PHOTOS: Top buyout candidates now that 2020 NBA trade deadline passed

Now that the 2020 NBA trade deadline has officially passed, it is worth looking at the most interesting buyout candidates in the league.

Now that the 2020 NBA trade deadline has officially passed, it is worth looking at the most interesting buyout candidates in the league.

Some of the bigger names that could have been available (e.g. Tristan Thompson, Ian Mahinmi, E’Twaun Moore, Langston Galloway and even Vince Carter) are expected to stay with their teams for the remainder of the season. Similarly, there are various other players (e.g. Isaiah ThomasTrey Burke and Tim Frazier) who are expected to be waived by their teams rather than bought out.

But with all of that in mind, there are several players around the league who do make sense as options on the buyout market.

All figures are courtesy of the NBA Player Salaries page on HoopsHype.

TYLER JOHNSON, PHOENIX

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

SALARY: $19,245,370

Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Johnson is playing a career-low 16.6 minutes per game. The 27-year-old has played in just three of their last even games as he recovers from a calf injury. He was mostly brought into the organization so that the team could move off the hefty money owed to the veteran forward Ryan Anderson. Even though Johnson provides little value to the Suns, he could be a 3-and-D option in the backcourt for a contender. During his best season with the Miami Heat in 2016-17, he averaged 1.3 three-pointers and 1.2 steals per game.

NBA buyout candidates: Who’s available after 2020 trade deadline?

Now that the 2020 NBA Trade Deadline has officially passed, it is worth looking at the most interesting buyout candidates in the league.

Now that the 2020 NBA trade deadline has officially passed, it is worth looking at the most interesting buyout candidates in the league.

Some of the bigger names that could have been available (e.g. Tristan Thompson, Ian Mahinmi, E’Twaun Moore, Langston Galloway and even Vince Carter) are expected to stay with their teams for the remainder of the season. Similarly, there are various other players (e.g. Isaiah ThomasTrey Burke and Tim Frazier) who are expected to be waived by their teams rather than bought out.

But with all of that in mind, there are several players around the league who do make sense as options on the buyout market.

All figures are courtesy of the NBA Player Salaries page on HoopsHype.

TYLER JOHNSON, PHOENIX

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

SALARY: $19,245,370

Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Johnson is playing a career-low 16.6 minutes per game. The 27-year-old has played in just three of their last even games as he recovers from a calf injury. He was mostly brought into the organization so that the team could move off the hefty money owed to the veteran forward Ryan Anderson. Even though Johnson provides little value to the Suns, he could be a 3-and-D option in the backcourt for a contender. During his best season with the Miami Heat in 2016-17, he averaged 1.3 three-pointers and 1.2 steals per game.

EVAN TURNER, MINNESOTA

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SALARY: $18,606,556

Unlike with Allen Crabbe, the Minnesota Timberwolves have not yet given any playing time to Evan Turner. Even when he was on the Atlanta Hawks, the 31-year-old forward was playing a career-low 13.2 minutes per game. He was, however, playing a career-high 63 percent of his time at the point guard position. Turner may not have much value around the league at this point but the Boston Celtics have already been linked to him for a potential reunion.

BISMACK BIYOMBO, CHARLOTTE

Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

SALARY: $17,000,000

Charlotte Hornets veteran big man Bismack Biyombo is certainly one of the candidates for a buyout, though such an agreement may be unlikely. There is at least some incentive for the Hornets to keep Biyombo on their roster as he is currently playing 19.1 minutes per game. That is the most playing time that he has had since 2016-17. Meanwhile, he has also been in the starting lineup for 25 of the 43 games he has played so far this season. It may make the most sense for Biyombo to continue getting his reps up in Charlotte, like Mahinmi with Washington, so that he can prove hs is worth more than a minimum deal in the offseason. However, if a contender expresses interest in a center who is capable of playing in their rotation, perhaps he is willing to leave the Hornets for a winning team.

BRANDON KNIGHT, DETROIT

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SALARY: $15,643,750

28-year-old combo guard Brandon Knight was included in a package that sent him from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Detroit Pistons. Knight has only played 241 minutes so far this season, coming off the bench in each of the 16 games he played. That is a stark contrast to last year when he started in 26 of 27 games played for Cleveland. If the Pistons decided to hold on to Knight, it would be a reunion with the organization. He was drafted by Detroit with the No. 8 overall pick back in 2011 and made NBA All-Rookie First Team.

