Myers: Rising Payroll Won’t Keep Warriors From Retaining Poole
With Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andrew Wiggins set to earn a combined $148MM in 2022/23, the Warriors will once again blow by the luxury tax line (projected to be at $149MM) next season and will likely have the NBA’s most expensive roster. However, the rising cost of Golden State’s payroll won’t prevent the team from retaining breakout guard Jordan Poole, president of basketball operations Bob Myers told Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports.
“No, no,” Myers said. “I mean, thankfully (I) work for an ownership group in Joe (Lacob) that has committed all kinds of resources to winning. And I know that because every time I asked him about roster and strategy, it’s always winning.”
The Warriors’ team salary in 2021/22 was approximately $176MM, while their accompanying tax bill is worth $170MM+, meaning the team is spending about $346MM on this year’s roster. Golden State will remain subject to the NBA’s more punitive “repeater” taxpayer penalties as long as its team salary remains above the tax threshold.
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“You don’t need me to tell you what our payroll is. It’s pretty high,” Myers told Goodwill. “So he just wants to win. And we’ve spent a lot and we’ve kept all the players we want to keep, so I don’t see that changing.”
As expensive as the Warriors’ roster is, the organization makes a significant amount of revenue as a result of deep playoff runs like this year’s, as Tim Kawakami of The Athletic has outlined. Retaining key rotation players like Poole will help give Golden State the opportunity to make more of those runs and maximize the earning potential of the Chase Center.
Poole is under contract for one more season, but will be eligible for a contract extension this summer and appears to have made a strong case for a deal worth at least $20-25MM per year. The 22-year-old averaged 18.5 PPG and 4.0 APG in 76 regular season games (30.0 MPG) in 2021/22, and is at 18.4 PPG and 4.5 APG in 16 playoff contests (30.1 MPG).
If Poole signs an offseason extension, it would go into effect in 2023/24, at which point Andrew Wiggins‘ maximum-salary contract would be off the books, which could help lessen the Warriors’ financial burden. Of course, as good as Wiggins has been this year, the team may want to lock him up beyond his current deal too. Based on Myers’ comments, it doesn’t sound like Lacob would say no if the front office believes it’s the right move.
Nets Defer Sixers’ First-Round Pick Until 2023
The Nets have deferred the first-round picked owed to them by the Sixers until 2023, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). June 1 was the deadline for Brooklyn to inform the NBA of its decision, Wojarowski notes.
Philadelphia confirmed the news that it will control the No. 23 pick in the 2022 NBA draft, tweets Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Sixers have the ability to trade the pick starting June 23, which is draft night, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks (via Twitter). However, due to conditional protections on future picks owed to the Thunder and Nets, the ’22 first-rounder is the lone first the Sixers can deal away, as Marks relays.
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The Nets acquired the pick with the option of pushing it back until ’23 as part of the trade that sent Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round picks — ’22 or ’23 and ’27 (top-eight protected) — to Brooklyn in exchange for James Harden. Philadelphia’s ’23 first-round pick, which the Nets now officially control, is unprotected, so Brooklyn’s front office is hoping for a down season from the Sixers — assuming the Nets don’t trade it for immediate help this summer.
Although the Nets no longer have a pick in the upcoming draft, they still have the ability to purchase a second-round pick from another team, according to Marks (Twitter link). Brooklyn sent the maximum amount of cash allowed in 2021/22 to Detroit in a prior trade, but that will replenish once the new league year begins on July 1, so a theoretical trade wouldn’t be finalized until that point.
The Sixers also don’t control a second-rounder at the moment, but they still have $3,785,000 to buy one from another team, if they so choose (assuming, of course, that other teams are willing to deal them away, which is quite common later in the second round).
The full 2022 NBA draft order can be found right here.
Quin Snyder’s Future With Jazz Remains Uncertain
It has been over a month since Utah’s season came to an end as a result of a first-round loss to Dallas, but there’s still no resolution on Jazz head coach Quin Snyder, whose future remains unclear, according to Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim MacMahon of ESPN.
