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The trade deadline is just 16 days away, and uncertainty surrounds the Cavs and Kyrie Irving as they approach extension negotiations in the offseason ahead, so there will be plenty of notable stories to track on Hoops Rumors in the weeks to come, and beyond. There are a handful of ways you can follow us to keep tabs on the latest NBA news and rumors as the chatter intensifies.
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Pelicans Sign Luke Babbitt
TUESDAY, 11:43am: The Pelicans have officially announced the signing.
SATURDAY, 12:28pm: The deal is for two years, according to Chris Haynes of Comcast SportsNet (via Twitter).
10:04am: The Pelicans have a “done deal” with Luke Babbitt, per a tweet from Serbian journalist Djordje Matic. The Pelicans were reportedly close to adding Babbitt earlier in the week, but Russian team BC Nizhny Novgorod was stifling the process.
Babbitt spent three years with the Portland Trail Blazers before heading to Russia this year in hopes of proving his game to the NBA by playing more minutes for an overseas team. The 24-year-old forward has never averaged more than 5.1 points or 13.4 minutes per game, being used almost exclusively as a three-point specialist. He shot a career-best .430 from deep in 2011/12 before taking a step back statistically last year with decreases in field goal percentage, free throw percentage, rebounds, and minutes.
Northwest Notes: Miller, Harden, Jazz
Andre Miller‘s estrangement from the Nuggets has driven down his value, writes Sean Deveney of The Sporting News. Sources from around the league tell Deveney they believe the Timberwolves, who are eager to add a guard, and the Kings are the main contenders for Miller. If Miller is to suit up for the Nuggets again, he’ll have to approach them about the idea, since the team isn’t going to reach out to him, coach Brian Shaw says, according to Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post. Here’s more from the Northwest:
- James Harden wouldn’t tell Henry Abbott of ESPN.com whether he’d have signed with the Thunder if they had offered him the same max extension the Rockets did. Still, he says he could have envisioned a long-term future in OKC under the right circumstances, pointing to his strong relationship with his ex-teammates.
- The Jazz are unlikely to make a move before the deadline, unless a significant offer for Marvin Williams or Richard Jefferson emerges, according to Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider only).
- The Thunder have assigned Andre Roberson to the D-League, the team announced via Twitter. Oklahoma City often shuttled a handful of players back and forth from the Tulsa 66ers last season, but Roberson is the only one they’ve sent down this year.
Atlantic Rumors: Moultrie, Humphries, Sixers
Arnett Moultrie hasn’t played for the Sixers all season after left ankle surgery, but he says he’s been ready to go for the past month and is frustrated that the team hasn’t activated him yet, observes Christopher A. Vito of the Delaware County Daily Times.
“It’s not my ankle. It’s not my conditioning,” Moultrie said. “But at this point, I really don’t care. I’m just sick of all the excuses. If it ain’t one thing, it’s another thing.”
Moultrie, the 27th pick in 2012, doesn’t have much leverage to force the Sixers’ hand, but his comments reflect the problems on a team in flux. Here’s more on Philly and the rest of the Atlantic Division:
- The Celtics are open to moving Kris Humphries before the trade deadline if the right offer comes along, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, who examines a number of Celtics players at a crossroads.
Earlier updates:
- The Sixers, reportedly amping up efforts to trade Evan Turner, would prefer to swap him or Spencer Hawes instead of Thaddeus Young, though Young has drawn significant interest, as Chad Ford of ESPN.com writes in his Insider-only “Tank Rank” piece. Ford doubts the Sixers would be able to trade either Turner or Hawes for a pick between Nos. 10 and 15 in this year’s draft, which he reports they’re trying to obtain.
- Sixers coach Brett Brown was candid with reporters before last night’s loss to the Nets, saying that he recognizes the “monster that’s ahead of us,” in reference to the team’s still-nascent rebuilding project, notes Tom Moore of Calkins Media. Brown also understands trade rumors are par for the course. “It’s been an incredible surprise to have our team intact this late in the year,” he said (Twitter links).
