Hoops Rumors Originals
A look back the original analysis produced by the Hoops Rumors staff this week..
- Chuck Myron looked at the projected 2013/14 taxpaying teams.
- Here’s a look at D-League players with NBA experience, courtesy of Luke.
- I recapped the Jazz’s offseason and previewed some of the growing pains they might experience in the coming year.
- Daryl Morey may not seem the type, but he’s a Texas gambler for sure. Now, fans just has to hope that he doesn’t go bust, Chuck writes.
- Fans may not recognize the Kings before long, writes Chuck.
- Luke thinks that the Spurs have one or two more contending years in them as currently constructed.
- Will the Bulls ever win the title with Derrick Rose on a max deal? Most of you say no.
- I asked if the Mavs should think about moving Dirk Nowitzki, the majority of you are against it.
- Chuck looked at the cost of traded 2014 first-rounders.
- The majority of Hoops Rumors readers see Lamar Odom signing with the Clippers.
- Go get the iPhone/iPad app for Hoops Rumors!
- More of you say Mike Woodson will get fired.
- Luke gave us the Warriors offseason in review.
- Here’s how you can follow Hoops Rumors on Facebook/RSS/Twitter.
- We asked you to weigh in on who the Kings should trade.
- It’s still a work in progress in Phoenix, Chuck writes.
- Should the Celtics trade Rajon Rondo? Surprisingly, more than half of you say yes.
- The Thunder are in good position for the foreseeable future, writes Luke.
- Here are the players signed with the bi-annual exception.
- Opinions are split on whether the Knicks should trade Iman Shumpert.
Week In Review: 11/18/13 – 11/24/13
Bad news Bulls. Derrick Rose will have surgery to repair a medial meniscus tear in his right knee on Monday in Chicago and it’s not known when he will return. There’s no word on whether the former MVP will be out for the year, but it’s certainly a scary situation given his history. More from the week that was..
- The Blazers have engaged the Rockets about Omer Asik. Asik is one of the league’s primary trade candidates, and has reportedly made weekly trade requests since the Rockets acquired Dwight Howard in the summer.
- The Rockets want talent in return for Asik, regardless of position.
- The Rockets inquired about Dirk Nowitzki, but that might have been trash talking more than anything.
- The Kings are aggressively pursuing trades.
- The trade buzz around Rajon Rondo continues, but Danny Ainge shut it down.
- The Clippers are considering Chris Wilcox.
- The union and Isiah Thomas are talking.
- The Sixers cut Kwame Brown and Darius Morris to sign Elliot Williams and Lorenzo Brown.
- Shane Battier will probably retire.
- Leandro Barbosa will play in Brazil.
- James Dolan says he has a lot of confidence in Knicks coach Mike Woodson.
- Billy Hunter accused Derek Fisher of conspiring with the owners.
- The Warriors signed Dewayne Dedmon.
- Could Coach Cal be on deck in New York?
- Lamar Odom says he’ll only sign with the Clippers. It seems pretty likely to happen.
- Raptors GM Masai Ujiri has been active on the phones.
- Steve Nash might hang them up, depending on who you ask.
- Word is that Jason Kidd is safe in Brooklyn.
Central Notes: Pistons, Cavs, Rose, Bulls
Pistons big man Josh Harrellson is without a guaranteed contract and he’s making a case for his deal to get locked in with his recent play, writes David Mayo of MLive.com. With the Pistons looking for an extra power forward and Jonas Jerebko, Tony Mitchell ,and Charlie Villanueva not stepping up to the plate, Harrellson became next man up in two games against the Hawks last week. Here’s the latest out of the Central..
- Terry Pluto of the Plain Dealer looks at the issues plaguing the woeful Cavaliers, including the absence of any real low-post offense thanks to Andrew Bynum‘s struggles. Right now he’s shooting .359 (18-of-49) as his knees continue to trouble him.
- Paul Flannery of SBNation.com looks at the meteoric rise of Pacers star Paul George. George agreed to a five-year, $90MM with Indiana this offseason.
- If the Bulls decide to shop Luol Deng, the Kings might be a match, tweets Tom Ziller of SBNation. Options for them include Greivis Vasquez, John Salmons‘ expiring deal, Luc Mbah a Moute, Patrick Patterson, Jimmer Fredette.
- Matt Moore of CBSSports.com asks where the Bulls go from here without the services of Derrick Rose.
- Should the Bulls blow it all up or wait it out? Ziller believes that he has a Plan C for Chicago. Trading Deng would get Chicago out of luxury tax trouble and could leave them enough talent to still compete in a conference where there are questions about the top teams.
Shane Battier Will “Probably” Retire
Heat forward Shane Battier says that he’ll “probably” retire after this season, writes Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel.
