Ty Jerome May Join Warriors On Training Camp Contract
The Warriors are talking with Ty Jerome about a training camp deal once he clears waivers on Monday, tweets Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Jerome would be given a chance to compete for a roster spot, sources tell Slater and Shams Charania.
Golden State has 14 players with guaranteed contracts after the return of Andre Iguodala and is expected to keep its 15th slot open due to luxury tax concerns. Jerome’s best bet appears to be a two-way contract, and those are currently held by Lester Quinones and Quinndary Weatherspoon.
Jerome, a 25-year-old shooting guard, was shipped Friday from the Thunder to the Rockets in an eight-player trade. He was waived on Saturday, according to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
Jerome was selected by the Sixers with the 24th pick in the 2019 draft, but was traded twice before making his NBA debut. He spent one season with the Suns before being sent to the Thunder as part of the Chris Paul deal in 2020. He was a rotation player in Oklahoma City the past two seasons, averaging 8.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 81 combined games.
The Warriors currently have a full 20-man roster, so someone would have to be waived to make room for Jerome.
Grizzlies Sign Steven Adams To Two-Year Extension
4:13pm: The Grizzlies have officially confirmed Adams’ extension (via Twitter).
4:07pm: Starting center Steven Adams is signing a two-year, $25.2MM extension with the Grizzlies, his agent Darren Matsubara tells ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
Adams will earn $17.9MM in 2022/23, so he’ll actually receive a $5.3MM decrease in annual pay on his new deal with Memphis, which will kick in starting in ’23/24. Wojnarowski calls Adams “an immense culture piece” for a young Grizzlies squad who won 56 games last season.
Despite playing just 26.3 minutes per night in ’21/22, a relatively low average for a starter, Adams led the league in total offensive rebounds (349) and offensive rebounding percentage (17.9%), pulling down an average of 4.6 offensive boards per contest in his first season with Memphis. He’s also one of the league’s strongest players and a bone-crushing screener.
While injuries have sapped some of Adams’ athleticism in recent years, he has evolved his game to adapt. He averaged career-highs of 10.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game last season, the latter an increase of 1.1 over his previous best.
The Grizzlies take advantage of Adams’ passing by running a lot of plays through him in the high post and elbows, using his strength and screening to free the backcourt of Ja Morant and Desmond Bane for open looks. The 29-year-old native of New Zealand is still a solid defender, though not quite as versatile on the perimeter as he once was.
Adams was acquired by Memphis last August as part of the complicated three-team deal that sent Jonas Valanciunas to New Orleans, with multiple draft picks changing hands as well.
In 664 career games with the Thunder, Pelicans and Grizzlies, including 599 starts, Adams holds averages of 9.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists in 26.8 minutes per night. His career field goal percentage (.587) is the eighth-highest mark in league history, the team notes. Adams also has seven seasons of playoff experience, which is undoubtedly valued by a Memphis team hoping to win its first title.
More Details Emerge In Ime Udoka Situation
New details have emerged regarding head coach Ime Udoka‘s suspension from the Celtics for the entire 2022/23 season. Sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that the independent law firm that investigated Udoka listed “the power dynamic associated with a superior’s improper relationship with a staff member” to be the main policy violation.
In addition, the report from the investigation found that Udoka used “crude language” toward a female subordinate before beginning an improper workplace relationship with the same employee, which played a significant factor in the suspension’s severity, Wojnarowski writes. The language Udoka used “was deemed especially concerning coming from a workplace superior,” according to Wojnarowski, who adds that Udoka is likely facing a “difficult pathway” to reinstatement for the 2023/24 season.
Sources tell Wojnarowski that Boston would allow Udoka to pursue other coaching opportunities if he becomes a candidate in the future. Rival teams have been trying to gather information to get a better picture of what led to the suspension “in preparation for possibly evaluating him” for coaching jobs, Woj adds.
Owner Wyc Grousbeck previously stated the report uncovered “a volume of violations” and Udoka would face “a significant financial penalty” as part of the suspension.