- Andrew Bynum was reluctant to sign with the Knicks last month for more than just financial reasons, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.
- Shaun Livingston is enjoying a renaissance on a minimum-salary contract with the Nets this season, and he’ll likely command more than that this summer, which will make it difficult for Brooklyn to retain him, writes Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.
Odds & Ends: Stuckey, Harris, Barbosa
Rodney Stuckey is concerned that the Pistons “aren’t on the same page” as their woes continue this season, but he’s not ruling out returning to Detroit when his contract expires at season’s end. “Detroit is always an option,” he told Sam Amick of USA Today. “It’s going to be a tough situation, the first time I’m going to be able to go out and test the market and see what else is there and what not. It’s going to be all new to me. I’m excited for the opportunity, but right now I’m not trying to focus on that. I’m just trying to live in the moment right now and worry about making the playoffs first and foremost.” More from around the Association..
- The Lakers aren’t expected to retain Manny Harris after his 10-day contract expires tomorrow, tweets Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News. Unfortunately for Harris, his contract’s end coincides with multiple Lakers point guards returning to action. Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles wrote yesterday that Shawne Williams is a player worth keeping an eye on once that roster spot is freed up.
- Suns guard Leandro Barbosa battled his way back from an ACL injury after many had written him off, writes Shams Charania of RealGM.
- Jared Zwerling of Bleacher Report (via Twitter) runs down guys that have been identified as trade candidates by basketball people around the league. The rather lengthy list includes Chris Singleton of the Wizards and Raptors guard Greivis Vasquez who is already well-traveled.
- Evan Turner has been all over Hoops Rumors lately, but he’s not letting the trade talk get to him, tweets Tom Moore of Calkins Media. “I don’t read the papers. If I did, I’d have my bags packed for different weather,” said the Sixers forward.
- Sixers coach Brett Brown says the club will “keep an eye” on Dewayne Dedmon, Moore tweets. Philadelphia elected not to re-sign Dedmon after his second 10-day pact expired.
Bobcats, Mavs Have Interest In Evan Turner
8:04pm: The chatter around the league is that the Mavericks will explore a deal for Turner, tweets Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio. The name of Shawn Marion, who is sidelined due to injury, has also been mentioned.
7:29pm: The Bobcats have looked into acquiring 76ers forward Evan Turner, an NBA source tells Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. The 76ers are reportedly pushing to move Turner before the deadline and are looking for draft compensation in a deal. However, Bonnell cautions that nothing appears to be imminent between them and the Bobcats.
The 6-foot-7 forward, who is averaging 18.1 points and 6.0 RPG this season, could potentially add the scoring punch the Bobcats need to reach the playoffs for only the second time in club history. However, it’s not clear what Charlotte would give up to get the former No. 2 overall pick since he’ll be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
The Bobcats are an intriguing match for Philly as they could have as many as three first-round picks in the 2014 draft between their own and picks potentially to owed them by the Blazers and Pistons. However, the Bobcats might owe their own pick to the Bulls to complete the Tyrus Thomas trade. As for the outside selections, Charlotte is more likely to see the Portland pick come in than the Pistons one thanks to protections. The Bobcats can also offer Ben Gordon‘s expiring $13.2MM contract in a deal.
Other suitors mentioned in the past for Turner include the Thunder, Suns, Clippers, and Hawks.
Jason Smith Done For Season
Pelicans big man Jason Smith is done for the season after undergoing surgery to remove loose articular cartilage in his right knee, the club announced. The team termed the operation as “successful” which should bode well for his recovery.
The 7-footer has been out of action since hurting his right knee in mid-January. In 31 games this season (27 starts), Smith averaged 9.7 PPG and 5.8 RPG in 26.8 minutes per contest. That’s a career-high in minutes for Smith but his PER rating of 12.6 is a step back from his production over the last two seasons (16.8 in 2012/13, 16.6 in 2011/12).
