Atlanta Hawks Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Bulls, Raptors Talk Taj Gibson, Patrick Patterson

February 18th, 2016 at 1:10pm CST by Chuck Myron

THURSDAY, 1:10pm: The Raptors continue to make offers to teams that include both Patterson and the first-round pick the Knicks owe them in an effort to upgrade at the four, tweets Ken Berger of CBSSports.com.

8:03pm: One source who spoke with Vincent Goodwill of CSNChicago.com cast doubt on the idea of a Gibson trade, saying he isn’t going anywhere.

1:54pm: Chicago asked for the lesser of the Raptors’ two first-round picks, a source told K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, who adds that it’s not clear whether the Bulls initiated the talks or the Raptors did. Presumably, Johnson’s referring to the pair of 2016 first-rounders the Raps have, and not the two 2017 first-round picks they also possess.

WEDNESDAY, 9:33am: The Bulls have proposed a swap that would send Taj Gibson to Toronto and bring Patrick Patterson to Chicago, according to Zach Lowe of ESPN.com. However, the Raptors love Patterson and GM Masai Ujiri doesn’t appear to feel as strongly about any of the available power forwards who might bump Luis Scola from the starting lineup, Lowe adds in a different portion of his wide-ranging trade deadline column. Ostensibly, that signals Ujiri’s preference for Patterson over Gibson, though that’s not entirely clear. The Raptors would have a strong chance to re-sign Al Horford if they traded for him, sources tell Lowe, but it would take just about all Toronto has to give to wrest him from the Hawks, and a Horford-to-Toronto swap is unlikely, Lowe writes.

Gibson is making $8.5MM this season, with $8.95MM due in 2016/17, so he’d be a more expensive option than Patterson, whose contract runs the same length of time and gives him close to $6.269MM this year and an even $6.05MM next season. The Raptors are barely above the salary cap for this season, which would give them plenty of flexibility to make such a move, though it would add to the nearly $70MM in guaranteed salary they have for 2016/17, a figure that doesn’t include a new contract for DeMar DeRozan. A swap of Gibson for Patterson straight up would conversely represent a key savings for the Bulls, who are about $4.7MM above the tax threshold. It would cleave about $3.3MM from Chicago’s projected tax bill.

Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical on Yahoo Sports first reported Gibson’s availability, though that was before Joakim Noah went out for the season and Nikola Mirotic had two surgeries related to appendicitis. Chicago would have preferred to have traded Noah rather than Gibson, Marc Stein of ESPN.com recently wrote. Dana Gauruder of Hoops Rumors examined Gibson as a trade candidate.

Many teams are high on Patterson, according to Bobby Marks of The Vertical on Yahoo Sports, and Patterson’s name emerged as a figure in a rumored proposal between the Raptors and Nets.

Eastern Rumors: Teague, Gasol, Nets

February 18th, 2016 at 1:04pm CST by Will Joseph

The Hawks have stopped trade talks involving Jeff Teague, whom the Knicks and Jazz (among others) reportedly covet, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical on Yahoo Sports reports (Twitter links). Our own Chuck Myron examined the point guard’s trade candidacy last month.

Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:

The Nets never wound up interviewing Wizards senior VP of basketball operations Tommy Sheppard despite asking Washington’s permission to do so, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
Knicks GM Steve Mills spoke with the Timberwolves about Ricky Rubio, but the Knicks believe Minnesota won’t deal him, and while New York contacted the Rockets about Ty Lawson, neither dialogue is active, reports Marc Berman of the New York Post.
The Celtics have thus far been unwilling to pay a premium for Al Horford or Dwight Howard, sources tell Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
The Bucks have reached out to the Sixers about Kendall Marshall but haven’t made progress on that front, reports Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
Pau Gasol confirmed today the Bulls are in the lead to re-sign him when he opts out, as expected, this summer, tweets K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. An earlier report indicated he preferred to join forces with Marc Gasol on the Grizzlies.
The Pistons are still deliberating on their point guard situation, Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press hears (Twitter link).
The Magic are expected to make a big push this summer for Horford, Zach Lowe of ESPN.com tweets.

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Jazz To Acquire Shelvin Mack

February 18th, 2016 at 12:01pm CST by Will Joseph

The Jazz are set to acquire Shelvin Mack from the Hawks in exchange for a second round draft pick, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical on Yahoo Sports tweets. The move is part of a three-team trade involving the Bulls. More details here.

The Jazz are still trying to add a point guard in the wake of their failed talks with the Rockets about Ty Lawson, Marc J. Spears of The Vertical on Yahoo Sports reported earlier today (Twitter link). Marc Stein of ESPN.com added that Mack was one name Utah looked into (on Twitter).

The Hawks re-signed Mack in August 2014 to a three-year deal worth $7.3MM. Mack, 25, is averaging 3.9 points and 1.6 assists per game while making 24 appearances.

