Wizards Prepared To Offer Max Extension To Beal
The Wizards will be eligible on Friday to offer Bradley Beal a three-year contract extension worth more than $111MM, and newly-permanent general manager Tommy Sheppard tells ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski the team is ready to put that offer on the table.
“At the very first moment allowed, we are going to offer Bradley the full max extension,” Sheppard said.
[RELATED: Bradley Beal withdraws from World Cup consideration]
Players like Beal – who are on contracts that span at least five years – are permitted to sign veteran contract extensions on the third anniversary of their signing date. Beal’s last contract was finalized on July 26, 2016, so his extension eligibility window opens on July 26 of this year. An extension would start in the 2021/22 season, once his current deal expires.
Still, there’s no guarantee that the All-Star guard will accept the Wizards’ offer once it’s officially on the table. Beal’s agent Mark Bartelstein tells Candace Buckner of The Washington Post (Twitter link) that there “hasn’t been a decision to make as of yet,” suggesting that he and Beal will begin thinking seriously about his contract situation once they have the extension offer in hand.
“There are moments in a career where there are big decisions to make, and Brad will work through everything and figure out the right thing to do,” Bartelstein told Wojnarowski. “There are nothing but great feelings for [Wizards owner] Ted [Leonsis], Tommy and [head coach] Scott [Brooks]. They’ve treated Brad wonderfully.”
There has been speculation that the Wizards might feel pressure to place Beal on the trade block if he turns down an extension offer, but Sheppard tells Wojnarowski that the team has no plans to go down that road. Sheppard, who said the Wizards would also be open to a shorter-term extension for Beal if he prefers it, added that he intends to sell the 26-year-old on the future of the reshaped organization now that he has been installed as the permanent GM.
[RELATED: Wizards officially announce front office changes]
Turning down an extension offer at this time wouldn’t necessarily mean that Beal isn’t interested in staying in D.C. long-term. He’d be eligible for a longer, more lucrative extension a year from now, particularly if he earns All-NBA honors next season — that would make him eligible for a five-year, super-max extension next offseason.
Even if Beal doesn’t make an All-NBA team and simply plays out his current contract, he’d be in a better position to maximize his long-term earnings as a free agent. Assuming the Wizards still have Beal on their roster by the 2021 offseason, they could offer him $217.5MM over five years at that time, based on the league’s latest cap projections.
While we’ll have to wait to find out what Beal is thinking, Wojnarowski’s story makes it clear the Wizards are serious about building around him. Sheppard indicated that the club wants to “surround him with guys he wants to play with,” while Woj reports that Leonsis traveled to Chicago to present the team’s new vision to Bartelstein.
20 NBA Free Agents Signed Four- Or Five-Year Deals
A year ago, many of the NBA’s top free agents decided to sign short-term contracts in order to reach the open market again in 2019.
As we noted last August, seven of the 15 players on our list of top 50 free agents of 2018 signed one-year contracts or two-year deals with options. All seven of those players, led by Kevin Durant, found themselves in search of new contracts this summer, with many of them opting for longer-term deals this time around.
By contrast, all 15 players in our list of 2019’s top 50 NBA free agents signed multiyear contracts this summer. Unless they’re unexpectedly released in a year, none of those players will hit the open market again in 2020.
Kawhi Leonard will have the ability to become a free agent again in 2021, since his new three-year contract with the Clippers has a third-year player option. However, the rest of this year’s top 15 free agents all signed four- or five-year contracts and won’t be free agents again before 2022.
It’s an interesting change in direction for top free agents after we’d become accustomed to superstars like Durant and LeBron James going year to year in order to maximize either their earnings, their flexibility, or both. A “one-plus-one” contract (a two-year deal with a second-year option) could have been a viable option for several stars this summer, but no top free agents chose to go that route.
In total, as our tracker shows, 20 NBA free agents signed long-term (four- or five-year) contracts this offseason. That figure doesn’t include Jalen Lecque, an undrafted free agent who signed a four-year deal with the Suns, since Lecque wasn’t a veteran free agent and his agreement more closely resembles a rookie contract. Our list also doesn’t include Nikola Mirotic, whose new three-plus-one deal is with Barcelona rather than an NBA franchise.
