Western Notes: Beasley, Lillard, Nuggets
Combo forward Michael Beasley has seemingly found a home with the Rockets after believing his shot at an NBA career had passed, David Aldridge of NBA.com writes. “I honestly thought the NBA, that chapter in my life was done,” Beasley told Aldridge. “You go through stages. You get depressed. You get angry. You break stuff. You cry. You’re angry again. You get optimistic. You cry again. Last summer was probably the longest summer of my life. All I could do was pray, wake up, put one foot in front of the other and take it day by day.”
The 27-year-old has appeared in 19 games for Houston this season and is averaging 12.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in 18.2 minutes per outing. He credits the coaching staff for much of his success, Aldridge adds. “That’s an example of everybody just letting me play my game,” Beasley said. “James Harden, [interim coach] J.B. [Bickerstaff], they put me in the right positions — really, my sweet spots, where I can be most effective. Really, I just came into it optimistically. I came into it with an open mind. I was just going to play hard and see what happened.”
Here’s more from out West:
- The Blazers surprised many around the league by earning a playoff berth this season, and the players point to Damian Lillard assuming the mantle of leadership last offseason as a major stepping stone in the process, Jason Quick of CSNNW.com relays. “I told everybody … ‘From this point on, we have to know that it’s Us against Everybody,’’’ Lillard said of a preseason speech he gave the team. “When a guy on our team is struggling, nobody on the outside is going to pick him up and lift him up, pull him up and be there for him. It has to be us. When it gets a little bit rough, we have to be there for each other. When we are successful, we have to keep each other in the right mind space so we keep doing the things that give us a chance to be successful.’’
- While the Nuggets only won 33 games and failed to make the playoffs, their season can be considered a success because the team stayed true to its plan to develop its younger talent and changed its overall culture for the better, opines Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post.
- The Pelicans‘ training staff is likely to face scrutiny this offseason given the slew of injuries the team endured this season, though members of the organization insist no one is looking for a scapegoat, Justin Verrier of ESPN.com writes. “It’s been disappointing,” GM Dell Demps said. “We had a lot of high hopes coming into the season. And, obviously, not being at full strength has really … it’s been tough. It’s been tough on us. It’s been tough on the organization.“
Knicks Notes: Seraphin, Galloway, Williams
As the Knicks’ 2015/16 season winds down, the focus turns to the offseason and a number of roster decisions that the team will need to make. Kevin Seraphin, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent, Derrick Williams, who has a player option for next season valued at $4.598MM, and Langston Galloway, who can become a restricted free agent, all hope to return to the Knicks next season, Tommy Beer of Basketball Insiders relays. When asked about his intentions regarding his option, Williams said, “I haven’t really thought about it. I love playing here. It’s amazing. It might not have ended the way we wanted it to, but you can tell that city is starving for victories and a winning team. I love it here. I really don’t want to say ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ There is always the option of, even if I opt out, to come back and re-sign. There [are] plenty of different options and I’m excited and looking forward to it.”
Seraphin, 26, noted that it took him some time to adapt to his new team, but added that he loves the bond he has formed with his teammates, Beer adds. “We will see what’s going on, because it still is a business,” Seraphin said about a potential return to the Knicks in 2016/17. “I don’t like to address that stuff too much because we never know what’s going to happen.”
Here’s more from New York:
- Galloway, who needs to play just two minutes in tonight’s game to trigger starter criteria, says his clear preference is to re-sign with the Knicks, Beer relays in the same piece. “I definitely want to come back,” Galloway said. “I’m just hoping they want me to come back. Hopefully I’ll be back and see you guys next year. It’s been a great experience being here. I’m definitely excited to see what happens the rest of the summer. I think I’ve showcased what I can do, and I think the Knicks have seen what I can do. I’m just going to try and improve my game.”
- The Knicks are still talking about implementing the triangle offense two years after Phil Jackson was hired as team president, which illustrates that the experiment with the system has failed and it’s time to move on, writes Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News.
