NBA, Players Association Face Final Hurdles To End One-And-Done
The NBA and the Players Association seek to lower the age limit to 18 for athletes to have the option of skipping one year of college, two major hurdles stand in the way of an agreement, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver and NBPA executive director Michele Roberts are pushing for agents to provide medical information to teams regarding draft prospects, Wojnarowski relays. Also, the NBA wants players required to attend and participate, to varying degrees, in the pre-draft combine.
Withholding medical records has been one effective tool for agents and players to ensure which team drafts them. Requiring them to provide that information would alter those plans and give organizations more intel on prospective players and their health.
“Some organizations are run better than others,” one prominent agent told ESPN. “A lot of success comes from a player getting into the right situation at the right time. If I can do something that influences that, why would I give that up?”
If an agreement can be reached, high school seniors would be eligible to declare for the NBA Draft starting in 2022. The current ‘one-and-done’ rule came into effect as part of the 2005 Collective Bargaining Agreement, making the draft-eligible age 19, giving prospects the option of one year in college or playing overseas for one season.
Earlier this week, it was announced that the G League will offer an alternative to one-and-one. Starting in 2019, select contracts worth $125K will be offered to top prospects who are at least 18 years old but aren’t yet eligible for the NBA draft. The standard G-League salary is $35K.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Believes It’s ‘The Right Time To Be A Buck’
With two solid victories to start the season, the Bucks have shown they could be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Following a 118-101 victory over the Pacers on Friday night, the first regular season game their new arena, the Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee’s star player had a resounding endorsement.
While it’s too early to put too much stock into any one game, Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s comments after Friday’s win can only be a sign of encouragement for his long-term future in Milwaukee.
“New arena, new practice facility, new coach,” Antetokounmpo said, per ESPN’s Malika Andrews. “This is the right time to be a Buck.”
A lot has been made of Antetokounmpo’s possible long-term future in Milwaukee. The 6-foot-10 big man has proven himself as one of the league’s most dynamic and talented young players. However, after making the postseason as the seventh seed followed by a first-round exit, it was reasonable to wonder if Antetokounmpo would be looking to join a large market, perennial contender in the future.
The Greece native signed a four-year, $100MM extension in September 2016. But with a solid start to this season, he feels Milwaukee can beat any team in the league.
“I feel we can beat any team on any night,” Antetokounmpo said. “We have a really, really good opportunity to do good stuff this year, so hopefully we can work hard, go back and work on our craft, and be able to execute and compete every night.”
Rockets Set Roster For Regular Season
OCTOBER 15: The two-way contracts for Edwards and Clark are official, the Rockets confirmed today. Houston’s roster is now set for the regular season.
OCTOBER 13: The Rockets have waived Bruno Caboclo, and forward Tim Bond, along with guards Angel Rodriguez and Brandon Sampson and forward , sources tell Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Additionally, Houston plans to convert Vince Edwards and Gary Clark to two-way players, Feigen adds.
Edwards, 22, was the Jazz’s second-round pick in this year’s draft but was immediately traded to Houston. He saw limited action in the preseason, playing double digits in minutes just once as he posted six points, four rebounds and two blocks in 29 minutes on Tuesday against China’s Shanghai Sharks.
As for Clark, the undrafted forward out of Cincinnati signed with the Rockets and made a case for the team’s final roster spot. Instead, both he and Edwards appears set to split the year between the G League and NBA. Two-way deals permit players to spend up to 45 days in the NBA with the rest coming with the G League affiliate.
Houston elected to keep its 15th roster spot vacant for the time being to allow for both roster and financial flexibility.
Of the four waived players, Caboclo has the most significant NBA experience, appearing in 37 games with the Raptors over the past four seasons. The Rockets signed Rodriguez, Sampson and Bond to Exhibit 10 contracts, so the club will have the opportunity to make them affiliate players with the G League Rio Grande Valley Vipers, assuming they go unclaimed on waivers.
Warriors Sign Marcus Derrickson To Two-Way Deal
9:04pm: The move is official, the Warriors announced on Twitter.
OCTOBER 13, 8:43am: The Warriors are converting Marcus Derrickson‘s Exhibit 10 contract into a two-way deal, per Anthony Slater of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Derrickson, 22, went undrafted out of Georgetown this summer, but he impressed in the Summer League, averaging 13.1 PPG and 5.0 RPG in eight contests.
In five preseason games for Golden State, Derrickson averaged 5.0 PPG and 2.8 RPG. Derrickson joins Damion Lee as the Warriors’ other two-way player. Players on two-way deals are permitted to spend up to 45 days with the NBA team and the rest of the season with the G League affiliate.
The Warriors are expected to leave their 15th roster spot vacant to begin the year for flexibility and payroll purposes. Thus, with the decision on Derrickson, the Warriors’ roster is now complete.
Golden State waived Tyler Ulis and three others on Friday, cutting down its 20-man preseason roster to size. Alfonzo McKinnie filled the Warriors’ 14th roster spot with Lee and Derrickson representing the organization’s two-way deals.
