Troy Brown Entering 2018 NBA Draft
Oregon prospect Troy Brown has elected to enter the 2018 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining NCAA eligibility, reports ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. After informing Givony of his decision, Brown also made if official with a post on his Twitter account, announcing that his time with the Ducks “has come to an end.”
Brown, a 6’7″ freshman, averaged 11.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.2 APG, and 1.6 SPG in his lone college season. While those numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page, Givony notes that Brown is “intriguing” to NBA scouts due to his ability to play virtually any position besides center. Givony also praises Brown’s feel for the game and his defensive versatility.
The 20th-ranked prospect on ESPN’s big board, Brown was projected to come off the board at No. 21 in Givony’s mock draft last month. Steve Kyler’s latest mock draft at Basketball Insiders had Brown at No. 17.
Brown joins an ever-growing list of NCAA underclassmen who have decided to declare for the 2018 draft, either with or without an agent. That list can be found right here.
Nurse, Vanterpool Top List Of Rising Head Coach Candidates
No NBA head coaches were replaced during the 2017 offseason, but that’s very unlikely to be the case for 2018. Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post and Chris Mannix of Yahoo Sports suggest that as many as 10 or 11 teams could be on the lookout for a new head coach this offseason.
That list of teams includes three teams with interim head coaches – the Suns, Grizzlies, and Bucks – as well as lottery teams like the Knicks, Magic, Pistons, Hornets, and Hawks. Playoff contenders like the Nuggets and Clippers could also consider a change, particularly if they miss out on the postseason.
Not all of those teams will replace their current head coaches, but there should be a good deal of turnover in the NBA’s coaching ranks this spring. That could open up the door for assistant coaches or G League head coaches who haven’t yet had the opportunity to run their own NBA squads to interview for those jobs in the coming weeks.
With that in mind, Mannix spoke to over three dozen “high-ranking team executives,” getting each of those execs to name two assistants they view as viable head coaching candidates. Mannix’s only criteria? The executives polled couldn’t name assistants from their own staffs, and the assistants named couldn’t have any NBA or major-college head coaching experience already.
Here are the top vote-getters in Mannix’s poll, all of whom were mentioned by at least three different executives:
- Nick Nurse (Raptors assistant)
- David Vanterpool (Trail Blazers assistant)
- Igor Kokoskov (Jazz assistant)
- Stephen Silas (Hornets associate head coach)
- Adrian Griffin (Thunder assistant)
- Nate Tibbetts (Trail Blazers assistant)
- Chris Finch (Pelicans assistant)
- Jerry Stackhouse (Raptors 905 head coach)
- Ryan Saunders (Timberwolves assistant)
- Jay Larranaga (Celtics assistant)
Of course, not every team seeking a new head coach in the offseason will be eyeing candidates in this pool. Some clubs will want a candidate with previous head coaching experience, and there should be no shortage of those — Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, David Blatt, David Fizdale, and Monty Williams are among the veteran coaches who have been linked to various teams already. Other clubs may target a coach from the NCAA pool, such as Villanova’s Jay Wright.
Still, the NBA assistants listed above are viewed around the league as future head coaching candidates, and are the names to keep an eye on if your favorite team is considering a change on its bench.
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Draft Updates: Spalding, Martin Twins, Huell, More
After announcing last month that he’d be testing the 2018 NBA draft waters, Louisville power forward Ray Spalding has decided to forgo his final year of NCAA eligibility. In a post on his Instagram page, Spalding called his three years at Louisville a “journey like none other” and confirmed that he’d be hiring an agent and going pro.
The No. 56 prospect on Jonathan Givony’s big board at ESPN.com, Spalding averaged 12.3 PPG and 8.7 RPG in his junior year for the Cardinals, contributing on the defensive end with 1.7 BPG and 1.5 SPG.
Here are a few more of the latest draft notes and updates:
- Three juniors from the University of Nevada have declared their intent to enter the 2018 NBA draft without hiring agents. Twin forwards Cody Martin and Caleb Martin will test the draft waters, along with teammate Jordan Caroline (all Twitter links). The Martin twins each earned a spot on Givony’s ESPN big board, coming in at No. 87 and No. 96, respectively.
- Miami sophomore forward Dewan Huell announced (via Twitter) that he has decided to test the 2018 draft waters without hiring an agent. A 6’11” big man, Huell is coming off a 2017/18 season in which he posted 11.4 PPG and 6.7 RPG for the Hurricanes.
- Junior guard Barry Brown is entering the draft, but won’t hire an agent, giving him the option of returning to Kansas State for his senior year (Twitter link). Brown averaged 15.9 PPG, 3.2 APG, 3.1 RPG, and 1.8 SPG for the Wildcats in 2017/18.
