Pacific Notes: Stephenson, Kings, Towns
The Clippers‘ newly acquired swingman Lance Stephenson is well aware of his negative locker room reputation around the league, and he intends to change that perception this season, Arash Markazi of ESPN.com writes. “I’m going to work hard this season to get those rumors out,” Stephenson said. “That’s not the issue. I’m very good in the locker room. You can ask all the players that I’ve played with. You can ask the coaches. I’m very good in the locker room. When I’m on the court I got that type of energy where it looks like I’m yelling at somebody. But when I talk to my teammates it amps them and makes them work harder. I want to take that [negative] title off my name because that’s not me. I’m a good locker room guy.” Stephenson also indicated that he would be fine with coming off the bench, something that coach/executive Doc Rivers has suggested would be the case.
Here’s more from the Pacific Division:
- The Kings will host workouts on Monday for Askia Booker (Colorado), Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin), T.J. McConnell (Arizona), and Brad Wadlow (St. Mary’s), the team announced. On Tuesday, the team will bring in Mike Caffey (Long Beach State), Sam Dekker (Wisconsin), Duje Dukan (Wisconsin), Rondae-Hollis Jefferson (Arizona), and Juwan Staten (West Virginia). Finally, Wednesday will see Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky) and Cameron Payne (Murray State) displaying their wares for Sacramento.
- The Lakers have been unsuccessful thus far in getting Kentucky big man Karl-Anthony Towns in for a workout, and the team is doubtful that will change prior to the draft, Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Daily News tweets. This resistance from Towns to meet with the Lakers could be due to a draft promise from the Timberwolves, though that is merely my speculation.
- The Lakers brought in Michael Frazier (Florida) as part of a group workout held today, Michael Scotto of SheridanHoops relays (Twitter link). Also part of today’s workout were Terry Rozier (Louisville), Andrew Harrison (Kentucky), Marcus Thornton (Georgia), Larry Nance Jr. (Wyoming), and Sir’Dominic Pointer (St. John’s), Eric Pincus of The Los Angeles Times notes.
Hoops Rumors 2015 NBA Mock Draft 3.0
With less than a week until the big night, teams are still scrambling to get their last looks at prospects as draft boards are being finalized. While the 2015 draft class doesn’t bring with it the same level of hype as last year’s, there are still a number of players who can change the face of a franchise and develop into tomorrow’s superstars. No draft pick is ever a sure thing, and careers will be made as well as broken based on the moves made on the night of June 25th. There should also be a significant amount of trade talk revolving around the draft, and there are quite a few teams that could end up dealing away draft picks in exchange for veteran players or future assets.
While I anticipate my mock draft to continue to change all the way up through draft night, this is my current read on whose name each team will likely have commissioner Adam Silver intone while on stage for the first round at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. You can view the previous versions of my mock drafts here and here.
#1 Timberwolves — Karl-Anthony Towns F/C (Kentucky)
- Height/Weight: 7’0″/250 pounds
- Stats: 10.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 2.3 BPG. .566/.250/.813.
There had been reports that have Minnesota leaning toward selecting Jahlil Okafor with the top pick. But I firmly believed that the Wolves would become increasingly enamored with Towns’ superior defense, athleticism, and upside as the pre-draft process wears on. That is now apparently the case, with the revelation that Wolves coach/executive Flip Saunders is now firmly in Towns’ camp after watching him work out last week. Towns would also be a better fit than Okafor alongside Nikola Pekovic, provided he recovers from his Achilles surgery. With Towns running the floor alongside Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, and the rest of the young athletic talent on Minnesota’s roster, the team may not make the playoffs next season, but it should become a regular fixture on SportsCenter’s top plays.
#2 Lakers — Jahlil Okafor C (Duke)
- Height/Weight: 6’11”/272 pounds
- Stats: 17.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG, and 1.4 BPG. .664/.000/.510.
