Atlanta Hawks Rumors | Hoops Rumors

And-Ones: Morris, Richardson, Draft

August 19th, 2015 at 9:33pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Darius Morris, who was waived by the Nets at the end of June, has received contract offers from NBA teams and clubs overseas, but thanks to a foot injury suffered during training, he’ll be out of action for a few months, Morris’ agent, Brian Dyke, told international journalist David Pick (Twitter link). The 24-year-old made 38 appearances for Brooklyn during the 2014/15 campaign, logging averages of 2.2 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 7.9 minutes per contest.

Here’s more from around the league:

Joel Brigham of Basketball Insiders tabs new L.A. arrivals Roy Hibbert and Lance Stephenson as two of six players who appear likely to benefit from having changed teams this summer.
Jason Richardson‘s deal with the Hawks is a one-year minimum-salary arrangement and is without any guaranteed money, reports Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link). It has limited injury protection, Pincus also says, so it appears to be an Exhibit 9 contract. Richardson will see $1,499,187 if he sticks for the entire season, but since the deal only covers one season, it would cost the Hawks no more than $947,276, the equivalent of the two-year veteran’s minimum. The league picks up the rest of the tab.
Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress peered into his crystal ball and released his first mock draft for 2017’s big event. The current top three players on Givony’s draft board are forwards Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum, with point guard Dennis Smith rounding out the top-ranked trio.

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

And-Ones: Turner, Vandeweghe, Horford

August 18th, 2015 at 10:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Hawks big man Al Horford is entering the final season of his current deal and will be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. But Horford’s eye is on the coming season, and he won’t discuss his future until next summer, Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal Constitution relays. “My focus right now is to get better individually and help our team be the best team that we can be,” Horford said. “I have the same mindset and that is to help our team win and put us in a good position and try to be better. As far as the contract stuff, I’m going to wait until the season is over. I’m not going to let that linger and be a distraction. The focus is to be on the Hawks, on our team and getting better. Once the season ends, we’ll be able to sit down and talk and figure out all of that.”

Here’s more from around the league:

The NBA officially announced today that Kiki Vandeweghe has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations for the league, a move that had seemed likely for months. He moves up from vice president of basketball ops and replaces the retiring Rod Thorn. Vandeweghe’s new position puts him in charge of player discipline, among other duties. “Kiki is one of the sharpest basketball minds in the NBA,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. “In addition to his storied UCLA and NBA playing career plus his extensive experience as a general manager, coach, and TV analyst, he has most recently helped drive innovations in analytics that are reshaping the league in areas such as scheduling, game statistics, and player health.”
Myles Turner has transformed from an injured high school junior who was an afterthought to college recruiters into a candidate to start at center for the Pacers this season, as Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders details. This year’s No. 11 overall pick performed well at summer league, leading to some thought of him as a Rookie of the Year contender, but coach Frank Vogel has reminded the big man not to get carried away, as Turner tells Kennedy.
The Rockets have officially hired Matt Brase as the coach of Rio Grande Valley Vipers, their D-League affiliate, the team announced (via Twitter). Brase replaces former coach Nevada Smith, who spent two seasons with the Vipers and compiled an overall record of 60-46, including a mark of 27-23 last season.

Hawks Sign Jason Richardson

August 18th, 2015 at 7:10pm CST by Eddie Scarito

AUGUST 18TH, 7:10pm: The signing is official, the Hawks announced via a press release.

AUGUST 15TH, 4:42pm: The Hawks have agreed to a deal with unrestricted free agent Jason Richardson, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports reports (Twitter link). The veteran guard’s deal will be non-guaranteed, Spears adds.

Richardson, 34, appeared in 19 contests for the Sixers last season, averaging 9.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 21.9 minutes per games. His career numbers through 13 NBA campaigns are 17.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 2.7 RPG to go along with a slash line of .438/.370/.707.

Atlanta currently has a roster count of 16 players, 13 of whom possess fully guaranteed pacts, and three whose deals include partial guarantees.

Sixers Rumors: Embiid, Surgery, Richardson

August 16th, 2015 at 11:32am CST by Arthur Hill

Joel Embiid’s latest setback doesn’t signal the end of his career, writes Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders. Embiid is scheduled for a bone graft on his right foot Tuesday that is expected to wipe out his entire 2015/16 season. The third pick of the 2014 draft will go through his first two NBA seasons without stepping onto the court, but Hamilton argues that doesn’t mean the young center won’t ever rebound from the injury. With rookie Jahlil Okafor added to the Sixers’ frontcourt, Hamilton says the team can afford to take its time with Embiid’s rehab. He also contends the organization made the right move by selecting Embiid in 2014 despite the injury risk.

