Prospect Profile: Andre Drummond
Perhaps no player on the draft board gives teams pause quite as much as Connecticut freshman center Andre Drummond. He has drawn praise for "other-worldly" talent, but has been called the kind of player whose high-risk, high-reward potential gets GMs fired whether they take him or not. His athletic gifts and rebounding prowess make some scouts drool, while his lack of offensive development and inability to lift his team depress his stock. The latest we hear from Chad Ford of ESPN.com has him going somewhere between third and fifth, with some teams ranking him second only to presumptive No. 1 pick Anthony Davis. No. 2 is where Draft Express has him in their mock draft and list of the top 100 prospects, so the media reflects the dichotomy of opinions that teams have.
A heralded prospect coming out of high school, Drummond was supposed to keep defending national champion Connecticut among the elite teams in college basketball. That didn't happen, as the Huskies struggled through the regular season and lost to Iowa State in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Still, Drummond shouldn't bear the full brunt of the blame for his team's failure's, since UConn had to deal with the health problems of coach Jim Calhoun, uncertainty over their eligibility for next year's postseason because of academic shortfalls, and the loss of Kemba Walker, its best player from the year before.
Drummond averaged just 10.0 PPG, struggling in post-up situations, as Jonathan Givony of Draft Express notes, and settling too often for jump shots, in Ford's eyes. He still shot 53.8% from the floor. He averaged just 7.6 RPG, but 3.4 of them came on the offensive glass. The low numbers are partly attributable to playing just 28.4 MPG. That makes his 2.7 blocks every night that much more impressive. He's listed at either 6'10" or 6'11", but his wingspan is 7'5", according to ESPN.com.
Of the teams likely to draft between two and five, according to the Hoops Rumors draft order tracker, the Hornets seem to be the team most in need of frontcourt help, particularly if they fail to sign free agent center Chris Kaman. They might be more willing to wait for Drummond to develop and learn some offensive moves around the basket now that they have an owner in place. Drummond will be only 18 on draft night, and is the second youngest lottery prospect behind Kentucky's Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. If the Blazers wind up with the Nets' pick and Drummond's still around when they're drafting, don't be surprised if they take him, since they'll have plenty of free agent money to spend on immediate upgrades elsewhere. The Wizards seem least likely to take a flier on another underdeveloped big man, as they have Nene Hilario and Andray Blatche locked up long-term, and Washington fans are still haunted by JaVale McGee's inability to pick up on the game's nuances.
Patience will be key for whichever GM decides to draft him. The stats indicate he's just a one-way player right now, and that's a tough sell for struggling franchises looking for someone to help them turn it around.
Assessing The 2011/12 Waiver Claims
The vast majority of players placed on waivers go unclaimed and become free agents, but this year, there have been more waiver claims than usual, including a pair of players claimed after their previous teams waived them using the amnesty clause. Last month, Luke Adams provided a rundown on how teams can claim players off waivers, so now let's take a look at how this season's waiver claims have worked out.
- The most prominent example is Jeremy Lin, who was twice claimed off waivers this season after originally being let go by the Warriors. The Rockets claimed him December 11th, waived him a couple weeks later, and the Knicks made their claim December 27th. Left knee surgery will likely keep him out for the rest of the season unless the Knicks make a deep playoff run, but he'll wind up averaging 14.6 PPG and 6.2 APG, not too shabby for a player twice on the NBA scrapheap.
- Knicks GM Glen Grunwald struck gold with yet another waiver claim in Steve Novak, whom they picked up December 21st. Novak’s rise coincided with Lin’s, as he broke loose for 19 points in Lin’s first start, and has kept up his consistent long-range bombing even without Lin on the floor. He led the league in three-point percentage at 47.2%, but his shooting has never been in question. The difference this year was that he did enough in other phases of the game to warrant significant playing time. A career 4.9 PPG scorer, he averaged 10.4 PPG in 21.7 MPG beginning with that 19-point game on February 6th. We can only imagine how much better the Spurs would have been had they not waived him December 19th.
- Waiver claims are so infrequent that teams will sometimes agree to terms with players before they clear waivers. That’s what appeared to happen in March, when J.J. Hickson was dressed in Warriors gear and ready for a shootaround with Golden State when word hit that the Blazers had claimed him. We’ll never know how it would have worked out for him with the Warriors, but Hickson has thrived since joining Portland on March 21st, more than tripling the scoring average he put up in the first half of the season with the Kings (15.1 PPG to 4.7 PPG). He averaged 17.6 PPG and 10.6 RPG as a starter over the final eight games, and will be a sought-after commodity this summer, particularly if the Blazers fail to extend a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.
- Chauncey Billups warned teams not to claim him when the Knicks amnestied him before the season, hoping he could sign with a contender as a free agent, but the Clippers claimed him anyway December 12th. It all worked out, as the Clippers became the sort of contending team Billups wanted to play for anyway when they traded for Chris Paul a few days later. Billups slid over to shooting guard and adjusted smoothly to his new position, averaging 15.0 PPG before going down with a season-ending Achilles’ tendon tear on February 6th.
