NBA Makes Schedule Changes
Some of the 22 games that have been postponed due to COVID-19 will be rescheduled for the first half of the season, writes Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. The decision was made “with a specific focus on the teams with the most postponed games to date,” according to a statement from the NBA.
The league wants to avoid overloading teams such as the Wizards and Grizzlies, who have each had six games called off so far. If all those games had been made up in the second half, as originally planned, Washington and Memphis would both have been required to play 41 times in 67 days. The second part of the season will run from March 11 through May 16.
The first change will take effect Tuesday when the Wizards host the Trail Blazers in a game that had been intended for the second half of the season. A Portland-Charlotte game on February 7 has been replaced by a Wizards-Hornets matchup that was originally scheduled for January 20. The Blazers’ game against the Hornets will be put on the second-half schedule.
No other schedule changes have been released so far. A complete list of the postponed games can be found here.
Only One Positive COVID-19 Test This Week
NBA players recorded just one positive result in the latest round of COVID-19 testing, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic. There were 492 players tested during the past week.
The figures are sharply down from recent results, which showed 11 positives last week and 16 the week before. The league is now up to 91 total positive results since players reported for training camp early last month.
Twenty-two games have been postponed so far as several teams have been without the league minimum of eight eligible players. They become ineligible either by contracting the virus or entering the league’s health and safety protocols due to contact tracing.
NBA G League Announces 2020/21 Schedule
The NBA G League has formally announced its schedule for the 2020/21 season, which will begin on February 10 at the league’s bubble in Walt Disney World.
The G League regular season will run from February 10 to March 6, with each team playing 15 regular season games during that 25-day window.
The top eight teams at the end of the regular season will participate in a single-elimination postseason tournament, which will tip off on March 8. The G League Final will be played on March 11.
As we previously relayed, only 18 teams will take part in the 2020/21 NBAGL season, since the single-site format couldn’t accommodate all 29 squads. Seventeen of the participating clubs are affiliates of NBA teams, while the 18th is the G League Ignite, a select team made up of a few NBAGL veterans and a handful of prospects who joined the Ignite rather than attending college.
In a typical G League season, rosters are constantly in flux as NBA teams frequently assign, recall, transfer, and call up players over the course of the year. While that will still happen to some extent in 2020/21, I’d expect far less turnover than usual, given the COVID-19 protocols that players must clear to participate in the bubble and to return to an NBA roster.
Hornets Sending McDaniels, Carey, Others To G League Bubble
The Hornets are sending several players from their 16-man roster to the Greensboro Swarm to participate in the NBA G League bubble, the team confirmed today.
According to a press release, second-year forward Jalen McDaniels has been assigned to the Swarm, along with rookies Vernon Carey Jr. and Nick Richards. Additionally, two-way players Grant Riller and Nate Darling have been transferred to the Hornets’ G League affiliate.
McDaniels, Carey, Richards, Riller, and Darling will join a Swarm roster that features Admiral Schofield, the No. 1 pick in this month’s NBAGL draft, and affiliate players Kahlil Whitney, Xavier Sneed, Keandre Cook, and Javin DeLaurier, among others.
Hornets president of basketball operations Mitch Kupchak told Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer earlier this week that Carey and Richards have looked somewhat “overwhelmed” during their first year in the NBA, and that the team welcomes the opportunity to get them regular playing time at the G League level — especially since the condensed NBA schedule has allowed for fewer practices than normal.
Since McDaniels and the two-way players have also been out of coach James Borrego‘s regular rotation in Charlotte, it makes sense that they’d also be sent to the G League bubble for developmental purposes, as Bonnell writes in a separate story.
While the Hornets will be able to recall any of those five players from the G League to rejoin the NBA roster at any time, those players are expected to spend some or all of the NBAGL season in the bubble, per Bonnell. Given all the protocols in place related to COVID-19, it won’t be as easy logistically for teams to constantly assign and recall players this season, so I imagine we’ll see less back-and-forth movement than usual between the two leagues.
Knicks Rumors: Rose, Gibson, Ball, Robinson
Following up on a Shams Charania report from Tuesday, Marc Berman of The New York Post confirms that the Knicks have interest in Derrick Rose, though he hears from sources that the team hasn’t yet talked to the Pistons about a possible trade.
According to Berman, sources close to Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau believe he would like to reunite with Rose, who played for him in Chicago and Minnesota. Berman notes that Thibodeau “pushed hard” for New York to re-sign Taj Gibson, who was also a member of the Bulls and Timberwolves under Thibs.
If the Knicks do give up any sort of asset for Rose, that would be a strong indication the team believes it would be able to re-sign him when he becomes a free agent during the 2021 offseason, says Ian Begley of SNY.tv. For now, it remains to be seen whether the Pistons will move Rose — or whether New York will make the best offer.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- While a Tuesday report indicated that the Pelicans are open to discussing a Lonzo Ball trade, it’s unclear whether or not the Knicks would have any interest. According to Ian Begley, some people within the organization supported the idea of trading for Ball entering the 2020 offseason. However, a strong early showing from Immanuel Quickley – combined with Ball’s up-and-down play – may have changed that equation. One team monitoring the Ball situation told Begley that the Pelicans still value the former No. 2 overall pick and won’t trade him if they don’t get a strong return.
