Hoops Wire

Tag: Kevin McCullar Jr

  • NBA Rumors: Raptors, Ja Morant, Kings, Trae Young, Knicks

    NBA Rumors: Raptors, Ja Morant, Kings, Trae Young, Knicks

    Ja Morant, Grizzlies, Duncan Robinson, Pistons, NBA
    AP

    Raptors/Kings

    Ja Morant has officially become the name to circle in NBA trade conversations.

    With Memphis now open to listening on its franchise point guard, rival teams are doing the quiet math. In his latest for The Stein Line, Marc Stein writes that league executives are watching the Raptors closely.

    Toronto’s previously reported interest in big-name upgrades such as Trae Young, Anthony Davis and Domantas Sabonis has created a belief in some circles that there is internal pressure to pivot toward a win-now move — and Morant fits that profile.

    The Kings remain a more complicated case. Publicly, the message has been restraint.

    Privately, Stein notes that Sacramento’s interest could change if Memphis were willing to consider a framework built around DeMar DeRozan, rookie guard Devin Carter, and draft capital.

    Carter, the 13th pick in the 2024 draft, has struggled to find footing, averaging just 8.4 minutes per game.

    Morant, meanwhile, has appeared in 18 games this season, posting 19.0 points and 7.6 assists while shooting 40.1 percent from the field and 20.8 percent from three.

    Wizards

    One lingering subplot from Washington’s trade for Trae Young is whether the Wizards ultimately extend him.

    Stein reports there are growing rumblings that Young could land a two-year extension, noting that Atlanta’s refusal to offer one played a significant role in his exit.

    With Young widely expected to see little, if any, action during the second half, Washington may lean on Toronto’s handling of Brandon Ingram last season if the league raises concerns.

    Ingram never suited up for the Raptors, with the team citing an ankle injury throughout.

    Knicks

    The Knicks have struggled to regain momentum since winning the NBA Cup, dropping five of their last six games.

    Stein reports New York is unlikely to move any core pieces but is open to tinkering on the margins. Forward Guerschon Yabusele and second-year wing Pacome Diadet are both available.

    Yabusele has yet to find consistency in Mike Brown’s system, while Diadet has seen his role shrink behind younger options such as Mohamed Diawara and Kevin McCullar Jr.

  • NBA Moves: Mavericks, DPEs, Hawks, Malik Williams, Knicks

    NBA Moves: Mavericks, DPEs, Hawks, Malik Williams, Knicks

    Dereck Lively II, Mavericks, NBA
    Getty

    Mavericks

    The Mavericks have received disabled player exceptions for both Dereck Lively II and Dante Exum, per Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

    The DPEs are worth $2,626,680 for Lively and $1,148,137 for Exum, amounts equal to roughly half of each player’s salary. They’re modest, but they do give Dallas some added flexibility later in the season.

    The Mavericks applied for the exceptions late last month after both players were ruled out for the year. Lively, 21, has dealt with recurring right foot issues since suffering a fracture last January. He missed time early in the season with a knee sprain before undergoing season-ending foot surgery earlier this month.

    After playing a key role in Dallas’ Finals run as a rookie, Lively appeared in just seven games this season, averaging 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks.

    Exum, 30, didn’t play at all this season due to complications from an offseason knee procedure and required follow-up surgery earlier this month.

    Even with the exceptions, Dallas can’t exceed the second-apron hard cap and currently sits about $1.29 million below it. The Mavericks have until March 10 to use either DPE.

    Hawks

    The Hawks have waived center Malik Williams, who had been on a two-way contract.

    Because the move was made before the league-wide guarantee date, Williams will receive only a prorated portion of his salary. The former Louisville standout spent most of his time with the G League’s College Park Skyhawks and appeared in three games for Atlanta without logging any minutes.

    Assuming he clears waivers, Williams is expected to return to College Park, which still holds his G League rights, according to Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

    Atlanta now has an open two-way slot alongside Caleb Houstan and RayJ Dennis.

