NBA Rumors - HoopsRumors.com

Draymond Green Targeting March 14 Return

March 7th, 2022 at 10:57pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Warriors forward Draymond Green expects to return next Monday, March 14 against Washington, he said on his podcast (video link; hat tip to Marc Stein).

“That is the day I’m targeting,” Green said. “It’s been almost two-and-a-half months. I’ve never missed that much time during a season. … This is something different for me. I’m excited to get back out there with my guys to try to help right the ship.”

Green has been sidelined since early January due to a back injury. Golden State could certainly use the boost. The team has lost five straight and nine of its last 11 games.

The Warriors have three more games before Green’s target date — home games against the Clippers on Tuesday and the Bucks on Saturday sandwiching a road stop in Denver on Thursday.

The Warriors were 29-7 before Green was forced to the sidelines. He was averaging 7.9 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.4 SPG and 1.2 BPG in 34 games.

Green’s defensive presence has been sorely missed, especially in recent games. The Warriors have allowed 122 or more points in their last four contests.

Atlantic Notes: Nets, Noel, Jordan, Raptors

March 7th, 2022 at 10:11pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Nets would have to go on a major winning streak to escape the play-in tournament. Winding up in that extra round could have major offseason consequences, Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes. Coach Steve Nash could find his job in jeopardy, despite all the obstacles he’s been forced to deal with this season. The roster could be overhauled, as Lewis notes only six players have guaranteed contracts for next season and two others can opt out of their deals.

We have more from the Atlantic Division:

Knicks center Nerlens Noel did not play on Sunday due to plantar fasciitis and he could be out for an extended period, according to The New York Post’s Marc Berman. Coach Tom Thibodeau said Noel would not play until he recovered from the foot ailment and got some regular practice time. Noel has played in just 25 games due to an assortment of knee, hamstring and foot injuries. He signed a three-year, $27.7MM contract last summer with a team option for the final year.
DeAndre Jordan said his prior relationships with coach Doc Rivers and starters James Harden and Tobias Harris, plus the need for a backup center, made the Sixers an easy choice after he cleared waivers, Tim Bontemps of ESPN tweets. Jordan heaped praise on his former Clippers coach, Gina Mizell of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. “He’s the best coach I’ve ever had, he’s more than a coach to me … when a new player comes to a team, it’s always everybody trying to get them to feel acclimated, but with Doc, he’s gonna curse me out like I’ve been here all season,” said Jordan, who played 10 minutes in his Sixers debut on Monday.
The Raptors’ loss to the Cavaliers on Sunday makes it seem almost inevitable that Toronto will wind up in the play-in tournament, Josh Lewenberg of TSN Canada writes. The defeat dropped Toronto three games behind Cleveland, which sits in sixth place in the East and also holds a tiebreaker advantage over the Raptors.

Southeast Notes: Hayward, McDaniels, Collins, Highsmith, Young

March 7th, 2022 at 9:00pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Hornets forward Gordon Hayward, who has been out since February 7 with sprained ligaments in his left ankle, is making steady progress though there’s still no timetable for his return, Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer reports.

Hayward has shed his walking boot and coach James Borrego is hopeful by the end of the week that Hayward will make “serious progress.”

“He’s pushing it, he’s headed in the right direction,” Borrego said. “Where that leaves us, I don’t know yet. But what I can say is he’s making positive progress and hopefully we’ll have a better update here soon.”

Jalen McDaniels, who has been out since January 21 due to a sprained left ankle, is listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game against the Nets.

We have more from the Southeast Division:

Hawks forward John Collins returned to action over the weekend after missing seven games due to a right foot strain. That doesn’t mean the injury has completed healed, according to Sarah Spencer of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I definitely feel like it’s going to be a process to get back to 100% as it is with anything, but I’m just trying to do my best to maintain and damage control, if you will, to just make sure I’m healthy and ready to go enough to do well for my team,” Collins said.
The Heat have opted to retain Haywood Highsmith on a three-year contract. They’d like to see him develop into a P.J. Tucker-type forward, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald writes. The team has Highsmith focusing on “defense and shooting threes” to resemble “a little bit of P.J. Tucker,” Highsmith told Chiang.
Though the Hawks are struggling to reach the .500 mark, Trae Young believes they can make another deep and surprising run in the postseason, as he told Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. “I feel like we can beat anybody if you put us in a seven-game series and give us a chance to look at you,” Young said. “We have talent and smart-enough guys to make some noise. I feel confident.”

