Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
The latest free agent reporting on Goran Dragic, Evan Fournier, Daniel Theis, Reggie Bullock and Aron Baynes from HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto
NBA free agency is upon us, here’s the latest intel gathered by HoopsHype on some of the notable free agents entering the market.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and Yossi Gozlan preview the NBA offseason for lottery teams in the East.
On the latest edition of the HoopsHype podcast, host Michael Scotto is joined by Yossi Gozlan, HoopsHype’s salary cap expert. Gozlan and Scotto previewed the offseason for each Eastern Conference lottery team. The duo shared intel on the free agencies of Jarrett Allen, Kyle Lowry, Doug McDermott, TJ McConnell, and others. The pair also discussed coaching candidates for the Orlando Magic to keep an eye on, extension candidates this summer, and more.
For more interviews with players, coaches, and media members, be sure to like and subscribe to the HoopsHype podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts. Listen to the podcast above or check out some snippets of the conversation in a transcribed version below.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and Yossi Gozlan preview the NBA offseason for lottery teams in the East.
On the latest edition of the HoopsHype podcast, host Michael Scotto is joined by Yossi Gozlan, HoopsHype’s salary cap expert. Gozlan and Scotto previewed the offseason for each Eastern Conference lottery team. The duo shared intel on the free agencies of Jarrett Allen, Kyle Lowry, Doug McDermott, TJ McConnell, and others. The pair also discussed coaching candidates for the Orlando Magic to keep an eye on, extension candidates this summer, and more.
For more interviews with players, coaches, and media members, be sure to like and subscribe to the HoopsHype podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts. Listen to the podcast above or check out some snippets of the conversation in a transcribed version below.
NBA executives discuss whether Blake Griffin will be traded or agree to a buyout with the Detroit Pistons with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
Blake Griffin will be out of the lineup for the Detroit Pistons as both sides work towards a resolution on his playing future, according to ESPN.
After the mutual decision by both parties, HoopsHype spoke with seven NBA executives for their thoughts on whether Griffin can be traded or what value he can bring to a playoff contender if he hits the buyout market.
“I know they’ve been trying to trade him for months and can’t find a taker,” a Western Conference executive told HoopsHype. “Part of it is Blake also saying there are certain teams he would prefer to go to. This is a weird one. Non zero chance they buy him out, which just seems crazy.”
“That likely ends up as a buyout if I had to guess,” one Eastern Conference executive told HoopsHype. “Someone will take him for their bench.”
Griffin, the eighth-highest paid player in the league, is owed $36.81 million this season and has a $39 million player option for next season, as noted on our HoopsHype Pistons salaries page, making him extremely difficult to trade.
“I see Detroit trying to get off some money but would probably have to take back multiple contracts with money going out,” another Eastern Conference executive told HoopsHype. “I don’t know who would take him. It’ll probably end in a buyout with him giving money back. I’m guessing his agent is calling teams to see who wants him and what they would be willing to pay him so Blake won’t lose any money.”
If Griffin is willing to give up money and agree to a buyout, there’s expected to be significant interest in the six-time All-Star according to the executives.
“If Blake is bought out, there would be significant interest, but how much of a savings is Blake willing to take?” as an executive for a current Eastern Conference playoff team told HoopsHype. “He could provide a spark off of the bench. If he’s healthy, he could start if the team had a need, but he’s probably more of a rotation player right now.”
Griffin, 31, hasn’t been the same player since the 2018-19 season when he averaged a career-high 24.5 points per game and carried the Pistons to the playoffs. Since then, Griffin has played 38 combined games averaging 13.8 points on 35.8 percent shooting from the field and 28.1 percent from beyond the arc with 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.
“In limited minutes, he could possibly help,” a fourth Eastern Conference executive said. “But if his wheels aren’t turning right, it’ll be tough because his game is at its best with his athleticism. He might be picking, but I ain’t trusting his popping!”
To the executive’s point, Griffin is shooting 36.5 percent from the field and 31.5 percent from beyond the arc. This season, More than half of Griffin’s field goal attempts have been three-pointers. He’s taken 124 of 222 total attempts from downtown.
