Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround: 2/14/16
It wasn’t that long ago when many people (myself included) figured Hassan Whiteside factored heavily in the Heat’s plans for the future. After all, the center emerged last year as one of the league’s best shot-blockers. At 26 years old, Whiteside was expected to take the next step in his development this season, the final one of his contract with Miami. For the most part, he has — Whiteside is averaging 12.2 points, 11 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game. Whiteside, however, has also looked lost at times defensively and has been inconsistent.
The Heat recently gauged what the market was for Whiteside, who has been coming off the bench after returning from an oblique injury. It would be difficult for the Heat to trade Whiteside since his minimum-salary contract and the league’s salary-matching rules don’t give them the ability to reap much value in return. Still, reports from earlier today said the Heat’s front office is debating whether or not it is worth re-signing Whiteside, who would command a lucrative deal, and is thinking about trading him.
That leads us to today’s shootaround topic: Should the Heat trade Hassan Whiteside?
Being mindful of our commenting policy, let us know in the comments section below what your thoughts are. We look forward to what you have to share.
And-Ones: Rubio, Anthony, Cousins
Ricky Rubio is “readily available,” writes Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, but Wolves GM Milt Newton earlier this week told Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities that he hadn’t fielded any offers for the point guard. Still, Newton said he would be obliged to listen if a team came calling. The Knicks are in the market for a point guard, but it’s hard to envision New York having the assets needed to acquire Rubio, Isola notes. Jon Krawczynski of The Associated Press further clarifies the situation, tweeting that the Wolves are not shopping Rubio, but they won’t immediately hang up the phone if someone calls to ask.
Here’s more from around the basketball world:
- Carmelo Anthony has said he is not looking to leave the Knicks and is not interested in waiving his no-trade clause, but Isola hears Anthony would strongly consider a trade to the Clippers (in the same piece). Isola adds that Anthony has wanted to play with Chris Paul for a while and speculates that a deal involving Blake Griffin would make sense for both teams.
- DeMarcus Cousins has been answering to trade rumors all weekend, but the Kings are not going to move him, according to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports’ Pro Basketball Talk. There is little incentive to trade Cousins because he has a reasonable contract, owner Vivek Ranadive loves him and the Kings plan to open a new arena in downtown Sacramento next season, Helin adds. “First of all, I can’t control the trade [rumors] and I can’t control if I’m traded or not,” Cousins said. “But I do want to be in Sacramento, and I know everybody in Sacramento knows that.”
- Commissioner Adam Silver hinted that keeping the relative status quo in the next collective bargaining agreement would be OK with him as he spoke Saturday in his All-Star weekend press conference, according to a transcript on NBA.com. “Did we get everything we were looking for in collective bargaining last time? No,” Silver said. “But we feel it’s a fair compromise, and we feel it’s working pretty well.”
- Warriors coach and former Suns GM Steve Kerr was inspired to get into coaching because of Jeff Hornacek‘s initial success and expressed disappointment toward Hornacek’s firing, Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic relays. “It’s just a jolt of NBA reality,” Kerr said. “Every coach is sort of a victim of circumstance, good or bad. So much depends on the talent that you have and the support you have and the chemistry in your organization and your locker room. Unfortunately, it’s a really, really hard thing to discover or to create. I feel very lucky to have that here because I know it doesn’t exist in most places.”
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Atlantic Notes: DeRozan, Sixers, Knicks
DeMar DeRozan again indicated that it would be unlikely for him to sign elsewhere this summer, Marc Stein of ESPN.com relays. DeRozan is poised to turn down his player option worth only slightly more than $10MM and hit free agency this summer, but he has made it clear on several occasions that he prefers to stay with the Raptors. The Lakers, however, are ready to make a maximum-salary offer to him.
“My whole mindset has always been this is home for me,” DeRozan said. “I never think otherwise unless it’s brought up to me, or you see things, or people ask you about certain things. This has always been home to me. I took pride in putting on this Toronto Raptors jersey since I’ve been drafted here. And my whole goal was to get this team to the point where it is now. And I feel I’ve been a major key to that.”
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- Point guard Ish Smith has been credited with helping to improve things with the Sixers and teammate Nerlens Noel doesn’t want to see the soon-to-be free agent leave this summer, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. “He has to come back,” Noel said. “He has to. He’s an important piece to this and why we are so playing so well these past couple of months. And he’s helped us at the point guard position, you know, just setting guys up in the post position. So he’s got to come back.” The Sixers were 1-30 before they acquired Smith from the Pelicans in late December. They are 7-15 since the trade. Sixers team executive Jerry Colangelo was non-committal recently about Smith’s future with the team beyond this season.
