Jazz Sign Hassan Whiteside
AUGUST 6: The Jazz have made it official with Whiteside, announcing his deal in a press release.
“Hassan is one of the more physically gifted players in the game today and has a vast amount of valuable professional basketball experience,” Jazz GM Justin Zanik said in a statement. “We’re excited to add someone with his skillset and feel he’s a great fit with our current roster.”
AUGUST 3: The Jazz have agreed to a deal with free agent center Hassan Whiteside, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter).
Whiteside is coming off his least productive season in seven years, having averaged 8.1 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 1.3 BPG in 36 games (15.2 MPG) for Sacramento, but he remains a solid shot-blocker and rebounder, especially as a backup center.
The 32-year-old seven-footer signed a one-year deal with the Kings last year but could never get fully on track with his new team. The Jazz will be hoping that in Quin Snyder‘s system, backing up All-NBA center Rudy Gobert, Whiteside will be able to turn things around.
The Jazz recently traded reserve center Derrick Favors to the Thunder in a cost-cutting move, and Whiteside gives them some level of schematic continuity coming off the bench.
The Jazz are believed to be limited to minimum-salary deals after committing their taxpayer mid-level exception to Rudy Gay, so Whiteside’s deal figures to be worth the veteran’s minimum.
Eastern Notes: Bulls, Dinwiddie, Nets, Celtics, Cavs, Pistons
The first-round pick the Bulls will send to the Spurs in the DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade will be top-10 protected in the first year and top-eight protected in the second and third years if it doesn’t convey immediately, reports John Hollinger of The Athletic.
That pick will tentatively be the Bulls’ 2025 first-rounder, but that’s conditional on Chicago sending its 2023 pick to Orlando. If the 2023 first-rounder falls in its protected range (top four) and the Bulls keep it, the Bulls would have to wait until at least 2026 to send a first-rounder to the Spurs in order to avoid running afoul of the Stepien rule, which prohibits teams from trading back-to-back future first-round picks.
Here’s more from around the East:
- In an in-depth look at the challenges facing the Wizards in their efforts to acquire Spencer Dinwiddie via sign-and-trade, Danny Leroux and Fred Katz of The Athletic cite sources who say the Nets are seeking a significant asset (besides a trade exception) from Washington in any agreement.
- The Celtics are taking a conservative approach to free agency this year in part because they want to maintain a salary structure that allows them to be players for a major free agent in 2022, as Mark Murphy of The Boston Herald explains (via Twitter).
- The Cavaliers continue to scour the market for shooting help, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, who says Doug McDermott was the team’s top target entering free agency. McDermott, who agreed to a three-year deal with San Antonio, was one of a number of players on Cleveland’s wish list that opted to go elsewhere.
- Pistons head coach Dwane Casey envisions Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes sharing the play-making responsibilities for the team in 2021/22, as Keith Langlois of Pistons.com writes. “Both of ’em are 1A and 1B,” Casey said of his two young guards. ” Either one can bring it up. Either one can initiate offense. Either one can run pick and roll. What we want to work to is position-less basketball.”
Hornets Sign Scottie Lewis, Arnoldas Kulboka
The Hornets have signed Scottie Lewis and Arnoldas Kulboka to two-way deals, per a team press release.
Lewis is a 6’5″ defensive specialist out of the University of Florida whom the Hornets selected 56th in this year’s draft. As a sophomore, Lewis averaged 7.9 PPG, 1.5 SPG and 1.0 BPG but failed to take much of a step forward as an offensive prospect. He is considered one of the better defensive and athletic players in this year’s draft.
Kulboka was the 55th pick in the 2018 draft and has been a draft-and-stash prospect since then. The 6’10” forward averaged 9.2 PPG and 4 RPG while shooting 42.5% from three on 4.6 attempts a night for Bilboa Basket, and has played for the Hornets during the past two Summer Leagues (2018/19 and 2019/20).
Lewis and Kulboka will supplant Nate Darling and Grant Riller as Charlotte’s two-way players.
Hornets Sign James Bouknight, Kai Jones
The Hornets have officially signed their two first-round picks, finalizing deals with former UConn guard James Bouknight and former Texas big man Kai Jones, according to a team press release.
Bouknight was taken with the 11th pick after averaging 18.7 PPG and 5.7 RPG in his sophomore season as an athletic shooting guard carrying a major offensive load. He showcased tough shot-making ability, elite athleticism and a nose for getting himself open off cuts and off-ball movement. The highlight of his season was a 40-point game against the ninth-ranked Creighton.
