And-Ones: McCalebb, Looney, Chandler
Bo McCalebb, who was cut by the Pelicans during the preseason, has signed with the French club Limoges CSP, the team announced (translation by Emiliano Carchia of Sportando). McCalebb, 30, has played overseas since going undrafted in 2008, save for a summer league stint with the Kings in July of that year and his time this fall with the Pelicans. He was the top scorer in the Euroleague in 2011/12, notching 16.9 points per game for Siena of Italy. McCalebb played for FC Bayern Muenchen of Germany last season, when he averaged 4.8 assists per game to go along with 12.4 points in 25.7 minutes per contest.
Here’s more from around the league:
- In light of the season-ending injury that point guard Eric Bledsoe suffered, the Suns need to focus on developing younger players like Devin Booker, T.J. Warren and Alex Len, Jonathan Tjarks of RealGM writes. Phoenix should consider trading center Tyson Chandler, whose signing made sense when the team was pursing LaMarcus Aldridge over the summer, but now the veteran only serves to cut into Len’s playing time, Tjarks adds.
- The Warriors have assigned combo forward Kevon Looney to their D-League affiliate, the team announced via a press release. The rookie becomes the first player Golden State has sent to Santa Cruz on the season.
- Sixers coach Brett Brown noted that new team executive Jerry Colangelo was the one who orchestrated the signing of veteran forward Elton Brand, Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports relays (on Twitter).
- The Raptors plan on utilizing their D-League affiliate to help Anthony Bennett work through the back issues he is currently experiencing, Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.net tweets. The combo forward has made two trips to the Raptors 905 on the season thus far.
Atlantic Notes: Nets, Knicks, Valanciunas, Carroll
The Nets are actively exploring the trade market for upgrades in the near and long term, league sources tell Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald. Their desire to win more now is rooted in their desire to show this summer’s free agents that they’re making strides, as one source explained to Bulpett, as well as the lack of an incentive to tank, given that they owe their 2016 first-rounder to the Celtics without protection. Bulpett also intimates that the Nets want to make the pick that they owe the C’s as low in the order as possible to avoid the embarrassment and potential fan alienation of having traded away a top pick, though it’s unclear if that’s truly behind Brooklyn’s thinking. In any case, Nets GM Billy King said earlier today that although he’ll apply for a disabled player exception, he doesn’t think any point guards on the market could improve the team in the wake of starting point guard Jarrett Jack‘s season-ending injury. See more from the Atlantic Division:
- The crosstown Knicks are looking to upgrade at the point, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post, who looks at a few potential options for the club.
- More conservative use of Jonas Valanciunas on defense has allowed the Raptors to become about as efficient defensively with Valanciunas on the floor as they are with offseason signee Bismack Biyombo, a noted stopper, observes Eric Koreen of the National Post. Still, Valanciunas has his limitations that make it easy to see why his defense was the most significant question surrounding the team’s decision to sign him to a four-year, $64MM extension this past offseason, as Koreen examines.
- It’s been a frustrating, injury-filled season for DeMarre Carroll, but Toronto’s prize offseason acquisition has still been a help to the Raptors, writes Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca.
Eastern Notes: Biyombo, Rozier, Portis
Raptors center Bismack Biyombo has stepped up his play while filling in for Jonas Valanciunas, and the player is also beginning to find his niche in the league after being labeled a disappointment during his time in Charlotte, Jessica Patton of The Toronto Sun writes. “I think he understands now too who he is and what he is,” coach Dwane Casey told Patton. “He’s a rebounder and a defender. He doesn’t have to worry about scoring. He’s an opportunity scorer. [Before] everyone was kind of ‘ah, he can’t catch the ball, he can’t do that, he can’t do this,’ and they were concentrating on what he couldn’t do rather than what he can do.”
Discussing the pressure being a lottery pick placed on Biyombo, Casey said, “It’s tough, but again there is no shame in having a role as an elite defender and an elite rebounder in the league. As long as Bismack is playing the way he is playing and playing with that confidence, you can erase seven, two, three, 10 [draft number] or whatever, he’s going to have an impact on the game.” The 23-year-old was the No. 7 overall pick back in the 2011 NBA draft.
Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:
- The emergence of rookie power forward Bobby Portis will give Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg some difficult choices to make once Joakim Noah returns from his shoulder injury, Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com writes. “Absolutely,” Hoiberg responded when asked if Portis has cemented himself in the rotation. “We’re going to continue to find minutes for Bobby and there’s no doubt about it. He’s playing too well, he’s playing with so much confidence. He rebounds the ball, he plays with a toughness and a swagger, and that’s what you want. We’ve talked all along; Bobby’s not going to back down from anybody and he continues to show that night after night.“
- The Celtics have re-assigned point guard Terry Rozier to their D-League affiliate in Maine, the team announced. This will be Rozier’s fifth stint with the Red Claws on the season.
Atlantic Notes: McCullough, Raptors, Grant
Nets fans seeking a sliver of hope for the future of the team can look to the impending return of 2015 first-rounder Chris McCullough, who recently began practicing on a limited basis with his teammates, Brian Lewis of The New York Post writes. “It felt great to be out there finally doing some 5-on-5 contact. It felt great,’’ said McCullough. “Every step I take is big. Right here playing 5-on-5 contact is definitely a big step, and it just feels great to be out there.’’
The forward isn’t likely to see any game action until after the All-Star break, though that timetable is just an estimate at this point, Lewis notes. “I’m not really sure right now [when I’ll debut]. I’m just limited in what I can do. … I just take it day by day,’’ McCullough said. “It was good [to practice]. Just have to get accustomed to the speed of the game, and stuff. I haven’t had a 5-on-5 contact practice since last January. I just have to get accustomed to it and I’ll be good.’’
Here’s what else is happening around the Atlantic Division:
- Raptors coach Dwane Casey believes this year’s roster is better prepared for the playoffs than the 2014/15 version, which is the result of the team’s offseason moves designed to make them tougher defensively, Mike Ganter of The Toronto Sun writes. “I think this year we’re grittier, it’s not as pretty but I think we’re grittier, grimier and I think those type of games help you win against good teams down the stretch or in tough situations,” Casey said after Wednesday night’s game against the Wizards. “Does it make you win every night? No, but it gives you a better chance and that’s the difference between this year and last year is just our entire disposition. We have a tougher disposition, I think, from a coaching standpoint.”
- The Sixers are encouraged by the play of Jerami Grant at the power forward spot, and the team believes he may have a future in the league as a stretch-four, Brian Seltzer of NBA.com relays. “I think he’s a modern day four-man,” coach Brett Brown said. “Look at what he’s going to be when his body gets older. He can play three for sure, and he’s that versatile that when you say, there’s small-ball, you got a person.”
And-Ones: Lamb, James, D-League
Former Thunder shooting guard Jeremy Lamb will face his old team for the first time Saturday and comes into the game playing the most consistent basketball of his four-year career in his first season with the Hornets, Erik Horne of The Oklahoman details. The Hornets acquired Lamb in a June trade. The 23-year-old then signed a three-year, $21MM extension in November, a deal that was met with some criticism because Lamb had not shown any consistency. Entering action Friday night, Lamb was averaging per game career highs in points (11.3), rebounds (4.4), minutes (21.7) and field goal percentage (47.5), as Horne notes.
Here’s more from around the basketball world:
- LeBron James‘ season to this point has a positive vibe to it, something that was absent in the first two months of last season, Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com writes. The difference has to do with James, who recently turned 31, feeling healthier now than he did last year, Vardon adds. “I think he’s pretty healthy,” Cavs coach David Blatt said. “I think he’s obviously been able to play in every game. He could’ve played in the Miami game. I pulled him out. It wasn’t his wish or any need on his part except for what I saw not wanting him to play in that horrific back to back that we had. I think he’s good, I think he’s strong. I think he feels good and hopefully that’s going to continue in the same vein. When and if necessary we’ll look to reduce the load on him if we can.”
- The Raptors recalled Anthony Bennett, Norman Powell and Delon Wright from their D-League affiliate, the team announced (on Twitter).
- The Magic assigned Devyn Marble to their D-League affiliate, per Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel (Twitter link).
Atlantic Notes: Raptors, Sixers, Knicks
DeMarre Carroll, who joined the Raptors this past summer when he signed for four years and $58MM, is still in the process of finding his rhythm in Toronto’s offense, Eric Koreen of the National Post details. Carroll was supposed to be a significant part of the Raptors’ success, but so far he has had an unimportant role, Koreen adds. Carroll has missed 12 games and has played with nagging injuries, as Koreen points out. At 20-13 heading into action Friday, the Raptors have managed despite Carroll’s struggles, but if the small forward gets going, Toronto’s future is all the more bright, Koreen surmises.
