Atlanta Hawks Rumors | Hoops Rumors

And-Ones: Wall, D-League, Pelicans

January 13th, 2016 at 10:25pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Wizards point guard John Wall expressed appreciation for what agent Dan Fegan of Relativity Sports did for him, but is excited about the possibilities his new agent, Rich Paul, will provide, J. Michael of CSNMidAtlantic writes. “The people I was with, it was a great partnership for the five years I was with it. Did a lot of great and positive things for me but it’s just a situation where I felt me and my team wanted to go different ways in how we wanted to build out team,” Wall told Michael. “It was a decision I made to part ways with them. … I think just getting it off my chest was kind of a relief.”

Wall, whose shoe deal with Adidas expired earlier this season, says the agent change wasn’t about that particular endorsement opportunity, Michael adds. “It doesn’t factor in at all. That wasn’t even part of the decision why I wanted to make that. It’s just something that I’ve been thinking about for a while and I’m still open to every shoe company,” Wall said. “I’m going to talk to all those guys through the process, figure out what I can do. I still have interest in Adidas. … I’m just wearing what’s comfortable for my feet and protecting my feet for right now. I’m still weighing my options.”

Here’s the latest from around the league

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry isn’t sure how active the team will be at the trade deadline because the rash of injuries the roster has suffered makes it difficult to discern the team’s needs, Sam Amick of USA Today relays. “Well the first thing is that, you know, we’ve never really had our entire team on the floor, not for one single day,” Gentry told Amick. “So to anticipate that we would like to make changes or do something like that is really difficult to do because we really don’t know the team that we have, and one of the things we felt like is that last year the success they had is something that we could build on and grow on, so we’re not so eager to just all of a sudden start making trades. Now if there’s something that makes sense for our franchise, or is going to make us a much better team, I’m sure it’s something that [GM] Dell [Demps] and I will talk about and there will be a decision made, obviously, that we think is in the best interests of our club.”
The Hawks have assigned swingman Lamar Patterson and center Edy Tavares to the D-League, the team announced via a press release. Both players will report to the Austin Spurs as part of the league’s flexible assignment rule since Atlanta doesn’t possess its own affiliate.
The Bulls have recalled power forward Cristiano Felicio from the D-League, the team announced (via Twitter). This was Felicio’s first trip to the D-League on the season.

And-Ones: Rose, Lillard, Bazemore, Labissiere

January 12th, 2016 at 12:00pm CST by Chuck Myron

Derrick Rose has said in the past that he wants to play with the Bulls for the rest of his career, and while he raised eyebrows with his comments on media day that indicated he was looking forward to hitting free agency in 2017, he recently told Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com he still intends to stay put. The same is true for Damian Lillard, who said Friday that he plans to remain with the Trail Blazers until his playing days are over, calling his relationship with the organization “a hand-and-glove fit” for the way the Blazers have embraced him as a player and a person, as Jason Quick of CSNNW.com notes. Lillard is fresh off signing a five-year extension in the summer, so the matter of his free agency isn’t as pressing as Rose’s, though Lillard’s remarks are nonetheless soothing for Portland, given its history of star defections, Quick posits. See more from around the NBA:

Rose also told Friedell for the same piece that he doesn’t have any contact with Tom Thibodeau and doesn’t even think about his former coach, despite having had a “good relationship” with him, because he’s focused on adjusting to new Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg. He also spoke fondly of Jimmy Butler, despite reports of friction between the two, answering affirmatively when Friedell asked if Butler is the most talented teammate he’s ever had.
The Hawks unsurprisingly view 2016 free agent Al Horford as a building block for the long-term, writes Zach Lowe of ESPN.com, though he’s not the only player the team will have to pay if it wants to retain this summer. Estimates of the starting salary Kent Bazemore will be able to command on his next deal range from the mid-level, which tops out at $5.628MM, to $12MM, according to a dozen league executives to whom Lowe spoke.
The top three, including LSU combo forward Ben Simmons, are unchanged in the latest 2016 draft prospect rankings from Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider only), but Marquette big man Henry Ellenson is up to No. 4 from No. 6. Kentucky big man Skal Labissiere, who was Ford’s previous No. 4 and once a serious challenger for the No. 1 pick, has dropped to No. 10.