Atlantic Notes: Teague, Schröder, Embiid, Knicks

February 17th, 2016 at 11:37pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Sixers may plan a last-second attempt to acquire Jeff Teague or Dennis Schröder from the Hawks, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. A source told Pompey that Philadelphia front office could make an “11th-hour” call to the Hawks on Thursday to remind them of the Sixers’ interest. Pompey cautions that it will probably take Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel to get either of the point guards, and Philly’s front office would rather keep both until it knows the status of 2014 draftee Joel Embiid, who has yet to play an NBA game. However, a report emerged tonight that the Sixers are “gauging interest” in Okafor. “I think you always have to be aware of what the market is for acquiring something or considering a trade,” said chairman of basketball operations Jerry Colangelo. “But we are not actively looking to do deals.”

There’s more from the Atlantic Division:

Embiid has traveled to Qatar for “a kick-start to the next phase” of his rehab process, according to Tom Moore of Calkins Media. He is working on his surgically repaired foot with doctors at Aspetar, which calls itself “the world’s leading specialized orthopedic and sports medicine hospital.” Embiid’s visit will include evaluation, consultation and meetings with specialists.
Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis was happy to be called “untouchable” in trade talks by team president Phil Jackson, tweets Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork. Porzingis said he would like to remain in New York for his entire career.
Interim coach Kurt Rambis said the Knicks front office hasn’t asked his opinion on any possible deals Begley also relays (Twitter link).
The Nets won’t rush to make a deal before the deadline, owner Mikhail Prokhorov said, as NetsDaily notes. “If we have some small, good pieces, maybe we can do something,” Prokhorov said. “But we are [being] very passive because we’re not in a hurry. We have a long-term vision.”
The Rockets asked for Jonas Valanciunas when they unsuccessfully approached the Raptors about a Dwight Howard trade, according to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange. Such a deal would have required Toronto to relinquish much more to make the salaries match.
The Celtics would give up more for Kevin Love than they would for Al Horford, but the Cavs and Hawks are expected to continue to demand more than Boston is willing to relinquish for either, writes Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Southeast Notes: Splitter, Batum, Jefferson, Frye

February 17th, 2016 at 5:29pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Hawks‘ Tiago Splitter may miss the start of next season after having surgery on his right hip, according to Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The procedure will be performed Thursday, and Splitter estimates it will take “eight months, at least” to recover, which means he won’t be able to represent Brazil in the Summer Olympics. “I just got here this season and I wanted to help this team more” said Splitter, who was acquired from the Spurs in a July trade. “I wasn’t able to perform 100%, that’s for sure. I’ve been feeling this pain, you guys know, for some time. We tried several techniques and treatments. It ended up being I need the surgery. I hope it goes fast and I’m ready to play again.” Splitter will make $8.25MM next season on the final year of his contract.

There’s more from the Southeast Division on the eve of the trade deadline:

Trade rumors have swirled around the Hawks as much as any team during the past month, and coach/executive Mike Budenholzer isn’t offering any hints about whether a deal for Al Horford or Jeff Teague is in the works, as Vivlamore notes in a separate piece. “We are very happy with our group,” Budenholzer said. “We feel strongly about them. I’ve been protective of them and would expect to continue to be that. You never know what can happen.”
The Hornets will likely present Nicolas Batum with a full max offer on the first day of free agency, tweets Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer, passing on a prediction from ESPN cap expert Tom Penn. It’s the only way Charlotte can keep him, Penn said (Twitter link).
The Hornets hope to welcome back center Al Jefferson this weekend, Bonnell tweets. Jefferson hasn’t played since undergoing arthroscopic surgery after suffering a tear in the lateral meniscus of his right knee in late December.
The Magic’s Channing Frye takes trade deadline talk in stride, tweets Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel. The Clippers are reportedly close to a deal that would bring the veteran power forward to L.A. “It’s not my first time being on the trading block,” Frye said. “… I was supposed to get traded at the beginning of the season. I was supposed to get traded last year.”
Wizards center Marcin Gortat has officially chosen Todd Ramasar as his new agent, writes J. Michael of CSNMidAtlantic.

Bucks Talk With Pelicans About Monroe, Eye Teague

February 17th, 2016 at 10:43am CST by Chuck Myron

WEDNESDAY, 10:43am: Teams that have called the Bucks about Monroe aren’t gaining traction in talks, according to USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt, who heard from one source who said no chance exists that the big man will end up in a trade. At least one other source also told Zillgitt that Monroe won’t be traded.

5:08pm: New Orleans and Milwaukee have had only exploratory talks, sources tell John Reid of The Times Picayune, who nonetheless hears from league sources that Monroe, a New Orleans native, would prefer to play for his hometown Pelicans.

