Celtics To Target Josh Smith If Paul Pierce Traded
As we learned earlier today, the Celtics are weighing their options when it comes to Paul Pierce, and would ideally like to send Pierce to a contending team in exchange for a first-round pick. It's not clear yet whether such a scenario will materialize, but if Boston is able to shed Pierce's salary without taking any contracts back, the team already has its next step planned, according to Sean Deveney of the Sporting News. Deveney reports that the C's have a sign-and-trade offer ready for Josh Smith, who would be one of the club's top targets in free agency.
If the Celtics hope to shed Pierce's $15.33MM salary without taking any salary back themselves, the team will have to wait until July to officially consummate a deal, since other clubs won't have the cap space necessary for such a move until after July 1st. It's plausible at that point that the Celtics could find such a deal, though I'd be surprised if they were also able to land a first-round pick and send Pierce to a contender.
One potential scenario could involve Pierce being sent to the Cavaliers for a pair of early second-round picks. In that case, Cleveland could land a veteran to go with its young core, and would avoid giving up a first-round pick or taking on long-term salary. Boston, meanwhile, would add a couple prospects, clear salary, and gain a trade exception worth $15.33MM (Pierce's salary) to make a run at Smith. However, Deveney hears from a source that Pierce-to-Cleveland is probably a "long shot," since the Cavs don't want to acquire a player that doesn't want to be there.
Of course, if the Celtics pursue this plan, it would also depend in part on Smith's desire to play in Boston for a salary that fits into that hypothetical trade exception. But given the fact that Smith is unlikely to receive any max-salary offers, and is an old friend and teammate of Rajon Rondo, it's not an outlandish scenario.
The Hawks would also have to be on board with a sign-and-trade, so the C's may have to flip those hypothetical picks acquired for Pierce. Atlanta would be unlikely to take on any unwanted salary either, so Boston wouldn't necessarily be able to unload a player like Courtney Lee or Jason Terry in such a deal. This is all my speculation though — we're still a few significant steps away from a sign-and-trade even being negotiated by the two teams.
Bulls Exploring Extension For Luol Deng?
As trade rumors begin swirling around Luol Deng once again, there's another possibility for the Bulls forward: A contract extension. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, the Bulls and Deng have engaged in discussions about a possible long-term deal. However, agent Herb Rudoy tells Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com (Twitter link) that that's not the case.
"We've had zero discussions about an extension (for Deng)," Rudoy said. "Zero" (Twitter link).
Because Deng's current contract was signed back in July 2008, he is now eligible for an extension. Veteran extensions can be for up to four years total, which means Deng could currently add two new years to his current deal. If the two sides were to reach an agreement in July or later in the offseason, three new years could be added to Deng's contract.
Typically, veteran players don't sign contract extensions before they reach free agency, since extensions limit the amount of years and dollars they can receive. But in Deng's case, he'd be eligible to receive up to nearly $50MM for three years, beginning in 2014/15. That sort of deal might be worth giving up a chance to hit the open market next summer.
Of course, if what Rudoy says is true, any speculation about an extension for Deng may be moot. Wojnarowski isn't usually wrong, so it's unclear what the real story is here, but perhaps the Bulls are trying to regain some leverage in trade discussions involving Deng, by conveying that they'd have no problem hanging on to him long-term.
Odds & Ends: Bynum, Ginobili, Heat, Joerger
It's already been a busy day of news and rumors, and things don't figure to slow down anytime soon. With the draft fast approaching and free agency to follow shortly thereafter, the NBA's roster-movement season is in full swing. As we try not to let anything slip through the cracks, let's round up a few Tuesday odds and ends from around the Association:
- Free-agent-to-be Andrew Bynum has completed rehab on his knee and is set to resume basketball workouts next week, writes Dan Gelston of the Associated Press. Agent David Lee indicated there's "not a concern in the world" that Bynum will be ready for training camp, and said he expects to meet with a couple teams when free agency opens next week.
- While it appeared during the playoffs that Manu Ginobili would consider retiring this offseason, the longtime Spur wrote in Argentinian newspaper La Nacion that he can't imagine not continuing his playing career. Mike Monroe and Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News have the details.
- Asked about the opt-out clauses the Heat's Big Three have in their contracts for 2014, Dwyane Wade echoed LeBron James' comments, indicating that it wasn't something he'd seriously considered or discussed yet (link via Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald).
- Dave Joerger's contract as head coach of the Grizzlies will have at least three guaranteed years, and could end up being for four years, tweets Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
- If Channing Frye were unable to play for the Suns again next season after missing last year due to a heart condition, the team would receive salary-cap relief, but Frye tells Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic that he's "extremely hopeful and optimistic" about his future and plans to return to action in 2013/14.
- In his latest mailbag for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Ira Winderman addresses the possibility of Ray Allen opting out and the Heat signing Greg Oden.
