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Porzingis still has the option of playing next season o…

1 year ago – via ESPN
Porzingis still has the option of playing next season on a $4.5 million qualifying offer instead of accepting an offer that can be worth as much as $158 million over five years. The Mavs, however, are confident that Porzingis will play in Dallas for years to come. “It’s not a concern I have,” Cuban told ESPN after the news conference. “Everything so far, all the conversations so far, have been very positive. Unless it’s something that we don’t expect pops up, hopefully he’ll be a Maverick for the next 20 years.”

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More HoopsHype Rumors
February 20, 2020 | 11:23 am EST Update
15 mins ago – via Tim Cato @ The Athletic

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How does unemployment work for an NBA player? I guess I’m wondering how you train. Don’t say what specific gym, of course, but is there a random Dallas area gym that you’re just showing up to. If I had a – I don’t know – Lifetime Fitness pass, might I randomly run into a vaguely familiar 6’7 dude shooting and lifting? Ryan Broekhoff: Yeah, you might, now that we’re back in Dallas. You might see us around some spots. But just using some contacts I’ve made to get somewhere to work out and I guess, not have privacy, but make sure that I can have a free court (so I’m) able to stay ready for whatever does happen next.
15 mins ago – via Tim Cato @ The Athletic

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The Wizards have to maximize all of their other resources, much like the Brooklyn Nets did when they ultimately overcame the disastrous 2014 trade with the Boston Celtics that left them paying a debt of high first-round picks for years. Brooklyn worked around their draft pick blackhole by hitting on late-round selections plus minor signings and trades. And they built a foundation along the way that made them surprising heavyweights in free agency. The Wizards have plenty of work to do, but first-year general manager Tommy Sheppard is already proving his worth in peripheral transactions, the types that turned the Nets around. They may be less-heralded acquisitions, but they can also become major separators between GMs.
15 mins ago – via Chase Hughes @ NBC Sports

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Sheppard has been running the Wizards front office for less than a calendar year, yet he already has an impressive list of marginal moves. Just recently he turned Isaiah Thomas, who was a glaring detriment on the defensive end, into Jerome Robinson, the 13th overall pick just 20 months ago. Last offseason, his first as GM, he flipped Aaron White, a former second-round pick who was stashed in Europe, for Davis Bertans, who has become one of the best shooters in the NBA. He also turned cap space into Moe Wagner and Isaac Bonga, two guys with intriguing potential. Wagner, in particular, has emerged as a building block.
15 mins ago – via Chase Hughes @ NBC Sports

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There are other minor moves Sheppard has made that stand out as good ones. He may have found something in Garrison Mathews, a rookie on a two-way deal who can light it up from three. Anzejs Pasecniks and Gary Payton II have been nice surprises as end-of-the-roster guys. And signing Ish Smith for less money instead of retaining Tomas Satoransky has proven to be a smart decision.
15 mins ago – via Chase Hughes @ NBC Sports

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February 20, 2020 | 9:26 am EST Update

Giannis Antetokounmpo expected to re-sign with Bucks

Given how well the Bucks are playing, every executive we spoke to expects Antetokounmpo to re-sign with Milwaukee. The Bucks are overwhelming favorites to reach the NBA Finals, and falling short of that bar looks to be the only thing that could put Milwaukee’s MVP in play.
2 hours ago – via Tim Bontemps @ ESPN

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This rumor is part of a storyline: 62 more rumors

No max for Brandon Ingram?

What happens with New Orleans Pelicans All-Star Brandon Ingram in restricted free agency is more divisive. Most executives believe Ingram isn’t worth a max contract, which makes his future difficult to predict. “I wonder if [Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin] will hardball [Ingram] and say, ‘Get an offer,'” one executive asked. “Where is he getting it from?”
2 hours ago – via Tim Bontemps @ ESPN

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This rumor is part of a storyline: 5 more rumors
Several people mentioned the Nets could be active in trades. Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen are all names that rival executives believe to be available in some form. They could be attractive pieces for the Nets to package together to land a third star that sends them to the top of the conference. Some also wonder whether Brooklyn will spend big to keep unrestricted free agent Joe Harris this summer.
2 hours ago – via Tim Bontemps @ ESPN

