Austin Daye Joins Magic’s D-League Team
7:32pm: Daye will play for the D-League affiliate of the Magic, which claimed him off D-League waivers, the team announced.
FEBRUARY 11TH, 8:42pm: Daye has indeed signed an agreement to join the NBA D-League, Gino Pilato of D-League Digest reports (Twitter link). The 26-year-old will be subject to the D-League’s waiver process to determine which affiliate he will suit up for.
FEBRUARY 2ND, 10:58am: Sixth-year NBA veteran Austin Daye is expected to sign with the D-League, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. Daye became a free agent late last month shortly after the Spurs waived him. The small forward will go through the D-League waiver system once he signs to determine which team he’ll play with, since he’s never signed a D-League contract before. Daye will remain free to sign with any NBA team regardless of the D-League squad he ends up with.
Daye, the No. 15 pick from the 2009 draft, has played one D-League game before, with that experience coming last year while he was on assignment from the Spurs. The 26-year-old was seeing slightly more NBA playing time for San Antonio this season than he did last year, and he even made four starts, but the Spurs cleared him out to sign JaMychal Green to a 10-day contract. San Antonio inked Reggie Williams when it didn’t reach agreement on a second deal with Green.
The Pistons drafted Daye out of Gonzaga and traded him to the Grizzlies in the middle of his fourth season, shortly before his rookie scale contract was to expire. He signed a two-year deal for the minimum salary with the Raptors the following summer, but Toronto shipped him to the Spurs at the deadline. San Antonio decided this past offseason to keep him past the date in June that his salary for this season would become fully guaranteed, but the Spurs ultimately decided to eat about half of that money when they let him go last month.
Eastern Notes: Knicks, Horford, Williams
It’s doubtful that the Knicks will be able to trade Jose Calderon or Andrea Bargnani, but a source tells Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports that a smaller deal could happen. Calderon, who Eddie Scarito of Hoops Rumors examined as a trade candidate, is making slightly less than $7.1MM this season and is owed more than $15.1MM over the remaining two years of his deal. Bargnani, whom Eddie believes is unlikely to be traded, is set to make $11.5 this season, which is the last year of his current contract.
Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:
- Al Horford said that he doesn’t know whether the Hawks should reinstate GM Danny Ferry from his indefinite absence, and Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald takes it as a signal that Horford isn’t warm to the idea of Ferry returning.
- Mo Williams had a trade kicker in his deal, according to Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link), so he went from making $3.75MM to just under $3.97MM. The Timberwolves paid the difference, though the new number counts on Charlotte’s cap.
- Tim Frazier, whose 10-day contract with the Sixers has expired, will return to the Maine Red Claws, the D-League affiliate of the Celtics, according to Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com. The point guard appeared in three games with Philadelphia, averaging five points, 4.7 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game.
- Kyle Lowry has blossomed into a star in Toronto but the point guard was skeptical at first when he was acquired by the Raptors, writes Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. “Well no, honestly I didn’t think [this is where everything would work out],” Lowry said of Toronto. “But with all the hard work I put in and the commitment they made to me, everything just kind of came into fruition and it worked out.”
Chuck Myron contributed to this post
Eastern Notes: Stephenson, Dawkins, Celtics
Although Lance Stephenson says returning home and playing for the Nets would be a “blessing,” the guard is just focusing on getting back on track with his current team, writes Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. “I’m just trying to get my mind off of basketball, go to my neighborhood and get my hunger back,” Stephenson said. “With me, it’s all mental. I feel like once I get mentally into it, coming back to get that hunger. ‘Cause sometimes you lose your hunger. You’ve been doing it for so long you forget all the hard work that got you here. So I’m just getting back on that, getting focused.” Stephenson was mentioned in trade discussion with the Nets, as Arthur Hill of Hoops Rumors notes in his trade candidate piece.
Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:
- The Sioux Falls Skyforce, the D-League affiliate of the Heat, have reacquired Andre Dawkins after his second 10-day contract with the Celtics expired, tweets Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. Dawkins was a member of the Heat earlier this season but the team waived him right before his contract was set to become guaranteed. Dawkins had appeared in four games this season for Miami, accumulating a total of three points and two rebounds. The Duke product did not see court time during his two 10-day stints with Boston.
