Bucks Notes: Looney, Hunter, Draft
The Bucks were interested in speaking with Kevon Looney, according to Matt Velazquez of the Journal Sentinel, but he was not among the 18 players they spoke to at the combine in Chicago. The Wisconsin native would be delighted if the team drafts him with their first round selection.
“A lot of people from Milwaukee support me a lot and I think they would love to see me come back and play and represent our city,” Looney said. “I try to represent the best that I can out in LA and everywhere I go.”
The UCLA product is ranked ninth by Chad Ford of ESPN.com, while Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress ranks him 19th. Here’s more from Milwaukee:
- R.J. Hunter met with the Bucks on Saturday, according to Velazquez (Twitter link). The shooting guard is the 21st best prospect according to Ford, while Givony has him ranked 24th.
- The Bucks have the 17th pick in the upcoming draft and Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel is optimistic that the team can repeat its success drafting near the middle of the first round. “If you look at the history of the draft and you start talking about that 12 to 17 and 18 range, you can miss on those guys,” GM John Hammond said. “We would consider ourselves fortunate when you start mentioning John [Henson], Larry [Sanders], Giannis [Antetokounmpo]. Those guys all have proven to be quality players in this league.” Milwaukee picked Antetokounmpo with the 15th pick in 2013, Henson with the 14th pick in 2012 and Sanders with the 15th pick in 2010.
Draft Rumors: Porzingis, Wood, Dawson
At least one GM is among the multiple executives who believe Latvian power forward Kristaps Porzingis has a shot to be drafted as highly as No. 2, reports Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com. The head of basketball ops for another team said that he’s a “lock” for the top five and that it wouldn’t be surprising to see him go within the top three, adding that he’d draft him in front of Jahlil Okafor, the Duke center who occupied the top spot in projections for most of the season. The 19-year-old is No. 5 in Chad Ford’s ESPN.com rankings and No. 8 with Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress. Here’s more as draft rumors kick into high gear:
- Christian Wood, a power forward out of UNLV, is hoping to follow in Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s footsteps as a ball-handler with unusual height and length, Howard-Cooper writes in the same piece. The Bucks intend to interview Wood, Virginia small forward Justin Anderson and others today, tweets Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times.
- Both the DraftExpress team and Ford go in depth on the measurements from the combine, with Ford, in his Insider-only piece, noting that most top prospects sized up well and that this year’s draft class is among the longest groups in memory in terms of both height and wingspan.
- Michigan State power forward Branden Dawson has interviewed with the Wizards, Clippers and Pelicans at the draft combine, as he told Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press. Ellis, in the same report, adds Stanley Johnson, Frank Kaminsky and Rashad Vaughn to the list of prospects with whom the Pistons have spoken.
- Terry Rozier met with the Pistons, too, as well as the Mavs, Suns, Knicks and Spurs, reports Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders (on Twitter).
- The Sixers, Lakers, Cavs and Bucks have interviewed Cameron Payne, Kyler also tweets. Payne spoke with our Zach Links recently about his draft prospects.
- Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer adds the Hornets and Warriors to the list of teams speaking with Rakeem Christmas (Twitter link).
Draft Notes: Lyles, Anderson, Wood
The 2015 NBA Draft combine is underway in Chicago and Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider subscription required) offers up a primer for all of the scheduled events. The return of five-on-five play to the event has scouts and GMs excited, but that anticipation is tempered by the fact that only one player ranked in the top 30 — Terry Rozier, will be participating in the scrimmages, Ford notes.
Here’s more regarding the 2015 NBA Draft:
- Kyle Tucker of The Courier-Journal caught up with ESPN’s Chad Ford to talk about the Kentucky Wildcats’ seven NBA Draft hopefuls. Ford spoke highly of Trey Lyles, but says that he needs to prove himself in workouts between now and the draft.
- Former Virgina swingman Justin Anderson met with the Celtics today, and the player has a workout scheduled with the team on June 1st, A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com tweets.
- The Wolves interviewed UNLV big man Christian Wood, and are also expected to sit down with Texas center Myles Turner, Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune tweets.
