Knicks Hire Steve Mills To Replace Grunwald
11:10am: The Knicks have officially announced the front office shake-up, naming Mills as the team's new president and general manager. Grunwald remains on board as an advisor, according to the release.
Mills' return to the Knicks comes as even more a surprise because he had long been considered the favorite to replace Billy Hunter as the executive director of the NBPA, according to multiple reports.
11:01am: Former MSG president and CEO Steve Mills is expected to return to the Knicks organization in the very near future, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein. Stein and Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com report that the Knicks will soon announce Mills has been hired to replace current GM Glen Grunwald.
While a number of reports, including ESPN's, are suggesting that Grunwald is "out" as general manager, the team's motives are unclear, and it's not yet known whether he'll be re-assigned to another position or let go, tweets Al Iannazzone of Newsday.
Grunwald became the Knicks' interim general manager in June 2011, and was eventually hired on a permanent basis in April 2012. While he wasn't running basketball operations when the team signed Amar'e Stoudemire or acquired Carmelo Anthony, he has overseen many notable moves since then, such as the additions of Tyson Chandler and J.R. Smith, and the decision to let Jeremy Lin walk.
Spurs Sign Sam Young
The Spurs have reached a contract agreement with free agent Sam Young, reports Shams Charania of RealGM, citing a league source. We haven't heard much about Young's eventual destination this offseason, but the silver and black of San Antonio seems like a pretty good fit for the defensive-minded Pittsburgh alum. Charania reports that the Kings and Knicks also kicked the tires on the 6-foot-6 swingman.
After being drafted 36th overall by Memphis in 2009, Young was traded to Philadelphia in 2012 and then latched on with the Pacers last year. Young was cut in early January last year by the Pacers in a strategic roster move, but was re-signed to the team less than a month later. He's averaged 5.8 points and 15.9 minutes per game over his four-year career, but is better known for his defensive intangibles than his statistical production.
Eastern Notes: Knicks, Bobcats, Abdul-Jabbar
A few notes from around the Eastern Conference.
- The Knicks are taking a new approach to next season, including starting the year with Amar'e Stoudemire on a capped minutes restriction, writes KnicksJournal.com's Keith Schlosser.
- According to the Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell, Bobcats point guard Kemba Walker was incredibly helpful in the recruitment process that brought Al Jefferson to Charlotte.
- Long in search of a head coaching gig in the NBA, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar decided to stop searching for a position when the Bucks hired Larry Drew instead of giving the Hall of Fame center a chance, according to New York Daily News reporter Mitch Abramson.
Knicks Sign Cole Aldrich
The Knicks have officially signed free agent center Cole Aldrich to a contract, the team announced today (Twitter link). Al Iannazzone of Newsday tweets that Aldrich's deal will be non-guaranteed.
Aldrich has underwhelmed in limited minutes during three NBA seasons with the Thunder, Rockets, and Kings, averaging 2.0 PPG and 2.3 RPG in 89 contests (7.9 MPG). However, given his size (6'11") and his pedigree (11th overall pick in 2010), there's still a chance the 24-year-old could contribute to an NBA team as the last big man off the bench.
We heard just yesterday that the Knicks intended to bring Aldrich back for a second workout, so it seems the team liked what it saw from the former lottery pick. Aldrich worked out for the Kings and other NBA clubs earlier in the summer, before landing with the Knicks.
With Aldrich on board, New York is set to bring at least 19 players to camp, including seven on non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed contracts. With only 12 players seemingly assured of roster spots, there should be some competition in the next several weeks for the team's last two or three openings.
Atlantic Notes: Nets, Felton, Noel, World Peace
You love the NBA. You watch basketball almost every single night from Halloween into the early part of summer and read Hoops Rumors religiously. But you've always hoped that the NBA could be more like Vince McMahon's failed football league. Finally, the league office has heard your complaints. The NBA may have the Nets and Heat wear "nickname jerseys" for at least one of their four meetings this season, according to the Associated Press. Ray Allen plans to don a "Jesus Shuttlesworth" jersey, LeBron James is expected to go by "King James," and Nets stars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce will probably wear "KG" and "The Truth," respectively. As you dust off your sweet He Hate Me throwback, check out the latest from the Atlantic..
- Guard Raymond Felton feels that the Knicks were just too old last season, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post. “We’re a younger team this year,’’ Felton said. “Kurt Thomas, Rasheed [Wallace], love them like brothers. [But] those guys were 38, 39, 40 years old. Once they got injuries, they’re out and it hurt us last year. We’ve added Metta [World Peace], Andrea [Bargnani], Kenyon [Martin] and Amar'e Stoudemire are coming back. Tim Hardaway Jr. looks great by the way. I’ve been most impressed with him. It gives us depth at that big spot and youth. Those guys are younger."
