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Pelicans Hire Danny Ferry As Special Advisor

June 8th, 2016 at 10:54am CST by Luke Adams

The Pelicans have hired former Hawks general manager Danny Ferry in a special advisor role, reports Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated (via Twitter). The club has since confirmed the hiring in a press release.

“I am excited to announce Danny Ferry has accepted our offer to join the New Orleans Pelicans basketball operations staff as a special advisor,” Pelicans GM Dell Demps said in a statement. “Danny’s experience, insight and achievements will be a welcomed addition to the Pelicans as we continue our quest to improve the team.”

Ferry was at the center of a controversy in Atlanta after making racially insensitive remarks while reading a scouting report on Luol Deng during an organizational conference call. That incident ultimately led to Ferry stepping down as the Hawks’ general manager in 2015, but he has been linked to multiple team executive openings since then, including – most recently – the job Bryan Colangelo ultimately landed in Philadelphia.

While the additions of Jerry Colangelo and Bryan Colangelo to the Sixers’ front office ultimately led to Sam Hinkie‘s departure, the Pelicans’ addition of Ferry doesn’t look like a signal that Demps’ time in New Orleans is nearing an end. There was some uncertainty at season’s end about Demps’ future with the Pelicans, but he is expected to remain in his GM role for the coming season.

In fact, Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) that Demps encouraged the Pelicans to hire Ferry, who worked closely with Demps in San Antonio. Scott Kushner of The Advocate adds (via Twitter) that the move was Demps’ decision, since he wanted an advisor with executive experience.

If the Pelicans ultimately do decide to make a change at GM sometime down the road, perhaps Ferry would top the list of potential replacements now that he’s in the building, but that’s just my speculation. As Kushner notes (via Twitter), Ferry won’t necessarily be in the building all that much, since he’ll split his time between New Orleans and Atlanta, where he lives.

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Draft Notes: Bender, Labissiere, Pelicans

June 6th, 2016 at 6:55pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Dragan Bender has workouts scheduled with the Celtics, Suns and Wolves, international journalist David Pick passes along via Twitter. Pick notes that these workouts will take place in the United States. Eddie Scarito of Hoops Rumors named the Suns as the team most likely to select Bender in his Prospect Profile.

Here’s more from the upcoming draft:

  • Skal Labissiere met with the Magic and the Rockets after his pro day workout and nearly every top-10 team has scheduled a workout with him, Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders tweets.
  • Labissiere says being physical will be a major part of his game in the league, Kennedy relays via Twitter. “I’m back to 220 lbs. I take it very seriously. Getting stronger will help me,” the former Wildcat said. Will Joseph of Hoops Rumors listed strength and toughness as an area where Labissiere needs to improve in his Prospect Profile of the center.
  • In addition to the No.6 overall pick, the Pelicans have the 39th and 40th pick in the draft and John Reid of The Times Picayune examines several prospects whom could be a nice fit for New Orleans in the second round. Anthony Barber of North Carolina State and DeAndre Bembry of St. Joe’s are among the players he mentions.
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Draft Updates: Dunn, Suns, Celtics, Pelicans

June 3rd, 2016 at 3:25pm CST by Luke Adams

Last month, we heard that former Providence point guard Kris Dunn may refuse to release his medical records to the Celtics and Suns, since he prefers not to land with a team with a young point guard or two already in place. John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM is hearing similar rumblings, tweeting that Dunn isn’t interested in working out for Phoenix or sharing his medical records with the Suns — Gambardo hears that the point guard would like to land with the Timberwolves.

Let’s check out a few more draft-related updates…

  • While the Celtics may not be Dunn’s preferred destination, ESPN’s Chad Ford (Insider link) has the Providence product going to Boston at No. 3 in his latest mock draft, writing that he thinks the C’s will choose one of Dunn, Jamal Murray, or Marquese Chriss. Dragan Bender, who has also been viewed as a candidate for that No. 3 pick, goes sixth overall in Ford’s latest mock, with the ESPN.com scribe writing that the Pelicans are believed to be “pretty big fans” of the 18-year-old big man.
  • Also within his mock draft, Ford writes that Kings GM Vlade Divac and owner Vivek Ranadive love Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield, and suggests that the Raptors have been “secretly hoping” Chriss falls to them at No. 9, which appears increasingly unlikely.
  • Former Seton Hall point guard Isaiah Whitehead has workouts with the Nuggets and Pistons lined up for June 10th and 15th, respectively, and will work out for the Bulls and Nets after that, according to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link).
  • After working out for Philadelphia on Thursday, Daniel Hamilton (UConn) will work out for the Rockets, Warriors, and Bucks, while Alex Caruso (Texas A&M) will work out for the Knicks, Wizards, and Celtics, per Jessica Camerato of CSNPhilly.com (Twitter links).
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Offseason Salary Cap Digest: New Orleans Pelicans

June 3rd, 2016 at 8:57am CST by Luke Adams

The Pelicans’ 2015/16 season was derailed by injuries, to the point that the team finished the season carrying 18 players on its roster due to multiple hardship exemptions granted by the NBA. Many of those injured players were among the club’s highest-paid veterans, but with at least one big contract (Eric Gordon) coming off the books, and a couple more (Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans) entering their final year, New Orleans should gain a little flexibility this offseason.

