Clippers Sign Josh Smith
8:39pm: The signing is official, the Clippers announced.
5:40pm: The deal is for one year and the veteran’s minimum, Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times tweets.
4:15pm: The Clippers and unrestricted free agent Josh Smith are finalizing a deal that would bring the veteran to Los Angeles for next season, both Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops (on Twitter) and Shams Charania of RealGM report (Twitter links). Smith’s agent, Wallace Prather, confirms that the two sides have come to terms on a one-year contract, Marc Berman of Fox 26 tweets.
The 29-year-old appeared in 55 games for the Rockets last season after he was surprisingly waived by the Pistons, averaging 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 25.5 minutes per contest. His career numbers through 11 seasons in the NBA are 15.1 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 3.2 APG, with a slash line of .455/.285/.633.
Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com reported on Monday that the Clippers were interested in Smith, and the Kings and Mavericks were also reportedly keen on adding the forward to their rosters. Smith had also expressed a strong interest in re-signing with Rockets, who certainly helped him rebuild his career in the wake of his unceremonious exit from Detroit.
The Clippers have been quite active this offseason in addressing their needs for outside shooting. The team also signed veteran small forward Paul Pierce, and acquired swingman Lance Stephenson from the Hornets. Smith can certainly provide depth at both forward spots, though his questionable shot selection has made coaches and fans scream in frustration on numerous occasions throughout his career.
Latest On K.J. McDaniels
The Rockets are still in talks with restricted free agent K.J. McDaniels regarding the player re-signing and returning to Houston, Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com reports (Twitter link). The franchise wishes to use the mid-level exception, worth $5,464,000 to ink the swingman, Watkins adds. It’s not clear what contract length and annual salary the player is seeking.
McDaniels has received what Watkins refers to as a “strong offer” from another team, though the ESPN scribe doesn’t mention which franchise that may be. No offer sheet has been signed by the swingman as of yet, notes Watkins. Houston would have three days to match any signed offer sheet it received for the player, which the team reportedly intends to do, as a result of tendering McDaniels a qualifying offer worth slightly more than $1.045MM. The Knicks were one franchise that was reported to be interested in the second-year guard out of Clemson, though it’s unknown if they are the team that has made McDaniels a contract offer.
In 62 appearances split between the Sixers and Rockets last season, including 15 as a starter while with Philly, McDaniels averaged 7.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 21.8 minutes per contest. His slash line was .396/.287/.752. McDaniels is a solid perimeter defender, and his skillset and upside are a tantalizing combination, which makes it a bit surprising that he hasn’t garnered more interest this offseason. That’s likely due to the fear that Houston would match any reasonable offer, but that’s merely my speculation.
Nuggets Seek Danilo Gallinari Extension
The Nuggets recently agreed upon a contract renegotiation and extension with forward Wilson Chandler, and now the team intends to open talks regarding an extension with Danilo Gallinari, Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post reports. Gallinari is entering the final year of his contract, during which he is scheduled to earn $11,559,225, and the Italian will be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after the completion of the 2015/16 campaign.
With the Nuggets currently over the salary cap, any extension would likely need to be structured to kick in at the start of the 2016/17 season, similar to what Kenneth Faried did a year ago with his four-year, $50MM extension, Dempsey notes. Going this route wouldn’t allow Gallinari the sort of raise that Chandler got in his renegotiation. A straight extension would limit Gallinari to a starting salary of no more than 7.5% of what he’s making this season, with raises of no more than 7.5% for the life of the extension. The extension can also carry no longer than three years from the end of his current deal.
Gallinari has struggled with injuries throughout his career, and he has only appeared in more than 60 games in just three of his six NBA seasons. The 26-year-old only made it onto the court 59 times during the 2014/15 campaign, notching averages of 12.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, with a slash line of .401/.355/.895. His career marks since being the No. 6 overall pick back in the 2008 NBA Draft are 14.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 1.8 APG.
Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 7/15/15
The Nuggets’ Ty Lawson is a statistically productive point guard who is routinely criticized for not making his teammates around him better. Lawson’s attitude has also come under fire at times, and Denver has reportedly been looking to find a trade partner who will take the 27-year-old off of its hands. The guard is set to earn $12,404,495 in 2015/16 and $13,213,482 the following season, which is also the final year of Lawson’s current deal. Lawson’s contract won’t make him easy to trade, nor will his off the court baggage. The veteran was arrested early Tuesday morning on suspicion of DUI, his second DUI-related arrest in six months time.
This brings me to our question/topic of the day: What should the Nuggets do with Ty Lawson?
Should Denver trade Lawson even if it means receiving less than adequate compensation in return? If so, which team do you see as being a good fit, and for whom do the Nuggets deal him? Or should the Nuggets hang onto Lawson? If so, should it be for the long-term, or just until he can potentially rebuild some of his trade value? The other alternative is for the team to attempt to work out a buyout arrangement with Lawson and just cut ties with him altogether. Take to the comments section below with your thoughts, opinions, and trade ideas. We look forward to what you have to say.
Of course, there will always be differing opinions. While we absolutely encourage lively discussion and debate, we do expect everyone to treat each other with respect. So, please refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults or attacks, as well as the other taboo types of discourse laid out in our site’s commenting policy. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Hoops Rumors. Just put in your name, email address, and comment and submit it; there is no need to become a registered user.
Western Notes: Cousins, Levien, Montero
Kings coach George Karl admits talking hypothetical DeMarcus Cousins trades “behind closed doors,” but Karl tells Ken Berger of CBSSports.com that he rejects the notion that he was actively trying to trade the center. “As a coach, in meetings every year and maybe four or five times a year, you talk about what-ifs,” Karl said. “And 99% of what-ifs never happen. But isn’t it our job to talk about what-ifs? Does this make us better? Does this get us in a better place? That’s our job. There was never a discussion in that area even close to happening, in my opinion. … Never in the whole time of this experience did I ever think that I wasn’t going to coach Cuz.”
Here’s what else is happening around the Western Conference:
- Jason Levien has become an unofficial adviser to Kings owner Vivek Ranadive, Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com tweets. Levien was formerly the CEO of the Grizzlies, as well as a former Sacramento assistant GM, Howard-Cooper notes.
- The Wolves were able to create a traded player exception worth $5MM as a result of dealing Chase Budinger to the Pacers, Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders notes (Twitter link).
- Danny Green said that LaMarcus Aldridge contacted him during the free agent process to pick his brain about the Spurs, Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express News tweets. Green also noted that the possibility of playing alongside Aldridge factored heavily into his decision to re-sign with the Spurs, McDonald adds.
- The Trail Blazers‘ deal with Luis Montero is a three year arrangement with the first season partially guaranteed, according to former Nets executive Bobby Marks (Twitter links).
- The Thunder have removed forward Steve Novak from the trading block, Chris Mannix of SI.com relays. OKC was reportedly seeking financial relief and was willing to flip Novak in exchange for a future draft pick.
- Wilson Chandler‘s contract renegotiation and extension with the Nuggets will pay him $10.4MM in 2015/16, $11.2MM for 2016/17, $12.0MM in 2017/18, and $12.8MM during the final season, Pincus notes (Twitter links).
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Eastern Notes: Porzingis, Dellavedova, Ellis
Scout Clarence Gaines believed the Knicks should have taken Kristaps Porzingis first overall if they had won the draft lottery, Knicks GM Steve Mills said Monday on MSG Network, as Marc Berman of the New York Post relays. Mills and team president Phil Jackson weren’t quite ready to do that, Berman notes, but the Knicks dropped to fourth in the lottery and took Porzingis with that selection. Mills said he noticed Guillermo Hernangomez, the 35th overall pick whose rights New York acquired in a deal put together on draft night, on a scouting trip to see Porzingis, as Berman details, adding that the Knicks plan to sign Hernangomez in time for the 2016/17 season.
Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:
- There hasn’t been much progress made between restricted free agent Matthew Dellavedova and the Cavaliers, Chris Mannix of SI.com notes. The point guard is seeking a multiyear deal at around $4MM per season, Mannix relays, and Cleveland is reluctant to commit to that amount due to the luxury tax implications. Former Nets executive Bobby Marks (Twitter links) notes that even a $4MM annual commitment for Dellavedova would equate to that of a max salary player due to the approximate $14MM tax hit inking the guard would generate.
- Celtics executive Danny Ainge views offseason additions David Lee and Amir Johnson as veterans who can help the team’s younger players grow, Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald writes. “Veteran players teach young players how to play, how to live, how to make it through the rough times of a season,” Ainge said. “And they make young players better by their presence on the court. So it’s not always just about getting minutes for young players, although minutes are important in the process of development. But it’s also important for veterans to show the young players the way to play. Brandon Bass was a good guy to have on the team. You ask any good player in the NBA about the people who’ve had a positive impact on their careers and most every one of them will say some veteran that they played with as a youngster.”
- Monta Ellis was sold on joining the Pacers when team executive Larry Bird told him he was the missing piece in the team’s championship puzzle, Michael Marot of The Associated Press writes. “He said all the right things,” Ellis said after signing his four-year, $44MM deal. “It was an easy choice. It made me feel great because they wanted me.”
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
2015/16 Roster Counts: Orlando Magic
During the offseason it’s OK for teams to carry as many as 20 players, but clubs must trim their rosters down to a maximum of 15 by opening night. In the meantime, some teams will hang around that 15-man line, while others will max out their roster counts. Some clubs may actually have more than 15 contracts that are at least partially guaranteed on the books. That means they’ll end up paying players who won’t be on the regular season roster, unless they can find trade partners.
With plenty more movement still to come, here’s the latest look at the Magic’s roster size, the contract guarantee status of each player, and how each player came to be on Orlando’s roster.
(Last Updated 2-22-16, 3:25pm)
Fully Guaranteed (14)
- Dewayne Dedmon (C) — 7’0″/25 years old. Free agent signing.
- Evan Fournier (G/F) — 6’7″/22 years old. Acquired via trade from Nuggets.
- Aaron Gordon (F) — 6’9″/19 years old. Drafted with No. 4 overall pick in 2014.
- Mario Hezonja (G/F) — 6’6″/20 years old. Drafted with No. 5 overall pick in 2015.
- Ersan Ilyasova (F) — 6’10″/28 years old. Acquired via trade with Pistons.
- Brandon Jennings (G) — 6’1″/25 years old. Acquired via trade from Pistons.
- Devyn Marble (G/F) — 6’6″/22 years old. Draft rights acquired via Nuggets.
- Shabazz Napier (G) — 6’1″/23 years old. Acquired via trade from Heat.
- Andrew Nicholson (F) — 6’9″/25 years old. Drafted with No. 19 overall pick in 2012.
- Victor Oladipo (G) — 6’4″/23 years old. Drafted with No. 2 overall pick in 2013.
- Elfrid Payton (G) — 6’4″/21 years old. Draft rights acquired via Sixers.
- Jason Smith (F/C) — 7’0″/29 years old. Free agent signing.
- Nikola Vucevic (C) — 7’0″/24 years old. Acquired via trade from Sixers.
- C.J. Watson (G) — 6’2″/31 years old. Free agent signing.
10-Day Contracts (0)
- None
TOTAL ROSTER COUNT (14)
Southeast Notes: Wall, Millsap, Stoudemire
The Wizards‘ signing of John Wall to a five-year, approximately $80MM extension back in 2013 came with risk, but Wall has made the deal look like a bargain compared to a number of recent contracts that have been handed out, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post writes. Wall compared the value of his deal to that of Reggie Jackson, who recently inked an almost identical deal with the Pistons, saying, “Man, everybody talking about me getting $80MM and you got people getting $85MM and $90MM that ain’t been an All-Star or anything like that. I guess they came in at the right time. The new CBA kicked in at the right time. That new CBA kicked in and they’re good now. Like, Reggie Jackson gets five years, 80. Like, I’m getting the same amount as Reggie Jackson right now.”
