Eastern Rumors: Harris, Novak, Valanciunas
Either the Celtics or a team with LeBron James or Dwyane Wade on the roster has won the Eastern Conference title every year since 2006, with the exception of 2009, when Dwight Howard and the Magic broke through. With D12 in L.A., it seems the path is clear for the Celtics and Heat to once again battle for Eastern supremacy, though there's a lot that could happen between now and June. Until then, here's the latest from around the East.
- Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald figures guard Terrel Harris' endorsement deal with Peak, a shoe company with promotional ties to the Heat, means he's a safe bet to make the opening-night roster. Harris has no guarantee on his minimum-salary deal.
- Steve Novak, a Wisconsin native who went to Marquette, explained his choice of the Knicks over the Bucks in free agency to the New York Post's Marc Berman. "We talked several times when I’ve been a free agent. I never know for sure at what level," Novak said of the Bucks. "But no, I wanted to be back. If I could choose Milwaukee or New York, hands down, New York. It’s the truth."
- Doug Smith of the Toronto Star disagrees with a scout who thought Raptors rookie Jonas Valanciunas looked "soft" and "scared" in a preseason game this week.
- Nets guard Joe Johnson says he's eager to share the ball with Deron Williams and get away from the "iso-Joe" style of play that placed the offensive load on his shoulders when he was with the Hawks, writes Howard Beck of The New York Times.
- John Denton of Magic.com delves into Nikola Vucevic's rich basketball bloodlines, a pedigree that Magic coach Jacque Vaughn believes will serve him well as he attempts the Herculean task of replacing Howard at center.
Lawrence On Josh Smith, White, Lin, Nets, Cuban
Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News shares tidbits from around the league in his Saturday roundup, and this time several of them have to do with the Hawks and Rockets. We'll hit the highlights here.
- Josh Smith has informed the Hawks he isn't going to sign an extension during the season, according to Lawrence. That's in line with a report last month from Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Smith and the team were unlikely to agree to an extension. Smith's stance makes sense, considering he could get five years if he re-signs with Atlanta next summer and only three if he signs an extension. In that same report, Vivlamore said Smith is open to a long-term future with the Hawks.
- The Hawks were one of several teams that weren't considering drafting Royce White because of his psychological disorders, Lawrence says, predicting the Rockets will look to trade White if fellow rookie Jeremy Lamb continues to impress.
- Lawrence argues that Jeremy Lin's knee, which has been slow to recover, is just another sign that the Rockets overpaid for the point guard with a three-year, $25.124MM offer sheet the Knicks declined to match.
- When Avery Johnson interviewed for the Hawks head coaching job in 2010, he said he'd only take the gig if the team intended to re-sign Joe Johnson. The pair, who aren't related, are now together with the Nets.
- Nearly a year after a sign-and-trade that sent him to the Knicks, Tyson Chandler still has hard feelings for Mavs owner Mark Cuban, as Lawrence notes. "He never called to thank me for helping his team win the title, or wish me luck, after I decided to sign here," Chandler said. "I thought he would call me, but he never did."
Guaranteed Minimum Deals: Western Conference
Following up on the list of fully guaranteed minimum-salary contracts in the Eastern Conference, here is the corresponding Western Conference list. While the idea is to identify players who might be vulnerable to getting cut when teams pare their rosters down for the regular season, some on this list are safer than others — the Kings don't figure to cut loose Isaiah Thomas, for instance. Still, the guys on this list, along with the players on partial and non-guaranteed deals, would be the most financially friendly to cut.
The league reimburses teams for the cost of veteran minimum-salary players who earn more than $854,389 based on their years of experience, so that's what everyone below is making, unless otherwise noted.
