Chaos in the Middle of a Pandemic: 2020 NBA Off-Season Thread
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Dwight Howard, who was a pillar to the frontcourt this season, and the Lakers have mutual interest in a deal. Among the contenders also expected to have interest in Howard, sources say: The Golden State Warriors.
— After averaging 18.7 points a season ago, Kyle Kuzma adapted to a new role on these championship Lakers. He served as a scorer off the bench and flashed signs of his continued upside. Kuzma will be eligible for his rookie extension this offseason, and could discuss a new deal with the Lakers. The 25-year-old also could bypass an extension and use next season to continue elevating his value prior to restricted free agency. And then there is the option of a trade suitor with several interested clubs.
— The Lakers will hold the No. 28 pick in the Draft, and under assistant GM Jesse Buss, for whom the draft is a specific area of focus, the organization has had tremendous success in the draft over the past seven years.
As for the Miami Heat, there will be the free agencies of Goran Dragic, Jae Crowder and Derrick Jones Jr., and the extension eligibility of All-Star Bam Adebayo. Forward Kelly Olynyk also has a player option for next season at $13.1 million.
Adebayo is entering his fourth NBA season and is eligible for a maximum rookie extension this offseason. Using a $115 million cap estimate for 2021-22, Adebayo’s 25-percent maximum would be $166,750,000 over five years and the 30 percent (designated rookie) max would start at $34,500,000 in year one.
Rival teams are monitoring Adebayo’s extension situation and the aftereffects if Miami bypasses extending their superstar big man. Miami is preparing to go all in on the pursuit of Milwaukee’s two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021 free agency, sources said. There is a school of thought that salary-wise, waiting on Adebayo’s extension would allow for as much space as possible for 2021. But given Adebayo’s presence, leadership and meaning to the Heat franchise, this is a straight-forward conversation between team executives and Adebayo’s agent, Alex Saratsis: A max extension this offseason or not.
The Heat will look to re-sign Dragic, and with the organization prioritizing flexibility it could mean a shorter-term contract offer. After a standout postseason, Dragic also will have several interested parties. There’s mutual interest in a new deal for the Heat and Dragic, who was Miami’s second-leading postseason scorer with 19.1 points per game.
Jones, 23, will be a sought-after unrestricted free agent. Teams such as Cleveland, Charlotte and Atlanta among others are expected to express interest, sources said. The 2020 dunk contest winner had a career season, averaging 8.5 points, four rebounds and one steal in 23.3 minutes a night.
— After averaging 18.7 points a season ago, Kyle Kuzma adapted to a new role on these championship Lakers. He served as a scorer off the bench and flashed signs of his continued upside. Kuzma will be eligible for his rookie extension this offseason, and could discuss a new deal with the Lakers. The 25-year-old also could bypass an extension and use next season to continue elevating his value prior to restricted free agency. And then there is the option of a trade suitor with several interested clubs.
— The Lakers will hold the No. 28 pick in the Draft, and under assistant GM Jesse Buss, for whom the draft is a specific area of focus, the organization has had tremendous success in the draft over the past seven years.
As for the Miami Heat, there will be the free agencies of Goran Dragic, Jae Crowder and Derrick Jones Jr., and the extension eligibility of All-Star Bam Adebayo. Forward Kelly Olynyk also has a player option for next season at $13.1 million.
Adebayo is entering his fourth NBA season and is eligible for a maximum rookie extension this offseason. Using a $115 million cap estimate for 2021-22, Adebayo’s 25-percent maximum would be $166,750,000 over five years and the 30 percent (designated rookie) max would start at $34,500,000 in year one.
Rival teams are monitoring Adebayo’s extension situation and the aftereffects if Miami bypasses extending their superstar big man. Miami is preparing to go all in on the pursuit of Milwaukee’s two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021 free agency, sources said. There is a school of thought that salary-wise, waiting on Adebayo’s extension would allow for as much space as possible for 2021. But given Adebayo’s presence, leadership and meaning to the Heat franchise, this is a straight-forward conversation between team executives and Adebayo’s agent, Alex Saratsis: A max extension this offseason or not.
The Heat will look to re-sign Dragic, and with the organization prioritizing flexibility it could mean a shorter-term contract offer. After a standout postseason, Dragic also will have several interested parties. There’s mutual interest in a new deal for the Heat and Dragic, who was Miami’s second-leading postseason scorer with 19.1 points per game.
Jones, 23, will be a sought-after unrestricted free agent. Teams such as Cleveland, Charlotte and Atlanta among others are expected to express interest, sources said. The 2020 dunk contest winner had a career season, averaging 8.5 points, four rebounds and one steal in 23.3 minutes a night.
