Five Key Stories: 12/29/19 – 1/4/20
If you missed any of this past week’s biggest headlines from around the NBA, we’ve got you covered with our Week in Review. Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last seven days:
With the deadline about a month away, trade rumors heated up this week with a report that the Pistons are talking with teams about a deal involving Andre Drummond. The Hawks, Celtics, Mavericks and Raptors were all named as possible trade partners for the star center, who is expected to opt out of his contract for next season.
Longtime NBA commissioner David Stern died Wednesday at age 77, roughly three weeks after suffering a brain hemorrhage. Stern is remembered as a visionary who lifted the league out of financial difficulty and helped make it popular around the world.
Former Pacers guard Darren Collison is interested in returning to the NBA, but only wants to play for a team in Los Angeles. The Lakers and Clippers have full rosters, but both are expected to be interested in adding a veteran with Collison’s resume.
Kings center Dewayne Dedmon was fined $50K after talking publicly about his desire to be traded. Dedmon, who signed with the Kings over the summer, has been unhappy with his playing time since falling behind Richaun Holmes in the rotation.
No. 1 pick Zion Williamson went through a full practice this week for the first time since meniscus surgery in October. The Pelicans remain optimistic that he can make his NBA debut this month.
Here are 10 more noteworthy headlines from around the basketball world this week:
- Magic forward Jonathan Isaac will be sidelined indefinitely with a hyperextended left knee. The team plans to re-evaluate him in eight to 10 weeks and is considering “operative and non-operative treatments.”
- The Trail Blazers will be without Skal Labissiere for at least the rest of their road trip after he hurt his knee last weekend. He has been a regular part of the rotation for Portland, which has been hit with a string of frontcourt injuries.
- Injuries continue for the Clippers, who lost Patrick Beverley this week with a sprained right wrist.
- LaMarcus Aldridge‘s $24MM contract for next season became guaranteed on New Year’s Day. The guarantee date was originally set for late June, but he and the Spurs agreed to move it up to January 1.
- Several playoff contenders are expressing interest in Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson. He is among four veterans on Cleveland’s roster with expiring contracts.
- Tom Thibodeau said he hopes to return to the NBA as a head coach. Thibodeau has been visiting teams and doing television work since the Timberwolves fired him midway through last season.
- The Warriors are the latest team watching Karl-Anthony Towns in Minnesota to see if there’s any indication that he wants out. Towns is in the first year of his extension, but injuries and losing have made it a frustrating season.
- The Nets waived swingman David Nwaba to make room to sign Justin Anderson out of the G League. Nwaba will miss the rest of the season with a torn Achilles tendon.
- The Nets also parted with two-way player Henry Ellenson, who got into just five NBA games this season. January 15 is the last day that players can be signed to two-way deals.
- The Cavaliers converted Tyler Cook‘s two-way deal to a standard contract. The former Nuggets forward had spent most of the season in the G League.
Kevin Love Clashes With Cavaliers’ GM
Kevin Love lashed out at Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman after today’s shootaround, according to Joe Vardon and Shams Charania of The Athletic. Love expressed “displeasure and disgust with the organization” in a tirade in front of players, coaches and front office members, sources tell the authors.
Today’s incident builds on a $1K fine that Love received for his actions on the bench during a lopsided loss in Toronto on New Year’s Eve. Love said he was angry about how selfishly the first team was playing, according to sources, and asked a coach to take him out of the game so he could calm down. He walked away from the huddle during a third quarter timeout and was seen smacking chairs in anger.
Vardon and Charania note that this isn’t the first time Love has been angry with the organization. He reportedly raised his voice at Altman late last season, and when threatened with a fine he responded, “Go ahead. I have plenty of money.”
Love is in the first season of a four-year, $120MM extension that he signed during the summer of 2018. However, he has been the subject of persistent trade rumors as Cleveland launched a rebuilding project following the departure of LeBron James.