Southeast Notes: Kilpatrick, Skiles, Schröder

January 4th, 2016 at 9:10pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Wizards strongly considered signing shooting guard Sean Kilpatrick prior to inking Jarell Eddie back in December, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN relays (via Twitter). Kilpatrick, 25, was in training camp with the Pelicans this season, and he is currently lighting up scoreboards for the Delaware 87ers, Philadelphia’s D-League affiliate. The guard has made 20 appearances for Delaware this season and is averaging 26.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 38.1 minutes per contest. With teams becoming eligible to sign players to 10-day contracts Tuesday, look for Kilpatrick to end up in the NBA at some point this season, Wolfson adds.

Here’s more from the Southeast Division:

The Magic have slowed since getting off to a solid start to the 2014/15 campaign, and coach Scott Skiles may have run out of buttons to push with the current roster, Brian Schmitz of The Orlando Sentinel writes. The team’s lack of elite talent has made it difficult for the coach to maintain a consistent rotation, and there appears to be no obvious solution with Orlando’s current crop of players, Schmitz opines.
Despite Shelvin Mack taking over backup point guard duties during the Hawks‘ last two games, coach/executive Mike Budenholzer insists that Dennis Schröder is not in the doghouse, Matt Winkeljohn of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes. “No. He keeps competing in practice, doing what he’s doing,” Budenholzer said when asked if Schröder has fallen out of favor. “Part of it is Shelvin’s been busting his butt, working hard. I think to give guys opportunities and to develop all 15 guys is important. Dennis will get his opportunities.”

And-Ones: Jackson, D-League, Draft

January 3rd, 2016 at 10:27pm CST by Will Joseph

Pistons point guard Reggie Jackson has developed leadership qualities both on and off the court this season and has responded well to the pressures of living up to the five-year, $80MM deal he signed in July, Rod Beard of the Detroit News details. With Jackson growing from a maturity standpoint as well as playing at a high level on a consistent basis, it can be argued that Jackson is very much worth the money for the Pistons, Beard surmises.

“We said at the time — and people were criticizing us — that we thought down the road that deal would look like a bargain,” Pistons coach/executive Stan Van Gundy said. “When you look at [Jackson], his numbers say he’s in the top seven or eight point guards in the league and you’d have to say that’s true.”

Here’s more news from around the basketball world:

The Clippers assigned rookie Branden Dawson to the D-League, as the team announced in an emailed press release and as Dan Woike of the Orange County Register relays (on Twitter). Dawson will join the Grand Rapids Drive, the Pistons’ affiliate, pursuant to the flexible assignment rule. The Clippers don’t have their own affiliate.
The Hawks recalled Tim Hardaway Jr. from the D-League, Atlanta announced in an emailed press release. Hardaway returns after his second stint in the D-League this season.
The Mavs announced that they recalled rookie center Salah Mejri from their D-League affiliate. Mejri has appeared in five games for Dallas.
LSU’s Ben Simmons still projects as the top pick in this year’s draft, but Duke’s Brandon Ingram reminds Chris Mannix of SI.com of a less developed version of Kevin Durant (Twitter link).

And-Ones: Okafor, D-League, Bass

December 31st, 2015 at 10:21pm CST by Will Joseph

After some incidents away from basketball, Sixers rookie Jahlil Okafor is looking to overcome what’s been a rocky start to his promising career, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports writes. Okafor told Spears he has received mentoring from former and current NBA veterans. The Sixers, as Spears points out, have reportedly looked into adding veterans to help the situation.

“When it first happened it was clear that his world was rocked in the biggest way, I’m assuming, of his sporting life,” Sixers coach Brett Brown told Spears. “You can see it in his eyes, his demeanor. His swagger got bumped around a little bit. We explained a lot. ‘We all go through mistakes. Don’t beat yourself up. You screwed up. We got people here that will help you. Time will pass.’ I feel what I see now is a distant memory. It’s taught all of us and I see him playing basketball again.”

Here’s more from around the basketball world:

Celtics coach Brad Stevens expressed gratitude for the job Brandon Bass did while the veteran power forward was in Boston, A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com relays. The Lakers signed Bass in July after he spent the previous four seasons with the Celtics, where he helped usher a rebuilding project. In that sense, his current job in Los Angeles is much like the one he had in Boston, Blakely writes. “I really like Brandon; I’m very fond of Brandon,” Stevens said. “He really worked hard and helped get this thing going in the right direction with his work ethic, the way he took care of his body, the example he set for his young teammates.”
The Hawks recalled Edy Tavares from the Austin Spurs of the D-League, Atlanta announced in an emailed press release. Tavares was assigned to Austin yesterday via the flexible assignment rule because the Hawks do not have their own affiliate.
The Pacers recalled Rakeem Christmas from their D-League affiliate, the team announced via its website.

