International Notes: Webb, Wilson, Patterson, Austin
Former Nets forward James Webb III has officially signed a one-year contract with Germany’s Telekom Baskets Bonn, according to a Sportando report. Webb reportedly had an agreement to play in Italy earlier in August but it fell through. Webb played 10 games with Brooklyn last season after signing a two-way deal in January. He also played 19 games for the Long Island Nets in the G League, averaging 14.3 PPG and 6.6 RPG, after starting his NBA career in 2016 with the Sixers’ G league affiliate.
We have more news from overseas:
- Ex-Clippers forward Jamil Wilson has received interest from Italy’s Fiat Torino but the two parties are not close to an agreement, according to another Sportando post. Wilson appeared in 15 games on a two-way contract with the Clippers last season, including 10 starts, and averaged 7.0 PPG in 18.3 MPG. He was waived in January and eventually wound up with the Pacers’ G League team in Fort Wayne, Ind. before signing with Italy’s Serie A team, Virtus Bologna.
- Center Isaiah Austin, who has been medically barred from playing in NBA, is posting big numbers in China, as Leo Sepkowitz of Bleacher Report details. The 7’1” Austin, who has Marfan syndrome, is averaging 35.1 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1.8 BPG for Guangxi in the Chinese National Basketball League. “I’m in really good shape, which is why it’s really hurtful that people won’t give me an opportunity,” he told Sefkowitz. However, it’s unlikely the NBA will ever give him the green light to play, as Kurt Helin of NBC Sports notes.
- Former Hawks guard Lamar Patterson is close to an agreement with Australia’s Melbourne United, Emiliano Carchia of Sportando tweets. Patterson, the 48th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft, spent his first professional season in Turkey before joining Atlanta for the 2015/16 campaign. In parts of two NBA seasons, the former Pitt standout appeared in 40 games, averaging 2.3 PPG and 1.4 RPG in limited minutes. He played in Italy and China last season.
Central Rumors: Cavs Roster, Kennard, Lopez
The Cavaliers plan to leave an open spot on the roster heading into training camp, Joe Vardon of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. Cleveland currently has 12 players on guaranteed deals and has filled both of its two-way slots. The Cavs are holding spots for both restricted free agent Rodney Hood, whose negotiations with the organization have stalled, and free agent guard David Nwaba, who has agreed to a contract but is still working out all the details, according to Vardon. Training-camp invitees will battle for the final spot on the 15-man roster, Vardon adds.
We have more from around the Central Division:
- The Cavaliers will allow the remainder of their trade exception from the Kyrie Irving deal to expire on Wednesday but they still have two more exceptions, Vardon notes in the same piece. It has exceptions of $2.5MM and $1.3MM from the deal that sent Richard Jefferson and Kay Felder to the Hawks last season. Those exceptions expire on October 15th.
- Pistons swingman Luke Kennard could have an expanded role in his second season, according to Ansar Khan of MLive.com. New coach Dwane Casey wants Kennard to handle the ball more often and become a playmaker, Khan continues. He could see action at three positions, though he will primarily back up Reggie Bullock at shooting guard, Khan adds.
- Free agent acquisitions Brook Lopez and Ersan Ilyasova fit the current NBA model of big men who can stretch the floor, Bucks GM Jon Horst declares in a video clip posted on the team’s Twitter feed. “With Brook and Ersan, you have guys that have great size, that can shoot the three. They compete on both ends of the floor and have high basketball IQ,” Horst said.
Western Notes: Lakers, Beyer, Grant, Morey
The Lakers front office felt they couldn’t fight fire with fire to overtake the Warriors, so their offseason acquisitions beyond LeBron James were aimed toward another approach, as Kevin Ding explains in an extensive piece posted on the team’s website. By signing Lance Stephenson, JaVale McGee, Rajon Rondo and Michael Beasley, the Lakers signaled that they want to rise to the top in a different way. “To try to play the Warriors in their own game is a trap,” GM Rob Pelinka told Ding. “No one is going to beat them at their own game. That’s why we wanted to add these elements: defense, toughness and depth—and try to look at areas where we’ll have an advantage.”
We have more from around the Western Conference:
- The Thunder have added Bob Beyer to Billy Donovan‘s coaching staff, according to a team press release. Beyer spent the last four seasons on Stan Van Gundy’s Pistons staff, serving as the associate head coach the past two seasons. His NBA coaching experience dates back to the 2003/04 season as an assistant with the Raptors.