Sources tell Vardon and Charania that Love would like to be traded to a contender, although he hasn’t expressed that desire publicly. After winning 19 games last season, the Cavs appear hopelessly out of the playoff race with a 10-24 record.
Kyrie Irving Gets Cortisone Shot, Hopes To Avoid Shoulder Surgery
Kyrie Irving is taking steps to avoid surgery on his injured right shoulder, tweets Brian Lewis of The New York Post.
Talking to reporters today for the first time since Nov. 14, Irving said he got a cortisone shot on Christmas Eve and the team plans to see how he responds after about two months (Twitter link). Irving admitted he has considered an arthroscopic procedure on the shoulder, but is hesitant because it would sideline him for three to four months.
Irving consulted with a shoulder specialist in Phoenix before opting for the shot (Twitter link), adding, “There was some bursitis in there that was impacting me.” (Twitter link). He has missed 22 games since suffering the injury, which the Nets are calling a shoulder impingement, in a November 4 game against the Pelicans.
Irving believes he’s “doing a lot better” since the shot, although he is still struggling to lift his shoulder when he shoots jumpers, relays Malika Andrews of ESPN (Twitter link).
The Nets looked like huge winners on the first day of free agency when they signed Irving, Kevin Durant and DeAndre Jordan. With Durant sidelined for the season, they were counting on Irving to emerge as the team leader. He has averaged 28.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists, but has been limited to 11 games.
Hawks May Shut Down Turner, Parsons For Foreseeable Future
Veteran Hawks guard Evan Turner said today that Atlanta brass told him and his fellow graybeard, forward Chandler Parsons, that they will be inactive going forward while the 7-28 Hawks look to develop their youth, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe (Twitter link).
Washburn considers Turner, on an expiring $18.6MM contract, a viable candidate for a buyout. Turner thrived as a bench off-guard for the Trail Blazers from the 2016/17 season through the 2018/19 season, and could provide a similar function for a high-level contender. He has only appeared in 18 games for Atlanta.
Parsons, however, has struggled to stay on the court since signing a four-year, $94MM deal with the Grizzlies in 2016. Injuries have limited the 31-year-old Florida alum to appearing in just 100 of a possible 363 games for Memphis and the Hawks. He may have very limited value to any team going forward, except as a big contract to make a transaction work. Parsons is earning $25.1MM this season, but has played in just five games.
As Dana Gauruder has noted previously on Hoops Rumors, both Hawks players’ expiring contracts number among options that could be thrown in to help complete a deal for a player on a large contract. Andre Drummond of the Pistons, currently making $27.1MM in the final guaranteed year of his contract, has been floated as a possible trade target for Atlanta. Drummond has a $28.8MM player option for the 2020/21 season.
Southwest Notes: Harden, Self, Ingram, Luka
After Russell Westbrook joined James Harden in the backcourt for the new-look 2019/20 Rockets, the team’s offense struggled with counters against half-court double team Harden traps from smart teams like the Nuggets, The Athletic’s Kelly Iko writes.
Iko details how coach Mike D’Antoni, Harden, Westbrook, and their Rockets teammates devised clever solutions to counter the traps. “We figured out a way it’s going to work for us,” wing Danuel House told Iko. “All we gotta do is be ready to knock … shots down or make the right reads. If we don’t have the shot, pass it or drive to get someone else a shot.”
There’s more out of the Southwest Division:
- Kansas head coach Bill Self responded to chatter from ESPN’s Seth Greenberg and The Athletic’s Sam Amick and John Hollinger that he is being considered to replace Spurs coach Gregg Popovich when the five-time NBA champion eventually retires. “There’s absolutely zero truth to that,” Self said, according to The Kansas City Star’s Gary Bedore. “The thing that cracks me up about some media types is the more outlandish things you can say … what it was, was [Greenberg’s] ‘Bold Predictions for 2020 [segment].’ You grab something or throw something against the wall and hope something sticks.”
