The Bum's Sports Page For Tuesday June 23rd Best Bets-Trends-News !

[StarDust Bum]

Twins' Pelfrey solid in home starts

Jun 23, 2015

Minnesota Twins righty Mike Pelfrey has been excellent at Target Field this season, recording a personal mark of 3-0 and a 1.41 ERA with the Twins winning all six of his home starts.

Pelfrey will give it another shot Tuesday evening with the Chicago White Sox in town. Minny is presently a +104 dog while the Pale Hose are currently -113 with Jeff Samardzija getting the ball.

[StarDust Bum]

Bronx Bombers slugging their way to over streak

Jun 23, 2015

The New York Yankees have slugged their way to five consecutive overs, following their 11-8 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies Monday night.

The Bronx Bombers are scoring a ridiculous 8.4 runs per game over this five game run, almost good them to out them over each total without their opponent scoring.

New York continues their series with the Phillies Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. Sean O'Sullivan (4.79 ERA, 4-5 O/U) gets the call for the Phillies, while C.C. Sabathia (5.31 ERA, 8-6 O/U) goes for the Yanks. The total is currently 8.5.

[StarDust Bum]

Top road umpire working this game Tuesday

Jun 23, 2015

Home teams have struggled mightily with umpire Jeff Kellogg working behind home plate this season, so it will give Philadelphia Phillies' backers a glimmer of hope that he'll be working Tuesday's meeting with the New York Yankees.

The road team has posted a 9-3 record in Kellogg's games, making him the best umpire for away teams (according to winning percentage). Furthermore, the visitor has won the past six games that Kellogg has worked heading into Tuesday's matchup.

The Phils are presently +214 dogs and are slated to start Sean O'Sullivan while the Yankees (-235) will counter with CC Sabathia.

[StarDust Bum]

Up-and-down Seattle offense goes down again

Jun 22, 2015

SEATTLE -- Perhaps the best way to explain the Seattle Mariners' 2015 season is to list the starting pitchers who have, and have not, dominated Seattle bats this month.

While San Francisco's Madison Bumgarner, Cleveland's Corey Kluber and Houston's Dallas Keuchel all fell victim to the Mariners over the past two weeks, guys such as the Indians' Shaun Marcum, the Giants' Ryan Vogelsong and, as of Monday night, the Kansas City Royals' Joe Blanton kept Seattle's offense at bay.

After Blanton held the Mariners to two hits in the Mariners' 4-1 loss Monday, Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon was scratching his head again.

"I thought we'd have better at-bats," he said. "I thought we'd have opportunities to score runs; we just couldn't do it."

The inconsistency of Seattle's offense was on display again. Second baseman Robinson Cano hit a rare homer but got very little help. Cano's first homer since May 30 was followed by 16 consecutive outs before center fielder Austin Jackson led off the seventh with a double.

As if to accentuate the Mariners' offensive struggles, Jackson moved to third on a wild pitch with no outs but ended up getting stranded there.

Seattle was supposed to have the heart of its order up after Jackson, but star right fielder Nelson Cruz was unable to continue in the seventh because of an injury that required team trainers to pop his pelvic bone back into place. That could end up being the latest setback for the Mariners' inconsistent offense, but McClendon doesn't expect the ailment to linger.

"What they're telling me is it's going to be very short-term," McClendon said of Cruz's potential absence.

Those same words could have been said about the Mariners' offense in April, but the struggles are lingering.

[StarDust Bum]

Peralta comes off DL, returns to Dodgers

CHICAGO -- Joel Peralta may not be back to 100 percent, but it sure feels good to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers after missing about nine weeks of the season.

"I'm 90-something (percent)," the 39-year-old Dodgers right-hander said prior to the opening of a four-game series at Wrigley Field. "The velocity is almost normal, it's just that I have to pitch games to get back into shape and get my pitches right."

Peralta (1-0) last appeared for Los Angeles on April 23, when he entered in the eighth and walked two in a one-third inning outing against the Giants.He then missed the next 53 games sidelined with right shoulder soreness and a pinched nerve in his neck.

Peralta recently worked five minor league rehab games in nine days, including two with Triple-A Oklahoma City last Thursday and Friday.

"I hit 89-90 (miles per hour) in my rehab assignment, that's where I normally am," he said.

But Peralta said working major league games will be the final step in regaining full effectiveness.

"I pitched a couple of games in the minor leagues, but that won't give you everything you need, you always need some more."

Now in his 11th big league season, Peralta was acquired by the Dodgers in November 2014 in a trade with Tampa Bay that also included left-hander Adam Liberatore in exchange for right-handers Jose Dominguez and Greg Harris.

[StarDust Bum]

Yankees continue to call up relievers from minors

NEW YORK -- Back in the 1980s when players would constantly go between the majors and minors, it was jokingly referred to as flying the "Columbus Shuttle".

This year if you're a Yankees reliever, chances are you've been participating in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre car pool.

Through 70 games this season, the Yankees have recalled 12 pitchers from their Triple-A affiliate and that does not include Chasen Shreve, Chris Martin and Chris Capuano, who were either on the opening day roster or began the season on the disabled list.

The latest two pitchers to make the roughly three-hour trip from Northeast Pennsylvania to the Bronx were right-handers Diego Moreno and Nick Rumbelow, who had their contracts purchased before Monday's 11-8 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Which means that once again, manager Joe Girardi was explaining the transaction as wanting to get some fresh arms in his bullpen. If you're scoring at home, the newest relievers take the place of right-hander Danny Burawa, who threw two days in a row, and left-hander Jose De Paula, who threw 66 pitches in his major league debut Sunday.

"The one thing that we want to keep is fresh arms and we've been rotating them through," Girardi said.

If they get into a game, they will become the 21st and 22nd pitchers that the Yankees have used in June. Not including September callups that is New York's most since using 19 in July 2005 and April 2014.

"I think the challenge it presents is you want guys to be comfortable in their roles and that's a tough way to go about the game because of some of our concerns about the length we can get," Girardi said. "It doesn't mean we don't believe in them. We're doing it to protect the arms of everybody. The challenges are maybe finding a role for a couple of guys. We're kind of settled in on who our seventh, eighth, ninth guy is and we've looked for a right-hander to help us in those situations and that has been ever-changing."

