Dwyane Wade Discusses Owning A Team In Seattle
Seattle may have a powerful ally in its quest to rejoin the NBA. Dwyane Wade tells Joel Weber of Bloomsburg BusinessWeek that he would like to become an owner when his playing days are finished and is particularly interested in the Pacific Northwest.
“I definitely want to be a part of ownership in the NBA,” Wade said. “I’m not going to try to buy a team. I don’t have that kind of bread, but I definitely want to be a part of a great ownership group. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is all about players being involved in an ownership capacity. You’ve got players like Grant Hill involved in the Atlanta Hawks. Shaquille O’Neal is involved in the Sacramento Kings. It’s definitely something that I’ve talked about, some of my friends have talked about. But, first of all, I’d have to be retired.”
When asked which team he would like to own, the SuperSonics quickly came to mind.
“I want Seattle’s team, the Sonics, to come back,” Wade said. “I think Seattle is a great basketball town. I would love to be a part of that.”
Seattle has been without a franchise since the Sonics moved to Oklahoma City a decade ago. In speculation about potential expansion sites, Seattle frequently appears at the top, but the NBA doesn’t have plans to add any teams in the foreseeable future. However, the league has scheduled a preseason game at Key Arena in October as a potential test to see how the market responds.
Wade touches on a few other issues in the interview, including:
Do teams need dynasty-level talent to win an NBA championship?
“Right now you do. I raise my hand as a part of the problem. When the Miami Heat decided to bring the big three together—myself, LeBron James, Chris Bosh—in 2009, the game changed. Players understand their power. I don’t see that slowing down. I see the next generation—my son’s generation—getting even tighter.”
Do players talk about joining forces to beat the Warriors?
“Nobody’s calling me at 36, like, ‘Yo, we need you to come lay down this dynasty.’ But obviously you want to take down the champs, right? People who watch the sport can’t wait to see what’s going to happen this summer in free agency, because you want to see a team put together that can compete against a team like that. I’m watching. I’m a fan. I want to see a big splash this summer. I would love to see some guys team up. Our game has grown. When people say Golden State is hurting our game, that’s untrue. Our game is so high right now. It’s so great, but we would like to see somebody else get an opportunity.”
Which is the best team he ever faced?
“The greatest team I’ve ever played against was probably the San Antonio Spurs, with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. They challenged you in so many ways with the mental part of the game. It goes way beyond basketball. Golden State does that. They challenge you mentally as well as physically. And they have more talent than everybody, as well. It’s going to take some special kind of medicine to put a team together to get them.”
How has the game changed over Wade’s 15-year career?
“David Stern, our last commissioner, did an amazing job of helping us grow our game, saying ‘OK, we need a face-lift, and let’s do this differently.’ He made our game global to where, in China and other countries, it’s so big. The NBA wasn’t one of the top leagues. It was definitely looked at as a very thuggish league, you know. They used to fight back in the day a lot, a lot of real grown-man fights. And that was one of the things that David Stern cleaned up—getting the players out, getting us involved in the community, building the brand. He changed that. Once you hit somebody you’re going to lose all your money. The guys started dressing differently. He helped the new players coming in to start thinking of the NBA as more of a business. It really changed the mindset.”
Clippers’ Austin Rivers Exercises 2018/19 Option
JUNE 23, 9:03am: Rivers has officially opted in, according to RealGM’s Transactions log.
JUNE 21, 2:37pm: Clippers guard Austin Rivers plans to opt in for next season on a $12.65MM contract, tweets Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times.
Rivers’ move is one of three major player option decisions for the Clippers, who are also waiting to hear from DeAndre Jordan ($24,119,025) and Milos Teodosic ($6.3MM).
Rivers, 25, put up career-best numbers in his third full season in L.A., averaging 15.1 points and 4.0 assists in 61 games. He became a full-time starter this season, but missed six weeks with an injured right ankle.
Lakers Finding Resistance In Making Deals
If the Lakers are going to build the NBA’s next superteam, they shouldn’t expect much help from their competitors, writes Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.
L.A., which hopes to have enough cap room to offer two max deals and is the preferred destination for Spurs star Kawhi Leonard, ran into some resistance at last night’s draft. GM Rob Pelinka was hoping to acquire a pick early in the second round, but he couldn’t find another franchise that was willing to trade.
“So it’s not like teams are saying, ‘Oh, I’m not going to do a deal with the Lakers,’ but I do think when you have 16 banners, there’s going to be a natural envy from your competitors because you’re sitting at the top of the food chain, but that’s just life in general,” Pelinka said.
That follows a report on Thursday that the Lakers reached out to San Antonio last week about Leonard’s availability, but the Spurs “basically shut the door” on any trade talks. Leonard, who is unhappy with how the team handled his quad injury, will have the chance to opt out of his current contract and become a free agent next summer.
Leonard’s availability may affect how the Lakers plan their future, as Pelinka said the team will focus its resources on 2019 if it can’t attract its free agent targets this year. Those include Thunder forward Paul George, who has also talked about returning to L.A. to play for his hometown team, and Cavaliers star LeBron James.
