And-Ones: Thunder, Durant, Butler
Let’s take a look at some news and notes from around the Association late on this Tuesday night:
- The injury-plagued Thunder might just become a “cautionary tale of prudence” this season, writes Scott Stinson of the National Post. Stinson argues that, in today’s NBA, a caveat of opting for competitive longevity over the aggressive pursuit of a title is that something out of a team’s control — injuries, in this case — might lay the best-laid plans to waste.
- There’s been no shortage of Kevin Durant news today, as the Thunder superstar is making the media rounds to promote the premiere of his HBO special. On ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike (via the Oklahoman), Durant was asked if the decision of LeBron James to return to Cleveland might impact the possibility that he could sign with the Wizards. To which, Durant said: “I really haven’t thought about that, to be honest. I hear it a lot. But I think I can make an impact on the community I grew up from anywhere. So I think I’m doing a good job of that in Oklahoma. My friends, my family, the kids in my neighborhood, are seeing that. I’m inspiring them from Oklahoma City. I really haven’t thought about it. I love where I am. I know that sounds cliche and the answer everybody gives, but that’s really true from my side of it. I’m sure everybody’s watching from afar.”
- Between the dearth of shooting guards in the NBA and Klay Thompson‘s near $70MM deal, Jimmy Butler‘s decision to turn down the Bulls‘ extension offer might prove to be a smart one if the swingman can stay healthy, writes Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times.
Warriors Notes: Thompson, Green
It’s still early, but the Warriors have taken a commanding lead as the still-unbeaten team that Hoops Rumors readers think can unseat the Spurs as NBA champs. The play of Klay Thompson is undoubtedly a big reason why, as the fourth-year guard, fresh off a contract extension, leads the league in scoring. Here is more on the Warriors:
- While the official word on Thompson’s extension with the Warriors is that the full value won’t be known until next July, Zach Lowe of Grantland.com reports that it is not technically a maximum contract (via Twitter). Lowe promises further detail to come, but in the meantime says that Golden State did something “interesting” with the deal that differentiates it from other max-type extensions.
- Meanwhile, Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group writes that many in Golden State saw stardom coming for Thompson and it, if that is what we’re seeing here, should not come as a big surprise.
- We heard earlier tonight that Draymond Green of the Warriors is switching agents. Sam Amick of USA Today, who reported the Green news, writes that Golden State intends to keep their young forward. Amick adds that Green’s move to the Wasserman Media Group was a strategic one, as the Michigan State product preferred the services of an agency — and an agent in B.J. Armstrong — that could properly capitalize on his unique ability to impact a game beyond what shows up in the box score.
Poll: Which Unbeaten Is The Best?
With the Rockets and Heat squaring off in Miami tonight, there will be only three unbeaten teams left in the NBA come morning. But, for now, we still have four. Yes, we’re only one week into the 2014/15 season. But, considering that none of these four teams are among the Vegas favorites to win it all this season, wouldn’t it be fun to see which of them has the best shot? So let’s hear it. Of the Heat, Grizzlies, Rockets and Warriors, which has the best chance at winning the NBA championship this season?
- Heat (3-0): Now don’t laugh. LeBron James may have left South Beach, but his departure seems to have energized Chris Bosh. The lefty has averaged over 25 points in the team’s first three games and Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng have worked well as Miami’s second and third fiddles. While the Heat might seem like the worst choice on this list, at least they have the luxury of playing in the Eastern Conference.
- Grizzlies (4-0): The Memphis grit-and-grind has risen to new levels through four games. The Grizzlies lead the NBA in scoring defense and rank second in defensive efficiency. They’ve won one shootout (105-101 over Minnesota), one slugfest (71-69 over Charlotte) and two games that were somewhere in between (97-89 and 93-81 over Indiana and New Orleans, respectfully). Throw in Memphis’ toughness and propensity to compete come playoff time, and it might not be a stretch to believe this is the Grizzlies’ year.
- Rockets (4-0): Houston might be the logical choice here. Through four games, they seem to have displayed the type of balance that would fare well in the postseason. They rank fourth in defense and fifth in offense in terms of efficiency. James Harden is an elite scorer and many predicted an MVP-caliber season for Dwight Howard this year. Even Trevor Ariza, who was signed in desperation this summer, has been great in the early going (shooting over 57%).
- Warriors (3-0): The Warriors have won their first three games by a combined 46 points. As good as Memphis has been defensively, it is Golden State that leads the NBA in efficiency, allowing a ridiculous 89.9 points per 100 possessions. An offseason of trade rumors and a max extension seem to have done a world of good for Klay Thompson, who currently leads the NBA in scoring. The Warriors are undoubtedly the sexiest pic on this list.