Not including using outfielder Garrett Jones in a blowout loss to the Texas Rangers on May 23, Moreno became the 19th reliever used by the Yankees and Rumbelow will become the 20th if and when he appears.

While constant change can be considered a negative, the positive is that the Yankees have enough arms in the minors that they view worthy of a promotion.

"I think it's a good thing," Girardi said. "I think it speaks highly about our system that guys are starting to rise through the ranks are really close or in some cases they're pretty much ready."

Out of all those transactions, only three have had multiple call-ups and, out of Branden Pinder, Jose Ramirez and Bryan Mitchell, only Pinder has managed to stay for more than a week. Pinder's first stint lasted April 15-21 but his second one lasted May 9-24 and then he was recalled June 9.

The Yankees have had one player even go through four different transaction types and that was Matt Tracy. Tracy was the first pitcher recalled on April 11 when the Yankees needed a fresh arm after playing 19 innings against the Boston Red Sox. He was designated for assignment the following day, claimed by the Miami Marlins a few days later and re-claimed by the Yankees on April 18 before returning to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on April 22.

[StarDust Bum]

Angels get good news about Weaver's hip

Jun 23, 2015

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Because of Jered Weaver's 6-foot-7, 210-pound frame, a lot goes into the mechanics of his delivery.

The Los Angeles Angels right-hander has been hot and cold this season, but mostly cold, going 4-8 with a 4.75 ERA in 15 starts before landing on the disabled list Sunday because of an inflamed left hip. There was some relative good news, though, on Monday when tests revealed no structural damage.

Weaver was told not to pick up a baseball for five days, at which point he'll be re-evaluated. The Angels hope Weaver can return soon after the All-Star break.

"There's obviously something in his mechanics that are out of whack," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said before his team's 4-3 win over the Houston Astros. "I have a lot of confidence that we're gonna see him get better as we move forward, but right now there's no doubt about just trying to exhale a little bit."

Fortunately for the Angels, it is possible they will have to fill Weaver's spot in the rotation only twice before the All-Star break.

Because of off days, the Angels would need a fifth starter on June 30 and July 11. Candidates to fill that spot include Cory Rasmus, Drew Rucinski, Nick Tropeano and Andrew Heaney.

[StarDust Bum]

Game of the Day: Dodgers at Cubs

Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs (+111, 7)

The Chicago Cubs take their longest winning streak in more than a month into the second contest of their four-game series with the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. The Cubs have won three straight after opening the set with a 4-2 victory behind a pair of home runs by rookie Kris Bryant.

Bryant powered the Cubs past Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw on Monday, and Los Angeles hopes Zack Greinke can even the series. The Dodgers have totaled four runs in the last three games Greinke has started and have scored two or fewer six of the last seven times he has taken the mound. Los Angeles has dropped six of its last eight contests and is trying to avoid losing a third consecutive series. The Cubs need a deep outing from Jason Hammel after leaning on the bullpen for seven innings on Monday following Tsuyoshi Wada's departure with a shoulder cramp.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, SportsNet Los Angeles, CSN Chicago

LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Cubs +113 and the total at 7.

INJURY REPORT: Dodgers - LF Carl Crawford (Mid July, oblique). Cubs - CF Dexter Fowler (Doubtful, ankle), 2B Tommy La Stella (15-day DL, ribs).

WEATHER REPORT: Temperatures will be in the high-60s under clear skies. Wind will blow from right to leftfield around six miles per hour.

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "Dodgers' Achilles' heel is their road record of just 12-19. Kershaw is pitching like himself again, but the offense is sputtering right now, plating just 14 runs in six games before Sunday's 10-run outburst. Both 1B Adrian Gonzalez and OF Joc Pederson have gone from red hot to icy cold. The Cubs were one of four MLB teams last week that put up at least 15 runs on their inter-league opponent when they blanked the Indians 17-0 on Wednesday (Orioles, Phils, and Rays were the others). They finished the week on a high note against Twins, but have a tough schedule ahead."

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Zack Greinke (5-2, 1.81 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jason Hammel (5-2, 2.89)

Greinke has allowed two runs or fewer in 11 of his 14 starts, including each of his last three outings. The 31-year-old struck out eight in seven scoreless innings against Texas in his last turn, but he didn't receive a decision and remains winless in eight starts since May 5. Greinke is 4-2 with a 4.30 ERA in seven starts against the Cubs but 0-2 with an 11.57 ERA in three outings at Wrigley Field.

Hammel had his last outing shortened by rain and received a no-decision after allowing three runs (two earned) in four innings at Cleveland on Thursday. The 32-year-old has been solid in five home starts, going 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA. Hammel is 2-5 with a 5.52 ERA in 14 games (10 starts) against the Dodgers, but he has faced them only once since 2011.
TRENDS:

* Over is 6-1-1 in the last eight meetings.
* Cubs are 1-4 in their last five games with umpire Paul Emmel behind home plate.
* Dodgers are 1-4 in their last five road games.
* Under is 5-1 in Greinke's last six starts overall.

COVERS CONSENSUS: Fifty-nine percent of Covers users are backing Grenike and the Dodgers.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sparks (0-4) at Mystics (4-2)

Date: June 23, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

Scoring is down across the WNBA, and no team is struggling offensively more than the Los Angeles Sparks.

Beset by a number of injuries, the Sparks are seeking their first win Tuesday night when they visit the Washington Mystics.

Teams are averaging fewer than 74.0 points per game, the league's lowest mark since 2005 when the average was 67.3. The Sparks (0-4) scored 77.4 points per game a year ago but are averaging a WNBA-worst 58.8 points during the worst start in franchise history.

This three-game trip, which also includes visits to East-leading Connecticut as well as New York (4-3) looks even more daunting considering the team's attrition. Eight healthy players dressed in Sunday's 76-68 loss to the Sun. Two-time league MVP Candace Parker is still resting from playing for her Russian club, while fellow All-Star Nneka Ogwumike has yet to play due to a sprained ankle. Kristi Toliver is playing in Slovakia.

