Knicks Closing In On Deal With J.R. Smith
FRIDAY, 7:50am: The Knicks are expected to add Smith in time for him to make his debut on Sunday, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. Berman says Renaldo Balkman is the most likely candidate to be waived to clear a roster spot.
THURSDAY, 5:50pm: Alex Kennedy from HoopsWorld (via Twitter) just spoke with Smith, who confirmed he is nearing a deal with the Knicks.
5:35pm: ESPN.com's resident Collective Bargaining Agreement expert Larry Coon tweets that the pro-rated veteran's minimum that the Clippers can offer is worth $656,370 today versus $2,358,871 for the mini mid-level exception. According to Coon, this is because the mini mid-level exception didn't start pro-rating until February 10, whereas the veteran's minimum began pro-ration on December 26. In other words, the difference is bigger than we thought.
4:34pm: The Clippers "still think they have a shot" to sign Smith, a source tells Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York. Smith is expected to make a decision one way or the other within a day or so.
11:52am: The Knicks are closing in on an agreement with J.R. Smith, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. Isola reports that Smith's agent, Leon Rose, met with MSG chairman James Dolan Wednesday night to attempt to finalize a deal. Mike Bibby, Renaldo Balkman or Toney Douglas are the likely candidates to be released if Smith joins the Knicks.
As we heard earlier today, the Knicks appear to be vying with the Clippers for Smith, who returned to America from China in the last 24 hours. One advantage the Knicks have over L.A. is the availability of their pro-rated $2.5MM mini mid-level exception. The Clippers could only offer Smith the pro-rated veteran's minimum for the rest of this season. The Knicks could also add a player option for next year to their offer; while Smith would likely decline it and become an unrestricted free agent, it would provide a level of security.
Smith requires a letter of clearance from FIBA before he can officially finalize a contract with an NBA team.
Cavs Notes: LeBron, Varejao, Jamison
With LeBron James stirring up a hornet's nest with his surprising comments about potentially wanting to return to play for the Cavaliers, let us take a look at some other recent news in Cleveland:
- The announcement that Anderson Varejao will officially miss 4 to 6 weeks while he recovers from a broken wrist likely ends any lingering trade talk involving the Cleveland center. With Varejao out for at least a month the Cavs are unlikely to make a run at the 8-seed in East, and may be more likely to be active at the trade deadline.
- Luke Adams examined Antawn Jamison as a trade candidate yesterday, concluding they won't get an offer more valuable than having Jamison's $15MM come off the books in the offseason. John Hollinger agreed in an ESPN.com chat today, saying that a post-deadline buyout is looking more and more likely.
Pacific Notes: Ellis, Kings, Suns, Williams, Blake
Seattle mayor Mike McGinn is reportedly set to unveil details of Christopher Hansen's proposal for a new sports arena later this afternoon. However, while Seattle is making strides toward returning to the NBA, it will likely need to relocate another franchise to do so. The Kings are the most likely candidates to be relocated, so let's check in on the progress on Sacramento's new arena, along with some other notes out of the Pacific….
- The Suns hosted a free agent work out today, with Michael Finley and Jermaine Taylor in attendance, says Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (via Twitter).
- It has become clear that Monta Ellis is expendable in Golden State, writes Monte Poole of the Bay Area News Group. Poole says that rookie guard Klay Thompson has been getting more playing time as it becomes clear to the Warriors that they will continue to struggle if Ellis remains their best player.
- Sacramento is seeking a contribution of about $85MM toward a new arena from the Maloofs, according to a report from the Sacramento Bee. It's not yet known whether the NBA, negotiating on the Kings' behalf, will agree.
- Suns owner Robert Sarver and president of basketball operations Lon Babby are confident the team can become competitive again in the near future, writes Paola Boivin of the Arizona Republic. The team still doesn't plan to trade Steve Nash unless he asks out, and isn't interested in a full-scale "blow-up" since that process would mean not contending for several years.
- Reports last week suggested Mo Williams was unsatisfied with his role for the Clippers, but Williams told Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld that's not the case.
- Elliott Teaford of the Los Angeles Daily News wonders if the Lakers' point-guard issues could be solved in part by Steve Blake rather than a free agent signing or trade acquisition.
Seattle Officially Announces Proposal For Arena
According to an Associated Press report, Seattle native Christopher Hansen is making a $290MM proposal for a new sports arena in an effort to lure an NBA (and NHL) team to Seattle. As we outlined earlier, Hansen's announcement was expected, but it became official on Thursday evening.
The pitch apparently includes $290MM in private investment in addition to the cost to acquire an NBA franchise — both of which would combine to construct the new arena estimated at $450MM to $500MM in cost.
The deal hinges on Hansen's group finding an NBA franchise willing to move to Seattle and sign a 30-year no-relocation clause. The inability to build a new arena was the root cause for the SuperSonic franchise relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008. The proposal will now go to a review board with a ruling expected within a month.
Trail Blazers' owner Paul Allen, who voted against letting the Sonics leave town, released a statement in support of the progression of Hansen's proposal to bring a team back to Seattle. Allen lives in Seattle and also owns the Seahawks of the NFL.
Pau Gasol Addresses Swirling Rumors
Earlier today, we heard that the Timberwolves are putting together a package for Pau Gasol. According to Brian Kamenetzky from ESPN Los Angeles, the Lakers big man recently addressed his future in Los Angeles:
"There's talks and rumors every day. Today I was reading it was Minnesota is really interested in trying to put a good package together," Gasol said. "[Other teams are] calling, and it seems like things are just waiting for the right offer to come along, for [the Lakers] to pull the trigger."
Gasol goes on to say that he wants to stay in Los Angeles to try to win another title, but knows it's not up to him. Gasol also indicated that it hasn't been easy to ignore all the trade talk.