More news and notes from around the NBA…
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are willing to take on large salaries from a team to acquire a star player, sources say. Dallas is building the roster around its two stars, Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, and could emerge as a destination for top talent.
Denver Nuggets
Jerami Grant and Denver have significant mutual interest in a new deal, sources said. Grant will decline his $9.3 million player option for next season, sources say, and Detroit, Phoenix and Dallas are expected to show interest in him. Grant has established himself as a starting forward for a contending NBA team, providing 3-point shooting, slashing and defensive versatility. The 26-year-old averaged 11.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in 19 postseason contests during Denver’s run to the Western Conference Finals.
Houston Rockets
Forward Jeff Green helped himself entering free agency this offseason — averaging 11.6 points, five rebounds and 42.6 percent 3-point shooting in 12 playoff games for the Rockets. Green is now expected to receive interest from a slew of contending teams.
As for the coaching hire process, the Rockets are continuing to be thorough and going through the candidates to ensure their choice is right.
Indiana Pacers
Indiana will interview Heat assistants Chris Quinn and Dan Craig soon, trim their pool of candidates to a few finalists for further in-person interviews next week, and zero in on a decision afterward, sources said. The Pacers have interviewed a double-digit amount of candidates, including Pelicans assistant Chris Finch, Raptors assistant Nate Bjorkgren, Chauncey Billups, and former Kings and Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger.
Los Angeles Clippers
Ty Lue is the leading candidate to be offered the Clippers head coaching job, sources said.
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans have four finalists for their head coaching job, including Stan Van Gundy and Ty Lue who are meeting in New Orleans with team officials this week and are seen as the expected choices to be offered the job. Two more finalists are expected to interview next week, sources said. Sources added Lakers assistant Jason Kidd is not part of the Pelicans’ process right now.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Spurs assistant Will Hardy and Thunder assistant Brian Keefe are among the candidates for the Thunder’s head coaching job, sources said.
Sacramento Kings
An expected strong suitor for Kings restricted free agent Bogdan Bogdanovic: The Milwaukee Bucks, sources said. Milwaukee will pursue additional playmaking and shooting this offseason to bolster the roster around their two-time MVP, Antetokounmpo, and All-Star Khris Middleton.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are willing to take on large salaries from a team to acquire a star player, sources say. Dallas is building the roster around its two stars, Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, and could emerge as a destination for top talent.
Denver Nuggets
Jerami Grant and Denver have significant mutual interest in a new deal, sources said. Grant will decline his $9.3 million player option for next season, sources say, and Detroit, Phoenix and Dallas are expected to show interest in him. Grant has established himself as a starting forward for a contending NBA team, providing 3-point shooting, slashing and defensive versatility. The 26-year-old averaged 11.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in 19 postseason contests during Denver’s run to the Western Conference Finals.
Houston Rockets
Forward Jeff Green helped himself entering free agency this offseason — averaging 11.6 points, five rebounds and 42.6 percent 3-point shooting in 12 playoff games for the Rockets. Green is now expected to receive interest from a slew of contending teams.
As for the coaching hire process, the Rockets are continuing to be thorough and going through the candidates to ensure their choice is right.
Indiana Pacers
Indiana will interview Heat assistants Chris Quinn and Dan Craig soon, trim their pool of candidates to a few finalists for further in-person interviews next week, and zero in on a decision afterward, sources said. The Pacers have interviewed a double-digit amount of candidates, including Pelicans assistant Chris Finch, Raptors assistant Nate Bjorkgren, Chauncey Billups, and former Kings and Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger.
Los Angeles Clippers
Ty Lue is the leading candidate to be offered the Clippers head coaching job, sources said.
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans have four finalists for their head coaching job, including Stan Van Gundy and Ty Lue who are meeting in New Orleans with team officials this week and are seen as the expected choices to be offered the job. Two more finalists are expected to interview next week, sources said. Sources added Lakers assistant Jason Kidd is not part of the Pelicans’ process right now.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Spurs assistant Will Hardy and Thunder assistant Brian Keefe are among the candidates for the Thunder’s head coaching job, sources said.
Sacramento Kings
An expected strong suitor for Kings restricted free agent Bogdan Bogdanovic: The Milwaukee Bucks, sources said. Milwaukee will pursue additional playmaking and shooting this offseason to bolster the roster around their two-time MVP, Antetokounmpo, and All-Star Khris Middleton.
Jordan>>LeFrozen
It was written in the Bible
Flex Luger
Job Is Finished
Flex Luger
Job Is Finished
Pistons
This dude needs to be a Laker
Detroit has cap space every year and fukk it up every year
Flex Luger
Job Is Finished
Flex Luger
Job Is Finished
Mid-Level huh
