Jrue Holiday Wins Teammate Of The Year Award
Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday has been named the winner of the NBA’s 2019/20 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award, the league announced today in a press release.
The award, which was voted on by more than 250 NBA players, recognizes the player deemed to be the best teammate based on “selfless play, on- and off-court leadership as a mentor and role model to other NBA players, and commitment and dedication to team.” Mike Conley, Jamal Crawford, Dirk Nowitzki, and Vince Carter have each won the award during the past few years.
One of 12 players nominated by a panel of league executives for this year’s award, Holiday was the leading vote-getter among those dozen players, receiving 53 of 267 possible first-place votes. He beat out runners-up Tobias Harris and Kyle Korver for the honor. The full voting results can be found right here.
Holiday averaged 19.1 PPG, 6.7 APG, 4.8 RPG, and 1.6 SPG with a .455/.353/.709 shooting line in 61 games (34.7 MPG) for the Pelicans in 2019/20. He announced in July that he would be putting his game checks from the summer restart toward the Jrue and Lauren Social Justice Impact Fund, a fund dedicated to helping communities in New Orleans, Indianapolis, and the Los Angeles area.
New Orleans’ front office will face a decision on Holiday’s future within the next year or so. He holds a player option for the 2021/22 season, meaning he may be entering a contract year in ’20/21. The Pelicans will have to determine whether it makes sense to consider trading the veteran guard in advance of his free agency or whether they’re committed to trying to keep him long-term.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Michele Roberts Talks Free Agency, 2020/21 Season, Cap, More
Having rescheduled this year’s draft for November 18, the NBA has yet to officially set a start date for 2020’s free agent period. Speaking to Shams Charania of The Athletic, NBPA executive director Michele Roberts suggested that she thinks free agency will probably start no later than December 1 and that the salary cap and tax figures won’t drop too drastically from what was originally projected.
“We can’t go much beyond (December 1) for (free agency),” Roberts said. “We had a projected BRI (basketball-related income), which I think teams appropriately planned for. I don’t think we can deviate much from where we projected the cap to be.
“It may not reflect what people think is the likely BRI, but since I’m of the view this game is not dead and it will rebound, we can do some things with the cap to allow for a free market and not completely destroy what the teams were expecting the cap to be as they were planning ahead. Frankly, I think that’s going to be one of the easier negotiations, figuring out a cap.”
As Charania writes, Roberts met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver on Sunday, and the two sides left that meeting confident that they’ll be able to negotiate agreements on the many cap- and CBA-related issues that must be resolved before the new league year and the 2020/21 season begin.
“It’s amazing what needs to be accomplished in the next six weeks, but it has to be done. I feel sooner rather than later,” Roberts said, adding that she doesn’t believe there’s any real chance of a lockout. “… We’re going to resolve this.”
Charania’s Q&A with Roberts is jam-packed with interesting info and quotes, and is worth checking out in full if you’re an Athletic subscriber. Here are a few more of the most notable takeaways from the conversation:
- Roberts still views January as the “absolute earliest” possible start date for the 2020/21 season. “The latter part of January, February makes sense,” she told Charania. “If it’s later than that, if we have a terrible winter because the virus decides to reassert herself, that’s fine.”
- Although Roberts and the NBPA share the NBA’s hope that teams can play a full 82-game season in their respective home arenas in 2020/21, she told Charania that the two sides must be “flexible” and “nimble” as it makes plans for next season. “I’m not of the view that we should wait until we think the arenas can open, because this virus, she’s not cooperative at all,” Roberts said.
- Silver has expressed some reluctance to change the NBA’s permanent calendar as a result of the COVID-related delays, but Roberts sounds more open to that possibility. “Even before COVID happened, there was a conversation about starting our season later. Why compete with football in the fall? Why don’t we start our season around Christmas?” Roberts said to Charania. “It may very well be that our regular schedule is going to change, not so much because of COVID, but because of the ability to experiment. I wouldn’t bet on returning to the old normal.”
- Faced with the possibility of the NBA’s basketball-related income for next season dipping from $8 billion to something like $6 billion, Roberts acknowledged that maintaining the 51/49 split between players and owners will be tricky. “It comes down to if it’s a $6 billion pie and our owners are entitled to 49%, and they’re already committed to $5 billion in player salaries and fixed costs for example, where’s the rest of their money?” she said. “There’s ways to take that $6 billion and get to their 49%. One of the ways to do it is to slash player salaries. I got to deal with a constituency that, you slash their salaries, this may be for many of my guys on the last two or three years of their careers. Is there a way to deal with that?”
