Hoops Rumors Originals

Hoops Rumors Originals 7/3/16-7/9/16

Here’s a look back at the original analysis generated by the Hoops Rumors staff this past week.

  • You can now view complete depth charts for every NBA team at Roster Resource, the newest addition to the Trade Rumors family.
  • Will Joseph highlighted some of the better basketball blogs around in his weekly installment of Hoops Links.
  • We ran down the unsigned draft picks of the Pacific Division‘s teams.
  • If you missed any of our daily reader-driven discussions, be sure to check out the Community Shootaround archives.
  • Arthur Hill answered reader questions in our Weekly Mailbag.
  • Here’s how you can follow Hoops Rumors on social media and RSS feeds.
  • We reviewed our commenting policy. Play nice everyone.
  • Here’s how you can follow specific players on Hoops Rumors.

2016 NBA Draft Pick Signings

Free agent signings and trades have dominated headlines in the NBA world over the last week, but teams around the league are also taking care of the rookies they drafted last month, signing them to their first NBA contracts.

For first-round picks, those contracts are fairly rigid, having essentially been predetermined. The NBA’s rookie-scale structure dictates that first-rounders will be signed to four-year deals, which include two guaranteed years, then team options in years three and four.

The value of those contracts depends on where a player was drafted. This year, No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons is in line for a four-year deal worth in excess of $26.6MM, which represents the maximum allowable 120% of his scale amount. No. 30 pick Damian Jones, on the other hand, figures to sign a four-year contract worth just under $6MM. The full breakdown of this year’s first-round rookie salaries and contracts can be found right here — if you see a first-rounder listed below as “signed,” you can assume his contract looks like that, unless otherwise indicated.

Second-round picks, meanwhile, aren’t assured of two guaranteed seasons, though some players will receive them. Teams can sign second-rounders to whatever amount they choose, using cap room or various exceptions. Those players who immediately join their NBA teams figure to get a minimum salary or something slightly above the minimum. We’ll make a note of contract details for second-rounders below, as they become available.

Finally, some second-rounders – and perhaps even some first-rounders – won’t sign in the NBA immediately, heading overseas to refine their games while their NBA teams retain their rights. We’ll make note of that below too, wherever it’s applicable.

Here’s a breakdown of 2016’s draft pick signings. This list will be updated as more draftees sign their first NBA contracts:

Round 1

  1. Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons, F (LSU): Signed
  2. Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram, SF (Duke): Signed
  3. Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown, SF (California): Signed
  4. Phoenix Suns: Dragan Bender, PF (Maccabi Tel Aviv): Signed
  5. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kris Dunn, PG (Providence): Signed
  6. New Orleans Pelicans: Buddy Hield, SG (Oklahoma): Signed
  7. Denver Nuggets: Jamal Murray, G (Kentucky): Signed
  8. Phoenix Suns: Marquese Chriss, PF (Washington): Signed
  9. Toronto Raptors: Jakob Poeltl, C (Utah): Signed
  10. Milwaukee Bucks: Thon Maker, PF (HS): Signed
  11. Oklahoma City Thunder: Domantas Sabonis, PF/C (Gonzaga): Signed
  12. Atlanta Hawks: Taurean Prince, SF (Baylor): Signed
  13. Sacramento Kings: Georgios Papagiannis, C (Panathinaikos): Signed
  14. Chicago Bulls: Denzel Valentine, SG (Michigan State): Signed
  15. Denver Nuggets: Juan Hernangomez, F (Estudiantes): Signed
  16. Boston Celtics: Guerschon Yabusele, PF (Rouen): Will play overseas
  17. Memphis Grizzlies: Wade Baldwin, G (Vanderbilt): Signed
  18. Detroit Pistons: Henry Ellenson, PF (Marquette): Signed
  19. Denver Nuggets: Malik Beasley, SG (Florida State): Signed
  20. Brooklyn Nets: Caris LeVert, G (Michigan): Signed
  21. Atlanta Hawks: DeAndre’ Bembry, SF (St. Joseph’s): Signed
  22. Sacramento Kings: Malachi Richardson, G/F (Syracuse): Signed
  23. Boston Celtics: Ante Zizic, C (Cibona Zagreb): Will play overseas
  24. Philadelphia 76ers: Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, G/F (Mega Leks): Signed
  25. Los Angeles Clippers: Brice Johnson, PF (North Carolina): Signed
  26. Philadelphia 76ers: Furkan Korkmaz, SG (Anadolu Efes): Will play overseas
  27. Toronto Raptors: Pascal Siakam, PF (New Mexico State): Signed
  28. Sacramento Kings: Skal Labissiere, PF/C (Kentucky): Signed
  29. San Antonio Spurs: Dejounte Murray, G (Washington): Signed
  30. Golden State Warriors: Damian Jones, C (Vanderbilt): Signed