- Pelicans GM Dell Demps has met with draft prospects Ben McLemore, Anthony Bennett, and Victor Oladipo, Demps confirmed today to Jimmy Smith of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
- Glen Rice Jr., who is working out for the Bucks for a second time, and Allen Crabbe headline Milwaukee's list of workout participants today (Twitter links via the team's official PR account).
- Agent Marc Cornstein spoke to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News about Metta World Peace's decision to opt in for 2013/14.
Knicks Extend Qualifying Offer To Chris Copeland
The Knicks have formally extended a qualifying offer to Chris Copeland, making him a restricted free agent, according to Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter). The offer is for a one-year deal worth $988,872.
Copeland's is the first of many qualifying offers we're likely to see this week. As we explain in our Hoops Rumors glossary, QOs are one-year deals that a player has the option to accept. The offers, which vary in value based on a player's service time and previous contract status, also give the team the right to match offer sheets for the player in free agency.
As I noted this morning, however, because the Knicks are in the tax, they may not have the opportunity to match on Copeland if a rival suitor, such as the Pelicans or Pacers, offers a starting salary worth more than the taxpayer mid-level exception (approximately $3.18MM). The reported interest in Copeland also makes it unlikely that he'd accept the $988,872 offer from the Knicks, since he figures to receive larger bids on the open market.
Metta World Peace To Opt In For 2013/14
Metta World Peace won't exercise the early termination option on the final year of his contract, meaning he'll remain under contract with the Lakers for the 2013/14 season, reports Sam Amick of USA Today. World Peace had until today to make a decision on his $7,727,280 option for next year.
While the man formerly known as Ron Artest was extremely unlikely to receive a $7.73MM salary on the open market, the decision wasn't a total no-brainer. Had he opted out of his contract, World Peace could have negotiated a new deal with the Lakers at a lesser rate, ensuring he remained in Los Angeles. Now that he has opted in, he risks becoming an amnesty victim next month if the Lakers decide they'd rather reduce their tax bill than keep World Peace on the roster.
With World Peace now officially on the books for '13/14, the Lakers have approximately $76MM in guaranteed salary committed to next year's roster. Decisions are still due on whether to bring back Chris Duhon and Jodie Meeks, and of course, a new max contract for Dwight Howard would push team salary into the $100MM range.
Celtics To Target Lower-Profile Coach Candidates
With Brian Shaw set to coach the Nuggets and the Grizzlies prepared to formally announce Dave Joerger as their new head coach, only two NBA teams, the 76ers and Celtics, are still without a coach. Like the Sixers, the Celtics intend to take their time making their decision, according to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, who tweets that Boston may not hire a new head coach until after Summer League play.
Current assistant Jay Larranaga will coach Boston's Summer League squad in Orlando, and he's expected to be one of the candidates for the team's head coaching opening, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. According to Wojnarowski, the Celtics will consider a handful of younger, lower-profile candidates for the position. The shift in focus doesn't come a huge surprise, since the team is expected to enter a rebuilding phase, and won't want to pay an elite coach's salary.
Besides Larranaga and Vinny Del Negro, we haven't heard many names surface as potential replacements for Doc Rivers on the Celtics' bench, though that figures to change in the coming weeks. According to Wojnarowski, Rivers has a "strong interest" in bringing Larranaga aboard as an assistant in Los Angeles, so if Larranaga doesn't earn the Celtics' head coaching job, it's unclear whether he'll remain on Boston's staff or land with the Clippers.
Knicks, Blazers Discussing Kostas Papanikolaou
Last July, the Knicks sent the rights to Kostas Papanikolaou to Portland as part of the sign-and-trade deal that netted them Raymond Felton. Almost a year later, New York is trying to find a way to get Papanikolaou back. Marc Berman of the New York Post reports that the Knicks have offered second-round picks and cash to the Trail Blazers in an attempt to reacquire Papanikolaou's rights.
Considering how many future second-rounders the Knicks have traded away, there aren't many left to offer in a deal with the Blazers. New York's own 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 second-round picks are ticketed for Washington, Houston, Houston again, and Portland, respectively. The Knicks do have 2014 second-rounders from the Kings and Thunder, but Sacramento's pick is heavily protected and is unlikely to change hands. So New York could probably only offer Oklahoma City's 2014 second-rounder (likely to be near the very end of the draft) or picks in 2017 and beyond.
In any case, Portland doesn't appear willing to give up Papanikolaou's rights for the second-rounders the Knicks are offering. According to Berman, the Blazers countered by asking for the Knicks' 24th overall pick this week, with New York receiving Portland's No. 39 pick along with Papanikolaou in the proposed swap. However, Knicks GM Glen Grunwald is reluctant to give up New York's first-round pick.
Papanikolaou's Greek representative, George Sfairopoulos, indicated last month that he expected the Blazers to trade his client, since there didn't seem to be room at small forward on the team's roster to bring him stateside anytime soon. According to Berman, the Blazers are shopping Papanikolaou at the request of his U.S. agent, Marc Cornstein, and the team may have received offers from other clubs picking in the late-20s. GM Neil Olshey and the Blazers figure to wait until draft night to determine exactly who is available toward the end of the first round, says Berman.
