Atlantic Notes: Woodson, Knicks, Humphries
Losing to the Kings at home was not a great way for the Knicks to quiet speculation about coach Mike Woodson‘s future heading into the All-Star break. Their turmoil continues, and Frank Isola of the New York Daily News doesn’t expect an end to the “nonsense” until owner Jim Dolan gives full autonomy to a head coach (via Twitter). Let’s take a look at more from the messy division:
- Dolan would rather keep Woodson for the rest of the season and does not want to make a change now, per Marc Stein of ESPN (via Twitter). Stein isn’t sure that he won’t be swayed by recent losses to the lowly Bucks and Kings, though.
- The Knicks are still targeting Rajon Rondo as their preferred upgrade at point guard according to Al Iannazzone of Newsday, although it’s unclear if Iannazzone is passing along new information or working from previous reports of the Knicks’ interest in Rondo. The Celtics have sent consistent signals that they wouldn’t give up Rondo for the kind of value the Knicks could offer.
- In the same piece, Iannazzone speculates that every Knicks player outside of Carmelo Anthony could be available, and thinks any one of Iman Shumpert, Raymond Felton, Metta World Peace and Beno Udrih could be in their final days with New York.
- Celtics power forward Kris Humphries wished team employees good luck heading into the All-Star break, “in case I don’t see you again,” as quoted by Scott Souza of MetroWest Daily News (via Twitter). The nine-year veteran is on an expiring $12MM contract, and is one of many Celtics players rumored to be available as Boston seeks to be active at the trade deadline.
Northwest Notes: Brooks, Love
At age 39, Derek Fisher is improbably playing his best basketball as a member of the Thunder, writes Anthony Slater of NewsOK. The veteran has come up with big shots when needed and maintained an overall plus/minus rating of 97, while serving as Oklahoma City’s only backup point guard with Russell Westbrook sidelined. Here’s more from the division:
- A league executive believes the Thunder would be fine without Russell Westbrook, evidenced by their continued dominance this season in 29 games without him, and the exec tells Bill Ingram of Basketball Insiders that the Thunder should consider trading Westbrook for a top-five draft pick (Twitter link).
- Thunder coach Scott Brooks tells Jeff Caplan of NBA.com he has no inclination about how the summer of 2016 will go for Oklahoma City. That’s when both Brooks’ and, more significantly, Kevin Durant‘s contracts are set to expire. “All the rhetoric about what’s going to happen three years from now, I kind of smirk and laugh about it,” Brooks said. “It’s crazy. Who knows? What our team believes in is what I believe in. I believe in coming to work everyday, I believe in giving your best, I believe in being solid on and off the court. Those are staples that this organization is about.”
- In the same article, Caplan describes the strong bond Brooks has with both Durant and Westbrook, and notes that there are some striking similarities with the Spurs, where stars Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili have all stayed with coach Gregg Popovich and the small market team rather than seeking more money elsewhere.
- Tom Haberstroh weighs whether Kevin Love should demand a trade in an ESPN Insider piece [subscription only]. The Timberwolves‘ 2013/14 struggles, a history of front office incompetence, and Minnesota’s cold weather are all factors that might motivate the superstar power forward to want out, but Haberstroh thinks the team’s misfortunes this year aren’t indicative of their true performance. The expected win total for the Timberwolves is 32-20, but poor fourth quarter play and close losses have saddled them with a 24-28 record, six games out of the playoffs. Haberstroh thinks the odds are good that Minnesota’s win totals start catching up to their statistical performance in the second half, giving Love a shot at the playoffs for the first time in his career.
Central Notes: Bucks, Bulls
The Bucks are playing the Pelicans tonight, and Gery Woelfel of the Journal Times suggests Milwaukee brass will pay close attention to opposing guard Eric Gordon amidst trade rumors about the 25-year-old (via Twitter). Gordon has not been linked to the Bucks in any reported discussions, however. Here’s more from around the division:
- Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, GM Gar Forman, and injured point guard Derrick Rose all spoke to reporters at a charity function, and both Forman and Rose are working under the assumption that the former-MVP will be out for the rest of the season per K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune and Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago. (Twitter links.)