- Thunder forward Jerami Grant anticipates a bigger role during the upcoming season after signing a multi-year contract, as he told Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype in a Q&A session. Grant appeared in 81 games last season, averaging 8.4 PPG and 3.9 RPG in 20.3 MPG. He anticipates even more playing time with the departure of Carmelo Anthony. “I’m definitely excited to be able to play extensive minutes and play important minutes on a contender. Getting a chance to show what you can do while being part of an organization like this, being part of a team like this, it means a lot. They’ve shown a lot of trust in me by giving me this new contract and [and a bigger role].” Grant signed a three-year, $27MM contract to remain with OKC.
- Rockets GM Daryl Morey is just as curious as anyone how DeMarcus Cousins will fit in with the Warriors, as he told radio host Dan Patrick in comments relayed by NBC Sports’ Dan Feldman. “They’ll probably figure out how to make it work, but it’s a little bit hard on paper to figure out how to make it work. But we do that well and so do they, obviously. They’re gonna be a tough out again, obviously. They’re arguably the best team in NBA history,” Morey said.
Community Shootaround: Denver Nuggets
The Western Conference playoff race last season beyond the Rockets and Warriors seemed like a game of musical chairs. A group of seven contenders vied for the other six spots.
When the music stopped, the Nuggets were the team left without a seat. While 49 victories was enough to get the Trail Blazers the No. 3 seed, 46 wins put Denver in the lottery.
During the summer, the Nuggets’ main moves have been to dump salary while retaining their top players. Denver shed the contracts of Kenneth Faried and Darrell Arthur by attaching draft picks to them in a deal with the Nets. It also dealt Wilson Chandler to the Sixers.
That was crucial in helping the franchise avoid luxury tax penalties after they paid a hefty price to re-sign Will Barton and Nikola Jokic. Barton got four years and $53MM; Jokic received a five-year, $147.7MM haul.
Denver did make one interesting low-cost addition. It gave Isaiah Thomas just $2MM to reset his market value. If Thomas can be anywhere near the player he was in Boston before injuring his hip, he’ll be a huge bargain.
The Nuggets used their top draft pick on forward Michael Porter Jr., who says he’s pain-free after a second back surgery. But Porter’s ability to contribute significantly in his rookie campaign remains a huge question mark.
Perhaps the biggest room improvement for Denver comes down to the health of Paul Millsap. He appeared in just 38 games during his first season with the franchise due to a wrist injury. If Millsap can stay on the court, he’ll form one of the league’s most prolific scoring and rebounding duos alongside Jokic.
The brings us to our question of the day: Do you think the Nuggets have the pieces in place to make the playoffs during the upcoming season?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your opinion.
Southwest Notes: Nowitzki, Casspi, Grunwald
Utilizing Dirk Nowitzki as a sixth man might be the best strategy for the Mavericks during the upcoming season, Eddie Sefko of Dallas Morning News opines. The team seems committed to start rookie guard Luka Doncic, so if Nowitzki also starts, that would thrust Wesley Matthews into a bench role, Sefko notes. Pairing Nowitzki with reserve guard J.J. Barea in pick-and-pop situations might be a more sensible route, Sefko adds.
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- Omri Casspi‘s offensive skills will provide a different element to the Grizzlies’ rotation than Jarell Martin, the player he essentially replaces, according to Michael Wallace of the team’s website. Casspi, who signed a one-year deal in July, probably won’t play as much as Martin did but Casspi shot 58% from the field and 45.5% from long range for the Warriors last season. His ability to space the floor with his long-range prowess and also cut to the basket will make him an asset, Wallace continues. Martin has more athleticism and defensive versatility than Casspi but never produced as consistently as the Grizzlies had hoped, Wallace adds.
- Former Raptors GM Glen Grunwald has accepted a consultant’s role with the Grizzlies, Doug Smith of the Toronto Star reports. Grunwald has also held preliminary negotiations with Canada Basketball, the country’s governing body for the sport, concerning its executive director opening, Smith adds. Grunwald left his post as the director of athletics and recreation at Canada’s McMaster University to join the Grizzlies organization.
- What are the remaining offseason questions for Southwest Division teams? We take a closer look here.
Heat Sign Guard Briante Weber
AUGUST 21: The signing is official, according to a team press release.
AUGUST 13: The Heat have agreed to a partially-guaranteed contract with guard Briante Weber, Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports tweets.
Weber played for the Grizzlies last season on a 10-day contract after he was released in mid-January by the Rockets. He appeared in a total of 18 NBA games, averaging 2.8 PPG and 1.2 APG in 13.2 MPG. Weber, 25, played one game for Miami during the 2015/16 season, so this is his second stint in the organization.
He has also donned the Warriors and Hornets uniforms. Overall, he’s logged 45 NBA games, averaging 3.4 PPG and 1.4 APG in 13.6 MPG.
Weber provides depth at the point guard spot behind starter Goran Dragic and Tyler Johnson. The addition of Weber gives Miami 14 players on the roster, not counting its two-way contracts, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel tweets.