    Knicks

    The Knicks plan to waive forward Tosan Evbuomwan, reports Ian Begley of SNY.

    Evbuomwan, an Ivy League Player of the Year at Princeton, is on a two-way deal and will be cut before his salary becomes fully guaranteed. He appeared in five games for New York, all in garbage time.

    Though he’ll receive only a prorated portion of his two-way salary, Evbuomwan earned a $265,467 bonus from the Knicks’ NBA Cup win, nearly offsetting the difference.

    If unclaimed, he’ll become a free agent Friday, and New York will open a two-way spot alongside Kevin McCullar Jr. and Trey Jemison.

  • Knicks waiting on Josh Hart as lineup shuffles continue

    Knicks waiting on Josh Hart as lineup shuffles continue

    Josh Hart, New York Knicks, NBA
    File photo

    The Knicks will be without Josh Hart a bit longer.

    Hart will miss at least another week as he continues to recover from a sprained right ankle, the team announced, via Ian Begley of SNY.tv. He has begun light on-court work and will be reevaluated again in a week. The 30-year-old has been sidelined since injuring the ankle on December 25.

    Hart’s absence has been part of a broader stretch of lineup shuffling for New York.

    Mitchell Robinson missed his third straight game Friday due to what the team has described as left ankle injury management, according to Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News. The Knicks say Robinson has not suffered any setbacks.

    “We’d rather have him than not,” head coach Mike Brown said. “When we do, he protects us on the back side in a lot of different ways.”

    Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns was a late scratch Friday due to illness. He went through warmups but ultimately ruled himself out, Steve Popper of Newsday reported. It marked the third missed game of the season for the five-time All-Star.

    With Hart sidelined, second-year wing Kevin McCullar Jr. has seen increased minutes and earned praise from Brown for his physicality and feel for the game.

    “He does all the little things,” Brown said, via Jared Schwartz of the New York Post. “His toughness, his physicality without fouling, his ability to read matchups. That stuff matters.”

    The Knicks continue to lean on depth and adaptability as they wait for key pieces to work their way back.

  • NBA Notes: Jazz, Kevin Love, Knicks, Alex Len, Timberwolves

    NBA Notes: Jazz, Kevin Love, Knicks, Alex Len, Timberwolves

    Kevin Love, Heat, NBA, Jazz
    File photo

    Jazz

    Kevin Love wants to play for a contender. Everybody knows it. But according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the veteran forward and the Jazz haven’t gotten serious about a buyout.

    There’s no post-buyout landing spot waiting for him either, which explains why the situation hasn’t moved forward. So for now, Love is staying put in Utah, with the start of training camp a week away.

    Several league sources have told Hoops Wire that they expect Love to be there, with the Jazz, barring a last-minute buyout arrangement.

    Knicks

    The Knicks aren’t done tinkering. Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reports that New York will work out a pair of former Lakers bigs — Alex Len and Trey Jemison III. They’re also set to take another look at Dennis Smith Jr., who hasn’t had a team since leaving Real Madrid in February.

    New York can carry up to 21 players into camp. Right now, 12 standard roster spots are filled, with second-round pick Mohamed Diawara expected to join them on a standard deal. Kevin McCullar Jr. has a two-way qualifying offer.

    The real intrigue: veterans Malcolm Brogdon, Landry Shamet, and Garrison Mathews. All three are in camp on non-guaranteed deals.

    But because of the apron, only one can stick without a trade to shed salary. The Knicks could still move a player or two to clear space and keep more than one.

    Timberwolves

    Minnesota has officially signed Johnny Juzang to a one-year deal, the team announced. Chris Hine of The Star Tribune adds it’s a non-guaranteed contract, meaning Juzang will fight for a roster or two-way spot in camp.

    Juzang, 24, spent the last three years with Utah after going undrafted out of UCLA. He broke into the rotation last season, averaging 8.9 points in nearly 20 minutes a game across 64 appearances.

    He shot the ball well (.429/.376/.849), but his defense was another story. Utah had the league’s worst defense and Juzang posted one of the lowest defensive ratings on the roster.

