Magic Notes: Fournier, Biyombo, Ibaka
Evan Fournier has been one of the best players in training camp so far and the Magic are expecting big things from their $85MM investment, John Denton of NBA.com writes. Fournier should see an expanded role this season as a result of the Victor Oladipo trade and the 23-year-old is ecstatic about the opportunity. “You can’t ask for more as a player,’’ Fournier said.
Here’s more from Orlando:
- The Magic are impressed with Bismack Biyombo so far in camp and Frank Vogel expects the big man to take a leadership role on the team, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel relays. Biyombo signed a four year, $68MM deal with the Magic during the offseason.
- The addition of Biyombo, along with the presence of Serge Ibaka, will allow the Magic’s perimeter players to have more confidence guarding opposing wings, Robbins adds in the same piece. “We haven’t had that many shot-blockers on our team in a long time,” Fournier said. “It’s a great feeling, man.”
- The arrival of Ibaka and Biyombo creates a logjam in the team’s frontcourt and Vogel believes the competition will bring out the best in the big men, Robbins writes in a separate piece. “Everybody on our team has to be selfless when it comes to position battles and minutes and all that stuff,” Vogel said. “Our guys are selfless. We talk about that, but it’s really about pushing each other and pulling for each other. At the end of the day, we’re all on the same team. We’re pushing in the same direction.”
Latest On Chris Bosh Playing For The Heat
A second blood clot was discovered in Chris Bosh‘s leg last season, leading team doctors to tell him that his career was likely over. However, the 32-year-old has been fighting the diagnosis since last winter, as Bosh discusses in a documentary on Uninterrupted.com (h/t to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com).
“[The Heat’s doctors] told me that my season is over, my career is probably over and this just happens, this is just how it is,” Bosh said. “I felt right away that I was written off. It was [claps his hands together] put it to the side matter-of-factly. If a doctor tells me, ‘Hey that’s it and this is how that is,’ and I don’t buy that. I have the right to disagree with you.”
Bosh firmly believes he has the ability to play again. “It wasn’t a matter of if I play again; it was when. So we took the bull by the horns,” he said. Last week, Bosh said that he has not yet been cleared by team doctors, but he has reportedly consulted numerous physicians for opinions on treatment and he believes he has found a medication regimen that will allow him to play. The team has not addressed Bosh’s statements.
Sources tell Windhorst that the Heat are not yet comfortable with clearing him to play long-term. If Bosh is not cleared by the team to play this season, he is expected to take the issue to the NBA Players Association, Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald writes. Bosh has three years and about $75.9MM left on his contract. His salary is guaranteed, but that figure could possibly come off of Miami’s future cap sheet if an independent doctor rules that he has become disabled. The team would not be eligible for cap relief during the 2017/18 campaign if he plays in more than nine games during this upcoming season.
According to one source, the team has “more optimism” that Bosh could play again at this point than it had at any point last year. Miami plans on welcoming him to join the team in training camp. Still, Bosh doesn’t consider his situation with the team resolved, Windhorst hears. Sources told Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com that there is no timetable for a resolution.
Windhorst describes the situation between Bosh and the team as “somewhat of a standoff” since the spring. Toward the end of last season, Bosh announced through his own public relations firm that he was planning on returning to the court. Ultimately, the player’s union pressured the two sides to meet and find a resolution. The two parties decided that Bosh would be declared out for the year and they would reassess the situation prior to training camp.
The Heat will open training camp on September 27th. The power forward is expected to partake in a Facebook live chat with Maverick Carter on Wednesday. Be sure to check Hoops Rumors for the latest on Bosh’s status with the team.
Bucks Looking For Help On The Wing
The Bucks are calling other teams to inquire about adding a wing in order to compensate for the loss of Khris Middleton, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical (Twitter link). Middleton is expected to miss six months of action after tearing his hamstring.
If Middleton is ruled out for the year, the Bucks could apply for the disabled player exception, which would give them $5.6MM to use in free agency, Bobby Marks of the Vertical adds on Twitter. The team would need a roster spot open if awarded the exception and Marks notes (Twitter link) that the team has 15 guaranteed contracts on the books.
The injury to Middleton is a devastating blow to a team that is looking to drastically improve upon its 33-win campaign. The core of Middleton, Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo was supposed to take the next step and elevate the team to contender status. Barring a substantial acquisition, Parker and Antetokounmpo, who recently signed a $100MM extension with the team, will likely be tasked with shouldering a bigger load on both ends of the floor.
Milwaukee signed Matthew Dellavedova and Jason Terry this offseason to bolster its bench unit, but it could be forced to insert one of the two into the starting lineup. Rashad Vaughn is also an internal candidate to see an increased role, but the sophomore didn’t have a particularly productive rookie campaign, so it may be a stretch to pencil him in for major minutes if the team intends on competing for a playoff birth.