Now, Golden State can turn its attention to opening night against the Thunder on Tuesday. As DeMarcus Cousins continues to rehab from a torn Achilles, Golden State will start Damian Jones at center but the team is not committed beyond that, Slater tweets.
Eastern Notes: Howard, Trier, Collins, Nance Jr., Taylor
Dwight Howard has been shut down since Oct. 6 after he received a second opinion on a buttocks injury, but he could return to the court for light training on Monday, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington writes.
Howard, 32, has yet to practice with his new team as the injury has kept him sidelined for all of training camp the preseason. Given that the Wizards‘ regular season begins on Thursday, it’s highly unlikely their center will be ready to go by then. However, Washington’s plan is to make sure the veteran is healthy and ready before he returns to game action, per head coach Scott Brooks.
“We’re in no rush. It’s a long season and we would love to have him,” Brooks said.
Howard averaged 16.6 PPG and 12.5 RPG for the Hornets last season as he appeared in 80-plus games for the first time since 2009/10.
Check out more Eastern Conference notes below:
- The Knicks will let Allonzo Trier use up all 45 NBA days on his two-way deal in lieu of waiving someone to create room on the 15-man roster, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. “We have 45 days of him working with us to figure out what’s the next move,’’ head coach David Fizdale said of the undrafted guard. “We are in the process of working with that and finding the best way to stretch that out. Obviously the kid has shown he’s an NBA basketball player.”
- The Knicks’ preseason schedule is wrapped up but New York will enter the regular without a defined point guard, Steve Popper of Newsday writes. Frank Ntilikina, Trey Burke and even the aforementioned Trier are all possibilities. “I am definitely undecided going into the first game,” Fizdale said. “I don’t feel a deadline for game one like everybody else does.”
- Hawks big man John Collins underwent a non-surgical procedure on his injured left ankle on Monday and is scheduled for a re-evaluation on Oct. 22, the team announced. In addition to Collins, the Hawks will likely be without Dewayne Dedmon, Justin Anderson and Daniel Hamilton for the regular-season opener, tweets Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- Cavaliers swingman Larry Nance Jr. suffered a right ankle sprain on Thursday and will undergo treatment before being re-evaluated, the team announced. Also, Isaiah Taylor received additional imaging on his left leg that revealed a stress fracture. Taylor could miss upwards of a month, putting his hope of making Cleveland’s roster in jeopardy, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com writes.
Shabazz Muhammad Expected To Play In China
Recently waived veteran swingman Shabazz Muhammad is expected to sign a deal with the Shanxi Brave Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association, per Nikos Varlas of Eurohoops. We relayed yesterday that Muhammad would likely sign with a Chinese team barring another NBA opportunity.
Soon to be 26 years old, Muhammad was waived by the Bucks on Thursday as Milwaukee cut down its roster. He appeared in two preseason games, but his most significant action with the Bucks came in 11 games last season when he averaged 8.5 PPG.
Muhammad was originally selected 14th overall by the Jazz in 2013, but the Timberwolves acquired him on draft night. The forward spent four-and-a-half seasons in Minnesota, averaging 9.0 PPG and 2.8 RPG in 267 games.
The UCLA product has never averaged more than 10.5 PPG in a season where he played in more than 38 games.
Muhammad’s new deal cannot be finalized until he clears NBA waivers. That will happen later today, assuming he goes unclaimed.
Derrick Rose: “I’m Not Here To Steal Nobody’s Job”
While Derrick Rose is no longer the exhilarating young phenom and Most Valuable Player candidate, the point guard feels he can help the Timberwolves this season, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic writes (subscription required).
Rose, 30, has played well in the preseason for Minnesota, averaging 11.3 PPG and 2.0 RPG through three contests. Those numbers are a far cry from his MVP totals from the 2010/11 season, but the veteran’s mindset is different.
“I’m just looking for comfort and opportunity,” Rose said. “I’m not here to steal nobody’s job. I’ve been in that position before early in my career. I did that. I’m here to help. I’m not here to challenge no one for their spot. All that talk is crazy. I’m not looking to start. That’s not me. I’m just looking to do whatever the team needs me to do.”
Minnesota signed Rose last March after he was waived by the Jazz following a trade from the Cavaliers. In nine regular season games with the Timberwolves, Rose averaged just 12.7 minutes per game as the team relied on fan-favorite Tyus Jones. In the postseason, however, Rose showed bursts of his prior form as he averaged 14.2 PPG and shot 51% from the field.
It’s unfair to expect that type of performance consistently from Rose, who has dealt with a plethora of injuries in his career. However, the three-time All-Star is also willing to take on any role that helps the team succeed.
“As far as me becoming a leader, just trying to help the team, whatever they need me to do, pick up garbage, whatever, I’m here,” Rose said. “Whatever they need me to do to help the team.”
