Southwest Notes: Hollins, Roberts, Spurs
Former Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins reportedly spoke with Pistons coach Maurice Cheeks about joining his staff as assistant, and Hollins confirms to Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com that he was offered the job. He turned it down, however, intent on seeking out another NBA head coaching gig. Here’s more out of the Southwest Division..
- Pelicans point guard Brian Roberts is on a fully guaranteed minimum-salary contract, but he’s fallen out of the rotation, and that might put his roster spot in jeopardy, as Jimmy Smith of The Times-Picayune examines.
- The Spurs announced that they have assigned center Aron Baynes and guard Nando De Colo to the D-League’s Austin Toros. Baynes has appeared in ten games for the Spurs this season, averaging 1.5 points and 2.2 rebounds in 8.1 minutes. De Colo has seen action in six contests this season for the Silver and Black, averaging 2.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 9.0 minutes. To keep track of all of this year’s D-League assignments, check out Hoops Rumors’ running list.
- Jeff McDonald of the Express News (on Twitter) wouldn’t be surprised to see Baynes and De Colo back in San Antonio tomorrow.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Odds & Ends: Bennett, Ledo, Pistons, Heat
The Cavs drafted Anthony Bennett first overall with many in the organization envisioning him becoming a small forward at some point, notes Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal. Lloyd argues that the team should make the former UNLV big man the starter at that position now. Cleveland’s win tonight brings the team’s record to just 5-12, so Lloyd believes it’s an idea worth trying in a season when few of coach Mike Brown‘s gambits have worked. Here’s more from around the NBA:
- The Mavericks assigned Ricky Ledo to their D-League affiliate today, the team announced via press release. Ledo has appeared in six games with Dallas for a total of just 16 minutes so far.
- Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News breaks down the dilemmas facing first-year Pistons coach Maurice Cheeks, whose team is off to a worrisome 6-10 start in spite of owner Tom Gores’ playoff aspirations.
- Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel wonders if Kobe Bryant‘s lucrative extension will prompt LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to prioritize money over championships next offseason.
Southwest Notes: Parker, Ohlbrecht, Grizzlies
The Spurs saw their 11-game winning streak come to an end in Oklahoma City on Wednesday night, but they’ll look to begin a new streak tonight when they visit the Magic in Orlando. As we look forward to that matchup, here are some items on the Spurs and their Southwest rivals:
- Assuming Kobe Bryant plays out his new contract, he’ll have spent 20 years with the Lakers, and that’s a feat Tony Parker would like to accomplish with the Spurs, as he tells Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News. “Why not?” Parker said. “The way I play, I think I can definitely play that long…. I take care of my body, and I’ve already told Coach Pop that after 2016 I will be done with the (French) national team. So I think I can play a long time.”
- Tim Ohlbrecht‘s agency announced today that the big man has returned to the D-League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Ohlbrecht was claimed off waivers from the Rockets by the Sixers over the summer, but he was subsequently waived by Philadlphia, and his D-League rights remained with Houston’s affiliate.
- In his latest piece for USA Today, Sam Amick explains why the Grizzlies should have no regrets about the Rudy Gay trade and talks to Mike Miller about his move from Miami to Memphis.
Arinze Onuaku Signs With D-League’s Charge
Former Pelicans power forward Arinze Onuaku has signed with the D-League’s Canton Charge, the team announced (hat tip to Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio). The Charge have a one-to-one affiliation with the Cavs, but Onuaku’s D-League contract doesn’t constitute any agreement between him and the NBA team. The 26-year-old remains eligible to hook on with any NBA club, including the Cavs.
Onuaku was allowed to sign directly with the Charge rather than go through the D-League’s waiver process, as Kendall Marshall must do, because he played with Canton before. The one-time member of the Syracuse Orange averaged 12.6 points and 9.5 rebounds in 38 games with the Charge last year, and participated in the D-League All-Star Game.
That performance led to a summer-league stint with the Suns this year and a training camp invitation from the Pelicans. New Orleans briefly carried him on its regular season roster before waiving him a couple of weeks ago, just three games into his NBA career.
Western Notes: Wolves, Thunder, Mavs, Kings
Following up on comments he made yesterday about trading Derrick Williams to the Kings, Timberwolves president Flip Saunders acknowledged that the deal could end up looking very short-sighted, but said he still felt comfortable pulling the trigger.
“You have to look and see: What is the value where you’re at?” Saunders said, according to Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune. “What’s the value going to be in two months? What’s the value going to be at trading deadline? What’s it going to be next year?I just didn’t foresee Derrick being able to play much. And if a guy’s not playing, usually your value is not going to go up.”
Here’s more from around the Western Conference:
- Thunder GM Sam Presti is prioritizing longevity and sustainability when it comes to roster-building and culture-building in Oklahoma City, as Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman details.
- David Kahn‘s drafting of Williams in 2011 was understandable, since the forward was viewed as the consensus No. 2 pick at the time. But this week’s trade is the acknowledgment of another failure for the Timberwolves franchise and for the Kahn era, writes Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune.
