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Central Notes: Butler, Hoiberg, Pistons, Love

December 21st, 2015 at 8:59am CST by Chuck Myron

Jimmy Butler and Fred Hoiberg met Sunday, a day after Butler made sharply critical comments about the coach, and they had what a source who spoke with K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune called a “good talk.” Bulls management likes the work it’s seen from both of them, and with both in the first year of respective five-year deals, neither is going anywhere, Johnson posits. Still, some around the Bulls are dismayed about what they perceive as Butler’s selfishness and perplexed about why he’s reluctant to embrace Hoiberg’s offense, Johnson hears. The former 30th overall pick often warms up on his own, which rubs others the wrong way and prompted Joakim Noah to have a talk with him, a source said to Johnson. Butler’s sympathizers contend that he’s just frustrated that there aren’t many who work as hard as he does, Johnson adds. See more on Butler amid the latest from the Central Division:

Butler is simply embracing the gritty attitude most would want out of a superstar, argues Vincent Goodwill of CSNChicago.com, who points out that the swingman hasn’t said Hoiberg can’t coach or that the team made a mistake with his hiring.
Any trade proposal to the Pistons would have to represent a marked upgrade in terms of talent for the team to bite, coach/executive Stan Van Gundy cautioned, as Aaron McCann of MLive.com notes. “I like the chemistry and character of our group,” Van Gundy said. “We won’t make lateral moves or marginal moves because continuity is important.”
Kyrie Irving‘s return from injury Sunday challenges the Cavs to keep Kevin Love engaged in the offense to the degree that he has been so far this season, observes Joe Vardon of the Northeast Ohio Media Group. Love felt confident as he re-signed with the team this summer that his second season in Cleveland would be better than his first, when he appeared an afterthought at times next to Irving and LeBron James.

Central Notes: Jennings, Irving, Harris, Butler

December 20th, 2015 at 12:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

After playing in his first game in nearly 11 months Saturday, Brandon Jennings was among three players recalled from the D-League today by the Pistons, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports. Jennings, who suffered a ruptured left Achilles January 24th, was sharp for Grand Rapids with 11 points and 12 assists in 27 minutes, according to Rod Beard of the Detroit News. “He’s looking good; he’s still trying to get acclimated and get back,” said Reggie Jackson, one of several Pistons teammates who attended the game. “You see the burst and the flashes and we all know the player he can be. … He’s someone we’re going to need when he gets back.” Beard speculated that Jennings could return to NBA action December 26th or 29th. Reggie Bullock and Darrun Hilliard were also recalled from Grand Rapids.

There’s more from the Central Division:

Jennings’ decision to use Grand Rapids as part of his rehab process may help change the way the D-League is used, writes Peter J. Wallner of MLive. Other players have practiced with D-League affiliates when coming back from injuries, but Jennings is the first big name to use the minor league similar to the way baseball players do. “I think this the tip of the iceberg and is the way the league should be used,” said Grand Rapids coach Otis Smith. “… For them [Pistons] to have the forethought or comfort to have him play with us is beneficial to them, but really sends a message and is beneficial for this league.”
The Cavaliers are also getting an injured point guard back, as Kyrie Irving is expected to play today against the Sixers, according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. It will be his first action since fracturing his kneecap in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. “There is no specific reason on why now,” Irving said. “… I finally got the full clearance from my doctors and our training staff, and that’s all I needed.”
The Cavaliers have recalled Joe Harris from their D-League affiliate in Canton, the team announced today. He has appeared in 10 games with the Charge, averaging 16.4 points, and five with Cleveland.
The Bulls have internal concerns about Jimmy Butler‘s “hesitancy” over the offense installed by new coach Fred Hoiberg, tweets K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. The tweet comes in the wake of critical comments Butler directed at Hoiberg Saturday night.

Jimmy Butler Criticizes ‘Laid-Back’ Hoiberg

December 20th, 2015 at 9:00am CST by Arthur Hill

Jimmy Butler may have signaled “the beginning of the end” of his time in Chicago with public criticism of new coach Fred Hoiberg, writes Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com. “I believe in the guys in this locker room, yeah,” Butler said after Saturday’s loss to the Knicks. “But I also believe that we probably have to be coached a lot harder at times. I’m sorry. I know Fred’s a laid-back guy and I really respect him for that, but when guys aren’t doing what they’re supposed to do, you got to get on guys. Myself included. You got to do what you’re supposed to do when you’re out there playing basketball.”

The 15-10 Bulls are tied for fourth place in the Eastern Conference but are having difficulty adjusting to Hoiberg’s style after years of defensive-minded “taskmaster” Tom Thibodeau, according to Friedell. Although Thibodeau’s relationship with the team deteriorated to the point where he was fired at the end of last season, Friedell notes that players always respected him and no one ever called him out through the media.

