Odds & Ends: Stuckey, Monroe, Macvan
The last time the Pistons earned a trip to the postseason was in 2008-09, when they drew the first-seeded Cavaliers led by LeBron James and were subsequently swept. Of the 12 active players on Detroit's playoff roster that year, only three remain today – Will Bynum, Jason Maxiell, and Rodney Stuckey. While Stuckey has a partially guaranteed contract in 2013-14, Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News says that "nobody would be surprised" if the 6'5 guard is traded before next season, particularly before the draft in June. Here's more of this evening's miscellaneous links:
- Lakers big man Pau Gasol encountered some soreness in his foot after participating in a game of two-on-two at the team's practice facility today, writes Mike Bresnahan of the LA Times. The cause and extent of the of the soreness weren't clear, and he plans to visit a foot specialist on Sunday.
- In the above piece, Goodwill adds that Greg Monroe, who is set to become a restricted free agent after next year, remains confident that GM Joe Dumars is capable of turning the struggling team around.
- The Cavaliers have no plans of bringing Milan Macvan – their 2011 second round draft choice – on board anytime soon, writes Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer. The 23-year-old Serbian big man is currently playing for Galatasaray in Turkey.
- HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy provides a list of D-Leaguers at every position who could be in line for a callup, with eight D-League players having already inked with NBA teams in March (Sulia link).
- One scout tells Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio that this year's NCAA tourney will have a major impact on determining the order of the players selected in June. Citing how weak he believes the upcoming draft class is, the scout also tells Amico that a star from a small school could wind up being selected in the lottery again, the same way Damian Lillard emerged out of Weber State last year.
- John Rohde of The Oklahoman takes a look at some of the players the Thunder could get with the lottery pick they're expected to receive from the Raptors this year.
- The team that wins the Las Vegas Summer League, which is reportedly switching to a tournament style format this year, will have the cost of its additional tournament games reimbursed by the league, sources tell Ric Bucher of CSNBayArea.com.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Atlantic Notes: Bargnani, Pietrus, Celtics, Felton
Following blowout losses in Golden State and Denver, the Knicks' current five-game road trip managed to get even worse when Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler left last night's game against the Nuggets with knee injuries. While Chandler downplayed the severity of his left knee contusion and could play tonight, Anthony will head back to New York to get his troublesome right knee drained. Here's more out of the Atlantic Division:
- Doug Smith of the Toronto Star says with "99.9% certainty" that amnestying Andrea Bargnani this summer isn't something that's even been discussed at the highest level of the Raptors' front office.
- The Raptors were widely panned when they inked Landry Fields to an expensive three-year deal last summer, but as Stephen Brotherson of HoopsWorld writes, Fields has played his best ball of the season in recent weeks and can still be an important part of the team going forward.
- Mickael Pietrus, currently on the Raptors' roster, still hasn't gotten over not being able to return to the Celtics this season, as he tells Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com. "You never know, hopefully I’ll be back," Pietrus said.
- Tom Layman of the Boston Herald spoke to D.J. White and Shavlik Randolph about trying to make enough of an impression that the Celtics will re-sign them when their respective 10-day contracts expire.
- With the Knicks scheduled to play in Portland tonight, Raymond Felton had plenty of comments to make about the 2011/12 he spent with the Trail Blazers, as Marc Berman of the New York Post and Frank Isola of the New York Daily News document. Felton called it an "unfair situation" and said he wished he never asked for the trade that sent him from the Nuggets to the Blazers.
D-League Notes: Jones, Brackins, Warriors, Acy
In addition to the usual assignments and recalls, we've got a couple more D-League links of note to share. Let's round them up….
- Perry Jones III has been recalled from the Tulsa 66ers, the Thunder announced today in a press release. The 2012 first-round pick will be available for tonight's game in Oklahoma City vs. the Jazz.
- The Los Angeles D-Fenders have acquired former first-round pick Craig Brackins, the D-League squad formally announced today (Twitter link). Brackins, who played in Italy earlier this season, was the 21st overall pick in 2010, but only appeared in 17 games over two season for the Sixers before failing to find an NBA job last summer.
Earlier updates:
- The Warriors have recalled Kent Bazemore and Malcolm Thomas from the D-League, a day after their respective assignments, the team announced today in a press release. Bazemore and Thomas combined for 24 points and 26 rebounds in Santa Cruz's 110-103 win over Reno last night.