“In all honesty, this is probably my last year, and so, I’m not saving myself for anything,” he said. “My mindset is really, ‘Just go ’til the wheels fall off.’ If that means I crash and burn at Christmas, that’s the way I go out. “But I’m not saving myself for anything. My role now, with this starting lineup, is just playing my tail off and bring energy and, you know, go as long as I can go.”
Battier has found himself the starting power forward the past seven games and leads the NBA with eight charges drawn. Couple that with some serious banging down low for rebounds, and Battier has taken a beating early on in the 2013/14 campaign. Coming into 2013/14, Battier owned career averages of 9.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks over 904 career games with the Rockets, Grizzlies, and Heat. The former Duke star has been to the playoffs in nine of his 12 seasons in the NBA.
T’Wolves, Kings Talking Derrick Williams Deal
The Timberwolves and Kings are in advanced talks on a deal that would swap Derrick Williams for Luc Mbah a Moute, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com (on Twitter). It’s not yet known if the deal could expand to include more pieces, Stein tweets.
Williams, the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 draft, has reportedly been on the block for more than a year now and while former GM David Kahn couldn’t find a home for him, new team president Flip Saunders may be on the cusp of doing just that. Williams might have been able to change the new regime’s impression of him with a hot start this season, but 4.9 PPG and 2.4 RPG through eleven games hasn’t helped his stock. Earlier today, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN reported that a Williams trade seemed imminent.
The Kings have been aggressively pursuing trades and are reportedly targeting a solution at small forward. Mbah a Moute, a summer pickup, was supposed to be the answer, but he’s more of a role player than a starting three. As the UCLA product averages career-lows in points, rebounds, and minutes per game, Williams could represent an upgrade, even though small forward isn’t his natural position. The T’Wolves gave serious thought to moving Williams to the three – even having him drop from 250 pounds down to ~235, but he never seemed to get the hang of it in training camp.
If completed, the trade would give Williams a fresh start while reuniting Mbah a Moute with former UCLA teammate Kevin Love. Mbah a Moute, 27, is set to earn $4.58MM this season and $4.38MM in 2014/15. Williams, 22, will make $5.29MM this season and $6.68MM next season before reaching restricted free agency.
Eastern Notes: Garnett, LeBron, Cavs
Prior to last night’s 111-81 loss to the T’Wolves, Nets forward Kevin Garnett told reporters that he’s not ready to discuss his future beyond this season. “I focus on what’s happening [now],” Garnett said after the Nets’ shootaround. “There is a lot of emotions that come with this building. … But, obviously, different time, different personnel, different times.” Last night, coach Jason Kidd said he wouldn’t be surprised if it was KG’s last time on the hardwood in Minnesota. Here’s more out of the East..
- The other potential summer suitors for Heat star LeBron James aren’t looking so hot right now, writes Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. The Cavs have been atrocious to start the year and things aren’t much better with the Knicks, who are perpetually linked to James despite not having the cap flexibility necessary. The Lakers should have the cash needed to make a run at LeBron and the other top free agents in the class, but things are pretty dysfunctional in L.A. as well.
- Nate Duncan of HoopsWorld isn’t sure what to make of the Cavs‘ situation. Nearly everyone on the Cleveland roster has disappointed offensively, including banged-up offseason-acquisition Andrew Bynum and first overall pick Anthony Bennett.
- Pacers center Roy Hibbert is confident that Jeff Green can be the Celtics‘ go-to guy, despite his inconsistencies, writes Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe. Hibbert added that with Danny Ainge at the helm, the C’s are sure to put quality talent around Green in the years to come.
- in today’s mailbag, Winderman writes that the Heat are working on grooming Quincy Douby, currently with the Sioux Falls SkyForce, strengthening his point guard skills. The Rutgers product is known for his tremendous range and scoring ability, but has never been much of a passer.
Offseason In Review: Utah Jazz
Hoops Rumors is in the process of looking back at each team’s offseason, from the end of the playoffs in June right up until opening night. Trades, free agent signings, draft picks, contract extensions, option decisions, camp invitees, and more will be covered, as we examine the moves each franchise made over the last several months.
Signings
- John Lucas III: Two years, $3.2MM. Signed via cap space. Second year is non-guaranteed.
- Jamaal Tinsley: One year, $1.4MM. Signed via cap space. Non-guaranteed. Was subsequently waived.
- Ian Clark: Two years, $1.31MM. Signed via cap space. First year is partially guaranteed for $200K. Second year is non-guaranteed.
- Mike Harris: One year, $916K. Signed via cap space. Non-guaranteed.
Extensions
Trades
- Acquired the No. 9 pick in 2013 from the Timberwolves in exchange for the No. 14 pick in 2013 and the No. 21 pick in 2013.