Round 2

  1. Memphis Grizzlies: Deyonta Davis, PF/C (Michigan State): Signed
    • Three years, $3.923MM; fully guaranteed
  2. Los Angeles Lakers: Ivica Zubac, C (Mega Leks): Signed
    • Three years, $3.245MM; first two years are guaranteed
  3. New Orleans Pelicans: Cheick Diallo, PF/C (Kansas): Signed
    • Three years, minimum salary; first two years are guaranteed
  4. Phoenix Suns: Tyler Ulis, PG (Kentucky): Signed
    • Four years, $4MM; first two years are guaranteed
  5. Memphis Grizzlies: Rade Zagorac, SF (Mega Leks): Will play overseas
  6. Milwaukee Bucks: Malcolm Brogdon, SG (Virginia): Signed
    • Three years, $2.99MM; first two years are guaranteed
  7. Houston Rockets: Chinanu Onuaku, C (Louisville): Signed
    • Three years, minimum salary; fully guaranteed
  8. Golden State Warriors: Patrick McCaw, SG (UNLV): Signed
    • Two years, minimum salary; fully guaranteed
  9. Los Angeles Clippers: David Michineau, PG (Chalon): Will play overseas
  10. Los Angeles Clippers: Diamond Stone, C (Maryland): Signed
    • Two years, minimum salary; fully guaranteed
  11. Orlando Magic: Stephen Zimmerman, C (UNLV): Signed
    • Three years, $2.993MM; first year is fully guaranteed
  12. Brooklyn Nets: Isaiah Whitehead, SG (Seton Hall): Signed
    • Four years, $4.586MM; first two years are fully guaranteed
  13. Houston Rockets: Zhou Qi, C (Xinjiang): Will play overseas
  14. Atlanta Hawks: Isaia Cordinier, SG (Denain): Will play overseas
  15. Boston Celtics: Demetrius Jackson, PG (Notre Dame): Signed
    • Four years, $5.47MM; first year guaranteed
  16. Dallas Mavericks: A.J. Hammons, C (Purdue): Signed
    • Three years, $2.606MM; fully guaranteed
  17. Portland Trail Blazers: Jake Layman, SF (Maryland): Signed
    • Three years, $2.556MM; first two years are guaranteed
  18. Chicago Bulls: Paul Zipser, SF (Bayern Muenchen): Signed
    • Four years, $3.832MM; first two years are guaranteed
  19. Detroit Pistons: Michael Gbinije, G/F (Syracuse): Signed
    • Three years, $2.606MM; first year guaranteed; second year partially guaranteed
  20. Indiana Pacers: Georges Niang, F (Iowa State): Signed
    • Three years, $2.606MM; first year guaranteed; second year partially guaranteed
  21. Boston Celtics: Ben Bentil, PF (Providence): Signed
    • Three years, minimum salary; first year partially guaranteed
  22. Utah Jazz: Joel Bolomboy, PF (Weber State): Signed
    • Three years, $2.556MM; first year guaranteed; second year partially guaranteed
  23. Denver Nuggets: Petr Cornelie, PF (Le Mans): Will play overseas
  24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kay Felder, PG (Oakland): Signed
    • Three years, minimum salary; first year is guaranteed
  25. Utah Jazz: Marcus Paige, PG (North Carolina): Signed
    • Two years, minimum salary; first year partially guaranteed
  26. Oklahoma City Thunder: Daniel Hamilton, SG (UConn): Will play for Thunder’s D-League affiliate
  27. Memphis Grizzlies: Wang Zhelin, C (Fujian): Will play overseas
  28. Boston Celtics: Abdel Nader, F (Iowa State): Will play for Celtics’ D-League affiliate
  29. Sacramento Kings: Isaiah Cousins, SG (Oklahoma): Signed
    • One year, minimum salary; partially guaranteed
  30. Utah Jazz: Tyrone Wallace, PG (California): Will play for Jazz’ D-League affiliate

