Spurs’ Lonnie Walker IV To Undergo Knee Surgery
Spurs first-round pick Lonnie Walker IV will undergo surgery on Monday to repair a right medial meniscus tear, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets. The injury was suffered during the fourth quarter of San Antonio’s preseason victory over the Pistons on Friday.
The early timeframe for Walker’s recovery is 6-to-8 weeks, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets. Walker was expected to play a key bench role at small forward behind Rudy Gay. His injury, at least in the short run, opens up playing time for veterans Dante Cunningham and Quincy Pondexter.
Walker was the 18th overall pick in the draft.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 8/30/18 – 10/6/18
Every week, the writing team here at Hoops Rumors creates original content to complement our news feed. Below are our segments and features from the past seven days:
- In his Weekly Mailbag, Arthur Hill tackled the question of whether Anthony Davis hired LeBron James‘ agent with the aim of eventually joining forces with him. Hill also answered queries regarding Andrew Bynum and Luka Doncic.
- We continued our 2018 Offseason in Review, and analyzed the following teams:
- In three Community Shootaround posts, we asked:
- What is Terry Rozier‘s future with the Celtics if Kyrie Irving remains with them beyond this season?
- Which teams will be the most enjoyable to watch this season?
- Which players will sign and/or deserve a rookie scale extension?
- We polled our readers on the following topic: Which team is the biggest threat to the Warriors this season?
- Luke Adams provided a recap of all the contracts signed by this year’s draft picks.
Five Key Stories: 9/30/18 – 10/6/18
In case you missed any of this week’s biggest NBA stories, we’ve got you covered with our Week in Review. Listed below are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last seven days.
The Timberwolves continued trade talks involving Jimmy Butler with the Clippers and Heat emerging as the co-favorites to land his services. Minnesota has reportedly asked for multiple players and picks in negotiations with the Clippers with another impending free agent, forward Tobias Harris, as part of the package. The Clippers don’t want to part with Harris and deem Minnesota’s asking price as too high. The Timberwolves have focused on Bam Adebayo, Josh Richardson and a protected first-rounder for 2019 in trade talks with the Heat. They’d also like to shed the contract of Gorgui Dieng, who is owed more than $48MM over the next three seasons.
Thunder shooting guard Andre Roberson had a setback rehabbing from a ruptured patellar tendon and will miss at least two more months. Roberson, considered Oklahoma City’s top perimeter defender, won’t be re-evaluated until at least early December. He had a procedure on Thursday to alleviate irritation in the left knee caused by a suture. That means an expanded role for Alex Abrines and perhaps some two point guard lineups with Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schroder once Westbrook returns from minor knee surgery.
Kyrie Irving tried to scuttle any doubts about his future by declaring he plans to re-sign with Celtics. Irving is still likely to turn down his player option next summer but he’s apparently not going anywhere. The Celtics hold his Bird rights, meaning Irving will be eligible to sign a five-year deal worth up to a projected $189.66MM next summer. Irving’s declaration deals a blow to teams like the Nets and Knicks, who are hoping to land an All-Star level talent on the free agent market.
In what could be the final year of his Hall of Fame career, Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki may miss the start of the season. Nowitzki suffered a setback in his recovery from left ankle surgery just prior to training camp, as he experienced soreness in his Achilles while playing pickup games at Dallas’ practice facility. Head coach Rick Carlisle said Nowitzki is weeks away from live action and hasn’t been practicing during training camp. Nowitzki appeared in 77 games last season.
Warriors guard Patrick McCaw declined the team’s qualifying offer to remain a restricted free agent. It’s very unusual for a young reserve like McCaw to play hardball with an organization, led alone the defending champions. But McCaw is apparently hoping he’ll get an offer sheet elsewhere and Golden State, which has been holding a roster spot for him, won’t match it. He also turned down the Warriors’ two-year contract offer with a team option. McCaw is the only restricted free agent still on the market.
Here are 10 more notable NBA headlines from the last week:
- The Kings and Warriors played a preseason game in Seattle but the league has no plans in the near future to bring an NBA franchise back to the city.
- Kevin Durant could be a viable option for the Knicks in free agency next summer.
- The Knicks waived guard John Jenkins, who previously played for the Hawks, Mavericks and Suns.
- Big man Cole Aldrich is expected to play in China after the Hawks waived him.
- Sixers reserve guard Jerryd Bayless is out at least a month after suffering a knee sprain.