“He’s looked so bad this year,” an executive for a current Western Conference playoff team told HoopsHype. “It would take a leap of faith that it’s more the environment and him not trying than his body totally failing, but it doesn’t look good when you watch him.”
Griffin hasn’t dunked since December 2019 and has become more of a pick-and-pop forward as a screener. In isolation, he’s more likely to face up his defender and take a mid-range jumper. Gone are the days of Griffin attacking the paint and dunking on an opponent’s head, which earned him a max deal years ago. Now, Griffin is hoping to land on a contender as a rotation player and win a title in the process.
You can follow Michael Scotto on Twitter: @MikeAScotto
NBA scouts discuss what the Knicks trade for Derrick Rose means for making the NBA playoffs and Immanuel Quickley’s development.
The New York Knicks have acquired Derrick Rose, reuniting him with coach Tom Thibodeau for the third time, in exchange for Dennis Smith Jr. and a 2021 second-round pick (via Charlotte), according to multiple reports.
HoopsHype spoke with four NBA scouts about their reaction to the trade and what it means for New York’s playoff chances and the development of rookie guard Immanuel Quickley.
“I like it,” a scout for an Eastern Conference team told HoopsHype. “Rose is one of coach Thibs’ favorites. They have been good matches for winning. It won’t affect Quickley much because he can play both guard spots. They won’t stunt his development, and the Knicks won’t fall out of the top ten.”
Thibodeau and Rose made it to the Eastern Conference Finals together in Chicago, and during the 2017-18 season, the duo helped Minnesota reach the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
“I think Quickley fits well with Rose,” another scout for an Eastern Conference team told HoopsHype. “He’s a good off-the-ball shooter, and it takes a little of the pressure off as teams build their scouting report on him.”
Knicks forward Taj Gibson, who will also reunite with Rose and Thibodeau for a third stint, agreed with the first two scouts and believes the former All-Star guard will help.
“Being back around familiar faces, he’d be a great attribute to us as far as helping a lot of the young guys and just helping the team atmosphere,” Gibson said.
However, other scouts are concerned Thibodeau will rely on Rose to close games instead of Quickley, who is regarded as a better shooter and ranks second on the Knicks in player efficiency rating (18.89).
“It’s a double-edged sword,” a longtime NBA scout told HoopsHype. “It’s going to affect Quickley’s minutes some, but he’s a rookie that can’t get too many and has still shown production. Rose can teach him some things which those other guards couldn’t. I think it’s a good thing. Smith wasn’t going to help.”
“I don’t understand why can’t they be patient, develop, and build?” one veteran scout for a Western Conference team told HoopsHype. “I’m not in love with the move. He is a Thibs guy, so that helps in the locker room. I’m just worried he would take minutes away from developing the guys who will be there when they are ready to compete. He is an upgrade, and they want to make the playoffs.”
Coincidently, when asked before Sunday’s game against the Heat if his reputation for being hesitant to give young players minutes was fair, Thibodeau replied, “Derrick Rose is the youngest MVP in the history of the league, so I don’t worry about that stuff.”
Should the Knicks fall out of playoff contention, they can trade Rose, who has Early Bird Rights. A contending team over the cap heading into the offseason could find him appealing as the trade deadline nears at the end of March as more than a short-term asset.
[lawrence-related id=1451690]
You can follow Michael Scotto on Twitter: @MikeAScotto
What the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers could trade to acquire Detroit Pistons guard Derrick Rose.
The Knicks are “engaged in active talks” to acquire Derrick Rose from the Pistons, while the Clippers and other teams have also expressed interest, as The Athletic reported.
Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina has come up in those trade discussions, according to SNY. Ntilikina earns $6.2 million this season and is eligible for an $8.3 million qualifying offer and restricted free agency this offseason. If the Pistons acquired Ntilikina, he’d form a French trio with Killian Hayes and Sekou Doumbouya.