Sonny Weems Signs With Chinese Team
Former NBA player Sonny Weems has signed a deal to play for Guangdong Southern Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association, according to a Sportando report. Weems spent last season with Anadolu Efes in the Turkish League, where he averaged 12.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG and 3.1 APG.
Weems, 32, was a second-round pick of the Bulls in the 2008 NBA Draft. He was immediately traded to the Nuggets and played in 12 games for Denver before he was dealt to the Raptors following a brief detour through Milwaukee. Weems saw his most significant NBA action with Toronto in 2009/10, appearing in 128 games over a two-year stretch, averaging 8.3 PPG and 2.7 RPG.
The Arkansas native then made his way to Europe, where he suited up for teams in Lithuania and Russia. He returned to the NBA for the 2015/16 season with the Suns and Sixers, appearing in 43 games. Weems spent last season in Israel and Turkey.
Atlantic Notes: Durant, Mudiay, Hayward, Kurucs
After Kyrie Irving‘s verbal long-term commitment to the Celtics, it appears the free agent class of 2019 became a little less lucrative. Irving was reportedly one of the Knicks’ prime targets next summer and now, New York’s free agency hopes may be Kevin Durant or bust, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News opines.
Beyond Durant and Irving, the remaining top free agents do not appear to be realistic hopes for the Knicks. Kawhi Leonard reportedly prefers to play in his native Los Angeles, Jimmy Butler wants to sign a long-term extension and Kevin Love has already signed an extension with Cleveland. That leaves Durant as the biggest target and a realistic one, as we relayed earlier this week.
“The New York Knicks have a very good shot at luring KD away from the Bay Area,” Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports said during an appearance on FS1’s Undisputed (video link). “His business partner, Rich Kleiman is based in New York, huge New York Knicks fan. Their business is located and based in New York. KD’s dad is a big New York Knicks fan. The same allure that LeBron [James] had toward the Los Angeles Lakers – just the building, the culture – is the same thing, the same way, I know, that KD feels about the Knicks.”
Check out more Atlantic Division notes:
- The Knicks acquired Emmanuel Mudiay from the Nuggets last season as a former top pick who fell out of favor in Denver. Through the first two preseason games, Mudiay has not performed well for the Knicks, but head coach David Fizdale remains committed to seeing improvement from the point guard, Steve Popper of Newsday writes.
- One of the lone bright spots for the Nets during a preseason loss to the Knicks was the performance of Latvian Rodions Kurucs, Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes. Kurucs posted 13 points, four rebounds and four steals, all of which came in the fourth quarter of a 107-102 loss. “I was very pleased with Rodi,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said. “I love his energy. He’s a talented guy.”
- In a well-written, in-depth piece, Zach Lowe of ESPN chronicles the obstacles and difficulties Gordon Hayward has overcome as he completes his return from a broken ankle he suffered five minutes into his Celtics career last season.
Latest On Lauri Markkanen
The Bulls‘ already slim playoff hopes took a nosedive on Friday night as Finnish big man Lauri Markkanen suffered a high-grade lateral elbow sprain. The injury will sideline Markkanen for six-to-eight weeks, which will sideline him for the entire preseason the several weeks to begin the regular season.
Entering his sophomore season, Markkanen is looking to build off a solid rookie campaign in which he averaged 15.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG in 29.7 MPG while appearing in 68 games. The 7-footer was the seventh overall pick in the 2017 draft.
“Obviously it’s disappointed to be out. It’s been such a long offseason and I’ve worked hard and just ready to play basketball again,” Markkanen told reporters, including K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. “It’d disappointing; I don’t know how long it’s going to take but I’m going to be right back.”
Markkanen, 21, said the injury occurred in practice on a “normal basketball play” as several players went for a rebound. He added that his elbow felt worse the next day, which prompted the MRI and the diagnosis. It’s a major blow to a young Chicago team going through a rebuilding stage, but Markkanen maintained a positive outlook during his media session.
“It’s a minor setback,” he said. “I’m just ready to get back to work. Hopefully, I can be even a little better than I am right now. You can always improve other things.
“I know my shot is going to be there. I’m not worried about that. Now I can work on my lefty a little bit.”
Below are more notes on Markkanen’s injury:
- New Bulls swingman Jabari Parker, no stranger to season-shortening injuries himself, weighed in on what the loss of Markkanen means for the Bulls. “It’s deflating because that’s one of our key pieces,” Parker said. “And I think that’s just going to put us behind, especially me trying to figure out chemistry. But as long as he is around then we’re going to try to do it another way instead of being on the court.”
- Executive vice president John Paxson weighed in on the injury, noting that getting Markkanen healed will take precedence over him returning to the court. “We’re being careful with the timeframe,” Paxson said. “He’s so important to us that we want to make sure he’s healthy. Like we’ve tried to do with all our guys, we won’t rush him back.”
- As we noted previously, in Markkanen’s extended absence, Chicago could use Bobby Portis in a starting capacity or shift Parker from small forward to power forward.