Andrei Kirilenko Signs With CSKA Moscow
TUESDAY, 7:37am: The deal is official, the team announced. It runs until the end of the season.
MONDAY, 4:55pm: Kirilenko has cleared waivers, as Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today hears (Twitter link). That removes the hurdle for him to sign with the Russian team.
SUNDAY, 11:24am: Andrei Kirilenko will sign with CSKA Moscow once he clears waivers, a team official from CSKA Moscow tells David Pick of Eurobasket.com (Twiiter link). Kirilenko is expected to sign a contract that runs through the summer of 2015, according to Nikos Varlas of Eurohoops.net.
Kirilenko hasn’t played an NBA game since November 13th and had been suspended by Philadelphia after he failed to report to the team when it acquired him in a trade from the Nets on December 11th. The 34-year-old had been away from the team tending to a medical issue involving his wife’s pregnancy, which was resolved last week when she gave birth to her son.
As soon as the Sixers acquired the forward, there were rumors of him being released but GM Sam Hinkie informed him that the team did not intend to make such a move. Philadelphia held onto Kirilenko, hoping that he could be used as a trade chip but no deal materialized. The Sixers waived the Russian forward on Saturday and it is unlikely any team claims him.
Northwest Notes: Garnett, Wolves, Blazers
Kevin Garnett is expected to sign a two-year deal with the Wolves this offseason and during his new contract, Garnett and Wolves President of Basketball Operations Flip Saunders are expected to try and form a group to buy the team from owner Glen Taylor, writes Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press. During his 20 seasons in the NBA, Garnett has amassed more than $325MM in salaries alone while Saunders has made an estimated $40MM during his 17 seasons as an NBA coach.
Here’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Garnett will have his greatest impact on the Wolves during practices, writes Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune. Anthony Bennett and Adreian Payne seem likely to benefit the most from having the veteran around. “Those two, they’ll be able to take more on the court from KG,” assistant coach Ryan Saunders said. “The things he does, the little nuances he knows, they’ll see the ultimate professional.”
- New addition Arron Afflalo was ecstatic about the trade that sent him to Blazers, writes Joe Freeman of The Oregonian. The shooting guard believes the Blazers have a real chance to “contend for a championship.” The team believes both Afflalo and Alonzo Gee can help boost its bench unit. “Both guys have been in the league long enough that they know what teams do, it’s just a matter of understanding how we do things,” coach Terry Stotts said. “There will be some time to find a comfort zone, but … I think I have a good feel for who they are as players and what they can do. There’ll be a learning curve for all of us, but hopefully the system that we play fits what they do and they’ll flourish in it.”
- Alonzo Gee hopes to make his impact on defense with the Blazers, writes Jabari Young of CSNNW.com. Gee, who has a reputation of being one of the more underrated defenders in the league, admits he will be move motivated playing for a team that has championship goals. “It does change how you look at every game,” Gee said. “Every game counts. You got to go out and try you best to help the team out as well.”
Will The Rockets Win A Playoff Series?
The Rockets have been one of the most active teams at the trade deadline, making at least one deal in 10 out of the last 11 years, including the last eight deadlines. This season, Houston made a pair of moves that brought athletic swingman K.J. McDaniels from the Sixers in exchange for Isaiah Canaan and a second round pick as well as Pablo Prigioni from the Knicks in exchange for Alexey Shved and two second round picks.
The Rockets look much different than the team that lost to the Blazers in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs a year ago. The team had an active offseason, in which it lost Chandler Parsons to free agency and traded away point guard Jeremy Lin and center Omer Asik. The franchise’s major offseason acquisition was forward Trevor Ariza, who has been a starter for the team from day one. During this season, in addition to the moves at the deadline, Houston signed Josh Smith after he was waived by Detroit in late December. And while all these transactions were happening, James Harden elevated his game and put himself into discussion for the NBA’s MVP award.
The Rockets have a record of 37-18, which puts the team in third place in the conference, despite missing Dwight Howard for 21 games due to a knee injury. The team will need its defensive enforcer to be able to stay on the court if it intends to contend for a championship. Houston has not won a playoff series under coach Kevin McHale and has only won one series in the last 17 seasons.
The franchise has improved overall and if the team remains healthy, it appears to have a chance to make a deep postseason run. However, Houston’s competition in the Western Conference has also improved. Only one game separates the Rockets from the Mavericks, who currently reside in sixth place in the conference, so gaining home court advantage in the first round is far from a certainty.
After a busy year of transactions, will the Rockets advance to at least the second round of the playoffs?
Will The Rockets Win A Playoff Series?
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Yes 50% (465)
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No 50% (456)
Total votes: 921
Jared Sullinger To Miss Rest Of Season
Jared Sullinger will miss the remainder of the season because of a metatarsal stress fracture in his left foot, according to the Celtics’ Twitter feed. The power forward injured his foot against the Hawks on February 11th.
