2019 July | Hoops Rumors

Nets Sign Deng Adel To Exhibit 10 Deal

July 30th, 2019 at 4:30pm CST by Luke Adams

JULY 30: The Nets have officially signed Adel, the team announced today in a press release.

JULY 25: The Nets have reached an agreement to sign free agent small forward Deng Adel to an Exhibit 10 contract, league sources tell Michael Scotto of The Athletic (Twitter link).

Adel, 22, went undrafted out of Louisville in 2018. He spent training camp and the preseason last fall with the Raptors, but didn’t make their regular season roster and ultimately landed with the Raptors 905 in the G League.

After appearing in 25 games for Toronto’s G League affiliate, Adel was snatched up by the Cavaliers, who inked him to a two-way contract in January. He saw limited minutes in 19 games for Cleveland in the second half of the season while also playing in 12 more NBAGL contests for the Canton Charge. He became an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.

Once Adel’s deal with Brooklyn becomes official, he’ll occupy one of the 20 spots on the club’s offseason roster.

Johnathan Williams To Play In Israel

July 30th, 2019 at 4:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Former Lakers two-way player Johnathan Williams is headed overseas to continue his playing career. Israeli team Maccabi Rishon announced today (via Twitter) that it has signed Williams to a contract for the 2019/20 season.

After going undrafted out of Gonzaga last spring, Williams spent the 2018/19 season on a two-way deal with the Lakers, spending most of his time with the South Bay Lakers in the G League. The young forward/center averaged 15.3 PPG and 8.4 RPG in 36 NBAGL contests (27.3 MPG).

Williams also saw some playing time in the Lakers’ frontcourt near the start and end of the season. He appeared in 24 games for the NBA club, posting averages of 6.5 PPG and 4.1 RPG in 15.5 minutes per contest.

The Lakers initially tendered Williams a two-way qualifying offer, but withdrew it and renounced his rights early in the free agent period, making him an unrestricted free agent. Zach Norvell Jr. and Kostas Antetokounmpo are now L.A.’s two-way players.

Magic Officially Sign Jeffries, Law, Jefferson

July 30th, 2019 at 3:27pm CST by Luke Adams

The Magic have officially completed a series of signings, according to Josh Robbins of The Athletic, who tweets that DaQuan Jeffries, Vic Law, and Amile Jefferson are now under contract with the team. Jeffries and Law signed Exhibit 10 deals, while Jefferson finalized a two-way pact.

Orlando’s agreements with undrafted rookies Jeffries and Law were reported shortly after the draft ended last month. Both players joined the Magic for Summer League action earlier this month.

Jeffries, a 6’5″ wing out of Tulsa, was ranked by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony as the fourth-best prospect who wasn’t drafted in 2019. He posted 13.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.2 BPG, and 1.0 SPG in his final college season, shooting .502/.366/.755.

Law, a 6’7″ forward, who played four full college seasons at Northwestern, averaged 15.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 3.0 APG as a senior. Like Jeffries, he also averaged at least one block and steal per game.

As for Jefferson, his new two-way deal with the Magic was reported on July 18. He spent the 2018/19 season on a two-way contract with Orlando and saw the majority of his playing time for the Lakeland Magic, the club’s G League affiliate. The former Duke Blue Devil averaged 18.1 PPG, 11.3 RPG, and 3.4 APG in 34 G League games (33.2 MPG), earning a spot on the All-NBAGL Third Team.

The Magic now have 13 players officially on guaranteed contracts, plus Jeffries and Law on Exhibit 10 deals and Jefferson and Josh Magette on two-way contracts. The team also still needs to officially sign first-round pick Chuma Okeke and reportedly reached an agreement on a camp deal with Dererk Pardon. If and when those signings are finalized, it would leave one opening on Orlando’s 20-man roster.

Sixers Sign Trey Burke To One-Year Deal

July 30th, 2019 at 2:34pm CST by ChrisCrouse

JULY 30: The Sixers’ deal with Burke is now official, the team confirmed today in a press release.

“Trey’s experience as a ballhandler matched with his scoring ability makes him a good fit for our roster,” GM Elton Brand said in a statement. “We’re excited to welcome him to the 76ers and look forward to the positive impact he can have on our team.”

JULY 25: The Sixers will add free agent point guard Trey Burke on a one-year deal, Shams Charania of The Athletic relays (Twitter link).

It will be a one-year pact at the minimum and will only be partially guaranteed, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets.

Burke began last season on the Knicks before the team traded him to the Mavs in the Kristaps Porzingis deal. Burke saw action in 25 games for Dallas, scoring 9.7 points per contest.

Philadelphia has revamped its second unit this summer. The team signed Kyle O’Quinn and Raul Neto while bringing back Mike Scott, Furkan Korkmaz and James Ennis so far this offseason.