- Clippers: Matt Barnes, Ronny Turiaf, Ryan Hollins, Trey Thompkins ($762,195), Travis Leslie ($762,195)
- Hornets: Roger Mason, Darius Miller ($473,604)
- Mavericks: Delonte West, Bernard James ($473,604)
- Timberwolves: Louis Amundson, Malcolm Lee ($762,195)
- Warriors: Charles Jenkins ($762,195), Jeremy Tyler ($762,195)
- Lakers: Antawn Jamison
- Grizzlies: Josh Selby ($762,195)
- Jazz: DeMarre Carroll
- Kings: Isaiah Thomas ($762,195)
- Nuggets: Quincy Miller ($473,604)
- Suns: Jermaine O'Neal
- Rockets: None
- Spurs: None
- Thunder: None
- Trail Blazers: None
Guaranteed Minimum Deals: Eastern Conference
We've been tracking players on non-guaranteed deals with a list that also includes those with partial guarantees, but as preseason goes on and we edge closer to the time when teams must make their final cuts, those without a full guarantee aren't the only ones who might be vulnerable. A number of guys are on fully guaranteed minimum-salary contracts, but it wouldn't cost their clubs too much to eat their guarantees if they decide someone else is more deserving of a roster spot.
The amount of the minimum salary is based on a player's years of service, but since the league reimburses teams for anything above the third-year minimum, no team is obligated to more than $854,389 for a minimum-salary player. If a team is carrying a first- or second-year player on the minimum, his salary is noted in parentheses below. We'll follow up with the Western Conference list soon.
- Nets: Jerry Stackhouse, Keith Bogans, Tornike Shengelia ($473,604)*, Tyshawn Taylor ($473,604)*
- Celtics: Chris Wilcox, Jason Collins, Darko Milicic
- Knicks: Ronnie Brewer, James White, Pablo Prigioni ($473,604)
- Bucks: Joel Przybilla, Marquis Daniels
- Bulls: Nazr Mohammed, Vladimir Radmanovic
- Hawks: Anthony Tolliver, Mike Scott ($473,604)
- Pistons: Khris Middleton ($473,604)*, Kim English ($473,604)
- Wizards: Cartier Martin, A.J. Price
- Cavaliers: Jon Leuer ($762,195)
- Heat: Dexter Pittman
- Magic: Justin Harper ($762,195)
- Sixers: Royal Ivey
- Raptors: Alan Anderson
- Bobcats: None
- Pacers: None
*-contract includes an additional fully guaranteed year beyond 2012/13
Odds & Ends: Blatche, Draft, Kaman, Milicic
Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN.com looks at the struggle homosexual athletes face as they decide whether to come out of the closet. Multiple league sources told Arnovitz that players who are believed to be gay have a tougher time landing deals. "From a front-office standpoint, anything that would take away from team chemistry, fair or not, is a concern," one source said. "The truth is that a lot of players don’t want that guy in the locker room. And, sadly, execs have to factor in how their star player and major guys are going to react." There's no telling whether that's had an effect on some of the players still seeking contracts this year or those who have already been cut. Here's the rest of the night's news from around the league.
- Nets big man Andray Blatche told Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News that a talk with Nets coach Avery Johnson led him to sign with Brooklyn instead of the Heat. "I came in and worked out (with the Heat). They told me where I’m at, where I need to get, that they’re interested, they need me," he said. "But the conversation I had with Avery was more what I needed from him. It was about putting together a personal plan for me. I felt that would help me get to where I needed to be."
- Chad Ford of ESPN.com ranks the top five 2013 draft prospects in the SEC, led by Nerlens Noel and two fellow Kentucky freshmen (Insider only).
- Offseason signee Chris Kaman could give the Mavericks an offensive weapon at center like they've never had before, Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News says.
- Though the Celtics fully guaranteed Darko Milicic's minimum-salary contract, the team had no expectations for him, writes Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com, who adds that the former No. 2 has nonetheless made a strong showing so far.
- Reggie Jackson is making the most of his opportunity to challenge extension candidate Eric Maynor for the Thunder's backup point guard job, as The Oklahoman's Darnell Mayberry observes.
- Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel shares that Bucks coach Scott Skiles has hinted at an expanded role for guard Beno Udrih, who's entering the final season of his sizable five-year, $32.393MM contract.
Northwest Rumors: Blazers, Lawson, Miller, Batum
The Oregonian's Joe Freeman examines the decisions the Blazers face in advance of the October 31st deadline for exercising their 2013/14 team options on Luke Babbitt, Nolan Smith and Elliot Williams. According to Freeman, the team could come within $500K of having enough cap space to sign a free agent to a maximum-salary deal next summer if it declines all three options. Freeman seems to think, given the makeup of the Blazers roster, it would make the least sense to pick up Babbitt's option, despite the injury to Williams that's expected to keep him out the entire season. Check out other option decisions facing teams with our Rookie Contract Option Tracker, and read on for from the Blazers and other Northwest Division clubs.
- Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post suggests Ty Lawson and new agent Happy Walters could be in line for a five-year, $65MM extension from the Nuggets before the October 31st deadline. Hochman also passes along some advice for Lawson from new teammate Andre Iguodala, who re-signed with the Sixers in 2008 after failing to come to an extension agreement in 2007.
- Andre Miller has been an ironman over his 13-year NBA career, missing only six regular season games, but he's sitting out of select preseason games for the first time, Aaron J. Lopez of Nuggets.com notes. The Nuggets signed the 36-year-old Miller to a three-year, $14.625MM deal this summer that includes a partial guarantee for the final season.
- Nicolas Batum told Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune he signed his offer sheet with Minnesota this summer knowing he'd be pleased to wind up with either the Timberwolves or the Blazers. "I chose Minnesota because I knew (Portland) could match," Batum said. "I knew those two teams were going to be the best options for me. I wouldn’t have signed with anybody else. And I wanted to challenge the Blazers, to see if they really like me or not."
Which Fading Star Is Most Likely To Survive Cuts?
It seems like Andray Blatche, with the Nets on a non-guaranteed deal, is a strong bet to make the team, since Tim Bontemps of the New York Post reported this week that "it's pretty clear" he'll be in coach Avery Johnson's rotation at the start of the season. Yet many other players on non-guaranteed contracts simply have their eyes on the last spot on the bench, much less significant playing time. As our list of non-guaranteed contracts shows, several former stars and wayward lottery picks are in training camps with teams this month, hoping they can revive their careers or at least draw another NBA paycheck.
Let us know which of the players listed below has the best shot to make his team's regular season roster. Feel free to refer to our roster counts for the Eastern and Western conferences if you want to get a better feel for their chances. If you think another marquee name on a make-good deal has a better shot than anyone listed here, click "none of the above" and let us know who you have in mind in the comments.
Which Fading Star Is Most Likely To Survive Cuts?
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Rasheed Wallace, Knicks 35% (240)
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Jonny Flynn, Pistons 16% (107)
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Terrence Williams, Pistons 12% (82)
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Adam Morrison, Blazers 12% (82)
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Josh Childress, Nets 12% (79)
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Eddy Curry, Spurs 7% (46)
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None Of The Above 6% (41)
Total votes: 677
Atlantic Rumors: Iguodala, Sixers, Moon, Bradley
Sixers swingman Jason Richardson made waves earlier today, telling reporters he expected the Magic to trade him because of his representation by Dan Fegan, who also serves as Dwight Howard's agent. He's not the only player involved in the Howard/Andrew Bynum blockbuster causing a stir, as news from around the Atlantic Division trickles in.
- Former Sixers star Andre Iguodala recently told Matt Moore of CBSSports.com that he hasn't really enjoyed the game the past couple of years and felt drained by constant criticism. Doug Collins doesn't perceive that as a swipe at him, telling Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News, "I feel great about our time together."
- Evan Turner also took Iguodala's remarks in stride, as Dei Lynam of CSNPhilly.com reports.
