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Prospect Profile: James Michael McAdoo

June 26th, 2014 at 9:00am CST by Zachary Links

James Michael McAdoo has been on the radar of NBA teams for a long time now and tonight they’ll finally have their chance to grab him.  The UNC forward, thanks to his athleticism and 7’1″ wingspan, has scouts from around the league intrigued.NCAA Basketball: ACC Tournament-North Carolina vs Pittsburgh

McAdoo has displayed very impressive north-south speed as well as lateral movement.  With great quickness for his build, the 21-year-old is able to guard players of all shapes and sizes.

“It’s my wingspan coupled with my foot speed that allows me to guard the smaller guys as well.  I know how to move my feet to stay in front of my man and that’s something other guys at my position just can’t do.  At power forward there are a lot of screens on the ball and switches and I’ll get paired off with smaller guards.  That’s just something you have to be able to handle,” McAdoo told Hoops Rumors.

McAdoo’s aforementioned wingspan also allows him to disrupt passing lanes and challenge adept ball handlers.  The combo of arm length and speed also allows him to beat opponents to the punch easily in transition.  His post game hasn’t always been on the same level but this season he took some noticeable strides forward.

“I think the biggest thing going into this last year and my workouts is just doing what I’m comfortable with doing.  I think when I first got to UNC I did a lot of things that weren’t in my comfort zone, and that includes working with my trainer on how to post up in the block,” McAdoo explained.  “Now, especially after this last season, I feel like when I’m in the post I can get the shot opportunity that I want to, no matter what I’m being given by the defender.”

In addition to improving his post game, McAdoo has been working hard to be a more consistent jump shooter.  McAdoo can be a contributor on both sides of the floor, but he’ll need a reliable mid-range shot to really round out his offensive profile.  He’s also working to create his own scoring opportunities off the dribble.

The UNC product’s free throw shooting has left something to be desired and that’s another issue he’ll have to work on at the next level.  This past season, McAdoo shot 53.7% from the charity stripe, the lowest mark of his three collegiate seasons.  The power forward knows that it’s simply a matter of quieting his mind when it’s his turn at the line.

“I think the biggest thing is my mental approach.  I’ve made couple of minor adjustments with my trainer and I’m trying to make my shot more consistent from the stripe.  Still, I think the biggest thing is getting comfortable and confident at the line.  It’s really not a problem for me anymore.  All I do now is play basketball and I’m in the gym every day working on it.  The difference has been drastic,” said McAdoo.

McAdoo could have been a lottery pick if he jumped into the draft after his freshman season and a first-round pick still if he declared himself eligible after his sophomore campaign, but he has no regrets about his extended stay in Chapel Hill.  By staying through his junior year, McAdoo was able to put himself within arm’s length of earning his history degree (he says he will return to finish his coursework) and spend a little extra time with now-wife Lauren Adkins, a volleyball standout at UNC.

The mock drafts have McAdoo pegged as a late second-round pick, but he’s never been one to pay attention to those projections.  After working out for a baker’s dozen of NBA teams, McAdoo is ready to sit back and watch everything unfold from the couch tonight along with his family.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.  

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Offseason Outlook: Oklahoma City Thunder

June 26th, 2014 at 12:30am CST by Zachary Links

Guaranteed Contracts

Options

  • Grant Jerrett ($816,482, Team)*

Non-Guaranteed Contracts

Free Agents / Cap Holds

Draft Picks

  • 1st Round (21st overall)
  • 1st Round (29th overall)

Cap Outlook

  • Guaranteed Salary: $67,592,441
  • Options: $816,482
  • Non-Guaranteed Salary: $1,250,000
  • Cap Holds: $11,609,943
  • Total: $81,268,866

Over the last few days, teams have been daydreaming of scenarios in which they could clear enough cap space to sign LeBron James and/or Carmelo Anthony.  The Thunder are not one of those teams.  With a strong, young core, Oklahoma City knows that it can stand pat and remain as one of the top teams in the Western Conference.  The small moves the club makes beyond that, however, will dictate its chances to overtake the Spurs, Clippers, Rockets, and the rest of that truly vicious half of the NBA.

The team’s biggest priority will be to replace Thabo Sefolosha, who has about as good of a chance as returning to OKC as Clay Bennett has of winning the key to the city in Seattle.  Sefolosha, as we all know, is an extremely tough perimeter defender, but offers little in the way of scoring.  The Thunder can bump Jeremy Lamb into the starting two-guard role, but they’ll still need depth behind him if they go that route.

OKC will also be on the lookout for some frontcourt depth behind key big man Serge Ibaka and last year’s first-round pick Steven Adams.  Kendrick Perkins saw his role shrink a bit last season and his 3.4 PPG average was his lowest in years.  Nick Collison, who, like Perkins, is set to become a free agent after this coming season, also hasn’t satisfied all of the team’s needs.  Perkins might be changing teams before next summer, by the way, as OKC could very well amnesty him and his considerable salary.

The Thunder will also need to add depth at point guard, since one of the guys who played behind Russell Westbrook is now coaching the Knicks.  Seeing the soon-to-be 40-year-old Derek Fisher go might feel like a big loss to Kevin Durant and the Thunder, who looked to the veteran for leadership, but they can do a whole lot better from a basketball standpoint.  The stats weren’t kind to Fisher as he shot just 39% from the floor and posted a PER of just 10.1, though both figures actually represent improvement over the previous few years.  They won’t find anyone with the athleticism to match Westbrook, but they can certainly get someone quicker than Fisher with better scoring ability.

General Manager Sam Presti doesn’t have a ton of cap space to fill these needs, but he is armed with two first-round draft picks in one of the deepest classes in recent memory.  With picks at Nos. 21 and 29, the Thunder can’t take care of every hole, but they can plug two of the three.

At the time of this writing, DraftExpress has the Thunder drafting UConn point guard Shabazz Napier and Clemson small forward K.J. McDaniels.  Napier isn’t a world-class distributor, but he’s made strides in this area and would certainly bring the scoring that Fisher did not.  Taking McDaniels at No. 29 would give the Thunder one of the most athletic wings in the draft and, with the right tutelage, a defender to help fill the void left by Sefolosha’s departure.  ESPN’s Chad Ford, meanwhile, has OKC pegged to take UCLA small forward Kyle Anderson and his teammate, shooting guard Jordan Adams.  Anderson has the versatility to cover multiple positions and could help the Thunder in a number of areas.  Adams doesn’t have the athletic ability of the aforementioned players but he certainly knows how to put up points.  The Thunder were reportedly ready to use the No. 21 pick on 18-year-old Latvian power forward Kristaps Porzingis, but the big man surprised everyone by withdrawing from the draft just prior to the deadline earlier this month.  Some believe that the 7-footer could wind up as a top five pick in the 2015 draft.

