Teams With Open Roster Spots
Since the trade deadline, a pair of contenders have taken advantage of having an open roster spot, with the Knicks adding Kenyon Martin on a 10-day contract and the Thunder agreeing to sign Derek Fisher for the remainder of the season.
For New York and Oklahoma City, adding a veteran as a 15th man makes sense for depth purposes, and we may see a few more playoff contenders take the same approach as Friday's buyout deadline nears. For non-contenders, a D-League pickup or two may be more likely, as teams take a look at players who may be able to contribute beyond this season.
Clubs carrying fewer than 15 players are more likely to add free agents at this point, since they won't have to release a player on a guaranteed contract to clear space for a pickup. So with the help of our constantly-updated roster counts page, let's take a quick look at the list of teams with at least one open roster spot. The number of available spots is indicated in parentheses.
Eastern Conference:
- Boston Celtics (2)
- Brooklyn Nets (1)
- Charlotte Bobcats (1)
- Chicago Bulls (1)
- Detroit Pistons (1)
- Miami Heat (1)
- Orlando Magic (1)
Western Conference:
- Golden State Warriors (2)
- Houston Rockets (1)
- Los Angeles Clippers (1)
- Los Angeles Lakers (1)
- Memphis Grizzlies (2)
- New Orleans Hornets (2)
- Sacramento Kings (1)
Kyler On Hawks, Jazz, Udrih, Deadline
Nearly 56% of more than 1,560 Hoops Rumors readers suggested last Friday that the Hawks' decision to keep Josh Smith was the most surprising non-move of this year's trade deadline. It wasn't for lack of trying that the Hawks retained Smith though, as Steve Kyler documents in his latest NBA AM piece for HoopsWorld. Kyler echoes a report that we heard on Thursday, indicating that Atlanta was exploring potential Smith trades right up to the 2:00pm deadline before finally deciding that the return wasn't enough. Here's more from Kyler:
- Both the Hawks and Jazz, who held on to Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson, decided that earning a playoff spot and deciding what to do with their free-agents-to-be at season's end made more sense than giving them up for pennies on the dollar, according to Kyler.
- Kyler compares Atlanta's and Utah's trade talks to the discussions the Grizzlies were having about Rudy Gay earlier this season. Before Memphis got below the tax line by sending Marreese Speights and Wayne Ellington to Cleveland, teams were lowballing the Grizzlies in talks for Gay, making proposals that were "borderline insulting," according to Kyler. It wasn't until the Grizz regained some leverage by getting below the tax that the offers for Gay improved.
- The Hawks and Jazz are both expecting to have the opportunity to create upwards of $40MM in cap space this summer, which gives them plenty of flexibility to either bring back their own free agents or to facilitate sign-and-trade deals.
- While Beno Udrih was viewed as a throw-in in the six-player trade that sent J.J. Redick to the Bucks, Udrih tells Kyler that he's hoping his time in Orlando is more than just a pit stop. Udrih has some history with Magic coach Jacque Vaughn, who played with him in San Antonio, and GM Rob Hennigan, who was in the Spurs' front office when the club drafted Udrih.
- Kyler opines that, for as much talk as there's been about the new CBA's luxury tax penalties discouraging trading, it isn't fair to blame the tax for this year's relatively quiet deadline. I'm inclined to agree — the impact of the repeater tax in particular has been overstated, in my opinion, since not many teams are in position to be taxpayers for four years out of five. Additionally, as Kyler points out, with so many teams poised to have cap space this summer, clubs were reluctant to trade for free-agents-to-be, knowing that those players will have plenty of options and offers in July.
Odds & Ends: Gay, Grizzlies, Korver, Smith
Hoops Rumors would like to wish a speedy recovery to former Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley as he remains in a Chicago-area hospital days after suffering a stroke, as Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal details. Heisley is interested in buying another NBA team, and has recently been linked to the Wolves and Bucks. Here's more from around the Association..
- Raptors star Rudy Gay told Chris Mannix of NBC Sports (on Twitter) that he was not happy about leaving the Grizzlies at a time when he felt that they were poised to make a run. The forward went on to say that the team was shocked and deflated by the Marreese Speights deal (Twitter link).
- Soon-to-be free agent Kyle Korver is open to a return to the Bulls this summer, he tells Shams Charania of RealGM.com, who notes that the sharpshooter was one of Derrick Rose's favorites."That’s a great organization, that’s an awesome jersey to put on," Korver said of the Bulls. "Great fans, good team. You only get to be a free agent so many times in a career, so I’ll definitely see what’s all there. But I would absolutely listen to what they’ve got to say."
- Now that the trade deadline has come and gone, Josh Smith can go back to focusing on contributing to his Hawks team, writes Shams Charania of RealGM. In fact, for all of his ups and downs with the club over the years, he seems re-energized and upbeat about the second half of the year in Atlanta.
