International Rumors | Hoops Rumors

And-Ones: Non-Guaranteed Deals, Maker, Morris

January 5th, 2018 at 2:35pm CST by Luke Adams

The Rockets‘ release of Bobby Brown today may be the first in a series of roster moves made by NBA teams before Sunday night. Sunday (January 7) is the last day for clubs to waive a player on a non-guaranteed contract to avoid having that player’s salary become fully guaranteed for the season.

We’ve compiled our own list of players on non-guaranteed contracts to keep an eye on, but over at ESPN.com, Bobby Marks goes one step further, running through each team in an Insider-only piece and assessing each non-guaranteed player’s chances of surviving the cut. As Marks details, some of the players on non-guaranteed salaries, such as Spencer Dinwiddie in Brooklyn, are in no danger of being cut. But others, like Bucks swingman DeAndre Liggins, may be holding their breath until that deadline passes.

Here are a few more odds and ends from across the NBA:

Thon Maker‘s brother Matur Maker will bypass college and enter his name into the 2018 NBA draft pool, according to reports from Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog.com and Evan Daniels of 247Sports.com. The younger Maker almost certainly won’t be a lottery pick like his brother in Milwaukee, but he’s hoping to make a similar prep-to-pro leap. He plans on hiring an agent in the spring, guardian and mentor Ed Smith tells Daniels.
Earlier today, we passed along word that former Suns guard Mike James was being eyed by China’s Guangdong Southern Tigers as a potential replacement for Edwin Jackson. However, as Emiliano Carchia of Sportando relays, it appears Guangdong will sign another ex-NBA guard, Darius Morris, rather than James.
While you could make a case for several other players, including Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, there’s no question that Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma and Warriors big man Jordan Bell have been two of the biggest steals from the 2017 draft. Mike Schmitz of ESPN (Insider link) examines what lessons NBA front offices and scouts can learn from Kuzma and Bell.

International Notes: Randle, M. James, Bargnani

January 5th, 2018 at 10:11am CST by Luke Adams

When former Knicks and Sixers guard Chasson Randle signed with Spanish team Real Madrid back in October, his deal included an opt-out clause that gave the team the chance to part ways with him before the end of the 2017/18 campaign. However, according to international basketball reporter David Pick (via Twitter), Real Madrid intends to waive that opt-out and retain Randle for the rest of the season.

Randle, who appeared in 26 NBA games last season for the Knicks and Sixers, hasn’t had a major role for a Real Madrid squad that features several other former NBA players – including Rudy Fernandez, Anthony Randolph, and Gustavo Ayon – as well as the potential No. 1 pick of the 2018 draft (Luka Doncic). Still, the club has apparently liked what it has seen from the former Stanford guard, and will keep him around for now.

Here are a couple more notes from around the international basketball scene:

Having been waived by the Suns last month, Mike James may be headed back overseas to resume his playing career. Emiliano Carchia of Sportando reports that the Guangdong Southern Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association are considering James as a potential replacement for French guard Edwin Jackson.
Former No. 1 overall pick Andrea Bargnani, who last appeared in the NBA for the Nets in 2015/16, played for Baskonia in Spain last season, but hasn’t caught on with another team so far this year. As Sportando relays, Bargnani published a Facebook post explaining that he’s not currently looking to continue his playing career, despite being healthy. While Bargnani’s message stops short of announcing his retirement, it remains unclear whether or not the 32-year-old will return to the court at some point.

Ike Diogu, Tim Quarterman To Play In China

January 2nd, 2018 at 11:23am CST by Luke Adams

A pair of former NBA players have signed to new teams in China to kick off the 2018 calendar year, according to international basketball reporter David Pick. Former first-rounder Ike Diogu has signed with the Sichuan Whales, while former Trail Blazers guard Tim Quarterman has agreed to join the Jiangsu Dragons, per Pick (Twitter links).

Diogu, 34, was selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2005 draft by the Warriors. The veteran big man ultimately appeared in 225 NBA regular season games, spending time with the Dubs, Pacers, Trail Blazers, Kings, Clippers, and Spurs.

