2021 March | Hoops Rumors

Pacific Rumors: Mann, Clippers, Kings, Paschall, Wiseman

By Luke Adams | at March 23, 2021 9:51 am

The Clippers don’t have any future first-round picks to offer up in trades and their roster is somewhat lacking in young talent, but second-year wing Terance Mann has emerged as an intriguing potential trade chip for the club, writes Sean Deveney of Heavy.com. Mann has established new career highs in points in each of his last two games, scoring 16 on Saturday and 21 on Monday.

If the Clippers make a deal, their preference would be to use veterans and second-round picks, but it’s a safe bet that potential trade partners will want Mann. The Kings inquired on the 24-year-old before agreeing to trade for Mfiondu Kabengele, according to Deveney.

“I don’t think they’re looking to trade (Mann),” a source told Deveney. “But I think they know when they get into some of the talks on higher-end guys, teams are going to ask for Mann. Everyone wants a first-round pick, but this kid is better than a lot of first-round picks from his class.”

Here’s more from around the Pacific:

Chris Mannix of SI.com makes the case for why the Clippers need to make a deadline deal to cement themselves as true title contenders.
The Clippers sent $2.7MM in cash to the Kings as part of Monday’s Kabengele trade, tweets ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
The Kings still haven’t found any trades to their liking involving Nemanja Bjelica or Marvin Bagley III, according to Jason Jones of The Athletic, who says the team passed on an earlier opportunity to move Bjelica.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said on Monday night that there’s a chance Eric Paschall and James Wiseman will be cleared for Tuesday’s game vs. Philadelphia, per Anthony Slater of The Athletic (Twitter link). A report last Wednesday indicated Paschall and Wiseman would be in the NBA’s health and safety protocols for at least a week.
Although the Suns will have some options at the trade deadline, they don’t need to make any big moves, argues Greg Moore of The Arizona Republic.

Trade Rumors: Gordon, Bagley, Collins, Turner, Nuggets, Mavs

By Luke Adams | at March 23, 2021 9:11 am

Magic forward Aaron Gordon continues to be one of the most intriguing trade candidates leading up to Thursday’s deadline, with a Monday report indicating that the Celtics are believed to be the frontrunners for him. Boston reportedly offered two first-round picks and may be eyeing a bigger deal that also features Marcus Smart and Evan Fournier, as Sam Amick of The Athletic confirms.

According to Amick, the Nuggets are currently viewed as the second-strongest suitor for Gordon. Denver has done a good deal of research on the veteran forward in an attempt to determine how well he’d fit the team’s system and culture, sources tell The Athletic.

The Rockets were considered a serious threat to land Gordon at one point, but they no longer to be among the favorites. As Amick explains, the 25-year-old’s disinterest in signing a longer-term extension with Houston may dissuade the club from giving up valuable assets for him. Gordon’s current contract is set to expire after the 2021/22 season.

Here are a few more trade rumors from around the NBA:

The Kings, who reportedly offered Marvin Bagley III to Detroit in a proposal for Saddiq Bey, have also made Bagley available in discussions with the Hawks about John Collins, says Amick. The Celtics, meanwhile, have “cooled” on Collins due to concerns about how much he’ll cost to retain in restricted free agency, Amick adds.
The Pacers would have to be blown away by a “no-brainer” deal in order to trade Myles Turner this week, multiple sources tell J. Michael of The Indianapolis Star. The Hornets, Lakers, Clippers, Knicks, and Pelicans are among the teams with interest in the big man, according to Michael, who says one three-team deal discussed last season would’ve sent Turner to New Orleans and Collins to Indiana.
The Nuggets and Mavericks remain on the lookout for wing help, with both clubs offering second-round picks and a veteran for salary-matching purposes (Gary Harris and James Johnson), per Joe Vardon of The Athletic.

