Mavericks Notes: Hopson, Nowitzki, Mejri, Matthews
As expected, the Mavericks opted not to offer a second 10-day contract to shooting guard Scotty Hopson, according to Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. Hopson appeared in just one game and played eight minutes during his time in Dallas.
The open roster spot will be used to extend a 10-day deal to Jameel Warney, possibly today. The 6’9″ power forward/center has been playing in the G League, averaging 19.8 points and 9.5 rebounds for the Texas Legends.
There’s more this morning from Dallas:
- Coach Rick Carlisle told reporters Saturday there’s a good chance that Dirk Nowitzki will return for a 21st season, Sefko relays in a separate story. Carlisle said he hasn’t talked to Nowitzki about the topic, but there are reasons to believe he will be back. “At this point, it looks promising that he’ll play another year,” Carlisle said. “But it’s his decision and he’s got to think of everything involved. I’m personally 100 percent supportive of it because you just don’t want to see a guy like this go away. So we’ll see. Time will tell.” Nowitzki, who said in December that he’s leaning toward another season, is averaging 12.4 points in 65 games.
- The Mavericks may face a tricky market for center Salah Mejri this summer, Sefko states in another piece. Mejri has shown he can be a valuable backup, but his effectiveness is limited to about 15 to 20 minutes per game. Some team may be willing to offer the $3.5MM bi-annual exception or even the $4.5MM room exception, which may be more than the Mavs want to pay. They like Dwight Powell more and may land a center in the draft, so Mejri’s return for next season seems iffy.
- Wesley Matthews is likely to be back for another season in Dallas, Sefko adds in the same story. He has a player option worth more than $18.6MM and doesn’t want to leave before helping turn the Mavericks around.
- The NBA may choose to use the NFL’s punishment of Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott as a model in sanctioning Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, writes Tim Cowlishaw of The Dallas Morning News. The sexual misconduct allegations against the team’s front office and Cuban’s alleged sexual abuse in Oregon could cause commissioner Adam Silver to send a message with a harsh sanction, Cowlishaw adds.
Community Shootaround: NCAA Tournament Prospects
Our focus at Hoops Rumors is always on the NBA, but the rest of the basketball world will be concentrating on the college game for the next few weeks. Casual fans of the NCAA may be getting their first look at some of the top players who have been filling up mock drafts throughout the winter.
It appears that for the third straight season, the No. 1 pick won’t be in the tournament. Scouts say Slovenian star Luka Doncic has an NBA-ready game, and he may be the safest choice in June. However, there will be plenty of lottery picks on display when the tourney kicks off this week.
Here are a few names to consider when filling out your brackets:
- DeAndre Ayton, Arizona — The seven-footer is second behind Doncic in the latest mock draft compiled by Jonathan Givony of ESPN. Ayton brings a major presence on both ends of the court and is averaging 19.9 points, 11.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. The Wildcats are in the Pac 12 finals tonight and appear to be headed for a top four seed.
- Marvin Bagley III, Duke — Bagley is another imposing inside presence who may be able to succeed at center or power forward in the NBA. He is averaging 21.1 points and 11.5 rebounds per night while shooting better than 60% from the field for a Blue Devils team that will also be among the top seeds.
- Mo Bamba, Texas — This year’s draft is rich in big men, and Bamba may be the most imposing of them all, at least on defense. He averaged 3.7 blocks per game this year to go with 12.9 points and 10.4 rebounds. The Longhorns were a second-round loser in the Big 12 tournament, but appear to be safe for an NCAA bid.
- Jaren Jackson, Michigan State — Another intimidating big man, Jackson blocked 3.2 shots per game while scoring 11.3 points and pulling down 5.8 rebounds. He shoots nearly 40% from 3-point range, a quality that teams are looking for in a modern center.
- Michael Porter Jr., Missouri — Porter was one of the top recruits in the nation last summer and may have had a shot at being the top pick if not for a back injury that wiped out nearly his entire season. He returned for the SEC Tournament and could have an even greater presence once the NCAAs begin.
- The nation’s top two point guards could both have nervous waits tomorrow as the field of 68 is unveiled. Collin Sexton‘s Alabama team may have secured a late bid by beating Auburn on Friday, while Trae Young‘s Oklahoma team is on the bubble after a second-half slump.
