Scotto’s Latest: Jazz, Raptors, Nets, DiVincenzo
Before they reached an agreement to send Rudy Gobert to Minnesota on Friday, the Jazz asked the Raptors about the possibility of acquiring forward OG Anunoby and swingman Gary Trent Jr., league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Toronto was linked to Gobert repeatedly during the first half of the offseason. Still, as great as the three-time Defensive Player of the Year is, it was never clear how badly the Raptors wanted to break up their core to acquire a big man who didn’t fit the versatile, switchable, and positionless brand of basketball the team has adopted. Whether the Raptors balked at Utah’s asking price or the Jazz simply preferred Minnesota’s offer, Gobert is off the table for Toronto.
Here’s more from Scotto:
- The Celtics, Bucks, Nets, and Bulls are among the teams that expressed interest in Chris Boucher before he agreed to re-sign with the Raptors, while forward Thaddeus Young – who is also returning to Toronto – drew interest from the Celtics and Pacers, according to Scotto.
- The Nets made it a priority this offseason to land a wing defender capable of guarding multiple positions, which was why they agreed to trade for Royce O’Neale even as news of Kevin Durant‘s trade request was breaking. As Scotto explains, the Nets and Jazz previously explored a deal involving O’Neale and Joe Harris prior to the in-season trade deadline.
- In addition to receiving interest from teams willing to give him the full taxpayer mid-level exception, Donte DiVincenzo also received an offer from a team with cap space that would’ve exceeded the two-year, $9.3MM contract he’s signing with the Warriors, says Scotto. The second-year player option Golden State gave him and DiVincenzo’s belief that the Warriors give him the best opportunity to play for a contender were factors in his decision to accept less money, Scotto adds.
Hornets Re-Sign Cody Martin To Four-Year Deal
JULY 6: The Hornets have officially re-signed Martin, the team announced in a press release.
“Re-signing Cody was one of our offseason priorities, and we’re excited to have him return to the Hornets,” president of basketball operations Mitch Kupchak said in a statement. “He is an exceptional defender, plays hard at both ends of the floor and has improved all aspects of his game since entering the NBA. Cody will continue to be a valuable member of our team as we move forward.”
JULY 2: The Hornets and restricted free agent Cody Martin have reached an agreement on a multiyear deal, reports Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer (via Twitter). According to Shams Charania of The Athletic (via Twitter), Martin is signing a four-year, $32MM contract to remain in Charlotte.
Martin, 26, has spent his first three NBA seasons with the Hornets and emerged as a key part of the team’s rotation in 2021/22. He averaged an extra 10 minutes per game and improved his numbers across the board, setting new career highs in PPG (7.7), RPG (4.0), APG (2.5), SPG (1.2), FG% (.482), and 3PT% (.384).
A second-round pick in 2019, Martin earned a total of $4.47MM in his first three years in the NBA, so his new deal represents a major pay increase. Because the Hornets held his Bird rights, they won’t need to dip into their mid-level exception to complete the signing.
The deal with Martin is the first move of what has been a relatively quiet free agent period in Charlotte so far. In the weeks leading up to free agency, it was assumed that sorting out Miles Bridges‘ contract situation would be the Hornets’ top priority. However, Bridges was arrested and charged with felony domestic violence this week.
With Bridges’ NBA future up in the air, the Hornets shifted their focus to re-signing their other key restricted free agent wing. It’s unclear to what extent Martin explored the open market, but Charlotte would have had the ability to match any offer sheet he signed. The two sides avoided any drama by negotiating a new directly.
Martin’s twin brother Caleb Martin is one of the top free agents still on the board. Cody and Caleb ranked 28th and 29th, respectively, on the final iteration of our list of this year’s top 50 free agents.
Thunder Sign Eugene Omoruyi To Two-Way Contract
2:34pm: The Thunder have officially signed Omoruyi to a two-way deal, per a team press release.
2:11pm: The Thunder are signing free-agent swingman Eugene Omoruyi to a two-way contract, his agent Mike George of One Legacy Sports told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Oklahoma City now has both of its two-way spots filled, as the other is occupied by Lindy Waters III.
Omoruyi went undrafted in 2021 and spent time with the Mavericks on a two-way deal last year. He suffered a season-ending injury in December and was subsequently waived. The 25-year-old averaged 15.8 points and 6.6 rebounds in eight G League games, shooting 45% from the floor.
Omoruyi spent three seasons at Rutgers and one season at Oregon before declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft. At 6’6″ and 235 pounds, he has the ability to play and defend multiple positions for the Thunder and their G League affiliate.
