Stein’s Latest: Kuminga, Podziemski, Markkanen, Jones, Thibodeau, Dinwiddie, Morris
There’s a growing belief in league circles that the Warriors are more willing to trade Jonathan Kuminga than Brandin Podziemski in a blockbuster deal for Lauri Markkanen or another impact player, Marc Stein reports in his latest Substack notebook.
Rumors of Golden State’s interest in Markkanen have been floated for weeks. According to Stein’s sources, the Jazz have enough interest in a package of Podziemski and future draft compensation that they could move Markkanen before Aug. 6, when Markkanen becomes eligible to renegotiate and extend his contract. He has an expiring $18MM deal.
The Warriors are reluctant to part with Podziemski not only because of how highly they value his on-court contributions but also for financial reasons. He has three years left on his rookie contract while Kuminga is eligible for a rookie scale extension this offseason. Any raise for Podziemski wouldn’t come onto the books until the contracts of Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins expire in the summer of 2027.
Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes and Franz Wagner — members of the same rookie class as Kuminga — have all signed max extensions. It’s unlikely Golden State will make that type of offer to him, but he’s due for a large raise.
It remains to be seen if adding Kuminga to a trade package would move the needle for Utah’s front office. Thus far, Golden State’s offers for Markkanen have centered around a combination of Moses Moody and other contracts, plus draft compensation, without including Podziemski or Kuminga, Stein adds.
The Warriors wouldn’t be able to immediately extend Markkanen since renegotiation-and-extension scenarios are only available to teams with cap space. But their continued interest in him suggests they’re confident they can lock him up long-term next offseason if they acquire him.
Here’s more from Stein:
- Carlik Jones‘ triple-double for South Sudan against Team USA could lead to renewed interest from NBA teams. Jones recently signed a two-year deal with Serbia’s Partizan Belgrade but the contract includes an NBA escape clause, valid through Thursday. Jones was the NBA G League MVP for the 2022/23 season, when he had a two-way deal with the Bulls. Last season, Jones played in China for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls.
- Expect a contract extension for Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau in the near future. Thibodeau would be entering the final season of his original five-year contract without an extension but he’s expected to sign a new deal with a value of at least $10MM annually.
- The Mavericks have a roster opening and they’re interested in re-signing Spencer Dinwiddie. Two other guards, Dennis Smith Jr. and Talen Horton-Tucker, are also under consideration but Dinwiddie is believed to be the team’s top choice. They’re also interested in retaining forward Markieff Morris, who is considered a lock to return, says Stein.
Southeast Notes: Smith, Ware, Sarr, Black
Dru Smith has been waived four times by the Heat during his NBA career. However, they keep coming back to him, the latest example being this summer, when they signed the guard to a two-way contract.
“The way this organization has treated me, it’s unbelievable,” Smith said, per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. “I’m very appreciative of it. At the same time, I’m going to go out there and do everything I can for them, as well. I think the love is reciprocated both ways, which I really appreciate. I just want to continue to get back healthy and then be able to get back out there for this team.”
Smith underwent ACL reconstruction surgery in his right knee, an injury he suffered in November. He’s hopeful that he can return by training camp.
“I think it’s very feasible,” he said. “But you never know, these things are day by day. So as long as everything goes smoothly, I think that’s kind of the plan. But like I said, it’s always up in the air. We just got to make sure everything is going right.”
We have more from the Southeast Division:
- Heat first-rounder Kel’el Ware continues to excel in Summer League action. The former Indiana University center had 24 points and 10 rebounds on Wednesday, his third double-double this summer. He also contributed two fourth-quarter blocks. “We continue to challenge him defensively,” Summer League coach Dan Bisaccio told Chiang. “He took that challenge. Everything at the rim was contested. We want to continue to see that. Obviously, this is never enough. But we’re really, really happy with him anchoring our defense.”
- Wizards big man Alex Sarr, the second pick in the draft, missed all 15 of his shot attempts in Wednesday’s Summer League game against Portland, ESPN notes. That included seven 3-point tries and he also missed two free throws. He did have nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks in just under 30 minutes. Sarr has shot below 35% in all three of his games in Las Vegas and is shooting 19.5% from the field overall. Sarr spoke to Sportskeeda’s Mark Medina about his goals for his rookie season, including his desire to make an impact at both ends of the floor.