Community Shootaround: Rookie Of The Year

March 7th, 2022 at 7:42pm CST by Dana Gauruder

A majority of the teams in last year’s lottery have received an immediate boost from their draft picks. While it remains to be seen whether any of these players will be considered superstars during their careers, there was clearly plenty of talent at the top.

That has led to a spirited chase for the Rookie of the Year award. There are plenty of worthy candidates, so with fewer than 20 games left on regular-season schedule, let’s take a look at their credentials:

Cade Cunningham – After a slow start, Cunningham has established himself as a player the Pistons can build around. He leads all rookies at 16.3 PPG and ranks second in assists (5.1 per game) and fourth in rebounds (5.8). During crunch time, coach Dwane Casey has put the ball in Cunningham’s hands, trusting that the top pick in the draft will deliver.
Evan Mobley – The Cavaliers have been the league’s biggest surprise and a lot of that success can be attributed to the addition of Mobley. He’s fifth among rookies in scoring (14.6) and first in rebounding (8.2) and blocked shots (1.7). The No. 3 selection in the draft has lived up to his billing as the draft class’ top big man.
Scottie Barnes – Barnes leads all rookies in minutes per game (35.4), showing coach Nick Nurse’s trust in him. He’s fourth among rookies in scoring (14.9), third in rebounding (7.6) and tied for third in assists (3.3). The fourth pick in the draft should be a fixture with the Raptors for many seasons.
Josh Giddey – A bit of an unknown after playing last season in Australia, Giddey has displayed the ability to rack up triple doubles on any given night. The Thunder guard leads all rookies at 6.4 APG. He’s also seventh in scoring (12.5) and second in rebounding (7.8).
Franz Wagner – The eighth pick in the draft, Wagner ranks second among his peers in scoring (15.6 PPG) and 3-point shooting (37.2%). He’ll continue to be a matchup problem for Magic opponents.
Jalen Green – Like Cunningham, Green had some early shooting struggles but has come on strong. The Rockets guard and No. 2 overall selection has moved into third place (15.3 PPG) on the scoring list. He’s also advancing as a playmaker, contributing 15 assists in the last three games.
Herbert Jones – While his counting stats are not as impressive as more heralded prospects, Jones has become a defensive stalwart for the Pelicans. The second-round pick is averaging 30.1 MPG while often being assigned to the opponent’s main offensive threat.

That leads us to our question of the day: Who is your current selection for Rookie of the Year and what makes him stand out among all other first-year players?

Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.

Latest On Lakers: Jackson, Buss, Pelinka, James, Bryant, Westbrook, Vogel

March 7th, 2022 at 6:25pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Former Lakers coach Phil Jackson has been in frequent contact with owner Jeanie Buss regarding team matters all season long, according to The Athletic’s Bill Oram and Sam Amick.

It’s uncertain if Jackson, Buss’ ex-fiance, will eventually take a formal role in the future. However, she has relied upon trusted members of her inner circle throughout the team’s tumultuous season and will continue to lean on them to map out the franchise’s offseason approach. Jackson has taken a particular interest in the what The Athletic duo describes as the often uncomfortable dynamics surrounding the Russell Westbrook situation.

It’s unlikely that there will be a change at the top of the team’s front office structure, according to Oram and Amick. GM Rob Pelinka still has Buss’ full support and trust. Kurt Rambis, who works alongside Pelinka as a senior basketball advisor, also remains a strong and trusted voice with the organization.

The story also delves into several other hot topics regarding the Lakers:

Among LeBron James‘ inner circle, there are already discussions about the roster and what can be done to fix it for next season. Buss is eager to maintain the trust of James and wants to keep her biggest star happy. The post-All-Star break meeting with James’ representative, super-agent Rich Paul, was aimed at keeping both sides on good terms and quelling any controversies regarding James’ future. Sources close to James insist he does not have issues with the team’s power structure, per Oram and Amick.
Kobe Bryant, who was represented by Pelinka, would have been offered a hands-on role in the front office by Buss if not for his untimely death.
Coach Frank Vogel will likely be fired unless the team makes a surprising postseason run, per Oram and Amick. However, no final decision has been made.
The coaching staff made an unsuccessful push for Westbrook to be traded, according to The Athletic’s duo, who also confirm reports that there’s a growing disconnect between the point guard and the staff, even though Vogel has kept him in the starting lineup.

Victor Oladipo To Make Season Debut Tonight

March 7th, 2022 at 5:16pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Victor Oladipo will make his season debut for the Heat tonight, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel tweets. Oladipo’s court time will be limited to approximately 15 minutes, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald tweets.