- Junior guard Chris Clemons, who became Campbell’s all-time leading scorer this season, will test the draft waters, as Evan Moesta of MillbrookBasketball.com details. Clemons averaged 24.9 PPG in his junior year after putting up 25.1 PPG as a sophomore.
- With the NCAA Tournament in the books, Sean Deveney of The Sporting News spoke to an NBA scout and GM about which prospects increased their value during March Madness, while Evan Daniels of 247Sports.com examines the rising stock of Villanova’s Donte DiVincenzo, the star of Monday’s championship game.
Grizzlies Sign Marquis Teague For Season
The Grizzlies have signed point guard Marquis Teague for the remainder of the 2017/18 season, the team announced today in a press release. Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link) first reported the agreement. Teague had been on a 10-day contract with Memphis, which expired overnight on Monday.
Teague, 25, was a first-round pick in 2012, but before signing with the Grizzlies in March, he hadn’t played in the NBA since the 2013/14 season, when he split time between the Bulls and Nets. In two games during his first 10-day stint in Memphis, Teague averaged just 4.0 PPG in 26.5 minutes per contest, but did pick up five assists in each contest.
The Grizzlies are still carrying MarShon Brooks on a 10-day deal and will make Teague their 14th player on a guaranteed contract, filling up their 15-man roster. As we noted earlier today, the Grizzlies hadn’t yet given a second contract to any player they signed to a 10-day deal — Teague becomes the first.
Nerlens Noel, Thabo Sefolosha Receive Five-Game Suspensions
Mavericks center Nerlens Noel and Jazz forward Thabo Sefolosha have each received five-game suspensions for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program, the league announced today. The bans are for marijuana violations, tweets Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post.
The lottery-bound Mavericks only have five games left in the regular season, so Noel will start serving his suspension immediately and avoid having it carry over to 2018/19. With unrestricted free agency looming for the former lottery pick, it’s possible that Noel has played his last game in Dallas. The suspension will cost him approximately $145K of this season’s salary.
As for Sefolosha, his situation is a little more complicated since he’s expected to miss the rest of this season with a knee injury. The veteran must receive medical clearance before he can begin serving his suspension, so the five-game ban figures to impact his availability at the start of next season.
Sefolosha is under contract for 2018/19, but his $5.25MM salary is non-guaranteed. The Jazz could release him by July 1 and avoid being on the hook for that salary — if they keep him on their roster, they’ll be without him for their first five games in the fall.
Teams Will Inquire On Kawhi Leonard In Offseason
Whether or not Kawhi Leonard is able to get back on the court for the Spurs at the end of the regular season or during the playoffs, it has been a tumultuous year for the star forward and his relationship with the franchise. Teams around the NBA have taken note of that apparent discord and plan to look into Leonard’s availability this offseason, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said during an appearance on Outside The Lines (video link).
“I have already talked to several NBA general managers,” Windhorst said, per Ryne Nelson of SLAM. “At the end of this season, teams will call the Spurs and inquire about the availability of Kawhi Leonard.”
ESPN’s Zach Lowe echoed Windhorst’s report, tweeting that his colleague’s assertion is “100% true.” Lowe added that the “vultures are circling” in the hopes that the Spurs may consider moving Leonard around the time of the draft in June.
While teams hoping to land Leonard can certainly call the Spurs this summer, that doesn’t mean R.C. Buford and Gregg Popovich will seriously consider trading their franchise player. In fact, Windhorst said later in his Outside The Lines appearance that he still believes the most likely scenario involves the Spurs and Leonard coming to an agreement on an extension that keeps him in San Antonio long-term.
Nonetheless, the fact that teams believe they may have a chance to trade for Leonard is a story in itself. Reports of tension between the franchise and the star forward surfaced back in January, and have persisted since then. Spurs doctors have reportedly cleared Leonard to return from the quad injury that has nagged him all season, but Leonard’s own doctors haven’t given him the go-ahead. Popovich has acknowledged that the 26-year-old may not return this season, while the Spurs held a players-only meeting last month to discuss Leonard’s status.
Leonard, who is currently on track to reach unrestricted free agency in 2019, will be eligible for a Designated Veteran Extension between July 1 and the start of the 2018/19 season. A deal of that nature would extend Leonard’s contract by five extra years and pay him a starting salary worth 35% of the salary cap. Assuming the Spurs put that offer on the table, it’s hard to imagine him turning it down, but if either side balks, trade rumors surrounding Leonard may intensify.
