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Month: January 2020

Andre Iguodala “Ready To Get Back On The Court”

By | at January 24, 2020 12:19 pm

Andre Iguodala hasn’t played in an NBA game since suiting up for the Warriors in last June’s Finals, but he sounds ready to return to action. During an appearance on ESPN’s First Take (video link), Iguodala said he’s feeling refreshed after a long layoff.

“It’s been a blessing in disguise, in terms of having this time off. I think it’s added some years to my career,” Iguodala said. “… When you wake up in the morning in January for the last 16 years and you’re looking for the pain like, ‘Oh, there it is,’ and then you don’t have that. So it’s kind of been good.

“I’ve been on the court, I’m in shape. I’m kind of slim, so I could use, like, three-and-a-half pounds of muscle,” he added. “It’ll take me a couple days to put that on. But I’m ready to get back on the court.”

When the Warriors overhauled their roster during the 2019 offseason, Iguodala was a victim of a cap crunch and was shipped to Memphis along with his $17MM expiring contract.

Iguodala apparently had little interest in playing for the Grizzlies and Memphis’ front office was fine with him remaining away from the team, even as the young roster exceeds expectations and contends for the No. 8 seed. However, the Grizzlies still believe the former Finals MVP has positive trade value and insist they plan on moving him by the trade deadline rather than buying him out.

With February 6 now less than two weeks away, it may not be long before we know where Iguodala will finish the season. Assuming the Grizzlies are right that they can find a trade, that would reduce the list of potential landing spots for the veteran, who will turn 36 on Tuesday. The Lakers, for instance, would be a top contender for Iguodala if he reaches free agency, but don’t really have the salary-matching pieces necessary to trade for him.

For his part, Iguodala believes he can still make a positive impact on a contending team, as he told ESPN’s First Take hosts.

“I feel like I still have a lot to give,” Iguodala said. “So hopefully the right situation comes about for myself and the Memphis Grizzlies as well.”

18 comments Memphis Grizzlies Newsstand

Players Who Can’t Be Traded To Specific Teams This Season

By | at January 24, 2020 11:46 am

Most players around the NBA are now eligible to be traded, with just a few exceptions. However, there are several players who can’t be dealt to specific teams this season.

NBA rules prohibit a team from trading for a player if the team traded that player away earlier in the season or during the previous offseason. In other words, if a club traded a player between the end of last year’s NBA Finals and today, it’s not eligible to reacquire him in a deal on or before February 6.

This rule doesn’t apply if a player who was traded since last spring’s Finals was subsequently waived and then signed with a new team. For instance, the Jazz and Grizzlies both traded away Kyle Korver last summer. Korver was later waived by the Suns and signed with the Bucks. If he had remained in Phoenix, Korver would be ineligible to be acquired by Utah or Memphis, but that restriction was lifted once he signed with Milwaukee.

The rule also doesn’t apply to players whose draft rights were traded. For example, the Suns would technically be eligible to reacquire Jarrett Culver from the Timberwolves after trading his draft rights to Minnesota last summer.

For the most part, these restrictions won’t affect teams’ plans — it’s not as if the Pelicans will be looking to reacquire Anthony Davis from the Lakers. Still, some of them are worth noting. If the Celtics seek frontcourt help on the trade market, for instance, they’ll have to be aware of the fact that they can’t reacquire Aron Baynes.

