Celtics Notes: Trade Talk, O’Neal, Moore
Here's the latest on the Celtics, who suffered a resounding, 32-point defeat in Philadelphia last night….
- Coach Doc Rivers isn't anticipating any major moves in the next week, as he tells Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. "I'm sure there will be more rumors, there's nothing you can do about that," Rivers said. "We pretty much know what we want to do…. Like I said a week ago, I'd be surprised if we did anything. Obviously, if we find someone out there who wants to give us a player, we'll take them."
- The Celtics don't intend to trade any of their expiring contracts for young players with uncertain futures, a source tells Washburn.
- Jermaine O'Neal is still debating between season-ending surgery or a cortisone shot for his injured wrist, says Washburn.
- Also within Washburn's piece, Rivers says he isn't considering assigning E'Twaun Moore to the D-League.
- Dan Duggan of the Boston Herald doesn't believe the Celtics will make a trade, but cautions that pre-deadline comments made by Rivers and GM Danny Ainge last year gave no indication that the Kendrick Perkins deal was coming (Twitter links).
Kyler’s Latest: Sessions, Crawford, Hornets, Bulls
In today's NBA AM piece for HoopsWorld, Steve Kyler explores a few potential trade situations, providing the latest updates. Here's what he has for us:
- The Cavaliers aren't seeking a significant return for Ramon Sessions. The club would prefer a draft pick and an open roster spot rather than a filler player.
- While no deal is imminent, the Timberwolves' interest in Jamal Crawford is very real, and they appear to be the frontrunner. The Blazers are still talking to several teams about Crawford, however.
- Mike Dunleavy, who is part of the group that is the favorite to buy the Hornets, feels like he could get Eric Gordon and Chris Kaman, two of his old players, signed to new deals in New Orleans.
- The Bulls are talking to other teams, but appear to be surveying the landscape rather than actively trying to get any deals done.
Odom, Cuban Talk Los Angeles, Rumors
WEDNESDAY, 11:58pm: Eddie Sefko, Mavericks beat writer for the Dallas Morning News, gives his take on the exchange between Cuban and Odom last night. He says that because Cuban yells at all his players at some point, we should look at Tuesday night as a sign that Odom is now just a normal part of the team. Sefko reiterates that there is nothing suggesting that Odom will be moved.
TUESDAY, 9:38pm: While Mavs owner Mark Cuban acknowledged that there was some concern about Odom's absence from his teammates, he says that reports of Odom's desire to go back to Los Angeles are false, writes Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com.
"That was never the issue despite what you read. You know what's more interesting is that there's a whole lot of people, myself included, who like to use the media to try to create drama and stir up controversy. And it's so easy, it's hard not to," Cuban told reporters.
Meanwhile, Odom and Cuban appeared to exchange a few heated words during tonight's game against the Knicks, tweets Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
8:16am: Ric Bucher of ESPN.com reported earlier this week that Lamar Odom is "desperate" to return to Los Angeles, but the 32-year-old tells Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he's happy to be playing in Dallas.
"You know how fortunate I am to be here," Odom said. "I'm a guy that doesn't mind staying and working things out — even if they don't."
Odom added that he never asked the Mavericks for a buyout, as some reports suggested, and that he doesn't know how those rumors got started.
"Some of the rumors were untrue and that's something you have no control over," Odom said, "It's just like you're not here for eight days in a row, or however many days, and people stop seeing you and start talking."
After his four-game personal absence from the team, Odom appeared poised to head to the D-League's Austin Toros for a game before returning to the Mavs. Although the plan fell through, Odom was entirely on board with the idea — he was the one to bring it up to the team.
"I had suggested it because I had the time off, we didn't practice and didn't play. And I felt like it would be a good way to warm up," Odom said. "I look at it and I think of the NBA and I think that's what [the D-League] should be there for… kind of like minor league baseball."
While Odom is struggling through his worst NBA season to date, it appears he and the Mavs are still trying to make things work. As we discussed yesterday, even if the veteran forward wanted to return to Los Angeles, for either the Lakers or Clippers, his chances of doing so this season are slim to none.
Odds & Ends: Howard, Morris, Anderson, Knicks
While there haven't been any big Dwight Howard rumors so far today, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel indicates that there has been a "shift in tone" in how Howard's desires are perceived. As we documented yesterday, the rumors are running wild, seemingly due to Howard's ambivalence. Here is what else is going on around the league on this Wednesday evening:
- Brian Schmitz from the Orlando Sentinel takes a look at the some of the hardships facing the Magic leading up to the trade deadline, including their tough schedule and inconsistency.