- With Jabari Bird‘s status in doubt, the Celtics signed guard Marcus Georges-Hunt.
- Lakers first-round pick Moe Wagner is expected to miss the preseason due to a left knee injury.
- A knee injury has sidelined Sixers forward Wilson Chandler for the balance of the preseason.
- The Jazz signed guard Isaiah Cousins to their camp roster.
- Celtics assistant coach Jerome Allen faces a suspension after pleading guilty to taking a bribe while coaching Penn in 2014.
Celtics Assistant Allen Faces Suspension
Celtics assistant coach Jerome Allen faces a suspension after pleading guilty in U.S. District Court to accepting an $18K bribe when he was Penn’s head coach in 2014, according to an ESPN report.
Allen has been on Brad Stevens’ staff since 2015, months after he was fired by Penn. He will likely retain his current job but receive punishment for his actions, the story continues. The suspension will likely be in the two-week range, according to a Boston Herald report. The plea agreement requires him to repay the $18K in addition to a $200K fine.
Allen accepted the bribe from the father of a prospective student in order to get the teenager admitted to the university as a listed recruit.
Allen issued a statement on Friday which read in part, “I am heartbroken that my players — current and former — will know that I broke the law. But, I do hope that some good may come out of this I wish to model to my young players how one accepts responsibility for wrongdoing, including the consequences that come from unlawful behavior.”
Allen coached the Quakers for five-plus seasons and failed to win more than nine games in any of his last three seasons.
2018 Offseason In Review: Denver Nuggets
Hoops Rumors is breaking down the 2018 offseason for all 30 NBA teams, revisiting the summer’s free agent signings, trades, draft picks, departures, and more. We’ll evaluate each team’s moves from the last several months and look ahead to what the 2018/19 season holds for all 30 franchises. Today, we’re focusing on the Denver Nuggets.
Signings:
Standard contracts:
- Nikola Jokic: Five years, $142.71MM. Includes unlikely incentives. Re-signed using Bird rights.
- Will Barton: Four years, $53MM. Re-signed using Bird rights.
- Monte Morris: Three years, $4.6MM. Third year non-guaranteed. Re-signed using Non-Bird rights.
- Torrey Craig: Two years, $4MM. Re-signed using taxpayer mid-level exception.
- Isaiah Thomas: One year, minimum salary. Signed using minimum salary exception.
- Two-way contracts:
- Non-guaranteed camp contracts:
- Emanuel Terry: Two years, minimum salary. $35K partial guarantee.
- Xavier Silas: One year, minimum salary.
- Donald Sloan: One year, minimum salary.
Trades:
- Acquired the draft rights to Jarred Vanderbilt (No. 41 pick) from the Magic in exchange for the draft rights to Justin Jackson (No. 43 pick) and either the Nuggets’ or Wizards’ 2019 second-round pick (whichever is less favorable).
- Note: The Nuggets’ 2019 second-round pick would be sent to Milwaukee if it falls between 56-60, in which case the Magic would receive the Wizards’ second-rounder.
- Acquired cash ($110K) from the Sixers in exchange for Wilson Chandler, the Nuggets’ 2021 second-round pick, and the right to swap 2022 second-round picks.
- Acquired Isaiah Whitehead from the Nets in exchange for Kenneth Faried, Darrell Arthur, the Nuggets’ 2019 first-round pick (top-12 protected), and the Nuggets’ 2020 second-round pick.
- Note: Whitehead was later waived.
Draft picks:
- 1-14: Michael Porter Jr. — Signed to rookie contract.
- 2-41: Jarred Vanderbilt — Signed to three-year, $3.92MM contract. First two years guaranteed. Signed using taxpayer mid-level exception.
- 2-58: Thomas Welsh — Signed to two-way contract.
Departing players:
- Darrell Arthur
- Wilson Chandler
- Kenneth Faried
- Devin Harris
- Richard Jefferson
Other offseason news:
- Hired Mark Price to coaching staff.
Salary cap situation:
- Remained over the cap.
- Carrying approximately $116.4MM in guaranteed salaries.
- $2.5MM of taxpayer mid-level exception still available ($2.84MM used on Torrey Craig and Jarred Vanderbilt).
Check out the Denver Nuggets’ full roster and depth chart at RosterResource.com.
Story of the summer:
Coming off a season in which they barely missed the playoffs, the Nuggets had one major goal: Lock up center Nikola Jokic at all costs.