The Sixers also added first-round pick Matisse Thybulle and will look to get a full season out of Zhaire Smith.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Warriors Sign Damion Lee To Two-Way Contract

July 30th, 2019 at 1:58pm CST by clarkcrum

JULY 30: The Warriors have officially signed Lee to a new two-way contract, per RealGM’s NBA transactions log.

JULY 28: Per a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Warriors and swingman Damion Lee have reached terms on a two-way contract that will see Lee, the brother-in-law of Stephen Curry, return to the Bay Area for the 2019/20 season.

Lee, who played under a two-way contract with Golden State last season also, appeared in 39 games for the Warriors in 2018/19, averaging 4.9 PPG in 11.7 MPG. Anthony Slater of The Athletic first reported that Lee was again a candidate for one of the team’s two-way slots approximately two weeks ago.

The 26-year-old Drexel and Louisville product also played in 15 games (11 starts) for the Hawks during his rookie season in 2017/18, where he averaged an impressive 10.7 PPG in 26.9 minutes per contest, albeit in relatively meaningless action toward the end of the regular season.

The Warriors other two-way slot is occupied by rookie guard Ky Bowman. Forward Julian Washburn held the other spot for awhile, but he was waived after being acquired from the Grizzlies in the trade that sent Andre Igoudala to Memphis to clear cap space.

Rules Related To NBA Offseason Roster Limits

July 30th, 2019 at 12:10pm CST by Luke Adams

Although NBA teams are limited to 15 players (plus a pair of two-way players) during the regular season, each club can carry up to 20 players during the offseason. Teams don’t have to cut down their rosters from 20 until the day before the regular season.

Players on two-way contracts count toward the 20-man offseason limit, so a club can’t sign 20 players to standard NBA contracts, then add another two more on two-way deals. If a team has filled both of its two-way contract slots, it’s limited to 18 players on standard contracts.

The most common approach for a team building its offseason roster is to carry about 14 players on guaranteed contracts with one or two more on two-way deals and then about three to five on training camp contracts.

This is the route the Lakers are currently taking, for instance. Los Angeles has 14 players on guaranteed deals, Kostas Antetokounmpo and Zach Norvell Jr. on two-way contracts, and three more players – Aric Holman, Jordan Caroline, and Devontae Cacok – on training camp deals, leaving one spot open on the club’s 20-man offseason roster.

A team can also carry more than 15 guaranteed salaries at this point if it wants to. Based on reported contract data, I don’t believe any team is currently carrying more than 15 players on fully guaranteed deals, but the Grizzlies have 15 players with full guarantees and two more with partial guarantees. Before the regular season begins, Memphis will have to either trade or waive at least two of those players, though there’s no rush to do so right away.

Teams with G League affiliates are more likely to use up all 20 of their offseason roster slots than teams without them. The Lakers may end up designating players like Holman, Caroline, and Cacok as affiliate players, sending them to the South Bay Lakers and awarding them an Exhibit 10 bonus if they stick with L.A.’s NBAGL squad. A team like the Nuggets, without a G League affiliate, can’t offer that same bonus.

Once a few more deals around the NBA are officially completed, we’ll be posting our list of roster counts for all 30 teams, which we’ll keep up to date throughout the offseason and the 2019/20 season. Until then, you can read more about NBA roster limits in our glossary entry on the subject.

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Hoops Rumors Originals

Kings Sign Isaiah Pineiro To One-Year Deal

July 30th, 2019 at 12:03pm CST by Luke Adams

JULY 30: The Kings have officially signed Pineiro, the team confirmed today in a press release. It’s an Exhibit 10 deal, tweets James Ham of NBC Sports California.

JULY 19: Former University of San Diego forward Isaiah Pineiro has reached an agreement to sign with the Kings, according to Michael Scotto of The Athletic, who reports (via Twitter) that Pineiro will receive a one-year, partially guaranteed contract.

Although Scotto doesn’t specify, it’s possible Pineiro will sign an Exhibit 10 contract. A deal with an Exhibit 10 clause is for one year and features a partial guarantee of up to $50K in the event that the player ultimately joins the team’s G League affiliate or has his contract converted into a two-way pact.

Pineiro, 24, went undrafted in June after averaging 18.8 PPG, 9.4 RPG, and 2.1 APG with a .487/.336/.820 shooting line in 36 games for the University of San Diego in 2018/19.

The Auburn, California native joined his hometown Kings for the California and Las Vegas Summer Leagues this month, appearing in eight total games for the squad. He saw limited action in those games, but performed well, making 13 of 24 (54.2%) shots from the floor.

Wolves Hire Pistons’ Sachin Gupta As EVP Of Basketball Ops

July 30th, 2019 at 11:47am CST by Luke Adams

JULY 30: More than two months after Gupta’s hiring was first reported, the Timberwolves made it official, issuing a press release to announce that Gupta has been named the team’s executive VP of basketball operations.

