Eastern Notes: Knicks, Gordon, Wittman
The NBA held internal discussions about the Knicks‘ signing of Chris Smith and ultimately determined the move wasn’t in violation of circumventing the salary cap, reports Marc Berman of the New York Post. Previous reports have indicated rival agents believe the Knicks signed J.R. Smith and his younger brother as a package deal. However, a league official tells Berman that Chris is “one of those projects” who may not help immediately, but could develop into an NBA player.
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- If the Knicks need to add a free agent, Smith may be the player released to make room, but so far the team has been content to stand pat despite frontcourt injuries. The latest player sidelined is Metta World Peace, who had fluid drained from his knee on Monday, according to Ian Begley of ESPN New York. However, the procedure was believed to be minor, and MWP is expected back on the court by the end of the week.
- Bobcats guard Ben Gordon tells K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune that if the Bulls were to call him when he becomes a free agent next summer, he’d definitely listen. “I had a lot of success here, had a great time here,” Gordon said. “I’m not in position to rule anybody out.”
- According to John Wall, the Wizards’ players believe in Randy Wittman, who isn’t worried that his job is in danger. Michael Lee of the Washington Post has the details.
- Sam Amick of USA Today hears from a person with knowledge of the Wizards thinking that Wittman will still have the opportunity to right the ship in Washington before the team considers a change.
Celtics Rumors: Rondo, Wallace, Humphries
Despite reports that the Knicks called the Celtics about the possibility of acquiring Rajon Rondo, GM Danny Ainge told reporters yesterday that he hadn’t spoken to any other teams about Rondo. According to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, Ainge wasn’t just playing semantic games; the Celtics GM clarified that he hadn’t shot down any clubs attempting to talk about Rondo either.
Whether or not you believe Ainge, his message is clear: Boston’s star point guard isn’t going anywhere. That doesn’t mean there won’t be chatter surrounding Rondo and other C’s over the next several weeks and months though, so let’s check in on the latest:
- Here’s what one rival GM told Bulpett about the possibility of the Celtics trading Rondo: “If you don’t hear of some superstar going back to the Celtics for Rondo, don’t pay any attention to it. They don’t want to trade the guy anyway, but when people are throwing names like Iman Shumpert and Raymond Felton and Amar’e Stoudemire out there, you can be sure Rondo’s not involved…. I’m sure they’d have to listen if there was another major star involved, but it would have to be really big. This other stuff just doesn’t make any sense.”
- Bulpett notes that the Celtics have also been linked to Omer Asik, but a source questions whether Houston would receive an offer strong enough to deal him, since he’s limited offensively and has a $15MM balloon payment coming in 2014/15.
- While they may not be interested in moving Rondo, the Celtics are still active on the market, according to Bulpett, who names Gerald Wallace and Kris Humphries as two players the team would “love to move.”
- Ainge, on the possibility of swinging a deal: “I think that we don’t have much flexibility, as much as we would like. I wouldn’t say it’s a priority, but we are having conversations.”
- Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com provides a primer for Celtics fans on how to deal with rumor season.
Odds & Ends: Asik, Odom, Iguodala, Rockets
The Rockets say they won’t give in to Omer Asik‘s trade demands, but it’s hard to imagine them keeping the disgruntled center when they can satisfy another need by moving him. Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops suggests three trades involving the defensively-minded center, including a deal that sends Asik and a future first-rounder to 76ers for Thaddeus Young and Kwame Brown. More from around the Association..
- Free agent Lamar Odom is working out with elite trainer Rob McClanaghan in Rhode Island this week, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter).
- A deal sending Asik to the Pelicans for Ryan Anderson makes sense, opines Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. The Rockets‘ biggest weakness this season has been the play of their power forwards and Anderson would be the type of player that could help them stretch the floor. Meanwhile, pairing Asik with Anthony Davis would give New Orleans one of the best defensive frontcourts in the league.
- David Thorpe of ESPN.com (Insider sub. req’d) explains why Andre Iguodala and the Warriors are a great fit. Golden State likes to play fast and loose, which has helped Iguodala get his groove back.
- Todd Ramasar, an NBA agent who has worked for prominent basketball agents Arn Tellem and Bill Duffy, has opened his own shop and is in talks to merge with another basketball agency, writes Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal. You can keep tabs on everyone’s representation with the Hoops Rumors Agency Database.
Southeast Notes: Afflalo, Smith, Magic, Hawks
Sometimes, it’s the moves you don’t make that define your team. The Magic reportedly received “lots of interest” in guard Arron Afflalo, this summer, but ultimately decided to hang on to him. They’ve been handsomely rewarded for rebuffing the advances of other clubs as Afflalo is putting up 21.7 PPG – more than double his career average. Tonight’s look at the Southeast Division..