- Pelicans star forward Brandon Ingram has been having a breakout season in New Orleans, averaging 25.2 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 3.8 APG this year. Andrew Lopez of ESPN takes a look at how Ingram, in the final season of his rookie contract, has carved out a place for himself on his new team. The 22-year-old, who will be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2020, was just named the NBA’s Western Conference Player of the Week.
- Clippers consultant Jerry West has very high praise for rising Mavericks star Luka Doncic, Kevin Sherrington of the Dallas Morning News reports. “One player has transformed them into a playoff team,” West said. “[Doncic] will be the best player Dallas has ever had… I have great respect for [Dirk] Nowitzki, but Dirk is not him.” West has won nine titles as a player and executive in a storied Hall-of-Fame career.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 12/29/19 – 1/4/20
Every week, the Hoops Rumors writing team creates original content to complement our news feed. Here are our original segments and features from the past seven days:
- Looking for a page that covers all the dates and deadlines to watch in January? Look no further than right here. In a related piece, Luke Adams listed five non-guaranteed minimum contract situations to monitor ahead of January 7, the last date for teams to waive non-guaranteed salaries.
- Magic wing Evan Fournier and Heat guard Justise Winslow could be on the move before the trade deadline, as Adams explained in the Southeast Division’s version of our NBA Trade Candidate Watch.
- In this week’s installment of our Free Agent Stock Watch series, Dana Gauruder examines the Northwest Division. Thunder big man Nerlens Noel and Blazers center Hassan Whiteside are among the free agents-to-be who have seen their stock ascend this season.
- Is your team on a hopeless losing streak? Are you excited about the opportunity to add RJ Hampton or LaMelo Ball to your squad’s roster in 2020? Then take a look at Adams’ latest update clarifying some items on our 2019/20 Reverse Standings tool, which catalogues the NBA’s 30 teams from worst to first.
- In our Community Shootarounds this week, we asked:
- What is your NBA All-Decade Team?
- What will you remember most about the NBA in 2019 when you look back on it?
- Now that the first round of fan votes has been reported, how would you populate the 2020 All-Star team?
- Which NBA team would be the best fit for Andre Drummond?
- In our Poll Questions this week, we asked:
Frank Kaminsky III Out Indefinitely With Patella Stress Fracture
Suns big man Frank Kaminsky III has been sidelined indefinitely with a right patella stress fracture, the team announced via press release on Saturday. There is no timetable for Kaminsky’s return and he will be re-evaluated in four weeks, the release noted.
Kaminsky, 26, had missed Phoenix’s previous three contests due to a right knee injury. Before he went down, the 2015 first-rounder draft pick was enjoying a solid season statistically off the Suns’ bench, averaging 11.0 PPG and 4.9 RPG. However, he had seen his minutes decrease in recent weeks, failing to play 20 or more minutes in a contest since mid-December.
With Kaminsky on the shelf for the foreseeable future, Cameron Johnson and Cheick Diallo are among the players who could see increased playing time, assuming the Suns don’t bring in outside reinforcements.
Carmelo Anthony Talks NBA Return, Playing Close To Home
After a near-yearlong absence from the NBA, Carmelo Anthony has carved out a role with the Trail Blazers and been one of the best stories of the season’s first half. However, it was not as smooth sailing in the 10 months leading up to his return.
Anthony, who grew up in Baltimore for most of his childhood, returned to Maryland to face the Wizards on Friday. In a wide-ranging discussion with Michael Lee of The Athletic, Anthony discussed how he mentally adjusted to not being in the NBA, considering playing close to home, and whether or not his NBA return will continue beyond the current season.
Check out some highlights from the conversation:
On how Anthony came to terms with not being on an NBA roster:
“Mentally, I had to like really detach myself from everything. From the actual game. I had to just say, ‘You know what? I’ve got to get away from it in order for me to start feeling good about myself otherwise.’ Because it started to just bog me down. Early on, I just kept asking, ‘Why me?’ And I just felt myself falling into those days where I’m searching for why. I’m searching for why. I wanted to know why. Then after a while, I was, ‘You know, I’m going to let it go, detach myself from the game and whatever happens is going to happen. I control my own destiny.’ ”
On considering joining the Wizards and playing close to home in Maryland:
“In the midst of everything that was over the past year, it was like, ‘Why not try to go play with them?’ Why not go close to home?’ You know, all that stuff came into play. That was kind of the only time I thought about it. If they called, I was ready. Even at that point and time, it was about me getting back in the game. If a team was willing to give me an opportunity, it’s something I would’ve have looked at.”
