The Denver Nuggets have signed forward Tyler Cook to a replacement two-way contract, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.
Storyline: Two-Way Contracts
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There are new rules now saying players on two-way contracts are eligible to come to the bubble and also for postseason play. You fall in that category. Does it matter if you’re on a two-way or standard contract at this moment? Michael Frazier: Man, (I’m) just trying to play. I don’t really get caught up in that stuff because I feel like it’ll take care of itself. As long as I’m coming in every day, working hard and doing what the coaching staff and front office ask me to do, I think all that stuff will take care of itself. So I’m not really too caught up into that. I just want to make sure I’m ready to play when my number’s called and I can go out there and contribute and help the team win.
Nuggets adding Tyler Cook
Nick Kosmider: The Nuggets are expected to sign forward Tyler Cook to their open two-way spot, according to sources. Former Iowa standout was with Denver during Summer League.
Erik Horne: The Thunder are planning to sign Devon Hall to a two-way contract, league sources tell @TheAthletic . With Luguentz Dort signed to a multi-year contract this week, Hall fills the Thunder’s second two-way slot.
Jared Harper to Knicks
Shams Charania: Knicks have claimed two-way guard Jared Harper on free agency waivers and waived two-way guard Kadeem Allen, sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
NBA transaction window to include all 30 teams
Adrian Wojnarowski: Sources: The NBA’s “transaction window” starting around June 22 will include all 30 teams — not just the 22 returning to play in Orlando. Teams will be allowed to covert two-way players into NBA contracts and sign eligible free agents for the rest of season.
Erik Horne: Presti on if it was his intent to sign Dort to full NBA contract: “He’s clearly someone we want going forward. That could be something that happens in the short term or later. I don’t know. But we’ll look for ways to make that happen.”
Brandon Rahbar: Presti on Dort’s contract: “We are still awaiting clarity on that. Clearly that’s something we’re focused on. We have plenty of time before we head to Orlando.”
Though players on two-way contracts aren’t eligible for postseason, it’s possible the NBA could change that this year because of the pandemic. According to a source, that has been discussed inside the NBA Players union. If that happens, Gabe Vincent and Kyle Alexander would suddenly become options if the Heat loses a handful of players when play resumes.
The Heat has rights to both Vincent and Alexander this summer. Miami can convert their two-way deals into regular contracts or offer them another two-way deal during the offseason or preseason. The hope is that each will join the long list of Heat development success stories, including Udonis Haslem, Ike Austin, Voshon Lenard, Duncan Robinson, Kendrick Nunn and others. Ideally, Okpala and Silva — and Vincent and Alexander if two-way players are eligible to play in Orlando — would be able to observe in postseason.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver spoke of a possible return once there’s an “all clear” from public health officials, according to ESPN. If and when that happens, the Nets would likely want to use Chiozza in the playoffs, but to do so they’d have to convert him from a two-way player to a standard NBA deal. That would necessitate creating a roster spot for the 24-year-old, which would require waiving somebody. Pinson would be the most likely casualty, a tough one for the immensely popular second-year pro from North Carolina.
Suns waive Jared Harper
The Golden State Warriors have signed Ky Bowman, Marquese Chriss and Juan Toscano-Anderson to contracts, the team announced today.
Bobby Marks: Golden State is signing Marquese Chriss to a two-year contract, league sources tell ESPN.
Wes Goldberg: The Warriors anticipate to convert Marquese Chriss from his two-way contract to a standard one soon, per a league source.
Chris Kirschner: The Hawks have an open roster spot and could decide to convert Brandon Goodwin’s two-way deal into a fully guaranteed contract. It’s still being considered as of now.
Tim Bontemps: Brett Brown says center Norvel Pelle will be active tonight against the Raptors. Pelle is on the final day of his 45-day allotment on his two-way contract. Unless the Sixers create a roster spot and convert his deal, he won’t be eligible to play for them again until late March.
Bobby Marks: 242 jobs have been created as a result of the Two-Way Contract added to the 2017 CBA: 19/20- 82. 18/19 – 74. 17/18 – 86. Every NBA team has 2 on the roster.