- It doesn’t appear that New York plans on scrapping the triangle offense anytime soon, as the team intends to target players who fit the system this offseason, Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News relays. “It shouldn’t be a balance [between finding players to fit a system and building a system around the players]. It’s whatever decision you want to make,” interim coach Kurt Rambis said. “The decision with management is to get players who fit into the system. Neither way is wrong. It’s about your mindset and what you want to do. And I think the whole process has been to get players who we feel will fit into the system. No team stays pat except the exceptional teams. Everybody is trying to improve and find ways to get better. Naturally, we’ll be one of those teams.”
Heat Ink Briante Weber To Multiyear Deal
SUNDAY, 1:52pm: The Heat announced the signing via Twitter. Weber will be eligible for the playoffs, as Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel tweets.
SATURDAY, 11:38am: The Heat are planning to sign point guard Briante Weber to a three-year deal, Shams Charania of The Vertical reports (via Twitter). The deal will include a partial guarantee, notes Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald (Twitter link). Miami is also reportedly discussing a deal with small forward Dorell Wright, with Charania previously relaying that the two sides could formalize a contract arrangement by Sunday.
The franchise is skirting the luxury tax line and the Heat need to be especially mindful of when any new deals are finalized if they wish to avoid incurring repeat-offender tax penalties. The Heat have 13 players, two shy of the league maximum, and they reportedly plan to carry 15 players into the playoffs. They’re only $46,106 shy of the tax and a prorated minimum salary contract would count $5,572 per day for tax purposes. Sunday is the first day they could sign two players in one day without incurring the tax.
Weber, 23, had a brief stint with the Grizzlies last month on a 10-day deal and is currently with Miami’s D-League affiliate in Sioux Falls. The point guard appeared in six games during his stint in Memphis and averaged 4.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 27.7 minutes per outing. Weber’s D-League numbers are solid, but not eye-popping, with him notching averages of 10.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 28 appearances. His slash line for the Skyforce this season is .469/.408/.725.
Sixers Hire Bryan Colangelo As President
SUNDAY, 1:40pm: The Sixers officially named Bryan Colangelo president of basketball operations. In addition, Jerry Colangelo is no longer the chairman of basketball operations but will remain as a special adviser to the team, the Sixers announced in a press release.
THURSDAY, 7:55am: The Sixers plan to formally name Colangelo as GM on Monday, a league source tells Ketih Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link).
11:12pm: Bryan Colangelo and the Sixers are still negotiating terms but are hopeful of finishing the deal Thursday, league sources tell Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
WEDNESDAY, 8:53pm: In the wake of Sam Hinkie‘s sudden resignation as Sixers GM, the team intends to hire Bryan Colangelo to fill the now-vacant post, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reports. Colangelo is the son of Sixers chairman of basketball operations Jerry Colangelo, whom the franchise hired earlier this season. The team had also been considering former Hawks GM Danny Ferry for the postition, according to an earlier report by Wojnarowski.
Philadelphia’s initial intent was to hire the younger Colangelo to work alongside Hinkie, but the former GM apparently wasn’t too keen on further diluting his power and influence within the organization. In his 13-page letter of resignation, Hinkie wrote, “There has been much criticism of our approach. There will be more. A competitive league like the NBA necessitates a zig while our competitors comfortably zag,” Hinkie wrote. “We often chose not to defend ourselves against much of the criticism, largely in an effort to stay true to the ideal of having the longest view in the room. Given all the changes to our organization, I no longer have the confidence that I can make good decisions on behalf of investors in the Sixers — you. So I should step down. And I have.”
Bryan Colangelo had actively pursued the Nets GM position prior to Sean Marks being named to the post, and was initially unenthusiastic about the idea of working for his father for the second time in his career, sources told Wojnarowski. The younger Colangelo had previously worked for his father for 13 seasons with the Suns prior to departing Phoenix to become the president and GM of the Raptors. Colangelo stepped down from his post in Toronto on June 26th, 2013.