Okafor becomes the prize for the franchise moving up in the draft order on lottery night. Los Angeles could still throw a wrench in my mock draft by selecting a guard, but I think the idea of adding a potential franchise cornerstone like Okafor at the pivot will be too tempting to pass up. The Lakers can solidify the middle with this pick for years to come, and pairing Okafor alongside Julius Randle should make for a formidable frontcourt offensively.
#3 Sixers — D’Angelo Russell G (Ohio State)
- Height/Weight: 6’5″/176 pounds
- Stats: 19.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 5.0 APG. .449/.411/.756.
Not landing the No. 1 overall pick this season is actually a blessing in disguise for the franchise. As long as the top two teams go big, Philadelphia will have no choice but to address its glaring hole in the backcourt, rather than stockpiling another big man to go alongside Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel. Philadelphia could opt for Emmanuel Mudiay here, as well as Kristaps Porzingis, whom the team is reportedly high on. But Russell’s playmaking ability and versatility should get him the nod at pick No. 3.
#4 Knicks— Justise Winslow F (Duke)
- Height/Weight: 6’6″/221 pounds
- Stats: 12.6 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 2.1 APG. .486/.418/.641.
This is one of the most difficult picks in the entire draft to try and predict. New York is very likely to try and trade this pick if Towns, Okafor, and Russell are off the board before the Knicks are on the clock. While Emmanuel Mudiay could very well be the choice here, he’s not an ideal fit for the triangle and isn’t as strong an outside shooter as the team would prefer from the one spot. I’m going with Winslow because of his upside and ability to defend multiple positions. The Knicks could very well trade down and still end up with Winslow.
#5 Magic — Kristaps Porzingis F (Latvia)
- Height/Weight: 7’0″/220 pounds
- Stats: 10.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 0.9 BPG. .560/.328/.750.
While I’m not sold on Porzingis as a top five talent, scouts and front office types reportedly are. There’s no denying Porzingis’ athleticism and potential, but there have been far too many international lottery picks who have turned out to be busts for my comfort level. But Orlando needs to add some frontcourt scoring and outside shooting, and the young Latvian certainly has the potential to provide both. Winslow is a very real possibility at this spot if the Knicks bypass him.
#6 Kings — Emmanuel Mudiay G (China)
- Height/Weight: 6’5″/200 pounds
- Stats: 18.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 6.3 APG. .493/.321/.586.
The Kings need a point guard in the worst way, and Mudiay falling to them at No. 6 is a gift. Willie Cauley-Stein is also very much in play with this pick, but I can’t see Sacramento passing on the chance to add a talent like Mudiay here.
#7 Nuggets — Mario Hezonja G/F (Croatia)
- Height/Weight: 6’7″/200 pounds
- Stats: 8.4 PPG, 2.0 RPG, and 1.1 APG. .475/.406/.739.
The Nuggets need help across the board, but a player who can light it up from the outside like Hezonja is too good to pass on. I will offer one caveat here. If Ty Lawson is dealt prior to the draft, then Cameron Payne is a very real possibility here, and would be an excellent replacement, though he’ll likely not be ready to be a full-time starter next season.
#8 Pistons — Stanley Johnson F (Arizona)
- Height/Weight: 6’7″/237 pounds
- Stats: 13.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 1.5 SPG. .446/.371/.742.
The Pistons found their replacement for Greg Monroe with the trade for Ersan Ilyasova, so a small forward becomes the priority. Sam Dekker is an option here, but I don’t see Stan Van Gundy passing on a gritty two-way player like Johnson, though his outside game will need some work for him to be an effective pro.
#9 Hornets — Devin Booker G (Kentucky)
- Height/Weight: 6’6″/195 pounds
- Stats: 10.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, and 1.1 APG. .470/.411/.828.
Charlotte desperately needs to add some outside shooting, and Booker may very well be the best in the entire draft from beyond the arc. He’s not as athletic as some teams might prefer, but he has the potential to become something special in the league in a few seasons.
#10 Heat — Frank Kaminsky F/C (Wisconsin)
- Height/Weight: 7’0″/242 pounds
- Stats: 18.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 1.5 BPG. .547/.416/.780.
