A roundup of the latest news and notes from around the NBA on Tuesday evening:

• Mike Krzyzewski has issued a statement refuting recent reports that he will return as head coach of Team USA, reiterating that he intends to stay retired (Reuters report via the New York Times).
• Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News writes that the Mavericks should be an attractive free-agent destination for Dwight Howard this summer.
• Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld is impressed with Maurice Harkless' recent play as he has been given a greater opportunity for minutes on the rebuilding Magic.
• Sean Deveney of the Sporting News ranks the best rookies of this season, headlined by Anthony Davis and Damian Lillard.
• Erik Gundersen of TrailBlazers.com chronicles the relationship between Trail Blazers guards Wesley Matthews and Eric Maynor, dating back to their rookie season together in Utah.
• Amir Johnson praises Cavs big man Tristan Thompson to Frank Zicarelli of the Toronto Sun.
• Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com wonders whether the Celtics could have traded for Marcus Morris from the Rockets.

The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Wednesday evening:

• SportsDayDFW.com's Kevin Sherrington doesn't believe Dwight Howard would leave the Lakers for the Mavericks despite LA's current struggles.
• K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune writes that Bulls guard Nate Robinson is working on improving his consistency this season.
• Mavericks center Chris Kaman tells Dwain Price of the Star-Telegram that his former team, the Clippers, have a bright future.
• Ben Rohrbach of WEEI.com reports that Celtics guard Avery Bradley is making progress towards a return.
• Doug Smith of the Toronto Star praises Raptors forward Amir Johnson for his energy and effort.
• Al Iannazzone of Newsday reports that Knicks center Marcus Camby will miss time with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Sunday evening:

• Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman writes that Kevin Martin is performing up to expectations since being acquired by the Thunder in the James Harden trade.
• Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel thinks, in hindsight, that the Heat would have been wise to sign Andray Blatche this summer. Miami was held back by concerns about his effect on the locker room, as well as their belief in Josh Harrellson and Dexter Pittman, Winderman adds.
• Joe Freeman of the Oregonian admires the poise of Damian Lillard as the Trail Blazers rookie continues to impress.
• Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com likes what he's seen from Taj Gibson since signing a four-year extension with the Bulls.
• Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times adds to the praise of Gibson while also singling out Jimmy Butler for his defensive impact.
• Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun writes that Raptors bigs Amir Johnson and Ed Davis have not received due attention for their contributions.
• Rick Bonnell of the Oklahoman examines the Bobcats' defensive successes this season.
• Keith Langolis of Pistons.com says that rookie Kyle Singler has made a fan of head coach Lawrence Frank with his work ethic.
• Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle praises Patrick Patterson's improvement.

The Nets are pulling out all the stops tonight with Dwight Howard in town -- a pyrotechnic display is among the events lined up for the evening. Howard himself doesn't appear eager to answer questions about playing in New Jersey though, having ducked past reporters this morning without comment, as Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News writes. While Howard and the Magic get ready to face a Nets team missing Kris Humphries, let's check out a few links from around the Atlantic Division....

• Paul Flannery of WEEI.com examines what the Celtics' future will look like if the team doesn't make a move before the trade deadline.
• A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com lists a few potential trade targets for the Celtics, in slideshow form.
• Don't expect both Ed Davis and Amir Johnson to be Raptors next season, says Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun, who thinks the team will trade one of the two.
• Though signing J.R. Smith is its only significant recent roster move, the Knicks have the feeling of a team that has been totally overhauled. Marc Berman of the New York Post says the club will need some time to make all its pieces fit.