One-Game Suspension For Nikola Jokic
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has received a one-game suspension for leaving the team’s bench area during an altercation, the NBA announced on Twitter.
The incident took place during Wednesday’s skirmish between Denver’s Mason Plumlee and Utah’s Derrick Favors. Plumlee was fined $25K and Favors was docked $15K, according to a statement from the league. Both players received technical fouls and were ejected.
Jokic will serve his suspension during tonight’s game against the Suns. He emerged as an MVP candidate this season, averaging career highs in points (19.8), rebounds (10.3) and assists (7.7) while leading Denver to the second-best record in the West.
Hoops Rumors’ Chat Transcript: 1/25/2019
With the NBA trade deadline less than two weeks away, Hoops Rumors is holding live chats every Friday from 12-1pm CT.
Today’s chat is complete, but you can read the transcript here. Be sure to check back on Friday, February 1 for our next live chat!
Southwest Notes: Mirotic, CP3, DSJ, Grizzlies
The Pelicans, already missing star big man Anthony Davis, will be without another key frontcourt player for at least the next week. The club announced in a press release on Thursday evening that Nikola Mirotic is dealing with a right calf strain and will be re-evaluated in a week. Shams Charania of The Athletic suggests (via Twitter) that Mirotic may end up missing a week or two due to the injury.
Meanwhile, a division rival got some promising injury news this week. The Rockets are expected to get Chris Paul back in their lineup on Sunday, head coach Mike D’Antoni confirmed today (Twitter link via Ryan Wolstat of The Toronto Sun). While Paul isn’t quite ready to return from his hamstring ailment on Friday night against Toronto, he’d play if it were a playoff game, D’Antoni said.
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- After a two-week absence from the Mavericks‘ lineup, Dennis Smith Jr. returned on Tuesday and had head coach Rick Carlisle raving about his performance, as Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com writes. Carlisle said Smith gave the Mavs “everything we needed,” while Luka Doncic was happy to see his teammate back in the lineup, writes Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. Despite the positive vibes, Tim Cato of The Athletic doesn’t believe much has changed about how the two sides feel, writing that DSJ would probably still welcome a trade and Dallas will likely continue to probe the market.
- In the wake of Grizzlies owner Robert Pera telling longtime franchise players Marc Gasol and Mike Conley that they could be traded, Mark Giannotto of The Memphis Commercial Appeal writes that – for the sake of the city of Memphis – he really hopes Pera knows what he’s doing.
- Frank Urbina of HoopsHype identifies four potential landing spots for Conley if the Grizzlies get serious about moving him before this season’s deadline.
Sixers Sign Corey Brewer To Second 10-Day Deal
JANUARY 25: The Sixers have officially re-signed Brewer, the team announced today in a press release. Once his second 10-day deal expires, Philadelphia will have to decide whether or not to sign Brewer for the rest of the season.
JANUARY 24: The Sixers will sign forward Corey Brewer to a second 10-day contract on Friday, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets.
Brewer, 32, has averaged 7.7 points, two rebounds and 23 minutes in three games with the team, starting in the last two contests against Houston and San Antonio. Brewer was tasked with defending the likes of James Harden and DeMar DeRozan during his starts, impressing the team with his competitive spirit and physical play.
Brewer has made stops with Minnesota, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles and Oklahoma City over the course of his 12-year career. The Sixers originally signed him to a 10-day deal on January 15.
Clippers Rumors: Trade Deadline, Teodosic, Lopez
As one of a handful of big-market teams looking to pursue top-tier free agents during the summer of 2019, the Clippers would prefer not to take on any 2019/20 money in deadline trades. However, as Johan Buva of The Athletic outlines, the team could be convinced to cut into its projected cap space if a multiyear deal provides too much value to pass up, as was the case with Lou Williams‘ three-year extension or Montrezl Harrell‘s two-year contract.
“It’s a lot that goes in it,” head coach Doc Rivers said of his team’s trade deadline plans. “It’s easier when you think you have a shot to win it. Then it’s an easy move. If there’s a move to make your team or put your team over the hump, those are easy. Where we’re at, you have to be very careful with anything you do because anything that puts money on your cap and all that, it’s probably a bad move in some ways. Unless you think it’s a longtime guy. Every team has their own stuff. It’s different for everyone.”
