Atlantic Rumors: Knicks, Shumpert, Nets, Celtics
Although the Knicks have slowed down a little since their torrid start to the season, Carmelo Anthony told reporters this weekend that he doesn't think the team should be involved in trade talks, a point he reiterated last night.
"I love this team, I love the chemistry on this team — if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it," Anthony said, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. "Right now we’re tops in our division. That was one of our goals. Second in the Eastern Conference, we’ll take that right now. There’s always a lot of talk around the Knicks come trade time. We don’t need that."
Here are a few more notes from around the Atlantic Division:
- Glen Grunwald may not end up moving Iman Shumpert, but he's at least exploring some possibilities, says Berman. According to Berman, the Rockets' director of scouting attended Sunday's Knicks/Clippers game, though it's not clear whether he was there to observe more than just Shumpert.
- Steve Popper of the Bergen Record and Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com both wonder whether or not Anthony is right about the Knicks not needing to make a deal.
- The Nets would like to make a trade in the next nine days, and would be willing to dangle MarShon Brooks and perhaps a first-round pick along with Kris Humphries in the right deal, reports Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld. When I examined Humphries' trade candidacy in December, I wrote that he may have to be packaged with Brooks and/or draft picks to draw much interest.
- In addition to talking with the Hawks, the Nets have also had exploratory conversations with the Cavaliers, tweets Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio.
- Jessica Camerato of CSNNE.com looks at four guards playing at the Celtics' D-League affiliate in Maine, noting that they could be candidates to join Boston's roster in the wake of Leandro Barbosa's injury.
- While a D-League call-up is one option for the Celtics, Greg Payne of ESPNBoston.com points out that there are plenty of others. However, Payne expects the team to stand pat until the trade deadline.
Update On 10-Day Contracts
Trade rumors are dominating NBA headlines these days, but not every team is looking to the trade market to add reinforcements. Some clubs have made minor additions by way of 10-day contracts, or used those deals to get a look at a handful of different players.
Because teams can't sign the same player to more than two 10-day deals, some players have received what amounts to a 20-day trial run with a team before being inked for the rest of the year, while others haven't been brought back after their initial 10-day contract.
Using Hoops Rumors' 10-day contract tracker, here's a look at the teams and players that have taken advantage of 10-day deals so far this season:
- Josh Harrellson (Heat)
- Lazar Hayward (Timberwolves)
- Damion James (Nets)
- Jeremy Pargo (Sixers) (active)
- Donald Sloan (Hornets)
- Maalik Wayns (Sixers)
- Chris Johnson (Grizzlies) (active)
- Shelvin Mack (Sixers)
- Dominic McGuire (Pacers)
- Jannero Pargo (Hawks)
Two 10-day contracts, followed by rest-of-season contract:
- Chris Andersen (Heat)
- Mickael Gelabale (Timberwolves)
- Mike James (Mavericks)
- Chris Johnson (Timberwolves)
- Jarvis Varnado (Heat)
Many of the players signed to one or more 10-day contracts this season have made little impact — guys like Josh Harrellson and Damion James barely saw the floor during their brief stints with their respective teams, and Jarvis Varnado is inactive most nights, despite signing with the Heat for the season.
Still, a handful of the players on these lists have been key contributors for their clubs. Mickael Gelabale is averaging 6.9 PPG and 3.1 RPG with a .569 FG% for the T-Wolves, while Chris Andersen has become a part of Miami's rotation, averaging 3.8 PPG and 3.9 RPG. Jeremy Pargo has also looked good early on with the 76ers, scoring double-digit points in his first two games with the team.
Mavericks Notes: Trades, Josh Smith, Howard
The Mavericks' 22-28 record is a disappointment for a team accustomed to being a perennial contender, but Dallas has been playing fairly well since falling to 13-23 a little over a month ago. As Vince Carter tells Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Mavs dug themselves into a hole in the first half, but they're taking things one game at a time as they try to claw back into the playoff race. Here's the latest from out of Dallas:
- In addition to Nelson and Carlisle, owner Mark Cuban says that he doesn't like the chances of the Maverics making a deal before the deadline, writes Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News.
