Pacers Rumors: Granger, Green, Augustin, Mahinmi
Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star shares a number of noteworthy tidbits from his conversation with Pacers coach Frank Vogel, including word that Danny Granger will be brought along slowly in training camp after a left knee issue that arose over the summer. He'll only play in some of the team's preseason games, but the Pacers don't expect it to become a major issue, Wells writes. Here's more from the coach of the team that held a 2-1 lead on the eventual champion Heat in the conference semis this spring:
- Vogel is impressed with new acquisitions Gerald Green and D.J. Augustin. "Gerald Green is doing things everyday I didn’t think was possible for human beings to do," he said. "D.J. has really blown me away in the limited time that he’s been here in terms of his ability to create and make others better. That’s a unique talent to have. Literally on almost every possession he makes somebody better with his passing."
- The coach also shed some light on the team's decision to let go of Louis Amundson, who signed today with the Wolves, and commit $16MM over four seasons to Ian Mahinmi in the sign-and-trade that sent away Darren Collison and Dahntay Jones. "We felt like Lou did a great job last year, but we also felt like we got lucky with injuries to (Andrew) Bogut, (Al) Horford, (Brook) Lopez and (Dwight) Howard," Vogel said. "We think Mahinmi will size up and give us more depth against those elite centers better than Lou did."
- Lance Stephenson is the early favorite to backup Paul George at shooting guard, Wells writes, a role filled by current free agent Leandro Barbosa when last season ended. "Lance Stephenson has challenged for playing time for two years," Vogel said. "Now he’s playing with more confidence than he ever has. So he’s going to challenge the starters."
Extension Candidate: Paul Millsap
A few days ago when I looked at the extension candidacy of Al Jefferson, I surmised that if the Jazz want to re-up one of their pair of veteran big men eligible for an extension, Paul Millsap might be the better choice. In August, Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune wrote that the Jazz offered Millsap about $25MM over three years, all they're capable of paying him in an extension under the rules of the CBA, but Millsap has let the offer sit. He'll be an unrestricted free agent next summer, and Smith estimated that he could be in line for a contract worth at least $9MM a year, more than he could get in an extension. Yet it would be hard for Millsap to get the most out of free agency if he spends the year coming off the bench, and Smith wrote yesterday that he'll engage in an "old-school, winner-take-all position battle" in camp against Derrick Favors for the starting power forward job. Losing that competition might be enough to prompt Jefferson to reconsider the Jazz's offer.
Millsap's cap hit will be $8.6MM this season, though he'll actually only clear about $7.2MM, since the other $1.4MM came as part of a signing bonus in 2009. Either way, that's about half of Jefferson's $15MM salary this year. For a much cheaper price, Millsap comes off a season in which he delivered production that was remarkably similar to Jefferson's. Millsap shot 49.5% while Jefferson shot 49.2%. Millsap grabbed 8.8 rebounds per game, and Jefferson notched 9.6 RPG. Millsap's 21.8 PER is just a tick down from Jefferson's 22.8. Millsap scored fewer points per game (16.6 to Jefferson's 19.2), but saw fewer shot opportunities, attempting 13.5 field goals per game while Jefferson took 17.2. They're separated in age by little more than a month, but still, Millsap seems likely to continue to make less than Jefferson does when they sign their next contracts. That's in part because of what they've both made in the past and in part because the 6'10" Jefferson is two inches taller and capable of manning the center position, where there's a league-wide dearth of talent.
The Jazz only have about $25MM tied up for 2013/14, including team options, so they don't necessarily have to choose between Millsap and Jefferson. Still, cap space would become tighter if the team elects to re-sign its younger bigs, Favors and Enes Kanter, when they finish their rookie contracts in 2014 and 2015, respectively. It doesn't make much sense to pay four guys major money when only two of them can start without playing out of position, so one, if not two, of them will have to move on eventually. Millsap was reportedly part of trade talks involving Ryan Anderson this summer, and while the Jazz were apparently reluctant to make a deal, it certainly seems there's no guarantee Millsap will finish the season in Utah if he doesn't sign an extension.
