Mike Budenholzer on Horford, Scott, Personnel
President of basketball operations/coach Mike Budenholzer recently sat down with Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution to discuss the state of the Hawks.
The entire piece is worth a read, but we’ll pass along a few highlights here:
On Al Horford not wanting to negotiate during season, so his impending free agency doesn’t become a distraction to the team:
“Al is the kind of player that we value, very much respect and want to continue to keep him and build with him. We respect how he’s handled these questions so far. As the season goes on, he’s such a professional and wants to put the team first and keep the focus there. That’s part of the reason he’s somebody you want to keep going forward.”
On Mike Scott, who faces up to 25 years in prison on a pair of felony drug charges:
“Mike has been in the gym every day working unbelievably hard. His focus and diligence has been great. He and I have had a lot of good conversations. It’s a legal process, so I can’t comment on any of that, but his mental focus and preparedness for the season is in a really good place.”
On the changes to the basketball operations department:
“We feel great about the group that we’ve added. It’s like we always said, everything is done in a collaborative way, a collaborative fashion. To bring in guys with different skills and different backgrounds and different perspectives, and all of them incredibly intelligent and all good people. They understand the kind of players we want to have and the kind of people we want to have in the organization and the culture we are building. I think it was a really, really good summer. Going forward, we are better staffed, better prepared, to operate in a more efficient, more eyes on people, more good people with good ideas. The more of that you have, the better chance you have of making good decisions on players, on all the different things that happen during the season or even during a day.”
Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 9/21/15
Earlier today, we learned that the Wolves are making progress on a contract buyout with former No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett. Minnesota has a deep frontcourt with playing time likely to be distributed among Kevin Garnett, Nikola Pekovic, Gorgui Dieng, Adreian Payne and No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns. The team also added Damjan Rudez and Nemanja Bjelica, who could both vie for minutes as well. Bennett’s representatives have wanted a buyout to allow him a chance for greater playing time.
Bennett would be a free agent if he clears waivers. He is owed $5.8MM this season and only the Sixers and Blazers possess enough cap space to claim him. Bennett hasn’t lived up to expectations, but he has improved since coming into the league. He slash line improved from .356/.245/.638 during his first season with Cleveland to .421/.304/.641 last season with Minnesota. Although he only took 23 three-pointers, his long-range shot is worth monitoring. If he can handle an uptick in shooting from behind the arc, while improving his percentage there to about 32%, a total that would be above what a few other stretch fours, like Markieff Morris and Nikola Mirotic, hit last season, he could be a nice piece for some team willing to take a chance on him. Becoming that proficient from behind the arc is no easy feat and it’s not the only part of his game that needs works. He needs to improve on the defensive end as well, as he was the fourth worst power forward in the league last season on that end of the floor, according ESPN’s Real Plus/Minus.
So here’s tonight’s topic: Will Anthony Bennett have a prosperous career in the NBA and if so, what kind of player do you see him becoming?
Let us know your thoughts on him as a player now and what kind of player he can potentially be. Also, let us know what team would be a good fit for him should he clear waivers. Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the subject. We look forward to what you have to say!
Atlantic Notes: Bennett, Raptors, Lopez
The Raptors have interest in Anthony Bennett should he clear waivers, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities hears (Twitter link). Earlier today, it was reported that Bennett and the Wolves are making progress on a contract buyout.
Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- The expectation is that Bennett will land with an NBA team, but Michael Grange of Rogers Sportsnet (Twitter link) believes it’s unlikely that Toronto signs him due to the team’s full front court rotation.
- Eric Koreen in a full length piece for the National Post opines that Toronto probably won’t land the power forward. Koreen believes that the Raptors could give Bennett an opportunity to earn minutes at the four and they would be smart to kick tires on the 22-year-old. However, the scribe isn’t optimistic about Toronto’s chances because he believes that Philadelphia will claim him off waivers.