Anthony Puccio: The Nets have signed guard Jeremiah Martin to a two-way contract, the team announced.
Ray Spalding to Hornets
Shams Charania: The Charlotte Hornets are signing forward Ray Spalding to a two-way NBA contract, league sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
Josh Lewenberg: The Raptors make the signing of Paul Watson official. He’ll take the 2-way spot of Shamorie Ponds, who was waived earlier today.
Rod Boone: #Hornets have waived two-way player Robert Franks, league sources tell @The Athletic. He has 48 hours to be claimed by a team now.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard Matt Mooney to a Two-Way contract, Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman announced today.
Anthony Chiang: Heat officially announce signing of forward/center Kyle Alexander to two-way contract. Guard Gabe Vincent and Alexander now the Heat’s two two-way contract players.
Kyle Neubeck: Today is the deadline to sign two-way deals for this season, and the Sixers are not planning to convert Norvel Pelle’s two-way contract at this time, I am told. #Sixers like what Pelle has brought to the table but are focused on flexibility heading into the trade deadline.
Wes Goldberg: The Warriors announce the signing of Marquese Chriss to a two-way contract. pic.twitter.com/VBgLmfPNYX
Gina Mizell: Officially official. pic.twitter.com/iSAY8PP9pB
Emiliano Carchia: Raptors to sign Paul Watson, release Shamorie Ponds
Emiliano Carchia: Cavs to sign Matt Mooney to a two-way contract
Chris Haynes: Marquese Chriss has signed his contract, officially rejoining the Golden State Warriors on a two-way deal, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
Chris Fedor: #Cavs are likely going to sign guard Matt Mooney to a 2-Year Two-Way contract tomorrow, league sources tell @clevelanddotcom . He will fill the second Two-Way spot.
Bobby Marks: Two-Way Contract for Kenny Wooten in New York is for two-years (rest of the season and 2020/21). Wooten will have a total of 42 days of service: 24 days from now until 3/28 and 18 days from 3/29 to 4/15. He joins a list of six other Two-Way players under contract for 2020/21.
Tariq Owens to Phoenix
Gina Mizell: The #Suns are planning to sign Tariq Owens to a two-way contract, league sources tell @The Athletic. Owens has been with G League affiliate NAZ this season and played for Phoenix’s Summer League team. Suns have had a two-way spot open all season (Jared Harper has the other)
Heat add Kyle Alexander
Andre Fernandez: Sources tell @TheAthleticNBA that the #Heat will sign rookie forward Kyle Alexander to a two-way contract. @TheAthleticMIA #HEATTwitter
Monte Poole: The Marquese Chriss re-signing is indeed imminent, as first reported by @Marc J. Spears. Was the plan all along, per league sources. Warriors were relieved Chriss went unclaimed on waivers and are very interested in keeping him beyond this season.
Marquese Chriss back to Golden State
Marc J. Spears: The Warriors plan to re-sign big man Marquese Chriss to a two-way player deal, a source told @TheUndefeated.
Shams Charania: Knicks are waiving forward Ivan Rabb and planning to sign forward Kenny Wooten of G League Westchester to a two-way NBA deal, league sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
Ian Begley: NYK was aware other teams had interest in Kenny Wooten – including 1 team that was prepared to make an offer, per SNY sources. So it makes sense that they’d act quickly to create a roster spot for him. They’ll waive 2-way player Ivan Rabb, source confirms. Stadium first reported.
Heat to sign Chris Silva to standard contract
Barry Jackson: Per team source, Heat planning to switch Chris Silva’s two-way contract into a 3-year standard deal on Tuesday. That would give Silva Bird rights after contracts ends and allow Miami to sign a new 2-way player by Wednesday’s deadline to sign 2-way players.
Ira Winderman: Heat to sign Chris Silva to standard contract, with deal to be competed by Tuesday. The three-year deal likely will have option or trigger dates in third year.
Kelsey Russo: #Cavs have waived Levi Randolph, sources tell @The Athletic. Randolph was one of the Cavs’ two-way contract players.