Sources tell ESPN’s duo that Snyder has engaged in several weeks of “good faith” conversations with Jazz ownership and management as the team attempts to secure his return for the 2022/23 season and beyond.
Snyder is under contract for next season and holds a coach’s option on the 2023/24 campaign. However, as Marc Stein first detailed in a pair of stories in March, there’s a sense that he’s unsure about committing long-term to the Jazz after spending the last eight seasons with the franchise. There have been rumors that Snyder could walk away from his position this offseason.
Stein previously reported that Snyder turned down an extension offer from Utah prior to the 2021/22 season, and Wojnarowski and MacMahon say the Jazz maintain interest in extending the coach’s contract. However, the team would also be happy if Snyder simply decides to return for next season on his current deal, sources tell ESPN.
Snyder didn’t express interest in pursuing any one of the three NBA head coaching jobs that opened up this spring, according to Wojnarowski and MacMahon, who write that discussions between him and the Jazz have centered on “philosophical issues” and how the club can take the next step toward legitimate title contention.
Neither side has set a deadline to reach a resolution, so the talks are expected to continue, per ESPN’s report.
Shaedon Sharpe Will Stay In 2022 Draft
Kentucky freshman wing Shaedon Sharpe, a projected top-1o lottery prospect, will forgo his academic eligibility and remain in the 2022 NBA draft, he announced today (Twitter link).
“First and foremost, through God’s blessings, it has been a privilege to attend the University of Kentucky,” Sharpe wrote. “Thank you #BBN for your support during my time with [Kentucky]… With the positive feedback I’ve received I will be remaining in the NBA Draft.”
Expecting to play for the Wildcats during the 2022/23 NCAA season, Sharpe first enrolled in Kentucky during the spring semester of the 2021/22 school year. After it became clear that he would be a high-level pick in the 2022 draft, the 6’6″ prospect initially entered his name into the draft pool in April.
Sharpe is projected as the No. 7 prospect in ESPN’s latest big board.
Latest On Hornets’ Head Coaching Search
Darvin Ham was scheduled for a second interview for the Hornets‘ head coaching job prior to becoming the new head coach of the Lakers. With Ham off the table, former Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni and Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson are considered finalists for the position, writes Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
President of basketball operations and general manager Mitch Kupchak has been busy preparing for the upcoming draft (the Hornets own the Nos. 13, 15, and 45 picks), which is partly why Charlotte’s search has progressed slower than the vacancies in Sacramento and Los Angeles. Kupchak’s new extension is a two-year deal, sources tell Fischer.
Another reason for the relative lack of progress is that none of the coaching candidates have met with owner Michael Jordan yet, as he was on vacation, but the final stage of interviews could occur this week once he returns, Fischer reports.
At the combine a couple of weeks ago, league personnel indicated Atkinson appeared to be gaining momentum for the position. The former Nets head coach “projected great confidence” that he’d ultimately land the job in calls with team staffers and other NBA figures with knowledge of the organization, according to Fischer. Atkinson is known as a detail-oriented person, and sources close to the coach indicate the research he’s done on the Hornets is reflective of that, Fischer says.
However, D’Antoni’s name has been linked to the Hornets most often, and a source with knowledge of the team’s thinking told Fischer that D’Antoni appears to be favored by Jordan, which contradicts the “push-back” that Marc Stein received after reporting that D’Antoni appeared to be a strong candidate. Stein also recently said that if D’Antoni is hired, the offensive-minded coach could bring former Bulls head coach Jim Boylen, who’s known as a defense-first coach, along with him as an assistant.
As Fischer observes, Atkinson’s strong background in player development seemingly fits well with a young team trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2015/16 (the Hornets were eliminated in the first game of the play-in tournament as the No. 10 seed each of the past two seasons). Having said that, Atkinson’s player development background is similar to James Borrego, who was fired after the season ended, leading to league speculation that Charlotte might opt to hire D’Antoni instead.
