Injuries That Could Affect The Trade Deadline
Deron Williams may have scored a franchise-record 57 points en route to a Sunday victory over the Bobcats, but the news out of Charlotte wasn't all good for the Nets. In just his fifth game back from a foot injury, Brook Lopez rolled his ankle badly and left the arena on crutches. There's still no official word from the team on the severity of the injury, but as Fred Kerber of the New York Post writes, it could deal a serious blow to the Nets' hopes of trading for Dwight Howard in the next ten days.
Lopez isn't the only trade candidate who could be on the shelf as the March 15th deadline approaches. Here are a few more players whose injury statuses may affect the deals their respective teams can make in the next week and a half:
- Jermaine O'Neal: The Celtics would need to include salary to make any deal of substance, so O'Neal's $6.23MM expiring contract made him a prime candidate to be included in a trade to ensure salaries match. Unfortunately for Boston, O'Neal recently suffered a wrist injury and may undergo season-ending surgery. If he elects for the surgery, there's a chance O'Neal could be waived by the Celtics.
- Al Horford: Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group reported last week that the Hawks were still interested in Dwight Howard, perhaps in a deal involving Horford. While such a trade would be a long shot to begin with, Horford's torn pectoral makes it even trickier. Already reluctant to deal Howard, the Magic would probably be even more wary about doing so for a player who is just recently out of a sling.
- Anderson Varejao: Varejao will be re-evaluated this week, but it looks like he won't return to the Cavs' lineup until after March 15th. Before the injury, the Cavs said they didn't intend to trade Varejao, though there was some speculation that stance could change by the deadline. With Varejao still out, he'll definitely be remaining in Cleveland.
- Jordan Hill: Among the Rockets' numerous former lottery picks on expiring contracts, Hill is the most attractive asset. While that may be faint praise, Hill has been the most productive of the group of four 2009 draftees that also includes Hasheem Thabeet, Jonny Flynn, and Terrence Williams, and his salary ($2.86MM) is very reasonable. However, a sprained MCL has kept Hill out of action for the last couple weeks, and even though he expects to return within the next week, he won't have much time to showcase his health before the deadline.
- J.J. Hickson: The Kings are reportedly quite interested in moving Hickson, but they've stumbled upon a roadblock besides his disappointing production this season — he'll miss his third straight game tonight with a hip pointer.
- Thabo Sefolosha: Having missed 18 games with a foot injury, Sefolosha is shooting jump shots again, but it doesn't appear he's ready for game action yet. Steve Kyler wrote this morning that the Thunder could try to acquire a replacement if the team feels Sefolosha will miss much more time. The 6'7" wing also represented a potential trade asset for the Thunder, but questions about his health will hurt his value.
- Andrea Bargnani: Bargnani seems to be getting closer to returning from a calf injury, and could be back in plenty of time for the trade deadline, but it may not matter either way. As Kyler reported today, the Raptors are getting inquiries on Bargnani, but don't seem interested in dealing him.
Kyler On Thunder, Howard, Crawford, Young
Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld wraps up his look at trade options for all 30 NBA clubs today, running alphabetically from Oklahoma City through Washington. You can find our recaps of the first two installments in the series here and here. Now, let's round up a few of the highlights from Kyler in part three….
- The Thunder aren't actively engaged in any trade talks, but if they're concerned about Thabo Sefolosha's foot injury lingering, they could look into acquiring a defensive-minded replacement.
- Sources close to the Dwight Howard process say the Magic are at least 50% sure they can keep D12 around for another season, if not longer. If that's the case, a blockbuster trade involving Howard is unlikely. Orlando is working hard to acquire pieces around its star center, though the team's lack of assets is making it a challenge.
- Daniel Orton is "a safe bet" to be traded by the Magic.
- While the 76ers have trade chips, they're unlikely to make a move before the deadline.
- The Suns would gladly move Josh Childress, Hakim Warrick, or Robin Lopez.
- Kyler hears from sources close to Jamal Crawford that the Blazers guard hasn't requested a trade, but that he wouldn't be opposed to being sent to a less chaotic situation.
- The Spurs haven't had "meaningful discussions" with any potential trade partners, and will probably stand pat at the deadline.
- The Raptors may be active in the next ten days, but Toronto continues to turn away proposals for Andrea Bargnani.
- Although the Jazz have some strong trade assets, they probably would want to include Devin Harris in any deals, which could turn off potential suitors for other players.
- Having accepted a qualifying offer from the Wizards this season, Nick Young can veto any deal that sends him out of town. However, Kyler hears that Young would welcome a move.