- Noting that Mitchell Robinson deleted a Tuesday tweet that read, “One day they’ll let me play,” Marc Berman wonders if the young center is seeking a larger offensive role. As Berman observes, Robinson is logging 29.6 minutes per game this season, well above his previous career high, so the tweet probably wasn’t about his playing time.
- With All-Star voting set to open on Thursday, Julius Randle figures to receive consideration for a spot on the Eastern Conference squad. The veteran big man is averaging 22.5 PPG, 11.3 RPG, and 6.0 APG so far in 2020/21 — those marks would all be career bests.
Donovan Mitchell In Concussion Protocol, Won’t Play Wednesday
Jazz star Donovan Mitchell has been placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol and won’t be available to play on Wednesday night vs. Dallas, the team announced today.
Mitchell, who logged 34 minutes in a win over the Knicks on Tuesday night, didn’t leave the game early and the Jazz say it’s not immediately clear when he sustained the injury. He first experienced possible concussion symptoms on Wednesday morning, per team officials.
Mitchell’s availability for Friday’s rematch vs. the Mavericks, as well as subsequent contests, will be determined by how he progresses through the concussion protocol.
In the short term, the Jazz will be tasked with finding a way to replace Mitchell’s offensive production — he’s the team’s leading scorer this season with 23.4 PPG in 17 games. Utah figures to lean a little more on Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson, with backup guards Miye Oni and Shaquille Harrison among the candidates to see additional minutes as well.
NBA To Open All-Star Voting On Thursday
The NBA has yet to make a final decision on whether an All-Star Game will be played during the 2020/21 season, but the league will open voting for this season’s All-Star teams on Thursday at 11:00 am central time, according to a press release.
As has been the case in recent years, NBA All-Star starters will be determined by a combination of fan voting (50%), media votes (25%), and player votes (25%).
Voting will close at the end of the day on Tuesday, February 16, with TNT revealing the All-Star starters on Thursday, Feb. 18. TNT will subsequently announce the All-Star reserves – voted on by NBA head coaches – on Tuesday, Feb. 23.
Whether or not a game takes place this season, the expectation has always been that All-Star teams will still be selected. As Bobby Marks of ESPN notes (via Twitter), some players have incentives in their contracts that hinge on being named to an All-Star squad.
A report earlier this week indicated that the NBA and NBPA have discussed the possibility of holding an All-Star Game in Atlanta during the league’s midseason break, which will run from March 5-10. Marc Stein of The New York Times suggests (via Twitter) that there is “momentum building” toward that possibility, but nothing has been finalized yet.
This year’s All-Star Game was originally set to be played in Indianapolis, but the NBA has had to adjust its plans due to the coronavirus pandemic. Indiana will now host the 2024 event.
And-Ones: J. Johnson, Ignite, Clippers’ Arena, S. Smith
Isaiah Thomas won’t be the only NBA veteran suiting up for Team USA at the AmeriCup qualifiers in San Juan, Puerto Rico next month. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter), seven-time All-Star Joe Johnson, who has been out of the league since 2018, will also represent the U.S. in games against The Bahamas and Mexico.
As G League expert Adam Johnson points out (via Twitter), with the NBAGL bubble taking place next month, there will be fewer G League veterans available to represent Team USA than there were at the earlier qualifiers. However, there are a number of former NBA players who weren’t selected in this month’s NBAGL draft who could look to join Thomas and Johnson on the U.S. roster to showcase themselves to NBA teams.
USA Basketball has already qualified for the 2022 AmeriCup tournament by going 4-0 in previous qualifying games, so the team won’t face any pressure in San Juan to win both its games.
Here are more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- Brian Shaw, the head coach of the G League Ignite, spoke to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype about the outlook for prospects like Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga, why other youngsters should consider the G League out of high school, and whether he has any desire to return to coaching in the NBA.
- Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated also checks in on the Ignite, passing along first impressions of Jalen Green and exploring the roles that the G League veterans on the Ignite’s roster are playing.
- The City of Inglewood intends to use eminent domain to acquire the land necessary for the Clippers‘ new arena, according to Jason Henry of The Pasadena Star-News, who provides an update on the plans and the timetable for the construction of that building.
- Veteran basketball analyst Sekou Smith (of NBA TV and NBA.com) passed away on Tuesday due to COVID-19, as Tim Bontemps of ESPN writes. The league and the players’ union both released statements mourning Smith. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
Players Eligible For In-Season Veteran Extensions In 2020/21
As we explain in our glossary entry on veteran contract extensions, rookie scale extensions have historically been the most common form of contract extension in the NBA. However, the league’s latest Collective Bargaining Agreement loosened the rules on eligibility for veteran extensions and made them a little more financially advantageous for players who don’t expect mega-deals.
As a result, we’ve seen a bump in veteran contract extensions in recent seasons. So far in the 2020/21 league year, six players have signed them.
