. Dozier: Two-way contract. Details not yet known.
Camp invitees:
- Bryce Alford: One year, minimum salary. Exhibits nine and 10. (Waived)
- Markel Brown: One year, minimum salary. Exhibits nine and 10. (Waived)
- Rashawn Thomas: One year, minimum salary. Exhibits nine and 10. (Waived)
- Isaiah Canaan: One year, minimum salary. Exhibit nine. (Waived)
- Yannis Morin: One year, minimum salary. Exact details not known. (Waived)
- Chris Wright: One year, minimum salary. Exact details not known. (Waived)
Trades:
- Acquired Paul George from the Pacers in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.
- Acquired Carmelo Anthony from the Knicks in exchange for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, and the Bulls’ 2018 second-round pick.
Draft picks:
- 1-21: Terrance Ferguson — Signed to rookie contract.
Draft-and-stash signings:
- Dakari Johnson (2015; No. 48) — Signed to two-year, minimum salary contract.
- Daniel Hamilton (2016; No. 56) — Signed to two-way contract.
Extensions:
- Russell Westbrook: Five years, 35% maximum salary. Designated veteran extension.
Departing players:
- Semaj Christon (waived)
- Norris Cole
- Taj Gibson
- Enes Kanter
- Doug McDermott
- Victor Oladipo
- Domantas Sabonis
Other offseason news:
- Hired Rob Hennigan as vice president of insight and foresight.
- Lost assistant general manager Michael Winger to the Clippers.
Salary cap situation:
- Operating over the cap and over the tax. Carrying approximately $131MM in guaranteed team salary. Only minimum salary exception available.
Check out the Oklahoma City Thunder’s full roster and depth chart at RosterResource.com.
Story of the summer:
The Thunder approached the 2017 offseason with one goal and one goal only: To lock Russell Westbrook into as long a contract extension as they were eligible to offer. It wasn’t a question of money – the organization was more than willing to offer top dollar – but rather a question of whether Oklahoma City would be the right place for Westbrook to play out the prime of his NBA career.
To convince the reigning MVP to stay on board, the Thunder went out and made it abundantly clear that they were willing to surround him with a formidable supporting cast. General manager Sam Presti pulled the trigger on not just one blockbuster trade this summer, but two. Shortly thereafter, Westbrook put pen to paper on the largest contract extension in NBA history.
The Thunder had no qualms brazenly committing to superstars, and managed to get a pair of them discounted heavily after months of trade rumors. Even if the organization’s ambitious reload doesn’t result in a title before Paul George and Carmelo Anthony hit the open market as free agents, it’s hard to argue that it wasn’t a successful summer in OKC.
Teams With Open Roster Spots
For the first time, NBA teams are permitted to carry up to 17 players this season. In addition to carrying up to 15 players to the NBA roster, teams can add two more players on two-way contracts. The rule changes related to roster sizes have allowed teams to maintain a little extra flexibility, and many clubs are taking advantage of that added flexibility to open the season, carrying the full 17 players.
Several teams still have open roster spots though, affording those clubs a different kind of flexibility. A team carrying only 14 NBA players, for instance, has the opportunity to sign a free agent or add a player in a trade at any time without waiving anyone, all the while avoiding paying for a 15th man who almost certainly won’t see much playing time.
With the help of our roster count page and our two-way contract tracker, here’s a breakdown of the teams that have at least one open NBA or two-way spot on their rosters:
Teams carrying just 14 NBA contracts:
- Boston Celtics
- Charlotte Hornets
- Detroit Pistons
- Houston Rockets
- Indiana Pacers
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Portland Trail Blazers
It makes sense that a few of these teams would avoid carrying a 15th man to open the season. The Rockets, Thunder, and Trail Blazers are all taxpayers, and teams like the Clippers and Hornets are close enough to the tax threshold that avoiding a 15th salary is logical. Among these clubs, the Celtics seem like perhaps the best bet to fill their final roster opening soon, now that the team has likely lost Gordon Hayward for the season.
Teams carrying just one two-way contract:
- Atlanta Hawks
- Houston Rockets
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- New York Knicks
- Portland Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers don’t currently have a G League affiliate of their own, but the other five teams on this list do, so that’s probably not the reason Portland has waited to fill its second two-way slot. In all likelihood, these six teams will add a second two-way player in time for G League training camps, which open next week. The season tips off on November 3.
Northwest Notes: Hood, Wolves, Connaughton
Prior to Monday’s extension deadline, Rodney Hood‘s camp “worked hard” on getting something done, but couldn’t find common ground with the Jazz, says Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link). Kyler adds that Utah figures to match any offer for Hood next summer, if he stays healthy in 2017/18.
Although Hood struggled in his first game this season, putting up just six points and two rebounds in 18 minutes as he battled a stomach bug, he’s expected to play a significant role for the Jazz this season in the wake of Gordon Hayward‘s departure. A breakout season for Hood could make him an interesting restricted free agent next July.