Earlier today, we learned that Jabari Brown will join the Bucks for training camp. The team also signed J.J. O’Brien and Orlando Johnson earlier this month and while they all face uphill battles to make the team, opportunity awaits should a member of this trio excel during camp.
What should the Bucks do now that they will be forced to play much of the season without Khris Middleton? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say!
Wolves, Kevin Garnett Nearing Buyout Deal
The Wolves and Kevin Garnett are in advanced discussions on a buyout agreement, Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports (Twitter link). The team believes Garnett will opt to retire, Stein adds in a full-length piece.
President of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau said earlier today that Garnett and owner Glen Taylor would have discussions about the future Hall-of-Famer’s status. Taylor previously insinuated that if Garnett decided to hang up his jersey, the team would make a good portion of his contract available to him via buyout, so the big man wouldn’t have to return for the money.
It was reported that Garnett had concerns about whether his body could endure the 82-game schedule. However, he still had the desire to play.
“Yes, theoretically, he’d like to play. But he has some doubts of his knees holding up,” Taylor said at the time. “I think he’s worried if he can play. I worry about that too. When I talked to him last year, I said, ‘Is it your knees or what?’ He said, ‘It’s my whole leg.’ ”
There may also be other factors in play. Garnett apparently wasn’t pleased with the way Sam Mitchell was fired, Justin Termine of SiriusXMNBA adds (Twitter link). Mitchell told Termine last month that the situation could play a factor in Garnett’s decision.
Additionally, former Wolves coach Flip Saunders was believed to Garnett’s strongest ally in the organization, having convinced the veteran big man to waive his no-trade clause to come to Minnesota. KG. As Stein details, KG agreed to return to the Wolves in part because he was interested in joining Saunders in a potential ownership group for the franchise down the road. Saunders passed away prior to the start of last season, and it’s not clear now where Garnett’s ownership aspirations stand.
Mo Williams To Play In 2016
Mo Williams has been contemplating retirement, but it appears he has made a decision regarding his status. The point guard took to Twitter tonight and tweeted, “Coming back #onemoreyear.”
Last month, the Cavs decided not to use the stretch provision on Williams’ contract, which will pay him close to $2.2MM for the 2016/17 campaign. Williams battled injuries last season and only appeared in 41 games.
The 2016/17 season will be Williams’ farewell tour, as he won’t play past this season. “This is my last year,” the veteran guard told Chris Haynes of ESPN.com (Twitter link) when asked about the possibility of playing more than one season. Cleveland only has rookie Kay Felder at the point guard spot behind starter Kyrie Irving, so the Cavs will likely give the 33-year-old as many minutes as he can handle.
Khris Middleton To Miss Six Months
Khris Middleton has suffered a torn hamstring and is slated to undergo surgery next week, Shams Charania of The Vertical reports. Middleton is expected to be sidelined for roughly six months, according to the team’s website. The final timetable for his return will be set after the surgery, sources tell Charania.
“We’re obviously disappointed for Khris and our team, but injuries are an unfortunate part of the game,” said Bucks GM John Hammond. “We’ll rely on our overall roster depth to help us while Khris is out for a significant period of the season.”
Milwaukee signed Middleton to a five-year, $70MM deal last offseason. In the first year of the deal, he averaged 18.2 points and 1.7 steals in 79 games. He was drafted by the Pistons with the 39th pick in the 2012 draft before coming to the Bucks in the Brandon Jennings deal.
NBA To Open Global Basketball Academies
The NBA plans to open global basketball academies starting in Africa, China, India and Australia, Adrian Wojnarowski and Jonathan Givony of the Vertical report. The expectation is that other global regions will be added to the program in the future. The goal of opening these academies is to identify the best young talent in the teenage ranks around the world and assist them by delivering training on the court and education off of it. The league will be seeking to assist prospects in the 14-to-18-year-old range.
Brooks Meek, the NBA’s vice president of internal operations, will be among the league executives tasked with coordinating the program. The league is still finalizing locations and contracts and an announcement is expected in the near future, Wojnarowski and Givony add.
The program will partner with and upgrade existing facilities and educational institutions. The league will provide coaching, strength and conditioning specialists, scouting, video and technical specialists and it plans on partnering with local infrastructures to create a “360 degree” development experience for prospects. The program will work closely with the prospects’ families and mentors to help them understand the academic portion of the program with the goal of conveying the importance of achieving the higher education goals. The league will provide scholarship funds for players wishing to attend college and there will be assistance for those who don’t earn scholarships. The pair of Vertical scribes note that this particular segment of the program has drawn comparisons to the old “G.I. Bill.” There will also be vocational and life-skills training for those prospects that are uninterested in or unable to pursue a college degree.
