Atlantic Notes: Carmelo, D’Antoni, Celtics
After losses by the Knicks and Nets early in the evening, a Celtics victory in Los Angeles kept the Atlantic Division from going winless last night and pulled Boston within 2.5 games of the 76ers. Here's the latest out of the Atlantic:
- It seems "inconceivable" that Carmelo Anthony and Mike D'Antoni will both be back with the Knicks next season, says Marc Berman of the New York Post. While a trade deadline move is unlikely, Berman hears from a source that Anthony is disgruntled, and the relationship between player and coach "appears to be deteriorating."
- An injury to Marquis Daniels was one reason Celtics GM Danny Ainge acquired Jeff Green at last year's deadline, so do this year's injuries to Jermaine O'Neal and Chris Wilcox mean another deal is coming? "It’s similar but I don’t feel like we have to do anything, other than get another big body," Ainge told Paul Flannery of WEEI.com. "But I don’t think we have to make a trade at all."
- Ainge and the Celtics will proceed with caution at this year's deadline, writes Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.
Jazz Actively Exploring Trade Options
They may not be linked to any big-name trade candidates as Thursday's trade deadline approaches, but that doesn't mean the Jazz won't be active this week. GM Kevin O'Connor tells Jody Genessy of the Deseret News that he is "actively looking" at the team's trade options, with a focus on long-term gain.
"In the job that I have, one of the responsibilities is to improve the team," O'Connor said. "Now you can't improve the team without looking to make trades, and that's what we do. There's 29 other guys that have the same responsibilities to their teams, and they do the same thing. There's a lot of conversations."
While the Utah GM acknowledges that he's being aggressive in pursuing deals that could improve the team's long-term future, he said he doesn't want specific details on those talks becoming public.
"I hope the one thing that we do do is we don't get names out or possible scenarios out or anything else out," O'Connor said. "Because I think it hurts players."
Reports to date have suggested Derrick Favors, Devin Harris and C.J. Miles could be available, and there has been some speculation that Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap could be had at the right price as well. And while the Lakers' trade exception for Lamar Odom has received exponentially more attention, the Jazz have a large traded player exception of their own — the $10.89MM exception they received when they dealt Mehmet Okur to the Nets won't expire until December.
Rockets Back Off Bogut, Pursuing Other Deal
Shortly after he reported that the Rockets were one of three teams discussing an Andrew Bogut deal with the Bucks, Ken Berger of CBS Sports says the Rockets have backed off their pursuit of the Milwaukee center. According to Berger, Houston has turned its attention to discussing a separate trade.
The trade the Rockets are pursuing now doesn't involve Pau Gasol, says Berger. Given the health of Kyle Lowry, who the Lakers covet in any Gasol deal, that's not a huge surprise. There are a number of other trade possibilities for the Rockets, who possess a handful of expiring contracts, along with players like Kevin Martin and Luis Scola, who could be had in the right deal — such as December's failed blockbuster for Gasol.
Rockets, Warriors, Wizards Discussing Bogut
Houston, Golden State, and Washington are all trying to construct deals that would land them Milwaukee center Andrew Bogut, according to CBS Sports NBA Insider Ken Berger. Here's how each rumored deal looks to be shaping up:
- The Warriors, who have been in the spotlight all day as rumored participants in a possible three-team deal with Orlando and New Orleans, have reportedly entered a new three-team opportunity that would send Bogut to Golden State and Monta Ellis to Orlando. It's unclear what Milwaukee would receive in the deal, but chances are they'd be giving up Stephen Jackson in the process, which is a favorable situation for them. Golden State had also been talking to the Lakers and Bulls about a deal involving Ellis, but those have yet to get off the ground.
- If they strike a deal with the Rockets, it's believed the Bucks would receive a package that includes Samuel Dalembert, Courtney Lee, and draft picks in exchange for Bogut and Jackson. This deal would give Houston the All-Star level center (when healthy) they've coveted since Yao Ming retired, along with an immediate impact wing man. Dalembert is probably not in Houston next season, and Courtney Lee is an athletic bench player, so if this is rumored to be true, the deal could work out splendidly for Daryl Morey's team.
- Despite having JaVale McGee on its roster, Washington has been in talks to acquire Bogut from Milwaukee. One would assume McGee, who is physically gifted but suffers from mental lapses, is a part of the deal, but no specific players on Washington's side have been reported. All we know with the Wizards is that every player on the roster is on the table except for John Wall.
