Hoops Rumors Weekly Mailbag 12/6/15-12/13/15
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:
“With the Washington Wizards’ expectations this year and their lack of success do you see them making a trade? Would they ever trade Bradley Beal seeing as how he did not sign an extension and he would be able to fetch a lot on the trade market? Would the Nuggets be a possibility? Denver has young assets and draft picks.” — Domanic
HR: It’s been a disappointing start to the season for the Wizards, but they are near .500 and still very much in striking distance of a playoff spot. With their talent, it is conceivable for them to hold on to their assets and still make a run. As for Beal, he has had an interesting record when it comes to health. J. Michael of CSNMidAtlantic.com recently referred to it as “long and complex.” The Wizards made it clear in the past that they envisioned inking him to a new deal even though they could not come to an agreement on an extension. Despite that now seemingly up in the air because Beal will be out a few games with an injury, I don’t see him getting traded. His injury, however, is something I really think will decrease his value this summer because, as we know, this is not the first occurrence of Beal missing action.
Can you see the Knicks signing Joakim Noah through free agency in the offseason? What are some other realistic possible signings for New York this summer? — Rodney
HR: The short answer: No, I really can’t. I mean, Noah may be had a discount because of the down season he is experiencing coming off the bench for the Bulls, but there is not much to suggest he would be in for a bounce-back campaign. I do not think adding an aging star would help the Knicks. New York will obviously target Kevin Durant this summer, but it would behoove the Knicks to make a run at Brandon Jennings, a point guard coming off injury troubles who might outplay is next contract. Ryan Anderson and Al Horford are two other well-known names that come to mind.
What are the chances the Lakers have now in gaining a star powered free agent, now that Kobe Bryant announced his retirement? — Leroy
HR: Contrary to the popular belief, I don’t think Kobe Bryant mattered much in whether or not the Lakers’ chances were strong next summer for landing a star free agent. They are likely a couple of seasons away from being relevant to the playoff picture, which is not very attractive for many free agents. The lure of L.A. is not what it once was. The Lakers will have the money to offer, but I just don’t see how the team can attract the stars of the upcoming free agent class.
Southeast Notes: Heat, Wizards, Hornets
Former Heat point guard Mario Chalmers, in his first extensive interview since the trade that sent him to the Grizzlies, told to shed salary.
Here’s more from the Southeast Division:
- Gary Neal, whom the Wizards signed to a one-year deal in July, has filled the role of capable bench scorer, which is what Washington hoped for in inking the veteran point guard, Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post writes. Neal’s contract, which is worth $2.1MM, fit into both the Wizards’ short-term plans and long-term flexibility, Castillo adds. The move has paid off with Neal averaging 10.6 points per game.
- After being traded to the Hornets from the Blazers, Nicolas Batum is playing the best basketball of his career, Jimmy Toscano of CSNNE.com details. Batum’s all-around game has been so strong this season, Celtics coach Brad Stevens thinks the small forward has a good shot to make the All-Star team, as Toscano adds.
- Speaking of Batum, taking chances on him, Jeremy Lamb and Spencer Hawes — who were each at uncertain points of their respective careers — in trades during the summer has made the Hornets dramatically better offensively, Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer explains. In obtaining the players, the Hornets added size and versatility, Bonnell adds. “We made a concerted effort to improve offensively, improve our versatility and find more skilled players,” Hornets GM Rich Cho said. “I knew Nic from [working in] Portland; we knew Spencer had tremendous basketball IQ and could shoot the ball and spread the floor. Jeremy was someone we pursued for a long time. We liked him in college and saw him play a lot of games in the NBA and the D-League.”
Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 12/6/15
Pau Gasol recently said he’s “very likely” to opt out of his contract this coming summer. That isn’t too surprising, considering his player option would give him slightly less than $7.7MM next season, a low number for a starting center. What’s more, Gasol will likely secure at least a two-year deal in the open market. While his production is down this year, Gasol is still averaging 14.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.
At 35, Gasol’s best years are behind him, but he appears to have plenty left in the tank. The Bulls will reportedly make a push to re-sign him, but there should be no shortage of potential suitors to compete with for Gasol’s services.
That leads us to the question for today: Which team do you expect Pau Gasol to be playing for next season?
Being mindful of our commenting policy, let us know in the comments section below what you think. We look forward to learning about what you have to share.
And-Ones: Morris, Begić, Jack
The Markieff Morris saga is “reheating,” Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic writes, after Suns coach Jeff Hornacek gave Morris his first benching by coach’s decision since 2011/12, the power forward’s rookie year. Hornacek, according to Coro, spoke with Morris before the team warmed up for Sunday’s game. Morris issued a trade demand in August after his brother, Marcus, was shipped to the Pistons. When training camp started, however, Morris declared he wanted to be in Phoenix. Morris, Coro notes, did not speak with reporters Sunday.