For older prospects in the program, the league will provide evaluation windows that will eventually be open to college coaches interested in recruiting them. For prospects that plan on immediately taking a professional route, there will be windows in which agents will be allowed to meet with them.
The NBA’s initiative will be headquartered in Australia and elite prospects from other regions and countries with underdeveloped basketball infrastructures could be invited to its location. Through the Basketball Without Borders program, the NBA has successfully been able to identify young talent globally and it would like to build on those camps with this new initiative. The league believes the D-League could eventually draw from these programs to fill its rosters since the prospects won’t yet meet the age requirement to be draft-eligible.
Atlantic Notes: Mutombo, Brown, Simmons
The Raptors have added Patrick Mutombo to their coaching staff, Blake Murphy of the Raptors Republic reports (Twitter link). Mutombo previously was an assistant coach with the Nuggets and more recently, an assistant coach with the Austin Spurs of the D-League.
Here’s more
- Brett Brown remains focused on developing a culture within the Sixers organization, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. “Those things ultimately matter,” said Brown. “Maybe not so much to the outside world, but if you really want to grow a program [it does]. I’ve seen what championships look like. I’ve seen five times what it takes to play in June. . . . So the growth sometimes might not be as quantifiable to the outside world. But I know it.”
- While the Sixers will closely monitor Joel Embiid‘s minutes, rookie Ben Simmons will have no minutes restrictions and is expected to play over 30 minutes a game, Pompey passes along in the same piece. Simmons is also expected to take reigns of the offense early on.
- Brown believes Dario Saric‘s experience playing in Europe will help him transition to the NBA, Jessica Camerato of Comcast Sportsnet writes. “He sort of contradicts his birth certificate in that his basketball experiences are rich,” Brown said.. “He’s not a kid. He’s no kid. He’s 22, but he’s no kid.” Saric was drafted by the Magic with the 12th pick in the 2014 draft before being traded to the Sixers.
Knicks Passed On Jeremy Lin Because Of Defense?
The Knicks weren’t interested in bringing Jeremy Lin back to New York because of his struggles on the defensive end, a source told Brian Lewis of The New York Post. New York opted to trade for Derrick Rose and sign Brandon Jennings in free agency to sure up the point guard position.
Lin believes that the notion that he has trouble on the defensive end is overblown. “These are knocks on my game that, when I was a younger player, I’d agree with,’’ Lin said. “I’ve improved. It just hasn’t been highlighted.’’
Lewis notes that Lin was 20th among point guards in ESPN’s Defensive Real Plus/Minus. The 28-year-old actually ranked better than both Rose and Jennings in the metric. He also ranked ahead of Rajon Rondo, Kemba Walker, Elfrid Payton and Dennis Schroder among others.
It’s worth noting that none of the aforementioned players carried a plus rating on the defensive end. Neither did Lin and he’ll likely square off against better talent starting for the Nets this year than he did coming off the bench for the Hornets last season.
Brooklyn invested heavily in Lin this offseason, inking him to a three year, $36MM deal. The Nets lack talent in the backcourt, so Lin’s defense will be crucial to the team surpassing its low expectations.
Do you think the Knicks made the right move to pass on Lin? How will he do with the Nets? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions.
Pistons Notes: Jackson, Brown, Hilliard
The Pistons have a young, talented core and Reggie Jackson knows its up to him to lead the team, Rod Beard of The Detroit News writes. “The organization put that upon us and myself to step up this year and be an even more impactful leader and more of a voice of reason and direction for our guys,” Jackson said. “I know I have a little more burden on my shoulders but it’s something I asked for and something I wanted. We’ll figure it out collectively.”
Here’s more from Detroit:
- Lorenzo Brown appears to have the inside track on the Pistons‘ third point guard spot, Beard speculates in the same piece. “(We’re looking for) a guy we think will help us the most and is the most ready to step in and play,” executive/coach Stan Van Gundy said. “[Brown and Ray McCallum Jr.] both [are] just playing to their strengths and we’ll make that decision when the time comes.” Both Brown and McCallum Jr. are on non-guaranteed deals.
- Darrun Hilliard missed Summer League with a back injury, but he appears to be healthy, Beard passes along in the same piece. “[The trainers] are trying to limit his workload a little bit but for the most part, he’s been doing everything,” Van Gundy said. “He’s actually doing pretty well.”
- Ish Smith is drawing praise from his new teammates, Beard adds in a separate piece. “We’ve played and I feel like Ish is going to be something like Brandon [Jennings] with his ability to pass, see and change pace to get the game going — it’s going to be special to watch,” Stanley Johnson said. “Especially with guys like me and [Kentavious Caldwell-Pope] running the lane.” Smith signed a three year, $18MM deal with the Pistons in July.