The Knicks also have 10 combined second-round picks during the 2022-27 drafts to dangle as trade bait to acquire Rose from the rebuilding Pistons.
Rose is on the books for $7.7 million this season and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. However, any team acquiring Rose before the trade deadline would inherit his Early Bird Rights. That allows a team to offer up to 175 percent of Rose’s previous salary, which comes to $13.4 million, without using cap space. One caveat is that a new contract for Rose must run for at least two years.
Those Early Bird Rights could appeal more to a team like the Clippers, given their salary cap situation. The Clippers are right at the hard cap, so they either have to trade equal salary or decrease salary in a trade. A potential offer of Lou Williams and Mfiondu Kabengele theoretically could make sense from a salary cap perspective. The Clippers also have three of Detroit’s second-round picks from 2024-26, which they acquired in the Luke Kennard trade.
For the Knicks, acquiring Rose would signal the Knicks are fortifying themselves for a run at the playoffs. Despite many predicting a lottery finish for New York before the season, the Knicks have surpassed expectations and enter Sunday seventh in the East and only 1.5 games back of the fifth seed.
Coach Tom Thibodeau has always been fond of Rose. The pair have been together for parts of seven combined seasons together with the Bulls and Timberwolves. Rose became the league’s youngest MVP under the tutelage of Thibodeau, and the pair was also together on Team USA.
The loyalty and bond between Thibodeau and Rose extend beyond the court, as Rose told me in November 2018 on the Timberwolves.
“I think he believed in me,” Rose said. “Coming and bouncing from team to team these last two years and having coaches that – I’ve played for coaches that are cool to play for, but it’s different than having a coach that really believes in you. For him, I can say that he honestly cares about me and believes in me, so that means a lot.”
If the Knicks acquired Rose, it would mean a reduced role for current starter Elfrid Payton. It’s also unclear what an acquisition would mean for Immanuel Quickley, who has been a bright spot for the Knicks, ranking second on the team in player efficiency rating (18.45) and third in our HoopsHype Rookie of the Year rankings. Thibodeau has been bullish on Quickley’s attitude, approach, and ability to shoot as a scoring threat with the second unit thus far.
[lawrence-related id=1451690]
Information from HoopsHype capologist Yossi Gozlan was used in this story
You can follow Michael Scotto on Twitter: @MikeAScotto
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and ESPN’s Bobby Marks discuss NBA trade candidates, James Harden rumors, and predict each NBA award winner.
On the latest episode of the HoopsHype podcast, Michael Scotto welcomed ESPN NBA front office insider Bobby Marks. Scotto and Marks discuss the winners and losers from the NBA offseason, James Harden trade talks, trade candidates around the league, and predict each award winner for the upcoming season. Listen to the podcast above or check out some snippets of the conversation in a transcribed version below.
1:25 Winners of the NBA offseason starting with the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Lakers
6:00 Denver Nuggets: Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.
MORE: Is what Murray did in the playoffs sustainable? We asked NBA executives
6:40 Serge Ibaka’s impact on the Los Angeles Clippers
7:00 Can Chris Paul lead the Phoenix Suns to the playoffs?
8:37 Why Marks thinks the Utah Jazz are a sleeper team
11:24 Examining the Jrue Holiday trade for the New Orleans Pelicans
13:37 Why the Atlanta Hawks are one of the offseason winners
18:00 Expectations for the Washington Wizards
Scotto: From what I’ve heard within their organization, they think they can be a playoff team certainly with the Russell Westbrook trade and maybe even go higher than that somewhere around the sixth (seed) range in the East.
MORE: NBA execs react to the Westbrook for John Wall trade: ‘It’s a wash’
19:22 Losers of the NBA offseason starting with the Sacramento Kings and the Bogdan Bogdanovic situation
23:05 Reviewing the offseason for the Detroit Pistons and why Derrick Rose is a prime trade candidate
Marks: I thought three years, $25 million for Mason Plumlee was a huge reach, especially considering where centers were on the market. You’ve got Hassan Whiteside basically going for the minimum, and Aron Baynes went for two years with a non-guarantee in year two.