- Best friends Nerlens Noel and Michael Carter-Williams are reunited with the Sixers, writes HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy. The youngsters first became friends on the AAU circuit and are anxious to replicate that success at the NBA level. “I’m looking forward to it,” Carter-Williams said. “I know it’s going to be a learning experience. We’re going to have a lot of young guys, but we’re also going to have some veterans so we’re going to learn from them. We’re just going to try to bring everything together as a team and be the best we can.”
- World Peace is back in New York with a fresh perspective on things both on and off the court, writes Jared Zwerling of Bleacher Report. MWP joined the Knicks after the Lakers used the amnesty clause to get out from under his contract.
Knicks Working Out Aldrich, Wing Players
The Knicks are looking to fill out their roster for the upcoming season and they would like to use their final spot(s) to reinforce some positions of need. Center Cole Aldrich will be brought back for a second workout this week after looking strong in his last audition, according to Jared Zwerling of Bleacher Report (via Twitter). Meanwhile, the club is also eyeing some athletic wing players (link) as they will be without J.R. Smith for at least the early part of the season.
A source told Zwerling that the Knicks "are definitely taking a long look at the Kansas product." Aldrich could wind up filling a major role for the Knicks this season as they have no true backup at center. Other notable names that have been linked to the job include DeSagana Diop, Ike Diogu, and Hassan Whiteside.
Meanwhile, the Knicks will comb the open market for athletic wings because they have some questions about undrafted rookie C.J. Leslie in the long-term.
New York Notes: Davis, Knicks, Jay Z, Nets
There's been a little news out of New York already today, as we heard Ike Diogu will join the Knicks next week when training camp opens. We've got a few more Monday links related to New York's two teams to round up, so let's dive in and check out the latest on the Knicks and Nets….
- While Diogu and Josh Powell received camp invites from the Knicks, another player who worked out for the team last week remains a free agent: Ricky Davis. Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com tweets that Davis looked solid during the workout, but adds that otherwise there's nothing new to report on that front.
- In grading the Knicks' offseason, Begley awards the highest marks for the club's two mid-level signings: Pablo Prigioni and Metta World Peace.
- Jay Z has given the NBPA proof that he sold his stake in the Nets and is now officially certified as an NBA agent, reports Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal. We heard a similar report from Mullen back in June, but that story may have been premature, since it appears the rapper hadn't officially divested himself of his Nets share at that point.
- One of the most interesting storylines to watch during October will involve the Nets, according to Joel Brigham of HoopsWorld. Brigham writes that Brooklyn's veteran additions probably won't get a ton of minutes before the regular season gets underway, but the preseason should provide some clues about how they'll fit together, and whether the team will be a real threat in the East.
Ike Diogu To Join Knicks For Camp
The Knicks will add veteran forward Ike Diogu to their training camp roster, according to Al Iannazzone of Newsday (Twitter link). Diogu will occupy one of the three remaining open spots on New York's offseason roster.
Diogu, 30, was one of several free agents who worked out for the Knicks last week in the hopes of landing a camp invitation. New York is also expected to bring another one of the participants in that audition, Josh Powell, to camp, as we heard over the weekend.
Diogu was drafted ninth overall in 2005 by the Warriors and had a solid rookie season, including 7.0 PPG and a 15.8 PER. However, early in his second NBA season, he was sent to Indiana in an eight-player swap that landed Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson in Golden State. Diogu was traded twice more in the next two years, and never had another season as productive as his rookie year. He last appeared in two games for the Spurs during the 2011/12 campaign.
With Diogu on board, the Knicks will have six players on partially guaranteed or non-guaranteed deals, to go along with their 12 guaranteed contracts. C.J. Leslie, who has a $200K guarantee, figures to be a lock for a regular-season roster spot, while Diogu, Powell, Chris Smith, Toure Murry, and Jeremy Tyler will compete for the last two openings.
Atlantic Notes: Kidd, Powell, Knicks, Humphries
Count three-time All-Star Mark Aguirre among those who believe Jason Kidd will do a tremendous job as head coach of the Nets, writes Dwain Price of the Star-Telegram. “I like it just from the situation and understand that as a player there’s things that you have to learn how to do to manage games,’’ said Aguirre. “There’s quite a few young guys that have an incredible understanding of the game, and J-Kidd is one of them. New blood. A new situation in the game. I like it. I really like it.’’ Here's more out of the Atlantic Division..
- Keith Schlosser of Knicks Journal isn't thrilled with the Knicks' decision to bring Josh Powell to training camp and suggests that DeSagana Diop would have made more sense. Diop, he argues, is a very physical player who can rebound the ball well and is probably an even better shot-blocker. Even though Powell is a serviceable big man, he doesn't bring as much to the table as Diop, in Schlosser's estimation.