And-Ones: Kerr, Knicks, D-League

December 30th, 2015 at 10:30pm CST by Will Joseph

There seems to be a slim chance that Golden State head coach Steve Kerr could resume his duties with the Warriors as soon as this weekend, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com relays. Kerr took his first road trip of more than one game when he accompanied the team to Texas for its games against the Mavs and Rockets on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, MacMahon notes.

“It’s obviously a possibility,” interim coach Luke Walton told reporters, including MacMahon, of Kerr’s potential return to the bench this weekend. “He hasn’t said he’s going to. To be honest, I don’t think he knows yet. I think that’s part of why he’s on this road trip, to see how his body handles the travel and getting into Houston at 1 a.m. tonight to turn around and play again then get on another plane and fly home and get in late again. So that’s part of why he’s here on this trip, whether or not this weekend is a realistic return or not.”

Here’s more from around the basketball world:

Cleanthony Early getting shot in his right knee early this morning does not exactly endear New York City to soon-to-be free agents, Frank Isola of the New York Daily News opines. Since April, there have been four highly publicized crimes involving NBA players in the greater New York area, as Isola points out. For the Knicks, who are hoping to be major players this summer, the string of recent incidents likely makes New York City a tougher sell, Isola surmises.
The Hawks assigned center Edy Tavares to D-League, the team announced in an emailed press release. Tavares is headed to the Austin Spurs of the NBA Development League, pursuant to the flexible assignment rule, because the Hawks do not have their own affiliate.
The Spurs recalled Ray McCallum from their D-League, the team announced on its website. McCallum is averaging 1.6 points and 1.2 rebounds per game in 13 appearances this year with San Antonio.
The Celtics recalled Jordan Mickey from their D-League affiliate, Boston announced (on Twitter).
The Bulls will send Cristiano Felicio to the D-League on Thursday, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports (on Twitter). The power forward has not appeared in a game since November 27th.

Southeast Notes: Fournier, Korver, Hornets

December 29th, 2015 at 8:40pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Evan Fournier confesses that he’s mindful of his contract situation, Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel reports. Fournier is headed into restricted free agency this summer after the Magic failed to reach a rookie scale extension agreement with the swingman by the November 2nd deadline. “Of course. It is in the back of your mind,” Fournier told Schmitz. “You are trying to play your best basketball. … I don’t want to be a mediocre player or average. I know if I have a very good season, the money is gonna follow.”

In other news around the Southeast Division:

Kyle Korver‘s shooting slump has worsened but Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer has instructed his starting shooting guard to keep firing away, according to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Korver is a 2 of 16 from the field and 1 of 13 from 3-point range in the last two games. “He is very hard on himself,” Budenholzer told Vivlamore. “We like to try to pick him up a little bit. He’s a perfectionist. So, I think we are all confident.”
Dwyane Wade admits he’s not sure where this Heat season is headed after 30 games, as the veteran shooting guard relayed to Ethan J. Skolnick of the Miami Herald following the team’s loss to the Nets on Monday. “I said it since training camp, we don’t know what this team is going to be yet,” Wade said. “No one knows. I have no idea. 18-12, that’s what we are. I know we have a good team. I know that. 18-12, that is pretty good in the Eastern Conference. So that’s all I know.”
Al Jefferson agrees with Hornets coach Steve Clifford’s decision to bring him off the bench for the time being, David Scott of the Charlotte Observer reports. Jefferson is still trying to get back in game shape after missing 11 games due to a calf injury and a suspension. Cody Zeller has been starting at center. “Right here, right now, it’s probably better that I come off the bench,” Jefferson told Scott. “In this league, it’s important to get off to a great start and you don’t want a guy like me coming in still trying to get back into the flow of things and slowing the offense down.”
The Hornets’ new D-League affiliate in Greensboro, N.C. will be called the Swarm, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports tweets. The Swarm will begin their inaugural season in 2016/17, Spears adds.

Hawks Notes: Trades, Steinberg, Bazemore

December 28th, 2015 at 6:30pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Despite a drop in offensive efficiency this season, the Hawks shouldn’t make any substantial moves, David Aldridge of NBA.com opines. Aldridge notes that Atlanta is 16th in offensive rating, down from sixth last season and it’s likely a result of teams putting more emphasis on guarding Kyle Korver, who is shooting 40.7% from three-point range, down from 49.2% last season.

