Five Key Stories: 7/22/17 – 7/29/17
Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the past week at Hoops Rumors:
The Cavaliers have signed free agent point guard Derrick Rose. The signing of the former MVP is now official and comes at a time when the future of the Cavaliers‘ current starting point guard Kyrie Irving remains in limbo. Rose’s contract is for one year at a minimum salary. The long-time Bull played last season with the Knicks, averaging 18.0 PPG, while shooting 47.1% from the floor and 87.4% from the charity stripe.
The Nets have acquired Allen Crabbe via trade. In the deal, the Trail Blazers will receive Andrew Nicholson, who the team will subsequently waive and stretch his contract. Just a year ago, the Nets presented Crabbe with an extremely generous offer sheet that ended up being matched by Portland.
Brandon Knight is expected to miss the entire 2017/18 season. Knight suffered a torn ACL in his left knee and will undergo surgery. The Suns guard averaged 11.0 PPG last season in 21.1 MPG. The Kentucky product is owed $13.6MM this season, $14.6MM next, and $15.6MM more the following season.
Several teams have made offers for Kyrie Irving. Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Spurs, Clippers, Knicks, Suns, and Timberwolves have each made a trade offer for the disgruntled Cavaliers star point guard. The Heat were originally included by Woj in that group, but Miami denied putting an offer on the table for Irving.
The Knicks will hire Gerald Madkins as their assistant GM. Madkins had been an assistant GM with the Clippers for the past two seasons. Since joining the organization in 2012, he also served as director of basketball operations and director of scouting. The Kings and Bucks had also expressed interest in Madkins.
Ten More Stories
- Andrew Wiggins is seeking a maximum salary contract extension.
- NBA commissioner Adam Silver described expansion as “inevitable” and said that Seattle is on the short list.
- Mikhail Prokhorov may consider selling controlling interest in the Nets.
- The Magic signed Marreese Speights to a minimum salary deal. Arron Afflalo also signed with Orlando for a year.
- The Warriors will re-sign JaVale McGee to a one-year contract.
- The Hawks have claimed former Maverick Nicolas Brussino off waivers.
- The Knicks are signing Ramon Sessions to a one-year deal.
- The Kings are actively seeking a VP of Basketball Operations and Otis Smith has withdrawn from consideration.
- The Suns reportedly will not include Josh Jackson in any trade offer for Kyrie Irving.
- Thunder rookie Terrance Ferguson has obtained FIBA clearance that will allow him to sign his NBA contract.
Heat Notes: Hayward, Irving, Olynyk
Gordon Hayward was extremely inspired during his free agency meeting with the Heat, passes along Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel. In fact, the small forward was so pumped that he felt about ready to put on a Miami uniform:
“After the video, he [Pat Riley] kind of talked a little bit,” Hayward said. “And that was the moment where you kind of do get some chills. And everyone’s wearing their ring, too, everybody on the staff was. And so that’s the moment where you’re like, ‘Wow, that’s really cool,’ an I-want-to-put-on-the-jersey-right-now type feeling.”
Hayward went on, “Miami was the spot that the more and more we talked about it, the more and more it looked like this would be a really, really good fit for me. And we actually broke it down and had like a point system of different pros and cons and on a weighted scale of different things that each city would represent and each team would represent, and Miami was always near the top of the rankings when we did it.”
Hayward was also struck by “this family vibe that they have.” The now Celtics forward also said about the Heat pitch, “Mark [agent Mark Bartlestein] had tried to tell me, after you talk with him, you’re going to be like, ‘Mark, I’m ready to sign right now.’ You do get that vibe from him. He’s a great motivator. And we watched some videos, too, of the Heat and their tradition. He definitely makes you feel like you’re going to be competing for championships year in and year out.”
Here’s more from the Miami Heat:
- The Heat do not have considerable optimism about being able to land Kyrie Irving in a trade, writes Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. Tim Reynolds, who covers the NBA for the Associated Press, said that he does not believe that the Heat are even interested in acquiring Irving. Regardless, Jackson says that the Heat’s best chance to get Irving in a trade is if suitors with more appealing assets cannot strike a deal and the Cavs circle back to Miami.
- Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel writes that the Heat have completed more trades, six, with the Cavaliers than any other team. Winderman details this rich trading history, which suggests that an Irving deal should not be viewed as impossible.
