Lowe On Asik, Bobcats, Hibbert, Thunder
With two days remaining until most NBA players become trade-eligible and less than a week until the Rockets‘ self-imposed deadline for an Omer Asik trade, rumors about Houston’s backup center are heating up. We’ve already heard multiple reports on Asik today, and the latest piece from Grantland’s Zach Lowe also focuses on the 27-year-old. Here are Lowe’s updates on Asik and a couple other related topics:
- Lowe echoes what TNT’s David Aldridge and ESPN.com’s Marc Stein have already reported today: By all accounts, the Rockets intend to adhere to that December 19th deadline and move Asik by then.
- Asik’s third-year balloon payment has been a “meaningful obstacle” in trade talks, even though his cap hit will be nearly $7MM less than his actual salary. The Pelicans have never been all that interested in trading Ryan Anderson for Asik, but that $15MM salary for 2014/15 was an additional deterrent for New Orleans, according to Lowe.
- A report earlier in December suggested the Rockets had asked a team for two first-rounders for Asik, but Lowe suggests Houston had been seeking an even greater return. According to Lowe, the Rockets asked the Bobcats for two first-rounders and the right to swap first-round picks in a third draft.
- Lowe reports that, among potential suitors, there are some concerns about Asik’s attitude and about the fact that GM Daryl Morey is trying to subvert the spirit of CBA rules by moving Asik before his third-year “poison pill” kicks in. However, neither factor should be the difference in whether or not Houston finds a taker.
- In discussing Asik’s trade value, Lowe notes that advanced metrics and analytics have resulted in defensive specialists like Asik, Derrick Favors, Larry Sanders, and Roy Hibbert becoming more properly valued by teams around the NBA. Analytics-oriented sources who have spoken to Lowe generally agree that Hibbert is significantly undervalued at $14.5MM annually, suggesting that his contributions are worth more like $25-30MM per year.
- If they haven’t already, expect the Thunder to start putting out feelers for what the return would be if they paired Kendrick Perkins with Jeremy Lamb or a first-round pick, says Lowe. That doesn’t mean OKC will make a move, but it sounds like the team wants to get an idea of how much a first-round pick (or a first-round talent like Lamb) would be worth when combined with a negative asset like Perkins, considering how carefully teams are hoarding first-rounders.
- It’s not clear whether the Thunder have much interest in Asik, but even if they do, Lowe confirms Houston would rather deal with an Eastern Conference team, as we’ve heard before.
Kyler’s Latest: Asik, Randolph, Anderson, Lakers
In his NBA AM column for HoopsWorld this morning, Steve Kyler weighs in with new tidbits on several trade possibilities, so let’s dive right in and round up the highlights from the piece….
- The Rockets no longer appear to be holding out for multiple first-round picks in talks for Omer Asik, as they reportedly were at the start of the month.
- The Hawks and 76ers are among the clubs who have been linked to Asik in recent weeks, but Kyler hears that Atlanta currently has no interest in moving Paul Millsap, while Philadelphia wouldn’t include a draft pick in any offer for Asik.
- Although the Sixers are resistant to parting with a first-round pick for Asik, they don’t have a problem with next season’s balloon payment, since it wouldn’t have a huge effect on the team’s cap space. A one-for-one trade of Asik for Thaddeus Young would work under CBA rules, though the Rockets may be seeking a more significant return.
- A report yesterday suggested the Grizzlies are shopping Zach Randolph with an eye on Ryan Anderson, but according to Kyler, both teams are denying interest in such a deal. Pointing out that teams are making calls and listening to calls a little more seriously than they were a couple weeks ago, Kyler writes that both the Grizzlies and Pelicans are probably just being open-minded about their options. It’s unlikely that either Randolph or Anderson is traded, says Kyler.
- Despite their injury woes at the point, the Lakers aren’t likely to be active on the trade market unless they can land the kind of player they’d be targeting anyway in 2014 free agency, according to Kyler.
