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Eastern Rumors: Shumpert, Rondo, Heat, Pacers

By | at November 9, 2013 3:44 pm

Six Eastern Conference teams have 2-3 records, and all of them had playoff aspirations coming into the season. The Bulls, Nets and Knicks had even loftier expectations, but they’re among the clubs that find themselves below .500 five games into the season. It might not seem like it’s time for a drastic move yet, but tell that to Mike Brown, whom the Lakers fired five games into last season. Our look across the East has the latest on a team that could make a change soon:

2 comments Atlanta Hawks Boston Celtics Denver Nuggets Indiana Pacers Miami Heat NBA G League New York Knicks

Eastern Notes: Pacers, Nets, Sanders, Knicks

By | at November 7, 2013 2:13 pm

We rounded up a few items out of the Western Conference this morning. Now it’s time to head east and check in on the latest from the NBA’s only undefeated team and a few of their Eastern rivals….

  • While they aren’t a taxpaying team, the fact that the Pacers are only a couple million dollars away from that threshold signals that owner Herb Simon is shoving his chips all-in, writes Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com. So far, so good for the 5-0 Pacers.
  • The Nets became the second team in the NBA to assign players to the D-League this season, announcing in a press release that Tornike Shengelia and Tyshawn Taylor are ticketed for the Springfield Armor.
  • The Bucks had been hoping that after signing a lucrative long-term extension this offseason, Larry Sanders would come into the year feeling comfortable about his future, which would help his on-court performance. As Sean Deveney of the Sporting News details, that’s certainly not how the season has played out for Sanders so far, but there’s plenty of time to turn things around.
  • In a piece for The Score, Mark Deeks of ShamSports.com points to the Andrea Bargnani trade as one reason why the Knicks find themselves without a decent fill-in for Tyson Chandler. Deeks also notes that Kenyon Martin‘s contract will become non-guaranteed if K-Mart misses 15 or more games due to preexisting knee injuries.
1 comment Brooklyn Nets Indiana Pacers Milwaukee Bucks NBA G League New York Knicks

2013/14 NBA D-League Assignments

By | at November 7, 2013 12:24 pm

Much has been made of the increased tax penalties and the effort to improve parity under the NBA’s current Collective Barganing Agreement. However, one underreported detail of the CBA relates to D-League assignments, which now have fewer restrictions and limits than ever before. As a result, more and more NBA teams are engaging in single-affiliate partnerships with D-League clubs, which often allows the NBA franchise to control coaching hires, roster moves, and other aspects of its D-League affiliate.

The upshot is that more NBA teams are using their D-League squads like true minor league affiliates, frequently assigning young prospects or players rehabbing injuries. With 14 NBA clubs engaged in single-affiliate relationships with D-League teams this season, I expect we’ll see a new record set for D-League assignments in 2013/14.

Throughout the season, we’ll use this space to track all of ’13/14’s assignments and recalls, team by team. You can find this page, which we’ll update throughout the season, anytime on the right sidebar under “Hoops Rumors Features.” You can also refresh your memory on the rules for D-League assignments by checking out our primer.

Here are the NBA’s D-League assignments for 2013/14:

Atlanta Hawks

Boston Celtics

Brooklyn Nets

Chicago Bulls

Cleveland Cavaliers

Dallas Mavericks

Detroit Pistons

Golden State Warriors

Houston Rockets

Indiana Pacers

Los Angeles Lakers

Memphis Grizzlies

Miami Heat

Minnesota Timberwolves

New York Knicks

Oklahoma City Thunder

Philadelphia 76ers

Phoenix Suns

Portland Trail Blazers

Sacramento Kings

San Antonio Spurs

Toronto Raptors

Utah Jazz

Washington Wizards

35 comments NBA G League

Rockets Assign Canaan, Covington To D-League

By | at November 7, 2013 11:05 am

The Rockets became the first team this season to assign players to the D-League, when they announced today that Isaiah Canaan and Robert Covington would join the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (Twitter link via Jason Friedman of Rockets.com).

Neither Canaan nor Covington has seen the court for Houston so far during the regular season, so it makes sense that the team would send them to the Vipers, where they’ll get a chance to play. Both rookies figure to shuttle back and forth between the NBA and D-League squads frequently this year — as I wrote when I examined D-League assignment trends in the spring, few teams use their D-League affiliates more actively than the Rockets.

D-League camps are set to open Friday, but the Vipers’ regular season schedule doesn’t get underway until November 23rd, so it’s not clear yet how long Canaan’s and Covington’s assignments will last.

2 comments Houston Rockets NBA G League

Atlantic Rumors: Lowry, Wallace, Stoudemire

By | at November 6, 2013 8:54 am

Kyle Lowry is in the last year of his contract with the Raptors, meaning he’ll likely be the subject of a few trade rumors this season. And whether or not he’s dealt, he’s poised to hit unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career next summer. As he tells Lang Greene of HoopsWorld though, he’s not letting his contract status become a distraction.