Latest On Paul Pierce
Although the Cavaliers and Bucks are among the teams that have expressed interest in Paul Pierce, the longtime Celtic is unlikely to be sent to either of those clubs if he's traded this week, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein. Stein reports that the C's have shown an inclination to work with Pierce in an effort to send him to a favorable destination if they make a deal by week's end.
Boston continues to seek a first-rounder for Pierce, so if the team receives an offer from a contending team willing to give up a first-round pick, the 35-year-old could be moved within the next few days. However, if such a deal doesn't materialize, the Celtics are prepared to guarantee Pierce's full $15MM+ salary, since the club believes he'll still have trade value throughout the offseason and up until the 2014 trade deadline. Pierce's contract is currently partially guaranteed for $5MM, but will become fully guaranteed if he's not waived on or before Sunday.
Although the Celtics' decision to let Doc Rivers out of his contract to join the Clippers, in exchange for a first-round pick, may have signaled the start of a rebuilding period, it's still possible that Boston could start the 2013/14 season with Pierce and Kevin Garnett on the roster. According to Stein, the Celtics believe retaining Pierce may help convince KG to stick around without Rivers, rather than retiring or asking for a trade.
It's also possible that Pierce could be dealt this week to a team that intends to buy him out for the cap savings, says Stein. In that scenario, Pierce could end up reuniting with Rivers by signing with the Clippers in July.
Kyler’s Latest: Bledsoe, Marion, Warriors, Deng
With the 2013 draft now just two days away, Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld tackled some of the most frequently mentioned trade rumors, passing along the latest updates he's heard on Eric Bledsoe, Shawn Marion, and others in today's NBA AM piece. Here are the highlights:
- A rumored deal that would send Bledsoe and Caron Butler to the Magic in exchange for Arron Afflalo may also include Andrew Nicholson and/or a 2015 draft pick going to the Clippers, says Kyler. L.A. appears to be exploring all its options for Bledsoe, but if no team tops Orlando's offer, a trade could happen on draft night.
- While the Mavericks are denying that Marion would be attached to a deal involving the No. 13 pick, Kyler is hearing that there are two scenarios on the table that include Marion and the pick. One is with the Cavaliers, while the other is with the Pelicans. A Marion deal isn't necessarily Cleveland's top priority, however, and the fact that Marion has yet to officially exercise his 2013/14 player option may also be complicating discussions.
- The Warriors would like to trade into the draft and pick up a late first-round pick, but given the team's proximity to the tax line, adding a guaranteed rookie salary to the books may not make sense for Golden State.
- Breaking down the latest Luol Deng rumors, Kyler notes that it makes sense for Deng to play out the final year of his contract with the Bulls, but adds that he's heard a couple sources describe an eventual Deng trade as "inevitable."
- Following up on the rumor that the Cavaliers tried to acquire LaMarcus Aldridge, Kyler says there are rumblings the Suns made a play for Aldridge as well. It seems unlikely that the Trail Blazers would move the big man at this point, but there's certainly a market for him.
- Kyler confirms that the Timberwolves, who have been very aggressive over the last few weeks, tried to make a play for MarShon Brooks involving the No. 26 pick.
Draft Rumors: No. 1 Pick, Blazers, Kings
The draft is right around the corner and Chad Ford and Marc Stein of ESPN.com have the latest rumblings as we approach Thursday..
- The Cavaliers reached out to the Trail Blazers in an attempt to land LaMarcus Aldridge for the Nos. 1 and 19 picks but the Blazers quickly rebuffed them, sources say. Late Monday night, we heard that the Blazers, Thunder, and T-Wolves have been the most proactive in trying to deal for the No. 1 pick.
- The Kings want a second first-round pick and are using Jimmer Fredette as bait. Sources say Sacramento has reached out to several teams in the mid-to-late first round in an attempt to secure another pick and the Pacers and Jazz are potential destinations for the guard. Kings coach Mike Malone is high on Tim Hardaway Jr. and Tony Snell, but the Kings feel that they can get them much lower in the draft.
- In addition to the Pacers' Fredette discussions, sources say Indiana has made the No. 23 pick available in hopes that they can unload Gerald Green's contract.
- The Nets are shopping MarShon Brooks and sources say they want a first-round pick in return. If the T-Wolves give up the No. 26 pick, they'll probably have a deal on draft night. Yesterday it was reported that the two sides have discussed Brooks.
- The Wolves want to move higher up in the draft to select Victor Oladipo. They're offering Derrick Williams, the No. 9 and the No. 26 pick to move up, but so far haven't found a taker.
- The Rockets badly want to move Aaron Brooks or Carlos Delfino in conjunction with the draft before they have to just let them go in order to create as much cap space as possible for Dwight Howard.