Jones, another sophomore, gained steam as a first-round pick throughout the season, and was at times even considered a potential lottery pick, due to his combination of athleticism, fluidity, and burgeoning offensive skillset, including a promising-looking jump shot. The Hornets traded a protected future first round pick to the Knicks to get the No. 19 pick to select Jones.
According to the team’s press release, Jones became just the fifth Bahamian player ever selected in the NBA draft.
Bouknight’s deal is expected to start at approximately $4.1MM and be worth approximately $19.1MM over its duration, while Jones’ is expected to start at around $2.7MM and will be worth approximately $13.4MM.
Knicks Notes: Fournier, Sims, Gibson, Bullock, Guarantees, Point Guards
In a story for The New York Post, Marc Berman describes how the Knicks came to terms with free agent Evan Fournier while the veteran wingman is in the midst of an Olympic run with the French national team. Berman writes that Fournier’s relationship with former Magic head coach Steve Clifford, a close friend of Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau, likely played a part in the Knicks’ decision to pursue the 6’7″ wing.
“I’d bet the Knicks signed him because Clifford raved to Thibs about how much Fournier wants to win and is about all the right things,’’ a source from Orlando told Berman. “Cliff says that Fournier is one of the toughest players — mentally and physically — that he’s ever coached.’’
We have more news from the Knicks:
- In a separate article, Berman writes that Jericho Sims, the athletic center out of Texas taken with the 58th pick, is likely to receive a two-way contract, thereby limiting him to a maximum of 50 games with the Knicks. Sims is set to play for the Knicks in Summer League.
- According to Ian Begley of SNY, Taj Gibson – who agreed to a one-year, minimum-salary contract to stay in New York – had significant interest around the league, but the Knicks sold him on his importance to their culture and the team’s development going forward.
- Begley also writes that the Knicks and Mavericks were interested in exploring a sign-and-trade for wing Reggie Bullock earlier in free agency, but that it’s unclear if such a deal has been pursued since Bullock committed to the Mavs.
- All of the contracts the Knicks agreed to on Monday — Derrick Rose, Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel, and Evan Fournier — will be not fully guaranteed in their final year, Begley reports. Rose, Burks, and Noel will sign for three years apiece, while Fournier agreed to a four-year deal. Begley erroneously reported on Monday that Burks’ three-year deal was fully guaranteed.
- Finally, Begley writes that with the Knicks are interested in pursuing another point guard with their remaining cap space. Dennis Schroder and Reggie Jackson remain the two most prominent names on the point guard market.
Sixers Sign Georges Niang To Two-Year Deal
AUGUST 6: The Sixers have officially signed Niang, the team announced today in a press release.
“Georges is a talented player who can stretch the floor and he immediately bolsters our frontcourt depth,” president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said in a statement. “He has shot over 40-percent from three for his career and has steadily improved his overall game each season he’s been in the NBA. We’re excited to welcome him to Philadelphia.”
AUGUST 3: The Sixers have agreed to terms on a two-year deal with free agent forward Georges Niang, according to Ben Dowsett, who reports (via Twitter) that Niang’s contract will be worth $6.7MM.
Niang, 28, has spent the last four seasons in Utah after beginning his NBA career with the Pacers. He had his best season in 2020/21, earning regular minutes (16.0 MPG) for a Jazz squad that finished the regular season with the NBA’s best record.
Niang appeared in all 72 games, averaging 6.9 PPG and 2.4 RPG with an impressive .425 3PT%. It was the third straight year in which he made at least 40% of his three-point attempts. The former Iowa State standout also has the size necessary to match up with threes and fours on defense.
We’ll have to wait to see what other moves Philadelphia makes this week before we know exactly how the team completes the Niang signing. Based on the reported terms of the agreement, it would comfortably fit within either the mid-level exception or the bi-annual exception, though Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.com (Twitter link) suggests the plan is to use part of the MLE.
Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported earlier today that Niang was on Philadelphia’s radar.
Free Agency Roundup: Rose, Bjelica, Suns, Vanderbilt, Niang, Schroder
Derrick Rose had received interest from the Pelicans, Wizards, Bulls, and Heat before re-signing with the Knicks, write Jeff Zillgitt and Mark Medina of USA Today. The USA Today adds that Kyle Lowry signing with the Heat helped usher Rose back to the Knicks and coach Tom Thibodeau. Rose agreed to a three-year, $43MM deal on Monday.
In the same piece, Zillgitt and Medina write that five other teams considered signing Nemanja Bjelica with their mid-level exception, but Bjelica prioritized signing with the Warriors instead. Bjelica agreed to a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum earlier today.
We have more free agency rumors:
- The Suns have two or three roster spots available, and according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, they expect to fill those spots with another big man, a ball-handler, and a wing. Gambadoro adds that JaVale McGee‘s agreed-upon deal will use part of the non-tax payer mid-level exception, leaving the remainder for another move.