“We do feel like the road is a flexible road for us; if July 1 happens with one or two superstar players, great,” Pelinka added. “If it doesn’t, we love this young core that we’re developing and we know 2019 could present some amazing opportunities as well. So really any road we go down we’re really confident in, but obviously for Lakers fans we want to be good, we want to be back in the playoffs where Lakers deserve to be and competing for a championship.”
Along with chasing their desired targets, the Lakers have a few free agents of their own to be concerned about. Julius Randle is in line for a huge raise, although he is restricted and L.A. can match any offer, and Isaiah Thomas, Brook Lopez, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Channing Frye are all unrestricted.
One move the Lakers won’t make is taking a chance on LiAngelo Ball, brother of point guard Lonzo Ball, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne (Twitter link). LiAngelo has been informed that he will not be part of L.A.’s summer league team, with one source telling Shelburne, “obviously there’s more to it than basketball.” She takes that as a signal that the organization doesn’t want any deeper involvement with the Ball family and its patriarch, LaVar.
Community Shootaround: Draft Winners And Losers
The Mavericks traded up to get the player they wanted, while the Celtics sat still at No. 27 and watched the athletic big man they needed fall into their hands. Both teams were among the top winners at last night’s draft, according to Basketball Insiders.
Dallas made an aggressive effort to move up to No. 3 to grab EuroLeague star Luka Doncic, who will be an intriguing backcourt partner for Dennis Smith Jr. The Mavs were able to complete the deal without taking on Kent Bazemore‘s hefty contract from the Hawks, allowing them to retain the financial flexibility to search for a big man in free agency.
To get Robert Williams, the Celtics didn’t have to do anything except watch him slide down the draft board. Considered a potential lottery pick going in, Williams was passed over because teams had doubts about his competitive drive. There aren’t any questions about his defensive skills or rebounding abilities, which is what Boston hopes to maximize. Williams averaged 2.5 blocks and 3.0 offensive rebounds per game at Texas A&M and could give the Celtics a physical presence they’ve been lacking in the middle.
There were several more teams that maximized their assets Thursday night, according to the Basketball Insiders piece. The Hawks added two sharpshooters in the first round in Trae Young and Kevin Huerter; the Magic got a game-changing defender in Mohamed Bamba, along with Tulane’s Melvin Frazier; and the Suns picked up two potential starters in Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges.
USA Today’s Michael Singer also picks the Hawks among the draft night winners, along with the Knicks for taking Kevin Knox instead of gambling on Michael Porter Jr. at No. 9 and the Spurs, who may have uncovered a treasure at No. 18 in Lonnie Walker.
Singer also picks some losers in the draft, naming Porter, who dropped all the way to 14th because of concerns over the condition of his back; Bridges, who got traded away from the hometown team that employs his mother; and Williams, who nearly fell out of the first round.
We want to get your opinion. Who had the best night at the draft, and which team made a mistake it will regret for years to come? Please leave your responses in the comments section below.
Dakota Mathias Gets Partial Guarantee From Cavaliers
Purdue’s Dakota Mathias has agreed to a partially guaranteed contract with the Cavaliers, tweets Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated.
The 22-year-old senior is known for his accuracy from long distance. He finished sixth in the NCAA this season in 3-point field goal percentage at 46.6% and is the Boilermakers’ all-time leader with 250 made 3-pointers.
No details were released on how much of his contract will be guaranteed.
Western Notes: Mavericks, Pelicans, Wolves, Okobo
After trading for Luka Doncic, the Mavericks plan to address their need at center through free agency, tweets ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “July 1 is right around the corner, bro,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “We’ll address it. There will be options.”
Chief among those options is expected to be DeMarcus Cousins of the Pelicans, who is still recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered in January. The Mavericks could also make a play for the Rockets‘ Clint Capela, who will be a restricted free agent, or the Clippers‘ DeAndre Jordan if he decides to opt out of his current deal. Another possibility is Dwight Howard, who is expected to reach a buyout agreement with the Nets once a trade from the Hornets is complete. Dallas has expressed interest in Howard before, and he is likely to be more affordable than ever.
There’s more tonight from the Western Conference:
- The Pelicans might be worth watching in the pursuit of Howard, according to Chris Mannix of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). Like the Mavericks, they have tried to acquire him before and he could be a low-cost replacement if they can’t re-sign Cousins.
- The Timberwolves continue to pursue draft-night deals, but first-round pick Josh Okogie isn’t likely to be included, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (Twitter link).
- French point guard Elie Okobo, taken by the Suns with the first pick in the second round, is expected to come to the NBA next season, tweets John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7.
- The Mavericks, Nuggets and Spurs were all among the winners in tonight’s draft, according to Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz of ESPN. Dallas was able to trade up to get Doncic, Denver saw Michael Porter Jr. fall to No. 14 and San Antonio picked up Lonnie Walker at 18. Other teams that had a good night, according to the authors, were the Pacers, Sixers and Celtics.
- There were voices in the Lakers‘ organization that wanted to trade up to get Mitchell Robinson, according to ESPN’s Ian Begley. Robinson went 36th to the Knicks.