Candace Buckner: And Tommy Sheppard finally on signing Johnathan Williams to a two-way deal: “Johnathan has shown the ability to impact the game on both ends of the court during his time with us and during his previous NBA experience.”
Don’t be surprised to see the Heat convert Chris Silva’s two-way contract into a multi-year standard contract as early as Tuesday, the first day that can happen. The sense I get, from a league-employed source around the Heat, is that there’s strong sentiment toward converting Silva’s deal to a standard contract next week. Silva has only a handful of NBA days remaining on his two-way deal but hasn’t been sent to the G-League a single day this season. Because the Heat is operating under a hard salary cap, Tuesday would be the first day Miami could accommodate adding a player on a standard deal.
Miami could retain his Bird Rights longterm by giving him a deal for three years or longer, an approach Miami took when it signed Kendrick Nunn in April. The deadline to sign a new player to a two-way contract is Wednesday. So the Heat would need to convert Silva’s deal to a standard contract by Wednesday to add another two-way player to replace him.
Chris Haynes: Orlando Magic guard Josh Magette, who is on a two-way deal with his 45 days almost exhausted, will have his contract converted to a 10-day contract, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
Keith Pompey: I’m hearing multiple NBA teams are monitoring @Norvel Pelle’ #2way situation. He has 5 days -including tonight – left toward the maximum number of days the #Sixers are allowed to bring him up for a 2way deal. The plan was for them to sign him to the 15-man roster or …
When he puts pen to paper, Lee will join former Warriors guard Quinn Cook, Lakers guard Alex Caruso and Heat forward Duncan Robinson as two-way-contract success stories. “I’m 27, most people are kind of in their prime,” said Lee, who’s 44 days into the 45-day limit with the NBA club allotted under his two-way contract. “I feel like I’m just starting to figure out who I am and what I can bring to a team, so just taking it and turning it into more years.”
Until Lee signs a standard NBA deal, he’ll have the distinction of being the league’s second-oldest player on a two-way contract. Only Magic point guard Josh Magette, 30, was born before him. “At the end of the day, you want the opportunity,” Lee said. “That’s it, however long that it takes.”
Connor Letourneau: Steve Kerr on what they’re doing with their two-way guys: “We’re just like a drunken sailor with $50 in his pocket. We’re going to spend it until the money runs out.” Added that the team will not be sending Damion Lee to Santa Cruz.
Wes Goldberg: Steve Kerr says “Ky (Bowman) would not be playing right now if D’Angelo were healthy.” Adds that Bowman can benefit from developing in the G League.
The Heat has not decided whether to convert forward Chris Silva’s two-way contract into a standard deal on Jan. 14, the earliest date it can do so under the restrictions of a hard cap. The positive for doing that: It would allow the Heat to sign a different player to a two-way contract; the deadline for that is Jan. 15. (Point guard Daryl Macon holds the Heat’s other two-way contract.)
The reason to hold off on converting Silva: It would leave Miami with about $800,000 in wiggle room under its hard cap if it wants to make a trade before the Feb. 6 deadline. Under that scenario, the Heat could take back a player earning nearly $1 million more than the player it sends out. That option would evaporate if Silva’s two-way is converted to a standard deal on Jan. 14. Silva said the Heat hasn’t shared its intentions. “That’s my hope and dream, to be converted,” he said.
Anzejs Pasecniks to get a full-time contract?
With their eyes on the future, the Washington Wizards would like to move two-way player Anzejs Pasecniks to a standard NBA contract, according to multiple people aware of the team’s plans.
The Warriors are working on a multi-year contract with guard Damion Lee, multiple league sources have confirmed with The Chronicle.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard Levi Randolph to a Two-Way contract and waived forwards Alfonzo McKinnie and Tyler Cook, Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman announced today.