Here’s more on the Atlantic Division:
- Nets rookie power forward Chris McCullough practiced for the first time since he tore his ACL while at Syracuse last year, NetsDaily tweets. He is not yet cleared to play in games, however.
- The Sixers need high-ceiling young prospects and should use Nerlens Noel as a trade piece because they have a surplus at the center position, John Smallwood of the Philadelphia Daily News opines. A topical converstation lately has been centered on whether or not Noel and Jahlil Okafor can coexist. Smallwood lists Marcus Smart, Dennis Schroder, Zach LaVine and Victor Oladipo as players the Sixers should go after.
- Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis has not been tempted by the city’s night life and that likely can be attributed to the 20-year-old living with his parents in White Plains and not indulging in alcohol, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News writes. The drinking age in Latvia is 18, as Bondy points out.
Atlantic Notes: Celtics, Knicks, Raptors
The Celtics nearly drafted Kobe Bryant in 1996 because of his immense talent and impressive knowledge of the franchise’s history, but ultimately passed him up, not wanting to take a chance on a 17-year-old coming out of high school, Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com writes in an interesting read. Boston, of course, drafted Antoine Walker — who went on to have a solid career — with the sixth pick that year while Bryant fell to No. 13.
“When I tell you this — and I don’t like to say a lot of good things about the Lakers — but I am absolutely telling you this straight-up: [Kobe Bryant] was unbelievable in the interview,” former Celtics head coach and executive vice president/director of basketball operations M.L. Carr told Holmes. “He was the best interview that I’ve ever been a part of. Kobe knew the league as well as anyone. He knew the Celtics from a historical standpoint. He knew the Celtics probably better than most Celtics did at 17 years old.”
Here’s more from around the Atlantic Division:
- Knicks small forward Cleanthony Early, who will likely be out three months after getting shot early this morning, was a logical candidate to be included in a trade for a point guard, Frank Isola of the New York Daily News tweets. Early has not been a fixture in the Knicks’ rotation this season. He has scored only seven points in 10 appearances this season.
- Bismack Biyombo views the Raptors, the team he signed a two-year deal with in July, as the perfect fit for him in an interview on the team’s website. “Obviously, going back to the draft, they were trying to draft me here so it feels like it was supposed to happen and it finally happened,” Biyombo said. “I just feel like it’s a great opportunity for me and I’m thankful for it and I thank God for it and obviously the organization and the coaches for giving me an opportunity to be here and help the team grow which is something everybody is looking forward to and I look forward to something special.”
- Marcus Smart‘s development will have the most profound impact among the Celtics‘ young players on Boston’s reconstruction project, Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald opines. Smart, 21, is widely considered one of the top young defenders in the league, as Bulpett notes.
Atlantic Notes: Crowder, Nets, Ross
Nets CEO Brett Yormark recently mentioned Brook Lopez, Thaddeus Young, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Bojan Bogdanovic as players to build around, and the team indeed intends to keep those four around rather than using them to replenish their depleted draft assets, NetsDaily hears. Yormark also alluded to some of the team’s younger players as building blocks without naming them, and the NetsDaily report speculates about who they might be.
Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- The Celtics are thrilled with the play of Jae Crowder, whom the team re-signed over the summer to a five-year, $35MM deal, especially on the defensive end, A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com writes. “Jae’s playing at a high level right now on both ends,” said coach Brad Stevens. “But we need him to defend the way he is. The thing about Jae that I think Jae has really improved on throughout the years: being in the right place at the right time from a position standpoint because he’s so … he’s a good physical defender when he’s there.”
- Knicks coach Derek Fisher is still struggling to find the right bench combination, and the playing time of rookie point guard Jerian Grant has taken a hit with veteran Sasha Vujacic assuming an expanded role, Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com writes. “We’re still trying to find a way to have five guys that are playing together, flowing together. Sasha obviously has familiarity and history with what we’re trying to do offensively,” Fisher said. “We continue to search for how to get ourselves organized and we feel like Sasha gave us a chance to do so.”
