EuroBasket Notes: Doncic, Player Rankings, Valanciunas, Smailagic
Any concerns about Luka Doncic‘s health were eased on Tuesday when the Lakers superstar guard scored 28 points and dished out 10 assists for Slovenia in a 93-81 exhibition win over Great Britain, Eurohoops.net relays.
Doncic had an injury scare on Saturday when a Slovenian teammate fell on his right leg during an exhibition game against Latvia. It was later diagnosed as a right knee contusion.
Here’s more on the upcoming EuroBasket tournament:
- Doncic ranks third among the NBA players participating in the tournament, according to Neil Paine of ESPN. Nikola Jokic (Serbia) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece) rank first and second, with Franz Wagner (Germany) and Alperen Sengun (Turkey) rounding out the top five.
- Jonas Valanciunas is the lone NBA player on the Lithuanian squad but he feels his national team can make some noise, according to Nikola Miloradovic of Eurohoops.net. “I think every team is capable. We have some big names coming. Serbia, Turkey, Germany, we have Slovenia with Luka and, Greece with Giannis,” he said. “… We have a lot of a lot of a lot of big names, but that feel like every team is capable and every team can make some shake.”
- Former Warriors forward Alen Smailagic won’t play for Serbia in the tourney, according to Sportando. Injuries prevented him from participating in prep games. Euro star Dzanan Musa will also miss the event for Bosnia and Herzegovina due to health issues, Basketnews.com relays.
Former Heat Employee Pleads Guilty In Stolen Memorabilia Case
A former Heat employee accused of stealing millions of dollars in team merchandise pleaded guilty on Tuesday to transporting and transferring stolen memorabilia across state lines, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced, according to David Lyons of The Sun Sentinel.
Marcos Tomas Perez, 62, “stole hundreds of game-worn jerseys and other valuable memorabilia belonging to the Miami Heat and sold them to online brokers,” the government said in a statement.
Perez entered the guilty plea to a single count of a criminal information before a district judge in Miami. He was arrested on Aug. 5 after investigators searched his home.
The judge scheduled a sentencing hearing for Oct. 31, according to court records. Perez faces a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250K fine but a pre-sentencing investigation by the court’s probation office will produce a recommendation under sentencing guidelines for the judge, Lyons adds.
According to a plea agreement, Perez has cooperated with the government, which could lead to a sentence reduction.
Among the items Perez alleged stole was LeBron James’ jersey from Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals, which he sold for approximately $100K. The jersey was later sold in 2023 at a Sotheby’s auction for $3.68MM.
The federal investigation was launched in early 2024 after game-worn jerseys from James, Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade — among many other items — went missing from the Heat’s arena, the Kaseya Center.
Perez worked the City of Miami Police Department in November 1992 until he retired in April 2016. He was employed by the Heat as a security officer from 2016-21, then worked for the NBA as a security employee from 2022 until this year.
“During his tenure, Perez worked on the game-day security detail at the Kaseya Center, where he was among a limited number of trusted individuals with access to a secured equipment room,” the DOJ’s press release from earlier this month read. “This equipment room stored hundreds of game-worn jerseys and other memorabilia that the organization intended to display in a future Miami Heat museum.
“During his employment, Perez accessed the equipment room multiple times to steal over 400 game-worn jerseys and other items, which he then sold to various online marketplaces. Over a three-year period, Perez sold over 100 stolen items for approximately $2 million and shipped them across state lines, often for prices well below their market value.”
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Perez’s home in April and seized almost 300 items that the Heat confirmed had been stolen from their arena.
Eastern Notes: Bane, Heat, Magic-Heat Rivalry, Bulls
The Magic made one of the biggest moves of the offseason, trading multiple assets and veteran players to acquire Desmond Bane from the Grizzlies. John Schuhmann, the senior stats analyst for NBA.com, examines how Bane can impact Orlando’s offense.
Using a film study approach, Schuhmann lays out Bane’s strengths and details how he can blend with Orlando’s roster. Bane should help the Magic get more easy buckets on the break, increase off-the-ball movement and provide more off-the-catch opportunities for star forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson takes a deep dive into the Heat‘s asset management over the past decade, breaking them down into regrettable, commendable and defensible decisions. Jackson notes that the reason why the franchise hasn’t hoarded first-round picks is that it would go against its philosophy of never tanking or intentionally taking steps back with the hope of a brighter future. The Heat’s yearly goals also include trying to win as many games as possible every season, even if the roster isn’t championship-caliber.
