Celtics Waive Kadeem Allen
JULY 15: The Celtics announced in a press release that Allen has been waived.
JULY 14: The Celtics will release point guard Kadeem Allen and give his two-way slot to someone else next week, tweets Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe.
A second-round pick out of Arizona in 2017, Allen saw action in just 18 games for the Celtics, averaging 1.1 points in 5.9 minutes. However, he was a G League All-Star with Maine and was named to the All-Defensive team.
Boston only has one two-way spot filled, but the team extended a qualifying offer to Jabari Bird, who held a two-way contract last season, and may view him for the same role in 2018/19. Keep track of all the two-way deals with our Two-Way Contract Tracker.
Lakers Notes: LeBron, Magic, Roster
Much has been made of LeBron James‘ league-changing decision to leave the Cavaliers and sign with the Lakers. Whether it be a change of scenery where James can play a different style of basketball or simply lucrative opportunities in Hollywood, his decision has widespread impacts.
However, during an appearance on NBA TV, James’ longtime agent, Rich Paul, explained that his client choosing the Lakers was a “basketball decision” which made him happy, per USA TODAY.
“It was basically about what he wanted to do and what made him happy. And he earned that being in his 16th season,” Paul said. “You don’t have athletes in their 16th season be the No. 1 free agent.”
- Magic Johnson‘s one-on-one meeting with James is what sealed his decision to sign with Los Angeles and the Lakers’ president discussed how that meeting unfolded, USA TODAY’s Sam Amick writes. Johnson described himself and James as mirror images of one another in terms of “championship DNA” and a focus on winning. “He was really happy that Rob [Pelinka] and I were not rushing, not making mistakes by rushing, and I told him that we had a three-year plan, we had a plan that we wanted to execute and that he could really take that plan to a whole ‘nother level,” Johnson said.
- Johnson also said that the Lakers will consult with James on signings and trades, as his input and experience holds a lot of value, ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk writes. “We’re gonna go to LeBron and say if there’s a deal to be made for guys available, we’ll say to him, ‘What do you think about this guy? You know him. You play against him. You know the backstory and everything about the guy.'” Johnson said.
Celtics Notes: Thomas, Rivers, Williams, Henry
Isaiah Thomas is on his third team since being traded from the Celtics, but his role in Boston’s quick turnaround shouldn’t be overlooked, writes Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald. Thomas, who agreed to sign with the Nuggets this week, helped the Celtics reach the playoffs after coming to the organization in February of 2015, then was part of 48- and 53-win seasons.
That success made Boston an attractive option for free agents Al Horford and Gordon Hayward and put the franchise in a position to trade for Kyrie Irving.
“Isaiah added credibility to our team by making us a legitimate basketball team,” said president of basketball operations Danny Ainge. “And on top of that he was very entertaining. But he was all-in. He was all-in for the team. He was recruiting Al Horford to come. He was recruiting Gordon Hayward to come to play with him. He’s earned a lot of respect in my eyes.”
There’s more Celtics news to pass along:
- With the three stars of the Lob City era all gone from the Clippers, coach Doc Rivers plans to use the Celtics’ experience as a blueprint for rebuilding, Bulpett writes in a separate story. “They’ve done it as well as it’s ever been done,” Rivers said, “because all these other teams, including us now, everybody has a plan, but the plan has to work. And if it doesn’t work, then you have to start over again with another plan. And Danny and them have been able to run their plan.”
- The Celtics haven’t given up on the possibility of first-round pick Robert Williams playing in the summer league, according to Mark Murphy of The Boston Herald. Williams is getting constant treatment on his aching left knee and is considered questionable for today’s quarterfinal contest. “If Danny wants him to play, if Robert feels he can, if our training staff feels he’s not at risk of reinjuring it, we’d love to have him,” said assistant coach Jay Larranaga. “… He just keeps getting better and better. Who knows when he’ll be able to play, but he does seem to be getting better.”
- Pierria Henry has been the best point guard on the Celtics’ summer league team, tweets Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. Washburn expects him to be considered for a spot with Boston’s G League affiliate if he doesn’t return to Turkey.
Pistons Sign Zaza Pachulia
JULY 15, 12:37pm: The signing is official, the Pistons announced in an email.
JULY 8, 3:51pm: The Pistons have officially waived Moreland, according to a team press release.
12:09pm: Free agent center Zaza Pachulia has agreed to a one-year deal with the Pistons, tweets Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports. Pachulia will receive a veteran’s minimum salary of $2,393,887 with a $1,512,601 cap hit.
Pachulia will bring championship experience to Detroit as the backup for Andre Drummond. The 34-year-old won rings as a member of the Warriors in each of the past two seasons.
