NBA Rumors Round-Up
NBA Rumors: Carmelo Meets with Jackson, Fisher
Alan is an expert gambling writer who works as one of the chief editors for Basketball Insiders. He has been covering online gambling and sports betting for over 8 years, having written for the likes of Sportlens, Compare.bet, The Sports Daily, 90min, and TopRatedCasinos.co.uk. His particular specialisms include US online casinos and gambling regulations, and soccer and basketball betting. Based in London, Alan holds an MA in English Literature and is a passionate supporter of Chelsea FC.
All posts by Alan DraperUpdated5 hours ago on April 19, 2024
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Carmelo Anthony is slated to sit down with Knicks team president Phil Jackson Thursday night in what figures to be the final meeting between the star forward and team executives before Anthony decides whether to enter free agency this summer, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Their main assertion: Were Anthony to begin his free-agency process next summer, as opposed to this summer, he could potentially earn more money because he’d be eligible to earn a higher maximum value—close to $140 million over five years, rather than $129 million—in his next contract. For the team, there would be the added benefit of better calculating how much salary-cap space would be available to accommodate another star player or two.
New York Knicks president Phil Jackson and newly appointed head coach Derek Fisher met with Carmelo Anthony on Thursday night in an attempt to persuade the star forward to opt into the final year of his current contract, worth $23,333,403.
This comes one day after Brian Windhorst and Marc Stein of ESPN reported that the Miami HEAT are considering strategies to sign ‘Melo to join LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chis Bosh in South Beach.
If Jackson and Fisher persuade ‘Melo to opt in, he will get a big payday, but won’t have the long-term security that comes with a new long-term deal. If he were to get injured, he could lose a lot of money in the long run. However, this option would give ‘Melo and the Knicks one season to see whether the current group of players can be championship contenders under Jackson and Fisher.
The situation is fluid, as ‘Melo has several options to choose from. We will know definitively whether the meeting had any impact by June 23, the last day for Anthony to notify the Knicks whether he will opt in or not.
University of Kentucky forward Julius Randle, considered a top 10 pick, likely needs surgery on his right foot after the NBA draft in June, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
The procedure is expected to keep Randle out six to eight weeks this summer, sources said, but there’s a strong expectation within front offices that he’ll be cleared for the start of training camp in the fall.
Adrian Wojnarowksi reported on Thursday that Julius Randle would likely need surgery to remove a screw in his foot, which was inserted because of a fracture Randle suffered as a high school senior. Randle quickly took to Twitter to deny the report:
I never do this but it was brought to me and it's crazy how people put stories out there and have no clue what they are talking about.
— Julius Randle (@J30_RANDLE) June 12, 2014
No disrespect but check with the actual source next time before you put something like that out there @WojYahooNBA
— Julius Randle (@J30_RANDLE) June 12, 2014
Randle’s godfather and mother also denied the report, stating that Randle would not undergo surgery and that there is nothing wrong with his foot.
“Everything with Julius is fine,” Randle’s mother, Carolyn Kyles, told The Courier-Journal. “There is no surgery scheduled whatsoever. Nothing. They don’t have a clue. They haven’t spoken to us. They haven’t spoken to Julius’ doctor. I know for a fact, because he is my son, there is no surgery scheduled, period, now or after.”
Wojnarowski also reported that Randle could undergo the operation after the draft, and could miss six-to-eight weeks. This would keep Randle from playing in the NBA Summer League, though he would likely be ready for training camp.
Randle is a top-10 pick, and, as of now, it seems his foot issue will not adversely affect his draft stock. However, teams are aware of the issue and will certainly have it in mind when it is their turn to pick. With so many talented players in this year’s draft, Randle is at risk to slip a few spots. But considering the fact that Randle will likely be ready for training camp (assuming he does have surgery), he will likely not slip more than a few spots, if at all.
A day after guiding Maccabi to a 51st Israeli league championship in club history, capping a remarkable season in which the yellow-and-blue also claimed the Euroleague title and the State Cup, Blatt declared that he has decided to leave Tel Aviv after four years as head coach and follow his dream of coaching in the NBA.
“I’m leaving my home, but not my family. I feel that this is the right thing for me to do,” said Blatt. “I’m not leaving Maccabi for a bigger contract. I’m not necessarily leaving for a better place. I’m leaving to follow my dream.”
The rumors suggesting that David Blatt would take a coaching job in the NBA next season have been confirmed. Blatt announced on Thursday that he is leaving Maccabi to fulfill his dream of coaching in the NBA.
Blatt is being linked to assistant coaching positions with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks. The Cleveland Cavaliers are the one team that is considering Blatt for their head coaching position, although he is reportedly competing with at least two other candidates. Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders tweeted:
Hearing Cavs coaching process down to three guys — Ty Lue, Alvin Gentry and David Blatt — ownership will chime in on final hire.
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) June 12, 2014
Lue and Gentry are both scheduled for a second interview with the Cavaliers, and Blatt will likely meet with Cleveland soon.
Sam Amico followed up with these tweets:
1. One thing made clear by Cavs is David Blatt cannot be offered HC job until he meets face to face with David Griffin. …
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) June 12, 2014
2. Blatt's commitment today to come to US could get ball rolling. Sources say in-person interview w Cavs and Blatt likely in near future.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) June 12, 2014
Blatt recently led Maccabi Tel Aviv to the Euroleague Championship. Blatt is highly regarded as an offensive coach and would likely be able to get more production from Cleveland’s talented guards than former head coach Mike Brown did.