- Mark Cuban says that Vince Carter was the Mavericks' most in-demand player at the deadline, according to Earl K. Sneed of Mavs.com (on Twitter). "We're lucky to have him," said the owner.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Hoops Links: Sonics, Celtics, Redick, Nets
The trade deadline came and went this week and ultimately it wasn't as eventful as we thought it might be. Most Hoops Rumors readers said that the biggest surprise this week was that Josh Smith wound up staying put with the Hawks. It only made sense for Atlanta to move the forward given that he is demanding a max deal and the club is unwilling to give him one. However, the Jazz's decision to stand pat with Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap was arguably more surprising. It seems unlikely that Utah will pony up the money to keep both big men this offseason and it would have made sense to get a return on one of them at the deadline. Hopefully, both Hawks GM Danny Ferry and Jazz decision maker Dennis Lindsey have something in mind that the rest of the NBA just isn't seeing.
Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors? Send a link to your post to HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the web..
- Kingdome of Seattle Sports has an idea for how the Sonics can open with a bang in Seattle.
- Bleed Green talks Celtics post-deadline.
- Bucksketball gives us some myths and truths surrounding the J.J. Redick trade.
- The Brooklyn Game looks at the Nets' five worst trades in team history.
- Always Miller Time likes the Pacers' sunny future.
- Red94 broke down the deadline in their latest podcast.
- NBA247365 bids you adieu.
- Wages Of Wins revisits their preseason picks.
- Utah Sports Net explained why the Jazz were right to stand pat.
- The Basketball Post came down hard on Dwight Howard.
- Pounding The Rock wonders if a quiet deadline benefitted the Spurs.
- Orlando Pinstriped Post crunched the numbers on the Redick deal.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.
Nowitzki Plans To Play For Several More Years
Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki's contract runs out after next season and some have wondered if he may be looking to call it a career in the near future. The big man told reporters back in November that he would likely stick around through 2016, but a frustrating, injury-filled season in Dallas led him to question his future once again. However, Nowitzki reiterated his desire to continue his career in Dallas earlier today, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com.
"When my [current] contract's up, I'm 36 and I'll definitely sign a couple more years," Nowitzki said after recording season highs of 30 points and 13 rebounds in today's loss to the Lakers. "It's still fun, but I don't know if I'll play until 40. But when I'm 36, definitely sign one more deal, maybe two or three years."
The 34-year-old laughed when asked if he expected to continue making superstar money on his next deal. Nowitzki is earning just under $21MM this season and will make nearly $23MM in his walk year. While his next deal won't be negotiated for some time, it's safe to assume that he'll see a pay cut.
Pacific Notes: Kobe, Cuban, O’Neal, Suns, Lakers
Mark Cuban has been known to start a tiff or two in his time as Mavs owner and players haven't been shy to respond to the outspoken owner with words of their own. Cuban recently suggested that the Lakers should use their amnesty clause on Kobe Bryant as he is owed roughly $30MM next season. Rather than shoot back with comments of his own, Bryant took out his frustrations on Dallas this afternoon, putting up 38 points, 12 boards, and seven dimes as he led the Lakers to victory. Here's more on the Lakers and the rest of the Pacific..
- Cuban walked back his comments to a degree today, claiming that he was just using Bryant as an example for a larger point, according to the Associated Press. "Whenever the commissioner or any other team talks about the CBA, they talk about Dallas and Tyson Chandler, or Dallas and Dirk [Nowitzki] and what's going to happen," Cuban said. "You've got to use examples. I was clear in saying it was hypothetical and I expected him to be in LA, but he was a good example because they have the highest payroll in the league."
- Suns big man Jermaine O'Neal finds himself at a career crossroads in 2013, writes Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. For now, he is preparing as though he will return for next season but recurring injuries combined with personal matters may lead him to call it a career before 2013/14.
- Lakers forward Jordan Hill's season may not be over if the club can find a way to make a deep playoff run, tweets Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register.
Week In Review: 2/18/13 – 2/24/13
It's been a crazy week here at Hoops Rumors but have no fear, Week In Review is here to get you up to speed..
- The Magic traded J.J. Redick, Gustavo Ayon, and Ishmael Smith to the Bucks for Beno Udrih, Tobias Harris, and Doron Lamb. It initially appeared that Milwaukee was targeting Redick to replace Monta Ellis if Ellis was part of a Josh Smith trade, the club ultimately pulled the trigger on Redick anyway, meaning the sharpshooter will join a backcourt that features Ellis and Brandon Jennings.
- The Mavs didn't land Jennings at the deadline but it appears that there is mutual interest there.
- Surprisingly, Smith stayed in Atlanta when all was said and done. The forward is unlikely to re-sign with the Hawks. The Hawks had a deal on the table with the Bucks but ultimately got cold feet.
- Clippers guard Chris Paul made a serious pitch to Kevin Garnett to push for a trade to L.A. but the Celtics big man didn't go for it.
- The Knicks signed Kenyon Martin to a ten-day contract.
