Hoops Rumors Originals: 9/9/18 – 9/15/18
Every week, the writing team here at Hoops Rumors creates original content to complement our news feed. With training camps opening soon, here are our numerous segments and features from the past seven days:
- In four Community Shootaround posts this week, we asked:
- How many of the top five free agents will change teams next summer?
- How far will the Bucks go this season?
- Which players should be in the Heat’s rotation this season?
- Whether the Timberwolves will once again make the playoffs?
- Luke Adams took a closer look at all the salary cap exceptions available to league executives.
- In our Extension Candidate series, we analyzed the pros and cons of extending Pistons swingman Stanley Johnson.
- We continued our 2018 Offseason in Review, and analyzed the following team:
Five Key Stories: 9/9/18 – 9/15/18
f you missed any of this week’s biggest NBA stories, don’t worry because we’ve got you covered with our Week in Review. Listed below are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last seven days.
Thunder superstar Russell Westbrook underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee. Westbrook is expected to miss the preseason and perhaps a few early-season games after what was labelled a maintenance procedure. Inflammation in the knee, which had already been operated on three times, led to the surgery. Westbrook has remained one of the league’s most explosive players and while the latest issue doesn’t appear to be serious, it’s certainly a blow to the Thunder, who have high hopes this season after re-signing Paul George.
Suns shooting guard Devin Booker underwent hand surgery. Like Westbrook, Booker is expected to miss all of training camp and perhaps some regular-season games. He will need approximately six weeks to recover from the surgery. Booker, who inked a five-year contract extension this summer for an estimated $158MM, initially injured the hand in March. In the short team, the Suns have issues at both guard spots. Phoenix has been looking to trade for a point guard since it dealt Brandon Knight to the Rockets.
Celtics guard Jabari Bird was arraigned on charges of assault and kidnapping. The disturbing allegations against Bird involving a domestic incident included claims that he choked the woman about a dozen times, kicked her and held her against her will. Bird entered a not guilty plea and issued a statement saying in part he was “taking some time away from the team as I deal with my legal and medical issues.” At the very least, Bird’s NBA career is in jeopardy after he signed a two-year contract in July.
Rodney Hood accepted the Cavaliers’ qualifying offer. A restricted free agent, Hood was seeking a long-term deal in the $9MM annual range. The market dried up on the shooting guard and he didn’t receive an offer sheet. A disappointing 2017/18 campaign contributed to the lack of interest in Hood. So, he chose to accept the $3.47MM qualifying offer with the hope of having a bounce-back season and getting a lucrative offer as an unrestricted free agent next summer.
The Knicks are expected to part ways with Joakim Noah before training camp. Noah’s unproductive and unpleasant stint with the Knicks appears to be coming to an end. The team continues to make calls in an effort to find a trading partner and is expected to waive and stretch the veteran center’s contract if a deal can’t be worked out. He has two seasons and $37.8MM remaining on the four-year, $72MM agreement he signed in 2016. With this year’s salary already locked in, New York can stretch the remaining $19.295MM over three years.
Here are 10 more notable NBA headlines from the last week:
- With training camp around the corner, Dwyane Wade still hasn’t decided if he’ll play this season.
- After recovering from his horrific leg injury, Celtics forward Gordon Hayward is confident he’ll be ready for opening night.
- Former Suns big man Alan Williams agreed to a two-way contract with the Nets.
- The Sixers and Lakers are interested in signing veteran free agent guard Jamal Crawford.
- The Heat exercised their third-year option on center Bam Adebayo.
- Center Andrew Bynum, who hasn’t played in the league since the 2013/14 season, has been working out at the Lakers’ facility.
- The Heat brought back forward Udonis Haslem for the 16th consecutive season.
- The Timberwolves signed former Laker Luol Deng, reunited him with coach Tom Thibodeau.
- Center Dakari Johnson, who was in the Thunder organization the past three seasons, has signed a contract to play in China.
- Point guard Kobi Simmons has agreed to a one-year contract with the Cavaliers.
Lakers Notes: Ball, Redick, Zubac
Lonzo Ball‘s ability as a passer has never been questioned but his ability to shoot has been a concern ever since the 2017 NBA Draft. As Ball prepares for his sophomore campaign, it appears he has simplified the release on his jumper, Joe Morgan of Sporting News writes.
In his first season, Ball shot 36% from the field and 30.5% from beyond the arc. Those numbers are going to need improvement as he prepares to play with LeBron James, a notorious playmaker who relies on outside shooters. There is reason to believe that Ball can be an effective shooter as he shot 55.1% from the floor and 42.1% from three-point range in his lone season at UCLA.
Based on videos of Ball in preseason workouts, it appears he has dropped the hitch in his release that had been a concern. With a simplified jumper, it should help Ball have a quicker — and hopefully more accurate — release.