7 comments Atlanta Hawks Boston Celtics Charlotte Hornets Dallas Mavericks Denver Nuggets Houston Rockets Indiana Pacers Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Lakers New Orleans Pelicans New York Knicks Orlando Magic Sacramento Kings Aaron Gordon Evan Fournier Gary Harris James Johnson John Collins Marcus Smart Marvin Bagley III Myles Turner

Lamar Stevens Discusses Rookie Season, Cavs, Team Culture, More

By JD Shaw | at March 23, 2021 8:41 am

After going undrafted in 2020, rookie forward Lamar Stevens signed a two-way contract with the Cavaliers and has emerged as a rotation player for the team this season, providing depth off the bench in 27 games to date.

Stevens, who is averaging 4.5 points and 2.7 rebounds in 13.7 minutes per game on the season, recorded a career-best 15 points and 11 rebounds in 17 minutes against the Spurs on Friday. The 23-year-old’s strong defense is a key reason why he’s received a consistent role.

Stevens recently spoke with Hoops Rumors to discuss his rookie season, his experience at Penn State, the Cavs’ culture and more:

What has your first NBA season been like?

“I think for me it’s been just a lot of learning. Just trying to be a sponge because everything happens so fast for me — really I think for all the rookies without summer league, a shortened training camp and jumping right into the season. It’s just been trying to adjust, trying to learn as much as you can really, really fast. Luckily I have great vets and great coaches that have really spent a lot of time in helping speed up my process. I would say the biggest thing for me is just trying to learn as much as I can, as fast as I can.”

How has playing for the Cavaliers shaped your rookie season? What in your mind is special about this organization in particular?

“I think what’s really special about the organization is really just the commitment to getting better. And I think each day is like, you know, you see the focus from top to bottom. From GM (Koby Altman) to coach J.B. (Bickerstaff). Everybody’s main goal is just to get better and be better than what you were yesterday. With this culture and the vets that we have, with Kevin Love, Larry (Nance Jr.), JaVale (McGee), Taurean Prince and guys like that leading the way for us, it’s been really special. It’s helped me a lot as a young player just to feel comfortable asking questions, or always being able to reach out to somebody to get into the gym at any time — that’s been special for me and has really allowed me personally to help my game grow and my mind grow as a basketball player.”

Take me through that game-winning basket you had against the Hawks. Firstly, just to be finishing a close game as a rookie — let alone an undrafted rookie — is impressive. What was it like for you to be part of such a key moment?

“It was just special for me. It was really special for coach to trust me being in the game. Each game was extremely important to us being on that losing streak. We were on a 10-game losing streak at the time. For him to trust me being in the last couple possessions of the game was definitely a special moment.

“When I went out there and the way it happened, I was just playing. I really wasn’t thinking about it being the game-winning basket. I think that’s just what’s gotten me to this point — just going in and playing. I think that’s what it was. Both defenders stepped up to Collin (Sexton), he kicked it to me and I just saw the lane and went down to finish it. That was definitely a special moment as a team, definitely one for me, and then ending that 10-game losing streak. Hopefully we can continue that trend of just winning.”

You spent four years at Penn State before the draft. How did your experience with the program help prepare you for the NBA?

“I think my experience at Penn State helped prepare me for the NBA because I feel like I had to work my way up each year just to be a high-level player. Through that, I was able to watch. Me being, maybe not the number one guy, but me being a little bit lower on the totem pole when I first came to Penn State — I paid attention. What was the best thing for me to do as a player or teammate for us to be successful? Fast forward into my senior year, me being the number one guy, I knew what I wanted from everybody from the second guy to the 15th guy.

“Also at Penn State, I was able to build my work ethic. I was able to work on my game. I needed all four of my years just to continue working on my game and put myself in the position I can be in now. It was also the mental part of just knowing when you are the 15th guy on the roster, what do you need to do to show that you can have an impact? What role do you need to take on? How do you have to buy into it? Stuff like that. So I think my four years at Penn State helped me a lot mentally to be prepared to play in the NBA, and definitely just over the years playing in the BIG 10. It made me a much better player. Just the work I was able to put in over the four years I think prepared me to become an NBA player.”