The signing of Josh McRoberts last offseason didn’t quite work out for the franchise, and thanks to injuries, “McBob” wasn’t able to be the stretch four that Pat Riley was seeking. Kaminsky has his athletic limitations, but he’s also a seven-footer who can shoot the ball with aplomb. The team snags a valuable role-player with this selection.
#11 Pacers — Willie Cauley-Stein C (Kentucky)
- Height/Weight: 7’0″/244 pounds
- Stats: 8.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 1.7 BPG. .572/.000/.617.
President of basketball operations Larry Bird referred to Cauley-Stein as a max player, and he may end up regretting those words when negotiating the player’s second contract. Indiana needs a replacement for Roy Hibbert, whose days are numbered in Indiana. Cauley-Stein is as NBA-ready as any player in the draft, and would be an excellent addition. The team also needs a point guard, and Cameron Payne may prove too tempting to pass up here.
#12 Jazz — Myles Turner C (Texas)
- Height/Weight: 6’11”/242 pounds
- Stats: 10.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 2.6 BPG. .455/.274/.839.
The Jazz are quietly building a competitive roster, and could use a stretch-four to help open up their offense. Turner has an extremely high upside, and would be a nice addition to the team’s rotation. Trey Lyles and Kelly Oubre are also possibilities at this slot, but Turner would fill an obvious need.
#13 Suns — Trey Lyles F (Kentucky)
- Height/Weight: 6’10″/235 pounds
- Stats: 8.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 1.1 APG. .487/.138.735.
What Lyles’ NBA position will be is still up for debate. He has the size and ability to guard power forwards, but his best fit may be as a small forward for the long-term. Phoenix could use a boost at either spot, and Lyles could end up being one of the best players in the entire draft. He wasn’t given the opportunity to display his full range of skills at Kentucky because of that squad’s ridiculous depth. Those who haven’t seen him play will be in for a pleasant surprise.
#14 Thunder — Cameron Payne PG (Murray State)
- Height/Weight: 6’2″/180 pounds
- Stats: 20.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 6.0 APG. .456/.377/.787.
The Thunder need a reliable backup for Russell Westbrook, as well as some more firepower off the bench. Payne can certainly fill both of those needs, though he’s a player who could creep into the top 10. If that ends up happening OKC could switch gears and nab Oubre here instead.
#15 Hawks (via Nets) — Kelly Oubre G/F (Kansas)
- Height/Weight: 6’6″/204 pounds
- Stats: 9.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 0.8 APG. .444/.358/.718.
The Hawks are coming off a successful regular season, but injuries and lack of depth helped derail the team during the playoffs. Oubre would provide a nice building block for the future, as well as some immediate depth. Plus, if DeMarre Carroll departs the team will have a big hole to fill. Bobby Portis is also a big possibility here, especially if Atlanta gets the sense that Paul Millsap doesn’t intend to re-sign.
#16 Celtics — Bobby Portis F (Arkansas)
- Height/Weight: 6’11″/242 pounds
- Stats: 17.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG, and 1.4 BPG. .536/.467/.737.
Speaking of Portis…Boston could use some depth and athleticism from the four spot, and Portis can certainly provide both. The forward isn’t a stellar defender, so pairing him alongside center Kelly Olynyk could be a disaster for the team’s defensive ranking. But at pick No. 16, the former Arkansas player would provide excellent value, and be a solid addition to the Celtics’ rotation.
#17 Bucks — R.J. Hunter G (Georgia State)
- Height/Weight: 6’5″/190 pounds
- Stats: 19.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 3.6 APG. .396/.307/.878.
I love what the Bucks have accomplished in adding a number of talented young players to their roster. One major need the team has is for a wing who can stretch the floor with his outside shooting. This will be especially important given point guard Michael Carter-Williams‘ shooting woes. Hunter is a long-range bomber without a conscience who I believe will be a better pro than collegiate player. He’ll be a nice addition to coach Jason Kidd‘s squad in Milwaukee.
#18 Rockets (via Pelicans) — Tyus Jones PG (Duke)
- Height/Weight: 6’1″/184 pounds
- Stats: 11.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 5.6 APG. .417/.379/.889.