There’s still plenty of guaranteed salary on the Pelicans’ books for 2016/17, even before taking into account unrestricted free agents like Gordon and Ryan Anderson, but those salary commitments don’t look quite as restrictive with the cap on the rise. The team also caught a break when Anthony Davis failed to make an All-NBA team, limiting his maximum salaries over the next few years. With Davis locked up through 2021, the Pelicans can afford to exercise a little patience in building their roster around him, rather than rushing to add veteran help in hopes of convincing him to stay in New Orleans.

See how New Orleans’ cap situation looks for 2016/17 as Hoops Rumors continues its offseason salary cap digest series.

Guaranteed Salary

Player Options

Team Options

  • None

Non-Guaranteed Salary

Restricted Free Agents (Qualifying Offers/Cap Holds)

Unrestricted Free Agents (Cap Holds)

Other Cap Holds

  • No. 6 pick ($2,931,000)

Projected Salary Cap: $92,000,000

Footnotes:

  1. Davis’ exact salary on his max contract won’t be determined until July. This figure represents an estimation.
  2. Babbitt’s full $1,227,286 salary would become guaranteed on July 12th.
  3. Dejean-Jones died in May, but his contract will remain on the Pelicans’ books until the team makes a roster move.

The Basketball Insiders salary pages were used in the creation of this post.

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Bryce Dejean-Jones Dies At 23

May 28th, 2016 at 8:58pm CST by Arthur Hill
Matt Bush / USA TODAY Sports Images

Matt Bush / USA TODAY Sports Images

8:58pm: An NBA security report states that Dejean-Jones was calling for his girlfriend when he was shot through the bedroom door, tweets Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated. A portion of the report tweeted by Justin Verrier of ESPN.com says an autopsy is being conducted, and toxicology reports won’t be returned for “a couple weeks.”

5:18pm: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has released a statement on the death of Dejean-Jones. “The NBA family mourns the tragic loss of New Orleans Pelicans point guard Bryce Dejean-Jones,” Silver said. “Bryce inspired countless people with his hard work and perseverance on his way to the NBA, and he had a bright future in our league. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Bryce’s family and the entire Pelicans organization during this difficult time.”

4:51pm: Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry offered condolences on hearing of Dejean-Jones’ death, tweets Brett Dawson of The Advocate. “I have all the respect for Bryce,” Gentry said. “I just had a real soft spot in my heart for him because I just felt like he was headed in the right direction. I thought he was ready to blossom as a player. I really did.”

3:55pm: An email from the apartment manager says Dejean-Jones tried to enter the residence of “an estranged acquaintance,” but went to the wrong place, tweets Justin W. Waldrop of Fox 4 in Dallas.

3:45pm: Dejean-Jones went to the wrong floor of his girlfriend’s apartment, tweets international journalist David Pick. He found himself locked out and pounded on the door several times before entering. Police say it doesn’t appear that Dejean-Jones and the apartment resident knew each other before the shooting, according to Justin Verrier of ESPN.com.

SATURDAY: 2:08pm: Pelicans rookie Bryce Dejean-Jones has died at age 23, reports Travis Hines of The Ames Tribune. Dejean-Jones was shot in the abdomen and bled to death, tweets Shams Charania of The Vertical. His death has been confirmed by the Dallas County (Texas) coroner’s office.

Dejean-Jones was allegedly involved in an early-morning break-in at a Dallas residence when the shooting took place, according to Sarah Mervosh of The Dallas Morning News. The person who lives at the residence told police that he shot Dejean-Jones after the player kicked down his bedroom door at 3:20 a.m. today. Dejean-Jones was taken to a hospital, where he died from the bullet wound. Dallas Police Homicide is conducting an investigation. Texas law permits people to use deadly force to protect themselves and their homes, Mervosh notes.

Dejean-Jones signed with New Orleans in midseason after going undrafted out of Iowa State. He inked 10-day deals in January and Feburary and played his way into a three-year contract. He averaged 5.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 14 games before being sidelined with a broken right wrist.

The Pelicans have released a statement on Dejean-Jones’ death, saying, “It is with deep sadness that the Pelicans organization acknowledges the sudden passing of Bryce Dejean-Jones. We are devastated at the loss of this young man’s life who had such a promising future ahead of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bryce’s family at this difficult time.” 

