Wiggins Can Get Max If He’s Loyal To Wolves
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor wants assurances from Andrew Wiggins that he’s committed to the franchise and determined to improve his game before giving the high-scoring forward a max extension, according to Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press.
Taylor wants to receive those pledges in a face-to-face meeting with Wiggins, who averaged 23.6 PPG last season.
Wiggins is still working on his rookie contract and the exact amount of an extension is tied to the 2018/19 salary cap. Based on projections, a five-year, max extension for Wiggins would net him slightly under $148MM, as Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors recently detailed.
Wiggins’ name has popped up in trade rumors regarding Cavaliers disgruntled point guard Kyrie Irving but Taylor insists he won’t give up Wiggins in the team’s efforts to land the All-Star floor leader. The addition of All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler in a blockbuster deal with the Bulls this summer has made the Timberwolves a popular pick as the most improved team next season.
Wiggins can certainly find areas for improvement beyond his scoring average. His 35.6% shooting from long range last season was the best of his 3-year career but far from elite. He could also become a better rebounder (4.0 RPG last season), free throw shooter (76%) and defender, both man-to-man and in takeaways (1.0 SPG).
If Wiggins is maxed out, the Timberwolves will have five players on the current roster making at least $14MM for the 2018/19 season.
Lakers Sign Vander Blue
AUGUST 4: The Lakers have officially signed Blue, the team announced today in a press release.
JULY 29: The Lakers have reached an agreement with combo guard Vander Blue on a partially guaranteed contract, sources told Shams Charania of The Vertical (Twitter link). The guarantee is $50K, Chris Reichert of The Step Back tweets.
Blue, 25, played eight games for Los Angeles’ summer-league team in Las Vegas and made a strong impression, averaging 15.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG and 3.0 APG in 27.4 MPG. The 6’4” Blue also made half of his field-goal attempts.
Blue did not play in the NBA the past two seasons but lit up the G League last season, earning MVP honors. He played 47 games for the Lakers’ affiliate, the D-Fenders, and averaged 24.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.0 APG and 1.6 SPG in 34.8 MPG.
Blue, a Marquette product, has a limited NBA resume. He appeared in three games with the Celtics during the 2013/14 season and two games with the Lakers the following season. Mainly a shooting guard, Blue joins a backcourt that includes rookies Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart, Jordan Clarkson, Tyler Ennis and free agent signee Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
While not all the contract details have been revealed, it’s safe to assume there are no guarantees beyond this season. The Lakers want to have as much salary-cap space as possible next summer in order to make runs at top free agents.
Western Notes: Aldridge, Australia, Abrines, Mavs
The Spurs would be better off holding onto power forward LaMarcus Aldridge for another season, Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News opines. Aldridge can opt out of his contract next summer and leave $22.34MM on the table, which would help San Antonio pursue premier free agents, Finger notes. That would probably be preferable to adding players in a trade that would cut into potential cap space, Finger continues. With Aldridge, Kawhi Leonard and free agent acquisition Rudy Gay next season, the Spurs can still make a run at a championship, Finger adds.
In other notable items involving theWestern Conference:
- A trio of Western Conference teams will play Australian National Basketball League teams during the preseason, the NBA announced via press release on Monday. It’s the first time that NBL teams will travel to the U.S. to play against NBA teams. The Sydney Kings will visit the Jazz, Melbourne United will face the Thunder and the Brisbane Bullets will match up against the Suns.
- Alex Abrines‘ health will be closely watched as he joins the Spanish national team for the EuroBasket tournament, which begins Aug. 31st, according to Erik Horne of The Oklahoman. The Thunder swingman received platelet rich plasma injections in his right knee in May. It’s not the first time Abrines has received the injections, as he told Horne he required them “four or five years” ago. The 6’6” Abrines appeared in 68 games last season, averaging 6.0 PPG and 38.1% on 3-point attempts in 15.5 MPG.