- Orlando Sentinel Mike Bianchi opines that the Magic must resurrect their rivalry with the Heat. The Southeast Division foes play against each other on opening night and Bianchi urges Orlando fans to muster up passion and hatred toward their in-state opponent.
- The Bulls have promoted Austin Dufault to director of player development and Isiah Price to coordinator of player development, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network tweets. Dufault was an assistant coach with the Pistons from 2021-23.
Atlantic Notes: Andonian, Sixers, Knicks
Ariana Andonian will be named the general manager of the Sixers‘ NBA G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets.
Andonian is already the Sixers’ VP of player personnel, a position she has held since last September. She was previously the Grizzlies’ director of player personnel and a scouting coordinator for the Rockets. She graduated from USC in 2015 and received her MBA from Duke in 2020.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- How can the Sixers regain relevance in the Eastern Conference chase? According to Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, they must treat oft-injured stars Joel Embiid and Paul George with kid gloves. He suggests plenty of load management, including no back-to-backs for either one and even some road trip “vacations.” Hayes calculates there should be at least 17 games in which neither is available and believes both of them should play sparingly until around the trade deadline.
- The Knicks won’t begin training camp until Sept. 24 but The Athletic’s James Edwards III offers up his depth chart surprises, rotations and starting lineup changes. Edwards believes Mitchell Robinson should start in the middle with Josh Hart serving as the sixth man. Edwards rounds out the second unit with Jordan Clarkson, Miles McBride, Guerschon Yabusele and Ariel Hukporti.
- In case you missed it, the Raptors are making general manager Bobby Webster their full-time head of basketball operations. Get all the details here.
Wizards Signing Skal Labissiere To Camp Roster
The Wizards have reached an agreement with free agent big man Skal Labissiere, NBA insider Chris Haynes tweets. The Wizards already have 15 players under guaranteed contracts, so it’s safe to assume Labissiere is receiving a training camp deal.
Haynes also reported on Tuesday that the Wizards were signing Alondes Williams. The additions of Williams and Labissiere would push Washington’s roster count to 20, one shy of the limit.
Labissiere, 29, has appeared in 152 NBA games after getting drafted late in the first round in 2016. He was out of the league for four seasons until he appeared in four games with the Kings last season.
He was signed to a 10-day deal in early March when injuries forced Sacramento to seek frontcourt depth. Like Williams, Labissiere was a member of Orlando’s Summer League team in July. He’ll now try to work his way onto Washington’s roster with a standout camp.
Labissiere appeared in 148 total games with Sacramento and Portland from 2016-20. He has spent most of his time since then in the G League, trying to work his way back into the NBA. The 6’10” center has played regularly for the Stockton Kings the past two seasons. He appeared in 44 games with Stockton last season, averaging 14.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 26.8 minutes per game.
He also had a brief stay with a team in Puerto Rico.
Wizards To Add Alondes Williams To Camp Roster
Free agent guard Alondes Williams has reached an agreement with the Wizards, NBA insider Chris Haynes tweets.
Considering the Wizards already have 15 players under guaranteed contracts, it’s safe to assume Williams is receiving a training camp deal. The addition of Williams would push the Wizards’ roster count to 19 players, two shy of the offseason limit.
Williams has nine games of NBA experience — he made his debut with the Nets in 2022/23, saw action in seven games with the Heat the following season, then appeared in one game with the Pistons last season.
Detroit signed Williams to a two-way deal in October but waived him in early January. Williams was a member of the Magic’s Summer League squad in July.
Last season, Williams appeared in 45 G League games with the Sioux Falls SkyForce and Motor City Cruise. He averaged 18.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 32.9 minutes per contest.
If Williams received an Exhibit 10 contract and gets waived before opening night, he could join the Capital City Go-Go, who acquired his returning rights in a trade earlier this month. Spending at least 60 days with the Go-Go- would make him eligible to earn an Exhibit 10 bonus worth up to $85,300.
Spurs Hire Jacob Chance To Coach G League Team
The Spurs have hired Jacob Chance as the head coach for their NBA G League affiliate in Austin, the team announced in a press release. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype first reported the news (Twitter link).
Just 31, Chance has an extensive background coaching in Australia. He was on the NBL’s Perth Wildcats staff when they won four titles. He then moved to the Tasmania JackJumpers as an associate head coach under Scott Roth before joining Melbourne United’s staff. Chance has also made his mark as an assistant for the Australian national team under former head coach Brian Goorjian.