Between trade rumors and the specter of a contract-year benching, there's plenty of motivation for Millsap to take the Jazz's offer, especially if he's truly interested in remaining in Utah. The priority for the 27-year-old Millsap, who made close to the minimum salary his first three seasons in the league and has spent his last three as a relative bargain, might be to seek the most guaranteed money he can get as he approaches unrestricted free agency for the first time. For that reason, I still think he's unlikely to accept the offer from the Jazz, though I wouldn't be completely shocked if he did. Unlike players coming off of rookie-scale contracts, Millsap is eligible to sign an extension right up until June 30th of next year, so if he loses the starting job to Favors in training camp or at a later point this season, that $25MM offer might start to look more attractive to him, providing it's still on the table.
Atlantic Rumors: King, Wright, Rondo, Terry, Rivers
We rounded up several notes from the Atlantic Division earlier today, but the news just keeps coming, so we'll dive in for more:
- Nets GM Billy King is optimistic about his roster, and he's relieved that the team can begin training camp without speculation about a major move, as with rumors linking Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard to the team the past two seasons, Newsday's Roderick Boone writes.
- We heard Dorell Wright heap praise on new teammate Andrew Bynum earlier today, and Wright also spoke about his own game to Dei Lynam of CSNPhilly.com. After a down year in his final season with Golden State made finding a new starting small forward a priority for the Warriors, Wright wants to showcase more than his three-point shooting ability for the Sixers.
- Celtics GM Danny Ainge says this year's playoffs proved Rajon Rondo is the team's best player, and Paul Flannery of WEEI.com examines whether that's indeed the case.
- Free agent signee Jason Terry, who said his "mission is to kill" the Heat and the Lakers, is fine with seeing time as the backup point guard for the Celtics, Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com writes. It appears he may have to fill that role, since Ainge doesn't expect the team will sign another ballhandler to replace Keyon Dooling.
- Forsberg also passed along Terry's comments indicating that coach Doc Rivers was an important factor in his decision to sign with the Celtics. "He's a guy that I wanted to play for," Terry said. "I played for him, it was probably 2000, 2001, in the Goodwill Games and we won a gold medal. Our relationship is pretty easy. And he was the first one to call me. When Doc calls, you answer. And I'm just happy to be here."
Northwest Rumors: Hickson, Morrison, Jazz
It's been a busy day for current and former members of the Timberwolves. The team officially announced the signing of Louis Amundson, having reportedly passed on Sean Williams and Yi Jianlian. Anthony Tolliver was also in the running to return until yesterday, and today he agreed to sign with the Hawks. Mark Deeks of ShamSports revealed the Wolves can get out of the last year of their contract with Brandon Roy if he reinjures his knees this season, and after an offseason of changes, Kevin Love says he's satisfied with the team's moves. There's news on Minnesota's Northwest Division rivals as well, and we'll round it up here:
- J.J. Hickson will start training camp with the inside track to be the starter at center for the Blazers, said coach Terry Stotts, who also gave a nod to the strides rookie Meyers Leonard made over the summer, as The Oregonian's Joe Freeman writes.
- In the same piece, Freeman reports that the Blazers will give strong consideration to keeping Adam Morrison for the entire season. The third overall pick in the 2006 draft signed a non-guaranteed contract with the team last week.
- The Jazz have added 27-year-old former University of Utah guard Johnnie Bryant to their staff as a player development assistant, reports Jody Genessy of the Deseret News (Twitter link).
Odds & Ends: Renfroe, Knicks, Cavs, Grizzlies, Bell
Guard Alex Renfroe was reportedly close to signing with the Warriors earlier this month, but now it appears the former Belmont University standout is headed to the Spanish club CB Valladolid, David Pick reports via Twitter (hat tip to Sportando). Renfroe is like many who remain as free agents this time of year, faced with the choice between more money overseas and a shot at making an NBA roster on a non-guaranteed minimum-salary deal. While the NBA remains far and away the premier league worldwide, there is legitimate competition for players on the fringes of the Association. Here's the latest:
- Raptors radio analyst Eric Smith says the Knicks have hired former Raptors assistant Dave Hopla as an assistant coach for player development (Twitter link).
