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Here’s the Philadelphia Inquirer reporting on the Sixers, who recently selected Ben Simmons first overall in the 2016 Draft and continue to shape their team for the future:
Shawn Long agreed to a two-year partially guaranteed contract with the 76ers on Friday, according to a league source.
The 6-foot-9, 245-pound post player of Louisiana-Lafayette went undrafted in Thursday’s NBA Draft. Long impressed the Sixers during his predraft workout on May 16.
Every team in the league would love to add a star like Kevin Durant. And although the assumption is still that he’ll remain with the Thunder, there’s no guarantee that he’ll do so. And even if he plans to stay, it makes sense to hear what some other teams have to say. It doesn’t really make sense for him to jump to a team that would blatantly be worse than the Thunder, but what if some good teams find a way to add him and another difference-making star? I still think Durant winds up sticking with OKC. Anyway, here’s the ESPN Boston blog reporting:
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If Boston Celtics fans were disappointed with the lack of a big-splash trade on draft night, it was maybe for this reason only: By not adding more established NBA talent, the Celtics seemingly failed to bolster their recruiting pitch for potential free agents looking for a surefire championship contender.
But make no mistake, there’s no shortage of positives surrounding this Celtics team. And part of the reason that Boston was hesitant to make a move on draft night was to maintain the sort of financial flexibility that would allow the team to make the strongest pitch possible to free agents like Kevin Durant.
ESPN’s Marc Stein reported Saturday that the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, and incumbent Oklahoma City Thunder would be the first three teams to meet with Durant when free agency opens on July 1. The Vertical reported that Durant’s reps were working to solidify invitations from other teams, including the Celtics.
The Orlando Magic have acquired forward-center Serge Ibaka from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for guard Victor Oladipo, forward Ersan Ilyasova and the draft rights to Domantas Sabonis (#11 overall), General Manager Rob Hennigan announced tonight.
“Serge (Ibaka) is a young veteran who brings tremendous athleticism and toughness to our frontcourt,” said Hennigan. “His tireless work ethic and wealth of playoff experience will help enhance our culture and roster. We thank Victor (Oladipo) for all of his contributions both on the court and in the community. We wish him and Ersan (Ilyasova) the best of luck in the future.”
Ibaka (6’10”, 235, 9/18/89) played and started in 78 games with Oklahoma City last season, averaging 12.6 ppg., 6.8 rpg. and a team-high 1.90 blkpg. in 32.1 minpg. He ranked sixth in the NBA in blocked shots scored in double figures 62 times and had 20+ points six times, including a season-high 25 points on Jan. 4 vs. Sacramento. Ibaka had nine double-doubles, led (or tied) the team in rebounding 14 times and had 10+ rebounds 12 times, including a season-high 20 rebounds on Feb. 27 vs. Golden State. He also appeared and started in all 18 playoff outings, averaging 12.0 ppg., 6.3 rpg. and a team-high 1.33 blkpg. in 33.5 minpg., while shooting .521 (85-163) from the floor and a team-best .449 (31-69) from three-point range.
Originally selected in the first round (24th overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft by Seattle (which moved to Oklahoma City), Ibaka has played in 524 career NBA regular season games (413 starts), all with Oklahoma City, averaging 11.6 ppg., 7.4 rpg. and 2.48 blkpg. in 28.8 minpg., while shooting .523 (2,558-4888) from the floor. He has been named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team three times (2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14) and is one of only two players in NBA history to lead the league in total blocked shots for four consecutive seasons (2010-14), joining Dikembe Mutombo. Ibaka has also appeared in 89 career playoff contests, averaging 10.9 ppg., 6.7 rpg. and 2.49 blkpg. in 31.0 minpg., while shooting .513 (402-784) from the floor.
Oladipo (6’4”, 210, 5/4/92) appeared in 72 games (52 starts) with Orlando last season, averaging 16.0 ppg., 4.8 rpg., 3.9 apg. and a team-high 1.61 stlpg. in a team-high 33.0 minpg., while shooting .830 (205-247) from the free throw line. Originally selected in the first round (second overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft by Orlando, he has played in 224 career NBA regular season games (167 starts), all with the Magic, averaging 15.9 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 4.0 apg. and 1.63 stlpg. in 33.2 minpg. Oladipo was named to the 2013-14 NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Ilyasova (6’10”, 235, 5/15/87) played in 74 games (56 starts) with both Detroit and Orlando last season, averaging 10.4 ppg. and 5.4 rpg. in 25.4 minpg., while shooting .371 (96-259) from three-point range. He was acquired by the Magic, along with Brandon Jennings, in exchange for Tobias Harris on Feb. 16, 2016. Originally selected in the second round (36th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft by Milwaukee, Ilyasova has appeared in 527 career NBA regular season games (313 starts) with Milwaukee, Detroit and Orlando, averaging 10.6 ppg., 6.0 rpg. and 1.1 apg. in 24.1 minpg., while shooting .370 (524-1,416) from three-point range. He has also played in 17 career playoff outings, averaging 9.8 ppg. and 6.2 rpg. in 24.5 minpg.