During his time in the NBA, Sullinger has missed time due to a sore knee in 2013, as well as a sore ankle and a concussion in 2014. The Ohio State product also missed games in college because of a back injury and it caused scouts to believe that Sullinger’s career could be shortened because of the ailment. The forward is making slightly more than $1.42MM this season and will earn slightly under $2.27MM next season. The latest injury does not help his cause to see a hefty raise on those figures when he becomes a restricted free agent after the 2015/16 season, although that is just my speculation.
Sullinger was averaging 14.4 points and 28.7 minutes per game this season, both career highs. The Celtics are 20-32 on the season but sit only one and a half games behind the Nets for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. The injury leaves the Celtics with a void in their frontcourt but I would speculate that the team will increase Tyler Zeller‘s role and new addition Jonas Jerebko‘s minutes rather than sign a free agent to fill the void. The deadline to apply for a disabled player exception passed last month, but the timing is even worse for Sullinger, who’s up for a rookie scale extension in the offseason.
Pacific Notes: Barnes, Davis, Kings, Lakers
Harrison Barnes has improved this season and the North Carolina product could have a greater role on the team going forward, writes Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group. Barnes is making more than $3.87MM this season and slightly over $5.19MM during the 2015/16 season, after which he will become a restricted free agent. If the forward continues to improve his play, Barnes may get a significant raise on that figure, something the Warriors should keep in mind if they decide to hand a hefty contract to restricted free agent Draymond Green this offseason, although that is just my speculation.
Here’s more from the Pacific Division:
- The Clippers failed to make any noise at this year’s trade deadline and the team’s faith in reserve forward Glen Davis was part of the reason it didn’t add a piece to the frontcourt, writes Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times. “His energy, I stay on him all the time because it’s contagious,” Clippers point guard Chris Paul said this week. “When he brings that, he brings a different element to our team.” The Clippers have gone 4-1 since Blake Griffin exited the lineup because of an elbow injury. The team currently sits in fifth place in the Western Conference with a record of 37-19.
- New addition Andre Miller believes coach George Karl will succeed in Sacramento, writes Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post. “He knows how to deal with players and egos,” Miller said of Karl, “and that’s why he’s been so successful in this league.” The Kings acquired Miller from the Wizards in exchange for point guard Ramon Sessions at Thursday’s trade deadline.
- The Lakers are looking at their final 28 games of the season as a chance to evaluate their young players to see who can fit into the team’s long-term plans, writes Bill Oram of Orange County Register. Coach Byron Scott believes their current starting point guard may have a chance to be one of those players. “I’m still really excited about Jordan Clarkson,” Scott said. “I keep getting excited about that kid because his growth is getting better and better. I’m excited with the way he’s played so far, he’s come a long way in a short period of time.”
Eastern Notes: Knicks, Horford, Williams
It’s doubtful that the Knicks will be able to trade Jose Calderon or Andrea Bargnani, but a source tells Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports that a smaller deal could happen. Calderon, who Eddie Scarito of Hoops Rumors examined as a trade candidate, is making slightly less than $7.1MM this season and is owed more than $15.1MM over the remaining two years of his deal. Bargnani, whom Eddie believes is unlikely to be traded, is set to make $11.5 this season, which is the last year of his current contract.
Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:
- Al Horford said that he doesn’t know whether the Hawks should reinstate GM Danny Ferry from his indefinite absence, and Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald takes it as a signal that Horford isn’t warm to the idea of Ferry returning.
- Mo Williams had a trade kicker in his deal, according to Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link), so he went from making $3.75MM to just under $3.97MM. The Timberwolves paid the difference, though the new number counts on Charlotte’s cap.
- Tim Frazier, whose 10-day contract with the Sixers has expired, will return to the Maine Red Claws, the D-League affiliate of the Celtics, according to Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com. The point guard appeared in three games with Philadelphia, averaging five points, 4.7 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game.
- Kyle Lowry has blossomed into a star in Toronto but the point guard was skeptical at first when he was acquired by the Raptors, writes Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. “Well no, honestly I didn’t think [this is where everything would work out],” Lowry said of Toronto. “But with all the hard work I put in and the commitment they made to me, everything just kind of came into fruition and it worked out.”
Chuck Myron contributed to this post
Eastern Notes: Stephenson, Dawkins, Celtics
Although Lance Stephenson says returning home and playing for the Nets would be a “blessing,” the guard is just focusing on getting back on track with his current team, writes Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. “I’m just trying to get my mind off of basketball, go to my neighborhood and get my hunger back,” Stephenson said. “With me, it’s all mental. I feel like once I get mentally into it, coming back to get that hunger. ‘Cause sometimes you lose your hunger. You’ve been doing it for so long you forget all the hard work that got you here. So I’m just getting back on that, getting focused.” Stephenson was mentioned in trade discussion with the Nets, as Arthur Hill of Hoops Rumors notes in his trade candidate piece.
Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:
- The Sioux Falls Skyforce, the D-League affiliate of the Heat, have reacquired Andre Dawkins after his second 10-day contract with the Celtics expired, tweets Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. Dawkins was a member of the Heat earlier this season but the team waived him right before his contract was set to become guaranteed. Dawkins had appeared in four games this season for Miami, accumulating a total of three points and two rebounds. The Duke product did not see court time during his two 10-day stints with Boston.
- The Celtics can learn from how the Hawks play on the court and how the franchise constructed its roster, writes Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald. “The thing that stands out is just the quick decision making,” coach Brad Stevens said of the Hawks. “I’m hoping that’s a function of age.” Murphy believes it’s also a function of good scouting and drafting. The Celtics’ own picks over the next two years will most likely be the team’s only chance to draft in the top five. Like the Hawks did with Al Horford, who was drafted third overall in 2007, the Celtics need to land at least one elite talent with these opportunities. The Hawks also nailed their mid-to-late first-round picks, which helped elevate the team’s talent without adopting a complete tanking strategy. The Celtics have plenty of opportunities to nab good, young talent as they have several first rounders in addition to their own, as our Future Draft Pick Tracker indicates.
- If anyone understands what Bradley Beal is going through, it’s teammate John Wall, writes J. Michael of CSNWashington.com. Wall, like Beal, had injuries keep him out of games while he was still under his rookie contract. “You do [think about it]. The main thing he can learn from what I did was come back and try to have a great end to the season and try to finish the season well,” Wall said of Beal, who is eligible for an extension this summer of up to four years. “If you have a good end of the season they (know) where you are and you’re taking the right steps. I was fortunate to have the chance to come back from injuries and play well … and let them see what I can do.”
Wolves Notes: Wiggins, Rubio, Veterans
The Timberwolves are well represented in the NBA All-Star festivities this weekend. Minnesota had four players competing in Friday’s Rising Stars Challenge, which was the most from any team in the league. Andrew Wiggins, who scored 22 points, was named MVP of the contest and on Saturday night, Zach LaVine won the dunk contest. The fans of the team certainly have something to look forward to in the coming years as the future looks bright for the franchise.
Here’s more from Minnesota:
- Andrew Wiggins told Ryan Wolstat of The Toronto Sun that being traded to Minnesota was the best thing for his career. Wiggins was the centerpiece in the deal that brought Kevin Love to the Cavaliers. “There I would have been more of a role player,” Wiggins said of Cleveland. “Here, I’m getting more time to shine and do what I was put in this league to do and I’m enjoying the process.” Wiggins is also looking forward to earning a spot on the Canadian Olympic team this summer.
- Ricky Rubio is key to Minnesota’s success and should remain in the team’s long-term plans, opines Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune. The Wolves have scored 1.1 more points per game and allowed 4.9 less points per game with the point guard in the lineup compared to games in which he has missed this season due to injury. Hartman believes that if the team can add one more viable piece through the 2015 draft, Minnesota could find itself contending for a postseason berth next season. The Wolves are currently in second place in our Reverse Standings with a record of 11-42.
- President of Basketball Operations Flip Saunders doesn’t plan to make any more moves because he wants to let his roster settle, writes Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune. Minnesota has already dealt veterans Corey Brewer and Mo Williams this season and Zgoda believes it would be wise to survey the market to see what Kevin Martin and Thaddeus Young could net in a trade. The Mavs and the Wizards were rumored to have interest in acquiring Martin, while Young, who I examined as a trade candidate, was mentioned in trade discussions with the Nets.
Arthur Hill contributed to this post
Trade Candidate: Thaddeus Young
The Timberwolves expected to contend for a playoff spot this season, but injuries and disappointing play have dropped the team into the cellar of the Western Conference. The team is currently 11-41, which is good for second place in our Reverse Standings, thus guaranteeing the Wolves a top-five pick in the 2015 draft if they hold that position. The franchise has a great passing point guard in Ricky Rubio, a few nice long-term pieces in Gorgui Dieng and Shabazz Muhammad and a potential star in Andrew Wiggins. The Timberwolves have a good nucleus and the future looks bright, but the light at the end of the tunnel is a few seasons down the road.
The team also employs several veterans, including Thaddeus Young. The Wolves chose to acquire Young instead of a top-10 protected first-round pick as part of last summer’s blockbuster Kevin Love trade. That pick, which originates from Miami, has a decent chance of ending up in the lottery. The decision was a blemish in an otherwise good trade, a rarity for a team dealing away a star player. The team simply overestimated the talent on its roster and thought it could make the playoffs this season.