[RELATED: 2020/21 NBA Contract Extension Tracker]
For certain extension-eligible players, such as Victor Oladipo, it may still make sense to wait until free agency to sign a new contract — the biggest raise he can receive on an extension would still be less than the maximum contract he’d be eligible to earn on the open market. The maximum starting salary a player like Oladipo can receive in a veteran extension is up to 120% of his current salary.
A player on a more modest contract can receive a maximum starting salary worth up to 120% of the NBA’s estimated average salary on an extension, assuming that amount is greater than 120% of his current salary.
For this season, 120% of the estimated average salary would work out to a $12MM salary in the first year of a contract extension. A player who signs an extension that fits that bill could get up to four years and $53.76MM. Gary Trent Jr. and Devonte’ Graham are among the players who are eligible for that sort of deal.
Now that the regular season is in full swing, the number of veterans eligible for contract extensions has declined, since players with more than one year left on their contracts aren’t permitted to ink an in-season extension. But there are still a number of veterans in the final year of their respective contracts who remain eligible for extensions right up until the last day of the current league year.
Listed below are the players who meet the criteria for a veteran extension. Players who were recently traded can be extended, but they have to wait for a certain amount of time after the trade to sign a contract longer than three total years (including the current season) with a first-year raise exceeding 5%. If a player below is noted as having “limited” eligibility until a certain date, that’s why.
Typically, that “limited” extension eligibility lifts after six months, but this year those dates are based on a mapping table provided by the NBA, so they differ a little from case to case. Once a player regains his full extension eligibility, he once again becomes eligible to sign an extension of up to five total years (including the current season) with a 20% first-year raise.
Additionally, extension-eligible players with a player or team option for 2021/22 would have to eliminate that option year as part of an extension agreement in order to meet the necessary criteria.
Here’s the full list of veterans currently eligible for contract extensions:
Atlanta Hawks
- Tony Snell
- Lou Williams
- Limited eligibility for rest of season.
Boston Celtics
- Evan Fournier
- Limited eligibility for rest of season.
- Semi Ojeleye
Brooklyn Nets
- Bruce Brown
- Spencer Dinwiddie
- 2021/22 player option must be declined.
Charlotte Hornets
Chicago Bulls
Cleveland Cavaliers
- None
Dallas Mavericks
Denver Nuggets
- Will Barton
- 2021/22 player option must be declined.
Detroit Pistons
- Hamidou Diallo
- Limited eligibility for rest of season.
Golden State Warriors
- None
Houston Rockets
- Dante Exum
- Limited eligibility through June 22.
- Rodions Kurucs
- 2021/22 team option must be declined.
- Limited eligibility through June 22.
- Kelly Olynyk
- Limited eligibility for rest of season.
Indiana Pacers
Los Angeles Clippers
- None
Los Angeles Lakers
Memphis Grizzlies
- Justise Winslow
- 2021/22 team option must be declined.
Miami Heat
- Nemanja Bjelica
- Limited eligibility for rest of season.
- Victor Oladipo
- Limited eligibility for rest of season.
Milwaukee Bucks
- P.J. Tucker
- Limited eligibility for rest of season.
Minnesota Timberwolves
New Orleans Pelicans
- James Johnson
- Limited eligibility for rest of season.
New York Knicks
- Mitchell Robinson
- 2021/22 team option must be declined.
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
- Limited eligibility for rest of season.
Orlando Magic
- Otto Porter Jr.
- Limited eligibility for rest of season.
Philadelphia 76ers
- None
Phoenix Suns
- Abdel Nader
- Chris Paul
- 2021/22 player option must be declined.
Portland Trail Blazers
- Norman Powell
- 2021/22 player option must be declined.
- Limited eligibility for rest of season.
Sacramento Kings
- None
San Antonio Spurs
Toronto Raptors
- Gary Trent Jr.
- Limited eligibility for rest of season.
Utah Jazz
Washington Wizards
Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Isaiah Thomas To Play For Team USA In AmeriCup Qualifiers
Veteran guard Isaiah Thomas has committed to playing for Team USA in the upcoming AmeriCup qualifying tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
Team USA has technically already qualified for the 2022 AmeriCup tournament with a strong showing in previous qualifiers in 2020, but will still take part in next month’s event. The U.S. squad – coached by Joe Prunty, a longtime NBA assistant for the Suns, Bucks, Nets, and others – will face The Bahamas on February 19 and Mexico on 20.
Since undergoing a procedure last year to address a nagging hip issue, Thomas has talked repeatedly about wanting to return to the NBA, and said earlier this month that he has had discussions with multiple teams. He last played for the Wizards to start the 2019/20 season, but was traded to the Clippers at last February’s deadline and was subsequently waived.
Thomas, who will turn 32 in February, was still productive on offense in D.C. last season, averaging 12.2 PPG and 3.7 APG with a .413 3PT% in 40 games (23.1 MPG). However, the Wizards had a 120.2 defensive rating during his minutes, and he ranked 500th out of 503 players in defensive real plus-minus prior to the NBA’s hiatus.
As Wojnarowski notes (via Twitter), playing in a couple games for Team USA next month should present Thomas with a good opportunity to show that he’s healthy and effective.