Central Notes: Bulls, Pistons, Sessions
The Bucks have already made a big splash, and may not be done dealing, but other Central Division teams don't seem to be expecting much activity before tomorrow's deadline. Here's the latest out of the division:
- The Bulls aren't expected to make any major moves before the deadline, a source tells Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times. It seems that re-signing Mike James may be the biggest move Chicago makes this week.
- No trades are imminent for the Pistons, says coach Lawrence Frank. Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press says Detroit would love to move the Ben Gordon or Charlie Villanueva contracts if they could find a taker.
- Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer makes an argument for why the Cavaliers should trade Ramon Sessions, noting that it wouldn't necessarily ruin the team's playoff chances. The Magic are the latest team to be linked to Sessions.
Michael Beasley Drawing Significant Interest
The Lakers have been linked to Michael Beasley multiple times in recent weeks, reportedly having turned down an offer that would've had them giving up a first-round pick. Los Angeles isn't the only team going after Beasley though. According to Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld, the Magic, Rockets, and a few other teams are still in the mix.
The Timberwolves had been looking to move Beasley, who isn't in the team's long-term plans, for just a draft pick. Ingram says, however, that the increased interest in the former second overall pick means Minnesota could acquire a piece that would help the team remain in playoff contention this season. The T-Wolves are currently a game behind Houston for eighth place in the West, though Ricky Rubio's season-ending ACL injury has put a damper on this season's optimism.
The Magic offered Jason Richardson for Beasley, according to Ingram. As glaring a need as a two guard is for the Wolves, I'd imagine they'd be a little apprehensive about taking on Richardson — the 31-year-old is averaging a career-low 12.2 PPG and has three years and $18MM+ remaining on his deal after this season.
The Nets and Celtics also are thought to have some interest in Beasley.
Carmelo, D’Antoni, Knicks At Odds
10:10am: Anthony says he doesn't want to be traded and that he supports D'Antoni, tweets Iannazzone.
9:45am: Al Iannazzone of Newsday hears most Knicks players aren't upset with D'Antoni, and are more bothered by Anthony not buying into the coach's system (Twitter link).
8:44am: Leon Rose, Anthony's agent, tells Frank Isola of the New York Daily News that reports of his client wanting out of New York are "total nonsense" and "laughable" (Twitter link).
7:29am: With the Knicks in the midst of a six-game losing streak, still winless in March, there's at least one team executive who would like to trade Carmelo Anthony, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. But MSG Chairman James Dolan doesn't intend to trade any Knicks today or tomorrow.
"He said he's not trading anyone," said a source who has direct contact with Dolan. "He said it's up to the coach to figure it out."
For the coach, Mike D'Antoni, "figuring it out" may not be so easy. Chris Broussard of ESPN.com reports that D'Antoni has lost the Knicks' locker room during the team's current losing streak.
"The players like Mike as a person," a source said. "They think he's a good guy. But he doesn't have the respect of the team anymore."
According to Broussard, players are questioning D'Antoni, complaining about playing time, and confused about the coach's offensive and defensive schemes. Sources close to the situation tell Broussard that some players, including Anthony, have strayed from the system, mixing in some of their own plays with D'Antoni's and creating a "mess."
"Half the team is trying to do what coach says and the other half is doing something different," one source said. "Then it spills over to the defensive end because players are (ticked) off about somebody taking a bad shot."
During the Knicks' current slide, plenty of observers have questioned whether Anthony and D'Antoni can coexist on this Knicks squad, speculating that one will have to go sooner or later for the team to reach its full potential. Marc Berman writes about this topic in his latest column for the New York Post, noting that the player and coach talked last night in an attempt to work things out. However, before that discussion, 'Melo told a confidant that he might prefer a trade out of New York, and only wanted to remain a Knick if D'Antoni didn't return next season, according to Berman.
I can't imagine the Knicks will blow things up before tomorrow's trade deadline. The current coaching staff and roster should have until the end of the season to try to right the ship, but the team could definitely consider major changes this summer if the situation doesn't improve.
Bucks May Not Be Done Dealing
Even after pulling off a five-player blockbuster that landed them Monta Ellis, the Bucks may not be done dealing. Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times reports (via Twitter) that Milwaukee continues to explore another deal, with Luc Mbah a Moute and Shaun Livingston as the likely candidates to be moved.