Young thought he was coming into a situation where he could help a winning team, but instead, the forward will be on one of the worst teams in the league for the second consecutive season. Young subtly requested a trade from the Sixers last season, in part because of the team’s direction. Although Young hasn’t requested a trade this season and the Wolves haven’t implemented the same kind of tanking strategy as the Sixers, which I previously examined, the situation remains unappealing.
Young had a rocky start to the season, but he has played better since the start of 2015, averaging 14.3 points and 1.9 steals per game. His role has been overextended at times this year. As with many non-stars in the league, Young’s usage rate and player efficiency rating (PER) have an inverse relationship. When his usage rate stays below 20.0, the league average, the forward has experienced his best seasons in terms of PER, with his rating peaking at 18.93, which is well above league average. As his usage rage has risen about that figure, he has experienced his worst seasons in terms of PER, with his rating falling all the way to 14.90 this season. Still, the talent is there and most contending teams could always use another contributor come playoff time.
The Nets were interested in acquiring Young as part of a bigger trade that sent Brook Lopez, whose value I examined last month, to the Thunder. The Nets were interested in flipping Kendrick Perkins to the Wolves as part of a three-way trade, though it’s unclear if Minnesota would have required more to part with Young. Only netting a veteran on an expiring contract in exchange for Young would represent a severe drop-off in the 26-year-old’s value, considering what Minnesota passed up to obtain him. Last season, as our own Chuck Myron pointed out, Young’s value was at its peak. This season, his value might be at its low point.
Young will make slightly more than $9.41MM this season and more than $9.71MM next year. He has an early termination option at the end of this season that could void the final year of his deal, which could make a trade even more tricky. Getting a team to give up any sort of valuable asset for the forward could be problematic given his ability to hit the free agent market during the offseason. Any team that comes close to acquiring him would probably want to suss out which way he’s leaning on the option. Most suitors would probably shy away if they get the impression that he’ll opt out, although that’s just my speculation.
The Raptors could be a potential fit after they were “sniffing around” the league for an upgrade at the power forward position. Players such as Taj Gibson, David West and Kenneth Faried have been mentioned in connection with Toronto. Young would most likely cost Toronto much less to obtain than any of the trio but it is questionable whether Young is an upgrade over current starter Amir Johnson. Toronto would give Young a situation akin to what Jeff Green stepped into when he was traded to Memphis. Green has played well as complementary option and the Grizzlies have gone 12-2 since acquiring the Georgetown product.
Young has proven he can be a productive player when he has talent around him. Just this season, in games with Ricky Rubio in the lineup, Young has averaged 15.4 points per game while shooting 47.9% from the field and posted a plus-minus of plus 23. In games without Rubio in the lineup, Young has scored 14.1 points per game while shooting 43.7% from the field but has a plus-minus of minus 241.
Many teams would love to acquire the forward but only for the right price. Young’s value has taken a severe hit this season and it may be a great buy-low opportunity for some willing franchise. Yet, as is the case with the Nuggets and Arron Afflalo, if the Wolves can get a return that rivals what they gave up for Young, they would be wise to jump on that opportunity.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Clippers Notes: Allen, Depth, Options
The Clippers are less than $1.2MM below their $80.829MM hard cap, which could make acquiring a player who can play significant minutes problematic. Los Angeles has spoken with Sebastian Telfair about a potential deal and would have interest in Kevin Garnett or Amar’e Stoudemire if either player agrees to a buyout with their current clubs.
Here’s more on the team that, for now, resides in seventh place in the Western Conference:
- Doc Rivers has spoken to Ray Allen recently, but he doesn’t know if the Clippers are in the mix for the shooting guard, according to Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times (Twitter link). The Warriors, Wizards, Cavs, Spurs, Heat and Hawks are among the teams that have been linked to the 39-year-old.
- The Clippers‘ lack of depth may cause them to fall in the standings during Blake Griffin‘s time away because of injury, opines Jon Hamm of The Oklahoman. Hamm examines how the Clippers built their team around stars and compares the team to the Thunder, who drafted all of their stars and were able to remain in the playoff hunt after a rash of early season injuries.
- The Clippers have a few options to fill Griffin’s void, as Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders examines in a video. Spencer Hawes is the best candidate on the roster to step up and keep the team afloat during Griffin’s absence. Kennedy adds that If Hawes isn’t able to elevate his game, free agency might be the team’s best option to add talent due to the team’s lack of resources. The Clippers lack the young talent that many teams desire in return for productive players and the next first-rounder that the team can promise to a trade partner is its 2021pick. Check out our Draft Pick Tracker to see which teams will get the Clippers’ future picks as well as which picks will be on the move for the rest of the teams in the league.