MARVIN WILLIAMS, CHARLOTTE

Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

SALARY: $15,006,250

For a team looking to find a floor-spacing big man, there are few if any better at the price he could be available at then Charlotte Howard forward Marvin Williams. With the emergence of rookie PJ Washington (who was selected to the Rising Stars team at All-Star Weekend), Williams has lost the formerly steady role that he once had on his team. He had previously started in every game that he played for the Hornets since 2015-16. Now, he has made only one appearance in their starting lineup this season. His playing time is down to a career-low 19.7 minutes per game. But at 6-foot-8, the forward has made 1.2 three-pointers per 36 minutes in his career and has shot 36.2 percent from downtown. There should be a decent amount of interest in Williams if he and his team agree to a buyout.

SOLOMON HILL, MIAMI

(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

SALARY: $13,290,395

When the Memphis Grizzlies traded Andre Iguodala to the Miami Heat, the front office also included Solomon Hill for salary-matching purposes. While he has largely fallen out of favor on the teams he has played for over the past few years, the 6-foot-6 wing was shooting a career-best 38.1 percent from the three-point line this season. He had also made a career-best 2.2 three-pointers per 36 minutes during his time in Memphis. According to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, the 28-year-old was told by the front office that he should plan to remain with the team “barring something unforeseen” happening. But in the NBA, those types of unforeseen situations happen all of the time.

MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST, CHARLOTTE

Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

SALARY: $13,000,000

It was less than eight years ago when Anthony Davis was selected at No. 1 overall in the 2012 NBA draft. The player selected next was Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. The contrast between these picks remains absolutely deafening as hindsight rears its ugly head. The 26-year-old is down to a career-low 13.3 minutes per game and has only made twelve appearances for his team. With only 160 minutes offered to him this year, Charlotte has likely moved on. He may still have suitors around the NBA due to his defensive ability. According to The Athletic’s Kelly Iko, the Houston Rockets organization “has liked him for some time” and would be willing to take a flyer on him. The Charlotte Observer’s Rick Bonnell recently reported that the Dallas Mavericks are also “kicking tires” on Kidd-Gilchrist.

COURTNEY LEE, DALLAS

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

SALARY: $12,759,670

The reality of the situation is that Courtney Lee was only included in a trade to the Dallas Mavericks for salary-cap filler so that they could land Kristaps Porzingis from the New York Knicks. During his two seasons with the team so far, he has played just 10.9 minutes per game in 33 total appearances. The 6-foot-5 wing has virtually no role on the Mavericks and despite their record being that of a contender thus far, perhaps another team would take a look at what Lee could offer them. The 34-year-old has shot 38.8 percent from three during his career, hitting 1.4 three-pointers per 36 minutes.

JOHN HENSON, DETROIT

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SALARY: $9,732,396

The Detroit Pistons had to cut one of the players on their roster after trading away Andre Drummond in a two-for-one deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. They reportedly opted to go with Tim Frazier rather than Knight or John Henson. This makes sense as Henson may play some of the minutes that Drummond was giving Detroit. He recorded a double-double (10 points and 11 rebounds) in his most recent game for the Cavaliers on February 5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. That was his first game in the starting lineup since January 5 and just his second time in the first unit all season. More likely than not, though, he will join Thon Maker as backcourt depth in Detroit behind 24-year-old Christian Wood and rookie forward Sekou Doumbouya.

MATTHEW DELLAVEDOVA, CLEVELAND

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

SALARY: $9,607,500

There is hardly a role for Matthew Dellavedova on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Their team already has three promising young guards selected in the past two NBA drafts in Darius GarlandCollin Sexton and Kevin Porter Jr. and all require playing time for their development. Meanwhile, they recently traded Jordan Clarkson to land the 24-year-old Dante Exum. Dellavedova has not been in an NBA starting lineup since December 23, 2017. Unfortunately, his most valuable skill set (three-point shooting) has taken a major plummet this year. His career mark from downtown (36.7 percent) is suddenly down to an abysmal rate (16.4 percent) so far this season. It dampers any of the market that would have otherwise been interested in signing him.