“It’s one of those things where it’s like when you’re in college and they say that you could be a draft pick,” Lowry said. “If you start thinking about it too much, you’ll play bad. So right now, I’m in a mode where I can’t think about the future. I have to think about the present and what’s happening right now.”

Here’s more from around the Atlantic:

  • The Celtics have tried to discuss Gerald Wallace in trades, but given the three years and $30MM+ remaining on his deal, the team’s options are limited, says Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald. In the meantime, Wallace continues to try to adjust to a new situation and establish a role in Boston.
  • Frank Isola of the New York Daily News thinks the Knicks will try to convince Amar’e Stoudemire to end his career before his inflated contract expires in 2015, but he can’t see Stoudemire agreeing to call it quits (Twitter link).
  • With Tyson Chandler‘s status uncertain and Stoudemire and Kenyon Martin both considered ongoing injury risks, the Knicks‘ need to re-sign Jeremy Tyler has “grown mightily,” writes Marc Berman of the New York Post. The Erie BayHawks acquired Tyler earlier this week, allowing the big man to rehab with the Knicks’ D-League affiliate.
  • Gary Parrish of CBSSports.com is certain that Brad Stevens made the right call to take the Celtics job, since at worst he’ll have the $22MM from his six-year contract and the chance to either take another NBA job or a head coaching position at a college with a higher profile than Butler.
  • The Sixers will hire Rod Baker to coach their D-League affiliate, the Delaware 87ers, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). Baker, who had been working as an assistant for the Bakersfield Jam, has extensive coaching experience in the PBL, ABA, and NCAA.

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

0 comments Boston Celtics NBA G League New York Knicks Philadelphia 76ers Toronto Raptors

Mavericks Links: Kaman, Carlisle, Ledo

By | at November 5, 2013 7:44 pm

The Mavericks scored an encouraging victory in their last outing, knocking off a Western Conference heavyweight with a win over the Grizzlies. Still, memories of last season’s failure resurfaced before tonight’s tilt against the Lakers and center Chris Kaman, part of a host of Mavs who didn’t return to the team after playing on expiring deals last season. Here’s the latest:

  • Kaman takes issue with what he perceives as Rick Carlisle‘s tendency to “micromanage” and says the Mavs coach is “uptight and kind of plays games with people a little bit here and there,” as Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com observes. Carlisle told reporters that he takes his share of the responsibility for Kaman’s poor fit in Dallas, notes Mike Trudell of Lakers.com (Twitter link).
  • Kaman had more to say about Carlisle, as Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News shares the new Lakers center’s belief that the coach was duplicitous and played favorites. Kaman also doubted he would see many minutes if he re-signed with Dallas.
  • Ricky Ledo is probably headed for a D-League assignment at some point this season, Carlisle says, according to Earl K. Sneed of Mavs.com (on Twitter).
0 comments Dallas Mavericks Los Angeles Lakers NBA G League

Odds & Ends: Bynum, Deng, Nets, D-League

By | at November 5, 2013 1:51 pm

Andrew Bynum had the best game of his first week with the Cavaliers last night, scoring 10 points and blocking three shots in 18 minutes. While he’s starting to move better, he told reporters that he doesn’t think his explosiveness will come back, according to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio. Bynum added that he’s having “little sharp” pains in his knees here and there. The big man’s status is worth watching over the next two months, since the Cavs will have to guarantee him another $6MM if he’s on the roster beyond January 7th.

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

  • ESPN.com’s Marc Stein has weighed in with eight bold predictions relating to the NBA season. Among them: This will be Luol Deng‘s last season with the Bulls, Gordon Hayward will get a max offer sheet next summer, Jerry Sloan will replace Tyrone Corbin as the Jazz head coach, and veterans like Lamar Odom, Stephen Jackson, Baron Davis, and Jason Collins will return to the NBA.
    In his latest column for Grantland, Zach Lowe takes an extended and informative look at restricted free agency. Lowe concludes that the current CBA provides little downside for teams who prefer to pass on extensions for fourth-year players in favor of letting them hit the open market.
  • The Nets are working to turn their D-League affiliate, the Springfield Armor, into a contending team, while also developing players and coaches, as NetsDaily details.
  • Speaking of the D-League, Mark Porcaro of Secret Rival has training camp rosters for each of the league’s 17 clubs, based on what’s been reported and announced so far. Porcaro is also keeping tabs on where last months’ NBA camp invitees are landing.
1 comment Brooklyn Nets Chicago Bulls Cleveland Cavaliers NBA G League Utah Jazz

Odds & Ends: Perkins, Gay, Walton

By | at November 4, 2013 9:38 pm

With the season barely underway, should teams getting off to a slow start be concerned?  HoopsWorld ran down the league’s winless club and assessed their own level of concern.  The writing staff isn’t too worried about the Jazz as they’re anxiously awaiting the return of highly touted point guard Trey Burke.  The level of concern for the 0-2 Nuggets is at medium since they’re not at full strength at this stage.  Meanwhile, it could be time to worry in D.C. as the Wizards are 0-3 and can’t blame a John Wall injury for their slow start.  Here’s tonight’s look around the league as the Celtics failed to get in the win column..

