Andrew Bynum Working Towards NBA Comeback
After last playing in the NBA during the 2013/14 season, Andrew Bynum is working to make a comeback in the league this season. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania (Twitter link), Bynum has hired representation as he looks to schedule team workouts in the coming weeks, with training camps around the corner.
Bynum is still just 30 years old, but it remains to be seen how much he can provide NBA teams at this point of his career, especially given the league’s trend to small ball and centers that can keep up with guards on the perimeter.
Bynum struggled with injuries throughout his career, preventing him from developing into a perennial All-Star during his prime. Bynum played seven seasons with the Lakers and averaged 11.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, making the All-Star game during the 2011/12 season.
After being traded to the Sixers as part of the Dwight Howard trade in the 2012 offseason, Bynum continued to have issues with his knees, which prevented him from suiting up during the 2012/13 campaign. After his contract expired following that season, the 76ers didn’t look to bring Bynum back, allowing him to explore options as an unrestricted free agent.
Bynum signed with the Cavaliers in the following summer, but was quickly traded to the Bulls during the 2013/14 season, who subsequently waived him to receive luxury tax relief. While Bynum later struck a deal with the Pacers that same season, he continued to struggle with knee issues and only appeared in two games with Indiana.
A former top-10 pick in the draft, Bynum showcased a varied post game and ability to defend the rim when with the Lakers. Any team in need of rim protection or a scoring option at center could look to bring Bynum in for a workout during training camp, but clubs will certainly be cautious about giving him a roster spot, given his injury history and the trends of the league.
Pacific Notes: Ferrell, M. Wagner, J. Robinson, Evans
By waiting out the initial wave of free agency, the Kings were able to add another young rotational player in the backcourt, further bolstering their depth at guard, writes James Ham of NBC Sports. In Ham’s training camp profile on Yogi Ferrell, he notes that Ferrell’s speed, quickness and knack for scoring make him one of the team’s significant additions in the offseason.
Ferrell initially agreed to a deal to return to the Mavericks, but backed out and signed a two-year, $6.2MM deal with the Kings, the second year being non-guaranteed. The 25-year-old, who is entering his third season in the league, is coming off a solid – if unspectacular – season with the Mavericks in which he averaged 10.2 points, 3.o rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, playing a career-high 27.8 minutes per game.
While the Kings have several capable guards to fill backcourt minutes, Ferrell should open the season as the team’s primary backup point guard and may fill in at both guard positions if injuries strike. With De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Frank Mason, Ben McLemore and Bogdan Bogdanovic all capable of playing in the backcourt, Ferrell will likely see a decrease in minutes and usage this season.
In a pinch, Ferrell can be the spark-plug scoring guard off the bench, a role Sacramento could certainly use in the upcoming season. With the additions of Nemanja Bjelica and Marvin Bagley alongside Ferrell, the Kings were able to add to their young core and boost their offensive potential in the offseason.
There’s more today from the Pacific Division:
- Two rookies in the division were able to secure shoe deals, with Moritz Wagner of the Lakers signing with the Jordan brand and the Clippers‘ Jerome Robinson signing with Nike. Both players were first round picks in the 2018 Draft and could become key parts of the young cores on their respective teams in the upcoming season, although the veteran depth ahead of them will likely limit their playing time in the immediate future.
- After being selected by the Warriors at No. 28 in the 2018 Draft, Jacob Evans III is preparing for the upcoming season, one in which he may be called upon to provide depth at multiple positions. As Mark Medina writes for The Mercury News, Evans is looking to accelerate his learning curve by hanging around the Warriors’ practice facility and meeting everyone that he can in the organization. With the Warriors failing to address their lack of quality wing depth in the offseason, Evans may be in line for a larger role than expected, especially throughout the regular season as the team keeps its focus on the playoffs.
- The Clippers‘ G-League team (the Agua Caliente Clippers) held open tryouts this weekend, as hopefuls worked to earn a spot on the squad, per Mirjam Swanson of The Orange County Register. Last season, the organization’s NBA team was bolstered by contributions from players such as C.J. Williams, Tyrone Wallace and Jamil Wilson, who split their time between the G-League and NBA. Attendees had varying levels of basketball experience, but are looking to earn a spot on the roster and perhaps continue the team’s success for the NBA club.
Rodney Hood Accepts Cavaliers’ Qualifying Offer
Restricted free agent wing Rodney Hood has accepted the Cavaliers‘ one-year qualifying offer, reports Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. The one-year deal, worth $3,472,887, will set up Hood to become an unrestricted free agent during the summer of 2019.
