Hornets Rumors: Kaman, Ariza, Okafor, Jamison
Chris Kaman is still the most likely trade candidate for the Hornets, but John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune says any of New Orleans' veteran players are available for the right combination of draft picks and expiring contracts. Here are a few more of Reid's Hornets rumors:
- New Orleans is listening to offers on Trevor Ariza, though Ariza's agent David Lee said Wednesday he hasn't heard about any trade scenarios involving his client.
- The Hornets backed out of trade talks with the Cavaliers involving Emeka Okafor and Antawn Jamison, since Cleveland insisted on acquiring one of New Orleans' two 2012 first-round picks. The Hornets continue to try to trade Okafor though.
- There remains speculation that Mike Dunleavy, who is part of the group trying to buy the Hornets, may want to keep Chris Kaman around past this season. I can't see that having a major impact on the team's Kaman decision though, since the Hornets are still owned by the league for now.
Dwight Howard Rumors: Wednesday
Even after an impressive overtime win by the Magic against the Heat last night, the post-game focus was on the off-court story: Dwight Howard's future. As we covered in yesterday's round-up of Howard rumors, D12 told reporters he'd like the Magic to keep him for the rest of the season and "roll the dice" this summer. Considering earlier Tuesday reports indicated that Howard's long-term plan involves signing with the Nets as a free agent so New Jersey doesn't have to trade core assets, Dwight's suggestion that Orlando roll the dice seemed particularly brash.
Zach Lowe of SI.com called Howard's post-game speech the low point of the ongoing saga, while Ken Berger of CBS Sports reported that some Magic executives were privately disgusted with the star center's comments. We expect plenty more updates to pour in as the day goes on, so we'll track them all here, with the latest items up top:
- The Knicks are intrigued by the possibility of acquiring Howard, but won't offer Carmelo Anthony, since James Dolan "loves him," tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. I'd say that takes New York out of the running, since the Magic wouldn't be nearly as interested in an Amare Stoudemire/Tyson Chandler package.
- There are no legs to the rumor that the Magic are working on a three-team deal to bring in Josh Smith (linked below), tweets Jarrod Randolph of RealGM.com.
- According to ESPN.com's Chad Ford, the Nets would be open to offering the Magic anything they want for Howard, with the exception of Deron Williams.
- Orlando still seems to be entertaining deals that could bring in help around Howard, as Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld reports that they're eyeing the Hawks' Josh Smith. The Magic would need to get a third team involved, perhaps the Timberwolves and Michael Beasley. Given Orlando's lack of tradeable assets, acquiring Smith seems like an extreme long shot to me.
- The Magic are telling teams they intend to move Howard if they don't receive a commitment beyond this season from Dwight, according to ESPN.com's Chris Broussard. We have the details here.
- Nets sources insist the team would give up assets in the next 24 hours if it meant landing Howard, but Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld explains why New Jersey may not be motivated to make a substantial offer. If Howard and Williams sign in Brooklyn this summer, the pair would want a third significant player to join them, and the Nets may be considering saving its trade chips to acquire that player.
Amico On Mbah a Moute, Sessions, Jamison, Ellis
Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio chatted with fans about trade topics this afternoon. Here are a few of the highlights:
- Plenty of teams "love" Luc Mbah a Moute and are calling the Bucks about him.
- The Cavaliers continue to be aggressive in their pursuit of draft picks, and Amico expects them to land a first-rounder, possibly for Ramon Sessions.
- Antawn Jamison isn't drawing a ton of interest, and still appears likely to remain in Cleveland.
- Addressing the rumored three-team deal involving the Cavs, Lakers, and Rockets, Amico says he heard one of the three teams told the other two, "Let me get back to you on that" and talks haven't progressed since then.
- Amico thinks it would make more sense for the Hornets to amnesty Emeka Okafor than to trade him to the Cavs with a first-round pick, as was rumored. I can see the league-owned Hornets preferring to avoid the amnesty clause as long as the ownership situation is in flux though.
- The Lakers, Hornets, Hawks, and perhaps the Bobcats are among the teams with whom the Cavs have had "long discussions."
- The Bucks have "absolutely zero interest" in flipping Monta Ellis to another team.
