Clippers’ New Arena On Track For 2024, Will Be Named Intuit Dome
The Clippers, who will break ground on Friday on the construction of their new Inglewood arena, announced in a press release that the building has a naming right sponsor. The franchise has partnered with Intuit Inc., a technology platform that specializes in financial software, and the new arena will be called the Intuit Dome.
The Clippers currently share the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles with both the Lakers and the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, but the organization has been working for years to establish its own home in nearby Inglewood.
The new building, which will be privately funded and will cost an estimated $1.8 billion to build, is currently on track to open for the 2024/25 season. It will include the team’s practice facility and offices for business and basketball operations.
As Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press details, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer believes the arena will be like no other building in the NBA, calling it a “basketball mecca.” It will feature a halo video screen over the court that features 44,000 square feet of LED lighting, making it about six times the size of most other big screens in NBA arena, Reynolds writes.
The Clippers have launched a new section of their website dedicated to the arena, releasing a hype video that shows what both the inside and outside of the building will look like (images via Tomer Azarly of Clutch Points).
Southeast Notes: Powell, Hawks, Unseld Jr.
Kasib Powell has been named the Heat’s new G League head coach, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.
The Sioux Falls Skyforce announced that Powell has been promoted from assistant coach. The Skyforce didn’t participate at the Orlando bubble last season.
“I’m honored to be named head coach of such a great organization, with so much history and prestige,” Powell said in a statement. “I look forward to guiding these young men to be the best they can be, both on and off the court.”
Powell spent two seasons with Sioux Falls as a player and earned the 2007/08 G League MVP award. Eric Glass, who coached the Skyforce during the 2019/20 season, has rejoined the Heat’s staff.
We have more from the Southeast Division:
- Following their unexpected run to the conference finals, the Hawks will hold themselves to a high standard, Zach Harper of The Athletic writes. They’ll need to figure out how to remain a steady contender without getting discouraged if they come up short of a deep playoff run next season, Harper continues. Atlanta made some roster tweaks but its success will be measured by internal growth, Harper adds. Overall, Harper gave the Hawks an A-minus grade for the offseason after retaining some key pieces and signing Trae Young to an extension.
- With Wes Unseld Jr. entering his first season as the Wizards head coach, Chase Hughes and Andrew Gillis of NBC Sports Washington debate the topic of what would be considered a successful season for him. Both writers view a playoff appearance as the main expectation for a team that was eliminated in the opening round by Philadelphia last season.
- In case you missed it, the Hornets have a new G League coach. Get the details here.
Mavericks Sign Frank Ntilikina
Ex-Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina has signed with the Mavericks, the team’s PR department tweets.
A report surfaced on Tuesday that Dallas was expected to ink the point guard and now it’s official. The Mavs have a full 20-man training camp roster.
It’s believed to be a minimum contract, according to Marc Stein of Substack. The Mavericks already have 14 other players on guaranteed deals, plus Moses Brown on a partially guaranteed contract.
During the 2020/21 season, Ntilikina earned $6.2MM in the fourth year of his rookie deal.
The 6’4″ guard, still just 23, suited up for 33 games with the Knicks last year under head coach Tom Thibodeau. He averaged just 2.7 PPG and 0.9 RPG across 9.8 MPG.
The defensive specialist, who is shooting 36.6% from the field for his career, averaged 6.3 PPG and 3.0 APG in 20.8 MPG during the 2019/20 season.
Dallas already has Jalen Brunson and Trey Burke as rotation options behind Luka Doncic, so Ntilikina doesn’t project to play much even if he’s on the 15-man roster this season.
Warriors Notes: Offseason, 15th Roster Spot, Gasol
The Warriors are one of the most interesting teams to monitor entering the new season. After reigning scoring-champion and two-time MVP Stephen Curry proved yet again the incredible impact he has when healthy, the team has high expectations.
The Warriors did not pull the trigger on any major trades, instead opting to keep their draft picks and focus on internal development, along with the shrewd signings of veterans Andre Iguodala, Otto Porter Jr., and Nemanja Bjelica to minimum contracts. Zach Harper of The Athletic liked Golden State’s moves overall, grading the offseason a B-plus and ranking the team as a playoff hopeful.