- At the same event, Thibodeau said he watches tape of Nikola Mirotic whenever he can. The coach says he hasn’t had a chance to speak with the 6’10” sharpshooter that the Bulls hope to sign away from Real Madrid this summer. (Twitter link)
- Thibodeau also said that Carlos Boozer will retake the starting power forward spot for the Bulls when he returns from injury, per Johnson (Twitter link). The Bulls have been getting a longer look at Taj Gibson in Boozer’s absence, and Gibson’s continued career year could have ramifications for his own contractual performance bonuses, as well as the team’s willingness to amnesty Boozer before next season.
- We rounded up the Pistons and Cavs earlier tonight.
Cavs Notes: D-League, Deng
Steve Hetzel, coach of the Cavs D-League affiliate, the Canton Charge, gives Dakota Schmidt of Ridiculous Upside some insight as to how the developmental process works for Cleveland: “We all talk and communicate about when they’ll be sent down, their overall expectations and how they’ll be able to be coached. They allow me to coach these guys as if they’re my players. It’s a good relationship in the sense that we give constant feedback to each other on when we’re going to have those players and what they want the players to work on in-game. It’s a real benefit to be directly affiliated with the Cavs because it’s a struggle for teams who don’t have a direct NBA affiliation.”
Here’s more from Cleveland:
- In the same interview, Hetzel doesn’t rule out the possibility of an Anthony Bennett assignment, telling Schmidt, “That’s completely up to Coach [Mike] Brown and the Cavs organization. If they want to send him down, we’d be open arms. Right now Bennett is getting time with Cleveland and if you’re getting minutes in the NBA, then that’s the best experience that you can get. Whether he’s flourishing or struggling, he’ll improve with the playing time that he gets. If that time comes, we’ll cross that bridge as it happens.” Bennett’s play has finally picked up in recent days, after his historically poor play for a number one pick had some calling for him to get some time in the D-League.
- Rival executives believe new Cavs GM David Griffin‘s best option going forward would be trading recently acquired Luol Deng and trying to land a premium first-round pick in this year’s draft, per Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. Since it appears unlikely that Deng will stay with Cleveland beyond this season, Kennedy thinks buyers would see value in obtaining him now, while he still has his Bird Rights, to have a leg up on signing him to a long-term contract extension. Deng can be traded a second time this season with some limitations: he cannot be dealt back to the Bulls and he cannot be traded away along with any other Cavs players.
- The Cavs have recalled rookie Sergey Karasev from the D-League, per Cavs.com. Karasev has been in the D-League since being assigned late last month, and has totaled 17 games in his time with the Cavs.
Pistons Notes: Hollins, Billups
Pistons guard Chauncey Billups tells Terry Foster of The Detroit News that he wants to work in a front office job after he retires, despite the assumption from many that he would make a great coach: “I think a lot of people think that would be the natural progression because of what I do on the court. But if I had my desire I want to be in the front office and put the team together and be behind the scenes rather than being on the court every day.” Here’s more from Detroit:
- Lionel Hollins remains interested in the Pistons coaching vacancy, but said he still hasn’t been in contact with the team in an interview with SiriusXM NBA today. David Mayo of MLive transcribed the former Grizzlies coach’s perspective on the Detroit job: “I’m flattered by all the non-decision makers coming out and saying that the job is mine and I’m the first choice and they are coming after me. Well, none of that has happened and it only matters what the Detroit Pistons are thinking. Again, I’m flattered with the respect that has been shown me by some of the national media.” Hollins indicated the same a few days ago when former coach Maurice Cheeks was first fired.
