Tyson Chandler Plans To Play One More Year
Speaking today to reporters, including Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com (Twitter link), Lakers center Tyson Chandler said he’d like to play one more season in the NBA before likely calling it a career. According to Tania Ganguli of The Los Angeles Times (Twitter link), Chandler said he wants to be around more for his daughter, who is entering high school this year.
“I know I definitely want to play one more year,” Chandler said. “… I know next year will be it.”
Chandler, who agreed to a buyout with the Suns early in the 2018/19 season, helped shore up the Lakers’ frontcourt, averaging 3.1 PPG and 5.6 RPG in 48 games (16.4 MPG) for Los Angeles. After being waived by Phoenix, the 36-year-old signed a one-year, minimum-salary deal with the Lakers, so he’s headed back to unrestricted free agency this summer.
If the former No. 2 overall pick plays one more season, he’ll retire next summer following a 19-year career in which he suited up for Chicago, New Orleans, Dallas, New York, Phoenix, and the Lakers — and perhaps a new team in 2019/20.
Chandler has logged 1,134 career regular season games, averaging 8.4 PPG and 9.2 RPG in his 18 seasons. He earned an All-NBA nod in 2012, and All-Star berth in 2013, and was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in ’12. He also played a key role on the Mavericks’ championship team in 2011.
Hassan Whiteside Discusses Player Option, Role
Heat center Hassan Whiteside has the ability to reach the open market this summer if he opts out of the final year of the four-year contract he signed back in 2016. However, he’s unlikely to get the sort of payday in free agency that would make it worthwhile to decline his $27MM+ player option for 2019/20.
Still, as Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald writes, Whiteside doesn’t view the decision as automatic, telling reporters on Wednesday that he plans to give the matter some thought in the coming weeks.
“I’m definitely going to weigh my options,” Whiteside said. “It’s definitely a decision I got to make and do the best for me. I feel like if I’m playing, I’m going to produce so it will take care of itself.”
Having been displaced by Bam Adebayo in Miami’s starting lineup, Whiteside saw his playing time dip to just 23.3 minutes per contest in 2018/19, his lowest mark since he joined the Heat in 2014. That number dropped even further, to 17.3 MPG, in the 19 games since the start of March. And while the 29-year-old didn’t publicly gripe about his role during the season, he made it clear today that he believes he’s capable of more.
“I don’t think I’m a 20-minute guy,” Whiteside said, per Jackson. “I average what, 20 minutes? So I think I can play more and I can do more. So I definitely think what I bring to the game is at a high level for my position. You know, I led the league in categories that you would want a big man to lead the league in. I feel like I can keep doing that.”
Whiteside’s overall numbers – 12.3 PPG, 11.3 RPG, and 1.9 BPG – were down from previous years, but as he hints at, his per-minute production was strong. According to Basketball-Reference’s data, the Heat center led the league in rebounds per 36 minutes and ranked fifth in blocks per 36 minutes.
Nets Add Theo Pinson To 15-Man Roster
1:24pm: The Nets confirmed in a press release that they’ve exercised the standard NBA contract conversion option on Pinson, meaning he’ll just get a rest-of-season deal.
12:54pm: The Nets have converted Theo Pinson‘s two-way contract to a standard NBA contract, reports Michael Scotto of The Athletic (via Twitter). Brooklyn had an open spot on its 15-man roster, so no corresponding move is required to make room for the wing.
An undrafted free agent out of UNC, Pinson joined the Nets on a two-way deal in 2018 and has appeared in 17 games for the NBA club as a rookie. While his playing time for Brooklyn has been limited, the 23-year-old has thrived for the Long Island Nets, recording 20.7 PPG, 6.1 APG, and 5.9 RPG in 34 G League games this season. He was named to the All-NBAGL Second Team last week.
With his promotion to the 15-man roster, Pinson is now eligible to participate in the playoffs with the Nets. Before the NBA postseason begins, he’ll likely play for Long Island on Friday in the final game of the G League Finals. The best-of-three series between the Long Island and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers is currently tied at one game apiece.
While Scotto classifies the move as a contract conversion, it’s not clear if that’s official, or if the Nets were able to negotiate a new deal with Pinson. A straight conversion of his two-way contract would mean he’d be eligible for restricted free agency this summer. A multiyear deal would likely include a non-guaranteed salary for 2019/20, giving Brooklyn more flexibility.
Jeff Bower Expected To Join Suns’ Front Office
APRIL 10: The Suns are expected to officially name Bower their senior VP of basketball operations within the next day or two, reports John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7.
APRIL 6: Former Pistons and Hornets GM Jeff Bower is being strongly considered for a front-office role with the Suns, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Bower may join the organization next week, Woj adds, as owner Robert Sarver has begun telling other candidates that they’re no longer being considered.
Bower appears headed for a “senior advising role,” with interim GM James Jones remaining in charge of the front office and retaining the power to make decisions. Jones has been part of the interview process, along with Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, league sources tell Wojnarowski. The Suns have been operating without an official GM since dismissing Ryan McDonough in October before the season began.
