Lowe’s Latest: Clippers, Raptors, Wizards, Suns
The Clippers are trying to acquire a small forward without giving up one of their four core players and ESPN’s Zach Lowe reports that Austin Rivers and Jamal Crawford aren’t drawing much interest from opposing teams. The franchise called the Wizards trying to bring Otto Porter to Los Angeles, but Washington was disinterested in engaging in trade talks.
A package of Rivers, Crawford, and a “distant” first-rounder won’t be enough to pry Wilson Chandler from the Nuggets, Lowe reports. Denver is seeking a lottery-protected first-round pick and swap rights on another pick for Chandler or Danilo Gallinari. The Nuggets intend to compete for the eighth seed in the Western Conference and they believe they can do it without one of their veteran small forwards.
Here’s more from Lowe’s latest piece:
- The Raptors would like to add another rotation player, sources tell Lowe. The Raptors currently have 15 players under contract, but they could waive Jared Sullinger should they need an open roster spot. Lowe adds that any deal that sends out a high-priced veteran is not likely to occur until the offseason.
- The Wizards are also eager to add a rotation player. The team has been linked to Lou Williams and it has explored trading a protected first-rounder in exchange for him. Lowe believes that’s too much value for Washington to give up and opines that two second-round picks may be able to get a deal completed.
- The Suns are listening to offers on most of their veterans and Lowe writes that P.J. Tucker is the player who is most likely to be traded. The scribe names the Clippers and Raptors as teams to watch.
- The Bucks are willing to listen to offers for anyone besides Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker, Thon Maker and Khris Middleton. Lowe adds that the Wolves have expressed interest in Tony Snell.
- Jahlil Okafor was close to being acquired by the Blazers before the team traded for Jusuf Nurkic. Lowe adds that the Sixers did not hold Okafor out of two contests to simply drive up his price.
- The two-way contracts for players who play in the NBA as well as the D-League could increase the value of second-round picks going forward, Lowe speculates. The scribe adds that front offices are still examining the new CBA and it could cause some teams to wait until after the season to make major deals.
Pacers Notes: George, Ibaka, Trades
The Pacers are banking on Paul George to make the All-NBA team this season so they can offer him the new designated mega-extension this summer, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe. Lowe opines that George is unlikely to earn that honor this season, which would limit what Indiana can offer and therefore would decrease the likelihood that the star forward stays in town long-term.
George could still qualify for that mega extension if he makes an All-NBA team next season. If he earns the honor at that time, the Pacers would only have months to negotiation an extension, as he will be a free agent come July 2018.
Here’s more from Indiana:
- The Pacers weren’t interested in acquiring Serge Ibaka, Lowe hears. The team reportedly is interested in trading its first-rounder in exchange for an established wing or frontcourt player.
- George would like the team to add a player who can shoot and defend on the wing, J.Michael of Comcast Sportsnet relays. “We definitely need shooters, somebody that can defend and stretch the floor for us a little bit more. Just go with the trend what the NBA is doing,” said George. “A lot of teams have stretch bigs or playing four perimeter guys that can shoot the ball. We got to follow the trend and put ourselves on that level to compete against those stretch teams.”
- Gregg Doyel of the Indianapolis Star believes the clock is ticking on George’s time with the Pacers. George wants to play for a championship-caliber team and Indiana doesn’t appear to be a serious contender. Doyel argues that the team should consider trading George as it can’t risk losing him for nothing next summer.
Celtics, Clippers Discussed Blake Griffin Trade
The Celtics have had discussions with the Clippers regarding Blake Griffin, though a deal remains extremely unlikely, sources tell Zach Lowe of ESPN.com. If Los Angeles were to send Griffin to Boston, it would require the Celtics to give up Jae Crowder and either Avery Bradley or Marcus Smart in addition to future picks, sources tell Lowe.
Griffin will be a free agent after the season and Boston would likely need official permission to speak with the power forward before making an official offer to Los Angeles. The team would want to gauge Griffin’s interest in re-signing in Boston and Lowe notes that Minnesota allowed Cleveland to have similar conversations with Kevin Love before he was acquired by the Cavs.
Griffin isn’t the only star that the Celtics have interest in bringing aboard. Lowe adds that the team has “zeroed in” on Jimmy Butler and Paul George, though both appear unlikely to be traded. Lowe hears that the Pacers are turning away trade inquiries on George and it was reported earlier today that the Bulls are leaning toward keeping the 3-time All-Star. Lowe writes that the Celtics would need to include Brooklyn’s 2017 pick in an offer to entice the Bulls and Chicago could even demand both of the Nets’ picks in exchange for Butler.
Mavericks Notes: Bogut, Draft, Singh
Trade speculation has surrounded Andrew Bogut, but the big man doesn’t believe he will be traded before next week’s trade deadline, Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News writes. “That’s not a question for me to answer,” he said when asked if he thinks he’ll remain with the Mavs all season. “But I don’t think anything’s going to happen.”
