Community Shootaround: Rajon Rondo
The Bulls benched Rajon Rondo for the second half of their game on Friday night and the point guard will remain out of the starting lineup. Michael Carter-Williams will start for the team. against the Bucks tonight and it’s unclear whether or not Rondo will even see back-up minutes.
Coach Fred Hoiberg had a meeting with Rondo this morning and the coach said Rondo “handled it well,” according to Nick Friedell of ESPN.com (ESPN Now link). Hoiberg added that the decision to take Rondo out of the starting line-up was not done as a disciplinary measure, as Vincent Goodwill of Comcast Sportnet relays (Twitter link).
After Friday’s game, Rondo said the benching was a not big deal, as Goodwill passes along in a full-length piece. “Things happen,” Rondo said. “It’s not life and death. Life is too short to be unhappy. It’s part of it, if I start, great. If I don’t, as long as we get the win that’s all that matters.”
Rondo was Chicago’s prized free agent acquisition, but Dwyane Wade‘s decision to come to the team just 12 days later overshadowed Rondo’s signing and created an overlap in skill sets within the backcourt. The point guard hasn’t played well since arriving in the Windy City. He’s only scoring 7.2 points per contest, which is the lowest figure since his rookie season, and he’s sporting a career low 11.2 player efficiency rating.
The down season is partly due to a reduced role, as his 16.6 usage rate is his lowest since his rookie campaign. Playing off the ball is not a strength of Rondo’s; he needs to the ball in his hand to make an impact. A change in scenery may be the best case scenario for the Kentucky product, perhaps to a team that will allow him to utilize his play-making skills.
Do you think the Bulls should trade Rondo? What team would make sense for the point guard and what could Chicago get back in return? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below. We look forward to what you have to say!
Nets Could Target Otto Porter In Free Agency
Otto Porter will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season and the feeling within the Wizards’ organization is that he will draw interest from the Nets, Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes.
GM Sean Marks has attempted to land restricted free agents in the past, but he failed on all three of his attempts. The Nets signed Donatas Motiejunas to an offer sheet earlier in the month, but the Rockets decided to match before they released the big man. Allen Crabbe signed an offer sheet with Brooklyn during the offseason, but Portland decided to match the offer and retain its play-maker. The same situation occurred with Tyler Johnson and the Heat over the summer.
Porter is enjoying an excellent fourth season in the league and he reportedly could command a maximum-salary offer in restricted free agency. The small forward is averaging 14.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while sporting an 18.1 player efficiency rating.
Raptors Notes: DeRozan, Patterson, Valanciunas
DeMar DeRozan became the Raptors‘ all time leading scorer earlier this week and his commitment to the franchise has never been stronger, Mike Ganter of the National Post writes. Back in 2010, Chris Bosh left Toronto and at the time, DeRozan tweeted, “Don’t worry, I got us.” Since that summer, the shooting guard has been the face of franchise and Ganter envisions his new record lasting for quite some time.
Here’s more from Toronto:
- Patrick Patterson has a strained left knee and if the injury forces him to miss significant time, the Raptors will have a major issues with their rotation, Ganter contends in a separate piece. Jared Sullinger is at least a month away from returning the court, so the team could be hard-pressed to find reliable minutes in Patterson’s absence.
- Jonas Valanciunas doesn’t fit in with Raptors anymore, Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun argues. Wolstat believes the big man needs to play with more energy and if he doesn’t start showing improvement, Lucas Nogueira is a better option at the center position.
- The Raptors lead the league in offensive efficiency and Ben Alamar of ESPN.com details how the team has found success despite being in the bottom half of the league in 3-point attempts. Alamar finds that Toronto’s ability to avoid turnovers is a major reason why the team is finding success.
And-Ones: Jackson, Griffin, Bogut
Phil Jackson announced via Twitter that he and Lakers team president Jeanie Buss have decided to end their engagement, explaining how the distance between the two has made sustaining a relationship a difficult feat. Jackson is under contract with the Knicks for two more seasons after this one, but his contract contains a mutual option that would allow either side to opt out this upcoming summer. Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post speculates that the decision to part ways with Buss could mean that Jackson is planning on staying on as New York’s team president. The Zen Master will make $12MM if he returns to the Knicks next season.
Here’s more from around the league:
- When Jackson took the Knicks‘ job, the league made Jackson and Buss sign documents to ensure there would be no conflicts of interest between the two clubs, Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com reports. Sources tell Shelburne that the documents included a provision that the duo inform the NBA and its owner should they ever decided to marry.
- Jackson had long been rumored to be a candidate for a role in the Lakers’ front office should Buss decide to make changes, though with the news of their break-up, it appears that door has closed, Bill Oram of the Los Angeles Daily News writes. Oram speculates that Jerry West return to the organization in some capacity should the team make organizational changes.
- Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer details how the Clippers are finding success without Blake Griffin in the lineup and the scribe wonders if the team should trade the oft-injured power forward. O’Connor notes that Griffin’s contract, which expires after this season, could dissuade rival teams from giving up valuable assets for the him, as he could simply walk in free agency.
