Suns Interested In Al Jefferson, Gordon Hayward
The last-place team in the Western Conference at 17-35, the Suns are lottery-bound, but with cap space to spare and a handful of movable assets, the club is expected to be active at the trade deadline. In his latest round-up of the trade rumors surrounding the team, Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic reports that the Suns have shown interest in Al Jefferson and Gordon Hayward.
While it's not clear if the Suns and Jazz have engaged in discussions about a possible deal, Coro notes that Jared Dudley, who has been the subject of trade rumblings himself, could be a potential outgoing piece, with Marcin Gortat likely needed to make a deal for Jefferson work. Although Jefferson is set to be an unrestricted free agent at season's end, his Bird Rights would come along with him in any trade, giving his new team a bit of a leg up in re-signing him this summer.
For his part, Dudley is trying to avoid letting trade rumors faze him, pointing out that it's just flattering to be drawing interest.
"When my name came up before, I was a throw-in," Dudley said. "Now, I think I’ve worked on my game where I could be a good piece or asset for the Suns or any team."
The Suns also reportedly have interest in acquiring Iman Shumpert, as we heard over the weekend.
Kyler’s Latest: Pistons, Bucks, Raptors, Jazz
With 10 days left until the trade deadline arrives, Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld surveys the market in his latest NBA AM piece, covering the latest rumors related to the Pistons, Bucks, Raptors, and Jazz. Here are the highlights from Kyler:
- The Pistons are "open for business," and would have interest in unloading Rodney Stuckey and/or Charlie Villanueva. There's also been speculation that Detroit could be convinced to move some of their own players on expiring contracts, such as Will Bynum and Jason Maxiell.
- Josh Smith and Gerald Henderson are expected to be among the Pistons' free agent targets this summer, according to Kyler.
- Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis are unlikely to be dealt by the Bucks, but Drew Gooden, Samuel Dalembert, and perhaps even Ersan Ilyasova could be had. The price for Ilyasova would be high, however, and so far potential suitors such as the Raptors and Nets seem unwilling to pay that price.
- The Raptors are seeking frontcourt help and looking to find a taker for Andrea Bargnani, but haven't made significant progress on either front.
- Although Ric Bucher reported yesterday that the Jazz are more likely to trade Paul Millsap than Al Jefferson, Kyler suggests the opposite may be true, since Millsap is viewed as the free agent more likely to be re-signed or signed-and-traded in July.
- Any team willing to take Raja Bell off Utah's hands, perhaps in a larger deal, might receive more consideration from the Jazz, says Kyler.
Varejao: “I Don’t Want To Be Traded”
In his first interview since he underwent surgery for the blood clot in his lung, Anderson Varejao spoke to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports about how lucky he feels to have survived the ordeal. While most of the conversation focused on Varejao's health, the subject of trade rumors surfaced as well, with Varejao telling Spears that he hopes to remain in Cleveland for the rest of his contract.
"If they trade me, they trade me," Varejao said. "I'm happy here. I don't want to be traded."
Varejao was a frequently-discussed trade candidate before he was sidelined by a quadriceps injury and the blood-clot surgery, but as he tells Spears, he hasn't heard his name mentioned in trade talks since going under the knife. With another two years on his contract, which includes a partially-guaranteed 2014/15, the 30-year-old could re-emerge as a trade candidate down the road, but for this month at least, he appears unlikely to be moved.
Even though Varejao probably isn't going anywhere, the Cavs are still expected to be active in trade discussions over the next 10 days, as the team is armed with about $4MM in cap space, along with a handful of expiring contracts.
Odds & Ends: Jazz, Millsap, Marion, Andersen, MJ
Here’s tonight’s look around the Association..
- Between Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap, the Jazz are more likely to deal Millsap, several opposing team executives tell Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game (on Sulia). The consensus is that Utah can’t afford to keep both with Gordon Hayward soon to be eligible for an extension and the belief that he is in the team’s long-term plans.
- If Shawn Marion’s deal was expiring at season’s end, we would be hearing trade speculation about him on a daily basis, writes Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Marion has attracted attention because of his strong play as of late, but his $9.3MM player option for next season is something of a deterrent.
- Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter) likes what Chris Andersen has brought to the Heat and believes that he has fixed the club’s only glaring weakness. The Heat signed Birdman for the remainder of the season late last week.
