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Month: May 2024

Anthony Says Team Backs D’Antoni

January 30th, 2012 at 7:13pm CST by Chuck Myron

The 7-13 start by the Knicks, who've lost nine of 10, has coach Mike D'Antoni on the hot seat. Carmelo Anthony says none of that pressure is coming from the locker room.

Anthony says he and his teammates haven't tuned D'Antoni out, according to Ian Begley of ESPN New York.

"Anytime teams are losing, that's the first thing that comes to mind, the coach. But we don't talk about that," Anthony said. "We support Mike 100%. He's here with us, we're here with him, and we're going to roll with that."

Effective up-tempo offense has long been D'Antoni's calling card, but the team ranked 24th in offensive efficiency entering Monday.

Stephen A. Smith of ESPN.com painted a grim picture of D'Antoni's future in a story earlier on Monday.

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Central Notes: Kaman, Pacers, Leuer, Cavs

January 30th, 2012 at 4:39pm CST by Luke Adams

The latest out of the Eastern Conference's Central division:

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Kyler On Rockets, Nets, Augustin, Chandler

January 30th, 2012 at 3:05pm CST by Luke Adams

Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld took a look this morning at a few names he expects to be discussed in the weeks leading up to March's trade deadline. Here are a few highlights from the piece:

  • The Jazz and Grizzlies are among the many teams that have some interest in Chris Kaman.
  • The Rockets have been active, but are seeking a significant return for players like Jordan Hill, Chase Budinger, and Luis Scola.
  • With just over $34MM committed in 2012/13 salaries, the Nets wouldn't mind clearing some future cap room by moving Anthony Morrow or Jordan Farmar prior to the trade deadline.
  • If the Cavaliers are still in the mix for a playoff spot as the deadline approaches, don't expect them to become sellers.
  • Although the Bobcats aren't shopping D.J. Augustin, Kyler hears from sources close to the team that they'll listen to offers if they can obtain draft picks and gain financial flexibility.
  • When Wilson Chandler returns to the NBA from China, the Raptors plan to "make life hard" for the Nuggets. Denver has the rights to Chandler as a restricted free agent, but Toronto may try to move Jose Calderon or Leandro Barbosa to gather assets for a sign-and-trade offer for Chandler.
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Lakers Discussing Ramon Sessions With Cavs

January 30th, 2012 at 2:15pm CST by Luke Adams

The Lakers have talked to the Cavaliers about the possibility of acquiring Ramon Sessions, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.

Currently without Steve Blake, the Lakers attempted to bolster their point guard spot prior to the season, but a potential agreement for Chris Paul was vetoed by commissioner David Stern. Los Angeles acquired an $8.9MM traded player exception when they dealt Lamar Odom to the Mavericks, and could put a portion of that trade exception toward Sessions, who will earn about $4.2MM this season.

Sessions, 25, has seen a reduction in his minutes in Cleveland this year, as he plays behind top pick Kyrie Irving. In about 22 minutes per game, the fifth-year guard has averaged 9.1 points and 4.3 assists, with a field goal percentage (.340) far below his career rate.

Wojnarowski adds that the Lakers also recently worked out free agent Morris Peterson.

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Southwest Links: Kaman, Thomas, Green, Carter

January 30th, 2012 at 1:41pm CST by Luke Adams

Chris Kaman's availability has dominated headlines out of the Southwest division in recent days, as potential suitors contact the Hornets to discuss the seven-footer. Today, NBA.com's David Aldridge and SI.com's Zach Lowe each took the opportunity to run down the list of possible destinations for Kaman, concluding indepenently that the Hawks and Rockets are among the best matches. Let's check out a few more updates out of the Southwest….

  • Continuing the Kaman discussion, Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com asks Warriors fans whether they'd be okay with sending Monta Ellis to the Hornets in exchange for Kaman and a first-round pick.
  • The Spurs have assigned Malcolm Thomas to the D-League's Austin Toros, according to the Spurs' official Twitter account. Thomas, who was signed earlier this month, appeared in just 15 minutes over three games for San Antonio.
  • Hornets head coach Monty Williams told John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune that he regrets not bringing back Willie Green, who ended up signing with the Hawks: "[Green] was somebody I was in contact with, and we were waiting for the right time… If I could do it over again, I’d probably would have pressed the issue more."
  • Vince Carter, who signed for the mini mid-level exception introduced in the new CBA, tells Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com that he's starting to get comfortable with the Mavericks.
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Chris Kaman Drawing Trade Interest

January 30th, 2012 at 12:49pm CST by Luke Adams

12:49pm: The Bobcats have also inquired on Kaman, but a deal isn't likely, tweets Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer.