Leading scorer Alana Beard (15.0 ppg) has missed the last two games due to a left foot injury and isn't expected to be on this trip, though Ogwumike could play. Erin Phillips, the team's third-leading scorer with 9.0 points per game, also won't travel.

This leaves Jantel Lavender (12.8 ppg) as the Sparks' top option, and she hasn't been overly efficient, shooting 39.3 percent. She scored 17 Sunday but was 8 for 22 as Los Angeles was outscored 46-28 in the second half.

Washington (4-2) averaged just 68.8 points through its first four games but has scored 84.5 over its last two. Ivory Latta recorded 21 of her season-high 24 points in the second half of Saturday's 87-75 win over Indiana.

Latta's shot has been inconsistent. She was 7 of 12 against the Fever - and 6 of 8 from deep - and 6 of 13 in a June 14 win over New York. She has gone 10 for 46 in the other four games though, and is 8 for 25 on 2-point attempts (32.0 percent) compared to 15 for 46 on 3-pointers (32.6).

Emma Meesseman leads the team with 14.3 points per game on 56.1 percent shooting and scored 15 versus Indiana.

The Mystics won both meetings last season. Latta averaged 14.5 points and 6.5 assists in the two matchups but was 7 of 27 from the field.

Lavender scored a season-high 23 in a 79-75 home loss July 17, 2014.

Los Angeles leads the all-time series 22-11.

WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Jul 17, 2014 Score ATS Results
WAS « 79 Cover: 11.5
LOS 75 Under: 154
Tools: Recaps

Jun 1, 2014 Score ATS Results
LOS 84 Over: 176
WAS « 92 Cover: 13
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

LeBron at the center in the offseason -- again

When the NBA Players Association rejected the idea of smoothing in the new television revenue beginning this summer, it was automatically bad news for the free agent class of 2015. Free agents this summer, unless they elect to sign one-year deals, will miss out on the largest spending spree in league history next July.

Still, the exploding revenue and record ratings for the NBA Finals (a record 20 million people nightly watched the Golden State Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games) proves the game is thriving even while two of its marquee franchises -- the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks -- are crumbling.

"The league is doing incredibly well," commissioner Adam Silver said during the Finals. "The players are doing really well. Popularity is at an all-time high."

There remain challenges, however. Another round of labor negotiations lingers, while injuries to star players are soaring at an alarming rate. To that end, Silver is making it his goal to significantly reduce the amount of times teams will play back-to-backs next season, with the goal being to eliminate them completely by 2016-17.

As for this year's crop of free agents, most are either restricted and expected to remain with their current teams (Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard, Draymond Green) or unrestricted yet still expected to stay put (LeBron James, Marc Gasol).

Both the Knicks and Lakers have top-five picks in this draft and millions to spend in free agency. Who will take their money? History shows NBA summers are never, ever boring.

Top 10 free agents

1. F LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

He will top the list every year he can opt out, but absolutely no one believes he could leave Cleveland again -- certainly not now.

2. F LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers

Perhaps the most likely of anyone on this list to depart for a new team; Aldridge is from Texas and has mentioned the Spurs to other players in the league.

3. C Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies

Early indications are Gasol is headed back to Memphis.

4. F Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers

Love maintained since last summer's trade he is committed to Cleveland long term, yet front office executives around the league continue to believe he could leave.

5. G Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

Another restricted free agent with little chance of leaving his current team, but it is going to cost the Bulls a lot more than the $11 million a year he rejected last fall.

6. F Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

A restricted free agent who might not sign his deal right away. His cap hold on the Spurs' books is less than what he ultimately will get, which could free up money for the Spurs to make moves elsewhere.

7. C DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers

The unrestricted free agent isn't a lock to return to the Clippers, but coach Doc Rivers is already on record saying Los Angeles will offer him a max contract, which is nearly $30 million more than another team can offer.

8. G Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

The divide between Wade and Pat Riley seems real. Wade referred to his days with the Heat in the past tense during his time as an analyst for the Finals.

9. F Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

G Tony Parker believes Duncan will return, but the big man has given no indication yet whether he will retire or come back for a 19th season in San Antonio.

10. F Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors

The former second-round pick is expected to sign a max deal somewhere, most likely with the Warriors after he earned less than $1 million while playing a key role on Golden State's championship team.

Top 5 summertime storylines

1. Big cities, big problems

Two of the league's signature teams, the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers, will get to work putting the wheels back on their franchises after each endured its worst season in history. The Lakers enter the summer with the second overall pick and perhaps as much as $24 million in cap space to pursue premier free agents such as F Kevin Love, a former UCLA star, or F LaMarcus Aldridge. The Knicks, meanwhile, pick fourth overall and could have as much as $27 million in cap space to insert talent around F Carmelo Anthony.

2. LeBron-a-thon

It just wouldn't be an NBA summer without LeDrama. Indeed, F LeBron James is expected to become a free agent again this July, although the outcome this time seems predetermined: He is remaining in Cleveland. But who is staying with him? Love adamantly maintained since last summer he would be in Cleveland long term, but no one around the league seems to believe him. The Cavs gave up a historic haul to land Love, including the No. 1 overall pick last summer, F Andrew Wiggins, who appears headed for stardom. Losing Love for nothing after just one season would make it arguably the worst trade in league history.

3. Spurs 2.0

The San Antonio Spurs enter the summer in a fascinating predicament. They only have five guaranteed contracts on the books, but they don't yet know whether F Tim Duncan and G Manu Ginobili will return for another season. The Spurs theoretically could clear enough cap space to sign a marquee free agent such as Aldridge or C Marc Gasol, then re-sign F Kawhi Leonard to a huge extension and create a new Big Three that also includes G Tony Parker.

4. Big men, small league

The top two prospects in the draft are arguably both 6-foot-11 centers (Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns and Duke's Jahlil Okafor), yet the league just concluded an NBA Finals in which the tallest player on the floor was often only 6-9. The NBA is getting smaller and smaller, with a premium placed on athletic wings who can space the floor and shoot. Teams are setting records for 3-pointers shot in a season, which begs the question: How do young bigs such as Towns, Okafor and (if he can ever get healthy) Joel Embiid actually fit in?

