Latest On Trade Candidates From Reno
Marc Stein of ESPN.com attended the NBA D-League Showcase in Reno, Nevada this week, where many NBA GMs and executives were present. He posted a roundup of trade-related chatter he heard during the event:
- The Raptors are making the hardest push for Rudy Gay, offering the Grizzlies a package that includes Jose Calderon and Ed Davis. Memphis is still undecided as to whether they will move Gay.
- There is a growing sense from front offices around the league that the Lakers will not ultimately trade Pau Gasol this season.
- Teams have continued to ask the Kings about DeMarcus Cousins, and were told that he is not available.
- A source told Stein that it is highly unlikely the Bucks will move Brandon Jennings before the end of the season.
- The Jazz are more likely to trade Al Jefferson than Paul Millsap, even though both are free agents this summer.
- The Hornets are not expected to trade Eric Gordon, despite previous rumors that he may be available.
- Despite his recent statement that he intends on staying retired, the Nets are still making a hard push to convince Phil Jackson to be their next head coach.
- Stein lists several players as having been made known to be available by their teams, including the Raptors' Andrea Bargnani, the Spurs' DeJuan Blair, the Cavs' Omri Casspi, the Rockets' Cole Aldrich, and the Bucks' Drew Gooden, Samuel Dalembert, and Beno Udrih.
Stein On Mavericks, Lottery, Dirk
Marc Stein of ESPN.com discussed the Mavericks in a radio interview with a Dallas station and touched on a number of topics concerning the Mavs' present and future rosters. SportsDayDFW.com has the transcript. Here are the highlights:
Stein suggested the Mavericks should think about tanking to position themselves for the draft lottery:
“The playoffs are out of reach. … There’s just too much ground to make up, and to me, what’s the point anyway? To me, it’s going to come to a point where it’s time to play the young guys, it’s time to focus on development and the reality is, even if this isn’t a good draft, the highest possible lottery pick will benefit this team the most.”
He also suggested that part of the Mavs' planning for the future should involve giving more time to rookies Bernard James, Jared Cunningham, and Jae Crowder:
“It’s time to play James. it’s time to play Cunningham. it’s time to feature Crowder more. I mean, nobody wants to hear that but that’s the reality.”
Stein also dismisses talk that the Mavs may look to trade Dirk Nowitzki:
“It’s just so hard to get players at Dirk’s level that I just don’t see any way the Mavs want to give up their one known, and especially because of the relationship he and Cuban have, what he’s meant to this community. Dirk’s frustrated right now. That’s clear with the stuff he’s been saying all week, but he does not want to go anywhere. He wants to finish his career here. He’s saying all this stuff clearly because he wants to see a fix. He wants the team fixed. It’s not because he wants to leave."
Berger On Gay, Pierce, Stoudemire
Earlier today, Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reported that 24 Hour Fitness founder Mark Mastrov, who previously attempted to buy the Golden State Warriors, is interested in buying the Kings from the Maloof brothers and keeping the team in Sacramento. For a full recap of Berger's information and other reports that have emerged today regarding a potential Kings sale, keep an eye on HoopsRumors.com's roundup.
Berger wrote another column today that features updates on several high-profile players who may be on the move at the trading deadline. Here are the highlights:
- Berger gives an update of the rumors surrounding the Grizzlies' efforts to move Rudy Gay. The Warriors, Suns, Raptors, and Kings have shown the most interest in trading for the seven-year veteran, whom Berger writes the Grizzlies are looking to move primarily to avoid paying luxury tax.
- Berger writes that the Suns' offer would be centered around Jared Dudley, draft picks, and the ability to absorb the majority of Gay's contract. The Raptors could offer Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon, although the Grizzlies are looking to get at least one good young player in return.
- A potential deal with the Warriors is unlikely, writes Berger, because it would likely involve Memphis taking back either Andris Biedrins or Richard Jefferson, neither of whom the Grizzlies have any interest in.
- Berger writes that the Knicks are open to trading Amare Stoudemire for cap relief, although he does not believe it likely that a team would be willing to trade for him given his health and contract.
- Berger is more optimistic that the Celtics would be able to move Paul Pierce if they were so inclined, because his contract is only partially guaranteed for next season and he is still performing at a high level.
Odds & Ends: Redick, Turkoglu, Lakers, Livingston
Let's round up some Friday afternoon odds and ends from around the NBA:
- Although J.J. Redick doesn't want to be traded by the Magic, he's not exactly thrilled with the team's 10-game losing streak, as Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida tweets.
- Tomasson also spoke to Hedo Turkoglu, who said he's not actively trying to be bought out by the Magic, though he understands if the team decides to trade him.
- After telling Sheridan Hoops earlier this week that he doesn't expect to coach again, Phil Jackson reiterates the point to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times (Twitter link), writing in an email that there's no chance he returns to the Lakers.
- A collection of SI.com writers discuss what's next for the Lakers, including potential pre-trade-deadline moves, and the team's chances of re-signing Dwight Howard this summer.
- Shaun Livingston tells Richard Hardy of HoopsWorld that he's hoping to stay with the Cavaliers for longer than just this season.