2015/16 Salary Cap Update: Washington Wizards
The NBA’s salary cap for 2015/16 is set at $70MM, which is good for an 11% increase from last season, and the luxury tax line is fixed at $84.74MM. With the February 18th cutoff date for trades and the de facto deadline of March 1st for buyouts now past, we at Hoops Rumors are in the process of updating the salary cap commitments for each NBA franchise for the 2015/16 campaign. Here’s the cap breakdown for the Washington Wizards, whose regular season roster can be viewed here:
- 2015/16 Salary Cap= $70,000,000
- 2015/16 Luxury Tax Line= $84,740,000
- Fully Guaranteed Salary Commitments= $84,291,562*
- Remaining Cap Room= –$14,291,562
- Amount Below Luxury Tax Line= $1,448,438
*Note: This amount is the $10,000 in salary paid to Jaleel Roberts, the $5,613,500 due Martell Webster, the $2,139,000 owed to Gary Neal and the $200,426 due Ryan Hollins, all of whom were waived by the team.
Cap Exceptions Available:
- Mid-Level Exception= $680,329
Cash Available to Send Out In Trades= $3,400,000
Cash Available to Receive Via Trade= $3,400,000
Note: Despite the trade deadline having passed, the NBA season technically doesn’t end until June 30th. Teams are able to again make trades upon the completion of the regular season or when/if they are eliminated from the playoffs, whichever comes later. So these cash limits still apply.
The Basketball Insiders salary pages were used in the creation of this post.
Western Notes: Augustin, Munford, West
Kevin Durant is pleased that friend and former teammate D.J. Augustin has seemingly found a home with the Nuggets, writes Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post. “I’m just happy he got his opportunity to play, that’s all he wanted,” said Durant. “I talk to him all the time. He said he loves it [in Denver], the coach is trusting him. I remember coach [Michael] Malone calling him a security blanket or something like that, and in free agency a lot of people read things. You need that rap to get you the deal you want, I guess.” Augustin, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, has appeared in 26 games for Denver this season and is averaging 12.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 24.1 minutes per outing.
Here’s more from out West:
- Xavier Munford‘s multiyear deal with the Grizzlies has him set to earn $874,636 next season, which is a team option, Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders relays (Twitter links). Munford’s salary for 2016/17 includes a partial guarantee of $50K, but it will become fully guaranteed if his option is exercised by June 29th, Pincus adds.
- David West turned some heads last summer when he decided to turn down his $12.6MM player option with the Pacers to ink a minimum salary deal with the Spurs, but the veteran said that solid financial planning early in his career afforded him the opportunity to chase a ring in San Antonio this season, Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News relays. “My financial security was something we focused on very, very early in my career so we could make basketball decisions at the end,” said West, whose career earnings before this season topped $87.6MM, McDonald notes. “As opposed to just making them solely on needing to get more money and squeeze the orange, so to speak.”
- Kings combo guard Seth Curry‘s stock was limited in the eyes of many NBA scouts because he was viewed as a tweener with no set position, something that Curry believes is an asset, writes Kevin Fippen of NBA.com. “I feel comfortable at both positions, honestly,” Curry told Fippen. “I mean, I like having the ball in my hands and being able to make plays but I think my shooting is an asset too. I pride myself on being able to play the one [guard] and two [guard] and being able to affect the game in a lot of different ways.” In 41 appearances for Sacramento this season, Curry is averaging 6.1 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists to accompany a slash line of .496/.458/.843.
Daryl Morey To Be Evaluated By Rockets Ownership
The Rockets have gone from 56 wins and a trip to the Western Conference Finals a season ago to a 38-win squad that is in serious danger of missing the playoffs in 2015/16. As a result, GM Daryl Morey‘s job performance will be under serious review this offseason, Marc Stein and Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com report. Team owner Leslie Alexander also noted that interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who replaced Kevin McHale 11 games into the campaign, would be subject to review at season’s end as well, Stein and Watkins add.
Morey certainly faces some uncertainty regarding his job security heading into the summer, the scribes note. The GM deserves credit for his bold approach to roster building, notably adding James Harden and Dwight Howard, though team chemistry is a growing concern, especially considering the previously mentioned players have struggled to coexist, opine Stein and Watkins. The pair also count the failed Ty Lawson experiment this season as another mark against Morey. Lawson proved to be a bad fit alongside Harden and signed with the Pacers after agreeing to a buyout in Houston.