Technically, Denver’s front office didn’t have to negotiate with their stats-stuffing center until next summer. They could have exercised their 2018/19 option on him and paid him a bargain-basement $1.6MM this season.
That approach would have prudent in the short term but could have wrecked their future plans. Jokic would have been an unrestricted free agent next summer and surely wouldn’t have appreciated being underpaid heading into the open market.
Instead, they declined the option and made him a restricted free agent, while assuring his reps he’d get a near max five-year deal once free agency began in July.
President of basketball operations Tim Connelly thus delivered on his June promise that “Nikola’s going to be here for a long, long time.”
Jokic set new career highs in PPG (18.5), RPG (10.7), APG (6.1), and 3PT% (.396) last season. Still just 23 years old, Jokic still has room to improve in his overall game even if his numbers decline somewhat with an upgraded roster. The Nuggets’ frontcourt could be even more imposing this season if Paul Millsap can stay healthy after he appeared in just 38 games in his first year with the club due to injury.
Key offseason additions:Pacific Rumors: Ingram, Holmes, Looney, Gilgeous-Alexander
LeBron James continues to chat up Brandon Ingram as a budding superstar, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin relays. The Lakers small forward got a chance to play the point in the latest preseason game and racked up 31 points, nine rebounds and three steals. “His pace, his ability to play the point and play the wing, he’s a very special talent, and we’re definitely happy to have him on our side,” James said, adding, “I know what I see in him, and he’s looking for this opportunity to make this next jump in his third year.” Ingram is eligible for a rookie scale extension next offseason and James’ praise won’t hurt his cause.
We have more from around the Western Conference:
- Richaun Holmes isn’t a scorer but his other attributes have made him a favorite with the Suns’ coaching staff, as Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic notes. The big man has earned a role with Phoenix with his energetic style. “He moves well, is a live body, good defender,” coach Igor Kokoskov said. “Very athletic. He’s got to help us defensively, protect the paint. Runs the floor and he fits in well with what we’re doing here.” Holmes was acquired from the Sixers for $1MM in July.
- Warriors forward Kevon Looney drew lukewarm interest from a handful of teams in free agency, he revealed to Mark Medina of the San Jose Mercury News. The Rockets, Timberwolves, Clippers, Sixers and Hawks made contact but “nobody really offered,” Looney said. He was an unrestricted free agent after Golden State declined to pick up his option last fall but he settled for a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal.
- Lottery pick Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has earned significant playing time during training camp, according to Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times. The University of Kentucky product is averaging 11 PPG and 4.5 APG in 24.0 MPG for the Clippers in two preseason outings.
Southwest Notes: Voulgaris, Mavs, Parsons, Rockets Bench
The Mavericks will hire former professional sports gambler Bob Voulgaris to a front office role, Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe of ESPN report. Voulgaris will be the team’s director of quantitative research and development, another example of how the league is embracing the betting community and gambling after previously shunning it. As a gambler, Voulgaris used analytics and expertise on coaching strategy and tendencies of individual referees. He will now serve as a strategic thinker to help examine on-court strategies.
In other developments from around the Southwest Division:
- The Mavericks are facing a new round of sexual harassment allegations in the workplace, according to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News. Several former female employees allege that team photographer Danny Bollinger has a history of propositioning female co-workers and making lewd comments. The allegations were not part of the recently-concluded investigation into workplace misconduct within the organization. Owner Mark Cuban agreed to donate $10MM to organizations that “promote women in leadership roles and combat domestic violence” following that investigation.
- Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons received PRP injections in both knees a week before training camp, Mark Giannotto of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports. Parsons flew to Germany for the second time this year for a five-day injection process in the hopes of regaining his previous form. Knee injuries have marred his first two seasons with Memphis after he signed a four-year, $94MM contract. “At this point in my career, I’ll try anything,” Parsons told Giannotto. “After the last two years, sign me up to do anything just to have some relief and not feel the way I have.”
- Offseason additions Michael Carter-Williams, James Ennis, Gary Clark, Marquese Chriss and Bruno Caboclo — along with Carmelo Anthony — have made a strong impression on the Rockets, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle writes. Most of those players will contribute off the bench for Houston this season. “That second unit, they’ve been whupping on us,” reigning MVP James Harden said.
Kings Sign Taren Sullivan To Exhibit 10 Deal
OCTOBER 2: The Kings have officially signed Sullivan to an Exhibit 10 contract, tweets Jason Jones of The Athletic. The young forward looks like a candidate to end up with the Stockton Kings, Sacramento’s G League affiliate.