Despite a recent slump, the 26-22 Clippers remain very much in position to push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, holding the No. 8 seed for now. Los Angeles wants to make the postseason, according to Buva, who suggests a playoff berth would help prove to potential free agent targets that the club has the “players and infrastructure to build and support a contender.”
Still, the Clippers’ long-term goal is to build a roster capable of sustained success, so if there’s a move that would align with that goal, the team would be interested, per Buva — even if it means taking a step back in the short term.
Here’s more on the Clippers:
- According to Buva, Milos Teodosic is a player to keep an eye on at the deadline, as the veteran point guard has hinted that he’s not thrilled with his role. The Clippers aren’t necessarily actively looking to move on from Teodosic, since they view him as an important insurance policy behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Patrick Beverley. However, if they find a suitable trade partner or Teodosic expresses interest in a buyout, that stance could change.
- Outside of possibly Teodosic, the Clippers aren’t shopping any of their other players on expiring contracts, says Buva. That group includes Marcin Gortat, Mike Scott, Boban Marjanovic, Luc Mbah a Moute, and Beverley. Avery Bradley is also on a de facto expiring deal, with a $2MM partial guarantee for 2019/20.
- While the Clippers aren’t targeting a specific position at the deadline, Buva suggests that center could be a spot to watch. League sources tell Buva that the Clippers inquired about Bulls center Robin Lopez, but talks didn’t advance.
Nets Sign Mitch Creek To 10-Day Contract
The Nets have filled the open spot on their 15-man roster, announcing today in a press release that they’ve signed Australian forward Mitch Creek to a 10-day contract, promoting him from their G League affiliate in Long Island.
[RELATED: Hoops Rumors’ 10-Day Contract Tracker]
Creek, a longtime standout wing for the Adelaide 36ers in Australia, averaged 14.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 2.5 APG in 31 games for the 36ers last season, earning a spot on the All-NBL Second Team. During the 2018 offseason, he elected to pursue his NBA dreams, joining the Mavericks for Summer League play and then the Nets for training camp.
Although he didn’t make Brooklyn’s regular season roster, Creek landed with the club’s G League affiliate and has played well for the Long Island Nets, averaging 14.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 2.2 APG with a .548 FG% in 25 games.
Creek will get at least a 10-day audition for the NBA club, filling the roster opening created when Brooklyn waived Kenneth Faried last week.
Grizzlies Granted Disabled Player Exception
The Grizzlies have been granted a disabled player exception for the 2018/19 season by the NBA, reports Omari Sankofa of The Athletic (Twitter link). The team will have until March 11 to use the exception.
If a player is seriously injured, his team can request a disabled player exception to replace him. In order for the exception to be granted, an NBA-designated physician must determine that the player is “substantially more likely than not” to be sidelined through at least June 15. In the Grizzlies’ case, it’s Dillon Brooks who will be out for the next several months.
[RELATED: Dillon Brooks to miss rest of season]
The disabled player exception allows a club to add a replacement player for 50% of the injured player’s salary, or for the amount of the non-taxpayer’s mid-level exception, whichever is lesser. Brooks’ salary is $1,378,242, so Memphis’ new DPE is worth a very modest $689,121.
While a disabled player exception can be used to trade for a player or claim a player off waivers, the amount of the Grizzlies’ DPE is less than the minimum salary for a rookie, all but eliminating those options.
Memphis could technically use its disabled player exception to sign a player for more than the minimum salary, since that figure prorates over the course of the season — as of today, a rest-of-season minimum contract for a veteran would be worth about $649K.
However, Memphis is already right up against the luxury-tax threshold and would cross that line by using the entire exception. In other words, this DPE is unlikely to be used. Still, it doesn’t hurt to have, especially since the Grizzlies don’t have any of their mid-level exception or bi-annual exception available.
The Grizzlies would have to clear a roster spot in order to use their new exception. Currently, Bruno Caboclo occupies the final spot on the club’s 15-man roster, but his spot will open up if he’s not re-signed once his 10-day contract expires in early February.
Pacific Notes: Bell, Booker, LeBron, Warren
Warriors coach Steve Kerr and reserve big man Jordan Bell engaged in a brief argument during the team’s game against the Lakers on Monday, with both figures visibly upset and Kerr eventually walking away.