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Notable NBA Free Agents Still Available

NBA free agents weren’t officially permitted to sign new contracts or offer sheets until 12:01am eastern time this morning, but that didn’t stop the majority of this year’s marquee FAs from lining up agreements during the first six days of July.

On the eve of the 2016 free agent period, we identified our top 50 free agents of the year, along with 10 more players who deserved an honorable mention. Less than a week later, 42 of our 50 free agents are off the board, having reached agreements with teams, while just half of our 10 honorable mentions are still available.

While the market has certainly thinned out, there are still some interesting names out there for teams going bargain-hunting — or those willing to spend a little more. The top name on the list – LeBron James – isn’t going anywhere, and the same can be said about a few other players listed below too, such as Manu Ginobili. But most of the free agents listed below are candidates to change teams in the coming days or weeks.

Here’s a breakdown of many of the most notable remaining free agents, starting with the leftover players from our original top-50 list:

Players from our top 50:

  1. LeBron James, SF
  2. Allen Crabbe, SG (restricted)
  3. Festus Ezeli, C
  4. Dion Waiters, SG (restricted)
  5. Jared Sullinger, PF (restricted)
  6. J.R. Smith, SG
  7. Terrence Jones, PF
  8. Meyers Leonard, C (restricted)

Players who received a top-50 honorable mention:

Other noteworthy available players (by position):

You can find the full list of remaining free agents right here, and catch up on July’s free agent agreements and signings using our tracker.

2016 NBA Free Agency: July 6 Recap

The sixth day of the NBA’s 2016 free agent period saw longtime Heat star Dwyane Wade agree to leave Miami in order to join the Bulls. The moratorium has officially ended and the agreements that have been reported the past six days can now start to be finalized.

In case you weren’t able to follow along with our updates throughout the sixth day of free agency, a recap of the day’s highlights can be found below. Going forward though, be sure to keep tabs on our free agent tracker for all the latest updates on contract agreements for free agents.

Contract agreements:

Trade agreements:

Other notable news/rumors:

Previously:

Download Our Free Trade Rumors App

Our free Trade Rumors app for iOS and Android continues to get rave reviews.  No other app combines top quality news and rumors for three (soon to be four — the integration of Pro Hockey Rumors is coming) major sports with custom feeds and notifications for any team or player.  Check out these recent five-star App Store reviews:

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Trade Rumors is highly regarded by users, and it’s free and getting better all the time.  Download it today!

2016 NBA Free Agency: July 5 Recap

The fifth day of the NBA’s 2016 free agent period was the quietest yet, but there were still a handful of interesting stories to follow, including the fates of two longtime stars who have spent their entire careers with one team. While Dirk Nowitzki reached an agreement to re-sign with the Mavericks, Dwyane Wade remains locked in a stalemate with the Heat.

In case you weren’t able to follow along with our updates throughout the fifth day of free agency, a recap of the day’s highlights can be found below. We’ll provide these daily recaps through the last day of the July moratorium on Wednesday. Going forward though, be sure to keep tabs on our free agent tracker for all the latest updates on contract agreements for free agents.

Contract agreements:

Trade agreements:

Other notable news/rumors:

  • Dwyane Wade is reportedly seeking either $50MM over two years, or a guaranteed third year on his new contract, and remains at an impasse with the Heat. Wade is said to have received a two-year, $50MM+ offer from the Nuggets, and will meet with Denver on Wednesday. However, he canceled his previously-scheduled meeting with the Bucks.
  • Teams have been inquiring about LeBron James, who is still a free agent, but agent Rich Paul has been “politely” informing those clubs that his client isn’t leaving the Cavaliers.

