Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 2/7/16
As Ian Begley of ESPN.com pointed out today on Twitter, the Knicks have now lost nine of their last 10 games and are eight games below .500, which is the worst they’ve been all season, after losing to the Nuggets. Optimists will point out that star Carmelo Anthony missed three of the last eight games, but he has played in four of the last five and New York has lost each game.
At 23-31, the Knicks are 12th in the Eastern Conference. Those facts and the Knicks’ current slide should be enough to suggest the team should be looking to move whatever they can for assets that could make a difference down the road. One thing worth noting is the Knicks also don’t own a pick in this year’s draft, which means they are not exactly set up well for the future.
What they do have, though, is a decent team for the present, albeit one that is lacking in some areas. With Anthony, the emergence of rookie power forward Kristaps Porzingis and free agent acquisitions Derrick Williams and Robin Lopez, the Knicks’ frontcourt isn’t spectacular, but it’s also not terrible. It’s actually rather solid (if Anthony is healthy). An upgrade is sorely needed in the backcourt, however. There have been talks indicating that the Knicks are interested in acquiring Jeff Teague. With a lack of viable starting point guards on the free agent market this summer, I think the Knicks should target Teague now.
That leads us to today’s shootaround topic: Should the Knicks be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline?
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: Mudiay, Parsons, D-League
Nuggets rookie Emmanuel Mudiay conceded he played with a chip on his shoulder Sunday against the Knicks, a team that had an opportunity to draft him but instead selected Kristaps Porzingis, Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post writes.
“I worked out with the Knicks [before the draft],” Mudiay said. “I knew they passed up on me, but they have a great pick in Porzingis. He is going to be a great player.”
Here’s more from around the basketball world:
- The better Chandler Parsons plays down the stretch, the better the chances he opts out, opines Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News in a Q&A with readers. The value of Parsons’ player option for 2016/17 is $16.023MM.
- Chase Budinger is expendable for a trade because he is in the last year of his contract, and, when healthy, the Pacers have several wing players, Bobby Marks of The Vertical argues. Acquiring a veteran point guard and solidifying the bench should be priorities for the Pacers, Marks adds.
- The Hornets recalled Aaron Harrison from the Thunder’s D-League affiliate, Charlotte announced via press release. The Hornets do not have their own D-League team. Harris returns from his second assignment.
- The Raptors recalled Bruno Caboclo from their D-League affiliate, the team announced (on Twitter).
Hoops Links: Knicks, Wiggins, Ross
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…
- New York Sports Guys catches up with triangle offense guru Tim Cone of the Philippine Basketball Association.
- The Runner Sports wonders if the Knicks will clear cap space.
- Sir Charles In Charge profiles D-League assistant coach Cody Toppert.
- Canis Hoopus thinks the Wolves need more out of Andrew Wiggins.
- Denver Stiffs offers some ideas for the Nuggets regarding the trade deadline.
- Raptors HQ explains how Terrence Ross is improving on defense.
- Orlando Pinstriped Post analyzes Tobias Harris‘ season.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Western Notes: Griffin, Kings, Durant
Blake Griffin wouldn’t necessarily welcome a trade that would bring him to his hometown of Oklahoma City, Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports. The possibility hasn’t been discussed within Griffin’s camp, but for Griffin, playing in Oklahoma City would be akin to playing in New York City because of the attention he would receive, Berger adds. The Clippers reportedly wouldn’t hesitate to swap Griffin for Kevin Durant. The Clippers will also reportedly strongly consider dealing Griffin this summer if they don’t make a deep playoff run. There have been rumors that the Clippers may think about dealing Griffin in the wake of an incident with an equipment manager that the team reportedly believes could keep him out of action for two months. However, Clippers executive/coach Doc Rivers said Griffin will remain with the team.
Here’s more out of the Western Conference:
- George Karl‘s camp expects him to remain coach of the Kings at least until the All-Star break, Sam Amick of USA Today Sports reports (on Twitter). The Kings’ final game before the break is Tuesday. It is worth noting that Rajon Rondo is particularly fond of Karl, but that may not matter, Amick tweets. The Kings are reportedly mulling whether to fire Karl.
- Durant told reporters recently that it’s tough for him not to think about his upcoming free agency, Michael Singer of USA Today Sports relays. “There’s a lot of uncertainty going on, because I haven’t really thought that far,” Durant said. “But I’m just trying to focus on playing basketball. Once that times comes, I’ll make that decision. I’ll sit down and talk to my closest friends and family and figure it out. But right now I’m just trying to be the best basketball player I can be every single day. I have to be at a high level, an elite level every day, at practice, shootarounds and games, and that’s a tough task so I can’t focus on anything else other than that.”
- Staying healthy is better than any move the Mavs could make at the trade deadline, opines Bobby Marks of The Vertical in the Dallas installment of his deadline guide series.