YOGI FERRELL, SACRAMENTO

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

SALARY: $3,150,000

Sacramento Kings guard Yogi Ferrell does not make very much money and has a lower salary than anyone else on this list. However, he is playing at a career-low 11.4 minutes per game and was scratched from the lineup in the most recent game for the team. Ferrell is buried in their backcourt rotation behind emerging star De’Aaron Fox and backup point guard Cory Joseph. While there may not be much of a market for the six-foot playmaker, he has averaged 4.0 assists with 2.0 three-pointers and 1.1 steals per 36 minutes in his NBA career. Still only 26 years old, there may be at least one contender that would be willing to give him minutes in their rotation.

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Report: Evan Turner of interest to Celtics as buyout candidate

ET might be poised to phone home if reports the Boston Celtics are be interested in bringing former player Evan Turner back into the fold as a buyout option are correct.

ET might be phoning home, if now-Minnesota Timberwolf Evan Turner still considers the Boston Celtics as such.

Heavy’s Sean Deveney reports the former Celtic wing could be on Boston’s radar as a buyout candidate after being dealt from the Atlanta Hawks as part of the mega-deal that sent Houston Rockets center Clint Capela to Atlanta in the wee hours of February 5th.

Turner, who flourished with the Celtics early in head coach Brad Stevens’ tenure with the team after some of the shine came off of the former lottery pick’s game, went on to ink a large deal with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2016 he will only just be coming off of now.

One of many bloated contracts signed when the league was flush with capital from a major television broadcast deal, the Ohio State product has been a solid rotation player since. In his last meaningful season, he put up 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game in 2018-19 with Portland before being traded to the Hawks in June.

Since then, he’s taken a backseat in Atlanta, and even before that he was not producing anywhere near the value of his $18.6 million paycheck.

Turner is thus a strong buyout candidate if Minnesota doesn’t try to use his contract in another deal before the Feb. 6 deadline, and one that does (and should) interest Boston, if Deveney’s intel is accurate.

While he wouldn’t be a major coup by any means, he knows Stevens’ system to an extent and can provide a bit of scoring and passing off the bench. The Celtics do not currently have an open roster slot for him, but could gain one of they make an end-of-bench consolidation move before Thursday.

They’d then have until the March 1st deadline to add a buyout candidate eligible for postseason play to add Turner, or cut a player to  make that possible if no deals are made in the interim.

Boston won’t be alone in pursuit of ET if he is bought out, though — Deveney notes several other teams have interest in the Chicago native, including the Miami Heat.

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Report: Warriors ‘moving on’ from D’Angelo Russell trade talks with Timberwolves

The Warriors and Timberwolves haven’t been able to agree on a deal that would send D’Angelo Russell to Minnesota and now Golden State is “moving on” according to reports.

As the clock ticks down to Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, the rumors continue to buzz around one member of the Golden State Warriors. D’Angelo Russell has been in the middle of a lot of trade chatter since the time he landed with the Golden State Warriors.

With the trade deadline around the corner, noise linking Russell to a move has heated up. Multiple teams like the New York Knicks have been connected to Russell, but the team that’s led the way has been the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Since Russell hit free agency over the offseason, the Timberwolves have been a rumored destination. Now in Golden State, the T-Wolves have been trying to work a deal to bring Russell to Minnesota.

However, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the talks between Golden State and Minnesota regarding a Russell trade are slowing down.

There is still ample time left for Golden State and Minnesota to work out a trade at an agreed-upon price. Though, if the Warriors decide to keep Russell, it could give them a look at the future.

Russell is only 23-years-old and has yet to build chemistry with Golden State’s two-time Most Valuable Player, Stephen Curry. Curry has missed all but four games in Russell’s first season with the Warriors. The three-time NBA champion could return from his broken hand in March, giving Russell and Curry around 20 games to play as a backcourt tandem.

If Russell stays in Golden State past the trade deadline, it will give Steve Kerr and Bob Myers a better view on how the former Ohio State Buckeye would fit on a healthy Warriors squad.

Could a Boston-Evan Turner reunion happen via buyout?

With news circulating former Celtics fan favorite wing Evan Turner might be headed for a buyout, could a reunion in Boston be in the works?

Former Boston Celtic Evan Turner could be a buyout candidate, reports the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn — should his former team be keeping tabs?