5. Heat wave

There is a Cold War brewing on South Beach between Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat. Each passing day makes it seem a little more likely the face of the Heat franchise could be ready to move on. Wade certainly has his health issues, but he could cash in on a big payday with the Knicks and play alongside F Carmelo Anthony. He immediately would become the face of a franchise for an already excellent team like the Atlanta Hawks, or he could guide a young team like the Milwaukee Bucks -- remember he played at Marquette -- into the Eastern Conference elite. If Wade and the Heat can patch up their differences, however, a potential starting five of G Goran Dragic, Wade, F Luol Deng, F Chris Bosh and C Hassan Whiteside could make for a memorable postseason series against one of Wade's former teammates now in Cleveland.

[StarDust Bum]

What are Blatt's odds to return to Cavs next year?

Jun 23, 2015

It sounds absurd for a rookie coach who led his team to the NBA Finals worrying about his job security the following offseason, but nothing is out of the question when you have LeBron James running the show on your team.

In the wake of the Cleveland Cavaliers' championship loss to the Golden State Warriors last week, sportsbook BetOnline.com opened a prop on if first-year bench boss David Blatt would return to the wine and gold next season.

The book's initial odds of Blatt returning were -350 but soon fell to -280. As of Tuesday, however, they've jumped all the way up to -400. If you think a different coach will be in the fold next season, the book is offering a +300 chance of that happening.

[StarDust Bum]

Free agent perspective, team needs

Once the dust settles from the NBA Draft on Thursday, all eyes will turn to Cleveland.

Forwards LeBron James and Kevin Love are expected to opt out of their contracts before re-signing with the Cavaliers. Should either one decide to look elsewhere, the entire free agent landscape would be altered.

Assuming neither James nor Love is available, the list of top unrestricted free agents on the market will include forward LaMarcus Aldridge, point guard Goran Dragic, center DeAndre Jordan, center Marc Gasol and forward Paul Millsap.

A team-by-team look at free agency and the salary-cap situation for each club, according to The Sports Xchange's national network of NBA correspondents:


ATLANTIC DIVISION

BOSTON CELTICS

--2015 free agents: F Brandon Bass, F Jonas Jerebko

--Restricted free agents: F Jae Crowder, F Gigi Datome, G Phil Pressey (club option)

--Cap situation: For the first time in forever, the Celtics have the space, along with the extra draft picks, to make something special happen. The problem is big-time free agents can get more money from their current clubs, and the big names often pick nicer weather than the Northeast can offer. Club president Danny Ainge will have to do the selling job, relying on the tradition and the excitement the Celtics created in their unlikely playoff charge this year. "Most of the guys that have played here love it here," Ainge said recently. "And they don't want to leave once they are here. Not all of them are really excited about coming here when they first get here, but usually by the time they leave, they love the organization and they love the city. So we need to get that word out."

--Team needs:

Inside help, someone to present a problem for penetrators who have been able to take advantage of the lack of a rim protector. The team showed real signs of growth in 2014-15, but the growing must continue, and Ainge has to pieces to make it happen. "We haven't ever had cap space, I don't think, in the history of the Celtics," Ainge says. "For sure since I've been here. So we need to use that space wisely. We can't just spend it just because we have it."

BROOKLYN NETS

--2015 free agents: F Mirza Teletovic, G Alan Anderson (player option), C Brook Lopez (player option), PF Thaddeus Young (early-termination option)

--Restricted free agents: G Markel Brown, SF Cory Jefferson, G Darius Morris

--Cap situation: At a projected $89 million, the cap-strapped Nets are already over whatever the 2015-16 salary cap will be and will pay the salary tax penalty once again. The Nets spent the most in the NBA in salary last year and appear to be headed that way again for 2015-16.

--Team needs:

The Nets are in a tough situation, with huge contracts to F Joe Johnson ($24.8 million) and PG Deron Williams ($21 million) that no one else wants, even as expiring contracts. Williams has regressed more and more over the last two years and is totally undesirable, so the team will hope to secure a scoring point guard somehow before the start of the season, although Jarrett Jack will return. He proved to be an excellent acquisition last year. Young opted out of his contract on Monday. The Nets would love to have him back and would love to redo Lopez's contract as soon as possible.

NEW YORK KNICKS

--2015 free agents: F Cole Aldrich, C Lou Amundson, C Andrea Bargnani, PG Shane Larkin, G Jason Smith, G Lance Thomas

--Restricted free agents: F Quincy Acy, G Alexey Shved, F Travis Wear

--Cap situation: Approximately $26 million under projected 2015-16 salary cap

--Team needs:

F Carmelo Anthony is the only true scorer and rebounder on a team that finished last season with a patchwork lineup and wound up with the second-worst record in the league and next to last in rebounding. Free agent PF/C Greg Monroe could be the answer. He is a proven scorer and his post game in the triangle, along with his defense, really could help out the Knicks.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

--2015 free agents: G Jason Richardson, G Ish Smith, F Thomas Robinson, F Luc Mbah a Moute

--Restricted free agents: C Henry Sims, F Glenn Robinson III

--Cap situation: Approximately $43 million under projected 2015-16 salary cap

--Team needs:

Where do you start? The Sixers, 37-127 over the past two seasons, have glaring weaknesses at virtually every position, though the projected inside pairing of C Joel Embiid and C/F Nerlens Noel gives them a possible starting point, and F Robert Covington showed some promise as a perimeter threat. It is difficult to see any high-profile free agent wanting to play for such a threadbare club, though the Sixers might be able to flesh out their roster with some lower-level guys. If they can reach the 30-victory plateau in 2015-16, the season would have to be viewed as a rousing success.

TORONTO RAPTORS

--2015 free agents: PF Amir Johnson, G/F Landry Fields, C Chuck Hayes, SG Lou Williams, PF Tyler Hansbrough, C Greg Stiemsma

--Cap situation: They could have $16.4 million cap space if they let all their free agents sign elsewhere.

