Greg Smith To Play For Raptors D-League Team
TUESDAY, 11:36am: Smith is joining the affiliate of the Raptors, a league source tells Reichert (Twitter link).
SUNDAY, 4:36pm: Four-year NBA veteran Greg Smith, who played on the Mavs last season, has signed with the D-League, Chris Reichert of Upside & Motor reports (Twitter link). The D-League has yet to make an announcement, but Reichert indicates Smith has put pen to paper. The Mavs’ affiliate, the Texas Legends, hold waiver priority so it would get the first chance to land Smith, Reichert tweets.
Smith, a center, had signed with the Pelicans in October, but the deal was voided after he failed his physical. Smith, who will turn 25 this week, did not generate much interest in free agency this summer after he saw little playing time for the Mavs. He then failed to impress in a workout last month for China’s Guangdong Southern Tigers, as international journalist David Pick reported.
Smith spent most of his career so far with the Rockets, but they waived him shortly before the 2014 playoffs. He saw 15.9 minutes per game with Houston in the 2012/13 season and scored six points per game. Both numbers remain career highs.
Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 1/3/16
The Wolves reportedly made shooting guard Kevin Martin in trade discussions during December. This, of course, is nothing new for Martin, who is 32 and has played on four different teams, including two stints each with the Kings and Rockets. Martin was a part of trade talk last winter, too, when a series of reports identified the Mavericks, Wizards, Bulls, Kings and Rockets as interested parties.
We covered today that Sam Smith of Bulls.com doesn’t believe there is any substance to the idea Chicago will acquire Martin because the veteran has another year on his contract worth nearly $7.4MM, and because his scoring average and shooting percentage are near career lows. But it seems like some team will, indeed, take a flier on him. While Martin’s numbers are down (mainly his shooting percentage), he is still quite serviceable. He is averaging 12.1 points per game in 26 games, including 12 starts. Several teams could use his experience and scoring production.
That leads us to today’s shootaround topic: What team do you think would benefit the most from adding Martin?
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: Jackson, D-League, Draft
Pistons point guard Reggie Jackson has developed leadership qualities both on and off the court this season and has responded well to the pressures of living up to the five-year, $80MM deal he signed in July, Rod Beard of the Detroit News details. With Jackson growing from a maturity standpoint as well as playing at a high level on a consistent basis, it can be argued that Jackson is very much worth the money for the Pistons, Beard surmises.
“We said at the time — and people were criticizing us — that we thought down the road that deal would look like a bargain,” Pistons coach/executive Stan Van Gundy said. “When you look at [Jackson], his numbers say he’s in the top seven or eight point guards in the league and you’d have to say that’s true.”
Here’s more news from around the basketball world:
- The Clippers assigned rookie Branden Dawson to the D-League, as the team announced in an emailed press release and as Dan Woike of the Orange County Register relays (on Twitter). Dawson will join the Grand Rapids Drive, the Pistons’ affiliate, pursuant to the flexible assignment rule. The Clippers don’t have their own affiliate.
- The Hawks recalled Tim Hardaway Jr. from the D-League, Atlanta announced in an emailed press release. Hardaway returns after his second stint in the D-League this season.
- The Mavs announced that they recalled rookie center Salah Mejri from their D-League affiliate. Mejri has appeared in five games for Dallas.
- LSU’s Ben Simmons still projects as the top pick in this year’s draft, but Duke’s Brandon Ingram reminds Chris Mannix of SI.com of a less developed version of Kevin Durant (Twitter link).
Hoops Links: Thunder, Bucks, Nets
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 Sports Quotient runs down players who are outperforming their contracts.
- Denver Stiffs reviews the Nuggets’ 2015.
- Posting and Toasting breaks down Arron Afflalo.
- Canis Hoopus looks into the Wolves’ lack of 3-pointers in their offense.
- Nothin’ But Nets writes Thaddeus Young is the Nets’ X-factor.
- Thunderous Intentions examines Serge Ibaka‘s season.
- Behind the Buck Pass lists the 50 greatest Bucks of all time.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Western Notes: Aldridge, Wolves, Kings
LaMarcus Aldridge averaged more than 20 points per game in each of his final five seasons with the Blazers, yet even though he is scoring only 15.8 points per game for the Spurs, San Antonio is delighted with how the offseason acquisition has started to gel with his new team, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News writes.
