Kevin Durant Signs With Rob Pelinka
A month after parting ways with agent Aaron Goodwin, Kevin Durant has signed with Rob Pelinka of Landmark Sports Agency, reports Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal (Twitter link).
Pelinka represents a number of NBA stars, including Durant's teammate in Oklahoma City, James Harden. Landmark's list of clients also features Kobe Bryant, Carlos Boozer, Eric Gordon, and Andre Iguodala, among others.
Durant is in the first season of the five-year extension he signed in the summer of 2010, so Pelinka doesn't figure to negotiate a new contract for the Thunder star anytime soon. Durant's current deal expires in 2016.
Clippers Still Deciding On Bobby Simmons
MONDAY, 8:14am: Markazi has updated his story, saying that the Clippers will take the rest of the week to decide whether to sign Simmons for the remainder of the season. Coach Vinny Del Negro initially said the team would keep the forward, but according to Markazi, it became clear after yesterday's game that the team needed more time to decide whether to commit its final roster spot to Simmons.
SUNDAY, 4:00pm: According to ESPNLA.com's Arash Markazi, the Clippers will keep forward Bobby Simmons for the rest of the season. Simmons is currently on the final day of a second 10-day contract, which he signed on March 9th.
The 2004 Most Improved Player of the Year has averaged 3.8 PPG and 2.8 RPG in 12 games with the Clippers this season. A nine-year veteran, he was originally called up after averaging 13.5 points and 7.6 rebounds in 21 games for the Reno Bighorns of the D-League earlier this season.
Poll: Who Had The Worst Trade Deadline?
Earlier today, we asked which team had the best trade deadline. Based on the voting so far, it looks like the Lakers and their acquisition of Ramon Sessions are the popular choice – hard to believe considering the big names that were discussed as potentially on the move. With the trade deadline quieter than anticipated, which playoff hopeful missed out the most by not making an impact move?
Which Team Had The Worst Trade Deadline?
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Celtics 57% (572)
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Knicks 13% (126)
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Mavericks 8% (81)
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Suns 7% (67)
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Hawks 6% (58)
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76ers 5% (48)
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Jazz 3% (31)
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Grizzlies 2% (22)
Total votes: 1,005
Odds & Ends: Fisher, Bayless, Morey, Draft
With Derek Fisher being bought out by the Rockets after being acquired from the Lakers, there is plenty of speculation of where the veteran guard will end up. No longer a difference maker, Fisher's value would likely be as a leader for a contender or as a role model for the younger players on a rebuilding team. David Alridge tweeted that Fisher is not sure what he will do and that he wants to see if his "heart is still in it."
Here are some other notes from around the league on this Sunday night:
- Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun examines the effect that Jerryd Bayless' recent play will have on the Raptors' decision making. Wolstat speculates that Bayless could replace the aging Jose Calderon, who has been solid but is not exactly an exciting option for a lottery-bound team. Bayless is a restricted free agent after the year while Calderon is under contract for one more year.
- Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle analyzes Rockets' GM Daryl Morey's thusfar-unsuccessful quest to land an All-Star caliber player. Morey, whose shrewd decision making is lauded in many NBA circles, has upgraded Houston's roster repeatedly via trade but has yet to hit a home run.
- Moe Harkless, St. John's forward and Big East Rookie of the Year, will reportedly file for early entry to June's NBA Draft, according to ESPN via the Associated Press. It is unclear whether Harkless will hire an agent immediately or is just testing the waters, but the program has scheduled a press conference for Monday.
- Jonathan Tjarks from RealGM takes a look at the apparently skyrocketing value of late first round picks. Tjarks points to this year's trade deadline as an example of how the new CBA and a deep draft class caused teams to value picks in the 20s.
Week In Review: 3/12/12 – 3/18/12
Here is a look back at the most important news from the NBA's busiest week:
- Dwight Howard is staying put in Orlando, as the Magic center agreed to waiver his early termination option and remain with the team through the end of next season.
- The Nuggets signed Wilson Chandler to a five year, $37MM deal.
- The Clippers will keep Bobby Simmons for the rest of the year and the Nets will keep Gerald Green. Both players were on their second 10-day contracts.
- The Spurs reached an agreement with Patrick Mills, who spent most of the year playing in China.
- The Nuggets, Wizards and Clippers agreed to a three-way deal that sent Nick Young to the Clippers, JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf to the Nuggets and Nene Hilario, Brian Cook and a 2015 second round pick to the Wizards. Turiaf was then waived by Denver.
- Greg Oden and Chris Johnson were waived by the Blazers. Portland also fired coach Nate McMillan.
- Gilbert Arenas will work out for the Grizzlies on Monday in hopes of securing a contract. Speaking of Memphis, a billionaire wants to buy the team and potentially move it.
- The Pacers acquired Leandro Barbosa from the Raptors for a second round pick and cash.
- The Lakers got the point guard they were seeking in Ramon Sessions in exchange for a first round pick and Luke Walton. To make room in their background, they shipped Derek Fisher to Houston for Jordan Hill. Fisher was then bought out by the Rockets, who also acquired Marcus Camby.
- The Nets traded for Gerald Wallace, giving the Blazers a top-3 protected first round in return which will likely be in the top 10. The move could be seen as an attempt to keep Deron Williams, who plans to explore free agency.
- The Sixers traded a second round pick for Sam Young and bought out Andres Nocioni.
- The Warriors and Bucks swapped Andrew Bogut and Monta Ellis in the deadline's biggest deal. Stephen Jackson, who the Warriors also acquired in the deal, was then flipped to the Spurs for Richard Jefferson.