“This felt right, but there’s no clear guidelines for any of this,” Grousbeck responded when asked whether Udoka should have been dismissed. “This is really a conscious, gut feel and being here 20 years.”
After a rocky start to the ’21/22 season, Udoka’s first as a head coach, he led a dramatic turnaround that saw Boston reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010, ultimately falling to the Warriors in six games. Joe Mazzulla was named interim head coach in place of Udoka.
Thunder, Rockets Complete Eight-Player Trade
SEPTEMBER 30: Both teams have announced that the trade is now official. However, the terms of the deal are slightly different than was previously reported.
Instead of Atlanta’s protected 2025 second-round pick, the Rockets will receive a 2026 second-rounder from Oklahoma City. That pick will be the second-most favorable of the Thunder’s, Mavericks’, and Sixers’ 2026 second-round picks. Houston is also receiving cash considerations in the deal.
SEPTEMBER 29, 9:15pm: The Rockets intend to waive Jerome, according to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Feigen adds that Favors and Maledon are considered the most likely among Houston’s new additions to claim spots on the 15-man regular season roster.
SEPTEMBER 29, 8:13pm: The Thunder have agreed to send center/power forward Derrick Favors, shooting guard Ty Jerome, forward Maurice Harkless, point guard Theo Maledon and the Hawks’ 2025 second-round draft pick (top-40 protected) to the Rockets in exchange for athletic swingman David Nwaba, wing Sterling Brown, point guard Trey Burke and power forward Marquese Chriss, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
As Wojnarowski observes, Oklahoma City will create two trade exceptions in the deal. In pure salary terms, the exchange will help the Thunder get $10MM under the league’s punitive luxury tax cap threshold. Wojnarowski notes that Favors in particular is tradable among the returning players arriving in Houston, as a solid backup big man on an expiring $10.2MM salary.
The 6’9″ Favors, 31, spent most of the last decade as a key role player with several good playoff-bound Jazz teams. Last year with the Thunder, he appeared in just 39 games, averaging 5.3 PPG on 51.6% shooting, plus 4.7 RPG, across 16.7 MPG.
Jerome and Maledon are both young players on modest contracts with remaining potential upside. Harkless, like Favors, is a veteran on an expiring deal.
On the Rockets’ side of the transaction, Houston is acquiring a future second-round draft pick in exchange for taking on some added salary, as Woj details.
According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic (via Twitter) if that Hawks 2025 second-rounder lands in the top 40 and is protected, Houston will instead receive the second-best of the Thunder’s, Mavericks’, and Sixers’ 2026 second-round picks.
Given that No. 2 draft pick Chet Holmgren has been ruled out for the year with a Lisfranc injury in his right foot, and with the best player in this new trade being sent away from the team, it appears the Thunder are once again prioritizing a year of youthful development, as they look to the 2023 draft lottery to build out their impressive young roster.
Oklahoma City added four rookies in the 2022 draft, including two additional lottery picks beyond Holmgren. The Thunder have been in full-on rebuild mode since the end of the 2019/20 season, winning a total of 46 games over the last two years.
Houston has also been in the asset-collection and draft lottery-targeting phase of its journey since 2020. The team went 37-127 from 2020-22. This year, the Rockets drafted intriguing rookie power forward Jabari Smith with the third pick out of Auburn. They also made two other selections in the first round.
It appears unlikely that every player in this deal will be with their new clubs when the regular season opens. Bobby Marks of ESPN (via Twitter) notes that both teams will still have 18 guaranteed contracts on their books following this deal. Per league rules, they’ll each need to get down to 15 players by October 17.
Celtics Waive Denzel Valentine
6:00pm: The move is official, per NBA.com’s transaction log.
4:09pm: The Celtics intend to waive veteran swingman Denzel Valentine, according to Jared Weiss and Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
After the news broke that Boston was signing Blake Griffin, the team had to release a player to make room on its 20-man training camp roster. Since Valentine was signed to an Exhibit 10 contract, he’ll be eligible for a bonus worth up to $50K if he spends at least 60 days with the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate — assuming, of course, that he doesn’t land with another NBA team in the meantime.