- Having recently parted ways with agent Joel Bell, Trail Blazers guard Nolan Smith has replaced him with former Bull B.J. Armstrong of the Wasserman Media Group, reports Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com.
- David Mayo of MLive.com explores whether the Pistons should attempt to trade for Rudy Gay, while multiple Celtics writers discuss whether Boston should take a flier on Greg Oden (link via CSNNE.com).
- In an Insider piece, ESPN.com's Chad Ford looks at some potential fits in June's draft for the Hornets.
Rudy Gay Rumors: Friday
In Hoops Rumors' live chat yesterday, I picked Rudy Gay as the biggest name I think will be on the move before this year's trade deadline. With nearly six weeks still remaining until February 21st arrives, I don't expect anything to be finalized soon, but that doesn't mean the rumors aren't continuing to swirl around Gay. Here's the latest:
- Sam Amick of USA Today adds a new team to the mix for Gay: the Clippers. According to Amick, a package that includes Caron Butler, Eric Bledsoe, and picks could provide exactly what the Grizzlies are seeking. The Clippers are "justifiably wary" of making a move that would affect their chemistry, and are reportedly not looking to move Bledsoe before the deadline, but the club would at least consider Gay, says Amick.
- The Nuggets, Kings, and Rockets, three teams that have been mentioned as potential suitors, don't appear to have any interest in Gay at the moment, according to Amick.
D-League Moves: Melo, Lamb, Wroten
We'll track Friday's D-League assignments and recalls right here, with any additional moves being added to the top of the page throughout the day:
- The Celtics have re-assigned Fab Melo to their D-League affiliate, the club announced today in a press release. Melo had been recalled from the Maine Red Claws last week to undergo treatment for his concussion from Boston's training staff. It appears he's been cleared to return to action for the Red Claws.
- Jeremy Lamb has been recalled from the Tulsa 66ers by the Thunder, the team announced today in a press release. In 11 games (all starts) in the D-League this season, Lamb has averaged 21.5 PPG on .422/.295/.909 shooting.
- The Grizzlies have sent Tony Wroten back to their D-League affiliate, tweets Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. For Wroten, the 25th overall pick in last June's draft, it's his third stint this season with the Reno Bighorns. In eight games with the Bighorns, the 19-year-old has averaged 13.6 PPG and 3.8 APG in 24.6 minutes per contest.
Trade Candidate: Tyreke Evans
The draft class of 2009 was eligible for rookie scale extensions heading into this season, and more of those players (eight) were extended than in any offseason since 2008. That figure is a little surprising when recalling the top few players selected in the 2009 draft — Blake Griffin and James Harden were no-brainer extension candidates, and were locked up to max deals by their respective teams. However, Hasheem Thabeet and Jonny Flynn didn't even play out their rookie contracts, and Ricky Rubio isn't for a new deal until 2014, having remained overseas for a couple years.
The other guy at the top of the 2009 draft class not to receive an extension was fourth overall pick Tyreke Evans, who represents perhaps the most interesting case of the bunch. The Kings' ownership and uncertain financial situation, which has been making headlines over the last couple days, could be partially blamed for Sacramento not ponying up the money to extend Evans. But it's not as if the 23-year-old was entirely deserving of that extension. Since his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2009/10, Evans has never matched the PPG and PER rates he posted in year one, and has struggled to find an optimal role in Sacramento.
With reports suggesting that the Kings franchise could be changing hands (and cities) by next season, it's hard to assess exactly what Evans' future holds. New ownership and/or management may value the young scorer more or less than the current group, and if the franchise is in flux when the trade deadline approaches, the Kings may simply choose to stand pat, rather than being active on the trade market. For now, though Grantland's Zach Lowe writes that the Kings are "open for business," and Evans appears to be a more likely trade candidate than teammate DeMarcus Cousins.
Evans hasn't always been on the same page with the front office, and recently told Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee that he'd be neither shocked nor devastated if he were dealt next month. Voisin's report suggested that the Grizzlies had inquired on Evans, and that the Lakers, Celtics, and Nuggets had also shown interest in the past. Memphis makes a little sense as a trade partner to me, considering the Grizzlies are shopping Rudy Gay. A package that includes Evans and Francisco Garcia's expiring contract could be a starting point for a conversation between the two sides, with the Kings landing the small forward they've long coveted and the Grizzlies gaining some cap flexibility. But I have my doubts that Sacramento would take on a pricey, long-term deal like Gay's at this point, and the Grizzlies, faced with the prospect of losing Evans in a matter of months, would likely also be wary about making such a move.
It's hard to see an ideal fit with the Lakers, whose roster is made up primarily of aging, expensive assets, or the Nuggets, who probably don't have the future cap flexibility to extend Evans unless they dump one or two long-term contracts on the Kings. The Celtics make a little more sense, but I'd have to think Boston would balk at including Avery Bradley, and I'm not sure Sacramento does a deal without him.