- The recent play of Terrence Ross is justifying the Raptors‘ decision to ink him to a three-year contract extension back in November, Doug Smith of The Toronto Star writes. “The big word is confidence. He’s playing with a tremendous amount of confidence. He’s seeing the ball go through the basket,” coach Dwane Casey said. “I think his defense has been solid, too. It’s not just his offense that’s been pretty solid, it’s his defense, both phases of the game.” Ross has scored 10 or more points in six straight games and is averaging 15.2 points per game over that span, while shooting 49% from the field and connecting on 47% of his 3-point attempts.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
And-Ones: Howard, Roberts, Jones, Kidd
Rockets center Dwight Howard recently turned 30 and hopes he can continue to play in the NBA into his 40s, Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle relays. “That’d be fun if I was to play this game [that long],” Howard told Feigen. “That was always my goal, to play 20 years, 20-something years in this league. I’m extremely happy and blessed to have been able to play this game for as long as I have been so far. I have played a lot of minutes. I’ve been doing a lot since I came into the league. I’m thankful. I’m not going to complain about it. I’m happy that I’ve been able to play 12 years so far. A lot of NBA players never played this long so I am very happy and blessed that I’ve been able to play 12 years in the NBA. Hopefully, I can play another 10, but the time I’ve played, I’ve enjoyed it.”
Here’s more from around the league:
- Several NBA teams have expressed interest in Raptors preseason cut Ronald Roberts, Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv relays (via Twitter). In 10 appearances for the Raptors 905 this season Roberts is averaging 17.9 points and 13.0 rebounds on 67% shooting.
- Timberwolves rookie point guard Tyus Jones believes his recent stint in the D-League will help him to contribute more at the NBA level, Jace Frederick of The Pioneer Press writes. “That definitely helped me out and definitely prepared me even more than I was, and it’s just helped my process,” Jones said. “I think it did prepare me a little bit better to help this team out.”
- The Knicks‘ trade of J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert to the Cavaliers was a move met with displeasure by the team’s fanbase, but it has worked out well for both sides so far, Marc Berman of The New York Post writes. “We made the decision,’’ Knicks coach Derek Fisher said. “It seems like it’s worked out well for both. J.R. and Shump, they seem happy. We like our team as it is at this point. I think our team would be OK if they were here or not because of what [habits] we’re doing every day.’’
- Bucks front office officials would have liked to have drafted Bobby Portis with the 17th overall pick this year, but coach Jason Kidd went with Rashad Vaughn instead, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports (audio link via Twitter at 57-minute mark). Kidd is calling the shots on personnel, as Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times told us in a recent edition of The Beat. People around the league wonder whether Kidd’s leave of absence for hip surgery is the first step toward him dropping the coaching job and moving into a full-time front office role with the team, Wojnarowski hears.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
2016/17 Salary Cap Projection: Toronto Raptors
The NBA’s salary cap for 2015/16 has been set at $70MM, which is an 11% increase from last season, and the luxury tax line is fixed at $84.74MM. The last cap projection from the league prior to the official numbers being announced had been $67.1MM, and the projection for the tax line had been $81.6MM. Many league executives and agents believe that the salary cap will escalate to a whopping $95MM for 2016/17, a higher figure than the league’s last projection of $89MM. This significant bump is a result of the league’s new $24 billion TV deal that kicks in just in time for next season.
The increase in the salary cap will almost assuredly set off a flurry of activity in the free agent market next summer, and it will also make it easier than ever for teams to deal away their higher-priced stars. Prudent executives are acutely aware of exactly how much cap room they have to play with, not just for the current campaign, but for next season and beyond as well. While the exact amount of 2016/17’s salary cap won’t be announced until next summer, it always pays to know just how much salary is on the books for each franchise. With this in mind, we at Hoops Rumors will be breaking down the projected 2016/17 financial commitments for each franchise, and we’ll continue onward with a look at the Toronto Raptors:
- Fully Guaranteed Salary Commitments: $82,900,529*
- Partially Guaranteed Salary Commitments: $0
- Non Guaranteed Salary Commitments: $0
- Total Projected Salary Cap Commitments: $82,900,529
*Note: This amount includes the player options for DeMar DeRozan ($10,050,000) and Bismack Biyombo ($2,940,630).
If the salary cap were to fall in line with the projection of $89MM, Toronto would have approximately $6,099,471 in cap space, or $12,099,471 if the cap were to be set at the higher mark of $95MM. Again, these are merely predictions until the exact cap amounts are announced, and they are not meant to illustrate the exact amount that the team will have available to spend this coming offseason.
Trades and long-term free agent signings made during the season will also have a significant impact on the figures above, and we’ll be updating these posts to reflect the new numbers after any signings and trades have been made official.
The Basketball Insiders salary pages were used in the creation of this post.