- Acquired the No. 27 pick in 2013 from the Nuggets in exchange for the No. 46 pick in 2013 and cash.
- Acquired the No. 47 pick in 2013 from the Hawks in exchange for the Nets’ 2015 second-round pick.
- Acquired Andris Biedrins, Richard Jefferson, Brandon Rush, a 2014 first-round pick, a 2017 first-round pick, a 2016 second-round pick, a 2017 second-round pick, and cash from the Warriors, as well as a 2018 second-round pick from the Nuggets, in exchange for Randy Foye (signed-and-traded to Nuggets) and Kevin Murphy (to Warriors).
Draft Picks
- Trey Burke (Round 1, 9th overall). Signed via rookie exception.
- Rudy Gobert (Round 1, 27th overall). Signed via rookie exception.
- Raul Neto (Round 2, 47th overall). Playing overseas.
Camp Invitees
Departing Players
- DeMarre Carroll
- Randy Foye
- Al Jefferson
- Jerel McNeal
- Paul Millsap
- Kevin Murphy
- Earl Watson
- Mo Williams
Rookie Contract Option Decisions
- Alec Burks (4th year, $3.03MM): Exercised
- Enes Kanter (4th year, $5.69MM): Exercised
Sometimes, you gotta take a step back to move forward. At least, the Jazz hope that’s true. After finishing with a .500 record last season, the Jazz realized that they were in the NBA’s dreaded middle ground. They had enough talent to be in the mix for one of the final playoff spots in the West but their upside was somewhat limited. This summer, the Jazz decided to build around their youth and position themselves for the future. It’s a plan that we could praise in next year’s Offseason In Review, but it’s not going to be pretty in the interim.
All season long, fans wondered which big man the Jazz would re-sign: Al Jefferson or Paul Millsap. The correct answer: neither. Utah allowed Jefferson to sign a hefty three-year, $40.5MM deal with the Bobcats while watching Millsap sign a two-year, $19MM pact with the Hawks. Re-signing one (or both) players would have put Utah in the pre-season Mavericks/Pelicans/Blazers/Lakers group of teams fighting for one of the final seeds. Instead, the Jazz decided to let both walk and give those minutes to Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter in order to help them develop.
The Jazz made their intentions for the 2013/14 season perfectly clear in July when they agreed to take on Andris Biedrins, Richard Jefferson, and Brandon Rush from the Warriors for a boatload of draft picks. That haul of two first-round picks (2014 and 2017 from Warriors), three second-round picks (2016 and 2017 from Warriors, 2018 from Nuggets) makes the $24MM in additional salary worthwhile for the rebuilding Jazz. The key, of course, is that all three deals have just one year remaining. Utah will go into the free agent frenzy of 2014 with just ~$27MM in commitments, a number that should give them more breathing room than just about anyone.
In the meantime, the Jazz are left with floor plans on a four-story mansion hanging in the living room of their small one-bedroom apartment. Jefferson, once a key cog on the Nets’ back-to-back Finals teams, is a shell of his former self and hasn’t averaged double digit points since the 2010/11 season he spent with San Antonio. Biedrins has regressed even further with averages of 2.9 PPG and 5.3 RPG across the last four (injury riddled) seasons. Rush should prove to be an improvement at the starting small forward position over Marvin Williams, but he’ll have to get back on the court first. Since playing ten minutes against the Nets on November 5th, Rush has yet to appear in another game. He says that he has more-or-less recovered from his torn ACL, but at this stage, he has a mental block that is keeping him from playing with comfort and confidence.
But enough about this tiny one bedroom with those horrible, noisy neighbors upstairs. Let’s talk mansion. The Jazz used their No. 14 and No. 21 picks in the June draft to trade up and grab Michigan guard Trey Burke. In a draft that could prove to be chock full of duds (just ask Cavs fans how they feel about top pick Anthony Bennett right now), Burke looks like he could be a rather solid point guard. The 20-year-old boasts tremendous passing ability and has a knack for finding the open man in traffic. He also knows how to keep command of the basketball with his high-level ball handling and he vaulted up the draft board in part because he was able to cut down on turnovers from his freshman to sophomore year. Burke completes the triple threat profile with his shooting ability and has solid range from outside. Even though eight players were taken ahead of him in the 2013 draft, it wouldn’t be surprise at all for him to stand as one of the three best talents in the class five years from now. In addition to Burke, the Jazz also picked up French center Rudy Gobert towards the end of the first round. Gobert is raw, but he has the size and defensive aptitude to develop into a solid rotation piece.
