Western Notes: Timberwolves, Beal, James, Buss, Grizzlies
The arbitrators in the Timberwolves’ ownership dispute have been named.
Retired Hennepin County (Minn.) District Court Judge Thomas Fraser will serve as the neutral arbitrator in the upcoming legal proceedings, according to Sportico’s Eben Novy-Williams and Michael McCann.
Fraser is one of three people who will oversee the proceedings, which will begin the week of Nov. 4, to settle the legal battle between current Timberwolves majority owner Glen Taylor and the group headed by Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore. The other two arbitrators will be retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Kathleen Blatz (appointed by Taylor) and Wilson Sonsini partner Joseph R. Slights III (appointed by Rodriguez/Lore).
We have more from the Western Conference:
- The suggestion that Bradley Beal should be the Suns’ sixth man doesn’t make a lot of sense, Gerald Bourguet of Gophnx.com opines. Despite an injury-plagued season, Beal is the team’s third-best player and removing him from the starting five in favor of Grayson Allen is a downgrade on several levels, in Bourguet’s view.
- LeBron James‘ work ethic never ceases to amaze Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, she told Chuck Schilken of the Los Angeles Times. “He consistently delivers. He puts in the work. He’s not only a worldwide brand, but he is our leader,” Buss said. “He’s the captain of our team and he sets the tone, sets the pace by putting in the hard work. Nobody can complain about the work if you see somebody with his résumé and his longevity of career, nobody can complain about having to practice if he’s willing to do it. And he does. He just amazes me.”
- Robinhood Markets, Inc., a financial services company, will serve as the jersey patch and official investing partner of the Grizzlies, Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal writes. The same company is also in a partnership with the Wizards for their jersey patch this season.The Grizzlies haven’t had a jersey patch since 2021, after a three-year deal with FedEx came to an end, Cole adds.
Eastern Notes: Jovic, Battier, Okoro, Klei
The Heat’s Nikola Jovic will, by necessity, likely see the bulk of his minutes at power forward this season. He’s focused on taking advantage of mismatches, according to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
“I would say the biggest thing I was working on the most was when I’m working in the low post, when I have a smaller guy on me, I just have to punish them,” Jovic said. “That’s something I think will help our team a lot. So I would say that’s the main thing for me, other than still being able to spread the floor and everything I already did.”
Jovic, who started 38 of the 46 games he played last season, is eligible for a rookie scale extension next summer.
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- Shane Battier left his front office job with the Heat in 2021 because he wanted to explore other opportunities outside of basketball, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald relays. In an episode of the Glue Guys podcast, Battier explained his decision about leaving his post as vice president/basketball development and analytics. “There is so much in life to experience and try my hand at,” he said. “So many interesting people around the world. I’m so fascinated about learning. I turned 46 this week and I feel I have so much to learn and have so much to do in the world still. I needed to go out and explore and meet and learn. I wanted to learn new industries. It sounds very strange because I love basketball. For me to be truly happy, that’s what I need to do.”
- Under the terms of Isaac Okoro‘s three-year contract with the Cavaliers, he’ll have a $10.2MM base salary this season, ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweets. His salary rises to $11MM in 2025/26 and $11.8MM in 2026/27. In addition to the $33MM in guaranteed money, the contract also includes $4.9MM in unlikely incentives. Cleveland is now $1.9MM above the luxury tax line but has the flexibility to get under that figure during the season, if needed, Marks adds.
- The College Park Skyhawks, the Hawks’ NBA G League affiliate, have named Steven Klei as their new head coach, according to Lauren Williams of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Klei, 31, replaces Ryan Schmidt, who will become a full-time assistant with the Hawks. Aaron Evans has been hired as the Skyhawks’ GM.
Northwest Notes: Gupta, Mays, Singer, Jazz Offseason
Timberwolves executive Sachin Gupta is changing sports. He’s leaving his post as executive vice president of basketball operations to take a prominent position with soccer’s Chelsea FC, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic tweets.