Hood, who was traded from the Jazz to the Cavs midway through the 2017/18 season, struggled to produce consistently with his new club, averaging just 10.8 PPG on .442/.352/.813 shooting in 21 regular season games with Cleveland before falling out of the rotation for part of the postseason. He had recorded 16.8 PPG with a .424/.389/.876 shooting line in 39 contests for Utah.
Having spent more than two months as a restricted free agent, Hood was in a tough spot, given the lack of teams left with roster spots and the willingness to spend big on an offer sheet. According to Vardon, Hood was seeking a long-term contract in the range of $9MM per year.
The Cavs had been willing to offer a multiyear deal worth approximately $7MM annually, per Vardon, which the 25-year-old turned down in a bet on himself. If he has a big year in 2018/19 as a primary option in Cleveland’s offense, Hood could be in line for a bigger payday in 2019, when more teams will have cap space available. The Cavs will still hold his Bird rights at that time.
With Hood back in the fold and David Nwaba having signed a one-year, minimum-salary pact with the Cavaliers, the club is moving closer to being ready for opening night. The Cavs will now have 14 players with fully guaranteed salaries, totaling about $115.7MM. Isaiah Taylor will also attend training camp on a non-guaranteed contract, and the club figures to fill out its 20-man offseason roster with a few more camp invitees in the coming weeks.
A players who accepts his qualifying offer as a restricted free agent receives an implicit no-trade clause for that league year, since they’d lose their Bird rights if they’re traded. As such, Hood won’t be able to be dealt without his consent during the 2018/19 season.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Luol Deng, Tom Thibodeau To Meet Today
After Luol Deng and the Lakers came to an agreement over a buyout, the expectation was that Deng’s former coach Tom Thibodeau, now head coach and president of basketball operations for the Timberwolves, would come calling about adding Deng to the team.
[RELATED: Timberwolves launch pursuit of Luol Deng]
Things appear to be picking up on that front, as Darren Wolfson of Eyewitness News is reporting (via Twitter) that Deng and Thibodeau are indeed meeting today. After signing Derrick Rose last season and reuniting with Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson during the 2017 offseason, Thibodeau has shown interest in bringing several former Bulls to the Timberwolves, especially if they can help the team on the defensive end.
Having signed a four-year, $72MM contract with the Lakers in the 2016 offseason, Deng appeared in just 57 games for the team over the past two seasons. He was shut down and kept on the bench for the remainder of the 2017/18 season after playing in the Lakers’ opener, a decision that reflected the team’s focus on its young players.
Deng, now 33 years old, was considered a strong defender when playing under Thibodeau with the Bulls. After struggling with his shot during the initial stages of his career, he developed into a reliable shooter, establishing himself as a strong 3-and-D wing in his prime years, during which he made two All-Star teams. It remains to be seen how much Deng can provide in either area at this point in his career, but Thibodeau appears interested in adding a veteran presence to the locker room that is familiar with his coaching style and defensive execution.
The Timberwolves continue to seek help on defense, as they finished 22nd on that end of the floor last season. Coming off the team’s first playoff appearance since 2004, Thibodeau is looking to improve on the defensive end in order to secure another spot in the playoffs.
So far this offseason, the Wolves have added Josh Okogie and Keita Bates-Diop through the draft and two forwards in Anthony Tolliver and James Nunnally through free agency, in addition to re-signing Rose.
Central Notes: Parker, G. Robinson, Bullock, McMillan
Signing Jabari Parker away from the Bucks was a low-risk, high-reward move that could significantly raise the Bulls‘ talent level, writes Spencer Davies of Basketball Insiders in that site’s season preview for Chicago. Parker got a two-year, $40MM deal that Milwaukee elected not to match. However, only the first season is guaranteed, so the Bulls can treat it like an expiring contract if things don’t work out.
Parker provided some reasons for optimism last season after returning from ACL surgery on his left knee. He averaged 12.6 PPG and 4.9 RPG in 31 games while shooting 48% from the field and 38% from 3-point range. There are still questions about his defense, which may improve after a summer off to rest the knee, and he will have to adjust to the small forward spot in Chicago.
In the same preview, the Basketball Insiders crew tabs rookie Wendell Carter as the Bulls’ best defensive player and states that Fred Hoiberg is finally getting to coach the style of team he envisioned when he took the job.
There’s more today from the Central Division:
- Glenn Robinson III’s 3-point shooting may help him win a starting job with the Pistons, Keith Langlois of NBA.com notes in a mailbag column. Robinson and Stanley Johnson are the only natural small forwards on Detroit’s roster, and while Johnson is the better defender, Robinson has the size and athleticism to help on that end of the court. New coach Dwane Casey plans to emphasize 3-pointers, which gives Robinson a chance for significant playing time, whether as a starter or reserve.
