Tony Parker Rumors | Hoops Rumors

West Notes: Hayward, Nuggets, Spurs

June 11th, 2017 at 10:50pm CST by Austin Kent

Does the success of the Warriors impact Gordon Hayward‘s fate? Randy Hollis of the Deseret News suggests as much, noting that the reality of living in Golden State’s shadow may slightly reduce the forward’s chances of returning to the Jazz.

Hollis argues that the Jazz “probably won’t” win a title over the course of Hayward’s career and that the Warriors’ youth and makeup could result in some rather moot battles for conference supremacy over the course of the next half decade.

The scribe adds that a move to the Eastern Conference, then, could be more appealing for Hayward (or any free agent in a similar situation) where he wouldn’t need to worry about plateauing somewhere before the Finals as he may with the Jazz. Hollis does, however, recognize that winning the East still results in a seven-game showdown with the Warriors.

There’s more from the Western Conference:

A quick look through some of the big men the Nuggets have worked out reveals that the team could be aiming to improve their sub-optimal interior defense, Nick Kosmider of the Denver Post writes.
The Mavs aren’t afraid to search the globe for talent, writes Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News. In the past month alone, team president Donnie Nelson and scout Tony Ronzone have been everywhere from Las Vegas to Iceland and Serbia.
The Spurs face a series of questions this offseason, Bobby Marks of the Vertical writes in his breakdown of the team’s summer agenda, including what to do with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

Western Rumors: Kerr, Parker, Ingles, Lakers

May 29th, 2017 at 6:45pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Warriors coach Steve Kerr says it’s unlikely that he’ll be on the bench for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, as he discussed with Anthony Slater of the San Jose Mercury News and the assembled media on Monday. Mike Brown has filled in for Kerr on the sidelines for much of the postseason, though Brown himself missed practice on Monday because of the flu. Kerr will travel to Cleveland when the series shifts there and says he’s been at practices and coaches meetings, but coaching during a game is still an issue because of back pain, Slater continues. The pain became severe during the opening-round series against the Trail Blazers. “You saw me in the fourth quarter of Game 2. I could not sit still in my chair,” Kerr said. “There was that much pain. I would say I’ve gotten a little bit better. That’s why I’m here talking to you right now. But you can probably tell, I’m not sitting here happy-go-lucky.”

In other news around the Western Conference:

Spurs guard Tony Parker expects to return from his torn quad injury in January, as he told the French magazine L’Equipe and relayed by Sportando’s Emiliano Carchia. Parker required surgery earlier this month for the tear, which he suffered during the Western Conference semifinals against the Rockets. Parker will make $15.45MM in the final year of his contract next season.
Gordon Hayward‘s decision in free agency won’t influence Jazz swingman Joe Ingles, according to Olgun Uluc of Foxsports.com. Ingles will be a restricted free agent once the Jazz extend him a qualifying offer of $2.687MM, which they almost assuredly will do. Ingles averaged 7.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG and 2.7 APG while shooting 44.1% from long range this past season. He would like to stay put, as he told Uluc. “I think we’ve got the team,” he said. “Obviously, Gordon is a big part of that, so his free agency — it’s not going to change what I’m going to do or where I want to go — but, we’re a different team depending on whether he’s there or not. I’m not gonna be sitting there calling Gordon every two minutes, but if everything works out in Utah and they want me, and it all comes together, that’s great.”
California forward Ivan Rabb headlines a group of six players that will work out for the Lakers on Tuesday, which was posted on the team’s website. Rabb is currently ranked No. 25 overall by DraftExpress and Los Angeles owns the No. 28 selection, as well as the No. 2 overall pick. He’ll be joined by four potential second-rounders in Clemson forward Jaron Blossomgame (49th), Oregon guard Tyler Dorsey (46th), Nevada forward Cameron Oliver (59th) and SMU forward Sterling Brown (57th), as well as Florida State guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes.

Spurs Notes: Free Agents, Simmons, Paul, Lee

May 27th, 2017 at 7:26pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Spurs’ decision on whether to pursue Chris Paul will play a role in which free agents return next season, writes Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News. The organization would have to clear a massive amount of cap space to offer Paul a max deal, which would probably mean renouncing Patty Mills and not matching an offer sheet for restricted free agent Jonathon Simmons. In addition, Dewayne Dedmon and David Lee both have player options and might also be renounced if they opt out. If the Spurs are able to sign Paul, they will have to fill out the roster using their mid-level exception and veterans minimum deals.

