NBA Rumors: Analyzing Gossip on Kris Humphries, Andre Miller and More
Joe Johnson is the perfect example of how NBA teams aren't done improving just yet despite the passing of the trade deadline.
Bought out by the Brooklyn Nets, Johnson cleared waivers and signed with the Miami Heat, as team owner Micky Arison announced.
It seems like a small move, but Johnson could have joined, say, the Cleveland Cavaliers or Oklahoma City Thunder and changed the complexion of the playoffs. Maybe he has with the Heat, too, so long as the roster can get healthy and make a cohesive push.
The buyout rumblings started with Johnson but haven't ceased. Here's a look at the most interesting nuggets from around the Association.
Cleveland's Backup Plan
It seemed quite obvious the aforementioned Johnson would want to join the Cavaliers—first in the Eastern Conference—and do a little ring chasing.
Maybe not.
Now the Cavaliers, still sitting on the erratic J.R. Smith and defensive specialist Iman Shumpert at shooting guard, have to look elsewhere for depth with open roster spots needing a fill.
According to Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal, the Cavaliers will bring on Jordan McRae: "The Cavaliers will sign guard Jordan McRae to a 10-day contract, a league source confirmed. They need him as an extra practice body given some of their injuries."
The No. 58 pick in the 2014 draft, McRae carved out a nice depth role for himself with the Phoenix Suns, posting 11.7 minutes per night and managing 5.3 points before the team sent him to the D-League.
This isn't the league-altering move most figured the Cavaliers would be able to pull off by promoting their spot in the conference alongside LeBron James and others, but it's better than nothing while the lineup tries to get healthy for a playoff run.
McRae gives the Cavaliers some depth, and if a quality buyout option does make himself known, the Cavaliers sound like they will only have their backup plan on a 10-day contract, making the situation quite fluid.
Kris Humphries' Eventual Destination?
It sounds like the Phoenix Suns are ready to move on from forward Kris Humphries.
Such a move wouldn't come as a shock. Humphries sees less than 20 minutes per night on a team with a 15-44 record, bested only in the miserable category out west by the Los Angeles Lakers. The player would probably like to play for a contender, and the team would likely want more free cash.
No shocker, then, that Michael Scotto of the Associated Press revealed the two sides have had buyout discussions:
What's really interesting is the mentioned destination.
If Humphries really wants to play for a contender, the Atlanta Hawks aren't a bad place to go considering they sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. He's liable to get solid minutes, too, as starter Paul Millsap could use a quality presence behind him off the bench.
Humphries isn't the biggest signing in the world, either, but a guy who averages 6.5 points and 4.6 rebounds in a limited role isn't a terrible option for a would-be contender.
And remember that this is the Hawks, the team that some thought might wave the white flag at the deadline and clear cap space by trading Jeff Teague and Al Horford to best position itself to be players next summer in a huge free-agency period.
Instead, these Hawks seem on the hunt for smart moves to make a run now. If the Suns can come to terms with Humphries, it's hard to imagine the Hawks will be as indecisive as they were at the trade deadline.
Andre Miller's New Home
The Hawks don't stand alone as the only contender making moves on the buyout market.
Seemingly stuck in an arms race out west with the Golden State Warriors, the San Antonio Spurs seem like one of the bigger buyers on the market with the deadline now a landmark of the past.
With the intent to improve depth in the backcourt, rumblings suggest the Spurs will bring on 39-year-old guard Andre Miller for a run.
Shams Charania of The Vertical provided the report: "Free-agent guard Andre Miller has reached an agreement to sign with the San Antonio Spurs for the remainder of the season, league sources told The Vertical."
The report went on to note that the Spurs will waive Ray McCallum to clear room for the veteran point guard.
For those curious about the whole age thing that had to pop to mind right away, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News detailed the situation:
In all seriousness, though, Miller is a quality add for the Spurs. He was hardly getting 10 minutes per night in Minnesota as the franchise went with a youth movement. A year before in 30 games on an average of 20.7 minutes per night with the Sacramento Kings, though, he managed averages of 5.7 points and 4.7 assists.
Miller could see similar usage with the Spurs, who wouldn't mind reinforcements to help keep Tony Parker and Patty Mills fresh for the playoffs. Take it a step further, and there is nothing wrong with having a guy as experienced as Miller running the offense in the playoffs should the worst-case scenario occur.
San Antonio knows how to prepare for any situation. Miller's eventual coming on board solidifies the notion.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
