Atlantic Notes: Porzingis, Kurucs, McCaw, Tsai
Kristaps Porzingis has missed nearly an entire calendar year since he suffered a torn ACL but his recovery is going well, Newsday’s Steve Popper writes. The Latvian is expected to miss the Knicks‘ four-day trip to London next week when the team faces the Wizards, but Porzingis’ recent practices have been encouraging.
“I don’t see a drop,” head coach David Fizdale said. “That I don’t see. I haven’t seen him move in a way that makes me go “uh-oh.” I think we’re going about it the right way. His body looks great. He looks strong, he’s defined. It’s just a matter of time, and when we get him, we’ll be happy.”
As we relayed on Friday, Porzingis has passed the point of meeting the starter criteria for restricted free agency this summer. Thus, the Knicks’ qualifying offer drops from $7.5MM to $4.5MM. His cap hold will be $17.1MM and he will qualify for a $158MM contract over five years with a starting salary set at $27.25MM.
The Knicks, currently 10-32 in the Eastern Conference, are setting themselves up for a top-five draft pick this summer. A healthy Porzingis would go a long way to helping New York compete next season.
Check out more Atlantic Division notes:
- Fellow Latvian Rodions Kurucs has fared well for the Nets after being selected 40th overall in the second round this past summer. Kurucs has been solid on both sides of the ball and eclipsed both his and the team’s expectations, Chris Milholen and Net Income of NetsDaily write.
- Patrick McCaw‘s first few months of the season have been eventful. He sat out the start of the year as he looked to maximize his earnings from the Warriors as an RFA, then signed an offer sheet with Cleveland. However, days later, the Cavaliers waived him. After signing with the Raptors, he’s thrilled with the new opportunity, Laura Armstrong of The Toronto Star writes.
- Nets minority owner Joseph Tsai is reportedly close to acquiring the WNBA’s New York Liberty, the AP’s Doug Fienberg reports. Tsai purchased 49% of the Nets in April 2018 and the James Dolan-owned Liberty — which were placed for sale in November 2017 — are close to being added to his portfolio.
Paxson Talks Holiday Trade, Parker, Payne, Future
The Bulls (10-29) are tied with the Knicks for the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference, and are focused on the future. That was signaled by this week’s trade that sent veteran swingman Justin Holiday to the Grizzlies for Wayne Selden, MarShon Brooks and two second-round picks. Chicago also subsequently waived Cameron Payne to created a roster spot.
Bulls vice president of basketball operations John Paxson spoke to reporters, including NBC Sports Chicago’s Mark Strotman, on Friday and said the Holiday trade came together “in a couple of hours.” Paxson also addressed Jabari Parker‘s future with the team, Chicago’s plan leading up to the trade deadline and expectations of new head coach Jim Boylen.
On potentially making more trades before the deadline…
“That’s what has to happen. Things have to align. You can’t just force it. Again, if we can acquire young players, draft assets, we can maybe look at our roster and think there’s a better fit, we’ll go that route.”
On Parker’s future in Chicago…
“The one thing [Boylen] has been really consistent with is the accountability aspect. I believe you can hold players to a certain standard of what you want as a coach. Jabari is a really good guy. You guys have been around him. He’s a terrific person. If we can acclimate him back into things, he’s going to get a chance. This league is about getting chances, even for players who have been through what Jabari has been through.”
The decision to part with Payne…
“You make decisions and hope for the best. The reality is both (Ryan Arcidiacono) and (Shaq Harrison) have outplayed him. They fit what we want to do. Cam had some struggles with his foot and trying to get him back. We wish him well.”
On the Bulls’ future and player development…
“Very important. It’s really important. We need to see growth. We need to see how they play. We’re a month into [Boylen]’s tenure now, and I think they understand what’s expected. So we’re going to go out on the road here after these next two games. That’s a good time for a young team to get together. They’re going to be hard games. We just need to see development. That’s going to be a big key.”
Teams Now Allowed To Sign Players To 10-Day Contracts
Teams looking to fill roster spots temporarily are now allowed to add to on 10-day contracts. As noted by ESPN’s Bobby Marks, salaries for 10-day deals are based on a player’s years of service and will be either 10 days or three games, whichever is longer.
