Greg Oden Doesn’t Intend To Retire
Having previously had microfracture surgery on each knee, Greg Oden underwent yet another microfracture surgery on his left knee this week, ending his season. While the procedure is just the latest in a number of setbacks for the former first overall pick, Oden has no plans to retire yet, reports Chris Mannix of SI.com.
At this point, a comeback for Oden, who hasn't played in an NBA game since December 2009, looks like a long shot. The Blazers don't figure to offer Oden another contract this summer, though acting GM Chad Buchanan wasn't about to write off the center's career.
"Greg's still very young, in relative terms, for a professional basketball player," Buchanan said. "He's recovered from a couple of these before. His last two microfracture lesions have healed fine. So there's no reason to think he couldn't come back as long as he shows the work ethic and desire that he's had in the past to come back."
Agent Bill Duffy told Jason Quick of the Oregonian that it's too early to speculate about Oden's future, but that the 24-year-old "is not going to hear anything from us but optimism" (Twitter links).
David Stern Talks Hornets, Chris Paul, Kings
NBA commissioner David Stern sat down with TNT's David Aldridge for an interview that touched upon the state of some of the league's franchises, free agency, Stern's future, and much more. It's worth watching the whole conversation at NBA.com, but here are a few of the highlights:
- The list of prospective buyers for the Hornets has been narrowed to two, with "one in the lead." Stern hopes to finalize a deal within the next couple weeks.
- An agreement with the state of Louisiana on the team and arena is close, and Stern says he expects to get a "very fair" contribution from the state on the lease, which won't have an out clause.
- Stern defended his preseason decision on Chris Paul by explaining that he was acting as the Hornets owner rather than as the NBA commissioner when he decided not to sign off on the trade that would've sent Paul to the Lakers. He says he'll continue to operate in the same way until a new owner is in place.
- The Kings have agreed to put money toward the financing plan for Sacramento's new arena, though Stern didn't specify how much. He added that any contribution by AEG, the probable arena operator, would be seen as a team contribution as well.
Joel Przybilla Decision Expected Today
9:48am: Przybilla tells Quick that he has made his decision, but is waiting for his deal to be finalized before he announces anything. Quick thinks Przybilla has chosen the Blazers, but doesn't know for sure (Twitter links).
8:20am: When it was reported earlier this month that Joel Przybilla was nearing a decision on where he'd sign, the Heat and Bulls were said to be his finalists. Three weeks later, Przybilla appears ready to decide on a destination, but his list of options has expanded.
Agent Bill Duffy tells Jason Quick of the Oregonian that Przybilla is expected to choose today between playing for the Heat, Bulls, Trail Blazers, or Bucks. The veteran big man may also decide to spend the rest of the season at home in Milwaukee with his family.
One report last week suggested teams may be backing off Przybilla due to concerns about his health, but the Blazers are confident enough in the 32-year-old's status to have extended him an offer for the remainder of the season. Duffy sugested to Quick that there's a decent chance his client could end up in Portland.
"I think Portland is always the sentimental favorite for obvious reasons," Duffy said. "Joel has a home here and he had the best years of his career here. And at this particular time, it looks like he is needed, too."
Przybilla played 36 games in 2010/11 for the Trail Blazers and Bobcats. Over his 11-year career, the former ninth overall pick has averaged 4.0 points and 6.3 rebounds in 553 games (20.3 MPG).
Hornets Re-Sign Donald Sloan
The Hornets have re-signed Donald Sloan to a second 10-day contract, the team announced. The contract became official on Monday, so the Hornets will have to sign Sloan for the rest of the season if they want to hang onto him past March 1st.
Sloan, 24, has not played in the team's last three games, and a good chunk of this 10-day deal will be consumed by the All-Star break. After playing the Cavs in Cleveland tonight, the Hornets won't see action again until next Tuesday in Chicago.
John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune first reported that the Hornets were expected to re-sign Sloan.
