NBA Rumors: Buzz Surrounding Dez Wells, Glen Davis and More
The overall craziness of the initial days of 2015 NBA free agency (looking at you, DeAndre Jordan) is firmly in the rearview mirror, but there are still roster moves to be made before the best basketball players on the planet lace it up for another campaign.
Naturally, there are corresponding rumors floating around undrafted and unsigned free agents as the season rapidly approaches.
Former collegiate superstar Dez Wells is looking for a team, veteran Glen Davis could be heading overseas and the Oklahoma City Thunder appear more than willing to pay heavy taxes in the pursuit of a title.
With that in mind, here is a look at the latest buzz from the NBA rumor mill.
Dez Wells Likely to Reject Washington Wizards’ Training Camp Invite
Wells may not have been drafted, but he averaged 15.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, shot better than 50 percent from three-point land and took over a number of critical contests for the Maryland Terrapins down the stretch of the 2014-15 season.
It would make sense that there is a spot for someone like that on an NBA roster, especially since he is 6’5” and can play both guard positions.
J. Michael of CSNWashington.com noted that the Washington Wizards have their eye on Wells, but he is likely to look elsewhere:
"Dez Wells is back to working out after a dislocated right thumb ruined his Las Vegas summer league run with the Wizards, who have extended him a training camp invite, persons with knowledge of the situation told CSNwashington.com on Monday.
Wells is unlikely to accept it, however, because the Wizards have the maximum 15 roster spots filled with guaranteed contracts for the 2015-16 season that begins at the end of October.
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It makes sense from Wells’ perspective that he will pass on the offer given the contract situations in Washington. What’s more, John Wall and Bradley Beal patrol the backcourt for the Wizards, and there is no real room for a guard like Wells to become a serious contributor this season in the nation’s capital.
Michael also noted that five other teams offered the Maryland product training camp invites, so the opportunity will be there to prove himself.
Training camp will be even more important for Wells than many undrafted free agents because he injured his shooting hand in minicamp before summer league and never had the chance to show what he can do on the court.
Wells missed the chance to add impressive performances in Las Vegas to his already solid collegiate film, so he must take full advantage of any offers he receives in training camp if he hopes to stick with an NBA team. It just apparently won’t happen with the Wizards.
Glen Davis, Potential World Traveler
Davis once averaged 15.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game during an NBA season (2012-13 with the Orlando Magic—although he only played 34 games) and is only 29 years old, but he could play overseas instead of in the NBA next season.
Sportando noted: "Glen Davis is open to playing overseas if he doesn’t sign a contract in the NBA, a source told Sportando. Big Baby is in talks to re-sign with the Clippers but if they won’t reach a deal, the center may join the Chinese League or one of the European top divisions."
While he certainly wasn’t the double-double threat fans saw in Orlando, Davis did manage to crack the regular rotation for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014-15 and provided critical bench minutes at times. He averaged four points and 2.3 rebounds per game and could theoretically replicate those numbers again if given enough playing time.
Had Jordan ultimately signed with the Dallas Mavericks and not elected to return to Los Angeles, there may have been more urgency to bring Davis back simply to add another big body to the roster. Instead, the Clippers added Josh Smith and Cole Aldrich this offseason to a frontcourt that already includes Jordan and Blake Griffin, and there simply aren’t that many minutes to go around for Davis.
That could mean a trip overseas to Europe or China for the former LSU Tiger.
Oklahoma City Thunder All In on 2015-16 Title Run
Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders noted that the Oklahoma City Thunder are more than $12 million over the salary cap (as of Monday) but don’t plan on cutting costs anytime soon:
"There are a couple of contracts that could be movable to reduce the tax bill, but in talking with sources close to the Thunder there isn’t a lot urgency to cut cost and there is a belief it’s now or never with this roster. Given the looming free agency of star Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook’s future not that far behind, this is the window the Thunder have been waiting for and they are ready to spend to prove it.
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Kyler also pointed out that all 15 roster spots have a guaranteed salary, so financial relief won’t be coming by way of camp cuts.
The Basketball Insiders writer even seemed somewhat surprised given the Thunder’s recent history: "As things stand today, the Thunder are over the cap more than any other team in the NBA. That’s a little surprising considering how many assets the team has given up over the last few years to stay under the tax line, but it’s clear that the Thunder are all the way in on this roster."
Oklahoma City may have moved pieces like James Harden before, but new coach Billy Donovan has a championship pedigree from his days with the Florida Gators, Kevin Durant is a former MVP and still one of the best players in the league when healthy and Russell Westbrook took his already lethal offensive game to another level without Durant near the end of the 2014-15 season.
Westbrook actually averaged 32.5 points and 8.1 assists per game in April on his way to the scoring crown, which should give him plenty of confidence heading into the new campaign alongside Durant.
Throw in Serge Ibaka, who should be healthy after dealing with injuries in 2014-15, and the Thunder look formidable on paper in the daunting Western Conference. The roster makeup is apparently enough that the front office is set to willingly live over the tax line.
Even the thought of Durant wearing a different uniform in the near future should also be more than enough to spur Oklahoma City into full-on competitive mode in 2015-16. The willingness to go over the cap could also help convince the sharp-shooter that the front office is serious about winning long-term.
On the court, there are even some things to take away from last year’s failure to make the playoffs in the face of so many injuries, as Westbrook said, per Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman:
"I thought we showed maturity. Obviously with the injuries and different things of that nature throughout the season a team could have easily given up. Obviously we made some changes and trades and different things like that. That could have been another excuse that we gave ourselves. But we never gave up. We competed all 82 games, and I’m proud of that.
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The front office is banking on that maturity and a clean bill of health for the 2015-16 campaign. Salary-cap penalties are much easier to swallow if they come with a championship trophy.
