Brooklyn Nets Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Fischer’s Latest: Graham, Hornets, Mavs, Fournier, Knicks, More

March 22nd, 2021 at 11:57am CST by Luke Adams

While it remains unclear how LaMelo Ball‘s wrist injury will affect the potential availability of fellow Hornets guard Devonte’ Graham, some people around the league were already skeptical that Charlotte would trade Graham this week, writes Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.

“They’ll try to keep him, and they’re willing to pay,” one assistant general manager said of Graham, who is eligible for restricted free agency this summer. Team executives polled by Fischer estimated that it may cost about $13-16MM annually on a four-year deal for the Hornets to re-sign Graham.

Ball’s injury may make the Hornets less likely to address their center position with a one-year stopgap, but it shouldn’t discourage them from remaining on the lookout for a long-term solution, per ESPN’s Zach Lowe.

Both Fischer and Lowe reiterate that Pacers center Myles Turner is high on Charlotte’s wish list, which has been previously reported. Fischer also identifies Grizzlies big man Gorgui Dieng as a potential target for the Hornets and says Charlotte has also called the Lakers asking about Montrezl Harrell.

Here’s more from Fischer:

The Mavericks have been the “loudest rumored team” for Magic guard Evan Fournier, according to Fischer, who says that one possible package would consist of James Johnson and a pair of second-round picks.
The Hawks are worth keeping an eye on as a possible Victor Oladipo landing spot, says Fischer, adding that the team has made Bogdan Bogdanovic and Cam Reddish available.
The Knicks have signaled interest in using their $15MM in cap room to accommodate a three-team deal, per Fischer. Some people within the team’s front office are against the idea of surrendering any draft assets for a player who could be signed this summer.
Fischer adds the Rockets, Pacers, and Bulls to the list of teams that have looked into a possible acquisition of Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie. Miami, Detroit, and Toronto have previously been cited as possibilities for Dinwiddie.
Although the Pelicans and Bulls had some earlier discussions centered around Lauri Markkanen and Lonzo Ball, those talks haven’t seemed substantial, sources tell Fischer.

Charania’s Latest: LeBron, Fournier, Raptors, Holmes, More

March 22nd, 2021 at 9:22am CST by Luke Adams

There’s an initial expectation that the high ankle sprain LeBron James suffered over the weekend will sideline the Lakers star for multiple weeks, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

As Charania explains, James has been incredibly durable throughout his career and has a high pain tolerance, but high ankle sprains are generally multi-week injuries and the Lakers will want to play it safe with the superstar forward to ensure he’s back to 100% by the time the playoffs begin in May. The team has a 28-15 record and isn’t in any danger of losing a playoff spot, so James won’t be rushed back.

Here’s more from Charania:

The Celtics are eyeing Magic guard Evan Fournier, sources tell The Athletic. Fournier’s $17MM expiring contract could be absorbed using Boston’s $28.5MM trade exception.
Charania adds the Raptors to the list of teams showing interest in Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie. Toronto is also – along with the Hornets – among the clubs interested in Kings center Richaun Holmes, according to Charania.
Although the Mavericks have discussed a possible Andre Drummond trade with the Cavaliers, Dallas is more likely to pursue the veteran center if he’s bought out, says Charania.
Teams around the NBA are monitoring Raptors swingman Norman Powell and Lakers wing Talen Horton-Tucker, per Charania. Both players are eligible for free agency in 2021 — Powell will be unrestricted, while Horton-Tucker will be restricted.

Nets Notes: Durant, Irving, Griffin, Johnson

March 21st, 2021 at 10:29am CST by Arthur Hill

The Nets will remain careful with Kevin Durant, who isn’t expected to return for another week or two, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Durant has already been sidelined for more than a month with a strained hamstring and Brooklyn doesn’t want to take any chances, considering that he recently returned from an 18-month absence caused by a ruptured Achilles.

Durant, who has missed 14 straight games, hasn’t played since February 13, and that appearance came after he sat out the previous week due to contact tracing. Lewis talked to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Laith Jazrawi, who said six weeks should be considered the minimum time needed to recover from a hamstring strain.

“It’s almost involved in every movement, every sort of twisting and cutting,” Jazrawi said. “So, it’s so hard to manage these patients, rest it or even rehab it because it’s just such a big muscle unit that resting it is almost impossible. It’s very difficult. Anytime you engage, do a sprint or cut quickly, the hamstrings fire.”