- Chatting with Mavericks fans on Tuesday, Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News discussed the possibility of moving Shawn Marion, Jordan Farmar as a potential trade target, and why a playoff berth could help the Mavs in free agency.
- After averaging 22.0 PPG in his first three contests with the Reno Bighorns, Ray McCallum has been recalled from the D-League by the Kings, the team announced today in a press release.
- Current Pacers assistant Nate McMillan spoke extensively to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com about his time as head coach of the Trail Blazers, including his regrets about how he handled Nicolas Batum.
Fallout From Wolves/Kings Trade
The Timberwolves and Kings finalized a trade today that sent Luc Mbah a Moute to Minnesota straight up for 2011’s second overall pick, Derrick Williams. Because Williams is making a little more money this year than Mbah a Moute, the Wolves obtained a trade exception worth $428,576, which will almost certainly go unused. While that TPE may not be noteworthy, a few of today’s quotes out of Minnesota and Sacramento were, so let’s round them up….
- Sources tell Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld that the acquisition of D-Will isn’t the only trade the Kings have discussed. According to Kyler, there’s a belief that the Kings have “one or two more deals up their sleeves.”
- Kings GM Pete D’Alessandro cited Williams’ untapped potential in explaining to Sam Amick of USA Today why the team decided to acquire him. D’Alessandro adds within the same piece that he feels like the Kings owe it to their fans to be aggressive in exploring roster moves.
- Wolves president Flip Saunders tells Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune (Twitter link) that Minnesota talked about acquiring Mbah a Moute over the summer when the team put together the deal that sent Luke Ridnour to the Bucks.
- Reports yesterday indicated that Mbah a Moute would have to undergo a physical before the swap become official, due to concerns about knee issues. However, according to Saunders, that physical has yet to happen — the Wolves were confident enough in their research that they were comfortable completing the deal without it (Twitter link via Zgoda).
- More from Flip: Asked about the possibility of sending Shabazz Muhammad and/or Robbie Hummel to the D-League, Saunders said the notion that they won’t see any playing time with the Wolves isn’t necessarily true (Twitter link via Zgoda).
- Interestingly, while Saunders suggested to Zgoda (Twitter link) that he and Rick Adelman concluded Williams couldn’t play small forward in the Wolves’ system, D’Alessandro says the initial plan for D-Will in Sacramento is to start him at the three (Twitter link via Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld).
- Alexey Shved was rumored to be available as well, but he hopes to remain with the Wolves, as he tells Phil Ervin of FOX Sports North.
D-League Notes: Lakers, Warriors, Curry
Let’s round up today’s D-League updates, including a pair of assignments and a pair of recalls out of the Pacific….
- Ryan Kelly and Elias Harris have been re-assigned to the D-League by the Lakers, according to the Los Angeles D-Fenders (Twitter link). It’s already the third assignment of the season for both players, so it looks like they’ll be shuttled back and forth throughout the year.
- The Warriors have recalled Dewayne Dedmon and Nemanja Nedovic from the D-League, the team announced today in a press release. The duo helped lead the Santa Cruz Warriors to a victory last night, combining for 54 points.
- Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group checks in on Seth Curry‘s development with the Warriors‘ D-League affiliate in Santa Cruz.
Minor Moves: Warriors, Douby, Fischer
A look at today’s minor moves from around basketball..
- The Warriors announced that they re-assigned center Dewayne Dedmon and guard Nemanja Nedovic to the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA Development League. Both players will be in uniform for tonight’s home game against the Austin Toros this evening. To keep up with all of this season’s D-League assignments, check out Hoops Rumors’ running list.
- Quincy Douby reached agreement with the Yao Ming-owned Shanghai Sharks, a source told Shams Charania of RealGM. Douby is free to sign with an NBA club once the CBA season ends in March, but Shanghai’s squad is rather strong with Douby in the fold and he could be locked in with them longer if they make a deep playoff run. The Rutgers product was previously with the Sioux Falls SkyForce, the affiliate of the Heat, and was being groomed as a point guard.
- German team Brose Baskets Bamberg officially announced the signing of D’or Fischer, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. The big man spent last season with BC Donetsk of Ukraine averaging 11.0 PPG and 7.6 RPG in Superleague action and was in camp with the Wizards over the summer.
D-League Players With NBA Experience
The 2013/14 NBA D-League season got underway last night with 14 teams in action, and the remaining three clubs, including the defending champion Rio Grande Valley Vipers, start their seasons tonight.
Last year’s best teams, like the Vipers, Santa Cruz Warriors, Austin Toros, and Tulsa 66ers, benefited from their NBA affiliates (the Rockets, Warriors, Spurs, and Thunder, respectively) assigning young talent to the D-League. But D-League rosters are made up primarily of a mix of youngsters and veterans whose rights aren’t currently held by any NBA team.
It’s fairly safe to assume that all those D-League players are hoping for a call-up to the NBA, but not all of them are seeking their first shot at basketball’s biggest stage. Many players currently on D-League rosters have previous NBA experience, and are hoping to get a second (or third or fourth) chance.
