And-Ones: Rockets, Daniels, Wizards
There are a number of notable players waiting on a call from an NBA team and Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders runs them all down. Many of the best available players, including Ray Allen, Eric Bledsoe (restricted), Jermaine O’Neal, and Michael Beasley, have been featured in Hoops Rumors’ Free Agent Stock Watch series. Here’s more from around the Association..
- Alessandro Gentile‘s father Nando Gentile says that his son wants to play two more years in Italy before joining the Rockets in the NBA, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando (on Twitter). Gentile’s rights are owned by Houston, who acquired the No. 53 pick in this year’s draft to snatch him. The 21-year-old wing recently re-signed with his Italian club for three seasons.
- Scott Rafferty of Ridiculous Upside looked at what Troy Daniels could bring to the Rockets next season. Daniels made a name for himself with a big shot in the first round of last year’s playoffs and he’ll now look to cement his role as a spark plug off of Houston’s bench. Daniels shattered the D-League’s record for threes made in a season and did it in just 27 games, so his future looks pretty bright.
- Kennedy (on Twitter) opines that Xavier Silas would be a great fit in the 15th roster spot for the Wizards. Silas, who went to training camp with Washington in October, was an undrafted rookie out of Northern Illinois leading into the lockout and has since traveled the globe.
- Forward DeShawn Sims has signed in South Korea, agent Daniel Moldovan tells David Pick of Eurobasket.com (on Twitter). Sims was in camp with the Celtics last October before taking a deal in Israel.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Jermaine O’Neal
In his limited time on the floor last season, veteran big man Jermaine O’Neal proved that he still has plenty of basketball left in him. In a little over 20 minutes per contest, the 6’11” O’Neal averaged 7.9 PPG and 5.5 RPG, good for a respectable 15.3 PER rating, just above the league average. Sure, those aren’t the kind of numbers O’Neal posted during his best years (18.6 PPG, 9.6 RPG, and 2.4 BPG with a 19.5 PER) but at 35, J.O. can still be a solid piece off of the bench.
As we learned last month, the Warriors are still in regular contact with O’Neal, but he’s also giving some thought to retirement. O’Neal hasn’t lost his love for the game of basketball, but he badly wants to spend time with his family. It’s hard to blame him. The 35-year-old (36 in October) has spent the last 18 years on the road, bouncing from city to city ever since he went pro out of Eau Claire High School in Columbia, South Carolina.
In a chat with Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle in May, O’Neal admitted that he felt that he had unfinished business.
“It’s been a fantastic run,” the six-time All-Star said, while adding that he’d ask his 8-year-old son for input. “You never picture your last game being one where you can’t be effective in a Game 7. That’s a tough pill to swallow.”
O’Neal went on to thank his teammates in Golden State for “injecting life back into [his] soul” and said that he would consider a front office job with the Warriors if he doesn’t continue his playing career. You never know what might happen if an attractive contender comes calling, but as far as we know, it’s a two horse race between the Warriors and retirement at this point for O’Neal. With a long, accomplished career, plenty of cash in the bank, and a young family at home, no one would fault O’Neal for calling it quits this summer.
Hoops Links: Monroe, George, Leonard, Wizards
On this date in 2007, troubled forward Eddie Griffin died in a car crash in Houston. The former Seton Hall star had more than three times the legal alcohol limit in his system when he crashed. Griffin was drafted with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2001 draft, a testament to his talent and athleticism, but was never able to put it all together at the next level.
Got a great basketball blog post that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors? Send it to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s look around the basketball blogosphere…
- Six Championship Drive talks Greg Monroe and the qualifying offer.
- Indy Cornrows is glad to see Paul George‘s positive attitude.
- Red Rock Fantasy Basketball joined in on an industry mock draft.
- Pounding The Rock discusses Kawhi Leonard‘s next deal.
- Bullets Forever looks at how the Wizards can stop the Cavs.
- Welcome To Loud City examines OKC in a year from now.
- The Bird Writes discusses Omer Asik‘s defensive impact.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Hoops Rumors Originals
Here’s a look back at the original analysis generated by the Hoops Rumors staff this week..
- Eddie Scarito looked back at the trade that sent Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks.
- I checked in on the free agent stock of Andrew Bynum.
- Here’s a look at the late signees who made it to opening night last season, courtesy of Chuck Myron.
- Chuck compiled a list of the most expensive signing for each team this summer.
- I compiled a list of the oldest NBA players currently under contract.
- Charlie Adams looked at what an extension for Ricky Rubio might look like.
- I asked Hoops Rumors readers if the Nets and Knicks will make the playoffs. The results were pretty evenly split, but nearly 30% of you said the Nets will make the playoffs while the Knicks will be playing golf.
- Andray Blatche doesn’t need to rush, Chuck writes.
- Cray Allred asked readers to choose the free agent departure that will sting the most. Lance Stephenson won in a landslide.
- Charlie Adams looked at the market for Jordan Crawford.
- I asked if the NBA should raise its age minimum and the yes votes edged out the no votes.
- Need some buckets? Here’s a list of the top scorers on the market.