- Kevin Jones has been re-assigned once again to the Canton Charge, the Cavaliers announced today in a press release. Jones' D-League assignments this season have typically just lasted one game, so I imagine he'll return to the Cavs after playing for the Charge in tonight's game against the Bakersfield Jam.
- With Andrea Bargnani officially ruled out for the season by the Raptors, Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun anticipates that the team will recall Quincy Acy from the D-League (Twitter link).
- Warriors assistant general manager Kirk Lacob, who is also the GM of the team's D-League affiliate in Santa Cruz, spoke to Keith Schlosser of Ridiculous Upside about developing players and the relationship between the organization's D-League and NBA teams.
- Ken Rodriguez of Spurs.com takes a look at Cory Joseph's journey to the D-League and back to the Spurs.
Andrea Bargnani Out For Season
Having suffered an avulsion sprain of his right elbow, Andrea Bargnani will miss the rest of the 2012/13 season, the Raptors announced today in a press release. According to the team, Bargnani's new injury isn't related to the elbow issue that sidelined him for 26 games earlier in the season.
While Bargnani's injury has little to no effect on the Raptors' postseason chances, which are virtually non-existent at this point, it could affect his trade stock this summer. Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun reacted to the news by tweeting that Bargnani has likely played his last game in a Raptors uniform, with the team looking to move him after the season. However, as Doug Smith of the Toronto Star points out (via Twitter), trading Bargnani in the summer will be a tall order, given his poor play in '12/13, along with the fact that teams won't know for sure if he's healthy.
Wolstat rightly points out (via Twitter) that it would be better for the Raps if they could find a taker prior to next season, to provide a fresh start for both the player and the team. Still, I tend to side with Smith, and wonder how Toronto could find anything of value for a player who was struggling even before suffering a season-ending injury. Prior to the trade deadline, Bargnani was being linked in trade rumors to players like Ben Gordon and Carlos Boozer, whose contracts are as bad or worse than Bargnani's. I doubt the offers will improve at all this summer.
Amnestying Bargnani, who is owed $22.25MM beyond this season, is also an option for Toronto, but the club is unlikely to go that route as long as Bryan Colangelo remains in charge, as Wolstat tweets. Linas Kleiza remains the stronger amnesty candidate for the Raptors.
Raptors May Target Carl Landry In Offseason
Last Wednesday, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports reported that the Raptors would look to flip Andrea Bargnani for a "proven scoring post player" this summer. However, according to Spears' latest report, it sounds as if the Raps could also turn to free agency in search of the post player they covet. Spears hears from a source that Toronto may target Carl Landry if he declines his player option with the Warriors.
Landry, who signed a two-year contract with the Warriors last summer, is earning $4MM this season and has an option worth the same amount for 2013/14. Presumably, he'd only opt out if he felt that he could earn more than $4MM in '13/14 or if he thought he could get a similar annual salary on a longer-term deal. As such, it's hard to see the Raptors as a realistic fit.
Assuming the Raptors turn down John Lucas III's modest team option, the club will still have more than $71MM on next year's books for 11 players. Amenstying Linas Kleiza and his $4.6MM salary would get the team out of the tax, but would still make it difficult to use the full mid-level exception. As we saw with the Bulls this season, using more than the taxpayer portion of the MLE means that a club will be restricted by a hard cap for the remainder of the season. If the Raptors don't have the full mid-level available, it will be very difficult for them to make a competitive offer for Landry.
Of course, if the Raptors are able to clear more salary in other moves, the team could create enough flexibility to offer Landry the full mid-level, or perhaps try to acquire him in a sign-and-trade. But even then, I wouldn't be surprised if there were rival suitors prepared to make stronger offers.
Jazz Rumors: Millsap, Jefferson, Trades, Bledsoe
Zach Lowe of Grantland leads off his weekly Tuesday column with a lengthy look at the Jazz, a team he calls "the most interesting franchise in the league right now." As Utah approaches an offseason in which it could potentially open up about $30MM in cap space, Lowe shares a few notes of interest on the club:
- A desire to qualify for the postseason this year played a part in Utah's stasis at the trade deadline, according to Lowe. The team's longtime owners, the Miller family, prefer to avoid being in the lottery, so the Jazz weren't about to give up Paul Millsap or Al Jefferson in a deal that would seriously downgrade this year's roster.