J.B. Bickerstaff has preached culture this season. He’s in his first full season as the Cavs’ head coach, but he’s also been around coaching for nearly two decades. What kind of role has he played in your season and how important is it to establish a respectable culture within the team?

“I think he’s been extremely important. Even during my four years at Penn State, I learned how important culture is. Having guys that will and can buy in to that culture. If you want to build a championship program at any level, I feel like you have to have that culture. You have to have a bunch of guys that believe in that, and J.B. does preach it. I think the main thing he talks about is that we’re going to be the most competitive team and most unselfish team every night. And me, being in the role that I’m in, I just want to kind of be an extension of the player that he’s expecting and that guys should be.

“His belief in me and the instilled confidence that he put into me has allowed me to have success this year. Just the relationship we have — we’re able to really talk about things. I really feel comfortable going with him when I’m not sure or have any questions. Our dialogue has definitely helped me just continue to grow as a player. It’s sped me up and given me confidence just to believe that I can go out and play at a high level.”

What’s been the biggest challenge for you to overcome to this point? That could be team-related, COVID-related, or something else.

“I would say the biggest challenge is really just how fast everything works. The game is really fast, you travel from city to city really fast, and then you wake up the next morning to have practice or another game. Just adjusting to that was probably the biggest difference from college when you only had one game per week. I would say that was probably the biggest challenge for me; adjusting to the speed of the NBA life and the NBA game. That was probably the biggest thing I’ve had to overcome, but the other thing I want to continue working on is my shooting. That’s something I’ve taken pride in working on and I’m excited to show it when I get my opportunity. So just being more consistent from three and the speed of just the NBA life have probably been the biggest adjustments for me.”

What’s your focus entering the second half of the season? I know you mentioned your shooting, but I think that’s somewhat of a long-term goal. What are you hoping to improve on and what are you focused on as the second half of the campaign gets rolling?

“I think for me, with the team that we have and having so many bodies, my main focus is just continuing to stay ready for whatever opportunity may come my way. Also just continuing to work on my defense. That’s the role that’s gotten me onto the court so early on (in my career) and has allowed me to play so many games early on. I’m really confident in my offense game because that’s really all I did while I was in school. I really wasn’t much of a defender. So now it’s like trying to shift my focus to being a consistent menace on defense, and that’s what I think I can do. I think with the goals and the belief that I have in myself, I think that I can be a top defender in this league. I want to continue honing in on that, doing that well, and just continue doing whatever it takes for the team to win. That’s really my biggest focus. Each year, being better than what the Cavs were last year. Just continuing to build on that is probably the biggest thing for me.”

The team is 16-27 and holds the 12th-best record in the East, but the 10th seed isn’t out of reach. You guys are only 3.5 games behind. What do you think the team needs to do to turn it around and make the playoffs — or at least the play-in tournament — this season?

“I think that as long as we continue to buy into the culture that coach J.B. sets, we’ll put ourselves in a really good position to make it to that play-in tournament or playoffs. We have talent on the team, so if we’re consistently being unselfish and making each other better every night, I think we’ll put ourselves in a really, really good position to take it to that and hopefully make the playoffs.”

You touched on this a little bit earlier, but what are you hoping to accomplish in your career? What are some goals that you have?

“I want to make the All-Defensive team. I think that’s something I really want to be my staple in this league. From there, honestly, the biggest thing for me is just continuing to get better. I think with that mindset, the sky is the limit. I can’t put anything on it. As long as I continue to work hard and continue to get better — that’s the biggest thing for me.”