Outside of the draft, the Thunder still have a trade exception left over from the Kevin Martin swap with the Timberwolves.  OKC has the ability to tack on $6.6MM in salary and the Thunder would be wise to use it if they can get the clearance from up top.   Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman recently suggested that the Thunder could use the exception to trade for Knicks guard Iman Shumpert.  Shumpert was lost in coach Mike Woodson‘s system last year and there’s no guarantee that he’ll be any better utilized under Fisher and Phil Jackson.  The Knicks, we imagine, would also appreciate the salary relief as they try to extend their resources and appease free agent Carmelo Anthony.  The Thunder could promote Lamb to the starting two-guard role, bring Shumpert on in support, and — assuming they don’t lose one of them in this hypothetical trade — use their two first-rounders to satisfy their needs at point guard and in the frontcourt.

Internally, the Thunder might also like to take care of guard Reggie Jackson with a contract extension.  Presti has appeared to downplay this notion, but it’s hard to see the Thunder not being open to working out a new deal between now and Halloween.  “Generally, these things don’t happen in July, and the trend now is they don’t happen by the October 31st deadline,” Presti said earlier this month.  The Thunder traded James Harden rather than give him the contract he wanted, but Presti doesn’t foresee the same thing happening with Jackson.

While OKC’s trade exception could become a factor between now and its expiration date on July 11th, much of the heavy lifting this summer will take place in the draft.  Stay tuned, Thunder fans.

Cap footnotes

* — Jerrett’s cap hold would be equal to the amount of his option if the Thunder declines the option, unless the team elects to tender a qualifying offer. In that case, his cap hold would be $1,016,482, equal to the amount of the qualifying offer.
** — Thabeet’s salary becomes fully guaranteed if he’s not waived on or before September 1st.
*** — See our glossary entry on cap holds for an explanation of why Fisher’s cap hold technically remains on the books for the Thunder even though he’s taken the head coaching job for the Knicks, thus retiring as a player.

ShamSports and Larry Coon’s Salary Cap FAQ were used in the creation of this post.

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Hoops Rumors Mock Draft 4.0

June 25th, 2014 at 6:57pm CST by Alex Lee

The 2014 NBA Draft is almost here. What started as one of the most highly anticipated drafts in recent memory has quickly morphed into one of the most action-packed. Joel Embiid went under the knife and is expected to miss four to six months, but he remains a tantalizing seven-foot talent. Meanwhile, there is an even mix of teams at the top of the draft that either tanked to get there or have a mandate to win now. This makes Embiid’s landing spot doubly hard to predict. Where will risk and reward intersect?

Behind Embiid, there are arguably seven prospects that would have been the No. 1 overall selection in last year’s draft. This has made the draft’s top selections simultaneously invaluable and expendable, as some teams eye veteran superstars while others reportedly consider trading back since there is so much quality depth. Throw in post-lottery variables like the position-less T.J Warren and Kyle Anderson and the news that Dario Saric will be overseas for at least two more seasons, and Thursday night should be wild.

Below is our fourth and final attempt to predict how things will play out at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. We have mixed in some trade commentary due to the overwhelming amount of rumors that are floating around. Beyond that, these picks are based on what we’re hearing around the league, our player evaluations, and what we perceive to be a team’s draft needs. Whether you’re an aspiring draft pundit or merely an excited fan, we welcome your opinion in the comments section.