[RELATED: Hoops Rumors Glossary: 10-Day Contracts]
Current teams with open roster spots include the Warriors, Hornets, Pacers, Grizzlies, Heat, Thunder, Sixers, Suns, Raptors and Wizards. Teams are permitted to sign a player to two 10-day pacts, then would have to sign him for the remainder of the season or let him go after the second one expires.
As Keith Smith of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link) notes, luxury tax restrictions may dissaude the Warriors, Heat, Thunder, Raptors, and Wizards from adding a 10-day player. Also, given Monday’s deadline to waive players before salaries become guaranteed, we examined five notable non-guaranteed contract situations that are worthy of monitoring. On Jan. 10, all standard contracts become fully guaranteed.
Additionally, Jan. 15 is the last day teams can sign players to two-way contracts. As it stands, the Celtics, Nets, Knicks and Trail Blazers (two slots) are the only teams with the ability to add two-way players. You can keep track of all two-way deals with our tracker.
As Marks notes, since half the teams with open spots are in the luxury tax and many clubs still have NBA days available for their two-way players, this year’s market for 10-day contracts may be a quiet one.
Enes Kanter To Skip London Trip Due To Feud With Turkish President
Due to a longstanding feud with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Enes Kanter will not travel with the Knicks to London when the team faces the Wizards later this month, he told reporters on Friday (Twitter link).
Following a 16-point, 15-rebound performance in a win over the Lakers in Los Angeles, Kanter said he feared for his life if he left the country for the Knicks’ Jan. 17 tilt in London.
“I talk to the front office and decided I’m not going,’’ Kanter said, per the New York Post. “The freaking lunatic, there’s a chance I can get killed out there. I talked to the front office. I’m not going. I’m going to stay here and practice. It’s pretty sad. All this stuff affects my career in basketball. I want to help my team win, but because of one lunatic guy I can’t even go there to do my job.
“Oh yeah, they got a lot of spies there. I could get killed very easy. It would be a very ugly situation.”
After Kanter criticized Erdogan in June 2016 on Twitter, his passport was canceled by the Turkish Embassy in May 2017. The 26-year-old was detained in Romania and an arrest warrant was issued by the Turkish government, but he was able to return to the United States.
Kanter said he will practice while the team is overseas in London. The big man was recently demoted to the bench in favor of rookies Luke Kornet and Mitchell Robinson. He subsequently met with Knicks’ general manager Scott Perry to discuss his role but reportedly did not request a trade. It’s possible the Knicks, who sport a 10-29 record, deal Kanter ahead of the Feb.7 trade deadline.
Timberwolves’ Derrick Rose Suffers Sprained Ankle
Derrick Rose suffered a sprained ankle in the Timberwolves‘ 123-120 overtime loss to the Hawks on Friday, according to NBA.com. Rose is set to be reevaluated on Saturday, per the announcement.
The injury occurred during a jump shot attempt on the Timberwolves’ last play of regulation. Rose was visibly limping after the game, according to the report.
Rose, 30, registered 25 points, nine assists and three rebounds for Minnesota in the loss. Losing Rose for a prolonged stretch would be a blow to an already injured Timberwolves team. Starting point guard Jeff Teague is currently sidelined with his own ankle injury.
A potential Sixth Man of the Year candidate, Rose has enjoyed a resurgent season in the Twin Cities. In 32 games (11 starts), Rose is averaging 18.9 PPG. 4.8 APG and shooting 48.6% from the field. He is also shooting a career-best 46.2% from beyond the arc.
Minnesota has Tyus Jones and Jerryd Bayless as options at point guard should Rose miss extended time.
Kanter: Bucks Assistant Coach Should Be Fined
Following a physical confrontation with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Knicks center Enes Kanter believes Bucks assistant coach Darvin Ham should be fined for his role in the incident, per ESPN.
Kanter and Antetokounmpo briefly came face-to-face in Thursday’s game but were quickly separated. Ham, however, seemingly shoved Kanter from behind during the altercation.