--Team needs:

The Raptors need to find the leadership that was lacking during their four-game ouster from the first round of the playoffs at the hands of the Washington Wizards. The defensive game needs help. The rebounding must improve. Toronto was 24th in the NBA in the regular season in defensive-rebounding percentage, and the trend continued into the playoffs. The Raptors need to pass more with better efficiency to create better looks for their shooters, a regular-season flaw that also carried into postseason.



CENTRAL DIVISION

CHICAGO BULLS

--2015 free agents: PG Aaron Brooks, SF/SG Mike Dunleavy, C Nazr Mohammed, PG Kirk Hinrich (player option)

--Restricted free agents: SG/SF Jimmy Butler

--Cap situation: Approximately $3 million under the projected 2015-16 salary cap

--Team needs:

The top offseason priority for the Bulls is to keep one of their own: emerging star Jimmy Butler, a restricted free agent. Butler, 25, will command top dollar after averaging 20 points and earning his first All-Star selection in 2014-15. The Bulls appear willing to pay the luxury tax if it means keeping Butler, but don't expect them to add any other big-name free agents. Instead, first-year coach Fred Hoiberg will rely on second-year forwards Nikola Mirotic and Doug McDermott to step forward in his spread-the-floor offense. McDermott will be asked to fill a similar role to Mike Dunleavy, who is expected to depart via free agency. Three starters -- PG Derrick Rose, PF Pau Gasol and C Joakim Noah -- remain under contract, as do two key reserves, PF Taj Gibson and SF Tony Snell.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

--2015 free agents: F LeBron James (player option), PF Kevin Love (player option), SG J.R. Smith (player option), SG Mike Miller (player option), SF James Jones, C Kendrick Perkins, SG Shawn Marion

--Restricted free agents: F/C Tristan Thompson, G Iman Shumpert, G Matthew Dellavedova

--Cap situation: Expected to be over the cap apron and a taxpaying team

--Team needs:

Seven of the Cavs' top nine players are some form of a free agent this summer, either restricted or unrestricted. General manager David Griffin is already on record expecting both James and Love to opt out but re-sign with the Cavs. Cleveland finished the regular season 33-3 with all of its pieces healthy and intact, and Griffin made it clear he intends to keep that core together. "You look at that as a group that has the potential to be special, special good," Griffin said. "We anticipate that we'll take that group forward in very large measure." Provided all of the key pieces return, the Cavs still will have at least three roster spots to fill (Marion, Perkins and Haywood). Upgrading the backup point guard spot behind Irving is likely to be a summer priority.

DETROIT PISTONS

--2015 free agents: PF Greg Monroe, SF Tayshaun Prince, C Joel Anthony, PG John Lucas III

--Restricted free agents: PG Reggie Jackson

--Cap situation: Anywhere from $8 million-$26 million under the projected 2015-16 salary cap, depending on the free agent status of Jackson and Monroe

--Team needs:

Coach/president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy stated numerous times he would like to keep Monroe, but with a better long-range shooter in PF Ersan Ilyasova to take those minutes, it is unlikely that Monroe will return. The Pistons won't let Jackson go, nor is he inclined to leave. Jackson was acquired at the February trade deadline to be the team's long-term floor leader, even if PF Brandon Jennings fully recovers from a torn Achilles tendon, and the Pistons plan to match any offer sheet. Jackson already developed pick-and-roll chemistry with C Andre Drummond. The Pistons will need to bring in another small forward through free agency or a trade even if they draft one, since Prince plans to finish his career with a title contender. A backup to Drummond is also a need. Re-signing Anthony would take care of that, but he also may seek out a proven winner.

INDIANA PACERS

--2015 free agents: PG C.J. Watson, PG Donald Sloan, PF Lavoy Allen, F Luis Scola, G Rodney Stuckey, F Chris Copeland

--Restricted free agents: none

--Cap situation: If C Roy Hibbert ($15,514,031) and F David West ($12,600,000) sign 2015-2016 player option contracts, Indiana will have committed approximately $64 million in salaries for the upcoming season. If either or both opts to become a free agent, team president Larry Bird and the Pacers will have money to spend under the cap.

--Team needs:

After battling several key injuries, the Pacers missed the 2015 playoffs by a single game and are looking to feature a more up-tempo offense in 2015-16. In order to do that, Bird would like to have a more versatile big man. The team also needs capable backup help for George Hill at point guard. With the Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards continuing to improve in the East, Bird isn't the type to sit back and let others push the Pacers aside.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

--2015 free agent: F Shane Williams

--Restricted free agent: SG Khris Middleton

--Cap situation: Approximately $18.2 million under projected 2015-16 salary cap

--Team needs:

The Bucks seem content at four of the five starting positions. PG Michael Carter-Williams showed improvement after adjusting to a midseason trade. SG Khris Middleton is a restricted free agent the Bucks plan to keep, and F Giannis Antetokounmpo showed flashes of greatness in his second season. With F Jabari Parker, last year's first-round pick, returning from a season-ending injury, the Bucks badly would like to add a top-flight rim protector and post presence to that group and have been mentioned as a destination for Brooklyn C Brook Lopez, who is expected to opt out of his contract this summer. He is familiar with Milwaukee coach Jason Kidd, who spent one season running the Nets before jumping to the Bucks last summer.



SOUTHEAST DIVISION

ATLANTA HAWKS

--2015 free agents: F Paul Millsap, F DeMarre Carroll

--Restricted free agent: C Pero Antic

--Cap situation: Projections vary wildly, but the Hawks are expected to be at least $5 million under the salary cap

--Team needs:

Throughout a breakout season that saw the Hawks earn the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, critics questioned whether Atlanta had what it took to get over the hump in the postseason. Bluntly, some said, they needed a go-to guy. And maybe they did, but injuries also played a major role as they were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference finals. There are some big names on the free agent market, but Atlanta doesn't seem to be a likely landing spot. Coach Mike Budenholzer's roster is set at point guard with starter Jeff Teague and rising backup Dennis Schroder. All-star F Al Horford locks down one of the frontcourt positions. SG Kyle Korver will be coming off offseason ankle surgery, and if either Carroll or Millsap depart, there will be some big holes in the roster.