Here’s more from Dallas:
- Denver was able to land a quality center in exchange for a Jusuf Nurkic and a future first-round pick. Sefko believes (separate piece) that the Mavs should be able to land an even better haul for Bogut and one of their picks.
- The Mavs will likely be looking for a point guard in the upcoming draft and the Dallas Morning News takes a look at Frank Ntilikina’s game. Chad Ford of ESPN.com ranks Ntilikina 11th among the prospects eligible for the 2017 draft.
- Satnam Singh, who the Mavs selected with No. 52 overall pick in the 2015 draft, is trying to make it as a wrestler in the WWE, Sefko writes in a separate piece. Singh never got an opportunity to play for the NBA club, but he spent parts of the past two seasons with the team’s D-League affiliate.
Heat Hire Shane Battier To Front Office Role
The Heat have hired Shane Battier as their Director of Basketball Development & Analytics, according to a team press release.
“We believe Shane is an incredible example of our Heat program, not only for the present, but also for the future,” team president Pat Riley said. “He embodies everything that we are looking for in our players and staff. We feel he will help us tremendously with his experience and knowledge of the game. Shane is an out-of-the-box thinker and will bring a fresh expertise that can help us evolve as a franchise.”
Battier, who played three seasons in Miami, will be involved with the development of analytics in evaluating talent and that will include college prospects, free agents, and current players, according to the team.
“I am thrilled to be joining the front office of the Miami Heat,” said Battier. “I look forward to working with the Arison family, learning from a Hall of Fame executive in Pat Riley, General Manager Andy Elisburg and of course my old coach, Erik Spoelstra. My goal, as is the entire organizations, is to bring another championship back to Miami.”
Central Notes: George, Jackson, Ferrell
The Pacers have lost five straight games and Paul George believes it could be a result of the way the roster in constructed, Nate Taylor of USA Today passes along. “Maybe it’s changing schemes up in how we guard these spread teams,” George said. “This is a new league, a new NBA. I think we might have to go a different route and work on that as oppose to trying to make changes during games where we’re kind of not really sure how to guard something.”
George added that the team may need to make some changes going forward. “I think we just build for where the league is headed and just work on that because it’s not going to get easier,” he said “We’re going to keep facing teams that give us this challenge of spreading around the perimeter. That’s really where we’re losing.”
Here’s more from the Central Division:
- Coach/executive Stan Van Gundy remains confident in Reggie Jackson, Aaron McMann of MLive writes. “It’s an adjustment period for all of us, and I don’t have any doubts he’ll come back to playing the way he was before,” Van Gundy said. The Pistons reportedly have “quietly explored” the trade market for the point guard.
- The Pistons attempted to sign Yogi Ferrell before the season when the point guard was an undrafted free agent, McMann relays in a separate piece. “He’s a guy on draft night that didn’t get drafted, and we tried to get in the race for some money to have him guaranteed,” Van Gundy said. “But Brooklyn had gobbled him up. He ended up getting cut there and has really latched on and played very, very well for Dallas.”
- Jabari Parker underwent successful surgery on his left knee and the Bucks are expected to be without the former No. 2 overall pick for 12 months, Chris Mannix of The Vertical tweets.
- Cristiano Felicio‘s development is a major plus for the Bulls’ front office, Mark Schanowski of Comcast Sportsnet writes. Felicio will be a restricted free agent in the offseason and Schanowski believes the team will have tough competition for his services.
Kennedy’s Latest: Suns, Collison, Thunder, Pacers
The Suns would like to package their young players and draft picks in order to bring a star to Phoenix, Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype writes. Executives around the league tell Kennedy that they expect the Suns to continue their rebuild and trade away some of their veterans should they not be able to land a star player.
Here’s more from Kennedy’s piece:
- The Kings have made several players available, including Darren Collison. The point guard, who will be a free agent after the season, has seen an expanded role on the team since Rudy Gay injured his Achilles, as I wrote in this week’s Fantasy Hoops.
- It’s unclear whether the Thunder will be buyers or sellers at the deadline, but they are expected to be active. “They will do something, one way or the other. They won’t stand pat,” one anonymous GM told Kennedy.
- The Pacers are willing to trade anyone on the roster with the exception being Paul George, Kennedy reports.
- The Carmelo Anthony-to-Cleveland trade talks were “overblown,” Kennedy adds. The Cavs are still looking for outside help, as they are reportedly in trade discussions with several teams.
- Anthony Davis isn’t going anywhere and Jrue Holiday is unlikely to be traded, but anyone else on the Pelicans‘ roster is on the table in trade talks, according to Kennedy.
- Serge Ibaka was traded to the Raptors earlier today and a source tells Kennedy that Toronto was his preferred destination.
Fantasy Hoops: Ibaka, Nurkic, Collison
Hoops Rumors is examining the fantasy basketball landscape in order to help you dominate the competition. Check back weekly for more analysis.