We want to get your input. Which players are you most looking forward to watching under the March Madness spotlight? Jump into the comments section below and give us your feedback.
Bucks Waiving Mirza Teletovic
The Bucks will make room on their roster for Brandon Jennings by waiving forward Mirza Teletovic, the team announced on its website.
Teletovic, 32, was limited to 10 games this season by a medical condition diagnosed as pulmonary emboli in both lungs. He had a similar health scare three years ago when he developed multiple blood clots in his lungs.
Teletovic issued a statement last week denying that his career was over, but it’s uncertain if he could get medical clearance to ever play again. He had been participating in supervised workouts at the Bucks’ facility in hopes of returning to the court.
“The health of our players is our primary concern,” GM Jon Horst said in announcing the move. “The Bucks and Mirza Teletovic, in consultation with team doctors and other physicians, have been working together since December to evaluate and manage Mirza’s situation. As a result of the overall evaluation that we’ve gone through, at this time we are both moving on. We appreciate all of Mirza’s contributions to the Bucks organization and our community. We wish him a lifetime of good health with his family.”
Teletovic was in his second year in Milwaukee after signing as a free agent in the summer of 2016. He has one more season left on his contract at $10.5MM, but the Bucks may petition the league to remove that money from their cap, similar to what the Heat did with Chris Bosh.
Teletovic was a valuable reserve during his first season with the team, averaging 6.4 points in 70 games. He also played for the Nets and Suns in a six-year NBA career.
A report surfaced earlier today that the Bucks plan to sign Jennings to a 10-day deal, but a roster spot had to be opened before that could happen.
NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 3/10/18
Here are Saturday’s G League moves from around the NBA:
- The Raptors assigned Nigel Hayes and Alfonzo McKinnie to their Raptors 905 affiliate for today’s game against Canton, according to a tweet from the G League team.
- The Knicks sent Isaiah Hicks to their Westchester affiliate for tonight’s game in Milwaukee, the team announced (Twitter link).
- The Pacers assigned Alex Poythress to their Fort Wayne affiliate, according to a post on the team website.
- The Thunder recalled Dakari Johnson from Oklahoma City Blue, the team announced in an email.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 3/3/18 – 3/10/18
Every week, the writing team here at Hoops Rumors creates original content to complement the news feed. Here are our original segments and features from the past seven days:
- We unveiled our updated Free Agent Power Rankings with LeBron James and Kevin Durant still holding the top two spots.
- The Hawks were the latest team to be profiled in our Stock Watch Series.
- Luke Adams identified the five teams with cap room remaining and two others that could get there by renouncing their exceptions.
- In this week’s Community Shootaround Series, we asked:
- What should the Cavaliers do with their open roster spots?
- Which coaches should be replaced after the season?
- Who are the favorites for the Coach of the Year award?
- We run down the status of traded picks in this year’s draft.
- We look ahead at maximum salary projections for next season.
- Luke Adams examined teams with Disabled Player Exceptions, which will expire if they’re not used by Monday.
- Chris Crouse passed along some late-season advice for fantasy basketball.
- This week’s Mailbag addressed questions on Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, the draft lottery and Doc Rivers.
Five Key Stories: 3/3/18 – 3/10/18
In case you missed any of the past week’s top stories from around the Association, we have you covered with our Week in Review. Below are the most noteworthy stories from the last seven days.
The long layoff for point guard Derrick Rose ended Thursday when the Timberwolves signed him for the rest of the season. The move reunites him with Tom Thibodeau, who coached him in Chicago, along with several former Bulls players. Rose spent a month out of the league after being waived by Utah following a trade at the deadline.
The NBA issued a warning to the Bulls about resting healthy players. Chicago stuck center Robin Lopez and guard Justin Holiday on the bench while launching a youth movement, but the league determined that the move violated a new regulation adopted last summer.
Arizona center Deandre Ayton became the first major star to declare for this year’s draft. In the wake of a scandal at the school over accusations involving payments to players, Ayton, Rawle Alkins and Allonzo Trier all decided to enter the draft. Ayton is considered a possible No. 1 pick.