Diogu has played for a variety of international teams since 2012, and according to Pick, he’ll replace former NBA guard Jamaal Franklin on the Whales, who have a CBA-worst 3-20 record this season.

As for Quarterman, the former LSU standout began his NBA career with the Blazers last season, appearing sparingly in 16 games in his rookie season. The 23-year-old shooting guard was traded to the Rockets in June and was later cut by Houston.

Quarterman, who averaged 11.2 PPG, 7.1 APG, and 6.3 RPG in 22 G League games last season, is signing a one-month contract with the Dragons. He’ll step in for former NBA guard MarShon Brooks, who is returning to America for the birth of his son, Pick reports.

Nicolas Brussino Signs With Spanish Team

December 31st, 2017 at 9:38am CST by Arthur Hill

Nicolas Brussino, who was waived by the Hawks December 8, has signed with CB Gran Canaria in Spain, reports Emiliano Carchia of Sportando.

The 24-year-old swingman appeared in just four games for Atlanta, which claimed him off waivers after the Mavericks released him in July. He played 54 games for Dallas last season as a rookie, averaging 9.6 minutes and 2.8 points.

Brussino is a member of the Argentinian national team and won a silver medal at this year’s FIBA AmeriCup, where he earned a spot on the all-tournament squad.

Mindaugas Kuzminskas To Sign With Italian Team

December 31st, 2017 at 8:40am CST by Arthur Hill

Mindaugas Kuzminskas, who was waived by the Knicks last month, will sign with Olimpia Milano in Italy, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando.

His new contract will run through June of 2019, but it contains an opt-out clause for next summer in case he gets an opportunity to return to the NBA. He reportedly had offers from five EuroLeague teams, including Anadolu Efes in Turkey, before deciding on the Italian club.

Kuzminskas played just one game in New York this season before being released when the Knicks needed to open a roster spot for Joakim Noah‘s return from suspension. He had a solid rookie season in 2016/17, averaging 6.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 68 games, but lost support in the front office when former team president Phil Jackson was fired.

The 28-year-old small forward had a decade of international experience before coming to the NBA and played for the Lithuanian national team.

Beno Udrih Signs With Lithuanian Team

December 24th, 2017 at 10:03am CST by Arthur Hill

Veteran point guard Beno Udrih, who was waived by the Pistons in October, has signed to play in Lithuania, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. Udrih will join Zalgiris Kaunas, one of the oldest and most decorated teams in the EuroLeague.

Udrih, 35, played for eight teams during a 13-year NBA career after being drafted by the Spurs with the 28th pick in 2004. His best seasons came in Sacramento, where he was a double-digit scorer for four straight years from 2007/08 to 2010/11.

He was involved in a controversy in February of 2016 when he agreed to a buyout with the Heat that gave Miami enough cap room to sign Joe Johnson after his buyout from the Nets. Udrih was sidelined because of foot surgery at the time and had no chance to catch on with another team. Miami re-signed him in August of that year, but he failed to earn a roster spot.

The Pistons claimed him off waivers and he spent a full season in Detroit, averaging 5.8 points and 3.4 assists in 39 games. The team opted to part with him in mid-October, even though it was already down to the roster limit of 15.

“It was still hard for me because I love the guy, and so does everybody out here,” coach/executive Stan Van Gundy told Ansar Khan of MLive at the time. “Good guy, knows how to play, really has a good way about him of helping the young guys and talking to them and teaching them. I’ve seen a lot of veterans who try to help young guys, but they come across as condescending a little bit, like, ‘I know more than you.’ Beno never came across like that. He was able to talk to guys.”

And-Ones: Doncic, Gee, Mexico City, NBPA

December 15th, 2017 at 2:19pm CST by Luke Adams

A highlight of Real Madrid star Luka Doncic crossing over former Trail Blazers forward Victor Claver went viral on Thursday, and representatives from a number of NBA teams were on hand to see it in person. According to international basketball reporter David Pick (Twitter link), the Sixers, Suns, Clippers, Magic, Mavericks, Pelicans, Wizards, and others all had officials in attendance.