“This is more about just celebrating that he’s healthy,” coach Erik Spoelstra told the assembled media prior to the home game against the Rockets.

It was reported on Thursday that Oladipo would likely return to action tonight.

Oladipo, who has been rehabbing from quad tendon surgery, has only played four games with Miami since being acquired last March from the Rockets. He recently participated in three practices with the G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce.

Oladipo, who will likely play backup at point guard behind Kyle Lowry, was signed to a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal last offseason and will re-enter the free agent market this summer. He’ll now get a chance to re-establish his value after a lengthy absence.

Oladipo played 33 games last season with Indiana, Houston and Miami, averaging 19.8 points on 41% shooting. His last healthy season was the 2017/18 campaign, when he averaged a career-high 23.1 points and 2.4 steals in 75 games (34.0 MPG). He also shot 47.7% from the floor and 37.1% from deep that season.

Free Agent Stock Watch: Southeast Division

March 7th, 2022 at 4:00pm CST by Luke Adams

For the rest of the regular season and postseason, Hoops Rumors is taking a closer look at players who will be free agents or could become free agents this offseason. We consider whether their stock is rising or falling due to their performance and other factors. Today, we’re focusing on a handful of Southeast players.

P.J. Tucker, F, Heat

2021/22: $7MM
2022/23: $7.35MM player option
Stock: Up ⬆️

Tucker will turn 37 years old in May, and there aren’t many non-stars in the NBA who could realistically turn down a $7.35MM guarantee at that age. Tucker might be in position to do so though. He has been everything the Heat hoped for this season, starting 56 games, playing stellar defense, and knocking down a career-high 44.9% of his three-point attempts. If that performance carries over to the postseason and he plays a key role in a deep playoff run, Tucker could realistically command one more multiyear contract this summer.

Mohamed Bamba, C, Magic

2021/22: $7.57MM
2022/23: RFA
Stock: Up ⬆️

Entering 2021/22, Bamba was facing a make-or-break year. He had battled injuries and failed to take major steps forward in his first three seasons after being drafted sixth overall in 2018. If this season had resembled his first three, he would’ve been hard-pressed to find more than a minimum-salary deal during his upcoming free agency.

Bamba has responded to the challenge, starting 52 games so far for a rebuilding Magic team and establishing new career highs in PPG (10.2), RPG (7.9), BPG (1.8), and MPG (26.1), among other categories. While he hasn’t yet reached the level that some envisioned when he was drafted, his ability to protect the rim and hit the occasional three-pointer (34.5% on 3.6 attempts per game) should make him a popular target for teams in need of a center this offseason.

Bamba will be a restricted free agent if Orlando extends him a $10.1MM qualifying offer. I expect the Magic will do so unless they don’t see Bamba as part of their future.

Thomas Bryant, C, Wizards

2021/22: $8.67MM
2022/23: UFA
Stock: Down ⬇️

Bryant hasn’t been bad since returning to action following his recovery from a torn ACL, but he hasn’t been the same player he was prior to the injury in 2019-21, when he averaged 13.4 PPG and 7.0 RPG with a .411 3PT%.

The Wizards have a -11.7 net rating when Bryant plays this season, compared to a -1.2 mark when he doesn’t. And there’s no guarantee he’ll see consistent minutes the rest of the way if Kristaps Porzingis stays healthy — Bryant was a DNP-CD in Porzingis’ Wizards debut on Sunday.

Gorgui Dieng, F/C, Hawks

2021/22: $4MM
2022/23: UFA
Stock: Down ⬇️

The Hawks presumably envisioned Dieng being a regular part of the frontcourt rotation when they used part of their mid-level exception to sign him last summer. And for a while, he was.

Dieng played in 28 of Atlanta’s first 33 games, but following a stint in the health and safety protocols and the emergence of Onyeka Okongwu, his role has all but disappeared. Dieng has only appeared in 12 of the team’s last 30 games, logging more than eight minutes just three times during that stretch. At this point, it’s hard to imagine the 32-year-old getting another offer above the minimum this summer.

Cody Martin, G/F, Hornets

2021/22: $1.78MM
2022/23: RFA
Stock: Up ⬆️

Cody’s twin brother Caleb Martin has gotten more press for his breakout year in Miami, but Cody has also taken his game to another level this season. He has averaged career highs virtually across the board, putting up 8.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.3 SPG and a .465/.406/.692 shooting line while playing an important role in Charlotte’s rotation.