The writer points out that Butler has been making an effort to step out of the shadow of Derrick Rose and become “the face and voice” of the team. It’s not clear whether Butler will be disciplined for his comments, but Friedell speculates that he may be speaking for several players who are unhappy with Hoiberg’s coaching style. Friedell writes that the team could be “cemented or crushed” by Butler’s statement.

Either way, it’s unlikely to win him any points among the front office. Friedell writes that GM Gar Forman and executive VP John Paxson have given Hoiberg their full support since he was hired out of Iowa State over the summer and handed a five-year deal worth $25MM. Hoiberg is “entrenched” as the coach for the foreseeable future despite any player discontent, Friedell writes.

But the Bulls also made a huge commitment to Butler during the offseason. In July, he signed a five-year contract worth more than $90MM, with the expectation that he would be part of the foundation of the team for the rest of the decade. It was a near-maximum deal with a player option after the fourth year.

Now, Friedell notes, the relationship between player and coach will be closely examined for the rest of the season. It will have implications on whether the Bulls unify or splinter between supporters of Butler and supporters of Hoiberg. It’s also an issue that could linger until either Butler or Hoiberg is out of Chicago.

Was Butler justified in calling out his coach publicly? Leave a comment to share your thoughts.

Timberwolves Make Kevin Martin Available

December 17th, 2015 at 7:59am CST by Chuck Myron

The Timberwolves have made Kevin Martin available in discussions about potential trades, a source told Jon Krawczynski of The Associated Press. Minnesota wants to find more time for younger perimeter players Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine, according to Krawczynski. The potential that LaVine has shown to become a scorer and the increased amount of time Wiggins is seeing at shooting guard, plus the eight losses in nine games that the team has suffered, have helped prompt GM Milt Newton and company to put the 32-year-old Martin on the block and focus on Wiggins, LaVine and Shabazz Muhammad, Krawczynski explains.

Minnesota spoke with two teams about Martin early this season but was reluctant to move him amid a promising 8-8 start, Krawczynski writes. He began the season on the bench but the team made him a starter in late November to help him break out of a shooting slump, according to Krawczynski. The 12th-year veteran is nailing only 36.7% of his field goal attempts, a career low. Martin didn’t play in the team’s loss to the Knicks because of a sprained right (shooting) wrist, notes Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune, and he’s questionable for Friday’s game against the Kings.

Martin was a part of trade talk last winter, when a series of reports identified the Mavericks, Wizards, Bulls, Kings and Rockets as interested parties, though late Wolves coach/executive Flip Saunders didn’t appear willing to trade him or work a buyout. The Mavs, who signed Wesley Matthews in the offseason, were no longer interested as of October, according to a report at that time from Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities, and it’s unclear if any of the other teams linked to him almost a year ago are still eyeing him.

Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca speculates the Raptors might have interest, citing Martin’s track record as a scorer and an asset to team chemistry as well as his relationship with a few of Toronto’s players, though he suggests his contract could be a stumbling block (Twitter links). Martin is making $7.085MM this season with a player option for nearly $7.378MM next year.

What team do you think would make sense for Martin? Leave a comment to let us know.

Bulls Notes: Hoiberg, Brooks, Noah

December 16th, 2015 at 8:34pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Bulls are still struggling to find their identity under new coach Fred Hoiberg, but the Chicago front office remains confident that Hoiberg is the right man for the job, Nick Friedell of ESPN.com writes. Power forward Taj Gibson recalled a similar situation when former coach Tom Thibodeau was hired, Friedell adds. “It didn’t come quick,” Gibson said. “But then he just started cracking the whip and everybody got in to follow suit. And then everybody just followed his lead and we just developed a killer mentality just following his lead. I think Fred’s doing a good job. We just have to play harder for him.”

Regarding the team’s early season struggles, center Joakim Noah told Friedell, “You don’t want to be on a team when you feel like we’re not giving max effort. But I think it’s a little deeper than that. But we just got to stick together and find a way as a team. It’s not about pointing fingers at anybody, it’s about jelling as a unit. Not letting frustration get in the way, not letting adversity get in the way. It’s a lot easier said than done. So I think that as a team we have to stick together through that adversity. I think sometimes we let that adversity get the best of us.”

Here’s more from the Windy City:

Aaron Brooks didn’t expect to re-sign with the Bulls this past offseason because he believed that the team was planning to use the No. 22 overall pick this past June on a point guard, K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune relays. The team had every intention of snagging a point guard in the 2015 NBA draft but changed course when power forward Bobby Portis was still available when the Bulls were set to make their selection, Johnson notes.
In response to a reader question regarding Noah’s future in Chicago, Johnson opined that if Chicago’s offer is competitive with others in the free agent marketplace, then he expects the big man to re-sign with the team. Johnson did offer a caveat, speculating that if another team offers him a larger role or a significantly higher salary, it would make Noah’s decision extremely difficult, especially given his desire to play more than he has thus far this season.