Hawks To Trade Pick No. 34 To Charlotte
The Hawks have agreed to trade the 34th pick to the Hornets, tweets Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports. Charlotte used the pick on Kansas guard Devonte’ Graham.
The 23-year-old point guard spent four years with the Jayhawks and was named Big 12 Player of the Year as a senior. He averaged 17.3 points and 7.2 assists in leading Kansas to the conference title.
The Hornets need to find depth at point guard with back-up Michael Carter-Williams headed for free agency.
Atlanta will receive a pair of future second-rounders in return. They are due in 2019 and 2023, tweets Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer.
Draft Notes: Sixers, Magic, Doncic, Walker
The Sixers‘ coaching staff and front office had “serious conversations” about selecting Michael Porter Jr. before deciding on Mikal Bridges, tweets ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. The Sixers were intrigued by Porter’s potential to become a star, but bypassed him for a safer choice. Porter went four picks later to the Nuggets, while Bridges was traded to the Suns.
Because former president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo resigned in the wake of a controversy involving Twitter burner accounts, the Sixers are relying on a group effort between coaches and executives to decide on their picks.
There’s more from an active draft night:
- The Magic’s selection of Mohamed Bamba at No. 6 doesn’t mean Nikola Vucevic is headed out of town, tweets Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. Vucevic is heading into a contract year, making $12.75MM next season. Orlando has a potential logjam at center with Bismack Biyombo signed for $17MM next year with a $17MM player option for 2019/20. “He’s a good pick,” Vucevic said of Biyombo. “He’s talented and he’ll be a big presence.”
- The Mavericks won’t ask Luka Doncic to go through a full summer league schedule after just finishing up his season in Europe, relays ESPN’s Tim MacMahon (Twitter link). “He needs a break,” said coach Rick Carlisle. The Mavs will meet soon to determine how much they want Doncic to do this summer.
- A medical issue may have caused Lonnie Walker to drop to the Spurs at No. 18, according to Doug Gottlieb of Fox Sports Radio (Twitter link). However, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony states that health concerns regarding Walker were exaggerated and had little effect on where he was taken (Twitter link).
- The Cavaliers are hoping to buy a pick in the second round, sources tell Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com (Twitter link). The club can’t send out any more cash in trades during the 2017/18 league year, but could reach an agreement tonight and finalize it in July. The Cavs don’t own any picks beyond No. 8.
- The Bulls made an effort to move up, but decided it was “too expensive,” a source tells Vincent Goodwill of NBC Sports Chicago (Twitter link). Any move would have cost them the 22nd pick and future selections.
Draft Updates: Porter, Jackson, Knicks, Doncic
There are conflicting views among lottery teams over the medical report on Michael Porter Jr., tweets ESPN’s Jeff Goodman. Doctors from some teams advised staying away from Porter entirely, but medical staffs from other organizations don’t believe the risk is all that high. Concerns about the long-term condition of Porter’s back have caused ESPN’s Jonathan Givony to drop him to 12th in his latest mock draft.
Porter’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, provided newer and more detailed medical information to lottery teams today, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Bartelstein hopes the updated info will help ease concerns about Porter’s condition.
There are a few more draft notes to pass along:
- Jaren Jackson Jr. has softened his stance on going to Memphis now that it appears the Grizzlies might select him at No. 4, relays Wojnarowski. (Twitter link). Jackson, who refused to work out for Memphis, has given team officials all the personal information they asked for. Wojnarowski adds that coach J.B. Bickerstaff helped to sell Jackson on his future with the organization.
- The Knicks have narrowed their focus to Kevin Knox and Miles Bridges if they hang on to their No. 9 pick, reports TNT’s David Aldridge (Twitter link). It’s possible that Aldridge meant to type Mikal Bridges, who has been projected as a possible lottery pick.
- Luka Doncic confirmed on ESPN’s draft telecast that he plans to play in the NBA next season. That had been widely anticipated, but Doncic’s comments removed any doubt before the draft began.
- With the draft about to begin, the Jazz are still open to moving up, down or keeping their first-round pick, tweets Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune. Utah holds selections No. 21 and 52.
Suns Select Deandre Ayton With No. 1 Pick
The Suns picked up their center of the future by taking Arizona’s Deandre Ayton with the first selection in tonight’s draft.
The 19-year-old out of the Bahamas has been projected as the top pick for several weeks now, separating himself from the field with a strong performance during his freshman year with the Wildcats. Standing 7’1″, Ayton was dominant in the collegiate ranks, averaging 20.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.
Confident that he would be the overall top choice, Ayton conducted his only pre-draft workout for the Suns. Phoenix also brought in Duke’s Marvin Bagley III, Texas’ Mohamed Bamba and Michigan State’s Jaren Jackson Jr. at various times during the process, but the assumption all along has been that Ayton would be the pick.
The selection of Ayton kicks off what could be a very busy night for the Suns. They also hold pick No. 16, although they have reportedly been trying to trade up in hopes of acquiring one of the draft’s top-rated point guards in Trae Young, Collin Sexton or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Phoenix also has picks No. 31 and 59 in the second round.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.