- In a separate piece, Winderman argues that the Heat owe it to themselves to consider trading for Irving. As Winderman puts it, the Heat should consider breaking up a good team to put together a great team. The scribe also points out that Irving’s list of preferred destinations purposefully includes teams with respected coaches and front offices.
- Eric Pincus tweets that Kelly Olynyk‘s deal includes a 5% trade kicker that cannot be used in excess of $2MM.
Lakers No Longer In Mix For Ian Clark
The Lakers are no longer interested in signing Ian Clark, tweets Tania Ganguli of The Los Angeles Times reports. This news comes shortly after the team re-signed point guard Tyler Ennis to a one-year minimum contract with a team option for the second year.
Clark has played four seasons in the NBA since coming out of Belmont University. After beginning his career with the Jazz and Nuggets, the guard has seen his playing time rise with the Warriors. In 2016/17, Clark clocked 14.8 MPG in 77 games, during which he averaged 6.8PPG and shot a robust 48.7% from the field.
The Lakers have expressed interest in Clark in recent weeks, even meeting with the free agent guard for 45 minutes last Thursday afternoon, but no offer was made. The Bucks still maintain interest in Clark, reports Gery Woelfel on Woelfel’s Press Box.
Suns Will Not Include Josh Jackson In Kyrie Irving Offer
The Suns will not include Josh Jackson in any trade for Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, reports John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 (Twitter link).
Ramona Shelburne of ESPN (Twitter link) adds that the team has reassured Jackson of this as well.
Phoenix has been rumored to be interested in the disgruntled Cleveland point guard, but it will not be entertaining offers that include its top 2017 draft pick. Jackson was selected fourth overall by the Suns as a forward out of the University of Kansas. The Suns clearly view Jackson as a critical part of their future if they are not willing to discuss trading him for a star of Irving’s caliber.
In Jackson’s lone season at Kansas, he averaged 16.3 PPG and 7.4 RPG, while shooting 51.3% from the field. Last season for the Cavs, the 25-year-old Irving scored 25.2 PPG and dished out 5.8 APG, while boasting an extremely impressive slash line of .473/.401/.905. Irving’s career playoff figures are even more impressive, as he has averaged 23.9 PPG, 4.7 APG, and 1.5 SPG in 52 career playoff games with a slash line of .465/.415/.876. Irving’s numbers in the past two playoffs are much higher still.
Since the Cavaliers do not need to trade Irving any time soon, although one could argue it would be awkward if they didn’t before training camp, it appears less likely that the Suns could nab him without agreeing to part with Jackson. Still, the Cavaliers may have interest in Eric Bledsoe as the centerpiece of a potential Irving trade.
Chauncey Billups Talks Kyrie, Turning Down Cavs Job
Chauncey Billups says that he knew Kyrie Irving was unhappy when Billups interviewed for the Cavaliers‘ GM position last month, passes along Brian Windhorst of ESPN. On Tuesday, Billups gave an interview on the Vic Lombardi Show on Altitude Sports 950 AM in Denver, in which he provided his opinion on Irving’s trade request and explained why he turned down an offer to be Cleveland’s general manager.
Billups, on Irving:
“[Irving’s trade request] didn’t surprise me. I knew as [the Cavs] were doing their due diligence on me I was doing the same thing on them. I knew so much about the situation that the rest of the world doesn’t know. But it’s unfortunate, man, because [Irving is] a special talent. So much of what he’s been able to accomplish on and off the floor has been as the beneficiary of having LeBron James. You’re getting everything you want. You get all the shots you want, you’re playing for a great coach who’s letting you go to work, when the game is on the line they’re coming to you, you’re playing on TV every week. To me, I don’t get it. Everybody has their own desires. Maybe he wants to be Russell Westbrook and go try to win the MVP and get all the shots. That’s the only sense I can make of it, and to me that doesn’t make sense.”
Billups, on turning down the Cavaliers GM offer:
“The whole [possibility of] LeBron leaving the next year, to be honest that didn’t bother me that much. Here’s why: When you have an opportunity to really put something together and put your imprint on it — rebuilding is a beautiful thing if [they’re] going to have the patience with you. What bothered me more than if LeBron left or not was that I didn’t think they had great assets if you have to do a rebuild. It was more that than Bron. Bron and I have always had an amazing relationship.