Here’s more on the Warriors:
- In the same piece, Harper specifically mentions the wing and forward depth as noteworthy roster improvements over last season’s group. He also states that even if Klay Thompson is only able to find his old shooting form and nothing else, that would certainly help improve the team’s 20th-ranked offense.
- While the Warriors currently only have 13 players on guaranteed contracts (and one two-way spot open), Damion Lee is considered likely to make the roster, leaving the 15th spot up for grabs. Anthony Slater of The Athletic explores the team’s options for the last spot, stating that Gary Payton II is a slight favorite due to his athleticism and defensive intensity.
- Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area posits that the team would be wise to lure Marc Gasol back to the NBA at some point during the season, if possible. Poole notes that the Warriors lack depth at center, and even if Gasol is only asked to play 15-18 MPG in certain matchups, his passing and basketball IQ would be very valuable to the offense.
- In case you missed it, the Warriors are evaluating their depth at backup point guard, as they have worked out (or will work out) veteran NBA point guards Ryan Arcidiacono, Darren Collison, and Isaiah Thomas.
New York Notes: Harden, Bembry, Doumbouya, Simms, Irving
James Harden told participants at T.J. Ford’s basketball academy in Houston on Tuesday that he’s “kinda still in rehab” with the hamstring injury that affected him during the postseason. However, that shouldn’t be a major concern, according to NetsDaily.com. There’s been no reported change to the timetable set by GM Sean Marks regarding the playoff injuries that hampered Harden and Kyrie Irving and both should be ready for training camp.
Harden said last month that “I want to make sure I’m completely healed and strong enough so I can go out there and completely be myself. My rehab is going very, very well, and my getting my conditioning right is a big part of that.”
We have more on the New York teams:
- The Nets officially have 17 players on the roster — 15 with fully guaranteed deals — plus two unsigned draft picks and a two-way player. Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News takes a look at the players who may be on the roster bubble. DeAndre’ Bembry has a partially guaranteed contract, while Sekou Doumbouya — acquired from the Pistons in the DeAndre Jordan salary dump — might have to prove his worth in camp. Jevon Carter, acquired from the Suns in the Landry Shamet deal, could also be in some trouble due to the team’s guard depth.
- Undrafted rookie forward Aamir Simms, who signed a training camp deal with the Knicks, believes he’s a good fit for a team with Tom Thibodeau as its head coach. “After the draft, I wasn’t surprised the organization wanted me,” the former Clemson big man told Marc Berman of the New York Post. “Thibs is known as a gritty coach who puts defense first. That’s what separates him when he shocks people in the league.”
- Irving was irritated by a tweet from Fox Sports’ Nick Wright that claimed his agents “have made it known that Kyrie would simply retire from the NBA if the Nets were to trade him.” Irving called Wright a “puppet” in a social media post, Jeremy Layton of the New York Post relays. Marks said last month he was confident about reaching extension agreements with both Irving and Harden.
Jazz Waive Forward Jarrell Brantley
The Jazz have waived forward Jarrell Brantley, according to a team press release.
The 6’7” Brantley appeared in 37 games over two seasons with Utah, averaging 2.4 PPG and 1.3 RPG in 6.3 MPG. He also saw action in four postseason games.
The No. 50 overall pick in the 2019 draft out of Charleston had a big year with the Salt Lake City Stars in 2019/20, posting averages of 18.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 3.7 APG in 33 games (32.4 MPG) to earn All-NBAGL First Team honors.
Brantley, a two-way player in 2020/21, had accepted a qualifying offer of $1.66MM from the team in early August. The Jazz will only incur a cap hit of $84,414 by waiving Brantley, Bobby Marks of ESPN tweets.
Utah now has 13 players on fully guaranteed contracts, plus Miye Oni, Derrick Alston, and MaCio Teague on non-guaranteed deals. The team also has a two-way slot open, with guard Trent Forrest occupying the other spot.