- Arizona forward Stanley Johnson interviewed with the Hornets today, and Johnson touted himself as “the best two-way player in the draft,” Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer notes (Twitter link).
- Former Syracuse forward Rakeem Christmas met with the Bucks, Magic, and Suns today, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports (Twitter links). Christmas is also scheduled to workout for the Sixers, but he will not interview with the team at the combine, Pompey notes.
- Projected second-rounder J.P. Tokoto interviewed with the Cavaliers, Clippers, and Pistons on Wednesday, Charles F. Gardner of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel relays (via Twitter). The guard met with the Hawks, Nets, and Mavs today, Gardner adds.
Central Notes: Shumpert, Turner, Johnson
Iman Shumpert has been a significant factor in the Cavaliers‘ success since he was acquired in what was a season-altering trade for Cleveland, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today writes. With the guard averaging 12.6 points in the series against the Bulls, Shumpert is dispelling notions that he’s strictly a defensive player, Zillgitt adds. “As long as we win, I don’t really care,” Shumpert told Zillgitt about being overlooked as a scorer. “I feel like the right people see what’s going on. Everybody around the league knows what’s going on. If you really understand basketball, you know what’s going on. I don’t take it personally, and I don’t search for credit. I just search for wins.” Shumpert is set to become a restricted free agent this summer.
Here’s more out of the Central Division:
- The Bucks interviewed Texas big man Myles Turner, who is a potential lottery pick, Matt Velazquez of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets. Regarding Milwaukee, Turner said, “They’re long and athletic right now, they’re young. They’ve got coach [Jason] Kidd and I like his plan and his vision in place. Everything I just said describes me — young, long, athletic. So I’d fit well.”
- The 6’11” Turner met with Pistons team executives today as well, Vincent Ellis of The Detroit Free Press reports (Twitter link). Turner also interviewed with the Pacers, notes Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star (via Twitter). The big man said that the Pacers told him they were focused on changing their style of play, Buckner notes.
- The Pacers interviewed Arizona freshman forward Stanley Johnson today, Buckner tweets. Johnson calls Pacers forward, and former Wildcat Solomon Hill, one of his closest friends in the NBA, Buckner adds. Johnson also sat down with representatives from the Pistons, Ellis tweets.
- All signs are pointing to Bulls assistant Ed Pinckney leaving Chicago after the season to join coach Chris Mullin‘s staff at St. John’s University, Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv tweets.
Woelfel On Thibodeau, Carter-Williams, Middleton
The Magic‘s coaching job would be Tom Thibodeau‘s if he wants it, as Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times hears. Others nonetheless speculate that Thibodeau would prefer to coach the Pelicans, Woelfel notes. Thibodeau still has two years left on his contract with the Bulls, the team he’s coaching in the conference semifinals, though there have been no shortage of rumors indicating that his time left in Chicago is short. The Magic have made little progress in their coaching search so far and haven’t begun formal interviews, while Monty Williams remains the coach in New Orleans. As we wait to see just how Thibodeau’s future plays out, Woelfel has more Bucks-centric rumors to go along with his news linking Brook Lopez to Milwaukee. We’ll pass along some highlights, though Woelfel’s entire piece is a must-read, especially for Bucks fans:
- Some higher-ups around the league tell Woelfel that the Bucks aren’t totally convinced Michael Carter-Williams is their guy at point guard, just as the team had its doubts about Brandon Knight before trading him in February as part of the deal that netted Carter-Williams. Still, there isn’t as much financial urgency with last year’s Rookie of the Year, who has two more seasons left on his rookie scale contract, as there was with Knight, who’s set for restricted free agency this summer.
- The Bucks had significant interest in University of Utah center Jakob Poeltl before he became the highest-profile prospect in this year’s draft to decide against entering, sources tell Woelfel. The 7-footer will be a sophomore next season.
- A front office official for an Eastern Conference team who spoke with Woelfel estimated that Bucks soon-to-be restricted free agent Khris Middleton would make salaries of around $9MM on his next deal, as Woelfel relays on the “Sports Junkies” video segment. The executive expressed doubt about the offer of a $15MM annual salary that another executive recently told Sean Deveney of The Sporting News that Middleton was in line to draw.