- Here’s more from Roberts to Charania on the issue of the BRI split: “We’ll never say to the owners: ‘Y’all just going to have to eat the loss.’ Who’s going to do that? They’re not stupid. They’re not just going to say, ‘OK, yeah you’re right, we’re just going to have to lose a couple billion dollars on our own.’ That’s not going to happen. Instead what you say is, ‘Can we figure out a way to manage that so there is no loss, but there isn’t an immediate pay day. Can you withstand some delay in getting your money?’ I have some real life examples of people I know in my life that say that they live paycheck-to-paycheck. And there are other people that can say that they can deal with deferred compensation. You figure it out.”
Oladipo Expected To Draw Trade Interest From Knicks
Following a report that stated Victor Oladipo was “looking to move on” from the Pacers, the two-time All-Star dismissed the idea that he wants to leave Indiana.
Still, with just one year left on his contract and no guarantee he’ll re-sign with the Pacers, Oladipo figures to draw trade interest this offseason, and the Knicks look like one of the teams that will kick the tires on a potential deal, as Marc Berman of The New York Post writes.
Addressing the possibility of the Knicks pursuing Chris Paul, Berman cites NBA officials who say that putting together an offer for Oladipo is expected to be a “higher priority” for the club.
New president of basketball operations Leon Rose has a long-standing connection to Paul, having previously represented him at CAA. However, Oladipo is seven years younger and has a major booster in New York’s front office as well, Berman explains — general manager Scott Perry drafted the guard in 2013 when he was a member of Orlando’s front office and “still is enamored” with him.
As Berman points out, the Knicks have already made a habit of acquiring players Perry previously drafted in Orlando, signing Mario Hezonja in 2018 and Elfrid Payton in 2019.
Of course, a trade for Oladipo would require a more significant investment, both in terms of the trade package required to land him and in terms of the financial commitment it would take to sign him to a long-term deal.
One NBA personnel person who spoke to Berman suggested that an offer of Julius Randle, Dennis Smith Jr., and the Mavericks’ 2021 and 2023 first-round picks could “whet the Pacers’ appetite,” though I’d be surprised if Indiana is enamored with any Knicks package that doesn’t include one of New York’s own future first-rounders.
If the Pacers do seriously consider moving Oladipo this fall, the Heat are expected to be among the other clubs with interest.
Isaiah Thomas Underwent Hip Procedure, Aiming For 2020/21 Return
Free agent point guard Isaiah Thomas underwent a resurfacing procedure on his right hip in May and expects to be fully healthy for the start of the 2020/21 season, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (via Twitter).
Thomas has dealt with hip problems for the last few seasons, battling a bone-on-bone issue and “relentless” pain, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who notes that the latest procedure is designed to address the injury by including a “unique kind of artificial joint” in the hip.
“It’s like night and day for me,” Thomas told Wojnarowski. “There’s no more pain. I’ve got my full range of motion. For three years, I was trying to play the best players in the world on one leg. I needed help from my kids to put my socks on in the morning.
“Now, I can lift weights. I can squat low. I can work out twice a day. I’m able to cut and move and stop, able to cut and go. I feel like I’m 31 years old again. And now, I have scientific evidence to show that.”
Dr. Edwin Su, an orthopedist based in New York, performed the procedure on Thomas and told ESPN that it already appears to be paying dividends.
“Before the surgery, you could see he was clearly favoring his right side; and that it was painful,” Su said. “It was natural to avoid pushing off and landing off (the left). Four months post-op, we are seeing higher loads and seeing symmetry between the right and left. … Now, he’s playing like he’s eight months out from surgery, not just four. He’s such a hard worker. He’s moving quickly, and able to jump and pivot.”
Since averaging 28.9 PPG and 5.9 APG for the Celtics during the 2016/17 season, Thomas has been limited by health problems and has seen his production drop off significantly.
In 84 games for the Cavaliers, Lakers, Nuggets, and Wizards over the last three seasons, he has recorded just 12.8 PPG and 3.8 APG on 38.6% shooting, and has been rated poorly by defensive metrics. He was waived by the Clippers in February after Washington sent him to L.A. in a deadline deal, and hasn’t been on an NBA roster since then.
It remains to be seen when exactly the NBA 2020’s free agency period will begin and whether coronavirus-related restrictions will prevent Thomas from working out in front of teams. However, the veteran point guard is looking to prove he’s still capable of being a reliable part of a club’s rotation.
“In some ways, the time off because of COVID was a blessing in disguise for my career,” Thomas told Wojnarowski. “It allowed me to take the time to get this procedure done, and get back physically to a level I need to be to compete in the league. I made the right decision to do this, and I’m anxious to show people I can contribute to a team again.”
John Lucas Emerging As Coaching Candidate For Rockets
Veteran coach John Lucas is an emerging candidate in the Rockets‘ search for a new head coach, reports Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link).
As Stein notes (via Twitter), Lucas has spent the last four seasons working as a player development coach on Mike D’Antoni‘s staff in Houston, and has developed strong relationships with both James Harden and Russell Westbrook.