Southeast Notes: Diaw, Wizards, Howard, Heat
Earlier today, we heard the Heat are shopping around for a big man. Let's check out a few more items out of the Southeast Division….
- Bobcats officials say they won't make any pre-deadline deals that would compromise their rebuilding plans, says Richard Walker of the Gaston Gazette. However, Walker says it wouldn't be surprising to see the team move Boris Diaw, who has clashed with coach Paul Silas this season.
- Former Wizard Antawn Jamison still keep tabs on his old club, as he tells Michael Lee of the Washington Post: "Oh, I watch them. Young talent. It’s just a notion of learning how to be professionals on and off the court, but you can’t question the talent that they have here at all."
- If there's a chance of convincing Dwight Howard to stay in Orlando, Magic CEO Alex Martins is the man George Diaz of the Orlando Sentinel trusts with the job.
- The majority of Ira Winderman's Monday mailbag for the South Florida Sun Sentinel focuses on the Heat's need for frontcourt reinforcements.
Heat Inquiring On Reserve Big Men
The Heat's interest in adding a center has been well-documented, and with the trade deadline approaching, the club is calling around to gauge the demand for reserve big men, says Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com.
Miami's lack of size has been particularly noticeable with Chris Bosh out of action over the last few games. The team has been playing Joel Anthony at center, but as Windhorst writes, Anthony is "a power forward masquerading as a center." The same goes for Udonis Haslem and Juwan Howard, while the club's true centers, such as Dexter Pittman, Eddy Curry, and Mickell Gladness, haven't been productive in the limited minutes they've received.
If the Heat can't find a trade partner, their options are limited. The team hopes Chris Kaman is bought out after the trade deadline, but the Hornets haven't given any indication that's a real possibility. Francisco Elson and Kyrylo Fesenko headline an uninspiring list of free agent big men, after the Heat missed out on signing Kenyon Martin and Joel Przybilla.
Lamar Odom Desires Return To L.A.
Lamar Odom helped propel the Mavericks to a win on Saturday, after asking his teammates for their support, but according to Ric Bucher of ESPN.com (video link), Odom is still "desperate" to return to Los Angeles.
Having dealt Odom to the Mavs in December, the Lakers are ineligible to reacquire the forward at any point this season. Bucher says the Clippers would love to acquire the 32-year-old, but they don't have the expiring contracts Dallas would want to make a trade work. If Odom does indeed want to return to Los Angeles, a more likely scenario has him being traded or bought out next season by the Mavs.
Odom returned to the Mavericks on Saturday night after an absence that lasted a week and a half. In 33 games this season, he has posted career-lows in points (7.7), rebounds (4.5), and minutes (21.3) per contest.
Atlantic Notes: Celtics, Sixers, Chandler, Lopez
With a few games into the second half of the season, the battle for the Atlantic Division crown and homecourt in the first round of the playoffs should only look to intensify over the next few weeks. The Celtics, riding a four-game winning streak, are only two games behind the Sixers for first place in the division while the Knicks remain just three and a half games out. Today brought more topics of discussion:
- Bradford Doolittle of Basketball Prospectus (ESPN Insider link) examined the Atlantic Division and made some hypothetical trade proposals for both the Sixers and Celtics that could help them address some weaknesses. One deal would involve Philadelphia and Memphis in an Evan Turner-for-O.J. Mayo swap. Doolittle also suggests that Boston could explore dealing Avery Bradley, Brandon Bass, and Jermaine O'Neal to the Hornets in exchange for Chris Kaman.
- Although Carmelo Anthony appears to be completely healthy after battling multiple injuries all season, Knicks teammate Tyson Chandler is becoming bothered by an injured left wrist, writes Ian Begley of ESPN New York.
- A report from HoopsWorld indicates that Nets center Brook Lopez rolled his right ankle against the Bobcats and left the arena in crutches. He will be evaluated again on Monday.
- Former Celtic Jeff Green has been in Boston for the last two weeks, as he is being evaluated after undergoing heart surgery nearly two months ago. Green watched today's game on the Celtics bench and has expressed a desire to return to the team in the future, according to Mark Murphy of The Boston Herald.
Week In Review: 2/26/12 – 3/3/12
Here's a look back at this past week's most important stories:
- The Maloof brothers reached an agreement in order to keep the Kings in Sacramento.
- Andray Blatche is aggressively being shopped by the Wizards.
- The Nets signed Gerald Green to a 10-day contract.
- The Clippers signed Bobby Simmons to a 10-day contract.