- The Cavaliers considered adding another veteran this summer to fill the leadership vaccum left by the departures of Antawn Jamison and Anthony Parker, but decided against it, believing coach Byron Scott as well as Anderson Varejao and Daniel Gibson can provide voices that are strong enough, writes Terry Pluto of the Plain Dealer.
- Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal writes that the Grizzlies will remain in the top tier of an improved Western Conference if they can stay healthy.
- Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel believes Raja Bell would be a welcome addition to the Heat. The 36-year-old shooting guard says the Heat would be his first choice if he can secure a buyout from the Jazz.
- Former Spurs enforcer Bruce Bowen talked to Raul Barrigon of HoopsHype.com about the Spurs' decision to largely stand pat this season, the Heat's chances to repeat, and his desire to get into coaching or a front office job someday.
- Keith Schlosser of Ridiculous Upside spoke with guard Cameron Jones, who made first team All-Rookie in the D-League last season after spending training camp with the Heat. Jones is a cousin of Raptors guard Landry Fields.
Washburn On Ujiri, Fisher, Williams, Barnes
Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe caught up with Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri, who received plaudits this summer after trading for Andre Iguodala but still faces an uphill battle in a stacked Western Conference. He has more to share from around the league, and we'll hit the highlights here.
- Washburn believes free agent point guard Derek Fisher could be a consideration for the Celtics, though we heard yesterday that A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com doesn't think the team will pursue him. Boston is thin at point guard following the retirement of Keyon Dooling.
- Hawks GM Danny Ferry's decision to buy out Jordan Williams was curious, according to Washburn, who wonders why they didn't try to dangle him in a trade offer. The Globe scribe says at 6'10" and 260 pounds, with the ability to rebound and play center, Williams shouldn't remain a free agent for long. One report has linked Williams to the Knicks.
- Washburn also heard from Matt Barnes, who recently signed with the Clippers, about his experience on the other team in L.A. "I think you really learn a lot about yourself, playing for the Lakers, you are on the biggest stage in the world,” the forward said. “All eyes are always on you. You’re never supposed to miss a shot and you’re never supposed to lose. You really have to control your feelings and emotions when people try to jump on you, because they expect 82-0 and they expect titles every year. It’s not a bad tradition to live up to, but you definitely find out a lot about yourself.”
J.J. Redick Seeks Long-Term Deal From Magic
The Magic are clearly rebuilding, but J.J. Redick isn't anxious to jump to a team that's closer to winning, and has expressed his desire to stay in Orlando for the long haul to GM Rob Hennigan and coach Jacque Vaughn, reports John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com. Redick is entering the final season of a three-year, $20.19MM contract, but is ineligible for an extension since his deal is for less than four years. That means any new pact between Redick and the Magic would have to wait until next summer.
"I love playing here and I love playing for Orlando. I love representing our fans and our city," the 28-year-old shooting guard said. "But I understand it’s a transition year for our organization. I’ve had conversations with Rob and we’re both on the same page with my future going forward. I’ve given him my commitment that as long as I’m in Orlando and wearing a Magic uniform that I’m going to be a pro and give everything like I always have. He knows that and respects that and we’ll be fine."
Redick is optimistic that the team will be better than most expect, but since the Magic figure to finish at or near the bottom of the standings this season, an overachievement may still leave them well short of the playoffs. The focus is clearly on the future in Orlando following the Dwight Howard trade that brought back draft picks and cap space, but it could be multiple years before the team returns to the postseason. Still, it seemed apparent Howard was on his way out of town when Jameer Nelson re-signed with the Magic for another three years this summer, so Redick isn't the only veteran willing to stick around.
The Magic may have other plans, as they're reportedly looking to trade some of their vets. Since Redick is ineligible for an extension, he'll spend the whole season on an expiring contract, which makes him an attractive trade chip. Even if he remains on the club for all of 2012/13, the Magic may be hesitant to tie up some of its cap space with him, unless he's willing to sign at a discount or come back on either a one- or two-year-deal.