On appreciating the reaction he has received around the NBA since returning:
“I’ve been on the other side of that, too, where it’s not cheers. It’s boos. I appreciate it. I accept that. I cherish that. I take in these moments. Try to appreciate all of these moments. Going to all of these arenas. I think for the most part, it’s deeper than basketball, when it comes to me and my fan base, my support system.”
New York Notes: Robinson, Irving, Nwaba, Ellenson, Payton
The past two seasons, one of the few bright spots on the Knicks‘ roster has been athletic center, Mitchell Robinson. As an elite shot-blocker and rebounder who has developing scoring ability, Robinson has cemented himself as a key part of New York’s future.
Offseason acquisition and NBA veteran Taj Gibson has taken on the role of mentor for the 21-year-old big man. In Gibson’s opinion, Robinson possesses talent that could make him an NBA All-Star, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes.
“This guy, a lot of players don’t have a niche. A lot of them don’t know where to start,” he said. “A lot of guys just come in and think it’s all about scoring and not defense. A lot of players are lost in the sauce with that. With Mitch, he already knows what he has to do. He’s a starting center and all he has to do is grow. If he pushes himself like he’s doing, he’ll be an All-Star. He doesn’t know how good he is.”
Check out more news from New York’s basketball teams:
- Nets point guard Kyrie Irving will miss out on two additional bonuses, worth $125K each, for failing to play in at least 60 games this season, ESPN’s Bobby Marks notes (Twitter link). This brings the total money in incentives lost to $375K for the mercurial Brooklyn guard. We detailed Irving’s eight $125K incentives, totaling $1MM, right here.
- Injuries and other roster needs forced the Nets to part with injured guard David Nwaba and Henry Ellenson in recent days. As Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes, Brooklyn is currently exploring options to upgrade the roster. “Obviously with all our injuries, we need the roster spot. We’re in discussions to see who we bring in,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said.
- It was a life-changing and busy day for Knicks point guard Elfrid Payton, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. After his girlfriend gave birth to their son on Friday morning, Payton flew to Phoenix for the Knicks’ evening tilt against the Suns. Payton finished with 15 points, six assists and five rebounds.
Rockets’ Gerald Green Won’t Rule Out Postseason Return
Rockets swingman Gerald Green is hopeful that can return for the postseason, he told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
Green underwent surgery in late October to repair a broken bone in his left foot and was expected to miss six months.
“I’m not trying to speed myself up, but hoping I’ll be ready to go by the end of this year, maybe towards playoffs,” Green said. “Don’t want to put myself ahead of schedule. Don’t want to get anybody’s hopes up or anything like that. It’s something I have a personal goal. If I reach it, great. If I don’t, it’s not the end of the world. Just keep getting healthy.”
Even if Green reaches his goal, it’s questionable whether he’d get much playing time after missing the entire regular season.
He is still wearing a walking boot and has not been cleared to run, according to Feigen. Green has been walking on an underwater treadmill and is getting therapy regularly.
Green, a 12-year NBA veteran, has made prior stops with Boston, Minnesota, Houston, Dallas, New Jersey, Indiana, Phoenix and Miami during his professional career. He was a major contributor off the Rockets’ bench last season, averaging 9.2 PPG and 2.5 PPG in 73 contests.
Whether or not he returns this season, Green wants to keep playing.
“I was able to take some time off (after the surgery) with my family, my friends, get a better look at what I can do to be a better player on the court,” Green said. “It’s been a good little process for me. I’m just enjoying the process.”