Greene On Lou Williams, Morrow, Korver
The sound bites we hear in the first week of NBA training camps often fall into the same few categories: Every player is in great shape, no one is worried about contract situations, and every team expects to be in the playoffs. It makes it all the more difficult to get an interesting quote, but Lang Greene of HoopsWorld managed to get a few out of some Hawks, which he rounded up in today's NBA AM piece. Here are the highlights:
- Lou Williams admits that he was caught off guard when the Sixers decided they didn't want to bring him back: "Just to be honest, I was completely surprised. But I think they were in a position where they were trying to transition to a different style of basketball and that showed with them going with bigger guards and getting Andrew Bynum."
- After playing his college ball at Georgia Tech, playing in Atlanta is something of a homecoming for Anthony Morrow, who says he'd like to remain with the Hawks past this season: "I would love to be here long term. It’s like home for me. I’m familiar with here. It would be great. I’m looking forward to it, when that day comes. So I just want to come out and focus on having a great season."
- According to Kyle Korver, the Bulls' front office was upfront with him toward the end of last season about the fact that major personnel changes were coming in Chicago. Korver, along with most of the rest of the Bulls' "bench mob," including Omer Asik, C.J. Watson, John Lucas III, and Ronnie Brewer, are playing for other teams now, and Korver understands why: "It wasn’t anything about our play. It was strictly a business decision. They were way over the salary cap. Derrick [Rose]’s contract is a big one and it kicked in and you already have a lot of other guys locked in."
Coach/Exec Notes: Gentry, Petrie, Drew
While Hoops Rumors focuses primarily on trades and free agency involving NBA players, there's another group entering contract years as the 2012/13 season approaches — coaches and front office personnel. This could be a crucial year for many coaches and executives who are in the final year of their deals, so let's take a look at some stories on a few guys in contract years….
- Alvin Gentry is a good fit for the Suns, and extending his contract would not only be the right move, but would send the right message, argues Paola Boivin of the Arizona Republic. It doesn't sound as if the team is negotiating a new contract for its head coach at the moment though. "It's not an issue for this season," said Suns owner Robert Sarver. "I don't think it's an issue with Alvin, and it's not an issue for us. I've worked with Alvin for the last eight years. I think he's treated the organization fairly, and I think we've treated him fairly."
- Kings president Geoff Petrie is entering the last year of his deal, but doesn't appear concerned about his uncertain future, telling Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee: "I think really for me the only contract I'm concerned about is the one all of us have, and that's the contract with life. And you take that one day at a time."
- Like Petrie, Hawks coach Larry Drew is downplaying any worries about his long-term future as he enters the final year of his contract. New GM Danny Ferry agreed with the team's decision to pick up Drew's 2012/13 option, but the two will wait until after the season to discuss a new contract for the coach, writes Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. If the Hawks underachieve at all this year, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Ferry bring in his own man for the job.
Southeast Notes: Smith, Hawks, Thomas, Heat
A report last week suggested that Josh Smith is open to a long-term future in Atlanta, even if he and the Hawks are unlikely to work out an extension before next summer. At the team's media day, Smith didn't quite confirm that idea, but did indicate that he won't let his impending free agency become a distraction this season, as Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes.
"I’m not worrying about any contract discussions," Smith said. "I think the team and I are on the same page. We know what we are going to do. My main concern is making the playoffs and winning basketball games."
Here are a few more media day leftovers out of the Southeast Division:
- Tyrus Thomas spoke to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer about his disappointing 2011/12 campaign, and his excitement about working with new coach Mike Dunlap. Thomas is the only Bobcats player still eligible to be amnestied, and will have two years remaining on his contract after this season, so it's a big year for the former fourth overall pick.
- Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel expects the Heat to see what they have in camp in bigs like Dexter Pittman, Josh Harrellson, Mickell Gladness, and Jarvis Varnado. If the team feels uncomfortable with its options heading into the season, they could look to add a veteran big. Ben Wallace, Kenyon Martin, Mehmet Okur, and Juwan Howard are among those still on the market.
- Chris Vivlamore rounds up a few notable quotes from the Hawks' media day, while Michael Lee of the Washington Post does the same for the Wizards.
Hawks Sign Isma’il Muhammad
The Hawks have added former Georgia Tech forward Isma'il Muhammad to their training camp roster, according to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Consitution (via Twitter). Muhammad is the 19th player under contract for the Hawks.
Muhammad was considered a solid defender and an outstanding dunker during his days at Georgia Tech. The 29-year-old graduated back in 2005, but was in an NBA camp as recently as last December — he was waived by the Bobcats just a few days before the season started.
With 14 players on fully or partially guaranteed contracts in Atlanta, and guys like Damion James and James Anderson expected to compete for the 15th spot, I'd expect Muhammad to be an extra body in camp, rather than a real candidate to earn a roster spot.