“It’s difficult to do in your first year,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, per McDonald. “A lot of guys take a whole year to get used to us. He’s been remarkable in catching on this quickly.”
Here’s more from around the Western Conference:
- While Wolves owner Glen Taylor has said interim coach Sam Mitchell has this season to prove himself, Mitchell doesn’t concern himself with the job’s labeling or his future beyond 2015/16, Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune relays. “My job is to coach the team and do what I think is right to do,” Mitchell said. “I don’t worry about whether I’m going to be here or not. My job is to teach these players to the best of my ability so that whoever is coaching this team, whether it’s me or anybody else, at least these guys have any idea how to play.”
- DeMarcus Cousins‘ interaction with George Karl still remains as an interesting topic because of their rocky relationship over the summer, so it was not surprising that Cousins was asked about his high-five to the Kings coach following Karl being called for a technical foul Saturday, Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee writes. “I’ve told y’all before, honestly, it’s not about that,” Cousins said. “As long as we’re on the same page and have the same goal on a nightly basis, that’s all that matters. It doesn’t matter if we’re friends or whatever the case may be. It’s about winning games; that’s all that matters.”
- In a chat with readers, Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News writes that he believes the Mavs will make a trade before the deadline, though he does not necessarily think it will be a significant one.
Eastern Notes: Cunningham, Celtics, Sixers
The Cavs have not decided yet if they will keep combo guard Jared Cunningham after this week, Chris Haynes of The Northeast Ohio Media Group and the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports, citing league sources. Unless Cleveland cuts Cunningham by the close of business Thursday, his $981,348 salary for the remainder of the season is guaranteed, as Haynes points out.
Cunningham was a preseason surprise for the Cavs, the 24-year-old’s fifth team in four years. While Cunningham had streaks of consistent playing time this season, he has not seen more than 15 minutes in a single game since December 11th, and that includes four games in which he didn’t even appear. Cunningham, whom coach David Blatt used in a variety of ways, has seen his minutes deteriorate because the Cavs are healthier, Haynes writes. Making the decision more interesting is Cunningham’s salary would cost the team approximately $3.8MM in luxury tax dollars if the Cavs maintain their current roster, Haynes adds.
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- If the Celtics continue to struggle, there will be increased pressure on the front office to consider making a move to alleviate Boston’s frontcourt logjam, Chris Forsberg of ESPN.com details. Jared Sullinger, Amir Johnson, Kelly Olynyk, David Lee and Tyler Zeller are each part of the Celtics’ big man rotation. Boston, as Forsberg points out, also tends to utilize Jae Crowder and Jonas Jerebko at the power forward spots. The large crowd has been a roadblock for rookie Jordan Mickey, who is thriving in the D-League, Forsberg adds.
- Ish Smith, whom the Sixers acquired in a trade with the Pelicans last month, doesn’t seem fazed by playing for nine organizations in his career and having been included in 19 different transactions, Brian Seltzer of Sixers.com writes.
- The Heat recalled Josh Richardson and Jarnell Stokes from the D-League, the team announced on its website.
Hoops Rumors Weekly Mailbag 12/27/15-1/3/16
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:
Are the Cavs looking to make a trade this season to enhance their championship run? — Thea
HR: Barring an injury, I really don’t think acquiring more new players would help the Cavs. In fact, I think that would be counter-productive. For the first time all season, the Cavs are actually healthy. With a roster already dotted with talent, the depth chart will likely soon be in a state of flux with coach David Blatt mixing and matching until he finds something that he thinks works. We haven’t heard or read from anywhere else that the Cavs are intent on making a move. What’s more, now at full strength, there really is not an area of weakness that needs to be addressed. Making a trade at this point would delay what’s most important for the Cavs heading into what projects to be a deep playoff run: time to gel.
Since it seems the Bucks will stay put and they looked to be the most likely to relocate, who are the logical candidates now or is it as simple as the league just stalling until they decide to expand? — Joe
HR: This is just my speculation (based on conversations from reporters and lower-level executives in the league last season), but I think there is a stronger chance of the league expanding than there is of a team relocating, like you hint at. I think you’re right about the Bucks. They seemed to be on thin ice for a while, but it looks like they’ve sorted things out. To digress momentarily, I would not have been surprised to see the Pelicans relocate had it not been for Anthony Davis. To get back to your question: Commissioner Adam Silver said in April that relocation or expansion is unlikely for at least the next two years. Again, this is solely my opinion, but one would have to think that Seattle would be in line as a city that can generate the revenue needed once the league does decide to expand again.
