The Hornets‘ Brandon Miller is considered the most likely player to receive an expansion on the rookie scale before today deadlinebut the odds are much higher for magic security guard Anthony Black, Mark Stein of The Stein Line reports in his latest Substack column (subscriber link).
League sources tell Stein that Orlando doesn’t want to trade the 22-year-old guard, but the team can’t afford to add another big and expensive contract to its current payroll. Paolo Bunchera, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and Desmond Bane earned more than $32 million this season. Stein says the Magic are expected to need more time to figure out their financial future and deal with Black as a restricted free agent next summer.
Basketball president Jeff Veltman appeared to hint at this strategy during media day, telling reporters, “You guys know we’re in a much tougher environment (financially) than we’ve been in years past. … We expect Anthony to have a great year. (Deals) don’t always happen right now. Sometimes they happen later, so we’ll see.”
Thunderstorm Cason Wallace became the sixth player eligible for the rookie scale extension on Sunday night by taking a a five-year deal worth $139 million. Victor Wembanyama, Keyonte George, Brandin underground, Amin Thompson and Ausar Thompson were also extended, but Stein expects the 2023 class to fall below the average of the 11 extensions handed out to the last three draft classes.
Stein shares more inside information from around the NBA:
- The Nix made no effort to exchange the understudy Tyler Kolek earlier refusal Bruce Brown on Saturday, Stein heard from a source briefed on the talks. Brown may have been more useful in helping New York defend its title this season, but Stein was told the team would only consider parting ways with Kolek if they got a backup center in return. The competition for a place in the final squad was won James Wisemanwhat a coach Mike Brown still believes he has tremendous potential after working with him as an assistant in Golden State. “When you have a guy who’s 25 years old, has the height, athleticism and talent (like) James Wisemanbecause (Karl-Anthony Towns it) is not sporty like it and Andre (Drummond) It used to be — he still has some of that,” Brown said. “… (Wiseman’s) vertical threat on the edge, vertical threat on defense, how well he runs, you welcome that with his size and age and athleticism.”
- Sources tell Stein that Bucks I hope to re-sign Pete Nance to bilateral transaction after refusal his on Saturday, but they may have competition. “Several suitors” are also reportedly willing to offer a two-way contract if Nance clears waivers today.
- The Mavericks can make a similar move with Seth Lundy after part with his and two-way player John Pullakidas. Stein calls Lundy a “strong candidate” to fill the newly created two-way opening.
- The Mavericks may not be able to re-sign Moussa Cisse if they decided to abandon it and keep it Dwight Powell on the list, adds Stein. Sources tell Stein that Bykov interested in Cisse if he becomes available, and Hawks might as well pursue him even if they don’t currently have openings on the 15-man roster. Stein also points to Sixers and Lakers as teams that would be “strongly interested” in adding Cisse on a two-way contract, even though both teams currently have all three of their two-way slots filled.
- Zion Williamson wants to make the three-point shot a bigger part of his game, Stein says. The Pelicans the forward worked on expanding his shooting range during the preseason.