Considering the Ellis deal put the Bucks in a better position to make a run at the postseason this year, I'd guess the trade they're discussing would bring in short-term help. Mbah a Moute's contract isn't especially burdensome, since its annual value declines each year, but it does run through 2015. It will be interesting to see whether Milwaukee would have to take back another long-term deal, or whether they'll look to add another expiring contract to Kwame Brown's. With Bogut gone and Mbah a Moute potentially on the move, it seems the team hopes to clear cap space to re-sign Ersan Ilyasova.
One Buck who won't be on the move today or tomorrow is Brandon Jennings, who the team removed from the trade block this week.
Amick’s Latest: Jennings, Evans, Knicks, Jackson
Sam Amick of SI.com explores a few trade deadline topics in his latest column. Here are the highlights:
- The Bucks have taken Brandon Jennings off the trade block, as we heard yesterday, telling Jennings' camp that he remains part of the team's future plans. Before Milwaukee made Jennings unavailable, the Hornets were interested in acquiring the young point guard to pair him with Eric Gordon.
- Before they dealt Monta Ellis to Milwaukee, the Warriors made multiple inquiries on Tyreke Evans. Golden State was prepared to discuss a deal that would've sent Ellis to the Kings, says Amick.
- Following up on reports of turmoil in New York, Amick hears divided opinions from sources close to the situation — some feel a coaching change is necessary for the Knicks, while others feel the onus is on Carmelo Anthony to adjust to Mike D'Antoni's system. Sources close to Jerry Sloan tell Amick that the former Jazz coach may be interested in coaching the Knicks if the position opens up.
- Traded players have 48 hours to report to their new teams and pass physicals, which means the Warriors may not have much of a window if they hope to flip Stephen Jackson to another team before the deadline.
- Amick also had a Dwight Howard update, which we covered here.
Bulls Re-Sign Mike James To 10-Day Contract
The Bulls have re-signed Mike James to a second 10-day contract, reports K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. The signing has been officially announced by the team in a press release.
With Derrick Rose's status uncertain for tonight's game due to groin soreness, James will provide backcourt depth. Though this will be James' third stint with the Bulls in 2011/12, the team won't be required to sign him for the rest of the season, since the 36-year-old had only signed one 10-day contract so far.
Despite only appearing in seven games for the Bulls this year, James has been productive in limited action, averaging 6.1 points and 3.6 assists in 12.3 minutes per game.
Celtics Rumors: Allen, Bradley, Rondo, Pierce
Following a blockbuster deal by the Eastern Conference's current eighth seed, is it the seventh seed's turn to strike? The Celtics have been at the center of countless trade rumors over the last few weeks, but according to GM Danny Ainge, no moves are imminent for Boston.
"It's not because of a lack of trying or having conversations with other teams," Ainge told A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com. "We just haven't come across a deal that we feel good about, that will make us a better team."
The Celtics have less than 30 hours to find that deal. While we wait to see if Ainge pulls anything off, here are the latest links out of Boston:
- According to Blakely, Ray Allen is the Celtic most likely to be moved.
- Avery Bradley is drawing "significant" interest as well, but an official from a rival team doesn't expect a trade: "Danny loves that kid, and now that he's playing and playing well… he's worth more to them to keep than to flip."
- The only way the Celtics could change their stance on not trading Rajon Rondo is if a player like Deron Williams becomes available, but a Nets source assures Blakely that's not happening.
- Ainge is reluctant to give up 2012 draft picks in any deal, telling Blakely that, while a short-term improvement would be nice, the team doesn't want to compromise its long-term goals.
- Asked about the possibility of a trade, Paul Pierce indicated to J.A. Adande of ESPN.com that the decision will likely be out of his hands: "There's only so much I can control…. I've heard it put out there that if Danny Ainge gets the opportunity, [a trade] can happen. So I'm not in a situation like Steve Nash where it's only if he requests it. That wasn't said to me. That's what it is."
Clippers, Jazz Discussing Raja Bell Trade?
WEDNESDAY, 7:47am: While some sources insist the Clippers and Jazz are discussing Bell, sources close to the Clippers deny that the team has interest, reports Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld.