- The Pistons could have a tough time keeping Reggie Bullock next summer without making some roster moves to free up cap space, Langlois adds in the same piece. Bullock and Johnson are both headed toward free agency, but Johnson will be restricted if Detroit makes a qualifying offer. Bullock will be seeking a raise from this year’s $2.5MM salary, and the team already has nearly $105MM committed for 2019/20.
- Nate McMillan became just the second coach in Pacers history to receive a contract extension when his new deal was announced this week, observes Mark Montieth of NBA.com. McMillan far exceeded expectations last year in leading Indiana to a 48-win season after the team traded away Paul George.
Hood Still Seeking Better Offer From Cavaliers
Restricted free agent Rodney Hood is still trying to get the Cavaliers to increase their current offer, which is about $7MM annually over three years, according to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. If they can’t come to an agreement, Hood could opt to accept the team’s $3.4MM qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Cleveland has 13 players under contract after David Nwaba‘s signing became official yesterday. The 14th spot is being held open for Hood, and the final opening will be determined by what happens in training camp. The Cavs went with a 14-man roster for much of last season because of luxury tax concerns.
Hood, 25, came to Cleveland in February in a deadline deal with the Jazz. He struggled to find a role during 21 regular season games, then cratered in the playoffs, averaging 5.4 points per night while shooting 42% from the field and 17% from 3-point range. Still, the Cavaliers like his potential and believe he can help replace some of the scoring that was lost when LeBron James left for the Lakers.
Hood saw a lot of leverage disappear this summer as teams used up their cap space. The only team that still has its full $8.641MM mid-level exceptions available, aside from Cleveland, is Utah, which reportedly isn’t interested in bringing back Hood.
Suns Considering Beverley, Joseph, Dinwiddie
Some more names have emerged in the Suns’ search for a point guard, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, who reports that the team has targeted the Clippers’ Patrick Beverley, the Pacers’ Cory Joseph and the Nets’ Spencer Dinwiddie.
Beverley may be expendable in L.A. after the Clippers matched an offer sheet this week for Tyrone Wallace. That move gives the team 17 players with guaranteed contracts and adds to a crowded backcourt that also includes Avery Bradley, Jawun Evans, Milos Teodosic, Sindarius Thornwell, Lou Williams and first-round picks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson.
Beverley has a non-guaranteed deal that will pay him a little more than $5MM for the upcoming season. The 30-year-old received full medical clearance in June after having microfracture and meniscus surgery on his knee last November. He started all 11 games he appeared in before the injury, posting a 12.2/4.1/2.9 line, and is considered among the NBA’s best defensive point guards.
Joseph, 27, has a $7.9MM expiring contract. One of the league’s best sixth men, he averaged 7.9/3.2/3.2 while playing all 82 games in his first year with the Pacers. However, Indiana has Darren Collison entrenched as its starter and selected Aaron Holiday in the first round of this year’s draft.
Dinwiddie, 25, would come much cheaper at $1.6MM and is also on an expiring contract. He played 80 games for the Nets last season with a 12.6/3.2/6.6 line.
The Suns have been in the market for point guard help since trading Brandon Knight to the Rockets last month. Isaiah Canaan, Shaquille Harrison, De’Anthony Melton and Elie Okobo are the only options on the current roster.
Mavericks Notes: Doncic, Spalding, K. Antetokounmpo, Brunson
Coach Rick Carlisle is telling Dallas fans that they’ve got something special in rookie Luka Doncic, relays Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. The Mavericks have been thrilled about the 19-year-old’s potential ever since they were able to engineer a deal with the Hawks to acquire the No. 3 pick. That excitement grew last week as Doncic was in town to play pickup games with a few of his teammates.
“Off of what I’ve seen over the last two days,” Carlisle said, “anybody who doesn’t jump on season tickets now is going to sorely regret it later, that’s all I’ll say.”
Doncic was among the most celebrated players in Europe before entering this year’s draft, being named EuroLeague Most Valuable Player and winning the league’s Final Four MVP honors last season. J.J. Barea, who was among the players at the pickup sessions, came away impressed with his new partner in the Mavericks’ backcourt.
“He’s not quick, but he’s going to play at a good pace, always under control,” Barea said. “He’s tall and can pass over people. He’s a great passer. And he can shoot it, too, so you’ve got to guard him.”
There’s more tonight from Dallas:
- The Mavericks gave second-round pick Ray Spalding a four-year contract, but he’ll probably have to prove himself in the G League this season, Sefko writes in a player profile. The 56th player selected, Spalding will be stuck behind free agent addition DeAndre Jordan and a host of veteran big men on the Mavericks’ depth chart.
- Two-way player Kostas Antetokounmpo has a long way to go to catch up with his famous brother, Sefko notes in another profile. He will be limited to 45 days in the NBA if he remains on the two-way deal. Like Giannis, Kostas possesses tremendous athleticism, but Sefko states that he will have to get stronger and improve his offense to become an effective NBA player.