Still, that leaves 20 veteran NBA free agents who signed for four or five years this summer, a major jump from 2018, when just 11 players signed those long-term deals.
Here’s the full list:
- Klay Thompson (Warriors): Five years, $189.9MM.
- Tobias Harris (Sixers): Five years, $180MM.
- Khris Middleton (Bucks): Five years, $177.5MM. Fifth-year player option.
- Kevin Durant (Nets): Four years, $164.3MM. Fourth-year player option.
- Kristaps Porzingis (Mavericks): Five years, $158.3MM. Fifth-year player option.
- Jimmy Butler (Heat): Four years, $140.8MM. Fourth-year player option.
- Kemba Walker (Celtics): Four years, $140.8MM.
- Kyrie Irving (Nets): Four years, $136.5MM. Fourth-year player option. $1MM+ in annual unlikely incentives.
- D’Angelo Russell (Warriors): Four years, $117.3MM.
- Al Horford (Sixers): Four years, $109MM. Fourth year is partially guaranteed. Total guarantee of $97MM.
- Nikola Vucevic (Magic): Four years, $100MM.
- Harrison Barnes (Kings): Four years, $85MM.
- Malcolm Brogdon (Pacers): Four years, $85MM.
- Bojan Bogdanovic (Jazz): Four years, $73.1MM.
- Brook Lopez (Bucks): Four years, $52MM.
- Terrence Ross (Magic): Four years, $50MM. $1MM in annual unlikely incentives.
- DeAndre Jordan (Nets): Four years, $40MM.
- Maxi Kleber (Mavericks): Four years, $34MM. Fourth year is non-guaranteed. Total guarantee of $25MM. $475K in annual unlikely incentives.
- Seth Curry (Mavericks): Four years, $32MM.
- Ivica Zubac (Clippers): Four years, $28.5MM. Fourth-year team option.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Bradley Beal Withdraws From World Cup Consideration
Wizards guard Bradley Beal has become the latest Team USA star to withdraw from consideration for the 2019 World Cup, reports Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). According to Haynes, Beal has a new baby on the way in late August or early September, which is when the World Cup is scheduled to take place.
Beal is the fifth player from Team USA’s initial 20-man training camp roster to remove his name from consideration for this year’s event. The squad’s backcourt has been hit particularly hard, with James Harden, CJ McCollum, Eric Gordon, and Beal all pulling out. Anthony Davis has also withdrawn.
Of course, Team USA is only permitted to carry 12 players on its eventual World Cup roster, so there are still more than enough names on the list of camp participants. Still, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see some Select Team invitees receive stronger consideration for the final roster — it’s possible USA Basketball will also sent out additional invites to other players.
Here are the 15 players from the initial 20-man list who are still expected to attend training camp next month and vie for the 12 spots on Team USA’s 2019 World Cup roster:
- Harrison Barnes, F (Kings)
- Andre Drummond, C (Pistons)
- Tobias Harris, F (Sixers)
- Kyle Kuzma, F (Lakers)
- Damian Lillard, G (Trail Blazers)
- Brook Lopez, C (Bucks)
- Kevin Love, F (Cavaliers)
- Kyle Lowry, G (Raptors)
- Note: Lowry recently underwent thumb surgery but reportedly intends to be ready for the World Cup.
- Khris Middleton, G/F (Bucks)
- Paul Millsap, F/C (Nuggets)
- Donovan Mitchell, G (Jazz)
- Jayson Tatum, F (Celtics)
- Myles Turner, C (Pacers)
- P.J. Tucker, F (Rockets)
- Kemba Walker, G (Celtics)
Wesley Johnson Signs With Panathinaikos
Veteran NBA swingman Wesley Johnson will head overseas for the 2019/20 season. Greek club Panathinaikos issued a press release today announcing that it has signed Johnson to a one-year contract.
The fourth overall pick in the 2010 draft, Johnson didn’t develop into the sort of impact player that his draft position may have portended, but he has been a reliable rotation piece over the course of his nine-year NBA career.
In 609 career games for the Timberwolves, Suns, Lakers, Clippers, Pelicans, and Wizards, Johnson has averaged 7.0 PPG and 3.2 RPG with a .404/.337/.741 shooting line.
The 32-year-old was traded twice during the 2018/19 league year, playing limited minutes in 26 games for New Orleans and 12 for Washington before the Wizards released him during the final week of the regular season.