  1. Cleveland Cavaliers – Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins entered his freshman season at Kansas as the favorite to become the No. 1 overall pick. Whether Cleveland trades this pick or decides he is a better fit than Jabari Parker, I am betting he still ends up here. The defensive potential and athleticism of Wiggins better compliment franchise centerpiece Kyrie Irving.
  2. Milwaukee Bucks – Jabari Parker. If the Bucks have truly narrowed their selection down to Wiggins or Parker, then they should have a stress-free start to Thursday night. The Bucks and Parker, a Chicago native, have had a mutual interest all along according to reports. Milwaukee is seemingly the only team in the top eight that hasn’t had serious discussions to trade their selection, though it sounds like most of the roster would be available.
  3. Philadelphia 76ers – Dante Exum. The Sixers are trying to trade up while simultaneously thinking about trading Michael Carter-Williams in hopes of landing another top-10 selection. They also still may have interest in Embiid at three. It’s going to be a busy night for GM Sam Hinkie. If they stay put, my guess is they take Exum and either pair him with MCW or move the reigning Rookie of the Year. Even if they swap picks with the Cavs, Exum could still be the pick here.
  4. Orlando Magic – Joel Embiid. There is doubt that the Magic want to take a prospect here who might not get on the floor this season, even one with the talent of Embiid.
    Unless Philly includes its No. 10 selection, the Magic also seemingly have the most enticing trade package for Cleveland. However this shakes out, I don’t buy that Embiid will fall much beyond No. 4. Maybe Hennigan rolls the dice, maybe the Cavs move back for him or maybe someone like Boston moves up, but this is the spot for Embiid.
  5. Utah Jazz – Noah Vonleh. Parker’s Mormon faith makes him an enticing target for Utah. If the Jazz make a move happen, expect them to do so for the Duke product. Should the Jazz stay at five, Vonleh is the pick with Exum already in Philly. Should the Magic opt for Vonleh at four, the Jazz would likely decide between Aaron Gordon and Marcus Smart. Look for them to address their backcourt with their other first-rounder.
  6. Boston Celtics – Aaron Gordon. Danny Ainge is not one to maintain the status quo. He will likely either add a Kevin Love type to go with Rajon Rondo or move Rondo and start over with youth. Boston has been a popular destination for Embiid since the news of his injury. With the Kansas center going to Orlando here, the C’s will snatch the uber-athletic Gordon. Smart would be the other potential pick for Boston.
  7. Los Angeles Lakers – Julius Randle. If the Lakers can ship this pick to Philly for MCW and Thaddeus Young, I don’t see why they wouldn’t. That would give Mitch Kupchak the best of both worlds: youth for the long term and help for Kobe Bryant now. Randle would also help the Lakers next year and makes sense for Philly too after they took a guard at No. 3.
  8. Sacramento Kings – Marcus Smart. It sounds like the Kings are trading this selection in hopes of making a playoff push next year. If they’re shrewd, they’ll stay put in this scenario and scoop up Smart, who would be a steal at No. 8. This is also the highest Elfrid Payton could go. Both are high-character types who would be great additions to the Sacramento locker room.
  9. Charlotte Hornets – Doug McDermott. The Hornets need shooters, making McDermott, Nik Stauskas or Gary Harris the most likely selections here. McDermott offers a little bit of Josh McRoberts insurance as well, though Charlotte would use the two differently. The priority at No. 9 is to get Al Jefferson some immediate help on the offensive end.
  10. Philadelphia 76ers – Nik Stauskas. News that Saric will stay in Europe for at least two more seasons makes Philly a less likely destination for him at No. 10, though I still wouldn’t rule it out. In theory, what happens with their first pick (or two if they move MCW) will affect this selection. But I think Hinkie is just as concerned with obtaining valuable assets as he is with putting together pieces that fit. Stauskas and Harris are the top options here.
  11. Denver Nuggets – Gary Harris. I’ve had Harris going to Denver in the last two mocks and I’m sticking with it. This is right around where he is on most big boards. He perfectly aligns with the Nuggets’ needs and he even makes sense if this pick is dealt to Chicago. This is the part of the draft where names like Zach LaVine, James Young and Rodney Hood will start to pop up.
  12. Orlando Magic – Elfrid Payton. Unless they somehow nab Exum with their first pick, the Magic will be looking point guard here. Payton apparently went toe-to-toe with Smart in workouts and destroyed every other guard he faced, resulting in his rise up draft boards. Pairing him with Victor Oladipo gives them a backcourt duo chock full of intangibles. Moving Arron Afflalo will open up a hole on the wing, bringing Young and LaVine into the mix.
  13. Minnesota Timberwolves – Adreian Payne. If Klay Thompson or Harrison Barnes (or both?) is Minnesota-bound, it will mollify the Wolves’ need for wing shooting to go with Ricky Rubio. Payne’s ability to stretch defenses from the four will also help on O, while his size and toughness should bolster an anemic interior defensive unit.
  14. Phoenix Suns – Dario Saric. Saric’s commitment to Anadolu Efes will make him a tempting option for every team picking in the teens. There’d be little reason why Phoenix, which has three first round picks, wouldn’t take him here. It would be awfully risky to hope he’s there at No. 18. The Suns were a good bet to stash a prospect from overseas, and now the best one not named Exum might fall right into their lap.
  15. Atlanta Hawks – Zach LaVine. Some believe Mike Budenholzer is destined to make the Hawks the Spurs of the Eastern Conference. Could Kyle Anderson go here as a Boris Diaw type? Could the Hawks overlook T.J. Warren’s positional questions and pull the trigger on the N.C. State star? Maybe, but I think LaVine has too much upside to pass on at No. 15.
  16. Chicago Bulls – P.J. Hairston. The Bulls are in on all the available NBA stars, whether via trade or free agency. They also have interest in moving up to grab a shooter. Payne would fit great if he falls to 16. Hairston would be a reach at No. 16 according to most draftniks, but I love him, especially for Chicago. He gives the Bulls a shooter/scorer and adds more toughness to a roster full of it.
  17. Boston Celtics – James Young. There haven’t been many reports linking the Celtics to Young, but at No. 17 they’d be hard-pressed not to take him. He already possesses a polished offensive arsenal, making him a nice compliment to Gordon (whom the C’s added at No. 6). If Ainge opts to go into full rebuild mode, Boston could target Tyler Ennis or Shabazz Napier here to replace Rondo.
  18. Phoenix Suns – Rodney Hood. The Suns are one of few teams to have had Hood in for two workouts, suggesting that they’re serious about drafting the Duke product. He fills Phoenix’s need on the wing and provides mid-to-long range shooting. Young would fit here and I think the Suns are a sleeper for Warren, too.
  19. Chicago Bulls – Shabazz Napier. It’s well-documented that the Bulls need shooting, but they need point guard help, too. Whether it is Love, Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James, Chicago is a good bet to land a major piece who will help their offensive woes. I think the team’s need to back up Derrick Rose with a legitimate point guard is underrated, and at least one report says the Bulls prefer Napier to Ennis.
  20. Toronto Raptors – Tyler Ennis. A week ago I had Payton in this spot, but he has since rocketed up draft boards. Smart, Payton and Napier have all outshined Ennis in workouts. Jordan Clarkson could also pass him, but taking a local product who fits a need makes a lot of sense at No. 20 for the Raptors. Ennis might be boring, but his steadiness makes him a good bet to stick in the league.
  21. Oklahoma City Thunder – Jusuf Nurkic. Many projections have the 280-pound Bosnian going much earlier than this, a trend that started in the last week or so. I still believe Saric will be the first European off the board, though I concede that Nurkic probably won’t fall beyond No. 21. Teams with multiple first rounders — like the Thunder, Bulls, Suns, Celtics and Jazz — all are potential landing spots for him.
  22. Memphis Grizzlies – T.J Warren. K.J. McDaniels and Jarnell Stokes are tailor-made for the “grit and grind” in Memphis and Anderson would be an intriguing addition for a team without much offensive creativity. That said, Warren should be the pick if he’s available at No. 22. He just knows how to score and is ready to play right now, making him a steal for the Grizz.
  23. Utah Jazz – Jordan Clarkson. Clarkson makes sense whether the Jazz land Vonleh or trade up to add Parker. The Mizzou product would give the Jazz two guards who can play both positions and, most importantly, provide the type of shot-making their roster lacks. Hairston fits if he’s on the board here, as does Jordan Adams.
  24. Charlotte Hornets – Mitch McGary. Charlotte has perhaps promised McGary it will take him at No. 24. While it’s certainly not a binding commitment, the Michigan big does make sense here for the Hornets, who are intent on adding size after securing a shooter at No. 9. If he’s healthy, he’s a nice combination of safety and upside.
  25. Houston Rockets – K.J. McDaniels. The Rockets could use some more bulk, making Stokes a possibility here. They also need another defender, which is where McDaniels comes in. Patrick Beverley is great, but his size and offensive limitations necessitate another option to help compensate for the defensive indifference of James Harden.
  26. Miami Heat – Kyle Anderson. Pat Riley sounds confident he’ll retain his three superstars, so it’s safe to assume he will draft accordingly. Erik Spoelstra has already shown he can blend talented pieces, which should soften any reservations about grabbing Anderson. No one seems sure how he’ll play offense or if he’ll play defense, but this is a highly skilled player.
  27. Phoenix Suns – Cleanthony Early. I had Clint Capela pegged to Phoenix here last week, but after stealing Saric at No. 14, that becomes unlikely. The Suns are sure to use one of their three picks on an international player they can stash and the other two on wings. Early will help next year and offers a completely different skill set than Hood, whom they took at No. 18.
  28. Los Angeles Clippers – Jarnell Stokes. Stokes is a personal favorite and it wouldn’t be surprising if he went in the early 20s. He has NBA-ready bulk and skill but some question how he will handle length. At 6’9″ and 260 pounds, he has the same measurements as Jared Sullinger. His physicality would fit nicely behind the explosiveness of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.
  29. Oklahoma City Thunder – Jordan Adams. After securing Nurkic at No. 21, the Thunder are likely to seek perimeter help and someone who can contribute soon at No. 29. Adams lacks athleticism but that isn’t a huge problem in a backcourt with Russell Westbrook. Shooting guard is a need in OKC with Thabo Sefolosha a long shot to return.
  30. San Antonio Spurs – Clint Capela. The Spurs will have most of their championship core back, enabling a number of possibilities to close out the first round. Capela is well worth a flier at 30, as is 7’3″ Walter Taveras. If the Spurs opt for a college player, Jerami Grant and Glenn Robinson III are potential fits.
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Schedule Of Contract Guarantee Dates

June 25th, 2014 at 9:29am CST by Chuck Myron

In April, we listed the dates prior to July 1st on which the contracts of certain players will become guaranteed. Today, with the help of ShamSports’ contract database and the Basketball Insiders salary pages, we’ll go one step further, creating a timeline of guarantee dates for everyone who currently has a non-guaranteed deal for 2014/15.

