As the Cleveland Cavaliers continue to take offers for Kyrie Irving, other teams around the NBA are gearing up for the start of the new year. The offseason is about to reach a quiet point, but there is still plenty of rumors to sort through around the league. Here are all the latest NBA rumors you need to know.
Josh Richardson unlikely to sign extension with Heat
The Miami Heat intend to keep guard Josh Richardson around long-term and will offer him a contract extension in the coming days, but Richardson likely won't sign it so he can become a restricted free agent next offseason, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Beginning Thursday, the Heat can offer Richardson a contract up to four years in length and for as much as $43 million in total value, with Richardson having the option of accepting it by the NBA-imposed deadline of the start of the regular season or opting instead, if he chooses, to become a restricted free agent next summer, with Miami having the right the exceed the cap to keep him.
The Heat is expected to discuss an extension with him, and my impression is that Richardson will at least consider it, though a strong case could be made for gambling on himself and waiting for restricted free agency next summer.
Richardson, who made 32 starts last season, averaged 10.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.
Ian Clark's contract demands
Former Golden State Warriors guard Ian Clark remains on the open market after turning down several offers as he is reportedly seeking an $8 million deal, according to Jackson.
There are several remaining free agents whose skills are appreciated by the Heat, including Warriors guard Ian Clark, the former Heat Summer Leaguer.
But even though Clark reportedly wants $8 million, nobody left on the free agent market seemingly would command Miami’s $4.3 million mid-level exception, which can be saved for the buyout market in January and February.
Clark averaged 6.8 points in a career-high 14.8 minutes per game last season.
Malik Monk to play point guard for Hornets
Charlotte Hornets rookie Malik Monk didn't play point guard during his lone season at Kentucky, but Charlotte intends to use him in that role this year, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer.
The Hornets had hoped to experiment with Monk some at point guard in summer league, where there are not stakes as big as winning or losing games that count. Monk is somewhat undersized at 6-3 to be an NBA shooting guard. He didn’t play the point at Kentucky, but believes he has the skills for either guard position.
“I think they want me to do both,” Monk said. “I think I can do it pretty good.”
Monk didn't play in the Orlando Summer League due to an ankle injury but expects to be cleared for basketball activities this week.
He averaged 19.8 points per game while shooting 45 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from three-point range for the Wildcats.
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