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“He’s had a great year, for sure, but not sure everyone fully trusts it yet,” a league source told The Athletic. “It’s been the most consistent he’s shown his whole career. I think, maybe, $5 (million) to $7 million per year (is what he’ll get).” Then there’s this evaluation … “I would expect him to get a mid-level value, something like $9.7 (million) annually,” an NBA agent said.
2 hours ago – via James L. Edwards III @ The Athletic

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Wood has impressed all year, as a bench man and even as a starter. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer after playing this season on a vet-minimum deal. At the trade deadline, the Rockets and Celtics, two championship-contending teams, made multiple offers to Detroit for Wood, per a source. The 2020 free agency class is considered blah, so don’t be surprised if Wood garners interest from teams with available cap space.
2 hours ago – via James L. Edwards III @ The Athletic

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Storyline: Christian Wood Free Agency
“Without any hesitation or anything like that, I was like, ‘Hell yeah, I’d come back and play for the Lakers,’” Howard told The Athletic following a Lakers off day in early January, shortly after his contract was guaranteed for the rest of the season. “Why wouldn’t I? For me, it was kind of like in my heart I was full of forgiveness towards the fans and how the situation ended. I think after that first stint I was super angry. I hated L.A., I hated all that stuff, but I had to let all that go. And it just made my life better.”
2 hours ago – via Bill Oram @ The Athletic

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February 20, 2020 | 6:52 am EST Update
5 hours ago – via Candace Buckner @ Washington Post

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February 20, 2020 | 6:51 am EST Update
5 hours ago – via Candace Buckner @ Washington Post

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February 20, 2020 | 3:15 am EST Update

Kevin Durant rules out return this year

One day after his mother, Wanda, was seen on TODAY saying, “I know he’s not going to play this year,” Durant told Rooks the same thing. It was his most definitive statement on the subject of his return. When Rooks asked KD if there was any chance he’s coming back this season, Durant first responded, “No, I don’t think so,. Not for now,” Rooks demanded and got a definiite answer. “NO! No. The best thing for me is to continue the rehab, get as strong as I can and focus on next season,” he said, after admitting he’s itching to play.
8 hours ago – via Net Income, Billy Reinhardt @ NetsDaily

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This rumor is part of a storyline: 538 more rumors
Much like in 2016 when Gordon was the tough-luck loser to two-time champion Zach LaVine, Gordon has spent the past few days dealing with the fall out of an event he’s always thought he was destined to win at some point in his basketball career. In the subsequent four days since the Dunk Contest ended, Gordon has heard from countless numbers of fans, fellow NBA players and celebrities in the music and movie industries about a result they felt was wrong. That, in a weird and twisted sort of way, has helped to soothe Gordon’s disappointment over the results, he said. “I definitely feel some type of way about it,’’ Gordon said while carefully choosing his words. “I’m definitely kind of irritated a little bit and a little frustrated, as well. “But it’s OK, it’s really OK,’’ he added. “We’ve got to move on because it’s over now. I think it will be talked about for years and years and years, which is really cool. But at the same time, it’s over.’’
8 hours ago – via John Denton< @ NBA.com

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Storyline: All-Star Contests
Embiid is well-aware of these comments. And recently, he mocked them and shrugged it off as he shot down the speculation regarding his on and off-court relationship with his fellow teammate, Ben Simmons, during an interview with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols. “I was actually right,” Embiid claimed. “A few years ago, I predicted it. I’m sure if you go into the archives and stuff, you can see I predicted the media, with my social media and Ben, [the media] were going to try and drive us apart. At the end of the day, we know what we gotta do. I love playing with [Ben Simmons]. He’s a special talent. I think we can accomplish something special.”
8 hours ago – via Justin Grasso @ Sports Illustrated

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Something that came up with you with this process was getting feedback from others and guys telling you you should go, giving you advice and that kind of brought up the question in my mind of when you have something specifically within the NBA that you’re looking for feedback on or advice on, who are the people you turn to the most? Devin Booker: Just people that I respect the most. Whether that’s a teammate, if it’s my brother, my mother — whoever it is. I said when I first didn’t make the game, a lot of people reached out to me that I never really had a personal connection with and a lot of people I respected. I said after the game Chauncey Billups was probably the most memorable. Like, I grew up idolizing this guy and for him to reach out to me and tell me it was (expletive) and I should be in the game — hearing that from Chauncey “Big Shot” Billups, it means that much more to me. I talked to Dame a lot about it. So, all these guys that have been in your shoes. It’s hard to get advice from somebody that hasn’t been in your shoes. The guys that have been in those situations, they all told me a story of when they got snubbed or a situation like that. But the consistent answer was to get there and enjoy this weekend and that’s what I did.
8 hours ago – via Arizona's Sports Page