Gupta, 42, has been in the Timberwolves’ front office since May 2019. He also had stints with the Rockets, Sixers and Pistons. Gupta served as the interim head of basketball operations in Minnesota following the 2021 dismissal of Gersson Rosas before the organization hired Tim Connelly in 2022.
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- The Timberwolves’ NBA G League franchise, the Iowa Wolves, has acquired the returning player rights to guard Skylar Mays from the Westchester Knicks in exchange for the returning player rights to guard Vit Krejci and a 2025 G League first round pick, according to a Wolves press release. The Timberwolves signed Mays to an Exhibit 10 contract on Tuesday. By trading for Mays’ returning player rights, the Wolves can offer him a bonus worth up to $77.5K if he’s waived and then spends at least 60 days with the Iowa Wolves.
- A former Nuggets beat writer is joining their organization. Denver is hiring former Denver Post reporter Mike Singer as their director of intelligence and strategy, according to The Denver Post’s Bennett Durando. In addition to hiring Singer, the Nuggets are promoting Todd Checovich to the position of scouting director. Drew Nicholas, who held that position for two years, accepted a new job with the Nets this summer.
- Many of the Jazz players stayed close to their NBA home during the offseason. Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, Isaiah Collier, Brice Sensabaugh, Cody Williams, Kyle Filipowski, Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton spent the majority of the summer working out in Utah, according to Sarah Todd of The Deseret News.
Pistons Notes: Duren, Ivey, Harris
It’s a pivotal season for Pistons center Jalen Duren, who will be extension-eligible next offseason. Duren’s development is one of the major questions for the franchise as training camp approaches, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com writes.
Duren has not established himself as a defensive anchor despite the fact that he’s as athletic as any NBA center, Langlois notes, considering his 250-pound frame and 7-foot-5 wingspan. His end-to-end speed also stands out.
Duren is already an elite rebounder, as his pair of 20-20 games last season would suggest. If he can become a defensive force, the 20-year-old has All-Star potential, Langlois concludes.
We have more on the Pistons:
- Like Duren, Jaden Ivey is also looking his make his mark during his third Pistons season, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press notes in a subscriber-only story. Ivey, who will likely have the ball in his hands during times when Cade Cunningham isn’t on the court, has displayed breathtaking speed and the ability to generate open shots but has been among the league’s most turnover-prone players, Sankofa points out. Whether Ivey starts or runs the second unit, he’ll need to improve as a play-maker and show more discipline on defense.
- Melanie Harris has been named the Pistons’ president of business operations, according to a team press release. Harris, who previously worked for Nike, will be responsible for leading the organization’s business lines, expanding revenue opportunities and driving engagement with partners, sponsors, ticketholders and fans.
- Our readers believe the Pistons will exceed their projected win total this season. Check out the results of that vote here.
Pistons Sign Dereon Seabron To Exhibit 10 Contract
The Pistons have agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with guard Dereon Seabron, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets. The deal is official, per RealGM’s transaction log.
Seabron has played on two-way deals with the Pelicans over the past two seasons. He has appeared in a total of 11 NBA games, averaging 1.6 points in 6.1 minutes per contest.
Seabron has spent the bulk of his two pro seasons in the G League. He appeared in 28 games with the Birmingham Squadron last season, including 26 starts, and averaged 18.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 33.3 minutes per game.
This summer, Seabron played in three Las Vegas Summer League games for the Bulls, averaging 8.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG and 2.7 APG in 21.4 MPG.
Seabron, 24, went undrafted out of North Carolina State.
An Exhibit 10 contract would allow Seabron to receive a bonus worth up to $77.5K (on top of his standard G League salary) if he’s waived by the Pistons and then spends at least 60 days with the Motor City Cruise.
