Nuggets Have Interest In Lonnie Walker
The Nuggets could pursue Lonnie Walker IV at some point during the season, Marc Stein reports in his latest Substack article.
Walker chose to sign with Zalgiris Kaunas in the EuroLeague last week after he was waived by Boston.
The veteran swingman signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Celtics in late August in hopes of winning a roster spot in training camp. He reportedly impressed team officials, but Boston is operating under second apron restrictions, so it would have cost roughly $8.8MM in luxury tax penalties to keep Walker, on top of his $2.1MM salary.
Walker’s agent, George S. Langberg, negotiated an unusual buyout in Walker’s contract with the Lithuanian club that enables him come back to any NBA team at a cost of $450K between now and Feb. 18. Real Madrid and Maccabi Tel Aviv were among the other EuroLeague clubs that pursued Walker, but Zalgiris‘ willingness to consent to that clause was a decisive factor for Walker, according to Stein.
The Celtics were hoping Walker would head to their G League affiliate in Maine, but Walker feels he has a better chance of impressing NBA teams by playing in the EuroLeague. Boston reportedly attempted to trade Jaden Springer before the end of camp to open up a spot for Walker.
The Nuggets have depth issues, so Walker could make an impact if they pivoted his way. Denver has a full 15-man roster and all of those contracts are guaranteed, so the Nuggets would have to trade or waive a player to make room for Walker.
Arbitration Hearing To Decide Timberwolves’ Ownership Dispute Begins
The arbitration hearing to decide the Timberwolves’ ownership dispute began on Monday and is expected to last most of the week. The decision by the three-person arbitration panel is expected to be announced next month, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
The dispute between minority owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez and principal owner Glen Taylor moved to arbitration in July. A one-day mediation in the spring failed to make any progress, Windhorst writes.
The dispute has been ongoing since the tail end of last season. Taylor nixed the previous tiered payment agreement with Lore and Rodriguez, citing a breach of contract and a failure to meet a payment deadline. Lore and Rodriguez disputed that characterization, stating that they had the funds necessary to become majority owners but were awaiting NBA approval and should have been entitled to an extension.
The third payment in dispute would increase Lore and Rodriguez’ share from 36% to about 80% and the purchase agreement stipulates that they could buy out Taylor’s remaining 20% stake anytime before March 2025.
Windhorst and The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski provided more details of the process:
- If the arbitration panel rules in Taylor’s favor, the process essentially ends. Lore and Rodriguez could remain as limited partners or try to sell their shares. Taylor would have to approve the sale of their shares, according to Krawczynski. However, if Lore and Rodriguez get a favorable ruling. Taylor would be contractually compelled to sell them the controlling share for the previously agreed upon $1.5 billion valuation. The franchise’s value is substantially higher now, which is a major factor in Taylor’s decision to try to halt the sale. Lore and Rodriguez would still need 23 of 30 votes from the league’s owners to finalize the acquisition, since all team percentage transfers are subject to a vote, Windhorst notes.
- Those transfer rules could present a sticky situation, due to Taylor’s long-standing relationships with the other owners and commissioner Adam Silver. There have been plenty of back-scene developments due to that possibility, according to Windhorst. Lore and Rodriguez have worked to meet with owners and the league office in recent months to demonstrate their position and attempt to shore up support in the event of a vote. It’s likely that Silver and BOG chairman Larry Tanenbaum will try to build a consensus in lieu of an owners’ vote.
- Lore and Rodriguez have been firming up their finances by recruiting billionaires Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York, and Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, as well as private equity firm Dyal Homecourt Partners. They have amassed $950MM in an escrow account for not just the 40% needed to take majority control, but enough to give them 100% ownership of the team.
- The team is facing a luxury tax bill of $100MM and total operating losses of more than $150MM this season, according to Krawczynski. That’s one reason why the Timberwolves moved Karl-Anthony Towns in a blockbuster trade with the Knicks.
- Team president Tim Connelly could have opted out of his contract this year but agreed to defer the opt-out until the 2025 offseason. If he doesn’t like the direction the way things are going, he could choose to opt out this time around, regardless of who’s running the franchise at that time.
Warriors Notes: Wiggins, Podziemski, Kuminga, Moody, Curry
The Warriors are banking on Andrew Wiggins playing at an All-Star level, as ESPN’s Kendra Andrews details. Golden State knows it needs Wiggins’ proven production with the departure of Klay Thompson.
