The Brooklyn Nets made a huge splash trading for James Harden, though their roster is now very thin so more moves are assuredly coming soon.
The Brooklyn Nets made a huge splash trading for James Harden, but their roster is now very thin so more moves are assuredly coming soon.
After losing Jarrett Allen, Brooklyn especially needs more depth in their frontcourt. The Nets have three available roster spots, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, and still have their mid-level exception available to sign a free agent for up to $5.7 million. They can also sign any player for the league veteran minimum.
The front office may leave an empty roster spot for the buyout market later this season since, as legitimate title contenders, Brooklyn is now one of the more attractive destinations. Our own Yossi Gozlan predicts that they will use their $5.7 million designated player to trade for frontcourt depth.
Otherwise, in the immediate future, fans can expect one of the players we have listed below to sign with the Nets as they aim to restructure their roster on the fly.
Charlotte Hornets rookie forward PJ Washington represents an interesting case study of what to look for when evaluating an NBA prospect.
Charlotte Hornets rookie forward PJ Washington represents an interesting case study of what to look for when evaluating an NBA prospect.
When studying Washington, who was selected at No. 12 overall in the 2019 NBA draft, his ascension to representing the United States at the Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend in Chicago is particularly fascinating. He has excelled in areas that he was not tasked with while playing in college, an important trait to remember when scouting future prospects. Players are not a representation of what they have done but also what they potentially can do.
So for those who have played alongside Washington, his recent successes have hardly been a surprise considering his dynamic and versatile skill set.
“I’ve been playing against and with him since, like, eighth grade,” Hornets guard Malik Monk told HoopsHype. “I knew that he was going to do this. A lot of people didn’t know he could shoot. But he didn’t have to show that at Kentucky. Now he does because he is a stretch-four.”
During his two collegiate seasons for the Wildcats, for example, the forward hit just 0.7 three-pointers per 40 minutes. Washington then set the record for most three-pointers hit during an NBA debut, connecting on seven baskets from beyond the arc during his first professional regular season game.
.@PJWashington’s five 3-pointers ties the record for most 3PM in a career debut!
“It’s been easy for me because at this level it’s pretty much just reads,” the rookie told HoopsHype. “You’re basically taking what the defense gives you. Obviously, at the beginning of the season, they were giving me three-pointers so I was taking them. But now they are hugged up on me so I drive more and get my teammates involved a bit more.”
His shooting has been one of the most pleasant surprises for Washington, who has shown that the things you can accomplish at the NBA level should not just be projected based on what was shown while in the NCAA. Often, college basketball players play a role based on their coach and system. That does not mean they will end up filling the same type of expectation as a pro.
Perhaps the most key indicators of that for Washington has been his usage in pick-and-roll sets. Before the draft, for example, he was criticized for lacking much “explosiveness in traffic, which means he won’t be much of a pick-and-roll threat to throw down lobs or finish with power.”
As a sophomore in 2018-19, embedded above, the forward actually finished just one possession as the roll man on PnR possessions for Kentucky.
“But he always pays attention to plays and during practice,” former Charlotte forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist told HoopsHype. “He just always wants to learn. As soon as the guy was drafted, he learned how to reinvent himself like a true Kentucky player.”
Monk and former Charlotte forward Kidd-Gilchrist, who also attended Kentucky, explain that the Wildcats don’t run pick-and-roll because head coach John Calipari relies on give-and-go opportunities, running up and down the court for easy baskets.
“He was primarily a post-up guy, elbow guy in college,” Charlotte head coach James Borrego told HoopsHype. “But we’re a pick-and-roll team, so he’s a pick-and-roll player.”
PJ Washington is a versatile offensive weapon: slips the pick with Graham, drives into a weak-side DHO with Rozier which turns into a skinny side pick-and-roll, then the touch to finish over Sabo. pic.twitter.com/GkV2945zhK
This has been a defining trait for Charlotte as only two NBA teams (Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors) have finished possessions for the roll man in the pick-and-roll more often than the Hornets, per Synergy. Washington has also finished more than twenty percent of his possessions on pick-and-roll plays, a ridiculously big improvement since his final NCAA season.
Borrego notes that Washington fits in well because he can pop, roll and be a playmaker on these possessions. Monk calls him a “triple threat” because of all that Washington can accomplish on these plays.
Washington has scored 2.6 points per game when rolling to the basket in PnR sets, which ranks Top 15 among all players in the Eastern Conference.
“His ability to shoot the ball really stretches teams. They have to figure out what they do with this pick-and-roll. If they switch him, he has the ability to go to the post,” added Borrego. “But he has the ability to roll in that pocket and finish and make plays for others.”
For example, the two-man game between Washington and second-year guard Devonte’ Graham has been one of the more defining traits of the season for the Hornets.
“It is kind of easy playing pick-and-roll with Graham because he is always going to make the right plays. He is taking good shots, finding his teammates. He gets to the rim with ease. All I have to do is set the screen and roll and he is going to make the best play.”
The numbers look good, too, as the Charlotte guard is currently shooting an impressive 23-for-55 (41.8 percent) on his three-point attempts after passes from Washington.