- Coach Lionel Hollins has been impressed with Brook Lopez‘s attitude and effort this summer, Mike Mazzeo of ESPN.com relays via Twitter. Lopez re-signed with the Nets for $60MM over three years this offseason.
And-Ones: CBA, Revenue Sharing, Thompson
There’s reason to believe that neither the owners or the players will opt out of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement after the 2016/17 season, David Aldridge of NBA.com writes in a piece that’s worth a read. Aldridge cites the new television deal, the rising salaries of players, and the success of the current revenue sharing system among the reasons to be optimistic. There’s also hope among the parties involved.
“Can’t imagine either [side] opting out”, one extremely high-ranking team official texted Aldridge last week. “Never know what the player’s union will do but the dollars are getting so big.”
Many players are beyond angry about the billions in salaries they have conceded and they want to recoup some of those losses, but there are some on the players’ side who think the current CBA is providing enough incentive to prevent a lockout.
“Way too much economic prosperity right now for the Owners and the Players with continual Global growth,” a prominent player agent texted Aldridge. “There is NO basis whatsoever for a work stoppage.”
Here’s more from Aldridge’s latest piece:
- Sources told the scribe that even though the Lakers are consistently major contributors to the plan, the franchise is in support of the current revenue sharing system. The team understands the need for some level of revenue sharing and it isn’t seeking substantial changes to the current system “because it’s working.”
- Aldridge switched gears to talk about the NBA on the court. He doesn’t believe Tristan Thompson will come to terms with Cleveland on a long-term deal, citing the $14MM schism between the two sides.
- Aldridge is surprised that Jamal Crawford remains a Clipper and predicts that the guard will be dealt by the trade deadline. Earlier this month, coach/executive Doc Rivers said that it’s unlikely the team will trade the 35-year-old.
Injury Notes: Jennings, Melo, Durant, Love
Brandon Jennings is “not close” to being cleared, sources tell David Aldridge of NBA.com. He is currently shooting and running on a treadmill at 60% of his body weight, but the Pistons need to see more before he’s cleared to begin non-contact drill on the court, Aldridge adds. Jennings ruptured his left Achilles tendon last January and the Pistons have made a few additions at the point guard position since. Detroit traded for Reggie Jackson at last season’s deadline and handed him a five year, $80MM deal this offseason. The team also added Steve Blake to reinforce the position. Jennings will make slightly over $8.34MM during the 2015/16 season, which is the last year of his current deal.
Here are some more injury notes that Aldridge passed along in his column:
- Carmelo Anthony looks like he’ll be ready for the start of training camp. He has been playing full-court, 5-on-5 with his Knicks teammates for the last few weeks.
- Kevin Durant has been cleared to participate in training camp. The expectation is that he will be ready to handle a full workload of minutes once the regular season starts.
- Kevin Love has not yet been officially cleared to return from a dislocated left shoulder injury that he sustained in the first round of the playoffs last season, but he has made significant progress.
- New addition Wesley Matthews has not done any full-court work yet, but the expectation is that he will be cleared to start doing some work on the floor when Dallas opens camp next week.
Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 9/19/15
The Kings made several moves to improve the team around their star center DeMarcus Cousins with an eye on making the playoffs this season. After signing a one-year, $9.5MM deal with Sacramento, Rajon Rondo will look to lead this team to the postseason, something that hasn’t been accomplished since the 2005/06 campaign. The Kings added a pair of centers with in order to aid their 27th ranked defense and added veterans Marco Belinelli and Caron Butler with the hopes of improving their outside shooting.
Sacramento also made news this summer for the rift between Cousins and coach George Karl, which caused owner Vivek Ranadive to consider firing Karl. Karl signed a four-year pact last February and he’ll be in town to at least start the second year of that pact. He’s had a history of rocky starts with franchises, as Sam Amico of Hoops Rumors detailed in his weekly column, but he has also had success at pretty much every stop in his career.
So here’s tonight’s topic: How many games will the Kings win this season and do you think they can achieve their goal of making the playoffs?
Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the subject. We look forward to what you have to say!