- Darren Wolfson of SKOR North reports that the Timberwolves have met with RFA Jarred Vanderbilt. The 6’9 power forward is coming off his best season as a pro, averaging 5.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG and 1.2 APG and providing an interesting blend of defense and play-making from the forward spot.
- Georges Niang may be on the Sixers‘ radar as a backup power forward, tweets Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Niang has had a productive last three years for the Jazz, and would give the Sixers another shooter in the frontcourt.
- Dennis Schröder was seeking $25MM a year when free agency started, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. Now that Schröder is one of the last point guards left on the market, it’s unclear how much that number has come down.
Sixers Waive George Hill
5:40pm: The Sixers have officially waived Hill, announcing the move in a press release.
12:12am: The Sixers are planning to waive veteran guard George Hill, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Hill, acquired by Philadelphia at the trade deadline in March, is currently under contract for 2021/22 with a cap hit of $10.05MM. However, only about $1.28MM of that salary is guaranteed, so the Sixers can save some money and generate a little extra cap flexibility by releasing him before his salary guarantee deadline this week.
Hill, who began the 2020/21 season with Oklahoma City, averaged 8.7 PPG and 2.4 APG on .482/.388/.800 shooting in 30 total contests (22.4 MPG) for the Thunder and Sixers. He didn’t make much of an impact in the postseason for Philadelphia, with just 4.7 PPG and 1.5 APG in 12 playoff games (17.1 MPG).
While Hill wasn’t exactly a bargain on his $10MM salary, he’d be a worthwhile investment at a lower rate. If and when he clears waivers, he should receive interest from teams looking to add an affordable veteran guard to their bench.
Hornets Sign Ish Smith To Two-Year Deal
AUGUST 7: The Hornets have officially signed Smith, the team announced today in a press release. Based on the order in which Charlotte completed its roster moves this week, it looks like the team signed Smith using its room exception after using up all its cap space.
AUGUST 3: The Hornets have agreed to sign free agent point guard Ish Smith, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Charania reports (via Twitter) that it’s a two-year deal, with a team option on the second year. Smith will earn $4.5MM in the first year, Charania adds.
Smith, a Charlotte native, has spent the last two seasons in D.C. as a backup point guard for the Wizards. The 33-year-old averaged 6.7 PPG, 3.9 APG, and 3.4 RPG in 44 games (21.0 MPG) in 2020/21, with a shooting line of .434/.367/.576.
While the Hornets have LaMelo Ball atop their point guard depth chart and Terry Rozier as a strong second option, those two guards often share the court, so Charlotte needed to add a reliable backup after agreeing to send Devonte’ Graham to New Orleans in a sign-and-trade deal. It looks like the team has landed on Smith to fill that role.
The Wizards, meanwhile, are making major changes to their point guard position this offseason, as Russell Westbrook will be traded to the Lakers and Smith won’t be back. Washington has agreed to acquire Aaron Holiday from Indiana and is also finalizing a sign-and-trade deal to acquire Spencer Dinwiddie.
Markieff Morris Signs With Heat
AUGUST 6: The Heat’s flurry of Friday press releases continued with an announcement of Morris’ new deal with the team.
“Markieff Morris has been a player that we’ve followed closely for a number of years,” Heat president Pat Riley said in a statement. “He can play multiple positions, shoot the three, defend and post-up. To be able to add him to our nucleus was a big move. I want to thank Markieff for coming to Miami.”
AUGUST 3: Veteran forward Markieff Morris has agreed to a one-year deal with the Heat, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). It’ll be worth the veteran’s minimum, according to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald (Twitter link).
A report on Monday indicated that the Heat had made a contract offer to Morris. A day later, he has accepted it, becoming the latest free agent to make a commitment to Miami this week.
The Heat have focused on adding tough, savvy veterans, having reached deals with Kyle Lowry and P.J. Tucker in addition to Morris. The club also reached an agreement to re-sign sharpshooter Duncan Robinson and is bringing back center Dewayne Dedmon.
Morris, who figures to share minutes with Tucker at the four, spent the last two seasons with the Lakers, playing a rotation role on the championship roster in 2020. This past season, he averaged 6.7 PPG and 4.4 RPG on 4.05/.311/.720 shooting in 61 games (19.7 MPG). He’s typically a slightly more reliable three-point shooter, having made 34.5% of his career attempts prior to 2020/21.
The Heat still have some of their mid-level exception and their full bi-annual exception available, but they don’t have a ton of breathing room below their hard cap to fill out the roster, so they may prefer minimum-salary signings.