Kawhi Leonard tried to calm rumors of unrest in San Antonio, saying he wants to finish his career in San Antonio and announcing that he hopes to start playing again soon. A quad injury has limited Leonard to nine games this season. He can become a free agent in the summer of 2019.
Celtics forward Gordon Hayward is still holding onto hope that he can play this season. Hayward has spent the last five months rehabbing from a severe ankle injury he suffered on opening night.
Here are 10 more headlines from last week:
- Brandon Jennings returned to the NBA on a 10-day deal with the Bucks.
- Derrick Williams, the second player taken in the 2011 draft, signed a 10-day contract with the Lakers.
- The Magic signed Rodney Purvis for 10 days and waived Rashad Vaughn.
- Georgios Papagiannis, a first-round pick by the Kings two years ago, signed a 10-day deal with the Trail Blazers.
- Nigel Hayes inked a 10-day contract with the Raptors.
- G League guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes got a 10-day deal from the Grizzlies.
- The Bulls are considering a contract extension for forward Bobby Portis this summer.
- The Pelicans were relieved when an MRI on Anthony Davis showed he just has a sprained ankle.
- Hornets guard Michael Carter-Williams was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a posterior labral tear in his left shoulder.
- An ankle sprain will keep Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson out of action for about two weeks.
Anthony Davis Hurts Ankle; MRI Reveals Sprain
4:33pm: Davis has been diagnosed with a left ankle sprain, today’s MRI revealed, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. He is being listed as day-to-day and his doubtful for tomorrow’s game against the Wizards.
8:32am: Pelicans star Anthony Davis will undergo an MRI today to determine the extent of the damage to his left ankle, according to an ESPN report.
An injury forced Davis out of a game for the second straight night, this time when he rolled the ankle after grabbing a rebound in the third quarter. X-rays taken Wednesday night were negative, and the MRI will be conducted once the team returns to New Orleans from its West Coast swing.
“Won’t know anything until tomorrow,” coach Alvin Gentry told reporters after the game. “They took X-rays but couldn’t really tell a lot from the X-rays, so we’ll go back home, and I’m sure he’ll have an MRI at some stage tomorrow, and we’ll have more information.”
The Pelicans topped the Kings for their 10th straight win, and Davis has been putting up MVP numbers throughout the streak. He had 17 points, five rebounds and five blocks in 23 minutes before leaving the game. He also suffered bruised ribs Tuesday against the Clippers, but was able to return to the floor.
Davis, who was apparently being fitted for a walking boot after last night’s game, didn’t sound concerned that the injury will be a long-term problem.
“I feel fine, but they’ll have the team doctor look at it tomorrow and go from there,” he said. “Any time you twist an ankle it hurts, especially coming off somebody’s foot, because you really don’t have any protection. It was sore. I just wanted to make sure everything was fine.”
LeBron James’ Free Agency List Down To Four Teams?
LeBron James‘ list of potential free agent destinations for this summer is believed to only include four teams for now, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer. In addition to the Cavaliers, sources tell O’Connor that James is expected to listen to pitches from the Lakers, Sixers and Rockets.
O’Connor’s tidbit comes in a larger story about the Spurs and whether James might consider San Antonio because the mutual admiration between him and coach Gregg Popovich.
James is considered certain to opt out of a $35.6MM salary for next season and enter free agency for the third time since returning to Cleveland. He said earlier this season that he will be seeking a full max contract, which will start at $35MM+ per season, wherever he decides to go.
The Lakers have been trying to clear cap room in anticipation of chasing James and another maximum-salary free agent. Their efforts included last month’s trade of Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. to Cleveland, taking more than $12.7MM off next year’s books.
The Sixers would have approximately $31MM available if they decline their options on Richaun Holmes and T.J. McConnell and renounce free agents J.J. Redick, Amir Johnson, Marco Belinelli, and Ersan Ilyasova.
The Rockets would require more maneuvering, with nearly $24MM available, but with Chris Paul and Trevor Ariza both heading toward unrestricted free agency and Clint Capela being restricted. A trade like last year’s Paul deal may be Houston’s best chance at landing LeBron.
The cap isn’t a concern in Cleveland with the Cavs’ owning Bird rights on James, but the luxury tax might be. However, owner Dan Gilbert has expressed a willingness to keep making hefty tax payments as long as James remains in town.