CHARLOTTE HORNETS

--2015 free agents: G Mo Williams, C Jason Maxiell, G Jeffery Taylor

--Restricted free agent: C Bismack Biyombo

--Cap situation: No flexibility outside of their $5.5 million middle-level exemption and their $1,672,000 bi-annual exception

--Team needs:

The first need was to get rid of SG Lance Stephenson at all costs, and that was accomplished when the Hornets shipped him to the Clippers for F Spencer Hawes and F Matt Barnes. Now the focus is on acquiring a shooting guard with 3-point range after the Hornets finished dead last in the NBA in 3-point percentage last season. General manager Rich Cho promises it will happen either through the draft, free agency or a trade. Beyond that, the Hornets need Al Jefferson to return to health after the forward/center battled through an injury-plagued 2014-15 season that saw him miss 17 games. Jefferson recently exercised a $13.5 million option to return to the Hornets next season.

MIAMI HEAT

--2015 free agents: PG Goran Dragic, SG Dwyane Wade (player option), SF Luol Deng (player option), F Michael Beasley (team option), SF James Ennis (team option)

--Cap situation:

The Heat would be about $17 million under the salary cap if they cut ties with Beasley and if Wade and Deng opt out of their contracts. If only Wade returns, they would be about $900,000 under the cap. If only Deng returns, they would be about $7 million under the cap. If both return, the Heat would be about $9 million over the cap but still could re-sign Dragic because they hold his Larry Bird rights.

--Team needs:

There is a possibility that the Heat loses the face of its franchise, Wade, who appears set to opt out of a $16.1 million payout for the final season on his contract. Wade, who helped Miami win three NBA titles, wants $60 million for three years. The Heat, noting Wade's age (33) and injury troubles, want him to agree to a three-year, $36 million deal. The Heat are also awaiting a decision on Deng, who can opt out of a $10.1 million payout for the coming season. In addition, the Heat wants to re-sign Dragic, who will be looking for $20 million per season. Dragic opted out of his contract Monday. On the horizon for the summer of 2016, the Heat would have to commit major dollars to re-signing C Hassan Whiteside, who has star qualities, and they also have a dream -- however farfetched -- of luring F Kevin Durant away from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

ORLANDO MAGIC

--2015 free agent: SG Willie Green

--Restricted free agents: SF Tobias Harris, C/F Kyle O'Quinn

--Nonguaranteed contracts: C Dewayne Dedmon, SG Ben Gordon, PG Luke Ridnour, SG Devyn Marble

--Cap situation: The Magic should be approximately $15 million under the projected 2015-16 salary cap.

--Team needs:

More than anything, Orlando needs to add a shot-blocking rim-protector to play alongside starting C Nikola Vucevic, who is talented offensively but a real weakness on defense. If the Magic don't land a shot-blocker in the draft, they will turn their free agency efforts in that direction. They believe that with their slowly maturing young talent, they can reach the playoffs by adding a veteran big man to the mix. They have the salary-cap room to do it. The hiring of coach Scott Skiles, a former Magic point guard, should make them tougher and add to their intensity defensively, which was lacking last season.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

--2015 free agents: SF Paul Pierce (player option), C Kevin Seraphin, PF Drew Gooden, SF Rasual Butler, SG Will Bynum

--Restricted free agents: None

--Cap situation: Approximately $11 million under projected 2015-16 salary cap.

--Team needs:

Coming of a second consecutive appearance in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Wizards are poised for another contending run next season assuming the core players return. Pierce opted out his contract on Monday. He will play another season (Wizards? Clippers?), and is the biggest X factor. Without the future Hall of Famer, Washington's need for a stretch-4 and another wing player increases significantly, especially since the roster already lacks a quality backup behind SG Bradley Beal. Regardless, the Wizards need an athletic big man who can play both ends and ultimately take over for PF Nene this season or next. Losing Seraphin and Gooden would make adding another center something of a priority.



SOUTHWEST DIVISION

DALLAS MAVERICKS

--2015 free agents: PG Rajon Rondo, PG Jose Juan Barea, SG Ricky Ledo, SF Richard Jefferson, PF Charlie Villanueva, PF Amar'e Stoudemire, C Tyson Chandler, C Greg Smith, C Brendan Hayward

--Restricted free agent: C Bernard James

--Cap situation: Approximately $9 million under the projected 2015-16 salary cap

--Team needs:

The usually free-spending Mavericks did a good job getting under the salary cap, which gives them options this offseason. The biggest decision: Should they reinvest their available funds on Chandler or use it on a guy who can complement SG Monta Ellis in the backcourt? Owner Mark Cuban has demonstrated time and again he is willing to roll the dice on big-time question marks, as he did with Rondo and Stoudemire last season. With PF Dirk Nowitzki near the end of his rope, Cuban almost surely will play to win now.

HOUSTON ROCKETS

--2015 free agents: G/F Corey Brewer, PF Josh Smith, PG Jason Terry

--Restricted free agents: PG Patrick Beverley, G/F K.J. McDaniels

--Cap situation: Approximately $6.3 million under projected 2015-16 salary cap

--Team needs:

The Rockets received a jolt of vitality with the midseason acquisitions of veterans Brewer and Smith, but now comes the hard part: deciding whether both are so integral to future success that a significant financial commitment is warranted. Smith, in particular, could be expendable given the Rockets' glut of big men and their continued pursuit of a third superstar, preferably a power forward, to complement F James Harden and C Dwight Howard.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

--2015 free agent: C Marc Gasol

--Restricted free agents: G Nick Calathes, C Kosta Koufos

--Cap situation: Approximately $38 million under projected 2015-16 salary cap, not including Gasol, Calathes and Koufos

--Team needs:

