Atlantic Rumors: Knicks, C’s, Barbosa, Nets, Sixers
We've already rounded up a number of Celtics rumors this morning, but there's plenty happening around the rest of the Atlantic Division as well. Let's dive in….
- Celtics president Danny Ainge and Knicks coach Mike Woodson both downplayed the possibility of their respectives teams making a trade this week, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com and Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv (Twitter links).
- If the Celtics get into a position where they need a roster spot, they may waive Leandro Barbosa, tweets Blakely. Barbosa would still receive his full salary in that case. For now, the C's have some flexibility — even with Terrence Williams on the roster, the club still has an open roster spot.
Earlier updates:
- Nets GM Billy King told reporters, including Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News (Twitter link), that there's a 10% chance the Nets will make a trade this week. I'd probably put the odds higher than that, but I suppose he'd know better than I would.
- The Sixers are exploring a few trade avenues, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see them stand pat at the deadline, says John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I don't see anything for us right now," coach Doug Collins said. "If something happens for us right now, I think it would be something that would be very small. [GM] Tony [DiLeo] is on the phone, but I don't think there is anything major that is going to turn our season around. What would be major for us would be to get our guys healthy."
- Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun doesn't expect the Raptors to find a taker for Linas Kleiza, who figures to be an amnesty candidate this July (Twitter link).
- Terrence Williams' 10-day contract with the Celtics could be beneficial for both the player and the team, writes A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com.
Spears On Oden, Kings, Gordon, Ridnour, Bucks
In the last pre-trade-deadline installment of his weekly power rankings, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports shares trade nuggets for a good chunk of the NBA's 30 teams. We've already heard many of them, but here are a few of Spears' notes of interest:
- Agent Mike Conley tells Spears that his client Greg Oden likely won't sign with a team until the offseason. We've heard that the Cavaliers and Bobcats are preparing to make Oden offers after the trade deadline, so if he really waits until the summer to sign, it would strongly suggest to me that he prefers to go to the Heat. Miami can only offer a minimum-salary contract at this point, but would have the mini mid-level exception available again in July.
- The Kings prefer to let a new ownership group inherit the team as is, so they likely won't make any moves at the deadline.
- Eric Gordon figures to remain with the Hornets through the deadline, but the club may explore potential trades involving Gordon this summer.
- A source tells Spears that, contrary to previous reports, the Timberwolves aren't actively shopping Luke Ridnour.
- The Bucks doubt that they'll move either Brandon Jennings or Monta Ellis this week, even though both players could become free agents in the summer.
- Mark Cuban would like to make a trade that makes Dirk Nowitzki the Mavericks' second-best player, according to Spears. I have a hard time believing there's a deal out there like that for Dallas.
- The Pistons are expected to stand pat at the deadline.
Speights Could Net Cavs First-Round Pick
Marreese Speights has been traded twice since the start of the 2011/12 season, and it's possible he could be on the move again before Thursday's deadline. According to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio (via Twitter), several teams are willing to part with a first-round pick for Speights. However, most of those picks are in the 20-30 range, and nothing is enticing the Cavaliers at the moment.
If the Cavs can land a first-round pick for Speights, even if it's near the back of the round, it would be a coup — when Cleveland acquired Speights, Wayne Ellington, and Josh Selby last month, it was a salary-dump for the Grizzlies, who included a future first-rounder of their own just to make the deal happen.
What's unclear is what else the Cavs would have to take on, along with a first-round pick, in a deal to move Speights. At least one report has suggested that Speights is a good bet to decline his player option for next season, in which case he'd be on an expiring contract this year, increasing his trade value. Still, not many teams would be able to take on the forward's $4.2MM salary without sending out salary in return, so perhaps Cleveland would need to take on a longer-term contract in order to land that first-rounder.
