Dwyane Wade To Pick Up Option, Stay With Bulls
Dwyane Wade has informed the Bulls that he will pick up his player option for next season, Vincent Goodwill of CSN Chicago reports (link via Twitter). Wade’s option for 2017/18 is worth $23.8MM.
[RELATED: NBA Player Option Decisions For 2017/18]
Wade, who will turn 36 next January, remains productive, but is coming off a season in which his numbers reached their lowest point since his rookie year. The 14-year veteran averaged 18.3 PPG with a career-low .434 FG% in 60 games for Chicago, failing to earn an All-Star nod for the first time since 2003/04.
Given his declining production, Wade would have had a very hard time finding an offer on the open market that would pay him anything close to the value of his option with the Bulls, so it’s no surprise that he’ll exercise it.
Interestingly, Wade’s decision comes at a time when the Bulls are reportedly becoming more open to the possibility of trading Jimmy Butler. Reports have indicated that Wade has little interest in going through a rebuild, so if Chicago does blow up its roster by moving Butler in the coming days, it’s not out of the question that the team could look to move Wade as well — though his salary would make him a tricky trade chip.
For the time being, Wade is on track to return to a roster that features Butler and Rajon Rondo for at least one more year.
Luke Adams contributed to this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Pacific Notes: Curry, Kerr, Draft, Warriors, Kings
Stephen Curry was more valuable to the Warriors offensively this season than Kevin Durant, writes Kevin Pelton of ESPN.com. In a fascinating piece about the relative value of the pair, Pelton points to Curry’s passing ability and the game-changing effect his lethal three-point shooting has on drawing defenders. As a result, ESPN’s real plus-minus (RPM) views Curry as having been far more valuable than Durant this season. However, the writer does allow for Durant’s already high value improving next season and beyond. Adjustments were constantly being made during KD’s first year on the team.
Here’s more from the Pacific division:
- Although the Warriors presently lack a pick in this week’s draft, the team held a pre-draft workout on Tuesday, tweets Jeremy Woo. According to Woo, the participants were Canyon Barry (Florida), Sterling Brown (SMU), Chance Comanche (Arizona), Bronson Koenig (Wisconsin), Ben Moore (SMU), and Tai Webster (Nebraska).
- Warriors head coach Steve Kerr will be given time off throughout the summer to explore options for alleviating his back problems, according to Janie McCauley of The Associated Press. “I think at the point we’re at now, it’s what makes you 5-10-15 percent better? And that’s what he’s going to pursue and explore with our blessing,” GM Bob Myers said.
- In the wake of Chris Granger‘s resignation Monday as president of the Kings, Ailene Voison of The Sacramento Bee explains why the departure signifies a major loss to both the franchise and the community. Golden 1 Center stands as Granger’s crowning achievement as Kings president. About Granger, team owner Vivek Ranadive said, “I’m really sad Chris is leaving, but when I recruited him, I also knew it wasn’t going to be forever. He built the arena. He stayed a year (afterward). I told him, ‘I’d like to keep you, but I also understand you don’t want to be selling sponsorships your whole life.’ He’s a big time guy.”
- The Kings‘ top priority should be to find a point guard to grow their nucleus around, writes Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee. Each team in the Pacific division is stacked at point guard, except for the Kings, who have Darren Collison and Ty Lawson, both free agents. Jones suggests that the team draft its point guard of the future, with many talented floor generals available, even if De’Aaron Fox (Kentucky) is drafted before the Kings pick at No. 5.
Atlantic Notes: Pre-Draft Workouts, 76ers, Nets
Although likely no other pre-draft workout will top the excitement of Markelle Fultz‘s with the 76ers on Saturday, followed by media availability, and the subsequent finalizing of the blockbuster trade that would bring Fultz to Philly, the Sixers held another session on Tuesday, Keith Pompey of Philly.com reports. Participants included Kris Jenkins (Villanova), Michael Young (Pittsburgh), Kadeem Allen (Arizona), Michael Ojo (Florida State), and Youssoupha Fall (France).