A fan favorite in the rebuilding years after the Banner 17 core had mostly been traded to the Brooklyn Nets for the draft assets that would become this iteration of the team, Turner has since gone on to enjoy the windfall (if not success) his time in Boston created.

One of head coach Brad Stevens first career rehabilitations, former No. 2 overall pick Turner had fallen from grace, failing to become the star many had hoped for with the Indiana Pacers after being traded there from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Failing to replicate the 17.4-point, 6-rebound per game season he had in his last season with Philly, the Pacers let Turner walk, providing the Celtics a bargain-basement chance to see what the Chicago native might still have in the tank.

While Turner didn’t blossom into the protostar he was with the 76ers, he did shine enough that the Portland Trail Blazers inked the Ohio State product in 2016 with a four-season, $70 million offer emblematic of the heady spending of that offseason, flush with cap space from a recent NBA broadcast deal.

Since then, he’s been sent to the Atlanta Hawks to account for the fact that his production has been far below the level of his paycheck, and now he’s been asked to sit as the franchise develops younger players (who will conveniently also stink, helping the team improve its draft odds).

It’s hard to gauge how helpful Turner could be if he were cut free in time to latch on to another team given his situation over the last few seasons, but it’s not inconceivable he’d be a valuable depth piece for a team like Boston that depends on wing play.

And as wise basketball minds have noted, an injury to a starting wing at a key moment in the postseason could spell disaster for the Celtics, so adding a veteran wing who is familiar with Stevens’ approach would not be the worst plan for an organization with eyes on a deep playoff run.

Turner hasn’t had much of a role over the last few seasons, but also hasn’t really minded, as he related ahead of Friday’s win over the Hawks, saying (via MassLive’s John Karalis),” It’s my tenth year so I’m on the side … I’ve been everywhere, sitting here getting fat, happy and rich.”

“We have a lot of young, talented guys that could turn out to be something in time,” Turner offered courtesy of the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach. “It’s just their time to really learn and sharpen their blade in that sense.”

Not exactly a hungry mouth, though that could be a good thing in light of how last season turned out — the question is how motivated he’d be if the team actually needed his production. “Everything will work out the way it’s supposed to work out,” he added. “I’m not really too pressed … All you can do is stay ready and control what I can control.”

He logged 6.8 points, 4.5 boards, and 3.9 assists per contest over 22 minutes a game in his last season in Portland. While he’s playing 10 minutes less per game with the Hawks in 2019-20, his per-36 numbers don’t show much of a drop-off as a result of the demotion.

As has been an issue for most of his career, Turner’s shooting — especially beyond the arc — is a problem. He has always been worse the further from the basket you go, and bad to atrocious from three.

His best since leaving the Celtics he hit 31.8 % of his 3-pointers in his penultimate season with the Blazers — but just 21.1 % the season after. He’s only attempted five treys this year (making none), so Turner won’t help Boston’s spacing, but his lack of attempts is at least reassuring.

ET can function as a secondary ballhandler, and is still a respectable offensive threat with enough tools that he can add scoring on second units while also fitting in on offense-heavy first units in short stints.

He defends well enough when engaged, and could be an intriguing buy-out option for a Boston reunion should the Hawks decide to part ways with the nine-year veteran if no trade target could use his expiring deal as ballast.

With so many teams lacking cap space for summer, it’s hard to say whether Turner’s current deal would be an attractive way to clear space in what looks to be a very dull free agency period, but something to monitor nonetheless.

Hawks-Clippers odds: Clips are huge favorites at home

Previewing Saturday’s Atlanta Hawks at Los Angeles Clippers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Atlanta Hawks (4-7) travel to meet the Los Angeles Clippers (7-5) Saturday at 10:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Hawks-Clippers odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.


Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.


Hawks at Clippers: Key injuries

Hawks: SF Chandler Parsons (knee) is expected to be a go. SG Evan Turner (Achilles) is questionable and SG Vince Carter (personal) is listed as out. SG Kevin Huerter (shoulder) will be sidelined at least another seven to 10 days, while PF John Collins remains suspended through Dec. 23.

Clippers: SF Kawhi Leonard (knee) is listed as questionable, as is PG Patrick Beverley (calf). If Kawhi is unable to play, that moves the needle on this game quite a bit. He is expected to be ready, but could be rested as a precaution. Be careful.