Here’s the full list of players who are ineligible to be reacquired via trade by specific teams during the 2019/20 regular season:

Atlanta Hawks

Boston Celtics

Brooklyn Nets

Charlotte Hornets

Cleveland Cavaliers

Golden State Warriors

Houston Rockets

Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Lakers

Memphis Grizzlies

Miami Heat

Milwaukee Bucks

Minnesota Timberwolves

New Orleans Pelicans

Oklahoma City Thunder

Philadelphia 76ers

Phoenix Suns

Portland Trail Blazers

Sacramento Kings

San Antonio Spurs

Utah Jazz

Washington Wizards

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

2 comments Hoops Rumors Originals

Hoops Rumors Glossary: Ted Stepien Rule

By | at January 24, 2020 10:13 am

While a rule like the Gilbert Arenas provision can flatter its namesake, the late Ted Stepien, former owner of the Cavaliers, may have preferred not to go down in history as the reference point for the Ted Stepien rule. Stepien owned the Cavs in the early 1980s, and made a number of trades that left the franchise without first-round picks for several years. As a result, the NBA eventually instituted a rule that prohibited teams from trading out of the first round for consecutive future seasons.

Because the Stepien rule applies only to future draft picks, teams are still permitted to trade their first-rounders each year if they so choose, but they can’t trade out of the first round for back-to-back future drafts.

For instance, since the Nuggets have traded their 2020 first-round pick to Oklahoma City, they aren’t currently permitted to trade their 2021 first-rounder. Following the 2020 draft, the Nuggets would regain the right to trade that 2021 first-round pick, since their ’20 first-rounder will no longer be considered a future pick.

The Stepien rule does allow a team to trade consecutive future first-round picks if the team has acquired a separate first-rounder from another team for either of those years. So if Denver were to trade for another team’s 2020 first-rounder, that would give the Nuggets the flexibility to move their 2021 pick without having to wait until after the 2020 draft.

Teams are permitted to include protection on draft picks. This can create complications related to the Stepien rule, which prevents teams from trading a first-round pick if there’s any chance at all that it will leave a team without a first-rounder for two straight years.

For example, the Jazz have traded a protected 2020 first-round pick to Memphis — it will only convey if it falls in the 8-14 range. That traded 2020 pick is protected all the way through 2024, and as long as there’s still a chance it won’t convey immediately, the Jazz are prevented from unconditionally trading any of their next few first-round picks.

Utah could trade a conditional 2022 first-round pick, but a team acquiring that pick would have to accept that it would be pushed back one year every time the pick Utah has traded to Memphis doesn’t convey.

[RELATED: Traded first round picks for 2020 NBA draft]

Teams will have to take the Stepien rule into account at this season’s trade deadline as they mull including draft picks in deals. Dallas, for instance, is one of the teams most significantly impacted by the rule at the moment. The Mavericks have committed their 2021 and 2023 first-round picks to New York, limiting their ability to move any other first-rounders up until at least 2025. Additionally, since the 2023 pick has protections, that 2025 first-rounder could only be traded conditionally.

Here are a few more rules related to trading draft picks:

  • The “Seven Year Rule” prohibits teams from trading draft picks more than seven years in advance. For instance, during the 2019/20 season, a 2026 draft pick can be traded, but a 2027 pick cannot be dealt.
  • The Seven Year Rule applies to protections on picks as well. If a team wants to trade a lottery-protected 2026 first-rounder at this year’s deadline, it can’t roll those protections over to 2027. For example, when the Rockets sent the Thunder a top-four protected 2026 first-round pick in the Russell Westbrook trade, they agreed that if the pick falls within that protected range, Oklahoma City would instead receive Houston’s ’26 second-round selection — picks in 2027 and beyond were off-limits.
  • A team can add protection to a pick it has acquired as long as there wasn’t already protection on the pick. For instance, the Knicks currently control the Mavericks‘ unprotected 2021 first-round pick. If New York wants to include that selection in a trade, the team could put, say, top-three protection on it.
  • For salary-matching purposes, a traded draft pick counts as $0 until the player signs a contract.

Note: This is a Hoops Rumors Glossary entry. Our glossary posts will explain specific rules relating to trades, free agency, or other aspects of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Larry Coon’s Salary Cap FAQ was used in the creation of this post.

Earlier version of this post were published in 2012, 2018, and 2019 by Luke Adams.