Levi Randolph to Cavs
Chris Fedor: #Cavs are signing Levi Randolph to a two-way contract, league sources tell @clevelanddotcom
Nets Daily: Sarah Kustok says @Timothe Luwawu is “somewhere in his 30’s” on the 45-day limit for two-way contract, suggests that Nets will have to make decision on giving TLC a standard contract.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have converted the Two-Way contract of forward Tyler Cook into a standard NBA contract, Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman announced today.
Chris Fedor: This is when teams are going to make small moves around the margins. #Cavs will be freeing up their second two-way deal by signing Tyler Cook to a non-guaranteed contract. The guarantee date for Cook and McKinnie is Jan. 7. The final day to sign a two-way is Jan. 15. More to come
Marc Stein: Also: Golden State is actively exploring ways to create the needed flexibility to keep Damion Lee on the roster after the 45 days on his two-way deal soon expire. The Warriors have made it clear they want Lee next season but remain hopeful they don’t lose him for long this season
However, two-way contracts in the NBA come with restrictions. Once a player spends 45 days —not games— with the parent club, the team must either give the player a standard deal or send him back to the G League for good. There’s no public accounting of days (which includes games, travel and practices) so we don’t know how many days he has left before the Nets have to decided, but he’s now in the rotation. (Teams have been known to keep two-way players out of practices to keep the numbers down.) So what’s the solution? The Nets could waive Nwaba to open up a spot so they sign Luwawu-Cabarrot. That would also open up TLC’s two-way deal which the Nets could fill and protect one of their more prized Long Island Nets players from being called up by another team. They’d have to do all that by January 15, the last day teams can sign two-ways.
The Miami Heat are on the clock with the two-way contract of Chris Silva and for more than the timing of the deal for the rookie forward. With Monday night’s game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena, Silva has utilized 34 of the 45 days he can spend in the NBA on his two-way deal. The Heat have been able to maximize that total by holding him out of most practices.
The 76ers have to make a major decision on Norvel Pelle. He’s closing in on the maximum number of days (45) an NBA team is allowed to bring up a player on a two-way contract. The Sixers will either sign him to the regular 15-man roster or part ways with the big man.
The Sixers would have to waive or trade someone from their 15-man roster to create a spot for Pelle. Pelle is the team’s best rim protector, if not one of the NBA’s best. The rookie is averaging 2.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 9.0 minutes in his seven appearances. Pelle made his NBA debut against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 29. The 6-foot-10, 235-pounder finished with three points, two rebounds, one assist and a career-high four blocks in 12 minutes, 33 seconds of action.
The Heat will have enough room under the hard cap to convert Silva’s two-way contract to a standard NBA contract starting Jan. 14, and Silva has enough two-way days available to play in every one of Miami’s games before then. The Heat has an open roster spot with just 14 players currently under standard deals. If Silva has his two-way deal converted to a standard NBA contract, that will be another memorable day. But Friday stands alone. “Today has been crazy,” Silva said. “From seeing my mom and catching a good win, all that, it’s crazy. I’m shook.”
Rockets give Chris Clemons three-year deal
Shams Charania: The Houston Rockets and two-way guard Chris Clemons have agreed to a three-year NBA deal, league sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium. Clemons ran out of two-way days and is now signing a full contract.
Tim MacMahon: Sources: G Chris Clemons signed a 3-year deal with Rockets with the second season nonguaranteed and a team option on the final season. Remainder of this season is guaranteed prorated minimum. He was on two-way deal and out of days of service. Has averaged 4.8 points in 20 games.
The Warriors will be sellers between now and the trade deadline. I outline all of that here. The gist: Expect them to make a minor move (or two) in an effort to convert Ky Bowman’s two-way contract to a standard roster spot.
The Oklahoma City Thunder has signed forward Kevin Hervey to a Two-Way Contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Devontae Cacok to a two-way contract, it was announced today. In a related move, the team has waived guard Zach Norvell Jr.
Shams Charania: The Lakers are waiving guard Zach Norvell Jr. and signing forward Devontae Cacok to a two-way contract, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
As a two-way-contract player, Bowman is almost halfway through his allotted 45 days with Golden State. If the Warriors can’t find a way to convert his deal to a 15-man roster spot, Bowman would have to spend the rest of the season with the Warriors’ G League affiliate in Santa Cruz.