Here’s more from around the basketball world:
- Mirza Begić, whom the Pelicans waived in October, is close to signing with Spain’s Bilbao, according to elcorreo.com (h/t Emiliano Carchia of Sportando).
- The relationship between Nets guard Jarrett Jack and Stephen Curry extends beyond basketball, Mike Mazzeo of ESPN.com details. Curry mentioned the influence Jack (when he was with the Warriors) had on his career during his MVP speech. “I look at Steph like a little brother, but he’s somebody that I look up to and try to be like in a lot of ways,” Jack said, per Mazzeo. “What he said at his MVP speech — to take time out to acknowledge me during a moment where he deserved all of the [recognition] — it was amazing.”
- Kobe Bryant has hinted at a desire to take a front office job with the Lakers, but he’s since clarified that if he sticks around the NBA after he’s done playing, he wants to be an owner, notes Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. “If I’m involved in basketball from a league perspective,” Bryant said, “it would be from an ownership perspective.”
Eastern Notes: Pistons, Raptors, Heat
This is only Reggie Jackson‘s first season as a full-time starter so it is conceivable that the 25-year-old still has plenty of room to grow, which bodes well for the Pistons, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today Sports writes. The Pistons surprised many when they locked up Jackson for five years and $80MM, but if Detroit signs Andre Drummond to another contract, Zillgitt adds, they will have their point guard-center combo for the future. Jackson has impressed this season by averaging 20.1 points and 6.6 assists per game.
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- Goran Dragic is feeling more comfortable in the Heat‘s offense, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel details. From the Heat’s perspective, that is likely a relief considering Miami re-signed the point guard to a five-year, $90MM deal in the summer. “Of course it’s more fun,” Dragic said of his recent string of solid play, per Winderman. “Even my body language is a little bit different. I’m smiling on the court. I’m enjoying. And that’s the most important thing, try to enjoy and at the same time play hard. As long as the team is winning, it’s all good.”
- Lucas Nogueira is playing well in limited minutes lately for the Raptors, his fourth team in two years, and his opportunity will likely continue because Jonas Valanciunas isn’t expected back this month, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca writes. The Raptors picked up their 2016/17 team option in September on the rookie scale contract of Nogueira.
Western Notes: West, Gobert, Arthur
After crunching the numbers, Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald notes that David West left $10,500,813 on the table to sign with the Spurs after opting out of the final year of his contract with the Pacers. West explained to Bulpett that a shot to win a championship meant more than money.
“The only question I needed to answer was, ‘Will my lifestyle change? Will my family’s lifestyle change?’ That was a no,” West said, per Bulpett. “I’ve been preparing to make a decision like this for quite some time, just planning the right way and being a little patient early on and just always having the idea of living well below my means. That’s always allowed me the room to make a decision like I made. A lot of people can’t understand that because they just don’t know me. A lot of that criticism is from far off. To me, it was just a basketball decision.”
Here’s more from around the Western Conference:
- While a definitive timeline was not provided, Jazz coach Quin Snyder hinted that Rudy Gobert, who is out indefinitely after suffering Grade II sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee, could be out for a couple of months, Jody Genessy of the Deseret News tweets.
- Alvin Gentry‘s job as Pelicans head coach has been made much more difficult because of the rash of injuries the team has experienced, Justin Verrier of ESPN.com writes. The Pelicans have used 11 different lineups so far this season, according to Verrier. New Orleans is 5-15, which is obviously not the start Gentry had in mind when he took the job in May and inherited what was thought to be a promising team.
- Darrell Arthur, whom the Nuggets re-signed to a two-year deal in August, is playing better than he has in recent years and his success lately can be attributed to a rediscovered jumper, Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post writes. Arthur has scored in double-figures in five of his last eight games, Dempsey adds.
Hoops Links: Chalmers, Winslow, Duncan
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 explains how Mario Chalmers saved the Grizzlies.
- Hoops Trends runs down five surprises of the season.
- Six Championship Drive is scouting the early trade market.
- The Love of Hoops examines how the Celtics were able to slow down DeMarcus Cousins.
- Florida Sports View takes a look at European players in the NBA.
- Hot Hot Hoops checks in with Justise Winslow.
- Peachtree Hoops details Lamar Patterson‘s D-League stint.