There’s more from Brooklyn:

Kyrie Irving is excited about what the Nets can be with the eventual return of Durant and the addition of Blake Griffin, writes Ryan Dunleavy of The New York Post. Griffin is listed as probable to make his debut with Brooklyn today and will be on a minutes restriction, tweets Malika Andrews of ESPN. “It’s just high-level talent out there,” Irving said. “So, when you can just prepare for the game and go over the X’s and O’s, you can look to your left and right and know the guys next to you have your back and you’re able to play at a high level offensively and defensively and make an impact. I look forward to it, for sure. As a competitor wanting to be on the main stage, we want all our guys healthy.”
After bouncing around the league for a couple of seasons, Tyler Johnson seems to have found a home as a three-point specialist in Brooklyn, writes Chris Milholen of NetsDaily. Johnson only plays about 15 minutes per night, but he’s connecting on a career-best 41.8% beyond the arc. “The shooting is the cherry on top but the rest of the stuff is what we love about Tyler,” coach Steve Nash said. “Just the competition, fight and energy.”
Alex Schiffer of The Athletic doesn’t expect general manager Sean Marks to be busy leading up to the trade deadline because the Nets don’t have many draft picks or young players left to offer. Schiffer believes the team will concentrate more on the buyout market and sees JaVale McGee as a better addition than Andre Drummond if both are bought out by the Cavaliers.

Blake Griffin Ready To Make Debut With Nets

March 20th, 2021 at 5:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

Nearly two weeks after signing with the Nets following a buyout with the Pistons, Blake Griffin will likely play his first game with his new team on Sunday, tweets Malika Andrews of ESPN. Brooklyn’s injury report lists Griffin as probable for tomorrow night’s game with the Wizards.

Griffin decided to join the Nets immediately after clearing waivers, but has been held out of the lineup for conditioning purposes. He hasn’t played since February 12, as Detroit kept him sidelined while trying to work out a trade. Brooklyn coach Steve Nash told reporters Friday that Griffin was close to being ready to play.

The 32-year-old forward appeared in 20 games this season for the Pistons and is averaging a career-low 12.3 points per game while shooting 36.5% from the field and 31.5% from three-point range. He played just 18 games last season before having surgery on his left knee.

Griffin talked about changing teams during an appearance Friday on “People (the TV Show!),” according to a Yahoo Entertainment story. He was promoting a new show, but the conversation also touched on basketball.

“It’s time for a change and I’m looking forward to it,” Griffin said. “It’s been great so far, and honestly I’m just looking forward to getting out there and competing and playing basketball.”

Griffin Nears Return To Action

March 19th, 2021 at 10:47pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Blake Griffin is close to making his Nets debut, coach Steve Nash told the media on Friday (hat tip to NetsDaily.com). Griffin is traveling with the team on its current road trip. “He looks good, is improving, and is working hard off the floor as well,” Nash said. “I think he is addressing all of the things he needed to address to land safely back in the game and transition into our team, which is not always easy. … He has to adapt to the way that we play, new teammates, new system, and new style.”

Scotto’s Latest: Dinwiddie, A. Gordon, A. Holiday, Bjelica

March 19th, 2021 at 11:40am CST by Luke Adams

The asking price for Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie on the trade market is believed to be a role player who can contribute this season, plus a second-round pick, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim Bontemps suggested during the latest episode of The Woj Pod that Brooklyn would seek a solid wing defender in such a deal, as NetsDaily relays.

Dinwiddie will be a fascinating trade chip to monitor at the trade deadline, since his value is difficult to pin down. His partially torn ACL will likely prevent him from playing again this season and he’s expected to opt out of his contract at season’s end, as Scotto confirms.

Dinwiddie’s Bird rights have some value, especially to teams without projected 2021 cap room, but most of those clubs without cap space are playoff teams that seem unlikely to send Brooklyn win-now assets just to get a leg up on Dinwiddie’s free agency.