9:40am: The Rockets and Spurs are among the teams to inquire on Chris Kaman since Hornets GM Dell Demps said he intends to trade the center, reports John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. According to Reid, at least five teams have talked to the Hornets about Kaman, and Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group adds the Warriors to that list.

Kaman, who arrived in New Orleans last month as part of the package for Chris Paul, will sit out until the Hornets can work out a trade, as Demps told ESPN.com's Marc Stein last week.

"Chris has been the ultimate professional since he joined us," said Demps. "In no way is this a disciplinary action. We had discussions about extending his current contract when he first came to the Hornets, but the organization decided to go in a different direction."

According to Thompson's sources, a deal with the Warriors is unlikely. While Golden State could use Kaman to replace the injured Kwame Brown, it doesn't appear the Warriors have the pieces to match up with New Orleans. The league-owned Hornets may also find it tricky to work out a deal with division rivals like Houston and San Antonio.

The Pistons, Pacers, and Cavs have also been linked to Kaman, though Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski says New Orleans' reported asking price of draft picks, cap space, and a young player is too high for most teams (Twitter link).

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Knicks Notes: D’Antoni, Davis, Martin

January 30th, 2012 at 12:35pm CST by Luke Adams

A brief glance at the Knicks' and Nuggets' spots in the standings suggests the acquisition of Carmelo Anthony is looking worse than ever for New York. However, there's still some hope for Knicks fans, writes Jan Hubbard of SheridanHoops, who notes that historically blockbuster trades have worked out for the team getting the star in the deal. As New York tries to turn its season around, here are a few Knicks-related links to start the week:

  • Heads figure to roll in New York sooner rather than later, writes Stephen A. Smith of ESPN. Smith expects Mike D'Antoni to be replaced as the team's coach "eventually, but inevitably."
  • The silence from owner James Dolan regarding D'Antoni is ominous, agrees Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
  • The Knicks would like to see what Baron Davis can give them, since it may affect their interest level in Kenyon Martin, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. New York is one of five teams "in consideration" for Martin, who could be NBA-eligible within a month or so.
  • In a separate New York Post piece, Berman wonders if D'Antoni will at least get a chance to coach a healthy Davis. Berman expects the defensive-minded Mike Woodson to get the call if D'Antoni is fired, and points out that GM Glen Grunwald's future "is as uncertain as D'Antoni's."
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2011/12 NBA Free Agents

January 30th, 2012 at 11:27am CST by Luke Adams

The 2011/12 regular season is in the books, and free agents who were still unsigned when the season ended will now try to land a contract this summer. A number of players from our 2011/12 free agent list have been out of the league for a year or two now, and seem increasingly unlikely to return to the NBA. But the players who still have a decent chance at signing new contracts have been moved to our 2012/13 free agent lists. You can find those lists at the links below:

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Dwight Howard Open To Trade To Bulls

January 30th, 2012 at 10:37am CST by Luke Adams

While the Bulls didn't earn a spot on his original wishlist of destinations, Dwight Howard indicated last night that he'd be open to being sent to Chicago. Asked about a potential trade to the Bulls, Howard told Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune, "If I could play with Derrick [Rose] right now and God wanted that to happen, it will happen."

Although there had been some speculation that Adidas wouldn't want two of its signature clients in Howard and Rose to play for the same team, the Magic star denied that marketing issues might play a part in keeping him out of Chicago.

"It has nothing to do with Adidas," Howard said. "In fact, Adidas would love that because me and Derrick have the same guy."

Howard, who requested a trade earlier this winter, reportedly provided Magic GM Otis Smith with a list of preferred destinations that included the Mavericks, Lakers, and Nets. There have been conflicting reports on whether the list has grown since then, but for his part, Howard has seemed receptive to listening on any inquiries. Last week, he praised the Celtics, saying he'd "always listen" if a team like Boston came calling.

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Ishmael Smith Signs With D-League

January 30th, 2012 at 8:53am CST by Luke Adams

Free agent point guard Ishmael Smith has signed a contract with the NBA D-League, according to Scott Schroeder of Ridiculous Upside.

Smith, 23, appeared in six games earlier this season for the Warriors, earning a start in December against the Knicks as an injury replacement for Stephen Curry. As an undrafted rookie a year ago, Smith saw part-time action in 43 combined games for the Rockets and Grizzlies. The Wake Forest product will find a team after he clears waivers tomorrow, reports Schroeder.

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