An undrafted free agent, Bowman and his agent had been in contact with several teams, including Golden State, New Orleans and Detroit. After spurning a promising football career for a shot to play basketball for a living, he sought a guaranteed contract. They told teams Bowman would not sign a two-way deal. “That was one of my components when I was going into the draft,” Bowman said. “I wasn’t going to sign a two-way contract.”
The Orlando Magic have signed forward Amile Jefferson, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.
The New York Knicks announced today that the team has signed forward Ivan Rabb to a Two-Way contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Rabb, 6-10, 220-pounds, holds career averages of 5.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists over 14.6 minutes in 85 games (18 starts) over two seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies. The Sacramento, CA-native recorded 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists over 14.7 minutes in 49 games (13 starts) with the Grizzlies last season.
Knicks adding Ivan Rabb
Shams Charania: Forward Ivan Rabb is finalizing a two-way NBA contract with the New York Knicks, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
The 6-10, 220-pound Rabb played parts of two seasons with Memphis, averaging 5.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 85 games (18 starts.) Rabb is not with the Knicks in San Antonio. The Knicks backed out of a verbal agreement with Wilkes because of an undisclosed illness. The Post reported they hadn’t ruled out signing Wilkes later in the year. The Knicks’ other two-way signee is Kadeem Allen.
The Chicago Bulls have signed guard Max Strus (Stroos) to a Two-Way contract. In accordance with team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
July 2, 2020 | 10:53 am EDT Update
The next edition of the NBA 2K video game series already has two cover athletes in New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson and Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard. A third iteration of the game will honor late Los Angeles Lakers legend and Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant. The new version, called the “Mamba Forever Edition” will be a special copy available for both current and next-generation consoles for $100. Bryant will be featured on the covers of both games, with him in his No. 8 jersey for current generation consoles and next-generation console editions will feature Bryant in his No. 24 jersey.
Enes Kanter: The whole world knows what I stand for This is what I will be putting on the back of my jersey during rest of the @NBA season My jersey will represent the people & countries through out the ‘WHOLE WORLD’ who are fighting for their rights & their freedom Never Give Up Raised fist @CNN
July 2, 2020 | 9:18 am EDT Update
Do you have a timetable? Like when you say, ‘I’m done’. Jamal Crawford: I don’t know if I have a timetable but I would think for me, it would probably be at some point next season. Like it may not be the beginning of next season, maybe a team that fighting for the playoffs later on in the season. And at that point, probably if it doesn’t happen, I would probably say, ‘Okay, that’s it’.
Booker became a first-time All-Star this season, and was averaging 26.1 points, 6.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 48.7 percent from the floor when the league shut down. Williams envisions Booker aiming to make another push for league-wide respect during this restart. “He wants to go to Orlando and cement himself as one of the better players in the league in a different way,” Williams said. “He made the All-Star team. Now he’s probably got his eyes set on All-NBA, and he’s more than capable.”
Monty Williams did not confirm nor deny if he typically enjoys roller-coaster intergalactic adventures. But the Suns coach emphasized that he will not be partaking in any during his team’s stay in Orlando beginning next week. “We’re not going to ride on Space Mountain and do the Disney thing,” Williams said Wednesday during a videoconference call with local reporters. “This is freakin’ ‘Braveheart’ and ‘Gladiator’ stuff that we are trying to will onto other teams, and that’s the mindset.”
Chris Mannix on Jacque Vaughn: There are a lot of people in that (Nets) front office that liked him a lot. Got former coaching experience, respected guy as a player. I know there was some hoping he would win the job outright.
The New Orleans Pelicans star and the 2019 No. 1 overall pick has been named the NBA 2K21 cover athlete on next-generation consoles. “Realizing that I am going to be on the cover of NBA 2K21 was one of those moments that I am still processing,” said Williamson over a Zoom chat with Sports Illustrated. “I dreamed about being on the cover and for 2K to give me this honor, it means a lot because I have always played 2K with teammates and all my friends growing up. 2K has always been there with me. Looking at each cover and thinking maybe one day I could possibly be on the cover of one of these and for it to actually happen is a lot to process.”
