Hollis Thompson Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Pelicans Sign Hollis Thompson To Second 10-Day Contract

March 5th, 2017 at 2:52pm CST by Arthur Hill

2:48pm CST: The Pelicans officially announced the signing via Twitter (link).

12:07pm CST: The Pelicans are expected to give shooting guard Hollis Thompson a second 10-day contract when his first deal expires today, according to John Reid of The Times-Picayune.

Thompson is in the starting lineup for tonight’s game with the Lakers, so it’s reasonable to think that New Orleans plans to keep him around for a while. The Pelicans are short on wing players after shipping Tyreke Evans, Buddy Hield and Langston Galloway to the Kings in the DeMarcus Cousins trade.

They signed Thompson on February 23rd to help fill the void. He has appeared in five games since then, starting four, with averages of 4.6 points and 3.0 assists.

”I think he’s solid and we like our rotation with E’Twaun Moore coming off the bench because we have the ability to, if a guy got in quick foul trouble or something like that,” said Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry. ”We stuck Hollis out there to see if he would be OK. I think he’s been a pleasant surprise, really … moreso on the defense end, just being able to get to the right spot and things like that.”

Thompson started the season with the Sixers and played 31 games, but was released in early January before his salary became fully guaranteed. When his second 10-day contract with New Orleans expires, the Pelicans will have to either waive him or sign him for the remainder of the season.

Pelicans Sign Hollis Thompson To 10-Day Deal

February 23rd, 2017 at 5:16pm CST by ChrisCrouse

FEBRUARY 23rd, 5:16pm: The signing is official, according to a press release from the team.

FEBRUARY 22nd, 6:31pm: The Pelicans will sign Hollis Thompson to a 10-day contract, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com (Twitter link). New Orleans had an open roster spot after the DeMarcus Cousins trade, as the team’s depth chart at Roster Resource indicates.

The team auditioned several players earlier in the week. Mario Chalmers, Quinn Cook and Reggie Williams were among the players trying out for a 10-day deal.

Thompson has been playing for the Spurs’ D-League affiliate. He played for the Sixers earlier this season but was cut before his contract became fully guaranteed.

Pelicans To Audition Chalmers, Thompson, Others

February 21st, 2017 at 3:50pm CST by Luke Adams

3:50pm: Chris Haynes of ESPN.com (Twitter link) adds Wayne Selden to the list of players auditioning for the Pelicans. Selden, 22, was in camp with the Grizzlies and has spent the regular season with the D-League’s Iowa Energy, averaging 18.3 PPG.

8:57am: The workouts noted below are happening today at the Pelicans’ facility, according to Scott Kushner of The Advocate (Twitter link).

8:40am: The Pelicans were widely praised for their trade for DeMarcus Cousins this week, but even though the acquisition cost for the All-NBA center wasn’t exorbitant, New Orleans’ roster looks a little unbalanced in the wake of the deal. Having sent Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, and Langston Galloway to Sacramento in the swap, the Pelicans will now be looking to fortify their backcourt, and will audition several free agent guards this week, per ESPN’s Marc Stein (Twitter link).

According to Stein (via Twitter), the group of guards working out for New Orleans this week includes Mario Chalmers, Hollis Thompson, Quinn Cook, and Reggie Williams. All of those players except Chalmers are currently on D-League teams, but aren’t under contract with the affiliated NBA club, making them free agents.

Cook and Williams each have previous experience with the Pelicans — Cook was with the club in training camp, while Williams had a brief stint in New Orleans earlier this season before he was waived to make room for Donatas Motiejunas. Both players have had solid seasons in the D-League, though Cook in particular has stood out. The former Duke guard has averaged 26.0 PPG for the Canton Charge and earned MVP honors this past weekend in the NBADL All-Star Game.

Like Williams, Thompson was on an NBA roster earlier this season, but the Sixers cut the four-year veteran before his salary for the year became fully guaranteed. He has since played for the Spurs’ D-League affiliate in Austin. As for Chalmers, he’s the most well-known player in the group, having won a pair of championships with the Heat and appeared in 580 total NBA games for Miami and Memphis.