There’s more news out of San Antonio:

If the Spurs want to keep Simmons, they will get some help from an “arcane” rule, McDonald notes in the same story. The Gilbert Arenas provision limits first-year offers to Simmons to the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which will be roughly $8.4MM next season. Of course, offer sheets can be heavily backloaded over the final two years, similar to what the Nets did with Tyler Johnson last summer. If the Spurs are operating over the cap, they won’t have the ability to spread the hit evenly over four seasons, so they could be looking at a substantial salary commitment in 2019/20 and 2020/21 for a player who turns 28 in September.
To make a realistic run at Paul, the Spurs would have to find a taker for LaMarcus Aldridge, Danny Green or Tony Parker, writes Nick Moyle of The San Antonio Express-News. That means trading them without taking back salary, which will almost certainly require giving up draft picks. Aldridge would probably be the most difficult of the three to move, as he is signed for $21.461MM for next season, along with a $22.347MM player option for 2018/19. Green will make $10MM next year, with a $10MM player option the following season. Parker is entering the final year of his contract at $15.453MM.
Lee won’t need surgery for a strained patellar tendon in his left knee, tweets Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com. The injury, which Lee suffered in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, is expected to heal in about six weeks.

Southwest Notes: Roberson, Parker, Randolph

May 5th, 2017 at 5:21pm CST by Austin Kent

Unable to come to terms with the Thunder on a rookie extension last fall, Andre Roberson will look to test the market this offseason, Erik Horne of the Oklahoman writes.

It’s hard to put a finger on exactly what the defensive-minded two-guard is worth, and the extra year of research didn’t help as much as the two parties may have hoped when the Thunder decided to let the 25-year-old become a restricted free agent.

Roberson is among the league’s best perimeter defender but his offensive shortcomings are hard to ignore. That, of course, muddies the waters when it comes to figuring out what the Thunder will (or should) pay to retain him.

“I don’t think anybody takes for granted a defensive specialist. All the GMs, the coaches, I think they see the work, so I’m not worried about free agency. I guess you could say I’m letting it take care of itself,” the Thunder guard said.

The ruptured quadriceps tendon that immobilized Spurs guard Tony Parker on Wednesday has Tim Bontemps of the Washington Post wondering if hoops fans may have witnessed the end of an era. The scribe is rather ambiguous, neglecting to mention anything about Parker still being under contract through the end of the 2017/18 campaign.
Though he considers Memphis home, Zach Randolph will be a free agent this season and will look at options other than simply remaining with the Grizzlies. Michael Wallace of Grind City Media writes that the veteran could serve as a specialist on a contender.
In an official press release, the NBA has announced that Rockets center Nene Hilario has been fined $15K for pushing Spurs center Dewayne Dedmon.
After catching on with the Mavs through a pair of 10-day contract, Jarrod Uthoff is eager to remain with the club next season, Earl Sneed of the team’s official website writes.
The Mavs have worked hard to field a roster of young players who work hard and put the team first, Carmelo Anthony doesn’t suit either, Eddie Sefko of the Dallas News writes, suggesting that the veteran star isn’t worth the trouble of trying to acquire him.

Tony Parker Out For Postseason

May 5th, 2017 at 11:38am CST by Arthur Hill

MAY 5: The Spurs announced today (via Twitter) that Parker underwent successful surgery to repair his ruptured left quadriceps tendon. The club will determine a recovery timetable for the veteran guard at a later date.

MAY 4: Tony Parker has a ruptured left quadriceps tendon and will miss the rest of the postseason, the team announced via Twitter.

The extent of the injury was confirmed by an MRI this morning in San Antonio. Parker is expected require surgery, and a timeline for his recovery “will be determined at a later date,” according to the Spurs.

The recovery time for an operation of this type is usually 6 to 8 months, according to Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News, which would jeopardize Parker’s availability for the start of next season.

Parker suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s victory over the Rockets. He landed awkwardly without contact and had to be carried off the court by teammates.

