And-Ones: Cavs, Bogut, Barnes, Holiday
The Cavs won’t make a decision on Larry Sanders until after the trade deadline, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com passes along (ESPN Now link). Cleveland is also keeping an eye on the Andrew Bogut situation. The Cavs would like to bring the center aboard and they’re expected to be in the mix for him.
Here’s more from around the league:
- Several teams have expressed interest in Matt Barnes, Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com tweets. Sources tell Shelburne that he’s waiting until after the trade deadline to make a decision.
- Jarrett Jack will audition for the Pelicans, Marc Stein of ESPN.com tweets. New Orleans is pursuing backcourt help after trading away several players in the DeMarcus Cousins deal.
- Point guard and pending free agent Jrue Holiday said the Pelicans “see me as a part of [the future],” the team tweets. The organization is calling Holiday, DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis their version of a Big Three.
- Mike Bibby and Ricky Davis will be the co-captains of the Ghost Ballers, the fourth official team in the new 3-on-3 league, according to a press release on BIG3.com.
- Thunder center Enes Kanter returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since undergoing arm surgery, Royce Young of ESPN.com reports. It’s uncertain whether Kanter, who suffered a broken arm punching a chair on the bench on January 26th, will return to action on Friday against the Lakers.
- Former Rockets center Yao Ming, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame last year, has been appointed as president of the Chinese Basketball Association, according to an ESPN.com report. He gave up ownership of the league’s Shanghai Sharks in order to take over his new role.
Chris Crouse contributed to this post
Rockets Rumors: Dunleavy, Chalmers, Jack, Ibaka
While some players around the NBA are lobbying their respective front offices for roster reinforcements, James Harden told reporters today that he’d be content with the Rockets standing pat at this month’s trade deadline.
“I love what we have, love it,” Harden said, per Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com. “From top to bottom, we have depth. You can throw any guy in there and they know their role, that’s important. I’m going to ride with these guys for sure.”
Harden may be content with Houston’s current 15-man squad, but general manager Daryl Morey is always exploring ways to upgrade his roster, and figures to be busy over the next two weeks. Here’s more from Watkins on avenues the Rockets are exploring:
- The Rockets engaged in serious talks with Atlanta about acquiring Mike Dunleavy, and while those discussions ultimately didn’t result in an agreement, the team remains on the lookout for another shooter, writes Watkins. K.J. McDaniels would have been part of the deal if the Rockets had worked something out for Dunleavy.
- The Rockets would like to add another ball-handler to their roster to take some pressure off of Harden and Patrick Beverley. The club has looked at veteran free agents Mario Chalmers and Jarrett Jack to potentially fill that role, per Watkins.
- According to Watkins, the Rockets have “some interest” in Serge Ibaka, who could provide rim protection, rebounding, and an outside shot, making him a good fit in Houston. The Magic’s asking price for Ibaka is believed to be quite high, however.
- Given how well the club has played, Rockets officials think it will be tricky to make a deal that improves the roster without disrupting team chemistry, says Watkins. Morey has publicly expressed a similar sentiment.
Cavs Remain Likely To Address Backup PG Spot
With Kyrie Irving out of action on Wednesday night and Iman Shumpert needed off the ball, the Cavaliers’ point guard duties fell to Jordan McRae, Kay Felder, and LeBron James during the team’s loss to Chicago. Asked after the game about the point guard spot, James acknowledged that it has been “obvious since day one” that the team lacks a “reliable veteran” to back up Irving.
“Kay’s in the process of learning on the fly,” James said, per Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. “He’s a rookie and is going to have his mistakes and things of that nature. It’s tough on him because we’re a franchise trying to win a championship. He has to have a fast-track mind. But we don’t have a backup point guard.”
As LeBron noted last night, the Cavs’ hole at point guard has been a topic of discussion all season. Still, the team’s injuries lately have further depleted that spot. At the start of the season, James, Shumpert, and J.R. Smith all assumed some ball-handling duties when Irving was on the bench, but with Smith sidelined and Shumpert playing on the wing, Cleveland has been forced to explore other options, with McRae and Felder getting more reps.