Zwerling On Randolph, Anderson, Gordon
The latest dispatch from Bleacher Report’s Jared Zwerling is chock full of rumors. Let’s dive in:
- The Grizzlies are shopping Zach Randolph, with Ryan Anderson of the Pelicans as the primary target, Zwerling reports. Memphis wants to see Ed Davis continue to develop, and that may help push Randolph out the door. The Pelicans would have to add salary to such a deal to make it work, and Zwerling mentions Austin Rivers as a possibility, noting that he’s dissatisfied with his lack of playing time and is open to a trade.
- A source tells Zwerling that he believes the Pelicans will trade Eric Gordon at some point this season.
- Zwerling hears conflicting reports on whether a rumored Kenneth Faried/Iman Shumpert swap is a possibility for the Nuggets and Knicks, but he says the Knicks are currently reluctant to move Shumpert.
- It’s unlikely the Suns trade either Marcus Morris or twin brother Markieff Morris, according to Zwerling.
- The Sixers would trade Evan Turner for Dion Waiters “in a heartbeat,” a source tells Zwerling, though Cavs owner Dan Gilbert reportedly doesn’t want to trade his shooting guard. The Sixers are worried about what Turner may command in restricted free agency this summer. The Suns could be another landing spot for Waiters, Zwerling writes.
- Courtney Lee, Gerald Wallace and Kris Humphries are on the market in Boston. The Celtics offered Avery Bradley a four-year, $24MM extension this fall, but the guard turned it down, looking for a deal with annual salaries of $8MM.
- The Rockets “adore” D-Leaguer Troy Daniels, Zwerling writes. Daniels is displaying a three-point stroke to go with his 25.1 points per game.
Odds & Ends: Trades, Bucks, Pelicans, Grizzlies, Kings
With the young NBA season already containing two trades; it appears many more will be on the way in the near future. A few notes regarding potential trades and other league notes:
- Zaza Pachulia will be out at least four weeks with a broken right foot, the Bucks announced today. With so many injured players, Grantland’s Zach Lowe cautions the team against making a trade to help the team stay competitive, even though owner Herb Kohl is averse to tanking (Twitter links).
- The injuries have presented a few of the Bucks‘ younger players with a chance to impress, and they’ve taken advantage, as Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel examines. Coach Larry Drew admits that they might steal minutes from more established players when they return.
- With the loss of Tyreke Evans in addition to already injured Anthony Davis and Greg Stiemsma, Jimmy Smith of The Times-Picayune warns Pelicans fans that the future is bleak. Smith also points out that the apparent decrease in future wins will do very little for the Pelicans since they will likely not own their first round draft pick next summer.
- Following the season ending injury to Quincy Pondexter, the Grizzlies told the Commercial Appeal’s Ronald Tillery (via Twitter) they will not add a player that will “stunt” rookie Jamaal Franklin‘s fair shot at the rotation.
- While some have said the Kings are the “losers” of the Rudy Gay trade, Sam Amick of USA Today points out (via Twitter) the Kings may have more to lose. If the Kings improve this season’s record too much, they run the risk of losing their 2014 first round pick to the Cavaliers. The pick is protected and will stay in Sacramento if in the top 12 picks but would go to Cleveland as payment for the J.J. Hickson trade if it falls outside the top 12.
- The Kings may also risk losing their new stadium plans if a group of taxpayers have their way. Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee reports if city residents obtain 40,000 signatures by tomorrow the proposed $258MM city subsidy will have to be placed on next June’s ballot.
- Kevin Pelton of ESPN.com details (ESPN Insider piece) the eleven most interesting trade targets after the Rudy Gay trade. The list includes Paul Millsap, Luol Deng, Dion Waiters, Greg Monroe, Omer Asik, Zach Randolph, Iman Shumpert, Spencer Hawes, Evan Turner, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Western Notes: Farmar, Lakers, Pelicans, Spurs
Let’s round up a few afternoon updates from around the Western Conference….