There are a few other teams who could find Evans' expiring deal attractive, such as the Mavericks — if the Mavs could put together a package for Evans, they'd hold his Bird Rights, giving them the option of re-signing him in the summer if they don't land one of their bigger free agent targets. However, Dallas already has a wing scorer in O.J. Mayo, who may ultimately be a better value next summer than Evans. The Suns, expected to be active prior to the trade deadline, could be another potential suitor, though with Goran Dragic and Kendall Marshall already manning the point in Phoenix, it might turn into a repeat of the situation in Sacramento, with Evans struggling to find a position.
Because Evans' value isn't exactly at its peak right now, and the Kings' future as a franchise is up in the air, it wouldn't surprise me at all to see the former Rookie of the Year to remain in Sacramento through this year's deadline. That would leave the team a couple decisions this summer — whether to issue Evans a qualifying offer (worth about $6.93MM), and then whether to match any offer sheet he signs elsewhere. Still, it's certainly worth keeping an eye on the situation as February 21st approaches. Even though Evans hasn't lived up to his potential so far in Sacramento, a change of scenery and a new coaching staff may help the fourth-year player recapture some of that promise he showed when he first entered the league.
Paul: Bledose Capable Of Running Own Team
With Chris Paul manning the point for the Clippers, backup guard Eric Bledsoe has only played about 18 minutes per game this year, despite performing admirably off the bench. Bledsoe's production hasn't gone unnoticed by Paul though — CP3 tells Chris Broussard of ESPN.com that he thinks the 23-year-old is capable of running an NBA team.
"He deserves to run his own team, he deserves to be a starter somewhere,'' Paul said. "So when the time comes, I'm going to be the biggest advocate for him to get the money he deserves.''
Bledsoe is only in the third year of his rookie contract, so he'll be extension-eligible in the summer of 2013, but won't be eligible for restricted free agency until the summer of '14. And it's unlikely that he's going anywhere anytime soon. ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported last week that the Clips expect to hang on to Bledsoe at least until they're 100% sure that Paul will re-sign with the team this summer.
Broussard echoes Stein's report, noting that clubs inquiring on Bledsoe are "quickly and decisively told no." However, he says that a trade around the time of the June draft is a real possibility. Paul can't officially re-sign with the Clippers until after the moratorium period in July, so L.A. may also wait until that point to seriously consider dealing Bledsoe.
According to Broussard, the Hornets and Wizards are among the teams that have shown interest in Bledsoe. Presumably, Washington's interest came when the team was first faced with the possibility of being without John Wall for significant time. If the Clippers were to make Bledsoe available this coming summer, I'd expect plenty more clubs to inquire.
Eastern Rumors: Knicks, Hamilton, Nets, Oden
The Eastern Conference's top two teams fell last night, as the Heat lost a nailbiter in Portland and the Carmelo Anthony-less Knicks dropped a low-scoring affair in Indiana. Thursday's results further compress the playoff picture in the East, where the top eight teams, from the No. 1 Heat to the No. 8 Celtics, are all separated by just 5.5 games. Here are a few Friday updates related to four of those eight Eastern contenders:
- Asked about the Knicks' reported interest in Kenyon Martin, coach Mike Woodson told reporters, including Al Iannazzone of Newsday, "that's news to me." If Marcus Camby is forced to miss time after aggravating a foot injury Thursday night, then the Knicks could look to sign someone, says Iannazzone.
- Richard Hamilton, who turns 35 next month, tells K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune that he doesn't expect to play past age 38. Hamilton's contract for next year is mostly non-guaranteed, and he would turn 38 during the 2015/16 season, so he'd likely have to sign at least a couple more deals to play that long.
- Nets management has been impressed with the job done so far by coach P.J. Carlesimo, who will "almost certainly" hold the job until the end of the season, a source tells Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com.
- Greg Oden's agent, Mike Conley Sr., tells Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida that he's 100% certain his client will be playing in the NBA next season. Conley didn't talk extensively about teams that could be in play, but hinted that the Heat aren't necessarily the frontrunners, and said the Trail Blazers definitely aren't an option. I'm not sure the Heat were widely viewed as the favorites — Miami was just the only specific suitor named in Brian Windhorst's report yesterday.
Wolves Turned Down Trade Offer For Gay?
Earlier this week, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities reported that if the Grizzlies and Timberwolves had discussed a Rudy Gay trade, talks had been very casual. Now, Wolfson says that the Grizzlies did make Minnesota an offer involving Gay, but that Wolves president David Kahn "said no immediately."
According to Wolfson, the Timberwolves were very interested in Gay when he hit restricted free agency in the summer of 2010, and had planned to meet him face-to-face to discuss an offer sheet. However, Gay agreed to re-sign with Memphis before meeting with Kahn and the T-Wolves. The Wolves maintain interest in the 26-year-old, however, and are worth monitoring as the trade deadline approaches, despite their reluctance to take on the money remaining on his contract.
Wolfson speculates that the Grizzlies' offer to the Wolves included at least one of Kevin Love and Nikola Pekovic, and suggests that three- or four-team scenarios may have been briefly discussed as well.
The Suns, Kings, Celtics, Warriors, Raptors, Nuggets, and Cavs are among the other clubs that have linked to Gay and the Grizzlies to varying degrees within the last few days.