Hawks at Clippers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 9:55 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Clippers 121, Hawks 106

Moneyline (ML)

PASS. The Clippers (-715) are expected to take care of the Hawks, but if Leonard and Beverley were each unable to play, that makes this much less of a certainty. Even if they were to play, laying more than seven times your return is just not good gambling. It’s foolish.

New to sports betting? Every $1 wagered that Los Angeles wins profits $0.14 if the Bucks prevail. (Ex: Bet $10 to win $1.40, $20 to win $2.80, $71.50 to win $10).

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Take the CLIPPERS (-9.5, –125), but wait a bit until shortly before tip-off. We’ll know a lot more about Kawhi’s status leading up to the game. If he were not to play, go lightly. If he is able to play, go a little heavier.

The Hawks are just 1-4 against the spread in the past five games overall, while the Clippers are 5-0 ATS across their past five. The Clips are 5-2 ATS in the last seven games overall, and 13-6 ATS in the past 19 against Southeast Division foes, too.

Over/under (O/U)

The TOTAL 227.5 is just too risky. This game should be right around the number if Leonard is able to play. If he doesn’t go, that’s a huge chunk of offense missing. It’s best to avoid the total in this one due to uncertainty.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Al-Farouq Aminu Q&A: ‘It wouldn’t have been the same even if I stayed in Portland’

Al-Farouq Aminu talks about joining the Magic, leaving the Blazers, adjusting to a new team, being a top high school recruit and much more.

After making the playoffs last season, the Orlando Magic added Al-Farouq Aminu on a three-year deal in hopes that he could push them over the edge. The 29-year-old is a versatile forward who can defend multiple positions, and he’s coming off a Western Conference Finals run with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Aminu is still getting acclimated in Orlando, but he’s providing veteran leadership to the Magic’s young core and contributing to the team’s excellent defense, which ranks fourth-best in the league (as they’re allowing just 99.4 points per 100 possessions). HoopsHype caught up with Aminu to talk about joining the Magic, leaving the Blazers after four years, adjusting to a new team, being one of the top high school recruits in the country and more.

What was your free-agency process like and why did you decide to join the Orlando Magic?

Al-Farouq Aminu: I like that they’re a young team and I thought that I could bring some veteran leadership to them. Also, they went to the playoffs last year, so I knew they had a good team. I like their style of play and different things like that. I’m glad I made that decision.

How is the adjustment process going? I know when you join a new team, you have to get used to a new team, new system, new coaches, new city and so on. What’s that transition been like?

AFA: Like you said, it’s a lot of new things coming at you. But that’s why we’re professionals; we have to figure out the different ways that people play and the different schemes – all of the different ways that we’re going to attack with this team. Also, you’re adjusting in your home life. You’re getting settled in and moving all of your furniture and things like that. It’s a big adjustment, but it’s coming along smoothly.

You’ve changed teams several times throughout your career. In your experience, how long does it take everyone to get acclimated?

AFA: It just depends, man. It’s so different from team to team because of the schedule, the preseason being even shorter now and things like that. It matters who you’re playing too. It’s a mixture of things, so I think it really varies. Sometimes, it takes people a while. Sometimes, it just clicks early. It’s a number of things that have to happen for the personnel to click. But we’re starting to find our stride a bit.

Since arriving in Orlando, what’s been your first impression of the team and the city?

AFA: Aw man, it’s been so great. It’s a big change from Portland because now I’m in a sunny state. I’m wearing shorts today! It’s kind of surreal to still be wearing shorts at this time of year. It’s been really nice, man. It’s a nice change of pace, for sure. There’s a really cool energy around this team. We have a lot of great guys. From top to bottom, everyone has a really great attitude, so that makes you enjoy coming in to work. It’s nice. All of the guys are great. They’ve exceeded my expectations, for sure.

You mentioned that you were attracted to this team because of the young core (Jonathan Isaac, Aaron Gordon, Mo Bamba, Markelle Fultz, etc.). Do you get excited when you think about what this team could become?

AFA: Yeah, for sure. I really wanted to play a part in molding them. In a couple of years, when these guys are in their prime and doing their thing, it’ll be cool to be able to say that I put my touch on that. That’ll be cool. I was talking to them the other day and I told them, “Ya’ll are going to make a lot of money! Ya’ll play the right way, ya’ll are young and the league is just changing. Guys are getting paid.” I like to play around with them (laughs). But if they keep playing the same way that they’re playing now, they should be able to do okay for themselves.