F Jeff Green exercised his player option for $9.2 million after proving to be a semi-bust since coming over from Boston last season. His athleticism helped; his shaky jumper did not. The Grizzlies' kryptonite is 3-point shooting. Other contenders in the West have enough to make up for Memphis' post advantage with Gasol and PF Zach Randolph, and the Grizzlies don't make enough threes (fewer than six per game) to force defenses to actively guard the perimeter. In the playoffs, Golden State coach Steve Kerr decided not to guard swingman Tony Allen away from the basket at all. SG Courtney Lee shot 40 percent beyond the arc but took far fewer 3s (224) than Stephen Curry made (286). Trading Lee and/or Green in a draft-night package is possible. However, the Grizzlies already mortgaged multiple future draft picks, including two protected first-round picks, and that hampers their flexibility for deal-making.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

--2015 free agents: C Omer Asik, C Alexis Ajinca, PG Jimmer Fredette, SF Luke Babbitt, SF Dante Cunningham, PG Toney Douglas (nonguaranteed contract for 2015-16)

--Restricted free agent: PG Norris Cole

--Cap situation: When SG Eric Gordon opted in for the final year of the four-year, $58 million deal he signed in 2012 -- a no-brainer because he will make $15.5 million in 2015-16 -- it seriously reduced New Orleans' ability to make free agent moves. If the Pelicans renounce all of their free agents -- unlikely -- they would have $11.3 million in total cap space. The key will be what the Pelicans do with Asik, who played last year for $14.9 million but counted only $8 million against the cap. Asik is an effective rebounder and post defender, but his inability to finish around the basket is legendary, and that might not fit new coach Alvin Gentry's up-tempo system.

--Team needs:

Health. In the last two seasons, the Pelicans' training room resembled an ER. Critical is the status of Jrue Holiday, whose scoring, passing and defensive abilities make him the Pelicans' best pure point guard. Holiday missed the equivalent of a full season the last two years with a stress reaction in his lower right leg. Counting on him remaining healthy for a full season is not a good bet. Holiday's status is critical because the Pelicans loved what Cole did in providing efficient minutes as a backup point guard. Tyreke Evans was the Pelicans' best point guard with Holiday sidelined. The Pelicans still need a legit small forward, someone who can run the floor and hit an occasional "relief" jumper to keep teams from collapsing on F Anthony Davis.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

--2015 free agents: PF Tim Duncan, SG Manu Ginobili, SG Danny Green, SG Marco Belinelli, SF Reggie Williams, PF Matt Bonner, C Jeff Ayres

--Restricted free agents: SF Kawhi Leonard, PG Cory Joseph, C Aron Baynes

--Cap situation: Approximately $18 million under projected 2015-16 salary cap.

--Team needs:

The Spurs' needs depend upon which of their free agents they are willing and able to re-sign. Almost surely, Duncan and Ginobili will return, which would more than evaporate all available free agent funds. San Antonio still would be able to re-sign its own free agents above the cap, and Green then would become the No. 1 priority. After that, all the Spurs need is good health -- not something a team can acquire in the offseason -- in order once again to rank among the chief title contenders in 2015-16.



NORTHWEST DIVISION

DENVER NUGGETS

--2015 free agents: PF Darrell Arthur

--Restricted free agents: SF Will Barton, G Ian Clark, G Jameer Nelson (player option)

--Cap situation: Approximately $7 million under projected 2015-16 salary cap

--Team needs:

The Nuggets have a roster with an uncertain future. The failed experiment of coach Brian Shaw means Denver is on its fourth coach in two years with the hiring of Michael Malone. He got the job over interim coach Melvin Hunt, who was strongly endorsed by the players to stay on permanently. Malone, who was fired by Sacramento in December, is a proven defensive coach, but he is taking over a team that wants to run. Malone vowed to coach to the talent on his roster, but what that will look like in October is very much in flux. If Denver is unable to move PG Ty Lawson or PF Kenneth Faried -- or both -- it will build around the two highest-paid, and most popular, players on the team.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

--2015 free agents: PF Kevin Garnett, SG Gary Neal

--Restricted free agents: C Justin Hamilton, F Robbie Hummel, PF Arinze Onuaku

--Cap situation: Approximately $21 million under projected 2015-16 salary cap

--Team needs:

Injuries forced the Timberwolves to sign a bunch of players off the street last season, none of whom likely will back. The one who probably will: Garnett. Added at the trade deadline in a deal with the Brooklyn Nets, Garnett brought valuable veteran leadership to one of the NBA's youngest teams. And with a likely future in the Wolves' front office, and perhaps even an ownership stake, Garnett probably will play in Minnesota or not at all. The Timberwolves won't be trading draft picks for players, but coach Flip Saunders would listen if a club called looking to add some youth in exchange for a veteran piece.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

--2015 free agents: none

--Restricted free agents: F Kyle Singler, C Enes Kanter

--Cap situation: Approximately $3.3 million under projected 2015-16 salary cap

--Team needs:

Despite missing the postseason, the Thunder head into the draft a somewhat loaded team. While the health of F Kevin Durant (who is in the final year of his contract) is the primary concern for the team, strengthening the bench and finding reliable backups will be the focus. However, if there is one position that is still unsettled it is the shooting guard spot opposite PG Russell Westbrook. Under former coach Scott Brooks, Oklahoma City's philosophy was to have it manned by a defensive-oriented player. With former Florida coach Billy Donovan at the helm now that could change.

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS


--2015 free agents: PF LaMarcus Aldridge, SG Wesley Matthews, C Robin Lopez, SF Dorell Wright, SF Alonzo Gee, SG Arron Afflalo (player option)

--Restricted free agent: C Joel Freeland

--Cap situation: The Blazers are $35 million under the projected 2015-16 salary cap.

--Team needs:

Portland will address the status of franchise player Aldridge first, then the dominoes will fall. General manager Neil Olshey indicated the Blazers fully intend to re-sign their All-Star power forward. They seem likely to extend an offer to Matthews, too, and perhaps Lopez. If the Big Three go elsewhere, a complete retooling of the roster (except SF Nicolas Batum and PG Damian Lillard) will be in order.

