Kyler’s Latest: Gasol, Mayo, Delfino, Williams
Earlier this week, Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld began exploring trade options for all 30 NBA teams, sharing the latest rumors and rumblings along the way. Kyler discussed ten teams on Tuesday, and looks at ten more today. Here are some highlights from the piece:
- The Pacers aren't looking to trade anyone, but would take advantage of their cap space to absorb salary if it meant acquiring a draft pick as well.
- Lakers sources insist the team still views Pau Gasol as an All-Star and would only trade him if it meant getting another All-Star back. L.A. isn't currently pursuing Dwight Howard, and any move the team makes will probably involve its $8.9MM trade exception.
- If the Grizzlies do anything before the trade deadline, it will likely involve O.J. Mayo, who has drawn interest.
- Carlos Delfino is an attractive target for a few teams, but Beno Udrih is the more likely trade candidate to be dealt by the Bucks.
- Trade talk surrounding Deron Williams could pick up before March 15th, if the Nets become concerned about their chances of acquiring Dwight Howard and signing Williams long-term.
- Trevor Ariza and Jarrett Jack could be had, but the price for most Hornets is an unprotected first-round pick, which seems like a long shot.
- The Knicks may consider moving Toney Douglas for a draft pick, in part to clear a roster spot for a player waived after the trade deadline.
Celtics Rumors: Josh Smith, Garnett, Rondo
Keyon Dooling tells Jessica Camerato of CSNNE.com that "switching teams is like switching clothes," and that trades can be a good thing, since you get to "live all across our beautiful country." Dooling's words of wisdom could be relevant for some of his teammates within the next couple weeks. Let's dive in to the latest Celtics-related rumors….
- Celtics GM Danny Ainge is pursuing Josh Smith and "other young studs," according to Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News. Lawrence says that Ainge is offering up Kevin Garnett, and that Ray Allen and Paul Pierce could also be had for young talent and draft picks. As intriguing as Garnett's huge expiring contract is, I can't picture the Hawks parting with Smith and another player (for salary purposes) to rent KG for two months.
- While teams are calling on Rajon Rondo, the Celtics haven't been overly receptive, tweets Chris Mannix of SI.com. Given Rondo's talent, age, and contract, Boston would want a franchise player for him, says Mannix (Twitter link).
- Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe echoes Mannix's sentiment, writing that the Celtics shouldn't and won't trade Rondo for a player like Pau Gasol or Stephen Curry, who wouldn't necessarily advance the rebuilding process.
- Sources tell Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald that deals for Gasol or Curry weren't discussed, but that the Celtics would trade Rondo if it meant getting a top-five point guard in return, which I assume goes without saying.
- Another source to Murphy: "They’re desperate to (trade Rondo). He’s the only real asset they have. The other guys, the Big Three, aren’t assets at this point…. All I know right now is that if Ainge is calling me right now, I have him over a barrel." With respect to Murphy's source, I have to disagree on the values of Garnett, Pierce, and Allen, who I think plenty of contenders would love to have.
Cavs Re-Sign Manny Harris
The Cavs have re-signed Manny Harris to a second 10-day contract, according to the team. Harris signed with the Cavs on February 21st, meaning his deal expired yesterday.
A good portion of Harris' first 10-day deal was chewed up by the All-Star break, and in the games the Cavs did play, Harris only saw six seconds of action (Tuesday against Boston). The 22-year-old had been averaging 21.4 PPG and 7.9 RPG for the D-League's Canton Charge this season, having twice been named the League's Performer of the Week.
Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal first reported Cleveland would re-sign Harris. If the Cavs want to keep the 6'5" guard past March 11th, they'd need to sign him for the remainder of the season.
Odds & Ends: Nash, Beasley, Dawson
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Thursday night:
- The Arizona Republic's Dan Bickley writes that the Suns are taking a risk by not attempting to trade Steve Nash, pointing out that he's a longshot to re-sign in Phoenix after the season.
- HoopsWorld's Eric Pincus explores the possibility of the Lakers making a trade for Michael Beasley after reportedly turning down an offer from the Timberwolves this week.
- The San Antonio Express-News' Jeff McDonald reports that the Spurs are unlikely to re-sign Eric Dawson, who just finished up his first 10-day contract with the team.
Hunter Discusses Future, Next CBA
SI.com's Sam Amick interviewed National Basketball Players Association general counsel Billy Hunter, and the players' chief attorney discussed the recently-negotiated CBA, his future as an NBPA executive, and the next CBA the players' union will negotiate, probably in 2017. Here are the highlights:
- Hunter is not paying attention to the backlash to his performance during the recent CBA negotiations, saying that criticism simply comes with the job.
- Hunter is under contract through 2016, and strongly hints that he will step down when his deal expires.
- The players and owners have an opt-out clause in the current CBA that can be used after the 2016/17, and Amick believes it will almost certainly be used by one of the sides.
Dwight Howard Rumors: Thursday
The Warriors and Hawks may be interested in making a play for Dwight Howard in the next two weeks, even without a guarantee that he'd sign long-term. For his part, Howard would like the Magic to try to acquire Steve Nash, and could perhaps be convinced to stay in Orlando a little longer if such a trade happens. Those were a few of the Howard rumors we heard yesterday. We'll track Thursday's updates here throughout the day, with the latest up top:
- The Orlando Sentinel's Josh Robbins reports that Magic CEO Alex Martins has continued to engage Howard in discussions about the future, athough Martins was hesitant to divulge what exactly has been discussed in these meetings.