Broussard On Pierce, Brooks, Curry, McGee, Daye
ESPN.com's Chris Broussard has a ton of trade rumors in today's Insider-only piece. You can read his major update on Dwight Howard here, but let's dive into the rest of his rumors….
- The Celtics offered Paul Pierce to the Blazers, though Broussard isn't sure who else would've been involved in the deal. Portland wasn't interested in Boston's proposal.
- The Clippers are reluctant to trade Eric Bledsoe for Jamal Crawford because they believe Crawford will opt out of his contract at season's end, and Bledsoe will have more value at draft time, since there won't be many point guards available.
- Ramon Sessions is unlikely to be moved unless the Cavaliers can get a first-round pick. Cleveland would try to trade for Jonny Flynn if they moved Sessions, though the Spurs have also expressed interest in Flynn.
- The Cavs are also in talks with the Hornets about swapping Antawn Jamison for Emeka Okafor and a first-round pick.
- Aaron Brooks is drawing interest from the Blazers and Kings, though the Suns hope to re-sign him. When Brooks returns from China, he can only sign with Phoenix. If he doesn't sign anywhere this season, he becomes a restricted free agent again this summer.
- A second-round pick is likely all it would take for the Hornets to move Chris Kaman.
- The Warriors preferred to deal Stephen Curry rather than Monta Ellis, but Curry's ongoing ankle issues hurt his trade value.
- Broussard hears JaVale McGee will be seeking a contract worth $14MM annually this summer. Good luck with that, JaVale.
- Wilson Chandler is seeking a deal starting at $7MM, which the Nuggets feel is too high, since that amount won't be prorated this season — Denver would prefer to start around $5MM.
- The Pistons are shopping Austin Daye "all day every day" but not many teams are biting.
- The Grizzlies would like to move Sam Young to get below the luxury tax line.
Central Notes: Bulls, Pistons, Sessions
The Bucks have already made a big splash, and may not be done dealing, but other Central Division teams don't seem to be expecting much activity before tomorrow's deadline. Here's the latest out of the division:
- The Bulls aren't expected to make any major moves before the deadline, a source tells Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times. It seems that re-signing Mike James may be the biggest move Chicago makes this week.
- No trades are imminent for the Pistons, says coach Lawrence Frank. Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press says Detroit would love to move the Ben Gordon or Charlie Villanueva contracts if they could find a taker.
- Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer makes an argument for why the Cavaliers should trade Ramon Sessions, noting that it wouldn't necessarily ruin the team's playoff chances. The Magic are the latest team to be linked to Sessions.
Lakers Continue To Express Interest In Sessions
4:11pm: According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles, the Lakers and Cavs tried to bring the Rockets into the mix to facilitate a Sessions deal. In the proposed trade, the Lakers would have received Sessions from Cleveland and future considerations from Houston; the Rockets would have received a first-round pick from the Lakers; and the Cavs would have received Jonny Flynn from the Rockets. Those talks are dormant for now, says McMenamin.
12:29pm: The Lakers are stepping up their pursuit of Sessions, reports Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio. While L.A. initially balked at Cleveland's asking price of a first-round pick, a source tells Amico now that the Lakers have explored the trade market, they're "finding a deal for Sessions may be the best fit."
8:56am: With two days until the trade deadline, the Lakers continue to express interest in Ramon Sessions, according to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (via Twitter). The Lakers have been linked to Sessions for weeks.
It seems to me that the Lakers are exploring all their trade options in hopes of making a bigger splash, viewing Sessions as a fallback option. Cleveland's asking price for its backup point guard reportedly isn't outlandish, and I think a late first-round pick would get a deal done. The Lakers figure to have two at their disposal, having acquired the Mavericks' first-rounder for Lamar Odom.
Sessions also fits nicely into the $8.9MM trade exception the Lakers received in exchange for Odom. Although acquiring any player would have tax ramifications for Los Angeles, Sessions' $4.26MM cap figure is more reasonable than the salaries of other players the Lakers have been linked to, such as Michael Beasley ($6.26MM), Raymond Felton ($7.56MM), and Kirk Hinrich ($8.1MM).