- Most of you feel that Paul George‘s injury was a fluke and that major changes don’t need to be made to how USA basketball operates.
- Cray examined Reggie Jackson as an extension candidate.
- I asked if Ray Allen will continue playing and the majority of you believe he will.
- Check out all of the great features we have here at Hoops Rumors.
- If you missed out on this week’s chat, read the transcript here.
- Chuck gathered your best comments in Hoops Rumors Featured Feedback.
Week In Review: 8/11/14 – 8/17/14
It may be something of a longshot, but Paul George told reporters this week that he’s “holding out a little hope” for a return in 2014/15. The Pacers star acknowledged that he doesn’t have any kind of timeline for his recovery and said that if he has to spend the year on the sidelines he’ll use the opportunity as a learning experience. Here’s more from the week that was..
- Greg Monroe might accept the Pistons’ qualifying offer. Meanwhile, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today says a sign-and-trade is still possible.
- The Pacers received a disabled player exception for George.
- Shawn Marion will sign with the Cavs.
- The Clippers and Doc Rivers will discuss an extension.
- Steve Ballmer officially became the owner of the Clippers.
- The Cavs are seriously considering Chauncey Billups.
- Thanasis Antetokounmpo turned down multiple European offers to attend training camp with the Knicks.
- The Raptors will sign Jordan Hamilton.
- Jason Collins is mulling retirement.
- Suns owner Robert Sarver doesn’t think the relationship between the club and Eric Bledsoe is in bad shape.
- Kevin Murphy and Dee Bost will join the Jazz for training camp
- The Kings signed Sim Bhullar.
- The Thunder have reached an agreement to sign Lance Thomas.
- The Jazz will sign Toure’ Murry.
- Former Magic guard E’Twaun Moore is expected to sign with the Bulls in the next few days.
- The Nuggets signed undrafted rookie Jerrelle Benimon.
- The Raptors are eyeing a D-League affiliate of their own and they’re in discussions with the Rochester RazorSharks of the PBL.
- Nolan Smith is headed to Turkey along with longtime NBA guard Carlos Arroyo.
- Orlando Johnson will play in Spain.
- Deonte Burton will join the Kings for camp.
- Ronald Roberts Jr. may or may not be joining the Sixers.
- Josh Childress is going down under.
- Diante Garrett will join the Blazers for camp.
- The Cavs signed Alex Kirk.
Eastern Notes: Melo, Monroe, Birdman, Celtics
Carmelo Anthony‘s new, slimmer look was spurred by his desire to lead by example for the Knicks, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post. “Amazing people have been hired [in the Knicks organization] and he wants to come in as the leader and a top-three player in the world,’’ trainer Idan Ravin said. “If [he’s] being meticulous, you should not just follow [his] word, but follow [his] actions.’’ More out of the Eastern Conference..
- If Greg Monroe signs for the qualifying offer with the Pistons, it would be in their best interest to trade him between now and the February trade deadline, writes Percy A. Farrell of the Detroit Free Press. Of course, Monroe would have the right to veto any trade after signing the QO, but Detroit would surely prefer to get something in return for the big man rather than just let him walk after the 2014/15 season.
- The Pistons could move Monroe after he signs the QO, but that’s not likely to happen, writes David Mayo of MLive.com. Monroe would lose his Bird rights if he signed off on a deal and he’s reportedly angling for a maximum contract, so any team trading for him would probably have to commit to a monster deal.
- In today’s mailbag, a reader expresses concern to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel over some of the new contracts the Heat have dished out this offseason, including Chris Andersen‘s two-year, ~$10MM pact. Winderman says that the real contract to look out for is Chris Bosh‘s as he might not be able to play well enough to attract free agents in 2016. Instead, his salary could potentially weigh down Miami in the fourth and fifth years of his deal.
- Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com polled some of the web’s foremost Celtics bloggers to ask whether Rajon Rondo will have a career year amidst the trade speculation surrounding him. The panel wound up split, with some suggesting that he can’t top what he did alongside Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce while others believe that he’ll use the trade talk as motivation to excel.
- Jordan Hamilton‘s odds of making the Raptors are slim due to the team’s full roster and glut at the wing, tweets Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun. Toronto agreed to sign Hamilton to a partially-guaranteed deal yesterday.
Paul George Holding Out Hope For 2014/15 Return
At a press conference this afternoon, Pacers star Paul George told reporters that while sitting out all of the 2014/15 season is a possibility, he’s still “holding out a little hope” that he can get back on the court, tweets Michael Lee of the Washington Post.
Of course, George knows that a return this season may be difficult to pull off as his injury required a rod to be placed in his right leg along with pins in his knees and ankles to keep it all in place (video link). George still doesn’t know what the timeline is for his recovery or ultimate return to the court, but he’ll be working hard with an eye on getting back to business this season.
George doesn’t mind “taking a year off to get better for the next season” if that’s what he needs to do and he’ll begin rehabilitating his knee as soon as next week. And while people have been quick to blame USA Basketball for the injury, George termed it as a freak accident and added that he wants to still participate in the 2016 Olympics.
The Pacers received a disabled player exception based on the prognosis that George will be out for the year but if he does beat the odds and makes a return during this upcoming season, the Pacers won’t be penalized in any fashion.