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Rose Rule Details For Anthony Davis

May 27th, 2016 at 11:33am CST by Luke Adams

Two standout NBA players were significantly impacted by Thursday’s announcement of this year’s All-NBA teams, with Damian Lillard receiving some good news while Anthony Davis got hit with bad news. By earning a spot on the All-NBA second team, Lillard ensured that his max extension, which goes into effect for the coming season, would increase from 25% of the Trail Blazers‘ cap to 27.5%, guaranteeing him an extra $12MM+ over the life of the deal. Conversely, since he missed out on All-NBA honors this year, Davis will have his max extension count for 25% of the Pelicans‘ cap rather than 30%, costing him nearly $25MM over the next five years.

In a column for The Vertical, Bobby Marks takes a closer at Lillard’s and Davis’ situations with the Blazers and Pelicans, respectively, and argues that the NBA needs to revamp what’s known as the Derrick Rose Rule. As Marks points out, the criteria for the Rose Rule hinges on fan and media votes, and it doesn’t seem right that those votes should have such a huge impact on a player’s earnings.

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Curry, LeBron, Westbrook Headline All-NBA Teams

May 26th, 2016 at 2:14pm CST by Luke Adams

The NBA has announced its three All-NBA teams for the 2015/16 season, with unanimous MVP Stephen Curry also leading the way in first-team nods (129) and overall points (645). After Curry, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook were the leading vote-getters, followed by Kawhi Leonard. DeAndre Jordan also earned a spot on the All-NBA first team.

Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard landed on the All-NBA second team, triggering the Derrick Rose Rule and ensuring that the max extension he signed last summer will be worth more than 25% of the salary cap. Per Danny Leroux of RealGM and Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link), the terms of Lillard’s contract dictate that his extension will be worth 27.5%, rather than the full 30% allowable by the Rose Rule.

As for Anthony Davis, he just missed the cut for the All-NBA third team, so the Rose Rule won’t apply to his max extension with the Pelicans, costing him an extra $20MM+ over the life of his contract.

Here are all three All-NBA teams for the 2015/16 season, with voting point totals in parentheses:

All-NBA First Team:

  • Forward: LeBron James, Cavaliers (637)
  • Forward: Kawhi Leonard, Spurs (575)
  • Center: DeAndre Jordan, Clippers (317)
  • Guard: Stephen Curry, Warriors (645)
  • Guard: Russell Westbrook, Thunder (627)

All-NBA Second Team:

All-NBA Third Team:

James Harden, Paul Millsap, Anthony Davis, and Al Horford also received more than 75 voting points.

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Southwest Notes: Grizzlies, Anderson, Terry

May 18th, 2016 at 4:09pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Grizzlies spoke with at least two candidates today as their search for a new coach heats up. Heat assistant David Fizdale came to Memphis for an interview, tweets Marc J. Spears of ESPN.com., as did Portland assistant Nate Tibbetts, according to Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal (Twitter link). Both had been previously named as candidates for the job.

Spurs assistant James Borrego impressed Grizzlies officials during his interview earlier this week, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Memphis has also held interviews with Spurs assistant Ettore Messina, Hornets assistant Patrick Ewing and recently fired Pacers coach Frank Vogel (Twitter link). The Grizzlies have significant interest in Vogel, according to ESPN, but so does Orlando (Twitter link).

There’s more out of the Southwest Division:

  • Pelicans free agent Ryan Anderson says he was nearly traded to Cleveland at the deadline, relays Brett Dawson of The Advocate. Appearing on “The Vertical Podcast,” Anderson contends the Cavaliers were trying to work out a deal for him before they picked up Channing Frye from Orlando. “There was a very last-minute phone call that I could have gone to Cleveland,” Anderson said. “I would be playing for the Cavs right now.” Anderson said he didn’t ask the Pelicans to trade him because he wants to have the option in free agency of staying in New Orleans. Anderson’s last experience as a free agent came in 2012 when he was restricted and Orlando swung a deal to send him to the Pelicans. This time, he likes the feeling of being in complete control. “I want to enjoy this process and see where New Orleans is at this summer,” Anderson said. “I want to see where, I don’t know, Houston is at or Sacramento or Washington.”
  • The Spurs could be interested in power forward Thomas Robinson if he opts out of his deal with the Nets, according to Jabari Young of The San Antonio Express-News. Robinson would give up a little more than $980K by opting out, but he stands to make much more on the open market with the expected jump in the salary cap. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has talked about the need to rebuild the bench with younger players, and the 25-year-old Robinson, a former teammate of LaMarcus Aldridge in Portland, could be a possibility.
  • Rockets point guard Jason Terry thinks Dwight Howard would be a “great fit” with the Mavericks, but only if he adapts to coach Rick Carlisle, according to The Dallas Morning News. “Whatever [Howard’s] role is, he would have to be the one to buy in first, and then you go from there,” Terry said on ESPN Radio’s Cowlishaw and Mosley show. “But he and Dirk [Nowitzki] together? That’s a powerful combination.” The 38-year-old Terry adds that he hopes to play one more season before retiring.
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