The Rockets need to improve at the point guard spot, and Jones is a pass-first playmaker who will pair nicely alongside James Harden and Dwight Howard. Jones is still a bit raw, and his athleticism leaves something to be desired. But his upside is higher than Delon Wright‘s or Jerian Grant‘s, so he gets the nod here.
#19 Wizards — Jerian Grant PG (Notre Dame)
- Height/Weight: 6’5″/185 pounds
- Stats: 16.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 6.7 APG. .478/.316/.780.
The Wizards’ talented backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal have had their injury woes, and the team could use some insurance. Washington is a talented squad that has a very real shot to contend in the East in 2015/16. The team learned the hard way this past campaign that it needs to have solid depth at point guard. While Grant’s age, 22, has some scouts concerned that he’s already close to his ceiling, Grant is a solid two-way player who fills an obvious need for the Wizards. He would be an excellent pickup for the franchise here.
#20 Raptors — Rondae Hollis-Jefferson F (Arizona)
- Height/Weight: 6’7″/215 pounds
- Stats: 11.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 1.6 APG. .502/.207/.707.
Toronto desperately needs to improve on the defensive end, and snagging Hollis-Jefferson, who is perhaps the best wing defender in the entire draft, would be a great start to correcting that deficiency. His outside game, or lack thereof, is what is preventing him from being a lottery pick. But in the open court he is exciting to watch, and with some hard work and serious gym time he could develop into a steal at this spot. If Toronto decides to add a more offensive-minded player, then UCLA’s Kevon Looney could be their man here.
#21 Mavs — Delon Wright G (Utah)
- Height/Weight: 6’5″/178 pounds
- Stats: 14.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 5.1 APG. .509/.356/.836.
The Mavs need backcourt help in the worst way, with the likely departure of Rajon Rondo and the uncertainty regarding Monta Ellis. Wright is a versatile guard, and the best playmaker still available. He won’t be ready to start next season, but will be a solid addition to Dallas’ roster.
#22 Bulls — Rashad Vaughn G (UNLV)
- Height/Weight: 6’6″/215 pounds
- Stats: 17.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 1.6 APG. .439/.383/.694.
The Bulls are likely hoping that either Grant or Wright is still available here, but Vaughn is a nice consolation prize. The young guard is extremely raw, but he has the potential to be a top 10 scorer in the NBA, and will provide the Bulls with backcourt depth next season.
#23 Trail Blazers — Justin Anderson G/F (Virginia)
- Height/Weight: 6’6″/227 pounds.
- Stats: 12.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 1.7 APG. .466/.452/.780.
The Blazers may have two significant holes to fill, depending on whether or not the franchise retains LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews. Anderson would be a nice insurance policy in the event that Matthews didn’t return, or is slow in recovering from his Achilles surgery. Looney is another possibility here.
#24 Cavaliers — Montrezl Harrell F (Louisville)
- Height/Weight: 6’8″/243 pounds
- Stats: 15.7 PPG, 9.2 RPG, and 1.4 APG. .566/.243/.597.
The Cavs need to add frontcourt depth, and possibly a replacement for Kevin Love. Harrell’s game has a number of offensive similarities to Love’s, and he can also chase down his fair share of rebounds. He’d be a good fit in Cleveland, and a good value pickup this late in the first round.
#25 Grizzlies — Sam Dekker F (Wisconsin)
- Height/Weight: 6’9″/230 pounds
- Stats: 13.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 1.2 APG. .525/.331/.708.
The Grizzlies have a dire need for a small forward who can score. Dekker could end up going much higher than this, but he reportedly hasn’t shot the ball well in a number of his workouts. The former Wisconsin forward had gathered quite a bit of momentum with his stellar play during this year’s NCAA tournament, but a bit of his luster has faded in the interim. He’s a versatile player who can help out at multiple positions, which makes him a good fit it Memphis, though I believe the team would prefer if Justin Anderson fell to them here.