- The Celtics can learn from how the Hawks play on the court and how the franchise constructed its roster, writes Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald. “The thing that stands out is just the quick decision making,” coach Brad Stevens said of the Hawks. “I’m hoping that’s a function of age.” Murphy believes it’s also a function of good scouting and drafting. The Celtics’ own picks over the next two years will most likely be the team’s only chance to draft in the top five. Like the Hawks did with Al Horford, who was drafted third overall in 2007, the Celtics need to land at least one elite talent with these opportunities. The Hawks also nailed their mid-to-late first-round picks, which helped elevate the team’s talent without adopting a complete tanking strategy. The Celtics have plenty of opportunities to nab good, young talent as they have several first rounders in addition to their own, as our Future Draft Pick Tracker indicates.
- If anyone understands what Bradley Beal is going through, it’s teammate John Wall, writes J. Michael of CSNWashington.com. Wall, like Beal, had injuries keep him out of games while he was still under his rookie contract. “You do [think about it]. The main thing he can learn from what I did was come back and try to have a great end to the season and try to finish the season well,” Wall said of Beal, who is eligible for an extension this summer of up to four years. “If you have a good end of the season they (know) where you are and you’re taking the right steps. I was fortunate to have the chance to come back from injuries and play well … and let them see what I can do.”
Northwest Notes: Aldridge, Kanter, Muhammad
LaMarcus Aldridge figures to be among the most sought-after free agents this summer, but he tells reporters, including Jesse Blancarte of Basketball Insiders that recruiting by other players at All-Star weekend hasn’t started yet. The Trail Blazers forward may be hearing a few pitches at tonight’s festivities. Aldridge is among the most productive players in the league, averaging 23.6 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, and gained a new level of respect by delaying surgery on an injured thumb so he could keep playing. He cited “winning and being happy” as his top priorities in free agency. “I want to like the management and feel comfortable that they are going to do the right things to keep winning,” Aldridge said, “and I want to spend my time with an organization where I love what they’re doing and where they’re going.”
There’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Enes Kanter‘s trade request this week caught some of his Jazz teammates by surprise, reports Jody Genessy of The Deseret News. “Sometimes guys hold things in, they bottle things [up] and … just got to let what they really feel go,” said Trey Burke. “I’m not saying I agree with it. At the same time, I’m not one of those guys to get super angry about it.” Kanter, unhappy with his reduction in playing time since the emergence of Rudy Gobert, was on the floor for just 18 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to Dallas. Kanter makes nearly $5.7MM this season and can become a restricted free agent in July.
- Kanter’s unhappiness isn’t necessarily bad for the Jazz, argues Brad Rock of The Deseret News. Rock contends it’s a sign that the team is improving. Kanter, who Utah took third overall in the 2011 NBA draft, hasn’t fallen in the rotation because he’s playing poorly. It has happened because Gobert and others are contributing more. If the Jazz do find a taker for Kanter, Rock would like to see them pick up a shooting guard to replace Alec Burks, who is out for the season after undergoing surgery on his injured left shoulder.
- Getting in better shape and improving his attitude has made Shabazz Muhammad a rising star with the Timberwolves, writes Jabari Davis of Basketball Insiders. Muhammad, who has tripled his minutes and scoring average in his second season, said a D-League stint last year helped him gain confidence that he could play at the NBA level.
And-Ones: James, D-League, Cousins
LeBron James being elected as the vice president of the NBPA means that the union will have another strong voice at the negotiating table, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today writes. A person close to James said that LeBron felt compelled to serve in this role at a crucial and exciting time for the league and its players, Zillgitt notes. James had considered running for NBPA president in the past, the post Chris Paul now occupies, but James had decided that he did not have the necessary free time to devote that the job required, the USA Today scribe adds.
Here’s more from around the league:
- Kings center DeMarcus Cousins is glad to finally have some stability regarding Sacramento’s coaching situation now that George Karl has been inked to a four-year deal to coach the team, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today writes. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a coach longer than a year and half maybe,” Cousins said. “It feels good to know I have one for the long haul.“
- Gino Pilato of D-League Digest ran down how the NBA affiliate players have performed thus far in the D-League this season. A number of the players whom Pilato lists could be in line for a 10-day contract from an NBA team this season.