The dispute occurred during a timeout with 5:14 left in the fourth, with Bell playing the final seven minutes of the team’s blowout victory.
“It was a total misinterpretation of something I said,” Kerr said, as relayed by Monte Poole of NBC Sports, “and we cleared it up.”
Bell has seen his minutes decrease from 14.2 to 10.9 per game this season, with the 24-year-old currently in his second campaign with Golden State. The return of DeMarcus Cousins is only going to complicate his role further, as most of the back-up center minutes are set for Kevon Looney.
“We’re all gonna go through times throughout the NBA when we want to speak our minds and vent, and we might be frustrated over some things,” teammate Kevin Durant said when discussing Bell. “Coach has been so open in letting guys get that out but also challenging guys as well. It’s a healthy dialogue, and it’s just a healthy relationship between us and Coach. He lets us know what he sees out there and if you have something to say to him back, he’s not going to be afraid to go back at you.
“I think Jordan understands that, at this point, we just want to continue to keep getting better. Coach will always – especially the younger guys in the league – definitely be on them a little bit more because he expects a lot out of them. He sees the potential in him. On Jordan’s side, we just want him to keep playing. That stuff happens, so we’ll move on.”
The Warriors have the option to offer Bell a $1.8MM qualifying offer prior to free agency this summer.
There’s more from the Pacific Division tonight:
- Suns guard Devin Booker was fined $25K for escalating an on-court altercation by pushing Wolves center Gorgui Dieng on Wednesday, the NBA announced. Both Booker and Dieng were ejected following the scuffle.
- The talent and leadership of LeBron James may not be enough for the Lakers to make the playoffs this season, Bill Oram of The Athletic cautions. James signed a four-year, $154MM contract to join the Lakers in free agency last summer, immediately changing the direction of the franchise to compete this season. He’s missed the past 14 games due to a groin injury, however, watching his team slip to the ninth-best record in the West (25-23) from afar. “No one here is just counting on LeBron carrying all the weight and taking us there,” coach Luke Walton said. “We know the only way to get there is to work. And for everyone to step up and make plays.”
- Suns forward T.J. Warren is expected to miss two to three weeks after sustaining a bone bruise in his left ankle, tweets Gina Mizell of The Athletic. Warren’s timetable means he’ll likely return around the All-Star break in mid-February, with second-year player Josh Jackson set to get additional minutes in his place. Warren has averaged 18 points and four rebounds per game this season, shooting 49% from the floor and a career-high 43% from behind-the-arc.
NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 1/24/19
Here are Thursday’s assignments and recalls from around the NBA G League:
- The Sixers have assigned Justin Patton and Zhaire Smith to the Delaware Blue Coats for rehab purposes, the team announced. Patton will begin practicing with limited and controlled contact as he works back from right foot surgery, while Smith will participate in non-contact practices as he returns from a Jones fracture in his left foot.
- The Celtics assigned rookie forward Robert Williams to the Maine Red Claws, announcing the move on social media. Williams was selected by the Celtics with the No. 27 pick in the 2018 draft, appearing in 22 games so far this season.
- The Hornets have recalled Dwayne Bacon from the Greensboro Swarm, the team announced in a press release. Bacon is holding season averages of 4.6 points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 23 games with Charlotte on the year.
Wizards Granted $8.6MM Disabled Player Exception
The Wizards have been granted a $8.6.41MM disabled player exception for the loss of John Wall, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). Washington will have until March 11 to use the exception before it expires.
[RELATED: Hoops Rumors Glossary: Disabled Player Exception]
Wall opted to undergo season-ending surgery last month to address bone spurs in his left heel, ending his 2018/19 campaign early after playing just 32 games. He averaged 20.7 points, 8.7 assists and 1.5 steals in those games, experiencing pain and discomfort on the court every so often.
For the Wizards, several options exist with their new exception: The team could use it to sign a free agent, claim a player off waivers, or help finalize a trade before the February 7 deadline. The exception counts as a rest-of-season deal if the team uses it to sign a player, though this remains unlikely with the team already being above the luxury tax line.
The Wizards started the season with a disappointing effort, currently holding the 10th-best record in the East at 20-26. Several teams have expressed interest in Bradley Beal and Otto Porter ahead of the deadline, though it remains extremely unlikely that Beal gets traded, Charania reports in a separate story.