Here’s more from around the Northwest:
- In an extensive and in-depth piece for ESPN.com, Tom Haberstroh takes a closer look at the job Tom Thibodeau is doing in Minnesota as the Timberwolves‘ head coach and president of basketball operations, exploring whether the club is ready to take a leap forward and whether there’s any risk of Thibodeau overworking his key players.
- Appearing on Altitude AM950 in Denver, Nuggets guard Gary Harris discussed his contract extension, his role for the coming season, and the team’s offseason addition of Paul Millsap.
- The Trail Blazers had a chance to avoid guaranteeing Pat Connaughton‘s salary for the coming season if they’d waived him over the summer, but Portland decided to keep him around, and that decision looked good on opening night, writes Casey Holdahl of Blazers.com.
JaMychal Green Expected To Miss 3-4 Weeks
After being helped off the court in the Grizzlies’ season opener on Wednesday, forward JaMychal Green underwent an MRI on his injured left ankle and the results came back clean, reports Shams Charania of The Vertical (Twitter link). Although the MRI showed no structural damage, Green will likely be sidelined for several weeks with an ankle sprain, according to Charania.
TNT’s David Aldridge provides a few more details, tweeting that Green has a bone bruise in addition to his high ankle sprain. Green is expected to be out for three or four weeks, a source tells Aldridge.
Green, who was a restricted free agent this past summer, remained unsigned for most of the offseason before finally agreeing to terms with the Grizzlies on a new two-year deal late in September. The 27-year-old power forward, who was the last RFA on the board for 2017, received a contract worth $8MM+ per year for the next two seasons.
After taking over for Zach Randolph as the club’s starting power forward in 2016/17, Green enjoyed a breakout season for the Grizzlies. He established new career highs in several categories, including PPG (8.9), RPG (7.1), FG% (.500), and 3PT% (.379). With Randolph heading to Sacramento in free agency this offseason, Green was expected to be leaned on more than ever in Memphis, but the team will have to get by without him for the next little while.
[RELATED: Memphis Grizzlies’ depth chart at RosterResource.com]
While Green recovers from his ankle injury, players like Brandan Wright, Chandler Parsons, and Jarell Martin may see increased minutes for the Grizzlies. Youngsters Deyonta Davis and Ivan Rabb could move up the depth chart as well — the club has no shortage of depth at the power forward spot.
Green will join Ben McLemore, who is recovering from a foot injury, as Grizzlies veterans on the shelf.
Mario Chalmers, Others Receive Salary Guarantees
Grizzlies point guard Mario Chalmers is among the players who received an increased salary guarantee this week when he remained under contract, according to data from Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders and ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Chalmers, who received a modest $25K guarantee when he signed with the Grizzlies in the offseason, now has a fully guaranteed minimum salary for 2017/18.
[RELATED: 2017/18 NBA Salary Guarantee Dates]
Chalmers, who tore his Achilles in March 2016, wasn’t able to make a full recovery during the 2016/17 season, but looked good in camp and the preseason with Memphis this fall. His strong showing earned him a roster spot over fellow point guard – and 2016 first-rounder – Wade Baldwin, who was waived by the Grizzlies. Chalmers will earn a minimum salary worth about $2.106MM this season, though it’ll only count for approximately $1.471MM on Memphis’ cap.
Other players receiving increased guarantees this week include Khem Birch of the Magic and Pistons big man Eric Moreland. According to Pincus’ and Marks’ data, Birch will see his salary guarantee jump from $25K to $408K, while Moreland’s will increase from $750K to $1MM. Both players will receive fully guaranteed 2017/18 salaries on January 10, if they remain under contract.
Birch, who has spent the first few years of his professional career with teams in the G League or overseas, was excited to make an NBA roster for the first time this season, as Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel detailed over the weekend. The Canadian big man didn’t see any action during the Magic’s first game of the season on Wednesday night.
As for Moreland, the 25-year-old was a surprise inclusion in the Pistons’ rotation on Wednesday night, playing 12 minutes as a backup center. While he didn’t score at all, Moreland picked up three steals during his time on the court.
Nets’ Jeremy Lin Out For Season
Veteran point guard Jeremy Lin suffered a ruptured patella tendon in his right knee during Brooklyn’s season opener in Indiana on Wednesday, the Nets announced today in a press release. According to the team, Lin is expected to miss the entire 2017/18 season.
“Jeremy worked tremendously hard during the offseason and in training camp and was excited for the prospects of the team this season,” GM Sean Marks said in a statement. “We feel awful that the injury will cost him the season, however our entire organization will be there to support Jeremy in every way possible throughout his recovery. Jeremy remains an important part of this team and will continue to contribute in a leadership role.”