Pacific Rumors: Gasol, Kaman, Evans, Kings
Let's head west and check in on the latest rumors out of the Pacific Division….
- A league source tells Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld that the biggest obstacle for a Pau Gasol trade is that not many owners would take on that sort of salary for one player. Owing about $20MM annually to a single player is scary for any team not in a major market, adds Kyler (Twitter links).
- According to Sean Deveney of the Sporting News, if they were to trade Chris Kaman to the Warriors, the Hornets would want to acquire Ekpe Udoh as part of the deal. A recent report suggested the Hornets may be interested in extending Kaman, but Deveney considers that a smoke screen.
- In a column yesterday for SI.com, Sam Amick hinted that Tyreke Evans may not be in the Kings' long-term plans, and that the team could eventually field trade offers for him. If Sacramento reaches that point, don't expect the Cavs to be interested, says Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal (via Twitter).
- Speaking of Sacramento, if you have a few million dollars burning a hole in your pocket, perhaps you'd be interested in owning a portion of the Kings. Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee reports that a 7% minority share of the team will be auctioned off due to Bob Cook's personal bankruptcy.
Amico On Jamison, Pistons, Evans, Calderon
In his latest column updating us on a few rumors from around the league, Sam Amico of FoxSportsOhio.com had a conversation with Cleveland forward Antawn Jamison about the likelihood he could be moved before Thursday's deadline. Traded four times in his 14-year career, the veteran believes that with the Cavaliers currently sitting just a game behind New York for the eighth and final playoff spot, that the team will keep him instead of making a move just to save money. Jamison's name has been mentioned in trade speculation with Charlotte, Atlanta, and New Orleans, Amico said, but the 35-year-old is firm in believing he'll stay put.
- With his team now in the hunt for a playoff seed, Detroit GM Joe Dumars has "probably called every team twice" looking for a move that could improve the Pistons. Young standouts Greg Monroe and Brandon Knight are the team's only two players who're off the table.
- Of all the popular names being discussed in a deadline deal—including Dwight Howard, Josh Smith, and Monta Ellis—Toronto's Jose Calderon is the most likely to be dealt. I believe a team like the Lakers would be prime to acquire the sure-handed point guard (Calderon leads the NBA in assist to turnover ratio) who's a career 38.1% shooter from the three-point line and has familiarity playing with Pau Gasol from Spain's national team.
- Ever since he fell out of favor in Keith Smart's rotation, Sacramento has been trying to rid themselves of J.J. Hickson. The forward has been one of the league's biggest disappointments this season. The Kings are also apparently open to moving everyone on the roster except for DeMarcus Cousins and Marcus Thornton, which means Tyreke Evans could be available.
Central Notes: Sessions, Bucks, Bulls
A few Monday afternoon items out of the Central Division:
- Asked if he'd like to remain a Cavalier past the trade deadline, Ramon Sessions told Tom Reed of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, "Yeah, I like what we have going on. I like working with the Young Fella [Kyrie Irving]. The guys in here respect me a lot. I definitely like what we have going on."
- Bucks players and coaches are talking as if they don't expect any changes to the roster this week. "The trade deadline, there is always going to be rumors for any team no matter what," Mike Dunleavy tells Stephen Brotherson of HoopsWorld. "So we’ll deal with those over the next few days, and once the deadline passes, I expect everybody to still be here and we will carry on as usual."
- SI.com's Zach Lowe questions whether the Bulls are really the most logical match for the Magic in a potential Dwight Howard trade.
Cavaliers Do Not Re-Sign Manny Harris
Even in an inactive trade season, the trade deadline can offer plenty of activity on the fringes of rosters. Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal reported the Cavaliers will not pick up Manny Harris' contract, opting to keep their 15th and final roster spot open to maintain flexibility heading into the trade deadline.
Harris signed two 10-day contracts with the Cavaliers, so a third extension would have made his contract permanent through the rest of the season. The Cavaliers could always choose to bring Harris back after the trade deadline.
In the grand scheme of things, this is a small move in NBA terms. But it's always interesting to note what little things teams do headed into the trade deadline, from minor tweaks to their roster to make room for an incoming player, or a shift in playing time both before and after the deadline as teams audition players for the market.