- Carmelo Anthony said he was shocked when he learned the Knicks had fired coach Derek Fisher, Marc Berman of the New York Post details. “We were all surprised,’’ Anthony said. “This was something, I really don’t know if it was a quick decision or if it was lingering. Nobody wants to lose their coach, especially some of the young guys. This is an experience they have to go through. For me, having to keep those guys intact, keep them in line, and let them know it happens. Unfortunately it’s happening to us right now.”
Hoops Links: Lakers, Blazers, Knicks
Every Sunday, we link to some of the very best work from around the basketball blogosphere. Do you have a link to a great basketball blog post – either your own or someone else’s – that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors? Then you should send it to us at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s rundown…
- The AOSN ranks the top dunks of all-time.
- The Runner Sports comments on potential moves for the Knicks.
- The Sports Quotient looks at some of the worst selections for the All-Star Game.
- Mavs Moneyball details how Dirk Nowitzki almost became part of the Lakers.
- Raptors HQ examines ways to improve Toronto’s offense.
- Blazer’s Edge discusses the Blazers’ upcoming schedule.
- Silver Screen and Roll touches on what is next for Kobe Bryant after he retires.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Heat Interested In Ryan Anderson
The Heat have interest in adding Pelicans power forward Ryan Anderson as an offseason signee this summer, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports. It’s unclear how much interest there is, but Jackson indicates that Miami is fond of Anderson. Anderson is making $8.5MM this season and is set to be unrestricted free agent in the offseason.
Anderson would be an intriguing addition to the Heat, especially if the team decides against re-signing Hassan Whiteside this season, which is something Jackson also reports Miami is considering. Anderson is averaging 16.7 points per game and is shooting 38.3% from beyond the arc. Therefore, he has been the subject of trade rumors regarding several teams, including the Wizards, Raptors and Pistons.
Like presumably the Heat, the Pistons’ interest in Anderson is only as an offseason signee. Anderson would likely not be a cheap sign. A source within an NBA team told Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times and Basketball Insiders that he expects that Anderson will be able to command a maximum-salary contract this summer. Anderson will be a veteran of eight years by the offseason, so he’d be eligible for the middle-tier max of a projected $24.9MM.
Hoops Rumors Weekly Mailbag 2/7/16-2/14/16
In addition to our weekly chat, which Chuck Myron facilitates every Wednesday, we have a second opportunity for you to hit us up with your questions in this, our weekly mailbag feature. Have a question regarding player movement, the salary cap, or the NBA draft? Drop us a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com. Here are this week’s inquiries:
Doesn’t it seem perfect that Al Horford became available in trade talks right about the same time Festus Ezeli had surgery? That seems like a good fit. Golden State could trade picks that they don’t seem to need. — Isaac
HR: Perfect, sure, if the Warriors were simply able to plug him into their rotation. I don’t see that dream becoming a reality, though. It was reported earlier today that the Hawks are not actively shopping Al Horford despite his looming free agency. While Horford has not offered much regarding his plans for after this season, he has on multiple occasions expressed how much he enjoys playing in Atlanta so I wouldn’t bet on him signing anywhere else. I know that is the politically correct answer from athletes, but there is a lot to like about the Hawks’ situation, especially with the season they are experiencing. While the Celtics have reportedly reached out about Horford, the Warriors have not expressed interest in him, at least not publicly. I don’t see Golden State making a move, anyway. What’s more, Ezeli, a soon-to-be restricted free agent, is expected back in five weeks and has said he wants to stay with the Warriors for the rest of his career.
Who are possible suitors for Greg Monroe? — John
HR: The Bucks shouldn’t be shopping Monroe, but they’ve reportedly let teams know that they are. It’s unlikely the center is moved because Monroe was the Bucks’ prized free agent signing last July. He can opt out after next season. The Knicks, Lakers and Blazers made max offers to Monroe, so they all could presumably still be interested. I wouldn’t bet on Monroe getting traded because coach Jason Kidd, who apparently calls the shots on player personnel, said the Bucks won’t be making any deals at the deadline.
Central Notes: Bucks, Pistons, Pacers
“I don’t know if we have any action going on, so there shouldn’t be anybody worried about the rumors if it entails the Milwaukee Bucks,” Kidd said. “This is our team. As a professional athlete, the small print says there could be a trade at some point in your career. Sometimes expected, sometimes not. You have to be able to handle that. But right now, this is our team. There’s no one coming in and there’s no one leaving.”