Heat, Bulls, Celtics Make Pitches For Cousins?

December 16th, 2015 at 10:43am CST by Chuck Myron

WEDNESDAY, 10:51am: The Celtics and Kings still haven’t had any conversation about Cousins, tweets Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald. Kings GM Vlade Divac indicated that he hasn’t received a ton of calls about Cousins and again signaled that he has no intention of trading the star center, according to Sam Amick of USA Today (on Twitter).

3:37pm: Heat sources who spoke with Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel deny any link between Whiteside and Cousins (Twitter link).

TUESDAY, 2:19pm: The Heat, Bulls and Celtics are actively pursuing DeMarcus Cousins, though the Kings have no plans to make a deal, league sources tell Michael Scotto of SheridanHoops. The teams are nonetheless actively pursuing the Sacramento center, and Miami is offering Hassan Whiteside, Justise Winslow, plus others with enough salary to make a deal work, according to SheridanHoops founder Chris Sheridan. Miami would have to give up significantly more salary than the $3,463,068 that Whiteside and Winslow make to reel in Cousins, who makes nearly $15.852MM, however. The Heat are a taxpaying team, so they can’t take in any more than 125% plus $100K of what they give up in a swap.

A source tells Scotto that the Bulls are looking to find more playing time for rookie Bobby Portis, who’s stuck in a crowded frontcourt that features Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol, who can both become free agents this summer, along with Taj Gibson and Nikola Mirotic. Noah and Gibson are available, according to Scotto, though Bulls sources insist to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders that a Noah trade is not a consideration. The Celtics have copious draft assets, with as many as five extra first-round picks coming their way, though it’s unclear exactly what they’re willing to put on the table.

Cousins is signed through 2017/18, unlike Whiteside, who’s poised for free agency this summer. The Heat only have Early Bird rights on Whiteside, so they can’t exceed the cap to pay him more than the estimated average annual salary for next season, an amount that’s likely to come in far beneath his market value. Sacramento or any team that would trade for Whiteside would inherit those rights, so the Kings wouldn’t necessarily have any easier time re-signing him than the Heat would.

The Kings have held steadfast to Cousins in recent months after a flurry of rumors over the summer. They would have taken D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and a late first-rounder from the Lakers in exchange for Cousins in the offseason, but the Lakers were unwilling to do such a deal, according to Sheridan.

Eastern Notes: Okafor, Stokes, Jennings

December 15th, 2015 at 7:24pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Sixers rookie center Jahlil Okafor has already experienced various off–court incidents, but he and the team look at them as an opportunity for growth, Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune writes. “Those of us who know him or get a chance to talk to him, all you have to do is look at him and let him interact and you see there’s goodness in him,” coach Brett Brown said. “He’s a good guy. The situation that happened was unfortunate. He was ashamed, he was embarrassed. That seems like a distant memory.”

“I’m sure there are scars, but raising anybody in the NBA, let alone somebody that has a profile like he has at 19 years old, there are challenges all over the place,” Brown continued. “In a twisted way, I hope we look back at that experience — all of us, from a program’s perspective, from his perspective — and it toughens him up, it hardens him, it teaches him a real hard life lesson. We’re with him. I am personally with him. I’m very fond of him.”

Here’s more from the East:

The Pistons have not discussed any potential trades regarding injured point guard Brandon Jennings, Aaron McMann of MLive.com relays. “We haven’t one talk with anybody about him,” coach/executive Stan Van Gundy said. “I just think that people assume that with Reggie Jackson here and the way Brandon played last year, I think people just make that assumption. He’s no more or less available than anybody else we have. Until he’s back on the court and playing, there’s nothing to even talk about. My preference is, that when he’s fully healthy, he’s able to help us. That’s my preference. I’ve even talked to him about a vision going forward where he helps us even beyond this. But right now, we’re just trying to get him back.”
Bulls center Joakim Noah‘s minutes have been down this season, though according to coach Fred Hoiberg, that is more a product of the team’s frontcourt depth than a decline in the big man’s performance, K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune relays. “That’s the luxury, slash, problem we have with our bigs,” Hoiberg said. “It’s not always going to be the same guy. Taj Gibson finished the last game with Pau Gasol. Nikola Mirotic has finished a lot of games for us. And it was Jo [Saturday]. That’s what we have. We’ve got the depth to play different lineups and go with the guy that’s getting the job done.“
The Heat have recalled power forward Jarnell Stokes from their D-League affiliate in Sioux Falls, the team announced. Stokes has appeared in seven games during his two stints with the Skyforce, averaging 18.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.29 steals, 1.14 blocks in 29.0 minutes per contest.