- Jordan Farmar was diagnosed with a torn left hamstring today and is expected to be sidelined for about four weeks, according to the Lakers. Steve Nash is on the mend, but if Nash misses more time, the Lakers will be very shorthanded at the point, perhaps necessitating a roster move.
- Another team that finds itself shorthanded is the Pelicans, who will be without Anthony Davis for the next few weeks. As Grantland’s Zach Lowe writes, New Orleans is in trouble and almost certainly headed for the lottery if Davis misses significant time. With a full 15-man roster and no obvious help available via free agency or trades, the Pelicans may have to make do with their current roster while Davis recovers.
- A day after assigning them to the Austin Toros, the Spurs have recalled Aron Baynes and Nando De Colo from the D-League, the team announced today. The duo combined for 53 points, 18 rebounds, and 13 assists in the Toros’ win over the Delaware 87ers last night.
- Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman passes along a handful of interesting quotes from Thunder GM Sam Presti on the evolving identity of the Oklahoma City franchise.
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.
Atlantic Notes: Sixers, Holiday, Knicks, Nets
A recent piece from Keith Pompey at the Inquirer explores the upbringing of rookie Sixers point guard Michael Carter-Williams. Among the interesting details: Carter-Williams’ NBA salary is being deposited into a trust that he can’t touch for three years. The young Syracuse product is currently living off his endorsement deals with Nike and Panini trading cards. Here’s more from the Sixers and the Atlantic Division:
- Evan Turner is having a career year for the Sixers, but Tom Moore of the Intelligencer reminds us that GM Sam Hinkie is willing to deal any of his players for the right price, as evidenced by the draft night deal that sent Jrue Holiday to the Pelicans.
- Speaking of the Holiday deal, Christoper Vito from the Delaware County Daily Times reports that Holiday was surprised when he received the call to find out he had been traded (Twitter links).
- Scott Souza of the MetroWest Daily News reports that Celtics Keith Bogans, MarShon Brooks, and Kris Humphries understand their roles on the team and don’t expect to see major minutes. Souza notes it’s a difficult situation for the trio of veterans since they can’t display their skills while riding the bench, and each of them figures to be a free agent come the end of the season.
- We found out earlier today that most Hoops Rumors readers believe at least one New York team will make the playoffs, but Jason Kidd and Mike Woodson have yet to prove their 2013/14 squads can live up to preseason expectations. Tommy Beer and Alex Kennedy over at HoopsWorld named Kidd and Woodson, respectively, as the coaches that have disappointed them the most so far in the early going of the season.
- One of the sole bright spots for the struggling Knicks has been the surprisingly effective play of offseason acquisition Andrea Bargnani. The former first overall pick is putting up much better numbers than he did last year in Toronto, but Keith Schlosser from the Knicks Journal suggests his presence might be having a negative impact on J.R. Smith‘s performance.
Offseason In Review: New Orleans Pelicans
Hoops Rumors is in the process of looking back at each team’s offseason, from the end of the playoffs in June right up until opening night. Trades, free agent signings, draft picks, contract extensions, option decisions, camp invitees, and more will be covered, as we examine the moves each franchise made over the last several months.
Signings
- Al-Farouq Aminu: One year, $3.75MM. Signed via Bird rights.
- Greg Stiemsma: One year, $2.68MM. Signed via cap space.
- Anthony Morrow: Two years, $2.17MM. Signed via minimum salary exception. Second year is player option. Second-year guarantee can be reduced to 50% if he misses a certain number of games due to specific injuries.
- Lance Thomas: Two years, $1.83MM. Signed via minimum salary exception. First year is partially guaranteed for $15K. Second year is non-guaranteed.
- Arinze Onuaku: Two years, $1.31MM. Signed via minimum salary exception. Non-guaranteed.