Check out more Lakers notes below:
- Speaking of reliable shooters, after LeBron James signed with the Lakers, the team reportedly intensified its pursuit of veteran sharpshooter J.J. Redick. Appearing on Zach Lowe’s The Lowe Post podcast (via USA Today), Redick said there was an opportunity to join the Lakers, but he also had offers from the Pacers and Suns. Redick ultimately re-signed with the Sixers.
- Both Ivica Zubac and Svi Mykhailiuk are with their respective national teams as they both approach a berth in the 2019 FIBA World Cup, per NBA.com. Zubac is with the Croatian team while Mykhailiuk is with the Ukranian team
Northwest Notes: Westbrook, Mitchell, Plumlee, Roth
Thunder guard and former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee earlier this week. The procedure was described as “maintenance” and he will be re-evaluated in four weeks. Westbrook is expected to miss the preseason but his status for Oklahoma City’s season opener on October 17 is to be determined.
Westbrook is coming off another outstanding season for the Thunder as he averaged a triple-double for the second consecutive season. As The Oklahoman details, Westbrook’s injury already has had ripple effects on the Thunder roster and will continue to do so until his impending return.
Check out more Northwest Division notes below:
- Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell had an outstanding rookie season for Utah, a season that would’ve earned him Rookie of the Year honors in nearly any other season. Frank Urbina of HoopsHype examines Mitchell skillset and projects how and when Mitchell could make the jump into superstar status.
- Nuggets‘ big man Mason Plumlee needed offseason surgery after playing another season of at least 70 games. NBA.com previewed Plumlee’s upcoming 2018/19 campaign as he prepares to be Denver’s primary backup at center.
- Jerry Zgoda of The Star Tribune looks at the Timberwolves‘ strategy for trying out players for the G League team. “Everybody’s just looking for the diamond in the rough,” Iowa Wolves coach and former Timberwolves player Scott Roth said. “Everybody wants the next Jonathan Simmons to walk into their building.
Clippers The Top Destination For Kawhi Leonard Next Summer?
Before Kawhi Leonard has even suited up for the Raptors, his top destination in free agency next summer is the Clippers, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. During an appearance on 710 ESPN Mason and Ireland, Shelburne labeled the Clippers as Leonard’s top pick with the Raptors his second choice and Lakers coming in third.
The Los Angeles native has reportedly preferred to end up back home with either the Lakers or Clippers. Several reports over the past year suggested that Leonard’s preference was joining the Lakers, who already signed LeBron James.
After a tumultuous and injured-riddled 2017/18 in San Antonio, the Spurs dealt their superstar to Toronto earlier this summer. Based on several reports, Leonard is excited and prepared for the upcoming season. Just last month, we relayed that Leonard was “keeping an open mind” about his future with the Raptors.
Early impressions on Leonard out of the Toronto camp have been positive. Recently, assistant coach Phil Handy provided an update on Leonard, who missed most of last season with a quad injury.
“He’s doing great,” Handy said. “He’s in great shape. Body looks good, he’s feeling good, he’s moving well. I don’t anticipate any issues or any problems. He’s working hard and he’s a hard worker.”
Earlier this week, Leonard’s longtime teammate with the Spurs and current teammate with the Raptors, Danny Green, opined that the two-time Defensive Player of the Year would have a hard time leaving Toronto.
“The city of Toronto is gonna be hard to turn down after being there,” Green said.
Nuggets Notes: Season Outlook, Barton, Lyles, Beasley
Offensive prowess and chemistry could carry the Nuggets to the playoffs, Jordan Hicks of Basketball Insiders declares in his detailed season preview. They finished sixth last season in points per game and fifth in assists and that should only improve with the free agent addition of Isaiah Thomas, Hicks continues. They also have a handful of core players who have been together for at least one season and their 0n-court chemistry is a major plus, Hicks adds.
We have more on the Nuggets:
- Swingman Will Barton should move into the lineup at small forward, the first time he’s had a full-time starting spot, according to Nuggets insider Chris Dempsey. Barton re-signed with the club this summer on four-year, $53MM contract and that spot opened up when Denver traded away Wilson Chandler to the Sixers. Barton will essentially give the Nuggets a three-guard lineup, a look that was highly effective for them a season ago, Dempsey notes.
- Forward Trey Lyles could be the team’s breakout player this season, Dempsey writes in another profile. Lyles could average 25 or more minutes per game and will be counted on, along with Thomas, to provide scoring punch off the bench, Dempsey continues. Lyles excelled in nearly every offensive action last season, Dempsey notes, providing the best combination of 3-point shooting and post-ups other than Nikola Jokic.
- Shooting guard Malik Beasley is poised to see an uptick in minutes, Dempsey predicts in still another player profile. Beasley showed defensive tenacity during summer league games and he’s worked diligently on his jump shooting and ball-handling, Dempsey adds. Beasley appeared in 62 games last season but averaged just 9.5 MPG.