- Magic guard Anthony Black didn’t play in Wednesday’s Summer League contest due to a mild ankle sprain, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel tweets. He’s averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals in two games this month.
Spurs Re-Sign Charles Bassey On One-Year Contract
JULY 17: Bassey’s new deal has been officially completed, the Spurs announced in a press release.
JULY 16: The Spurs are re-signing center Charles Bassey to a fully guaranteed one-year, $2.2MM contract, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets.
Bassey has played with San Antonio the past two seasons. The addition of Bassey will give San Antonio a full 15-man roster. San Antonio also reached an agreement with Sandro Mamukelashvili on Tuesday.
San Antonio waived Bassey earlier this month in order to complete the three-team trade with the Kings and Bulls highlighted by DeMar DeRozan and Harrison Barnes.
Bassey, 23, suffered a torn left ACL in December while playing for San Antonio’s G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs. Bassey was averaging 3.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in 10.8 minutes per game with the NBA club in 19 appearances prior to the injury. He made $2.6MM last season.
There haven’t been any updates on Bassey’s condition but obviously the Spurs felt comfortable enough about his rehab to give him a guaranteed deal. The terms reported by Charania suggest it’ll be worth the minimum — for a player with Bassey’s three years of service, that would be $2,162,606.
The big man was drafted by the Sixers in the 2021 second round and spent one year in Philadelphia.
Lindsey Harding To Join Lakers’ Coaching Staff
Lindsey Harding is leaving the Kings organization to join the Lakers’ coaching staff, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Last season, Harding was named G League Coach of the Year in her first season with the Stockton Kings. The previous four years, Harding was as an assistant/player development coach with the NBA’s Kings.
She will be the first full-time female assistant coach in Lakers’ history, according to Khobi Price of the Orange County Register.
New Lakers head coach J.J. Redick and Harding are Duke alums. Harding was a player development coach and pro personnel scout with the Sixers when Redick played for Philadelphia from 2017-19.
Harding interviewed for the Hornets’ head coaching job this offseason. Charlotte wound up hiring Boston assistant Charles Lee.
Harding has also coached the Mexican women’s national team since 2022 and previously served in the same role for South Sudan’s women’s team.
Former Hornets assistant coach Bob Beyer is also expected to join Redick’s staff, The Athletic’s Johan Buha reports. Beyer has been in attendance for multiple Lakers summer league games.
Former head coaches Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks will reportedly be Redick’s top assistants.
Hartenstein: Leaving Knicks ‘Was Definitely Hard’
Isaiah Hartenstein struggled with the idea of leaving the Knicks but he couldn’t pass up the money and chance to play for another contender. That’s why he chose the Thunder in free agency, he told Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.
“I was going to make sure I was set for the rest of my life,” Hartenstein said. “But then at the same time, if it wasn’t a team like OKC, I would’ve taken a pay cut because I loved it (in New York). But I now have an opportunity to make that money, make that pay raise, and still compete. I think that was the main factor.”
The Thunder targeted Hartenstein to pair up with Chet Holmgren in their frontcourt. They signed him to a three-year, $87MM contract, which includes a team option in the third year.
Although the Knicks wanted to retain Hartenstein, they were limited to a maximum offer of approximately $72.5MM over four years, since they only held his Early Bird rights, which allowed for a raise of up to 75% on his $9.25MM cap hit from 2023/24. The Knicks offered him the max they were allowed.
Additionally, Jalen Brunson tried to persuade Hartenstein to stay put.
“They said whatever we can give you, we’re going to give you,” Hartenstein said. “I talked to Jalen a couple times, Jalen and the guys. They really wanted me back and I really appreciate that. But it was definitely a hard decision. I couldn’t say no to an opportunity like this.”
Brunson signed a team-friendly extension this month but Hartenstein wasn’t making big money most of his NBA career. He totalled $22.65MM in career earnings in his first six seasons. He also recently became a father.
“He’s kind of in a different situation than I’m in. Already made $100 million (in his career). He’s the star player, knows he probably won’t ever get traded. So it’s a different situation,” Hartenstein said. “But that also shows what kind of a leader he is to make those sacrifices. I don’t think a lot of people are making those sacrifices. I think our situations are a little bit different but I have a lot of respect for him as a player and a human being for doing that.”