- The Cavs waived Jason Kapono and signed Manny Harris.
- Chris Kaman was not traded, and New Orleans appears committed to keeping him.
- Here is a useful summary of all the trade deadline deals for anything I missed.
Wizards Sign Edwin Ubiles
SUNDAY: The Wizards made it official today, announcing the signing of Ubiles to a 10-day contract.
FRIDAY: The Wizards will sign Edwin Ubiles to a 10-day contract this weekend, according to Scott Schroeder of Ridiculous Upside.
Ubiles, 25, has spent the season with the Dakota Wizards of the D-League, averaging 20.4 PPG on 50% shooting in 35 games for Dakota. The former Siena swingman has never been part of an NBA roster, though he was invited to Warriors' camp in December. Schroeder identified him earlier this week as a player who could get a shot at the NBA after the trade deadline.
The Wizards had a pair of open roster spots, so they won't have to make a corresponding move to clear room for Ubiles.
Odds & Ends: Odom, Aldridge, Jefferson, Celtics
In his first game since becoming a member of the Warriors, Richard Jefferson had a tough go, making just two of 14 shots and scoring nine points in just under 38 minutes of play. On Thursday, the Spurs dealt Jefferson for veteran swingman Stephen Jackson. Due to the approximate $30 million due his way over the next three years (including an $11 million player option in 2013-14 which he's likely to exercise), the Warriors were questioned for making the deal.
Here are a few other notes from around the league.
- John Denton tweets that Otis Smith is content with the Magic roster and can't see adding any of the recently bought out vets like Derek Fisher and Ronny Turiaf. CBS Sports' Matt Moore explores potential landing spots for Fisher.
- The Blazers have announced a Monday press conference for Jonny Flynn and Hasheem Thabeet, suggesting they passed their physicals (via Mike Tokito tweet).
- Yesterday, Yahoo! Sports' Marc J. Spears wrote a detailed feature on Lamar Odom's struggles in Dallas. Inside the piece, Spears notes that Odom formally requested a buyout in February, but was rejected by owner Mark Cuban and general manager Donnie Nelson.
- Upon hearing that Ronny Turiaf has officially been bought out by the Nuggets, WEEI.com's Paul Flannery takes a look into whether the Celtics might be interested in bringing the 6'10" Frenchman aboard. Boston made no moves at the trade deadline but with the future of Jermaine O'Neal still in serious doubt, they're still in need of a big man or two.
- Since taking over for the Trail Blazers former head coach Nate McMillan, Kaleb Canales has decided to utilize LaMarcus Aldridge more from the elbow. According to CSNNW.com's Chris Haynes, the move was made before Friday night's win against Chicago, and Portland's best player has said he's enjoying the change.
Nuggets Agree To Re-Sign Chandler
6:21 PM: According to Hoopsworld's Alex Kennedy, Chandler's deal is officially for five years and $37MM. The remainder of this season counts as one of the five years, so they deal is realistically closer to four years and $37MM. Chandler was a restricted free agent.
5:26 PM: The Denver Nuggets have come to an multiyear contract agreement with restricted free agent Wilson Chandler, the team announced today. We saw yesterday that the sides were working to reach a deal by the end of the weekend. The specifics of the deal have yet to be released.
Chandler came to the Nuggets last year from the Knicks as part of the package that fetched superstar Carmelo Anthony. He averaged 15.3 points and 5.7 rebounds between the teams in what was his fourth season in the NBA. During the NBA lockout, the 6-foot-8 Chandler agreed to sign with the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association.
Masai Ujiri, Denver's executive vice president of basketball operations, issued the following statement about the acquisition in a team press release:
"It is great to have Wilson back on our roster. It was a very unique situation signing a talented free agent in the middle of the season, and we worked extremely hard to find an agreement that was best for everyone. Wilson will be an excellent addition for the rest of this season and for years to come."
After essentially acquiring JaVale McGee for Nene (and his contract) in one of the season's bigger trade deadline deals, Chandler is another addition to an already strong and deep Nuggets' roster. Beat writer Aaron Lopez tweets that Chandler should be able to play Monday against the Mavericks.
Rockets Buy Out Derek Fisher
Derek Fisher has officially reached a buyout agreement with the Rockets, and is expected to hit free agency once he clears waivers, according to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski. In one of the more surprising deals that went down before the deadline, the 37-year-old point guard was dealt to Houston for Jordan Hill and a top-20 protected first round draft pick after the Lakers acquired Ramon Sessions in a separate move.
The Rockets appeared to be in need of another point guard while Kyle Lowry recuperates from a bacterial infection, but they instead chose to sign Courtney Fortson from the D-league.
At this stage in his career, Fisher is seen as one of the weaker guards in the league, but due to this experience in big games (five championships with the Lakers since 2000) he could sign on with a contender upon becoming a free agent. He'll be available to sign with any team except the Lakers due to a new rule in the CBA.
Poll: Who Had The Best Trade Deadline?
Looking back on Thursday’s trade deadline, several teams shook things up with some big moves. Some organizations looked ahead to the future, while others tried to put themselves in a position to win the championship right now. In this poll, we’re asking who made out the best?
Which Team Had The Best Trade Deadline?
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Los Angeles Lakers 40% (471)
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Milwaukee 17% (196)
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Orlando 10% (112)
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Golden State 9% (102)
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Portland 7% (82)
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Other 7% (78)
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Denver 4% (51)
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Washington 4% (48)
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Houston 3% (33)
Total votes: 1,173