Western Notes: Bledsoe, George, Rondo
While his name has been consistently floated in trade rumors over the course of the past season, Eric Bledsoe wants to remain in Phoenix. That said, the Suns guard recently told Scott Bordrow of azcentral that he also wants to win.
Most recently linked to the Cavaliers in a move that would help Cleveland honor a recent Kyrie Irving trade request, Bledsoe has once again been earmarked as a potential trade chip. If the Cavs are seeking established veterans capable of contributing to a contender, then a player like Bledsoe could be an appealing part of a larger Suns package.
There’s no denying Bledsoe’s value in the NBA — he posted a career best campaign with the Suns in 2016/17, averaging 21.1 points, 6.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game. He just doesn’t line up with Phoenix’s “timeline” built around a young, rebuilding roster.
If the Cavaliers do choose to seek a buyer for Irving, then the question becomes whether or not the Suns are willing to package Bledsoe with enough assets to make a deal palatable for the Eastern Conference champions.
There’s more out of the West:
- The Thunder shocked the NBA when they managed to trade for Paul George earlier this summer. It’s already easy to see the swingman’s impact on the franchise. Erik Horne of the Oklahoman details how George can help the team’s offense, defense and even second unit.
- The decision to sign Ronnie Price to a two-year deal last summer has come back to haunt the Thunder. Fred Katz of the Norman Transcript has broken down the significant luxury tax impact the since-waived guard will have in 2017/18.
- The Pelicans are excited about the addition of point guard Rajon Rondo, particularly big man Anthony Davis who will be one of the prime beneficiaries of Rondo’s playmaking abilities. “He and I will do very well in pick-and-rolls, especially the way I dive to the basket, or I can pick-and-pop,” Davis told Jim Eichenhofer of the Pels’ official website. “He’s great at finding guys at the right times with the ball. Anyone who’s been in pick-and-rolls with him has been very successful. Hopefully we can do the same thing.“
Sports Bloggers, Hoops Links Are Back
After a short hiatus during the opening weeks of free agency, our weekly Hoops Links series is finally returning. Expect the next installment this Thursday.
Now that the dust has started to settle on a wild offseason and we don’t have to worry about our writers getting distracted by pesky Paul George trades, we can all get back to focusing on what really matters: scouring the internet for funny analogies that bloggers have come up with.
Every week, we collect all of the best original content we find throughout the blogosphere and shine a spotlight on it here. It doesn’t matter if it’s serious or light-hearted, if it’s a comprehensive oral history about a key moment in NBA history or an open letter to Greg Oden’s former neck beard. If it’s an engaging, original story, it deserves to be shared.
To be included in Hoops Links Vol. 11, submit your best links to Austin Kent over Twitter (@AustinKent). You may or may not bribe him with rare images of Shareef Abdur-Rahim but be forewarned that such nefarious appeals to nostalgia are only 85% effective.
Take a look back at the highlights from the 2016/17 season:
Hoops Links Vol. 1: Unpopular Raptors, Kobe GIFs, More
Hoops Links Vol. 2: The Next MJ, McGee’s Reign, More
Hoops Links Vol. 3: Traditional Big Men, Puppies, More
Hoops Links Vol. 4: Conspiracy Theories, Broken Mechanics, More
Hoops Links Vol. 5: Shirley Temple Lies, Milkshake Theft, More
Hoops Links Vol. 6: Coleman Flashbacks, Biedrins Flashbacks, More
Hoops Links Vol. 7: Fan Loyalty, International Coups, More
Hoops Links Vol. 8: Rick Carlisle Fan Fiction, Emojis, More
Hoops Links Vol. 9: Time Travel, North Korean Diplomacy, More
Hoops Links Vol. 10: The Process, The Godfather, More
Atlantic Notes: Knicks, Irving, Perry
The Knicks have come up as a possible landing spot for disgruntled Cavs guard Kyrie Irving but Fred Kerber of the New York Post wonders if the asking price for the All-Star may be a little too high.
The Knicks were one of four teams on Irving’s short list of preferred destinations but league sources say that New York is reluctant to part with young building blocks Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez.
Whether the franchise would actually let the inclusion of Hernangomez be a deal breaker or not, remains to be seen. Per one unnamed league executive, the Knicks would be wise to ultimately deal the Spanish big man if necessary but lumping Porzingis in with an outgoing package is another story.
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Recently hired general manager Scott Perry has yet to meet his boss. Ian Begley of ESPN writes that the former Kings executive has yet to officially meet Knicks owner James Dolan.