- Lakers forward Antawn Jamison believes that Michael Jordan could still play at the age of 50 if he was on the right team alongside the likes of a LeBron James or Kobe Bryant, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
Atlantic Notes: Nets, Smith, Celtics, Sixers, Turner
Earlier tonight, we learned that things are heating up between the Nets and the Hawks as Brooklyn eyes forward Josh Smith. The Nets may not have all the assets to get a deal done, however, and it may behoove them to get a third team involved in the trade talks. Brooklyn would reportedly part ways with Kris Humphries and MarShon Brooks to bring the high-flyer further up the east coast, but it's going to take more than that to make the Hawks release him from their talons. The Hawks almost certainly would like to trade Smith rather than lose him for nothing this summer, but they can find plenty of suitors around the league. Here's more on the Nets and the rest of the Atlantic..
- Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov must really not care about luxury tax penalties if he is willing to take on another max deal in Smith on top of an already expensive roster, tweets Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. Prokhorov has made it clear that winning is his top priority and with the highest net worth of any owner in the league, he has the resources to make that a reality.
- In a deal slightly less glamorous than the rumored Smith swap, the Nets' D-League affiliate (Springfield Armor) sent power forward James Mays to the Celtics' affiliate (Maine Red Claws) for swingman Kris Joseph, a source tells Tim Bontemps of the New York Post. Both players were in camp with the respective NBA clubs and Joseph was said to impress over the summer.
- John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer warns Sixers fans not to hold their breath on an Evan Turner trade. Turner is allegedly on the block as Philly considers a shakeup.
Nets Making Serious Push For Josh Smith
9:05pm: While the two teams are engaged in discussions, nothing is close yet, a source tells Broussard. The Nets are willing to give up Kris Humphries and guard MarShon Brooks for Smith, but it almost certainly will take more to make it happen and one source said the Hawks want a first-round pick.
Broussard writes that some scenarios that have been discussed include re-acquiring Anthony Morrow, but that would not be possible. A player cannot be traded back to a team within one year of that team trading him away, according to the CBA.
The Hawks also reportedly want a young center in return for Smith so the Nets may have to get a third team involved.
7:52pm: The Nets are going hard after Hawks forward Josh Smith, sources tell Chris Broussard of ESPN (on Twitter). While General Manager Billy King & Co. have also discussed a deal for Bobcats guard Ben Gordon, Smith is the bigger priority at the moment.
Earlier today, a report suggested that the Hawks aren't actively shopping Smith, despite the whirlwind of trade talk surrounding him. Meanwhile, Broussard handicapped the odds of Smith being shipped out of Atlanta at 60% earlier this week. It makes sense that the Hawks would explore a deal as they met with the 27-year-old's representatives this week and let them know that they're not interested in signing him to the max deal that he is seeking.
If General Manager Danny Ferry can take Smith off of the books, then he could potentially have room for two max deal players this summer. That prospect combined with the return that Smith could net would seem to make him one of the stronger trade candidates as we approach the deadline. The Suns, Rockets, and Bobcats have been said to have interest in acquiring Smith while the forward would like a trade to the Mavericks or Grizzlies if he had his way.
Week In Review: 2/4/13 – 2/10/13
Things are heating up rapidly as we enter the trade deadline and we’re already seeing some big names in trade rumors. Let’s recap the week that was and look at the players to keep an eye on as we march towards All-Star weekend.
- The Hawks are entertaining trade offers for Josh Smith as they don’t intend to offer the forward a max deal this summer. The Nets are among several interested teams.
- The Bulls are looking into a potential trade with the Raptors that would send Carlos Boozer to Toronto in exchange for Andrea Bargnani. The talks happened over a week ago and aren’t currently active, but could be revisited by the Raps and could expand to include Nate Robinson and John Lucas III.
- The Hornets are willing to engage in talks for guard Eric Gordon. However, any deal this season would require Gordon’s approval, and no discussions about where he may want to go have taken place between him and the team.
- The Nets and Bobcats have engaged in discussions about a deal that would send Ben Gordon to Brooklyn and Kris Humphries to Charlotte. However, it’s on the backburner for now.
- The Suns are pursuing Iman Shumpert but Knicks coach Mike Woodson downplayed the talk. Meanwhile, the Knicks are said to be eyeing Jared Dudley.
- Zach Randolph was told by the Grizzlies that he’ll be staying put. Meanwhile, Memphis has discussed pursuing Courtney Lee.
- The Warriors are rebuffing offers for Harrison Barnes.
- Paul Pierce doesn’t want to be a part of a rebuilding effort in Boston.
- The Spurs are the frontrunners for Al Jefferson.
- The T’Wolves are shopping Luke Ridnour.
- The Cavs are preparing a two-year offer for Greg Oden that would include a third-year team option for 2014/15.
- The Heat signed Chris Andersen for the rest of the year as well as Jarvis Varnado.