A rugged defender and rebounder, Pachulia appeared in 69 games with Golden State during 2017/18, averaging 5.4 PPG and 4.7 RPG. His role decreased in the playoffs as the Warriors opted for smaller, quicker lineups. Pachulia played in just seven postseason games, averaging 3.7 minutes.
The addition of Pachulia means Detroit no longer has a need for Eric Moreland, who will be waived, according to Vince Ellis of The Detroit Free Press (Twitter link). Today was the deadline to make a decision on a $750K guarantee for Moreland’s $1,826,300 salary.
James Michael McAdoo Will Play In Italy
James Michael McAdoo, who won two NBA titles with the Warriors and played briefly for the Sixers last season, has signed with Fiat Torino in Italy, according to Nicola Lupo of Sportando.
McAdoo signed a two-way contract with Philadelphia in August, but was waived in mid-January. He appeared in just three NBA games and played 18 total minutes. He finished the season with the Agua Caliente Clippers of the NBA G League.
Undrafted out of North Carolina, McAdoo signed a 10-day contract with the Warriors in January of 2015 as they were on their way to the first of four straight Finals appearances. He spent much of his time with Golden State in the G League, but got into 52 games during the 2016/17 season.
Heat Notes: Vaughn, Stoudemire, Whiteside, Robinson
At age 21, former first-round pick Rashad Vaughn is trying to salvage his NBA career, relays Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. Vaughn was part of the Heat’s entry in the Las Vegas Summer League, hoping to earn another shot after being traded twice and waived twice last season.
Vaughn was taken by the Bucks with the 17th pick in the 2015 draft, but his career tailed off quickly after a promising rookie season. In February, Milwaukee dealt him to the Nets, who sent him to the Pelicans two days later. After being waived by New Orleans, Vaughn signed two 10-day contracts with the Magic, but wasn’t kept when the second one expired.
“This is kind of my journey,” Vaughn said. “I’ve got to take a look at it and see what I did wrong and go from there and continue to try to just persevere from there.”
There’s more news out of Miami:
- Amar’e Stoudemire, who will be back in Miami this week with the Big3 League, is also hoping for another NBA opportunity, Winderman writes in a separate story. Stoudemire, 35, sat out last season after winning a championship in Israel the year before. He said he would be interested in a return to the Heat, but hasn’t spoken to anyone from the team. “As of right now, I’m showing my athletic ability and the way I move,” Stoudemire said. “I think a lot of teams haven’t really seen me play since the last time I played in Israel, so I just want them to see I have great heath and am able to be on that level. Once they see how healthy I am and how good I feel, I think teams will be able to sign me at that point.”
- The Heat have been open about their desire to trade Hassan Whiteside, but Stoudemire believes his former teammate can succeed in Miami, Winderman adds in the same story. Stoudemire said Whiteside needs to work on his post skills this summer and become a more effective inside scorer. “You can’t be satisfied with the money and the fame; you have to be able to work to become great,” Stoudemire said. “And that’s one thing that a lot players don’t understand. You can have amazing potential, but you’re never going to reach that potential unless you put in that work.”
- Duncan Robinson was among the biggest winners in summer league, earning a two-way contract with the Heat. Robinson quickly impressed the team with his outside shot, summer league coach Eric Glass tells Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. “He came in and really played well and shot it like we thought and showed us that he can do a couple other things on the court that we liked,” Glass said. “And obviously a two-way came out of that, which he really earned.”
Knicks Notes: Robinson, Fizdale, Porzingis, Knox
A disagreement over pre-draft strategy has resulted in an agent change for Knicks rookie Mitchell Robinson, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. Robinson has signed with John Spencer, a former Knicks scout, after leaving Raymond Brothers.
Robinson was drafted at No. 36, but believed he had a chance to be taken late in the first round, which would have provided more guaranteed money. Robinson’s representatives pulled him out of the draft combine the day before it started, and he blames that decision for his slide on draft night. The Lakers were looking at him with their 25th pick and may have taken him at No. 39 had he still been available, a source tells Berman.
Robinson signed with the Knicks last week, getting a $6.4MM deal over four seasons that includes team options after the second and third year. Robinson, who dropped out of Western Kentucky and hasn’t played in 14 months, may have changed the Knicks’ plans for him with an impressive summer league performance, Berman adds. The organization originally had him ticketed for the G League, but will now consider keeping him on the NBA squad.
There’s more this morning out of New York:
- David Fizdale will travel to Latvia next week to meet with Kristaps Porzingis, Berman writes in a separate story. The first meeting between the new coach and his injured star will include a lot of film study. “It’s going to be a big part of the next step to show him the big picture,’’ Fizdale said. “How I want to utilize him, coach him, start building a relationship with him, a bond with him, a connection with him.”