- With the Chinese Basketball Association’s regular season completed, a number of notable players will now be eligible to return to the NBA. Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders runs down some of the more intriguing names who could be difference-makers for teams down the stretch, including Will Bynum, Michael Beasley, Earl Clark, Jordan Crawford, and Al Harrington.
Byron Mullens To Play For Heat’s D-League Team
THURSDAY, 11:35pm: Mullens has been acquired off of waivers by the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Heat’s D-League affiliate, Gino Pilato of D-League Digest reports (Twitter link)..
TUESDAY, 6:50pm: Veteran center Byron Mullens will join the NBA D-League, Gino Pilato of D-League Digest reports (Twitter link). Mullens will be subject to the D-League’s waiver process to determine which team he will play for. The 25-year-old had changed agents last month, and is now represented by Todd Ramasar of Stealth Sports.
The seven-footer had elected to turn down his minimum salary player option for the 2014/15 campaign to seek a more lucrative deal on the open market, but was unable to cash in this past offseason. Mullens’ last NBA action came during the 2013/14 campaign when he appeared in a combined 45 games for the Clippers and Sixers.
Mullens had played briefly in China this season before being waived by the Shanxi Brave Dragons. The big man is likely using the D-League as a springboard to make his return to the NBA. With the demand for floor-spacing centers around the league, Mullens should garner consideration for a 10-day contract if he provides teams with a strong showing once he hits the D-League hardwood.
In 189 career games over parts of five seasons, Mullens has averaged 7.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.8 assists. His career slash line is .408/.319/.706.
Cavs Notes: James, Harris, Allen
LeBron James‘ decision last summer to sign a two-year contract with a player option after this season was not only motivated by the ability to take advantage of the rising salary cap and make a higher salary but also to give him maximum leverage, Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com writes. Shelburne adds that James and NBPA president Chris Paul will encourage their membership to fight for more flexible contract structures and a greater piece of the league revenue pie when the players union can opt out of the current CBA in 2017. Here’s more from Cleveland:
- The Cavaliers have re-assigned Joe Harris to the Canton Charge, their D-League affiliate, the team has announced. This is the sixth trek of the season to Canton for Harris, who has appeared in six games for the Charge this season, averaging 18.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 33.2 minutes per game.
- Cleveland has been in contact with free agent Ray Allen‘s representatives in recent days, but the veteran guard has still not made a decision on where, or if, he will play this season, Jason Lloyd of The Akron Beacon Journal reports.
- James feels a sense of urgency to win a championship this season even though he and Kevin Love, who can opt out of his deal after the season, are expected to remain with the club long-term, according to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders.com. The facts that James has hit the age of 30 and has logged more than 41,500 minutes in his career also figure into his thinking.
And-Ones: Sanders, Johnson, Suns
Larry Sanders‘ league-imposed suspension for marijuana use has ended, Charles F. Gardner of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports (Twitter link). The big man had been suspended without pay for a minimum of 10 games for a violation of the anti-drug policy, the NBA had announced back on January 16th. The league had stipulated that the suspension would remain in effect until Sanders fully complied with his treatment program. There has been no official announcement from the league or the Bucks regarding Sanders’ reinstatement as of yet. Sanders has missed a total of 12 games while on suspension, totaling $1.2MM in lost wages.
The end of the suspension makes it certain that the team will be unable to re-sign Jorge Gutierrez, whose 10-day contract will expire during the All-Star break, unless the Bucks unload one of their 15 players who are signed through the end of the season. Gutierrez has occupied the extra roster spot that Milwaukee’s has had thanks to the presence of Sanders on the suspended list.
Here’s more from around the league:
- If Tyler Johnson remains on the Heat‘s roster past August 1st, half of his $845,059 salary for the 2015/16 season will become guaranteed, Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders notes (Twitter link). Johnson was signed to a two-year deal by Miami after completing a pair of 10-day contracts with the team.
- The Suns have recalled Archie Goodwin and Reggie Bullock from the Bakersfield Jam, their D-League affiliate, the team has announced. This was the the fourth trek of the season for Goodwin to Bakersfield, and the second for Bullock.