UTAH JAZZ

--2015 free agent: F Jeremy Evans, PF Trevor Booker (team option)

--Restricted free agents: G Joe Ingles

--Cap situation: Approximately $20 million under projected 2015-16 salary cap, not including non-guaranteed contracts and team options

--Team needs:

The Jazz have a solid young core and have multiple players they already like for the future at each position. The biggest need the team has is improved point guard play, but the organization is confident Dante Exum will improve offensively after his rookie year. The squad also needs PG Trey Burke to improve after a so-so sophomore season. Any player the Jazz get, however, will be required to buy into coach Quin Snyder's intense defensive philosophy, which helped Utah finish as the NBA's best defensive team in the second half of the 2014-15 campaign.



PACIFIC DIVISION

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

--2015 free agents: SG Leandro Barbosa, PF James Michael McAdoo

--Restricted free agent: PF Draymond Green

--Cap situation: Approximately $10 million under projected 2015-16 salary cap

--Team needs:

If the Warriors are able to re-sign Green, they will have all the key players from their championship run returning. That signing would push Golden State over the salary cap, handcuffing the team the rest of the offseason. Not that it matters. In a similar situation last offseason, the Warriors were able to add key reserves PG Shaun Livingston and Barbosa. Few front offices do so much with so little than Golden State's.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

--2015 free agents: PG Austin Rivers, SG Dahntay Jones, PF Hedo Turkoglu, PF Glen Davis, PF Ekpe Udoh, C DeAndre Jordan

--Restricted free agents: none

--Cap situation: The Clippers are almost exactly right on the projected 2015-16 salary cap.

--Team needs:

With the postseason addition of G/F Lance Stephenson, the Clippers will boast of All-NBA-type talent at all five positions (counting supersub SG Jamal Crawford) in 2015-16 if they are able to re-sign Jordan. No doubt, new Clippers ownership won't think twice about going well over the salary cap in order to get Jordan back and complete a title-contending quintet. If that happens, as expected, the Clippers would then be about four players away from fielding a legitimate second team. Getting the coach's son, Austin Rivers, to return would be a good start, but the rest must come (cheaply) from the outside.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

--2015 free agents: PG Jeremy Lin, PG Dwight Buycks, PG Ronnie Price, SG Wayne Ellington, SF Wesley Johnson, PF Carlos Boozer

--Restricted free agent: PG Vander Blue

--Cap situation: Approximately $52 million under the projected 2015-16 salary cap

--Team needs:

The Lakers have the available funds to go after SF LeBron James, should he opt out of his Cavaliers contract, and PF LaMarcus Aldridge. Think that would change the Western landscape? Short of that, the club must make sure its draft picks complement its free agent targets, and vice versa. Getting C Marc Gasol to agree to head west surely would change the way the Lakers look at the No. 2 pick in the draft, for example. Bottom line: The club needs a superstar or two who can complement SG Kobe Bryant now and, presumably, C Karl-Anthony Towns or C Jahlil Okafor in the future. That gives the Lakers a lot of options.

PHOENIX SUNS

--2015 free agents: G Gerald Green, G Marcus Thornton, C Earl Barron

--Restricted free agents: G Brandon Knight, PF Brandan Wright

--Cap situation: Approximately $15 million under projected 2015-16 salary cap

--Team needs:

The Suns would like to a get a serviceable player in the draft, but they also would like to get a top-shelf player in free agency with the cap space they have. Phoenix could let Knight walk and save even more money, but it traded two big chips (the Lakers' future first-round pick and 2014 first-round pick G Tyler Ennis) to get him. To watch Knight walk would be an embarrassment for an organization still trying to live down the Goran Dragic/Isaiah Thomas fiasco.

SACRAMENTO KINGS

--2015 free agents: G Andre Miller, F Omri Casspi, F/C Reggie Evans, C Ryan Hollins

--Restricted free agent: F Derrick Williams

--Cap situation: Approximately $29 million under projected 2015-16 salary cap

--Team needs:

PG Darren Collision averaged 35 minutes per game last season, so an additional point guard could save Collison wear and tear as he returns from a core muscle injury that cost him the season's final 33 games. Several internet rumors linked the Kings to Brooklyn Nets G Lou Williams, the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year. Sacramento also will seek frontline depth as it faces the prospect of losing Casspi, Derrick Williams and Hollins.

[StarDust Bum]

Lakers reportedly want Kings' Cousins

Jun 22, 2015

The Los Angeles Lakers are trying to acquire All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins from the Sacramento Kings, ESPN reported Monday.

The Lakers have been trying for several weeks to forge a deal that would be strong enough for the Kings to consider parting with Cousins, sources told ESPN.

Kings vice president Vlade Divac told the Sacramento Bee on Sunday that he will not trade Cousins, who averaged 24.1 points and 12.7 rebounds last season.

Despite Divac's denial, ESPN reported that the Lakers and Kings have discussed a deal involving the Orlando Magic that would send Cousins to Los Angeles.

Cousins, 24, has three seasons left on an extension he signed in 2013.

[StarDust Bum]

Report: Kings owner won't allow Cousins trade

Jun 23, 2015

Sacramento coach George Karl wants to trade forward DeMarcus Cousins. The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly interested in acquiring the 24-year-old All-Star and are willing to give up the No. 2 overall pick in this year's NBA Draft.

One problem: Kings owner Vivek Ranadive will not approve trading Cousins.

Ranadive told USA Today on Monday that the Kings have "zero interest" in trading Cousins.

King vice president of basketball operations Vlade Divac also was adamant that Cousins will not be traded.

If Divac changes his mind, other teams besides the Lakers -- the Celtics, Nuggets, Sixers, -- have shown an interest in acquiring Cousins.

[StarDust Bum]

Felton opts to stay with Mavericks

Jun 22, 2015

Dallas Mavericks guard Raymond Felton has exercised his option for next season, the team said Monday.

Felton averaged 3.7 points and 1.4 assists in 9.7 minutes per game for Dallas last season. He played in 29 games, starting three.

Felton, the fifth overall pick by Charlotte in 2005, has averaged 12.7 points, 6.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 696 games (615 starts) with Charlotte, the New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers and Dallas.