The Cavaliers have kept their eyes open all season long for a veteran backup point guard, but there are reasons to believe the team will address the issue soon. Teams can sign players to 10-day contracts as of today, and James’ comments may spur the Cavs to seek out a short-term fix.
Additionally, as ESPN’s Marc Stein details, several veteran point guards on the free agent market – including Jarrett Jack, Mario Chalmers, and Norris Cole – are getting healthy and will be looking to land NBA jobs. Vardon mentions Chalmers as someone on the Cavs’ radar, and notes that the team is also keeping an eye on the Rajon Rondo situation in Chicago. The Cleveland.com scribe isn’t sure either player is a fit for the Cavs, but it’s clear the club is considering all its options.
According to Sam Amico of NEO Sports Insiders (Twitter link), the Cavs are “highly likely” to add a veteran point guard soon enough.
Jarrett Jack Nears Return, Will Hold Open Audition
It appears that Jarrett Jack, who was cut by the Hawks in October, is nearing a return from the knee injury that derailed his otherwise solid 2015/16 campaign with the Nets. According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the soon-to-be healthy veteran will “hold an open audition” so that NBA teams can see him play.
After averaging 12.8 points and 7.4 assists per game as the primary point guard in Brooklyn, Jack suffered a torn ACL in January and was ultimately cut by the club. Last June, the Georgia Tech alum signed on to play in Atlanta, but was cut again when the injury lingered into preseason.
At 33, Jack is a solid veteran capable of contributing to team’s seeking point guard help down the stretch. He won’t be the only veteran looking for a new club, however, as Stein reminds his Twitter followers that Mario Chalmers will be seeking a return to the court in 2017 as well.
In October, the Cavaliers – a team frequently said to be seeking point guard help – had only a “passing interest” in the veteran.
Cavaliers Rumors: Shumpert, Point Guards, Jack
A report last Friday suggested that the Timberwolves and some other teams have inquired about the availability of Iman Shumpert, and weren’t exactly rebuffed by the Cavaliers. Although it’s true that Cleveland is answering the phone, the team isn’t actively looking to move Shumpert, a team source tells Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. Vardon adds that Shumpert would only be dealt for a player who improves the Cavs.
While it may simply be a matter of semantics, at least one NBA general manager was surprised to read that the Cavs aren’t “actively” shopping Shumpert, according to Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.net, who says a GM texted him about the report. “Guess I’m not sure what actively means,” the GM said. “That’s news to me and probably about six other (team executives).”
While the Cavs mull their options with Shumpert, let’s check out a few more items out of Cleveland…
- Cleveland is believed to be in the market for a backup point guard, and veteran free agent Jarrett Jack looks like a decent fit, but the club only has a “passing interest” in Jack, a league source tells Amico.
- Within his previously-linked mailbag, Vardon is asked about free agent point guards Jameer Nelson and Andre Miller as possible targets for the Cavaliers. Per Vardon, there are no indications that either Nelson or Miller is receiving interest from the team. The Cleveland.com scribe suggests Rockets guard Patrick Beverley is a possible trade target worth keeping an eye on, but adds that the Cavs will play Shumpert and DeAndre Liggins behind Kyrie Irving for now.
- Having played for Canada this summer in a bid to earn a spot in the Olympics, Cavs big man Tristan Thompson was disappointed that several of his fellow countrymen weren’t on the roster, and hopes they’ll join the team for future competitions. Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal has the quotes from Thompson, along with the details on how the experience helped him.
Hawks Waive Point Guard Jarrett Jack
The Hawks waived veteran point guard Jarrett Jack on Thursday, according to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The move was injury related, as Jack has not practiced during training camp because of his continuing recovery from torn right knee ligaments, which he suffered in January while playing for the Nets. The move reduces the Hawks’ current roster to 17 players.
Atlanta was hoping Jack would provide insurance behind new starting point man Dennis Schroder. Jack signed a one-year, veteran minimum contract in July after being waived the Nets. The Hawks will have to eat Jack’s $980,431 deal, which was guaranteed.