TUESDAY, 11:33pm: Alex Kennedy reports that the Clippers and Jazz have discussed a deal involving shooting guard Raja Bell. (Twitter link)
In 31 starts, the 11-year veteran has averaged 6.7 PPG in 23.9 MPG and is on par with his career three-point shooting average at 40.7%. After recently clearing the air with Jazz brass following a clash with coach Tyrone Corbin, Bell looked ready to move forward and continue contributing to the team. Meanwhile, the Clippers have a record of 8 and 10 since losing Chauncey Billups to injury and are looking to replace his veteran experience at the 2-guard spot.
Bell is scheduled to make $3.4MM on the final year of his contract next season.
Warriors, Bucks Swap Ellis, Bogut In 5-Player Deal
The Warriors and Bucks have completed a deal to send Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson to Golden State for Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh and Kwame Brown. Both teams confirmed the move today via press release.
After this season, Ellis is owed $11MM annually over the next two seasons, with an opt-out for the second year. Udoh is still in the midst of his rookie contract that will be guaranteed until he is eligible for a team option after the 2012/13 season. Brown and his $6.7MM salary falls into the deal as an expiring contract. Bogut is still owed a total of $27MM through the end of the 2013-14 season, and Jackson has one year remaining after this season that will pay him approximately $10MM. Each side of the deal totals about $21MM in 2011/12 cap figures, so neither club is adding or reducing salary for this season.
For the Warriors, dealing Ellis gives head coach Mark Jackson the opportunity to start rookie Klay Thompson at shooting guard and him more significant minutes to develop. The deal also hinges on the health of Andrew Bogut. If he can fully recover from a broken ankle suffered earlier in the season, Bogut becomes the mainstay at center for Golden State after Jackson experimented with Andris Biedrins and Udoh in the starting lineup.
Stephen Jackson returns to the team in which he had a tumultuous exit in 2009, but with reports of unhappiness in Milwaukee due to an irreparable relationship with coach Scott Skiles, he finds himself out of that situation. According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports, sources say that the Warriors do not plan to buy out Jackson's contract (Twitter link).
The deal almost certainly takes the Warriors out of the running for both Dwight Howard and this year's playoffs. However, the short-term downgrade to the roster improves Golden State's chances of keeping its 2012 first-round pick, which will head to the Jazz unless it lands in the top seven.
Milwaukee receives a dynamic and explosive combo guard in Ellis, who had been averaging 21.9 PPG, 6 APG, and 1.5 SPG in 36.9 MPG. It will be interesting to see how Skiles handles the shots between Ellis and Brandon Jennings, as the Bucks traded two players that are not currently in the rotation for Ellis' 19 FGA (Jennings currently averages 17 FGA). Udoh, formerly picked by the Warriors with the 6th overall selection in 2010, is an intriguing prospect for the Bucks moving forward. Most importantly, it may help cover up the potential loss of forward Ersan Ilyasova to free agency, who recently said that he may leave the Bucks in the offseason for whoever offers the most money. It is questionable if Brown fits in Milwaukee's long term plans, as he is due to be out for the rest of the year while recovering from a chest injury and is slated to become a free agent this summer.
The trade was first reported by Charles Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and then tweeted by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
Odds & Ends: Mavericks, Hornets, Smith, Harris
- Mark Cuban doesn't see a reason why the Mavericks would be involved in the trade market right now, according to Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News.
- Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reports that the Hornets are not looking to add any payroll in a deal involving Chris Kaman, which makes a deal tough. (Twitter link)
- Despite numerous reports that Josh Smith wants out of Atlanta, Hawks co-owner Bruce Levenson believes that the chances of the team receiving equal value for their star forward is very unlikely, according to an Associated Press article by the Star Tribune.
- Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune tweeted that the Jazz are not trying to move Devin Harris.
- Clippers GM Neil Olshey tells Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times that the team is not looking to trade any of their remaining assets unless it makes an "impact acquisition."
- A panel of experts from ESPNChicago.com discussed the current state of the Bulls, and all agreed that the Bulls should remain intact past the deadline.
- Jeff McDonald of Spurs Nation gives a rundown of the team's thought process as the trade deadline looms. While they may not have the trade assets to get anything major done, they could look to the waiver wire after the deadline.
- Stephen Litel of HoopsWorld offered his opinion on trade scenarios in a chat with fans.