Why won’t the Knicks just add Jimmer Fredette? — Allie
HR: Well, you can’t really blame any team for not jumping to add Fredette based on the minimal success he has experienced so far in the league. Sorry; I know he is a fan favorite for many. For whatever the reason, though, his game has not translated well to the NBA. Fredette is currently playing for the Knicks’ D-League affiliate in Westchester. But if you’re a Knicks fan, shouldn’t you be wanting more? They’ve checked in on Brandon Jennings, according to Ian Begley of ESPN.com and are reportedly interested in Tony Wroten. Both would be better options for a team with backcourt issues.
Atlantic Notes: Knicks, Sixers, Celtics
- Contrary to what seems to be the popular belief among fans and pundits alike, Sixers coach Brett Brown still thinks centers Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor can effectively coexist on the floor, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer details. Hoops Rumors’ Chris Crouse recently examined Okafor as a trade candidate. Many fans, Pompey writes, view Noel as the preferred trade chip, however. Having two players essentially playing the same position poses significant problems like spacing issues, but Brown seems determined to make it work, Pompey adds.“If we can really get these guys comfortable on spacing with each other to give those shooters or Ish Smith the driving lanes, it’s one of those ‘have-tos’ that we touch every single day,” Brown said.
- Marcus Smart isn’t quite yet up to full speed for the Celtics after returning from a knee injury, but he is close to being able to play his usual amount of minutes, A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com writes. Smart’s presence is needed for the Celtics because the second-year guard is one of the league’s top young defenders and Boston is dealing with a few nagging injuries, Blakely adds.
Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 1/1/16
We all made our fair share of mistakes in 2015. Granted, some made more than others. So much is true in the NBA, too, of course. While several teams improved after certain signings and acquisitions, others seemingly miscalculated or completely missed on a move or two.
We discussed favorite transactions from 2015 on this site yesterday and to continue our look back on the year, we thought it best to talk about some not-so-favorite moves, too. Of course, while 2015 has ended, the season is far from over so there is still time for our thoughts to change on certain transactions.
Still, some are definitely looking better than others with 2016 underway.
So, here is today’s question: What was the worst transaction of 2015?
Sometimes players just don’t mesh as well in a new system, in a new city or with a new coach, as a prospective team had hoped for. With that said, I have to hand it to the Pelicans. New Orleans’ re-signing of Omer Asik in July is my pick for the year’s worst move. This is not one of those moves that make or break a franchise, but Asik is definitely not playing up to the five-year deal worth nearly $52.978MM in base salary he signed. I didn’t think he would, either, given his overall deteriorating value and playoff struggles coming into this season. The signing was odd right when it was announced, in my opinion. Asik is averaging a career low 2.8 points per game.
But what do you think? Surely, there are more transactions that teams would love to hit a “redo” button on. 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: Lamb, James, D-League
Former Thunder shooting guard Jeremy Lamb will face his old team for the first time Saturday and comes into the game playing the most consistent basketball of his four-year career in his first season with the Hornets, Erik Horne of The Oklahoman details. The Hornets acquired Lamb in a June trade. The 23-year-old then signed a three-year, $21MM extension in November, a deal that was met with some criticism because Lamb had not shown any consistency. Entering action Friday night, Lamb was averaging per game career highs in points (11.3), rebounds (4.4), minutes (21.7) and field goal percentage (47.5), as Horne notes.
Here’s more from around the basketball world:
- LeBron James‘ season to this point has a positive vibe to it, something that was absent in the first two months of last season, Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com writes. The difference has to do with James, who recently turned 31, feeling healthier now than he did last year, Vardon adds. “I think he’s pretty healthy,” Cavs coach David Blatt said. “I think he’s obviously been able to play in every game. He could’ve played in the Miami game. I pulled him out. It wasn’t his wish or any need on his part except for what I saw not wanting him to play in that horrific back to back that we had. I think he’s good, I think he’s strong. I think he feels good and hopefully that’s going to continue in the same vein. When and if necessary we’ll look to reduce the load on him if we can.”
- The Raptors recalled Anthony Bennett, Norman Powell and Delon Wright from their D-League affiliate, the team announced (on Twitter).
- The Magic assigned Devyn Marble to their D-League affiliate, per Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel (Twitter link).