The 14th overall pick in the 2016 draft out of Michigan State, Valentine spent the first five years of his NBA career in Chicago before signing last offseason with the Cavaliers. He played a minor role in 22 games for Cleveland, then was dealt in January to the Knicks, who waived him.
Following a 10-day contract with the Jazz, Valentine played in the G League for the rest of the 2021/22 season. In 12 games with the Maine Celtics last season, he averaged 14.6 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 7.0 APG and 1.1 APG on .440/.352/.786 shooting.
In 256 career NBA games (18.8 MPG), Valentine holds averages of 7.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG and 1.8 APG on .394/.360/.787 shooting.
Rockets Convert Bruno Fernando To Two-Way Contract
The Rockets have converted Bruno Fernando‘s Exhibit 10 contract to a two-way deal, our JD Shaw reports (via Twitter).
The 34th overall pick of the 2018 draft after a couple of college seasons at Maryland, Fernando spent his first two pro season with Atlanta before being traded to Boston last year. The Celtics later sent him to Houston as part of a multiplayer deal.
The big man played some of the best basketball of his NBA career down the stretch with the Rockets in 2021/22, albeit in a limited role. Fernando averaged 6.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 0.8 BPG on 70.7% shooting in 10 appearances (9.4 MPG) for Houston. In 119 career games (9.2 MPG), the 24-year-old holds averages of 3.2 PPG and 2.8 RPG.
The Rockets are facing a roster crunch to start the ’22/23 regular season, as they currently have 18 players on standard contracts. That number needs to be reduced to 15 before the season starts.
After the conversion of Fernando’s contract, both of the team’s two-way spots are currently occupied; rookie Trevor Hudgins holds the other.
Tyler Herro Wants Market Value Before Signing Extension
Tyler Herro wants to sign an extension with the Heat but he’s not going to settle for less than what he perceives as his market value, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Herro is looking for the “right number” before he inks a rookie scale extension, which must happen before opening night. Otherwise, he’ll be a restricted free agent next offseason.
“I want to be here. I want to be in Miami,” Herro said. “But I’m not rushed to sign anything. It’s got to make sense for me and my family. I’m not just going to sign anything. I see the market, I see what guys got paid and I know my worth. So I’m looking for the right number.”
Herro didn’t provide any details on what he believes his market value is but Chiang speculates he could seeking an extension similar to the one RJ Barrett signed with the Knicks late this summer. Barrett inked a four-year deal with $107MM in guaranteed money with another $13MM in potential bonuses.
Herro, the league’s reigning Sixth Man of the Year, will make approximately $5.72MM this season. Yet he was mentioned prominently in trade rumors this summer as Miami pursued a number of high-profile stars. Herro declares he wouldn’t be disappointed by a trade.
“I can get traded or I can stay here, I don’t care. I just want to play,” he said. “I want to play my game, have fun and I want to be wanted. Wherever they want me, I want to be.”
Herro expressed a desire to be a starter this season but has since softened that stance. After last season, team president Pat Riley challenged Herro to get stronger and become a better defensive player to earn a starting spot.
Challenge accepted, according to Herro.
“If somebody challenges me, I’m going to take it as a challenge,” he said. “That’s how my personality is, that’s what I do. And it’s not coming from just anybody. It’s coming from Pat. He wants the best for not only his team, but at the end of the day he wants the best for us individually, as well. If he challenges me, I’m going to take it on.”
Jay Larranaga Staying With Clippers After Talking To Celtics
SEPTEMBER 28, 9:07pm: Larranaga will be sticking with the Clipppers after speaking to the Celtics, sources tell Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated (Twitter link).
SEPTEMBER 28, 10:40am: The Clippers are granting the Celtics permission to speak to Larranaga, a league source tells Andrew Greif of The Los Angeles Times (Twitter link).
SEPTEMBER 27, 10:45pm: The Celtics are apparently looking to hire another veteran coach to assist interim head coach Joe Mazzulla.
They are seeking permission to talk to Clippers assistant Jay Larranaga about joining Mazzulla’s staff this season, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets.