Parker missed 19 regular season games and San Antonio had a 15-4 record without him, notes Ben Gulliver of Sports Illustrated (Twitter link). Patty Mills is expected to move into the starting lineup in Parker’s absence and Kawhi Leonard will take on a larger role in running the offense.

Parker, 34, is in his 16th NBA season, all with the Spurs. He has one year remaining on his current contract at more than $15.45MM.

Tony Parker Injures Knee; MRI Set Today

May 4th, 2017 at 11:32am CST by Arthur Hill

11:32am: The pre-MRI diagnosis is a partial or full tear of the quadriceps tendon with surgery needed either way, tweets Sam Amick of USA Today.

9:41am: MRI results aren’t complete, but the Spurs expect Parker to need season-ending surgery, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.

8:44 am: Tony Parker will undergo an MRI today after leaving Wednesday’s game with a left knee injury, writes Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News.

Parker had to be carried off the court after suffering a non-contact injury early in the fourth quarter. Post-game comments from the Spurs locker room indicated that the veteran point guard may be looking at an extended absence.

“You kind of know we’re not going to see him any time soon,” Manu Ginobili said.

“It’s not good,” added coach Gregg Popovich.

The Spurs responded with a 21-5 run after the injury to take Game 2 and even the series, but their playoff prospects look shaky without Parker in the lineup. He has been a productive force through eight postseason games, averaging 15.9 points per night. If the injury turns out to be serious, Patty Mills is expected to take his place in the starting lineup.

“There is an empty feeling there for sure,” Mills said after the game. “We talked amongst ourselves about keeping at it. Guys are ready to step up and make an impact, that’s for sure.”

Parker, 34, has been with San Antonio throughout his 16-year NBA career and has been a starter since joining the organization in 2001. He has one more season left on his current contract at nearly $15.5MM.

Spurs Notes: Parker, Lee, Leonard

April 30th, 2017 at 11:00pm CST by Austin Kent

Although Tony Parker‘s 2016/17 numbers may be a far cry from what he’s posted throughout his career, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle flags him as a possible game-changer in the upcoming Spurs/Rockets second-round series.

Parker posted just 10.1 points per game this season, his 16th, but raised that to 16.3 in his squad’s first-round victory over the Grizzlies.

Rockets guard Patrick Beverley, one man who will have to check the veteran playmaker, knows all too well that Parker is still capable of dealing damage.

“He gets better with time, right?” he said. “He just continues to get better. Tony. His mid-range, his floaters, his spin moves. At his age, how fast he is is unbelievable. He’ll go down as a Hall of Famer, for sure. It’s always good to play a type of player like that.”

There’s more from the Spurs:

When Dewayne Dedmon was under the weather prior to Game 4, Gregg Popovich thrust David Lee into the starting lineup. Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News discusses how the veteran was able to make the seamless transition into the starting lineup.
Even though he’s made a case for the award himself, Kawhi Leonard understands that he’ll have his work cut out for him guarding MVP candidate James Harden. “It’s going to take my all to try to make it difficult for him out there,” the forward told Melissa Rohlin of MySanAntonio.com.
One of the key matchups to watch in the second-round tilt between the Spurs and Rockets will be Parker versus Beverley. Tom Osborn of the Houston Chronicle wonders if the 34-year-old veteran can keep his offensive streak alive against his pesky counterpart.

Southwest Notes: Parker, Pelicans, Selden, Mavs

March 20th, 2017 at 10:16pm CST by Milo Taibi

Tony Parker spoke about his role on the Spurs with Jabari Young of MySanAntonio.com, saying he’s “blessed” to still have fun playing the game.

“Guys have worse (injuries); you know? Knees, Achilles, stuff like that,” Parker said. “I’ve been playing for 16 years. All season long for the Spurs, and then all summer internationally. And the way I play, with speed and going into the trees (the paint), getting hit so many times and going to the ground so many times, I feel very blessed to still be out there.”

Parker realizes his limitations at 34 years old, unable to fill the stat sheet the way he did in 2008/09, when he averaged 22 PPG with 6.9 APG. Nevertheless, Parker occupies an important spot in Gregg Popovich‘s rotation, and will be relied upon as San Antonio continues its march toward the postseason.