#26 Spurs — Christian Wood F (UNLV)
- Height/Weight: 6’11″/220 pounds
- Stats: 15.7 PPG, 10.0 RPG, and 2.7 BPG. .497/.284/.736.
The Spurs have a number of needs as the roster continues to age. Wood is a raw player with a high upside who would be a nice addition to San Antonio’s frontcourt, though he’ll require some significant D-League time his first season. Hopefully Tim Duncan will return for another year, which would take the pressure off of Wood to produce immediately.
#27 Lakers (via Rockets) — Joseph Young G (Oregon)
- Height/Weight: 6’2″/185 pounds.
- Stats: 20.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 3.8 APG. .448/.357/.925.
Young reportedly has secured a first round draft promise, and my bet is that it’s from the Lakers. He’s a bit undersized, but his speed and excellent outside shooting will be assets to a rebuilding Los Angeles squad.
#28 Celtics (via Clippers) — Kevon Looney F (UCLA)
- Height/Weight: 6’9″/220 pounds
- Stats: 11.6 PPG, 9.2 RPG, and 0.9 BPG. .470/.415/.626.
If the Celtics don’t trade this pick, which I think they will, adding another frontcourt player will likely be the play here. I was conflicted about placing Looney near the bottom of the first round, but he drops more because of the needs of the teams picking in the early 20s than due to any lack of talent and potential. I like Looney’s upside, though he bears the dreaded tweener tag, and may not have a defined position in the NBA. The Celtics could certainly use more versatility on offense, and Looney has the potential to provide it.
#29 Nets (via Hawks) — Terry Rozier G (Louisville)
- Height/Weight: 6’1″/190 pounds
- Stats: 17.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 3.0 APG. .411/.306/.790.
With the health and production level of Deron Williams a concern, Brooklyn could certainly use an insurance policy at the point guard spot. Rozier has been impressing teams during his pre-draft workouts, and has likely earned himself a first round selection. The Nets land a solid backup and insurance policy.
#30 Warriors — Jarell Martin F (LSU)
- Height/Weight: 6’10″/236 pounds
- Stats: 16.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG, and 1.8 APG. .509/.269/.690.
The Warriors don’t have many needs, but could stand to add depth in the frontcourt, especially if David Lee is dealt. Martin has a strong, NBA-ready frame, and is a tenacious rebounder who can score both facing the basket and with his back to it. A nice pickup at the end of the first round.
Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 6/18/15
Some of the greatest joys of being a sports fan, besides your favorite team winning the championship, are the debates that arise between fellow sports nuts along the way. It’s with this in mind that we have begun providing a forum for basketball fanatics to voice their opinions, debate trending topics, and simply hang out with like-minded hoops aficionados. We’ve begun been posting a new topic for readers to discuss each weeknight, which we hope that this will become a regular part of your sports day. If you missed our previous discussions you can view them here, or simply head over to the sidebar and select “Hoops Rumors Community Shootarounds.”
Of course, there will be differing opinions from time to time. 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.
Now that we’ve gotten the preamble and fine print out of the way, it’s time to get to the topic of the day: What should the Knicks do with the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft? New York’s dream scenario of landing the No. 1 overall pick didn’t pan out, and in fact, the franchise was the only one whose draft position worsened as a result of the lottery. Now the team is at the mercy of the Wolves, Lakers, and Sixers, all of whom select ahead of the Knicks. There have been reports that team president Phil Jackson is looking to trade down to secure more assets if one of the team’s top three targets of Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor, and D’Angelo Russell are all off the board by the time the franchise is officially on the clock.
Would the team be better served to trade down for a lower pick and either a young veteran player who can contribute right away, or a future pick? Should Jackson stand pat and select the best player available? How about trying to trade for a star player, similar to how the Cavs obtained Kevin Love for Andrew Wiggins last summer? If so, then who do you think would be a reasonable target? Take to the comments section below with your thoughts and opinions on these points and more. We look forward to what you have to say.