- Eddie Sefko from the Dallas Morning News says (via chat), should Dwight Howard not get traded by March 15th, he considers the Mavericks the heavy favorites to land both Howard and Deron Williams. He also mentions Gerald Wallace and C.J. Miles as potential complimentary fits around Dirk Nowitzki, Howard and Williams.
- According to Yahoo's Marc Spears, Lakers assign rookie guard Darius Morris to the NBDL D-Fenders. Mike Bresnahan, Lakers beat writer for the L.A. Times, adds that Morris is still counted on the roster and will continue to get paid as a Laker.
- Chris Bernucca from Sheridan Hoops examines some of the recent deadline deals, and their impact on the league today.
- Magic forward Ryan Anderson has been trying to block out the Dwight Howard rumors, says Brian Schmitz from the Orlando Sentinel. Anderson knows he could be packaged with Howard, or traded to get Howard help.
- Mike D'Antoni recognizes that the Knicks are struggling with Carmelo Anthony and Jeremy Lin on the floor, but D'Antoni thinks it's a solvable problem, writes Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
Atlantic Notes: Calipari, Nets, Raptors, Turner
The Celtics pulled to within one game of the 76ers for the Atlantic Division lead after last night's overtime win against Houston. As the two teams prepare to square off for division supremacy tonight in Philadelphia, let's round up the latest out of the Atlantic…
- University of Kentucky coach John Calipari may be "in the crosshairs" of Nets management, says Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times.
- Brook Lopez's ankle injury doesn't mean the Nets will be any less active at the trade deadline, as GM Billy King tells Fred Kerber of the New York Post.
- Doug Smith of the Toronto Star discusses possible uses for the roster spot the Raptors expect to free up by parting ways with Anthony Carter.
- At one point, John Smallwood of the Philadelphia Daily News believed the 76ers would trade Andre Iguodala and keep Evan Turner long-term, but now he's convinced they'll do the opposite.
- According to a CBS Philly report, longtime Daily News writer Stan Hochman told Sportsradio 94WIP today that there's an explanation for Turner's inconsistent play that has yet to go public. However, 94WIP hears from a Sixers' front office source that the team isn't aware what Hochman is referring to. Hoffman has since apologized for making the remarks, but at the same time did not exactly back off his claim that something is going on: "I will not reveal my source, nor the nature of what I was told, but it was wrong to say what I said."
Poll: Which Team Is A Trade Away From The Elite?
Earlier today, we looked at five Eastern Conference contenders to key an eye on at the trade deadline as teams jockey for playoff positioning. Most people think that the Heat and Bulls are a step above everyone else in the East, and for good reason. As we near the trade deadline, let's look at the group below those two elite Eastern Conference teams. Which of the following likely playoff teams in the East would benefit the most by making a splash at the trade deadline? Who is a trade away from being able to compete with the class of the East?
For very obvious reasons, I am taking Orlando out of the equation here. Feel free to offer any trade scenarios this poll evokes in the comments section.
Which Team Is A Trade Away From The Elite?
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None Of The Above Can Touch Miami or Chicago 31% (298)
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Philadelphia 76ers 21% (200)
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Indiana Pacers 17% (163)
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New York Knicks 17% (162)
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Boston Celtics 10% (95)
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Atlanta Hawks 6% (55)
Total votes: 973
Diaw Deactivated, Likely Done in Charlotte
Bobcats forward Boris Diaw was deactivated prior to Wednesday's game against the Jazz, and according to Rick Bonnell from the Charlotte Observer, it sounds like Diaw is likely done in Charlotte. Bobcats coach Paul Silas spoke about Diaw's deactivation before tonight's game:
"I think if he had played all out, the way he should have, it would have been a much, much better club,” Silas said.
Bonnell said that based on Silas' direct tone, he can't imagine Diaw will play again for the Bobcats. Diaw's agent contacted the organization about a buyout, but Bonnell said they indicated they will only consider that after the trade deadline. Diaw didn't get on the floor last night against the Magic.
More from Silas: “I like a player who is really committed to not only the team but to himself and then doing the best he can as a player. Some of the things that would go on, like not shooting the ball (and) passing all of the time… I needed hoops and he could put the ball in the hoop. When that wouldn’t happen it was very disturbing."
It sure sounds like Diaw has been abusing his position as a relatively talented player on a team that does not have many like him. That doesn't sound like the best strategy if he expects a different team to take a chance on him in the coming weeks. Silas was asked if Diaw will play against for Charlotte:
“We just have to wait and see.’’
Trade Candidate: Andre Iguodala
Make no mistake about it, Andre Iguodala is having a fine year. The veteran forward was selected to his first All-Star game and has been mentioned as a potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate. While his scoring is down at 12.6 PPG, Iguodala has continued to stuff the statsheet as he always has while being the leader of a first place team.