Atlantic Notes: Irving, Williams, Ojeleye, Celtics
Kyrie Irving tops the Knicks’ wish list in free agency next summer because he’s their most realistic target, A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston opines. Kevin Durant or Kawhi Leonard would elevate the franchise even more than Irving but both of those potential free agents would be much harder to land, Blakely continues. Securing Irving’s services won’t be easy, either, but the Knicks have a better chance with the Celtics point guard, who grew up in New Jersey. It’s not only his ability but potential availability that makes him attractive to the Knicks’ front office, Blakely adds. Blakely declared that Irving topped the Knicks’ wish list during a podcast this week.
We have more from around the Atlantic Division:
- Bringing in Alan Williams is a low-risk flier for the Nets, Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes. The team has been stockpiling big men and rebounders and the 6’8” Williams fits both those categories, Lewis continues. It’s rare to land a fourth-year pro on a two-way contract who has averaged 15 rebounds per 36 minutes over his career, Lewis points out. Williams reached an agreement with Brooklyn on Friday.
- Semi Ojeleye was probably the biggest beneficiary of Gordon Hayward’s injury last season but he hasn’t established a steady spot in the Celtics rotation, Blakely examines in a player profile. While Ojeleye has shown the ability to defend multiple frontcourt positions and switch out on guards, he’ll simply have to be ready to contribute any way he can with the return of Hayward, Blakely adds. Ojeleye appeared in 73 regular -season games last season.
- With the return of Hayward and Irving from injuries, it’s tough to find any reason why the Celtics won’t roll to the Eastern Conference title, Chris Mannix of Yahoo Sports opines. The team’s closest competitors – Toronto, Milwaukee and Philadelphia – can’t match the Celtics’ depth and overall talent, Mannix continues. Even the team’s projected second unit of Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Morris and Daniel Theis could compete for a playoff spot, Mannix notes.
Cavaliers Sign Forward JaCorey Williams
Forward JaCorey Williams has signed a contract with the Cavaliers, according to the RealGM transactions log.
Terms were not disclosed but it’s almost certainly a training camp deal. Williams participated briefly in Cleveland’s training camp last season but was waived to make room for Dwyane Wade. Williams eventually wound up playing 49 games for their G League affiliate, the Canton Charge, where he averaged 15.4 PPG and 7.5 RPG. Williams went on to play for Israel’s Hapoel Gilboa Galil during the spring.
Williams, a 6’8″ forward, played his first three college seasons at Arkansas, then transferred to Middle Tennessee State for his senior year. He enjoyed a breakout season there, averaging 17.3 PPG and 7.3 RPG. Williams, who was named the Conference USA Player of the Year for 2016/17, joined the Warriors’ summer league team before his short stay in Cleveland’s training camp.
The Cavaliers have waived guards Isaac Hamilton and Scoochie Smith, whom they signed to Exhibit 10 contracts on Thursday, according to NBA.com’s transactions log. That duo will join the team’s G League camp.
The Cavs have also reportedly reached an agreement with point guard Kobi Simmons and also added forward Bonzie Colson, though neither have officially signed. If they do become official, Cleveland will reach the 20-player training camp roster limit.
Raptors Sign Kyle Collinsworth
SEPTEMBER 14: The signing is official, according to RealGM transactions log.
SEPTEMBER 11: The Raptors will sign Kyle Collinsworth, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports (Twitter link). The pact will only be partially-guaranteed.
The addition of Collinsworth brings Toronto’s training camp roster to 18, as Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports tweets. The team has the ability to add two more players.
Collinsworth played 32 games for the Mavericks last season, seeing 15.0 minutes per contest. He scored just 3.2 points per game while struggling from behind the arc, just four of 17 shots from downtown.
Southeast Rumors: Waiters, Dedmon, Pope, Satoransky
Heat shooting guard Dion Waiters may not be ready for the beginning of the regular season, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Teammate Briante Weber told Jackson that Waiters, who underwent ankle surgery in January, has not participated in any contact work or pickup games with his teammates. With Dwyane Wade continuing to waffle on whether he’ll re-sign with the team, Miami could pursue other free agent options, Jackson adds, with Jamal Crawford, Mario Chalmers and Joe Johnson among a pool of potential targets.
We have more from the Southeast Division:
- Hawks center Dewayne Dedmon, who suffered an avulsion fracture in his left ankle last week, has shed his walking boot, according to a team press release. He will now participate in weight-bearing rehabilitation and then be re-evaluated in two weeks. Dedmon, who will make $7.2MM this season, will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
- The Magic are close to hiring Bill Pope as their director of pro personnel, Marc Stein of the New York Times tweets. Pope currently holds a similar position with the Kings.
- Tomas Satoransky will enter camp as the Wizards’ backup point guard but there’s no guarantee he’ll remain in the rotation, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington writes in a player profile. Satoransky had trouble holding onto that spot last season and newcomer Austin Rivers and Troy Brown Jr. can play the point behind John Wall if needed. There’s also more depth at the wing, reducing the chances of Satoransky seeing action at those positions, Hughes adds.