- The Rockets traded Marcus Morris to the Suns and Patrick Patterson, Cole Aldrich, and Toney Douglas to the Kings for Thomas Robinson, Francisco Garcia, Tyler Honeycutt, and a future second-round pick.
- The Heat traded Dexter Pittman and a future second-round pick to the Grizzlies for the rights to Ricky Sanchez and cash considerations.
- The Wizards traded Jordan Crawford to the Celtics for Leandro Barbosa and Jason Collins.
- The Thunder traded Eric Maynor to the Blazers for a trade exception and the rights to Georgios Printezis. The Blazers waived Ronnie Price to clear a roster spot for Maynor.
- The Thunder also acquired Ronnie Brewer from the Knicks for a future second-round pick.
- The Hawks traded Anthony Morrow to the Mavericks for Dahntay Jones.
- The Bobcats couldn't find a team willing to give a first rounder for Gerald Henderson.
- The Suns traded Sebastian Telfair to the Raptors for Hamed Haddadi and a future second-round pick.
- The Magic traded Josh McRoberts to the Bobcats for Hakim Warrick. The Magic waived Warrick on Saturday.
- The Warriors traded Jeremy Tyler to the Hawks for a second-round pick. They also traded Charles Jenkins to the 76ers for an additional second-round pick.
- Jermaine O'Neal will stay put in Phoenix for the rest of the year. The Knicks had interest in him.
- No surprise here – Charlie Villanueva will exercise his $8.5MM option for 2013/14.
- The Pistons discussed deals for Jason Maxiell and Will Bynum.
- The Nuggets rebuffed an offer from the Timberwolves that would have sent Brandon Roy and a first-round draft pick to Denver in exchange for center Timofey Mozgov.
Sean Highkin contributed to this post.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 2/18/13 – 2/24/13
Here's a look back at the original analysis crafted by the Hoops Rumors staff this week..
- Luke Adams explained how deadline deals worked under the CBA rules.
- Chuck Myron recapped last year's key post-deadline transactions.
- Luke did a special pre-deadline edition of the chat and you can check out the transcript here. From now on, he'll be hosting the weekly chats on Mondays at 4pm CST.
- The Kings are the deadline's biggest losers, according to Hoops Rumors readers. Meanwhile, the Rockets are the biggest winners in the eyes of the Hoops Rumors commentariat.
- Most readers polled said that the most surprising non-deal was Josh Smith not being shipped out of Atlanta.
- We put together a trade deadline primer in advance of Thursday afternoon.
- Nearly 70% of Hoops Rumors readers thought the Suns should have moved Jared Dudley. Phoenix didn't agree, however, and wound up hanging on to the Boston College product.
Rockets Close To Signing Tim Ohlbrecht
No deal is finalized yet, but the Rockets are closing in on a deal with big man Tim Ohlbrecht, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). As I outlined this morning, Houston is one of 14 NBA teams with at least one open roster spot, so the club wouldn't have to waive a player to make room for Ohlbrecht.
Ohlbrecht has spent the season playing for the Rockets' D-League affiliate. In 32 games for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the 6'11" German is averaging 13.4 PPG and 7.4 RPG in 26.6 minutes per contest. He also earned a spot in the D-League's All-Star Game earlier this month.
Agent Tyler Glass told Emiliano Carchia of Sportando last week that Ohlbrecht had turned down a 10-day contract offer from the Celtics, which makes more sense now that the Rockets appear ready to sign him. If past deals with young players like Greg Smith are any indication, Houston is likely to make Ohlbrecht a contract offer that includes at least one team option, though that's just my speculation.
Knicks Maintain Plans To Sign Chris Smith
A left knee injury scuttled the opportunity Chris Smith, the younger brother of J.R. Smith, had to make the Knicks out of training camp this fall, but he hasn't fallen off the team's radar. The Knicks still plan to bring Smith aboard, a source tells Keith Schlosser of Knicks Journal. His original timetable for recovery from patella tendon surgery had been three to six months, and since the injury occured in October, he could be nearing a return.
The Knicks have a full 15-man roster with the addition of Kenyon Martin on a 10-day contract, so unless they waive someone, there's no room for Smith. They could let Martin's contract lapse, but GM Glen Grunwald is hopeful Martin remains on the team through the end of the season. Schlosser points out that Smith's first post-injury stop may be the Knicks' D-League affiliate. The Knicks, who run the basketball operations for the Erie Bayhawks, could have Smith sign a D-League contract with Erie and wait until next season to bring him to the big club. Of course, the Knicks wouldn't retain his NBA rights that way, and if another NBA club wanted to negotiate with and sign Smith, it could.
The Knicks have allowed Smith to hang around the team this season and rehab his knee at the team facilities, and as Schlosser notes, he's been a fixture at the team's home games, sometimes making the trip to road games as well. The 25-year-old guard went undrafted out of Louisville this past June.