Celtics Rumors: Garnett, Bass, Lee, Melo, Bradley
After ACL surgery ended Rajon Rondo's season, Celtics president Danny Ainge insisted that he wanted to see how his team responded before deciding what sort of roster moves to consider. The Celtics have been on a tear since then, but Jared Sullinger and Leandro Barbosa have also seen their seasons end prematurely due to injuries, leaving the team with a dearth of healthy bodies. While we wait to see wait Ainge and the C's have up their sleeves before Thursday, here are the latest rumblings from out of Boston:
- Marc Stein of ESPN.com isn't convinced that Kevin Garnett could be persuaded to waive his no-trade clause, even if it meant joining a team like the Clippers. According to Stein, ESPN.com's Chris Broussard reported last night on SportsCenter that Chauncey Billups believes his friend's position on not waiving his no-trade clause is firm.
- Even if Garnett were to agree to a deal, the Clippers aren't willing to include both Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan in their proposal, according to Stein. The ESPN.com scribe cautions that it could be posturing on the Clippers' part, but one source says the Clippers feel like that's too much to give up for a 36-year-old who may not play much longer.
- Outside of weighing possible deals involving Garnett and Paul Pierce, the Celtics have also explored possibilities that include Brandon Bass, Courtney Lee, Fab Melo, and Avery Bradley, but have only received lukewarm interest, according to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld. I imagine plenty of teams would like to get their hands on Bradley, but perhaps the Celtics' asking price is exorbitant.
- One opposing executive on the Celtics, according to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald: "[They] are one of the more active teams out there talking, but they really don’t have a lot of great options. They don’t have a lot to trade."
- Bulpett reports that the Clippers have yet to make a formal offer for Garnett. He also adds that Ainge doesn't feel any pressure to do anything more drastic than to add a player or two. "I love how hard our guys play and compete," Ainge said. "They do need some support with some extra bodies for the rest of the year. I definitely need to do that, to add some players to our roster. But that’s all that we need to do."
Berger On Bledsoe, Celtics, Bulls, Warriors, Maynor
In his latest piece for CBSSports.com, Ken Berger echoes a rumor we've heard recently, writing that concerns about increasing luxury-tax penalties may make teams reluctant to deal this week. While there may be something to that idea, I'd be surprised if we don't end up seeing a handful of trades consummated by Thursday afternoon at 2:00pm CST. And Berger also shares the latest on a few possibilities, so let's round up the highlights from his column:
- The Clippers are willing to listen on Eric Bledsoe inquiries, but are reluctant to move him as long as there's even the slightest doubt that Chris Paul will re-sign this summer.
- Talks between the Clippers and Celtics involving Kevin Garnett are dormant for now. Rival execs believe that Danny Ainge recognizes that if he trades Garnett, he'll probably have to trade Paul Pierce as well, and vice versa. If the C's don't blow things up, moving Jason Terry to get under the luxury tax will also be a consideration.
- Other teams who could attempt to get under the luxury tax: The Bulls, by moving Richard Hamilton, and the Warriors, who could try to deal a couple of minimum-salary players like Jeremy Tyler, Kent Bazemore, or Charles Jenkins.
- Bergers suggests that Eric Maynor, who we heard is being shopped by the Thunder, could be a fit for the Jazz, but Utah is "consumed with the dilemma" of whether to trade Al Jefferson or Paul Millsap. I'm sure if Oklahoma City approached the Jazz with an offer, they'd listen, but it doesn't sound like a priority for Utah at the moment.
- The Timberwolves are aggressively shopping draft picks in an attempt to acquire wing help. We heard a similar report from Adrian Wojnarowski last night.
Thunder Aggressively Shopping Eric Maynor
The Thunder aren't expected to make another blockbuster move in the next couple days, but a smaller deal is a possibility. Such a move could include Eric Maynor, as Chris Broussard of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) that Oklahoma City is "aggressively shopping" Maynor.
Maynor, 25, was considered one of the league's more promising young backup point guards coming into the season, but has lost his place in the Thunder's rotation to Reggie Jackson. Since Christmas Day, Maynor has only appeared in 11 games for Oklahoma City, never playing more than 10 minutes.
Despite Maynor's lack of playing time, the Thunder's asking price remains high, according to Broussard. The former 20th overall pick has some value due to his contract. He's earning about $2.34MM this season, and will be eligible for restricted free agency at season's end, so his team could either extend him a qualifying offer or simply let his cap hit come off the books this summer.