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

4 comments Cleveland Cavaliers Hoops Rumors Originals Lamar Stevens

Cavaliers Rumors: McGee, Prince, Drummond

By Luke Adams | at March 23, 2021 8:29 am

A report on Monday suggested that a buyout is becoming more likely than a trade for Cavaliers center JaVale McGee, but Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com disputes that notion.

While McGee could be on the move in a trade, it also wouldn’t be a surprise if he remains in Cleveland beyond Thursday’s deadline, according to Fedor. And in that scenario, the Cavaliers wouldn’t be interested in a buyout, multiple sources tell Fedor, who says the team’s plan is to either trade or keep McGee.

If potential suitors believe McGee could get bought out, it would significantly impact the Cavs’ leverage in trade talks, so it’s fair to be skeptical of this report. On the other hand though, Cleveland hasn’t given up on pushing for a postseason play-in spot and McGee is the team’s primary backup center, so the team won’t be eager to hand him to a contender just to save a small amount of money.

We also saw last year with Tristan Thompson that the Cavs are willing to play out the string with a veteran buyout candidate, even if he ends up eventually walking in unrestricted free agency.

Here’s more on the Cavs:

Taurean Prince, who has appeared in just two games since February 15, is dealing with what’s been diagnosed as a left shoulder sprain. He’s attempting to rehab the injury, but may ultimately require surgery, sources tell Joe Vardon of The Athletic. That will complicate any efforts the Cavs make to trade him before this week’s deadline.
Besides Andre Drummond‘s pricey salary, there may be some “reputational concerns” hindering the Cavs’ ability to trade him, according to Vardon. Before the Cavs benched Drummond for good, they asked him multiple times to accept a role reduction and/or to come off the bench, and he refused, Vardon continues. Teams will still be interested in the veteran center if he reaches the buyout market, so it’s not as if his attitude is a deal-breaker, per Vardon, but it’s another obstacle in Cleveland’s attempts to make a trade.
Be sure to check out our Cavs team page for all the latest updates on the club, including Quinn Cook signing a second 10-day contract and the Warriors reportedly inquiring on Cedi Osman.

13 comments Cleveland Cavaliers Andre Drummond JaVale McGee Taurean Prince

Trade Rumors: Finney-Smith, Gordon, Fournier, Holmes, Herro

By Dana Gauruder | at March 22, 2021 10:57 pm

Teams have checked in on Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith, though it’s uncertain if he’s available, Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News tweets. His recent uptick in play, plus his very affordable contract ($4MM this season and next), has increased interest in him.

As Townsend explains (Twitter link), if the Mavericks want to make a run at a player like Aaron Gordon, Norman Powell or John Collins, Finney-Smith would likely have to be included in any deal, along with perhaps Jalen Brunson and draft picks. However, Dallas can’t offer a first-rounder earlier than 2025, which makes it difficult for it to make a major move.

We have more on the trade front:

The Celtics are considered the frontrunners to acquire Gordon, multiple sources told The Action Network’s Matt Moore. The Magic are expected to continue to take offers up until Thursday’s deadline. The Nuggets, Trail Blazers and Mavericks are also in the running but Boston has offered two first-round picks and the other contenders for Gordon haven’t done that. It’s assumed there will be some protections on those picks. Evan Fournier could also go to Boston in a separate deal. The Celtics would send a player — the Magic prefer Marcus Smart — and the two picks, using their $28.5MM traded player exception as part of the deal.
Richaun Holmes has become a top trade target for multiple teams, ESPN’s Jordan Schultz tweets. It would take a sizable offer to pry him away from the Kings, Schultz adds. H0lmes has expressed his contentment with his current team. He had 17 points and 16 rebounds against Cleveland on Monday.
While the Heat could make a major move, they appear unwilling to part with Tyler Herro, according to another Schultz tweet. Miami considers Herro an essential part of the future and is a favorite of team president Pat Riley, so Schultz would be shocked if the second-year guard is moved.