After moving on from Millsap/Jefferson, the Jazz locked up Derrick Favors, whom they hope will be a key part of their future. Utah’s four-year, $49MM deal may seem like a lot on the surface, but at the time of the signing, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports spoke with league execs who said that they would be willing to give him something in the range of $13MM per season. Frankly, the deal could turn out to be quite a bargain if Favors progresses as they hope he will. The Jazz were also hoping to hammer something out with Gordon Hayward before the Halloween deadline but it wasn’t meant to be. Hayward is now set to hit restricted free agency in the summer, but the Jazz might also be open to moving him before the All-Star break.
In the Riggin’ For Wiggins chase, the Jazz might have a leg up on everyone. It might not be easy to watch, but Utah has decided to have something of a growing pain year to see what they have in Burke, Hayward, Favors, Kanter, and Alec Burks. This time next year, the Jazz could look like the smartest team in the league. For now, they’ll have to make do in their cramped bachelor pad.
Poll: Should Mavericks Consider Dealing Dirk?
Not only is Dirk Nowitzki the heart and soul of the Mavericks, he is one of four players in the league today holding a no-trade clause. It’s certainly not likely that the Mavericks will be moving the 35-year-old big man, but in a league where some called for the Lakers to use the amnesty clause on Kobe Bryant, nothing can be ruled out. Yesterday, Mavs owner Mark Cuban told reporters that Rockets GM Daryl Morey inquired about Dirk this summer after signing Dwight Howard. While Cuban suspects that it may have been a little bit of smack talk from Houston after they beat out their intra-state rivals for the summer’s top free agent, there could have been some legitimacy behind the request. The Lakers have also come calling about Dirk, though no offer was made in that instance either.
So far, everything is looking up in Dallas this season. The Mavs are 9-4 and offseason pickup Monta Ellis is arguably playing the best basketball of his life.. Franchise cornerstone Nowitzki is faring pretty well himself, averaging 20.4 PPG though 13 games while shooting 47.8% from the floor, a number that is consistent with his career average. Still, the 35-year-old Nowitzki is in the final year of his contract and earning $22.7MM this season. One has to imagine that he’ll take a pay cut to stay with the Mavericks, the only NBA team he’s ever known, but that’s not an absolute given. While the veteran is playing well, should Dallas open up the phone lines and give some thought to trading Dirk?
Should Mavs Consider Trading Dirk?
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No 72% (474)
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Yes 28% (187)
Total votes: 661
Atlantic Notes: Nets, Kidd, Woodson, Noel
Amidst mounting criticism for Nets head coach Jason Kidd, Kevin Garnett told reporters, including Brian Lewis of the New York Post that the blame falls on the players’ shoulders and not just on Kidd. Paul Pierce echoed those sentiments, saying that everyone is accountable for the club’s slow start. Here’s this afternoon’s look at the Atlantic..
- There has been some speculation over Mike Woodson‘s job security with the Knicks, but as far as he’s concerned, it “shouldn’t be a discussion,” tweets Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com. Earlier today, Ken Berger of CBSSports.com spoke with some league execs who speculated that the Knicks could be gearing up to make a run at Kentucky coach John Calipari.
- Sixers coach Brett Brown argues that Spencer Hawes and Nerlens Noel can play together on the floor without any issues, tweets Tom Moore of Calkins Media. Unfortunately for Philly, they won’t know that for sure for quite a while.
- Kidd is preaching patience and reminding reporters that winning is a “process,” but Andy Vasquez of the Bergen Record says the Nets have to start racking up the wins in a hurry if they want to contend this season.
- Marc Berman of the New York Post (via Twitter) argues that the Nets and Knicks would be in better shape if Kidd had continued playing and fulfilled the remainder of his three-year contract.
- Jonathan Tjarks of RealGM looks to diagnose why the Knicks are a team in crisis.
Northwest Notes: Jazz, Nuggets, Faried
The Jazz are struggling quite a bit to start the season, but George Karl seems to think the Bucks will finish in the cellar and have the best odds at the top pick, writes Bob Wolfey of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. “Milwaukee keeps coming to me. They just don’t have enough talent right now. Injuries have taken their best players off the court. They could get into a position that they dig the hole so deep that, philosophically, it might be in their best interests for a poor season,” said the one-time Milwaukee coach. Here’s more out of the Northwest Division..
- In today’s mailbag, a reader asks Chris Dempsey of The Denver Post why the Nuggets would consider trading Kenneth Faried given the production that he has given Denver. Dempsey says that Faried isn’t going anywhere, though it won’t stop other teams from calling.
- Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari, who has been sidelined for quite some time, gets homesick occasionally, but he told Italian outlet Il Corriere della Sera that he wants to play in the NBA for as long as possible, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando.
- Justin Holiday signed to play with Hungary’s Szolnoki Olajbanyasz, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. Holiday, who was in training camp with the Jazz this summer, spent last season with Idaho Stampede and averaged 17.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.4 steals per game.