Southeast Rumors: Hawks, Wallace, Lewis, Bobcats
There was plenty of change throughout the Southeast Division, as the Magic, Hawks and Wizards pulled off significant trades while the Heat upgraded with Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. The Bobcats are banking heavily on No. 2 overall pick Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to help turn the team around, and we have news on him and others from around the division.
- Some in the Heat organization are concerned about the long-term health of Dwyane Wade, who could miss all of the team's preseason games as he hopes to get his ailing left knee ready for the regular season opener, writes Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald. The team will give Allen occasional off days during the regular season, as the Spurs have done with Tim Duncan, Goodman adds.
Earlier updates:
- Hawks coach Larry Drew believes it will be a tall order for his team to replace the production of Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams this season, as Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes. "Both of those guys were very key and big pieces to our puzzle," Drew said. "This opens up opportunities for new guys, guys who have been here, guys who are coming in. It doesn’t happen overnight. We are going to have to lace it up and really go to work and try to, as a team, try to step up. Everybody has to step their game up now."
- Vivlamore also shares in his piece that Drew isn't sure how he'll rotate guards Devin Harris, Jeff Teague and Lou Williams. Harris and Teague, the two natural point guards, are both entering contract years.
- Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel speculates that Ben Wallace could be a fit for the Heat. Wallace is reportedly seeking a contract after going back-and-forth about retirement this summer.
- Lewis hopes he'll start the season as a reserve instead of as a starter for the Heat, as he told Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida (Sulia link).
- Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap is working with Kidd-Gilchrist to improve the shooting touch of the University of Kentucky product, writes Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald-Leader. Tipton also shares praise from Purdue coach Matt Painter about Hornets second-round pick Darius Miller and Shelvin Mack, who could start the season at point guard for the Wizards in place of the injured John Wall.
- Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel outlines a list of the top priorities for the Magic as they begin training camp.
Extension Candidate: Josh Smith
For eight seasons in Atlanta, Josh Smith has been a key part of the franchise through its stronger seasons (see: 2007/08-present) and it's less-than-stellar years (see: all three years preceding that). However, Smith hasn't always had the smoothest relationship with the Hawks' front office. A week prior to this year's trade deadline, the forward made it known that he wanted out in order to get a fresh start on his career. Smith stopped short of rehashing his trade demand in late May, but his comments didn't read like someone who wanted to play for the Hawks beyond his walk year in 2012/13. Those, of course, are just the most prominent stories of Smith's dissatisfaction with the club during the Hoops Rumors era – it's hard to remember a recent season in which Smith didn't have some degree of friction with the Hawks.
However, he seems to have turned a corner as General Manager Danny Ferry says that Smith is now open to a long-term future in Atlanta. Smith is set to earn $13.2MM in 2012/13 and on the surface would appear to be in line for a lucrative long-term extension after establishing career-highs in points (18.8 PPG) and rebounds (9.6 RPG). The durable forward also turned in another healthy and productive season, starting in all 66 regular season games. However, the collective bargaining agreement prevents Smith from securing an extension longer than three years.
Will Smith's rekindled love for the Hawks make him want to forfeit the opportunity for a four- or five-year commitment next summer? It's possible, but even Ferry doesn't like his chances of making that happen as he intimated that a new deal probably wouldn't be worked out until next summer. Regardless, the Hawks can be expected to try their best to get Smith to agree to a three-year pact at a team friendly price of ~$45MM. If not, Smith can put his toe in the water this time next year and stand out in a class of power forwards that will also include the likes of Paul Millsap and David West.
Hawks Sign Keith Benson, Carldell Johnson
The Hawks have officially announced their training camp roster, and as Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution writes, there are some new names on the list. In additions to signings we'd heard about before, such as James Anderson, Anthony Tolliver, and Damion James, the team has also added Keith Benson and Carldell Johnson to its camp roster.
Benson, 24, was the 48th overall pick in the 2011 draft, but didn't earn a spot on the Hawks' roster. The 6'11" big man ended up playing 20 games for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, averaging 15.2 PPG and 7.8 RPG, and also signed a 10-day contract with the Warriors late in the season. He appeared in just three games for Golden State, playing limited minutes.
Johnson, 29, has played over 200 D-League games for the Austin Toros since going undrafted in 2006. The 5'10" point guard known as Squeaky finally made his NBA debut last season for the Hornets, appearing in 15 contests for New Orleans.
Benson and Johnson both figure to be on non-guaranteed deals, and it's unlikely either player will end up on Atlanta's regular season roster. While the team does have at least one open roster spot, with 14 players on fully or partially guaranteed contracts, I'd expect Anderson and James to have a leg up on Benson and Johnson for that final spot.
