Lu Dort Fully Guaranteed Through 2023
The Thunder have guaranteed the final two years of Luguentz Dort‘s four-year contract, locking him up through the 2022/23 season, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweets. The standout second-year wing will earn $1,782,621 in the 2021/22 season and $1,930,681 in the final year of his deal, 2022/23.
After going undrafted in 2019 out of Arizona State, Dort began his NBA career as a two-way player. His staunch defense and athleticism help him earn his way into the rotation for a playoff-bound Thunder club last season, and he was eventually promoted to a permanent role with the team. Oklahoma City inked him to a four-year, $5.4MM deal about a month before the 2019/20 season’s resumption in the Orlando “bubble.”
The 6’3″ wing has started every game of his second NBA season during 2020/21, and is averaging 29.7 MPG for Oklahoma City during a rebuilding year for the franchise. The 21-year-old is averaging 12.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 1.6 APG.
With a 17-23 record, the Thunder are actually a mere two games behind the Grizzlies for a chance to partake in the NBA’s play-in tournament as the No. 10 seed in the West.
Oklahoma City appears satisfied to stay out of the playoffs this season, as the team remains in asset-accrual mode — the Thunder added a 2027 second-round draft pick today in a deal with the Heat. Nicola Lupo of Sportando notes that Oklahoma City has 35 future picks and swap rights across the next seven NBA drafts. The discovery of Dort, who went undrafted, is a shining example of the quality of the Thunder’s scouting department.
Heat Notes: Butler, Silva, Trade Deadline, Vučević
Heat wing Jimmy Butler, a five-time All-Star, has been having an MVP-level impact on Miami’s success when available this season, writes Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. Butler has led the way during the team’s recent 13-4 tear, which has propelled Miami from a 7-14 record to its current 20-18 mark, good for the No. 4 seed in the East.
Butler is averaging team bests in points (22.5 PPG), assists (9.1 APG), steals (2.1 SPG) and plus-minus (plus-117) during this 17-game turnaround. Though missing 14 games early may keep Butler from actually netting MVP honors, his impact on one of the best teams in its conference should certainly help cement his status as an All-NBA player for the 2020/21 season. The club is 16-8 when Butler plays and 4-10 when he sits.
There’s more out of South Beach:
- For now, Heat forward Chris Silva may have taken the rotation slot of rookie Precious Achiuwa, the No. 20 selection out of Memphis in the 2020 draft, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Achiuwa played season lows of 4:33 on Thursday and just 3:02 on Friday, both Heat victories.
- As the Heat rise up the East rankings, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel wonders if Miami should be proactive in looking to make win-now trades this month. The NBA trade deadline is March 25, and the pricey expiring contracts of veterans Meyers Leonard, Kelly Olynyk, and Andre Iguodala could all be in play. The Heat hold team options on Leonard and Iguodala for the 2021/22 season.
- In a separate article for The Sun Sentinel, Winderman speculates about whether the Heat could realistically trade for Magic All-Star center Nikola Vučević. Such a move would presumably send current starting center Bam Adebayo back to starting at the power forward position, at least on offense. Winderman notes that a deal centered around Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Precious Achiuwa, and some salary-matching veterans could be enough to pique the Magic’s interest. This would significantly deplete Miami’s backcourt.
Central Notes: Bulls Starters, Healthy Cavs, Diallo, Weaver
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan is rumored to be making significant changes to the club’s starting lineup, a source informs Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. Veteran Tomáš Satoranský could replace second-year point guard Coby White, and veteran forward Thaddeus Young could be moved in to start ahead of third-year center Wendell Carter Jr. as soon as tonight, in time for the team’s game against the Raptors.
Slow starts have impeded the Bulls lately, losers of four of their last five contests. Mayberry notes that Chicago’s traditional starters have been struggling. The team’s starting five of White, Carter, All-Star Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, and Lauri Markkanen is averaging a lackluster minus-17.6 net rating. K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago details what the changes – should they transpire – mean for the Bulls.
There’s more out of the Central Division:
- The 14-23 Cavaliers have not had been able to field a fully healthy roster for most of the season, but with Kevin Love and Larry Nance Jr. back in the lineup, the team has some rotation decisions to make, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com writes. “I don’t know the last time we had a full, available roster,” Cleveland head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Been frustrating for us as coaches because it’s been different positions as we’ve moved through it.” Before they returned Friday, Love had been unavailable for 33 games, while Nance had missed the preceding 12.
- Athletic Pistons swingman Hamidou Diallo, arriving fresh from the Thunder after a deal yesterday, will serve as an exciting addition to Detroit, thanks in large part to his exceptional defensive upside, writes Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press.
- Pistons general manager Troy Weaver may not be done reshaping Detroit’s roster, according to Rod Beard of the Detroit News. After adding Diallo this weekend and waiving Blake Griffin earlier this month, it’s become clear that Weaver is prioritizing a younger, more athletic future.