After trading three players for two in the Cousins deal, the Pelicans currently have an open spot on their 15-man roster. The club may wait until after the trade deadline to seriously consider signing a free agent guard, just in case that roster spot can be used to accommodate another trade.

Hollis Thompson To Join Spurs’ D-League Affiliate

January 25th, 2017 at 8:54am CST by Luke Adams

After being cut by the Sixers before this month’s salary guarantee deadline, swingman Hollis Thompson is headed to the D-League. According to Adam Johnson of D-League Digest (via Twitter), the Windy City Bulls have claimed Thompson, but will send him to the Austin Spurs, San Antonio’s affiliate, in exchange for Jarell Eddie. The deal will be finalized once both players pass physicals, tweets Johnson.

Thompson, 25, had been one of the longest-tenured players on the Sixers, having signed with the team back in September of 2013. In 256 games with the franchise, he averaged 7.9 PPG and 3.1 RPG, with a .417/.389/.709 shooting line. Although he has been a solid three-point shooter throughout his career, Thompson’s 36.6% mark this season was the worst of his career, and he also averaged just 18.1 minutes per game this year, another career low that led to his release.

Having signed a D-League contract, Thompson will remain an NBA free agent, meaning the NBA’s Spurs won’t hold his rights. However, San Antonio controls and operates the Austin Spurs, so the club will get a first-hand look at the Georgetown product during his time in the D-League.

Assuming Thompson plays well in the NBADL, he’ll be a strong candidate for at least a 10-day contract or two from an NBA team down the stretch this season, if not a rest-of-season commitment.

And-Ones: Thompson, Pacers, George, T. Mitchell

January 5th, 2017 at 1:26pm CST by Luke Adams

Although the Sixers waived Hollis Thompson on Wednesday, head coach Brett Brown expects to see the veteran swingman land with another team. “I feel like somebody’s going to pick him up,” Brown said, per Jessica Camerato of CSNPhilly.com (Twitter link). “I don’t feel we’re going to see Hollis Thompson removed from the NBA.” Thompson could still be claimed on waivers tomorrow — if he goes unclaimed, he’d become an unrestricted free agent.

Here are a few more odds and ends from around the NBA:

Within a look at potential trade candidates for 15 NBA teams, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders drops a handful of notable nuggets. Among them: Kyler notes that sources close to the situation in Indiana say that the Pacers are optimistic that the league’s new designated veteran extension will give them a good chance to keep Paul George. Of course, to qualify for that extension in 2017/18, George will first have to make an All-NBA team in 2016/17.
In a piece for The Sporting News, Sean Deveney lists 12 big men who may be available at this year’s trade deadline. While most of the players identified by Deveney have been involved in previous trade rumors and speculation, there are some more surprising names, including Amir Johnson, Marcin Gortat, and even Hassan Whiteside.
Israeli team Maccabi Haifa is cutting former NBA second-round pick Tony Mitchell from its roster after several missed practices and late arrivals, reports international basketball journalist David Pick (via Twitter). Mitchell, 24, was selected 37th overall in the 2013 draft by the Pistons after playing his college ball at North Texas.
NBA teams can sign players to 10-day contracts as of today, and there’s no shortage of candidates for a call-up in the D-League. Cody Taylor of Basketball Insiders takes a look at a few players that could draw interest from NBA teams, including Briante Weber, Quincy Acy, and Lamar Patterson.

Sixers Waive Hollis Thompson

January 4th, 2017 at 3:22pm CST by Luke Adams

3:22pm: The Sixers have waived Thompson, a league source confirms to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link).

3:12pm: The Sixers are set to waive Hollis Thompson, a league source tells Derek Bodner of PhillyMag.com (Twitter link). Thompson is on a non-guaranteed contract, so cutting him before the upcoming salary guarantee deadline will ensure that the team isn’t on the hook for his full-season salary.