- Pistons forward Josh Smith told 92.9 FM that the Hawks never came to him with a contract offer this summer, writes Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “No, there wasn’t,” Smith said when asked if there was a contract offer. “During free agency, during that period, there were a lot of guys out in L.A. that were meeting with various teams. I was one of those guys. That’s where I work out in the summertime as well. The only time I saw the Hawks during free agency was when they came to one of my workouts just to say hello. I think they were meeting with Dwight Howard that day. They never came in or sat down with me during the free agency period to offer me anything.”
- Veteran point guard Jameer Nelson is less-than-thrilled about his playing time situation with the Magic, but he’s refusing to blow it up into a major issue, writes Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. The 31-year-old wants to contribute, but at the same time, he wants to remain with Orlando for years to come.
- Guys like Afflalo and Nelson have trade value, but their stocks will be even higher around draft time after logging productive seasons, tweets Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld.
Northwest Notes: Sefolosha, Thunder, Jazz
Here’s tonight’s look at the Northwest Division as the Blazers, Thunder, and Jazz look for Monday night victories..
- There’s no guarantee that Thabo Sefolosha will return to the Thunder next season, writes Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman. Oklahoma City has never allowed a player like Sefolosha, a five-year fixture in the rotation, to get to free agency, but the defensively-minded guard could be the first. The threat of the luxury tax looms large over OKC and they have a more pressing deal to try to get done with Reggie Jackson, a rising star who is eligible for an extension on July 1. Sefolosha has previously stated his desire to remain with the Thunder.
- How good is Jabari Parker? One NBA assistant coach says the Duke star would be the best player on the Jazz today, writes Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv. While many have said that Kansas’ Andrew Wiggins is the undisputed top talent in the draft for months now, it appears that the tides have shifted in the last month or so with many execs saying that Parker or Julius Randle could be the first man off the board in June.
- Thunder guard Derek Fisher says that he’ll leave nothing on the hardwood this season as it will definitely be his last, writes RealGM’s Shams Charania. “It’s my last season, so I don’t have to worry about pacing myself for next season per say,” Fisher said. “I’m trying to make sure that I’m ready every night for whatever the team needs me to do…it’s just about being a leader by example and continuing to show our guys that you help your team win by doing whatever it takes – not just things that show up on the stat sheet.”
Warriors Sign Dewayne Dedmon
Dewayne Dedmon is suited up for the Warriors’ game tonight against the Jazz, signaling that he has officially signed with the team, tweets Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle. There was no press release, but the center is warming up with Golden State hours before tipoff.
The 7’0″ center went undrafted in June and joined the Warriors as a camp invitee, averaging 3.4 PPG and 4.0 RPG in five preseason games and was said to impress the club in practice. While he didn’t make the NBA roster, the 24-year-old’s D-League rights had been retained by the Santa Cruz Warriors.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported earlier today that the Warriors were planning to sign Dedmon. Simmons also noted earlier today that the team even briefly considered asking assistant coach Brian Scalabrine if he’d come out of retirement to replace the injured Jermaine O’Neal. Dedmon, along with Marreese Speights, and Ognjen Kuzmic, are expected to help support Andrew Bogut at center.
Atlantic Notes: Knicks, Shumpert, Rondo, Davies
In a move that was long expected, the Knicks assigned Chris Smith to the D-League’s Erie BayHawks earlier today. The younger brother of star guard J.R. Smith was in the headlines recently after Pistons guard Brandon Jennings insinuated that he was the beneficiary of nepotism and the elder Smith responded with what appeared to be a threat via Twitter. Here’s the evening edition of Atlantic Notes..
- Iman Shumpert‘s name has been all over Hoops Rumors for the last week but he says that he won’t let it affect his play. “Thanks to all fans who [are] concerned. I feel [your] presence in my corner as usual! I’m more worried about winning than trade rumors,” tweeted the Knicks guard.
- Celtics head coach Brad Stevens says that star Rajon Rondo is making progress but a timetable for a return remains unclear, tweets Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe. Stevens says that he doesn’t expect Rondo’s return to come “very, very soon.” Earlier today, Celtics GM Danny Ainge made it clear that Rondo is not going anywhere, despite talk of interest from other clubs.
- Brandon Davies went undrafted out of Brigham Young University and was waived by the Clippers in the preseason, but the 6’10”, 240-pound rookie is making quite an impression with the Sixers, writes Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “He’s got a real motor,” coach Brett Brown said of the combo forward. “He’s got a tenacity that you are born with. … I love the way he plays.”
