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Month: April 2024

Nets Notes: Johnson, Trades, Williams

January 31st, 2012 at 2:21pm CST by Luke Adams

Head coach Avery Johnson appeared on YES and WFAN this afternoon to speak with Mike Francesa about a few Nets subjects. Here are some highlights, courtesy of Colin Stephenson of the Star-Ledger and Andy Vazquez of the Bergen Record:

  • The Nets aren't trying to trade any of their players, according to Johnson, who added that there's no "circus atmosphere" around the team (Twitter links).
  • Johnson said he gets along very well with Deron Williams, and that the point guard is excited about the direction of the franchise (Twitter link).
  • Johnson predicts that activity on Dwight Howard will pick up after the All-Star Game, and that we'll see a lot of movement in March (Twitter link).

Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News is skeptical about Johnson's comments, pointing out that the coach made similar statements nearly a year ago, right before the Nets traded for Williams. I'm inclined to agree. Even if we assume he's kept up to date on the latest talks, Johnson figures to be more concerned with keeping his players happy and motivated than updating fans on the team's trade discussions.

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2011/12 Taxpayer Mid-Level Exceptions Update

January 31st, 2012 at 1:13pm CST by Luke Adams

The NBA's latest Collective Bargaining Agreement introduced a new kind of mid-level exception for teams who are paying the luxury tax. Rather than the four-year contract starting at $5MM (with 4.5% raises) available to non-taxpayers, teams over the tax line can offer a "mini" MLE of up to three years, starting at $3MM (4.5% raises).

Let's check in the status of those exceptions, and see which teams can still offer a pro-rated portion of that $3MM maximum to free agents:

Available

  • Spurs: Though waiving the retired Antonio McDyess reduced the Spurs' cap figure somewhat, the team still only has access to the mini mid-level exception rather than the full MLE. They could use it to attempt to sign a front-court player like Kenyon Martin, though it doesn't sound like they're overly interested in him. As close to the tax line as they are, it's possible San Antonio tries to get under it by season's end, rather than adding more salary. Here's the uninspiring list of current free agents the Spurs could be eyeing.

Used

  • Celtics: They used their mini MLE on December 9th, signing Chris Wilcox to a one-year deal worth $3MM.
  • Heat: They used their full mini MLE on December 9th, signing Shane Battier to a three-year deal.
  • Lakers: They used their mini MLE on December 14th, signing Josh McRoberts to a two-year deal. He'll receive $3MM this season and a 4.5% raise for 2012/13.
  • Mavericks: They used their mini MLE on December 12th, signing Vince Carter to a three-year deal. While Carter will receive the max ($3MM) this season, his subsequent raises are just 3%, and years two and three are only partially guaranteed.
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Team Facebook/Twitter/RSS

January 31st, 2012 at 11:01am CST by Luke Adams

If you prefer to only receive news about your favorite NBA team, Hoops Rumors has you covered. Below are links to our Facebook, Twitter, and RSS pages and feeds for all 30 teams.

Atlantic

Central

Southeast

Southwest

Northwest

Pacific

Transactions only: Twitter / RSS

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Magic GM: No Plans For Major Moves

January 31st, 2012 at 9:49am CST by Luke Adams

As trade rumors continue to swirl around Dwight Howard, Magic GM Otis Smith insists he doesn't intend to make any major moves, according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. Having lost its lost four games, Orlando has struggled recently, but Smith says the team's slump doesn't change his plans.

"I think you look at your team as a whole and understand that we have to fight through whatever we have to fight through and you continue to evaluate everything top to bottom," said Smith. "That's what you do. When it's time to make a change, you make a change."

Although Howard has requested a trade and is an incredibly desirable commodity, Smith is hamstrung by a number of the team's other assets. Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson are underperforming and are on expensive multiyear contracts, while recent free agent signings like Jason Richardson, Glen Davis, and Earl Clark can't be moved until March 1st.