Trades
- Acquired Jrue Holiday and the No. 42 pick in 2013 from the Sixers in exchange for the No. 6 pick in 2013 and a 2014 first-round pick (top-5 protected).
- Acquired Tyreke Evans from the Kings and the rights to Jeff Withey from the Trail Blazers in exchange for Greivis Vasquez (to Kings), Robin Lopez (to Blazers), and Terrel Harris (to Blazers). Evans was signed-and-traded for four years, $44MM. Withey was signed for two years, $1.31MM via the minimum salary exception (second year is non-guaranteed).
Draft Picks
- Pierre Jackson (Round 2, 42nd overall). Playing in D-League.
Camp Invitees
Departing Players
- Louis Amundson
- Terrel Harris
- Xavier Henry
- Robin Lopez
- Roger Mason
- Greivis Vasquez
Rookie Contract Option Decisions
- Anthony Davis (3rd year, $5.61MM): Exercised
- Austin Rivers (3rd year, $2.44MM): Exercised
One of the most misunderstood aspects of Michael Lewis’ Moneyball was the belief that the Oakland Athletics’ strategy always involved targeting the same specific kind of player. In fact, the Moneyball approach outlined in Lewis’ book (and later on the big screen) revolved around targeting qualities that had been undervalued by the market. In other words, zigging when the rest of the league was zagging.
In that sense, the Pelicans’ first major move of the offseason could be viewed as a Moneyball-type deal. Even on the night of the 2013 draft, many fans and pundits were already looking ahead a year, salivating at the prospect of landing a top pick in what should be a loaded 2014 draft. But while the rest of the league may have been trying to find a way to trade into the 2014 first round, the Pelicans recognized that trading out of that first round gave them the opportunity to land a player who was already an NBA All-Star.
So New Orleans made perhaps the NBA’s biggest splash on draft night, essentially announcing that the club was moving away from its rebuilding stage and intended to become a playoff contender. That meant the Pelicans sent the sixth overall pick (Nerlens Noel) and a top-five protected 2014 pick, two assets that wouldn’t help the team for another year, to the Sixers in exchange for up-and-coming point guard Jrue Holiday. The move certainly doesn’t reduce New Orleans’ window for contention — after all, Holiday is just 23 years old. But it gave the club a 2013 All-Star in Holiday to pair with a player who could be a 2014 All-Star (Anthony Davis), which looks like the start of an excellent core.
To go along with Holiday and Davis, the Pelicans also entered July with Eric Gordon, Austin Rivers, and Ryan Anderson as key pieces. Question marks surrounded Gordon and Rivers, due to health concerns and a disappointing rookie year, respectively, but there was enough talent on board that New Orleans could use its assets and cap flexibility to add another piece; an impact small forward or a true center looked like the most likely targets.
Instead of addressing one of those positions though, the Pelicans aggressively pursued Tyreke Evans, a restricted free agent and a player whose best fit is in the backcourt. New Orleans liked Evans enough to offer him $44MM on a four-year deal, and to give up Greivis Vasquez and Robin Lopez in a sign-and-trade on top of that. The idea of a Holiday/Gordon backcourt with Evans as a dangerous sixth-man scorer off the bench is intriguing, but the team’s focus on the ex-King was a little perplexing, given the more pressing areas of need on the roster.
Having committed most of their available cap room to Evans, the Pelicans found more modest solutions at small forward and center, re-signing Al-Farouq Aminu and inking Greg Stiemsma to a one-year deal. Aminu, who has been in the starting lineup for the first few weeks of the season, will have a larger role in the rotation than Stiemsma, but neither player should have a big impact on whether or not the Pelicans earn a playoff spot.