A former first overall pick as an NBA player, Lucas transitioned to coaching in the early 1990s and has spent time as a head coach for the Spurs, Sixers, and Cavaliers. The 66-year-old was also an assistant for the Nuggets and Clippers before eventually joining the Rockets in 2016.
According to reports in August, Lucas was among the coaches who made a strong impression on players with his comments during the meeting in the Orlando bubble as they weighed whether or not to resume the season following their boycott.
Houston is taking its time as it seeks a replacement for D’Antoni, having reportedly met with Tyronn Lue on Sunday. Former NBA head coaches Jeff Van Gundy and Kenny Atkinson have also been linked to the job, as have current assistants like Sam Cassell, David Vanterpool, and Chris Finch.
Adebayo, Dragic Ruled Out For Game 3
Heat center Bam Adebayo (neck) and guard Goran Dragic (plantar fascia tear) will miss Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, the team announced on social media.
This marks the second straight game missed for both players, with the Heat currently trailing the Lakers 2-0 in the series. Adebayo and Dragic had hoped to return on Sunday, but over the past 48 hours the team had been listing them as “doubtful” to suit up.
“I can see the anguish, literally, in their eyes … they really want to be there because they love their teammates and they put their heart and soul into it,” head coach Erik Spoelstra said, as relayed by Dave McMenamin of ESPN (Twitter link).
Miami lost 124-114 in Game 2, starting Tyler Herro in place of Dragic and Meyers Leonard in place of Adebayo. The team struggled to protect the paint and allowed LeBron James and Anthony Davis to combine for 65 points on 29-for-45 shooting (64%).
In addition to Adebayo and Dragic, Heat star Jimmy Butler is also coping with an injury. Butler turned his ankle in the team’s Game 1 loss last week, but still managed to produce 25 points and 13 assists in nearly 45 minutes during Game 2.
It’s unclear whether Dragic or Adebayo will be ready for Game 4, which will take place on Tuesday. Adebayo, the Heat’s second All-Star, is in the midst of a career-best campaign, while Dragic has served as the team’s second-leading scorer during the postseason (19.9 points per game).
Kings Won’t Be Forced Into Trading Buddy Hield
The Kings won’t let Buddy Hield‘s frustration with his current role force them into a move, writes James Ham of NBC Sports Bay Area.
A report Friday stated that Hield isn’t returning phone calls from Sacramento coach Luke Walton, who turned him into a sixth man this season after being a full-time starter in 2018/19. A source tells Ham that Kings management isn’t concerned about the situation because it’s the offseason and Hield has proven himself to be a hard worker. They expect him to show up ready to play whenever training camp opens.
The front office has been through similar situations with Hield, Ham adds. He also complained about former coach Dave Joerger, who often yelled at Hield for mistakes during games, and he made comments about ex-general manager Vlade Divac, even after signing an extension that gave him the largest contract in franchise history.
Among the offseason challenges for new GM Monte McNair will be re-signing restricted free agent Bogdan Bogdanovic. If McNair decides the team can’t afford both players, he may start exploring trade options for Hield, but Ham notes that McNair will want value in return and won’t get rid of Hield simply because he might be a disruptive presence.
Hield, whose four-year extension kicks in next season starting at $24.4MM, is considered one of the league’s best 3-point shooters, connecting at a 39.4% rate this season and 41.1% for his career. But Ham states that his frequent outbursts at coaches and management lessen his trade value and will make it harder for the Kings to find a satisfactory deal.
Adam Silver Says NBA Players In 2021 Olympics ‘Unlikely’
With the NBA expecting the 2020/21 season to start until this upcoming January at the earliest, the league’s players will likely not participate in the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, commissioner Adam Silver said on NBATV (via NBC Sports).
“I think it’s unlikely, at the end of the day, that, if we start late, we would stop for the Olympics,” Silver said. “Because, as you know, it’s not just a function of stopping for the period in which they are competing over in Tokyo. But they require training camp, and then they require rest afterwards.”
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the 2020 Olympics to be postponed, thus casting doubt on NBA players’ ability to participate. The Olympics are set for a July 23, 2021 start, so an NBA season that begins in January or later would result in a likely conflict.
While Team USA would be the most severely impacted without the NBA’s top players available, international teams would also be affected as the league’s best international talents would be unavailable.
“There are so many incredible players, beginning with the USA team, we’ll be able to field a very competitive team,” Silver said. “I am a bit worried about some of the international teams, because, as you know, some of their stars play in our league, and their absence would make a huge difference for those national teams.”
Sixers Hire Doc Rivers As Head Coach
OCTOBER 3: The Sixers have made the hiring of Doc Rivers as the team’s new head coach official, announcing the move today in a press release.