- Wesley Matthews is unlikely to be dealt because of salary-cap implications, Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News opines. The Mavericks would most likely have to take salary back to trade the shooting guard and they’d like to avoid that in order to pursue notable free agents next summer, Sefko explains. Matthews holds a $18.6MM player option on the 2018/19 season.
Southeast Notes: Magic, McGruder, Wizards, Howard
Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman focused on versatile players who can play multiple positions in free agency, John Denton of the Magic’s website writes. Despite limited flexibility, the Magic struck quickly when the Spurs renounced their rights to Jonathon Simmons. Orlando also added center Marreese Speights, point guard Shelvin Mack and shooting guard Arron Afflalo to team-friendly deals, Denton continues. That improves the team’s depth and gives coach Frank Vogel a better chance to make in-game adjusments, Denton adds.
In other news around the Southeast Division:
- The Heat are likely to retain shooting guard Rodney McGruder and forward Okaro White and give them guaranteed money, Ira Winderman of the Florida Sun Sentinel reports. Both players will receive $453K if they remain on the roster by the end of the business day on Tuesday. They each have $1.3MM contracts for next season amount but the guarantees are equal to half of what each player would have received for the 2017/18 season under the previous NBA veteran-minimum scale, Winderman explains.
- The Wizards are comfortable with their decision to retain small forward Otto Porter and exceed the luxury-tax apron, Chase Hughes of MidAtlantic.com reports. Porter’s four-year, $106MM contract currently puts the team on course to pay $11.4MM in luxury tax but majority owner Ted Leonsis is willing to do that for a playoff team, as he told Hughes. “You have to be in the tax, but you’re keeping the team together,” he said. “That was a worthwhile thing to do.”
- Dwight Howard‘s familiarity with Hornets coach Steve Clifford will help Howard focus on defense next season, Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer opines. Clifford coached Howard with the Magic and Lakers and knows how to dole out constructive criticism to the enigmatic center, Bonnell explains.
And-Ones: Barrett, Jones, Seattle, Jackson
Small forward R.J. Barrett, considered the top junior prep player, has been reclassified as a senior for the next school year and could be eligible for the draft in 2019, according to Paul Biancardi of ESPN.com. The Ontario native will be eligible to sign a national letter of intent in November and is being recruited by virtually all the top programs, Biancardi continues. The 6’6” Barrett was the tournament MVP while leading Team Canada to a gold medal in the FIBA U19 World Cup.
In other news around the league:
- Forward Terrence Jones signed a one-year contract to play in China but it’s clear he just sees it as a temporary stay, as he told Oliver Maroney of Uproxx.com in a Q&A session. Jones views his upcoming season with Qingdao as a “last opportunity” to show he can be a better all-around player so that he can return to the NBA. He was waived by both the Pelicans and Bucks last season. “This is my last opportunity to prove to my family, my city and myself that I deserve where I dream to be,” Jones told Maroney. “I want to be a champion in the NBA, I want to win a lot of games and I want the opportunity to have the best job in my world, that’s playing in the NBA. I feel like I’ve made some immature decisions in life before this summer. But whenever I do get that next opportunity, I’m going to make sure I take full advantage of it.”
- Seattle is a likely choice for an expansion franchise but it’s not going to happen in the short term, as David Aldridge of NBA.com examines in depth. With NBA franchises raking in money, current owners don’t have much incentive to give a piece of the $24 billion they are receiving on TV deals through 2025 to an expansion franchise, Aldridge continues. There are two competing groups who are hoping to be awarded with a potential Seattle franchise and it’s unknown which group the league favors, Aldridge adds.
- Stephen Jackson hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2013/14 season but he’s holding out hope of hooking onto a team this season, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports. Jackson, 39, has been playing in the BIG3 league and he is the league’s second-leading scorer at 21 PPG. “I want to play basketball as long as I can,” Jackson told Orsborn. “I feel like there are guys in the NBA who can’t guard me.”