There’s more out of Philadelphia:

Embiid’s surgery was supposed to take place “in the next 7-10 days,” according to a July 11th press release issued by the Sixers, notes Tom Moore of Calkins Media. The team hasn’t explained what caused the delay or released where the procedure will occur, though a source who spoke with John Gonzalez of CSNPhilly.com said the holdup was partly because Embiid was still coming to grips with the need for a surgery and that he and his camp wanted more time to go over the situation and pick a surgeon. Moore also points out that Embiid’s recovery time was originally estimated at five to nine months after his June 2014 surgery, in which two screws were implanted into his navicular bone. Embiid was never able to return to game action or even participate in a five-on-five scrimmage.
Jason Richardson was open to re-signing in Philadelphia before committing to a new deal with Atlanta, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The 34-year-old free agent is expected to sign a non-guaranteed deal with the Hawks on Monday. After missing two years with a cartilage tear in his left kneecap, Richardson returned late last season to play in 19 contests with the Sixers, averaging 9.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 21.9 minutes. “For me, [this season] gave me hope and determination to come back from the injury that I did without really any practice time,” Richardson said, “and to be on the court, that gave me a lot of hope for my future. I can play a few more years in this league.”

And-Ones: Rose, McGee, Jordan

August 13th, 2015 at 9:02pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Hawks have hired former NBA player Malik Rose as their manager of basketball operations, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports reports (via Twitter). Rose confirmed the news via his personal Twitter account. Rose will report to coach Mike Budenholzer, who remains in charge of player personnel as president of basketball operations. The 40-year-old spent 13 seasons in the NBA as a player with the Hornets, Spurs, Knicks, and Thunder.

Here’s more from around the league:

The first year of JaVale McGee‘s deal with the Mavericks is partially guaranteed for $250k, with another $250k becoming guaranteed if he remains on the roster past September 29th, and an additional $250k will become guaranteed if he is still on Dallas’ roster past October 27th, Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders tweets. The second season of the arrangement is non-guaranteed, Pincus adds.
McGee is still undergoing rehab for his injured leg, but the Mavs remain confident that he will be ready to play in time for training camp, Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com relays (on Twitter).
Former St. John’s University shooting guard Rysheed Jordan is considering playing overseas or joining the NBA D-League for next season, Keith Schlosser of SBNation writes. “I don’t know yet. It’s either overseas or the D-League, two options,” Jordan told CityofBasketballLove.com. “It depends whether I would prefer to go far or stay local.” Jordan departed the Red Storm after his sophomore season, and back in June said, “Playing professional basketball has always been a goal of mine. I believe I am ready to take the next step in my basketball career and plan to work hard to achieve my dream of playing in the NBA. I am thankful for the opportunities and support St. John’s University has provided to me. This decision was made with my family’s best interests in mind.“

Eastern Notes: Scott, Davies, Jordan, Mickey

August 12th, 2015 at 9:29pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Mike Scott faces up to 25 years in prison on a pair of felony drug charges following his arrest late last month, reports Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Scott’s salary of more than $3.333MM for this coming season with the Hawks is guaranteed, but next season’s salary is not. The 27-year-old appeared in 68 games for Atlanta last season, averaging 7.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 16.5 minutes per contest.

Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:

Brandon Davies, who played for the Nets and Sixers during the 2014/15 campaign, has officially signed with Pallacanestro Varese of Italy, the team announced via Twitter (translation courtesy of Enea Trapani of Sportando). The impending deal was first reported by Sportando’s Emiliano Carchia.
The Knicks finished third in the running to sign free agent center DeAndre Jordan, who was the team’s top offseason target, Marc Berman of The New York Post writes. The turning point in New York’s recruitment of Jordan was a face-to-face between the player and team president Phil Jackson in early July, Berman notes. Jordan left the meeting with a positive impression of the team’s rebuilding plan, though he ultimately decided to rejoin the Clippers after awkwardly changing his mind about signing with the Mavericks, the Post scribe relays. “I had a great meeting and great presentation,’’ Jordan told Berman. “Phil Jackson speaks for himself. Fish [Derek Fisher] did a great job. The whole team had a plan with the organization, a plan for me that was cool. I just decided to stay with the Clippers, but it was great. The Knicks were definitely a team I was considering.’’
Jordan Mickey preferred to sign a three-year deal with the Celtics that included two fully guaranteed seasons, but Boston’s persistence in pushing for a four-year pact won out, writes Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. “They made it obvious they wanted to sign a longer deal, and I’ve got to admit, at the beginning we just weren’t hearing that,” James Wright Sr., who is Mickey’s stepfather, said. “We didn’t want a four-year deal. We wanted a chance to get back to the table earlier. But Jordan, his mother, and I sat and talked and decided it made the most sense to just work this thing out, because this is the team he wants to play for.”

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Eastern Notes: Thompson, Dragic, Pistons

August 10th, 2015 at 10:39pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Agent Rich Paul may represent both LeBron James and Tristan Thompson, but the influence Thompson’s negotiations have on LeBron’s decision-making is overstated, opines Hoops Rumors contributor Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.net, who believes Thompson shouldn’t overplay his hand.