Free Agency Notes: LaVine, Harden, Porter Jr., Mavericks
Bulls star Zach LaVine agreed to re-sign with the team on Friday, reaching a five-year, maximum-salary agreement worth $215MM. While the money was certainly a major factor in LaVine’s decision, it’s also about his loyalty to the Bulls and his confidence in the team’s direction going forward, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago writes.
“Chicago is my home,” LaVine said. “I really started making my name here. And I want to continue what I helped start here as well. I’m extremely excited. I appreciate the fans. And I’m ready to continue this winning process that we have going.”
LaVine guided the Bulls to a playoff berth this season, averaging 24.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He also shot an efficient 48% from the floor and 39% from distance. It was his second straight All-Star campaign — the only two of his career to date.
Here are some other free agency-related notes:
- The Sixers are meeting with star free agent James Harden in the Hamptons on Saturday to discuss a multi-year deal, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports (via Twitter). Harden opted out of his $47.3MM player option and will presumably accept a more team-friendly multiyear deal. Philadelphia acquired him prior to last season’s trade deadline, sending away a package that featured disgruntled star Ben Simmons.
- Otto Porter Jr.‘s deal with the Raptors is believed to be worth most, if not all, of the $10.5MM non-taxpayer mid-level exception, Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports writes. Porter reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with Toronto. The second season contains a player option.
- The Mavericks may keep an open roster spot for the immediate future, veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein relays (Twitter link). Dallas has expressed interest in free agent guard Goran Dragic, but the team’s need for a back-up wing is apparent. The Mavs could wait to see if an unexpected solution arises at the position, Stein notes.
Kevin Durant Rumors: Raptors, Pelicans, Suns, Heat
After ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski suggested on Friday that Toronto is “lurking” as a team to watch in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca writes today that the Raptors believe they can put together the best package for Durant that the Nets are likely to receive.
Grange describes the Raptors as “optimistic” rather than “confident,” noting that there’s a sense Durant is at least open to the idea of playing in Toronto, even if the team is not atop his wish list.
However, Grange cautions that the Nets may not agree with the Raptors’ assessment that they can offer the best package for Durant. Additionally, Grange’s story suggests Toronto has remained opposed to making reigning Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes available so far.
While the Raptors have all their future draft picks and have several solid veterans on good contracts – including All-Stars Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam, as well as OG Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr. – it’s unclear if they’d be able to make a deal for Durant without putting Barnes on the table.
“That’s the billion-dollar question,” one source said to Grange.
Here’s more on Durant:
- In the latest episode of ESPN’s Hoop Collective podcast (video link), Tim Bontemps said he believes “Toronto thinks it’s in the game” in the Durant sweepstakes, while Brian Windhorst said he still considers the Suns the favorites, since it’s rare for superstar players not to end up where they want to go.
- Windhorst (video link) has heard that the Pelicans view head coach Willie Green – an assistant in Golden State during Durant’s Warriors years – as an asset in the chase for the former MVP. As Windhorst explains, the hope would be that if the Nets like what the Pelicans have to offer, Green would get the opportunity to sell Durant on New Orleans.
- With New Orleans being mentioned as a possible Durant landing spot, Scott Kushner of NOLA.com wonders whether or not the Pelicans should seriously pursue the 34-year-old.
- Within his latest look at the Durant situation, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype confirms that the Nets would want more than Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges in a trade with the Suns and says that any Heat package built around Tyler Herro “wouldn’t scratch the surface of what the Nets want.”
- Brooklyn is seeking teams’ best assets, Scotto writes, including All-Stars, rising young players, and “substantial” unprotected draft picks and swaps.
Hornets Sign Mark Williams, Bryce McGowens
The Hornets have signed center Mark Williams to his rookie contract, the team announced in a press release today. Williams was drafted No. 15 overall by the club in this year’s draft. Charlotte also announced the team’s second-round pick, Bryce McGowens, has officially signed his two-way deal.
Assuming the typical 120% of the rookie scale, Williams’ deal will be worth $18MM across four seasons. He’ll make $3.7MM in his first year with the team. The 7’0″ big man averaged 11.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in 23.5 minutes per game at Duke last season.
McGowens, a 19-year-old guard, started in all 31 games he played with Nebraska last year. He averaged 16.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, shooting 40% from the floor and 27% from deep.
Both Williams and McGowens will play for Charlotte during the Las Vegas Summer League, which begins next week. The Hornets missed the playoffs last season and finished with a 43-39 record.