In Greece, Johnson will team up with another former lottery pick — the 10th overall selection in the 2011 draft, Jimmer Fredette also signed with Panathinaikos last week.
Wizards Officially Announce Front Office Changes
The Wizards have officially named Tommy Sheppard their general manager, confirming the decision today in a press release. A Friday report had indicated that Sheppard – who held the position on an interim basis since April – would get the job on a permanent basis.
Washington’s press release includes announcements on other changes to the team’s front office. Most notably, Sashi Brown will serve as the chief planning and operations officer for Monumental Basketball, according to the franchise. Brown is a former NFL executive who worked in the Cleveland Browns’ front office for two years from 2016-17.
The Wizards also announced that Daniel Medina – previously the VP of athlete care for the Sixers – will be the organization’s chief of athlete care and performance, while former Georgetown and Princeton head coach John Thompson III will lead a new athlete development and engagement department.
“We have formed a new leadership team with a forward-thinking structure to adapt to the ‘new NBA’ that requires every possible strategic advantage to compete and win,” Wizards team owner Ted Leonsis said in a statement. “We are building a leadership brain trust with deep Wizards/NBA experience and with sports professionals from inside and outside the NBA to challenge our thinking and adapt to an ever-increasing competitive environment.”
While Brown and Medina will play major roles in overseeing programs and services for all Monumental Basketball franchises – including the Washington Mystics (WNBA) and Capital City Go-Go (G League), it will be Sheppard who remains in charge of the basketball operations department for the Wizards.
According to the team’s release, Sheppard will lead strategy, analytics, player personnel, scouting, and coaching for the Wizards and Go-Go.
Bucks Waive Bonzie Colson
The Bucks have waived forward Bonzie Colson, according to Eric Nehm of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Colson, 23, went unselected in the 2018 NBA Draft after playing four seasons at Notre Dame. He spent time in the G League with Cleveland and Milwaukee shortly afterward, working for a two-way contract with the team last January.
Colson held averages of 14.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 46 G League games during the 2018/19 season.
[RELATED: 2019/20 NBA Two-Way Contract Tracker]
Milwaukee’s two-way contract spots will now be filled by Frank Mason lll and Cameron Reynolds, as noted by Nehm, with the team still having one open roster spot to work with once Kyle Korver‘s deal becomes official.
Pacific Notes: Cook, Kings, Suns, Clippers
The Lakers made a major splash by trading for Anthony Davis this offseason, but the team also made a number of other moves to help round out its roster in the weeks that followed. Among them was signing back-up point guard Quinn Cook to a contract, who has spent the past two seasons with Golden State in a championship atmosphere.
For Cook, his decision to sign with the Lakers went past the on-court product. He holds close relationships with several members on the team, including Davis, LeBron James and DeMarcus Cousins. He’s confident the team’s early chemistry will hold a positive impact this season, as he explained during an interview with Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype.
“We have our team group chat going and the guys are very active in it. It feels like this team has been together for a while,” Cook said. “Everyone has been really active in the group chat. Ever since I signed, I went straight to Los Angeles and I’ve been working out with Bron, Kuz, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and JaVale [McGee]. We’ve been working on a lot of stuff and I’m getting a chance to learn from the coaching staff, getting a chance to talk to Coach Vogel a lot and work out with Coach [Miles] Simon.
“Everyone has been so welcoming since day one when I signed. I know the other guys will start to trickle in; it’s still really early in the summer. As guys trickle in, we’ll keep working hard and getting ready for the season. All of the guys are really excited to get things going, man. I know this NBA season will be one of the better ones for everyone – from players to coaches to fans. If you’re a fan of basketball, this season will be amazing.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division tonight:
- Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee ponders whether analysts are overlooking the Kings entering next season. Sacramento sports a young nucleus of De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Marvin Bagley and other talented players with eyes set on making the playoffs next spring.
- Duane Rankin examines the state of the Suns in an article for the Arizona Republic, including the team’s projected starting lineup, bench group, and array of intriguing combinations. Phoenix enters next season with several new players around Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, including Ricky Rubio, Dario Saric and Aron Baynes.