There's a touch of irony that Redick wants to stay with the Magic now that they're expected to lose a lot of games, since he signed his existing contract as an offer sheet from the Bulls in 2010, one year after the Magic made the NBA Finals. The Magic matched the offer sheet that summer, and elected to retain him this offseason rather than waive him before the final year of his deal, worth $6.19MM, became guaranteed. Redick, whom the Magic drafted 11th overall in 2006, averaged 11.6 points, 2.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds with a 15.1 PER last season, all of which are career highs. He started 22 games, the first time he's started more than nine games in any season.
Agent Says Yi Jianlian Will Play In China
Agent Lu Yu says former lottery pick Yi Jianlian will play for the Guangdong Tigers in the Chinese league this season, according to the Chinese-language website NetEase (translation via HoopsHype). Lu said last month that his client's first choice was to remain in the NBA, but it appears an opportunity to do so did not materialize after his inconsistent performance for the Chinese Olympic team reportedly turned off NBA scouts.
Yi drew interest from Spain's Real Madrid earlier this summer, but Yi's request of two million euros appeared to be out of the team's price range. He spent last year with the Mavs after signing a minimum-salary deal shortly after the regular season began, but appeared in only 30 games and averaged career lows in minutes (6.8), points (2.6) and rebounds (1.6) per contest. He was the sixth overall pick of the 2007 draft by the Bucks, but never came close to delivering on his promise except for his 2009/10 season with the Nets. That year, starting 51 of his 52 games played, he averaged 12.0 points and 7.2 rebounds with a 12.3 PER.
It's the second straight year that Guangdong has landed a 2007 NBA first-round pick, as 26th overall selection Aaron Brooks spent last season with the team before signing this summer with the Kings.
Knicks Hire Baron Davis For Advisory Role
Baron Davis is recovering from a serious right knee injury and isn't ready to return to the court, but he's agreed to join the Knicks as an adviser, and will do some charity and in-game entertainment work for the team as well, reports Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com. The job, which comes with no official title, may include some scouting duties as well.
Davis is an unrestricted free agent as a player, and despite suffering a partial tear of his patella tendon and complete tears of his ACL and MCL, he said last month he hopes to return to play at some point this season. Begley writes that he's not expected to be ready before May, one year after the injury occurred, which means he's likely out for the entire 2012/13 season.
Though he's played only 29 games in a Knicks uniform, he's shown affection for the team, and the feeling appears mutual, as the Knicks reportedly approached him about an advisory role this summer while he was doing rehab with the team's trainers. When Davis returns to the court, it's clear his first choice will be to remain in New York.
"I hope I return. I want to come back," the point guard said in June, according to Begley. "I want to be a Knick for the rest of my career. … Playing in the Garden and the people, the fans. I feel like New York is the mecca of basketball. This was the best stage, for who I am, to give back to the community and play for a top-notch organization."
Mickael Pietrus Talking To Pair Of Teams
Free agent swingman Mickael Pietrus spoke to Alexis Boissel of the French-language website BasketSession.com and indicated that he's narrowed his choices down to two teams. He said he would have signed already, but wasn't interested in the money he was being offered, which seems to reinforce the notion that he's holding out for more than the minimum salary.
We heard from Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com earlier this week that three teams have displayed significant interest in the 6'6" 30-year-old, with two of those teams "very motivated" to complete a deal. It appears those clubs aren't the Timberwolves and the Celtics, as a pair of reports yesterday downplayed the chances of him winding up with those teams. Haynes also wrote that Pietrus has an offer from an overseas club that includes an out if he wanted to return to the NBA.
The Bucks reportedly had interest earlier this summer, but that has since waned, and with this week's signing of Marquis Daniels bringing the roster to 15 players, all of whom are on fully guaranteed contracts, it would be quite a surprise if Pietrus wound up in Milwaukee. The Raptors had internal discussions about Pietrus, but they can't offer him more than the minimum salary. The Hawks could be a possibility, since they have their $1.957MM biannual exception available and none of their three best fits at small forward have guaranteed deals, but that's just my speculation.
Pietrus, a nine-year veteran, has averaged 8.4 points and 3.1 rebounds with an 11.8 PER for his career. He was hampered by a right knee injury last season with the Celtics, when he put up 6.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG and an 8.5 PER, but after a do-over surgery this summer, he appears to feel much better, telling Boissel that his knee problems are behind him and that he is 100%.