PJ Washington rises for the dunk of the PnR. Another underrated pass from Devonte'. pic.twitter.com/O0OpD7MTkm
“It’s a dangerous combination: a guy that can shoot off the bounce and a big that can shoot and stretch it,” said Borrego. “He has the ability to roll with Devonte or pop with Devonte. I trust them and think they both make the right decision more times than not.”
Graham, meanwhile, already has 70 assists to Washington so far this season. Charlotte has scored 107.4 points per 100 possessions with both players on the court. That is their second-best offensive rating (minimum: 500 minutes) among all of their two-man lineup combinations so far this season.
Overall, the development of Washington has been a tremendously positive update for Charlotte. The fact that he has been able to step into an offense that runs so many pick-and-roll sets with ease has been especially fantastic.
“He is a dynamic young pick-and-roll player,” added Borrego. “I probably need to use him a little bit more in pick-and-roll.”
The Los Angeles Lakers don’t have an open roster spot but fans are seeing their potential targets go to other teams.
The Los Angeles Lakers decided to stand pat at the NBA trade deadline and while there have been public flirtations with free-agent point guard Darren Collison, Lakers fans are seeing plenty of other potential options from the buyout market to improve their team commit to other squads.
The Charlotte Hornets produced two buyout candidates over the past few days, but veteran forward Marvin Williams has already committed to signing with the Milwaukee Bucks, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. In addition to Williams, the Hornets are also agreeing to a buyout with Anthony Davis’ Kentucky teammate Micheal Kidd-Gilchrist, according to ESPN’s duo of Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim McMahon. MKG, according to ESPN, has a good chance of landing with the Dallas Mavericks.
Reporting with @espn_macmahon: Charlotte is finalizing a contract buyout with F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Dallas has emerged as a possible destination once MKG clears waivers.
The Clippers made a big move at the trade deadline, pushing in all of their assets to the New York Knicks in order to add forward help in Marcus Morris.
If the Lakers were to add anybody, they would have to cut someone on their team that’s laden with veterans who have been there the whole season. Given that the Lakers’ chemistry has been a major strength for them all season, the benefits of a move to add someone from the buyout market are likely tougher than they are for any other team.
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 Thomas, Trey 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.
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.
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 Thomas, Trey 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.
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
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
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
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
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
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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 Garland, Collin 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.
Per Kelly Iko, Houston is monitoring Cleveland big man Tristan Thompson and Charlotte forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist as buyout targets.
A potential deal by Thursday’s NBA trade deadline for the likes of Minnesota forward Robert Covington isn’t the only item on the agenda of Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey this week.
According to The Athletic‘s Kelly Iko, the Rockets are also monitoring the upcoming buyout market, with Cleveland big man Tristan Thompson and Charlotte forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist among their targets.
Assuming the Rockets trade Capela and aren’t able to land a serviceable replacement center over the next 72 hours, Tristan Thompson is someone they’d like to acquire in a buyout. Thompson’s skillset is very similar to what Capela brings to the table, and Thompson has championship experience. …
Another name to monitor in the assumption he gets a buyout is Charlotte’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist — Houston has liked him for some time. His three-point shot is still horrendous (.294), although his last four games has seen an uptick (.429 at home).
Answering all of your Capela questions, plus notes on MKG, Tristan Thompson, and more. https://t.co/QBRqEXfzeA
Both players are in the final year of their respective contracts.
The Rockets are reportedly seeking a wing player and replacement center if they trade Clint Capela, but it remains to be seen if they could get both in the same transaction. If they are not able to, the buyout market could be a plausible solution to the other need.
Most buyouts do not occur until after the NBA’s annual trade deadline, since teams would prefer to trade those players and receive value in return for them, if at all possible.
However, once the deadline passes, many rebuilding teams — which Cleveland (13-38) and Charlotte (16-34) definitely are — will engage in buyout talks with veterans on expiring contracts. It’s usually a means of doing a favor to the player and/or his agent by letting the player enter free agency and join a team better positioned to win that season.
Because the trade deadline has passed and the player is on an expiring contract, it’s possible (if not likely) that the player could leave the team for no compensation in summer free agency — which means there’s not much downside to his team to let him go now.
If anything, some rebuilding teams might even see a further incentive for a buyout, since sending away a veteran could open up more playing time for younger players, earn goodwill with influential agents, and perhaps also give the team better odds at a higher pick in the upcoming NBA Draft (by losing more games, thanks to the veteran not playing).
Now 28 years old, the 6-foot-9 Thompson is averaging 11.9 points (50.8% shooting) and 10.4 rebounds in 31.0 minutes per game with the Cavs this season. He could potentially replace some of the rebounding void if Houston deals Capela, who ranks fourth in the NBA with 13.8 rebounds per game. Thompson was drafted No. 4 overall in the 2011 NBA Draft.
#Rockets trade deadline mega mailbag: Will Clint Capela be a Rocket past Thursday?
Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Kidd-Gilchrist is best known for his wing defense. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft is averaging 4.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game with the Hornets.