Pacers Waive Center Kevin Seraphin
The Pacers have waived center Kevin Seraphin, Shams Charania of The Vertical tweets. Seraphin’s salary of $1,974,159 for next season would have been guaranteed if he remained on the roster Tuesday.
Indiana has three other centers – Myles Turner, Al Jefferson and second-round pick Ike Anigbogu – on the roster. The Pacers have 13 players under guaranteed contracts.
Seraphin appeared in 49 games with the Pacers last season, including three starts, and averaged 4.7 PPG and 2.9 RPG in 11.4 MPG. He also played in four postseason games, averaging 7.3 PPG and 3.5 RPG.
Seraphin, 27, played his first five seasons with the Wizards and also toiled for the Knicks for a season before joining the Pacers last summer.
There’s a good chance he will wind up playing in Europe next season. FC Barcelona is reportedly interested in signing him. Seraphin is currently in France, where he’s training for the EuroBasket tournament with his national team.
Five Notable Guards Still Available In Free Agency
Most of the unrestricted free agents on the market this month have found a new home or remained with their previous team. There are still some big names and players with extensive resumes seeking employment in the league. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll take a look at some of the notable UFAs who still haven’t signed contracts.
Some of the teams that might be seeking guard help include the Warriors, Heat, Hornets, Hawks, Trail Blazers and Timberwolves, all of whom could be in the market for a bargain-basement veteran to fill their third point guard spot.
The Knicks could use some veteran help at that spot, though they could acquire a starter as part of any deal involving Carmelo Anthony. The Bucks met with Derrick Rose before he opted to join the Cavaliers, so it’s possible they’ll sign another proven floor leader.
Let’s take a look at a handful of well-known guards that have yet to get a satisfactory offer:
- Deron Williams – Once considered one of the top point men in the league, Williams is in the twilight of his career. Williams, 33, was still good enough to start 40 games with the Mavericks last season before reaching a buyout agreement and joining the Cavaliers. He averaged 13.1 PPG and 6.9 APG with Dallas, with those figures dropping to 7.5 PPG and 3.6 APG in a more limited role with Cleveland. He didn’t have the desired impact off the bench in postseason play, averaging just 4.3 PPG and 2.1 APG in 14.6 MPG over 18 appearances. He hasn’t generated much buzz on the market.
- Ty Lawson – Lawson saw action in 69 games with the Kings last season, including 25 starts, and averaged 9.9 PPG and 4.8 APG in 25.1 MPG. His PER was an above-average 15.42. In fact, the 29-year-old Lawson has posted an above-average PER in all but one of his seasons. Lawson was reportedly close to signing with China’s Shanxi Brave Dragons but is still mulling all of his options.
- Ian Clark – Rotation players on a championship team normally get snapped up pretty quickly on the free agent market. Clark has drawn interest but he’s been disappointed by the money offered. Clark appeared in 77 games for the Warriors and averaged 6.8 PPG while shooting 37% from long range. He’s received minimum-salary offers from multiple teams, including the Timberwolves, but is hoping to get a better deal.
- Monta Ellis – The former Pacers combo guard entered the market when the club waived him earlier this month, even though he had a guaranteed salary of $11.227MM. Indiana will use the stretch provision to absorb the cap hit over five years. Ellis will have to sit out the first five games wherever he goes, as he received a five-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. Previously one of the league’s most prolific scorers, Ellis saw his playing time drop last season to 27.0 MPG. He averaged 8.5 PPG and 3.2 APG, the lowest totals since his rookie season of 2005/06 with the Warriors.
- Jason Terry – The ‘Jet’ turns 40 in September but he wants to play two more seasons. He was a rotation player for the Bucks last season, averaging 4.1 PPG and 1.3 APG in 18.4 MPG. The career 38.0% 3-point shooter is a valued veteran presence in any locker room. A return to Milwaukee is possible now that Rose is out of the picture.