And-Ones: Wembanyama, Take Fouls, Grant, Trade Requests
Victor Wembanyama, the top-ranked prospect for the 2023 draft, has opted out of his contract with ASVEL Villeurbanne and is signing a two-year deal with Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 from Paris, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reports.
The 7’3” Wembanyama was also pursued by the G League Ignite, Australian NBL, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Basket and many others, Givony adds. While the terms of the latest contract were not disclosed, it’s logical to assume he’ll have an opt-out clause after the first season, so that he can play in the NBA during the 2023/24 season if he chooses.
We have more from around the basketball world:
- Players being intentionally fouled to prevent fast break buckets has been a point of contention in recent seasons. The NBA is addressing that issue in Summer League games, Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press tweets. Those fouls will result in one free throw, plus the ball. It’s likely a precursor for what’s to come, Reynolds adds, with the Board of Governors expected to make the final change regarding transition take fouls later this month.
- Olimpia Milano has parted ways with former NBA guard Jerian Grant after one season, according to Sportando. Grant has 279 NBA games on his resume, mostly recently during the 2019/20 season, when he appeared in six Wizards contests.
- Kevin Durant‘s desire to be traded after signing an extension which doesn’t kick in until next season is something the owners want to fix, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today writes. It has been suggested that owners may want to recoup money the earlier a player is into his contract and a trade request is honored. However, it may be impossible to have a punitive enough deterrent for players who are signing massive deals.
Buddy Boeheim Signs Two-Way Deal With Pistons
JULY 2: The Pistons have officially signed Boeheim to a two-way contract, according to a team press release.
JUNE 24: Former Syracuse guard Buddy Boeheim has agreed to a two-way contract with the Pistons, reports Dave McMenamin of ESPN (via Twitter).
The 6’6″ wing played for four seasons with the Orange, under the tutelage of his father, legendary coach Jim Boeheim. McMenamin adds that Boeheim was the ACC’s leading scorer during the 2021/22 college season. He was named to the 2022 All-ACC First Team.
In his senior season, the 22-year-old averaged 19.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 3.1 APG, and 1.5 SPG in 38.0 MPG while starting in all 32 games he played. He was a full-time starter during his final three college seasons. He sported shooting splits of .406/.341/.884.
Beyond the addition of new rookie Boeheim, Detroit has had a busy draft night. The Pistons selected two lottery players, Purdue guard Jaden Ivey (No. 5) and Memphis center Jalen Duren (No. 13), and the draft rights to a high second-round pick, Fortitudo Bologna guard Gabriele Procida, thanks to a trade with the Trail Blazers that netted Detroit the No. 36 selection.
Nets Rescind Kessler Edwards’ QO, Making Him UFA
The Nets have rescinded their qualifying offer to free agent wing Kessler Edwards, sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). The move makes Edwards an unrestricted free agent instead of a restricted FA.
The 44th overall pick in the 2021 draft, Edwards spent most of his rookie year on a two-way contract, then was signed to a standard deal right before the end of the regular season in order to make him playoff-eligible.
Edwards showed some promise in his first NBA season, averaging 5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in 48 appearances (20.6 MPG). The former Pepperdine standout posted a .412/.353/.842 shooting line and even made 23 starts when the team’s depth was impacted by injuries and COVID-19.
While the Nets will no longer have the ability to unilaterally match any offer Edwards receives, they still hold his Non-Bird rights and could re-sign him. The club previously declined his minimum-salary player option in order to make him a restricted free agent, signaling that there was interest in a longer-term deal.
Brooklyn’s motives for pulling Edwards’ QO now are unclear, but it’s possible that with Kevin Durant‘s and Kyrie Irving‘s situations still up in the air, the club wanted to maximize its roster flexibility and not risk Edwards accepting his $1,837,966 qualifying offer — doing so would have locked in his salary for 2022/23 and given him the ability to veto a trade through the 2023 deadline.
Pistons Sign Lottery Pick Jaden Ivey
The Pistons have signed lottery pick Jaden Ivey to his rookie scale contract, the team tweets.
The Purdue point guard was chosen with the No. 5 overall pick. Ivey’s deal, assuming the usual 120% of the rookie scale, will be for four years and $32,951,083. His first-year salary, under those terms, will be $7,252,200.
Ivey is expected to jump right into Detroit’s rotation and pair up in the backcourt with last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Cade Cunningham.
Detroit is also acquiring No. 13 overall pick, center Jalen Duren, from a draft-night trade. However, it cannot officially sign Duren until that trade becomes official.