- In an interview with Marc D'Amico of Celtics.com, Kris Humphries said that he figures to see some time at center on the small ball Celtics. Humphries came to Boston in the summer blockbuster that sent Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry to Brooklyn.
- Knicks rookie C.J. Leslie could see plenty of time in the D-League in 2013/14, writes Schlosser for Ridiculous Upside.
Nets, Knicks, Bulls Have Most $10MM+ Salaries
The salary cap and luxury tax are in place to help curb the advantages that large-market teams would have in an open market. They haven't stopped the Nets and Knicks from having more players making at least $10MM this season than almost every team in the league. Only the Bulls, who like the Knicks have four such players, are in the same class as the New York contingent, which is led by the Nets and their fivesome of eight-figure players.
The Bulls and the Big Apple teams seem even more profligate when juxtaposed with the four NBA clubs that don't have $10MM+ contracts at all. The Suns and Sixers play in fairly large markets, but they're still without highly paid talent, just as the Kings and Bucks are. Two more teams don't have anyone who's guaranteed at least $10MM, since Hedo Turkoglu and Andrew Bynum are promised only $6MM from the Magic and Cavs, respectively.
A team top-heavy with well-compensated players doesn't always succeed on the basketball court, of course. The Heat have won back-to-back championships with no one other than their trio of stars making $10MM or more. The Rockets and Grizzlies figure to be among the Western Conference elite even though they each only have a pair of eight-figure salaries. And since the three teams with the most high-dollar contracts all play in the Eastern Conference, at least one of them isn't going to make the conference finals — and that assumes that the Heat won't make it that far.
Here's the complete list:
Teams with five $10MM+ contracts
- Nets: Joe Johnson ($21,466,718), Deron Williams ($18,466,130), Paul Pierce ($15,333,334), Brook Lopez ($14,693,906), Kevin Garnett ($12,433,735)
Teams with four $10MM+ contracts
- Bulls: Derrick Rose ($17,632,688), Carlos Boozer ($15,300,000), Luol Deng ($14,275,000), Joakim Noah ($11,100,000)
- Knicks: Amare Stoudemire ($21,679,893), Carmelo Anthony ($21,388,954), Tyson Chandler ($14,100,538), Andrea Bargnani ($11,862,500)
Teams with three $10MM+ contracts
- Celtics: Kris Humphries ($12,000,000), Rajon Rondo ($11,954,545), Gerald Wallace ($10,105,855)
- Clippers: Chris Paul ($18,668,431), Blake Griffin ($16,441,500), DeAndre Jordan ($10,986,550)
- Heat: Chris Bosh ($19,067,500), LeBron James ($19,067,500), Dwyane Wade ($18,673,000)
- Nuggets: Ty Lawson ($10,786,517), JaVale McGee ($10,750,000), Danilo Gallinari ($10,146,925)
- Pacers: Roy Hibbert ($14,283,844), Danny Granger ($14,021,788), David West ($12,000,000)
- Spurs: Tony Parker ($12,500,000), Tim Duncan ($10,361,446), Tiago Splitter ($10,000,000)
- Thunder: Kevin Durant ($17,832,627), Russell Westbrook ($14,693,906), Serge Ibaka ($12,350,000)
- Warriors: Andrew Bogut ($14,000,000), David Lee ($13,878,000), Andre Iguodala ($12,868,632)
Teams with two $10MM+ contracts
- Bobcats: Al Jefferson ($13,500,000), Ben Gordon ($13,200,000)
- Lakers: Kobe Bryant ($30,453,805), Pau Gasol ($19,285,850)
- Grizzlies: Zach Randolph ($18,238,333), Marc Gasol ($14,860,523)
- Pelicans: Eric Gordon ($14,283,844), Tyreke Evans ($11,796,247)
- Rockets: Dwight Howard ($20,513,178), James Harden ($13,701,250)
- Timberwolves: Kevin Love ($14,693,906), Nikola Pekovic ($12,100,000)
- Trail Blazers: LaMarcus Aldridge ($14,878,000), Nicolas Batum ($11,295,250)
- Wizards: Emeka Okafor ($14,487,500), Nene Hilario ($13,000,000)
Teams with one $10MM+ contract
- Hawks: Al Horford ($12,000,000)
- Jazz: Richard Jefferson ($11,046,000)
- Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki ($22,721,381)
- Pistons: Josh Smith ($13,500,000)
- Raptors: Rudy Gay ($17,888,932)
- Cavaliers: Andrew Bynum ($12,250,000 — only guaranteed for $6MM)
- Magic: Hedo Turkoglu ($12,000,000 — only guaranteed for $6MM)
Teams without a $10MM+ contract
- 76ers
- Bucks
- Kings
- Suns
ShamSports was used in the creation of this post.