P.J. Tucker To Become Unrestricted Free Agent
Heat forward P.J. Tucker will decline his $7.35MM option for next season, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets. Tucker will be an unrestricted free agent and several contending teams are expected to compete for his services.
It’s still possible Miami could re-sign him on a longer deal and/or more money. Miami president Pat Riley declared in his postseason press conference that bringing back the defensive ace was a high priority.
“P.J. is a cornerstone,” Riley said. “I would love to have Tuck back next year. He’s part of our core. He’s special.”
Non-taxpayer teams could pursue Tucker using their mid-level exception, worth a projected $10.349MM in the first year.
Miami holds Tucker’s Non-Bird rights and could offer him up to four years on a salary starting at 120% of his previous cap hit ($7MM this past season).
Tucker had been planning to opt out in search of a raise, but Miami is optimistic about retaining his services, Hoops Rumors’ JD Shaw tweets.
Tucker averaged 7.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG and 2.1 APG while making 41.7% of his 3-point attempts with Miami this past season while starting in 70 of 71 regular season games. He averaged 7.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 1.8 APG in 18 playoff games.
Tucker won a championship with the Bucks in 2021, starting 19 of Milwaukee’s 23 postseason games during its run.
Draft Notes: Banchero, Wesley, Williams, Mock
Duke’s Paolo Banchero is projected by most mock drafts to be selected by the Rockets with the No. 3 pick. Banchero believes that’s two slots too low, USA Today’s David Thompson writes.
“I feel like I am the best player in the draft and I feel like I showed that throughout the year,” he said. “I feel like I showed everything with my skill sets and my intangibles.”
However, he wouldn’t be disappointed if he ends up playing with Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr in Houston.
“Those are two extremely skilled, extremely talented players,” Banchero said. “Both guys I’ve known for a while. I feel like playing with them would be fun.”
We have more draft-related info:
- Notre Dame’s Blake Wesley is the latest player to get a green room invite, Jonathan Givony of ESPN tweets. He’s currently ranked No. 27 on ESPN’s Best Available list. There are now 22 players with green room invitations.
- Jalen Williams has worked out for the Clippers, Warriors, Nuggets, Grizzlies, Bucks, Thunder and Spurs, Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee tweets. ESPN ranks the Santa Clara guard at No. 21. Williams will soon visit the Cavaliers, Anderson adds.
- In Basketball News’ Matt Babcock’s latest mock draft, Williams winds up with the Grizzlies at No. 22. Jabari Smith is the Magic‘s pick at No. 1.
Northwest Notes: Morris, Hyland, Nuggets Draft, Minott, Wiggins
The impending trade of JaMychal Green to the Thunder portends a very busy summer for the Nuggets, Mike Singer of the Denver Post writes.
Denver is intent on maximizing Nikola Jokic‘s prime years, so the fact that the team now has two first-rounders in this year’s draft suggests more moves are coming. It’s unlikely two rookies would have an immediate impact on a team with championship aspirations.
With Jamal Murray returning this season, Monte Morris could be moved. He has an affordable contract and has generated significant interest around the league, a source told Singer. Alternatively, the Nuggets might consider moving Bones Hyland for a much-needed defensive wing player.
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- If Denver holds onto the No. 21 pick or trades up in the draft, which wings might interest the front office as it looks to improve the team defensively? Singer lists a handful of wing prospects, including Duke’s AJ Griffin and Ohio State’s E.J. Liddell.
- University of Memphis forward Josh Minott visited the Jazz and that’s significant, given where Minott is projected to go in the draft, according to Sarah Todd of the Deseret News. Most of the prospects the Jazz have worked out are projected as late second-round selections at best. In contrast, Minott is expected to go higher in the second round and could even sneak into the first round. He’s rated as the No. 46 prospect on ESPN’s Best Available list. Utah doesn’t currently have a draft pick.
- Andrew Wiggins followed the footsteps of Kevin Garnett and Kevin Love by winning an NBA championship after being dealt by the Timberwolves in a high-profile trade, Patrick Reusse of the Minneapolis Star Tribune writes. Reusse seeks out opinions from several sources as to why Wiggins has excelled with Golden State after underperforming with Minnesota.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo Exercises Player Option
Bucks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo has exercised his $1.88MM player option for next season, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets.
Giannis Antetokounmpo‘ brother, who turns 30 this summer, saw action in 48 regular season games last season, including six starts. He averaged 3.6 PPG and 2.1 RPG in 9.9 MPG. He also saw spot action in eight postseason games after playing in 13 playoff contests during the Bucks’ championship run in 2020/21.
As Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets, if Thanasis had declined the option and signed a new minimum-salary contract, it would’ve saved Milwaukee a small amount of money on next season’s cap and tax bill. However, he was always a good bet to get a contract with the Bucks for next season, one way or another.
Thanasis played two games with the Knicks back in 2015/16 and has been on the Milwaukee roster for three seasons. He signed a two-year deal worth approximately $3.6MM last August.
Prior to the 2019/20 season, the 6’6″ forward had played for a handful of international and G League teams.
Central Notes: Allen, Pacers Draft, Sharpe, Bucks Draft
Bucks wing Grayson Allen underwent a surgical procedure on his left ring finger, according to The Associated Press.
“A lot of times, guys do maintenance-type stuff, routine stuff in the offseason to kind of get ready,” general manager Jon Horst said. “It was good for him to kind of approach it in the offseason. It’ll be fine. There’s no kind of lasting effects.”
Allen, whose two-year, $18.7MM extension kicks in next season, averaged 11.1 PPG and 3.4 RPG in 27.3 MPG during the regular season.
We have more from the Central Division:
- The Pacers will work out six more draft prospects on Monday, according to the team’s website writer Wheat Hotchkiss. As previously reported, that group includes projected lottery pick Shaedon Sharpe (Kentucky). The other prospects who will visit include Jake LaRavia (Wake Forest), Alfonso Plummer (Illinois), Jermaine Samuels (Villanova), Aaron Thompson (Butler), and Vince Williams Jr. (VCU).
- Speaking of Sharpe, he held a Zoom press conference on Friday and said he’d fit well with the Pacers if they use their lottery pick (No. 6 overall) on him. “I feel like I could really play with those guys just because they have good guys that can really handle the ball, play defense, switch on defense,” Sharpe said to The Indianapolis Star’s James Boyd and other media members. “I feel like I can score and really impact the game.” Sharpe is certainly not lacking in confidence. “I see myself being one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball,” he said.
- The Bucks hold the No. 24 pick and could be in the market for a wing player. The Athletic’s Eric Nehm takes a look at nine prospects who could potentially be available at that spot, including LaRavia, MarJon Beauchamp and Patrick Baldwin Jr.
Warriors Win 2022 Title, Stephen Curry Named MVP
The Warriors returned to the mountaintop on Thursday, closing out the Celtics in Game 6 of the Finals to secure their fourth championship since 2015.
Stephen Curry, a two-time Most Valuable Player, secured his first Finals MVP award with another clutch performance. He racked up 34 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in Game 6.
Curry’s 43-point outburst in Game 4 in Boston was a series changer. He received all 11 votes from a media panel, according to the NBA (Twitter link).
Kevin Durant was awarded the Finals MVP in Golden State’s last two runs in 2017 and 2018. Andre Iguodala was chosen in 2015.
Draymond Green and Klay Thompson also added a fourth championship to their résumés, as did head coach Steve Kerr (also a five-time champ as a player). Andrew Wiggins delivered stellar contributions, particularly on the defensive end, and Jordan Poole had some big offensive games after his breakout regular season.
All of those players are under contract for next season, though the Warriors have some key free agent decisions to make. Kevon Looney, Otto Porter Jr., Nemanja Bjelica and Gary Payton II will all be unrestricted free agents. However, Golden State’s younger players — James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody — figure to play bigger roles going forward. The Warriors also own their first-round pick at No. 28.
The Celtics came up just shy of their first title since 2008. However, they figure to run it back next season with most of the same players that carried them through the rugged Eastern Conference playoffs. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will gain valuable lessons from their first Finals experience and it will surprise no one if they lead another Boston team to the Finals in the near future.
All of their rotation players are under contract for next season, though the Celtics may make some tweaks, particularly in the backcourt. Boston, which projects to be a luxury tax team, traded away its first-round pick to San Antonio.
With the Finals decided, the offseason is officially underway. The June 23 draft is just a week away, with free agency beginning the following week.
And-Ones: Wembanyama, Russia, Draft’s Top 75, East Asia League
Victor Wembanyama, the potential No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, may be leaving Asvel of the EuroLeague, Emiliano Carchia of Sportando relays. The 7’3” big man has an opt-out clause that must be exercised before June 26. He signed a three-year deal with Asvel last summer but only averaged 6.5 PPG and 3.8 RPG in 13 games last season. Paris Basketball, which will be competing in EuroCup next season, is pursuing him, according to L’Equipe.
We have more from around the basketball world:
- Russian athletes continue to pay a price for the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Teams from the Russian Federation have been suspended from participation in the 2022/23 EuroLeague and EuroCup competitions, Emiliano Carchia of Sportando tweets.