Previously:

July 1 recap
July 2 recap
July 3 recap
July 4 recap

Unsigned Draft Picks: Pacific Division

With the 2016 NBA draft now in the books, the term draft-and-stash will be mentioned quite often in regard to international players and late second-rounders. While some of these athletes will eventually sign with an NBA team,  it seems like the majority of them stay overseas and never make it to the league. Those players in the latter category aren’t without value as they become trade assets for the teams holding their rights.

While many players fail to work out the way teams expect them to, they can at least become tradeable assets for teams that don’t want to part with a future second-round pick in a deal.  Each team must give up something in a trade, which is why many swaps include top-55 protected second-round picks.  Older draft rights held players who clearly will never come over to the NBA are essentially the same as flipping those heavily protected second-rounders, for all intents and purposes.

Listed below are the current unsigned draftees for the teams of the Pacific Division. These listings don’t include players selected in this year’s draft:

Golden State Warriors

  • Mladen Sekularac — Selected No. 55 overall in 2002.

Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Lakers

Phoenix Suns

  • Alec Brown — Selected No. 50 overall in 2014.
  • Dwayne Collins — Selected No. 60 overall in 2010.
  • Ron Ellis — Selected No. 49 overall in 1992.
  • Milos Vujanic — Selected No. 36 overall in 2002.

Sacramento Kings

Community Shootaround: Knicks Predictions

Knicks team president Phil Jackson‘s previous two offseasons at the helm of the franchise were underwhelming to say the least. Jackson failed to land another star in free agency to play alongside Carmelo Anthony, and if not for snagging Kristaps Porzingis in the 2015 Draft Lottery, the executive would have failed to add a true impact player during his first two years on the job.

Well, this offseason has certainly been a different story in New York thus far. Jackson has already acquired oft-injured point guard Derrick Rose from Chicago, come to an agreement on a deal with center Joakim Noah, added Brandon Jennings to spell Rose and reached a contract agreement with versatile two-way guard Courtney Lee. The team has also made a number of other low-key additions, agreeing to deals with Mindaugas Kuzminskas and Willy Hernangomez and re-signing combo forward Lance Thomas.

There’s little doubt that New York is an improved club over last year’s version, but the team and its fans should be nervous about how many games the new additions will actually be in uniform for given their respective injury histories. If Rose, Noah and Jennings can remain healthy — which is a BIG if given their track records — the Knicks could be a fun team to watch. Whether or not these moves will translate into a playoff berth is an entirely different question. One that I am posing to you this evening:

How will the Knicks’ new-look roster fare in 2016/17?

Here’s New York’s current projected depth chart, courtesy of RosterResource.com:

Starters: Rose (PG), Lee (SG), Anthony (SF), Porzingis (PF), Noah (C)

Reserves: Jennings, Thomas, Justin Holiday, Kuzminskas, Hernangomez, Kyle O’Quinn.

Are the Knicks a playoff team in 2016/17? If so, give us your win total and postseason seeding predictions. Or, if you think New York will be a bust next season, tell us why and provide us with your loss totals for the squad. We look forward to what you have to say.

2016 NBA Free Agency: July 4 Recap

The Fourth of July started out slowly in terms of NBA free agent news, but after Kevin Durant announced that he would be leaving the Thunder to join the Warriors, the dominoes began to topple, and the rumor mill stayed busy the rest of the day.

In case you weren’t able to follow along with our updates throughout the fourth day of free agency, a recap of the day’s highlights can be found below. Going forward, be sure to keep tabs on our free agent tracker for all the latest updates on contract agreements for free agents.

Contract agreements:

Trade agreements:

  • The Warriors will send C Andrew Bogut and a 2019 second-round pick to the Mavericks in exchange for a future conditional second-round pick.

Other notable news/rumors:

Previously:

July 1 recap
July 2 recap
July 3 recap