Eastern Rumors: Lopez, Hawks, Stephenson
The Bucks could be in the mix for Nets center Brook Lopez if he opts out of his contract this summer, according to Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times. Lopez’s strong relationship with former Nets coach and current Bucks coach Jason Kidd could factor in his decision if he enters the market, Woelfel adds. Lopez, who holds a player option of approximately $16.74MM on his contract, is likely to opt out but he’s expected to get a max offer from Brooklyn. Milwaukee finished the season with journeyman Zaza Pachulia as its starting center after buying out Larry Sanders in February.
In other news around the Eastern Conference:
- The Hawks will swap first-round picks with the Nets, allowing Atlanta to move up to the No. 15 overall spot next month, Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets. The Hawks, who informed the league of their decision on Monday, had the option of swapping first-rounders with Brooklyn as part of the 2012 Joe Johnson trade. The Hawks declined that option last season. Brooklyn moves down to No. 29 as a result of the swap.
- Lance Stephenson will stay in the Charlotte area over the summer and work with the Hornets coaches to improve his jump shot, Sam Perley of Hornets.com writes. Stephenson wants to prove to the club that he was worth the three-year deal it gave him last summer, Perley continues. Stephenson shot 37.6% from the field and 17.1% on 3-point attempts in his first season with Charlotte. He is due $9MM next season with a team option of just over $9,4MM the following season. “I’m staying here during the offseason and going to have time to spend with the coaches and figure out how I can be successful here,” Stephenson said to Perley. “I’m going to have to come in and figure out how I’m going to be a better shooter. This summer is going to be huge for me [in terms of] getting back into my groove and helping this group.”
No Deal Between Kenyon Martin, Panathinaikos
MONDAY, 2:20pm: Talks are dead between Martin and Panathinaikos and the veteran won’t be signing there, David Pick of Eurobasket.net tweets.
SUNDAY, 8:00pm: The two sides are no longer talking, according to Cauchi, who cites a source. Martin was close to signing with the Greek team, but negotiations were taking too much time, Cauchi writes.
9:09am: Kenyon Martin is expected to sign with Panathinaikos in Greece, tweets Orazio Cauchi of Sportando. A source calls the move “done,” noting that the agreement will cover one month.
The 37-year-old Martin is a 15-year veteran of the NBA, and appeared in 11 games this season with the Bucks. He averaged 1.8 points and 1.7 rebounds in just 9.5 minutes of playing time.
Milwaukee signed Martin to a 10-day contract January 10th, then a second 10-day deal January 19th. On January 29th, he signed for the remainder of the season, but was waived February 19th and hasn’t played in the NBA since then.
Martin was picked first overall by the Nets in the 2000 NBA draft. He also played for the Nuggets, Clippers and Knicks during his NBA career. This will be Martin’s second stint overseas. He played briefly for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of China during the 2011 lockout.
Eastern Notes: Haslem, Harris, Bucks
Next season could be the end of the line for “Heat lifer” Udonis Haslem, writes Surya Fernandez of Fox Sports Florida. Haslem, who has been with Miami since 2003, will make $2.9MM in 2015/16 during the final season of a two-year contract. Although he can pursue free agency, at age 36 he might find few interested parties outside of Miami. Teammate Dwyane Wade said he would be happy to have Haslem back. “I always feel like we have a great shot when he is on the floor because he will bring something that no one else can bring,” Wade said.
There’s more from the Eastern Conference:
- A New Hampshire mathematics professor has identified the Magic’s Tobias Harris as the NBA’s most underrated player, according to Brian Schmitz of The Orlando Sentinel. Harris, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, got high marks for his ability to shoot three-pointers, drive, rebound and defend.
- The Bucks will likely make roster changes this summer, but they would like to keep Khris Middleton, writes Charles F. Gardner of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The team hopes the restricted free agent will choose to stay in Milwaukee and be part of the team’s young core. Co-owner Marc Lasry noted that it’s easier in the NBA to do a one-year turnaround than to maintain success. “Well, I think next year is going to be harder,” he said. “It’s definitely going to be harder. People won’t take us lightly.”