If basketball icon LeBron James gets his way, NBA arenas and other sports venues around the country will be mega polling sites for the November general election. James and his voting rights group, formed this spring with other black athletes and entertainers, are joining with other professional basketball leaders and Michigan’s top elections official to push for mega voting sites to accommodate in-person balloting amid the COVID-19 pandemic. More Than A Vote, the James organization dedicated to maximizing Black turnout in November, shared its plans with The Associated Press on Wednesday after the Detroit Pistons became the second NBA franchise to announce plans to use its arena for voting later this year. In Georgia, Fulton County elections officials this week approved the Atlanta Hawks’ proposal to use State Farm Arena as a polling site. Plans call for the arena to serve as a countywide early voting site ahead of Election Day.
July 2, 2020 | 3:44 am EDT Update
De'Aaron Fox, Kings talking extension
The Kings and Fox already have had conversations regarding an extension, according to a league source. There is no word on the specifics, but salary-cap uncertainty due to the pandemic could make things a little crazy.
Six seasons into his career, Orlando still is trying to figure out how to maximize his talent. He’s still young (24) and wouldn’t mind, at all, being moved. Any deal likely would require some fancy financial finagling, but it’s conceivable.
But if the Knicks never offer it — or if Harkless, who has tasted 33 playoff games in his career, instead wants to join a contender — most analysts and executives I polled believe (especially in the unsure market ahead), he’d fall into the taxpayer mid-level to full mid-level range, which is where a suitor like the Warriors (whose largest free agency tool is the TPMLE, estimated near $6 million) could come into play.
Pacers not adding anybody?
Starting Wednesday, teams are allowed to sign substitutes. The Pacers, a league source said, aren’t in the market to sign one unless they have someone back out before leaving July 9.
Back in 2010, James met with the New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls in addition to the Knicks and Heat as he contemplated his future. It’s easy to forget that James was said to be seriously considering the Knicks at the time. In fact, there was even a strong rumor that LeBron was going to choose the Knicks. So what happened? Bill Simmons said on his podcast that the Knicks’ meeting with James was a “disaster.” “They had a legendary meeting. Donnie Walsh was in the wheelchair, and (James) Dolan was Dolan. And it was just a complete – they didn’t have anything prepared. And it just couldn’t have gone worse, by all accounts. It was a disaster,” Simmons said.
The Decision was incredibly ill-advised and self-indulgent, but we all knew it was coming. Gilbert’s scathing reaction was somewhat predictable, since he found out LeBron was leaving at the same time as the rest of us. But that rally was so over-the-top. I will never forget the look on Pat Riley’s face when they panned to him in the stands. He looked mortified. Riley told me years later he was so busy making sure all the contracts for LeBron and Chris Bosh were in order that he didn’t pay much attention to what the team had planned. It showed.
As coronavirus cases rise in different regions across the United States, commissioner Adam Silver has made clear that the league is monitoring the numbers as it prepares to head for Orlando. Silver has described to league executives on conference calls recently that his goal is for the Disney World campus to be the safest place in the U.S. “We have confidence in the plan that we’ve built,” NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum told players and teams on a call this week, according to sources. “It was designed for this.”
The NBA is developing a phone application called “NBA Campus,” which will be a 24/7 service for players and members of the traveling party in Orlando to have access to food delivery, concierge, barbers, scheduling workouts and more. A player is able to leave the bubble for a family emergency, but must be tested every day still and have a four-day self-quarantine upon reentry.
Upon arrival to the campus, players will undergo a 36-48 hour quarantine period. Here is what players were told would be available to them while they are in their rooms: Food and beverages; entertainment (fire sticks, gaming hook-ups); wellness resources; events/health applications; and special social justice programming.
