Welcome to Around the Realm, where we look at the top news stories from around the league. If I missed any notable stories, feel free to discuss in the comments!
What are the Celtics doing with Gordon Hayward?
Gordon Hayward and the Boston Celtics had a 5 PM ET deadline today for his player option, but the sides negotiated to extend that deadline. This indicates that the Celtics are trying to work out some sort of trade that could involve Hayward.
Gordon Hayward and the Celtics are working to extend the deadline on Hayward to decide on his $34.2 million player option for the 2020-21 season from today at 5 p.m. to Thursday afternoon, league sources tell ESPN.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) November 17, 2020
The only rumored destination was the Atlanta Hawks. Hayward could sign with the Hawks outright, but if Hayward opts out the Hawks would be under no obligation to pay Hayward $34.2 million.
Yahoo Sources: The Atlanta Hawks are in play to acquire Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward. https://t.co/fYmu59Cu30 pic.twitter.com/EscHXCnSJn
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) November 17, 2020
The Celtics rumors were heavy on Tuesday, even including vague rumor of a deal that might send Kemba Walker to Chicago. But any time you’re dealing with the Celtics, there are going to be a dozen rumored deals for every one deal that actually happens.
The Rockets are trying to get better offers
With James Harden now doing everything he can to get out of Houston (with Brooklyn as his preferred destination), the Rockets are doing everything they can to get better offers.
First they leak that they are in no hurry to trade Harden:
“We’re willing to get uncomfortable,” a high-ranking Rockets source says regarding going to camp and into the season with unhappy superstars. Rockets asking price for James Harden: a young star and massive package of picks. https://t.co/oRH3vNq3z6
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) November 18, 2020
Then they float a possible deal to swap Russell Westbrook for John Wall:
The Rockets and Wizards have discussed a deal centered on Russell Westbrook for John Wall, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. No traction yet, Rockets are seeking more assets.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 17, 2020
But all of this rings hollow when it comes on the same day as a report that Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta is desperate to avoid the luxury tax.
lololololololol https://t.co/FZtppCc0Pj pic.twitter.com/ejeMcL3ufs
— Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) November 17, 2020
Also of note, the Rockets traded Robert Covington to Portland late Monday.
The Rockets are finalizing a trade to send Robert Covington to Portland for Trevor Ariza and 2020 first-round pick and 2021 protected first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 17, 2020
Ariza, still on the contract he signed with the Sacramento Kings, is minimally guaranteed for next season. The move acquired draft picks and shed salary. The actions of the Rockets tell one story, while their words attempt to tell another.
Rodney Hood opts out
Rodney Hood, who was playing really well before a torn Achilles, has opted out of the final year of his contract and will be a free agent.
Portland Trail Blazers F Rodney Hood is declining his $6M player option and becoming a free agent, sources tell ESPN. Hood’s had nearly a full year to recover from a torn Achilles injury and can play right away with a new team.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 17, 2020
Even if he’s fully healed, Hood might struggle to get $6 million per year, but is likely seeking longer-term security.
Andre Drummond unsurprisingly opts in
Andre Drummond was always unlikely to opt out of his deal, but he officially opted into the final year of his contract.
Andre Drummond is bypassing free agency and picking up his $28.7 million player option for next season to stay with the Cavaliers, league sources said
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 17, 2020
Drummond is unlikely to finish this season with the Cavaliers, as they’ll probably trade his expiring contract for smaller contracts or bad money and draft picks.
Players will report to their teams no later than November 30th
Players will need to report by November 30th so they can undergo coronavirus testing before camp begins.
NBA teams will be able to begin group practices on Dec. 4 or 6, depending on arrival track of players. https://t.co/OfIpvshX6J
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 17, 2020
Teams are trading first round picks like as if they’re worthless. I’m guessing Buddy should fetch a first and a ham sandwich.
Is that a Cypress Hill lyric?
Ahhhhh, new thread! That last one was getting long.
Hard to keep conversations going over there.
If the Hawks get Hayward, who does that leave for possible buddy partners?? Phila only???
Among others. There were rumblings about Denver earlier today, but if Harden ends up in Brooklyn I’d guess that Philly goes into panic mode and kicks the tires on a Buddy trade.
In this vein I think bigger pieces have to move first, and also teams with space strike out in free agency for us to begin to have a market. Personally I am very dubious trades for Buddy that are of just equal value in my view, exist. Then again teams are acting a bit hasty and new GMs do have some leeway to take some risk. Not holding my breath though, think it will be tough to find a sensible deal now or later in the offseason.
So how many PFs do we have on the roster now?
Bagley, Bjelly, Parker, Illyasova, Wilson, Jeffries (sometimes), Barnes (most of the time). Pretty sure that’s over half our team. Something’s gotta give, but just buying guys out doesn’t seem like it will help.
Still hoping for that Atlanta trade tomorrow night! Buddy and the 12th for Huerter and the 6.
We get our playmaker and 3 point shooter in Huerter plus the 6th (Haliburton or Hayes). Hopefully that is still on the table. If not call Brooklyn for Prince + their 1st round pick..