    The Wolves now have 16 players under contract, with room to add more on two-way deals.

  • Knicks Preview: Expectations Higher Than Ever After Additions Of Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges

    Knicks Preview: Expectations Higher Than Ever After Additions Of Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges

    Knicks Preview

    A look at the New York Knicks entering the 2024-25 season …

    Overview

    The Knicks entered the offseason looking to build on their promising playoff run, but injuries and a barrage of Indiana jumpers left them short of the Eastern Conference Finals. So, what did they do? They opened up the checkbook. A treasure trove of first-round picks for Mikal Bridges, a jaw-dropping five years and $212.5 million for OG Anunoby, and another $156.5 million for Jalen Brunson — though that last one might just go down as the steal of the decade.

    With these moves, New York set the stage for a roster that could compete with the best. Once Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson returned from their respective surgeries, the Knicks appeared ready to not only match last year’s playoff performance but exceed it. “You would’ve liked to have seen that one more time, fully healthy,” said swingman Josh Hart during media day.

    But team president Leon Rose wasn’t done.

    “You’re never content,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “You always want to try to improve. When opportunities present themselves, you want to take advantage of that.”

    And take advantage they did. Out goes Randle, the heart and soul of the Knicks for the last five years, averaging nearly 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. Also out is Donte DiVincenzo, who last season joined an elite club as one of only five players to hit over 250 threes while also snagging at least 2% of opponents’ offensive possessions — joining the likes of Stephen Curry and James Harden.

    In comes Karl-Anthony Towns, a four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection, ready to reshape the Knicks’ offense.

    Towns is on the verge of becoming just the fourth 7-footer to hit 1,000 career threes, and he’s fresh off a playoff run that saw him successfully guard Kevin Durant and Nikola Jokic.

    With Brunson, who somehow managed to finish 12th in the NBA in points in the paint at just 6-foot-2, adding Towns’ outside shooting will create driving lanes for Brunson to exploit.

    With Anunoby and Bridges — both elite wings shooting 41% and 39% on catch-and-shoot threes over the last four seasons — this starting five looks lethal. Sprinkle in Hart, who claims he can do “a little bit of everything,” and you’ve got an eight-man rotation that could rival the league’s best — especially if Brunson is unleashed.

    “The most important thing is just: Where’s my mindset at?” Brunson said. “And I know where I’m at. And I like where I’m at.”

    But let’s not kid ourselves — the key is staying healthy. Towns and Anunoby have combined to miss 213 games over the past four years, while Robinson has missed 81 games in the last two seasons and won’t be available for a couple of months.

    Brunson, Hart, and Bridges are tough as nails, but these Knicks are flirting with the “This Sure Is A Lot of Jericho Sims and Cam Payne” territory for a title contender. The East is loaded this year, with heavyweights like the defending-champion Celtics, the Paul George-boosted 76ers, and the Giannis-and-Dame-led Bucks. And don’t forget the Pacers, who ended the Knicks’ playoff hopes last season.

    “The East is definitely going to be tougher,” Hart said. “A lot of teams made big moves this offseason. It’s not going to be easy, but we’re extremely confident in what we have. Officially and unofficially.”

    Best-case scenario: Thibodeau finds the right chemistry with his new roster, and Brunson emerges as an All-NBA First-Team player. Towns fits in perfectly, transforming New York into a high-octane offense that leads the league in points per possession. Bridges finds his shooting rhythm again, while Anunoby locks down defensively.

    If Towns and Anunoby can stay on the court, and Robinson can return healthy, the Knicks could surpass 50 wins, make a deep playoff run, and challenge for the Eastern Conference crown.

    Worst-case scenario: The best-laid plans can go awry. If chemistry becomes a problem and Towns struggles defensively in his new role, the Knicks might face a drop-off on that end. Robinson’s absence could expose weaknesses, and if injuries return for Towns and Anunoby, it could lay bare the Knicks’ lack of depth.