Here are more pre-draft workout updates from the Atlantic division:
- On Sunday, the Nets had a group workout, featuring Terrance Ferguson (Australia), Semi Ojeleye (SMU), Chance Comanche (Arizona), and JaCorey Williams (Middle Tennessee State), tweets Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders.
- Another draft-eligible player who has worked out for the Nets recently is Harry Giles, who worked out for Brooklyn last week, NetsDaily.com tweeted.
Community Shootaround: Communication Between Owner And Star Player
On Monday, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert parted ways with GM David Griffin, who was up for an extension. Griffin had been instrumental in bringing the Cavaliers’ star player, LeBron James, back to Cleveland. The executive also built a championship team by shrewdly trading for Kevin Love and cleverly filling out the Cavaliers roster over the years with key ancillary players like Kyle Korver, Deron Williams, Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith and Channing Frye. He did all of this with creativity under considerable budgetary constraints. Unsurprisingly, James had long been an outspoken advocate for Griffin to continue at his GM post. According to Brian Windhorst, LBJ was not notified before Gilbert decided to let Griffin go (link via Twitter). Naturally, this seemed to upset James (link via Twitter).
Should Gilbert have consulted LeBron before getting rid of LBJ’s guy? Is it prudent for an owner to do what he can to make his superstar, who is arguably the best player of all-time, happy? LeBron James left Cleveland once before. Could behavior like this from the owner fuel LBJ’s already potentially wandering eye? Conversely, do you believe that players need not be involved in front office decisions like this one? Should players be divorced from personnel decisions?
We would love to see your thoughts reflected in the comments section.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 6/10/17 – 6/17/17
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:
- Luke Adams provides an explanation as to how cash-trading rules may affect teams’ draft plans.
- We offer five more installments in our Five Key Offseason Questions series with the Nuggets, Rockets, Nets, Spurs, and Heat.
- Arthur Hill discusses whether the 76ers can nab any big-name shooting guards this offseason, if the Pistons are breaking up the band, and draft rumors in his weekly Sunday mailbag. Submit your questions via Twitter (@HoopsRumors) or by sending us an email (hoopsrumorsmailbag@gmail.com).
- In his weekly Hoops Links roundup of interesting articles from around the blogosphere, Austin Kent shares pieces on the Celtics‘ imminent need to make difficult choices, unlikely ambassador Dennis Rodman‘s unique capability to broker peace between the United States and North Korea, and how the Cavaliers should resist pulling the trigger on any blockbuster trades this offseason.
- 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:
- Which team will win Game 5 of the NBA Finals?
- What should the 76ers do with their first-round pick in the draft?
- What are your thoughts on Adam Silver’s new policy on resting players?
- What are your thoughts on a potential 76ers big three of Markelle Fultz– Ben Simmons –Joel Embiid?
Community Shootaround: Potential 76ers Big Three
Even if your mother always warned you not to get ahead of yourself, let’s get ahead of ourselves anyway. After all, Coach Klein did teach Bobby Boucher in The Waterboy that “what Mama don’t know, won’t hurt her.”
Classic movies from 1998 aside, the 76ers are reportedly close to trading for the Celtics‘ No. 1 overall pick in next week’s draft. If completed, Philly would very likely select Markelle Fultz, the tantalizing University of Washington freshman with major upside. Can you imagine Fultz on the court with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons? The Sixers could boast three of the most promising young players in the NBA. Fultz is 19 years old, Simmons is 20, and Embiid is 23. Lest we forget, Philly also possesses promising 23-year-olds Dario Saric and Richaun Holmes on its youthful roster.
If Fultz’s workout with the Sixers (scheduled for 6 PM Eastern Time Saturday night) goes as well as expected, the trade could soon be finalized, and 76ers fans could witness their fantasy coming true of a Fultz-Simmons-Embiid big (and young) three. Today’s discussion question is: assuming the trade is completed and the Sixers wind up with Fultz, how special can this trio be together? What kind of obstacles do you expect them to face? If Brett Brown still elects to play Simmons at point guard, would that mostly help or hurt Fultz’s development on the court?