9 comments Hoops Rumors Glossary Hoops Rumors Originals

Love: I’d Be Happy To Stay With Cavs Through Deadline

By | at January 24, 2020 8:54 am

Reports this winter have repeatedly suggested that Kevin Love would like to be traded to a contender, and it’s still possible the Cavaliers will find a deal in the next couple weeks. However, sources tell Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com that Love’s value may be higher during the offseason when it won’t be quite so tricky to move a player with his cap hit.

If that’s the case, Love may end up remaining in Cleveland for at least the rest of the 2019/20 season. And he insisted on Thursday that he wouldn’t have a problem with that.

“I will be happy if I’m still here,” Love said, per Fedor. “I fully plan on continuing to help these guys, continuing to help — Tristan (Thompson), myself, Larry (Nance Jr.), these guys, being a leader with all the veterans. And this place, Cleveland, the fans, they’ve been really, really good to me. So, yes.”

Love had a series of outbursts – including an in-game show of frustration – earlier this season, and a source tells Fedor that many aspects of the Cavs’ season have “driven him crazy.” Fedor adds that the club’s “selfish” playing style has been a source of irritation for Love, though the veteran power forward vowed a few weeks ago to “be better” when it came to expressing that frustration and being an example for Cleveland’s young players. He has been more patient since then, Fedor notes.

As has been the case all season, there’s still skepticism that the Cavs and a trade partner will see eye-to-eye on Love’s value. The big man’s expensive, long-term contract, which will have three years and $91MM left on it after this season, is a deterrent for potential suitors. But the Cavs will continue to seek at least one valuable asset – such as a promising young player or first-round pick – in any deal for their most productive player. Love is averaging a double-double (17.4 PPG, 10.0 RPG) with a .450/.366/.841 shooting line this season.

Love is one of several veteran Cavaliers who are candidates to be moved at the deadline. The club also figures to discuss players like Tristan Thompson, Brandon Knight, John Henson, and Matthew Dellavedova, all of whom are on expiring contracts. However, things have been quiet as of late for the Cavs, and there’s some growing doubt internally that a massive shakeup is around the corner, according to Fedor.

10 comments Cleveland Cavaliers Newsstand

Marvin Williams Considering Retirement

By | at January 24, 2020 8:07 am

Hornets forward Marvin Williams will be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, and while he might continue his playing career if he gets an NBA offer he likes, he has given some thought to the idea of retirement, as he tells Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer (subscriber-only).

“I’ll be honest with you, I’ve certainly thought about being done,” Williams said earlier this week. “I feel like that’s where I am right now: I could do it or I could not.”

Williams, 33, is averaging a career-low 19.6 minutes per game this season. His 6.9 PPG and 2.6 RPG also represent the worst marks of his 15-year career. Still, the underlying numbers suggest the former No. 2 overall pick can continue to be a capable rotation piece — his shooting line of .454/.377/.886 is strong and he’s a solid perimeter defender.

Whether or not Williams signs a new NBA contract in the summer, he has some ideas about what he’d like his next step to be when he eventually retires as a player.

According to Bonnell, Williams’ best friend is fellow UNC alum Deon Thompson, who has spent his entire professional career playing in overseas leagues, making stops in Greece, Germany, China, Israel, and Spain, among other countries. Thompson’s experience has helped fuel Williams’ interest in international basketball outreach.

“I like the Junior NBA (program) where you are basically a camp counselor all around the world,” Williams said. “Basketball Without Borders, I’ve done a couple of those: I went to Africa and I went to Indonesia. … Any opportunity I get to travel and work with kids? That’s what I would love to do.”

9 comments Charlotte Hornets Newsstand

Eastern Notes: Oladipo, DSJ, Jackson, Pinson

By | at January 23, 2020 11:17 pm

Victor Oladipo remains on track to return to the court next Wednesday when the Pacers take on the Bulls, a source tells Hoops Rumors. Oladipo, who has spent time this month in the G League rehabbing, hasn’t played since January of last year after he ruptured his quad tendon in his right knee, but has had January 29 circled on his calendar for the last few weeks.

Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:

  • Knicks guard Dennis Smith Jr. could get moved prior to the trade deadline for the second straight season but he’s not focused on the rumors, as Peter Botte of the New York Post writes. “Everything happens for a reason, you know what I’m saying?” Smith said. “It was already written, God’s plan, I just gotta execute my part, put my work in and everything will work out…It’s a business. I’m here, playing for the New York Knicks, that’s my job right now, so that’s what I’m focused on. You realized [last year] anything can happen, so you just gotta be the best version of yourself.”
  • Reggie Jackson recently returned to the court and Pistons coach Dwane Casey is looking for ways to incorporate him with Derrick Rose, according to Rod Beard of The Detroit News. Both point guards could get serious run on the court together. “That’s what today’s NBA is about and that’s what a lot of my offense is about: multiple ballhandlers — and sometimes we get stuck. We have some options in case we do have a non-ballhandler involved in a situation, but it works a lot more fluid,” Casey said.
  • Theo Pinson, who has struggled with his shot this season, spoke about his up-and-down sophomore campaign with the Nets, as Chris Milholen of NetsDaily relays. “Just listening to the vets. It is not going to be highs the whole season. It’s a long season. Just take everything and embrace it and I’m always telling myself that the Lord won’t put me in situations I couldn’t handle. I just try to remember that,” Pinson said.
5 comments Brooklyn Nets Detroit Pistons Indiana Pacers New York Knicks

NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 1/23/20

By | at January 23, 2020 9:22 pm

Here are today’s G League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:

  • The Warriors have assigned Jacob Evans to the Santa Cruz Warriors, the team announced on Twitter. Evans has appeared in 22 NBA contests this season.
  • The Jazz have recalled Juwan Morgan from the Salt Lake City Stars, per the G League’s assignment log. Morgan signed with Utah in late November and is not eligible to be traded before the deadline, as I mentioned in the franchise’s Trade Deadline Primer for SLAM Magazine Newswire.
  • Keldon Johnson has been recalled by the Spurs. Johnson was selected with the No. 29 overall pick in this year’s draft.
  • The Heat have sent Chris Silva to the G League, the team announced on its website. He’s expected to be back with the NBA club before Miami’s contest against Orlando on January 27.
0 comments Golden State Warriors Miami Heat NBA G League San Antonio Spurs Utah Jazz

Zach LaVine Would Like To Have Input On Bulls’ Roster Moves

By | at January 23, 2020 8:10 pm

Zach LaVine has arguably been the Bulls‘ most important player through the first half of the season. He’s a borderline All-Star candidate and any chance of Chicago making the postseason likely hinges on his success.

So does he expect to be involved in the team’s decisions leading up to the trade deadline? Not necessarily, though he would embrace that kind of power, as Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times relays.

“I mean if they come to me and let me know, I think it would be great,’’ LaVine said of the team speaking with him about potential moves. “If not I’m not taking offense to it either. It’s not something that I’m asking for.

“I know what I stand for. I’m trying to help us get there and I don’t think you can question what my intentions are.’’

Thaddeus Young and Kris Dunn could both be on the move. The Clippers have interest in each player, sources tell Cowley, though Los Angeles could simply wait until the offseason to pursue Dunn, as he will be a restricted free agent.

30 comments Chicago Bulls Los Angeles Clippers

NBA Announces 2020 All-Star Starters

By | at January 23, 2020 6:59 pm

The NBA has revealed the 2020 All-Star starters. Let’s get right to them:

Eastern Conference

Giannis is the Eastern Conference leader in votes and will be a team captain for the second straight season. Young and Siakam both will be playing in their first career All-Star game (I still believe Siakam should have made it last season). Embiid will play in his third straight All-Star game while Walker will play in his fourth straight.