Western Notes: Lawson, Jazz, Gordon
If new Nuggets coach Michael Malone is to succeed in Denver, the team will need to part ways with point guard Ty Lawson, Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post writes. “My question to all these guys is going to be: How serious are you about winning? Do you like to win? Or do you hate to lose?” Malone said during his introductory press conference. Lawson doesn’t quite fit the mold of a player who’s truly serious about winning, Kiszla opines, and Malone won’t abide having to coax effort out of his players, which is an issue with the talented point guard. The Mavs are reportedly interested in Lawson, though he’s not at the top of the franchise’s priorities this offseason.
Here’s more from the Western Conference:
- DeMarcus Cousins, one of Malone’s former players with the Kings, is thrilled that his former coach was hired by the Nuggets, Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee relays in a series of tweets. “I was extremely happy. I think he’s one of the better coaches in the league. He’s a great man,” Cousins said. “I learned a lot from him, and I’m just happy he’s getting an opportunity to do what he loves. Like I said, you can’t keep a good man down.”
- The Jazz have workouts scheduled Friday for Janis Berzins (Latvia), Sam Dekker (Wisconsin), Terrence Drisdom (Cal Poly Pomona), Skyler Halford (BYU), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Arizona), and Rashad Madden (Arkansas), the team announced (on Twitter).
- There was no way that Pelicans guard Eric Gordon would have landed a deal that would pay him more than the value of his $15,514,031 player option for 2015/16, so opting in was his only rational choice, Jimmy Smith of The Times Picayune opines.
- Thunder coach Billy Donovan thinks that Kentucky forward Trey Lyles‘ versatility will pose a major matchup problem for defenders when he arrives in the NBA next season, Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman writes. Lyles is a possibility for Oklahoma City, who own the No. 14 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft.
Eastern Notes: Russell, Porzingis, Raptors
Ohio State playmaker D’Angelo Russell had an under-the-radar workout with the Knicks back on June 11th, shortly before he pulled out of a scheduled workout with the Sixers due to an undisclosed illness, Marc Berman of The New York Post writes. There are rumblings that Philadelphia has become enamored with forward Kristaps Porzingis, and Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress has Philly taking the Latvian with the No. 3 overall pick in his latest mock draft. However, a league source insists the Sixers taking Porzingis over Russell is a reach and they are after the best available player regardless of position, Berman notes. “If you’re basing taking him [Porzingis] because of last week’s workout, you should be fired,’’ the league source told Berman.
Here’s the latest from the East:
- Porzingis met with representatives from the Magic today in Orlando, but did not work out for the team, Michael Scotto of SheridanHoops relays (Twitter link).
- Texas big man Myles Turner has an individual workout scheduled Friday morning with the Hornets, Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer relays (on Twitter). The majority of mock drafts predict that Charlotte will select a wing who can score from deep, and though Turner does have the ability to stretch defenses, selecting him could prove redundant in the wake of the team’s acquisition of Spencer Hawes from the Clippers.
- The Raptors held pre-draft workouts today for Terry Rozier (Louisville), R.J. Hunter (Georgia State), J.P. Tokoto (North Carolina), Phil Greene (St. John’s), Tekele Cotton (Wichita State), and Jarekious Bradley (Southeast Missouri State), the team announced.
- Michael Qualls (Arizona), Rashad Vaughn (UNLV), Richaun Holmes (Bowling Green), and Josh Smith (Georgetown) all pulled out of their scheduled workouts with the Nets today, The Brooklyn Game relays (Twitter link). The reason for Qualls’ withdrawal is obvious, with the player having suffered a torn ACL, but it is unclear why the other players declined to attend the showcase.
2015/16 Roster Counts: Memphis Grizzlies
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 Grizzlies’ roster size, the contract guarantee status of each player, and how each player came to be on Memphis’ roster.
(Last Updated 4-11-16, 12:28pm)
Fully Guaranteed (15)
- Jordan Adams (G) — 6’5″/20 years old. Drafted with No. 22 overall pick in 2014.
- Tony Allen (G) — 6’4″/33 years old. Free agent signing.