2017/18’s 10-Day Contract Window Ends
Wednesday, April 11 represents the last day of the 2017/18 NBA regular season, which means there are just nine days left in this season. As such, we won’t see another 10-day contract signed this season, since a simple rest-of-season deal would run through the final nine days of the year.
With no more 10-day contracts on the way for 2017/18, we’ll make use of our 10-day tracker to break down a few details on this year’s 10-day signings. Let’s dive in…
Total number of 10-day contracts signed:
- Signed one 10-day contract: 19
- Signed one 10-day contract, then signed for rest of season: 3
- Signed two 10-day contracts: 8
- Signed two 10-day contracts, then signed for rest of season: 12
- Total 10-day contracts signed: 61
While the number of 10-day contracts signed this season will stay at 61, the number of players who signed rest-of-season contracts after inking a 10-day deal or two could still increase. Larry Drew II (Pelicans), MarShon Brooks (Grizzlies), David Stockton (Jazz), Xavier Silas (Celtics), Jeremy Evans (Hawks) have active 10-day contracts. Those players could be re-signed when their current contracts expire.
Teams that completed the most 10-day signings:
- New Orleans Pelicans: 8 (four players)
- Atlanta Hawks: 7 (four players)
- Dallas Mavericks: 5 (four players)
- Memphis Grizzlies: 5 (four players)
- Los Angeles Lakers: 4 (three players)
- Orlando Magic: 4 (two players)
- Phoenix Suns: 4 (two players)
- Utah Jazz: 4 (two players)
No NBA team signed more than four different players to 10-day contracts this season. Of those teams that signed four players to 10-day deals, the Pelicans were the most inclined to extend a player’s audition — they re-signed all four of their 10-day players to a second 10-day deal, and ultimately locked up both Emeka Okafor and DeAndre Liggins for the season.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Grizzlies hadn’t re-signed any of their 10-day contract recipients to second deals until they locked up Marquis Teague for the rest of the season today.
Teams that didn’t complete any 10-day signings:
- Brooklyn Nets
- Charlotte Hornets
- Denver Nuggets
- Detroit Pistons
- Golden State Warriors
- Miami Heat
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Sacramento Kings
- San Antonio Spurs
For many of the teams on this list, roster limits prevented a 10-day signing — with full 15-man rosters, they would have needed to waive a player on a guaranteed contract in order to sign a player to a 10-day contract. However, that wasn’t the case for every club on this list.
The Hornets, for instance, have carried an open roster spot for most of the season — they’ve perhaps been more concerned with finding a new general manager than with auditioning a 15th man. Charlotte probably also doesn’t have much interest in further increasing its $117MM+ team salary for a lottery-bound squad.
The Timberwolves are another team that has been carrying 14 players, giving them the ability to sign players to 10-day contracts without making a corresponding roster move. Of course, considering how averse Tom Thibodeau is to using even the ninth or 10th man on his bench, adding a player to that 15th spot was probably deemed unnecessary.
10-day MVPs:
While no players have really parlayed 10-day contracts into true breakout years this season, there are a handful of guys who turned 10-day auditions into regular rotation roles and have been solid contributors for their respective clubs. Emeka Okafor (Pelicans) headlines that list — he assumed the starting center role after DeMarcus Cousins went down, and has played well, with 4.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 1.1 BPG in 23 games (14.7 MPG).
Honorable mention:
- Troy Williams (Knicks): 7.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, .490 FG% in 17 games (17.1 MPG).
- Damion Lee (Hawks): 9.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 1.3 SPG in 10 games (26.0 MPG).
- Ramon Sessions (Wizards): 6.5 PPG, 3.7 APG, .400 3PT% in 13 games (16.9 MPG).
- Travis Wear (Lakers): 5.2 PPG, 2.3 RPG, .390 3PT% in 13 games (13.2 MPG)
- MarShon Brooks (Grizzlies): 22.5 PPG, .600/.857/1.000 shooting in two games (20.0 MPG).
Poll: Which Western Contenders Will Miss Playoffs?
Three teams in the Western Conference have clinched playoff berths, with the Rockets, Warriors, and Trail Blazers likely locked into the top three seeds, in that order. However, after those top teams, the race for the conference’s final five postseason spots remains hotly contested.
The Spurs (45-32) are ostensibly in the driver’s seat for the No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round, but a late-season slide could still put their playoff spot in jeopardy. San Antonio has back-to-back road games against the Clippers and Lakers on tap this week, followed by home games against Portland and Sacramento, and a regular season finale in New Orleans. While it’s still possible that Kawhi Leonard could return for one or more of those games, the club isn’t counting on that.