I was impressed with the strong culture that you guys created in Portland; it was built around working really hard, trusting each other and having an us-against-the-world mentality. How is the culture in Orlando and what can you do to contribute to it?

AFA: They brought back a lot of the same team, so they’ve already kind of started it. My job is just to come in and add on to it, to build upon what they already have in place. I don’t feel like there’s any need to switch up their whole culture or anything. I think they’re heading in the right direction, so I’m just trying to add a couple things that I’ve picked up over the years from being a vet, having some success and winning.

I remember one day JI (Jonathan Isaac) was like, “Man, are you always the last one to leave?” He thought it was funny. I told him, “I like to stay and take my time when I’m at the facility. I have to get in all of my treatments and things like that. This is the only thing that we have to do. You don’t need to be rushing home.” There are little things like that, I think, that add to the culture. But these are guys who are already hitting their stride; it’d be different if they were rookies, but these are guys who get it. And they’ve had good vets like DJ [Augustin] and some of the older guys on the team who kind brought things together. I just feel like I can add another element.

Last year, you went to the Western Conference Finals with the Portland Trail Blazers. What was that like and did you take away any things that you can pass on to your new teammates in Orlando?

AFA: It was fun to do. You’re obviously trying to win the grand prize, but every experience like that helps you eventually get there. I think it was a really cool experience. You start to learn what it takes to win in the playoffs. There are things that work in the regular season and then, over the years, you learn what works and what doesn’t work in the playoffs.

Like I was saying about staying in the facility late, I remember I used to always think to myself, “Wow, these guys are playing all the way into July?!” It was hard for me to wrap my mind around that. But you start to understand what you need to do in order to prepare your body to go through that. Sometimes, you only understand what it takes to get through 82 games. Well, you have to learn what it takes to get through another 20-to-25 games. You have to win another 16 games, so you learn how to prepare your body for that and then do it. You have to do more than what you normally do and that’s something you learn from experiencing it. They understand that here because I’m always preaching that. Sometimes, you have to take your own lumps and go through it yourself though.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

You were with the Blazers for four years and you had a lot of success there. And I know you were close with some of the players there. Was it tough to leave Portland this past summer?

AFA: Kinda sorta. It was [tough] because I’m leaving the guys I was playing with, but a lot of the guys ended up leaving anyway, so it was kind of like, “Well, nobody is there.” Not “nobody,” but you know what I mean. The gang’s not even there anymore anyway, so it wouldn’t have been the same even if I had stayed. It would’ve been weird had I stayed. It’s not the organization, it’s the people that you get to work with every day that you end up [getting close with]. For a couple of months, you see these guys and talk to these guys even more than your family. They shape you and you’re growing with each other. Then, the next thing you know, they may not be there. Sometimes, it’s just one person; like, I remember the first time it was Ed [Davis]. Me and him came into Portland together and we became really cool. Then, after three years, he was gone and that was tough. Then, I started becoming really cool with Moe [Harkless] and Evan [Turner] and now they’re gone, so it’s like man… It’s kind of already tough to make friends in this industry anyway and then guys move on. And you still get to talk to them and stay close, but it’s different. But I think that’s why it isn’t as traumatic because those guys are in different places anyway, so the gang is gone.

Guys like Quentin Richardson and DeShawn Stevenson have told me that they were really frustrated when the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks’ front offices broke those teams up because they felt like they still had some great years left in them. Do you feel like this team could’ve done some special things had the Blazers’ front office kept guys like Ed, Moe, Evan and yourself a bit longer?

AFA: We did special things!

I know, but did you guys want to stay together longer? I guess that’s what I’m asking.

AFA: Did we want to stay together longer? Yeah, always! I mean, when you’re already having success and you already like the people, it seems like a win-win. You might as well ride it until the wheels fall off! It doesn’t seem like there’s a need to break it up unless everybody is just losing too much money or something like that, then you kind of understand. Then, in a sense, the players break it up. But I didn’t feel like that was the case. It was more so broken up just because. But I’ve seen a lot of teams get broken up so it’s not really that surprising.

I recently interviewed Jonathan Isaac and he was talking about how this Magic team takes pride in their defense and that the goal is to have one of the NBA’s top defenses. Right now, you guys are ranked fourth in the league. Is that a goal that you guys discuss as a team and do you think this team can get to No. 1?