Using the following list, we can track various cap commitments as they arise starting now and continuing until next January. Unless otherwise indicated, these players are on minimum-salary contracts. Their contracts will become guaranteed for the given amounts if they’re not waived on or before the dates indicated.

For instance, in the first example on the list, Andre Miller‘s contract with the Wizards is currently guaranteed for $2MM. If he’s not waived on or before Saturday, it becomes fully guaranteed for $4.625MM. If Washington releases him by that deadline, the team would still pay the $2MM he’s already owed, but it would save the other $2.625MM.

Players listed multiple times will have their guarantee amounts increased the longer they remain on a roster. For example, Erik Murphy will earn $100K if he remains on his contract beyond August 1st. That amount will increase to $200K if he’s still under contract past opening day. Murphy’s contract would eventually become fully guaranteed if he’s still hasn’t been cut by the leaguewide contract guarantee date.

The only caveat to these dates is that the players will earn the relevant salary guarantees listed below if a team claims them on waivers. So, if Murphy is waived August 1st and another team claims him on August 3rd, he still pockets the $100K.

Here’s the complete list:

(Updated 10-30-14 at 8:50am)

November

December

Players with no specific guarantee date written into their contracts will have their deals for 2014/15 fully guaranteed if they’re not waived on or before January 7th, 2015. Here are those players, in alphabetical order:

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Offseason Outlook: Philadelphia 76ers

June 23rd, 2014 at 10:36pm CST by Zachary Links

Guaranteed Contracts

Options

Non-Guaranteed Contracts

Free Agents / Cap Holds

Draft Picks

  • 1st Round (3rd overall)
  • 1st Round (10th overall)
  • 2nd Round (32nd overall)
  • 2nd Round (39th overall)
  • 2nd Round (47th overall)
  • 2nd Round (52nd overall)
  • 2nd Round (54th overall)

Cap Outlook

  • Guaranteed Salary: $19,553,989
  • Options: $7,664,509
  • Non-Guaranteed Salary: $6,167,100
  • Cap Holds: $7,619,625
  • Total: $41,005,223

In the modern NBA, teams believe that you have to move in one of two directions: either toward the No. 1 record or toward the No. 1 pick.  We all know which way the Sixers went last season.  Now, armed with more picks than any other team in the 2014 draft, GM Sam Hinkie has to show fans that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The 76ers won’t be expected to contend this season but there has to be an improvement over their 19-63 mark.  Any discussion of the 76ers’ offseason has to start with Thursday’s draft.  The 76ers have been heavily connected to Kansas’ Andrew Wiggins since they’re in desperate need of an impact wing.  Unfortunately for them, Joel Embiid‘s injury figures to have a domino effect at the top of the draft that could leave them shut out of their guy at No. 3.  Wiggins could have been there for Hinkie with Embiid and Jabari Parker coming off the board at Nos. 1 and 2, but Embiid being taken out of the picture makes Wiggins seem like the best option for the Cavs at the top of the draft.  If Hinkie is dead set on landing Wiggins, the consensus No. 1 overall pick before the 2013/14 college season got underway, he could try getting on the phone with the Cavs and offering up the No. 3 and other picks.  However, that’s probably a long shot given the win-now directive that has been handed down for Cleveland by owner Dan Gilbert.

A truly pragmatic approach to the situation would be for the 76ers to draft Embiid.  Yes, Embiid will be out of commission for at least four to six months.  And, yes, Embiid had some pretty serious back trouble that was causing red flags before the foot injury.  And, yes, the 76ers are still waiting on Nerlens Noel to make his NBA debut.  But, if Embiid comes back strong from the injury and doesn’t miss extended time, he could very well turn out to be the best talent in the entire class.  Besides, the Sixers can get someone at No. 10 who can come in and hit the ground running while the KU big man heals up.

A third scenario for the Sixers at No. 3 would be drafting Australian guard Dante Exum.  It has been an open secret for months that the Sixers are high on the 6’7″ 19-year-old but, of course, he’s not a fit with Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams running the point.  But what if he wasn’t anymore?  Philly is said to be open to trading MCW and there’s no question that he could yield something of considerable value.  The Syracuse product averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.2 rebounds in 34.5 minutes per game this past season, but his shooting deficiencies are troubling and his 15.5 PER casts him as more of a big fish in a small pond than anything.  In theory, Philly could try pairing Exum and Carter-Williams in the backcourt together, but shooting isn’t Exum’s strength either.  The Sixers wouldn’t fetch nearly as much for last year’s No. 11 overall pick if he goes out and shoots 26.4% from downtown again without someone to help cover up his lack of range.

There are plenty of possibilities at No. 3 and there are also tons of options at No. 10, depending on how the draft plays out.  If the Sixers don’t pluck Embiid at No. 3, there are a couple of very promising bigs that could fall to them at their second first-round slot.  The Celtics (No. 6) and Lakers (No. 7) are thought to covet Aaron Gordon, but it’s conceivable that he falls.  Same goes for Julius Randle, a player who not long ago was thought to be a certainty for the top five.

The 76ers currently hold an eye-popping seven picks (Nos. 3, 10, 32, 39, 47, 52, 54) and while at least one or two of those picks figure to be used on European draft-and-stash candidates, Philly is expected to trade a few of them, either to land a veteran or to perhaps acquire a third first-round pick.  If they take some of those choices and package them with Thaddeus Young, they could get the kind of impact piece they’re looking for.  A trade could be beneficial for all parties involved.  Young stopped short of demanding a trade this spring but he said that requesting a change of scenery was a possibility.  The former lottery pick is coming off of a season in which he averaged a career-high 17.9 PPG and even though the increased scoring load caused a dip in efficiency, it stands to reason that he’ll have suitors if he’s put on the block.  Of course, Young is completely expendable if Randle or Gordon falls to Hinkie’s lap at No. 10.  A scenario where the 76ers draft Exum and Randle or Gordon while turning MCW and Young into a starting-caliber shooting guard and small forward sounds like a pretty solid plan.

With more draft picks than guaranteed contracts on the roster and less than ~$30MM on the books, the possibilities for the 76ers are endless.  Much of what they do this offseason will hinge on what happens with the first and second overall picks and the timetable that Hinkie wants to pursue.

Cap footnotes

* — The Sixers waived Maynor in March in spite of a player option on his contract for 2014/15. Since he didn’t have a chance to decide on that option, Philadelphia owes Maynor his salary for next season, just as if Maynor had opted in.
** — Richardson has reportedly opted in, but if there’s somehow a last-minute change and he opts out, his cap hold would be $9,306,375.
*** — The cap hold for Mullens would be $915,243 if he were to opt out.
**** — Anderson’s salary becomes fully guaranteed if he’s not waived on or before June 30th.
***** — The cap hold for Thomas would be $816,482 if the Sixers declined to tender his qualifying offer. ShamSports and Larry Coon’s Salary Cap FAQ were used in the creation of this post.