Scotto: I do think they’re eventually going to look to flip Derrick Rose at the trade deadline and get an asset back for him. It’s been already determined that Killian Hayes, their rookie draft pick, is going to be the point guard of the present and the future. That doesn’t mean that a guy like Rose doesn’t have value to a team that’s contending. I do look for him to be their most sought after asset as we get into the season.
26:18 Thoughts on the Charlotte Hornets adding Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball
28:20 James Harden trade talks
Marks: I think with Harden, and we’ll wait and see what he has to say, but from the outside looking in, it is probably the worst case of player empowerment that I’ve ever seen in my 20 years with the Nets and five years in the media. You have a player that’s got three years left on his contract, has basically had an opinion on how that roster was put together when you look at Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, John Wall, and basically how they built that roster. It’s different than what Anthony Davis went through in New Orleans where AD was there for seven or eight years, had gotten to a Conference Semifinals one time in his career, and basically said, ‘I want out. I want to go somewhere where I can win.’ The front office hasn’t done a good enough job, but you can get something for me in value here. He was on an expiring contract. The Harden situation, he’s got three years left on his contract. Everyone says it’s two. I still say it’s three because it’s $47 million in year three. Who knows where we’re going to be in three years from now?
The Jrue Holiday trade to Milwaukee at least sets the bar from a draft standpoint when you’re getting three ones (first-round picks), two pick swaps, Eric Bledsoe and George Hill. If you’re Houston, you’re saying I’ve got Harden under contract for three years. Holiday could be a free agent next offseason. I’m getting double that. Does Brooklyn have double of that to offer? I don’t think they do. Is it Philadelphia? Does Ben Simmons become available here? Does that appeal to the Rockets?
Scotto: You touched on Philadelphia. I think Simmons would be possibly the best player they can get right now on the market if they were going to do a trade. We know Daryl Morey has a love for Harden like no other.
32:46 More trade candidates
Scotto: You look at San Antonio and LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan as some guys I could see being on the trade block because, to me, San Antonio is on the cusp of a rebuild with their young team.
Marks: You can probably put Rudy Gay in there too. They’re three really big large expiring contracts.
I think an interesting name is PJ Tucker in Houston. I think that’s going to be fascinating because Tucker is on an expiring contract who wants an extension. This guy is an ironman. He doesn’t miss games. He plays multiple positions. He is a team-first player. He’s on a really good number close to $8 million. I think he’s a name to keep an eye on. I think Spencer Dinwiddie in Brooklyn. Certainly, keep an eye on him. Can this Brooklyn team afford keeping Dinwiddie on a high number when you’ve already got Kyrie Irving making $33 or $34 million? They brought back Joe Harris. Your luxury tax bill for 2021-22 would go through the roof like it is right now.
Certainly what happens in Indiana with Victor Oladipo if that team gets off to a slow start with him on an expiring contract.
Scotto: Myles Turner as well is another guy with Indiana whose name has been floated out there. They have a ton of big men with Domantas Sabonis and Goga Bitadze.
I would say in Orlando, Aaron Gordon is a guy to keep an eye on. A lot of teams have checked in on him.
MORE: The players most likely to be traded on each team
40:15 NBA awards predictions
41:15 MVP
44:47 Defensive Player of the Year
46:35 Rookie of the Year
49:33 Sixth Man of the Year
51:10 Most Improved Player
53:22 Coach of the Year
With the draft upon us and free agency at the end of the week, here’s a look at the latest intel HoopsHype has gathered. * The Oklahoma City Thunder , who just acquired Kelly Oubre Jr. , is looking to flip him for a first-round pick, league sources …
With the draft upon us and free agency at the end of the week, here’s a look at the latest intel HoopsHype has gathered.
* The Oklahoma City Thunder, who just acquired Kelly Oubre Jr., is looking to flip him for a first-round pick, league sources told HoopsHype. He’s entering the final year of his contract this season. As noted in our HoopsHype players most likely to be traded story, following the Chris Paul and Dennis Schroeder trades, executives believe the Thunder will continue to explore the trade market on their veterans, including Steven Adams. With Al Horford reportedly on his way to the Thunder, Adams could be on the move sooner than later.