Cavs Notes: Irving, Sims, Gilbert
This was supposed to be a bright year for Cleveland but things have not gone their way so far this season. Key pickup Andrew Bynum was supposed to give the Cavs a much needed presence in the frontcourt but his stay was unremarkable to say the least. There was optimism when Bynum was shipped out for Luol Deng, but weeks later things are still in disarray in Cleveland. The latest on the Cavs..
- Everyone wants to know if Kyrie Irving will leave the Cavs, but Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders feels that his only decision will be whether to re-sign in black or blue ink.
- Henry Sims, who made the Cavs roster on a non-guaranteed deal out of camp, is seeing time in the absence of Anderson Varejao, writes Jodie Valade of the Plain Dealer. “He brings some toughness and length,” Brown said. “The ability to change and block some shots. He’s a little bit better offensively than what he’s shown. He hasn’t played a lot of games so it’s tough getting the speed of the game and getting his timing down. But I like his potential.”
- Bill Livingston of the Plain Dealer says it’s time for Cavs owner and comic sans lover Dan Gilbert to step up and lead. Livingston also questions the wisdom of re-hiring Mike Brown, a move that was likely made in part to entice LeBron James to come back to Cleveland.
Amico On Sonics, Sixers, Wizards, Mavs
Today’s a good day to be a Seattle resident and there could be even more good news on the horizon for the city. Once commissioner Adam Silver settles into his new job, bringing an NBA team back to Seattle could be at the top of his list, Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio writes. Whether that’s by relocation or expansion, league sources say, is yet to be determined. The league is not totally against adding a 31st team and it’s certainly not in favor of relocation. Here’s more from Amico’s column..
- In addition to the Suns, the Clippers and Hawks are also intrigued by Sixers trade candidate Evan Turner. In addition to Turner, the 76ers are also very open to moving forward Thaddeus Young and center Spencer Hawes.
- The Wizards look to be playoff-bound and are open to making a deal to complement their trio of John Wall, Bradley Beal and Nene Hilario. Amico says that fans shouldn’t be surprised if they get in on the Turner/Young/Hawes sweepstakes before the trade deadline.
- The Mavericks haven’t been talked about in the rumor mill all that much but they could pull the trigger on a trade between now and February 20th. The Mavs feel as if they’re a piece away from challenging the likes of the Thunder, Spurs and others, so if they can get Turner for a draft pick they’ll do it.
Suns Considering Deal For Pau Gasol
4:00pm: The main reason the teams haven’t agreed on a deal involving Gasol is that the Lakers want a pick for this year’s draft that would be higher than what the Suns currently have to offer, tweets Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times. Phoenix could have as many as four picks, but the best of them would come in at only No. 17 right now. The Lakers are also in the exploratory stage with other teams about deals, notes Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News.
MONDAY, 10:36am: In confirming Stein’s report, Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic says the Suns and Lakers have indeed spoken about a Gasol-Okafor swap, a detail that wasn’t initially clear. The discussion is just one of many exploratory talks in which the Suns have engaged, Coro writes.
SUNDAY, 4:41pm: The Suns are exploring the feasibility of a trade for Lakers big man Pau Gasol, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Of course, the big man is on an expiring contract and earning ~$19.3MM for the year.
The Lakers have reportedly been adamant about not compromising their future cap flexibility in any deal for Gasol. As Stein notes, the Suns could use the $14.5MM expiring contract of injured big man Emeka Okafor to get a deal done. Even though there’s a significant gap between their salaries, there’s a disparity of less than $5MM and the deal wouldn’t put the Suns over the tax apron so it would be kosher under the CBA.
The 33-year-old is no stranger to criticism but he has performed reasonably well in the face of another year that’s been chock full of trade rumors. Gasol is averaging 17.0 PPG and 10.2 RPG with a PER of 19.1 that puts him No. 12 among centers. It’s not his best work, but the Spaniard still has plenty to contribute to a contender.
The Okafor idea sounds like it could be of interest to the Lakers, but they had a similar opportunity earlier this year when the Cavs were dangling the contract of Andrew Bynum. The Lakers reportedly backed away from those talks and insisted on getting an impact player in exchange for Gasol.