Wiggins missed a chunk of last season due to personal reasons.
“I want to do right by them,” Wiggins said. “It feels so good when they have that confidence in you, when they have that high praise. You want to show up for them.”
Wiggins heads into Monday’s game against the Wizards — he’s listed as probable with a low back strain — with averages of 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He still has two years left, including a player option, on his four-year, $109MM contract after this season.
“I think he’s in a place where he knows the last couple years have been tough for a lot of reasons and I think he’s primed to get back to where he was a couple years ago,” coach Steve Kerr said. “He’s at the age where he’s right in his physical prime, and we’ve seen him do it. He helped us win a championship. I’m expecting a big year from Wiggs.”
We have more on the Warriors:
- With Stephen Curry sidelined by an ankle sprain the last three games, Brandin Podziemski has gotten a greater opportunity to show his play-making skills, Anthony Slater of The Athletic notes. He has averaged 14.7 points and six assists during that span.
- Jonathan Kuminga has been a sparkplug since Kerr moved him to the bench the past three games, Slater adds. He scored 23 points in 26 minutes against Houston in Saturday’s overtime win. He’s averaging 18.7 points on 51.4% shooting as a reserve. “I don’t want him to love coming off the bench,” Draymond Green said. “He believes he’s a superstar. I believe he’s a superstar. As long as you believe that, you shouldn’t be OK coming off the bench. How you respond is important.” Kuminga will be a restricted free agent next summer after failing to reach a rookie scale extension agreement prior to last month’s deadline.
- The incentives in Moses Moody‘s extension begins at $462,093 in 2025/26 and increase by the maximum allowable 8% a year, according to The Athletic’s John Hollinger. The incentives pay out if Moody plays at least 1,600 minutes, attempts at least nine 3-pointers per 100 possessions, and achieves at least 60% true shooting. Since the extension begins next season, the only impact of Moody hitting all three of those marks this season would be whether the incentives are considered “likely” or “unlikely” for his 2025/26 cap number. If it is deemed “likely,” his cap hit goes from $11,574,075 to $12,037,038. Moody signed his three-year, $37.5MM extension on Oct. 21.
- Curry returned to the lineup on Monday. Kerr announced prior to the game that his star guard was available, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN tweets.
Paul George Expected To Make Sixers Debut On Monday
Paul George, the most prominent free agent to switch teams this offseason, is expected to make his Sixers debut on Monday, The Athletic’s duo of Sam Amick and Jenna West report.
George has missed the first five regular-season games due to a hyperextended left knee he suffered during a preseason game on Oct. 14. George is officially listed as questionable, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey tweets, while Joel Embiid remains out.
George, 34, averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game for the Clippers last season before joining Philadelphia on a four-year, maximum-salary contract. George was the Sixers’ No. 1 target in free agency after they opened up ample cap space to reshape their roster.
The Sixers sorely need a boost after losing four of their first five games, including home losses to Detroit and Memphis this past week. Philadelphia is embarking on a three-game road trip that begins in Phoenix on Monday.
George’s presence in the lineup will take some pressure off Tyrese Maxey, who is averaging 29.8 points per night.
Embiid has been held out of action due to left knee injury management, which has been a source of controversy. He had an altercation with a Philadelphia Inquirer columnist in the locker room after the Memphis loss.
Heat Notes: Adebayo, Richardson, Lillard, Love, Robinson
Bam Adebayo erupted offensively during the Heat‘s game against Washington in Mexico City on Saturday. Adebayo poured in 32 points after averaging only 11 points in the first four games. Adebayo said his teammates were determined to get him the ball, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.
“My teammates got me going from the jump,” Adebayo said. “We’re pros, man. Once we see the ball go in a couple times, it becomes like an ocean. Then you just get in a flow and you just get locked in, and it just feels like the ball is going to go in every time for you.”
We have more on the Heat:
- Josh Richardson played 16 minutes in his season debut on Saturday and didn’t score. Richardson, who has been battling shoulder, heel and calf injuries, had one assist and a rebound. “Great to be back out there. Lot of rust to knock off, but I’m grateful!” Richardson tweeted.