* The Los Angeles Clippers, who currently own the 57th overall pick, are looking to buy a pick and move up in the draft, league sources told HoopsHype.
* As noted a week ago on the HoopsHype podcast, the Boston Celtics are looking to upgrade in the frontcourt and are eyeing trading up in the draft to get Onyeka Okongwu or even James Wiseman, HoopsHype has learned the Celtics called as high as the Golden State Warriors at No. 2 overall to gauge trade interest. Marcus Smart was made available, but talks didn’t escalate.
Once the dust settles from the draft, the focus will shift to free agency right around the corner, where there are several developments.
* Gordon Hayward is the first major domino some free agents are waiting to fall. With the Atlanta Hawks trying to acquire Hayward, as Yahoo Sports reported, it could dilute the money available on the market even more. If Hayward ends up leaving Boston, it could open up the possibility for a sign-and-trade there for a free agent.
* Atlanta also has interest in Danilo Gallinari, one of HoopsHype’s top-ranked free agents this offseason, as the team looks to make a push for the playoffs next season, league sources told HoopsHype.
* The Miami Heat previously showed interest in the Italian forward at the trade deadline. If Giannis Antetokounmpo signs an extension with Milwaukee, some around the league expect Miami to extend Bam Adebayo, try to bring back Goran Dragic, and upgrade at forward. That could open the door for Gallinari to land with Miami as a free agent on a multi-year deal. At the trade deadline, Miami didn’t want to tie up a ton of money for the next offseason to chase Antetokounmpo. However, Milwaukee’s pending acquisitions of Jrue Holiday and Bogdan Bogdanovic has many convinced that Antetokounmpo isn’t going anywhere. If the Bogdanovic sign-and-trade falls through, as The Athletic reported could happen, it’s unclear what it’ll mean for Antetokounmpo’s future.
* Another Miami note, Heat center Kelly Olynyk is exercising his player option, as expected, a league source told HoopsHype.
* The Dallas Mavericks also had interest at the trade deadline in Gallinari and have been shopping their 18th overall pick. With Thunder GM Sam Presti collecting as many first-round picks as he can, the Mavericks can use their pick to facilitate a sign-and-trade.
As Gallinari noted during an appearance on the HoopsHype podcast, he and New York Knicks President Leon Rose remain close. If the Knicks can land a star point guard like Russell Westbrook on the trade market, it would increase the chances of New York going after Gallinari in free agency. Another relationship that’s worth noting is Detroit Pistons Vice Chairman Arn Tellem previously represented Gallinari when he was an agent. Currently, Arn’s son, Michael Tellem of CAA Sports, represents Gallinari. However, both teams are headed for a rebuilding season, which would lessen their desire to make a run at Gallinari.
* The Hawks also had plans to make a big run at Joe Harris in free agency, but rival executives expect him to remain with the Brooklyn Nets and land a three or four-year deal worth an average of $18 million annually. The Charlotte Hornets were another team who had Harris on their wish list, but the team is expected to pivot towards less expensive guards who can provide veteran leadership and shooting off the bench instead.
* The Hawks have also been heavily linked to Rajon Rondo, who they view as a potential veteran mentor and backup to Trae Young. A multi-year deal could entice Rondo to join the rebuilding Hawks, HoopsHype has learned.
* Another veteran who could be changing teams is Paul Millsap. The Ringer reported Millsap is an expected target of the Portland Trail Blazers. Some NBA talent evaluators believe Millsap could be worth Portland’s mid-level exception this offseason.
* Finally, the Memphis Grizzlies will extend a qualifying offer to De’Anthony Melton. The 22-year-old guard becomes a restricted free agent this offseason. He’s a noteworthy player who could draw an offer sheet from another team this offseason.
You can follow Michael Scotto on Twitter: @MikeAScotto
