There was plenty going on in the NBA yesterday. I will review some of the big news, including the Philadelphia 76ers’ decision to match the Utah Jazz‘s offer for restricted free agent Paul Reed, per ESPN’s Adrain Wojnarowski.
The 76ers are matching Paul Reed’s three-year, $23M offer sheet with the Jazz, sources tell ESPN. Per sheet’s terms, Sixers must guarantee last two years of Reed’s deal if they win the opening round of playoffs this season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 10, 2023
NBA Rumors: Paul Reed, Jaime Jaquez, Nikola Jovic, John Wall, and JD Davison
Reed is coming off a career season. While the 24-year-old averaged less than 11 minutes of action, he was an extremely valuable member of the 76ers off the bench. He was also fabulous in the two playoff starts for Joel Embiid, producing a double-double in each contest.
However, it is surprising that Philadelphia matched Utah’s offer due to how the Jazz structured the offer sheet. The Jazz used their $7.7 million room exception to complete Reed’s offer sheet and then made the last two years of the deal fully guaranteed if the Sixers reach the semifinals of the playoffs this year.
Philadelphia also created more luxury tax issues for themselves. The 76ers will exceed the $165 million luxury tax threshold at the cost of an estimated $14 million in tax penalties. Due to the Sixers ‘ decision to match, Reed will also have the option to veto trades for a year.
With Reed in the mix, the 76ers now have 13 players under contract. Six players are listed as either power forwards or centers, as the Sixers also have signed Montrezl Harrell and Mo Bamba this offseason. But Tobias Harris and PJ Tucker are very capable of playing small forward.
The Sixers will likely sign one more player before the season. Their biggest issue remains fulfilling James Harden‘s trade request. However, Joel Embiid told Showtime’s Rachel Nichols that he is hopeful Harden will change his mind.
Spoke to Joel Embiid about James Harden’s trade request – Embiid said he’s hopeful Harden’s “mindset can be changed.” The two were partying with @MichaelRubin last night at the @Fanatics/@TheNBPA Summer League blowout. pic.twitter.com/9sKwp3HGsg
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) July 10, 2023
Will Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Play In Las Vegas Again?
The Miami Heat hit the floor the second time in Vegas on Monday, but will they have a full complement of players? The Heat (2-1), who participated in the California Classic last week, won their Las Vegas Summer League opener over Boston on Saturday. According to Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang, the Heat may go into their game tonight against Phoenix without Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic.
Jaquez, who had a sterling debut in Sacramento, sat out Saturday’s game with a left shoulder injury. Jaquez sustained the injury in the Heat’s last California Classic contest on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Jovic is dealing with a sore left foot that he injured on Saturday. Jovic, who struggled a little versus the Celtics, was terrific in Sacramento.
Despite the injuries, speculation ran rampant that Jaquez and Jovic were sitting out and may not play again this summer because the Heat were saving their trade assets.
“I’m trying to be professional, and what happens, happens,” Jovic told the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Sunday.” I’m going to keep working and hope I stay here, and that’s kind of all. I don’t pay too much attention.”
Jaquez also spoke about his name being linked to the possible Lillard trade.
“It’s a part of the job. It happens quick. Things happen. This is a business. It is what it is, but I’m trying to stay positive right here. My focus is the Miami Heat. I’m just putting all my focus there, and then whatever happens, happens.”
John Wall Works Out For NBA Teams
Veteran free agent point guard John Wall worked out privately for several teams today in Las Vegas. Wall played last year with the Los Angeles Clippers, but the five-time all-star didn’t appear in a game after January 13. He was traded to the Houston Rockets at the trade deadline. The Rockets waived him a few days after the acquisition.
Veteran point guard John Wall held a private workout on Sunday with multiple teams — including the Boston Celtics and Portland Trailblazers — in attendance. The five-time All-Star is ramping up efforts in hopes of a return to the NBA.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) July 9, 2023
While not the superstar he once was, the 33-year-old proved he is a capable backup lead guard in the NBA last year. Wall averaged 11.4 points and 5.2 assists though he also had 2.4 turnovers in 23 minutes. He is a below-average shooter and has fallen off defensively due to injuries. However, Wall still finishes around the hoop fairly well.
Teams are always looking for backup points guards. Who are potential suitors for Wall? A dozen or more teams are probably still looking for a backup point. Brooklyn, Denver, and Miami make the most sense of the possible teams for Wall. Milwaukee, New Orleans, Phoenix, San Antonio, Boston, Portland, and Utah are also potential landing spots.