Operating the three-month completion of the NBA season at the Walt Disney World Resort will cost the NBA more than $150 million, sources told ESPN. The league is housing 22 teams plus support staff at three resorts, has arranged for seven practice courts and is playing games at three arenas during the quarantine. It is also providing meals, daily coronavirus testing and other medical support, security, transportation and entertainment for more than 1,500 people during the height of the event.
Victor Oladipo not sure about playing
Indiana Pacers All-Star Victor Oladipo isn’t ready to commit to playing at the NBA restart in Orlando even though Wednesday is supposed to be the deadline for the 22 participating teams to declare their traveling list of 35. Except, league sources tell IndyStar, it’s not a firm deadline. “Nothing is locked in like a normal roster deadline,” one of the sources said.
Oladipo insisted that his thought process has nothing to do with 2020-21, when he’ll be in the final year of his contract with the Pacers and likely enter the summer as an unrestricted free agent. “I understand this is a business,” Oladipo said. “I’m making this decision based on my health. I want to be at the best form possible.”
Nikola Jokic feeling 'great'
Denver Nuggets All-Star center Nikola Jokic is feeling “great” and is expected to return to the United States in time to join the team flight to Orlando, Florida, according to coach Michael Malone. Jokic had his return to Denver delayed after testing positive for the coronavirus in Serbia, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst reported on June 23. “Nikola feels great,” Malone said in a Zoom call with reporters on Wednesday. “We are working on getting him back here. Next Tuesday we depart for Orlando; the hope and expectation is that Nikola Jokic will be with us on that plane. From everything that I have heard and talked to him, he feels great, he feels fine and is excited to get back.”
The All-Star, who has been asymptomatic according to sources, is one of “multiple” members in the Nuggets’ traveling party to test positive for the coronavirus. The team opted to shut down its practice facility out of caution.
“I’ve heard a lot of people say that there’s going to be, like, a star next to this championship,” Milwaukee forward and reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo said. “I feel like at the end of the day this is going to be like the toughest championship you could ever win because the circumstances are really, really tough right now. So, whoever wants it more is going to be able to go out there and take it.”
Paul shared details on that night in what was the catalyst for the domino effect that before the night ended would lead to the NBA season suspension. Like many of the fan base, Richardson and Miles were watching and noted seeing Paul approach Joe Ingles at center court to ask where Rudy (Gobert) was. Even after nearly four months, the events of March 11th remain confounding for Paul who explained his feelings at the moment. It was crazy, and I tell you a little bit about it, but to tell you the truth it’s crazy man I’m doing a documentary about it, like a movie, like a movie about a sports stop with Antoine Fuqua and Brian Grazer. We doing a whole thing about that like getting perspectives from athletes of what happened.Man, listen, I ain’t never seen nothing like it. Never seen nothing like it.
Jared Weiss: Walker isn’t concerned about going into COVID hot zone: “I think we’re going to be pretty safe and secluded in the bubble.” Kemba: “I’m a single man with no kids, so I’ma be fine. All I do is stay in the house anyways, so there’s nothing wrong with me staying in the room. I’m actually looking forward to it cause I’m ready to play basketball. And it’s going to be set up so we can have fun.”
Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks) unfollowed LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) on Twitter.
Here is how the coaches voted in The Athletic’s anonymous poll. When players received votes at more than one position, they were slotted at the position where they garnered the most votes. It is no surprise that Gobert and Antetokounmpo received the most first-team votes at their respective positions and led all vote-getters in total overall points. Gobert, the reigning two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, ranks fourth in rebounding (13.7 per game) and sixth in blocks (2.0 per game). Antetokounmpo is the top defender on the Milwaukee Bucks, who lead the league in defensive efficiency. The Greek Freak also ranks third in the league in rebounding (his 13.7 boards per game edging Gobert’s average by 0.027 boards per game).
Jalen Johnson | 6-8 | Nicolet (Glendale, Wisc.) HS / committed to Duke Johnson’s more of a playmaker than a big-time scorer, according to the scouts. He’s also more of a big than some of the other guys on this list, albeit one with the potential to become a wing at the next level.