- First-round pick Kevin Knox is already dreaming about being on the court with Porzingis, Berman adds in the same piece. Both players can shoot from outside, and the Knicks view them as an effective combination to spread the floor in Fizdale’s offense. “I see they will complement each other very well,’’ Fizdale said. “That’s not a bad pick-and-roll to run — a KK-Porzingis pick-and-roll.’’
- The Knicks weren’t major players in this year’s free agency, but things are shaping up great for next summer, notes Frank Isola of The New York Daily News. Jimmy Butler and Kyrie Irving, two potential 2019 targets, both turned down extension offers, and Kevin Durant has an option after one year.
Georgios Papagiannis May Return To Europe
After two unproductive NBA seasons, Georgios Papagiannis is considering a return to the EuroLeague, according to Aharale Weisberg of Walla, an Israeli news site.
Papagiannis is still under contract with the Trail Blazers, but his $1,544,951 salary for next season doesn’t become guaranteed until July 19. He appeared in just one game for Portland after signing with the team in March.
The 21-year-old center was the 13th pick by the Kings in the 2016 draft, but was never able to establish himself in Sacramento. Papagiannis spent most of his time in the G League before being released in February. He appeared in 38 total games for the Kings, averaging 4.2 PPG and 3.2 RPG per night.
If Papagiannis does return to Europe, his former team, Panathinaikos is among the front-runners to sign him, along with Olympiacos.
Community Shootaround: Jabari Parker In Chicago
Whether Jabari Parker becomes a star or a bust, he’s not going to do it in Milwaukee. The 23-year-old forward, who seemed like a vital part of the Bucks’ future when they made him the second player taken in the 2014 draft, is headed to their division rivals in Chicago.
Two ACL injuries prevented Parker from reaching his full potential in Milwaukee. The first came during his rookie season and limited him to 25 games. The second, in January of 2017, cost him a significant part of two seasons. Parker was showing signs of stardom before that injury struck, posting a 20.1/6.2/2.8 line through 51 games.
Despite his medical history, the Bulls were willing to gamble on Parker’s talent, giving him $40MM over two years to make a fresh start in Chicago. The organization limited its risk by guaranteeing only the first season, with a team option on the second.
If Parker’s health holds up, it could be a major win for the maligned front office duo of John Paxson and Gar Forman. Parker would be a valuable piece alongside Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, Kris Dunn and Wendell Carter Jr., giving the Bulls one of the best collections of young talent in the East.
Chicago has only been out of the playoffs for one year, but Paxson and owner Jerry Reinsdorf quickly grew frustrated with the rebuilding process, according to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. They wanted a shortcut to become a contender again, and Parker may able to provide that.
We want to get your predictions on the move. Will Parker be able to revive his career in Chicago and turn the Bulls into a winner again, or is this a reckless gamble on a player whose knees will always be a concern? Please leave your responses in the space below.
Heat Offer Contracts To Daryl Macon, Yante Maten
With their summer league season over, the Heat have made Exhibit 10 offers to a pair of undrafted players, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.
Arkansas point guard Daryl Macon and Georgia forward Yante Maten both played well enough to make Miami want to bring them to training camp. Agents for both players say they will consider the offers but they also have opportunities with other teams.
Players with exhibit 10 contracts can make between $5K and $50K if they are waived in camp and spent at least 60 days with their team’s G League affiliate.
Macon has Exhibit 10 offers from four NBA teams, along with interest from clubs in Italy, Spain, Belgium and Korea, agent Reggie Brown tells Jackson. He adds that Macon would be guaranteed $225K if he takes the Korean offer.
“Macon has kind of an unknown quality,” said Chet Kammerer, the Heat’s VP of player personnel. “He’s gifted as far as his athleticism, his length and quickness, his ability to shoot. He’s an 87 percent career free throw shooter. Not many college guys shoot the ball that well from the line.”
Maten has received Exhibit 10 offers from “half the league,” according to his agent, Austin Walton of NEXT Sports, who adds, “We will sift through what we have and make a decision.” Walton is hoping to secure a two-way contract for Maten and said Miami wants to hold a training camp competition for its open two-way deal.
“We saw him play in the SEC and he was player of the year [as a senior],” Kammerer said. “He’s been a solid player over his career at Georgia and had some individual highs over the course of his career. He started kind of slow but he’s really a solid basketball player. Versatile. He’s got a bright future ahead of him.”
The Heat currently have 11 players under contract, with roster spots set aside for Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem if they decide to continue their careers. Duncan Robinson holds one of the team’s two-way contracts.