Eastern Notes: Johnson, Cavs, Raptors
Tyler Johnson, who had surgery Wednesday to a repair a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder and is expected to miss at least two months, told of the Miami Herald that there is no guarantee he will return at all this season. As Navarro points out, the Heat‘s regular season ends April 13th and the playoffs begin the weekend of April 16th. Johnson would be 10 weeks into his recovery by then.
“The doctors said it’s going to be two to three months before I can resume contact,” Johnson said. “It’s a possibility [I could be back for the playoffs]. But we’ve just got to see. Again, we’re not trying to rush it back. If it feels healthy by then, and I’m actually able to contribute and not just be out there trying to figure it out during the playoffs, [then I’ll play]. [The playoffs are] not the time to try and figure out if you can go. If there’s a couple practices before it, I’ll try and practice and figure out what I can do.”
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- Cavs coach Tyronn Lue remains on good terms with former coach David Blatt and told Chris Haynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group and the Cleveland Plain Dealer that he is unaffected by criticsm he has received from Blatt supporters.
- With DeMarre Carroll out, Terrence Ross has been one of the most valuable Raptors, Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Star details. Ross has experienced a positive turnaround after a slow start to the season, Wolstat writes. The Raptors inked Ross to a lucrative three-year extension in November despite his inconsistencies over his career.
- The Magic must make deals at the deadline because after a promising start, Orlando now seems disenchanted and has lacked consistency, Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel opines. Several players have struggled this season for the Magic, and Tobias Harris has yet to take the next step to stardom, Schmitz writes.
Hoops Rumors Weekly Mailbag 1/31/16-2/7/16
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:
Does Nuggets GM Tim Connelly’s extension make sense based on his performance to date? — Keith
HR: I really think so. I am a fan of what Connelly has done, but I’m also not a Nuggets fan so my perspective may differ from yours, Keith. I know the Nuggets are 10 games under .500 and I have not been impressed with first-year coach Michael Malone, but Denver is positioned well for the future and a lot of that has to do with Connelly, who took over for Masai Ujiri in 2013. Connelly has acquired three potential lottery-protected first-round picks over the next two drafts after drafting point guard Emmanuel Mudiay in the lottery last summer. It’s hard to argue with that. I strongly believe that when Connelly’s contract is up, this will no longer be a question.
What do you think of a trade that would send Arron Afflalo, Jose Calderon, Cleanthony Early and a pair of second round picks to the Kings for Darren Collison, Marco Belinelli, and Caron Butler? — Keith
HR: The Knicks have two second-round picks they can trade, one in 2018 and one in 2022. From a financial standpoint, the deal works fine. I don’t mind the deal from the Knicks’ perspective much because they need backcourt help and Collison has the potential to provide that for a couple of years. I don’t like the Knicks moving Afflalo, though, because he has proven to be the rare player who is able to produce while playing second fiddle to Carmelo Anthony. Of course, to receive, you have to give. I’m not convinced Belinelli has anything left, but I can say the same about Calderon. The question is, which player would each team want, Collison or Afflalo? I like this deal.
Should the Celtics consider a deal for Ryan Anderson? Could a Jonas Jerebko/Evan Turner/non-Brooklyn first round pick package interest New Orleans, or would Marcus Smart or a Brooklyn first round pick be needed? — Craig
HR: The Celtics really shouldn’t deal Smart at all, especially not for a player they will likely have for only a couple of months. It does make sense for the Celtics to consider a deal for Anderson, though, because although the team has a slew of power forwards, none of them can open the floor quite like Anderson can. I would suggest a swap of Anderson for Jerebko and Jared Sullinger with some picks exchanged as well.
Heat Notes: Whiteside, Stoudemire, McRoberts
Count Clippers executive/coach Doc Rivers among those who appreciates Heat coach Erik Spoelstra experimenting with using Hassan Whiteside, who will be a free agent this summer, off the bench, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel writes. Whiteside has played the last few games as a reserve after missing the prior six games with a hip injury. “It makes their bench better,” Rivers said. “Sometimes by putting one guy in and taking one guy and putting him on the bench, and that guy coming off the bench could be a better player, it makes the bench better, it makes your team better.”
Here is more on Whiteside and the Heat:
- Amar’e Stoudemire, who has started over Whiteside recently, was one of the Clippers’ backup plans if DeAndre Jordan had bolted to the Mavs, Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times tweets. Stoudemire, 33, will be a free agent again this summer.
- Speaking of Stoudemire, the veteran played in only three of Miami’s first 28 games, logging a total of 27 minutes in that span, but kept himself ready and his patience has been rewarded, Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press relays. Stoudemire is thriving in the Heat’s pick-and-roll game and is giving Miami the presence it expected when it signed him to a one-year deal worth $1.5MM last summer, Reynolds adds.
