NBA rumors: Rockets' hands tied on Kevin Porter Jr.
Domestic violence charges have been filed against Kevin Porter Jr. In the wake of this news, Rockets fans called for his immediate removal. However, Rockets correspondent, Roosh Williams, reported that the Rockets are officially out of the picture on this matter. This includes cutting or suspending. Roosh reported via Twitter that the NBA is in complete control of the investigation.
Per Williams: "The NBA is in control of the investigation into Kevin Porter Jr's arrest for domestic violence charges. The Rockets are not allowed to take any form of action regarding KPJ's future with the team in the meantime (including cutting or suspending him)."
According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, the league has jurisdiction to void the contract under the provisions of the Domestic Violence Policy. With that being said, it's likely Porter Jr. will be exempt from on court action. As far as the Rockets go, pretty soon, they may have a new roster spot to fill.
NBA rumors: Immanuel Quickley extension
Despite an impressive season last year, Immanuel Quickley has yet to get paid. That won't last much longer though, because for both parties, the clock is ticking. The Knicks have until the tip-off of the NBA season to sign Quickley, otherwise he will be a restricted free agent, per Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports.
Post All-Star break, Quickley averaged 21.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists, to go along with an impressive 40 percent 3-point shooting accuracy. Quickley also finished second in voting for the league's Sixth Man of The Year Award. Considering these achievements, Quickley wants far more than a five percent raise.
"He's going to want nine figures," an executive told Heavy Sports. "And that's for four years. I can't say the Knicks will go that high but they might have to. He is not a guy you want to send to restricted free agency."
However, the Knicks' surplus of guards could complicate things for Quickley. You already have Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and R.J. Barrett on this team. Then, the Knicks go ahead and sign Donte DiVincenzo in the offseason. Let's face it: this backcourt isn't just crowded, it's expensive. In fact, according to Spotrac, the Knicks are fourth in the NBA when it comes to guard spending.
Deveney reported that there has been some base-touching between the sides on a Quickley extension, but no serious talks as of yet. If the Kicks don't sign Quickly's extension, they could force him to get an offer somewhere else. Nine figures may be a stretch, but, according to Deveney, Quickley can expect to get something "in the range of $80 million for four years."
NBA rumor: New rest rule for stars
ESPN's Wojnarowski reported that the NBA is expected to pass a new policy cracking down on star players from "load managing" or resting during nationally televised games. The rules also prohibit multiple All-Stars from sitting out one regular-season game. (Sorry Clippers!)
According to Woj, "As the league negotiates a new media rights deal, NBA commissioner Adam Silver has been determined to increase player participation." This updated policy would basically give the NBA the authority to fine teams for violating these new resting rules. These aren't little parking ticket fines either. Per Woj: "The NBA will incorporate a fine system for teams that begins with $100,000 for first offenses, $250,000 for second offenses and $1 million more than the previous penalty for each additional fine, sources said."
With this implementation, the NBA had to provide a clear definition of a star. Which, to them is, "someone who's made the All-Star or All-NBA teams in any of the three previous seasons." A league memo obtained by ESPN revealed the new resting policy in detail.
- Teams must manage their roster to ensure that no more than one star player is unavailable for the same game.
- Teams must ensure that star players are available for national television and in-season tournament games.
- Teams must maintain a balance between the number of one-game absences for a star player in home games and road games -- with a preference for those absences to happen in home games.
- Teams must refrain from any long-term shutdown -- or near shutdown -- when a star player stops participating in games or plays in a materially reduced role in circumstances affecting the integrity of the game.
- Teams must ensure that healthy players resting for a game are present and visible to fans.
Thankfully, in the updated NBA syllabus, I mean policy, excused absences are included. That is, if you've played a certain number of minutes.
According to Woj's sources, "the NBA will allow pre-approved designated back-to-back allowances for players who are 35 years old on opening night, or have career workloads of 34,000 regular-season minutes or 1,000 regular-season/playoff games combined." For example, players like LeBron James, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Demar Derozan, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden already meet this criteria.
It would appear the crackdown on load management is here. Although this policy should protect veteran players while still allowing the NBA to run smoothly. It'll be interesting to see how this affects the upcoming season.
