Odds & Ends: D-League, Tanking, Thornton
Now that NBA teams have finalized their opening night rosters, free agents and camp invitees who missed the cut could turn to the D-League. NBA clubs are allowed to retain D-League rights for up to three players they had in camp, and many D-League squads will still hang on to players’ rights from last season. Many D-League hopefuls, however, have their sights set on November 1st, the night of this year’s draft. Over at D-League Digest, Gino Pilato has a primer for this year’s draft, while at Secret Rival, Mark Porcaro examines the players we know will be part of the draft pool.
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the Association:
- By way of Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com, an anonymous NBA general manager explains first-hand why his team is in tank mode this season. Any guesses on which GM it might be?
- Just five days after we passed along word that former NBA lottery pick Al Thornton had joined China’s Xinjiang Flying Tigers, Evan Wang of Hupu.com tweets that the two sides have parted ways (hat tip to Sportando). Xinjiang is eyeing James Singleton as a potential replacement for Thornton.
- Although it looks like Thornton will return stateside for now, China has become a hot destination for former NBA players and NBA hopefuls, as our international player movement tracker shows. In an interesting and in-depth piece for Bleacher Report, Jared Zwerling details the emergence of the Chinese Basketball Association.
- Jeff Eisenberg of Yahoo! Sports takes a look at undrafted players who earned spots on NBA opening night rosters, as well as prospects who left college early and didn’t land on a roster.
- After identifying a few trade candidates around the NBA yesterday, Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld lists a few more today, including some big names (Rajon Rondo, Pau Gasol) and some under-the-radar possibilities (Alonzo Gee, Andre Miller).
Pacific Notes: Bogut, Kobe, Tyler, Suns
Let’s round up a few Monday items out of the Pacific Division….
- Grantland’s Zach Lowe examines last Friday’s two big deals, the Wizards‘ acquisition of Marcin Gortat and the Warriors‘ extension for Andrew Bogut. In Lowe’s view, the Suns made out very well in the Gortat swap, which looks like the result of a win-now mandate for Washington. Meanwhile, Lowe considers Bogut’s deal a risky one for Golden State, but hopes it works out, since the league is better off with the former first overall pick healthy.
- Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News goes in-depth on Bogut’s new contract and the Warriors‘ long-term cap situation, reporting some new details on the agreement with Bogut. According to Kawakami, there is no trade kicker included in Bogut’s extension, which features up to 15% in unlikely bonuses in each season.
- In his latest piece for SBNation.com, Tom Ziller examines Jim Buss’ comments on Kobe Bryant‘s contract situation and attempts to identify Buss’ motives.
- After cutting him last week, the Knicks are trying to obtain Jeremy Tyler‘s D-League rights from Golden State’s D-League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, reports Marc Berman of the New York Post. Tyler, who is rehabbing a foot injury, is free to sign with any NBA team, but can’t join a D-League team besides Santa Cruz unless the Warriors agree to a deal to relinquish his rights.
- Dionte Christmas, Ishmael Smith, and Viacheslav Kravtsov, who earned spots on the Suns‘ opening night roster, have learned not to take having an NBA job for granted, as Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic details.
Southeast Notes: Wizards, Griffin, Dawson
It wasn’t exactly 2012’s James Harden blockbuster, but the Wizards‘ acquisition of Marcin Gortat last night, just days before the season gets underway, was a bold and surprising move by Washington. Our latest round of Southeast items has some more info on that deal, as well as other notes from around the division….
- The Suns and Wizards had been talking about making a deal for a few weeks, and the major holdup involved wrangling over the amount of protection on the first-rounder going from Washington to Phoenix, according to Michael Lee of the Washington Post. J. Michael of CSNWashington.com adds that the swap was fast-tracked over the past few days when it became increasingly clear to the Wizards that Emeka Okafor would miss a significant portion of the season.
- Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld left the door open for his team to open a max player next summer, tweets Lee.
- Amin Elhassan breaks down the Wizards/Suns trade in an Insider-only piece for ESPN.com.
- After being cut by the Heat, Eric Griffin is considering playing in China, according to Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald (Twitter link).
- Eric Dawson, who was released by the Hawks today, will sign with the Austin Toros of the D-League, tweets Shams Charania of RealGM.com.
- Mike Miller‘s attorney told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that his client is planning to sue the Heat after the club allegedly introduced him to a con man who pocketed his investment money. Meanwhile, Miller told Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press that he did not authorize his lawyer to give out that information and wrote, via text, that he is grateful for the way he and his family were treated by the club.
