1/7 Basketball News
Texas fired head coach Chris Beard with cause following his domestic violence arrest. Rodney Terry, associate head coach, has been serving as interim head coach and has been named the interim coach for the rest of the season.
First All-Star fan voting returns:
TRANSACTIONS:
The Celtics traded Noah Vonleh and cash considerations to the Spurs for a 2024 top 54 protected 2nd round pick. San Antonio is waiving Gorgui Dieng. Boston gets more than $7 million in luxury tax savings.
The Spurs waived Noah Vonleh.The Mavericks waived Kemba Walker and his non-guaranteed 1 year deal. McKinley Wright IV has earned minutes and the Mavs want to leave a path for Jaden Hardy to get playing time (according to Tim MacMahon).
Jason Kidd raised the possibility of re-signing Kemba Walker to a 10 day deal.
The Kings waived Chima Moneke and his 2 year deal, 1st year $1.02 million partially guaranteed for $500k, 2nd year $1.72 million non-guaranteed.
The Kings are fully guaranteeing Matthew Dellavedova's $2.63 million partially guaranteed for $250k (according to Michael Scotto).
The Kings are fully guaranteeing KZ Okpala's $1.90 million this season partially guaranteed for $500k (according to Marc J. Spears). Next season he has $2.07 million with conditions for a $250k partial guarantee, becomes fully guaranteed on June 30.The Nets are fully guaranteeing Markieff Morris' $2.91 partially guaranteed for $1.0 million (according to Scotto).
The Nets are fully guaranteeing Edmond Sumner's $1.97 million for this season partially guaranteed for $500k (per Scotto). Next season he has a non-guaranteed $2.24 million that becomes fully guaranteed the final day of the 2023 moratorium.The Nets are fully guaranteeing Yuta Watanabe's non-guaranteed $1.97 million (per Scotto).
The Lakers are fully guaranteeing Wenyen Gabriel’s non-guaranteed $1.88 million (according to Woj and Dave mcMenamin).
The Lakers are fully guaranteeing Austin Reaves' non-guaranteed $1.56 million (per Woj and McMenamin).The Lakers and Sterling Brown of the G-League team the Raptors 905 signed a 10 day deal. They worked him out before the 2017 draft.
The Raptors and Joe Wieskamp of the G-League team the Wisconsin Herd are signing a 10 day deal. H/t Woj.
FREE AGENCY:
Free agent DeMarcus Cousins has been working out six days a week in Las Vegas, working tirelessly to earn a path back to the NBA. He is expected to work out for the Lakers at some point next week (according to Chris Haynes).. He signed with them in the 2019 offseason then got hurt.
The Lakers worked out free agent Cody Zeller in Charlotte last week (according to Marc Stein).The Lakers worked out free agent Tyler Dorsey on Thursday (per Haynes).
There has been burbling noise around the league that Khris Middleton, who has a $40.40 million player option after this season, will at the very least test the market (according to Matt Moore).
TRADE RUMORS:
While some around the league speculated that Bradley Beal could be traded down the line after signing a max contract with the Wizards, they have planned to build around him. Washington wants to re-sign Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma long-term if they opt-out and enter free agency and find a fourth core player alongside their trio to build around and contend in the East (according to Michael Scotto).
People around the league have speculated that it's a matter of when and not if Bradley Beal asks out from the Wizards, but Tommy Sheppard has consistently shot down that idea (according to Matt Moore).
The Bucks are expected to seek help on the wing at some point in trades, and don't be surprised if another iteration of a three-team trade with the Suns for Jae Crowder that includes the Rockets goes through before the trade deadline (according to Moore).
Giannis Antetokounmpo's frustration has been notable this season (per Moore).
The Bucks will look to make a bid for Bojan Bogdanovic if the Pistons make him available for trade (per Moore).
The Cavaliers are a suitor for a Bojan Bogdanovic trade and in addition to the Suns, Lakers, and other teams, the Mavericks are also pursuing him (according to Jake Fischer).
The Cavaliers could also be a suitor for Saddiq Bey, but the Pistons are looking for a younger prospect or serious draft compensation for either of Bey or Bojan Bogdanovic (according to Evan Dammarell).