Breaking Down The Trades: Part 1
Magic send Serge Ibaka to the Raptors for Terrence Ross and a 2017 first-round pick
Ibaka was a top-50 player before the trade and his overall ranking doesn’t change that much. He was averaging 15.1 points per game, which ties the highest mark of his career, and while that figure will probably decrease, it won’t hurt his overall value too much. He’ll likely offset a dip in scoring with an increase in field goal percentage, as Toronto’s offense should get him better looks than what he saw in Orlando’s clogged sets.
Ross should see additional opportunities with the Magic and he should be on the fantasy radar by the time he settles into a role with his new team. He was scoring 10.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game while adding a steal per contest in Toronto. He was only seeing 22.4 minutes per contest before the trade. The Magic rank 29th in the league in offensive efficiency, so Ross will likely see an increase in minutes as coach Frank Vogel looks to improve the team on that end of the floor.
Aaron Gordon is the player whom could see his fantasy value rise the most as a result of this trade. By shipping Ibaka north, the Magic can give Gordon more run at the power forward spot, which is his natural position. The offense should be better overall and Gordon should be able to take advantage of the extra space in the post.
Blazers trade Mason Plumlee and a 2018 second-rounder to the Nuggets for Jusuf Nurkic and a 2017 first-round pick
The deal isn’t great for Plumlee’s stat line. He’s going to come off the bench for the Nuggets and it remains to be seen whether or not he can play meaningful minutes next to Nikola Jokic. If he can’t, his value takes a major dive, as he will likely go from a player seeing 28.1 minutes per contest to someone who sees about two-thirds of that figure.
The trade is good news for Nurkic. He didn’t see action in five of his final 17 games with the Nuggets and in the 12 he played, he only saw 12.5 minutes per contest. While there’s not much elbow room in Portland’s frontcourt, the team doesn’t have one future star soaking up all the center minutes. Nurkic will get his opportunity to prove he deserves court time and I suspect he’ll eventually settle into a role that’ll provide him with 20-25 minutes per night. That’s enough run to make him worth adding in most leagues, though I’d let the situation develop before dropping a productive player for him.
There was another trade this week: Cleveland shipped Chris Andersen to Charlotte, but that deal doesn’t have any direct fantasy impact. Here’s more fantasy notes and analysis from around the league:
- Pau Gasol should be back on the court for the Spurs after the All-Star break and he’s a top-75 fantasy player going forward. If someone in your league dropped him when he injured his hand, pick him up now.
- Trevor Booker, who I wrote about in the inaugural edition of Fantasy Hoops, has been taken out of the starting lineup in Brooklyn, but that doesn’t mean you should do the same with him in your fantasy lineups. Since becoming a reserve, he has a higher field goal percentage and he’s averaging more points and steals per game than he did as a starter.
- Since the start of February, Darren Collison is sixth in the league in minutes per game. He’s taken on a bigger role on the Kings since Rudy Gay went down with a torn Achilles and he’s available in roughly 34% of ESPN leagues.
Fantasy questions? Take to the comment section below or tweet me at @CW_Crouse.
Statistics are current through Tuesday afternoon.
Cavaliers Willing To Increase Payroll
Ownership has told the Cavs’ front office that it can increase payroll this season, a source tells Sam Amico of Amico Hoops (Twitter link). Cleveland currently has the highest payroll in league history, even after shipping Chris Andersen to the Hornets.
Amico adds that Cleveland is in trades discussions with several other teams, but he did not provide specifics. The Cavs are expected to be without Kevin Love for the next six weeks, so the team could consider adding a big man, as Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors wrote earlier today.
LeBron James was critical of the team’s ownership earlier this season and at the time, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that the tension between the two sides was a result of the different viewpoints on team spending.
Part of the reason James returned to Cleveland in 2014 was the Cavs’ willingness to spend on talent, regardless of luxury tax repercussions, and owner Dan Gilbert reportedly agreed not to limit the team’s spending when James put pen to paper.
The Cavs currently have nearly $126.6MM in contracts on the books this season, as our Salary Cap Snapshot for the Cavs shows. That figure is roughly $13.4MM over the luxury tax line and the team is projected to pay slightly under $24.8MM in luxury tax penalties.
Lakers Shopping Lou Williams
The Lakers are shopping Lou Williams and it’s likely they move him before the trade deadline, Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype reports. Kennedy speculates that Cleveland could be a fit for the veteran. The Cavs have an open roster spot after trading Chris Andersen to the Hornets.
Williams, who will make $7MM both this season and next, is having a solid year off the bench for Los Angeles. He’s averaging 18.4 points per game while shooting 38.2% from behind the arc. He is also sporting a career-high 23.4 player efficiency rating.
The Lakers owe their first-round pick to the Sixers if it falls outside the top three. Kennedy notes that if the team deals Williams, it will have a better shot at keeping its pick.