- Chris Andersen (F/C) — 6’10″/36 years old. Acquired via trade from Miami.
- Matt Barnes (F) — 6’7″/35 years old. Acquired via trade with Hornets.
- Vince Carter (G/F) — 6’6″/38 years old. Free agent signing.
- Mike Conley (G) — 6’1/27 years old. Drafted with No. 4 overall pick in 2007.
- Bryce Cotton (G) — 6’1/23 years old. Free agent signing.
- Jordan Farmar (G) — 6’2″/29 years old. Free agent signing.
- Marc Gasol (C) — 7’1″/30 years old. Draft rights acquired via Lakers.
- JaMychal Green (F) — 6’8″/24 years old. Free agent signing.
- P.J. Hairston (G) — 6’6″/22 years old. Acquired via trade from Hornets.
- Jarell Martin (F) — 6’10″/21 years old. Drafted with the No. 25 overall pick in 2015.
- Xavier Munford (G) — 6’2″/23 years old. Free agent signing.
- Zach Randolph (F) — 6’9″/33 years old. Acquired via trade with Clippers.
- Lance Stephenson (G/F) — 6’5″/24 years old. Acquired via trade with Clippers.
- Brandan Wright (F) — 6’10″/27 years old. Free agent signing.
10-Day Contracts (0)
- None
TOTAL ROSTER COUNT (16)
Pacific Notes: Clippers, Lakers, Stephenson
The Clippers‘ roster could have been a markedly different one from today’s if not for former team owner Donald Sterling nixing a number of potential franchise-altering deals, James Herbert of CBSSports.com writes. “This is really only my third year but you can make a case this is our second year if you know what I’m saying,” coach/executive Doc Rivers told Beast 980’s Fred Roggin during a radio appearance. “If I someday wrote a book and told you a couple of the trades we had in the first year that we didn’t do because of other reasons, you would fall off your chair.” While Clippers fans ponder what might have been, here’s more from the NBA’s Pacific Division:
- The Kings are bringing in Sam Dekker (Wisconsin), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Arizona), Mike Caffey (Long Beach State), Duje Dukan (Wisconsin), and Juwan Staten (West Virginia) for a group workout this Sunday, the team announced.
- The Lakers brought in Emmanuel Mudiay (Guangdong) today for a second workout, Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Daily News relays (Twitter link).
- The Lakers also have second workouts scheduled for Jahlil Okafor (Duke) on Friday, and D’Angelo Russell (Ohio State) on Saturday, Chad Ford of ESPN.com relays (on Twitter).
- Lance Stephenson‘s failure in Charlotte should make him hungry to rebuild his value while with the Clippers, and trading for Stephenson was a wise move for the team since its salary cap situation makes adding impact players extremely difficult, Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report writes. Ding also notes that there is only one fully guaranteed year left on Stephenson’s deal, which will dampen any financial risk, as well as provide added motivation for the mercurial swingman to perform. Stephenson’s contract includes a team option worth $9.405MM for 2016/17.
Central Notes: Blatt, Bucks, Love
LeBron James‘ attitude and demeanor toward Cavaliers coach David Blatt during the NBA Finals was unbecoming and inappropriate, Marc Stein of ESPN.com writes. Stein references LeBron essentially calling his own timeouts and making substitutions, as well as eschewing Blatt for assistant coach Tyronn Lue. James also nixed a number of plays that Blatt had drawn up during timeouts, which only served to undermine the coach in the eyes of the rest of the team, Stein notes.
Here’s more out of the Central Division:
- While some have speculated that Cavs owner Dan Gilbert might make a play for former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, a number of Cleveland’s front office personnel insist that Gilbert is Blatt’s biggest supporter, Zach Lowe of Grantland tweets. GM David Griffin downplayed any issues between Blatt and James in today’s season-ending news conference, saying, “Sensationalism sells. LeBron said David’s a hell of a coach,” Sam Amico of FOX Sports.com relays (Twitter link).