- The Kings had much less success with claiming an amnestied player, saddling themselves on Dec. 17th with Travis Outlaw for $12MM over the remaining four years of his contract. He was even less of a factor in Sacramento than he was for the Nets before they waived him, averaging just 4.3 PPG in 12.8 MPG, his worst numbers since he was a rookie in 2003/04.
- The Warriors tried to replace Jeremy Lin when they claimed Ish Smith, another backup point guard, off waivers from the Grizzlies on December 16th. Smith was there for only six games and 63 total minutes before the Warriors put him back on waivers on January 14th. He went unclaimed this time, and was signed as a free agent February 2nd by the Magic, with whom he’s played the rest of the season.
- The Blazers quietly let go of backup big man Chris Johnson at the trade deadline, and amid rumors the Celtics were interested, the Hornets snapped him up off waivers March 19th. Depleted as the Hornets were along the front line this year, Johnson still only saw 82 total minutes over seven games before New Orleans put him back out on waivers April 18th. He remains unsigned since.
- Rod Higgins, the president of basketball operations for the Bobcats, gave son Cory Higgins quite a present on Christmas Day when the team claimed him off waivers from the Nuggets. The undrafted 22-year-old rookie from Colorado stayed on the Bobcats roster the entire season, averaging 3.9 PPG in 11.1 MPG.
Blazers Notes: Batum, Hickson, Offseason Plans
Earlier today we learned that Trail Blazers guard Jamal Crawford will decline his 2012/13 option worth $5.23MM. Here's more on Portland from Jason Quick of The Oregonian..
- We learned yesterday that the club is likely to match offers for Nicolas Batum. The Blazers could just sign Batum to a long-term deal but acting GM Chad Buchanan plans to keep the forward in restricted status in order to have more flexibility. Batum's qualifying offer will place a $5.4MM hold onto the Blazers' salary cap, which should be $3-5MM less than what it would take to sign him under a long-term deal.
- The club is not yet sure if they'll make a qualifying offer to J.J. Hickson. The forward, picked up off of waivers from the Kings this season, has said that he would like to remain in Portland. The 23-year-old averaged 15.1 PPG and 8.3 RPG in 19 games for the Blazers this season.
- Buchanan said that the club's top two priorities this summer are finding a starting point guard and finding a starting center.
Jamal Crawford To Opt Out Of Contract
Blazers guard Jamal Crawford will opt out of his contract for 2012/13, a source tells Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). The option would have paid Crawford $5.23MM next season.
The move allows Crawford to become an unrestricted free agent for the second year in a row. Crawford has an earlier-than-usual June 15th deadline to make the opt-out official but is expected to exercise it soon. A little over two weeks ago it was reported that the guard was expected to decline the option.
There are a number of clubs that have been linked to the 32-year-old including the Wolves, Suns, and Warriors. Crawford nearly landed in Minnesota at the trade deadline as part of a three-team deal before the Wolves backed out.
Blazers Notes: Crawford, Canales, Aldridge
The Blazers finished the 2011/2012 season with a record of 28-38, marking their worst winning percentage in six seasons. The team faces a busy offseason as they look to rebuild their front office, coaching staff and roster. Here's the latest news and notes from the City of Roses.
- Blazers acting general manager Chad Buchanan says the team isn't worried about Jamal Crawford's pending decision to opt out of his contract given their depth at shooting guard, tweets CSNNW.com's Chris Haynes. Buchanan points to Wesley Matthews and Elliot Williams as options to replace the former Michigan star if he elects to become a free agent. Crawford, 32, averaged 14.0 PPG and 3.2 APG in 60 games with the Blazers.
- Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge says Buchanan expects the Blazers to pick up the team's option on interim head coach Kaleb Canales for next season (via Twitter). The team has not yet announced whether Canales would continue in his role as head coach or return to his duties as an assistant. The 33-year-old former video intern went 8-15 in 23 games with the Blazers and was applauded by the front office for always maintaining a positive attitude with his players.
- LaMarcus Aldridge will undergo hip surgery on May 10 in Vail after last playing for the Blazers on April 9, tweets Golliver. Aldridge was enjoying a strong season before his injury as the former Texas big man was named to the All-Star team for the first time in his career. The 26-year-old forward had hoped to be healthy in time to play in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London but is not expected to make the final roster cut due to his injury.
- Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor thinks former Blazers head coach Nate McMillan was unfairly fired when the team dismissed him on March 15, reports Haynes. "He had two-and-a-half bad weeks and they fire him. I mean, that to me, I don't understand it. But that's, I guess, I shouldn't be in somebody else's business."
Blazers Likely To Match Offers For Batum
Nicolas Batum will be a restricted free agent after the season, and his contract status has been the subject of much discussion lately, with the Spurs rumored to be eyeing the 23-year-old. However, it seems the most likely outcome is Batum returning to Portland.