John Wall Situation May Not Be Resolved Anytime Soon
The Rockets reportedly intend to hold John Wall out of games until they can find a new home for him, which suggests the team is hopeful that there’s a deal to be made in the not-so-distant future. However, a number of NBA reporters aren’t so sure that the Wall situation will be resolved anytime soon.
Appearing on ESPN (video link; hat tip to Clutch Points), Adrian Wojnarowski said he believes trading Wall will be “almost impossible” unless Houston is willing to attach multiple first-round picks, which the team has resisted thus far. Wojnarowski adds that he thinks Wall will be in Houston for “a while” unless the point guard becomes receptive to giving up a significant amount of salary in a buyout.
On the latest episode of his Lowe Post podcast, ESPN’s Zach Lowe also expressed skepticism that there’s a deal out there for Wall and his oversized contract (two years, $91.7MM). Lowe told fellow ESPN reporter Tim MacMahon that he expects we’ll be waiting a long time for a resolution, with an eventual buyout representing the most likely outcome.
“I think it’s, ‘Hurry up and wait until next summer,'” MacMahon responded, per RealGM. “I think that’s what ends up happening.”
These reports are hardly surprising. Wall’s $44.3MM cap hit for the 2021/22 season is difficult to match for most teams, especially since newly-signed contracts can’t be moved right away in trades. And the clubs that are in position to package two or three players to match Wall’s salary may not want to give up those players for a former All-Star who has been slowed by injuries in recent years and didn’t look quite like his old self in 2020/21.
If the situation does drag out for months, it will be interesting to see whether the Rockets reconsider their stance of having Wall sit out games for the entire 2021/22 season. While that may be the safe approach to keep him healthy, the 31-year-old could perhaps boost his trade value a little if he returns to the court and proves he can still be productive.
Pacers Apply For Disabled Player Exception After Sumner Injury
Due to the torn Achilles tendon that Edmond Sumner recently suffered, the Pacers have applied for a disabled player exception, per Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files. The disabled player exception gives over-the-cap teams another avenue to potentially replace seriously injured players, like Sumner.
There are several caveats to the DPE:
- It does not free up a roster spot.
- If used, it counts against the salary cap.
- The injured player must be deemed by an NBA physician to be likely sidelined through June 15 of the league year.
- The exception is worth 50% of the injured player’s salary (or the amount of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, whichever is lesser). Sumner is due to make $2.32MM in 2021/22, so the DPE, if granted, would be worth $1.16MM for the Pacers.
Considering the typical recovery time of a torn Achilles is 12 months or more (Kevin Durant, for example, didn’t play an NBA game for 18 months after suffering a torn Achilles in the 2019 NBA Finals), it’s fairly safe to say that Indiana will be granted the DPE.
However, there’s a good chance it won’t be used. The Pacers are currently about $763K under the luxury tax threshold, so using the potential $1.16MM disabled player exception would put them over the line, which they would certainly like to avoid. Additionally, outside of rookie minimum deals or prorated minimum-salary contracts, there aren’t many salaries that would actually fit within such a small DPE.
However, there’s no cost to apply for a DPE and no penalty for not using it, so the Pacers’ request makes sense. If granted, the exception will give Indiana a tool to potentially sign, trade, or claim a player off waivers, increasing the team’s roster flexibility going forward.
Traded Second-Round Picks For 2022 NBA Draft
We’re using the space below to keep tabs on each NBA team’s second-round pick for 2022, continually updating it as necessary throughout the year. Our list of traded first-round picks for 2022 can be found right here.
We’ve listed all 30 teams here, so even if a team hasn’t traded its second-round pick, that will be noted. We’ll also provide details on protections for each traded pick, including what happens to the pick in 2023 if it doesn’t change hands in 2022.
Here’s the full breakdown on the status of each 2022 second-round pick:
Atlantic
- Boston Celtics: Own pick.
- Brooklyn Nets: Traded to Pistons.
- New York Knicks: Own pick.
- Philadelphia 76ers: Traded to Timberwolves or Heat.
- The Timberwolves will receive the most favorable of the Nuggets’ and Sixers’ 2022 second-round picks; the Heat will receive the least favorable of the two picks. If the Heat’s own first-round pick lands in the top 14, Miami would forward the least favorable of these picks to the Rockets.