- Griffin said that he expects James and Kevin Love to both opt out of their deals this summer, but he anticipates that both will re-sign with the Cavs, Chris Haynes of The Northeast Ohio Media Group tweets. While this news isn’t a surprise as far as LeBron is concerned, it does run counter to what Love told Haynes back in January that he planned to do.
- The Bucks held workouts today for Josh Gasser (Wisconsin), Keifer Sykes (Wisconsin-Green Bay), Olivier Hanlan (Boston College), Cady Lalanne (Massachusetts), Amere May (Delaware State), and TaShawn Thomas (Oklahoma), the team announced (via Twitter).
- Cavs veteran forward Shawn Marion confirmed today that he is indeed retiring after 16 years in the league, Stein relays in a separate article. “I wanted to go out on my terms,” Marion said. “The biggest thing is having a son. I got attached to him. Seeing him periodically is hard. Watching him grow up on pictures and videos is hard.” The Matrix’s final career numbers through 1163 contests are 15.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.
- Bucks coach Jason Kidd is excited about the team’s possibilities for tweaking its roster this offseason, Genaro C. Armas of The Associated Press writes. “Yeah, I like what [GM John] Hammond has done, the position he has put us in pre-draft,” Kidd said. “We’ll see what happens,” Kidd continued. ”You’ve got a lot of different things, possibilities that you’re not landlocked to get better, and that means not moving a major piece.”
Eric Gordon Opts In With Pelicans
THURSDAY, 4:48pm: The Pelicans have officially announced that Gordon has opted in for next season.
WEDNESDAY, 7:50pm: Eric Gordon has decided to exercise his player option for the 2015/16 season and return to the Pelicans, Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders reports (Twitter link). The move was widely anticipated, as Gordon would likely have had a difficult time topping the $15,514,031 he is scheduled to make next season on any new deal. This sets up Gordon to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, and a strong 2015/16 campaign could serve to inflate his value just in time for the salary cap to increase courtesy of the league’s new television deal kicking in. John Reid of The Times Picayune had previously reported that Gordon was likely to opt in.
Besides the obvious payday associated with opting in, Gordon will also have the opportunity to play for Alvin Gentry, who was coach of the Suns when Gordon signed Phoenix’s offer sheet back in 2012, which New Orleans matched, and Gordon is still fond of Gentry, according to Reid. Gentry is known for his offensive expertise, and Gordon could become revitalized in an up-tempo attack. The negative regarding Gordon opting in, is that it defeats any chance that New Orleans had to open max-level cap room for next season without making significant salary clearing trades. New Orleans now has more than $56MM in guaranteed salary committed against a projected $67.1MM cap for next season, which includes Gordon’s option amount.
Gordon appeared in 61 contests for the Pelicans last season, averaging 13.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 33.1 minutes per game. His career numbers are 16.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per night. His career slash line is .437/.383/.809.
Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 6/17/15
Some of the greatest joys of being a sports fan, besides your favorite team winning the championship, are the debates that arise between fellow sports nuts along the way. It’s with this in mind that we have begun providing a forum for basketball fanatics to voice their opinions, debate trending topics, and simply hang out with like-minded hoops aficionados. We’ve begun been posting a new topic for readers to discuss each weeknight, which we hope that this will become a regular part of your sports day. If you missed our previous discussions you can view them here, or simply head over to the sidebar and select “Hoops Rumors Community Shootarounds.”
Of course, there will be differing opinions from time to time. 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.
Now that the fine print is out of the way, let’s get to the topic of the day: What moves do the Cavaliers need to make this offseason in order to return to, and win, the NBA Finals? We’ll never know what the outcome would have been had Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love been able to play versus the Warriors. If Cleveland had been at full strength, would LeBron James and company be raising a banner to the rafters of Quicken Loans Arena, or was the roster flawed enough that Golden State would have still triumphed? Do the Cavs need Love to return next season to contend, or would Tristan Thompson be a more effective starter at the four spot for the long-term? Would Andrew Wiggins have been a better fit, especially against the Warriors’ small lineups? All these topics and more are open for discussion. Head to the comments section below and share your thoughts and opinions with the world. We look forward to what you have to say.