35 comments Boston Celtics Dallas Mavericks Denver Nuggets Miami Heat Orlando Magic Portland Trail Blazers Sacramento Kings Aaron Gordon Dorian Finney-Smith Evan Fournier Jalen Brunson John Collins Marcus Smart Norman Powell Richaun Holmes Tyler Herro

Clippers Trade Mfiondu Kabengele To Kings

By Dana Gauruder | at March 22, 2021 10:54 pm

10:54pm: The trade is official, according to a Clippers press release.

9:07pm: The Clippers are trading big man Mfiondu Kabengele, a future second-round pick, and cash to the Kings in exchange for a future second-rounder, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweets. Both second-round picks are heavily protected and are unlikely to convey, Woj adds (via Twitter).

The Kings, who have an open roster spot to and won’t need to cut anyone, are using a $2,673,334 trade exception that was set to expire on Monday to take on Kabengele’s salary. They’ll presumably receive more than enough cash to cover the money owed to him for the rest of the season, making the deal worth their while.

The Clippers, meanwhile, open up a roster spot with the deal and create some extra room below their hard cap, giving them more flexibility to make another trade or sign a free agent.

As a hard-capped team, the Clippers would have needed to wait until March 30 to sign another player. With two roster spots open, they can now fill one or both of those spots, Bobby Marks of ESPN tweets. The club moves to $2.6MM below the hard cap (Twitter link via Marks).

Kabengele has appeared in 23 games this season but is only averaging 4.1 MPG in those outings, having essentially been limited to garbage time. The 27th overall pick in 2019, Kabengele saw action in 12 games last season as a rookie.

The 23-year-old power forward, who played college ball at Florida State, had his third-year option for 2021/22 declined, so he’ll be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, assuming he spends the rest of the season under contract.

13 comments Los Angeles Clippers Newsstand Sacramento Kings Transactions Mfiondu Kabengele

Community Shootaround: Celtics’ Trade Deadline Approach

By Dana Gauruder | at March 22, 2021 10:06 pm

The Celtics find themselves in a tough spot with the trade deadline approaching.

They entered their game in Memphis on Monday with a .500 record. They haven’t played anything like a team that was supposed to be a serious contender in the Eastern Conference, if not the NBA championship.

Part of the reason has been injuries and COVID-19 related issues. They don’t have any players who have appeared in every game. Among those absences, Marcus Smart has missed 19 games and Kemba Walker has sat out 17 contests.

However, Boston probably isn’t good enough to win the East with its current roster unless one or two of the Nets’ stars is injured during the postseason. The Celtics could use another difference-maker, another big and some depth. Brad Stevens admitted on Monday, “I think it’s very obvious that none of those young guys have really separated themselves from the others off our bench.”

In recent days, the Celtics have been linked to Norman Powell, Harrison Barnes, Evan Fournier, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Aaron Gordon and John Collins.

Boston has a huge $28.5MM traded player exception to utilize. It also has some additional second-round picks but it would probably have to move one or more first-round picks to get one of the above-mentioned players. Smart, whose contract expires after next season, appears to be the Celtics’ best trade chip if they move any of their regulars, since it’s hard to see them dealing either Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown.

That leads us to our topic of the day: Should the Celtics look to make a major move before Thursday’s trade deadline? If so, which player that they’ve reportedly pursued would be the best fit?

Please take to the comments section to weigh in. We look forward to your input.

25 comments Boston Celtics Community Shootaround Hoops Rumors Originals

And-Ones: MVP Race, Trade Assets, Payton II, Morris

By Dana Gauruder | at March 22, 2021 7:07 pm

Injuries expected to sideline LeBron James and Joel Embiid for multiple weeks have shaken up the chase for the Most Valuable Player award. Nikola Jokic is now the frontrunner to win the wide-open race for the award, according to Chris Sheridan of Basketball News. Betting sites FanDuel, Draft Kings, BetMGM and PointsBet.com have made the Nuggets’ All-Star big man the favorite.