- Pistons president of basketball operations and coach Stan Van Gundy blasted the Kings for how they have treated interim coach Tyrone Corbin, David Mayo of MLive.com writes. Van Gundy took issue with the organization’s public courting of George Karl, who is reportedly finalizing an agreement to coach Sacramento, Mayo notes. “I think it’s an unfortunate situation, the way it’s been handled,” Van Gundy said. “I think Tyrone Corbin has been treated very, very poorly by their organization. I think the way they have treated him is unfortunate and inexcusable for one of the real class acts in our business.“
- While Jahlil Okafor remains the consensus No. 1 overall pick in June’s NBA draft, the player likely to be selected No. 2 remains a tight race between Emmanuel Mudiay, Karl-Anthony Towns, and D’Angelo Russell, Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider subscription required) notes.
Western Notes: Wolves, Murphy, Brown
Despite having desirable veteran trade assets in Thaddeus Young and Kevin Martin, Timberwolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders isn’t actively looking to make more deals before the February 19th trade deadline, Jerry Zgoda of The Star Tribune writes. Saunders is willing to listen to offers, but he said that the team now has plenty of competition for playing time at every position, and the Wolves are focused on trying to get their current roster settled, Zgoda adds.
Here’s more from the Western Conference:
- Kevin Murphy, who was in training camp with the Jazz this season, is considering returning to the Idaho Stampede, Utah’s D-League affiliate, David Pick of Eurobasket.com reports (Twitter link). Murphy had been playing in China for Zhejiang Guangsha, whose regular season has just concluded.
- The Suns are expected to discuss a deal with Alec Brown, their 2014 second round draft pick, to join the team for the 2015/16 campaign, Shams Charania of RealGM.com reports. Brown has been rehabilitating a dislocated shoulder that he suffered during summer league play in Las Vegas. The big man is set to join the Bakersfield Jam, Phoenix’s D-League affiliate, next week, Charania notes.
- Bernard James, who was recently inked to a 10-day deal with the Mavericks, believes that his time spent with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association made him a better player, Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News writes. “It was huge,” James said of playing overseas. “It kind of got me back to feeling like myself again. I’m not hesitating. I’m believing in my game. It was good to play major minutes and having a team really rely on me.“
- Some NBA executives aren’t dismissing the idea of George Karl retaining Tyrone Corbin as an assistant on his coaching staff with the Kings, Gery Woelfel of The Racine Journal Times reports (Twitter link).
Western Notes: Clippers, Benson, Karl
Pelicans and Saints owner Tom Benson must undergo evaluations by three different doctors to determine whether the 87-year-old is competent enough to retain control of the two franchises, Andy Grimm of The Times-Picayune reports. One doctor will be named by Benson and a second will be chosen by his daughter, Renee, and her children, who are seeking to take control of the teams after his death. Those two doctors will jointly name a third physician and all will evaluate Benson, Grimm adds.
Here’s more from the Western Conference:
- In a statement released by Benson via the Saints Twitter feed, the embattled owner declared his intention to spare no expense in defending his control of the team and mental state. Benson also noted that he has instructed his attorney Phil Wittmann to make public the results of his medical evaluations as soon as possible.
- The Grizzlies have recalled Jarnell Stokes and Russ Smith from the Iowa Energy, their D-League affiliate, the team has announced. This concludes the fourth trek of the season to the D-League for both players.
- Clippers coach and president of basketball operations Doc Rivers said that the team would wait until after the All-Star break to bring in another player to bolster its roster, Dan Woike of The Orange County Register relays. The reason behind the wait is the upcoming All-Star break, since the team wouldn’t be able to maximize the amount of games it would receive from a player signed to a 10-day contract until the end of the break, Woike notes. Rivers wouldn’t say if the team was looking to bring in a big man to replace the injured Blake Griffin, or to sign another guard, Woike adds.
- Sources close to the situation say many of the Nuggets players George Karl coached in Denver still text Karl after games and ask his advice on matchups and style of play, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders writes. Multiple Kings players have reportedly expressed concerns over the franchise hiring Karl.