Southeast Notes: Heat, Chalmers, Webster, Howard
The Lakers may have made the bigger offseason splash, but executives around the NBA still view the Heat as the most dangerous team heading into the 2012/13 season, according to SI.com's Sam Amick. Of the 19 execs, including 10 GMs, asked by Amick to pick their favorites for the 2013 title, 15 chose the Heat, with two opting for the Lakers and two naming the Thunder. We've heard a lot about Southeast Division teams today, so we'll round it all up here, with the latest on top:
- Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel doesn't think the Heat are quite as willing to trade for a point guard as they were last year (Sulia link). He says he's seen reports that the Wolves might be looking to deal someone from their backcourt, and though we haven't heard anything specific, Darren Wolfson of ESPN Radio 1500 reported earlier that Minnesota is attempting to work out a trade to free cap room for Anthony Tolliver.
- Mario Chalmers, whose continued development has apparently impressed his bosses with the Heat, sees himself among the league's elite point guards, but that might be stretching it a bit, as Winderman writes.
- Michael Lee of The Washington Post has more on Martell Webster's signing with the Wizards, which became official today. Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld hopes Webster can improve the team's outside shooting, but Webster, who sees himself as "more of an all-around player," doesn't want to be typecast as a three-point specialist.
- Dwight Howard's decision to fly to China for a promotional appearance two weeks after saying his injured back would not allow him to travel to Orlando for his children's basketball camp in Orlando is another sign the former Magic center wanted out of town all along, opines Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.
Earlier reports:
- Shane Battier tells Andrew Beaton of The Chronicle (Duke's student newspaper) that he'd love to recruit former Duke players for the Heat: "We’ve got a pretty full roster, so we didn’t recruit any Duke guys this summer. But, if the opportunity arises, I won’t be afraid to make a phone call."
- Newest Wizard Martell Websterspoke to WashingtonWizards.com about signing with Washington and what he expects to bring to the team.
- Dwyane Wade has returned to the court for the first time since undergoing knee surgery, as Winderman writes.
- In examining four teams he believes are "set up to fail" in the 2012/13 season, Derek Page of HoopsWorld names two Southeast squads: The Bobcats and the Magic.
Kyler On Gasol, Randolph, Boozer, Heat, Perkins
In his latest NBA AM piece for HoopsWorld, Steve Kyler examines a few players that may not be a part of their respective teams' long-term plans. Let's round up the highlights from Kyler's piece….
- According to Kyler, 2012/13 is "likely [Pau] Gasol's last season with the Lakers," and some people even believe he'll be dealt by the trade deadline if Dwight Howard is healthy and dominant. However, it's more likely that the team commits to the current roster for the full season and re-evaluates things next July. Given the $19MM+ Gasol is owed in 2013/14, along with the CBA's more punitive luxury tax penalties, the odds Pau remains with the team until the end of his contract are "astronomically small," says Kyler.
- The Grizzlies shopped Zach Randolph around the time of the draft, but didn't find a suitor with serious interest. Of the Memphis players with big, long-term deals, Randolph is probably the one the team is most open to moving, says Kyler.
- Bulls sources maintained this summer that amnestying Carlos Boozer has "never been a real consideration," but the team figures to revisit that issue in future offseasons.
- Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem are both future amnesty candidates for the Heat, though Miller could end up eventually retiring for medical reasons.
- If one or more of the Thunder's big-man projects (Cole Aldrich, Hasheem Thabeet, Daniel Orton) shows promise and consistency this season, Oklahoma City could be faced with a decision on Kendrick Perkins. His contract and health questions may make him a trade or amnesty candidate, particularly if the team locks up James Harden to a big contract.
Odds & Ends: Nuggets, Harrellson, Playoffs
Here is the latest news and notes from around the NBA on Monday night:
- With Andre Iguodala on board, the new-look Nuggets are drawing plenty of attentions from the fans in Denver. Aaron Lopez of Nuggets.com addresses expectations, the projected starting lineup and more in a summer mailbag.
- According to his agent, free agent big man Josh Harrellson will visit three more teams in the next week or two, tweets Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports. His agent wouldn't disclose the teams. Harrellson worked out for the Heat last week, but hadn't received an offer from the team as of Friday.
- Chris Bernucca from Sheridan Hoops gives his take on how the Eastern Conference will shake out this season, and puts the Hawks, Bulls, Bucks and Raptors on the playoff bubble. Bernucca provided his Western Conference analysis over the weekend.