But as the shine of a 20-9 start begins to wear off, the 76ers fans are getting restless. Going into tonight's game against Boston, the Sixers are 2-8 in their last 10 and have seen their once sizeable lead over the Celtics shrink to just a game. That stretch has shown the Sixers go ice cold offensively in the final minutes of close games, primarily because they lack an offensive star who can create his own shot.
Making almost $14MM this year, that player is supposed to be Iguodala. But as he showed on Sunday night against Chicago – where he airballed two pivotal attempts in the last few minutes – it probably is not. Iguodala's ineffectiveness at the end of games has led the team to turn to sixth man Louis Williams to take the final shot. Williams is a nice "instant offense" type of player, but he is not who a team wants deciding games for them if they intend to go deep in the playoffs.
Another issue is the lack of chemistry between Iguodala and Evan Turner – neither of whom is a traditional shooting guard. Turner's minutes have been down for the last month and the most popular theory is that those two cannot play together – prompting John Smallwood of the Philadelphia Daily News to suggest that one of them needs to go. As mentioned by Luke Adams, Smallwood thinks it will be Turner.
While I disagree that Turner will be moved, all of the elements mentioned above definitely point to the Sixers needing to make a decision at some point. They need a star, or at least someone who can create (and make) their own shot. With Iguodala due nearly $30MM in the two years after this one, the Sixers would need to take salary back to make a trade work.
How about a swap centered around Iguodala and the recently signed Marcus Thornton? Iguodala's defensive prowess would fit nicely around offensive studs Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins in Sacramento Meanwhile, Thornton's scoring and three point shooting would be a good fit in Philly. ESPN Trade Machine likes a straight up Iguodala-for-Thornton swap. Doug Collins and Rod Thorn both love Iguodala, so it is just speculation at this point, but it's clear that Philadelphia needs to do something, whether this year or very soon, if they want to compete with the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference.
Odds & Ends: Rondo, Lewis, Heat, Varejao
The Celtics look to catch the 76ers in the Atlantic standings, and the Bobcats aim for their first winning streak of the season in tonight's slate of games. But before the evening action gets underway, let's round up the latest odds and ends from around the NBA:
- One general manager tells Sean Deveney of The Sporting News that there's no way Celtics GM Danny Ainge will get equal value in a trade for Rajon Rondo: "There’s a perception that if Doc Rivers, who’s such a player’s coach, has had a hard time with him, my coach is going to have a worse time with him."
- Because he reached certain incentives, Wizards forward Rashard Lewis is now owed a guaranteed $13.7MM (of $22.7MM) next season, tweets Michael Lee of the Washington Post.
- Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel discusses Anthony Carter, Chris Andersen, and other potential targets for the Heat in today's mailbag.
- In an Insider-only piece for ESPN.com, John Hollinger presents some under-the-radar trade candidates that he'd target, including Robin Lopez, Austin Daye, and Jordan Farmar.
- The lack of production the Cavaliers have received in Anderson Varejao's place while he's been injured shows why the team has been unwilling to trade him, writes Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.
- In addition to sharing some Jamal Crawford rumors, Chad Ford of ESPN.com addressed a number of other trade topics in his latest chat.
- The Nets have no interest in a reunion with John Calipari, as had been suggested, tweets Chris Mannix of SI.com.
- Jerome Jordan will rejoin the Knicks after last week's D-League assignment, tweets Duane Rankin of the Erie Times-News.
Amico On Jamison, Favors, Blatche, Sessions
Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio talked Cavaliers and trade rumors in a chat today, sharing some noteworthy items along the way. Here are a few of the highlights:
- Teams are beginning to show more interest in Antawn Jamison, but it doesn't sound as if any talks have gotten serious yet. When I examined Jamison as a trade candidate three weeks ago, I wrote that I wasn't expecting the Cavaliers to move him. Amico agrees, saying Jamison probably only gets dealt if Cleveland finds a desperate trade partner.
- Derrick Favors, the third overall pick in 2010, is on the trade block, according to Amico. The Jazz would like to acquire a point guard or small forward.
- Pistons GM Joe Dumars is "really working the phone," which Dumars himself confirmed this week. Amico thinks Detroit could be a candidate for Andray Blatche. I'd assume if the Pistons were to discuss Blatche with the Wizards, Detroit would want to include Charlie Villanueva in any deal.
- Amico hears there's not much to the Cavs' reported interest in Marvin Williams, though he adds that Williams does want out of Atlanta.
- It's not a sure thing that Ramon Sessions will opt out and sign elsewhere at season's end. He's open to remaining in Cleveland, though he knows his minutes may be limited behind Kyrie Irving.