- When the Heat signed Josh McRoberts in 2014, he was supposed to be a significant part of Miami’s rotation, but the the versatile power forward has suffered several injuries and there is a good chance he will never be a starter again, Jason Lieser of The Palm Beach Post details in an interesting Q&A. “Obviously it could have gone smoother in terms of not being injured, but it doesn’t matter to me,” McRoberts told Lieser in reference to his injuries and tenure so far with the Heat. “It didn’t change my role that much. That’s not something I worry about. I’m just trying to get healthy and have a chance to help the team in a way that I know I can.”
Central Notes: Pistons, Bucks, Bulls
The Pistons seem less likely to make any sort of move before this year’s trade deadline for a variety of reasons that Keith Langlois of Pistons.com runs down. One of the main reasons why Langlois expects the Pistons to be quiet is because of the amount of moves executive/coach Stan Van Gundy made last year that have seemingly positioned the franchise to compete for the foreseeable future. What’s more, as Langlois writes, Van Gundy is fond of this team and there is not even an injury at this time that warrants Detroit making a move.
“I think we’re at the point that it would have to be anything that we would view as almost a no-brainer, a major upgrade,” Van Gundy said. “We’re not going to make any moves that would be lateral and we’re not going to move things we consider assets for guys on expiring contracts to just try to chase it for one year and then lose a guy. We’re still in the building phase and we’re going to protect our assets going forward.”
Here is more out of the Central Division:
- The Bucks have not had enough time to evaluate their current starting five, so it is unclear if they will add to their bench or make a bolder move as the trade deadline draws near, of the Journal Sentinel details. The Bucks employed a new starting group this season of Greg Monroe, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker and Michael Carter-Williams. The Bucks are an interesting team because they made moves in the summer with the hopes of making it to the playoffs, but are 20-32. Milwaukee, as a midmarket team, must use the draft and trades wisely to build a consistent winner, Gardner writes.
- Mike Dunleavy Jr., 35, made his season debut Saturday for the Bulls and scored five points in 14 minutes. Dunleavy signed a three-year, $14.5MM contract last summer with the final year non-guaranteed. “A little late to the party, but good to be back,” Dunleavy said, per Nick Friedell of ESPN.com (ESPN Now link). “I felt quite honestly like I hadn’t played in eight months, but got a little better rhythm in the second half. And just testing out my hops again with that dunk.”
Pelicans Sign Dejean-Jones To Second 10-Day Deal
MONDAY, 12:32pm: The signing is official, the team announced. New Orleans plays six games in the next 10 days, against the Grizzlies, Spurs, Lakers, Cavs, Timberwolves and Jazz.
SUNDAY, 2:51pm: The Pelicans will sign combo guard Bryce Dejean-Jones to a second 10-day contract on Monday, Scott Kushner of The New Orleans Advocate reports. Dejean-Jones’ original 10-day pact expired at the end of Saturday.
In his last two games as a starter filling in for Tyreke Evans, Dejean-Jones has averaged 11 points and 5.5 rebounds, as John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune notes. It is also worth noting that shooting guard Eric Gordon is still out because of a broken finger. Dejean-Jones’ second 10-day contract would be set to expire on February 10th and the Pelicans would then have to either sign him for the rest of the season or simply let him go. The sides are working toward a long-term pact, according to Kushner.
Dejean-Jones had signed with the Pelicans in August as an undrafted free agent after earning a spot on New Orleans’ summer league team. He averaged 8.8 points in 18.2 minutes per game during the preseason, but the Pelicans waived him prior to opening night.
Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 1/31/16
We recently learned that the Pistons have interest in Ryan Anderson as a free agent this summer, but not as a trade candidate because Detroit would rather not surrender assets to acquire him. Of course, any team would prefer not to part with anything to add talent. With the Pistons, however, there may be a reason to be confident in landing Anderson, who, as a stretch-four, would likely be a significant boost for Detroit. Pistons coach/executive Stan Van Gundy used to coach Anderson when they both were with the Magic, so they have a relationship.
Holding off on Anderson sounds ideal, but it also is the best decision for the Pistons, in my opinion, because they will have a significant amount of money to spend this summer. What’s more, it does not seem sensible to me to trade away assets for what might amount to an improvement of only a few more wins. Either way, Anderson won’t come cheaply this summer; he’ll be a veteran of eight years by then, so he’d be eligible for the middle-tier max of a projected $24.9MM.
On the other hand, the Pistons have lost five of their last eight games and are now 25-23. They would prefer to use current starter Ersan Ilyasova off the bench. Detroit is also reportedly set to target Donatas Motiejunas, who will be a restricted free agent this summer. The Pistons are a solid team, but they are a piece or two away from seriously contending for the championship.
That leads us to today’s shootaround topic: Should the Pistons pull the trigger on a deal now or wait to sign a power forward in the summer?
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.