"They're going to match [offers in restricted free agency]," Batum told Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com (Twitter link). "They made me understand that… I'm 99% sure they're going to match."
Retaining Batum certainly makes sense for the Trail Blazers. If Jamal Crawford declines his player option, as expected, the team will only have about $30MM in guaranteed money committed to next year's salaries. While president Larry Miller has said he doesn't intend to match a "crazy" bid for Batum, the Blazers have the means to make him a sizable offer.
You can check out our full list of players eligible for restricted free agency right here.
Southwest Notes: Rockets, Dragic, Batum, Terry
The Southwest Division will be well represented in this year's postseason, with the defending champion Mavericks getting their series underway tomorrow night in Oklahoma City. The Spurs and Grizzlies will join the action on Sunday, hosting Game Ones against the Jazz and Clippers, respectively. While we look forward to what should be some excellent series, let's round up the latest news and rumors out of the division….
- Following Thursday's regular-season finale, there was a sense in the Rockets' locker room that the team could look much different next season, says Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. According to Feigen, Houston's primary goal, to find a star player to be the team's foundation, remains unchanged.
- Rockets GM Daryl Morey seems very interested in re-signing Goran Dragic, who will be an unrestricted free agent. Morey took to Twitter last night to lobby for Dragic's return, tweeting: "Rockets fans,tell Goran Dragic how much U want him 2extend his time with Hou. I will get your message 2him."
- Nicolas Batum talked to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com about the possibility of signing with the Spurs this summer.
- Rick Gosselin and Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News discuss Jason Terry's contract situation with the Mavericks, and whether the free-agent-to-be will be "playing for his money" during the postseason.
Northwest Notes: Jazz, Blazers, Marshall, T-Wolves
The Northwest Division won't be a major focus in tonight's games, with the Thunder off, the Jazz locked into the eighth seed, and the Timberwolves' and Trail Blazers' spots in the lottery set. Only tonight's Nuggets game in Minnesota will have an impact — a win would result in a first-round matchup against the Lakers, while a loss and a Mavericks win over Atlanta would see the Nuggets head to Oklahoma City.
As we prepare for the last night of the regular season, let's check in on the latest updates from the Northwest:
- Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor spoke to the media Wednesday about a number of topics related to the team's season and direction going forward. Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune has the highlights in two parts.
- ESPN.com's David Thorpe (Insider link) examines the Blazers' needs heading into the draft, and explains why UNC's Kendall Marshall is the best fit for Portland.
- Rick Adelman, like Kevin Love, hopes the Timberwolves are aggressive in pursuing roster upgrades this summer, writes Ray Richardson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. After saying he'll lobby management to make moves, Love adds that he'd like to have some input in personnel decisions.
Trail Blazer Free Agents Talk About Their Future
With the Trail Blazers assuming the look of a franchise trying to turn the page and overhaul almost every key piece, CSNNW.com's Chris Haynes attended the team's final practice today and asked seven of the team's free agents—Nicolas Batum, Raymond Felton, Joel Przybilla, Jamal Crawford, J.J. Hickson, Hasheem Thabeet, and Jonny Flynn—if they expected to be back with the team next season. Their answers were both varied and interesting. Here's what they said.
Batum, a restricted free agent, said he would see whether or not the team is willing to match any offers he gets. If they don't he'll probably leave. Hickson called his relationship with the Trail Blazers a "win-win" situation; he'd prefer to stay. Thabeet said he'd love to stay in Portland. Flynn says anything could happen, but that he appreciates the opportunity the Trail Blazers organization gave him to see the court.
Przybilla says he'll probably have minor surgery on his left foot once the season ends, but that he'd like to come back next year and thinks he'd be more effective in a regular 82 game campaign. Felton and Crawford, two players who had disappointing first years with the team, both gave uncommitted answers as to whether or not they pictured themselves back next season. Crawford's contract has a player option for next season, but it's believed he will opt out of it.
Odds & Ends: Bobcats, Terry, Blazers, Howard
Let's round up a few Wednesday afternoon odds and ends from around the league….
- After former Bobcats coach Larry Brown ripped Michael Jordan for surrounding himself with "yes men" who don't challenge him, the Bobcats owner fired back in an interview with Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. Jordan denied that his top executives are afraid to tell him no, and suggested that Brown may still be wounded by losing his job in Charlotte.
- Jason Terry, who hasn't been shy about discussing his impending free agency this year, is focusing on the Mavericks' title defense rather than the upcoming summer, says Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com.
- Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com wonders if the Trail Blazers may have the best candidate for their general manager opening right under their noses, in Chad Buchanan.
- The fact that Dwight Howard won't rejoin the Magic this season is the latest indication that "Dwight and the Magic are officially separated and will soon file for divorce," writes Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.
- Tyson Chandler was happy to hear that the Knicks named Glen Grunwald their permanent GM, according to Tim Bontemps of the New York Post.