For his part, Morey has accepted the blame for this season’s misfortune, telling reporters, “It has been a very tough year in terms of a lot of the things we were hoping [to] take us to the next level didn’t, and we also took a step back on top of that, so far,” Morey said. “The season is not over but to this point we underperformed from what we did from last season.” When asked recently about his job security, Morey responded, “You’re asking the wrong guy about that. That’s Mr. Alexander’s choice and all I do is my job every day. He makes that call.” The GM is under contract through 2018, having inked a four-year extension with Houston in 2013.
Bickerstaff has a record of 34-34 in his interim role, but his questionable substitution patterns, as well as the team’s defensive shortcomings and inability to hold big leads, don’t necessarily work in his favor, the ESPN scribes note. The interim coach said that no discussions have taken place between him and team management regarding his job status yet, Stein and Watkins add. “No, not at all, that’s not even a issue [or] a concern,” Bickerstaff said Thursday night.
Should the Rockets retain Daryl Morey, or is it time for a change in Houston? Tell us your thoughts below.
Hoops Rumors Originals 4/3/16-4/9/16
Here’s a look back at the original analysis generated by the Hoops Rumors staff this past week…
- If you missed the week’s live chat, you can view the transcript here.
- Chuck Myron ran down all the key dates for the 2016 offseason.
- Zach Links highlighted some of the better basketball blogs around in his weekly installment of Hoops Links.
- Chuck ran down the multiple deals that center Ryan Hollins has inked this season.
- I ran down the updated 2015/16 salary cap numbers for the Spurs and Raptors.
- Chuck examined some 10-day contract trends this season.
- If you missed any of our daily reader-driven discussions, be sure to check out the Community Shootaround archives.
- Here’s how you can follow Hoops Rumors on social media and RSS feeds.
- Chuck ran down the draftees selected from each of the NCAA championship winning teams this decade.
- You can keep track of where your favorite team stands in relation to the 2016 NBA draft lottery with our reverse standings tracker.
- We reviewed our commenting policy. Play nice everyone.
- Here’s how you can follow specific players on Hoops Rumors.
Week In Review 4/3/16-4/9/16
Sam Hinkie resigned from his post as Sixers GM this past week and the team is reportedly set to ink Bryan Colangelo as his replacement. Hinkie became the Sixers’ GM in May of 2013 after a stint as the Rockets executive vice president. The executive’s rebuilding through bottoming-out plan has been met with much scrutiny and derision around the league and Philadelphia had an overall record of 47-195 during Hinkie’s reign.
In his 13-page resignation letter to the team’s ownership group, Hinkie wrote, “There has been much criticism of our approach. There will be more. A competitive league like the NBA necessitates a zig while our competitors comfortably zag. We often chose not to defend ourselves against much of the criticism, largely in an effort to stay true to the ideal of having the longest view in the room. Given all the changes to our organization, I no longer have the confidence that I can make good decisions on behalf of investors in the Sixers — you. So I should step down. And I have.”
The team was reportedly surprised by the sudden resignation and in their official statement relayed, “This evening, Sam Hinkie notified the organization that he has elected to step down as President of Basketball Operations and General Manager. While we are disappointed in Sam’s decision, we would like to sincerely thank him for his contributions over the past three seasons. There is no question that Sam’s work has put us in a very strong position to take advantage of numerous opportunities for an exciting future.”