- It’s been a long journey for the Hawks‘ Mike Budenholzer to go from a small Arizona town to becoming a successful NBA coach, according to Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic. Budenholzer’s pro experience started as a film coordinator for the Spurs in 1994. He was promoted to assistant coach two years later, and stayed in San Antonio for 17 more years before landing the head coaching position with the Hawks. “One of the things that’s amazing to me is his demeanor,” said his father, Vince Budenholzer. “The Hawks don’t panic and that’s him staying calm. I think we’ll give the other Pop [Spurs coach Gregg Popovich] credit for that.”
Bulls Rumors: Butler, Free Agency, Thibodeau
The Bulls’ Jimmy Butler, who was already expected to be one of the hottest names on this summer’s free agent market, is helping himself with his playoff performance, writes Sam Smith of Bulls.com. Smith argues that Butler has been the MVP of the Cleveland series through its first three games, averaging 19.3 points and five rebounds per game while playing stellar defense against LeBron James. “We’re trying to make LeBron work as hard as we can, which is what Jimmy is doing,” teammate Mike Dunleavy said after Friday’s Game 3. The Bulls are hoping to sign Butler to a long-term deal this summer, but are expected to have competition from the Lakers, among others.
There’s more from the Windy City:
- Butler’s first choice is to stay in Chicago, reports Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. The Bulls can match any offer that the restricted free agent receives — likely starting at $15MM per season — and that seems fine with the fourth-year guard. “This is a place for me. I love playing with the guys that we have,” Butler said. “They continue to bring in great, high character guys that fit the team role. I love it here. I’m happy to be here.”
- Butler credits his improvement to intense summer workouts and advice from former teammate Luol Deng, according to Shams Charania of RealGM. Charania says Butler has evolved into a perfect backcourt partner for Derrick Rose and the Bulls would love to keep him. However, he noted that Butler went to Marquette University and the Bucks have enough cap room to be a dark-horse threat.
- Tom Thibodeau, who could lose his job despite leading the Bulls to the NBA’s fourth-best record since 2010, is a victim of increased expectations across the NBA, according to Chris Herring of The Wall Street Journal. “I think there’s a heightened, unrealistic definition of success around the league: Championship or bust,” said former Portland assistant general manager Tom Penn. “And it’s caused a number of these coaches recently to become free agents too early.” Thibodeau’s fate will likely depend on the length of the Bulls’ playoff run.
Eastern Notes: Nets, Draft, Pierce
Nets GM Billy King said that the franchise’s draft strategy would be to go for the best player available rather than to try and fill a specific need, Thomas Duffy of NetsDaily relays. “We’re not going to just target a position because we might miss on somebody else,” King said. “And I will say that we’re trying to move up in the draft. We’ll explore options to get higher. … We already know of some teams who maybe want to move their pick so we’ll be talking to them next week.” Brooklyn currently owns the No. 29 and No. 41 overall selections in June’s draft.
Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:
- While the Nets have dealt away quite a few of their future draft picks, King believes there are moves he can make to offset this handicap, Duffy notes. “I think there are ways to get around [the team’s lack of future draft picks],” King said. “I’ll use my own experience for example. In Philadelphia in 2005, we didn’t have a first-round pick, but we were able to come out of the draft with Kyle Korver and Willie Green. And the next year it was Louis Williams in the second round. It’s incumbent on us, when you don’t have those picks, to be creative and come up with others ways to do it. It’s a challenge, but it’s doable… [Not having picks] doesn’t mean you can’t add quality players to your roster.”
- One of the things that Paul Pierce enjoys about playing for the Wizards is the opportunity he has to mentor the team’s younger players, Ben Standig of CSNWashington.com writes. “I feel like even if it’s one year, two years, or three years I’m here, I feel like I’m going to have a relationship with these guys for a long, long time even after basketball,” Pierce said. “It seems like we connect, and I connected with the city.” The veteran forward has a player option for 2015/16 worth $5,543,725 he can opt out of this offseason.
- The Bucks improved their win total from 15 during the 2013/14 campaign to 41 and a playoff berth this season. Charles F. Gardner of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel grades how the team and each individual player performed during the 2014/15 season.