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Prospect Profile: Leslie McDonald

June 23rd, 2014 at 8:17pm CST by Zachary Links

In a draft full of 19-year-old athletes with high upside but little in the way of experience against high quality competition, teams more or less know what they could be getting out of UNC’s Leslie McDonald.  The shooting guard doesn’t have the name value of teammate James McAdoo and others, but he knows that he still has a lot to offer for any NBA team’s bench.NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament-3rd Round-Iowa State vs North Carolina

“I’m a hard-worker, i can bring experience to the table,” McDonald told Hoops Rumors earlier today.  “I know the game very well.  I’m a great shooter, I can bring an outside presence to a team that needs it, and when I get open I’m going to nail that set shot.”

With plenty of skill but less hype than others, McDonald knows that he’ll have to rely on that tireless work ethic to vault himself to the NBA level.  The guard had just one private team workout this summer when the Hornets called him in as a last-minute substitute for Virginia’s Joe Harris and others.  McDonald may have been a late fill-in for Charlotte, but he was able to come in on short notice and hold his own against Washington’s C.J. Wilcox and Florida’s Casey Prather in scrimmages.

As the shooting guard explained himself, his shooting range is one of his best qualities and will likely be his calling card going forward as he attempts to endear himself to an NBA team.  Aside from that, McDonald offers a sharp basketball IQ and he believes that he has a stronger understanding of the game than many of the guards in this year’s draft class.

“I’ve been in different situations where I know what to do at certain times, as far as shot selection and pass selection and just doing things at the right time.  Knowing the right time to shoot the ball and when to take a different course of action is such an important thing in this game,” McDonald said.

McDonald was given an opportunity to contribute as an underclassman for UNC when he came on campus but, unfortunately, he suffered a torn ACL that wound up costing him his entire junior season. Before his injury in the summer of 2011, the guard averaged 38.1% from downtown and was proving himself to be an important piece for the Tar Heels.  When he came back on the court for his redshirt junior season in 2012/13, McDonald admits that he wasn’t quite the same player, though he still managed to bring the shooting when it counted.  McDonald never flexed that same kind of efficiency from downtown in the remaining two seasons of his collegiate career, but he attributes that partially to rust and partially to changing his style of play.

“When I got hurt my shooting wasn’t quite the same but it’s definitely coming back to me.  I’m regaining it and I think I nailed some really big  shots towards the end of my senior season,” the guard explained.  “My first two years, I was more of a spot-up shooter.  I was known more for that than all the things I can do so well now like driving to the basket and knocking down mid-range shots.  There was just less of a focus on three-point shooting for me.”

One of the main knocks on McDonald is his size.  At 6’4″, the UNC product matched up just fine at the collegiate level but would be a bit smaller than most two guards in the NBA.  However, McDonald isn’t the least bit concerned about going up against bigger opponents.

“For me, its all about production and I feel like on the defensive side I’m not a liability.  I’m comfortable sticking a bigger guard or a smaller guard and on offense I just feel like I can shoot the ball against anybody.  My release is quick and when guys are taller than me, I know how to create space or drive the lane or dish out to different people.  No matter who is on me, there’s no reason why I can’t get my shot off or create an opportunity for someone else,” the 23-year-old explained.

It’s not guaranteed that McDonald will hear his name called on Thursday night, but if he doesn’t, his representatives at Tandem Sports will find plenty of opportunities for him to showcase his stuff for clubs this offseason.  With four years of big-game experience under Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams, one imagines that plenty of teams will be interested in seeing what McDonald has to offer.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Offseason Outlook: Indiana Pacers

June 22nd, 2014 at 10:29pm CST by Zachary Links

Guaranteed Contracts

Options

  • None

Non-Guaranteed Contracts

Free Agents / Cap Holds

Draft Picks

  • 2nd Round (57th overall)

Cap Outlook

  • Guaranteed Salary: $60,055,974
  • Options: $0
  • Non-Guaranteed Salary: $4,875,716
  • Cap Holds: $24,014,959
  • Total: $88,946,649

Just when the Nets thought they had the mantle of the NBA’s weirdest season all sewn up, the Pacers came along and blew them out of the water.  The Pacers have been known as a hard-working, cohesive team over the last few years, but the second half this season was chock full of locker room turmoil and questionable effort.

The strangeness continued in the Eastern Conference Finals with Lance Stephenson‘s antics directed at LeBron James.  The Pacers spent much of the season worrying that they might lose the 23-year-old Stephenson in free agency, but it now seems quite possible that Indiana won’t welcome him back. President of basketball operations Larry Bird proclaimed that the decision whether to return would be Stephenson’s, but that was on the heels of a report that there are many within the Pacers organization who don’t believe the team should give Stephenson a lucrative long-term deal. It’s not hard to understand why there would be doubts about him. Stephenson’s talent is undeniable and when he’s on, his energy is a very real difference maker for the Pacers.  Unfortunately, his behavior has hurt them on the court and caused a reported rift in the locker room with center Roy Hibbert and midseason acquisition Evan Turner.

The decision to keep Stephenson, of course, won’t be so black-and-white — it’ll be heavily dependent on the offers he gets from other clubs.  The Hornets and Pistons have been cited as potential suitors and there should be plenty more coming out of the woodwork.  Earlier this season, it looked like Stephenson could draw a deal worth about $10MM per season. Now, Stephenson has probably dinged his value, with a former GM recently pegging his expected earnings at $5-8MM per year.  A deal around the middle of that range, about $7MM/year, would seem to split the difference between Stephenson’s million-dollar body and ten-cent head. Something like a three-year, $21MM pact could satisfy Stephenson’s camp and give the Pacers a digestible, if not ideal, level of risk.

Stephenson is hardly the only Pacers notable that could be in a different uniform next year. It wasn’t long ago that this would have been unthinkable, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Pacers entertain offers for Hibbert.  George Hill, who is slated to make $8MM in 2014/15, could also be moved for the right price.  It’s harder to see someone like David West getting dealt, but then again, it was hard to envision the Pacers falling apart the way they did this past season.  Another trade chip could be Chris Copeland, even if he doesn’t seem as alluring as the aforementioned names. The forward was more or less buried on the Pacers’ bench, but when he did get playing time, he flashed a shooting range that few men his size can offer. Bird & Co. must leave no stone unturned in their bid to get back on the right track.

The Pacers have some serious work to do when it comes to their second unit.  Turner didn’t nearly have the kind of impact that Indiana was hoping for last season and he seems as good as gone.  Even while the Pacers watched Stephenson get wacky down the stretch of the season, they still trusted him much more than their mid-season acquisition.  Few would have expected the Pacers to use Turner in just 12.4 minutes per contest in the playoffs after trading Danny Granger for one of the biggest names dealt in February, but that’s how things ended up with Indiana and the former No. 2 overall pick.  Turner is ticketed to go elsewhere and he’s certain to earn less than the eight-figure salary he pocketed last season.  Bird believes that the bench role didn’t really suit Turner well and seems confident that he’ll find success in someone else’s uniform.  “Whatever happens, wherever he’s at next year, if he plays 30-35 minutes, he’s going to average 17 points,” Bird told reporters, including Conrad Brunner of ESPN 1070.