Earlier updates:
- A couple days after Mavericks president Donnie Nelson told reporters that he doesn't expect the Mavs to make a trade this month, coach Rick Carlisle echoed those thoughts today at the team's shootaround. "If you're asking me if we're going to trade anybody, I don't think we're going to,'' Carlisle said, according to Price. "That's my opinion. I don't think we're going to trade [Shawn] Marion, I don't think we're going to trade Vince [Carter], I don't think we're going to trade anybody."
- The Mavericks don't appear to be in the mix to acquire Josh Smith, and Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com explains why he believes not pursuing Smith is the right move.
- In his latest piece, Sam Smith of Bulls.com explores potential destinations for Dwight Howard if the All-Star center leaves the Lakers in the coming weeks or months. Of the Mavericks, Smith writes: "The Mavs keep pretending to be in the picture, but with a quickly slowing Dirk Nowitzki that seems unlikely."
Lakers Aren’t Eyeing Free Agent Bigs
The Lakers aren't eyeing any free agent frontcourt players right now, a source tells Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com (on Twitter). General Manager Mitch Kupchak & Co. want to see how much Dwight Howard is able to give them with his shoulder injury before they invest in any outside help.
Kenyon Martin, Greg Oden, and Louis Amundson are among the more prominent free agent big men out there. The Lakers have been linked to the 35-year-old for several months as they have battled injuries.
K-Mart spent last season with the Staples Center's other tenants, averaging 5.2 PPG and 4.3 RPG in 22.4 minutes. Between the Lakers' reluctance to sign an available big man and Rasheed Wallace's improving health in New York, Martin may not find employment anytime soon.
Spurs Talked Blair Trade With Raptors, Pistons
The Spurs offered forward DeJuan Blair to the Pistons and discussed a deal involving him with the Raptors, but nothing has come of those talks so far, according to Chris Broussard of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Broussard hears that the Celtics, Heat, and Trail Blazers are among the teams that could have interest in the 23-year-old.
Blair has been considered a trade candidate for quite some time and there has been friction between him and the club ever since he was effectively 86'd from the rotation in the 2012 postseason. The Pitt product is seeing less playing time than ever this season, averaging 13.9 minutes per contest versus 20.2 per game over the previous three years in San Antonio.
Recently, it was reported that the Warriors also have interest in acquiring Blair.
Magic Told Redick They Are Not Shopping Him
Magic guard J.J. Redick says that he has been told that the Magic “are not actively trying to move” him, according to Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel. Of course, a number of teams are inquiring on the shooting guard and Orlando is certainly listening to offers as the deadline approaches.
There are a number of suitors for Redick including the Celtics, Bucks, Wolves, Pacers, Knicks, and Bulls. With the Magic headed for the lottery this season, it makes sense that Orlando would consider trades for him. The 28-year-old is earning $6MM in the final year of his contract.
Orlando is reportedly looking for a package of expiring contracts and a future first-round pick. A team like the Bucks could conceivably put together an appealing offer with Beno Udrih's expiring contract, a pick, and a young talent like Tobias Harris.
Nets Notes: Williams, Carlesimo, Trades
Nets General Manager Billy King took some time to discuss Deron Williams and other hot button issues surrounding the club. Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News has the goods, with all links going to Twitter..
- King said that coach P.J. Carlesimo's interim status will be evaluated "later", Bondy tweets. The Nets appointed Carlesimo as their interim head coach and it has been said by many that he will be given every opportunity to finish out the 2012/13 season. With that said, Brooklyn still has Phil Jackson as their "dream hire".
- While being more than a little ambiguous, King said that the club will not make a trade "just to make a trade" (Twitter link). Trade speculation has been picking up in Brooklyn with the latest news indicating that they are making a hard push for the Hawks' Josh Smith and prioritizing him over Bobcats guard Ben Gordon.
