Jazz Expected To Re-Sign Blake Ahearn
The Jazz are expected to re-sign Blake Ahearn for the remainder of the season, tweets Jerry T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune. Ahearn's 10-day deal with Utah expired last night.
In his first NBA action since the 2008/09 season, Ahearn has played just over 15 minutes in three games for the Jazz. While he hasn't seen the court much for Utah, the 27-year-old showed off his scoring prowess for the Reno Bighorns this season, leading the D-League in scoring with 23.8 PPG.
Utah GM Kevin O'Connor said yesterday he wasn't sure whether or not Ahearn would be re-signed. With Earl Watson recovering from right knee surgery, the Jazz need a third point guard, but wanted to keep their options open for the final roster spot in case another player suffered an injury.
Blazers’ Batum, Smith Discuss Future
Although we've covered a number of reports about Jamal Crawford's potential free agency over the last week or so, Crawford is far from the only Trail Blazer with an uncertain contract situation heading into the summer. Nicolas Batum and Craig Smith are among the other Blazers facing free agency – restricted for Batum and unrestricted for Smith – and both players spoke to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com about their options.
"We'll see what happens in July," Batum said after the Blazers' final home game of the season last night. "That may be my last game in the Rose Garden. I don't really want to think about it."
Batum went on to call Portland "special" and said that he expected to be a Blazer next year unless a better situation came along. Of course, as a restricted free agent, Batum can sign an offer sheet with any team, but the Blazers will have the option and the means to match it.
Smith, meanwhile, expressed frustration with his role in Portland. Although he performed well with increased minutes in January, Smith hasn't seen much action in recent weeks, playing in just four games since March 22nd.
"Yeah, it's frustrating. It's real frustrating just to see it unfold how it did," Smith said. "I don't think I got a fair shot. To see the situation end how it did, it's tough."
While Smith said that he'd love to return to the Blazers, he stressed that when he fields offers in free agency this summer, he'll seek a team that is honest with him and can assign him a specified role.
Central Notes: Maxiell, Bucks, Bird, Sloan
The Central Division plays a prominent role in a pair of tonight's most intriguing games, as the Bucks look to keep their postseason hopes alive with a win in Indiana, while the Bulls will aim to lock up the East's number one seed by beating Miami. Before we get to tonight's games, let's check in on the latest out of the Central:
- Jason Maxiell holds a $5MM player option for next season, and is undecided on whether to exercise it, writes Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News. "I want to talk to [Pistons' management], see where everybody's head is at," Maxiell said. "[Exploring free agency] could be the smart thing to do, but Detroit's my home and the security I have with them could be great for next season."
- The jobs of coach Scott Skiles and GM John Hammond could be on the line if the Bucks miss the playoffs, says Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times.
- It doesn't make sense for Larry Bird to leave the Pacers after this season, argues Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star.
- Donald Sloan has turned into a capable backup point guard, according to a piece at FOX Sports Ohio. The report adds that "many seem to think" Sloan has a better chance of earning a spot on next year's Cavaliers roster than Lester Hudson. Based on contract statuses alone, it's hard to argue that point — Cleveland has Sloan under contract for 2012/13 on a non-guaranteed deal, while I believe Hudson's second 10-day deal with the team expired last night.
- Keith Langlois of Pistons.com fielded Pistons-related inquiries in a mailbag.
Celtics Rumors: Allen, Pierce, Mayo
The Celtics clinched their fifth straight Atlantic Division crown last night, but it was no ordinary division title for the Big Three, writes Mike Petraglia of WEEI.com, who notes that the team was two games under .500 at the All-Star break.
Even as the Celtics locked up the Atlantic, the latest updates out of Boston revolved around yesterday's report about failed deadline deals involving Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. Let's round up a few of them….
- Doc Rivers appeared on WEEI's Dennis & Callahan Show and addressed the Allen and Pierce rumors, writes Alex Speier of WEEI.com. The Celtics coach confirmed that the Allen trade was close, though he says it was GM Danny Ainge that called the veteran guard about the deal.
- Rivers on the failed Pierce-to-the-Nets trade: "That wasn't close at all. That had no chance."
- Allen deserved better treatment from the Celtics, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. Washburn says Allen's demeanor has changed over the last few weeks, and that the likelihood of the sharpshooter returning to Boston next season may have diminished.
- According to Donny Marshall on CSNNE, O.J. Mayo didn't have much interest in becoming a Celtic, and the Nets turned down the proposal involving Pierce.
Latest On Jamal Crawford
With the Trail Blazers having been officially eliminated from playoff contention, focus in Portland is turning to the team's offseason plans, which include the status of Jamal Crawford. Crawford holds a player option worth about $5.2MM that he's expected to decline, and the Suns and Warriors may be among the teams that inquire on him if he hits free agency.