Western Conference

James, who was the top vote-getter in the Western Conference and the entire NBA, will again be a team captain. Kawhi gets his fourth All-Star nod, all of which have come over the past five seasons. Davis is onto his seventh consecutive All-Star appearance (his rookie year is the only season he missed) and Harden will make it eight-for-eight on All-Star appearances since joining the Rockets. Finally, Doncic will play in the game for the first time of what is expected to be many for the second-year guard.

While the starters were selected by conference, the rosters will be shaken up for the All-Star game itself, with Giannis and LeBron drafting four starters apiece.

Do you agree with the selections or should another player have been included with starters? If so, who’s in and who’s out?

Let us know in the comment section below. We look forward to what you have to say!

25 comments All-Star Game Newsstand

Clippers Still Working Through Chemistry Issues

By | at January 23, 2020 5:38 pm

Some players on the Clippers are not thrilled with the team’s preferential treatment to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, sources tell Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic. This sort of handling is common in the NBA nowadays. Stars play by different rules, however, that doesn’t mean things are always smooth behind the scenes.

Look across the Staples Center to LeBron James to see another example of stars getting different treatment. James frequently sets the Lakers’ practice and shootaround schedules, coordinating with coach Frank Vogel as they try to figure out what works best for the team. Yet, LBJ’s situation is generally accepted by teammates because of his leadership style; he has an ability to inspire and connect with his teammates in a way that facilitates it.

Leonard and George have different personalities. Leonard is a lead-by-example type and with George having the same approach, there’s a bit of uncertainty about whose voice should be the loudest.

“I think it boils down to Kawhi not talking, and so who is their true leader?” one source with knowledge of the Clippers’ dynamics said. “How do you get around that?”

After a loss to the Grizzlies earlier this month, Montrezl Harrell was particularly vocal about the team’s performance, telling the media that the Clippers were “not a great team” while explaining that the club needed to “wake up and figure it out.” Harrell was asked about the vibe in the locker room and the center’s response was noteworthy.

“I don’t know, brother,” Harrell said at the time. “I don’t know. And that might be another problem right there.”

Doc Rivers addressed Harrell’s comments and Buha and Amick hear that tension had been rising in the locker room leading up to those remarks. The big man’s words also rubbed some teammates the wrong way as they felt Harrell’s post-game mood was, at times, reliant on his individual box score.

Harrell is in a contract year and could be in line for a major raise in free agency. However, sources tell The Athletic duo that the 25-year-old remains focused on the team’s goal of winning a championship over any sort of personal agenda.

“Everything he does is out of his passion for winning,” one source said. “He kind of walks to his own beat a little bit, but it’s not from a selfish perspective at all.”

Buha and Amick spoke to over a dozen sources and the entire piece is worth a read. Here are more highlights from the duo’s latest:

  • Multiple Clippers players don’t feel the team practices as hard or as seriously as it should be. Leonard’s load management plays a role in that.
  • The Clippers prefer to call the strategy with Leonard “injury management.” Los Angeles’ medical team still doesn’t consider Leonard a fully healthy player and maintains that Leonard should not play back-to-backs.
  • Leonard has become more vocal recently. He’s coordinated player-only film sessions that many around the team believe have been a key to the Clippers’ recent surge in the standings. “It wasn’t one of those crazy players-only meetings, but they started doing it two or three games ago,” Rivers said earlier this month. “They just felt like watching the game together instead of everybody watching their iPads, watching it alone, would be better.”
  • The team’s success over the next week or so (which includes games against the Heat and Lakers) could determine what Los Angeles does at the trade deadline. Many players and team employees feel the dynamics have improved and the team has begun to jell over the past few weeks.
  • Buha and Amick write that Leonard most frequently speaks with George, Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, and Maurice Harkless. The pair notes that Leonard is not standoffish to others, but has grown the most comfortable with that group.
  • As a reminder, both Kawhi and PG can hit the free agent market in the summer of 2021, as each player’s deal contains a player option for the following season.
30 comments Los Angeles Clippers Newsstand
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