He served as the national team’s head coach during a qualifying window in February.
“All the way through, it was even more than I imagined,” Goorjian told ESPN’s Olgun Uluc. “He’s just elite in all aspects, the film aspect of it, on the floor with the individuals, understanding offensive and defensive schemes. Just an unbelievable feel for that. He had a unique ability to get players to buy in. You had guys like Joe Ingles and Patty Mills – two guys he didn’t have a background with – and he did a great job of being really good on his feet and building those relationships, and had good feel about what to say, when to go there, and when to back off. Those seniors guys are not gonna come near you if you’re not competent. They were attracted to him.
“As I walked away from the Boomers, my advice to Basketball Australia for the window stuff is that Chancey can do this; you’re identifying something that’s really talented, and you’re gonna get rewarded for it. I’ve been around; I think the world of him.”
Australia’s Matt Nielsen was Austin’s former head coach and is currently on the Spurs’ staff.
“To go back and work with Matty, who essentially got me into the industry… in 2015, to come full circle and be back with him and hopefully be around him in this first little bit of time with the Spurs, it was hard to say no to,” Chance said. “He’s a good friend, a big-time mentor, and excited to get to work with him again.”
Hawks Sign Caleb Houstan To One-Year Deal
August 19: Over a month after their agreement was first reported, the Hawks have officially signed Houstan, the team announced today in a press release.
July 17: The Hawks and Caleb Houstan have agreed to a one-year contract, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports (Twitter link).
Houstan spent the first three years of his NBA career with the Magic. He appeared in 168 games during that span, including 23 starts, after being selected early in the second round of the 2022 draft.
Last season, Houstan appeared in 58 games (six starts) with Orlando and averaged 4.1 points in 13.6 minutes per game while making 40 percent of his 3-point tries.
Houstan became a free agent when Orlando declines its $2.1MM option on his contract for next season. Terms for his contract with Atlanta have not been revealed, but it’s likely a minimum deal.
Still just 22 years old, Houstan struggled to get steady second-unit minutes with the Magic. At 6’8”, he provides good size at the wing spots and he’ll now try to earn minutes with another Southeast Division squad.
That will be a tall task, considering the Hawks have Dyson Daniels at off guard and Jalen Johnson at small forward with free agent pickups Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard slated to get steady minutes off the bench. He’ll also have to battle Vit Krejci (43.7 percent from three last season) for playing time.
Will Scott To Become Kings’ G League Coach
The Kings are hiring Will Scott as head coach for their NBA G League team in Stockton, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets.
Scott had been an associate head coach for Stockton. He has also worked as a head video coordinator and a player development coach with the NBA’s Kings. He previously spent eight years with the Lakers, including three as their head video coordinator, according to Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee.
Scott will replace Quinton Crawford, who left the Kings in late May to become an assistant coach under Chauncey Billups with the Trail Blazers. He led Stockton to a 22-12 record last season in his only season as its head coach.
Heat Notes: Roster, Highsmith, Smith, Ware
Following the trade of Haywood Highsmith to the Nets and the signing of Dru Smith to a standard contract over the weekend, the Heat have 14 players on the standard roster and can’t sign a 15th player to a veteran minimum contract without crossing the luxury tax threshold, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald notes.
Miami currently stands approximately $1.7MM under the luxury tax threshold and $7.2MM below the first apron. Miami would need to wait until early December to sign a 15th player to a prorated standard minimum deal and stay below the tax. However, they could achieve that earlier by making another trade or using the waive-and-stretch provision on a contract, most likely Terry Rozier‘s deal if they choose that route.
Miami also has another two-way spot available on its roster.
Here’s more on the Heat:
- By swapping out Highsmith for Smith, Miami’s roster is even more imbalanced, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel writes. The Heat are thin at center, power forward and the point but heavy on wings. Kel’el Ware is the only true center on the roster, while Tyler Herro — who has spent a good portion of his career at shooting guard — projects as the team’s floor leader.
- Regarding the Highsmith trade, Winderman notes that Smith’s contract will count less than half for cap/tax purposes than Highsmith’s deal would have. That was the primary motivation for the trade. It also give the front office the opportunity to add another big man down the line. Ultimately, it could come down to how Smith performs in his return. Smith is expected to be ready early in the upcoming season after suffering an Achilles tear in December.
- Did you miss the Smith signing? Get all the details here.