And-Ones: D-League, Garcia, Love, Bost
Sources tell Gino Pilato of D-League Digest (on Twitter) that the 2014/15 D-League season is likely to start a week earlier than last season, which could provide roster opportunities for teams. Also, with the new schedule, the regular season is set to wrap on April 4th (link). More from around the Association..
- Despite some speculation to the contrary, agent Aaron Goodwin says that client Francisco Garcia has not agreed to re-sign with the Rockets, tweets Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com. Late last month it was reported that there is mutual interest between the two sides, however.
- With Kevin Love likely heading from the Wolves the Cavs in a little over a week, Michael Rand of the Star Tribune looked at five things he’ll miss about Kevin Love and five things he won’t miss. Rand will miss Love’s willingness to take big shots and his beautiful outlet passes, but he won’t miss the All-Star’s inability to elevate the team around him and his lack of interior defense.
- Sources tell Jody Genessy of the Deseret News (on Twitter) that Dee Bost‘s deal with the Jazz is guaranteed for $65K. In total, it’s a three-year deal worth $2.35MM, tweets Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders. He’ll attend Jazz camp but will likely play in the D-League for the Idaho Stampede. In 50 games for Idaho last season, Bost averaged 15.2 PPG and 6.1 RPG in 40.5 minutes per night.
The Oldest NBA Players Currently Under Contract
They say 40 is the new 30 and there are a number of NBA free agents who are hoping that’s really true. Yesterday, we learned that the Cavs have legitimate interest in bringing Chauncey Billups aboard even though he’s coming off of a season in which he averaged just 3.8 PPG and 2.2 APG in 19 games. Of course, a veteran like Billups is probably coveted more for his experience and leadership skills than what he can contribute on the hardwood.
Billups isn’t the only older player who could have a spot on an NBA team next season. Mike James, 39, didn’t see much burn with the Bulls last year but he did finish the 2012/13 season as the starting point guard for the Mavericks, so it’s not hard to see a team having interest. Ray Allen, also 39, has been heavily linked to the Cavs and former coach Doc Rivers would love to have him join the Clippers, but he’s also considering retirement. Antawn Jamison (38), Nazr Mohammed (36), and Kenyon Martin (36) are also available, though we haven’t heard much about them in recent weeks.
As we wait to see what happens with Billups, Allen, and the rest, here’s a look at the oldest NBA players currently under contract:
- Steve Nash, Lakers: 40 (41 in February)
- Andre Miller, Wizards: 38 (39 in March)
- Tim Duncan, Spurs: 38 (39 in April)
- Kevin Garnett, Nets: 38 (39 in May)
- Vince Carter, Grizzlies: 37 (38 in January)
- Pablo Prigioni, Knicks: 37 (38 in May)
- Manu Ginobili, Spurs: 37 (38 in July)
- Jason Terry, Kings: 36 (37 in September)
- Paul Pierce, Wizards: 36 (37 in October)
Free Agent Stock Watch: Andrew Bynum
It has been a rough couple of years for center Andrew Bynum. Prior to the 2012/13 season, the big man was shipped from the Lakers to the 76ers as a part of the four-team Dwight Howard trade. Unfortunately, knee troubles cost him the entire year and he never suited up for Philadelphia.
The Cavs then seized the opportunity to sign a potentially elite big man at a discounted rate and inked him to a two-year, incentive-laden deal. Bynum conceded early in the season that his knees were still holding him back and, for one reason or another, he wanted out of Cleveland. He wrote his ticket out by shooting every time he touched the ball in practice regardless of where he was on the floor. Apparently unimpressed by his confident approach to offense and his long-distance range, the Cavs packaged his contract and draft picks to acquire Luol Deng from the Bulls. The Bulls dropped him, the Pacers picked him up, and he played in a grand total of two games for Indiana.
This isn’t quite how we all envisioned things working out for the former No. 10 overall pick. Of course, while the last couple of years have raised major concerns about Bynum’s health and general attitude, it’ll be hard for teams to overlook the potential upside in signing him. After all, he’s only a few years removed from his 2011/12 campaign where he averaged career highs in points (18.7) and rebounds (11.8) on his way to his first career All-Star nomination.
Thanks to his physical condition and reputation, one has to imagine that Bynum can be had for the minimum salary. And, even though he might not be the consummate teammate, we’d be surprised if someone wasn’t willing to roll the dice on him. Earlier this month, the Clippers reportedly auditioned the big man while also scoping out Andray Blatche and Greg Oden in the same week. Agent David Lee said in July that the Knicks could also have interest in his client while Bynum himself would like to reunite with the Lakers. One has to wonder whether the Doc Rivers-led Clippers would want to chance tinkering with locker room chemistry. Same goes for Phil Jackson in New York who waived fellow former pupil Lamar Odom after his conduct was apparently not up to par.
Bynum is also thinking about undergoing German Regenokine therapy on his knees which would cost him the entire 2014/15 season, so he might not sign with anyone for the upcoming season. And, if Bynum decides to never return at all, he won’t be hurting for cash as he has earned nearly $80MM over the course of his career.