- Could the Heat make another run at Damian Lillard, as they did in the summer of 2023? Ira Winderman of the Miami Herald believes that could happen if Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo requests a trade. Winderman also anticipates the price tag for Lillard would be reduced, compared to the package Portland was seeking last year, given the guard’s age and contract.
- Kevin Love could make his season debut on Monday. The veteran forward is listed as available after missing the first five games due to personal reasons, Winderman tweets. Duncan Robinson, who missed the game in Mexico City for personal reasons, will also be available for Miami’s contest against Sacramento.
Texas Notes: Eason, Smith, Rockets, Thompson, Dinwiddie
There was little doubt the Rockets would pick up the 2025/26 contract options of Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. However, both players expressed their appreciation, as The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen writes.
Eason had leg surgery in March.
“I’m very happy about that,” Eason said of the option decision. “I love this group, I love this city, I love this team. The fact that I have the opportunity to continue to be involved with these guys is truly a blessing. I’m very happy. Missing all that time, there’s a lot of questions, a lot of what-ifs. First major surgery for me, first injury for me, there’s a lot of question marks. But I think that they saw how serious I was in my work coming back and just how ready I was and eager I was to get back with the team. Seeing my work ethic, (the option decision showed) just the trust and faith was there.”
Smith also voiced his gratitude.
“It’s a blessing, everything is a blessing,” Smith said. “It’s just how you look at it. I’m really excited to know it’s another year I have in the league. Just trying to build on it.”
We have more on the Texas teams:
- The Rockets are near the bottom of the league in shooting percentage but are still scoring at a respectable rate by getting offensive rebounds and forcing turnovers, according to Feigen. Smith isn’t concerned about the team’s 40.9 field goal percentage. “Just keep shooting,” he said. “It can be like that sometimes. I feel like we’re getting good shots. When I rewatch the games, it looks like all my shots are wide open. Looks like everybody’s shooting the right type of shots. It’s just a matter of making them, and I know that’s going to come. Five games into the season, you can’t overreact to it too much. We know we can make shots. We know we can shoot the ball. It’s just a matter of keep trusting and keep getting good shots.”
- Klay Thompson is taking 12.8 shots per game, his lowest total since his rookie season. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd wants Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to get the ball in Thompon’s hands more often. “We’ve got to make sure that Klay’s involved,” Kidd said, per Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal. “I think here of late, you look at Kyrie and Luka, their attempts have definitely gone up. It’s just about being conscious of who’s on the floor. And when Klay’s on the floor, we need to make sure that we use him the right way.”
- Spencer Dinwiddie‘s role with the Mavs has been shifting game-t0-game, Eddie Sefko of Mavs.com notes. Dinwiddie, who is playing on a one-year contract, is trying to adjust. “To be honest, we’re figuring it out at the moment,” he said of his role. “I’ve been first off the bench some games and I’ve been told I wasn’t going to play some games. It’s early and we’re figuring all that out. I look forward to helping anyway I can.”
Southwest Notes: Williamson, Ingram, Hawkins, Collins, Sochan
With Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy, CJ McCollum and Herbert Jones all sidelined due to injuries, there’s even more pressure on Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram to carry the Pelicans, The Athletic’s William Guillory writes.
New Orleans dropped three straight before defeating Indiana on Friday. Williamson and Ingram combined for 60 points and 17 assists in that victory.
“People always try to tell us that we can’t hoop together,” Williamson said. “Me and him just want to have fun and make it happen. That’s what basketball is all about.”
However, Williamson was a late scratch himself on Sunday due to right hamstring tightness, the team tweets.
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- Jordan Hawkins entered Sunday’s action with a 17.3 PPG scoring average in his second NBA season. His Pelicans teammates compare his offensive skills to Hall of Famer Ray Allen, according to Christian Clark of the New Orleans Times Picayune. “He’s got a pretty release,” McCollum said. “It’s fast. It’s a lot like Ray Allen. He always seems to be on balance.” Williamson agrees: “Me and him talk about it a lot. I tell him it reminds me of Ray Allen. Being able to catch and shoot on the move, whether you’re facing the basket or not. Or just a spot-up shot.”
- Spurs big man Zach Collins has been fined $2,000 by the NBA for flopping, according to the league (Twitter link). Collins was assessed the flopping fine after a post-game review of a play in which Minnesota’s Julius Randle drove to the basket and made contact with Collins.