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Beilein is, though, first and foremost, his own man. It accounts for his defiant rise through the coaching ranks, from a nobody to a somebody. It also accounts for a high degree of pride, or perhaps ego, and the staunch belief that his way works as long as everyone around him subscribes to it. And there, more than anywhere else, is most likely where you will find the fatal flaw of Beilein’s dalliance in the NBA.
8 hours ago – via Brendan Quinn @ The Athletic

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It should at least be considered that Beilein could be done coaching. He told at least one fellow coach earlier this season that he could not imagine returning to the college game. Of course, comments like that could have just been a product of life on the other side. Or maybe it was hyperbole. Regardless, it’s worth understanding that Beilein’s loyalty has never been to a certain school or a certain level of play, but to the game. Basketball is his true love. Well, that and his family.
8 hours ago – via Brendan Quinn @ The Athletic

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In that room, where he often shouted at guys for sloppy play, sluggishness and poor habits, and tried to find positives in double-digit defeats, Beilein poured his heart out, taking ownership for faults while also offering encouragement. He wanted to get a specific point across. We’re not that far away. Ironically, that perspective was too often elusive for Beilein during his first NBA season. He had a difficult time seeing the bigger picture through the pile of losses. It didn’t matter that Larry Nance Jr. had made more 3-pointers than at any other point of his career. Nor did it matter that second-year guard Collin Sexton had improved across the board and was named a Rising Star. It didn’t resonate that Kevin Porter Jr. was growing into a key piece of the rebuild.
8 hours ago – via Chris Fedor @ Cleveland Plain Dealer

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8 hours ago – via Twitter

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Storyline: Andre Drummond Free Agency
Here’s a list of some potential problem-solvers for the Bulls to look at: • Mark Bartelstein: The former investment banker turned super agent founded Chicago-based Priority Sports and Entertainment, which represents 24 NBA first-round picks. Bartelstein has represented stars such as Bradley Beal, Gordon Hayward and Kyle Lowry. And with franchises such as the Lakers, Warriors and now the Knicks going the way of adding an agent to their front office, Bartelstein makes sense.
8 hours ago – via Joe Cowley @ Chicago Sun-Times

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Ainge, appearing on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Toucher and Rich” on Wednesday, said that he is still friendly with Allen, but while he “no longer holds any grudge against Allen […] that’s not the exact same feeling of everybody in the organization.” “We get along great,” Ainge said. “I’m a big, big fan of Ray. I’ll always be grateful to Ray for the championship that he gave us.”
8 hours ago – via Boston Globe

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After five seasons with the Celtics from 2007-12, Allen entered free agency and rejected a reported two-year, $12 million deal from the Celtics, instead accepting a three-year contract with the rival Miami Heat, where he won a championship in 2013. “These are not my decisions,” Ainge said. “So if someone asks my opinion on this, I’ll weigh in at the appropriate time. But this is [Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck]’s team and he gets to make those decisions.”
8 hours ago – via Boston Globe

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San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan became the first major athlete to endorse a candidate in the 2020 presidential election cycle, appearing in a 30-second ad for former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s campaign. The Virgin Islands native said he’s endorsing the billionaire because of his relief work when two Category 5 hurricanes hit the Caribbean islands in 2017. “Food and water were running low and people on the islands needed help,” Duncan said in the ad. “His team, among many others, acted fast to aid in feeding, clothing, and getting people to safety. And in this, Mike Bloomberg showed his true compassion for helping those in need.”
8 hours ago – via Mediaite

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“That, to me, is the most difficult aspect to deal with — the fact that his remaining daughters are without their dad,” Abdul-Jabbar told USA TODAY Sports. “Gianna is not going to be here with his family. And then there were other families that were affected by that crash. We don’t even understand the loss completely. Kobe was so popular and well known, but that was only a part of it.”
8 hours ago – via Mark Medina @ USA Today Sports

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Storyline: Kobe Bryant Death
February 19, 2020 | 10:01 pm EST Update
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