Eastern Notes: Harris, Cherry, Hawks
We’ve already gone out West earlier tonight. Now let’s check in on the Eastern Conference, where Wizards-Knicks and Magic-Bulls highlight the Tuesday night schedule. Here is what else is going on in the East:
- The Magic raised the idea of an extension with annual salaries of about $9MM in negotiations with Tobias Harris around Labor Day, but the sides never resumed negotiations, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders. Harris said that left him a “little disappointed” but with the understanding that it’s “a part of the game,” as he told Kyler. The Magic have told Harris’ camp that they’re likely to match any offer for him in restricted free agency next summer, Kyler writes.
- The Cavaliers‘ two-year deal with Will Cherry, agreed to on Sunday, is non-guaranteed for the minimum this season and next, reports Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders (via Twitter). Cherry will make the prorated amount of $495,399 this season and then the full minimum of $845,059 next season, assuming he remains on the roster.
- With the ownership and front office of the Hawks in disarray — not to mention the shortcomings of the other teams of note in the Atlanta area — the ability of Mike Budenholzer and his players to keep their focus on the court has been refreshing, writes Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Western Notes: Moreland, Green, Lucas, Hancock
There are six Western Conference teams in action tonight on a slate that includes a matchup of unbeatens between the Rockets and Heat, who also went head-to-head in the pursuit of Chris Bosh this past offseason. Let’s take a look at what’s going on out west before tonight’s action gets underway:
- The Kings have assigned undrafted rookie forward Eric Moreland to the Reno Bighorns, the team announced today. Moreland, who signed a three-year deal with Sacramento in July, had yet to touch the floor in four games for the Kings after impressing this summer. His contract is guaranteed for $200K this season and is non-guaranteed for the two years beyond that.
- Draymond Green, who will become a restricted free agent next summer, has switched agents, reports Sam Amick of USA Today (via Twitter). Green was previously represented by Herb Rudoy of Interperformances, as our Agency Database shows, and will now be under the care of B.J. Armstrong and Arn Tellem of the Wasserman Media Group, according to Amick. Green originally signed a three-year pact with the Warriors as a rookie, the third year of which became guaranteed on August 1 when he remained on the Golden State roster.
- The Grizzlies’ deal with Kalin Lucas, struck earlier today, is non-guaranteed for one year but will become fully guaranteed at some point in January, reports Shams Charania of RealGM (via Twitter). Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders confirms it is a minimum salary deal worth the prorated amount of $486,446 (via Twitter).
- Luke Hancock, who was waived by the Grizzlies in October, signed with Panionios B.C. of Greece, the team announced today (translation via Sportando). Memphis brought Hancock into camp on a non-guaranteed deal in September before parting ways with the undrafted rookie out of Louisville.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Southwest Notes: Barea, Mavs, Pelicans, Cotton
The Rockets were the busiest Southwest team on roster cut-down day, waiving a total of five players to get down to 15. However, the Mavericks had an interesting day as well, deciding to waive reserve point guard Gal Mekel in hopes of reuniting with recently released J.J. Barea. Let’s see what else is going on in the Southwest tonight:
- As Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News writes, any team that wants to claim Mavericks-target Barea off waivers would need more than about $4.5MM in cap space, or a trade exception or disabled player exception of at least that size. Sefko mentions the rival Rockets as a team that might want to claim Barea but likely wouldn’t based on its lack of flexibility.
- The Mavericks tried to acquire Barea from the Wolves last season but the teams couldn’t come to an agreement, according to Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press (via Twitter).
- The Pelicans‘ desire to re-sign Omer Asik is a factor in the team declining to pick up the 2015/16 option on Austin Rivers, writes John Reid of the Times Picayune. Reid adds that with Eric Gordon likely to opt in to his $15.5MM salary for next season, New Orleans preferred the additional financial flexibility.
- Bryce Cotton, who was released by the Spurs last week, plans to sign with San Antonio’s D-League affiliate in the next few days, sources tell Jabari Young of Comcast Sports Northwest (via Twitter).