Malcolm Delaney, who played the last five seasons in Europe, is Schroder’s current backup and the Hawks still have Will Bynum and Josh Magette on their roster. The Hawks might still cut the latter duo loose and enter the season with just two point guards, Vivlamore continues.
Jack had been looking forward to a “new start” in Atlanta after playing in just 32 games for the Nets last season. It’s been a steep fall for Jack, who came into last season as a starter. He was averaged 12.8 points and 7.4 assists prior to the injury.
Eastern Notes: Carter-Williams, Jack, Smith
Discussing the Bulls swap of Tony Snell for Michael Carter-Williams with the Bucks, Chicago coach Fred Hoiberg said he likes what the former Rookie of the Year can bring to the team’s second unit, Vincent Goodwill of CSNChicago.com relays. “I think he’s a versatile basketball player,” Hoiberg said. “He’s shown he can get into the ball and defend full court. His numbers speak for itself on what he can do on the floor as a scorer, averaging over 14 and a half points for his career. Also a very good rebounder and passer with good vision, averaging six rebounds and six assists for his career. Just excited to get him, a long and athletic guard that can play multiple positions.”
“It’s tough because they become family,” said Taj Gibson regarding the loss of Snell, adding that said Snell was happy someone wanted him. “There have been a lot of ups and downs, been in a lot of hostile situations with them. So it’s always tough but it’s the business part of it. It never gets easy but you have to just wish them well knowing they’re going to a better situation to help their game and just keep pushing forward.”
Here’s the latest from the Eastern Conference:
- Hawks coach/executive Mike Budenholzer confirmed that point guard Jarrett Jack, who is recovering from knee surgery, won’t be ready to take the court when the regular season begins, Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution relays (via Twitter). No timetable was given for Jack’s return.
- J.R. Smith is excited that his contract standoff with the Cavaliers is now in the past, adding that he intends to live in Cleveland year-round now that he has a long-term deal, Michael Beaven of Ohio.com writes. “It feels great,” Smith said of being back. “I didn’t take my physical yet, so I can’t practice, but it feels good to be in the gym, be around the guys and to be a part of it. I have worked out and done a bunch of basketball drills, but as far as 5-on-5 pickup I haven’t done anything like that. I had a great team behind me as far as on the agent side. The Cavs wanted me and they knew I wanted to be here.”
- Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is excited about the addition of swingman Luis Montero, who was signed by the team earlier today, Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel notes (Twitter links). “We were actually surprised that he was available and wanted to take advantage of that,” Spoelstra said. “He’s one of these long,athletic, combo wing guys that we’ve had success with.“
Southeast Notes: Jack, Biyombo, Dragic, Ware
New Hawks point guard Jarrett Jack hopes to begin non-contact work in practice next week, according to Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta is being careful with Jack, who is still recovering after tearing ligaments in his right knee in January. “I can tell you my knee feels 100 times better this month than it did last month,” Jack said. “Coach and [the staff] are on me about rushing to get back. They tell me to take my time. They’d rather have me for the longer stretch of the season than just this early part. I’m going to take it day by day. Patience isn’t something I was blessed with, so I’m going to do my best until the time is right to step back on the court.”
There’s more out of the Southeast Division:
- Magic center Bismack Biyombo understands that big money makes players targets for criticism, especially when they aren’t starting, relays Brian Schmitz of The Orlando Sentinel. Biyombo’s outstanding performance in last season’s playoffs earned him a $17MM raise, as he signed a four-year, $72MM deal with Orlando. The contract tied him with Evan Fournier as the highest-paid player on the team, but it didn’t make him the starting center. That role is still held by Nikola Vucevic. “People say things, say I can’t do this, do that … but all that matters to me is winning,” Biyombo said. “I’m really not going to care. I’m playing for my teammates. I love the game. I don’t take a day off. I don’t miss games. If I give 150 percent, I can go home happy.”