JaKarr Sampson Signs Two-Way Deal With Kings
Forward JaKarr Sampson has agreed to a two-way contract with the Kings, the team announced on its website.
The 6’9” Sampson, 24, has 147 NBA games on his resume but did not play in the league last season. He wore the Sixers uniform in 2014/15 and played for both the Sixers and Nuggets in 2015/16. He posted averages of 5.2 PPG and 2.4 RPG in 15.6 MPG during those two seasons.
Last season, Sampson was a G-League Western Conference All-Star for the Iowa Energy, averaging 15.1 PPG and 5.9 RPG in 47 games, including 22 starts.
Sampson made a favorable impression on the Kings’ Summer League team in Las Vegas, posting averages of 7.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG and 1.2 BPG in four appearances.
The Kings signed another forward, Jack Cooley, with their other two-way contract.
Pau Gasol Re-Signs With Spurs
July 24: The signing is official, according to a team press release. The deal will be for $48MM over three seasons with the final year’s salary being partially guaranteed, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com reports (ESPN Now link)
July 21: Veteran center Pau Gasol has agreed to a three-year contract with the Spurs, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com reports. The third year will be partially guaranteed, Wojnarowski adds.
Gasol opted out of the final year of his contract this summer but was expected all along to rejoin the Spurs. Gasol, 37, left $16.2MM on the table when he made that decision but he wanted to facilitate the team’s offseason.
The tradeoff was getting a couple more years of security. That helped the Spurs sign several free agents, including Rudy Gay.
Gasol played a lesser role last seson for San Antonio than he had for other clubs. However, he remained efficient when he did play. Averaging a career-low 25.4 minutes per game, the Spaniard chipped in 12.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 1.1 BPG. He also developed into a three-point shooter, shooting an eye-popping 53.8% from outside, with 0.9 threes per game.
Kyrie Irving Requests Trade; LeBron Blindsided
10:52pm: The Knicks would consider a package involving Carmelo Anthony and future first-round picks, sources tell Ian Begley of ESPN.
4:24pm: Irving has provided a short list of four teams that he would like the Cavaliers to consider dealing with, Chris Haynes of ESPN tweets, although it’s worth noting that he doesn’t have a no trade clause. Those teams, Haynes says, are Knicks, Spurs, Heat and Timberwolves.
3:09pm: Kyrie Irving asked the Cavs to trade him during a meeting with owner Dan Gilbert last week, Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com reports. Irving no longer wants to play alongside LeBron James, as he prefers to be more of the focal point of his team, Windhorst adds.
Irving’s bombshell request just adds to a disjointed offseason for the three-time Eastern Conference champions.
Irving’s agent Jeff Wechsler would not confirm the request to Windhorst’s ESPN colleague Adrian Wojnarowski.
“Kyrie and I had a meeting with Cavs leadership where we discussed many different scenarios in reference to Kyrie and his future with the team,” Wechsler told Wojnarowski. “The basis of those discussions and what went on in those discussions are between the Cavs and us. We are respectfully going to keep those private.”
James was ‘blindsided and disappointed’ by the request, sources told Windhorst. Other members of the team became aware of Irving’s request, Windhorst adds.
Irving, who cannot become a free agent until the summer of 2019, had said in a recent interview that the franchise is “in a peculiar place.” It’s hard to imagine the Cavs dealing their second-best player, but it may not have a choice if the relationship between the team’s two best players is irreparably damaged.
Cleveland has been negotiating a one-year contract with a free agent point guard, Derrick Rose, and will meet with him in the coming days, according to Chris Haynes of ESPN (Twitter link).
Cleveland’s offseason got off to a bad start when Gilbert couldn’t come to an extension agreement with former GM David Griffin.
The Cavs also were unable to add another star like Jimmy Butler or Paul George via a trade this offseason, though they added a few minor reinforcements to their bench.