Veteran Luis Scola offers toughness and veteran guidance, but with less than $1MM of his $4.87MM guaranteed for next season, the Pacers might let him go in order to give themselves more flexibility elsewhere.  Scola averaged 17.1 minutes, 7.6 points, and 4.8 rebounds last season, career-lows in each category.  The forward seemed lost in coach Frank Vogel‘s offense and there’s certainly no guarantee that he can get in the groove next season.

The Pacers won’t have a ton of wiggle room to improve their bench, especially if they re-sign Stephenson.  There will be low-cost fixes out there, however, and they’re reportedly showing interest in Spanish league power forward Damjan Rudez.  If the Pacers move Copeland, it sounds like Rudez could be a solid replacement with his 47.3% three-point shooting percentage.

What the Pacers won’t have at their disposal, unfortunately, is their first round pick (No. 27), which they traded to the Suns a year ago for Scola.  Bird knows how valuable a first round pick is in this year’s deep draft and told reporters recently (including Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star) that he’d like to trade back into the top 30.  A sign-and-trade of Stephenson could certainly yield a pick — and more — but there’s no question that they’d rather have Stephenson back at the right price.  No matter how you slice it, the Pacers’ offseason will revolve on what happens with the polarizing guard.

Cap footnotes

* — Sloan’s salary becomes fully guaranteed if he’s not waived on or before August 15th.

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Hoops Rumors Originals

June 22nd, 2014 at 9:36pm CST by Zachary Links

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

  • I reported on team workouts for Jarnell Stokes, Rodney Hood, and Justin Jackson.
  • Alex Lee rolled out the latest version of his mock draft.
  • I looked at the Timberwolves offseason, which could get pretty darn interesting.
  • Not sure if you’ve heard, but this is kind of a big offseason for the Heat.  Chuck Myron breaks it all down.
  • A lot of teams would envy the opportunities ahead of the Hornets, writes Cray Allred.
  • The Spurs will look to make some tweaks once they got done celebrating, Chuck writes.
  • Chuck looked at the summer ahead of the Pelicans.
  • A breakdown of the July Moratorium courtesy of Chuck.
  • Chuck explains non-bird rights.
  • Here’s a refresher on our commenting policy.
  • Did you miss out on Chuck’s Monday chat?  Check out the transcript here.
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Offseason Outlook: Miami Heat

June 20th, 2014 at 10:00am CST by Chuck Myron

Guaranteed Contracts

Options

Non-Guaranteed Contracts

Free Agents / Cap Holds

Draft Picks

  • 1st Round (26th overall)
  • 2nd Round (55th overall)

Cap Outlook

  • Guaranteed Salary: $2,038,206
  • Options: $67,412,490
  • Non-Guaranteed Salary: $816,482
  • Cap Holds: $27,399,837
  • Total: $97,667,015

It’s an easy assumption that what LeBron James decides to do regarding free agency this summer will serve as the prime mover for all other matters pertaining to the Heat, and for a fair number of issues around the league, too. Still, at least in Miami’s case, others hold considerable sway that could significantly change the equation. Whatever willingness James has to take a discount on his next contract wouldn’t mean nearly as much if either Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade or both decide to opt in for next season or insist on new deals at market value. Udonis Haslem can also throw a hefty wrench into Miami’s ability to make a noteworthy upgrade if he opts in. The Heat would end up with nearly $47.5MM in commitments to four players if Wade, Bosh and Haslem all opt in. With another roughly $4MM in roster charges thrown in, James would have to sign a new contract for a starting salary of less than $11.7MM just to give the Heat any space at all under the projected $63.2MM cap. James would realistically have to sign for close to the minimum for the Heat to ink a free agent for much more than the mid-level in that scenario, so suffice it to say that James doesn’t necessarily hold all the cards here.

He nonetheless has as much sway as anyone does, and the Heat won’t know how to approach their summer until he picks where he’ll be spending next winter, and how well he’ll want to be compensated for doing so. The most lucrative path for James would probably involve opting in for next season, unless the maximum salary for a player of his experience jumps by about $1.5MM or more following the July moratorium. That route would also give him plenty of flexibility, since he has another option on his contract after next season before the deal finally runs out in 2016. Still, LeBron might believe that giving agent Rich Paul the chance to talk with other teams and watch how they contort their rosters to build enticing championship contenders is worth the sacrifice. The Heat will get the first crack to make their pitch, regardless of whether he opts out, and when it comes to finding ways to create attractive rosters, none are better at it than Heat president Pat Riley.

Riley left the door open just a crack to a pursuit of Carmelo Anthony in his comments Thursday, but mostly he acknowledged just what a long shot it would be to convince ‘Melo to come to South Beach. The path to Kyle Lowry, who reportedly has some level of interest in joining the Heat, is somewhat easier to navigate. He’s unlikely to command the max, with Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports having suggested earlier this season that he’s in line for a deal worth $11MM a year. Such a contract would still require sacrifice on the part of Miami’s incumbent stars, but unlike with ‘Melo, who’s in line for about twice as much, it would represent market price, or close to it, for Lowry. Still, the Raptors seem poised to put up a fight, and Lowry has expressed plenty of affection for Toronto, which has Lowry’s Bird rights and thus the ammunition to mount a bidding war against the Heat. It would pit Riley, the resolve of Miami’s stars to cut deep into their earnings, Raptors GM Masai Ujiri‘s willingness to spend on a potential one-hit wonder, and Lowry’s preferences in a four-way tug-of-war. It’s unlikely it would result in Lowry moving to Miami, but it would be foolish to place a bet on just about any scenario involving the Heat’s offseason.

The Heat were reportedly enamored with Lowry long before Mario Chalmers went into his postseason funk. Chalmers is hitting free agency at a poor time for his earning potential, though I suspect most front offices will give more weight to his career high PER in 2013/14 than to his Game 5 benching. The Sam Goldfeder client also faces a buyer’s market for point guards, and the Heat will probably ask him to take a discount if he’s to stay in Miami. Still, if Riley is to be believed, owner Micky Arison isn’t worried about the tax, so if that’s true, I’d expect Miami to bid whatever’s necessary to bring him back if the Heat don’t end up with Lowry or another upgrade at point guard. Norris Cole is probably ready to take the reigns as the starting point guard, but there’s high risk in experimenting like that when the goal is to win immediately.

Chris Andersen, who’s set to opt out, will become another key free agent outside of the big three for Miami. The Mavs have already been identified as a suitor, and the Birdman will no doubt be able to command a raise on his minimum salary after his most productive season since his heyday in Denver. Still, he took less to stay with the Heat last summer, and even his decision to opt out could be construed as a favor to Miami, since it lowers his cap hold. There’s reason for the client of Mark Bryant to look to cash in on the market, since he’ll turn 36 next month, but it seems like he feels a sense of loyalty to the organization that took a chance on him and allowed him to resurrect his career after the Nuggets amnestied him in 2012.