Billups, on where things stand for him now:
“It was a great process. That team is a great team, a lot of expectations, lot of pressure involved with that team. But I didn’t mind that. That’s kind of been my entire career, the stress and pressure. At the end, in my spirit, it just didn’t quite feel like it was the right time at the end. It was one of those gut things. So I took myself out of consideration. I felt good about it. Dan and I talked afterwards and I thanked him for giving me such a good opportunity. … We will remain friends. I don’t need the job. I love my life. I love this ESPN thing; it’s been fun. And I’ll just wait until it feels right.”
Brandon Knight Expected To Miss Season
Suns guard Brandon Knight has suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. An official announcement from the Suns states that Knight will undergo surgery and is expected to miss the entire 2017/18 season.
In six career seasons with three different teams, Knight has averaged 15.2 PPG and 4.3 APG on 41.5% shooting. Knight played by far the least minutes of his career this past season, averaging just 21.1 minutes per game and starting only five of the 54 games in which he played. His scoring average was also a career low at 11.0 PPG.
Knight was acquired by the Suns in February of 2015 in a three-team trade. Two years earlier, the guard had been traded from the Pistons to the Bucks. Knight’s best scoring season came with the Suns in 2015/16 when he averaged 19.6 PPG. However, he shot just 41.5% from the floor during the campaign.
With near-All-Star Eric Bledsoe and up-and-coming Tyler Ulis at point guard for the Suns and Knight likely to miss the entire 2017/18 season, it will be interesting to monitor the Kentucky product’s future in Phoenix. After an incredibly disappointing performance last season, Knight had already been on the outs with the Suns. This injury may have solidified the young guard’s future elsewhere.
Knight is owed $13.6MM this season, $14.6MM next, and $15.6MM more the following season.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 7/15/17 – 7/22/17
Every week, the Hoops Rumors writing team compiles original content to complement our news feed. Here are some of our favorite segments and features from the past seven days:
- This is Hoops Rumors’ 2017 NBA Free Agent Tracker.
- Here is Hoops Rumors’ 2017/18 NBA Two-Way Contract Tracker.
- Luke Adams explores Andrew Wiggins‘ candidacy for a contract extension.
- Adams rounded up a summary of NBA Teams With Hard Caps For 2017/18.
- This is how teams are using their 2017/18 Bi-Annual Exceptions.
- These are the 2017 NBA Draft-And-Stash Signings.
- Arthur Hill discussed the logistics of extending Isaiah Thomas to a max contract, the implications of exceeding the salary cap, and Carmelo Anthony‘s predicament in his weekly Sunday mailbag. Submit your questions via Twitter (@HoopsRumors) or by sending us an email (hoopsrumorsmailbag@gmail.com).
- Check out our free Trade Rumors app available for IOS and Android.
- Here are the questions we asked you in our Community Shootaround discussions and polls this week:
- Should the Trail Blazers make a trade for Carmelo Anthony?
- Will LeBron James remain on the Cavaliers beyond this season?
- What fate do you expect awaits the remaining restricted free agents?
- How do Kyrie Irving‘s 2017 and Kobe Bryant‘s 2007 trade requests compare and contrast?
- Where should Derrick Rose sign?
Five Key Stories: 7/15/17 – 7/22/17
Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the past week at Hoops Rumors:
Kyrie Irving has requested that the Cavaliers trade him. Irving’s trade request left running mate LeBron James “blindsided and disappointed.” According to the ESPN report, Irving prefers to be the focal point of his team. Irving provided Cleveland with four preferred landing spots: New York, Miami, San Antonio, and Minnesota. The star point guard does not, however, possess a no-trade clause. The Knicks would consider a package involving Carmelo Anthony and future first-round picks.
The Cavaliers will be promoting Koby Altman to general manager. Altman’s promotion from assistant general manager is considered “imminent.” Earlier this summer, general manger David Griffin parted ways with the organization and Chauncey Billups turned down an offer for the vacant position. Altman’s first order of business will almost certainly be handling Irving’s trade request. Since Griffin left the Cavs, Altman has been performing the duties of G.M. Mike Gansey is expected to be named the new assistant general manager following Tony Leotti‘s announced departure.
The Houston Rockets franchise is up for sale. Team owner Leslie Alexander is also putting Clutch City Sports & Entertainment on the market. Ownership prefers the sale occur “sooner rather than later.” While Yao Ming and Daryl Morey reportedly will not seek to purchase the franchise, Dikembe Mutombo is trying to put together a group to buy the team.