AFA: Every day, man. We discuss it every day. We want to be a Top-5 defensive team, if not No. 1. I think it’s definitely something that this team has the ability to do and we just have to continue to click together and understand where we need to be in order to do it. I think the more and more we play together and get that cohesiveness, the better we’ll become on defense. And out of the gate, we’re already talented on defense. Now, it’s just getting that continuity and that will take us over the top.

You mentioned that you want to be one of the veteran leaders in Orlando. When you were younger, who were some of the veterans who helped you the most?

AFA: I didn’t really have what I think of as veteran leadership until I got to Dallas. Then, when I got to Dallas, it was Jameer Nelson for a little bit, but then he got traded. I was able to look at what Dirk Nowitzki was doing every day. I watched what Monta Ellis did every day. Then, later in the year, Rajon Rondo came as well as Amare Stoudemire. All of those guys were great.

During your sophomore season, the Los Angeles Clippers traded you to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the blockbuster Chris Paul trade. Did going through that teach you about the business side of the NBA at a young age? And what are some things you learned from that experience?

AFA: Yeah. Even during that first year, I started to learn about the business of the NBA and what it all means. But then in my second year, that’s when I’m like, “Wow, this is really a business.” Even before my trade, I was seeing the business side a lot because that was the lockout year too. With everything that went down, my first two years were like a business course in a sense. It kind of just opened my eyes to what the NBA really is. I appreciated it, though. In the long run, that probably helped me out and prevented me from being so naïve to the business side of this game. Sometimes, that can happen to players. But there’s no way around it; you’re going to experience the business side of the NBA at some point. I’m glad it happened to me early.

What has it been like adjusting to Steve Clifford? He’s done a great job of getting the most out of Nikola Vucevic and helping the defense. What’s it been like playing for him and his staff?

AFA: He has a very high basketball IQ and, like you said, he really understands defenses – he’s very good at that. He pushes us to be a really good defensive team, which is really cool. I’ve been with an offensive team for a while, so it’s kind of cool that the defensive end is being highlighted. It’s just a different pace. I’m enjoying it, for sure.

You were one of the top high-school recruits in the country back in 2008. I’m really interested in that. Do you think you had to mature quicker than your peers because you had so much on the line and you were under the microscope?

AFA: Yeah, of course, man. It’s like being a childhood star, you know what I mean? I remember when I transferred to my high school as a sophomore, I was coming into this school as the new kid and I thought nobody would know me and I could just try to fit in where I fit in. I remember kids being like, “Ohh, you’re Al-Farouq Aminu! We’re going to be so good this year!” They knew my stats from AAU and all of that. And this is while I’m in high school! I didn’t get to just be a regular kid and blend in. Sometimes, you just want to be able run to the store and just do regular stuff. You can’t just do what everybody else does.

But then again, when I was growing up, I always wanted everyone to think I was good at basketball. It’s like a double-edged sword. You don’t realize what that will end up being. You want to be a top prospect, but then everybody ends up knowing who you are. And a lot of people like basketball. At first, I just wanted everyone in my neighborhood to be like, “Wow, he’s really, really good!” Then, my neighborhood became the U.S., became the world.

I don’t think people realize the sacrifices that top recruits have to make too. Your friends may be partying on the weekends, but when all eyes are on you like that, you have to carry yourself differently. You’re also working extremely hard so that you can make it to the next level.

AFA: Yeah, man. I don’t think a lot of people understand. The sacrifices start early too. Now, I’m looking at my little cousin who plays football, he’s a quarterback, and he’s already making those same sacrifices at a really young age. You have to do those things if you want to succeed, though. I remember being in the gym really late and my friends would be like, “Yo, are you coming?” They’d go hang out in the neighborhood or play video games, but I’d have to be like, “Nah, I have work to do.” But my financial situation growing up wasn’t the greatest either, so it’s kind of like I just started [working] earlier than most people do.

I think Jalen Ramsey said, “You live like nobody else, so that you can live like nobody else later.” The beauty of it is that I had to mature quicker, but then when I’m like 35 years old, I’ll be able to live a life that most other 35-year-olds can’t live. It’s the long game. I’m not mad how it turned out for me… It’s a trade off.