Cavaliers Hire Luke Walton As Assistant Coach
1:47pm: The Cavs have officially hired Walton, the team announced in a press release.
“We are very excited to add someone of Luke’s caliber and championship DNA to our coaching staff,” said president of basketball operations Koby Altman. “His on-court experiences as a head coach, assistant coach and player in this league fit seamlessly into J.B.’s existing coaching staff. Luke is someone who truly embraces player development, a team-first mentality, and a history of creating winning basketball habits. We welcome Luke, his wife Bre and the entire Walton family back to Northeast Ohio.”
11:23am: Luke Walton will be hired as an assistant coach under J.B. Bickerstaff with the Cavaliers, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Walton started the 2021/22 season as the head coach of the Kings, but was fired in November after the team got off to a 6-11 start. He compiled a 31-41 record in each of his first two full seasons with Sacramento and never came close to breaking the franchise’s long playoff drought. His four-year contract with the Kings runs through the end of next season.
Walton also spent three years as head coach of the Lakers, compiling a 98-148 record with no playoff appearances. He was fired in L.A. after the end of the 2018/19 season and was hired in Sacramento a few days later.
Walton ended his playing career in Cleveland, spending a season and a half there before retiring after the 2012/13 season.
D’Angelo Russell May Be Option In Knicks’ Point Guard Search
If the Knicks can’t get their preferred choices at point guard, the Timberwolves‘ D’Angelo Russell could become an option this summer, writes Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
New York has a strong connection to Russell in Gersson Rosas, who was recently named senior basketball advisor after spending time with the organization as a consultant. Fischer notes that when Rosas was president of basketball operations in Minnesota, he traded Andrew Wiggins and a lottery pick to the Warriors for Russell in 2020 after missing out on him in free agency.
Russell, who has a $31.4MM expiring contract next season, took some heat after a disappointing performance in the Wolves’ brief playoff run. The emergence of other backcourt options in Minnesota might make him expendable as the team looks to the future.
Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell remains the Knicks’ dream choice, but getting him appears unlikely even if Utah decides to shake up its roster, Fischer writes. He cites “healthy skepticism” around the league that New York can make the best offer for Mitchell, noting that Miami could potentially put together a deal centered around Tyler Herro and multiple first-round picks.
The Knicks have also been linked to Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson, who is headed toward free agency, but Fischer hears there’s a “growing sense” around the league that Brunson will remain in Dallas. Fischer expects Brunson’s new contract to top $20MM per season and says John Collins‘ five-year, $125MM extension could be a good comparison.
New York can only offer four years to Brunson and would need to clear out significant cap space first. Sources tell Fischer that the Knicks unsuccessfully tried to move Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel ahead of the trade deadline to begin opening cap room. Fischer cites league executives who believe New York would have to include either the No. 11 pick in this year’s draft or Immanuel Quickley in any deal to unload salary.
Fischer adds that one factor working in the Knicks’ favor in their pursuit of Brunson is that they can offer him the chance to be the undisputed leader of the offense, which he won’t have in Dallas playing alongside Luka Doncic. Fischer notes that if Brunson signs with the Pistons, who are also reported to be interested, he would be in the same situation with Cade Cunningham.
Sources also tell Fischer that New York won’t be among the teams pursuing Cavaliers free agent guard Collin Sexton. Cleveland is interested in keeping him, but it could be difficult considering the team’s salary commitment to other players. Fischer hears that the Pacers, Pistons and Wizards will all be in the market for Sexton.
Joel Embiid Undergoes Thumb, Finger Surgery
Sixers center Joel Embiid had surgery Monday to fix the torn ligament in his right thumb, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic. He also underwent a procedure on his injured left index finger and is expected to be fully ready for training camp, Charania adds.
Embiid injured the thumb in Philadelphia’s first-round series against Toronto, but decided to keep playing in hopes of leading his team to a title. He suffered a concussion and broken orbital bone in the final game of that series, causing him to miss the first two games of the second-round series with Miami.