Heat Notes: Riley, Howard, Rotation, Miller
In his list of the top five general managers in the NBA, Joel Brigham of HoopsWorld names Pat Riley the league's "top dog." I'm not sure I totally agree with Brigham's rankings, which place the GMs of all the league's consensus title contenders (Heat, Lakers, Thunder, Spurs, and Celtics) in the top five. Still, Riley has definitely had a successful offseason, adding Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis to a team that's already coming off a title. Let's round up the rest of today's Heat-related updates from around the web….
- Is there a chance that Juwan Howard returns to Miami this season? Here's what Dwyane Wade told Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel (Sulia link) about the possibility: "Obviously, if he comes into camp and we've got open spots, Juwan is a guy who has meant so much to us, we would love him around, no matter what the case may be. If it's around as a player? Yeah. If it's around as part of the coaching staff, we just want him to be here. And hopefully he'll want to stay here and everyone can do whatever they can to make it happen."
- Asked in a mailbag if Miami's roster might be a little heavy on three-point shooters, Winderman argues that there's no such thing as having too many good outside shooters. Winderman expects coach Erik Spoelstra to ride the hot hand among a group that includes Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, Mike Miller, James Jones, and Shane Battier.
- It appears Miller will forgo back surgery, and he says he's healthy, but Winderman believes the veteran shooter's status going forward could be perpetually "day-to-day."
Eastern Notes: Haslem, Wade, Collins
The Heat enter the 2012/13 season as the team to beat given their status as reigning NBA champions, but will face numerous improved squads on a nightly basis. From the Sixers' deeper frontcourt to a reloaded Nets team, Miami faces an uphill battle as it looks to take home another ring. Here's the latest from around the Eastern Conference…
- Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel says the Heat should be able to count on Udonis Haslem as the team's backup center even after having a disappointing season last year. The big man's struggles most likely stemmed from his continued recovery from a previous foot injury. Beyond Haslem, the Heat have few options to provide depth to their frontcourt and may have to add pieces during the season like they did last year.
- Dwyane Wade spoke with Winderman about how the Heat's style of play evolved over the course of the season to best fit the players they had on their roster and their respective skill-set. "You never know what player is going to start off and be playing a certain way and you switch things up a little bit," Wade said. "But we have that luxury, because we have not only three marquee players, but we have a lot of other players on our team that's very capable, highly capable, and very good."
- Sixers head coach Doug Collins says that he sees himself continuing to coach in Philadelphia for four or five years, writes Marc Narducci of The Philadelphia Inquirer. He also wants to make it clear that he's not campaigning for Coach K's former spot as the head coach of USA Basketball. "It's a tremendous honor that somebody would even throw my name out there," Collins said. "It's four years down the road and I understand in this business you hope you are an active coach at the time."
Heat Notes: Howard, Lewis, Andersen, Pittman
News and notes out of South Beach courtesy of the Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman..
- It's not yet known if Juwan Howard, who turns 40 in February, will return for a third season with the Heat, but he has been working out at AmericanAirlines Arena. Dwyane Wade suggested that Howard could return to Miami as an assistant coach. The Heat are expected to keep their coaching staff intact, but Howard could be tacked on as an extra assistant who sits behind the bench.
- While there has been a great deal of talk surrounding the idea of "position-less" basketball in Miami, Wade says that due to the team's evolution over the years, it would be foolish to assume anything about plans for 2012/13. The club's direction will have a large impact on how the newly-acquired Rashard Lewis will be used.
- In the mailbag, a reader asks if the club will be able to lure both Josh Harrellson and Chris Andersen to camp without guaranteed deals. Winderman writes that Harrellson doesn't seem likely to land a guaranteed deal but Anderson has already turned down a lucrative overseas deal and will likely will be seeking a guarantee.
- The bigger issue could be if the Heat would be willing to eat Dexter Pittman's salary to allow for multiple additions in the frontcourt. Pittman is set to earn $854K next season.
Josh Harrellson Works Out For Heat
FRIDAY, 8:07am: The Heat are still weighing their options at center and haven't made Harrellson an offer, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. However, Harrellson's agent, Merle Scott, said his client had a good workout, and that the two sides are scheduled to talk again next week.
THURSDAY, 11:52am: Free agent big man Josh Harrellson worked out with the Heat this morning, according to Tom Haberstroh of ESPN.com. Harrellson himself hinted at the workout yesterday, tweeting: "Miami!!! Ready to impress!"
Harrellson was traded earlier this summer by the Knicks as part of the sign-and-trade deal that sent Marcus Camby to New York. The 23-year-old's time with the Rockets was short-lived, however, as the team waived him last week in order to clear a roster spot to sign Carlos Delfino.