- The additions of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are set to make the Clippers a hot ticket once again, Mirjam Swanson of the Orange County Register writes. The Lakers also revamped their roster during the offseason, with Staples Center expected to be wildly popular this season.
Community Shootaround: Western Conference Favorite
With free agency finally beginning to wind down, it’s time to look at which teams have the best chance of competing for an NBA championship entering the 2019/20 season.
We previously discussed which Eastern Conference teams could be in contention during a Community Shootaround earlier this month, including the Bucks, Nets, Sixers and more. The Western Conference appears to be slightly more crowded at the moment, however, with the Clippers, Jazz, Lakers, Nuggets and Rockets all made noticeable upgrades during the offseason.
The Clippers (Kawhi Leonard/Paul George) and Lakers (LeBron James/Anthony Davis) now have star-studded duos, with both franchises working diligently to fill in the remaining holes. The Clippers managed to re-sign Patrick Beverley, JaMychal Green and Ivica Zubac, while the Lakers added the likes of DeMarcus Cousins, Danny Green, Quinn Cook and others to its roster.
Houston made a surprising splash this month for longtime Thunder star Russell Westbrook, who’s widely considered to be the most talented teammate James Harden has had during his seven years with the organization.
The Jazz also made some major moves this offseason, acquiring Mike Conley from Memphis and signing Bojan Bogdanovic (18 PPG in 2018/19) to a four-year contract. Utah plans to pair those players alongside stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.
Elsewhere in the West, Denver quickly re-signed guard Jamal Murray to a five-year extension, exercised its $30MM team option on Paul Millsap and acquired athletic power forward Jerami Grant from Oklahoma City in a trade.
The Trail Blazers and Warriors can never be totally counted out, with Portland acquiring shot-blocking center Hassan Whiteside and Golden State adding D’Angelo Russell to a newly projected starting five of Stephen Curry, Russell, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Willie Cauley-Stein.
With all of this in mind, who do you believe is the current favorite to win the Western Conference this upcoming season? Is it one of the seven teams listed above, or is it a separate wild card team? Take to the comments section below to voice your opinion!
Pelicans Re-Sign Darius Miller To Two-Year Deal
JULY 21: New Orleans has officially re-signed forward Darius Miller to a contract, per a team release.
“He has established himself as a versatile, multi-positional shooting threat & we are elated to be in position to continue to grow with him,” Pelicans executive VP of basketball operations David Griffin said of Miller. “His selfless nature, on and off the floor, makes him an ideal fit for us both in the locker room & in our community.”
JULY 3: The Pelicans will bring back veteran forward Darius Miller, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who reports (via Twitter) that the two sides have agreed to a two-year contract worth $14.25MM. The second year will be non-guaranteed, Woj adds.
Miller, 29, has spent the last two seasons with the Pelicans after playing for two years in Germany. While his numbers dipped a little last season, he has been reliable outside threat in New Orleans since returning stateside, averaging 8.0 PPG on .417/.388/.826 shooting in 151 total games (24.5 MPG).
Outside of Nikola Mirotic, who was dealt to Milwaukee in a mid-season trade, no Pelican made more three-pointers per game last season than Miller (1.9). He’ll have a little help spacing the floor in 2019/20, as New Orleans reached a deal to sign J.J. Redick earlier this week.
Miller had a modest cap hold of about $2.9MM as a free agent, so the Pelicans will keep that hold on their books while using their cap room to add newcomers like Redick and Derrick Favors. They can then go over the cap to re-sign Miller using his Early Bird rights.
As Bobby Marks of ESPN notes (via Twitter), contracts signed using the Early Bird exception must run for at least two years, which explains the non-guaranteed second year on Miller’s new deal.
Lakers Claim Kostas Antetokounmpo
The Lakers have claimed forward Kostas Antetokounmpo off waivers, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). Antetokounmpo will head to Los Angeles on a two-way contract.
Antetokounmpo, the younger brother of Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, was waived by the Mavericks last week after appearing in just two games with the team. He spent most of the 2018/19 season with Dallas’ G League affiliate, holding per-game averages of 10.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.
Antetokounmpo was selected No. 60 overall by Philadelphia in the 2018 draft, ultimately getting dealt to Dallas later that night. He’ll join undrafted Gonzaga guard Zach Norvell as current Lakers players on two-way deals.