- Williams will be sidelined until after the All-Star break with inflammation in his ankles but King insists that weight isn't an issue for the guard as he weights just one pound more than when he was first acquired from the Jazz (Twitter link). Despite his less-than-stellar play for the Nets, the GM believes that Williams can get back to being the best one-guard in the Association (via Twitter).
Dan Fegan To Join Relativity Sports
Powerful agent Dan Fegan is set to join Relativity Sports and serve as president of the firm's basketball division, according to Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal. Fegan will bring his 40 NBA clients, including Dwight Howard, Shawn Marion, and John Wall while reporting to the company’s COO head many in charge of sports, Happy Walters.
Fegan's 40 clients in addition to Walters' twelve means that Relativity is now one of the largest basketball practices in the United States. The partnership comes just five months after Fegan left Lagardère Unlimited, and sources said Fegan and Lagardère have settled all of the issues between them, including future fees. Walters already represents notable NBA players such as Amare Stoudemire, Ty Lawson, and Corey Brewer.
A few agencies represent the majority of the NBA's 450 players, and this move solidifies that trend. Relativity now joins agencies like CAA Sports, Wasserman Media Group, Priority Sports & Entertainment, BDA Sports, and Excel Sports Management in the exclusive club of NBA power agencies.
We first heard word of a partnership between Fegan and Walters back in September.
Odds & Ends: Rockets, Kings, Draft, Calderon
As we continue counting down the days to next week's trade deadline, let's catch up on a few odds and ends from around the NBA:
- Asked about the trade deadline during an appearance on KBME in Houston, Jeremy Lin said he loves the current Rockets players, though he "definitely" wouldn't be averse to a deal that makes the team better (link via Chris Fedor of Sports Radio Interviews).
- Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee has the latest details on the Kings sale, reporting that the Maloofs have given bankruptcy trustee David Flemmer some of the documents regarding the sale of the team to the Seattle group.
- In their weekly Insider-only draft piece for ESPN.com, Chad Ford and Jay Bilas take a look at the nation's best mid-major prospects.
- Kevin Pelton also has a new Insider-only piece up at ESPN.com, in which he examines potential buy-low opportunities on the trade market. Pelton's list includes Andrea Bargnani, DeJuan Blair, and Derrick Williams, three players we've profiled in our trade candidate series.
- Jose Calderon spoke to Shams Charania of RealGM.com about adjusting to life with the Pistons, adding that he can envision himself in Detroit long-term.
- ESPN.com's 5-on-5 panel weighs in on whether a number of trade candidates, including Carlos Boozer, Zach Randolph, and Iman Shumpert, should be moved.
Eastern Links: Ellis, Bargnani, Magic, Pistons
As we prepare for an evening schedule that includes the Celtics looking to extend their winning streak to eight in Charlotte and the Wizards looking for their fourth straight win in Milwaukee, let's check in on a few stories out of the Eastern Conference….
- Monta Ellis has the opportunity to opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent at season's end, but he insists he's committed to the Bucks and isn't thinking about his contract situation, according to Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- Despite the trade rumors surrounding Andrea Bargnani and the Raptors, coach Dwane Casey is moving forward as if Bargnani will be in Toronto for the rest of the season, writes Joel Brigham of HoopsWorld.
- Moke Hamilton of Sheridan Hoops explains why he thinks the Knicks ought to consider trading Iman Shumpert.
- Considering that Magic GM Rob Hennigan targeted young players such as Nikola Vucevic and Maurice Harkless in the Dwight Howard trade, the team appears to be in good hands when it comes to Hennigan's talent evaluation, says Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel.
- The Pistons have already begun recruiting one of their own players, as they attempt to convince Jose Calderon to stay in Detroit beyond this season, writes Terry Foster of the Detroit News.
- With Tayshaun Prince now in Memphis, David Mayo of MLive.com wonders if Kyle Singler could be the Pistons' new long-term answer at small forward.