Here’s more from Atlanta:

Hawks executive Andrew Steinberg is leaving the franchise, Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Steinberg was named the Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer in August.
Atlanta has assigned Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Austin Spurs of the D-League via the flexible assignment rule, per the team’s website. Hardaway played for the Canton Charge in his previous D-League stint.
The Hawks are 15-5 with Kent Bazemore in the starting lineup and the team is starting to find its groove, Vivlamore observes in a separate piece. “Everything is starting to come together,” Bazemore said. “It’s not anything like just me starting. I think the team is starting to gel. What the coach and front office saw in the summer in putting this team together is starting to come to fruition.” Bazemore will be a free agent at the end of the season.

D-League Notes: Hardaway Jr., Ennis, McCallum

December 27th, 2015 at 3:35pm CST by Will Joseph

The Hawks have assigned Tim Hardaway Jr. to the D-League, Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Atlanta does not have its own affiliate so Hardaway will likely join the Austin Spurs, based on the league’s flexible assignment system and the fact that the Hawks have an on-going relationship with the D-League franchise this season, Vivlamore writes. Hardaway played for the Canton Charge in his previous D-League stint.

It will be the second D-League stint for Hardaway, who has been a non-factor for the Hawks this season after he was acquired in a trade from the Knicks in June. Hardaway has appeared in only four games this season with Atlanta. Still, Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer seems to remain optimistic about Hardaway’s development, as Vivlamore writes.

“I can promise you he is doing well and he is in a good place,” Budenholzer told reporters, including Vivlamore on Saturday. “A lot of it has been his approach to it. He’s been very professional. There is a real emphasis on player development with us and we’ve seen guys who have come in and maybe not started out gangbusters but through work, time and effort they find a way. I was say he is following that path in a very good way.”

Here are more moves and notes regarding the D-League:

The Grizzlies assigned James Ennis to the D-League three days after recalling him, the team announced in an emailed press release. This will be Ennis’ sixth stint with the Iowa Energy, Memphis’ D-League affiliate.
The Spurs assigned Ray McCallum to the Austin Spurs, their D-League affiliate, the team announced. This marks McCallum’s third stint with the Austin Spurs this season.
The Kings have recalled power forward Duje Dukan from the Reno Bighorns, their D-League affiliate, the team announced (on Twitter). It was Dukan’s fourth stint with Reno on the season.
The Mavericks recalled Justin Anderson and Salah Mejri from the D-League, the team announced in an emailed press release. Anderson has played sparingly in 18 games, including one start, while Mejri has seen action in only five games for Dallas this season.

Southeast Rumors: Eddie, Humphries, Hardaway Jr.

December 26th, 2015 at 7:42pm CST by Arthur Hill

Wizards rookie Jarell Eddie made a strong case for staying in the NBA during today’s win over the Nets, according to J. Michael of CSNMidAtlantic.com. In his first action since being signed out of the D-League on Wednesday, Eddie connected on four 3-pointers and finished the game with 12 points. Coach Randy Wittman’s advice to Eddie was,“Know who you are. I put you in there to shoot,” Michael notes (Twitter link). Eddie signed a non-guaranteed deal with Washington at the veteran’s minimum. Michael notes that Eddie can be cut anytime before January 10th without the Wizards owing him anything, but said Eddie should be safe if he keeps playing like he did today.

There’s more from the Southeast Division:

A move back to the bench has seemed to help the Wizards‘ Kris Humphries get more comfortable in his “stretch forward” role, Michael writes in a separate story. Humphries has made five of six 3-pointers since the switch, breaking out of a 2 for 19 slump. “I’m still trying to find my niche where I can do what I do really well and also continue to stretch the floor,” Humphries said. The 12th-year veteran is signed through the end of next season.
Tim Hardaway Jr. has barely played since being traded from the Knicks to the Hawks over the summer, but New York coach Derek Fisher is still a believer in the young guard, according to Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He joined a team that already had an identity and has a lot of returning guys,” Fisher said. “It’s difficult to break through in those situations. I think he belongs here in the league and when he gets his opportunity hopefully he’ll make the most of it.” Hardaway has appeared in just four games with Atlanta since the deal. He has been inactive 17 times, including today, and spent two games in the D-League. Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said Hardaway is being “very professional” and cites the team’s emphasis on “player development.”
With a core of young talent, the Magic are succeeding ahead of schedule, writes Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders. The franchise was expected to have a long road back to respectability after the 2012 trade that sent Dwight Howard to the Lakers, but Orlando has drafted well and helped itself with deals that brought in Elfrid Payton and Evan Fournier.