Larranaga is a familiar face in Boston. He joined Tyronn Lue‘s staff last season after spending nine years with the Celtics, including seven seasons as Brad Stevens’ top assistant.
Mazzulla was thrust into the spotlight when Ime Udoka was suspended for the season for violating team policy.
Nets’ T.J. Warren Not Expected To Return Before November
New Nets forward T.J. Warren, who continues to work his way back to full health after missing most of the last two seasons due to foot problems, won’t be available when the regular season begins next month, head coach Steve Nash said today (link via Nick Friedell of ESPN).
According to Nash, it didn’t come as a surprise to the Nets that Warren’s recovery timeline will extend into the season, and they’re encouraged by the progress he has made. The 29-year-old is expected to be out at least through October.
“I think we’re going to assess again in November, but he’s doing great,” Nash said. “He’s building up. We knew this going in. And we also don’t want to take big risks with T.J. because he’s been out for two years. So it’s a process that we want to be very confident in and make a firm organization not to rush him.”
Warren appeared in just four games in 2020/21 and didn’t play at all in ’21/22 due to consecutive stress fractures in his left foot. He said on Media Day that his foot has fully healed, but that he still needs to do more rehab work to receive full clearance from team doctors.
Once Warren is ready to go, he’ll provide the Nets with another dynamic scorer in the frontcourt. In three seasons from 2017-20, Warren averaged 19.3 PPG on .509/.379/.791 shooting in 175 games (32.6 MPG) for the Suns and Pacers.
While the Nets are prepared not to have Warren in their opening night lineup, Nash shared a more positive update on Seth Curry, who is making his way back from ankle surgery. According to Friedell, Nash told reporters on Wednesday that Curry is expected to be ready for the regular season and might be able to suit up for the team’s final preseason contest.
Thunder Trade Vit Krejci To Hawks For Maurice Harkless, Pick
9:02pm: The trade is official, according to a Hawks press release. While also confirming the trade in their own press release, the Thunder provided more details regarding the picks involved.
The second-rounder headed to Oklahoma City is Atlanta’s 2029 pick. The Thunder will also receive amendments on the conditions of a previously traded 2025 second-round pick from the Hawks. The amended 2025 second-round pick will now be top-40 protected. Previously that pick was top-55 protected.
4:31pm: The Thunder are trading Vit Krejci to the Hawks in exchange for Maurice Harkless and a second-round pick, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets.
After signing a multiyear contract ahead of the 2021/22 NBA season, Krejci appeared in 30 games in his first NBA season, averaging 6.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG and 1.9 APG. He posted shooting splits of .407/.327/.864.
An early 2020 second-round pick, Krejci underwent an arthroscopic knee procedure in April. His $1,563,518 salary for the coming season is only 50% guaranteed for now.
The 6’8” Krejci, who turned 22 in June, could work his way into a rotation spot with Atlanta. However, the deal is primarily a cost-cutting move for the Hawks. The team drops from $1.7MM over the luxury tax line to $1.3MM below it by swapping Harkless for Krejci, Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype tweets.
The Hawks will also create a trade exception worth $4,564,980, the amount of Harkless’ outgoing salary.
Harkless, 29, has been in the league since the 2012/13 season. He spent last season with the Kings, appearing in 47 games (24 starts) while averaging 4.6 PPG and 2.4 RPG. He has also played for Orlando, Portland, the Los Angeles Clippers, New York and Miami. Overall, Harkless has appeared in 621 NBA games and averaged 6.9 PPG and 3.5 RPG in 22.6 MPG.
Harkless, who has an expiring contract, was traded from Sacramento to Atlanta in the Kevin Huerter deal earlier this offseason. It’s uncertain whether the Thunder plan to keep him or waive him.
Oklahoma City applied for a disabled player exception in late August worth $4.95MM in the wake of Chet Holmgren‘s season-ending injury. Harkless’ contract will slot into that exception, which was granted last week, ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweets. That allows the Thunder to complete the deal without matching salaries, since Krejci’s $1.56MM cap charge isn’t big enough to match Harkless’ $4.56MM salary.