Southeast Notes: Afflalo, LeBron, Hawks
Only one Southeast team is in action tonight, and while much has been made of the poor performance by Eastern Conference teams so far this season, a win by the Bobcats today would increase the Southeast’s overall winning percentage to a respectable .500. It’ll be a tough task for the Bobcats though, as they play in Chicago against a Bulls team coming off a win against the previously undefeated Pacers. As we look forward to seeing if Charlotte can pull off an upset, here are a few notes from around the Bobcats’ division:
- According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports, Arron Afflalo drew “lots of interest” over the summer, but the Magic ultimately elected not to move him.
- David Beckham is looking to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to Miami, and may end up working with LeBron James, according to Alex Miller of the Daily Mail. While the potential partnership doesn’t mean anything tangible at this point, the fact that LeBron is pursuing a Miami project may bode well for the Heat‘s chances of keeping him beyond this season.
- No NBA team was caught off guard by the incredible collection of talent on display at the NCAA’s Champions Classic in Chicago last week. Nonetheless, seeing all of those prospects in one place could have influenced the plans of an NBA team like the Hawks, as one team executive tells David Aldridge of NBA.com: “The only thing about Chicago that’s interesting is if it changes Atlanta’s plans, or someone’s, who says ‘Ah, screw it, let’s just start selling players.'”
Ford’s Latest: Raptors, Kings, Cavs, Bucks
Before fielding questions on the NCAA and the 2014 draft, ESPN.com’s Chad Ford addressed a number of NBA inquiries in his latest chat. Let’s dive in and round up a few of the highlights from ESPN’s draft guru….
- Rival general managers tell Ford that Raptors president Masai Ujiri has been active on the phones. However, Ford has heard “mixed responses” from those GMs on whether Ujiri is looking to blow up his roster or trying to improve in the short term.
- The Kings have “a lot of interest” in Derrick Williams, and could be a logical trade partner for the Timberwolves. Ford cites Chuck Hayes and “Jason Williams” as possible trade candidates, though presumably he means Jason Thompson.
- There are “rumblings” that Dion Waiters has been a source of chemistry issues in the Cavs‘ locker room. Still, even if Cleveland were to shop the second-year guard, Ford isn’t convinced the return would be great.
- In Ford’s view, the Cavs will likely need to make a roster move soon to either attempt a playoff push or a run at another high lottery pick.
- When the Rockets explore Omer Asik trades, they’ll likely be targeting a player such as Ryan Anderson or Ersan Ilyasova. says Ford, adding that both of those guys might be available. Asik may not be the right fit for either the Pelicans or Bucks though, according to Ford, so a third team might have to get involved.
- Even though Bucks owner Herb Kohl is known to be anti-tanking, Ford suggests John Hammond should be sending Kohl video of Andrew Wiggins, Julius Randle, and Jabari Parker every day until he reconsiders. The insinuation there, of course, is that a poor finish this season will be the Bucks’ best chance to land a star.
Poll: Should Knicks Trade Iman Shumpert?
Outside of perhaps Omer Asik, no player has been involved in more trade rumors in the first month of the season than Iman Shumpert. Shumpert has been linked to the Nuggets and Celtics, among other teams, and is reportedly drawing leaguewide interest, though nothing is imminent.
There are a number of reasons why Shumpert finds himself at the center of so many trade rumors early in the 2013/14 season. The 23-year-old is viewed as potentially expendable because the Knicks already have players like Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith, and Metta World Peace at the two and three. More importantly, with the Knicks off to a slow start, they have holes that need filling, and Shumpert represents their best trade chip. New York has traded away most of its draft picks and doesn’t have another player with Shumpert’s combination of youth, upside, and affordability.
Still, Shumpert’s youth, upside, and affordability are also prime reasons for the Knicks to hang on to him. For a team overloaded with aging players on expensive multiyear contracts, Shumpert is perhaps the only Knick who has yet to reach his ceiling. The club isn’t so overloaded on the wing that there’s no room for the third-year swingman, particularly if Carmelo plays power forward more frequently. Depending on what sort of value they can get back in a deal, rushing to deal Shumpert may backfire on the Knicks in both the short-term and the long-term.
The Nuggets reportedly wanted a first-round pick in addition to Shumpert for Kenneth Faried, while the Celtics quickly shot down the idea that a Shumpert-centric package could land Rajon Rondo. In other words, it’s unlikely that the Knicks could acquire an impact player for Shumpert alone. Taking that into account, is it worth it for New York to trade him, or would the club be better off keeping him and hoping he starts to deliver on some of the potential he’s shown?
Should the Knicks trade Iman Shumpert?
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Yes 54% (447)
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No 46% (388)
Total votes: 835