“It obviously helps if I play well,” said Parker. “I love it. I think the evolution in anybody’s career is, as you get older, you have to adjust to who is the main guys on your team. Try to be a factor just like Manu (Ginobili) did. Just like Timmy (Duncan] did. I just try and do the same thing.”

Southwest Notes: Matthews, Capela, Parker

January 22nd, 2017 at 6:17pm CST by Austin Kent

The Mavs will not be trading Wesley Matthews, writes Eddie Sefko of the Dallas News. Team owner Mark Cuban would consider dealing the shooting guard for a select list of players, but those players are unavailable.

“We see Wes and Harrison Barnes as cornerstones,” Cuban told Sefko of the 30-year-old Mavs guard. “I think he’s first-team all-defense and those don’t come around very often.”

In 42 games with the Mavs so far this season, Matthews has averaged 15.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. He’s under contract through 2018/19 with a cap hit of $17MM this season.

Even without Matthews may not be on the block, expect Cuban and the Mavs to do their diligence leading up to the February 23 deadline though that doesn’t necessarily mean a trade will be made.

There’s more out of the Southwest Division:

After missing 15 games with a fractured fibula, Clint Capela is playing himself into shape, writes Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. “He’s still a little bit away from his conditioning and different things,” Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni said. “This road trip we’ll try and wean him in as much as we can.”
Having experienced trouble with his left foot, Tony Parker will sit out for the Spurs and undergo an MRI at some point this week, writes Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News. Parker is doubtful to return before the team wraps up its current four-game road trip.
Big man Andrew Bogut could soon make his return for the Mavs, writes Sefko in a separate piece for the Dallas News. “We’ll have at least one practice day before the game on Wednesday, so we’ll see what’s what,” said head coach Rick Carlisle.
The Spurs are 4-0 on the road against the Cavs, Rockets and Warriors, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN. The rest of the NBA? A combined 13-72.

Atlantic Notes: Caboclo, Embiid, Parker, World Peace

December 16th, 2016 at 1:57pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Raptors have seen just glimpses of what they expected from Bruno Caboclo, writes Doug Smith of The Toronto Star. Now in his third season with the organization, the Brazilian small forward still sees most of his action in the D-League. He has played just three games for Toronto this season, bringing his career total to 17 after being taken with the 20th pick of the 2014 draft. Still, the organization showed confidence in Caboclo, picking up his option for 2017/18 in October. “There’s a timeframe to get better,” said Raptors 905 coach Jerry Stackhouse. “We have to hold him to the fire, hold him accountable for what he can control. There’s a lot of things he can’t control but there are quite a few things he can control and that’s making sure he focuses, lets me know when he understands something and when he doesn’t understand something.”

There’s more from the Atlantic Division:

Joel Embiid didn’t enjoy being used at power forward in his first game starting alongside Jahlil Okafor, according to Jessica Camerato of Philly.com. Embiid was stationed far from the basket most of the night and looked uncomfortable in his new role. “I’m not a 3-point shooter and I don’t want to take a lot of threes,” Embiid said. “I want to be dominant on the block. But last night was kind of frustrating because I wasn’t as much on the block. But I’ve just got to find my spots and get into the flow of the offense.” The Sixers are trying to find playing time for Embiid, Okafor and Nerlens Noel.
Tony Parker briefly held a Celtics cap during the 2001 draft, relays ESPN’s Chris Forsberg. Boston was considering using the No. 21 pick on the French point guard before opting to go in a different direction. Instead, the Celtics took Joseph Forte from North Carolina, and Parker fell to the Spurs at No. 28.
As he nears the end of his NBA career, Metta World Peace still regrets not being able to begin it with the Knicks, writes Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders. The team passed on the New York City native, then known as Ron Artest, with the 15th pick in the 1999 draft to take Frederic Weis, who never played in the NBA. “Obviously I wanted to go to the Knicks, but St. John’s was the closest that I could get to bringing that fire back to New York City,” World Peace said. “As a kid, New York was in my blood, and that was it. I got a chance to play for the Knicks, so it was cool, but it was towards the end of my career. It wasn’t when I was the best defender and everything. But that was my goal, man: to bring a championship to New York City. It just didn’t work out that way.”