Speaking to Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune, Crawford didn't confirm that he would turn down his option for 2012/13, but he did give an idea of his thinking if he doesn't opt in.
"If I do opt out, it doesn't mean I want to leave Portland," Crawford said. "It just means I want long-term security instead of playing on a one-year deal."
Crawford, who also added that he'd like to find a situation where he could be a starter, will have until June 15th to exercise or decline his option. As Jason Quick of the Oregonian notes, most players with options have until June 30th to make their decisions, but the Blazers negotiated the early deadline with Crawford to allow the team to have a clearer picture of its roster heading into the June 28th draft.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Nate Robinson
Nate Robinson's career in the NBA has been a rollercoaster ride to say the least. In 2009, he went from being in Mike D'Antoni's doghouse to responding with a 41-point outburst after 15 straight DNP-CDs. In Boston, he had been a key rotation player for a playoff contender under Doc Rivers but later became an afterthought at the end of the bench in Oklahoma City. Today, Robinson seems to have found a home in Golden State under the guidance of Mark Jackson.
From a talent-perspective, there's not much one can take away from Nate. At 5'9'', he has still found a way to be a productive player, averaging double figure scoring in 4 of his 6 full seasons in the league. During the 2008-09 season, Nate averaged 17.2 PPG, 4.1 APG, and 3.9 RPG in 74 games and just 11 starts. While he may not be a traditional point guard, the Seattle native has more than solid one-on-one skills and can score the basketball at a high rate on any given night.
The flip side of the coin is the baggage that he's carried along over the course of his career. In 2006, Nate drew the ire of Larry Brown for his immaturity and showboating. His bad reputation would still linger a few years later in Boston. While describing his experience with the Celtics during the 2010-11 season, Shaquille O'Neal recently depicted Nate as a prankster who was more concerned with his public persona more than anything else. The Thunder didn't appear to have any interest in retaining Robinson, as they would later buy out his contract at the end of the year after trading for him.
Before the season, Nate responded to those who held his reputation in doubt:
"I could always have [handled things] better, but that's what maturity and growing is," Robinson said. "I've matured a lot, but I'm a fun type of guy. … When I play basketball, I play with my heart and I play for my team. I play for my family, I play for the fans, and I play to win. Regardless of what I do after practice, or hanging out on the bus or after practice with the team, I'm just a fun type of guy. But when it's time to play basketball, I'm all the way focused."
This season, he is averaging 11.2 PPG and 4.5 APG in 23.4 MPG while keeping his antics under the radar and showing that he can still be a solid contributor. His 42.4 FG% isn't ideal, but his ability to create his own shot still makes him a potent offensive weapon. He poured in 24 points in a win versus Miami, 21 points in a win over Dallas, 20 points and 11 assists in a 2-point loss to Boston, and most recently followed up a 28-point outing on the Clippers with a 30-point game against the Spurs.
I expect Nate to give the Warriors the first priority on being able to re-sign him, but I wouldn't be surprised if he entertained offers from other teams looking to bolster their second unit this summer. He should be able to use his performance this season to his credit when marketing himself to other teams.
Odds & Ends: George, Chandler, Pistons
- Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports reports that the Pacers' Paul George has signed with Creative Artists Agency, the same organization that represents LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Paul to name a few (Sulia link).
- Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler is expected to miss the rest of the season, says Benjamin Hochman of The Denver Post. Chandler had tried to play through pain on Sunday, but decided after the game that it would be best to shut himself down for the rest of the season.
- Don't expect to see the Pistons participating in the annual Las Vegas Summer League this year, as coach Lawrence Frank has opted to send his team to Orlando Magic Summer League instead (David Mayo of MLive reports). Frank cites the organizational structure and condensed schedule as the deciding factors.
- Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune writes that Jazz guard Blake Ahearn hopes to earn a second contract with the team and finish the rest of the season, as his initial contract is set to expire today. GM Kevin O'Connor says that he won't make a decision until after tonight's game against Portland.
- Lang Greene of HoopsWorld engaged in his weekly chat with fans tonight. A few thought provoking points included his assessment of Harrison Barnes as a player who won't be a franchise changer for a lottery team, the possibility that Austin Rivers slips in the draft, and Kendall Marshall as a player who belongs in the 16-20 pick range, among other topics.
- K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune examines the emergence of Nikola Mirotic, a 6'10 sharpshooting forward for Real Madrid whose draft rights are currently owned by the Bulls. Johnson also writes that Mirotic could have a legitimate shot to make the Spanish team for this year's Olympics.
- Jeff Duncan of The Times-Picayune reports that the Louisiana State of Exposition District board of commissioners has approved a long-term lease extension for the Hornets through 2024.