The Mavericks don't want to trade a 1st round pick unless they think any incoming player can help them be a championship contender this season (according to Michael Scotto).
If the Bulls make Zach LaVine available for the trade deadline, rival executives are keeping an eye on several teams that could be interested, including the Knicks, Lakers, Mavericks, and Heat (according to Scotto).
Zach LaVine claimed that he doesn't mind seeing their last-second shots go to DeMar DeRozan. H/t KC Johnson.
When Zach LaVine signed on with Klutch Sports Group, the question people had around the league was whether they'd eventually try to get him to the Lakers (per Scotto).
Rival executives are keeping an eye on the Heat to make a move given their underwhelming start to the season (according to Michael Scotto).
The Cavaliers value Caris LeVert's high-character presence in the locker room. The Cavs do appear to discussing trading him, but his value now is far lower than what they gave him to get him (according to Jake Fischer).
The Raptors are active in trade talks and open to moving players but their asking prices are insane, astronomical, and far-fetched (according to Matt Moore).
The consensus is that the Raptors' asking price for OG Anunoby might be higher now than Toronto's ask of a top 10 pick for him this past summer (per Moore).
There's a belief from some around the league that the Raptors will be more active in trade talks around the middle of the month (according to Michael Scotto).
The Jazz are weighing their options and could trade Rudy Gay or Malik Beasley to free more playing time for prospects that will be part of Utah's future (according to Evan Dammarell).
The Clippers aren't completely pleased with the production they're paying for on the perimeter, namely from Robert Covington (according to Dammarell).
This past summer when the Magic re-signed Mo Bamba on a 2 year deal, 2nd year non-guaranteed, several people around the league viewed him as a potential trade chip to be flipped later once Orlando would eventually have to consolidate its roster (according to Michael Scotto).
The Hornets, plus several other teams around the NBA, like Cody Martin (according to Scotto).
The Warriors organization and front office seem more than willing to sit back and watch other teams make moves unless they get a trade offer they can't refuse (according to Brett Siegel).
If the Pacers are unable to agree to a contract extension with Myles Turner, it would finally prompt them to trade him (according to Matt Moore).
CONTRACT EXTENSIONS:
The Mavericks are considered unlikely to offer Christian Wood a 4 year contract extension (according to Marc Stein).
Jae Crowder is seeking a contract extension along the lines of P.J. Tucker's 3 year $33 million deal with the 76ers this past summer (according to Jake Fischer).
The Cavaliers and Caris LeVert never had true conversations on a contract extension this past summer after injury limited his availability after the trade deadline last season (according to Fischer).
RECRUITING:
2024 5 star C Yves Missi committed to Baylor. H/t Joe Tipton.
2024 3 star PG Jeremiah Wilkinson committed to Mississippi State. H/t Tipton.
2024 5 star SG Ian Jackson, the #1 recruit in his class from New York, told Adam Zagoria that a decision is coming soon. It could happen before the end of the month (per Zagoria). Rivals Future Cast says 100% Kentucky (1 prediction). 24/7 Kentucky, UNC, Arkansas, LSU, and Oregon as the favorites and their Crystal Ball says 100% Kentucky (6 confidence - 1 prediction).
2024 4 star PG Mikey Lewis said that he doesn't plan on deciding until signing day next year. H/t Dushawn London.
2024 4 star PG Ahmad Nowell, the #1 recruit in his class from Pennsylvania, said that Tennessee, Arkansas, Arizona State, Louisville, Ohio State, and Seton Hall are programs he talks to often. H/t Brandon Jenkins. 24/7 lists Tennessee as the favorites. Rivals Future Cast says 100% Tennessee (1 prediction).
NCAA:
Georgia transfer freshman PF-SF KyeRon Lindsay committed to Texas Tech. H/t Joe Tipton.
Illinois freshman PG-SG Skyy Clark left the program and is taking time away from basketball due to personal reasons.
A lot of people are talking about the possibility of Kentucky moving on from head coach John Calipari (according to Jamie Shaw).
Saint Louis junior SG Fred Thatch tore an ACL and is out for the rest of the season and he has opted to bypass his remaining eligibility, ending his college career.