It’s 2016 Draft night, and the biggest news, other than the Sixers making the expected first-overall pick of Ben Simmons, is that the Thunder, who came within one win of reaching the 2016 NBA Finals, are trading power forward Serge Ibaka to the Magic. Here’s the Oklahoman reporting:
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In a draft night bombshell, the Thunder traded Serge Ibaka to the Orlando Magic for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and the rights to first round draft pick Domantas Sabonis, sources confirmed to The Oklahoman…
In dealing Ibaka, the Thunder let go of one of its core members and its long-time defensive anchor. In Oladipo, the Thunder adds a versatile 24-year-old shooting guard who can both score and defend.
The Knicks are going to add some international talent to their frontcourt this offseason. Here’s Yahoo Sports reporting:
Spanish center Willy Hernangomez plans to join the New York Knicks on a multiyear contract this summer, his agent, Andy Miller, told The Vertical.
“It is my intent to reach an agreement with the Knicks and have Willy come to New York for next season and beyond,” Miller told The Vertical.
The Knicks hold the rights to Hernangomez, who was the 35th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard today announced that he has withdrawn his name from consideration for the 2016 USA Basketball Men’s National Team.
“This was a very difficult decision. It’s an honor to have been considered for the team and I hope that in the future I will have the chance to represent my country by playing for USA Basketball.”
Leonard, the 2015 and 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, was a 2016 All-NBA First Team selection. In his first All-Star season, the fifth-year forward averaged a career-high 21.2 points to go along with 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.78 steals in 33.1 minutes while shooting .506 (551-1,090) from the floor, a personal-best .443 (129-291) from beyond the arc and .874 (292-334) from the free throw line.
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The Nets finished last season with a 21-61 record, the third worst in the league, ahead of only the Lakers and Sixers. A Brooklyn rebuild is clearly in order, which is difficult when a team has traded lots of first round draft picks away. But they have reportedly taken a step in the rebuild direction today, as reported by Woj/Yahoo Sports:
Brooklyn has traded forward Thad Young to the Indiana Pacers for the 20th pick and a future 2nd rounder, league sources tell @TheVertical.
Young, a power forward, averaged 15.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game last season and now gets to play alongside star Paul George.
Both the Nets and Pacers could make more moves soon. It’ll be interesting to see if the Nets deal center Brook Lopez, who is their best-remaining commodity.
The core of the Hornets backcourt this past season was Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum. Jeremy Lin, however, played fairly big minutes (26.3 mins/game) but was paid like a guy who sits close to the end of the bench. It isn’t a surprise that he’s seeking a new contract. Here’s ESPN.com reporting:
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Facing a Wednesday deadline, Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin declined to opt in on a $2.2 million player option for next season, making him an unrestricted free agent as of July 1, league sources say.
Lin, who turns 28 in August, averaged 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3 assists over 26.3 minutes per game in his only season with the Hornets. He signed a two-year, $4.3 million contract with Charlotte last July, but the contract contained an early termination option that Lin triggered to explore free agency.
The 2016 Draft is tonight, and rumors will be flying around like crazy all evening. We’ll share the most interesting stories, and we especially like stories that tell a bigger tale even if the deal doesn’t happen — like what a team’s goals may be and what they hope to accomplish. Here’s ESPN.com with the latest:
The Philadelphia 76ers are increasing their efforts to acquire the No. 3 pick from the Boston Celtics in Thursday night’s NBA draft, league sources tell ESPN.
Numerous rivals described the 76ers as the most active team in circulation, with a trade involving Nerlens Noel looking more and more likely.
LeBron James returned to the Cavs, reached the Finals, and then this year won Finals MVP and a championship for Cleveland. Here’s ESPN.com with the latest on the future between him and the squad:
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LeBron James stands to make less money on a one-year contract re-signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers than he could earn by going to the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks or Miami Heat.
It’s an example of the “unintended consequences” that commissioner Adam Silver has discussed of the salary-cap jump coming to the NBA ahead of the 2016-17 season.
James removed doubt about his intentions on Wednesday when he told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, “I love it here in Cleveland. I have no intentions of leaving. There are some technicalities to take care of I’ll leave up to my agent. That’s right from the horse’s mouth.”
Those technicalities include perhaps leaving $3 million on the table if he wants what is his now-customary one-year contract plus a player option with the Cavs, as he’s signed the past two summers.