Southwest Notes: Jones, DeRozan, Rose, Pippen Jr., Thompson
Tre Jones has started 113 games for the Spurs at the point over the past two seasons. He’ll likely be relegated to the second unit this season with the free agent addition of Chris Paul. Jones isn’t upset about losing his starting job to a future Hall of Famer, as he told Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News.
“It was extreme excitement right away,” Jones said of the Spurs signing Paul. “To be able to learn from a generational point guard like that, it’s something I’ll never take for granted.”
Jones looks at the upcoming season as a learning experience.
“He’s a guy who thinks the game at such a high level,” he said. “He’s been on some of the best teams and been around some of the greatest to play the game. He’s gone to the Finals. He’s been in huge moments in the playoffs. Just being able to pick his brain and learn from him all year – I’m going to take full advantage of that.”
It’s a crucial season for Jones — he’s entering his walk year and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2025.
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- The Spurs showed some interest in bringing free agent wing DeMar DeRozan back to San Antonio, Sam Amick of The Athletic reports. At the same time, the Spurs made it clear they would be willing to help him get to the team of his choice by helping facilitate a three-team trade. And that’s exactly what happened, as DeRozan was dealt by the Bulls in a sign-and-trade transaction to the Kings in a three-team swap. Harrison Barnes was sent to San Antonio as part of that trade.
- The backup point guard spot is the biggest question hovering over the Grizzlies, according to Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Derrick Rose and Scotty Pippen Jr. are the top candidates for the job, but Rose has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and only appeared in 24 games last season. Pippen played well in the second half of the season but didn’t play much with the team’s biggest stars due to the team’s injury issues. If neither of them emerges, Memphis may have to lean on non-traditional options like Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane to back up Ja Morant at the point, Cole writes.
- Amen Thompson‘s versatility makes it difficult to pinpoint what position he’s best suited to play, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle notes. When Thompson was at his most impactful last season, he defended point guards, but offensively was more of a rim-running center, according to Feigen. However, Rockets coach Ime Udoka said he plans to have Thompson back up Fred VanVleet at the point this season.
Heat Notes: Robinson, Jaquez, Butler
Duncan Robinson missed nine games late in the regular season due to a back injury, then was limited during last season’s playoffs. Robinson says he’s fully recovered from that ailment as Heat training camp approaches, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
“I feel great,” Robinson said. “We took all the necessary steps, seeing who we needed to see. Not restricted in any way. Have [not been limited] for the better part of eight weeks. Playing pickup. No limitations. It’s still a focus and emphasis in terms of what I’m doing in the weight room. [But it] hasn’t given me any issues. It was a rude awakening turning 30 [this past April] and having back issues within a month. Father Time is undefeated.”
Robinson has two years remaining on his five-year, $90MM contract.
We have more on the Heat:
- After losing Caleb Martin in free agency, the Heat need to fill that void by finding a new defensive stopper. Jaime Jaquez Jr. says he can assume that role, according to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “I think obviously with losing Caleb this year, I think there’s definitely going to be a hole to be filled when it comes to the defensive side of the ball and a guy that can really go out there and stop the other team’s best player or whoever’s got it going that night,” Jaquez said. “I think my role can definitely evolve into somebody who Coach just decides, ‘Hey, Jaime I want you to go guard the best player and chase him and stop him.’ I think that’s the way my role can evolve.”
- Addressing a report that the Warriors are monitoring Jimmy Butler, Winderman says he anticipates Butler’s future will continue to be a hot topic unless the Heat get off to a solid start or the forward signs an extension. However, Winderman also notes that under the CBA and its prohibitive tax aprons, blockbuster deals are more complicated and more difficult than ever.
- In case you missed it, free agent forward Nassir Little is reportedly working out for the Heat. Get the details here.