- As long as Kyrie Irving doesn’t go to the Warriors, Celtics forward Marcus Morris is happy. Per CSN New England, the recently acquired forward tweeted “Just don’t go to Golden State” shortly after news broke the the guard was looking to be traded.
- For the third year in a row the Celtics may have a battle for their final roster spot, 16 players have guaranteed rosters for the 2017/18 season. A. Sherrod Blakely of CSN New England breaks down how the roster looks after the addition of point guard Shane Larkin.
LeBron James Unwilling To Waive No-Trade Clause
The Cavaliers will have their work cut out for them sorting through the drama of Kyrie Irving‘s recent trade request. The All-Star point guard is reportedly concerned about the roster he might be left with if LeBron James leaves the team next summer.
Simply getting ahead of the issue and trading James before he could possibly bolt via free agency, however, isn’t a realistic option. Per Chris Haynes of ESPN, James has no intention of waiving his no-trade clause to facilitate a rebuild.
James, one of three players in the NBA with such a clause, has signed a series of short contracts ever since he returned to the Cavaliers in the summer of 2014, a strategy that has helped him maximize his earning potential while applying consistent pressure to the team’s front office.
Given that 2017/18 is the last guaranteed year on his current deal, James could technically opt out of his 2018/19 player option, hit free agency and potentially join another club in less than a year, something that has been speculated about over the course of the last month.
While there’s no substantive indication that he will leave for the Lakers (or any other franchise), the fact that it’s a possibility is apparently concerning to Irving, who doesn’t want to be left out in the cold, alone with a roster built around James’ playing style.
That limits team owner Dan Gilbert and recently appointed Koby Altman in what they can do to resolve Irving’s concerns, if they do in fact decide to react at all.
Atlantic Notes: Anthony, Carroll, Nader
The trade kicker built into Carmelo Anthony‘s contract may be a moot point, Fred Kerber of the New York Post writes. The veteran forward is apparently willing to waive the potential $8MM if the Knicks can send him to the Rockets.
According to league sources, the Knicks and Anthony have approached trade discussions under the assumption that the kicker would be waived all along, a testament to how willing Anthony is to leave New York.
Of course Anthony wasn’t always so open to leaving the Knicks. As recently as last season the forward seemed intent on remaining in the Big Apple, a famous point of contention between him and then-team president Phil Jackson.
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Recently acquired Nets forward DeMarre Carroll took another shot at the Raptors, telling Brian Lewis of the New York Post in so many words that the roster in Toronto just isn’t built to share the ball. “I had my share of iso already, so team-ball is my forte,” Carroll said. “You got two great All-Stars, two great players. That’s how they play. They were playing that way before I came, and they’re going to be playing that way long after I leave. They’re not changing that for me.“
- One of the big strengths that Brad Stevens brings to the Celtics is his impact on recruiting players from around the league, Chris Forsberg of ESPN writes.
- In his first year with the Celtics, Abdel Nader will make $1.2MM, the 2017/18 deal will then be followed up by two non-guaranteed years and eventually a team option in 2020/21. Basketball Insiders has the full contract details.
And-Ones: Dream Teams, Sports Betting, Roberts
Eight of the 12 players who played with Team USA during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London have since changed teams, Tom Haberstroh of ESPN writes. Seven of them either immediately or eventually reunited with a teammate from the same Dream Team squad.
The scribe has published a full feature detailing the impact that international teams have on superteams in the NBA, referring to playing internationally as a form of modern team-building.
The article, of course, touches on the fact that yet another player from that same team – Carmelo Anthony – could be on the move to reunite with Olympic teammates before the end of the summer.
Additionally, Haberstroh points out that five of the players from the 2016 Olympic squad can be free agents next summer. Could more reunions be in the cards?
That’s not all from around the NBA:
- Commissioner Adam Silver remains convinced that sports betting will eventually be legal in the U.S. Ben Fawkes of ESPN breaks down Silver’s opinion on the matter over the years.
- A panel of Sports Illustrated writers discussed who they thought the next superstar to change teams would be. Included in the various hot takes were Andre Drummond, Blake Griffin and even LeBron James.
- Former Hornets guard Brian Roberts is negotiating a deal with EuroLeague powerhouse Olympiacos, international basketball reporter David Pick tweets.
Cavs To Name Koby Altman General Manager
5:53pm: There’s more out of Cleveland’s front office. Per Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, the Cavs have parted ways with cap expert Tony Leotti and are expected to name Mike Gansey their new assistant general manager. Gansey was previously the GM of Cleveland’s G League affiliate.
4:08pm: The Cavaliers will be promoting Koby Altman to general manager, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets. After extensive talks, the decision to promote the current assistant general manager is “imminent.”