Atlantic Notes: Nets Rotation, Embiid, Barrett, Knicks
Nets head coach Steve Nash is not worried about how the return of Kevin Durant and the incorporation of newcomer Blake Griffin will affect Brooklyn’s forward rotation, per Chris Milholen and Matthew Brooks of Nets Daily.
“We cross it when it comes because who knows who will be available when Kevin is available,” Nash said. “We are presuming everyone’s available when Kevin is, but if the season is any indication that might be full-hearted, so we’ll see.”
There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:
- The Sixers will be without All-Star center Joel Embiid, out multiple weeks with a bone bruise, prompting Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer to assess how the 76ers can adjust to temporary life on the floor without the big man. The team will have to lean on the scoring output of forward Tobias Harris and the passing and defensive acumen of All-Star guard Ben Simmons more than ever.
- Second-year Knicks shooting guard RJ Barrett has elevated his game during his sophomore season, according to Barbara Barker of Newsday. Barrett is playing a crucial role for a 20-19 New York team that is currently the No. 7 seed in the East, including recording a career-high 32 points against the Thunder in a 119-97 Saturday win. He is averaging 17.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, and 2.9 APG, and currently sports a markedly improved slash line of .452/.359/.730.
- The second half of the Knicks‘ thus-far charmed 2020/21 season looks to be a real test for the upstart squad, says Steve Popper of Newday. Popper contends that new head coach Tom Thibodeau and newly-minted All-Star Julius Randle will be nothing if not prepared.
California Notes: Poole, Kostas, Smailagić, Walton
As the Warriors strive to make a return to the playoffs, they owe it to themselves to give young reserve guard Jordan Poole more minutes, Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area opines. Poole can provide some ball-handling for the second unit, a skill that is not a strength for his fellow backup guard Brad Wanamaker. With a 19-18 record, the Warriors are currently the No. 10 seed in the crowded Western Conference, which would qualify them for the play-in portion of the 2021 playoffs.
After Jordan Poole outperformed expectations playing for the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League Orlando “bubble,” Monte Poole believes the time has come for him to get extended run spotting Stephen Curry in the second and fourth quarters during the All-Star point guard’s allocated rest breaks. Poole averaged 22.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 3.5 APG across 11 games (all starts) with Santa Cruz.
There’s more out of California:
- Lakers reserve forward Kostas Antetokounmpo, who signed his second two-way contract with Los Angeles during the offseason, has entered the league’s COVID-19 protocols, Dave McMenamin of ESPN tweets. Center Marc Gasol remains away from the team in coronavirus protocols as well.
- Warriors forward Alen Smailagić has been recalled from Golden State’s G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, the team announced in a press release. Smailagić averaged 7.5 PPG and 4.4 RPG in 10 games for Santa Cruz.
- While Kings head coach Luke Walton‘s job remains safe entering the second half of the 2020/21 season, Sacramento’s roster may undergo some changes with the March 25 deadline fast approaching, according to Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee.
Latest On LaMarcus Aldridge: Best Fits, Trade Issues, Heat
Now that former All-Star power forward/center LaMarcus Aldridge is set to part ways with the Spurs, there is widespread speculation across the league about how exactly he can be moved (the Spurs are focused on a trade rather than a buyout) and which teams provide the best fit for the aging big man.
Bobby Marks of ESPN discusses the difficulties of making an Aldridge trade work during an Instagram conversation (video link), noting, “San Antonio is not known to make trades during the regular season,”
Marks acknowledges that, due to Aldridge’s exorbitant $24MM expiring deal, a team would have to send out at least $19MM in contracts when making a trade. Because the Spurs are just $1MM below the tax line, they’ll look to avoid taking back more than $25MM back in contracts unless they send out additional players.
Marks lists five clubs that could potentially deal for Aldridge: the Celtics, who own a $28.5MM TPE, the Heat, the Sixers, the Suns, and a reunion with the Trail Blazers. Marks considers the Suns to be the best fit for Aldridge if he were to reach the buyout market, where the 35-year-old veteran could serve as a backup behind starting center Deandre Ayton.
David Aldridge, Sam Amick, and Joe Vardon of The Athletic discuss the best potential landing spots for Aldridge. Beyond the teams Marks touches on, Aldridge is considered an interesting fit with the Lakers to replace the largely-ineffective Marc Gasol in the rotation at center. The Athletic writers consider Aldridge still capable of contributing to a playoff contender at this late stage in his career.
Speaking of the Heat, Anthony Chiang and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald report that Miami numbers among the teams who have spoken with the Spurs about potentially trading for Aldridge, though the Heat are probably limited in players they would be willing to sacrifice to reach the $19MM threshold necessary for an Aldridge exchange.
J.J. Redick Undergoes Heel Treatment
Following non-surgical treatment today to address a sore, inflamed right heel, Pelicans guard J.J. Redick will miss at least one week of game action, according to an Associated Press report. New Orleans will re-assess the heel next week and adjust his recovery timeline accordingly.