Celtics Notes: Sullinger, Zeller, Lee, Smart
Jessica Camerato of Basketball Insiders is optimistic about Jared Sullinger and Tyler Zeller heading into the 2015/16 season. Both players are eligible for rookie scale extensions and they both have between now and November 2nd to come to terms with the Celtics. It may not be wise to extend Sullinger now due to health concerns, Will Joseph of Hoops Rumors opined in his extension candidate piece. Zeller, who I examined as an extension candidate last week, is more likely to reach an agreement with the team.
Here’s more from Boston:
- David Lee is the team’s best new addition, Camerato opines in the same piece. Lee is entering the final season of his current deal, which will pay him slightly under $15.5MM, and Camerato believes the big man will elevate his game and emerge as a contributor for Boston.
- A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com examines the Celtics‘ roster and wonders who could be the most improved. Blakely names Marcus Smart, Kelly Olynyk and James Young as likely candidates and believes the progress of Smart is the most important for the team as it will go far in determining how good Boston will be next season.
Texas Notes: Williams, Mavs, Fredette
Deron Williams‘ falling from the elite point guard ranks in Brooklyn was a result of his injuries as well as his mental state, dialed in league sources told Ken Berger of CBS Sports. Another obstacle was the coaching changes during his time with the team. “The coaching rotating door really hurt him,” a person close to Williams said. “You had a different style offense and defense every year.”
Williams signed a two-year deal worth $10MM with the Mavs this summer and he shouldn’t have to deal with that particular problem in Dallas. The team employs Rick Carlisle, who is the third longest-tenured NBA coach, as Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors examined last month.
Here’s more from the Southwest Division:
- Williams will look to rebound from a dismal stint with the Nets, but not everyone is overly optimistic about his chances of recapturing the success he had earlier in his career, Berger writes in the same piece. “I don’t think he’ll be an All-Star again because of how good the West guards are,” one longtime executive told Berger. “I don’t think he’s a top-15 point guard right now, but I think he can eventually get there.”
- Jimmer Fredette believes he fits the system in San Antonio and is eager to earn a role on the team, Dick Harmon of the Deseret News writes. “I’m very excited about the upcoming season,” said Fredette. “I’m coming in with the expectation that I’m going to have to work as hard as I can to get playing time and work my way in the rotation. One thing I do know, if I’m on the team, they do give guys rests. So, I will have the opportunity to play and I think it is my type of basketball. I think I fit in the system really well, and I love the guys. They are really competitive, but they want to help you help them win games. I’m excited to be part of that kind of culture. I couldn’t ask for a better situation and I hope I can continue to work hard and play well.”
Nets Notes: Johnson, Sixth Man, Ellington
The Nets will likely be entertaining trade offers for Joe Johnson up until the trade deadline, Joel Brigham of Basketball Insiders opines in a collaborative piece. Johnson will make slightly under $23.2MM this season and will become a free agent next summer.
Here’s more from Brooklyn:
- In the same piece, the writers at Basketball Insiders gave their predictions for Brooklyn this season, with no writer having the team finishing higher than third place in the Atlantic Division. The Nets received praise for getting younger in the offseason, but the team’s lack of depth was a reason for pessimism.
- Anthony Puccio of SB Nation wonders who will take on the sixth man role for the Nets. Puccio identifies Andrea Bargnani, who signed a two-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum this offseason, as the likeliest candidate to take on the role. The scribe also names Rondae Hollis-Jefferson as someone who could have a sixth man-like impact off the bench.
- Wayne Ellington is excited about his decision to sign with Brooklyn and the 27-year-old sees the team as a great fit, Kathryn Przybyla of NBA.com writes. “I had a lot of conversations with my agent, weighing options out, but this was just the perfect spot for me, on the court obviously and off the court as well. I’m from the Philadelphia area so I’m from right down the street. This is a lovely spot for me and I’m very happy,” Ellington said.