The Knicks still haven’t replaced Hartenstein. Oft-injured Mitchell Robinson is penciled in as the starting center with Jericho Sims as his backup. All things being equal from a monetary standpoint, Hartenstein would have re-signed.
“It was hard. For me if it wasn’t a situation like Oklahoma City with a chance to win, I don’t think I would’ve left. But that money is — you have to think about it, I just had a child so. …But it was really hard,” he said. “I love New York. I love the front office, I loved my team. So It was definitely hard. If it wasn’t a situation where I felt like I really had a chance to win, I probably wouldn’t have left.”
Raptors Sign Jamison Battle To Exhibit 10 Contract
The Raptors have signed undrafted forward Jamison Battle to an Exhibit 10 contract, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet tweets.
The 6’7” Battle averaged 15.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 31.4 minutes per game in 35 starts as a fifth-year senior at Ohio State last season. He shot 46.9% from the field and 43.3% from beyond the arc, which ranked second in the Big Ten and ninth nationally. Battle also led the Big Ten in free throw percentage at 92.6%.
Battle played two seasons at George Washington (2019-21) and two at Minnesota (2021-23) prior to joining the Buckeyes.
An Exhibit 10 contract is a non-guaranteed minimum-salary deal that doesn’t count against a team’s cap unless the player makes the regular season roster. It can be converted to a two-way contract before the season begins or the player can earn a bonus of up to $77.5K if he’s waived and then spends at least 60 days with his team’s G League affiliate, in this case the Raptors 905.
Kyrie Irving Undergoes Surgery For Broken Hand
Mavericks star gaurd Kyrie Irving underwent surgery to repair a broken left hand, according to a team press release. He sustained the injury earlier this month while training.
Irving was coming off a stellar postseason in which he averaged 22.1 points, 5.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game as he and backcourt partner Luka Doncic lifted Dallas to the NBA Finals.
He averaged 25.6 points, 5.2 assists and 5.0 rebounds during the regular season while appearing in 58 games. He missed time in December and late January due to heel and thumb injuries.
With training camps opening in two-and-a-half months, it stands to reason Irving should be healed by that time. To that end, a team source expressed optimism to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon that Irving will be able to participate in camp (Twitter link).
Still, the injury will disrupt his usual offseason regimen.
Irving will make $41MM next season and has a $43.96MM player option next offseason on the final year of his current contract.
Heat Notes: Bisaccio, Powell, Christopher, Swider, Williams, Stevens, Rozier, Jones
The Heat have officially promoted player development coach, Dan Bisaccio, naming him the head coach of the G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce, according to a team press release. Bisaccio, who is also currently serving as the Heat’s Summer League coach, has been with the organization for 10 years. Former Skyforce head coach, Kasib Powell, is joining Erik Spoelstra‘s staff as a player development coach.
We have more on the Heat:
- Josh Christopher has averaged 21.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals in two Las Vegas Summer League contests. Christopher, who appeared in 138 games with Houston from 2021-23, had a two-way contract with Utah last season but was waived before seeing any NBA action. The 22-year-old is trying to catch the attention of the Heat or another team in his quest for another NBA deal. “I’ll do whatever it takes to get back to where I need to be because I know I belong,” Christopher told Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. “I’m extremely hungry.”
- Cole Swider and Alondes Williams, who finished last season on two-way contracts, are also on the Summer League squad. Both players are unrestricted free agents after Miami withdrew qualifying offers to both players last week. The Heat have filled all their two-way slots, so Swider and Williams are also trying to earn another NBA contract, Chiang writes. Both players have yet to sign a standard NBA deal in their careers. “I’ve learned not to expect anything. I’ve learned that throughout this whole entire process of being an undrafted guy, getting a two-way, getting cut last year, coming into training camp and nothing was guaranteed, getting a two-way,” Swider said.
- Undrafted Colorado State guard Isaiah Stevens has made a favorable impression in Summer League action. He racked up 11 assists with only one turnover in 27 minutes against Boston over the weekend. “First and foremost, it’s doing his thing, not listening to me, being who he is, being a player,” said Bisaccio, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “He does such a great job of getting our offense organized. I have complete trust in him with that.”