Since he went unclaimed on waivers, Harrellson is now free to sign with any club except the Knicks, who are ineligible to re-add him until next July. While Heat president Pat Riley has said his team doesn't need to add a center, Harrellson would be a good fit for a team that's expected to play some combination of Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem, Joel Anthony, and Dexter Pittman in the middle.
Heat Eyeing Chris Andersen
FRIDAY, 8:04am: The Heat have inquired on Andersen, but have yet to schedule a visit or make an offer to the Birdman, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Andersen is "very interested" in the Heat, says Jackson.
THURSDAY, 6:02pm: Earlier today we mentioned that the Heat were interested in former Knicks backup center Josh Harrellson, but it appears they also have their sights on someone with a bit more experience. According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Miami is also intrigued with the possibility of adding free agent forward Chris Andersen.
Amnestied by the Nuggets earlier this offseason, Andersen has reportedly bypassed a lucrative offer overseas and is willing to take the veteran's minimum with Miami. No offer has been made at this time, and at 34 years old, coming off a season in which he played just 32 games, it's unclear as to how much the 10-year veteran has left. Andersen's off the court issues which have lingered in recent months, which may also help explain why no team has yet to sign him.
Pincus On NBA Spending Power
We've gone over team spending here on Hoops Rumors before, but today, Hoopsworld.com's Eric Pincus broke down the remaining cap space that teams have across the league, including how much they've already spent and their current situation with regards to various exception levels. Some interesting notes from his piece:
- Before their reported agreement with Martell Webster, the Wizards were the only team left with their full $5MM mid-level exception. The Bucks have nearly all to spend, but fall just short with $4.35MM.
- Despite what appears to be a never ending spending spree that's lasted the entire summer, the Lakers still have $1.59MM left on their mini mid-level exception. They're also nearly $30MM over the tax line.
- The Hawks still have their Bi-Annual Exception, but should they choose to re-sign Ivan Johnson, will need to spend it on him.
- The Celtics, Nets, Knicks, Grizzlies, Clippers, and Heat are unable to add any players unless it's through a trade or signing someone to the veteran's minimum.
- The Rockets have 20 players on their current roster, but could get between $6 and 7MM underneath the cap after waiving a few non-guaranteed players, as they recently did with Josh Harrellson. (The limit is 15 players by opening night.)
- The Cavaliers boast $11.1MM of cap space, the most in the league.
Odds & Ends: Team Canada, Harrellson, Magic
A handful of players with NBA ties have been invited to a weekend training camp that will take place soon to give Team Canada officials a first glimpse at candidates for their national team, as Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun reports (Sulia link). Tristan Thompson of the Cavs, Joel Anthony of the Heat, Cory Joseph of the Spurs, Andrew Nicholson of the Magic and Kris Joseph of the Celtics are on the list. Robert Sacre, the 60th pick in this year's draft by the Lakers, remains unsigned, but he's been invited as well. The team has officially named former Raptors head coach and current Blazers assistant Jay Triano as head coach, Wolstat also writes, and Rockets assistant coach Kelvin Sampson will also be an assistant with Team Canada. Lakers guard Steve Nash, serving as Team Canada's GM, said he wouldn't have accepted the position if Triano wasn't coming aboard, too, Wolstat notes. Here's more from around the Association this afternoon:
- The Heat conducted a workout with Josh Harrellson today, as we heard earlier, but the Timberwolves have no interest in the 6'10" University of Kentucky product, as they prefer a center with more length, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News in Minneapolis. Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel notes that Harrellson is just one of several big men the Heat are considering (Sulia link).
- Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel looks at the options the Magic have at power forward to replace Ryan Anderson.
- The Bulls, Lakers, Clippers, Timberwolves and Warriors all have some significant injury issues with training camp about a month away, and Sam Amick of SI.com checks in on the status of Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard and others.
- Robin Lopez is recovering from left knee surgery that took place a week after the Hornets acquired him in a sign-and-trade, but he's expected to be ready for training camp, as John Reid of The Times-Picayune reports. Lopez expressed his enthusiasm about coming to New Orleans, saying, "I’m excited to be here. We’ve got a young, energetic group. The good thing is we’ve got some youth that has a little bit of experience as well. Hopefully we can parlay that into something special.’’
- Joe Dumars, Pistons president of basketball operations, traveled overseas with assistant GM George David to watch Jonas Jerebko and Slava Kravtsov in FIBA Eurobasket qualifying, as Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press writes.