His facial fracture continues to heal without surgery, according to Derek Bodner of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Embiid is coming off another brilliant season, leading the league in scoring at 30.6 PPG, along with 11.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per night. He was the runner-up in the MVP voting for the second straight year and was a second-team All-NBA selection.
Terquavion Smith Withdrawing From Draft
Terquavion Smith has decided to take his name out of the NBA draft and return to North Carolina State for another season, writes Jonathan Givony of ESPN.
Smith is coming off a strong showing at the NBA Draft Combine and was widely expected to be taken in the first round, Givony adds. The 6’4″ shooting guard is ranked as the 22nd best prospect on ESPN’s big board.
“I have to be honest and admit money has never been at the center of my thoughts,” Smith said in his announcement. “My agent explained to me that teams as high as the late teens, through the rest of the first round, all have me ranked as a first-round talent. It’s exciting to hear that. But I told him I have more work to do. I like school and my college in particular. Remember, my last two years have been so strange, thanks to the pandemic. I just want one more season to get everything right and just be a college student.”
Smith caught the attention of scouts with an outstanding performance in drills on the first day of the combine, Givony notes. He posted 17 points in a second-day scrimmage, then opted to sit out the final day.
The 19-year-old averaged 16.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists as a freshman in 2021/22, earning a spot on the ACC’s All-Rookie Team and becoming an honorable mention All-Conference selection. He led the ACC with 96 made three-pointers, the fourth-highest total for a freshman in conference history.
Smith indicated that he’s already looking forward to next year’s draft process and the possibility of being a lottery pick.
“If things go like I expect, I won’t have to go through the combine experience the same way,” he said. “Everyone will see my games and our team all season, we are going to make sure they are seeing something special. The NBA can wait one year, I have more work to do in the ACC first.”
Raptors May Make OG Anunoby Available In Trade Talks
Raptors swingman OG Anunoby may be a name to watch as offseason trade talks begin to heat up, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
Anunoby reportedly grew frustrated at times this season as much of his ball-handling responsibility in Toronto’s offense was taken over by Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes.
However, two sources told Fischer that Anunoby hasn’t informed the front office that he wants out and there is speculation that any rumors are coming from teams hoping to acquire him. Even so, the addition of Barnes could make Anunoby expendable if the Raptors are hoping to make an impactful move this summer.
According to Fischer’s sources, Toronto told teams at the trade deadline that it wasn’t willing to move any of its top six players: Anunoby, Barnes, Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr. and Precious Achiuwa. But the organization’s desire to land a top center could change that stance. After pursuing Jarrett Allen last offseason, the Raptors talked to the Pacers about Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis ahead of this year’s trade deadline and reached out to the Spurs about Jakob Poeltl, Fischer adds.
The Jazz and Trail Blazers would reportedly be among the most interested teams if Toronto decides to part with Anunoby, who has two more guaranteed seasons left on his contract, plus a $19.9MM player option for 2024/25.
Sources tell Fischer that Rudy Gobert is one of the Raptors’ prime targets for upgrading at center. Utah’s management is divided on whether to part with Gobert, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and an elite rim protector, but it could become necessary as the Jazz look to improve on the wing. Fischer notes that Toronto might have to offer Trent along with Anunoby to match Gobert’s salary, which would mean parting with one of the team’s only reliable outside shooters.
The Blazers are expected to offer the No. 7 pick to try to revamp its roster and Fischer states that Anunoby is one of their main targets, along with Pistons forward Jerami Grant. He notes that the Blazers have a decision to make next month on whether to guarantee Josh Hart‘s $12.9MM contract for 2022/23, but states that Hart and the lottery pick wouldn’t be enough for Toronto to move Anunoby. Fischer adds that Anunoby is seen as more valuable than Grant, for whom Detroit is seeking two first-round picks or a first-rounder and a promising player on a rookie-scale contract.