- Miami’s Goran Dragic clarified some remarks Friday, saying he didn’t intend to convey unhappiness with the Heat, relays Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel. In an interview last week with TNT’s David Aldridge, Dragic admitted that the loss of Dwyane Wade to free agency and Chris Bosh to health problems have put the current Miami team in a much different position than he expected when he re-signed last summer. “He asked me that question,” Dragic explained. “Didn’t I sign to be part of a great team, championship team? I said, ‘Yeah, of course.’ Then I said sometimes your career, this is business, you cannot have every decision go the way you want it on your own. This is a team decision. Sometimes you need to do two steps back to go one step forward. I’m happy to be here. This is the team that I want to be here. But I understand this is business.”
- John Wall‘s recovery from offseason knee surgery has made Casper Ware a long shot to make the Wizards, writes J. Michael of CSNMidAtlantic. In a column assessing the chances of each free agent to make Washington’s roster, Michael notes that the offseason additions of Trey Burke and Tomas Satoransky also hurt Ware’s chances.
Southeast Notes: Jack, Magic, Cuban, Whiteside
Veteran point guard Jarrett Jack is looking forward to a “new start” in Atlanta after a torn ACL cost him most of last season, writes Mike Mazzeo of ESPN.com. Jack, who played in just 32 games for the Nets before suffering the injury in January, signed with the Hawks two weeks ago. Jack lives in Atlanta and played at Georgia Tech, so he said the city was an obvious destination. “I was flattered that they called and wanted to take a chance on me, knowing that I’m coming off knee surgery,” he said, “but I’m willing to prove to everybody that I’m more than capable of withstanding the physical challenges of the season and just contributing to the team.” Jack continues to rehab the knee and said he plans to be fully ready by the start of the season. He is about a month away from being cleared for full five-on-five basketball.
There’s more news from the Southeast Division:
- Developing chemistry is the next challenge in Orlando after this summer’s huge turnover, writes Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel. The changes started with the hiring of coach Frank Vogel and continued through a revamped roster that has just six players back from the end of last season. The most notable additions for the Magic were Serge Ibaka, who was acquired in a draft night trade, and Bismack Biyombo and Jeff Green, who signed as free agents. “To me, chemistry and togetherness is something you earn, something you achieve and something you work towards by creating this culture where people like to come to work and people are playing for each other,” Vogel said. “You talk about selflessness and a team-first mentality. Whether we’ve been together for five years or are brand new to each other, every year you’ve got to work to achieve chemistry.”
- Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who lost DeAndre Jordan to a change of heart in free agency last summer, said he never tried to persuade Heat center Hassan Whiteside to reconsider before this year’s moratorium was lifted, relays Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. Whiteside was Dallas’ top target in free agency, but he decided rather quickly to stay in Miami. “Never crossed our mind,” Cuban said in an interview with Dallas radio station 105.3-FM. “… We were happy with the direction we were going in and we had made our pitch to Hassan, but we didn’t really think he was going to leave and we didn’t go back to him and even bring it up.”
- Offseason signings have left the Heat with 11 players who are ineligible to be traded before December 15th, Winderman notes in the same piece. In addition to Whiteside, they are Wayne Ellington, Udonis Haslem, Stefan Jankovic, James Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Rodney McGruder, Willie Reed, Dion Waiters, Okaro White and Derrick Williams.
Hawks Sign Jarrett Jack
JULY 15: Jack is officially a Hawk, the team confirmed today in a press release.
JULY 10: Free agent point guard Jarrett Jack has agreed to a one-year deal with the Hawks, tweets Shams Charania of The Vertical. The contract is for the league minimum.
The 32-year-old Jack had his season cut short when he suffered a torn ACL in January. Before the injury, he appeared in 32 games for the Nets, all starts, and averaged 12.8 points and 7.4 assists. Brooklyn waived Jack at the end of June after unsuccessfully trying to find a trading partner. He was scheduled to make $6.3MM next season, but only $500K of that was guaranteed if he was cut before July.
Jack will probably back up Dennis Schroder in Atlanta. The Hawks needed point guard depth after trading Jeff Teague to the Pacers.
Jack said his rehab from the torn ACL is going “very well,” tweets Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.