- According to Lowe's sources, the Raptors and Pistons were among the teams with whom the Jazz engaged in trade discussions prior to the deadline.
- Had the Jazz been more aggressive about shopping Jefferson and/or Millsap last spring, they could likely have acquired a high first-round pick for Millsap, sources tell Lowe. However, Lowe notes that it's unclear whether that pick would have been attached to an unwanted contract.
- Lowe expects the Jazz to sign-and-trade one of its big free agents this summer, though the new CBA and the number of teams with cap space figures to cool the sign-and-trade market a little.
- League sources who talked to Utah in advance of the deadline say that the Jazz presented themselves as willing to take a step back next season and land a high pick in a loaded 2014 draft. The influence of new GM Dennis Lindsey played a role in that stance, says Lowe.
- Talks between the Clippers and Jazz about Eric Bledsoe and Millsap never got too serious, according to Lowe.
- Since the point guard free agent market isn't expected to be too strong this summer or next, Lowe expects the Jazz to continue exploring trades for a point guard.
Atlantic Links: Bynum, Knicks, Celtics
After paying a hefty price of Andre Iguodala, Nikola Vucevic, Maurice Harkless and a first round pick to bring Andrew Bynum to Philadelphia, the 76ers have had little to reap from that investment this season. Ben Bolch of the LA Times wonders if it will be worth the risk offering the one-time All-Star a new deal this summer, something that GM Tony DiLeo called the team's "Plan A" for the upcoming offseason. Here's the rest of what we've heard out of the Atlantic Division tonight:
- Howard Beck of the New York Times clarifies that Amar'e's contract is uninsured in the event of a career ending eye or knee injury (Twitter link).
- Amare Stoudemire's injury could open up some playing time for sparingly-used Chris Copeland, writes Mark Herrmann of Newsday. Meanwhile, ESPN New York's Jared Zwerling talks about the fallout of not having Stoudemire and how the Knicks will have to adjust for the rest of the season.
- A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com highlights the potency of the Celtics bench, who he says has had an impact on nearly every aspect of the game. In another article, Jackie MacMullan of ESPN Boston delves heavily into the complete team player that Paul Pierce has been and how he has carried the Celtics on his back this season.
- Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer profiles Raptors' rookie Jonas Valanciunas, who despite his inexperience has earned a significant role with coach Dwane Casey because of his high activity level and toughness.
Atlantic Notes: Martin, Nets, Raptors, Alabi
One day after the Atlantic's five teams went 4-1 – only the slumping Sixers failed to pick up a victory – the Knicks will look to continue the division's winning ways against the Thunder at Madison Square Garden tonight. As we look forward to that game, let's check out a few notes from around the division….
- Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com isn't sure why Kenyon Martin has only played five minutes in his first six games with the Knicks. Martin is on his second 10-day contract, so if he's going to remain with the team beyond his current deal, he should be included in an expanded version of the rotation, says Begley.
- Nets CEO Brett Yormark declined comment when asked about P.J. Carlesimo's performance as head coach, which Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News finds interesting.
- According to Bruce Arthur of the National Post, the Raptors' roster is "full of overstuffed contracts and puzzle pieces that won’t fit," which is reminiscent of past Raptors teams.
- With their playoff hopes on life support, the Raptors need to look the future and start playing guys like Terrence Ross and Jonas Valanciunas more, says Eric Koreen of the National Post.
- Former Raptor Solomon Alabi has signed with Ikaros Kallitheas of Greece, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando (via Twitter). The 7'1" center played 26 games in two seasons with the Raptors, and was in camp with the Hornets last fall.
What A Rudy Gay Extension Would Look Like
Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports reported last night that the Raptors will likely offer Rudy Gay a contract extension when he becomes eligible for one in July. As Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors noted, Toronto wouldn't be able to make Gay a truly long-term offer, since veteran extensions can't exceed four total years, which includes the time left on the existing deal. With two years still remaining on his contract, Gay wouldn't be eligible for more than a two-year extension.
We typically don't see veteran stars accept contract extensions, since they have the ability to sign for more years and more money in free agency. If Chris Paul were to sign an in-season extension with the Clippers, for instance, he could only add three years to his current contract instead of the five he'll be able to re-sign for this summer. However, Gay's case may be different.