- Despite owner Mark Cuban‘s declaration that the team isn’t interested in tanking, the Mavericks would be wise to trade Andrew Bogut with the future in mind, O’Connor argues in the same piece. O’Connor lists several teams, including the Blazers and the Celtics, that could use the big man’s defense.
Northwest Notes: Hill, Burks, Oladipo, Wolves
George Hill, who has been sidelined with a toe injury, could return as soon as Thursday against the Sixers, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com (ESPN Now link). The Jazz traded for Hill during the offseason, but the point guard has only been able to play in 11 contests due to injuries.
Here’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Alec Burks is making strides toward getting back on the court and the Jazz are excited to have the shooting guard back at practice, Aaron Falk of The Salt Lake Tribune writes. This week was the first time Burks practiced since breaking his ankle last season.
- Victor Oladipo remains out of the lineup, but the Thunder are viewing his absence as an opportunity to evaluate the team’s depth, as Brett Dawson of The Oklahoman passes along. “We’ve found maybe different things that we can do that maybe we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to explore, to experiment with,” coach Billy Donovan said. “Hopefully when he gets back, his absence has made us better and helped our team grow in a way that we can continue to move in a positive direction.”
- Jordan Hill hasn’t played much since joining the Wolves, but he remains optimistic about his role in the organization and the team’s future, as Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune writes. “In a couple years, man, I feel this team will definitely be a surprise,” Hill said.
- Coach Tom Thibodeau is having trouble finding minutes for Brandon Rush, whom the Wolves signed in the offseason, Youngblood relays in the same piece. “It’s tough to play 10 guys,” Thibodeau said. “We’re settled in a rotation right now. But that doesn’t mean it will stay that way. He’s a good pro, works hard every day.”
Community Shootaround: Rudy Gay
Rudy Gay, whose contract will expire after this season, clearly doesn’t want to be in Sacramento long-term. However, the Kings may be reluctant to trade him away since he’s playing well and the team is in position to end its playoff drought, as Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors details in his Trade Candidate piece.
If the Kings decide to pull the trigger on a trade, Gay would fit in nicely with several teams. Adams lists the Magic, Thunder, Pacers and Rockets among the teams to watch out for.
That leads us to tonight’s topic: Which team would be the best fit for Rudy Gay?
The Magic have some interesting pieces to offer the Kings. The Thunder could offer Sacramento a point guard of the future in Cameron Payne. The Pacers’ path to acquiring Gay could involve sending Monta Ellis plus a draft pick, as Adams suggested, to the Kings. The Rockets would need to get creative if they are going to acquire Gay without giving away a member of their core, but GM Daryl Morey has been known to make surprising deal or two.
Are one of these teams the best fit for Gay or would joining another franchise be best for his game? Let us know in the comment section below. We look forward to what you have to say!
Pistons Notes: Harris, Jackson, Van Gundy
Coach/executive Stan Van Gundy moved Tobias Harris to the bench last week and the small forward is embracing his new role, as Keith Langlois of NBA.com relays. “One thing I’ve learned throughout my career is, certain decisions as a player, you shut up and put your big-boy pants on and just be ready to play,” Harris said. “That’s the bottom line. Do what you can to help your team. That’s what I tried to do.”
Here’s more from Detroit:
- Reggie Jackson hasn’t looked sharp since returning to the lineup and his play has hurt the Pistons in the standings, as Rod Beard of The Detroit News details. The team is 4-8 with Jackson in the lineup this season.
- Van Gundy’s job remains safe as long as the Pistons get back in the playoffs, Beard contends in the same piece. Beard argues that because Van Gundy is both the team’s president and its coach, it’s unlikely he’ll take the fall for the franchise’s failures this season.
- The Pistons have multiple issues to work out if they are going to remain in the playoff hunt, Beard writes in a separate piece. “Regardless of lineup changes or anything else, we have to play a lot better,” Van Gundy said. “That’s one thing we did, but I’m focused on our defense being better, the pace and energy of our offense. That’s only one piece of it.”
Fantasy Hoops: Payton, Warren, Pistons
The 2016/17 campaign is entering its tenth week and Hoops Rumors is examining the fantasy basketball landscape in order to help you dominate the competition. Check back weekly for more fantasy basketball analysis.
Orlando’s Ace Off The Bench
The Magic’s offseason was filled with change, but the team planned on bringing back Elfrid Payton–their incumbent starting point–in hopes that he would continue to progress as a player and give the team some consistency. Payton struggled to begin the season, which provoked the organization to make another change: moving him to the bench.
The move has been mildly successful for the team, as Orlando owns a record of 9-8 since coach Frank Vogel re-adjusted the line-up, but it has brought even more success for Payton. Since moving to the second unit, the point guard is making 51.4% of his shots, up from the 43.0% he was making as a starter, and he’s averaging more points and assists per game than he was before.