Raptors Sign Kay Felder
AUGUST 21: The Felder signing is now official, the Raptors confirmed today in a press release.
AUGUST 20: The Raptors have agreed to a one-year, partially-guaranteed contract with point guard Kay Felder, Sam Amick of USA Today tweets.
Felder hit the free agent market when the Pistons, who signed him to a two-way contract in mid-January, declined to extend a qualifying offer to him this summer.
Felder, 23, appeared in just two games with Detroit. He averaged 3.9 points and 1.4 per game over 14 games with the Bulls last season before he was waived in December.
The 5’9” Felder, a second-round pick in 2016, played his rookie season with the Cavaliers and saw action in 42 games. He was traded to the Hawks during training camp last season and was subsequently waived. Chicago then claimed him.
Felder would appear to have little chance to make Toronto’s opening-day roster, barring injuries. The Raptors already have Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, Delon Wright, Lorenzo Brown, and two-way player Jordan Loyd at that spot.
Southwest Notes: Belinelli, Parker, Doncic, Rockets
Marco Belinelli will focus on the upcoming NBA season instead of playing for Italy’s national team, according to a Sportando report. The veteran shooting guard will skip World Cup qualifiers next month against Poland and Hungary in order to prepare for the Spurs’ training camp, the report continues. Belinelli, who had a previous two-year stint with San Antonio, played a combined 80 regular-season games last season for the Hawks and Sixers and averaged 12.1 PPG. He’ll back up DeMar DeRozan and could also see some action at small forward after signing a two-year, $12MM deal.
In other news from around the Southwest Division:
- Tony Parker will come back to San Antonio to end his career, he told the Chinese website Hupu.com in an interview that was relayed by AmicoHoops.net. Parker, who signed a two-year deal with the Hornets, intend to sign a one-day contract with the Spurs when he’s ready to call it quits. “Yes, I will retire as a Spur,” Parker said.
- Mavericks guard Luka Doncic should be able to handle the physical grind of the NBA but his athleticism and quickness will be tested in his rookie season, Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News writes. He also has to prove he can consistently knock down 3-pointers from behind the NBA arc, Sefko adds. Doncic is expected to jump right into the starting backcourt alongside Dennis Smith Jr.
- Another trip to the Bahamas is on the docket for Rockets players, Mark Berman of Fox 26 reports. The team will try to build chemistry by holding a bonding experience there in early September, something it also did last season.
Community Shootaround: Kemba Walker
Kemba Walker has spent his entire seven-year NBA career with the Hornets. But Walker’s future with the organization is murky at best as he heads into his walk year.
The 6’1” point guard has one year and $12MM remaining on his contract before he enters unrestricted free agency for the first time next summer. He recently said he’s intrigued about that prospect.
“I’ve never been a free agent. I don’t know how the process works,” he told the New York Post. “I will have options unless Charlotte gets something done.”
If anything gets done prior to next July, it will likely be a trade. A contract extension isn’t feasible because of Charlotte’s salary-cap restraints. The Hornets are hard-capped and will have make a move or two to avoid being a luxury taxpayer.
The Cavaliers reportedly explored the possibility of trading for Walker early in the summer prior to LeBron James‘ decision to bolt to the West Coast. New York has long been rumored as a potential landing spot for Walker, who grew up in the city. Both the Knicks and Nets might view Walker as an upgrade at that spot.
Walker has increased his offensive output with greater efficiency over the past two years. In 2016/17, he averaged career highs of 23.2 PPG on 44.4% shooting.
His numbers went down slightly last season, as he scored at a 22.1 PPG clip on 43.1% shooting. He’s become an outstanding 3-point shooter over the past three seasons, making 38.6% of his attempts.
Walker will be 29 during the next offseason and should be effective for at least another five seasons.
That brings us to our question of the day: Will Kemba Walker re-sign with the Hornets as a free agent next summer? If not, where do you think he will wind up?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to what you have to say.
Investigation Into Mavs’ Misconduct Could Wrap Up Soon
The results of the investigation into the Mavericks’ alleged front-office misconduct could be made public next week, Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News reports. The league and team would like to have the results finalized by Labor Day but there’s no firm timetable, Sefko continues.
An SI.com report back in February detailed inappropriate behavior by former employees, including former team president and CEO Terdema Ussery. Outside counsel was hired soon after to investigate the matter but the probe has dragged on through the summer.
The investigation is currently awaiting input and possible league sanctions, along with a re-examination of the details in the report, sources told Sefko.
It’s expected that the league will dole out some form of punishment to the organization, though the franchise has made sweeping moves to under new CEO Cynthia Marshall to change the front-office culture, Sefko adds. The front office has been overhauled and new initiatives were put in place to give all employees a voice in matters of inclusion and diversity.