- Even if the team hadn’t traded away Kyle Lowry‘s expiring contract as part of the Terry Rozier deal last season, Miami’s offseason moves wouldn’t have looked much different, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The Heat still wouldn’t have had cap space even if they had held onto Lowry’s contract, plus the non-taxpayer mid-level exception wouldn’t have netted them anyone as good as Rozier, Jackson notes.
- The Heat had strong interest last season in point guard Tyus Jones — who remains on the free agent market — and had talks with Washington before landing Rozier, Jackson adds, but there’s no realistic pathway for Miami to acquire Jones now.
Nets Notes: Hayes, Johnson, Marks
The Nets attended a Monday workout in Las Vegas for guard Killian Hayes, Erik Slater of Clutch Points tweets.
Hayes, a 2020 lottery pick, was waived by the Pistons after the trade deadline last season and has remained a free agent. He averaged 6.9 points and 4.9 assists in 42 games last season but shooting woes led to him losing his starting spot before he was cut loose. Hayes has shot 38.2% from the field in his career and 27.7% on 3-point tries.
We have more on the Nets:
- Cameron Johnson is entering the second year of a four-year, $94.5MM contract. In the wake of the Mikal Bridges trade, Johnson is uncertain about the front office’s plans for him, stating to the New York Post’s Brian Lewis that he’s “still trying to figure it out.” If the Nets retain him, Johnson says he’s excited by the youthful roster. “I think we have a pretty good group in Brooklyn that we can really start to grow something,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of talent in the building. … If I’m staying in Brooklyn, then I’m all-in, excited to play, excited to grow this group, and that’s where my head’s at right now.”
- Management plans to stay below the tax line until the Nets becomes competitive again. “Us not being in the tax this year was by design,” general manager Sean Marks said, per Lucas Kaplan of NetsDaily.com. “We don’t plan on being in there, and we’ll kept that future flexibility and make sure when it’s the right time, we’ve got an ownership group, like Joe (Tsai), who has shown the capacity to go in and pay tax when we’re competitors, when we’re really gonna contend for a championship. So that in our back pocket is vital, too.”
- In case you missed it, the Nets made re-signing Nic Claxton a priority this offseason and believe he could become the league’s premier defender. Get the details here.
Pelicans Notes: Matkovic, Theis, Hawkins, Missi
Center Karlo Matkovic signed a three-year minimum contract with the Pelicans on Sunday and expressed his joy to the New Orleans Times-Picayune’s Christian Clark.
“It’s really a big thing for me,” Matkovic said. “Happy for it. Excited. Can’t wait to get back to New Orleans to work with the guys. Excited for the new season, pretty much. Happy.”
He may have been a little overexcited, as he committed seven turnovers in Summer League action against the Magic. On the positive side, Matkovic contributed 10 points, four rebounds and five assists.
We have more from the Pelicans:
- In the same story, Clark speculates that veteran Daniel Theis could start at center on opening night. Theis was signed to a one-year deal last week. Yves Missi (the 21st pick in last month’s draft), Matkovic, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl are New Orleans’ other options at center.
- The Pelicans allowed their opponents to score 114.3 points per 100 possessions when Jordan Hawkins played last season, according to Clark, which limited Hawkins’ playing time. The 14th overall pick last year out of UConn, Hawkins admits he needs to improve defensively to receive an expanded role. “Definitely the defensive end,” Hawkins said. “I think that’s what held me back a little bit. Not being able to guard. So I think my big focus is going to be on guarding. Trying to guard wings. Trying to get bigger. Shooting. Being a 40% three-point shooter for our team. We have guys who can penetrate, get to the hoop. I just have to be able to knock shots down.”
- Executive VP of basketball operations David Griffin gushed about Missi’s potential during the broadcast of the club’s Summer League opener (hat tip to Dylan Sanders of Pelicans Scoop). “Athletically, he’s going to be in the top one half of one percent at his position, but also as a human being he’s exactly who we want to be,” Griffin said. “You can see he can defend in space. Everything that makes him raw is something we can address, but everything that he brings is innately something really special.”