League Suspends Darren Collison
Kings point guard Darren Collison has been suspended for the first eight games of the regular season, Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports, citing league sources (on Twitter). Collison can play in preseason games and participate in all practices, Stein adds (Twitter link).
Collison was arrested on misdemeanor domestic violence charges stemming from an incident in May involving his wife. He agreed to a plea deal in early September and as part of the arrangement, Collison pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor domestic violence. The 29-year-old received a 20-day jail sentence, which he was scheduled to serve in an Alternative Sentencing Program, working on community service projects.
The Kings, who missed out on Rajon Rondo in free agency, signed Ty Lawson as insurance in case Collison received a long suspension. Coach Dave Joerger said last week that the uncertainty which was surrounding Collison was not having an impact on the team. Joerger also hoped for a ruling sooner rather than later in order for that to remain the case, which the Kings received.
Atlantic Notes: Simmons, Celtics, Knicks
The Sixers are still evaluating the next course of action in regards to Ben Simmons, who recently suffered a foot injury, and a decision is getting close, team president Bryan Colangelo told reporters, including Derek Bodner of Philly Mag (Twitter link). Colangelo added it is likely that Simmons will have surgery, but it has not been 100% determined yet, Bodner tweets. Marc Stein of ESPN.com reported Saturday that the No. 1 overall pick will undergo surgery this coming week.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic Division:
- Colangelo does not seem to believe the injury will have a lasting impact on Simmons, and told reporters, “This is an injury that he should come back from and have a very successful and long career,” Jessica Camerato of CSNPhilly.com tweets. Colangelo also said the team would not rush him back, Camerato, relays.
- Celtics guard Terry Rozier has emerged as one of the early standouts at camp, Chris Forsberg of ESPN.com relays. Rozier, who is entering his second year, showed promise as a rookie but wasn’t always consistent, Forsberg adds. crowded backcourt that includes Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley as starters and Marcus Smart as a key reserve, as Forsberg notes.
- Derrick Rose’s stock has never been lower, but because his potential as a difference-maker remains high, it was a good move for the Knicks to land him, Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders opines.
Hoops Links: Durant, Garnett, Porter
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 …
- CelticsBlog details why Kevin Garnett was one of a kind.
- Raptors HQ runs down the candidates for the Raptors’ final roster spot.
- Bullets Forever discusses Otto Porter‘s strengths despite popular opinions.
- Not Your Mother’s Podcast argues Kevin Durant struggles in the clutch.
- Daily Knicks explains why the triangle offense still works.
- SLC Dunk relays that the odds seem to be in favor of the Jazz this season.
- Silver Screen and Roll opines that the Lakers are D’Angelo Russell‘s team now.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Hawks Notes: Howard, Bembry, Rookies
The Hawks head into training camp with 16 players under guaranteed or substantially guaranteed contracts and 15 roster spots available, and coach Mike Budenholzer believes that’s a good thing, Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution relays in a Q&A.
“It feels like, watching the team and watching the players through September and all the individual workouts, and other things we do, it just feels like it’s set up for a really competitive camp, from top to bottom, everywhere you look,” Budenholzer said.
Here’s more out of Atlanta:
- Dwight Howard‘s physicality will be a welcomed addition to Atlanta because it brings an element to the team that may have been missing, Budenholzer said, per Vivlamore, in the same piece.
- Hawks small forward DeAndre Bembry eyes this year’s Rookie of the Year award and is a newcomer that should be able to provide an immediate impact, Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders writes.
- The Hawks actually bring in three rookies with the signing of Malcolm Delaney and first-round draft picks Bembry and Taurean Prince, and Delaney, who played five years overseas, should see a large role early on, Vivlamore writes in a separate story.
Knicks Notes: Jackson, Porzingis, Lee
Knicks president Phil Jackson considered the idea of building slowly around Kristaps Porzingis and discussed the thought inside the organization, but ultimately decided for a swifter approach, Ian Begley of ESPN.com reports. The Knicks reeled in Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Brandon Jennings, who all have injury concerns, but Jackson beleives the health issues are worth the risk, Begley relays.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- There will likely be some speculation about Jackson’s future in New York because he has an opt-out clause in his contract that he could exercise after this season, Begley writes in the same piece. “I’ve just been going straight ahead. That really hasn’t been an item for me to think about,” Jackson said. “The fact that I had a clause put in the contract, that in case there was a lockout, that it might be a way to step away from the team or a job that doesn’t have any work action going on for a period of time. So that was one clause. That hasn’t affected what I’m doing now.”
- The most intriguing addition to the Knicks is Courtney Lee, who turned down a larger offer from the Sixers to come to New York, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. Lee seems like a good fit, especially after former Knicks guard Arron Afflalo‘s presence didn’t work so well in the team’s triangle offense, Berman adds.
- Only Carmelo Anthony remains from the team that Jackson inherited in March 2014, and despite the turnover rate, Jackson said he has been fiscally responsible, Al Iannazzone of Newsday relays.
Tomislav Zubcic Signed, Waived By Thunder
SEPTEMBER 23: Zubcic was technically waived by the Thunder after signing the second-round tender he received from the team, notes Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link). The end result is the same: Zubcic becomes an unrestricted free agent, whose NBA rights are now up for grabs. However, it suggests that perhaps the player forced the issue, rather than the team simply letting him go.