Here’s a look back at more of the notable events from around the NBA this past week…
NBA Draft News
Underclassmen Entering
- Dragan Bender, PF, International
- Robert Carter, PF Maryland (junior)
- Vince Edwards, SF, Purdue (sophomore)
- Henry Ellenson, PF, Marquette (freshman)
- Kay Felder, PG, Oakland (junior)
- Josh Hart, SG, Villanova (junior)
- Brandon Ingram, SF, Duke (freshman)
- Kris Jenkins, F, Villanova (junior)
- Derrick Jones, SF, UNLV (freshman)
- Patrick McCaw, SG, UNLV (sophomore)
- Mamadou Ndiaye, C, UC Irvine (junior)
- Chris Obekpa, F/C, UNLV (junior)
- Alec Peters, PF, Valparaiso (junior)
- Xavier Rathan-Mayes, G, Florida State (sophomore)
- Devin Robinson, SF, Florida (sophomore)
- Domantas Sabonis, PF/C, Gonzaga (sophomore)
- Diamond Stone, C, Maryland (freshman)
- Isaiah Taylor, PG, Texas (junior)
- Aaron Valdes, G, Hawaii (junior)
You can keep track of all the early entrants for the 2016 NBA Draft here.
Signings
- The Pelicans signed Jordan Hamilton for the remainder of the season.
- The Nets signed Henry Sims for the rest of the season.
- The Grizzlies signed Xavier Munford to a multiyear deal.
- The Sixers signed Christian Wood for the remainder of the season.
You can stay up to date on all the 10-day deals handed out with our 10-day contract tracker.
Waivers
- The Grizzlies waived Ryan Hollins.
Miscellaneous News
- Former Hawks center Pero Antic filed a civil rights suit against the New York Police Department in connection with an incident from April 2015 outside a New York nightclub.
- Nets assistant GM Frank Zanin resigned from his post.
- Mike Conley is expected to miss the rest of the regular season and the playoffs because of his sore left Achilles tendon.
- Suns point guard Brandon Knight was shut down for the remainder of the season because of a sports hernia.
- Michigan State senior shooting guard Denzel Valentine reportedly signed with the Wasserman Media Group and agent B.J. Armstrong.
- The Bulls hired Horace Grant as special advisor to team president and chief operating officer Michael Reinsdorf.
D-League News
- The Jazz will reportedly relocate their D-League affiliate from Boise, Idaho to Salt Lake City next season.
You can stay up to date on all the D-League assignments and recalls for the season here.
Bulls Favor Re-Signing Noah Over Gasol?
The Bulls have apparently cooled somewhat on their desire to re-sign Pau Gasol and now may be favoring an attempt to ink center Joakim Noah to a short-term deal instead, K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune writes. Chicago had resisted trade overtures for Gasol prior to the February trade deadline and GM Gar Forman referred to him as part of the team’s core, adding that the Bulls were the clear favorites to re-sign the big man this summer.
Gasol, who is planning to opt out of his deal for 2016/17, said in February that how the team played down the stretch would influence his decision. With Chicago going just 12-15 since the veteran made that proclamation, it would appear that Gasol is now considering alternative options to Chicago, Johnson notes. “Nothing is set right now. I will evaluate what I need to when the time comes,” Gasol said Thursday night. “The way the team has responded to adversity and finished up the season has been disappointing.” The 35-year-old has had a strong campaign for the franchise, averaging 16.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.0 blocks in 71 appearances.
The Tribune scribe notes that while the Bulls have yet to formalize their offseason plans, there is a strong bond between the front office and Noah, who has long been the emotional leader of the team. However, there is no guarantee that Noah will return to the Windy City, as he has had some issues with coach Fred Hoiberg this season. Johnson points to the apparent disconnect between Hoiberg and Noah regarding the center’s shift to a reserve role, with Noah disputing Hoiberg’s assertion that he had volunteered to do so. “I never said I want to come off the bench,” Noah said shortly after the start of the season. “I said I’ll do what’s best for the team.”
Noah has been linked to the Magic as a potential free agent target, though only speculatively at this point. The 31-year-old had surgery on his separated left shoulder on January 19th, with a projected recovery time of four to six months, and he’s only appeared in 29 games this season, notching averages of 4.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 21.9 minutes per contest. The Bulls already have $65,766,154 in guaranteed salary committed for 2015/16, and that will limit how much the team is willing and able to commit to Noah, whose injury history may make the notion of him inking a short-term deal a fallback option at best, though that is merely my speculation.
Which player would the Bulls be better served to re-sign for next season? Sound off with your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.