  • Kendrick Perkins took to Twitter tonight to clear the air on his tweet from earlier today where he said it was “time for a change“.  “Let me clear something up. I wasn’t talking about leaving OKC. I was talking to some of my family members. I love playing here,” tweeted the Thunder big man.
  • Rudy Gay is working to recapture his budding stardom with the Raptors, writes Shams Charania of RealGM.  Meanwhile, the forward refutes any notion that the Grizzlies were a better and more savvy team without him on the court.
  • The Los Angeles D-Fenders, the D-League affiliate for the Lakers, announced that Luke Walton will join the team as a player development coach.  Walton says that he still hopes to continue his playing career and his arrangement with the D-Fenders will allow him to work out with the team and stay in shape.
  • Bucks rookie Giannis Antetokounmpo readily admits that he has outpaced his own expectations for his basketball career, writes Sean Deveney of Sporting News.  “Let me tell you the truth: No. I did not think I would be in the NBA, it was just a dream. How could I think this would happen? And happen now? But I am here now. So I am happy,” said the rookie.
1 comment Memphis Grizzlies Milwaukee Bucks NBA G League Oklahoma City Thunder Toronto Raptors

Knicks Acquire D-League Rights To Jeremy Tyler

By | at November 4, 2013 5:56 pm

Earlier today, the Knicks’ D-League affiliate, the Erie BayHawks, officially acquired the D-League rights to forward Jeremy Tyler in a deal with the Santa Cruz Warriors, according to Keith Schlosser of Ridiculous Upside.  In exchange for the big man, Santa Cruz will receive the rights to forward Ryan Evans and a pair of D-League draft choices.

The Knicks were high on the 22-year-old for much of the offseason until an injury took him out of action.  After that, the Knicks decided to give their final three roster spots to Toure Murry, Cole Aldrich, and Chris Smith, the younger brother of standout guard J.R. Smith.  Tyler is still rehabbing the stress fracture in his right foot, but today’s deal will allow the Knicks to closely monitor his progress.  Given their enthusiasm about the once highly-touted prospect, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Knicks sign him later on in the season.

Scott Suggs and Shane Gibson will also be sent from the Warriors’ affiliate to the Knicks’ affiliate.

2 comments Golden State Warriors NBA G League New York Knicks Transactions

Odds & Ends: Osby, Nash, Perkins, Wittman

By | at November 4, 2013 2:49 pm

The Celtics‘ D-League affiliate in Maine has acquired a pair of players who were in NBA camps last month, according to a release from the team. 2013 Magic draftee Romero Osby and Bobcats camp invitee Abdul Gaddy are now on the Red Claws’ roster. While the deals ensure that Boston’s D-League team will get a first-hand look at the two young players, there’s nothing stopping either player from signing with an NBA team besides the Celtics.

Let’s round up a few more odds and ends as the NBA regular season enters its second week….

  • Doug Smith of the Toronto Star is the latest writer to dismiss a rumor connecting Steve Nash and the Raptors, tweeting that it took “about four minutes” to debunk.
  • While he quickly removed the tweet, Kendrick Perkins said last night after playing a season-low 16 minutes against the Suns that it “might be time for a change.” Royce Young of Daily Thunder passes along a screenshot of the deleted tweet.
  • Tom Ziller of SBNation.com predicts the Wizards‘ Randy Wittman will be the first head coach fired this season, and suggests three potential replacements for Washington. Sam Smith of Bulls.com also identifies Wittman’s seat as the hottest among NBA coaches.
  • Quincy Douby was drafted 19th overall in 2006, but only lasted three seasons in the NBA before bouncing around among several international teams over the last few years. Now, he’s back in America and will play for the Sioux Falls Skyforce to start the D-League season. As he tells Yannis Koutroupis of HoopsWorld, Douby is hoping the skills and maturity he has developed overseas will help him land an NBA job.
  • A subpar group of 2014 free agent point guards will ensure that Eric Bledsoe and Greivis Vasquez make out well on their next contracts, despite not inking extensions last week, writes Chris Bernucca of Sheridan Hoops.
  • Oliver Braun, the GM of the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig in Germany, spoke to a German outlet about the tumultuous negotiations with the Hawks over Dennis Schröder‘s buyout, and Emiliano Carchia of Sportando provides a translation of some of Braun’s comments.
  • Mark Porcaro of Secret Rival breaks down the offseason player movement among the NBA and the leagues considered to be the top European domestic leagues.
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