Bower spent four years with the Pistons before he and coach/executive Stan Van Gundy were fired last May. He has been in the NBA for two decades and served as interim coach of the Hornets during the 2009/10 season.
Pelicans Notes: Davis, Holiday, Payton, Randle
While it has long been considered a formality that the Pelicans will move Anthony Davis during the offseason, the star center acknowledged today that, with his contract set to run through at least 2020, it’s not a given that he’ll be playing for a new team next fall.
“I’m under contract still,” Davis said, per Nick Friedell of ESPN.com. “I have a year left. Obviously it’s a possibility it could happen. I don’t have ill will towards anybody. I know that it’s a possibility that next year I could be here as well. So I can’t be mad if I’m here next year.”
Davis, who said that he has no regrets about requesting a trade from the Pelicans earlier this year, admitted that the saga was a “wild” experience, but said he’s excited to see what the future holds. Davis’ future figures to be in the hands of New Orleans’ next general manager — while Danny Ferry assumed interim GM duties, Dell Demps‘ permanent replacement has yet to be hired.
“Seeing who the Pelicans make their GM and having a conversation with that person about the future,” Davis said when asked about his next step. “My time here has always been great. I love playing here. It’s something that I will definitely hold in my heart forever, but the next step is waiting on the Pelicans [to fill] that GM job.”
Here’s more on Davis and the Pelicans:
- As Friedell details within the same article, Davis also attempted to sidestep responsibility for wearing a Looney Tunes shirt reading “That’s All Folks” on the day of what could have been his final game as a Pelican. “I didn’t choose it,” AD said. “I actually didn’t choose it. It was hanging for me already when I put my clothes on.”
- Addressing the Davis situation, Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry said the 26-year-old is a “great kid” who got some “bad advice,” Friedell writes in another ESPN.com story. “We’re going to move on regardless of what [happened],” Gentry said. “We’ve got great ownership. We’re going to have great leadership. We got a bunch of guys in there that believe in each other. So it doesn’t matter what [happens], we’re going to be good next year.”
- In his end-of-season presser, Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday said that Demps used to keep him in the loop on major decisions, adding that he hopes the franchise will continue soliciting his input (Twitter link via Will Guillory of The Athletic).
- Holiday also offered his two cents on free-agents-to-be Elfrid Payton and Julius Randle — he’d like to see the team bring both players back, if possible (Twitter link via Guillory).
NBA, NBPA Resume Talks To End One-And-Done Rule
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association have resumed discussions in recent weeks about ending the league’s one-and-done rule and lowering the minimum age to 18, league sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Jonathan Givony.
According to Wojnarowski and Givony, those talks have been infused with some urgency, since the league still hopes to change the rule in time for the 2022 draft. If the rule is changed for that year, there will be a greater influx of talent in the ’22 draft, with high school seniors and college freshman each getting their first chance to declare as early entrants. Those draft picks will, in turn, become more valuable.
“There was a run on trying to get 2022 picks at the trade deadline,” one GM told ESPN.
While both sides would like resolution, the NBA’s desire to convince the NBPA to make concessions on rules related to the availability of prospects’ medical information and combine attendance and participation have been obstacles, per ESPN.
The NBPA has felt pressure from the agent community to resist the NBA’s efforts to gain control of prospects’ medical information, sources tell Woj and Givony. Conversely, the league doesn’t want to lower the minimum age to 18 without some giveback from the players’ union.
As negotiations between the league and players’ union continue, the NBA and USA Basketball have reached an agreement to allow teams to begin scouting Team USA’s 16-under national camps this May, Woj and Givony report. Players at that camp could potentially be available in the 2022 draft. Previously, NBA teams were only permitted to scout 18-under camps and programs.
R.J. Barrett Entering 2019 NBA Draft
Duke wing R.J. Barrett, one of the top prospects in this year’s draft class, has formally confirmed that he’s declaring for the 2019 NBA draft, posting a video on Twitter to announce his decision.
In his freshman year with the Blue Devils, Barrett was one of the most productive players in the country, averaging 22.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 4.3 APG with a .454/.308/.665 shooting line. He currently ranks as the No. 3 prospect on Jonathan Givony’s big board at ESPN.com, behind only teammate Zion Williamson and Murray State point guard Ja Morant.
As Givony details in his scouting report, Barrett is a “versatile, intelligent player with terrific scoring instincts” who is capable of playing on or off the ball. He also has good physical tools, with the sort of size and athleticism that should transition well to the NBA.
Barrett’s outside shooting and efficiency are areas to focus on as he prepares to go pro. According to Givony, some NBA scouts also question his overall upside, comparing him to second-tier NBA stars like Jimmy Butler and DeMar DeRozan.
Nonetheless, Barrett figures to be one of the first few players to come off the board this June. While he technically has until May 29 to reconsider and withdraw his name, he looks like a lock to keep his name in this year’s draft pool.
Kentucky’s Keldon Johnson Enters 2019 NBA Draft
Kentucky guard Keldon Johnson will enter his name in the 2019 NBA draft pool, he announced on Wednesday, per a press release from the school.
Jeff Goodman of Stadium tweets that he’d be “very, very surprised” if Johnson returns to the Wildcats for his sophomore season. However, the announcement from the program notes that the youngster will be able to hire an agent without having to make a final decision on his status until May 29.