    Thibodeau and Brunson might still grind out a playoff spot, but once again, the team could find itself running out of gas against a more well-rounded opponent.

  • Knicks, Kevin McCullar Jr. Agree To Two-Way Contract

    Knicks, Kevin McCullar Jr. Agree To Two-Way Contract

    The New York Knicks intend to sign rookie guard/forward Kevin McCullar Jr. to a two-way contract, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.Kevin McCullar Jr, Knicks, NBA

    McCullar, 23, is 6-foot-7 and was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the No. 56 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. He was immediately traded to the Knicks.

    Last season with Kansas, he averaged 18.1 points, 4.1 assists and shot 33.3% on 3-pointers. He also made a name for himself with his strong wing defense.

    “McCullar earned All-Big 12 First Team honors this past season at Kansas,” Scotto wrote. “He was also named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team and earned All-Big 12 Third Team honors in 2023.”

    The Knicks, of course, made a big offseason splash by trading for Mikal Bridges, formerly of the Brooklyn Nets, adding to an already formidable lineup that also features the likes of Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and Julius Randle. Along with all that, they signed coach Tom Thibodeau to a contract extension.

    A recent report suggested that Bridges will join Brunson in signing a team-friendly contract extension.

    Brunson signed a four-year, $156 million extension with the Knicks this offseason. He left over $113 million on the table by not signing the extension in 2025. 

    “Bridges, meanwhile, is eligible to sign a two-year, $60 million extension from Oct. 1 through Oct. 21 — the day before the start of the regular season — or he could become eligible to sign a four-year, $156 million extension off his current deal, which is currently viewed as one of the league’s best value contracts, next offseason,” wrote Bobby Marks and Tim Bontemps of ESPN. “The $34.8 million first-year salary would begin in 2026-27.”

  • Cavs Prepping For Draft, With Zach Edey Among Those On Radar

    Cavs Prepping For Draft, With Zach Edey Among Those On Radar

    The Cavaliers still need to hire a coach, and figure out their future with star guard Donovan Mitchell, but somewhere in there, they also need to make a selection in the 2024 NBA Draft.Zach Edey, NBA Draft, Cleveland Cavaliers

    Yeah, welcome to the offseason.

    Anyway, this year’s draft will take place over two days, with the first round slated for Wednesday, June 26, and the second round a day later. As of now, the Cavaliers own just one pick — the No. 20 overall.

    That can all change, of course. For whatever reason, it seems as if the Cavs have been involved in the second round quite a bit over the past decade. So it wouldn’t be surprising to see them get another second-rounder.

    Anyway, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cavs are preparing for the draft by inviting in some prospects for workouts (no shock there) and have several names you may know on their radar.

    And the list is massive.

    Per Fedor: “Baylor’s Ja’Kobe Walter, Purdue center Zach Edey, Colorado forward Tristan Da Silva, Kansas swingman Johnny Furphy, Duke’s Kyle Filipowski, USC guard Isaiah Collier, Pittsburgh’s Carlton Carrington, Swedish forward Bobi Klintman, Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr., Virginia’s Ryan Dunn, California guard Jaylon Tyson, still-recovering-from-injury Kevin McCullar Jr., Arizona’s Pelle Larsson and Baylor center Yves Missi are all on the radar. According to sources, Larsson, Ellis and Tyson are among those committed to visit.”

    Now, there’s no telling where any of these guys may actually go. This may be the most confusing draft in decades — with many of the top 20 or even 30 prospects being viewed as fairly equal in upside. This draft isn’t supposed to produce any stars, but it could give the NBA multiple regular contributors. And a star emerges every year. 

    But it all makes this draft hard to figure out for team executives. For instance, Edey could go in the lottery … or fall all the way to the second round. He’s more likely to land somewhere in between. We think.

    What matters to president of basketball operations Koby Altman and the Cavs is to establish a draft board, so that when it’s time to make a pick, it will be a no-brainer. They have quite a bit of work to do before they get there, and that’s what all this pre-draft evaluation is for.