We’d love to hear your insight in the comment section.
Five Key Stories: 6/10/17 – 6/17/17
Here are some of the biggest stories from the last week at Hoops Rumors:
The Celtics and 76ers are engaged in serious trade talks regarding the No. 1 overall pick in next week’s draft. In the trade, the Celtics would receive several draft picks, including this year’s No. 3 pick. This deal could presumably lead to the 76ers drafting Markelle Fultz and Josh Jackson falling to the Celtics. The move would also afford the Celtics additional financial flexibility to utilize in free agency this offseason. Here is the latest on the potential trade.
Special consultant Jerry West will leave the Warriors for a similar position with the Clippers. West helped the Warriors build a team that has won two of the past three championships and has been named Executive of the Year twice. The man whose likeness serves as the NBA’s logo also has been instrumental in the front offices of the Lakers and Grizzlies. The Warriors hoped to retain West, but the legend was ready to move on.
The Bucks have officially named Jon Horst their general manager. Horst’s promotion from director of basketball operations is surprising, given that the reported finalists for the position were Bucks assistant GM Justin Zanik, Nuggets assistant GM Arturas Karnisovas, and former Hawks GM Wes Wilcox. A “contentious ownership disagreement” reportedly led to Horst’s ascension.
The Nuggets also have a new general manager: Arturas Karnisovas. Before the Nuggets promoted Karnisovas from assistant GM, he was a finalist for the Bucks‘ GM opening. As a player, Karnisovas was a 6’8″ small forward who won two Olympic bronze medals with Lithuania and three Spanish League championships.
Monta Ellis and Reggie Bullock have been suspended five games apiece for violated the NBA’s anti-drug policy. The suspensions are believed to be marijuana-related. Both the Pacers guard and Pistons wing will serve their time to open the 2017/18 regular season, assuming they are physically able to play.
Ten More Stories
- The 76ers have exercised their team option on Robert Covington.
- Rudy Gay did not pick up his player option with the Kings and will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.
- The Hawks are unlikely to offer a full max contract to free agent Paul Millsap this offseason.
- Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are willing to be flexible with their contracts to give the Warriors the best chance of repeating as champions.
- The Mavericks are serious contenders to sign Jrue Holiday, as well as his brother, Justin Holiday.
- The Cavaliers are expected to offer GM David Griffin a significant pay raise to retain him.
- The Clippers are making progress towards building a new arena in Inglewood.
- CSKA Moscow is attempting to retain NBA prospect Milos Teodosic.
- Possible first-round pick Rodions Kurucs withdrew from the 2017 NBA Draft.
- Possible lottery pick OG Anunoby is aiming to be back at full health by late November or early December.
Latest On Sixers/Celtics Trade Talks
Yesterday we at Hoops Rumors passed along word of serious talks between the Celtics and 76ers concerning an exchange of picks No. 1 and No. 3 in next week’s draft. Here are some updates on the potential trade:
- Philadelphia’s 2018 unprotected first-round pick that was acquired from the Lakers has been part of the discussion, per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. The Sixers’ 2021 first-round pick is also possibly in play, tweets Wojnarowski.
- Markelle Fultz was scheduled to have a second meeting with the Celtics on Saturday, but that get-together was canceled, according to Keith Pompey and Bob Cooney of Philly.com.
- Talks are so far along that Fultz will work out for the Sixers later today, tweets Cooney. Fultz will work out for the Sixers at 6:00 P.M. EST and plans to speak to the media afterward, tweets Marc J. Spears of ESPN.com.
- While Boston and Philly may come to an agreement, the trade likely will not be done until draft night, according to Pompey (link via Twitter). In a subsequent tweet, Pompey explains why (Twitter link). If the Lakers draft Josh Jackson second overall, the trade will likely be of no use to the Celtics, who covet the small forward from Kansas.