Ainge: Rondo’s Not Being Traded
Rajon Rondo has been a constant subject of constant trade rumors this season. His chilly attitude and enigmatic play have reportedly been the reason Boston has entertained offers, but every player has strengths and weaknesses, and Rondo's court vision, hyperactivity, and contract are all positives that outweigh the negatives.
The rumors are surprising because having a young All-Star, All-Defensive team point guard under contract is one of the most valued commodities in the NBA today, and moving him to rebuild around other pieces seems like it'd just delay the renovation.
Before tonight's game against the Clippers, Boston general manager Danny Ainge placed a cork in the faucet currently spewing trade rumors about his team's best player, telling CSNNE.com's A. Sherrod Blakely that the star point guard will stay put. "I don't know how many times I have to say it. Rondo's not being traded," he said.
Unless blown away by a deal that brings back immediate, young talent and draft pick(s), it looks like Boston will make a run with what they have without moving any of their core pieces before the trade deadline.
Odds & Ends: Sixers, Martin, Jennings
Sixers president Rod Thorn says Philadelphia will likely be quiet at the trade deadline, according to the Philadelphia Daily News’ Bob Cooney. When you combine Evan Turner‘s recent transformation into a serious impact starter with the eventual return of injured center Spencer Hawes, who was playing the best basketball of his career before going down, the 76ers aren’t exactly in a position of need. Any trade could screw up one of the league’s most symbiotic rosters.
- Rockets guard Kevin Martin says he’s frustrated with his up and down play as of late, and knows it could be the difference as to what team he’s on by the end of March, according to the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen. The loss of Kyle Lowry, who’s out at least two weeks with a bacterial infection, may have an impact on whether or not the Rockets choose to move Martin. If they want to make the playoffs this year, they can’t afford to remove their starting backcourt from the equation and expect to compete on a nightly basis.
- Brandon Jennings appears to be flustered by an SI report earlier this week that said he was available “for the right price.”
- In a column over at Hoopsworld.com, Joel Brigham says that Dwight Howard should be dealt to Chicago, but the Bulls will never pull the trigger. In the piece, Brigham criticizes Chicago for over-valuing its homegrown talent. He cites the team’s refusal to go after Pau Gasol and Kevin Garnett in year’s past as evidence that it’s unlikely they’ll make a rightful run at Howard before Thursday’s deadline.
- ESPNBoston.com’s Chris Forsberg tweets some interesting words from Celtics GM Danny Ainge says “there’s nothing going on right now” and that “we need another big body for sure, at some point.” The words seem to mean that if Boston doesn’t swing a deal before the deadline, they’ll either pursue someone from the D-league or a bought out player. Injuries to Jermaine O’Neal and Chris Wilcox have depleted the team’s front court.
Amico On Jamison, Pistons, Evans, Calderon
In his latest column updating us on a few rumors from around the league, Sam Amico of FoxSportsOhio.com had a conversation with Cleveland forward Antawn Jamison about the likelihood he could be moved before Thursday's deadline. Traded four times in his 14-year career, the veteran believes that with the Cavaliers currently sitting just a game behind New York for the eighth and final playoff spot, that the team will keep him instead of making a move just to save money. Jamison's name has been mentioned in trade speculation with Charlotte, Atlanta, and New Orleans, Amico said, but the 35-year-old is firm in believing he'll stay put.
- With his team now in the hunt for a playoff seed, Detroit GM Joe Dumars has "probably called every team twice" looking for a move that could improve the Pistons. Young standouts Greg Monroe and Brandon Knight are the team's only two players who're off the table.
- Of all the popular names being discussed in a deadline deal—including Dwight Howard, Josh Smith, and Monta Ellis—Toronto's Jose Calderon is the most likely to be dealt. I believe a team like the Lakers would be prime to acquire the sure-handed point guard (Calderon leads the NBA in assist to turnover ratio) who's a career 38.1% shooter from the three-point line and has familiarity playing with Pau Gasol from Spain's national team.
- Ever since he fell out of favor in Keith Smart's rotation, Sacramento has been trying to rid themselves of J.J. Hickson. The forward has been one of the league's biggest disappointments this season. The Kings are also apparently open to moving everyone on the roster except for DeMarcus Cousins and Marcus Thornton, which means Tyreke Evans could be available.