Suns Looking To Move Sebastian Telfair
In an effort to create playing time for rookie point guard Kendall Marshall, the Suns are looking to move Sebastian Telfair, according to Chris Broussard of ESPN.com (via Twitter). While it's unclear whether the team is currently engaged in any talks, Broussard suggests (via Twitter) that the Raptors are seeking a backup point guard and could be one possibility.
Telfair, 27, has averaged 17.3 minutes per game in 46 contests for the Suns this year, and is producing at a rate consistent with his career numbers. His points per 36 minutes (12.5) and PER (11.2) are slightly better than his career rates (12.4 and 10.8).
Telfair is only earning about $1.57MM, but could be a little trickier to move than if he were earning a minimum salary. Minimum-salary players can be acquired without sending out any salary in return, but a trade for Telfair would require an interested team to either send out a player or possess a trade exception large enough to absorb Telfair's salary.
Kobe OK With Lakers Trading Dwight Howard?
As we documented yesterday, Kobe Bryant was indifferent when asked during All-Star weekend about Dwight Howard's future, telling reporters: "I don't know what [the Lakers' front office is] going to do. At this point, it doesn't matter." While the response could have interpreted as Kobe blowing off a question he didn't want to discuss, Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio suggests that Bryant's answer may have been sincere.
According to Amico, it doesn't matter to Bryant whether Howard is a part of the team's "attempted revival" in the second half. While general manager Mitch Kupchak has insisted privately and publicly that he won't trade Howard, he'd have Kobe's "full support" if he changed his mind, says Amico, who adds that Bryant, Steve Nash, and Pau Gasol all have some level of uncertainty about Howard's level of commitment.
Despite his public stance about not moving Howard, Kupchak has at least fielded a few trade inquiries, according to Amico. However, he has quickly rejected any pitches for his All-Star center. I'd be shocked if anything happened with D12 this week, but with his free agency coming up this summer, it'll be worth keeping an eye on the situation in Los Angeles. Amico writes that Howard hasn't made a decision about his free agent destination yet, and will wait to see how this season plays out.
Magic, Knicks Have Discussed Redick, Shumpert
The Magic and Knicks have had discussions about a deal that would send J.J. Redick to New York and Iman Shumpert to Orlando, according to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (via Twitter). Kennedy notes that if the teams were to get serious about a trade, other players, or perhaps a third club, would have to get involved in order to match salaries.
Shumpert's agent, Happy Walters, said yesterday that reports indicating that his client is unhappy with his role in New York and wants to be traded are "totally false." However, that doesn't necessarily mean that the Knicks wouldn't consider moving him. Although the team seems to value Shumpert highly, he remains virtually the only young piece on a team of veterans. If the Knicks decide to go all-in to contend in the short term, the second-year guard would be the club's most logical trade chip.
The Suns were also said to have interest in Shumpert, though ESPN.com's Chris Broussard reported last week that a deal involving Shumpert and Jared Dudley is "not happening." Meanwhile, the Bucks, Bulls, and Pacers are among the teams reportedly interested in Redick.
Wojnarowski On Wolves, Smith, Nets, Bell
Here's the latest news from around the league courtesy of Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski with all links going to Twitter..
- The Wolves have been aggressive in offering multiple first-round picks for established talent, according to league sources (Twitter link). We've heard some trade buzz around Minnesota in recent weeks, but it has mostly concerned guard Luke Ridnour.
- The Celtics are on several fronts, including discussions on Josh Smith, Wojnarowski tweets. They've got plenty of competition, however, as the Nets are solely focused on making a deal for Smith, despite being linked to a few other big names in recent weeks.
- Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni has remained intrigued with bringing exiled Jazz guard Raja Bell to Lakers, sources tell Wojnarowski. The Jazz would be delighted to put a bow on their saga with the disgruntled guard.
- League GMs believe that the Hawks, Bucks, and Suns will make significant moves before the trade deadline.
- The Trail Blazers are still willing to move J.J. Hickson, but haven't found an appealing offer yet.
- Teams trying to trade for J.J. Redick of the Magic are surveying the cost of re-signing him this summer, Wojnarowski tweets. If Bucks move a starting guard, he'll be a major target for them.