I expect the team's front office to stay the course for the next month, hoping for an improvement in the team's performance. It seems highly unlikely the Magic make a move before March 1st, particularly since the All-Star Game takes place in Orlando on February 26th. If the team is still struggling at the start of March though, all bets are off.

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Grizzlies Receive Disabled Player Exception

January 31st, 2012 at 8:53am CST by Luke Adams

The Grizzlies have received a disabled player exception as compensation for losing Darrell Arthur, GM Chris Wallace confirmed to Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Arthur had surgery in December to repair a torn achilles tendon and will miss the season.

Under the new CBA, teams are eligible to receive a disabled player exception worth the lesser of 50% of the injured player's salary or the amount of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. In this case, half of Arthur's salary works out to just over $1MM, so Wallace doesn't have much flexibility.

"I can't say for certain if we'll use it," Wallace said. "It's fairly small as exceptions go. It's just one more piece to have. When you look at the restrictions around it, the probability is we won't use it."

The Grizzlies, who have until March 5th to use the exception, can only use it to trade for a player in the final year of his contract.

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Thorn: 76ers Didn’t Inquire On Amare Stoudemire

January 31st, 2012 at 8:17am CST by Luke Adams

TUESDAY, 8:17am: Sixers team president Rod Thorn told Tom Moore of Phillyburbs.com that there's no truth whatsoever to the report that Philadelphia inquired on Stoudemire. "Neither team made an inquiry," said Thorn. John N. Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer also hears from a source that there have been no talks, "preliminary or otherwise," between the two sides for Stoudemire.

MONDAY, 3:47pm: The 76ers have inquired on Amare Stoudemire's availability, John Finger of CSNPhilly.com reported yesterday. Finger cautions that it was likely just due diligence on the Sixers' part, as there's no indication talks advanced past the early stages.

Stoudemire doesn't appear to be a particularly desirable trade target at the moment. The 29-year-old, who has a history of knee problems, was slowed by an ankle injury earlier this season, and has struggled to find his usual scoring touch. His 17.7 PPG and .428 FG% are down from his career averages of 21.8 and .533. On top of that, he's owed approximately $80MM through 2015.

I'd guess the Sixers placed a call to the Knicks to see if a buy-low opportunity might present itself in the coming weeks. With over two-thirds of the season still to play, I don't expect to see the Knicks considering any blockbuster deals involving Stoudemire just yet.

For the rest of today's Knicks notes, click here.

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Bonnell On Bobcats, Top Draft Prospects

January 30th, 2012 at 10:55pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Charlotte Bobcats have the league's worst record (3-18) and are headed to L.A. on Tuesday to face the Lakers. The consolation is the team is likely headed for a high draft pick in June. Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer broke down some of the probable top picks and how they would fit in with the Bobcats. Some highlights:

  • Kentucky's Anthony Davis, a Marcus Camby type, could help fix Charlotte's porous interior defense.
  • Andre Drummond of Connecticut has raw athleticism and the body of a center, a position the Bobcats need to improve as much as any other, Bonnell says.
  • Catch-and-shoot small forward Harrison Barnes could provide an heir apparent to Corey Maggette, and the fact he comes from North Carolina is a plus.
  • Ohio State's Jared Sullinger is a big man with range and deft passing skills, but the power forward position is already too crowded in Charlotte.
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Pacific Links: Petrie, Smart, Biedrins

January 30th, 2012 at 10:31pm CST by Chuck Myron

Here are a few happenings from the West Coast:

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Odds & Ends: Wizards, Adelman, Irving

January 30th, 2012 at 10:19pm CST by Chuck Myron

Notes from around the league on Monday night:

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Latest On Dwight Howard

January 30th, 2012 at 7:36pm CST by Chuck Myron

Derrick Rose would be open to having Dwight Howard join him in Chicago, as indicated by his comments to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune. Here's the latest about the Magic big man who could be on the move:

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