While the Thunder (45-33) remain in contention for the No. 4 spot too, they’re also one bad week away from slipping out of the playoff picture, particularly since they hold virtually no tiebreakers against their Western competitors. You can probably pencil OKC in for a win at home vs. Memphis next Wednesday, but before that game, the Thunder will have to deal with the Warriors at home, and the Rockets and Heat on the road.
The Jazz (44-33) have won 27 of their last 34 games, but that hasn’t been enough to pull away from the pack in the West. A home-and-away set against the Lakers this week bodes well, but Utah will also have to host the Clippers and Warriors before finishing the season in Portland. Holding tiebreakers over the Spurs, Pelicans, and Clips could come in handy.
The Timberwolves (44-34) could badly use Jimmy Butler in their lineup down the stretch, and he’s still expected to be back before the end of the season, but his exact return date remains up in the air. Home-and-away games against Denver may ultimately decide Minnesota’s playoff fate, though the Wolves will also face a pair of lottery teams in the Lakers (road) and Grizzlies (home). Minnesota’s tiebreakers over the Thunder, Jazz, Pelicans, and Clippers look big now.
The Pelicans (43-34) have lost four straight games, putting their playoff spot at risk, but those losses came against four very good teams. They’ll have a chance to turn things around this week when they host the Grizzlies and visit the Suns. After that, the schedule gets tough again — the Pelicans close out by visiting the Warriors and Clippers before hosting the Spurs.
If any of those five teams falter, the Nuggets (42-35) and Clippers (41-36) will be ready to take advantage, though neither team has it easy down the stretch. In addition to facing Minnesota twice, the Nuggets also host the Pacers and Trail Blazers. The Clippers have one road game left in Utah, and will host the Spurs, Pelicans, and Lakers. The Nuggets and Clippers will also face one another in L.A. on Saturday.
Got all that? Great. Now, we want to know what you think. How will the season’s final nine days play out? Which two of the top 10 teams in the West will end up missing the playoffs? Vote below in our poll and jump into the comment section below to share your thoughts!
Which teams will miss the playoffs? (choose two)
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Los Angeles Clippers 44% (769)
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Denver Nuggets 29% (508)
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New Orleans Pelicans 13% (232)
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Minnesota Timberwolves 7% (117)
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Utah Jazz 3% (49)
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Oklahoma City Thunder 2% (38)
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San Antonio Spurs 2% (27)
Total votes: 1,740
Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.
Eastern Rumors: Beasley, Embiid, Oubre, Tolliver
Journeyman forward Michael Beasley would like to return to the Knicks, but several factors play into that equation, as Marc Berman of the New York Post examines. Beasley returns to the free agent market this summer and has expressed a desire to stay put. “I would love to be back definitely. A lot goes into that,” he told Berman. “We’ll assess the situation in summertime.” The Knicks would likely have to use a portion of their mid-level exception to retain him. However, they could opt to spend it on a younger player or save cap space for the following summer, Berman continues. Their desire to re-sign Beasley also hinges on who will be coaching the team next season, Berman adds.
In other news around the Eastern Conference:
- The Sixers’ playoff appearance will likely be a one-and-done experience if Joel Embiid can’t return for the first round, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer opines. The center’s participation is uncertain due to a concussion and a fractured orbital bone near his left eye. The Sixers have outscored opponents by 11.6 points per possession when he plays and outscored by 3.9 points when he doesn’t play, Pompey notes. The team doesn’t have anyone to match up with the Pacers’ mobile center, Myles Turner, if they face Indiana in the first round without Embiid, Pompey adds.
- Kelly Oubre has been buried in a shooting slump but his subpar defense is the thing that could reduce the Wizards forward’s playing time, according to Candace Buckner of the Washington Post. Coach Scott Brooks criticized Oubre’s defense following a loss to the lottery-bound Bulls on Sunday. “He hasn’t shot the ball well, but I’m more concerned about him getting blown by on defense,” Brooks told Buckner and other media members. “Seems like every time his man is scoring on him. He has to step up and start playing some defense if he wants to continue to play.”
- Pistons veteran power forward Anthony Tolliver has added elements to his game this season, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com reports. “It’s really amazing the way he has been able to improve, particularly offensively,”coach Stan Van Gundy said. “Now when people close out on him, he can put the ball on the floor and attack. Not too many guys improve after 30.” Tolliver returns to the free agent market in July after signing a one-year deal with Detroit last summer.
- Magic lottery pick Jonathan Isaac is gaining confidence in his 3-point shooting, George Diaz of the Orlando Sentinel writes. Isaac attempted a season-high six attempts from long range against the Hawks on Sunday and made half of them. “Throughout the entire season they’ve been telling me let it fly, especially from the corner 3.” Isaac told Diaz.