Magic, Warriors, Hornets Discussing Ellis Deal
6:13pm: According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, Golden State has moved away from talks of a three-team deal that would send Monta Ellis to Orlando. In a tweet, Stein says the Warriors are far more interested in assembling a package to offer Milwaukee for Andrew Bogut. Stein went on to say that the Warriors would be unwilling to part with Ellis, even if it meant getting rid of Andris Biedrins' contract, one of the worst in the league. According to an ESPN report by both Stein and Chris Broussard, the Magic will continue to spend the next 48 hours seeking various options on how they can add an enticing player to keep Dwight Howard happy. If they can't make a splash, they'll then spend the last 24 hours before the deadline looking at all their trade options.
1:57pm: The Magic, Hornets, and Warriors are discussing a three-way trade that would send Monta Ellis to Orlando, multiple league sources tell Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM.com. According to Rudolph, Warriors players being discussed include Ellis, Andris Biedrins, and Dorell Wright, while Magic players mentioned include Ryan Anderson, J.J. Redick, Hedo Turkoglu, Quentin Richardson, and Daniel Orton. Taking into account the Warriors' reported interest in Chris Kaman, the Hornets' involvement likely means Kaman would be going to Golden State if a deal was reached.
Although nothing is imminent, talks are ongoing, says Rudolph. I'd be surprised to see the three clubs work out an agreement, given all the moving parts involved, not to mention the presence of the league-owned Hornets — with David Stern still acting as the team's de facto owner, he'll have the opportunity to turn down any trade he doesn't feel benefits the team.
Reports in recent weeks have also indicated that the Warriors aren't looking to move Ellis unless they can acquire Dwight Howard. So it would be unexpected to see them move the Western Conference player of the week to Orlando for non-Howard assets. As Sam Amick of SI.com tweets, Joe Lacob seems unlikely to help the Magic keep Howard, since the Warriors owner covets the star center himself.
Clippers Unlikely To Move Bledsoe For Rental
In the weeks leading up to March 15th, Eric Bledsoe's name has surfaced in trade rumors involving the Blazers' Jamal Crawford and the Celtics' Ray Allen, among others. However, the Clippers aren't motivated to trade the young guard unless they're blown away by a proposal, says Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld. According to HoopsWorld's report, the Clippers are hesitant to move Bledsoe for a player who they'd just be renting for the rest of the season.
In Bledsoe, the Clippers have a young, inexpensive player at a position of depth. Chris Paul and Mo Williams are ahead of Bledsoe on the team's depth chart, so it makes sense that L.A. would consider moving its 2010 first-rounder to upgrade at two guard. However, the 22-year-old is the only guard the Clippers have under contract long-term — Paul's and Williams' contracts are set to expire after next season, and their futures are unknown. Bledsoe doesn't figure to be eligible for even restricted free agency until the summer of 2014.
As for the Clippers' potential two-guard targets, Allen will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, while Crawford figures to decline his player option for next season, making him an unrestricted free agent as well.
Odds & Ends: Grizzlies, Nuggets, Wall, Warriors
A day after losing to the Lakers, the Celtics return to the Staples Center to face the Clippers and try earn one win in Los Angeles. That contest figures to be the highlight of an evening schedule that also includes the Bobcats and Hornets squaring off in a battle of Conference cellar-dwellers. While we wait for the first of tonight's seven games to tip off, let's round up a few odds and ends:
- The Grizzlies have been active in trade talks, but haven't been discussing their primary players, reports Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld.
- Zach Lowe of SI.com hears that the Nuggets are being "very quiet" as the trade deadline nears (Twitter link).
- The Wizards' only untouchable player, John Wall talked to Michael Lee of the Washington Post about the team, trade options, and his performance.
- The Monta Ellis vs. Stephen Curry could finally come to an end for the Warriors this week, writes Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News. Meanwhile, Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com looks at some centers the Warriors are reportedly pursuing this week.
- Scott Schroeder of Ridiculous Upside examines some D-League players who could benefit from deadline deals and earn NBA contracts in the coming weeks.
- The Clippers have recalled Travis Leslie from the Bakersfield Jam, as Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles writes. Leslie had been assigned to the team's D-League affiliate on March 2nd.