“Sachin is an extremely talented basketball mind who brings a diverse and unique background to our staff,” Rosas said in a statement. “Known as a pioneer of basketball analytics and one of the leaders in the CBA, I’m thrilled to partner with Sachin as we aim to build the Timberwolves into one of the most modern and dynamic franchises in the NBA.”

MAY 28: The Timberwolves‘ front office makeover will continue with another new hire, as Shams Charania of The Athletic reports (via Twitter) that Pistons executive Sachin Gupta will become Minnesota’s executive VP of basketball operations.

Gupta, a veteran NBA executive who is perhaps best known for inventing ESPN’s trade machine, had been serving as an assistant general manager in Detroit. Before spending last season with the Pistons, he was a special advisor to Rockets GM Daryl Morey, who hired him way back in 2006. Between his two stints in Houston, Gupta also spent several years with the Sixers, working as the VP of basketball operations under Sam Hinkie.

According to JD Shaw of Hoops Rumors (via Twitter), Gupta and the Timberwolves had been discussing a potential role for the last several days. Gupta also interviewed with the team in 2017, but the fit makes more sense now, as he’ll be reunited with new Wolves president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas, with whom he worked in Houston.

Gupta is the second notable executive the Wolves have brought in since hiring Rosas, joining new assistant GM Gianluca Pascucci. According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (via Twitter), Gupta figures to be Minnesota’s new No. 2 under Rosas in the team’s revamped front office.

There has been no word yet on incumbent general manager Scott Layden, but Krawczynski says most people expect him to stay on board in some capacity.

International Rumors: Lin, Stauskas, Vaughn, Colson, Acy

July 30th, 2019 at 10:35am CST by Luke Adams

Although he recently expressed frustration about how his free agency has played out, veteran point guard Jeremy Lin doesn’t appear ready to give up on seeking an NBA deal for the 2019/20 season.

A source tells Emiliano Carchia of Sportando that talks between Lin and EuroLeague powerhouse CSKA Moscow have broken down, with the 30-year-old turning down the Russian club’s interest. Lin remains interested in playing in the NBA rather than heading to Europe, according to Carchia.

Another free agent NBA guard, Nik Stauskas, is also resisting a move to Europe, according to Lithuanian journalist Donatas Urbonas. Urbonas tweets that Stauskas has received offers from Russian and EuroLeague teams, but has rejected them. The former eighth overall pick finished the 2018/19 season with the Cavaliers, but is currently an unrestricted free agent.

Here are a few more notes and updates on players being courted by non-NBA teams from around the world:

Former first-round pick Rashad Vaughn is leaning toward accepting an offer made by Bosnian team Igokea, a source tells Carchia. The NBA journeyman, who played for Milwaukee, Brooklyn, and Orlando from 2015-18, spent the 2018/19 season in the G League.
Bonzie Colson‘s rumored deal with Turkish team Darussafaka is now official, agent Misko Raznatovic tweeted this morning. Colson finished the 2018/19 campaign on a two-way contract with the Bucks, but was recently waived by Milwaukee.
Israeli and EuroLeague club Maccabi Tel Aviv is eyeing NBA big man Quincy Acy, a source tells Carchia. Acy has logged 337 career NBA regular season appearances, but saw action in just 10 games in 2018/19 when he signed a pair of 10-day contracts with the Suns.

Mavs Sign Josh Reaves To Two-Way Contract

July 30th, 2019 at 8:15am CST by Luke Adams

The Mavericks have officially signed free agent shooting guard Josh Reaves to a two-way contract, the team announced late Monday night in a press release.

Reaves, who played for the Mavs’ Summer League team earlier this month after going undrafted out of Penn State, averaged 10.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 2.5 SPG on .426/.356/.656 shooting in his senior season for the Nittany Lions. He was named the Big 10’s Defensive Player of the Year for 2018/19.

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony first reported after the draft that Reaves had agreed to sign a two-way deal with Dallas, though a subsequent report later indicated that he’d get an Exhibit 10 contract instead. Ultimately, after some roster shuffling, Reaves and Antonius Cleveland will occupy the Mavs’ two-way contract slots, displacing Kostas Antetokounmpo and Daryl Macon, both of whom were waived in recent weeks.

Using their open two-way slot on Reaves mean the Mavericks won’t use it to officially add 2019 second-round pick Isaiah Roby to the roster. The No. 45 overall selection remains unsigned, so unless the team plans to stash him overseas or in the G League, a standard contract now seems likely.

Dallas currently has 14 players on guaranteed deals for 2019/20, so the club would be giving up some roster flexibility if it signs Roby to fill its 15th and final regular season roster spot.

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