- The Bulls and Pacers are after J.J. Redick and the Bucks are thinking about making a run.
- Donnie Nelson says that the Mavs are unlikely to make a trade.
- The Nuggets don’t plan to trade Andre Miller. They like Kevin Garnett, but KG isn’t wild about going to them.
- Randy Foye wants to stay with Utah long term.
- The Bucks were said to be shopping Samuel Dalembert.
- Agents want Don Fehr as the next union chief.
Hoops Links: Celtics, Lin, Rose, Bucks, Jack
On this date in 1955, the first woman to be drafted by an NBA team was born. Yes, you read that right. After a brilliant collegiate career at Delta State, Lusia Harris went on to be drafted by the New Orleans Jazz in the seventh round of the 1977 NBA draft. Unfortunately, Harris was pregnant at the time and unable to attend camp. Two years later, Ann Meyers went to camp with the Indiana Pacers but failed to make the cut.
Do you have a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors? Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the web..
- Bleed Green looks at the Celtics' addition by subtraction.
- The NBA Geek examines the low usage myth.
- The Basketball Post defends Jeremy Lin.
- Red94 breaks down the Rockets' performance in clutch time.
- Pippen Ain't Easy wants you to cool it on the Derrick Rose clock.
- NBA 247365 showcases the best of the D-League.
- Hardwood Houdini examines Boston's win over the Lakers.
- Bucksketball bows down to Larry Sanders.
- Hoops Addict writes that Jarrett Jack is a perfect fit for Golden State.
- The Brooklyn Game is concerned about the Nets in the long term.
- Wages Of Wins talks Nets, Andrea Bargnani, and bad contracts in their latest podcast.
- Utah Sports Net hits the postgame panic button.
- Pounding The Rock wonders if the Spurs will make a move before the deadline.
- 3 Shades of Blue takes a trip to the Eastern Conference.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.
Odds & Ends: Marion, Knicks, NBPA, CBA
Shawn Marion made headlines on Friday when he told reporters that he wouldn't show up if the Mavericks traded him to a bad team. However, as Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News observes, Marion's recent play on the court, which includes four double-doubles in his last five games, certainly should attract interest.
"I’m just playing ball," Marion said after scoring 26 points last night. "When (trade) situations arise, I’m going to let it take care of itself. But right now, I’m a Dallas Maverick and that’s what it’s about."
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the NBA:
- Asked after today's game about trade rumors involving Iman Shumpert, Carmelo Anthony told reporters, including Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv (via Twitter), that the Knicks "shouldn't even be in trade talks right now."
- Members of the players union's executive committee who are allies of embattled executive director Billy Hunter weren't involved in the decision to put him on leave, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.
- In a Sulia post, Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game wonders why Hunter's ill-advised decisions as executive director aren't receiving more attention.
- A pair of 2012 Rockets draft picks, Jeremy Lamb and Terrence Jones, top Joe Kaiser's list of young prospects who could be moved at this year's trade deadline, in an Insider-only piece at ESPN.com.
- Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News assesses the returns thus far from the offseason's two most significant trades: the Dwight Howard/Andrew Bynum mega-deal and the James Harden swap.
- Discussing the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement, commissioner David Stern argues that management, not market-size, is the most important factor for teams to be competitive and profitable. Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune has the details.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 2/4/13 – 2/10/13
Let's take a look back at the original content produced by the Hoops Rumors team over the last week….
- On the heels of a pair of trade rumors involving overpriced, underachieving players, Chuck Myron took an in-depth look at underperforming veterans earning eight-digit salaries.
- Chuck also explored Carlos Boozer's trade candidacy, concluding that a deal this month is probably unlikely.
- The Lakers and Timberwolves both expected to be playoff teams this year, but injuries and chemistry issues have contributed to their sub-.500 seasons so far. Alex Lee polled readers this week on whether the T-Wolves will make a pre-deadline trade, while Daniel Seco asked the same question about the Lakers.
- With NBA teams assigning and recalling players from their D-League affiliates at a record pace, I looked at a few young players on NBA rosters who are making an impact for D-League teams this season.
- Going forward, Zach Links' weekly Hoops Links feature, which rounds up the best of the basketball blogosphere, will appear on Sundays, rather than Saturdays. This week's installment included multiple pieces on the big Rudy Gay trade.
- I fielded plenty of trade-related questions in my weekly chat on Thursday afternoon. You can check out the transcript right here.
- If you want to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, or using an RSS feed, there are a number of different ways to do it. You can either subscribe to one of our primary feeds or follow an account dedicated to your favorite team.