Extension Candidate: Tyler Zeller
With the No. 17 overall pick in the 2012 draft, the Mavs selected Tyler Zeller out of North Carolina. Within an hour, his rights would be traded to the Cavs for three picks that became Jared Cunningham, Bernard James and Jae Crowder. Cleveland trotted him out on the floor for two uninspiring seasons before trading him to Boston in a cap clearing deal that allowed the team to offer a max contract to LeBron James. Zeller hasn’t exactly made either team regret trading him, although Dallas could use a quality starting center right now due to its lack of exciting options and Cleveland was so in need of an interior presence last season, it hurled two first-round picks at Denver to obtain Timofey Mozgov. In both cases, its unlikely Zeller would have received the playing time and touches necessary to develop during his third season in the league. He would have taken a backseat to Tyson Chandler in Dallas and he wouldn’t have taken on a significant role with James and Kevin Love arriving in Cleveland.
Boston had no such roadblocks to playing time and offensive opportunity and it appears the 25-year-old has found a home. Late last season, Zeller and Marcus Smart were the Celtics least likely to be traded, according to multiple sources who spoke with A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com. Last month, Blakely wrote that the big man had a better chance than fellow 2012 first-rounders Jared Sullinger and Perry Jones III to end up with a contract extension, and sources told Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders that chances are 50-50 that Zeller and the team reach an agreement before the deadline this fall.
Zach Lowe of Grantland speculated the team would be happy with an extension with annual salaries up to $12MM, while estimates from ESPN’s Summer Forecast panel suggested annual salaries of $10.6MM would be the going rate for the center. President of basketball operations Danny Ainge is always hesitant to make long-term investments in order to preserve future cap space, but he should be able to offer Zeller an extension in this ballpark and maintain enough flexibility to be a major player in free agency.
The salary cap is projected to rise to $89MM for the 2016/17 campaign. Boston only has slightly more than $43.5MM on the books after this season, though that figure doesn’t include the team options for Smart, James Young and Kelly Olynyk that are almost certain to be exercised provided the trio are still on the roster. Boston also has the non-guaranteed contracts of Amir Johnson and Jonas Jerebko, and if the C’s waive them anytime before the end of July 3rd, 2016, they could clear $17MM from their commitments.
The Celtics will have to account for possible new contracts for David Lee and Evan Turner, both of whom will be unrestricted free agents, as well as the possible extensions for Jones and Sullinger. If the Celtics want to remain flexible heading into next offseason, they could sign Zeller to a reasonable extension and take their chances on the other four in free agency.
The big man set career highs in points (10.2) and assists (1.4) per game during his third season in the league. He also had his most efficient season as a pro, shooting 54.9% from the field. One area where he could use some work is his rebounding. He had 9.7 rebounds per 36 minutes, which isn’t terrible, but 76 players had better stats last season. Zeller spends all of his minutes at the five. It’s unlikely that he can spend time at the power forward position, which would allow him to play next to another center and a more proficient rebounder. If he wants to see starter’s minutes, he’ll need to improve in this area.
Zeller isn’t going to be the type of player who changes the franchise. He’s not a dominant defender, but he’s been successful at protecting the paint on occasion. Of course, most 7-footers with some mobility will be able to give you that. He runs the floor well and can be crafty on the offensive end, but he can’t be counted on to get crucial buckets late in games. He has certainly improved since coming into the NBA, although some of his success should be credited to coach Brad Stevens. Stevens’ creative pace-and-space offense and conservative defensive schemes have put Zeller in position to succeed.
Environment matters in the NBA. Paying Draymond Green $82MM makes sense for the Warriors because they have other players in place who allow him play his role and not worry about overextending his game. Green wouldn’t be as effective as a main option for a team like the Lakers or Sixers. The same logic applies to Zeller. In the right situation, its justifiable paying him $10-12MM per year. Paying him that kind of salary is a low risk gamble for the Celtics, as they can provide a good situation for the 25-year-old. Zeller has the potential to be an above-average starting center in the NBA, and if he becomes that, an extension at that price point would become a bargain for the franchise.