“We are thrilled to welcome Doc Rivers to Philadelphia as the new head coach of the 76ers,” Sixers general manager Elton Brand said. “Doc is one of the most respected and accomplished head coaches in the NBA,” Brand said. “I believe Doc can help us unlock our full potential on the floor and further our pursuit of an NBA championship. I also respect and appreciate that his impact extends far beyond the basketball court as he truly embraces the platform he has to drive positive change in society. Doc is a great fit for our team and city, and I’m excited for what the future holds with him as our head coach.”
For his part, Rivers expressed excitement with joining Philadelphia, marking his newest coaching opportunity since he parted ways with the Clippers after another early postseason exit.
“I am really excited about the opportunity to be joining a world-class franchise, a franchise whose legend inspired my nickname,” Rivers said. “This is a city that loves sports and loves their teams. It’s a city that values hard work and that is exactly what we are going to do and who we are going to be. We are ready to do good things in Philadelphia.”
OCTOBER 1, 5:21 : The Sixers and Rivers agreed to a five-year contract, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
OCTOBER 1, 4:41pm: Just three days after word broke that he was parting ways with the Clippers, Doc Rivers has reached an agreement to become the new head coach of the Sixers, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter).
Rivers will take over on the 76ers’ bench following the team’s August dismissal of Brett Brown, who had been the head coach in Philadelphia for the last seven seasons. Rivers spent those same seven years in Los Angeles, leading the Clippers to a 356-208 (.631) record during that time, including six playoff berths and three postseason series wins.
After a heavily favored Clippers team blew a 3-1 lead over Denver in the second round of this year’s playoffs, Rivers and team owner Steve Ballmer had multiple meetings and ultimately decided not to continue their relationship.
Rivers’ availability upended the Sixers’ in-progress coaching search, which at that point was reportedly between Mike D’Antoni and Tyronn Lue, with D’Antoni widely believed to be the frontrunner. The club quickly reached out to Rivers and got him to Philadelphia for an interview on Wednesday, at which point he supplanted D’Antoni as the favorite for the job.
Rivers – who was intrigued by Philadelphia’s roster, marketplace, and organization, per Wojnarowski – “connected quickly” with general manager Elton Brand and the 76ers’ ownership group during Wednesday’s meetings, according to Woj (Twitter link), who says the former Clippers coach is signing a multiyear deal. According to Jason Dumas of KRON4 News (Twitter link), Sixers ownership had initially wanted D’Antoni while Brand preferred Lue — Rivers represented a candidate that both sides agreed upon.
With two years still left on his contract with the Clippers when he was let go, Rivers didn’t necessarily have to rush into a new coaching job, but the fact that he only took about 72 hours to find a new NBA home suggests he had no desire to take any time off. The 2020/21 season will represent Rivers’ 22nd consecutive year in an NBA head coaching position — he coached the Celtics and Magic before arriving in L.A. in 2013.
In Philadelphia, Rivers will be tasked with taking an underachieving Sixers roster to the next level after the club was eliminated from the playoffs in just four games this summer. He’ll also have to determine how best to unlock the full potential of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, whose offensive games haven’t always meshed smoothly in recent years.
Meanwhile, having been beaten out by Rivers for the Philadelphia job, D’Antoni and Lue will remain on the head coaching market, with five job openings still available. D’Antoni has been linked to the jobs in New Orleans and Indiana, while Lue is expected to meet with the Pelicans and Rockets and has been cited as the potential frontrunner to replace Rivers with the Clippers.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Lue To Meet With Clippers On Saturday, Rockets On Sunday
It will be a busy weekend for coaching candidate Tyronn Lue, who has three meetings lined up in a three-day span with teams seeking new head coaches. According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link), Lue is scheduled to talk to the Pelicans on Friday, Clippers on Saturday, and Rockets on Sunday.
A report earlier this week from The Philadelphia Inquirer indicated that – after interviewing with the Sixers on Tuesday – Lue was set to talk to New Orleans on Friday and Houston next week. Multiple reports have since confirmed that he’s a prime candidate to be promoted in Los Angeles. However, Haynes’ report is the first time we’ve learned specific dates for Lue’s initial meetings with the Clippers and Rockets.
While this series of interviews is a reminder that Lue is drawing real interest from multiple teams, it remains to be seen whether he’ll be the first choice for one or more of those clubs. And it’s unclear which team would be his first choice if he receives more than one offer.
Having spent the 2019/20 season as an assistant under Doc Rivers, Lue is most familiar with the Clippers and is believed to be an early frontrunner for that position. But he’s certainly not a shoo-in for the job, as L.A. is expected to conduct a full-fledged search.
Lue’s connection with Pelicans executive VP of basketball operations David Griffin – the duo worked together in Cleveland – could help give him a leg up for that job. However, New Orleans is reportedly expected to bring in at least two or three finalists before making a decision.