I can’t imagine a scenario in which the Hawks absorb Buddy’s contract into their cap space, and send the Kings Huerter and the #6 pick.
I’m going to post the official answer sheet for the lottery on this page, so I can say I was the first one to get it right before the prediction article tomorrow:
This is more of a second round wishlist:
35 – Tyler Bey
43 – Paul Reed
52 – Elijah Hughes
You could be totally right but I doubt it.
I’m totally right
Brian Windhorst said on his pod that Bogi and Giannis have been communicating with one another, and Giannis wouldn’t have asked Bogi to play for the Bucks if he (Giannis) wasn’t planning on re-signing with the Bucks.
What this tells me is that the Kings did pretty well accommodating Bogi’s wishes. Say what you want about ESPN’s RPM, but nabbing the #8 SG, according to RPM, in a S&T for the #14 SG is a pretty good deal under the circumstances. The advanced stats think that DiVincenzo has an innate ability to contribute to winning basketball. I’m excited to see how increased usage impacts his value.
Quotes from Windy and Lowe (paraphrasing):
“It is my understanding…that they are looking to make deals…and they may want to get younger” – Windy
“right now Buddy Hield’s value isn’t high, my guess is they keep him” – Windy
“they didn’t make this [bogi trade] willy nilly as a favor to Giannis” – Windy
“There’s something to that. The message that agents and other executives have gotten from the Kings is not that they’re rebuilding so much, but we’re not rushing..we’re not doing the thing that everyone expects us to do and rush head long to chase the eighth seed and overspend or make a future for present kind of trade. The timeline is going to be more aligned to Fox and Bagley, and now DiVincenzo. So now I think a person I would be calling about is Nemenja Bjelica” – Zach Lowe
Good stuff. I guess this means I need to go listen to that pod. Was this on Lowe’s or Windy’s?
Yes.
I think they were both on each other’s pods this week, but these quotes were from Windhorst’s Hoop Collective pod from yesterday.
This is great thanks RORDOG.
Yeah, I don’t think much of RPM in Milwaukee’s case this past season – pretty clear it’s difficult to separate Giannis’ impact from the remainder of the roster. Four of their SGs are among the top 50 at their position? Brook Lopez is the 5th best center in the league?
It would certainly be a helpful statistical measure if you were, say, trying to pull a much better player from a weaker team.
From what I understand, RPM tries to quantify how well you performed in your role. Playing alongside Giannis may mean you have a very defined role, but DiVincenzo still performed well when doing what he was asked to do.
The concern is that Walton will ask him to do more than he’s capable of now that he’s on a team without Giannis. The hope is that he is capable of doing more when given the opportunity.
I think as with the entire roster, the concern is Luke Walton. I would guess he won’t be here next season but for this year I do worry about the damage he could do to everyone on the roster while he’s here. The precipitous drop in efficiency across the board for many of our best players was alarming.
Yeah I mean the hope is that Walton wasn’t given the tools he needs to succeed. I’m at least open to the possibility that swapping out Vlade/Igor with McNair/Gentry will make Walton’s job easier.
Joerger must have taken those tools with him.
I’m not claiming that Walton is a better coach than Joerger. I’m just saying there’s a possibility that he can be more successful than he was last season if the support structure is better.
That’s my understanding as well. Looking at Milwaukee’s numbers, I’d say that most guys with a pulse would appear to have performed well in their roles.
It may seem I’m anti-DiVincenzo, but it does feel like we bought high on the guy. From the eye test, I’m not really sold that he’s all that as a defender either. And, as I’ve noted, I think the ability to pair him in the backcourt with our franchise guy is limited by both guy’s inability to shoot at a high clip from the arc.
But we shall see.
I don’t think this is necessarily true:
A player needs to be willing to buy in to the team concept, and accept that they’re being asked to do less than what they believe they’re capable of. Brook Lopez is the perfect example. He basically just stands in the corner on offense. I’m sure he believes he can do more near the rim, but the offense is most effective when he does less.
Today the Kings announced the first Discord Server and will feature the NBA Draft which starts with chats at 2-3 pm with Doug Christie & Mark Jones and 4:30 draft. I saw a schedule of events on KCRA 3 news this morning, but can’t find it in writing?
I think this might have something to do with the KingsHearld use of Discord in some way ..
https://www.nba.com/kings/news/sacramento-kings-launch-digital-arena-first-official-professional-sports-team-discord-server
I’m a bit surprised the Knicks gave up the #27 and #38 to move up just 4 spots to #23, especially before the draft. I’d understand it more if at the moment of the #23 there was someone there that they really wanted, but making it before the draft????
Maybe they are looking to package the #8 and #23? It’s gonna be hilarious if they really do go after Westbrook.
This is so Knicks.
I think Houston is going to completely implode, it’s just a question of when. Apparently the players, including Westbrook and Harden, don’t like the owner’s politics. Combine that with their desire to penny pinch, I doubt they’ll be in the playoffs after next year, assuming they decide to hold onto Harden to start the season.
I’m not sure its just the players that don’t care for the owner, maybe McNair had a clue as well
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