- Jabari Smith and Paolo Banchero are the top-tier prospects in this year’s draft, John Hollinger of The Athletic writes. Hollinger places Jaden Ivey and Chet Holmgren in the next tier, with Bennedict Mathurin heading Tier III. Overall, Hollinger reveals his top 75 list.
- The East Asia Super League tips off in October, and Alex Kennedy of the Basketball News takes a closer look at its potential impact.
Eastern Notes: Bridges, Evans, Thomas, Brown, Stevens
Restricted free agent Miles Bridges will likely get somewhere in the neighborhood of $25MM per season, according to Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer. At minimum, Bridges will be seeking more than $20MM per year. He’ll be restricted, allowing the Hornets to match an offer sheet, if they extend the wing a $7.92MM qualifying offer.
Portland and Detroit are two teams that have been mentioned as possible suitors. President of basketball operations Mitch Kupchak wants to re-sign Bridges, calling him a “big part of our future.”
We have more from around the Eastern Conference:
- Tyreke Evans, who has visited a number of teams since being reinstated by the NBA, worked out recently for the Nets, JD Shaw of Hoops Rumors tweets. He participated in a workout with the Warriors on Wednesday.
- Pistons Hall-of-Famer Isiah Thomas became a mentor to Jaylen Brown during Brown’s college days and Thomas is proud of how his pupil has blossomed, Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com writes. “Look at where he was as a basketball player a couple of years ago and where he’s at today,” Thomas said. “That’s work ethic, that’s wanting to be. You have to give him a lot of credit. You know, it’s one thing when a teacher gives you a book; it’s another thing when you go home and actually read it and then comprehend what you’ve got.”
- Brad Stevens’ best move might have been leaving coaching to become the Celtics’ president of basketball operations, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today opines. Stevens developed many of the players on the roster, then found the right pieces around them in his current job. “I think he’s done a phenomenal job as GM,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “The moves he made this year, adding (Al) Horford and Derrick White, brilliant.”
Central Notes: Pistons Draft, Davis, Gobert, Eason
Jaden Ivey‘s lack of a mid-range game might give the Pistons some pause if he’s available with No. 5 pick, James Edwards III of The Athletic opines. Keegan Murray may not be flashy but he’s an efficient scorer who be a great option for playmaker Cade Cunningham, according to Edwards, who examines the fit of the options at the No. 5 pick.
We have more from the Central Division:
- Johnny Davis visited the Pacers on Tuesday and Wisconsin’s high-scoring wing was unusually candid about his individual workout, James Boyd of the Indianapolis Star writes. “I just got my (butt) kicked in the defensive drills, so (I need to) definitely pay more attention on that,” Davis said. Davis is one of the options Indiana could consider with the No. 6 overall pick.
- What would it take for the Jazz to trade Rudy Gobert to the Bulls? The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry and Tony Jones explore that topic and both agree that Patrick Williams and at least one first-rounder would have to be part of a broader package to convince Utah to trade its All-Star center.
- There are 10 players on the Cavaliers’ radar for the No. 14 pick, according to Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. It’s logical to assume LSU forward Tari Eason is one of them, and Fedor sees Eason as a potential defensive force alongside Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
Knicks Notes: Ivey, Mitchell, Arms, Brunson
The Knicks would be better off pursuing a deal with Sacramento for the No. 4 pick and drafting Jaden Ivey, rather than trying to make a blockbuster deal for Donovan Mitchell, Bryan Fonseca of the Basketball News argues. They could dangle their lottery pick, offer an addition first rounder and add in young players if necessary to entice the Kings to make a deal. However, a report suggests the Kings are unlikely to make such a trade.
In contrast, the Knicks would have to give up much of their young talent and/or draft capital to grab the Jazz’s attention, Fonseca contends.
We have more on the Knicks:
- Adonis Arms was among the draft prospects who worked out for the Knicks on Thursday, Ian Begley of SNY.tv tweets. The Texas Tech guard averaged 8.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG and 2.8 APG last season.
- Keeping the Ivey theme going, Begley gets insights from a variety of sources on how the Purdue point guard would fit in with New York’s current roster.
- Kyle Neptune, a former assistant coach and now head coach at Villanova, gives a ringing endorsement for Jalen Brunson if the Mavs free agent lands in New York. “I always bet on Jalen Brunson, so whatever situation he’s put in, I’m going to bet on him,” Neptune told Zach Braziller of the New York Post. “He has the wherewithal, the intelligence, the work ethic, to figure out any situation, period. … He may not be the most flashy guy, but in terms of a guy who is going to get some things done and help your team win and keep your team together, he’s the highest level. He’s a guy that lives it every day.”