TUESDAY, 8:58am: The Bucks have had a dialogue with the Pelicans about Greg Monroe and are one of a handful of teams that have been “kicking the tires on” Hawks point guard Jeff Teague, reports Zach Lowe of ESPN.com. Monroe is obtainable if a team gives Milwaukee a “decent” first-round pick, according to Lowe, but the Pelicans have been reluctant to part with their 2016 first-rounder even if protection for the top few picks is involved, sources tell Lowe. New Orleans has dealt its first-round pick three years in a row.

New Orleans is keen on pairing Anthony Davis with a “bruiser” up front, but opposing teams are confused about whether whether executive vice president of basketball operations Mickey Loomis or GM Dell Demps has control over the front office, Lowe hears. Loomis has been exerting greater control lately, but executives from other teams told Ken Berger of CBSSports.com recently that they believe that’s only a temporary situation, with former Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars a strong candidate to take over the Pelicans front office.

A confused narrative exists about whether the Bucks would give up Monroe. Fellow ESPN scribes Marc Stein and Brian Windhorst reported Monday that the offseason signee wasn’t available, conflicting with an initial report from Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times that he could be had for the right offer. Both reports agreed that the team was open to dealing Michael Carter-Williams, and the team is unconvinced that he’s the long-term answer at point guard, league sources tell Lowe. Thus, Milwaukee joins a group of suitors for Teague that various reports say includes the Jazz, Knicks, Pacers, Celtics, Sixers and Magic. I touched on what then only appeared to be speculation about Milwaukee and Teague as I examined the point guard’s trade candidacy last month.

Heat Notes: Dragic, Bosh, Trade Targets

February 17th, 2016 at 9:00am CST by Chuck Myron

The Heat not surprisingly have interest in soon-to-be free agent Mike Conley, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald passes along via Dan Le Batard of ESPN Radio, and Miami is open to hearing offers for Goran Dragic, Jackson writes. However, the Heat are in no hurry to trade their point guard. The Heat like Jeff Teague and Al Horford, but Miami would need to find a third team to involve in a deal to get Atlanta the assets it wants for them, according to Jackson. DeMarcus Cousins and Jahlil Okafor have also held appeal to Miami, at least as of earlier this season, a source who has spoken with the Heat told Jackson. Moreover, the Heat want to further reduce their luxury tax bill and add a shooter, and they’re continuing to try to make the playoffs despite the health scare for Chris Bosh, who has an encouraging prognosis for his long-term health once his latest blood clot issue is resolved, Jackson reports.

See more from Miami:

The most likely course of action regarding Bosh’s health would probably knock him out for three months, according to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel, though agent Henry Thomas told Winderman that it’s too soon to know what will happen.
The Heat probably wouldn’t benefit from missing the playoffs as much as they did last year when they snagged the No. 10 pick and Justise Winslow, making Bosh’s situation potentially devastating for the franchise, contends Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post. Miami’s first-round pick is again top-10 protected, but lottery and draft-night luck played in the Heat’s favor last year.
Jackson lists Mirza Teletovic, Jerryd Bayless and Wayne Ellington as “options” for the Heat as they look for a shooter, though it’s not entirely clear whether the Heat are indeed interested in them.

Kings Interested In Thabo Sefolosha

February 17th, 2016 at 7:44am CST by Chuck Myron

The Kings have interest in Thabo Sefolosha, a league source tells ESPN’s Chris Broussard (Twitter link). Sacramento has been on the lookout for a major upgrade at shooting guard and veteran contributors, as Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee reported Tuesday. The 31-year-old Sefolosha is in his 10th NBA season and can play the two, but it’s debatable whether he’d constitute a major upgrade over starter Marco Belinelli, whom the Kings are reportedly making available, and former No. 7 overall pick Ben McLemore, whom Sacramento is apparently “desperate” to trade.

Sefolosha’s best work comes on the defensive end. ESPN’s Defensive Real Plus Minus rankings list him as a small forward and peg him sixth in the league. Oddly, he’s shooting a career best 51.8% from the floor while enduring the second-worst 3-point shooting season of his career, canning only 30.9% of his shots from behind the arc. That’s even though his shot distribution hasn’t changed much, according to Basketball-Reference. The net effect is his scoring is up to 6.8 points per game from 5.3 last season as he takes slightly more shots and sees about five more minutes a game than he did last year.

It’s unclear what it would take to pry Sefolosha from the Hawks, who sorely missed him in the playoffs last spring while he was out with a broken leg and ankle ligament damage suffered during an encounter with police, one for which he’s filing a civil suit after being cleared of wrongdoing. He’s making $4MM this season and will see $3.85MM next year in the final season of his contract.