- Dallas thinks Jalen Brunson might be the steal of the second round, but playing time could be an issue, Sefko adds in a separate piece. The reigning Wooden Award winner is stuck behind Doncic and Dennis Smith as the starting backcourt and will compete for minutes with Barea and Wesley Matthews.
Community Shootaround: 2019 Free Agents
Training camps haven’t opened yet, but it’s never too early to start thinking about next summer, which will feature one of the most impressive free agent classes in recent history. LeBron James may be off the market, signing a four-year contract with the Lakers after a series of one-year deals with options, but there are plenty of big names to replace him as we outlined Friday in our 2019 Free Agent Power Rankings 1.0.
The Warriors’ Kevin Durant holds the top spot and will probably be there all year. He has solidified his position among the league’s elite players by helping Golden State capture back-to-back titles in his two seasons with the team. While he’s in a great situation with the Warriors, Durant may decide he wants another challenge, and speculation has already started about possible destinations. He has played on one-year contracts with options the past two seasons, but at age 31 he may be ready for a long-term deal similar to LeBron’s.
Karl-Anthony Towns is currently No. 2 on the list, but there’s a good chance he’ll sign an extension with the Timberwolves before the October 15 deadline. If he doesn’t, that’s a strong sign that the locker room chemistry in Minnesota is even worse than we’ve been led to believe. If Towns hits the open market, his combination of skills and youth will create a league-wide demand, even though he’ll be a restricted free agent.
The Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard checks in at No. 3 with another situation that could change during the season. Leonard’s desire to play in Los Angeles is one of the factors that pushed him out of San Antonio, and a trade to the Lakers or Clippers could happen if Toronto isn’t confident about re-signing him when we reach the February trade deadline.
The reported dissension in Minnesota may also affect Jimmy Butler, who is fourth on our list. Butler brings an old-school mentality to the game and has reportedly clashed with Towns and Andrew Wiggins over their more relaxed attitudes. The Wolves surrendered a lot to get Butler just 15 months ago, so they may look to move him before the deadline if they decide it’s not a good fit.
Klay Thompson rounds out the top five heading into a pivotal offseason for Golden State. With two of the top five free agents plus Draymond Green eligible for an extension, it’s about to get a lot more expensive to keep the core of the back-to-back champions together.
Tonight we want you to predict how many of the top five free agents will be changing teams next summer. Incumbent teams hold the advantage of being able to offer longer contracts and bigger annual raises, but the 2019 free agent market looks unsettled with two sets of teammates in the top five and Leonard possibly in a short-term arrangement in Toronto. Please give us your feedback in the space below.
Heat Notes: Dragic, Olynyk, Stokes, Bosh
The Heat may be willing to trade Goran Dragic, but only if they can get a first-round pick and some financial flexibility for next summer, writes Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. Dragic’s name was floated last week as a possible target for the Suns, who are without a veteran point guard after dealing Brandon Knight to the Rockets.
Dragic is the only established point guard on the Heat roster, but Winderman notes that Miami has a logjam in the backcourt, needing to find time for Dion Waiters, Tyler Johnson, Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow, Wayne Ellington, Rodney McGruder and possibly Dwyane Wade. The Heat, who are over the projected luxury tax for this season with nearly $127MM in guaranteed salary, could also benefit financially from unloading Dragic, who will make more than $18.1MM this year and has a $19.2MM player option for 2019/20.
- Kelly Olynyk has committed to play a pair of World Cup qualifying games this month for the Canadian national team. Olynyk is among several NBA players on the roster for Canada, which hopes to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 2010. Olynyk’s games are set for Wednesday and September 17, so they won’t interfere with Miami’s training camp.
- Jarnell Stokes is grateful for the opportunity to join the Heat in camp, even though he faces long odds to win a roster spot. The power forward played five games with Miami during the 2015/16 season and has a high opinion of the franchise. “They are very fair when it comes to trusting what they see,” Stokes said in a recent interview with J.D. Shaw of Def Pen Hoops. “A lot of guys go by numbers and politics, but you can pretty much trust that if you put in the work — guys like Tyler Johnson, Hassan Whiteside, Josh Richardson — these guys really did not have an opportunity at first. Miami is typically the spot that is able to trust in what they see.”
- Former Heat big man Chris Bosh continues to express his desire to return to the NBA. The Georgia Tech alum, who hasn’t played since doctors discovered a recurrence of blood clots in 2016, said in an interview with ramblinwreck.com that he hopes to work toward a comeback this season. Because Bosh left the Heat over a medical issue and the final two years of his contract were removed from Miami’s cap, he is not permitted to rejoin the team.