Lin, who sustained the injury during the fourth quarter of the Nets’ opener against the Pacers, landed awkwardly after a drive to the basket. As we detailed on Wednesday night, the injury immediately looked like a bad one, with Lin grabbing his knee and repeatedly saying, “I’m done.”
It’s a devastating blow for the Nets, who hoped to have Lin healthy this season after injuries limited him to just 36 games in his first year in Brooklyn. The Nets went 13-23 when Lin played last year and 7-39 when he didn’t, a reflection of his importance to the club. The 29-year-old had been set to share the starting backcourt with fellow point guard D’Angelo Russell in a pairing that was off to a good start in Indiana before Lin went down — the duo combined for 48 points in the game.
With Lin sidelined, backup point guard Isaiah Whitehead figures to be in for a larger role this season. Brooklyn could also lean more heavily on guards like Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Sean Kilpatrick, with Allen Crabbe potentially moving into the starting lineup.
As for Lin, we wish him a speedy – and full – recovery. He’ll be in line for an interesting decision after the season, with a 2018/19 player option on his contract. It’s worth about $12.52MM.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Nuggets Sign Richard Jefferson To One-Year Deal
OCTOBER 19: Jefferson’s deal with the Nuggets is now official, per RealGM’s log of NBA transactions. Denver waived Nelson on Wednesday to open up a roster spot for the veteran forward.
OCTOBER 16: Veteran forward Richard Jefferson has agreed to a one-year, $2.3MM contract with the Nuggets, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Jefferson cleared waivers on Monday. He was traded by the Cavaliers to the Hawks on Saturday in a cost-cutting and roster-trimming move by Cleveland. Atlanta immediately waived him.
Denver will likely waive veteran point guard Jameer Nelson to make room for Jefferson, according to Wojnarowski.
Jefferson fortifies the small forward spot behind Wilson Chandler. His primary backup, Will Barton, suffered an ankle injury in practice on Monday.
It’s somewhat surprising that Denver would let Nelson go, as he was considered a potential starter during camp. The Nuggets have apparently decided to go with the much younger duo of Emmanuel Mudiay and Jamal Murray at point guard.
The Bucks were considered contenders for Jefferson’s services but wound up claiming another ex-Cavalier, DeAndre Liggins, on Monday. Jefferson, 37, averaged 5.7 PPG and 2.6 RPG in 79 regular-season contests last year.
Contractually, Jefferson will collect two paybacks. He’ll also receive $2MM from the Hawks, who will get a $500K set-off at the end of the season, Bobby Marks of ESPN tweets.
Agent: Gordon Hayward Unlikely To Return This Season
Celtics forward Gordon Hayward underwent surgery on Wednesday night to repair a dislocated left ankle and fractured tibia, and while that surgery was deemed successful, agent Mark Bartelstein tells ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that his client is unlikely to return to the court this season.
Although Bartelstein isn’t expecting Hayward to be back during the 2017/18 campaign, he remains confident in the 27-year-old’s long-term prognosis, suggesting to Wojnarowski that the injury isn’t career-threatening.
“We expect him to make a full recovery and return to his All-Star form,” Bartelstein said.
With Hayward likely to miss the entire season, the Celtics will be eligible to apply for a disabled player exception to help replace their star forward, and the league should grant that exception at some point. The DPE would give Boston the opportunity to sign, claim, or trade for a player earning up to $8.406MM. If the C’s were to use the exception to trade for someone, that player would need to be in the final year of his contract.
While there’s no guarantee that the C’s will make use of that disabled player exception right away, the team does have an open spot on its 15-man roster, and head coach Brad Stevens indicated on Wednesday that there’s a decent chance the club will fill it, as Wojnarowski details. In the meantime, Boston made two-way player Jabari Bird active on Wednesday to help add some depth, and the game won’t count as one of Bird’s 45 NBA days, since that clock doesn’t start until G League training camps do.
Assuming Hayward misses the season, the Celtics would be able to recoup up to about $7.2MM of his $29.73MM+ salary via insurance, ESPN’s report notes.
Western Notes: Aldridge, Jackson, Green, Lakers
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich admits it was a mistake trying to change LaMarcus Aldridge, relays Melissa Rohlin of The San Antonio Express News. After five straight seasons of topping 20 points per game in Portland, Aldridge dropped to 18.0 and 17.3 in his first two years in San Antonio.
Popovich talked to Aldridge several times during the offseason and realized that he should have let the power forward play his game. “I thought back to Timmy [Duncan], and people said, ‘Oh, what are you going to do with Tim Duncan,’” the coach said. “And I said, ‘Nothing, I’m just going to watch him for six months and see what he does. He’s a pretty good player. And if there’s something that I think I can add, then I’ll do it.’ With LaMarcus, he got here and on day one I said, ‘Okay, we’re going to do this. And [Jack] Sikma did this. And you’re going to do this pump fake.’ I tried to change him. I tried to make him a different player.’”