- The Hornets signed Lance Thomas for the remainder of the season and Solomon Jones to another 10-day contract, respectively.
- On Tuesday, we learned that Brandon Roy is contemplating a comeback.
- Mickell Gladness signed another 10-day contract with the Heat.
- The latest on Wilson Chandler's journey back to the NBA.
- Dan Gadzuric earned a stint with the D-League.
- Jamario Moon, who had been part of the deal involving Mo Williams and Baron Davis last year, is headed to the D-League.
- The Suns don't intend to trade Steve Nash, although one writer believes that re-signing him this summer could be a longshot.
- The Celtics are interested in Michael Beasley.
- The Magic have been keeping an eye on Monta Ellis, but the Warriors are not interested in a deal unless it involves Dwight Howard going to Oakland.
- Patrick Mills received his FIBA clearance in order to return to the NBA.
- The Hawks have re-signed Erick Dampier for the remainder of the season.
- According to Sam Amico, it would be "a miracle" if Ramon Sessions was on the Cavaliers past the trade deadline.
- The Cavaliers re-signed Manny Harris to a 10-day contract.
- On Thursday, the latest rumors surrounding Rajon Rondo were examined.
- The Celtics reportedly have interest in Josh Smith, and it seems like any of the big three could be had in the right deal. On Friday, we looked at a few stories in which Smith's name surfaced.
- Billy Hunter offered his thoughts on the future and the next CBA.
- Keith Smart will remain the head coach of the Kings for the 2012/13 season.
- Here are the latest updates surrounding Lamar Odom's enigmatic season.
- Gerald Wallace hopes to re-sign with the Trail Blazers with a long-term deal.
- The Lakers have another list of point guards on their radar in case their main targets can't be acquired.
- Brook Lopez voiced his hopes to stay with the Nets.
- Chris Kaman commented on the trade rumors that have been surrounding him.
- If you missed anything that pertained to Dwight Howard this week, you can find it here.
Crawford Drawing Interest From Several Teams
7:49pm Chris Haynes of Comcast SportsNet Northwest asserts that the Timberwolves and Clippers "are very interested" but can't confirm the other teams being mentioned. (Twitter link).
7:20pm Before the season started, then-free agent Jamal Crawford decided to sign with the Trail Blazers after fielding offers from several teams. With almost ten days before the NBA trade deadline, the 6'5 guard could find himself on the move again, reports Yannis Koutroupis of HoopsWorld.com. While the Timberwolves and the Clippers appear to be the most aggressive in attempting to trade for Crawford, the Bucks, Kings, and Raptors have also sent out their feelers.
The 12th-year veteran is averaging 14.8 PPG, shooting 36.2% from three-point range, and is third in the league in free throw percentage at 92.8%. Crawford possesses a player option for next season and can opt out of his contract this summer. With a recent report of uncertainty brewing within the Trail Blazers' locker room, there is a possibility that Portland deals Crawford for value before the deadline rather than risk losing him for nothing to upcoming free agency.
Thunder Notes: Hayward, Prospects, Aldrich
The Thunder are winners of eight of their last ten games and sitting atop the Western Conference. After falling short to the Hawks on Saturday night, it appeared that Kevin Durant did not want to deal with the thought of losing, writes Darnell Mayberry of NewsOK. The team will have an opportunity to regroup tomorrow night against the Mavericks, but for now there are other noteworthy points of discussion:
- Lazar Hayward has been re-called from D-League, according to NBA.com.
- Mayberry spoke with GM Sam Presti to discuss the statuses of Latavious Williams and Tibor Pleiss, two Thunder prospects who are currently playing overseas.
- In a separate article, Mayberry reports that Cole Aldrich could be making a play toward becoming the team's primary backup center.
Odds & Ends: Rondo, Rockets, Blazers, Mavericks
- Rajon Rondo's stellar game against the Knicks was a display of his value to the Celtics and as a trade asset, writes Ian Thomsen of Sports Illustrated.
- Ric Bucher claims that the Rockets will have a different roster by March 16. (Twitter link)
- In addition to Nate McMillan's concern about lack of communication on the court, Mike Tokito of The Oregonian writes that Raymond Felton will soon return to the starting lineup for the Trail Blazers.
- Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas reports that the Mavericks have called up forward/center Sean Williams from the D-League after placing Brandan Wright on the injured list. Wright sustained a concussion against the Hornets on Friday.
- A day after Lamar Odom's solid performance off the bench helped the Mavericks beat the Jazz, Eddie Sefko of DallasNews.com believes that the onus is on Lamar to remain consistent for the rest of the season.