The Wizards will sign John Wall to a four-year extension. The extension will be worth $170MM and will include both a fourth-year player option and a 15% trade kicker. It will take effect in 2019, when Wall’s current contract is set to expire. In the summer of 2013, Wall signed a five-year max extension.
Pau Gasol will re-sign with the Spurs. The agreement was expected all along, but now contractual details are becoming clear. The veteran big man will sign a three-year contract with the third year being partially guaranteed. Gasol opted out of the final year of his contract earlier this summer to facilitate the team’s offseason, leaving $16.2MM on the table in the process.
Ten More Stories
- The Spurs are finalizing a contract with Manu Ginobili.
- Timberwloves coach Tom Thibodeau indicated that the team is working on an extension for Andrew Wiggins.
- The Rockets have signed Luc Mbah a Moute to a one-year, minimum-salary contract.
- Free agent Nerlens Noel is “very disappointed” with his negotiations with the Mavericks.
- Carmelo Anthony is reportedly willing to waive his trade kicker if the Knicks can trade him to the Rockets.
- Here’s the latest on Derrick Rose, who is expected to make his free agency decision next week.
- James Jones will retire and join the Suns front office, where he will report to general manager Ryan McDonough, who has just received a multiyear contract extension.
- The Celtics have signed draft-and-stash prospect Guerschon Yabusele and will sign Shane Larkin, who played in Spain last season.
- The Grizzlies have re-signed Mario Chalmers to a one-year, partially guaranteed contract.
- The Rockets will re-sign Troy Williams and Bobby Brown.
Jared Sullinger Eyes NBA Comeback
Jared Sullinger, who was cut by the Suns in February, is looking to return to the NBA. This weekend Sullinger will display his skills and recent weight loss in Brooklyn at The Basketball Tournament, with several professional teams in attendance, including the Nets, Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors (link via Twitter) passes along, from the mouth of Fran Fraschilla.
Rob Oller of The Columbus Dispatch interviewed Sullinger about the power forward’s struggles, progress, and aspirations. Sully says he weighed as much as 320 pounds when he was with the Celtics. “I lost a year of basketball directly because of what I have done — my weight and my eating habits,” he said. Sullinger explained that his unwillingness to lose weight led Boston to release him in 2016 and the Raptors to trade him to Phoenix in late February. The Suns released him the next day.
Sullinger has now been a vegan for three weeks and is down to a svelte 285 pounds. The grand prize of The Basketball Tournament for many is $2MM, but for Sullinger, the true treasure could be an NBA or overseas contract.
In five NBA seasons, the Ohio State product has averaged 10.8 PPG and 7.5 RPG. In two consecutive seasons for the Celtics, Sully averaged a career-high 13.3 points per contest.
Poll: Where Should Derrick Rose Sign?
Former first overall draft pick and the 2011 NBA Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose is nowhere near the player he used to be thanks to a litany of devastating leg injuries. However, he is coming off a productive offensive season and is easily the most coveted unrestricted free agent on the market.
Rose averaged 18.0 PPG, 4.4 APG, and 3.8 RPG last season with the Knicks, while shooting 47.1% from the field. The point guard also logged 32.5 minutes per his 64 contests, the most playing time he has had in the past four seasons. Despite Rose’s solid season, the rebuilding Knicks appear unlikely to bring him back.
Reports suggest that the leaders for Pooh’s services are the Cavaliers and Lakers. Cleveland will meet with Rose in the coming days and reportedly are offering him a starting position, either alongside Kyrie Irving or in Irving’s place if Cleveland’s point guard is traded. As for the Lakers, Rose had an approximately three-hour meeting with the purple and gold and reports indicate that the meeting went well for both sides. While it is unclear whether Rose would start for the Lake Show, he would be expected to mentor rookie Lonzo Ball on a much improved team.
Two other squads that have met with Rose in recent weeks are the Bucks and Clippers. The Bucks could appeal to Rose’s desire to win, boasting several rising stars in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jabari Parker. Milwaukee is also coached by legendary point guard Jason Kidd and is situated very close to Chicago, where the family-minded Rose’s family resides. The Clippers already have Patrick Beverley and Milos Teodosic at point guard, as well as Austin Rivers, who is more of a combo guard, but when replacing Chris Paul, can a team ever really do too much?
What do you think? Where should Rose end up signing? Place your vote in our poll and then catapult into the comments section below to share your thoughts.