Andersen typifies many of the Heat supporting cast, which is stocked with players well beyond their 30th birthdays. Riley spoke Thursday of a desire to infuse some youth onto the team, so I wouldn’t be surprised if long-tenured Heat reserve swingman James Jones cedes his roster spot to 2013 second-round pick James Ennis, whom Riley mentioned by name. Shane Battier has retired, so his role will also need to be filled, and perhaps the Heat will look for a player who has many of Battier’s skills with the No. 26 pick. Cleanthony Early would make sense if the Heat go this route.

Rashard Lewis took over the Battier role in the playoffs, moving into the starting lineup and making his most significant contributions in two years with the Heat. Still, it probably wasn’t enough to convince another team to pay him more than the minimum salary as he stares down his 35th birthday this summer, and he seems well-position to return to the Heat and see if he can pick up where he left off as the starting power forward.

Just about every available free agent is in play in some regard for Miami as the team looks to make external upgrades around its core. The same would be true even if James bolts, since Miami, with its warm weather, no state income tax, and the inimitable Riley, is a perennially attractive team, regardless of the presence of the four-time MVP. I’d imagine the Heat would go hard after Anthony and many other top free agents if one or more of its existing stars decide not to come back, and Riley probably wouldn’t have to work too hard to build another team capable of contending for the Eastern Conference title. Miami will survive with or without James. Yet even as the league’s preeminent star wields less of a hammer than it might seem, the best chance the Heat have of winning a title is with him, rather than against him. Doing whatever’s necessary to align with the top stars in pursuit of a championship was the guiding principle for LeBron when he chose to join the Heat four years ago, and the Heat will follow the same philosophy as they attempt to keep him.

Cap footnotes

* — If James opts out, his cap hold would be the greater of $20,020,875 or the maximum salary for a player with 10 or more years of experience. That maximum was $19,181,750 this past season, but it won’t be clear exactly what that figure will be for 2014/15 until the end of the July moratorium.
** — If Bosh opts out, his cap hold would be the greater of $20,020,875 or the maximum salary for a player with 10 or more years of experience. That maximum was $19,181,750 this past season, but it won’t be clear exactly what that figure will be for 2014/15 until the end of the July moratorium.
*** — If Wade opts out, his cap hold would be the greater of $19,606,650 or the maximum salary for a player with 10 or more years of experience. That maximum was $19,181,750 this past season, but it won’t be clear exactly what that figure will be for 2014/15 until the end of the July moratorium.
**** — Haslem’s cap hold would be $8,246,000 if he opts out.
***** — Andersen reportedly intends to opt out, and his cap hold would be $915,243 if he indeed does so.
****** — See our glossary entry on cap holds for an explanation of why Howard’s cap hold technically remains on the books for the Heat even though he’s now an assistant coach for the team and has retired from playing.

ShamSports and Larry Coon’s Salary Cap FAQ were used in the creation of this post.

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Hoops Rumors Mock Draft 3.0

June 19th, 2014 at 4:38pm CST by Alex Lee

We’re only a week out from the highly anticipated 2014 NBA Draft. Every day prospects are jetting around the country in hopes of catching the eyes of potential suitors. Meanwhile, rumors about teams jockeying for better draft position or eyeing established NBA veterans become more plentiful by the day. As always, some of these reports overlap while some contradict each other.

One report that became official on Thursday afternoon is that Joel Embiid has a stress fracture in his right foot and will undergo surgery on Friday. It was only a year ago that Nerlens Noel fell to No. 6 because of injury concerns after many projected him to be the first player selected. We will have to wait a week to see if this news has a similar impact on Embiid’s draft stock, though we are certain to hear plenty about it between then and now.

Below is our third attempt to navigate through the trade talk, injury updates and smokescreens in an attempt to predict how things will play out on June 26th in Brooklyn. As we’ve done in previous years, these picks are based on what we’re hearing around the league, our player evaluations, and what we perceive to be a team’s draft needs. Whether you’re an aspiring draft pundit or merely an excited fan, we welcome your opinion in the comments section.