Atlantic Notes: Nets, Knicks, Thomas
It’s been a busy Monday in the Atlantic division, with the Knicks and Sixers completing a trade and then promptly cutting both players involved. That wasn’t it for Philly, which added a forward before cutting two others. Meanwhile, the Celtics cut five players to get down to the required roster count of 15. With final rosters set, let’s see what else is going on in the Atlantic:
- After waiving Casper Ware on Saturday to get their roster down to 15, the Nets now have some flexibility with Jorge Gutierrez, Cory Jefferson and Jerome Jordan, none of whom have deals that become fully guaranteed until the leaguewide guarantee date in January, tweets Robert Windrem of Nets Daily. With opening-night rosters finalized, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News also points out that the Nets luxury tax bill of around $35MM for this season, as it stands now, pales in comparison to last season’s mammoth $90MM total (via Twitter).
- Knicks head coach Derek Fisher indicated that Travis Outlaw was suffering from an Achilles injury that hurt his chances of making the team, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post. Outlaw was traded to Philly earlier today, opening up a roster spot for Travis Wear, who the Knicks initially had planned to cut and send to the D-League, according to Berman.
- Sixers signee Malcolm Thomas was set to play in China and was ready to leave on Tuesday before Philly reached out to him over the weekend, notes Tom Moore of Calkins Media (via Twitter).
- Meanwhile, Max Rappaport of Sixers.com points out that the careers of Thomas and Sixers coach Brett Brown intersected in San Antonio in 2012, when Thomas appeared in three games with the Spurs. “He’s got a chance — really his first chance, in my opinion — to [get] minutes and [have] a role. He sees we’ve got a bunch of young guys he’s competing with, and he probably sees a lot more daylight than he may have with Utah, the Spurs, or Chicago,” Brown said.
Sixers Waive Travis Outlaw
The Sixers have waived Travis Outlaw, the team announced. Philadelphia acquired Outlaw from the Knicks earlier today along with a 2019 second-round pick and the right to swap 2018 second-rounders, all in exchange for Arnett Moultrie. News of Outlaw’s release was expected, as the Sixers needed to trim their roster to 15 by today’s afternoon deadline. The team also confirmed the releases of Marquis Teague and Elliot Williams within the same announcement.
Outlaw’s release is just the latest example of Philly GM Sam Hinkie using his team’s cap space to stockpile future assets, as the Sixers continue to pay no mind to the present. Believe it or not, Moultrie was the longest-tenured player on Philadelphia’s roster. Meanwhile, Outlaw hits free agency at age 30, 11 years after he was drafted in the first round of out high school by the Blazers. He has a career scoring mark of 8.5 points per game, but hasn’t averaged over 20 minutes of playing time since the 2010/11 season with the Nets. He is in line to collect $3MM from the Sixers this season provided he clears waivers.
Kings Work Out Terrence Williams
The Kings brought free agent Terrence Williams in for another workout today, reports Shams Charania of RealGM. Sacramento also had the former lottery pick in for an audition in late July, though we hadn’t since heard any rumblings until now. As our 2014/15 Expanded Roster Counts post shows, the Kings are one of three teams with a roster spot to spare as we get set to tip off the season tomorrow night (Chicago and Memphis are the two others). The team released guard Trey Johnson over the weekend.
While the Kings have a combination of upside and experience in both the backcourt and under the rim, the roster is riddled with uncertainty on the wing behind starter Rudy Gay. Omri Casspi and Derrick Williams figure to get the bulk of the time behind Gay for now, presenting an opportunity for the much-traveled Williams to join an NBA roster for the first time in nearly two years.
The Nets took Williams No. 11 overall out of Louisville in 2009 but traded him to Houston only 88 games into his NBA career. He landed with Sacramento a season later and spent 24 games with the Celtics in the 2012/13 season, which was the last time he played in the league. He’s averaged 7.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 153 NBA games. The forward spent much of last season with the Lakers D-League affiliate, where he averaged 20.5 points, 6.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds in 35.7 minutes per game. He has also played professionally in China, the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Turkey.
Suns Pick Up Option On Miles Plumlee
The Suns have picked up their rookie scale team option on Miles Plumlee for the 2015/16 season, the team announced. The Duke product will make just over $2.109MM in his fourth season, as our Rookie Scale Team Option Tracker shows. Phoenix also exercised rookie scale options on Archie Goodwin and Alex Len earlier today. Plumlee emerged as a pleasant surprise for the Suns last season after being acquired via trade from Indiana last July.
He started 79 times for the Phoenix and played 24.6 minutes per game, averaging 8.1 points and 7.8 boards while shooting nearly 52 percent from the field. He led the Suns in rebounding and blocks (1.13 per game). Plumlee was selected 26th overall in 2012 by the Pacers but only managed 3.9 minutes per game in his rookie season before coming to the desert as part of the package for Luis Scola. He figures to again be the primary starter at center this season for a Suns team with playoff aspirations.