Thompson, 25, had been one of the longest-tenured players on the Sixers, having signed with the team back in September of 2013. In 256 games since then, the 6’8″ swingman has averaged 7.9 PPG and 3.1 RPG, with a .417/.389/.709 shooting line.

Given how much value is placed on effective three-point shooting in today’s NBA, it’s worth noting that the Sixers are cutting ties with a player who has made 39% of his career attempts from long distance. Still, Thompson’s 36.6% mark this season is the worst of his career, and he has also averaged just 18.1 minutes per game this season, another career low.

Thompson is in the final year of his contract and didn’t appear to be a part of Philadelphia’s long-term plan, so cutting him now will create some roster flexibility and will allow other players – such as rookie wing Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot – to earn more playing time.

Meanwhile, even if he goes unclaimed on waivers, Thompson is a good bet to catch on with another NBA team soon, perhaps on a 10-day contract. He would become an unrestricted free agent on Friday if his release becomes official today and he clears waivers.

Sixers Notes: Thompson, Embiid, Holmes, Okafor

October 9th, 2016 at 12:59pm CST by Arthur Hill

Hollis Thompson has been with the Sixers through three of the worst seasons in franchise history and he hopes to remain with the team as it starts to improve, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Thompson and Nerlens Noel are the only players who have been part of Philadelphia’s roster since 2013/14, and despite his seniority the 6’8″ swingman isn’t guaranteed a spot this season. Thompson averaged 9.8 points per night in 77 games last year, but he finds himself in a familiar position — facing a preseason battle just to make the team. Even if he is on the roster when the season starts, Thompson knows his fate won’t be fully determined until all contracts become guaranteed on January 10th. “In the beginning in the first year, it was stressful,” Thompson said. “But I think at this point, literally, my entire career, I could have been gone anytime before January, and I got paid. At this point, I’m used to it.”

There’s more news out of Philadelphia:

Joel Embiid had his best game of the preseason Saturday, giving the Sixers another reason to believe he can overcome the foot problems that cost him his first two NBA seasons, Pompey notes in a separate piece. Embiid put up 12 points, four rebounds and a block in a little more than 13 minutes of action against a Cavaliers team that he still holds a grudge against for passing on him in the 2014 draft. “I felt more comfortable tonight,” Embiid said. “I’m still thinking that I should have been the number one pick. They didn’t pick me. So that had something to do with it.”
Richaun Holmes is having a productive preseason, but will have a tough time getting minutes in a crowded frontcourt, Pompey writes in another story. Holmes scored 10 points in 12 minutes in the Sixers’ first preseason game, then followed that up with a 20-point, 12-rebound performance on Thursday. Pompey suggests that Holmes may have to settle for playing time in the D-League.
Coach Brett Brown is optimistic about Jahlil Okafor‘s progress despite lingering pain in his right knee, according to Brian Seltzer of NBA.com. “We haven’t seen much of him in practice,” Brown said. “People shouldn’t get nervous about that. It’s part of bringing him back in the mix. Our anticipation is that he’s not that far away, and I do look forward to getting him playing again. I really look forward to getting him playing again.”

Hollis Thompson, Mike Muscala Have Options Exercised

June 29th, 2016 at 9:35am CST by Luke Adams

The 76ers have exercised their team option to bring back Hollis Thompson for another season, according to a team release. Similarly, the Hawks have picked up their own team option on Mike Muscala, per Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Thompson, 25, joined the Sixers for the 2013/14 season, and has appeared in at least 71 games in each of the last three seasons, making a total of 81 starts. Although 2015/16 was Thompson’s least efficient season when it came to shooting percentages and attempts, he did establish new career highs in PPG (9.8), RPG (3.5), and some other categories, as a result of his increased role. The three-point-shooting wing will be on Philadelphia’s books for a minimum salary of $1,015,696 for the ’16/17 campaign.

As for Muscala, his option for next season is worth the same as Thompson’s, $1,015,696. The former Bucknell big man, who will turn 25 this Friday, has appeared in 120 games during his three seasons in Atlanta, never averaging more than 12.6 minutes per game in a season. While he likely won’t be a huge part of the club’s plans going forward, he’s an inexpensive frontcourt depth piece.