Eastern Notes: Heat, Bulls, Hornets

December 14th, 2015 at 7:01pm CST by Will Joseph

The early returns on the Heat‘s investment of $90MM over five years in Goran Dragic are not very good because the point guard and Dwyane Wade have been struggling to work together all season, Israel Gutierrez of ESPN.com details. Dragic’s seeming lack of confidence and reluctance to take open shots are not helping to resolve the issue, Gutierrez adds. This is not a new revelation, but Gutierrez expresses concern because many thought the problem would be behind the Heat by now.

“I like seeing guys go through a struggle to see how they respond, and he responded in a very positive way,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I think it was great to see him show some character when the chips are not going your way. You can grind through it and help your team.”

Here’s more out of the Eastern Conference:

The addition of coach Fred Hoiberg was supposed to gin up the Bulls offense, but instead it’s been the mainstay of their defense that has the Bulls in third place in the Eastern Conference in spite of some disconcerting signs early this season, observes TNT’s David Aldridge, who writes in his Morning Tip column for NBA.com.
Hornets coach Steve Clifford did not dismiss the idea that Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who has a dislocated right shoulder, would appear in the playoffs, but added there is no timeline for the small forward to return, Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer tweets.
Ian Mahinmi, who is in the final year of his contract with the Pacers, has solidified his role as a solid shooting center and veteran locker room presence, Nate Taylor of the Indianapolis Star writes.

Eastern Notes: Porzingis, Whiteside, Johnson

December 13th, 2015 at 11:58am CST by ChrisCrouse

Kristaps Porzingis is having an outstanding rookie season and Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News argues that the Knicks are becoming his team. While Lupica admits that Carmelo Anthony is the current star and face of the franchise, Porzingis’ play will allow him to carry the team sooner than later. The 20-year-old is averaging 13.6 points and 8.4 rebounds, while shooting 35.4% from downtown in 27.3 minutes per game this season.

Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:

Although it will only take one team to offer him a max contract, Hassan Whiteside‘s market value may have been overstated, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel opines in his latest mailbag. Winderman points out that it seems the Heat are not fully committed to making Whiteside a focal point, citing the team’s reluctance to keep him in the game late in the fourth quarter.
While the possibility of trading for Joe Johnson seems unlikely for the Bulls due to the veteran’s $24.89MM salary, if the 34-year-old agrees to a buyout with the Nets, Chicago would be a logical landing spot, Sam Smith of NBA.com argues in his latest mailbag. Smith is merely speculating, as there has been no indication that Johnson or Brooklyn would pursue a buyout.
The Pistons have assigned Spencer Dinwiddie and Darrun Hilliard to the Grand Rapids Drive, the team’s D-League affiliate, according to their Twitter feed. Terry Foster of the Detroit News reported on Saturday that Dinwiddie might be sent down to the D-League today.

Central Notes: Monroe, Gibson, Rose, Jennings

December 13th, 2015 at 10:28am CST by ChrisCrouse

The Bucks handed the Warriors their first loss of the season on Saturday night and offseason addition Greg Monroe was a key component to the team’s success. Monroe scored 28 points while adding 11 rebounds, five assists in 35.5 minutes of action. Monroe was expected to take Milwaukee to the next level, but the team has struggled up to this point, especially on the defensive end. The team now sits at 10-15, good for last in the Central Division, but the all-around effort during the win may serve as a momentum builder for the rest of season.

Here’s a look at a few of Milwaukee’s Central Division foes:

Taj Gibson is playing well in the starting lineup and he is too valuable for the Bulls to trade him away, Sam Smith of NBA.com opines in his latest mailbag. Smith cautions while it may seem like Chicago has a glut of big men and could easily make a trade, the threat of losing Joakim Noah, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, and Pau Gasol, who will likely opt out of his current deal, makes keeping Gibson on the team imperative.
Smith, in the same piece, believes a Derrick Rose trade is highly unlikely. The Bulls currently have no intention of trading Rose and even if they did, getting value back for a player with as much injury history as the point guard has will be difficult, the scribe adds.
Brandon Jennings will be a free agent at season’s end, but the point guard is just focusing on playing at a high level as he returns from a torn left Achilles tendon, Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press writes. “If I don’t come back the way I was last year, I’m going to be very upset with myself,” Jennings tells Ellis. “I’m putting a lot of pressure on myself first right now. I’m not thinking about re-signing here, not re-signing here. I’m just thinking about getting back on the court and taking care of business.” Jennings was the subject of trade rumors before the injury and once he returns to the court, those kind of talks will likely resurface again. Dana Guaruder of Hoops Rumors examined the chances of a Jennings deal in his Trade Candidate piece and speculated that the Nets and Knicks would be good fits if the Pistons decide to ship out the 26-year-old.