Here’s more from Scotto, with six days until the 2021 trade deadline:

The Magic are thought to be seeking a first-round pick and a good young player in exchange for forward Aaron Gordon, reports Scotto. Gordon, Evan Fournier, and other Orlando players could be available at the deadline, but the team remains reluctant to move Nikola Vucevic, Scotto notes.
Pacers guard Aaron Holiday would be available for a first-round pick, league sources tell Scotto. Indiana has always thought highly of Holiday, but a first-rounder may be an ambitious ask, given his reduced role and his underwhelming production (including a .377 FG%).
Several opposing executives believe the Kings will be able to get a second-round pick for Nemanja Bjelica, says Scotto. If Sacramento is willing to take on salary beyond this season, a stronger return could be in play, but the team would prefer not to do so, sources tell HoopsHype.

Brown Excited For Perry's Return To Brooklyn

March 18th, 2021 at 6:53pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

During a conversation on the Glue Guys Podcast, do-everything Nets guard Bruce Brown expressed his excitement about rookie power forward Reggie Perry, freshly returned to Brooklyn after logging time in the G League “bubble” for the Long Island Nets. As relayed by Net Income of Nets Daily, Brown raved about Perry.

Heat Notes: Dinwiddie, Ariza, Gay, Bjelica, Winslow

March 18th, 2021 at 10:23am CST by Luke Adams

The Heat are among the teams with interest in Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv, who previously reported that Detroit is eyeing Dinwiddie as well.

Miami’s interest in Dinwiddie is curious — the Heat presumably want to make a push to get back to the NBA Finals, and the 27-year-old is considered likely to miss the rest of the season due to a partially torn ACL. It also may be tricky for Miami to make a deal with another Eastern Conference contender, lest they risk strengthening a potential playoff opponent.

On top of that, the Heat have the ability to open up some cap space this offseason, so Dinwiddie’s Bird rights wouldn’t be as valuable to them as they would be to teams without any projected room. So while it’s not impossible to imagine Brooklyn and Miami making a deal involving the veteran guard, it seems somewhat unlikely.

Here’s more on the Heat:

In the wake of Miami’s acquisition of Trevor Ariza, Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald breaks down what the deal means for the team, while Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald gets some feedback from an NBA scout on the 35-year-old’s fit. Ariza has typically played the small forward position, but Jackson’s source expects him to be a de facto power forward in Miami. “In today’s day and age, Ariza can be a four,” the scout said. “There’s so little distinction between threes and fours when you look at who’s on the floor. I don’t think that’s a problem at all.”
Within the same story, Jackson suggests that it may no longer make sense for the Heat to pursue some veteran forwards who were previously believed to be targets, such as Rudy Gay and Nemanja Bjelica. And while LaMarcus Aldridge remains a possibility in a buyout scenario, Jackson is unsure the Spurs big man would get a ton of playing time in Miami if Kelly Olynyk continues to play well and Ariza establishes himself as a rotation player.
Before playing his old team for the first time on Wednesday, Grizzlies forward Justise Winslow expressed gratitude to the Heat, with whom he spent the first four-and-a-half years of his NBA career. “More than anything, I want to see those faces, just to tell them, ‘Thank you,'” Winslow said, per Michael Wallace of Grizzlies.com. “Because I wouldn’t be here without their guidance and without their support. It’s no hard feelings, just a lot of gratitude from me.”

Durant Still A Few Weeks Away From Return

March 17th, 2021 at 8:27pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Nets head coach Steve Nash says that All-Star forward Kevin Durant remains a few weeks away from a return to game action, according to Malika Andrews of ESPN. Durant continues to recover from a right hamstring strain that has kept him sidelined since February 13. “We’re monitoring it and expect him to make a full recovery,” Nash said. “And hopefully it won’t be too long. But he’s probably got a couple weeks of ramp-up left.”

Kyrie Irving Out; Meeting With Caris LeVert On Tap

March 17th, 2021 at 3:12pm CST by Luke Adams

The Nets will be missing two of their stars for Wednesday’s game in Indianapolis, as Kyrie Irving (right groin soreness) has been ruled out (Twitter link). Kevin Durant (hamstring) also remains on the shelf, and Blake Griffin (injury management) also hasn’t been given the green light to make his Brooklyn debut.
As Zach Braziller of The New York Post writes, the Nets are looking forward to an emotional reunion on Wednesday with Pacers guard Caris LeVert, who has had an eventful two months since being traded to Indiana. LeVert underwent surgery to treat renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer, but is already back on the court for the Pacers. “We’re really proud that Caris is returning to play here,” Nets head coach Steve Nash said. “He’s incredibly well-loved in this organization, a world-class human being, a terrific basketball player. There’s no doubt everyone here is rooting for him.”