- Jeremy Sochan has been getting under opponents’ skin. The Spurs believe Sochan has been unburdened this season because he’s no longer tasked with playing the point, according to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News. “It’s part of his game,” center Victor Wembanyama said. “It can also be beneficial sometimes.”
New York Notes: Towns, Hart, Williams, Schroder
The Knicks’ bold move to acquire Karl-Anthony Towns paid off in a big way on Wednesday. The former Minnesota big man, who averaged 15.3 points in his first three games with his new team, erupted for 44 points in a victory over Miami.
Towns had 25 field-goal attempts after not attempting more than 11 in the first three games.
“I think we did a good job of just feeding the hot hand,” Jalen Brunson told the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy. “He was hot and we were just playing through him. He was making the right reads and when they doubled he either got fouled or he made the right play. We trust him. We trust him.”
We have more on the New York teams:
- Josh Hart was listed as questionable entering the contest after getting accidentally kicked in the shin by Cleveland’s Caris LeVert on Monday. He wound up playing 42 minutes and contributing 10 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. “That’s what you love about him,” coach Tom Thibodeau said, per Bondy. “There’s no other agenda other than winning. So whatever you ask him to do he’s going to give you everything he has.”
- Ziaire Williams was thrilled to get some revenge on his former team on Wednesday, as the Nets beat the Grizzlies on the road. Williams, a 2021 pick, was dealt to the Nets over the summer in what was essentially a salary dump. He contributed 17 points, three assists and four steals in the 13-point win. “Oh, man, it feels great. I wanted this one bad, man,” Williams told Brian Lewis of the New York Post . “It was a weird feeling just being out there on the other side. It’s still all love, yeah, miss those guys. But nah, I was definitely happy I was able to talk some smack and more importantly get the win.”
- Dennis Schröder, an unrestricted free agent next summer who’s hopeful of re-signing with the Nets, poured in 33 points — including 11 in the fourth quarter — against the Grizzlies. He’s averaging 24.6 points and 8.2 assists per game. “At one point, he said, ‘Just give me the ball. I’ll take care of this.’ And that’s what he does. He’s a leader,” coach Jordi Fernandez said, per Lewis. “He puts everybody in place. If he has to score, he scores. And he finished the game. So it’s really, really, really good to have him on the court.”
Thunder Add Malevy Leons, Cut Reese
The Thunder have signed big man Malevy Leons to a standard contract and waived Alex Reese, according to a team press release.
Leons went undrafted in June out of Bradley and signed an Exhibit 10 contract with Oklahoma City in September. He was waived on Oct. 19.
Leons appeared in four preseason games and averaged 5.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.50 steals in 13.5 minutes per game. In his last college season, he appeared in 35 games (all starts) with the Braves and averaged 13.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.5 steals and 1.3 assists while shooting 49% from the floor.
Reese was signed to a non-guaranteed contract less than two weeks ago. He made a two-minute cameo in one game.
The Thunder are dealing with frontcourt injuries. Isaiah Hartenstein is recovering from a hand fracture, while Jaylin Williams is out at least a month with a strained hamstring. That could open up the door for some playing time for Leons.
Considering Reese’s short stint, it’s uncertain how long Leons will remain on the roster. He’ll fill the 15th spot for the time being, but his contract will likely be non-guaranteed, so the Thunder could continue to look at other options in the coming weeks.
Rockets Exercise Contract Options On Four Players
The Rockets have picked up their 2025/26 four-year options on Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason’s contracts, as well as their third-year options on Amen Thompson’s and Cam Whitmore’s contracts, according to the Houston’s Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen.
None of the moves are surprising, considering Smith is a starter and the three others are second-unit players. Smith, the third pick of the 2022 draft, will make $12,350,392 next season. Eason, the 17th pick of the same draft, will bring in $5,675,766. Both will be eligible for rookie scale extensions next offseason.
Thompson, the fourth pick of last year’s draft, will make $9,690,212 next season. Whitmore, the No. 20 pick in that draft, will earn $3,539,976.
Houston has been busy making commitments to its young players. Alperen Sengun signed a five-year extension on Oct. 21, while Jalen Green inked a three-year deal on the same day.
Smith is currently averaging 11.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game with Eason, Thompson and Whitmore are contributing a combined 21.6 PPG off the bench.