- Free agent Jamario Moon, who saw his best days with the Raptors, has switched agents as he continues to hold out hope of latching on with an NBA team, Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld tweets. He's now with Jared Karnes after having been represented by Wallace Prather.
- Avery Bradley and Celtics coach Doc Rivers agree on a mid-December timetable for the guard's return from surgery on both shoulders, reports A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com. There's no return date for center Chris Wilcox, who's suffering from back spasms as he battles back from heart surgery.
- Celtics coach Doc Rivers is searching for one more player to join Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jeff Green in the team's crunch-time lineup, Blakely writes.
- Keith Schlosser of Ridiculous Upside wonders whether Chris Smith's injury will open the door for fellow shooting guard and training camp invitee Mychel Thompson to make the Knicks opening-day roster. Smith and Thompson are on non-guaranteed minimum-salary deals.
Rockets Cut Kyle Fogg, Demetri McCamey
7:19pm: The team has put Fogg and McCamey on waivers, Feigen confirms.
4:56pm: The Rockets will waive camp invites Kyle Fogg and Demetri McCamey, a couple of weeks after they were signed in tandem, tweets Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. The team is interested in having both play for its D-League affiliate, Feigen says. When the moves become official, Houston's roster will be at 18 players.
Fogg and McCamey are both 6'3" guards, but only Fogg saw action in the Rockets' preseason opener last night. He scored three points in over four minutes of court time, but it was evidently not enough to allow him to continue his pursuit of making the NBA with Houston after going undrafted out of Arizona this June. McCamey played in five summer league games for the Bulls this year, averaging 4.4 points and 1.6 assists in 13.7 minutes per game.
Both were on non-guaranteed, minimum-salary deals, so their subtraction from the roster won't do much to alleviate the team's logjam of 18 players on either fully or partially guaranteed contracts.
Pacific Rumors: Nash, Duhon, Johnson-Odom
Eric Pincus is one of many NBA writers changing affiliations as the season approaches, heading from HoopsWorld to the Los Angeles Times, where he'll cover the Lakers. He gets a head start on his new gig in today's piece for HoopsWorld, as he wonders whether the team's improvements to its bench will be enough this season. He's got more on the Lakers, and we'll pass along that and other updates out of the Pacific Division.
- New Suns point guard Goran Dragic was "shocked" by the sign-and-trade deal that put Steve Nash in a Lakers uniform, as Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports writes. It's a move that would have taken Suns president of basketball operations Lon Babby by surprise at the beginning of the summer, as well. "My first reaction was I can't do that," the Suns executive said. "As time went on, (Suns owner) Robert Sarver was really good and said, 'We have to make a basketball decision that's best for our franchise.' "
- Nash believes the Suns will be all right without him, as Spears writes in the same piece. "They can be a surprise team this year," Nash said. "They brought in a lot of guys who can play. They brought in some young guys and put themselves in a position to build. I think they did a great job."
- Chris Duhon isn't represented by Dan Fegan, but like former Magic teammate Jason Richardson, he wasn't surprised Orlando included him in the Dwight Howard blockbuster, Pincus reports. “I kind of anticipated being traded and it’s fortunate that I was able land in a nice spot here in L.A," Duhon said. "I’m just going to try to make the most of this opportunity."
- Pincus also sizes up the chances 6'2" guard Darius Johnson-Odom, the 55th pick this past June who's in Lakers camp on a non-guaranteed deal, has of making the regular season roster. With Devin Ebanks and Jodie Meeks penciled in as the backup two guards, and four point guards on the roster, Johnson-Odom faces long odds, Pincus opines.
- Dwight Howard says it wasn't just his back that was affected by the herniated disk that required season-ending surgery last year, as Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times tweets. "It affected my nerves to the point where my whole left leg just went dead," Howard said.
- ESPNLosAngeles.com scribe Arash Markazi sizes up the impact new shooting coach Bob Thate could have on the Clippers.