- Pounding The Rock breaks down Tim Duncan‘s season.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Warriors Notes: Barnes, Green, Curry
With the salary cap’s expected rise, a maximum contract for Harrison Barnes could begin with a first year salary in the range of $22MM and there will be plenty of teams competing for his services based on his potential, Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders writes. Barnes is set to be a restricted free agent this summer. Hamilton compares Barnes’ situation to that of Reggie Jackson, who was viewed as an expendable piece of the Thunder and then became a cornerstone for the Pistons, who re-signed him to a five-year, $80MM maximum contract. Hamilton’s point is that several teams will pay to find out just how good Barnes can be.
Here’s more on the Warriors:
- There is no debating Stephen Curry‘s worth to Golden State, but Draymond Green has elevated the Warriors from a championship team to a potentially all-time great team, Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group argues. Green is not a big-time scorer, but he is effective because of his wide-ranging his abilities, Thompson writes, and he is a key part of the team’s small-ball defensive philosophy. The Warriors re-signed Green to a five-year, $85MM deal in the summer and he has rewarded them by significantly improving his game, Thompson adds.
- Curry’s offseason workout regimen with trainer Brandon Payne has paid dividends this season, Diamond Leung of The Bay Area News Group details. Of course, Curry has long since moved past the ankle issues that influenced the negotiations when he inked a four-year $44MM extension in the fall of 2012. Curry has been able to produce better numbers this season with improved strength, balance and speed, Leung writes.
Central Notes: Morris, Noah, Pacers
With increased minutes this season, Marcus Morris is making the most of his opportunity with the Pistons after being acquired by Detroit in a summer trade with the Suns, Rod Beard of the Detroit News details. Morris is a focal point of the offense and has been a workhorse, Beard writes. Morris is playing 37 minutes per game this season. In comparison, he saw 25.2 minutes per game last year, which set a career-high for the 26-year-old. Morris has played well lately and is averaging 14.8 points per game. There is a strong chance the trade turns out to be the Pistons’ best move of the offseason, Beard adds.
“Marcus can do a lot of things and I have to create more and more things for him. He’s a [expletive]-good passer too. We’re really fortunate to have him,” Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said. “We thought he was good when we got him and he’s better than I thought he was.”
Here’s more from around the Central Division:
- Joakim Noah, a 2016 free agent who is now coming off the bench for the Bulls, has had a string of solid performances for the first time this season, Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune writes. “I’m still trying to figure it out,” Noah said. “I just stay positive and keep my focus on what I can control. Overall, I think I’m in a good place and I just have to keep building.”
- Pacers rookie shooting guard Joseph Young has played in only seven games so far this season, but the former Oregon star isn’t frustrated about being left out of the rotation, Tyson Alger of The Oregonian relays in a Q&A. “I asked coach, ‘Coach what do I need to do to get in the rotation?’ And coach said, ‘Son, you’ve done everything you need to do to get in the rotation. But right now, we need to play the players we’re paying,'” Young told Alger. “He’s saying that he’s got to get Monta Ellis 30-plus minutes. Rodney Stuckey, you got to get him minutes. They’re paying them and they want to play them. I’m a rookie. I just got to keep working hard and my time is going to come. Just paying my dues.”
D-League Moves: Hardaway Jr., Spurs, Ennis
The Hawks recalled Tim Hardaway Jr., Edy Tavares and Lamar Patterson from the D-League, as Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported they would. The moves were announced in an emailed press release. The Hawks do not have their own affiliate. Pursuant to the flexible assignment rule, Hardaway Jr. and Tavares played games with the Canton Charge (the Cavs‘ affiliate) Friday and Saturday and Patterson played with the Austin Spurs Saturday. It will be particularly interesting to see how Hardaway, who was acquired in an offseason deal with the Knicks, fares in a return to the Hawks. He has appeared in only four games for Atlanta, averaging 2.5 points. In two games with the Charge, as Vivlamore writes, Hardaway averaged 17 points in 32.7 minutes.
Here are some more D-League moves today:
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The Rockets assigned rookie power forward Montrezl Harrell to their D-League affiliate. Harrell was the 32nd overall pick in the draft. He has appeared in 15 games with one start for the Rockets this season.
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The Spurs recalled Boban Marjanovic from their D-League affiliate. The center averaged 25 points and 11 rebounds per game (two games) with the Austin Spurs. On Saturday, the Spurs recalled Ray McCallum, according to the RealGM transactions log.
- The Grizzlies recalled James Ennis from their D-League affiliate, the team announced in an emailed press release. It was the second-year player’s first D-League stint.
- The Pistons announced they recalled Spencer Dinwiddie and Darrun Hilliard from their D-League affiliate.