Bulls To Sign Kyrylo Fesenko
9:47pm: K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune notes that the Bulls, who have $758,550 left to spend, could sign another player at the veteran's minimum once it pro-rates to that amount in late November (Twitter link). Mark Deeks of ShamSports suggests via Twitter that the Bulls could waive Fesenko at the end of training camp and re-sign him once they're able. The Bulls could do the same with fellow camp invitee Andre Emmett, but another team, either in the NBA or overseas, would be free to snap up Fesenko and Emmett while they waited.
8:29pm: The Bulls will sign Kyrylo Fesenko by the end of the week, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.com. He was in Chicago on Monday for a workout after auditioning for the Spurs earlier this month, and reportedly had the Cavs tentatively on his workout schedule as well. He was also said to be in contact with the Hawks and the Heat.
Stein says the 7'1" center will receive a non-guaranteed contract, and Sam Amick of SI.com reports via Twitter that it will be for the minimum. The team doesn't have enough room under its $74.307MM hard cap to retain Fesenko for the regular season, even at the minimum salary, without waiving or trading another one of its players.
Fesenko signed with the Pacers in March for the balance of the 2011/12 season, and appeared in only three regular season games. He scored a total of eight points and grabbed nine rebounds in 17 minutes, and didn't see action in any of the team's playoff games. The Ukraine native averaged 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 8.3 minutes per game during the previous four seasons with the Jazz, upping those numbers slightly when he started nine of the Jazz's 10 playoff games in 2009/10 for the injured Mehmet Okur.
Josh Smith Open To Long-Term Future With Hawks
A contract extension for Josh Smith before he hits free agency next summer looks unlikely, according to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. That's no surprise — for players of Smith's caliber, free agent contracts are more appealing than in-season extensions, which max out at three new years. However, Smith is open to a long-term future in Atlanta, according to GM Danny Ferry.
"I’ve been clear that I value Josh as a player," Ferry said. "He has worked hard this summer and I believe he is going to have a great season. I’ve been in contact with his representatives. Josh and his representatives have been clear that he is excited about the direction of the team and wants to be part of the future in Atlanta. That being said, I don’t expect the contract situation to be resolved until next summer."
The stance represents something of a 180 for Smith, who had long hoped to be traded and hinted as recently as May that he was still dissatisfied with the Hawks. Since Ferry took over though, and moved big contracts like Joe Johnson's and Marvin Williams', Smith seems to have come around on the club's direction, according to multiple reports.
Smith will earn $13.2MM in 2012/13, the final year of his current contract. If he were to sign an in-season extension, he could land a new deal of up to three years and about $45MM. In free agency, he'd be eligible for a four-year deal with a new team or a five-year deal with Atlanta. In both cases, his annual salary could be higher than what he'd earn if he simply signed an extension.
Vivlamore notes that negotiations between the two sides aren't completely closed, and that there's still a chance, albeit a slim one, that an extension could be worked out before Smith becomes an unrestricted free agent next July.
Eastern Notes: Nets, Bynum, Celtics, Brooks
While very few teams still have cap space available as the 2012/13 season approaches, there are a number of clubs in good position to clear a ton of money from their books next summer. Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld takes an early look at which teams have the least guaranteed money on their cap next summer and beyond, and notes that many of the teams in the best position are in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons, Bobcats, Hawks, Cavaliers, and Wizards all only have between $17MM and $22MM in guaranteed money on their caps for 2013/14, though many of those numbers will increase when rookie-contract options are exercised.
Here are a few more notes from around the Eastern Conference on a Tuesday afternoon:
- Nets GM Billy King said today that he talked to free agent point guards Steve Nash and Goran Dragic before he knew for sure whether Deron Williams would be back, tweets Colin Stephenson of the Star-Ledger.
- The general consensus around the NBA would suggest Dwight Howard is the league's best center, with Andrew Bynum placing second, but Dorell Wright would give the nod to his new Sixers teammate. "[Bynum]’s going to need two defenders to stop him," Wright told John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I would say he’s the best big man in the NBA right now, hands down."
- Celtics GM Danny Ainge spoke briefly to ESPNBoston.com's Chris Forsberg about a number of topics. According to Ainge, the team doesn't expect to bring in another ball-handler to replace Keyon Dooling, preferring to let its young guys compete for that roster spot.
- Within a piece about Brook Lopez's and MarShon Brooks' futures in Brooklyn, Howard Beck of the New York Times mentions that the Hawks "pushed hard" to acquire Brooks in the deal that sent Joe Johnson to the Nets.
- Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star examines whether the Pacers really upgraded their bench over the offseason.
- In an Insider piece for ESPN.com, David Thorpe explains how the Celtics quietly had one of the NBA's best offseasons.