- Pistons owner Tom Gores is in daily contact with the team, and his involvement will intensify following the firing of Maurice Cheeks, Palace Sports and Entertainment CEO Dennis Mannion tells Eric Lacy of MLive. The owner has been criticized as an “absentee owner” by some, but Mannion says Gores is very active in dealing with the Pistons business, one of 35 businesses he owns overall.
- Mannion also tells Lacy the team is optimistic that it can turn around the team’s plummeting attendance numbers: “While we haven’t been playing great basketball, we have had an opportunity to put ourselves in a position to be able to market and keep those people down the road.” After Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings were signed this offseason, season ticket sales jumped 33 percent.
Pacific Notes: Warriors, Bledsoe, Nash
Matt Steinmetz of Bleacher Report covers some of the growing concerns around Warriors small forward Andre Iguodala. The team currently sits in the sixth seed for the playoffs, and is on track to finish with about the same number of wins as last year despite inking the former All-Star to a four-year, $48MM contract this offseason. Steinmetz points out that his contract left Golden State no room for the team to retain key rotation players Jarrett Jack or Carl Landry, so the transition wasn’t simple roster addition. Still, Iguodala’s performance has dipped on his new team, with a near-career low in shot attempts a sign of his lack of presence on the offensive end. Here’s more from around the division:
- Suns president of basketball operations Lon Babby echoed earlier remarks from owner Robert Sarver, telling the Doug and Wolf Show on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM that the team intends to match any offer for Eric Bledsoe this summer in restricted free agency. Adam Green of ArizonaSports.com has the transcription.
- Steve Nash left last night’s game early with nerve issues in his back and hamstrings, but his appearance nonetheless means the Lakers are ineligible to wipe his contract off their books for next season if he retires for medical reasons. Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times has the details on what would have been a long shot, anyway.
- The Warriors have recalled Kent Bazemore, MarShon Brooks, and Ognjen Kuzmic from the D-League, per the team’s site. This comes a day after the team sent the three-man group to Santa Cruz for a one-game stint.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Knicks Target Glen Rice Jr.
The Knicks would “love” to acquire Glen Rice Jr. or a second-round pick in return for Beno Udrih, reports Marc Berman of the New York Post. The Wizards reportedly have interest in Udrih, while the Knicks considered drafting Rice in the first round this past June had Tim Hardaway Jr. been unavailable, according to Berman.
The Post scribe identifies Udrih and Metta World Peace as prime trade candidates, and says the Raptors had interest in World Peace when they discussed Kyle Lowry with the Knicks in December. The former Ron Artest reportedly would have been in line for a buy out if the Raptors took him on then, so I’m not sure that Toronto is all that interested in the 34-year-old. The Raptors appear to be shying away from engaging in Lowry talks with the Knicks again or with any other team.
World Peace is cognizant that there’s a strong chance he’ll be traded, and he’s open to the possibility, even if he isn’t asking the Knicks to move him, Berman hears. World Peace is in the first season of a two-year deal for more than $3.5MM that includes a player option for 2014/15, while Udrih and Rice are on minimum-salary contracts.
Odds & Ends: Griffin, Green, Draft, Heat
The Nuggets and Grizzlies once offered their GM jobs to Cavs interim GM David Griffin, notes Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, so Cleveland doesn’t exactly have an obscure talent at the helm as the trade deadline nears. Wojnarowski’s piece details some of the missteps of Griffin’s predecessor, Chris Grant, and points to the strong desire that Kyrie Irving held in 2012 for the team to draft Harrison Barnes rather than Dion Waiters. We passed along more from Wojnarowski in a pair of posts last night, and we’ll round up the latest from the NBA here:
- Jared Zwerling of Bleacher Report hears the Celtics are unlikely to move Jeff Green and have their eyes on building around Green, Rajon Rondo and Jared Sullinger (Twitter link).
- Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com thinks Marcus Smart‘s fan-shoving incident has hurt his stock, but the main reason Goodman has Smart at No. 14 in his Insider-only mock draft is because his outside shot hasn’t improved. Goodman also details Bucks GM John Hammond‘s fondness for Joel Embiid and notes Thunder GM Sam Presti‘s affinity for Syracuse forward C.J. Fair.
- Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel wonders if the Heat‘s decision to start Toney Douglas Tuesday night was a chance for the team to see what it has in him before the trade deadline. A Tuesday morning report suggested the Heat are prepared to waive Douglas if a more attractive option comes along.
- The Nuggets aren’t likely to be particularly active at the deadline, writes Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post, but even if they are, coach Brian Shaw says he won’t have much input on the team’s personnel decisions until after the season.
- Three-year NBA veteran Will Conroy, who played briefly for the Timberwolves last season, has signed with Rasta Vechta of Germany, the team announced (translation via Sportando’s Emiliano Carchia). Conroy recently parted ways with another German team.
Knicks Target Lowry, Raptors Reluctant To Deal
4:09pm: Sources close to Lowry also tell Wojnarowski that the Raptors are unlikely to deal the point guard, as the Yahoo! scribe notes in his full story. Wojnarowski pegs the kind of deal Lowry could receive in free agency this summer at four years, $45MM.
3:21pm: A rival executive says the Raptors have told him they won’t deal Lowry away, according to Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
TUESDAY, 2:29pm: The Raptors have shown “significant reluctance” to part with Lowry, preferring instead to keep him for a postseason run, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. That’s in contrast to what Chad Ford of ESPN.com is hearing, as he wrote today that Toronto continues to be aggressive in pursuit of a Lowry deal.
MONDAY, 5:42pm: The Knicks are once again interested in Kyle Lowry after opting not to trade for the Raptors point guard two months ago, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). The deal that had reportedly been vetoed by Knicks owner James Dolan initially involved Raymond Felton, Metta World Peace, and a 2018 first round pick in exchange for Lowry.
With Toronto leading the Atlantic Division, Isola (via Twitter) doesn’t think it’d make sense for them to trade their best player right now. However, as we noted yesterday from TNT’s David Aldridge, the Raptors aren’t currently willing to pay top dollar this summer to retain Lowry for the long-term once he hits free agency. It certainly doesn’t guarantee that they would look to trade him before the February 20 deadline, and Aldridge acknowledged a scenario in which Toronto keeps Lowry for the rest of the season and opts to part ways during the summer. By the same token, Aldridge adds that if Toronto would be overwhelmed with an offer, they’d most assuredly listen.
When talks had been heating up in December, other names reportedly tied to discussions included Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr., who were said to have been sought out by the Raptors if the Knicks were ultimately unwilling to give up a first round pick. In another report, it was said that Toronto eventually requested Hardaway Jr. and a 2018 first round pick along with Felton in exchange for Lowry. Though talks essentially fell through, it’s definitely worth wondering if the Knicks’ renewed interest is coupled with a willingness to part with a previously untouchable asset.
Wizards Seeking Big Man
The Wizards are seeking a big man in addition to their push for a backup point guard, tweets Jared Zwerling of Bleacher Report. They’ve shown interest in Greg Monroe and Taj Gibson in recent weeks, though their willingness to pursue an extension with soon-to-be free agent Marcin Gortat suggests they’re not looking for a change at starting center. Power forward Nene is in the midst of a five year, $65MM deal that runs through 2015/16, so it would seem unlikely that Washington could send him away.
GM Ernie Grunfeld and company are probably in the market for a big man who’d back up either Gortat, Nene, or both. Gibson could fill that role, as he does for the Bulls, but it’d be difficult for the Wizards, who can’t trade any of their first-round picks, to accommodate Gibson’s $7.55MM salary without surrendering a starting player or going into the luxury tax. Washington is roughly $1.3MM shy of the tax line. Monroe is cheaper, since he’s still on his rookie deal, but he, too, would probably require a significant return.
Zwerling reiterates Washington’s interest in Andre Miller, which Marc Stein of ESPN.com reported Tuesday. The Wizards are also targeting Beno Udrih, as Stein noted.