The Hornets’ Brandon Miller is considered the most likely player to receive a rookie scale extension before today’s deadline, but the odds are much longer for Magic guard Anthony Black, Marc Stein of The Stein Line reports in his latest Substack column (subscriber link).
League sources tell Stein that Orlando has no desire to trade the 22-year-old guard, but the team isn’t in position to add another large, expensive contract to its current payroll, which already has Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and Desmond Bane earning more than $32MM this season. Stein states that the Magic are expected to take more time to figure out their financial future and negotiate with Black as a restricted free agent next summer.
President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman seemed to hint at that strategy during media day, telling reporters, “You guys know that we’re in a lot tighter quarters (financially) than we’ve been in years past. … We expect Anthony to have a great year. (Deals) don’t always get done right now. Sometimes they get done later, so we’ll see.”
Thunder guard Cason Wallace became the sixth eligible player to receive a rookie scale extension Sunday night, accepting a five-year deal worth $139MM. Victor Wembanyama, Keyonte George, Brandin Podziemski, Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson have also been extended, but Stein expects the Class of 2023 to fall below the average of 11 extensions that were handed out to the past three draft classes.
Stein shares more inside information from around the NBA:
The Knicks didn’t make an effort to trade backup guard Tyler Kolek before waivingBruce Brown on Saturday, Stein hears 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 that the team would have only considered parting with Kolek if it could have obtained a backup center in return. The competition for the final roster spot was won by James Wiseman, who coach Mike Brown still believes has tremendous potential after working with him as an assistant with Golden State. “When you have a guy that’s 25 years old, that has the length and the athleticism and the talent (of) a James Wiseman, because (Karl-Anthony Towns is) not athletic like that and Andre (Drummond) was once that — he still has some of it,” Brown said. “… (Wiseman’s) vertical threat at the rim, the vertical threat defensively, how good he runs, you welcome that at his size and age and athleticism.”
Sources tell Stein that the Bucks hope to re-sign Pete Nance to a two-way deal after waiving him on Saturday, but they may have some competition. “Multiple contenders” are reportedly also ready to offer a two-way contract if Nance clears waivers today.
The Mavericks could make a similar move with Seth Lundy after parting with him and two-way player John Poulakidas. 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 opt to waive him and keep Dwight Powell on the roster, Stein adds. Sources tell Stein that the Bulls have interest in Cisse if he becomes available and the Hawks could pursue him as well, even though they currently don’t have an opening on their 15-man roster. Stein also points to the Sixers and Lakers as teams that would have “strong interest” in adding Cisse on a two-way contract, although both teams presently 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 states. The Pelicans forward has been working to expand his shooting range during the preseason.