Redick, currently on an expiring $13MM deal, has been floated as a possible sharpshooting addition to more playoff-ready rosters. With a 15-21 record, the Pelicans are currently the No. 11 seed in the West.
The 36-year-old Redick, who has been moved to a full-time bench role for the first time since the 2012/13 NBA season, is averaging 8.7 PPG on 40.7% field goal shooting and 36.4% shooting from long range this season.
The AP’s report goes on to note that the loss of Redick, a key reserve for the Pelicans this season, will yield more minutes for young guards Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis Jr.
“Hopefully, they make good, smart plays, take good shots — not any added pressure on them,” New Orleans head coach Stan Van Gundy said of the players’ increased workload. “They’re just going to get opportunities.”
Aaron Gordon Cleared To Return
Magic forward Aaron Gordon, who has missed the last 15 games with a sprained left ankle, has been cleared to return to the floor for Orlando as they face off against the Heat, their fellow Floridians, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald tweets. The Magic have a 5-10 record in their 15 most recent contests without Gordon.
Chiang adds (Twitter link) that Orlando head coach Steve Clifford has stated that Gordon will start for the team, but will be playing on a minutes restriction as he eases his way back into game shape.
Through 19 games this season (all starts), the 25-year-old is averaging 13.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.8 BPG and 0.7 SPG in just 29.1 MPG. Gordon is in the third season of a four-year, $80MM contract he inked with the Magic in the summer of 2018.
Gordon’s return to game action will be a welcome one for an injury-depleted Magic club that is missing starters Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz for the season due to knee injuries. Rookie point guard Cole Anthony and veteran wings Terrence Ross, James Ennis III and Evan Fournier are all out tonight with various maladies, but are expected to return soon.
Teams around the NBA also figure to be keeping a close eye on Gordon during the next week or two to assess his health, since he could be a popular trade target at this month’s deadline.
Game, Playoff Appearance Limits For Two-Way Players Lifted
The NBA’s Board of Governors, a group comprising all 30 team owners and league commissioner Adam Silver, has green-lit a deal to remove the 50-game cap on players signed to two-way contracts, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets. The Board of Governors will also now let those players join their clubs’ playoff rosters.
Last week, we relayed that the league planned to loosen the restrictions for players on two-way contracts, but was still holding for official ratification from the Board of Governors.
[RELATED: 2020/21 NBA Two-Way Contract Tracker]
Charania adds (via Twitter) that, as was initially reported last week, two-way players who take the floor for their NBA teams for more than the initially-allotted 50 games would get a raise, from their current $449,155 annual rate (half of the rookie minimum) to the league minimum that correlates with their total years logged in the NBA, which can be tracked here.
With several teams facing daunting second-half season schedules and new COVID-19 cases still impacting roster availability, this move will hopefully help teams avoid missing too many scheduled contests during the home stretch of this unique 2020/21 season.
Western Notes: Pelicans, Warriors, Collins, Rockets
Though the Pelicans had a rocky start to the 2020/21 season, they remain in the hunt for a play-in appearance. With a 15-21 record, New Orleans is currently three games behind the Grizzlies, the No. 10 seed, for a shot at a postseason play-in game. Christian Clark, Rod Walker and Scott Kushner of NOLA.com explore how New Orleans might be able to make the postseason.
The NOLA.com team examines the Pelicans’ porous defense, whether or not guard Lonzo Ball‘s improvement since missing a handful of games in January with knee soreness is here to stay, and the lack of consistent minutes for multiple recent first-round picks. The improvement of Zion Williamson on offense, reflected by his first All-Star appearance this weekend, also gives the writers hope for the Pelicans’ postseason chances.
There’s more out of the Western Conference:
- The Warriors have several big-picture items to address heading into the post-All Star break portion of the year, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Slater examines the future of pricey forward Kelly Oubre Jr., an unrestricted free agent this summer, plus the development of young big men James Wiseman and Eric Paschall, among other issues.
- With Atlanta power forward John Collins rumored to be a trade target for the sinking 7-29 Timberwolves, Michael Rand of the Star Tribune assesses how such a deal could play out. Collins, still just 23, rejected a reported $90MM+ extension from Atlanta earlier this season in the hopes of netting a much bigger offer sheet this summer. His two-way impact could greatly improve the struggling Timberwolves, who are undersized at the position and clearly in need of an interior defensive presence. Orlando power forward Aaron Gordon also may be a target.
- The reeling 11-23 Rockets, losers of 13 straight, face a bevy of questions heading into the season after the All-Star break, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle writes. Feigen wonders how much of Houston’s trouble can be solved by the expected return of injured big man Christian Wood (whose 13-game absence has coincided with the team’s losing streak), and just how good Wood will prove to be over the length of his new deal with the team. Feigen also discusses new addition Kevin Porter Jr., and considers just how much of the team’s veteran-laden roster will stick around past the trade deadline.