With a player option worth $19.32MM for 2014/15, Gay will have the opportunity to opt out and hit free agency in the summer of 2014 if he doesn't agree to an extension with the Raptors. It's possible that Gay, like Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer, and other free agents back in 2010, could benefit from the fact that many teams are clearing cap space for the '14 free agent class. Clubs that miss out on top options like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade (assuming both players opt out of their respective contracts with the Heat) may get desperate and make Gay a huge offer. Still, given the financial restraint many teams have shown since the new CBA took effect, I'd guess that Gay will be unlikely to land as lucrative a deal as one the Raptors appear willing to offer him this summer.
Now, plenty could change between today and July. It's not a lock that Bryan Colangelo will even still be the Raptors' general manager by that point, so there's no guarantee that the team will make an extension offer to Gay. Spears also didn't indicate whether Toronto intends to make Gay a max offer, or whether the team will offer a little less than that. But let's assume the Raps do offer Gay as much as they can for a two-year extension.
CBA rules dictate that a veteran can receive a raise of 7.5% in an extension if that amount doesn't exceed his maximum allowable salary. Gay's $19.32MM 2014/15 salary will almost certainly be above the max, so he'll be eligible to earn 105% of that amount in 2015/16, with a 7.5% raise for 2016/17. Here's what Gay's new contract would look like if he finalized a max extension:
As our chart shows, Gay's two new seasons would add another $42MM+ to his contract, which would be an awfully significant investment for a player who has never been an All-Star. Again, it's not a certainty that the Raptors will make this exact offer, but their apparent eagerness to lock Gay up long-term suggests that they probably won't be asking him to take a pay cut.
As Tom Ziller of SBNation.com wrote this morning, chasing so-called "star power" may adversely affect the Raptors' chances of building a balanced roster capable of legitimate contention. In an NBA era where contract offers are looking saner and more reasonable, I'd be surprised if there are many other teams willing to commit the sort of annual salary to Gay that the Raptors appear ready to pay him. Given how infrequently we see veterans sign contract extensions, Gay may end up rolling the dice in free agency anyway, but if the Raptors put a max offer on the table in July, you can certainly make a strong case that Gay should accept it.
Raptors Likely To Offer Extension To Rudy Gay
Five weeks into Rudy Gay's tenure with the Raptors, GM Bryan Colangelo already sees him as the face of the franchise, and he's likely to offer Gay an extension when he becomes eligible for one in July, reports Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. The team will also pursue a "proven scoring post player" in return for Andrea Bargnani, Spears writes.
While Raptors management has been quick to embrace him, Gay believes he wasn't given a fair shake by new members of the front office in Memphis who arrived after Robert Pera bought the team at the start of the season. Gay had an inkling he'd be traded, since he felt the new management team, headed by CEO Jason Levien, didn't give him an opportunity to show he was worth his contract, which pays him $82.3MM over five years.
"With [new management], I don't think anybody's comfortable," the ex-Grizzlies forward said. "They're rookie owners. They come in there and they want it their own way, and you can't blame them for that. But it's a player's league."
Come July, Gay will have played three seasons of his five-year deal, making him extension-eligible. The Raptors would only be able to add two seasons to his contract, since veteran extensions are limited to four years including the remaining years on the existing deal. Still, an extension would likely remove the possibility, however remote, of Gay invoking his player option to decline the $19.3MM he's set to receive in 2014/15.
Veterans have been largely unwilling to sign extensions since they can usually sign for more money and more years in free agency, but Gay may be willing to make an exception, considering how highly the Raptors view his skills and how few teams may be willing to pay him more. Gay isn't thinking long-term, Spears writes, but that could change between now and July, and he seems to have a positive view of his new surroundings.
"Last time I left it up to my agent and it worked for me," he said. "I love the city. I think the team has a lot of potential. The organization is great. [Colangelo] is here and he is watching every step trying to make this team better."
As for a Bargnani trade, I'm not sure whether Toronto will be able to find a top-shelf post option in return for a player whose numbers have declined precipitously this year. The Raptors will also be hard-pressed to avoid the tax next season, so finding an upgrade who costs less or the same amount as Bargnani's $10.75MM salary figure for next season will be a challenge.