In addition to Minnesota, we have heard the Rockets are still interested in Gasol despite David Stern vetoing their first attempt to land the 31-year-old. The Celtics may also have kicked the tires on a Gasol deal.
Odds & Ends: LeBron, Chandler, Lin, Barnes
LeBron James raised some eyebrows earlier today when he told reporters, including Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, that he wouldn't rule out eventually returning to Cleveland:
"It would be fun to play in front of these fans again," said James. "I had a lot fun times in my seven years here. You can't predict the future, and hopefully I continue to stay healthy. I'm here as a Miami Heat player, and I'm happy where I am now, but I don't rule that out in no sense…. And if I decide to come back, hopefully the fans will accept me."
While James sounded contrite about the way he left the Cavaliers, I can't bring myself to put much stock into his comments about potentially returning. It strikes me as an attempt to mend fences and shed the villainous reputation he earned in Ohio following "The Decision."
Here are a few more links from around the league:
- While J.R. Smith seemed anxious to leave China as soon as possible, Wilson Chandler had nothing but positive things to Sun Xiaochen of China Daily about his experience in the CBA: "It has been a very good learning curve and experience for me and has helped me mature in some ways and develop parts of my game that I hadn't worked on in a while."
- The latest "We could have had Jeremy Lin!" story comes out of Boston, as Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald reports the Celtics twice hoped to claim Lin on waivers, but lost out to the Rockets and Knicks.
- Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle doesn't blame Rockets GM Daryl Morey for letting Lin go.
- Sophomore Harrison Barnes tells Chris Thomasson of FOX Sports Florida that it'd be a "no-brainer" to declare for this year's draft if UNC wins the national championship this year. I'm betting Barnes, who figures to be a top-five pick, will be entering the draft even if the Tar Heels are bounced from March Madness early.
Inquiries Picking Up On Chris Kaman
Since re-inserting Chris Kaman into their lineup, the Hornets have received increased inquiries on the 7'0" center, reports John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. New Orleans is seeking young talent and expiring contracts in exchange for Kaman, says Reid.
After keeping Kaman off the court while fielding trade offers, the team decided earlier this month to temporarily end trade talks and bring him back to the club. The 29-year-old has made the most of what's essentially a showcase for potential suitors, averaging 18 points, 11 boards, and 1.8 blocks in the four games he's played sinced rejoining the Hornets. Though he was sidelined briefly with an ankle injury, Kaman bounced back in a big way, posting double-doubles in the Hornets' last two contests (both wins).
Earlier today, we heard about Miami's interest in Kaman, but the Heat don't match up well with New Orleans, and haven't even contacted the Hornets about Kaman, according to Reid. The Heat would likely only have a shot at Kaman if the Hornets held onto the big man, then bought him out of his contract later in the season. The Pacers and Rockets, who have plenty of cap space and expiring contracts, respectively, are among the more realistic suitors.
Free Agent Rumors: Iverson, Przybilla, Taylor
J.R. Smith's potential deal with the Knicks is the biggest free agent story of the day, but there are plenty of players out there hoping to land contracts of their own. Let's round up a few of the day's free agent updates….
- Allen Iverson is still drawing international interest, though there are conflicting reports on whether A.I. has received official contract offers. According to Sportando, Iverson has offers on the table from Puerto Rican and Venezuelan teams, but ESPN.com's Chris Broussard hears no formal offers have been extended so far. Broussard says Iverson would sign in the Caribbean, South America, or even the D-League, if it could lead to another shot at the NBA.
- Both Iverson reports agree that the next week will be crucial. According to Broussard's source, Iverson will "accept that his forced retirement is permanent" if he hasn't signed by the All-Star break.
- Some teams are backing off of Joel Przybilla, concerned that he's not fully healthy, tweets Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida. Przybilla was thought to be deciding between the Heat and Bulls, but perhaps those clubs are wary of extending formal offers.
- Jermaine Taylor, who appeared in 34 games for the Kings and Rockets last season, has signed with the D-League, according to Scott Schroeder of Ridiculous Upside. Perhaps Taylor's time in the D-League will be short-lived though — Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld says (via Twitter) the Suns will work out Taylor today, while Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports tweets that the 25-year-old will work out for the Clippers tomorrow..
Kahn: “Minuscule” Chance Of Major T-Wolves Deal
While the Timberwolves could use a shooting guard and also reportedly have interest in Pau Gasol, GM David Kahn warns not to expect a major move before next month's trade deadline. Kahn tells Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that he's receiving some calls as teams feel each other out, but he's not expecting any big deals for the T-Wolves.
"The likelihood of us doing something dramatic is minuscule," Kahn said. "That doesn't mean that maybe we [don't] do something minor. But the last thing I want to do is send a message to our players that they should be looking over their shoulders right now."
Kahn's last line suggests that even if he's exploring a significant trade, he wouldn't say so publicly and send the wrong message to his players. The Minnesota GM insists he's happy with the team's play at the two guard, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the club make a deal to bring in a shooter before March 15th.
Hornets Re-Sign Lance Thomas
The Hornets have re-signed Lance Thomas to a second 10-day contract, the team announced today in a release. New Orleans initially signed Thomas when the 10-day contract period began last Monday.
Thomas, 23, made his NBA debut with the Hornets earlier this season, appearing briefly in two games. He saw more frequent action during his last week and a half in New Orleans, averaging 2.6 PPG, 3.4 RPG, and 8.8 MPG in five contests.
NBA teams are permitted to sign players to two 10-day contracts during the season. If the Hornets want to retain Thomas when his second 10-day deal expires, they'll need to sign him for the remainder of the season. For more information on 10-day contracts, check out our primer.