Dwight Howard Rumors: Wednesday
The Magic will only play once in New Jersey this season, but can the same be said about Dwight Howard? Howard and the Magic arrive at Prudential Center tonight amidst speculation that Howard would like to be a Net, if not by March 15th, then perhaps by the start of next season. With New Jersey scuffling along at 10-24, the rumors surrounding Howard and Nets point guard Deron Williams figure to get more attention today than the game itself, so let's keep tabs on today's Howard updates here. As usual, the latest items will be added up top throughout the day….
- The Nets have promoted Howard's appearance in Jersey heavily, hoping to "provide an atmosphere to impress," says Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.
- Assuming he's not traded, Howard would give up an extra year and around $30MM in guaranteed money if he signed with the Nets this summer rather than re-signing with the Magic. However, Bondy hears from a source familiar with Howard's thinking that the lost year doesn't bother D12 much, as endorsement deals in the right market could help make up the difference.
- A source tells Bondy it's not a sure thing that Williams would leave the Nets if the team can't obtain Howard.
Eddie Sefko On The Mavericks
Dallas Morning News writer Eddie Sefko conducted a chat with readers today covering all things Mavericks. Here are the highlights:
- Sefko says he asked Mark Cuban if the team ever made a run at J.R. Smith. Cuban responded, "No offense to J.R., but we weren't interested."
- He believes Dallas is the number one destination for Nets guard Deron Williams, adding that "it wouldn't surprise" him if the team adds both Williams and Dwight Howard.
- Despite Lamar Odom's poor play throughout the season, Sefko doesn't believe he will be traded because of his valuable contract situation.
- Regarding the consistent play of Vince Carter and Delonte West (before his finger injury), Sefko says no Maverick will receive a new deal this summer until situations are resolved with Dwight Howard and Deron Williams.
- The team's most likely trade candidates are Brendan Haywood, Shawn Marion, Rodrigue Beaubois, and Dominique Jones because all have contracts running beyond this season. Sefko also reiterated that he's heard whispers of Beaubois being on the trade block, but that they'd only deal him if no guaranteed money beyond this season were coming back.
Odds & Ends: Richardson, Favors, Novak, Nocioni
After missing Monday night's game against the Bucks with chest pains, Magic guard Jason Richardson says he could be seeking a second opinion on what hopefully isn't too serious of an injury, according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel.
Here are a few other notes from around the league:
- Jeremy Lin's been the at the center of the world these last couple of weeks, but the Knicks have seen other unlikely contributions throughout their roster. Most notably from fellow journeyman Steve Novak. The two played alongside one another in the D-league last February and the results were fantastic, writes Mark Viera of The New York Times.
- The league has announced that due to Spurs center Tiago Splitter's right calf strain, Jazz forward Derrick Favors will replace him in this weekend's Rising Stars Challenge.
- With Elton Brand held out of tonight's game against Memphis with a sprained right thumb, Sixers coach Doug Collins chose to name the seldom used Andres Nocioni his starting power forward. With Philadelphia's bench and depth serving as their main advantage throughout this shortened season, the decision to start Nocioni over Thaddeus Young shows Philadelphia's need to keep their rotation as normal as possible. Brand will be out through the All-Star break.
Trade Candidate: Shawn Marion
Over the weekend, ESPN's Bill Simmons reiterated a point worth mentioning on his B.S. Report podcast: In order for the Dallas Mavericks to acquire both Dwight Howard and Deron Williams in free agency this summer, Shawn Marion and the $8.39MM due to him next season will have to be moved. With Jason Terry and Jason Kidd's combined $19.2MM salary coming off the books next season, and Lamar Odom and Vince Carter accounting for $11.3MM in non-guaranteed money, the team has done a wonderful job of staying competitive in the present while leaving open the possibility that two of the league's top players could come aboard in the near future.
Shawn Marion's $8.39MM, Brendan Haywood's guaranteed $8.34MM, and Dirk Nowitzki's $20.9MM are the only remaining contract figures on Dallas' cap that represent anything meaningful next season. When you consider Marion's value as a superb trade chip, along with the amnesty provision comfortably resting in its back pocket, Mark Cuban's team has the means to remain competitive this season and be a title favorite for the foreseeable future.