“[Ham] should get fined,” Kanter said. “The NBA should fine him. He’s not my assistant coach, so he’s not allowed to touch me. You’re a Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach, so you’re allowed to touch the Bucks players. Not me. He cannot be touching me. I could’ve just pushed him back and started another fight, but I don’t think the NBA wants that. He’s not my assistant coach. He’s not my friend. He’s not nobody.”
Both Kanter and Antetokounmpo were issued technical fouls following the skirmish. Kanter was ejected moments later after receiving his second technical foul. The Knicks’ big man expressed disappointment with how the matter was handled and accused officials of giving the Bucks superstar preferential treatment.
“He’s the golden boy,” Kanter said. “Obviously he’s the golden child, and they gave me two technicals. OK. Whatever. I’m going to leave the management to take care of all that stuff.”
Kanter, in his second season with the Knicks, also expressed his issues with Antetokounmpo’s comments about Mario Hezonja. Hezonja dunked on Giannis during a game last month and then stepped over the ‘Greek Freek.’ Antetokounmpo said he would punch Hezonja in the groin the next time both teams played. However, Hezonja did not log any minutes in the Bucks’ Christmas Day win over the Knicks.
“I was very pissed because what kind of player are you … did he not get any PR lesson?” Kanter said. “You cannot say to the media, ‘I’m going to punch somebody in the whatever.’ If you’re the best player in the world or the worst player in the world, you cannot be talking about my teammate like that. It’s very childish of him. He’s an MVP candidate. He’s a cool dude and carrying that franchise, but you can’t be talking about my teammates like that.”
Tony Wroten Signs With Estonian Team
Former first-round draft pick Tony Wroten has signed a deal with the Estonian team BC Kalev/Cramo, the club announced in a press release. Kalev/Cramo is part of the Latvian–Estonian Basketball League and the VTB United League.
Wroten, 25, was drafted 25th overall by the Grizzlies in 2012 and spent parts of the ensuing four seasons in the NBA. Memphis traded Wroten to the Philadelphia after his first season, where he would see most of his NBA action. Over three seasons, Wroten played in 110 games with the Sixers, averaging 13.8 PPG and 3.8 APG.
A partially torn ACL in Wroten’s right knee in Jan. 2015 forced him to the remainder of the season. After he returned, Wroten received limited playing time and was eventually waived. The University of Washington product signed with the Knicks but did not appear in a game and was waived in the summer of 2016 after the team acquired Derrick Rose.
The Grizzlies reacquired Wroten in June 2016 after claiming him on waivers. However, he was subsequently waived, re-signed and waived again over a four-month stretch.
Wroten appeared in 35 G League games last season with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, averaging 10.8 PPG and 3.8 APG in 35 games (11 starts).
LeBron James Day-To-Day, Expected To Miss Multiple Games
DECEMBER 27, 2:33pm: The Lakers are preparing for James to miss “several games” due to his left groin strain, league sources tell ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Adrian Wojnarowski. While LeBron avoided a serious injury, there’s a healing process that will need to occur before he gets back on the court, and the team is expected to play it safe to avoid further aggravating the injury, per Windhorst and Woj.
In the short term, the Lakers will also be without Rajon Rondo, who sprained a finger and will miss Thursday’s game in Sacramento, according to the team (Twitter link).
DECEMBER 26, 12:00pm: LeBron James‘ MRI came back clean and the Lakers superstar is listed as day-to-day, per Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). James suffered a “slight groin strain” in the Lakers’ 127-101 Christmas Day win over the Warriors.
The Lakers believe James will miss at least a few games, according to Chris B. Haynes of Yahoo Sports. The four-time MVP, who has rarely been injured during his 16-year career, acknowledged his disappointment with missing the remainder of Tuesday’s game.
“I take a lot of pride in [staying healthy], so that is why it pissed me off not being able to go back into the game,” James said. “It’s more than anything being available to my teammates, to my coaching staff; that is something I take more personal than anything.”
The soon-to-be 34-year-old tallied 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists in 21 minutes of action before leaving Tuesday’s win in the third quarter. Cameras picked up James telling trainers he felt “something pop” in his groin but reports suggested the injury could have been worse.
In 34 games this year, James has averaged 27.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG and 7.1 APG for the Lakers.