Both Thompson and Muscala will now be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2017, assuming they play out their respective contracts.

Eastern Notes: Budenholzer, Crawford, Nets

June 28th, 2016 at 10:29pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Nets won’t necessarily be gunning for the top players in the free agent market this summer, but instead, will be seeking players with high character and a strong work ethic who are on the verge of breaking out, Mike Mazzeo of ESPN.com relays (ESPN Now link). “I think veteran leadership is important,” coach Kenny Atkinson said regarding what kind of players the team would be targeting. “I think undervalued guys, guys that might be under the radar and can produce and maybe not necessarily the big star, maybe we’re not in position to get that guy and really guys like Isaiah Whitehead that fill the characteristics we’re looking for — hardworking, high character, high basketball IQ is important for us and competitors.”

Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:

After dealing Victor Oladipo to the Thunder, the Magic are extremely interested in unrestricted free agent guard Jamal Crawford, Sam Amick of USA Today tweets.
Hawks coach/executive Mike Budenholzer has been found not guilty of DUI charges stemming from a 2013 traffic stop, The Associated Press relays. Budenholzer relayed that he believes the trooper may have been confused about him being impaired because the coach has chronic redness around his eyes, previous ankle injuries and a foot surgery that causes imbalance, according to the report.
Despite not being able to pull off a big draft night trade to land a star player, the Celtics‘ players are still behind team executive Danny Ainge and believe he did the right thing by not pulling the trigger on any of the rumored deals Boston was linked to, Chris Forsberg of ESPN.com notes (ESPN Now link). “We trust Danny [Ainge] and we believe in Danny. And we know Danny made the right decision. We stand behind him 100%,” point guard Marcus Smart told Forsberg.
New Magic coach Frank Vogel is bringing over Spurs assistant Chad Forcier to join his coaching staff in Orlando, Marc Stein of ESPN.com tweets.
The Sixers are expected to exercise their 2016/17 team option for swingman Hollis Thompson, Derek Bodner of Philadelphia magazine tweets. Thompson is scheduled to earn $1,015,696 next season.

Sixers Notes: Barnes, Simmons, Colangelo, Workout

June 19th, 2016 at 6:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

Free agent Harrison Barnes might be the Sixers’ solution at small forward, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia is hoping to upgrade its perimeter defense, and the only wings currently on the roster are Nik Stauskas, Robert Covington and Hollis Thompson, who are all more valuable as shooters than defenders. The 6’8″ Barnes would bring a mix of offense and defense that coach Brett Brown is looking for, and at 24 he is just entering the prime of his career. Barnes will be a restricted free agent, so Pompey says a max offer may be necessary to discourage the Warriors from matching. The Sixers will have plenty of money available, with a little more than $33.3MM in guaranteed salary against a cap projected at about $94MM.

There’s more news out of Philadelphia:

Ben Simmons has all the tools to be a great NBA player except outside shooting, Pompey writes in a separate piece. Pompey, who advocates Simmons as the No. 1 pick, says the Sixers are excited about the prospect of having an elite passer at power forward because it creates more options in the pick-and-roll. Cavaliers star LeBron James has become a mentor to Simmons, and he sees great things ahead for the LSU freshman. “I think we all don’t know just yet how great of a kid he is and how down to earth he is with the game of basketball and life in general,” James said.
This week presents the first opportunity for new team president Bryan Colangelo to put his stamp on the franchise, Pompey writes in another story. With the draft on Thursday and free agency a week and a half away, Colangelo will have opportunities to make the type of bold moves he became famous for with the Raptors and Suns.
Six players are scheduled to attend a workout Monday in Philadelphia, tweets Derek Bodner of PhillyMag.com. The Sixers will welcome Villanova point guard Ryan Arcidiacono, Kansas power forward Perry Ellis, Old Dominion point guard Trey Freeman, former Buffalo power forward Justin Moss, New Mexico State power forward Pascal Siakam and Stony Brook power forward Jameel Warney.