OCTOBER 1: The Kings have agreed to a camp deal with Taren Sullivan, Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated tweets.
The undrafted 6’6” wing player attended Findlay, a Division II school in Ohio, and was the leading scorer at the G League player invitational.
Sullivan played all four of his collegiate seasons at Findlay and averaged 17.2 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 3.2 APG in 28.9 MPG as a senior. He also had workouts with the Cavaliers and Grizzlies, according to Woo.
Sacramento had an open spot on its 20-man camp roster after waiving Brandon Austin on Sunday.
Pacific Notes: Kuzma, Lakers, Suns, Jackson, Kerr
Lakers coach Luke Walton will use the preseason to sort out his options at center, Joey Ramirez of the Lakers’ website reports. While JaVale McGee and Ivica Zubac are the more conventional centers on the roster, the team is exploring small ball looks with Kyle Kuzma and Michael Beasley at the five spot. Walton was particularly intrigued by what he saw from Kuzma during the team’s preseason game against Denver on Sunday.
“There were a few fundamental breakdowns of how we want to play the defense from that spot, but his effort was there,” said the Lakers’ head coach. “He wants the challenge again, and we’re gonna give it to him again.”
In other developments from around the Pacific Division:
- LeBron James will play in the Lakers‘ first preseason game at Staples Center on Tuesday but point guard Lonzo Ball will be held out, Ramirez writes in the same story. Ball is participating in full practices but the team is playing it safe in his return from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in July, Ramirez adds.
- The Suns have become the latest NBA team to enter a jersey sponsorship deal with a corporate partner, according to ESPN’s Darren Rovell, who reports that the club will display PayPal ads on its uniforms going forward. There are now 25 clubs with jersey sponsors.
- Josh Jackson is the Suns’ X factor this season, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic writes. The 2017 lottery pick is viewed by new coach Igor Kokoskov as a high-energy player who can make his biggest impact on the defensive end. “In the half court, he’s pretty good, but open court, he’s one of the best,” Kokoskov told Rankin. “So let’s play to his strength and emphasize his defense.”
- Warriors coach Steve Kerr believes he’s made significant progress from his prior back issues, Drew Shiller of NBC Sports Bay Area relays. Kerr spoke of his health during a Tim Kawakami podcast. “I work every day — I do a lot of stuff to make sure I’m staying on the improving path,” he said. “The worst is behind me … when I had to sit out in the (2017) playoffs, that was a brutally difficult time and I wasn’t sure what was gonna happen. I think all of that is behind me and I’m looking at much better days.” Kerr’s interview with Kawakami from The Athletic can be found here.
Central Rumors: Jackson, Holiday, LaVine, Sumner
Pistons point guard Reggie Jackson is still scraping off the rust after spending the summer rehabbing a high ankle sprain, Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press reports. Jackson, who originally suffered the injury in late December, returned to basketball activities on Thursday and participated in a public scrimmage on Saturday. He showed some quickness during the scrimmage but took a passive approach offensively, Ellis notes. “He’s looked really good,” coach Dwane Casey said. “He’s still rusty in certain areas, reading situations defensively, but I’m very pleased at where he is.”
We have more from around the Central Division:
- Pairing Justin Holiday and Jabari Parker at the forward spots could prove to be a successful stopgap measure for the Bulls, according to the analysis of NBC Sports Chicago’s Michael Walton. The Bulls are searching for ways to make up for the absence of Lauri Markkanen, who is out 6-8 weeks with an elbow injury. Holiday is a quality defender and 3-point shooter who doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. He should mesh well with a high usage player like Parker, who excels offensively. Parker’s ability to score on the break will allow Holiday to be more aggressive defensively and look for steals, Walton adds.
- Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine feels a greater responsibility after signing a multi-year contract, as Mark Strotman of NBC Sports Chicago reports. The front office matched his Kings’ four-year, $78MM offer sheet in July and LaVine wants to be looked upon as a leader. “We have so many scorers, though, so if any of us have an off day I think we’ll be able to pick up the slack really easily,” he said. “I know I’m here to be a leader and put the ball in the hoop and become a complete player.”
- The Pacers’ second-round picks from the past two drafts have impressed in camp, Mark Monteith of the team’s website writes. Center Ike Anigbogu, guard Edmond Sumner and forward Alize Johnson will likely spend most of the season in the G League but coach Nate McMillan likes their progress. “They’ve had really good training camps,” McMillan told Monteith. “I really like what I see from those guys.”