Cleveland will have the advantage of being able to offer James a longer contract (by one year), plus 8% annual raises while other teams are limited to 5%. However, money may not be the deciding factor in where he plays next season.
Northwest Notes: Rose, Roberson, Brewer, Olshey
Derrick Rose, who signed with the Timberwolves earlier today, will make $460,468 for the rest of the season, tweets Bobby Marks of ESPN. The move will carry a $290,951 cap hit for Minnesota, which still has one open roster space. The team will save about $100K between the signing of Rose and the buyout of Shabazz Muhammad, Marks adds (Twitter link). Rose still has about $460K remaining on the minimum-salary deal he signed with the Cavaliers last summer.
Rose participated in today’s shootaround with the Wolves, tweets Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, and may play tonight against the Celtics, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston (Twitter link).
“I think I can play with anybody, to tell you the truth,” Rose said. “I know the game. I’m not a selfish player. I’m not here for stats or anything like that. I just want to win.” (Twitter link).
“I know who Derrick is,” added Minnesota coach/executive Tom Thibodeau, who coached Rose in Chicago. “I know who he is. I spent a lot of time with him.” (Twitter link)
There’s more from the Midwest Division:
- Thunder guard Andre Roberson is facing “the slow grind” of rehabbing from a torn patellar tendon, writes Brett Dawson of The Oklahoman. Although he has gotten past “the pain stages” of the injury, Roberson’s left knee is still mostly immobile and he can barely bend it. “It’s definitely the mental part,” Roberson said when asked about the toughest part of the injury. “Staying positive. Just tell yourself, ‘Day by day, get through it.’ And just grind it out.” Without Roberson, the Thunder have fallen from sixth to 21st in defensive rating.
- Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni is happy to see Thunder swingman Corey Brewer get another shot with a contender, relays Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Brewer, who played in Houston before being traded last season, signed with Oklahoma City over the weekend after agreeing to a buyout with the Lakers. “You can’t go wrong signing a guy like that,” D’Antoni said. “Guys wanted to re-sign him just for being on the airplane laughing with him. He’s terrific.”
- Trail Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey discussed the Western Conference playoff race, the challenges of operating without a direct G League affiliate and the plan to add more talent around Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum in a podcast with Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
L.A. Notes: LeBron, Billboards, Ballmer, Clippers
Former Laker Jordan Clarkson admits the possibility of LeBron James joining the team this summer was a frequent topic of locker room conversation, relays Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. Los Angeles has been a rumored spot for the Cavaliers’ star in free agency. James has never said he’s considering the Lakers, but his business interests in the city and his home in the Brentwood neighborhood have sparked speculation.
“I wouldn’t say like management and the coaches or nobody, but in the locker room people talk when they see what’s going on,” Clarkson said. “That’s probably the only thing people talk in the locker room.”
James can expect plenty of questions on the topic this weekend as the Cavaliers travel to L.A. to face the Clippers and Lakers.
There’s more NBA news out of L.A.:
- Los Angeles is the latest city to use billboards in an attempt to attract James, notes Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. After a Philadelphia-based company put up billboards near Quicken Loans Arena last week urging James to join the Sixers, an L.A. attorney has responded with four billboards in the Los Angeles area making an appeal for the Lakers. They include messages such as “Cleveland & Philly, you can’t compete with L.A.” and “#NextRetiredJersey.” The Lakers, who have received two heavy fines for tampering in the past year, are making it clear that they have nothing to do with the billboards.
- Clippers owner Steve Ballmer talks about the major changes the franchise has gone through over the past nine months in an interview with Bill Plaschke of The Los Angeles Times. The upheaval began with the Chris Paul trade last June, followed by the decision to take front office duties away from coach Doc Rivers, the hiring of Jerry West as a consultant and the decision to deal Blake Griffin to the Pistons. “I said, ‘Look, things aren’t going to progress this way … we need to make other changes if we really are going to put ourselves in a position to win a championship,” Ballmer said of the Griffin trade. “It was not an easy decision, but we’re in it to win championships, and it turns out, you have to take more risks.”
- More changes could be coming if the Clippers miss they playoffs, and they have an extremely challenging road ahead, notes Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times. Ten of their 13 games this month are against playoff contenders, and seven of those are on the road. “March is a monster for us,” Rivers said.