DRAFT:
OTE SG-PG Amen Thompson (2003), OTE SF-SG Ausar Thompson (2003), Villanova freshman SF-SG Cam Whitmore, Arkansas freshman SG-PG Nick Smith Jr., Baylor freshman SG Keyonte George, and Arkansas freshman SF Brandon Miller for top 5 interest (according to Jonathan Wasserman).
Scouts see a surefire scorer with dangerous shot-making versatility and range in Keyonte George, plus attacking burst and enough passing feel for coaches to use him for playmaking (per Wasserman).
Debate swirls around Amen Thompson’s shooting - whether it can improve and how it would affect his draft outlook if it doesn't (per Wasserman).
Medical reports will factor heavily into Nick Smith Jr. (knee)'s stock (per Wasserman).
Arkansas junior SG-SF Ricky Council IV has caught scouts' attention with his handle and quickness for creation, athleticism for finishing and defending, and impressive touch on short jumpers and paint shots, but imited 3 point shooting and funky mechanics are holding him back from flying up draft boards (according to Wasserman).
UCLA junior SF-SG Jaylen Clark has landed in the draft conversation with special defensive instincts, passing, and improved complementary play-finishing (according to Wasserman).
Kansas State senior SF Keyontae Johnson has resurfaced onto NBA radars (according to Wasserman).
Confidence continues to rise in Pepperdine sophomore SF-SG Maxwell Lewis' separation and shot-making skill and overall potential to initiate offense (according to Wasserman).
After initially being mostly unfamiliar with UCF freshman PF Taylor Hendricks, scouts have been buzzing about him, especially his defensive tools and movement (according to Wasserman).
Duke freshman SF-SG Dariq Whitehead is answering questions about his shot selection. In preseason scouting, evaluators suggested that he possessed star scoring potential (according to Wasserman).
Scouts are comfortable with Kentucky freshman PG-SG Cason Wallace's floor tied to his passing IQ, shooting accuracy, and signature defensive pressure/anticipation, and they are trying to asses the height of his ceiling (according to Wasserman).
Improvement as a shooter and big games against Gonzaga and UConn have scouts taking Xavier junior PG-SG Colby Jones seriously (according to Wasserman).
UConn junior SF-SG Andre Jackson Jr. is turning heads without scoring by passing, defending, and consistently making wild athletic plays on both ends (according to Wasserman).
Inconsistent offense has led some scouts to question Houston freshman PF Jarace Walker's scoring potential, but his size, versatility, and defensive upside will keep draft interest from fading (according to Wasserman).
There are questions about Arkansas freshman SG-PG Anthony Black's self-creation and upside as an NBA scorer (according to Wasserman).
A recent shooting slump has led to some questions about Duke freshman PF-C Kyle Filipowski's true comfort level from NBA range (according to Wasserman).
Scouts are hesitant of TCU junior PG Mike Miles due to his lack of 3 point volume (according to Wasserman).
OVERSEAS TRANSACTIONS:
Free agent Justin Gorham signed with Israeli team Hapoel Galil Gilboa and signed on with You First (according to Guido Guida).
Bruno Caboclo of the G-League team the Mexico City Capitanes signed with Ratiopharm Ulm of Germany's top basketball league and the Euro Cup through 2023-24.
STATS:
Wednesday, Georgetown lost their 25th straight regular season Big East game, the longest regular season losing streak in the history of the league.
Zach LaVine had 41 points, 6 ast, 2 reb, 2 stl, 1 blk, 14-19 FG (11-13 threes), 2-2 FT in 38 minutes Friday.
OTHER:
Cavaliers officials are still holding onto a belief that Isaac Okoro can develop into the swingman of their present and future. He is considered a diligent worker and he has a strong desire to remain with the Cavs to continue growing around the young core (according to Jake Fischer).
Knicks officials were bracing for the Cavaliers to select Obi Toppin at #5 in the 2020 Draft before the Cavs surprised several rivals by selecting Isaac Okoro (per Fischer).
The Thunder love Lu Dort's contract looking ahead long-term and they view him as one of their elite on-ball defenders in the game and a part of the team's future with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (according to Michael Scotto).
A bunch of people in different camps told Jorge Sedano that the Lakers thought they were gonna recreate the Heat's Big 3 when they traded for Russell Westbrook.
Follow me on Twitter @kylecohennba.