SEPTEMBER 18: The Thunder have renounced the rights to Tomislav Zubcic on Sunday, making the 6’10” power forward a free agent, Erik Horne of The Oklahoman reports.
Zubcic, 26, played 36 games for Oklahoma City’s D-League affiliate last season, averaging 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 19.8 minutes per game. Zubcic was fourth on the Blue in 3-pointers made (44), shooting 35.2%.
Zubcic was unlikely to ever join the Thunder, Horne writes, so the move isn’t at all surprising and Zubcic can play with the Blue if he does not sign with another team. The 56th overall pick by the Raptors in 2012 was acquired by the Thunder in June 2015 in a deal that had helped the Thunder create roster space for Cameron Payne.
Atlantic Notes: Celtics, Sixers, Nets
While nothing appears imminent, Kelly Olynyk is “very much a player to keep an eye on” regarding trade possibilities for the Celtics, A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com relays. Some teams like the Raptors will likely reach out about acquiring the big man once the season progresses, Blakely writes. That’s because while Olynyk has shown flashes of promise, it remains unclear how consistent he can play at a high level and be utilized effectively in Boston, Blakely adds.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic Division:
- Realizing that they do not possess the same level of talent as other teams do, the Nets believe their best bet to win games is to be willing to outwork teams, Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes. The Nets’ staff epitomizes that, Lewis adds, because of their traveling to see players and work with them, which is a reflection of coach Kenny Atkinson, who is known for player development.
- Dario Saric is only 22 and has yet to play in a regular season game, but Sixers coach Brett Brown thinks Saric’s experience overseas is more important than his age, Jessica Camerato of CSNPhilly.com relays. Saric started his pro career in 2009, and at the age of 15, he played for Zrinjevac in his native country Croatia, as Camerato points out.
Hoops Links: Grizzlies, Knicks, Jazz
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 …
- Big Three Sports details the offseason moves or lack thereof up in the Southeast Division.
- Grizzly Bear Blues stresses the importance of Memphis’ veterans.
- Bright Side Of The Sun breaks down how P.J. Tucker‘s absence impacts the Suns.
- Same Page Team discusses what is next after Masai Ujiri‘s deal with the Raptors.
- Daily Knicks ranks the top moments in the Knicks’ D-League history.
- Clipperholics explains where Blake Griffin can rank in the Clippers’ franchise history.
- Purple and Blues discusses the Jazz’s point guard battle.
- Blog a Bull details how Rajon Rondo can create offense for Chicago.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Wizards Notes: Wall, Beal, Dudley
Wizards coach Scott Brooks does not believe the team has any continuity issues, especially as it pertains to stars Bradley Beal and John Wall, Candace Buckner of the Washington Post relays. Both players had recently spoke of on-court chemistry issues, but, despite that, Brooks said he only sees two competitive players. Brooks, of course, has experience in dealing with superstars on the same team, having just left Oklahoma City.
“There’s a lot of things I’m worried about going into camp, and every coach in this league is worried about. That is not one of them,” Brooks said. “I haven’t even talked to our assistant coaches about it. Will I meet with each player individually? Yes. Will I meet with the team? Yes. Will I meet with the positions together? Yes. But I don’t see our team having a problem with chemistry.”
Here’s more out of Washington:
- The departure of Jared Dudley, who signed a three-year pact with the Suns, will be felt by the Wizards this season because of his veteran leadership in the locker room, J Neuharth-Keusch of USA TODAY Sports writes. Dudley was a dependable contributor as a stretch-four and shot a team-high 42.0% from 3-point range in his only season with Washington, as Neuharth-Keusch points out.
- Unsurprisingly, the X-factor for the Wizards this season, Neuharth-Keusch writes in the same piece, is Bradley Beal. After missing chunks of time throughout his career because of several injuries, Beal again will be counted on to remain healthy and lead Washington. He is locked in to a long-term contract, as Neuharth-Keusch notes.
Pelicans Notes: Asik, Stephenson, Frazier
The first year of Omer Asik‘s five-year, $53 million deal with the Pelicans didn’t go so well, with Asik often clogging the floor because of his limited mobility. With the center having turned 30 over the summer, things aren’t expected to be improve much, if at all, Kevin Pelton of ESPN.com writes (Insider subscription). That’s because Asik is clearly in decline and doesn’t fit in Alvin Gentry‘s offense, according to Pelton.
Here’s more out of New Orleans:
- Lance Stephenson‘s deal with the Pelicans makes sense because New Orleans is otherwise thin in the backcourt, with a dependence on Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway and rookie Buddy Hield for scoring, Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders opines. The Pelicans have 15 guaranteed contracts, but Stepehenson would add an element of creativity and production on offense, Hamilton writes.
- Tim Frazier is the “safe bet” and logical choice to step in as the Pelicans’ starting point guard in place of Jrue Holiday, who will miss the start of the season, Brett Dawson of The New Orleans Advocate suggests on his podcast Locked on Pelicans. Hield’s role in the rotation may also be impacted by Holiday’s situation, Dawson adds.