While he’s probably not in line for a massive payday, Cody has assured himself of a qualifying offer (it’ll likely be worth $2.23MM) and should have some leverage to negotiate a multiyear deal with the Hornets, who won’t want to lose him in unrestricted free agency in 2023.

Jayson Tatum, Karl-Anthony Towns Named Players Of The Week

March 7th, 2022 at 2:38pm CST by Luke Adams

Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has been named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for February 28 through March 6, while Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns has won the award for the Western Conference, the NBA announced today (via Twitter).

It’s the second time this season that Tatum and Towns have earned Player of the Week honors in the same week — they also both won the award on December 20.

Tatum led the Celtics to a 3-0 week, with home wins over Atlanta, Memphis, and Brooklyn. He averaged 41.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 5.0 APG on .525/.406/.844 shooting in 39.7 MPG in those three games, capped off by a 54-point explosion vs. the Nets on Sunday.

Towns’ Timberwolves, meanwhile, enjoyed a 4-0 week, with victories over Cleveland, Golden State, Oklahoma City, and Portland. The three-time All-Star led the way with 28.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, and 1.3 BPG on 64.1% shooting in just 31.5 minutes per contest.

Tatum beat out fellow nominees Saddiq Bey, Darius Garland, Tyler Herro, Jrue Holiday, Tyrese Maxey, Terry Rozier, and Trae Young in the East. The other Western Conference nominees were De’Aaron Fox, Brandon Ingram, LeBron James, Donovan Mitchell, and Ja Morant (Twitter link).

Jarrett Allen Fractures Finger, Out Indefinitely

March 7th, 2022 at 2:29pm CST by JD Shaw

MARCH 7: The Cavaliers have confirmed that Allen, who left Sunday’s game due to a left quad contusion, was later diagnosed with a fracture in his left middle finger (Twitter link). That’s his non-shooting hand.

The big man will undergo additional evaluation and treatment, according to the Cavs, who add that no timetable has been set for his return to basketball.

MARCH 6: Cavaliers All-Star center Jarrett Allen has sustained a fractured finger and is expected to be out indefinitely, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).

Allen suffered the injury during Cleveland’s game against Toronto on Sunday. He exited the contest due to a left quad contusion, however, finishing the night with six points and two rebounds in 10 minutes. The Cavaliers ended up winning the game 104-96.

Allen has appeared in 55 of the team’s 64 games this season. He has averaged a career-high 16.3 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks during his first All-Star campaign, shooting an efficient 68% from the floor.

The Cavaliers have upcoming games against the Pacers on Tuesday, Heat on Friday and Bulls on Saturday. Should Allen miss multiple games, big men Kevin Love, Dean Wade and Ed Davis are candidates to receive more playing time.

And-Ones: MVP Race, Fenway Sports Group, 2022 Draft

March 7th, 2022 at 2:16pm CST by Luke Adams

The 2021/22 MVP race is one for the ages, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic, who contends that we “aren’t talking about it nearly enough.” As Hollinger outlines, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Sixers center Joel Embiid are each in the midst of a historic season and would be a clear MVP frontrunner if it weren’t for the presence of the other two.

If the season ended today, Hollinger notes, Jokic (32.3) and Antetokounmpo (32.0) would have the two highest single-season PERs in NBA history, while Embiid’s (31.0) would also make the top 10. Hollinger says he’d pick Jokic for MVP if forced to decide right now, but with over a month left in the season, there’s still plenty of time for Antetokounmpo and Embiid to strengthen their cases.

Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:

Gerry Cardinale, a shareholder in Fenway Sports Group, says that adding an NBA franchise is “a real top priority” for the massive Boston-based firm, as Michael Silverman of The Boston Globe writes. The FSG conglomerate already owns MLB’s Boston Red Sox, the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Premier League’s Liverpool FC.
Wake Forest guard Alondes Williams, Kansas guard Christian Braun, and Colorado State forward David Roddy are among the best bets to further improve their draft stock with strong performances to finish out the NCAA season, says Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report. Wasserman also singles out four other prospects who are candidates to rise up draft boards in the coming weeks.
Touching on several stories from around the NBA in his latest article for The Ringer, Kevin O’Connor makes a case for why the Knicks should lean more heavily on their young players, breaks down what Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans have brought to the Mavericks, and praises the work the Rockets have done developing their rookies this season. O’Connor also argues that the NBA should tweak its playoff format to allow top seeds to pick their first-round opponents.

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