Earlier this month we speculated that such a move could be in the cards considering that Altman had met with Dan Gilbert to discuss the future of the franchise’s front office.
Already this summer, Cleveland has parted ways with David Griffin and seen an interest in appointing Chauncey Billups to the position fizzle. Throughout the process, Altman has performed the duties of general manager, no small task considering the offseason that has unfolded.
The news of Altman’s impending promotion comes in the midst of commotion that star point guard Kyrie Irving has requested a trade out of Cleveland. Legitimizing Altman’s role as the chief negotiator in such circumstances could help the organization maximize its return.
Central Division: Rose, Bucks, Tolliver
Don’t expect Derrick Rose to make his decision this weekend, contrary to previous reports suggesting that he would. Per Chris Haynes of ESPN, Rose will have a face-to-face meeting with the Cavaliers before ultimately making a decision next week.
After a decent if unspectacular lone season in New York, Rose has narrowed down a list of possible suitors to the Lakers and Cavs. His involvement with the latter could be impacted by recent revelations that starting point guard Kyrie Irving has requested a trade out of Cleveland.
While the parties are said to be engaged in a deal for the veteran’s minimum, the guard could see his role increase substantially if Irving gets his wish and is promptly moved.
There’s more from the Central Division:
- Consider Pacers swingman Lance Stephenson among those “heartbroken” that Paul George and the franchise have parted ways. The pair remain friends, Scott Agness of Vigilant Sports writes.
- Among those interviewing for positions in Jon Horst‘s front office with the Bucks is Knicks Director of Pro Player Personnel Mark Hughes, Ian Begley of ESPN writes. Hughes has played a large role in New York’s draft decisions over the course of the past decade.
- The decision to bring Anthony Tolliver back aboard will pay off for the Pistons in veteran leadership, Rod Beard of the Detroit News writes. “He’s one of the highest-character guys in the NBA. What he will do in terms of leadership is important to our team, but it’s important that he’s a guy who can go out and play,” head coach Stan Van Gundy said.
- The Pistons‘ chief goal this offseason was to improve their three-point shooting and Keith Langlois of the team’s official website writes that they’ve added a number of players that can help in that regard.
Thunder Agree To Deal With Yannis Morin
The Thunder have agreed to a deal with 23-year-old international center Yannis Morin, Erik Horne of the Oklahoman writes, confirming a report previously relayed by Sportando.
The French big man played with Oklahoma City’s summer league team and will join the franchise for training camp on a non-guaranteed deal. In five games in the Orlando league, he averaged 2.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game for OKC.
Morin has previously played in France’s Pro A and Pro B leagues.
Blake Griffin Signs Five-Year Deal With Clippers
JULY 18: With the Clippers having taken care of most of their other offseason business, Griffin has finally made his new deal official, according to the NBA’s transactions log.
JUNE 30: Forward Blake Griffin will remain with the Clippers, Shams Charania of The Vertical tweets. After cancelling meetings with the Suns and Nuggets, Griffin has come to agreement with the Clippers on a five-year deal worth the maximum salary, putting the overall value of the deal in the neighborhood of $173MM.
The two parties apparently finalized a five-year max deal during their meeting and Griffin didn’t feel the need to entertain offers from any other ball clubs. As Chris Mannix of Yahoo Sports explains, such a deal was likely so long as the Clippers were willing to fully commit to the 28-year-old power forward.
Per Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times, the Clippers pulled out all the stops in their meeting with Griffin and the forward was impressed. The meeting included what Turner describes as a “museum of Blake,” a recap of all the different parts of life that Griffin has experienced with the franchise, essentially.
With Chris Paul now out of the picture, this will mark the first time since his rookie year that Griffin is the focal point of Los Angeles’ offense. This, ESPN’s Jeff Goodman implies, could have increased the likelihood of a deal.
Despite the trade of Paul and the probable departure of J.J. Redick, the Clippers don’t appear to be ready to enter rebuilding mode. The club’s haul in its deal with the Rockets included multiple solid veteran players – Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams – and a pair of youngsters who could play rotation roles in Sam Dekker and Montrezl Harrell. If the club adds another veteran piece or two in free agency, it looks like a roster capable of contending for a playoff spot.
As we’ve laid out in our max salary projection chart, so long as the NBA’s most recent $99MM cap projection holds up, Griffin will make $29.7MM in 2017/18, gradually increasing up to $39.2MM in 2021/22. That’s a huge investment in a player who has battled injury issues for much of his career, but the former first overall pick is one of the game’s most talented bigs when he’s on the court, and the Clippers will keep him through the rest of his prime years.
According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, the deal will not include a no-trade clause.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.