We have more tidbits from around the basketball world:

The Thunder possess a boatload of first-round picks, some veterans with trade appeal and plenty of trade exceptions. That’s why Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report ranks Oklahoma City No. 1 in terms of trade assets. Pincus lists each team by the value of its trade assets.
Raptors 905 guard Gary Payton II has been named the G League Defensive Player of the Year, according to a G League press release. The league’s head coaches and GMs voted on the award. Payton II led the league in steals per game (2.54), including nine games with two or more steals.
Nuggets guard Monte Morris has committed to the Nigeria national team for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, The Athletic’s Shams Charania tweets. Mike Brown will coach the team, which also includes NBA players Al-Farouq Aminu, Josh Okogie, Chimezie Metu and Ekpe Udoh.

20 comments 2020 Olympics Denver Nuggets NBA G League Oklahoma City Thunder Toronto Raptors Gary Payton II Monte Morris Nikola Jokic

Hornets Notes: Batum, Ball, Graham, Turner, Washington

By Dana Gauruder | at March 22, 2021 5:46 pm

Nicolas Batum found out the Hornets had released him in November on social media, according to Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer. “I found out on Twitter, like everybody else,” Batum said. The veteran forward was let go to clear cap space for Gordon Hayward. Charlotte elected to use the stretch provision, spreading Batum’s $27.1MM cap hit over three seasons. The Hornets declined to comment on how they handled Batum’s departure.

We have more on the Hornets:

LaMelo Ball played 57 percent of the season before he injured his wrist, so he’s still likely to win the Rookie of the Year award, Sam Vecenie of The Athletic writes. Only strong finishes by either Anthony Edwards or Tyrese Haliburton would jeopardize his hold on the award.
The Hornets have a tricky decision on Devonte’ Graham in the aftermath of Ball’s injury, but they would still be wise to deal the restricted free agent, Vecenie opines in the same piece. Graham will never have more value than he has now, due to his $1.6MM salary, which makes him an option for any team interested in him. He could be an impact player for a contender, which would gain control over him this summer due to his RFA status.
Charlotte has long been interested in the Pacers’ Myles Turner and Indiana asked for P.J. Washington as part of a potential package prior to the season, J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star tweets.
With an open roster spot and up to $4.1MM in cap space, GM Mitch Kupchak needs to add a big man to the roster, Bonnell tweets. Charlotte has left a roster spot open throughout the season.

17 comments Charlotte Hornets Indiana Pacers Devonte' Graham LaMelo Ball Myles Turner Nicolas Batum P.J. Washington

Nets Sign Alize Johnson To 10-Day Contract

By Luke Adams | at March 22, 2021 5:31 pm

5:31pm: The signing is official, according to a team press release.

7:39am: The Nets are set to sign forward Alize Johnson to a 10-day contract, pending clearance of the NBA’s health and safety protocols, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter).

Johnson, 24, spent two seasons with the Pacers after being drafted 50th overall in 2018, but appeared in just 31 total games and played limited minutes, seeing more action with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the G League.

Johnson suited up for the Raptors 905 in the G League bubble this season, averaging 16.6 PPG and 13.5 RPG (second in the league) in 15 games (32.1 MPG). It was the third straight season in which he averaged at least 13 rebounds per game in the NBAGL.

The Nets’ roster dipped to 13 players on standard contracts on March 8. Since teams are only permitted to carry fewer than 14 players on standard deals for up to two weeks at a time, Brooklyn needed to add a player to its roster to get back to that required minimum. After signing Johnson, the club will still have one opening on its 15-man squad.

Johnson’s 10-day contract with Brooklyn will pay him approximately $111K. The Nets’ cap hit will also be $111K, though Johnson’s deal will ultimately cost them a little more than that, since team salary is already far beyond the luxury tax line.

7 comments Brooklyn Nets Newsstand Transactions Alize Johnson

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Month: March 2021