- Despite Pompey’s timetable, Wojnarowski tweets that the Sixers and Celtics could finalize their trade after Fultz’s workout with Philadelphia on Saturday.
Pre-Draft Workouts: Hart, Smith Jr., Kennard, Adebayo
It’s that time of the summer, days until the NBA draft, when your favorite team is doing its due diligence and working out every prospect and his brother. Here is the latest in pre-draft workout news:
- Josh Hart (Villanova) worked out for the 76ers on Thursday and did not shoot well, tweets Adam Zagoria. Hart worked out for the Hawks on Friday and will also audition for the Spurs and Suns.
- In addition to Hart, the Hawks auditioned five other players on Friday: Matt Jones (Duke), Peter Jok (Iowa), Jaron Blossomgame (Clemson), Caleb Swanigan (Purdue), and Amile Jefferson (Duke), per the team’s official site.
- Jefferson is also set to work out for the 76ers on Monday, per Keith Pompey of Philly.com (link via Twitter).
- Tony Bradley (North Carolina) worked out for the Hornets on Friday and was also set to put his skills on display for the Heat and Nets, tweets Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer.
- On Thursday, the Heat worked out Dwayne Bacon (Florida State) and TJ Leaf (UCLA) in consideration of their 14th overall pick. The following players also worked out for Miami and are being considered in the second round and/or as undrafted free agents: V.J. Beachem (Notre Dame), PJ Dozier (South Carolina), James Blackmon (Indiana), Marc Loving (Ohio State), Sterling Brown (SMU), Billy Garrett Jr. (DePaul), and Jabari Bird (Cal), reports Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.
- The Celtics have scheduled a pre-draft meeting with Dennis Smith Jr. (North Carolina State), according to Ian Begley of ESPN.com. Begley notes that, even if Boston traded down to No. 3, it would be a shock if Smith was drafted so high. He is projected to be a Top-10 pick, but not Top-3.
- On Sunday, the Hornets will hold their seventh pre-draft workout, featuring two college standouts who played in the state of North Carolina: Luke Kennard (Duke) and Justin Jackson (UNC). Rounding out the group are Bam Adebayo (Kentucky), Troy Caupain (Cincinnati), Tim Kempton Jr. (Lehigh), and Rodney Purvis (Connecticut), per the team’s official website.
76ers Notes: Fox, Monk, Korkmaz, Workouts
De’Aaron Fox of Kentucky is slated to work out for the 76ers this weekend, reports Keith Pompey of Philly.com. The workout is tentatively scheduled for Saturday. Fox worked out for the second-pick-possessing Lakers on Tuesday. Philadelphia holds the third overall pick. Pompey also adds that former Miami shooting guard Davon Reed will work out for the Sixers on Friday.
Here’s more professional basketball from the City of Brotherly Love:
- Malik Monk (Kentucky) will work out for the Sixers on Thursday, according to Derek Bodner of The Ringer (link via Twitter).
- Other prospects scheduled to work out for Philadelphia on Thursday include Dillon Brooks (Oregon), Dylan Ennis (Oregon), Jack Gibbs (Davidson), Josh Hart (Villanova), Tidjan Keita (France), and Darryl Reynolds (Villanova), also via Bodner (link via Twitter). This workout will be separate from Monk’s.
- Furkan Korkmaz, who was drafted by Philly a year ago but has yet to play an NBA game, will play for Turkey’s under-20 team, which overlaps with the Las Vegas Summer League schedule, reports Bodner (link via Twitter). Still, Korkmaz is undecided on whether he will play for the 76ers during the summer league, adds Jessica Camerato of CSNPhilly.com (link via Twitter).
- The Sixers are considering using at least a couple of their four second-round picks on draft-and-stash options and Jonah Bolden (Australia) is one of the prospects they are most closely following, reports Orazio Cauchi of Sportando.com. Bolden played one season for UCLA before beginning his professional career in Europe’s Adriatic League.