Jamahl Mosley, a Knicks coaching candidate, is in his sixth season on Rick Carlisle’s Mavericks staff. The 41-year-old has emerged as one of the league’s top young assistants destined to take the next step. However, it was legendary coach George Karl — not Carlisle — who gave Mosley his first job in the NBA, hiring him to work out Nuggets players in 2006 for the paltry salary of $25,000. Mosley, a 6-foot-8 star power forward at the University of Colorado, was with Karl from 2006-10, going from player developmental coach to bench assistant coach in their last two seasons together. “I thought he had a great connection with today’s player,’’ the retired Karl told The Post from his home in Denver. “He was hungry. He was big in player development, then toward the end of his time, we gave him scouting reports, game-plan responsibilities. He was really good with basketball intellect and really good with players. That’s the combo you need in today’s world and changing attitudes of the young players.”
Emiliano Carchia: Sarunas Jasikevicius, who was Fenerbahce’s top target after Zeljko Obradovic left, is expected to become the new head coach of Barcelona, according to several reports from Turkey (@ugurozan), Spain (@palauresist) and Lithuania (@jmiklovas)
Raymond Ridder: An incredible writer and terrific person @SteveBHoop . Once we get back to normalcy, I see this free agent being scooped up quickly.
Dwyane Wade: Here’s a thought… just wear your damn MASK!
Detroit Pistons: We are partnering with @michsos office and City Clerk of Detroit’s Office on a series of initiatives to drive voter awareness and participation. The @HenryFordNews Detroit Pistons Performance Center will serve as a voting center for the November 3 election.
July 1, 2020 | 9:33 pm EDT Update
“It’s two-fold,” Neil Olshey said Wednesday. “On one hand, I’m excited to see our guys play again. You know, the season ended so abruptly, we were just getting healthy. We were three days from getting ‘Nurk’ (Jusuf Nurkic) back and Zach (Collins) was on the horizon — he was about three weeks out from returning. At that point, Trevor (Ariza) was in the starting lineup, so the exciting thing is to see the guys out playing basketball again. I missed basketball.”
“I don’t think anyone can be cavalier about the health risks,” he said. “Our players and our traveling staff have tested negative over the course of our two weeks of mandatory testing. But, it’s a concern, and we have family members concerned about us going into the environment. I do think there will be diligence down there. I do think Adam’s (Commissioner Adam Silver) model of trying to make it the safest place in the country, i think the league will do everything in its power to do that. But I can’t tell you that people aren’t concerned about their health.”
Neil Olshey: “Guys have stayed. They are dialed in. They are locked in. They’re ignoring whatever the strength of schedule we’re going to face down there. And they’re going down with the mindset that Day One, this is playoff basketball for us. We’re training and preparing and we’re going to give it our best shot. One of the things that has been consistent with this group is that this is a group of closers. We’ve always been better the second half of the year. It’s a testament to the character of the guys we have and our coaching staff not burning guys out and keeping them engaged and I think you will see that when we get to Orlando.”
Steve Gansey is remaining coach of the Mad Ants at least through Nov. 1. Gansey, 34, the head coach since 2015, reached an agreement with the NBA’s Indiana Pacers, who own and operate the G League’s Mad Ants. His contract was to expire Wednesday.
Gansey’s short-term plan is to scout players from afar with the hope he and the Pacers can reach an agreement for next season, a conversation that may not happen until after the NBA playoffs in October. “I can look at some other G League players and players who were on (two-way contracts) this year,” Gansey said. “You know, there are guys who have played overseas and I can do some scouting on some of these college guys and guys who are going to enter the draft here pretty soon.”
July 1, 2020 | 7:17 pm EDT Update
Luc Mbah a Moute heading to Rockets
Shams Charania: The Houston Rockets are planning to sign forward Luc Mbah a Moute, sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
Howard is currently with his family in Georgia, where he is satisfying the NBA’s home quarantine and testing protocol required of all players that will participate in Orlando, a league source told ESPN. Howard’s 6-year-old son, David, is in his care. David’s mother, Melissa Rios, died of an epileptic seizure on March 27 at her home in Calabasas, California.