Jackson averaged 17.6 points and 9.2 assists in 27 games with the Pistons last season, while Wall notched 17.6 points along with 10 assists per contest for Washington. “I can’t control it. That’s what happens,” Wall continued. “But I’m happy for those guys. To see anybody get the opportunity to live their dream out and take care of their family when they can, that’s a blessing. So I’m happy for those guys.”
Here’s more out of the Southeast Division:
- Hawks coach/executive Mike Budenholzer admitted that the team’s offseason revolved around re-signing forward Paul Millsap, Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal Constitution relays. When asked if the team had to choose between Millsap and DeMarre Carroll, who departed for the Raptors as a free agent, Budenholzer said, “I don’t know if I would characterize it that you had to choose one or the other. It may just be word play, but ultimately there is not enough for everybody. I think we value DeMarre, and he was a big part of our success. We will miss him. But sometimes you have to make hard decisions. I guess it’s part of the NBA of having a good team and having players who play well and deserve opportunities. I don’t like to think of it as picking one over the other. I like to think of it as sometimes there is not enough for everything that you want.“
- Newly signed Amar’e Stoudemire is willing to fill any role the Heat require of him, Michael Wallace of ESPN.com writes. “It’s whatever the coaching staff asks,” Stoudemire said. “I can play however much or however long he [coach Erik Spoelstra] needs me to. You know, it’s whatever it takes to win.“
- Wizards second round pick Aaron White is almost certain to play in Europe during the 2015/16 season, J. Michael of CSNWashington.com writes, though his agent doesn’t seem anxious to make any declarations. “It’s too early to say,” Chris Emens, White’s agent, told Michael about whether White will be on Washington’s preseason roster. “We’re talking to [the Wizards] about some of that stuff. We’re also talking to international teams. Right now the biggest thing for Aaron is to develop, particularly when the roster sheds a lot of spots next season, for him and be ready to step in and play a role.“
Nick Calathes Signs With Panathinaikos
Grizzlies restricted free agent Nick Calathes has signed with Greece’s Panathinaikos, the team announced (Twitter link; translation via Sportando’s Orazio Cauchi on Twitter). Sportando’s Enea Trapani reported the sides had a deal earlier this week, though Calathes denied it. David Pick of Eurobasket.com reported that he’d commit to the Greek club today if he couldn’t find an NBA deal to his liking. Memphis couldn’t match the offer from Panathinaikos since that right only applies to bids from other NBA teams. The exact terms of the agreement were not released, but Trapani’s initial report pegged Calathes’ deal as being for three years and $7MM.
Memphis had extended Calathes a qualifying offer worth $1,147,276, making him a restricted free agent this offseason. The point guard made 58 appearances for the Grizzlies during the 2014/14 campaign, averaging 4.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 14.4 minutes per contest. His slash line was .421/.256/.533.
Calathes had been drawing some NBA interest, but he was reportedly hesitant to continue his career as a backup, as Pick noted. The Mavericks had reportedly contacted him, though that was more than two weeks ago, and the addition of Deron Williams likely eliminated any opportunity for Calathes in Dallas.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Raptors Ink Norman Powell
The Raptors have officially signed second round pick Norman Powell, the team announced via a press release. The length and terms of the deal were not disclosed. Powell was the No. 46 overall selection in the 2015 NBA Draft.
The 22-year-old appeared in 36 contests for UCLA this past season, averaging 16.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists with a slash line of .456/.319/.751. His career numbers with the Bruins were 9.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 1.5 APG. Powell is ranked No. 28 on UCLA’s all-time scoring list with 1,376 career points.
Powell has appeared in three Summer League games in Las Vegas where he leads the Raptors in scoring with 19.3 points per contest, and he’s shooting 59.5% from the field. The guard has led the team in scoring in each game, including a team-high 20 points during his professional debut against Sacramento’s squad. Hoops Rumors’ Zach Links chatted with Powell prior to this year’s draft.