Now that D-League squads have made their training camp cuts and begun their respective seasons, their opening night rosters have been finalized. So let’s take a look around the league at D-Leaguers who have previous NBA experience. This list doesn’t include NBA players currently on assignment, and only features players who have appeared in at least one NBA regular season game — so we’re not including training camp invitees, or players who were signed but didn’t see the floor.
Here’s the full list, with the player’s most recent NBA stint in parentheses:
Austin Toros:
- Eric Dawson (Spurs, 2011/12)
- Josh Howard (Timberwolves, 2012/13)
- Flip Murray (Bulls, 2009/10)
Bakersfield Jam:
- None
Canton Charge:
- Robert Hite (Heat, 2006/07)
- Kevin Jones (Cavaliers, 2012/13)
Delaware 87ers:
- None
Erie BayHawks:
- Ricky Davis (Clippers, 2009/10)
- Mustafa Shakur (Wizards, 2010/11)
- Jeremy Tyler (Hawks, 2012/13)
Fort Wayne Mad Ants:
- Chris Hunter (Warriors, 2009/10)
- Chris Porter (Warriors, 2000/01)
Idaho Stampede:
- None
Iowa Energy:
- Othyus Jeffers (Wizards, 2010/11)
- Jarvis Varnado (Heat, 2012/13)
Los Angeles D-Fenders:
- Jamario Moon (Bobcats, 2011/12)
- Kareem Rush (Clippers, 2009/10)
- Malcolm Thomas (Bulls, 2012/13)
Maine Red Claws:
- Jermaine Taylor (Kings, 2010/11)
- Chris Wright (Warriors, 2011/12)
Reno Bighorns:
- DeQuan Jones (Magic, 2012/13)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers:
- Chris Johnson (Grizzlies, 2012/13)
- James Johnson (Kings, 2012/13)
Santa Cruz Warriors:¹
- Joe Alexander (Bulls, 2009/10)
- Hilton Armstrong (Hawks, 2010/11)
- Maurice Baker (Trail Blazers, 2004/05)
- Taylor Griffin (Suns, 2009/10)
- Mychel Thompson (Cavaliers, 2011/12)
Sioux Falls Skyforce:
- Quincy Douby (Raptors, 2008/09)
- DeAndre Liggins (Thunder, 2012/13)
- Bill Walker (Knicks, 2011/12)
Springfield Armor:
- JamesOn Curry (Clippers, 2009/10)
- Jeff Foote (Pelicans, 2011/12)
- Gary Forbes (Raptors, 2011/12)
- Dennis Horner (Nets, 2011/12)
Texas Legends:
- Chris Douglas-Roberts (Mavericks, 2012/13)
- Devin Ebanks (Lakers, 2012/13)
- Melvin Ely (Nuggets, 2010/11)
- Terrel Harris (Pelicans, 2012/13)
- Sean Singletary (Bobcats, 2008/09)
Tulsa 66ers:
- Larry Owens (Nets, 2011/12)
- Ben Uzoh (Raptors, 2011/12)
¹ Santa Cruz announced the signing of Armstrong today, so it’s not clear yet if one of the other players on their list was waived to make room.
Western Notes: Gasol, Nowitzki, Armstrong
The Grizzlies aren’t releasing a timetable for the return of Marc Gasol, who’s out indefinitely with a sprained MCL in his left knee, as the team announced today. That hasn’t stopped reporters from speculating about how long Memphis will be without the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, and the consensus seems to suggest he’ll miss at least six weeks. The injury is a blow to the Grizzlies, though there’s no talk of the team looking for reinforcements yet. This summer’s trade for Kosta Koufos, who started at center for the 57-win Nuggets last year, could be about to pay dividends. Here’s more from the West:
- Derrick Rose‘s diagnosis is the big injury news of the day, but Western stars, including Gasol, are being plagued with their share of physical ailments as well. ESPN.com’s Marc Stein reports that James Harden of the Rockets is expected to miss at least the next two games with a foot injury, while the Warriors announced that Andre Iguodala is out indefinitely with a strained hamstring. I doubt either injury will result in a roster move.
- Jeff Caplan of NBA.com doesn’t put much stock in Mavs owner Mark Cuban’s revelation that Rockets GM Daryl Morey asked him this summer if he’d trade Dirk Nowitzki. The scribe notes that Cuban has vowed he’ll never trade the former MVP and that Nowitzki has said he plans to re-sign with Dallas next summer. About 70% of Hoops Rumors readers agree that the Mavs shouldn’t even think about trading their star.
- According to Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link), the Santa Cruz Warriors announced that they’ve re-added former NBA veteran Hilton Armstrong to their roster. The big man played for Golden State’s D-League affiliate last season, so Santa Cruz still held his rights.
- We looked back at the offseasons for a pair of Western Conference teams today, covering the Kings and the Jazz. You can find all the Offseason in Review pieces we’ve done so far on this page.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.