And-Ones: Fitts, Gilyard, NBA Schedule, Flagg, Swarm Staff
In an NBA G League swap, the Memphis Hustle acquired a 2025 first-round pick and the returning player rights to forward Malik Fitts from the Cleveland Charge, the Grizzlies’ G League team tweets. The Charge, the Cavaliers’ affiliate, received the returning player rights to guard Jacob Gilyard.
Fitts has appeared in 18 NBA games, most recently in eight contests with Boston during the 2021/22 campaign when he was signed to two 10-day contracts. Gilyard appeared in a combined 41 NBA games with the Grizzlies and Nets last season. He was on a two-way deal with Brooklyn after Memphis waived him.
We have more from around the basketball world:
- It’s impossible to keep all the NBA teams happy and give them their desired dates on an 82-game schedule. Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic spoke to an unnamed source who detailed the issues confronting the schedule makers. “You’ve got 30 different teams each with their own perspective on what they would like to see and within each of the 30 teams, you’ve got multiple perspectives from what makes the most sense,” the source said. “The league is then responsible for taking all of the different perspectives and try to make something that’s going to please everyone, which inherently is an impossible task.”
- How would projected 2025 top pick Cooper Flagg impact a team in rebuild mode? Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report dives into that topic, exploring how the Duke freshman big man would fit in with the Nets, Hornets, Pistons, Trail Blazers, Spurs, Raptors, Jazz and Wizards.
- Nathan Peavy, David Noel III and Alex Ruoff have been announced as assistant coaches on DJ Bakker‘s staff with the Greensboro Swarm, the Hornets‘ affiliate, the G League team announced in a press release. Peavy joins the Swarm after serving last season as the head coach of the Cangrejeros de Santurce in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional league, Puerto Rico’s top professional division. Noel spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach for the Motor City Cruise, the Pistons’ affiliate. Ruoff was on West Virginia’s coaching staff the last two seasons.
Nassir Little Auditioning For Celtics, Warriors, Heat
Several teams have worked out or plan to work out free agent forward Nassir Little, Spotrac contributor Keith Smith tweets.
That group includes the defending champion Celtics, Warriors and Heat. The Athletic reported earlier in the day that Little is also among a trio of forwards who is working out for the Kings.
Little would seemingly have a greater chance of hooking on with the Kings and Warriors than the other two squads. As our roster counts display, Sacramento has 14 players signed to the official roster (not counting two-way deals) but only 12 have fully guaranteed contracts. Golden State has 15 players on the official roster but just 12 have fully guaranteed deals.
Boston and Miami have 14 players apiece on fully guaranteed deals, plus others on training camp or non-guaranteed contracts. Both also have major luxury tax considerations — the Celtics are operating well above the second tax apron, while the Heat would surpass that second apron threshold by carrying a 15th man.
Little, 24, has been a free agent since Phoenix waived him late last month. The combo forward appeared in 45 games for the Suns last season, making two starts and posting 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds in 10.2 minutes per night. He spent his first four NBA seasons in Portland before coming to Phoenix in a three-team trade last September.
Kings Officially Sign Rookie Guard Boogie Ellis
The Kings have officially signed Boogie Ellis, according to a press release from the team.
Sacramento’s intention to sign the former USC guard was first reported in late July. Terms of the contract have not been reported or announced, but it’s most likely an Exhibit 10 deal.
Ellis played for Sacramento’s Summer League team after going undrafted. He averaged 11.2 PPG in five games in July while shooting 51.3% from the field and 54.5% from 3-point range.
Ellis began his college career at Memphis in 2019 before transferring to USC two years later. He earned second-team All-Pac 12 honors last season while averaging 16.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 29 games with the Trojans. In his three seasons at USC, Ellis averaged 15.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 95 career games.
An Exhibit 10 contract would allow Ellis to receive a bonus worth up to $77.5K (on top of his standard G League salary) if he’s waived by Sacramento and then spends at least 60 days with the Stockton Kings. He would also be eligible to have the contract converted into a two-way deal before the season, but the Kings don’t currently have an open two-way slot.