- Robbins also wonders if Howard has expressed a willingness to stay in Orlando if the Magic acquire certain players, or if reports of Orlando's interest in Steve Nash and Monta Ellis simply suggest the Magic are making a Hail Mary play to convince Dwight to stay.
- The Magic could do worse than Brook Lopez in a Howard trade, writes Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel.
- The Magic are making trade inquiries, but they're trying to acquire talent around Howard, rather than shopping their star center, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. If Orlando isn't able to bolster its roster around Howard, that stance could change, but for now, a D12 deal appears unlikely, Kennedy adds (via Twitter).
- One player the Magic are pursuing is Monta Ellis, though Marcus Thompson II reported yesterday that the Warriors aren't interested in trading Ellis to Orlando without acquiring Howard. I'm also in agreement with Kennedy when he notes (on Twitter) that the Magic probably don't have the assets, besides Howard, to get an Ellis deal done. Still, the fact that Orlando is involving Howard in the decision-making process is a step in the right direction for the Magic, tweets Kennedy.
Wilson Chandler Offer Sheet Deadline Passes
HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy reports (via Twitter) that the deadline for forward Wilson Chandler to sign an offer sheet with a team other than Denver has passed. Chandler, a restricted free agent, may now either re-sign with the Nuggets or sit out the remainder of the 2011/12 season and become a restricted free agent this summer.
Chandler signed with the Chinese Basketball Association's Zhejiang Guangsha Lions during the NBA lockout and recently received FIBA clearance to return to the NBA. The Raptors were rumored to be interested in signing Chandler, but any team besides Denver that wants to pursue him will have to wait until after the season.
Details Of Sacramento Arena Proposal
Earlier this week, an agreement was reached between the city of Sacramento and the NBA to keep the Kings in town and build them a brand-new, state-of-the-art arena. The details of the city's proposal have now been revealed, and USA Today has the report. Here are the important points:
- The arena will open in time for the 2015/16 season, and the Kings have agreed to act as its anchor tenant for 30 years.
- The city will contribute $255.5MM to the construction of the arena, while AEG will kick in $58.75MM and the Maloof brothers will be responsible for $73.25MM. In addition, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson will solicit $3MM in donations for the project.
- A new revenue sharing plan will be implemented distributing profits between the city and AEG.
Rajon Rondo Rumors: Thursday
As Rajon Rondo rumors heated up yesterday, the Celtics' point guard went out and put up a triple-double on the Bucks, en route to a 102-96 win. Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com writes that Rondo was happier about the job he did on defense, holding Brandon Jennings to six points on 2-of-11 shooting. While we wait to see if the 26-year-old continues to play at the top of his game amidst trade rumors, let's round up today's Rondo items right here (newest items on top)….
- A Celtics source reiterated to NBA.com's David Aldridge that Rondo is not on the trading block, despite the recent surge of interest (link via Twitter).
- Appearing on WEEI in Boston, GM Danny Ainge said of Rondo, "I've made zero calls to try to trade him, and I won't" (link via ESPN Boston).
- Celtics coach Doc Rivers told Jackie MacMullan of ESPN Boston he's tired of hearing reports suggesting he and Rondo don't get along, or reports that the Celtics are shopping Rondo: "My relationship with Rajon is as strong as it has ever been. Our communication has never been better. I want him here. I can say with almost 100% certainty he will be here with us when the season ends."
- Within MacMullan's piece, two GMs who were involved (as potential third teams) in trade talks involving Rondo and Chris Paul in the offseason confirmed they haven't received calls regarding Rondo since then.
- Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are drawing more trade interest than Rondo, reports A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com.
- Asked about Rondo's future, Ainge said, "I anticipate him being here for a long time," according to Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald. Ainge added that he isn't actively shopping Rondo, who Ainge says is getting along "better than ever" with Rivers.
- Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe hears from a source that the Celtics are just listening to offers on Rondo, rather than actively trying to dump him. ESPN.com's Chris Broussard reported yesterday that the Celtics were aggressively shopping Rondo, which echoed an earlier report that suggested Boston was initiating talks involving its point guard. Either way, it's clear the Celtics are at least talking about Rondo with teams.
- Appearing on The Dan Patrick Show, Sam Smith of Bulls.com said he thinks GM Danny Ainge will try to make a "big splash" by dealing Rondo, adding that the point guard and Rivers don't get along well (hat tip to CSNNE.com). Broussard expressed a similar sentiment on SportsCenter (via ESPNBoston.com): "[Rondo] has trouble taking constructive criticism and he does clash a lot with Doc Rivers. They know he's a great player. They're not going to just give him away. But they feel like they probably can't rebuild around him because of the problems they do have with clashing with his personality."
Winderman On Possible Heat Moves
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Ira Winderman touched on a few transaction-related topics in today's Heat mailmag. Here are the details:
- Winderman thinks Mike James is worth considering as a backup point guard, but warns that his last stint with the Heat didn't go well, and points out that he may not get much playing time in Miami competing for minutes with Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole.
- There is a distinct possibility that players who went overseas during the lockout, such as guard Chris Quinn, could be back in time for the playoffs.
- Winderman does not believe the Heat will make a major trade before the deadline. Rather, he views it as more likely that they'll try to find help among the players who may be bought out in the final months of the regular season.