Of course, given how highly regarded Doncic is, most of these teams are unlikely to have a shot at him in the 2018 NBA draft. In singling out some of the risers and fallers in the latest update to their 2018 big board, Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz of ESPN (Insider link) explain why Doncic is at the top of their rankings.

According to Givony and Schmitz, who refer to Doncic as “the most productive European prospect of all time,” the 6’8″ guard could have a legit chance to win the EuroLeague’s MVP award this season. Some scouts worry about his athleticism, his defense, or his ability to create shots, so it’s not a lock that he’ll go No. 1 in June. But Doncic, at age 18, is already one of the best scorers and facilitators in Europe, in the eyes of Givony and Schmitz.

Here’s more from around the basketball world:

Veteran NBA swingman Alonzo Gee is headed to the G League, according to Adam Johnson of 2 Ways & 10 Days, who tweets that the Heat‘s affiliate (the Sioux Falls Skyforce) has claimed Gee off waivers. The 30-year-old, who has appeared in regular season games for six NBA clubs, last played for the Nuggets in 2016/17.
After reporting last week that the NBA intends to establish a G League franchise in Mexico City, Marc Stein of The New York Times takes a deep dive into the issue and outlines why the league is more seriously considering the viability of eventually expanding to Mexico — not just with a G League team, but with an NBA club. The fact that Mexico City shares a time zone with so many current NBA clubs is a major plus, as commissioner Adam Silver observes.
The players’ union and former NBPA executive director Billy Hunter have reached a settlement in their legal battle, according to Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal (Twitter links). After the NBPA fired Hunter in 2013, the longtime executive director sued the union for $10MM+, and the union counter-sued. Terms of the settlement weren’t disclosed, but Hunter said in a statement that he’s happy about “moving forward after years of hard-fought litigation on both sides.”

And-Ones: Ball Brothers, McDaniels, E. Okafor

December 13th, 2017 at 12:37pm CST by Luke Adams

Lithuanian team Prienu Vytautas made it official this week, announcing in a press release that they’ve signed LiAngelo Ball and LaMelo Ball, and expect Lonzo Ball‘s younger brothers to report to the team in early January. However, it’s not a long-term agreement. As Nicola Lupo details for Sportando, the deal for the two American teenagers includes a team opt-out after the first month, so it could end up being a brief experiment.

Still, Vytautas director Adomas Kubilius admits that he’s intrigued by exposure the Ball brothers will bring to the franchise, not to mention the potential financial benefits (Twitter link via Lithuanian journalist Donatas Urbonas). The club didn’t speak directly with its new players during negotiations, having worked things out with agent Harrison Gaines, but Kubilius suggests that – outside of guaranteed playing time – the Ball brothers didn’t make any major requests (Twitter link via Urbonas). And for what it’s worth, LaVar Ball would also be “warmly welcomed” in Prienai, according to the team (Twitter link).

As we wait to see how LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball adjust to Lithuania, let’s round up a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world….

Veteran swingman K.J. McDaniels has signed a G League contract and been claimed off waivers by the Grand Rapids Drive, the Pistons‘ affiliate, tweets Chris Reichert of 2 Ways & 10 Days. McDaniels, who spent time with the Nets and Rockets in 2016/17 and was in camp this fall with the Raptors, has averaged 5.3 PPG and 2.2 RPG in 148 total NBA games.
Bobby Marks’ latest piece for ESPN Insider is packed with team-by-team details on trade restrictions and notes that will be relevant as the February deadline approaches. Among the info Marks passes along: Which teams can only send or receive limited amounts of cash, which players can veto trades, and which can’t be traded until certain special dates.
Sean Deveney of The Sporting News examines the job security for head coaches around the NBA, concluding that Frank Vogel (Magic), Mike Budenholzer (Hawks), Dave Joerger (Kings), and Fred Hoiberg (Bulls) are among those whose seats are hottest.
Former second overall pick Emeka Okafor continues to try to make it back to the NBA, with Blake Murphy taking an in-depth look at the big man’s comeback efforts in an excellent piece for Uproxx.com.