Head coach Luke Walton said the team wants James back “as soon as possible” but would take a cautious approach when he’s deemed ready to play.
Without their best player, the Lakers (20-14) stepped up to defeat the defending NBA champions by 26 points. While the fear of losing James for a prolonged stretch would be a daunting proposition, Lakers guard Josh Hart said the team would be prepared in that situation.
“The narrative is that it’s LeBron and the Lakers,” Hart said after Tuesday’s win. “Obviously, we hope he’s OK, but we’ve got a lot of good players…If he’s down, we’re ready to step up. We’re not scared of the spotlight.”
The Lakers continue their four-game schedule against fellow California teams on Thursday when they will face the Kings in Sacramento. James told reporters on Tuesday that he would not rule out playing, but Haynes’ report suggests that is unlikely. Los Angeles has three more games left in 2018, including Thursday’s tilt against Sacramento.
If James does indeed miss a few games, it’s possible he does not play until after the New Year, when the Lakers open 2019 against the Thunder on Jan. 2.
“Hopefully, it is not a long thing and I can get back on the floor as soon as possible,” James said.
Northwest Notes: Rose, Nader, Schroder, Jazz
If Derrick Rose continues at his current pace, he could become just the second player ever to win Sixth Man of the Year after winning the Most Valuable Player award earlier in their career. As he prepares to return to Chicago to play the Bulls, the team with which he experienced his greatest successes, he deserves praise for his renaissance season, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune writes.
Injuries derailed Rose’s once seemingly surefire Hall 0f Fame career, but he has rebounded to be an impactful player of the Timberwolves‘ bench. Rose is averaging 18.5 PPG and 4.6 APG in 29.2 minutes per contest in 2018/19. Not only that, his field goal percentage (48.5%) is at its highest mark since his sophomore season and his three-point shooting (46.9%) is over 12% better than at any other point.
“The way he’s getting ready for the game as far as working out, monitoring his body, taking care of himself, he’s a totally different person,” Rose’s longtime teammate Taj Gibson said. “Every game, it’s like he’s in a new form. He’s born again. And it shows.”
Check out more Northwest Division notes:
- The Thunder decided to go with Abdel Nader in lieu of Patrick Patterson to fill in for Jerami Grant at power forward on Tuesday. Oklahoma City head coach Billy Donovan said he went with Nader due to the Rockets going with a smaller lineup, Erik Horne of The Oklahoman writes. “It means a lot that he has confidence to put me in at that time,” Nader said.
- After he served a one-game suspension and hadn’t played since last Monday, Thunder guard Dennis Schroder was thrown into the fire against the Jazz over the weekend, Horne writes in a separate story.
- One noticeable change in the Jazz’s recent play has been an uptick in assists, Ryan McDonald of the Deseret News writes.
Mavericks Reportedly Gauging Interest In Dennis Smith Jr.
The emergence of Luka Doncic along with skepticism of Dennis Smith Jr.‘s effectiveness on the court alongside the rookie standout has led to the expectation the Mavericks will eventually trade Smith, Marc Stein of the New York Times reports.
Dallas has denied any interest in moving Smith, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon (Twitter link). However, executives from other teams tell MacMahon that the Mavericks are “at least gauging [the] market” for their guard.
Smith, 21, is in his second NBA season being drafted in the first round (ninth overall) by the Mavericks in the 2017 NBA Draft. He emerged as a solid player in his rookie season, averaging 15.2 PPG and 5.2 APG for Dallas in 69 games. However, injuries have limited Smith in his sophomore campaign.
The North Carolina State product has played in just three of the Mavericks’ 12 games in December due to a wrist injury. In 21 games, Smith is averaging 13.0 PPG and 4.0 APG, but his field goal percentage has improved from 39.5% as a rookie to 43.7% this season.
As Stein notes, the Mavericks are “plotting” to build their roster around Doncic. Smith would likely attract significant interest and the Mavs also have veteran swingman Wesley Matthews in the final year of his deal as a trade chip.
At 15-17, the Mavericks are just 2.5 games behind the Kings for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Once Smith’s wrist injury improves, he will likely remain a crucial part of Dallas’ rotation, but his future with the team beyond that is to be determined.