- Toronto Raptors: Traded to Warriors or Hornets.
- The Warriors will receive this pick if it lands between 31-54; the Hornets will get it if it falls in the 55-60 range. The Raptors’ obligation to whichever team doesn’t get this pick will be extinguished after this season.
Central
- Chicago Bulls: Traded to Raptors or Kings.
- The Raptors will receive the most favorable of the Bulls’ and Pistons’ 2022 second-round picks; the Kings will receive the least favorable of the two picks.
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Traded to Pelicans or Grizzlies.
- The Pelicans will receive this pick as long as the Lakers’ 2022 first-round pick falls in the 11-30 range and is sent to the Grizzlies. If the Lakers’ first-rounder lands in the 1-10 range, the Pelicans would keep that pick and would send this Cavs second-rounder to the Grizzlies.
- Detroit Pistons: Traded to Raptors or Kings.
- The Raptors will receive the most favorable of the Bulls’ and Pistons’ 2022 second-round picks; the Kings will receive the least favorable of the two picks.
- Indiana Pacers: Traded to Magic.
- Milwaukee Bucks: Lost pick due to free agency gun-jumping.
Southeast
- Atlanta Hawks: Traded to Kings (top-55 protected).
- If this pick lands in its protected range, the Hawks’ obligation to the Kings would be extinguished.
- Charlotte Hornets: Traded to Knicks (top-55 protected).
- If this pick lands in its protected range, the Hornets’ obligation to the Knicks would be extinguished.
- Miami Heat: Traded to Cavaliers.
- Orlando Magic: Own pick.
- Washington Wizards: Traded to Timberwolves.
Northwest
- Denver Nuggets: Traded to Timberwolves or Heat.
- The Timberwolves will receive the most favorable of the Nuggets’ and Sixers’ 2022 second-round picks; the Heat will receive the least favorable of the two picks. If the Heat’s own first-round pick lands in the top 14, Miami would forward the least favorable of these picks to the Rockets.
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Own pick.
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Own pick.
- Portland Trail Blazers: Own pick.
- Utah Jazz: Traded to Pelicans.
Pacific
- Golden State Warriors: Own pick.
- Los Angeles Clippers: Own pick.
- Los Angeles Lakers: Traded to Spurs.
- Phoenix Suns: Traded to Pacers.
- Sacramento Kings: Traded to Pelicans (top-54 protected).
- If this pick lands in its protected range, the Kings’ obligation to the Pelicans would be extinguished.
Southwest
- Dallas Mavericks: Traded to Wizards (top-45 protected).
- If this pick lands in its protected range, the Mavericks’ obligation to the Wizards would be extinguished.
- Houston Rockets: Traded to Pacers.
- Memphis Grizzlies: Traded to Trail Blazers.
- New Orleans Pelicans: Own pick.
- The Pelicans owe their 2022 first-round pick (top-14 protected) to Charlotte. If that pick lands in its protected range, New Orleans would send its 2022 second-rounder to the Hornets.
- San Antonio Spurs: Traded to Cavaliers.
Information from RealGM was used in the creation of this post.
Mike James Signing With AS Monaco
Veteran guard Mike James, who finished the 2020/21 NBA season with the Nets, has reached a contract agreement with AS Monaco, reports Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com.
James, 31, has spent much of his professional career playing in international leagues. He previously spent time with the Suns and Pelicans during the 2017/18 season before heading back to Europe from 2018-21.
James had been playing for CSKA Moscow in 2021, but the Russian club agreed to allow him to join the Nets, despite the fact that his contract ran through 2023. The 6’1″ guard averaged 7.7 PPG and 4.2 APG with a .370/.355/.778 shooting line in 13 regular season games (18.2 MPG) for Brooklyn, then appeared in nine postseason contests as well.
James briefly returned to CSKA Moscow this summer, but the two sides recently agreed to terminate his contract, clearing a path for him to join a new European club. AS Monaco, which competes in France’s top basketball league, is a newcomer to the EuroLeague — the 2021/22 season will be its first in what is generally considered the world’s best basketball league outside of the NBA.