The Nets only have 12 players signed for the upcoming season, although they are expected to sign first-rounders to leave them with one roster spot left. But Edmund Sumner‘s contract is nonguaranteed, with a decision date set for July 15. Depending on what the Nets do with Ben Simmons, their top two point guards are Spencer Dinwiddie and Dennis Smith Jr,
The Nuggets are potential championship contenders. Do they trust Reggie Jackson or one of their youngsters to run the show if Jamal Murray gets injured?
Kyle Lowry is the only current point guard on the Heat roster though they are in the running for Damian Lillard. However, if they aren’t dealt, Jaquez and Tyler Herro can also handle the lead guard duties.
Dion Waters and Harry Giles to Hold Workouts on July 10
On Saturday, Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes tweeted that two more veteran NBA’er were holding private workouts for teams in Las Vegas. These players are Dion Waters and Harry Giles.
Former first-round picks Dion Waiters and Harry Giles III will hold private workouts separately for NBA teams on Monday in Las Vegas, their agent Daniel Hazan of @hazansportsmgmt tells @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 9, 2023
In addition to Wall, Ben McLemore and Alize Johnson have also had workouts for teams.
Waiters has been out of the NBA since 2020, when he appeared in 10 games for the Heat and Lakers. The 32-year-old guard is a scorer who can make plays for others. Waiters have career averages of 13.1 points, 2.8 assists, and 1.4 threes while producing a slash line of .412/.346/.694. The eight-year pro did attend a minicamp with the Dallas Mavericks last summer.
Giles has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. The 25-year-old big man, who is very talented, has appeared in 142 NBA games, the last time being in 2020. Giles hasn’t played since an injury ended his 2021-22 campaign with the G League’s Agua Caliente Clippers in January 2022.
JD Davison Re-Signs with Boston Celtics
JD Davison signed his qualifying offer to remain with the Celtics on Sunday on a two-way deal. The 2022 second-round draft pick spent most of last season with the Maine Red Claws. He did also appear in 12 games for the Celtics.
Davison is currently playing in the Las Vegas Summer League. The 20-year-old combo guard had a pretty good first game as he recorded a double-double in the Celtics’ win over the Heat on Saturday. But he struggled mightily with turnovers on Sunday.
Davison committed ten turnovers against Portland to give him 20 assists and 15 turnovers thru the first two Vegas contests. He also has totaled 20 points on 7 of 21 shooting from the field and 1 of 8 from the 3-point line.
Boston has 14 players under contract for the coming season. Justin Champagnie has a nonguaranteed contract that becomes fully guaranteed on opening night. Champaignie is also playing in Vegas, although the Celtics will likely not make a decision until training camp.
Davison is the first player to sign a two-way contract with the Celtics this year. Thus, the C’s have two more two-way spots open.
Trail Blazers hold off the Spurs Without Henderson and Johnson
On Sunday, the Portland Trail Blazers improved to 1-1 in Las Vegas by holding off Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs 85-80. Michael Devoe filled the offensive void for the Blazers with Scoot Henderson and Keon Johnson sitting out with injuries. Deboe, who played for the G-League’s Rip City, tossed in a game-high 29 points on 10 of 17 shooting from the field and 5 of 7 from the 3-point line. He also doled out five assists and came up with two steals while not committing a turnover.
Henderson sat out on Sunday with a shoulder injury. Henderson told Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian that he strained his shoulder on a dunk attempt in Friday’s game against Houston. He finished the game with 15 points, six assists, and five rebounds in 21 minutes.
“I think I played pretty smooth,” Henderson said. “I know there are areas I definitely need to improve on. Just little things in my game where I think I can really perfect and master.”
Henderson is considered day-to-day. However, the Blazers may shut him down as they did to Shannon Sharpe last season. Sharpe suffered a small labral tear in his left shoulder during his first game and was held out for the rest of Summer League.
Meanwhile, Johnson will miss the rest of Summer League after dislocating his right index finger Friday night, according to The Athletic’s Jason Quick.
Keon Johnson says he dislocated his right index finger in the Blazers Summer League opener. Says he is done for rest of tournament. Kid can’t catch a break.
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) July 8, 2023
Johnson only played a minute off the bench before suffering the injury. The 21-year-old guard battled injuries throughout last season, although he did appear in 40 games for the Blazers. Johnson struggled with his shot and turnovers in those games. He averaged 4.7 points and 1.5 assists in 10 minutes of action with a shooting slash line of .376/.346/.659.