LiAngelo, LaMelo Ball Offered To Overseas Teams

December 6th, 2017 at 11:46am CST by Arthur Hill

11:46am: The agent for LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball has reached out to teams in Lithuania, Croatia, France and Japan, but the players haven’t received any formal offers, tweets Nicola Lupo of Sportando.

10:12am: The younger brothers of Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball, LiAngelo and LaMelo, have received offers from teams in Lithuania, Croatia, France and Japan, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando.

The Vertical reported earlier this week that their representative, Harrison Gaines, has been contacting international teams, and it appears that effort has been successful. Carchia shares the text of an email that was sent to Basketeurope.com on behalf of the Ball brothers.

“Money is not a big concern and they would ideally like to play for the same club,” the email reads. “This undoubtedly would bring much attention to your organization.”

LiAngelo was pulled out of UCLA recently after being disciplined for an international incident last month in which he and two teammates were charged with shoplifting in China. Scouts don’t consider him an NBA prospect, and he would have been a long shot to be drafted next year even if he had stayed in college. LaMelo is a prospect for 2019, but is only 16. His father, LaVar, pulled him out of Chino Hills High School in October.

UCLA coach Steve Alford is defending himself and his program in the wake of criticism from LaVar Ball over the way LiAngelo’s case was handled, relays Josh Peter of USA Today. Ball says his son should have been reinstated to the team immediately when the criminal charges in China were dropped.

“This place gets it,’’ Alford said. “They know how to do things. I’m fully confident. I’ve been right on point with everything that’s happened to date as far as how things have progressed and obviously the young men’s safety and getting them back here was the most important.’’

And-Ones: 2018 Draft, Ball Bros, Two-Way Deals

December 5th, 2017 at 3:03pm CST by Luke Adams

A pair of NCAA freshmen, Duke’s Marvin Bagley III and Arizona’s DeAndre Ayton, are making strong cases to become the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. For now though, Jonathan Givony of ESPN (Insider link) still has Real Madrid point guard Luka Doncic coming off the board first, writing that the international star would be a nice fit for the Bulls.

Givony’s mock draft also features Michael Porter Jr., who recently underwent back surgery, slotting in as the No. 4 overall pick. There was some concern in the wake of Porter’s injury that his stock might fall precipitously, but Givony’s blurb on Porter going to the Hawks doesn’t even mention the young forward’s health situation, which suggests that it’s not viewed as a major red flag at this point. NBA teams will get a closer look at Porter’s back in the spring, at which point it will become clearer whether or not he’s still a top-five pick.

Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:

Lonzo Ball‘s younger brothers, LiAngelo Ball and LaMelo Ball, are exploring the possibility of signing with a team overseas, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical, who reports that representative Harrison Gaines has initiated contact with international teams. LiAngelo, who was pulled out of UCLA’s program this week, isn’t considered an NBA prospect. LaMelo is viewed as a probable pick in the 2019 draft, but he’s still just 16 years old and probably isn’t ready to compete at a professional level, says Evan Daniels of 247Sports.com.
Players on two-way contracts aren’t allowed to spend more than 45 days with their respective NBA clubs. However, the criteria for a day spent in the NBA are complicated, and most teams aren’t making service time information publicly available. That makes it difficult to keep tabs on how close two-way players are to their 45-day limits, as Adam Johnson of 2 Ways & 10 Days details. One thing we know: Wednesday will mark Mike James‘ 45th day in the NBA, so the Suns will have to clear a roster spot in order to convert his contract to a standard NBA deal.
Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders spent time with the Northern Arizona Suns, Phoenix’s G League affiliate, and provides an all-access look at what a day in the G League looks like.