Atlantic Notes: Raptors, Sixers, Turner, Knicks
It appears the Celtics, Nets, and Knicks are all ready to get the regular season underway, having reduced their rosters to 14, 15, and 15 players respectively. The Sixers are also down to 14 players, though GM Sam Hinkie has been active enough in his first offseason that there’s no guarantee the roster is set in stone yet.
Only the Raptors still have to make their cuts — the team is currently carrying 17 players, so at least two players will need to be released. Carlos Morais, Julyan Stone, and Chris Wright are all on non-guaranteed deals, and according to Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun (via Twitter), Stone looks like the one most likely to survive until Monday and beyond.
Here are a few more notes from around the Atlantic:
- Rodney Williams, whom the Sixers waived today, will play for the Delaware 87ers, the team’s D-League affiliate, according to Dei Lynam of CSNPhilly.com (Twitter link).
- In a Saturday update to his Instagram account, Evan Turner sought to clarify his remarks from yesterday about how he’ll “get money regardless” of whether or not he signs an extension. Matt Moore of Eye on Basketball has the details.
- The Knicks have hired Idan Ravin, the personal trainer for Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith, as a player development coach, according to Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter). It could be an effort by the Knicks to earn brownie points with their star player as he enters the final year of his contract.
- According to Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News, it’s hard to argue the Sixers will be tanking this season, since there isn’t much talent on the roster to begin with. I’d call that a question of semantics.
Western Notes: Rockets, Lakers, Nash, Thunder
With the NBA’s opening night just four days away, let’s round up some items out of the Western Conference on the last Friday of the offseason:
- Philadelphia released Royce White yesterday, but it will be the Rockets, not the 76ers, who are on the hook for his $1.7MM+ salary, tweets Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. When Houston sent White to the Sixers, it was reported that the deal included cash considerations, so perhaps the amount in the trade was equal to White’s salary.
- Phil Jackson recently spoke to Seth Davis about a number of topics, including the Lakers, and while that interview won’t air until next week, Mark Medina of InsideSoCal.com passes along a few of the Zen Master’s comments. Among the notable items: Jackson says he’s unlikely to ever coach in the NBA again due to his health.
- Steve Nash is currently the oldest player on an NBA roster, and there’s some concern from the Lakers about his health heading into the season. However, while he acknowledges to Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com that he’s at a “different stage” in his career, he says he’s up to the challenge.
- After waiving Diante Garrett today, the Thunder aren’t in the market for a third point guard, according to head coach Scott Brooks (Twitter link via Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman).
- In the wake of early speculation about Kevin Durant‘s 2016 free agency, ESPN.com’s Larry Coon (Insider link) details Durant’s options, concluding that the Thunder star figures to take a wait-and-see approach.
- Dee Bost, who was waived by the Trail Blazers, and Troy Daniels, who is expected to be released by the Rockets, will soon sign with their clubs’ respective D-League affiliates, tweets Shams Charania of RealGM.com.
Odds & Ends: Brand, CP3, Obradovic, Rush
Let’s round up a few odds and ends from around the Association….
- Elton Brand tells Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he was “a little surprised” that the Mavericks didn’t re-sign him this summer. However, the veteran big man added that Dallas had been in the mix: “They had to get their cap situation straight and they did tender an offer.”
- Appearing on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (video link), Chris Paul admits that he could see himself retiring a little earlier than expected in order to spend more time with his children (hat tip to Matt Moore of Eye on Basketball). Of course, the Clippers guard just signed a five-year deal with the club this summer, so he’s not about to call it a career anytime soon.
- Rigas Dardalis of Eurohoops.net translates an interview with longtime Panathinaikos coach Zeljko Obradovic on Greece’s OTE TV. Shortly after the 2012/13 NBA season ended, Obradovic said he’d consider taking an NBA job if a playoff team reached out to him, but he tells OTE TV that while a couple clubs were considering interviewing him, none ended up contacting him directly.
- After recently working out at the Lakers facility, former NBA vet Kareem Rush is prepared to rejoin the team’s D-League affiliate, the L.A. D-Fenders, he tells Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com (Twitter link). Rush appeared in seven games for the D-Fenders in 2011/12.
D-League Notes: Draft, Rockets, Sampson
We haven’t heard much about veteran Luke Walton this offseason, but earlier today we learned that the former Lakers and Cavs forward isn’t ready to call it a career. Walton’s looking to figure out his next move and he could join the L.A. D-Fenders in a player development role that will allow him to get practice reps with the squad. Here’s today’s D-League news..