Payton has always produced in the steals and assists categories, but his field goal percentage was detrimental to his value. Playing against opposing teams’ back-up point guards for portions of each game has allowed him to boost his offensive efficiency, similar to what Eric Gordon is experiencing in Houston.
He’s been particularly impressive over his last five games. He’s scoring 17.2 points per game on 58.3% shooting while adding 5.8 assists and a steal per game over that span. However, it’s worth noting that the team was missing Evan Fournier for two of those games, which led to a bigger role for the point guard.
Payton has become a fantasy asset and he should continue to be useful as long as his role doesn’t change too much. The team reportedly has interest in dealing him, as it may look to make even more changes, and if he’s dealt, his value will be dependent on what type of situation he’s looking at. If the Magic give Payton the starting spot back, or he’s dealt to a team that’s looking for a starter, his production is likely to be less efficient and his fantasy stock is likely to drop. Until then, enjoy his production and if he’s not owned in your league (available in over 30% of ESPN leagues), add him before Wednesday’s match-up against the Hornets.
Here’s more fantasy analysis and notes from around the league:
- T.J. Warren, a player whom I wrote about earlier in the month, is still available in over half of ESPN leagues and that number should be much lower. The Suns are second in the league in pace this season, but the team is playing even faster when Warren is in the line-up. With him on the floor, the team is seeing nearly four more possessions per 48 minutes than when he sits. Before he was sidelined with a head injury, the small forward was a top-10 fantasy player at his position, in part because of the speed at which the team plays, and he’s starting to regain his form again.
- Last week, Stan Van Gundy threatened that changes were coming for the Pistons. Since then, the coach moved Tobias Harris to the bench and it has helped the forward’s production. He’s scoring 23.5 points per game while shooting 53.6% from the field over his last two contests.
- Van Gundy inserted free agent addition Jon Leuer in the starting line-up and the big man is also enjoying success. He’s shooting 51.1% from the field this season and he’s making 89.1% of his foul shots, a spectacular number for a big man. The power forward is available in nearly 70% of ESPN leagues.
- The Mavericks signed Pierre Jackson earlier today. While the point guard is a scoring machine, his defense may keep him from seeing many minutes for the club. He’ll need to improve on that end of the floor if he is going to carve out a meaningful role with Dallas and he shouldn’t be on the fantasy radar until that happens.
And-Ones: Booker, Embiid, Karl
The Nets landed Trevor Booker during the offseason by selling him on the opportunity to expand his role, as he tells Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders (video link). Booker said the Hornets, Magic, Suns, Mavericks and Wolves were among the teams to reach out to him, but his relationship with GM Sean Marks made him feel comfortable joining Brooklyn.
Here’s more from around the league:
- Joe Harris is enjoying the opportunity to play for the Nets, as he tells Scotto in a separate piece (video link). Harris, who signed with Brooklyn on a two-year deal during the offseason, is seeing a career-high 23.5 minutes per game this season.
- Joel Embiid is the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award, but it’s partly due to the struggles of the 2016 rookie class, as Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders details. Kennedy notes that there isn’t a single 2016 draft pick who is averaging at least 10.0 points per game.
- In his book, George Karl claims that the NBA has a steroid issue, suggesting that performance-enhancers are the reason that players have longer careers in today’s NBA, as Dan Feldman of NBC Sports relays. It’s worth noting that in the book, Karl doesn’t present specific evidence of any particular player using PEDs nor does the former coach even acknowledge the advances in league-approved medicine or the increased awareness in players’ dietary needs, both of which have been proven to increase the length of an average career.
Southwest Notes: Murray, Aldridge, Jackson
San Antonio waived Nicolas Laprovittola earlier today and the development of first-round pick Dejounte Murray played a role in the team’s decision, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports (Twitter link). The Spurs viewed Laprovittola as a placeholder until Murray was ready to play minutes as their third point guard and apparently, they believe the No. 29 overall pick is ready for that role.
Murray started for the Spurs against the Blazers last week and he had an impressive game, making four of his eight shots from the field. Coach Gregg Popovich praised the rookie after the game, as Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News relays. “Dejounte did well,” Popovich said. “He controlled his emotions and wasn’t intimidated by anything. He played a good solid game.”
Here’s more from the Southwest Division:
- The Spurs want LaMarcus Aldridge to be more aggressive on the offensive end, Orsborn relays in the same piece. “I tell him every day he needs to score more and shoot the ball more,” Tony Parker said. “[Kawhi Leonard] is going to do his thing, but LaMarcus needs to be another force and he needs to do that every game.”
- The Mavericks signed Pierre Jackson earlier today and coach Rick Carlisle said the team wants to get “a close look at him,” as Earl K. Sneed of NBA.com (Twitter link) relays. Carlisle added that he believes Jackson was going to be the first D-League player to sign with an NBA team this season even if Dallas didn’t offer him a deal.
- Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News wonders now if the Mavericks can rise in the standings now that the team is starting to get healthy.