“I’ve spent a lot of time over the last week thinking about what’s best for me and my future,” Johnson said in a statement. “I’ve sat down with my family and Coach Cal (John Calipari) and determined that testing the waters and getting information back from the NBA is the best thing for me at this time. My hope is to be a lottery pick. If I am, I plan on pursuing my dreams and staying in the draft, but I want to go through the process first and get the correct information.”
Johnson currently ranks as the No. 20 prospect on ESPN’s big board, with Jonathan Givony praising the 6’6″ forward’s physical tools, versatility, rebounding ability, and defense. Johnson is not yet a dynamic shooter and has had some conditioning issues, Givony notes.
Johnson will join fellow top-20 prospect P.J. Washington in this year’s draft pool. Kentucky’s third notable prospect, Tyler Herro, has yet to announce a decision regarding the draft.
John Wall Unsure If He’ll Play Next Season
A torn Achilles tendon will sideline John Wall for at least the start of the 2019/20 season, and the Wizards point guard isn’t entirely sure that he’ll be able to return at all next season. After undergoing surgery on his Achilles in February, Wall told reporters on Tuesday that his return timeline remains very much up in the air, as Howard Fendrich of The Associated Press relays.
“I have no idea just yet,” Wall said when asked about playing next season. “That’s my goal. … That’s my mindset, where I’m pushing toward. But whenever the doctors clear me and get to that point, then I will know.”
According to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington, Wall plans to rehab the injury in Miami during the summer. However, he’ll remain in town for a few weeks and will be keeping an eye on which direction owner Ted Leonsis goes with the club’s general manager hire after dismissing Ernie Grunfeld. The veteran point guard expressed confidence in Leonsis’ ability to make a strong hire.
“Whoever we have or hire is going to be somebody that has watched us from the outside, not the inside, and understands what this team needs and what type of culture we need around here, what type of veterans we need and what type of leaders we need to make this team the right team,” Wall said, per Hughes.
While the Wizards don’t have that new GM in place yet, Wall did offer one piece of roster construction advice for Grunfeld’s eventual replacement, as Hughes notes.
“I think most of the years I’ve been here we’ve always had five or six guys on one-year contracts,” Wall said. “That’s always tough to deal with because those guys are fighting for their lives and fighting to make sure they keep their jobs in this league. I think you kind of want to get and sustain a core group that you know is going to be here for a while.”
The Wizards are also in position to claim a high pick in the 2019 draft, and it’s not out of the realm of possibility that a prospect like Murray State point guard Ja Morant could be the best player available when Washington is on the clock this June. If the club does decide to select a point guard with its top pick, Wall is fine with that outcome, he told reporters on Tuesday.
“I would have no problem with that because it is what it is,” Wall said. “You have to do what is best for the team. You have to make sure that we have pieces. And when I come back, he can be a great back-up to me.”
Wolves Launch Search For President Of Basketball Operations
The Timberwolves have officially launched their search for a new president of basketball operations to replace Tom Thibodeau, who was dismissed during the season, the team announced today in a press release. Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic first reported late on Tuesday night that Minnesota would seek a president of basketball ops.
“In the absence of Tom, I want to thank all who picked up his responsibilities this past year,” Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said in a statement, citing the work done by general manager Scott Layden and head coach Ryan Saunders. “… They worked through a season with many injuries requiring many challenges in our player lineup. We are incredibly grateful to them for all of their hard work and commitment to the franchise.
“The future of the Minnesota Timberwolves continues to be very bright,” Taylor continued. “It’s more important than ever that we find a leader who can build a successful team in today’s fast-paced NBA. We have the cornerstones of a very talented team and need to assemble the final pieces that will elevate us into a playoff team and one that can compete for championships.”
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who initially reported on Tuesday that the Timberwolves were finalizing plans to retain Layden and Saunders, has amended his report, clarifying that Taylor would prefer to keep Layden and Saunders in the mix as part of a “revised organizational structure.”
According to Wojnarowski, the idea would be to reward Saunders with a multiyear extension – likely a three-year deal with a team option in the final season – and to keep Layden as the general manager, with a new president of basketball operations working above him. It remains to be seen if the Wolves will target candidates willing to work within that structure, or if the team will ultimately let its new hire make the call on Layden’s and Saunders’ futures.
Sources tell Krawczynski that Taylor ultimately elected to open up a search for an executive about Layden in part because of the GM’s “messy handling” of Jimmy Butler‘s trade request and his inability to make a trade at February’s deadline. Krawczynski adds that the Wolves will be aggressive in their search, targeting a strong communicator who places high value on the draft and player development. The team won’t use a search firm during the process.
Former NBA players Chauncey Billups and Calvin Booth have been cited as potential targets of interest for Minnesota, though it’s not clear if the club would feel comfortable elevating either one to a president of basketball operations role. Booth currently works in the Nuggets’ front office, while Billups has interviewed for high-level NBA management jobs in Cleveland and Atlanta in recent years.
The Wolves also plan to look outside of Taylor’s “sphere” for candidates, writes Krawczynski.