- The 2013 NBA D-League draft will be held on November 1st, according to Keith Schlosser of Ridiculous Upside. If last year’s draft is any indication, several players selected that night will likely receive NBA auditions sooner or later.
- Nevada Smith, formerly of Keystone College, will coach the Rockets’ D-League team this season, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). Former Rocket Ralph Sampson had hoped to get a shot to coach the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, telling Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston, “I’m disappointed they went in a different direction” (Twitter link).
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Luke Walton Hopes To Continue NBA Career
Since Luke Walton became a free agent at the end of the 2012/13 season, the only reports we’ve heard on the veteran forward have suggested that the Cavs were unlikely to bring him back. However, despite not drawing much NBA interest, Walton hasn’t given up on continuing his playing career, as he tells Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
“I want to play still,” Walton said. “I’ve trained all summer as if I was going to get a call. The call never came, so, I’m going to keep working out …. If nothing happens this year, then I’ll probably admit that it’s officially over.”
Walton is currently working with Time Warner Cable SportsNet as an on-air analyst for Lakers broadcasts, and is also in talks with the team’s D-League affiliate, the Los Angeles D-Fenders, about a player development role that would allow him to work out with the club.
The ex-Laker is still just 33 years old, and had a decent bounceback season last year with the Cavs — his 11.3 PER was close to his career mark of 11.7. If he’s healthy and in shape, he could still make a decent bench piece for an NBA team, perhaps later in the season for a club dealing with injuries. For now though, he’s enjoying his TV work.
“I’m doing this because I think it’s going to be fun,” Walton said of his role at TWC SportsNet. “Obviously I love the Lakers organization and it’s a way to stay involved and stay in the game of basketball while I continue to work out, in case I don’t get a call, I’m not just sitting around every day.”
Odds & Ends: Carmelo, D-League, Oden, Wade
Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News doesn’t understand why the news that Carmelo Anthony would test the open market came as a surprise to anyone. Meanwhile, this season will be very telling for both the Knicks and Melo to figure out if they can win a championship together. Lupica openly wonders if New York can win a title with Anthony as their No. 1 player. Here’s more from around the Association..
- Mark Porcaro of Secret Rival runs down the whereabouts of prominent members of each D-League team this offseason. It’s no surprise to see that many of the D-League’s standouts from last season have found NBA homes while others have landed lucrative deals overseas. To keep up on the latest in international player movement, check out the Hoops Rumors International Tracker, made with the help of Porcaro.
- Heat offseason acquisition Greg Oden already knows he’ll have to wear a bulky knee brace when he gets back on the floor, writes Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. Oden signed a two-year deal with Miami with a player option on 2014/15.
- In a Twitter Q&A, Dwyane Wade said he’s a big supporter of offseason pickup Michael Beasley and is a bigger fan of his than he was during his first stint in Miami, writes Winderman.
- New Pistons forward Josh Smith says he has no issues with playing the three in Detroit, tweets Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld.
Eastern Notes: Kleiza, Robinson, Nets
Former Raptors forward Linas Kleiza told lrytas.lt – a Lithuanian media outlet – that he has no interest in returning to the NBA after being amnestied by Toronto this past July (hat tip to RealGM.com). The 6’8 forward now plays for Fenerbahçe Ülker of the Turkish Basketball League.
Here are some more news and notes from around the Eastern Conference:
- One source tells Ridiculous Upside’s Keith Schlosser that former NBA veteran Cliff Robinson has landed an assistant coaching job with the Springfield Armor of the NBDL, which serves as an affiliate with the Nets. The one-time All-Star’s 18-year playing career included stops in Portland, Phoenix, Detroit, Golden State, and most recently New Jersey.
- Hoopsworld’s Alex Kennedy looks at how the Nets have become a legitimate title contender after an offseason overhaul that brought in three former All-Stars in Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Andrei Kirilenko to go with new head coach in Jason Kidd.
- Sam Amick of USA Today checked in with TNT’s Charles Barkley and Steve Kerr along with ESPN’s Jeff Van Gundy to get their opinions on some of the biggest storylines of the upcoming season. As far as the East is concerned, Barkley views center Greg Oden as the key to the Heat’s quest for a third-consecutive title, Kerr predicts that the Bulls will unseat Miami in the playoffs, and Van Gundy thinks the jury’s still out as to how the new additions in South Beach could hurt or help the Heat.
- Marc Berman of the New York Post (via Twitter) notes that plenty of scouts are in attendance at tonight’s pre-season game between the Wizards and Knicks to get a look at potential cuts. With Knicks GM Steve Mills’ recent comments about lack of depth at center, Berman believes New York will certainly be scouting too.