  1. Cleveland Cavaliers – Jabari Parker. With Embiid going under the knife, Parker becomes the favorite to land in Cleveland. Andrew Wiggins is undoubtedly a possibility as well, and the Cavs are reportedly bringing in Dante Exum for a workout. But Parker remains the most NBA-ready prospect in this draft, which could be the deciding factor for owner Dan Gilbert.
  2. Milwaukee Bucks – Andrew Wiggins. No team was better prepared for the Embiid news than the Bucks, who have already worked out Parker, Wiggins and Exum. Adding Wiggins gives them serious defensive potential, though I wouldn’t rule out an Exum selection. Brandon Knight was solid in his Milwaukee debut, but he has been subject to trade rumors this offseason.
  3. Philadelphia 76ers – Dante Exum. At first glance, the Embiid injury is most devastating for the Sixers, who originally had the luxury of selecting whichever of the top three were left. Taking Embiid a year after a similar gamble on Noel seems too risky given the talent level in this draft class. Sam Hinkie will surely ramp up his efforts to trade up for Wiggins, and I wouldn’t rule anything out considering how creative the Philly GM proved to be a year ago. Some believe Exum would fit in Philly, while others think Michael Carter-Williams would have to be dealt.
  4. Orlando Magic – Noah Vonleh. There had been considerable Marcus Smart buzz here, so we’re likely to see him slotted to Orlando in plenty of mocks over the next week. But the Magic have had their eye on Vonleh as well, who would pair nicely in the frontcourt with Nikola Vucevic and has a much higher upside.
  5. Utah Jazz – Aaron Gordon, At this point, the Jazz would be thrilled if either Exum or Vonleh fell into their lap. Gordon is the third prospect they were considering along with that duo and with the latest shakeup, he is who they seem destined to end up with. Gordon fits a positional need in Utah, yet he won’t give them the type of offensive upgrade they crave on the perimeter. Luckily, they also own the No. 23 pick.
  6. Boston Celtics – Joel Embiid. Boston’s pursuit of Kevin Love could obviously change things, as could their claim that they’ve medically cleared Julius Randle. But given the Celtics needs, it is here where rolling the dice on Embiid starts to become worth it. The C’s are said to be targeting size if they stick at six, and in Embiid, they’d get a big with more upside than any in recent memory.
  7. Los Angeles Lakers – Julius Randle. The Lakers are another team that could trade its pick. If L.A. stays put, Randle would be the type of instant-impact player that could help Kobe Bryant sooner than some of the other prospects who have higher ceilings. Smart also fits that mold if Mitch Kupchak prefers to upgrade at point guard. We saw how injury concerns allowed Noel to plummet a year ago, but Randle’s foot seems less worrisome than a torn ACL.
  8. Sacramento Kings – Marcus Smart. The Kings are reportedly more likely to trade this pick than use it, but there seems to be a consensus that they’ll target a point guard should they stay put. Elfrid Payton is rocketing up draft boards, but I’m not yet buying that he’s a top 10-pick. Smart’s toughness makes him a no-brainer at eight for Sacramento.
  9. Charlotte Hornets – Doug McDermott. The Hornets should look at McDermott or Nik Stauskas here to inject some long range shooting into a roster full of great athletes. Charlotte was pitiful offensively when Al Jefferson was out, though the Hornets’ other first rounder and ample cap space make them a bit unpredictable.
  10. Philadelphia 76ers – Dario Saric. The Sixers have quickly become the team most difficult to project for in the draft. Their “sure thing” at No. 3 turned into Exum, which may hamper their roster with positional overlap. Taking Saric at 10 represents the type of outside-the-box thinking that Hinkie may employ to compensate. Keep an eye on Philly leading up to Thursday. Stauskas, James Young or Zach LaVine are also options.
  11. Denver Nuggets – Gary Harris. This pick could go to Minnesota in a package for Love or to Chicago for picks 16 and 19. As a shooter who can defend and contribute quickly, Harris makes sense in all three scenarios. He’s not the sexiest name out there, but there’s a reason he hasn’t slid down on many draft boards.
  12. Orlando Magic – Nik Stauskas. After adding Vonleh at four the Magic will look for some backcourt help. The shooting skill of Stauskas, along with his ability to help at the point, make him a fitting selection at No. 12 for Orlando. The Magic could use a more traditional point guard but after opting for Vonleh over Smart, Stauskas and Victor Oladipo will have to split duties. This also probably represents the first realistic landing spot for Jusuf Nurkic.
  13. Minnesota Timberwolves – Rodney Hood. What they get for Love will likely dictate their draft strategy, but it’s pretty clear that the Wolves will try to win now regardless. Hood gives them a sniper with size to go with the shooting-inept Ricky Rubio. Young makes sense as well, but Hood is more ready.
  14. Phoenix Suns – James Young. Both Young and LaVine have the type of upside that could land them in the top 10. The Kentucky product is a better fit in Phoenix, which won’t need the point guard skills of LaVine with Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe dominating the ball. Watch out for T.J. Warren here, too.
  15. Atlanta Hawks – Zach LaVine. There is also some Warren buzz here, but LaVine makes more sense given that the Hawks already have one undersized forward in Paul Millsap. At No. 15, LaVine’s talent makes him great value. If the Hawks decide they need more NBA-ready talent, they might look at P.J. Hairston.
  16. Chicago Bulls – Adreian Payne. The Bulls want to get to No. 11 to secure one of the draft’s best shooters. If they fail, they’ll happily settle for Michigan State’s Payne, who can shoot and provides some size should Chicago succeed in jettisoning Carlos Boozer. A healthy Derrick Rose will have the Bulls in contention, making Payne’s age (23) less of a concern.
  17. Boston Celtics – P.J. Hairston. I’m optimistic about Hairston, who turned heads in the D-League after it was certain that he was not welcome back at North Carolina. After shooting for the moon with Embiid at No. 6, the C’s will look to upgrade offensively with more of a known quantity. Hairston and Rajon Rondo would make one tough backcourt.
  18. Phoenix Suns – T.J. Warren. The Suns got their upside with Young at 14. Warren gives them a creative mid-range element to go with their dynamic guards and sharpshooting bigs. It’s no surprise that the crafty ACC Player of the Year is dominating less experienced prospects in NBA workouts. Payne would fit, too, if available.
  19. Chicago Bulls – Tyler Ennis. With Ennis, Payton and Shabazz Napier all likely to be on the board at No. 16, the Bulls would be wise to wait until the 19th pick to address the point guard position. Rose has played 49 games in the past three seasons, making his backup a position of priority. Ennis has all the skills to be a steady understudy, though one report claims that the Bulls prefer Napier.
  20. Toronto Raptors – Elfrid Payton. If the Raptors have to replace Kyle Lowry, Payton’s length and athleticism offer more upside than the attributes of Ennis or Napier. At least one report says that he has a promise in the teens, but No. 20 is about as high as I can stomach pegging him for now. Still, all it takes is one team with the belief that it can fix his jump shot.
  21. Oklahoma City Thunder – Jusuf Nurkic. As usual, there aren’t many reports linking international prospects directly to specific teams. But many think that No. 21 is the worst-case scenario for Nurkic, a 280-pound Bosnian big man. With two first round picks and a talented roster, the Thunder can afford to gamble. If they don’t, Napier and K.J. McDaniels will be in the mix.
  22. Memphis Grizzlies – Shabazz Napier. While McDaniels and Jarnell Stokes seem almost tailor-made for “grit and grind” in Memphis, they’d also give the Grizzlies more of what they have. Point guard isn’t a need, but at No. 22 this reshuffled front office should seek the best player rather than the best fit. Napier can instantly provide some punch off the bench.
  23. Utah Jazz – Jordan Clarkson. A Jazz selection of Clarkson would make it four point guards in five picks, though the Mizzou product projects as more of a combo guard who could split backcourt duties with Trey Burke. Ultimately, Utah needs some shotmakers and Clarkson fits the bill. Hairston is perfect if he’s somehow still on the board.
  24. Charlotte Hornets – Cleanthony Early. The Hornets added McDermott at No. 9 and their affinity for excellent college players continues with the selection of Wichita State’s Early here. Early’s versatility seems to be a double-edged sword, landing him in the teens in some mocks and in the second round in others. While he might not possess any elite NBA skills, his polished game will help a win-now team like Charlotte.
  25. Houston Rockets – K.J. McDaniels. Someone has to make up for James Harden’s porous defense, right? McDaniels is ready to be an above-average defender in the NBA immediately, and he showed enough offensively at Clemson to make him worthy of a first-round selection. Expect McDaniels and Jerami Grant to be mentioned together quite a bit over the next week.
  26. Miami Heat – Kyle Anderson. As the Heat became a one-man show in the Finals, it became brutally obvious that Pat Riley needs to get some offensive help for LeBron James, should the four-time MVP stay in Miami. You’re not going to find a more unique and intriguing prospect here than UCLA’s Anderson, who is a long, skilled point-forward type well worth a flier at 26.
  27. Phoenix Suns – Clint Capela. The Suns can also afford a flier with their pick, albeit for different reasons than Miami. Young (at No. 14) and Warren (at No. 18) would be locks for Phoenix’s roster, while the Suns could stash Capela. Whenever he arrives in the NBA, the Swiss big man would give the Suns an element of frontcourt athleticism absent from their current roster.
  28. Los Angeles Clippers – Jarnell Stokes. Stokes could go higher, as some reports indicate certain teams regard his talent only a tick below Randle’s among power forwards. The Clips could use frontcourt depth and his physicality would go nicely behind the explosiveness of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.
  29. Oklahoma City Thunder – Jerami Grant. Grant would be a steal at No. 29. He combines elite athleticism with a freakish wingspan, causing some to liken his skillset to Kawhi Leonard‘s I don’t see nearly the polish that Leonard had coming out of San Diego State, but that’s not necessary this late in the first round.
  30. San Antonio Spurs – Mitch McGary. It must be nice to have no needs, huh? In all seriousness, Patty Mills and Boris Diaw are unrestricted free agents whose playoff performances warrant significant paydays. And with the uncertainty about Tim Duncan’s future – not to mention his age – the Spurs would do well to land McGary to close out the first round.
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