In other news around the Eastern Conference:

Zoran Dragic‘s representatives wanted to secure his release from the Celtics so that he could return to Europe and play regularly, sources told ESPN.com’s Marc Stein (Twitter link). The Celtics announced on Monday that they had waived Dragic, whom they acquired in last month’s trade with Miami.
The Cavaliers are the Eastern Conference’s top team in terms of roster construction but there are several surprises in the Top 5, according to an analysis by ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle in an Insider-only piece. The Pacers rank second in tier score, which is based on a team’s anticipated 10-man rotation. The Raptors, Pistons and Hawks round out the Top 5 while the Nets, a playoff team last season, are near the bottom at No. 13.
The Pistons could go with a wing trio of Marcus Morris, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Stanley Johnson against certain opponents, which would mean reduced playing time for Jodie Meeks, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com reports. The production from that trio will have a major influence on the team’s goal to reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2008/09 season, Langlois adds.

Southeast Notes: Beal, Wizards, Ejim

August 8th, 2015 at 7:36pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Wizards‘ new group of perimeter backups could make Bradley Beal more effective and help him stay away from injury, writes J. Michael of CSNWashington.com. A series of mishaps has limited Beal to 56, 73 and 63 games in his first three NBA seasons, but his minutes per game should be reduced next year with the offseason additions of Gary Neal, Jared Dudley, Alan Anderson and Kelly Oubre. Neal signed with Washington as a free agent. The Wizards sent a second-round pick to Milwaukee in exchange for Dudley in a July trade. Anderson signed as a free agent after two years in Brooklyn. And Oubre was acquired in a draft-night deal with Atlanta. “I think Jared is going to help us out tremendously,” Beal said. “Alan is going to help us out. … I’m excited. We still have a great team, still have our core together and it’s just a matter of going out and getting the job done again.”

There’s more from the Southeast Division:

The loss of free agent Kevin Seraphin to the Knicks may force the Wizards to fully commit to a small-ball approach, according to Seth Partnow of The Washington Post. Washington had success with that strategy during the playoffs, and Partnow argues that the improvement of Otto Porter Jr. means that the Wizards’ best bet is a lineup with John Wall, one big man and three shooters.
Melvin Ejim’s deal with the Magic is for two years at the minimum salary, tweets Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders. The former Iowa State star will receive $150K guaranteed in the first season.

Eastern Notes: J.R. Smith, Carmelo, Hawks

August 3rd, 2015 at 3:43pm CST by Chuck Myron

Eastern Conference teams have lured more veterans than Western Conference teams so far in free agency and trades this offseason, as I examined late last month, but the East didn’t really make a dent in terms of star power. The chasm between the conferences seemingly remains wide, and with the Western Conference elite further strengthening, it seems the easiest path to the Finals will again run through the East, though the defending conference champion Cavs might dispute that. Check out a Cleveland-related item amid the latest from the Eastern Conference:

J.R. Smith said he wants to “be somewhere I can make a difference” as he discussed his free agency with reporters in Guam, where he held a camp with close friend and recent Heat signee Gerald Green, notes Grant Wieman of the Pacific Daily News (hat tip to Chris Fedor of the Northeast Ohio Media Group). Smith said two weeks ago that he’d like to re-sign with the Cavaliers. “I would love to be a starter, but it depends on the situation and what team I’m on,” Smith said. “Cleveland is in a situation where they don’t really need me to start. I can come off the bench and bring the energy and stuff like that.”
Knicks broadcaster and team employee Walt “Clyde” Frazier wonders in an interview with Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com whether Carmelo Anthony will ask for a trade if the team doesn’t make noticeable progress this year. It wouldn’t be surprising if Anthony did just that, given lingering questions about whether team president Phil Jackson, coach Derek Fisher and the triangle can succeed and the challenge of attracting marquee free agents to a losing team, as Chris Herring of The Wall Street Journal speculates (All Twitter links).
The deals that Lamar Patterson and Terran Petteway signed with the Hawks are both two-year, minimum-salary arrangments with $75K partial guarantees for this season, according to Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link).

Southeast Notes: Kaminsky, Hawks’ New Hires

August 1st, 2015 at 9:24pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Frank Kaminsky is high on the list of rookies who should be able to contribute to their teams right away, Amin Elhassan of ESPN.com (Insiders only) writes. Elhassan acknowledges that Kaminsky might struggle on the defensive end, but argues that his offense is solid and his game complements Al Jefferson‘s, which should allow the rookie to see significant minutes immediately.

The Celtics offered the Hornets a package that included four first-round picks to entice Charlotte to give up the No. 9 pick, but owner Michael Jordan preferred to select a more known commodity in Kaminsky over stocking up on future picks. Readers of Hoops Rumors offered various and conflicting opinions on whether Charlotte made the right call by keeping its selection in Tuesday’s Community Shootaround.

Here’s more from the Southeast Division:

The Hawks have hired Michael Blackstone as an assistant GM, Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Blackstone previously served as the executive director of basketball operations for the Cavs.
Atlanta has also hired John Treloar to be the director of player personnel, Vivlamore adds in the same piece. Treloar previously served as the director of player personnel for the Suns and as the coach of the Erie Bayhawks, the Cavs’ D-League affiliate. New Hawks GM Wes Wilcox has worked with both Treloar and Blackstone previously in Cleveland.
The Hawks also have promoted Jeff Peterson to director of scouting, according to Vivlamore in the same piece.