The plan of action would sequentially play out like this: First, the Mavericks would dangle Marion on the market as a still-valuable veteran who knows what it takes to win a championship. After dealing him for an expiring contract (it'd make no sense for them to take on anything else), the Mavericks will then amnesty Brendan Haywood once the season is over, wiping his contract from their books.
In this situation, Dallas could offer Howard the max and Williams something close. (Or both could take slightly less to join Dirk, like LeBron James and Chris Bosh did with Dwyane Wade.)
Of course, trading Marion—still one of the most capable perimeter defenders in the league—with no DeShawn Stevenson as a safety net could serve as a death blow for the team's chances of covering guys like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and LeBron/Wade should they be fortunate enough to make another trip to the Finals. His perimeter defense is integral to Dallas' title chances, and has been a key component in making the Mavericks one of the league's best defensive teams—despite Tyson Chandler's offseason departure—so far this season. In order to remain relevant in the now, Dallas would be wise to make a deal that not only brought back an expiring contract, but a player with the skill set to contribute immediately.
One possible trade partner would be Minnesota, a team that's been in the hunt for an experienced veteran for years. By offering Michael Beasley for Marion, things work out well for both sides. Dallas receives a talented offensive weapon who could still blossom if placed in the correct situation, especially on the defensive end when used in Rick Carlisle's zone based schemes (see, Brandan Wright). Beasley has fallen out of favor in Minnesota's rotation, starting just seven games in 22 appearances, and with his name in trade rumors these past few weeks it's clear David Khan would be more than happy to receive something as compensation before letting him walk out the door.
On the other end, Minnesota receives their veteran in the form of an uber-athletic and versatile Shawn Marion. Now putting up 12 PPG and 6.4 RPG in his 13th year as a pro, Marion's a player who could push the exciting Timberwolves into the playoffs as early as this season.
A deal like this could be the type of NBA rarity that benefits both teams. Now and in the future.
Odds & Ends: Howard, Iverson, Beaubois, Williams
With this weekend's All-Star game serving as a major benchmark in the Dwight Howard saga, Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel breaks down what could happen, and when, once the mid-season festivities are over with. One interesting thing to note: The Magic's first game after the trade deadline is againt the Nets. If Howard is dealt there, things would get interesting in a hurry.
Here are a few other notes from around the league:
- In a tweet, Sportando reporter Emiliano Carchia is reporting that a professional team in Puerto Rico has pulled its offer for Allen Iverson off the table.
- Last night, ESPN's Chris Broussard wrote that Dallas was ready to move on from French point guard prospect Rodrigue Beaubois. Alex Raskin of Hoopsworld disputes the report by saying Beaubois still has the support of several high-ranking executives in Dallas' personnel department. Raskin cites the team's possible need to replace Jason Terry next season as a prime reason as to why the Mavericks will likely keep him.
- Nets forward Shawne Williams will undergo surgery to remove a bone fragment in his left foot on Wednesday, according to the team. In his first season in New Jersey Williams has been a major disappointment, averaging just 4.5 PPG on 28.6% shooting from the three-point line after breaking out last year with the Knicks.
Marvin Williams Denies Requesting Trade
Upon hearing about Chris Broussard's report that suggested Marvin Williams wanted out of Atlanta, Williams "vehemently denied" asking for a trade, tweets Arthur Triche of the Hawks. The 25-year-old told Triche, "You know that's not me."
Broussard technically didn't report that Williams had requested a trade, writing that the Hawks forward "wants out because he wants to play somewhere where he'll have an increased role offensively." It may be a matter of semantics, but it's possible Williams is telling the truth and Broussard's report is accurate — the former second overall pick could be unhappy with his role, but not to the point where he's formally asked to be traded.
A former Tar Heel, Williams has played for the Hawks since 2005 and is playing a career-low 24.2 MPG this season. The lack of playing time has also reduced his points per game to 9.6, his lowest mark since he was a 19-year-old rookie, though his average per 36 minutes is consistent with his career rate. Williams is under contract through next season, with an early termination option for 2013/14.