And-Ones: Horford, Anderson, Rondo

February 16th, 2016 at 11:24pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Many teams are estimating the salary cap will rise to $92MM next season, above the league’s $89MM projection, according to Zach Lowe of ESPN.com. Some around the league can envision the cap going as high as $95MM, reports Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post (Twitter link), echoing an October dispatch from Sean Deveney of The Sporting News, who heard from many league executives and agents who believed the cap would surge to that $95MM figure. A $95MM cap would produce maximum salaries worth approximately $22.3MM for players with six or fewer years of experience, $26.8M for players with between seven and nine years of experience, and $31.3M for veterans of 10 or more seasons, notes Amin Elhassan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Those figures would be $21.6MM, $25.9MM and $30.3MM on a $92MM cap, Elhassan also tweets.

Here’s more from around the league:

Hawks GM Wes Wilcox is asking teams to “wow” him with their offers for Al Horford, sources also tell Lowe. People close to the Hawks big man tell Lowe that the ability of the team with his Bird rights in free agency to give him a fifth year in a new contract this summer will be more important to him than just about any other facet in negotiations. That would appear to mean the Hawks, who have those Bird rights, are in a strong position to retain him. Horford will nonetheless look around at other teams, and he likes the idea of playing in a larger market with more people who are from the Dominican Republic, as he is, several sources tell Lowe. However, he treasures the continuity of the Hawks, Lowe writes.
The Pelicans have been pushing to trade Ryan Anderson because the team doesn’t think it will be able to re-sign him this summer, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical on Yahoo Sports relays. Teams trading for Anderson believe that he’ll command a starting salary of $16MM-$18MM per season on his next deal, Wojnarowski adds. New Orleans has been struggling trying to get equal value in return for the stretch-four and has spoken with the Wizards and the Pistons about the forward, though the conversations with Detroit occurred prior to the team landing Tobias Harris from the Magic, the Vertical scribe notes. Detroit had discussed a larger three-team trade involving the Pelicans and Magic that would have sent Anderson to Detroit and Harris to New Orleans, but Orlando was reluctant to part with Evan Fournier, Wojnarowski adds.
The Wizards are asking around in search of a reserve big man, league sources tell Lowe for the same piece.
It’s a “lock” that either Terrence Jones or Donatas Motiejunas will leave the Rockets as restricted free agents this summer, according to Lowe.
Rajon Rondo intends to keep an open mind about signing with the Knicks when he’s a free agent this coming summer, a league source tells Marc Berman of the New York Post. Recently fired coach Derek Fisher had some pointed comments after Rondo criticized the triangle offense, and Berman wonders if Fisher wasn’t aware of team president Phil Jackson‘s respect for Rondo’s game. Sources who spoke with Berman indicated that Fisher and Jackson didn’t talk as much during the coach’s time with the Knicks as Jackson thought they would.

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Southeast Notes: Jennings, Hezonja, Teague

February 16th, 2016 at 9:38pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Hawks should think twice before agreeing to a deal that would bring Dwight Howard to Atlanta, Mark Bradley of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes. The Hawks would almost certainly take a step back this season as a result of the trade, with Howard being a difficult player to integrate into the offense at such a late stage in the season, Bradley opines. The scribe also cites Howard’s limitations as a passer and his declining physical skills as reasons the Hawks should take a pass, not to mention the big man’s ability to opt out of his deal this summer and become an unrestricted free agent. Howard is reportedly interested in joining the Hawks, but Atlanta has also spoken with the Hornets regarding the 30-year-old center.

Here’s more from the Southeast Division:

The Magic don’t intend to trade any other members of their nucleus prior to the trade deadline unless they are absolutely blown away by an offer, GM Rob Hennigan told Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando dealt away combo forward Tobias Harris to the Pistons earlier today in exchange for point guard Brandon Jennings and power forward Ersan Ilyasova.
Jennings had hoped to be traded to the Knicks rather than the Magic, sources close to the point guard tell Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.net. New York was eyeing the veteran point guard as it looks to upgrade its point guard spot, according to Ian Begley of ESPN.com.
Magic rookie swingman Mario Hezonja has parted ways with the Wasserman Media Group, international journalist David Pick reports (via Twitter). Hezonja is in the first year of his rookie scale deal, so any move is likely endorsement related, though that is merely my speculation.
The Jazz have inquired about Hawks point guard Jeff Teague, Spencer Checketts of 97.5 The Zone relays (on Twitter). The talks were stalled when Atlanta requested Rodney Hood and a draft pick in return, Checketts adds.
The Hornets traded P.J. Hairston to the Grizzlies because they had grown tired of dealing with his antics, a league source tells Marc J. Spears of The Vertical on Yahoo Sports (Twitter link).
The Heat were able to create a trade exception worth $2,145,060 as a result of the three-team swap with Memphis and Charlotte earlier today, Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders notes (via Twitter).