Lucking into the first overall pick in 2012 and drafting Davis was a huge boon for New Orleans, and I don’t even mind the decision to acquire Holiday for what could be end up being two top-10 picks. He’s an above-average point guard signed to a fair contract, and the draft never offers any guarantees. However, the Pelicans’ other major decisions in the last two years have been questionable. Gordon has yet to show he can be healthy and productive for a full season in New Orleans, and the cost to Evans was greater than I would’ve liked. Both players are locked into expensive long-term deals, which will reduce the Pelicans’ flexibility to add complementary pieces around them — the lack of a 2014 draft pick will also hinder the team’s ability to acquire young talent.
The Pelicans will likely take until at least this season’s trade deadline to see how the current roster gels, but in my opinion, it makes sense to seriously consider shopping Gordon or Evans at some point. Based on the club’s aggressive offseason pursuit of Evans, I’m guessing he’s not going anywhere, so perhaps Gordon, who has been the subject of trade rumors before, will find himself on the block in February. His injury history remains a concern, but he’s started every game for the Pelicans so far, so if he stays healthy into the new year, that multiyear contract should start to look a little more palatable for potential trade partners.
I don’t think the Pelicans turned themselves into a playoff team with their offseason moves, but the team did add plenty of talent to a roster that already featured one of the most promising young players in the league, in Davis. Although it remains to be seen if the current core will stick together in New Orleans long-term, the next few months should provide plenty of evidence for whether or not more significant changes are required for a team that underwent some major offseason changes.
Odds & Ends: Waiters, Knicks, NBPA, Vucevic
Happy Thanksgiving to our American readers! There may not be any games on the NBA schedule tonight, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still a few updates from around the league to pass along. Let’s check out the latest….
- While Dion Waiters may be available, don’t expect to see him in a Knicks uniform, says Marc Berman of the New York Post. According to Berman, New York is seeking frontcourt help rather than another shooting guard as the team explores the trade market and gauges Iman Shumpert‘s trade value.
- Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today rounds up recent union developments and passes along the highlights of fellow USA Today scribe Sam Amick’s Q&A with former NBPA president Derek Fisher, who isn’t wavering on his plans to retire.
- Nikola Vucevic doesn’t hold any hard feelings toward the Sixers, who traded him to the Magic a year ago. Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel has the details and the quotes from Vucevic.
- Pierre Jackson is in an unusual situation this season, playing for the D-League’s Idaho Stampede despite the fact that his NBA rights are held by the Pelicans. Dakota Schmidt of Ridiculous Upside takes an in-depth look at the former Baylor guard, attempting to determine whether he has an NBA future.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Coach/GM Rumors: Jazz, Wizards, Raps, Cavs
It may seem a little early in the season for any NBA teams to make a coaching change, but it’s worth noting that each of the league’s 30 coaches have already survived twice as long this year as Mike Brown did with the Lakers a year ago. While there may not be any coaching or front office shake-ups right around the corner, Ken Berger of CBSSports.com examines situations of potential unrest around the league, offering up a few tidbits along the way. Let’s round them up….
- Despite leading the Jazz to a 1-12 start, coach Tyrone Corbin doesn’t appear to be in any danger, since the focus in Utah is on player development rather than wins and losses. Berger adds that there’s also no logical in-house candidate to serve as an interim coach now that former assistant Jeff Hornacek is in Phoenix.
- League sources question how much longer Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld “can remain in self-preservation mode,” says Berger.
- If the Wizards and Raptors continue losing, Randy Wittman and Dwane Casey could be in a dead heat for the first coach to be replaced. According to Berger, the feeling around the league is that new Toronto president Masai Ujiri would be quick to make a change and start putting his own stamp on the franchise if things go south for Casey and the Raptors.
- Cavaliers GM Chris Grant is on “shaky ground,” sources tell Berger. While coach Mike Brown may have pushed for the drafting of Anthony Bennett, Brown just signed a four-year contract with the team, so Grant’s seat is much hotter than his coach’s.
- Pelicans GM Dell Demps and Pistons GM Joe Dumars are among the other executives who could be in danger of losing their jobs if their respective teams aren’t in the playoff hunt, writes Berger.