- Billy Witz of Fox Sports takes a closer look at Jerry Colangelo's criteria for assembling Team USA amidst a season of injuries and uncertainty for a number of players who are in his selection pool. Colangelo doesn't appear fazed, implying that the pool is deep enough to counter the potential unavailability of some of his choices for summer.
Nash Discusses Thoughts Heading Into Summer
In an interview with Burns and Gambo of KTAR in Phoenix, Steve Nash touched base on questions surrounding his future. Having turned 38 in February, Nash looks determined to finish the rest of his career on a strong note with a contending team and his answers made it evident that his priority is on winning. During the course of the interview Nash clarified that his mind isn't on free agency right now, although he was able to provide some insight on what his approach will be after the Suns conclude their season.
When asked what it would take for the Suns management to retain him, Nash said that he wants to see the team in a position to contend and that hopefully there are a lot of directions the franchise can go in order to provide a better chance to be competitive in the playoffs again. He also added that while his family will be one factor in his thought process, it wouldn't be the deciding factor. Here are some more noteworthy takeaways from the interview:
On how close he felt the Suns were from matching his vision, Nash answered:
"I think this franchise definitely has a great opportunity this summer with the flexibility and cap space it has to improve a great deal whether that is just one step up the ladder or three or four has yet to be seen, but it should be an exciting time for some fans and we’ll see how it all plays out in the summer.”
On the possibility of recruiting free agents:
"If that’s going to be a deciding factor on me coming back then I’d obviously want to do what I can to help. Who knows what is going to happen?"…"If it were time to move on I think it is going to demand a lot of thought and debate on my part and figure out a lot of things, so it’s a little bit of a tricky situation in that aspect. I think I have definitely earned the opportunity to sit back and take it all in and decide what is best for me."
On the possibility of taking less money to play for a contender:
“It’s possible, but at this point though I really don’t know…like I said with the family and with the money. These are all just one factor and a bunch of different factors"…"it’s definitely not out of the question to take less money to go to a situation where it fits you better, but it’s really early for me"…"it is going to be a big, big, big project for me to really get to the bottom of what is the best thing for me.”
We reported earlier this month that Nash is seeking a three-year deal. It should also be noted that in a late-March interview, he didn't rule out Dallas or Miami as potential suitors while discussing free agency.
Pacific Notes: Clippers, Kings, Redd
- Despite some belief that coach Vinny Del Negro was treading on thin ice after the Clippers had lost 12 of 19 games after a 19-9 start, he responded with a 12-2 record over the club's next 14 contests. T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times writes about Del Negro's resiliency on a team has appeared to hit a stride with just a handful of games left until the postseason.
- Mark Nugent of Hoopsworld discusses some topics surrounding the Kings moving forward: the uncertainty of the team remaining in Sacramento, how that will impact management and coaching, handling the free agency of Jason Thompson and the contract extension of Tyreke Evans, the potential to be highly active in free agency, and the draft.
- Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson is calling for the city to explore constructing a downtown sports and entertainment complex regardless of whether or not the arena would have an anchor tenant, writes Ryan Lillis, Tony Bizjakand, and Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee. The Kings had previously been expected to be a tenant of the potential arena before the Maloof brothers had pulled out of a deal. In a separate article, Dale Kasler writes that the Maloofs are reaching out to the business owners that had reportedly called for them to sell the team. They have also been calling season ticketholders, attempting to reassure their ownership's commitment to Sacramento and urging them to renew their season tickets for next year.
- Suns guard Michael Redd sat down for an interview with Hoopsworld, and when asked if he'd like to continue playing for Phoenix beyond this season, Redd responded with: "I've had a great time here. I love the coaches, I love the organization, I love my teammates. We'll see what happens in the summer time, but this has been a great place for me."
J.R. Smith Expected To Decline Option
Shortly after he returned from China and signed with the Knicks, J.R. Smith told Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida that he anticipated picking up his second-year player option and remaining with the Knicks. I was a little skeptical at the time, since the option will only be worth about $2.5MM, and Smith should easily be able to land a longer and larger deal on the open market.
So it's not a huge surprise to see Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld reporting that Smith is expected to turn down his option for 2012/13. According to Kennedy, Smith will seek a multiyear deal, with the Timberwolves, Clippers, and Magic among the teams likely to have some interest.
If Smith does opt out of the second year of his contract, the Knicks will have difficulty re-signing him. Even if New York doesn't pursue a big-name free agent, the team may need to use its mid-level exception to retain Jeremy Lin, leaving little to offer Smith, who wouldn't have Bird rights.
When Smith came back from China, most of his NBA suitors could only offer portions of their mid-level or mini mid-level exceptions, meaning he had to sign for a discount to join the Knicks. In 2010/11, Smith earned $6MM+ for the Nuggets. While he may not find a multiyear guarantee that pays him $6MM+ annually, he should at least be able to easily exceed the $2.5MM on his option year.