The NBA’s 2019-20 trade deadline arrives at 2 p.m. Central time on Thursday, and buyout negotiations around the league with veterans who are not dealt should begin shortly thereafter.
HoopsHype ranks the five players who have popped up the most in trade rumors over the past week, including Warriors guard D’Angelo Russell.
So far this season, we’ve seen five trades go down, with the most impactful being the Utah Jazz acquiring Jordan Clarkson from the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Portland Trail Blazers landing Trevor Ariza, who has acclimated wonderfully to his new team. Some of the other moves that have gone down include the Dallas Mavericks trading for Willie Cauley-Stein and the Atlanta Hawks bringing Jeff Teague back to play a reserve role behind Trae Young, though neither player has done much for their new club quite yet.
Now, as we enter the home stretch before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, there’s a chance we see the action pick up at least a bit.
Below, HoopsHype ranks the five players who have popped up the most in rumors on the site’s Trade page over the past week.
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
5. D’ANGELO RUSSELL
Scuttle has picked up recently on D’Angelo Russell’s trade prospects, but that doesn’t mean a move is imminent. Rather, we know where it’s possible he could end up over the summer, once the Golden State Warriors have Steph Curry and Klay Thompson back at full health and many believe they’ll look to move their third All-Star guard.
According to reports, the Minnesota Timberwolves continue to be the likeliest landing spot for Russell, due to the fact that they have a massive need at ball-handler and know that Russell is close with their best player, Karl-Anthony Towns.
“Part of the motivation for Minnesota’s Russell chase, quite clearly, is his relationship with Towns. They are close friends. Towns was part of the contingent that pitched Russell hard this summer. The Wolves know that acquiring Russell not only gets Towns his preferred pick-and-roll partner but also buys them time and faith. The Warriors are aware of this dynamic. It automatically bumps up Russell’s market value in conversations with the Wolves. Minnesota has dangled Andrew Wiggins, who is on a similar contract as Russell and fills a greater positional need.”
Andrew Wiggins for Russell might not be the perfect like-for-like swap talent-wise, but it could a good starting point for the two teams. We’ll see where this goes over the offseason.
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
4. MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST
The Charlotte Hornets sit at 16-33 as we approach the trade deadline, five games out of the East’s final playoff spot with little chance of actually making that push to get over the hump. So it’s only natural they’re considered prime candidates to ship out some veterans over the next week.
One such player is Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who is an able perimeter defender and on the final year of his contract, two factors that could make him appealing to contenders.
And apparently, one team has taken notice, as it was reported this week that Dallas has kicked the tires on a potential deal for Kidd-Gilchrist:
Reporting with @rick_bonnell, Mavericks are mulling whether to add a 3/4 defender. I'm told they have "kicked tires" on Charlotte's Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Toronto's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, but purely exploratory at this point. Trade deadline is one week from today.
The 26-year-old defensive specialist might be a savvy pickup for Dallas, as his point-stopping prowess would mesh nicely with fellow wing Dorian Finney-Smith, and his low-usage style of play wouldn’t take away scoring looks from the team’s stars, Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis.
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
3. DEWAYNE DEDMON
Sacramento Kings big man Dewayne Dedmon has already seen himself removed from his team’s rotation, requested a trade, fined, gotten added back into the rotation and reconciled with Sacramento, all within the past month.
Pretty busy stretch for a player averaging just north of six points per game for his career, but such is the way things work in the modern NBA.
Dedmon’s rim-protecting, floor-spacing chops would fit nicely with what Atlanta needs at the 5-spot, and his veteran leadership could help promising power forward John Collins.
In particular, there has been a lot of steam that the Los Angeles Clippers are hoping the Knicks change their mind on keeping Morris through the trade deadline so they can swoop in and add to their frontcourt.
Morris is having a fantastic campaign for New York, arguably his best since reaching the NBA, averaging over 19 points per game and knocking down a career-best 43.8 percent of his outside chances. That, plus his defensive versatility and overall toughness, would make him a fantastic addition to any contender.
But it looks like both Morris and the Knicks are set on sticking it out and agreeing to a long-term contract this summer. We’ll see if that changes.
And as long as the Detroit Pistons don’t lower their expectations on a potential return – they want expiring money and an asset, either in the form of a first-round draft pick or a high-upside, young player – that’s not likely to change, because Drummond, for as productive as he is, doesn’t make much sense as a trade target right now. The All-Star center is on the final year of his deal and wants to get paid on his next contract, so whoever trades for him is committing to not just half a season of Drummond, but at least four or five years of him, at max or near-max money.
Why lose assets on a trade for the double-double machine when you’re also going to lose a ton of flexibility after acquiring him? Especially when they can just sign him this offseason when he hits unrestricted free agency? It just wouldn’t be smart roster-building to trade for Drummond right now – at least not at that price.
Just in case Detroit does lower their asking price, the team that has been connected with him most in recent reports are the New York Knicks, who are desperate for All-Star-level production wherever they can get it.
You can follow Frank Urbina on Twitter: @FrankUrbina_.