Here’s more from around the Central Division:
- Acquiring Ryan Anderson from the Pelicans at the deadline would make sense for the Pistons, but the power forward wouldn’t be enough of an upgrade to discard Ersan Ilyasova, which would likely be the result if Detroit wanted to re-sign Anderson in the summer, David Mayo of MLive writes. Adding Anderson, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, would help stabilize the one unsecured position for the Pistons, Mayo adds. It would likely take point guard Brandon Jennings, who is presumably headed out of Detroit via free agency, to land Anderson, Mayo writes. On the other hand, the idea that Jennings automatically is gone in free agency is premature because many teams have point guards locked up, as Mayo points out.
- Ian Mahinmi, who is in the final year of his contract with the Pacers, has dealt with a variety of injuries this season, his first as a full-time starter with an increased workload, and he’s looking to prepare his body for the second half, Nate Taylor of the Indianapolis Star details.
Southeast Rumors: Horford, Wizards, Heat
The Hawks are not actively shopping Al Horford despite his looming free agency, one league source told Sean Deveney of The Sporting News. Horford has not signaled to Atlanta that he wants out via trade nor has he indicated he would re-sign with the Hawks, Deveney also hears. It was recently reported that Atlanta is thinking “long and hard” about offering Horford a five-year max deal. Horford has said on multiple occasions that he is fond of playing for the Hawks.
Here’s more from around the Southeast Division:
- Kevin Durant likely needs more of an incentive to join the Wizards this summer than simply Washington being his hometown team, J. Michael of CSNMidAtlantic.com opines. Durant has strong feelings toward his roots, but it seems like he cares more about winning, Michael writes. “I’m always going to be a part of that. That’s what made me who I am. I walked those straights. I took that subway back when it was MCI Center watched the Wizards play. And the Mystics,” Durant said regarding the Wizards. “I’m always going to be a part of that community no matter what because that’s where I grew up at. That’s where I honed my skills.That’s where I became a man so I’m always going to be part of that community and I always appreciate the support. They have a great team there with a lot of great young players and they’re right in front of you so don’t take nothing for granted.”
- The Heat would likely only sign Hassan Whiteside to a lucrative long-term deal if he shows improved maturity and produces at an elite level while helping to lead Miami to a deep playoff run, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes. It will also take the Heat missing on top free agents this summer for the team to lock up Whiteside, Jackson adds. Earlier today, we noted that there was an increased feeling within the Heat’s front office that moving Whiteside might be best for the franchise.
Northwest Notes: Miller, Durant, Blazers
There is one team inquiring about Wolves veteran point guard Andre Miller, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities hears (on Twitter). While it is unclear which team that is, Wolfson rules out the Kings, despite Sacramento coach George Karl‘s relationship with Miller. At 39 years old, Miller has played sparingly this season and likely would not return much for the Wolves. It is reasonable to think Miller would be part of a bigger package for that reason, but I speculate the Wolves are motivated to move Miller to allow rookie Tyus Jones to play more.
Here’s more out of the Northwest Division:
- Steve Novak is a potential trade chip for the Thunder because of his expiring contract, Bobby Marks of The Vertical on Yahoo Sports writes in one of his latest deadline primers. Expiring contracts, however, are not as valuable as they have been in previous years because of the salary cap’s expected rise, as Marks points out.
- That’s another reason why the Thunder would much rather prefer to have Kevin Durant than the expected $19MM in cap space this summer if Durant signs elsewhere and team decides against bringing back restricted free agent Dion Waiters, Marks adds in the same piece.
- Speaking of Durant, Draymond Green told Sam Amick of USA Today Sports (audio link) that although the star players are friends, Green will not be trying to recruit Durant to sign with the Warriors this summer during the rest of All-Star weekend (h/t Anthony Slater of The Oklahoman).
- With close to $20MM in cap space, the Blazers are in position to take on contracts with the goal of obtaining a future pick or significant asset and thus should be viewed as a sleeper team at the deadline, Marks writes in his look at Portland.
Suns Sign Jordan McRae To Second 10-Day Contract
MONDAY, 12:04pm: The signing is official, the team announced.
SUNDAY, 5:08pm: The Suns will sign Jordan McRae to a second 10-day contract, according to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link). The shooting guard’s original 10-day deal is set to expire today. The Suns play Monday and Wednesday before the break.
The Suns have been decimated by injuries and combo guard Brandon Knight is expected to be out through the All-Star break. McRae has played decently for the Suns, appearing in five games. He scored 12 points against the Knicks in his season debut on January 29th. He is averaging 5.8 points per game.
McRae, 24, played for Philadelphia’s D-League affiliate late last season after spending the first part of 2014/15 playing overseas in Australia. In September, he signed the required tender of a one-year, non-guaranteed, minimum-salary deal that Philadelphia had to offer to retain his draft rights. The Sixers waived him during the preseason this year after he averaged 7.1 points over seven appearances.