Odds & Ends: Clippers, Bobcats, Horford
With 12 games on the docket, let's round up links from around the league on this Friday night:
- In an insider piece, ESPN's John Hollinger takes a look at what he calls a flawed Clippers' roster. While Vinny Del Negro is taking most of the heat for the team's recent struggles, Hollinger says that poor defense and the lack of a true wing player to go with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are the true culprits.
- In the same story, Hollinger says the Bobcats coach Paul Silas has let his son, Stephen Silas, run the team on certain nights and that nepotism is rampant in the NBA. Situations like the one in Charlotte enable guys like Stephen to build their resumes in hopes of landing a bigger job.
- Hawks' beat writer Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution tweets that injured center Al Horford has been cleared for weight work and while he may be able to return for the playoffs, would not be at full strength. Horford has surgery to repair a torn pectoral in January.
Southwest Links: Boykins, Thomas, Hornets, Mavs
With the Mavericks in action in Orlando and the Rockets hosting the Grizzlies, here is a look at some links from the Southwest division:
- Tim Griffin of the San Antonio Express-News provides some interesting Spurs tidbits centering on how the international play of Patrick Mills and Boris Diaw helped to lead the two recent additions to San Antonio.
- NBA sources have told Fox 26 in Houston that the Rockets are likely to retain guard Earl Boykins and forward Malcolm Thomas after their 10-day contracts expire, tweets Mark Berman. Boykins signed his contract on March 26 and Thomas signed his on March 27.
- Ian Thomsen of Sports Illustrated thoroughly examines the state of the Hornets franchise, which is expected to be sold by the NBA in the coming weeks in a deal that will keep the team in New Orleans until at least 2024. Thomsen says the Hornets are headed towards profitability and he also delves into the vetoed Chris Paul trade.
- Jason Terry's comments aside, there was some other news after the Mavericks Thursday night loss in Miami. ESPN Dallas' Tim MacMahon writes that Lamar Odom has shown signs of effectiveness lately for Dallas. With Delonte West back in the lineup, the duo could provide a much needed boost down the stretch.
Poll: Who Had The Worst Trade Deadline?
Earlier today, we asked which team had the best trade deadline. Based on the voting so far, it looks like the Lakers and their acquisition of Ramon Sessions are the popular choice – hard to believe considering the big names that were discussed as potentially on the move. With the trade deadline quieter than anticipated, which playoff hopeful missed out the most by not making an impact move?
Odds & Ends: Fisher, Bayless, Morey, Draft
With Derek Fisher being bought out by the Rockets after being acquired from the Lakers, there is plenty of speculation of where the veteran guard will end up. No longer a difference maker, Fisher's value would likely be as a leader for a contender or as a role model for the younger players on a rebuilding team. David Alridge tweeted that Fisher is not sure what he will do and that he wants to see if his "heart is still in it."
Here are some other notes from around the league on this Sunday night:
- Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun examines the effect that Jerryd Bayless' recent play will have on the Raptors' decision making. Wolstat speculates that Bayless could replace the aging Jose Calderon, who has been solid but is not exactly an exciting option for a lottery-bound team. Bayless is a restricted free agent after the year while Calderon is under contract for one more year.
- Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle analyzes Rockets' GM Daryl Morey's thusfar-unsuccessful quest to land an All-Star caliber player. Morey, whose shrewd decision making is lauded in many NBA circles, has upgraded Houston's roster repeatedly via trade but has yet to hit a home run.
- Moe Harkless, St. John's forward and Big East Rookie of the Year, will reportedly file for early entry to June's NBA Draft, according to ESPN via the Associated Press. It is unclear whether Harkless will hire an agent immediately or is just testing the waters, but the program has scheduled a press conference for Monday.
- Jonathan Tjarks from RealGM takes a look at the apparently skyrocketing value of late first round picks. Tjarks points to this year's trade deadline as an example of how the new CBA and a deep draft class caused teams to value picks in the 20s.
Week In Review: 3/12/12 – 3/18/12
Here is a look back at the most important news from the NBA's busiest week:
- Dwight Howard is staying put in Orlando, as the Magic center agreed to waiver his early termination option and remain with the team through the end of next season.
- The Nuggets signed Wilson Chandler to a five year, $37MM deal.
- The Clippers will keep Bobby Simmons for the rest of the year and the Nets will keep Gerald Green. Both players were on their second 10-day contracts.
- The Spurs reached an agreement with Patrick Mills, who spent most of the year playing in China.
- The Nuggets, Wizards and Clippers agreed to a three-way deal that sent Nick Young to the Clippers, JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf to the Nuggets and Nene Hilario, Brian Cook and a 2015 second round pick to the Wizards. Turiaf was then waived by Denver.
- Greg Oden and Chris Johnson were waived by the Blazers. Portland also fired coach Nate McMillan.
- Gilbert Arenas will work out for the Grizzlies on Monday in hopes of securing a contract. Speaking of Memphis, a billionaire wants to buy the team and potentially move it.
- The Pacers acquired Leandro Barbosa from the Raptors for a second round pick and cash.
- The Lakers got the point guard they were seeking in Ramon Sessions in exchange for a first round pick and Luke Walton. To make room in their background, they shipped Derek Fisher to Houston for Jordan Hill. Fisher was then bought out by the Rockets, who also acquired Marcus Camby.
- The Nets traded for Gerald Wallace, giving the Blazers a top-3 protected first round in return which will likely be in the top 10. The move could be seen as an attempt to keep Deron Williams, who plans to explore free agency.
- The Sixers traded a second round pick for Sam Young and bought out Andres Nocioni.
- The Warriors and Bucks swapped Andrew Bogut and Monta Ellis in the deadline's biggest deal. Stephen Jackson, who the Warriors also acquired in the deal, was then flipped to the Spurs for Richard Jefferson.
- The Cavs waived Jason Kapono and signed Manny Harris.
- Chris Kaman was not traded, and New Orleans appears committed to keeping him.
- Here is a useful summary of all the trade deadline deals for anything I missed.
Nuggets Agree To Re-Sign Chandler
6:21 PM: According to Hoopsworld's Alex Kennedy, Chandler's deal is officially for five years and $37MM. The remainder of this season counts as one of the five years, so they deal is realistically closer to four years and $37MM. Chandler was a restricted free agent.
5:26 PM: The Denver Nuggets have come to an multiyear contract agreement with restricted free agent Wilson Chandler, the team announced today. We saw yesterday that the sides were working to reach a deal by the end of the weekend. The specifics of the deal have yet to be released.
Chandler came to the Nuggets last year from the Knicks as part of the package that fetched superstar Carmelo Anthony. He averaged 15.3 points and 5.7 rebounds between the teams in what was his fourth season in the NBA. During the NBA lockout, the 6-foot-8 Chandler agreed to sign with the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association.
Masai Ujiri, Denver's executive vice president of basketball operations, issued the following statement about the acquisition in a team press release:
"It is great to have Wilson back on our roster. It was a very unique situation signing a talented free agent in the middle of the season, and we worked extremely hard to find an agreement that was best for everyone. Wilson will be an excellent addition for the rest of this season and for years to come."
After essentially acquiring JaVale McGee for Nene (and his contract) in one of the season's bigger trade deadline deals, Chandler is another addition to an already strong and deep Nuggets' roster. Beat writer Aaron Lopez tweets that Chandler should be able to play Monday against the Mavericks.
Odds & Ends: Howard, Morris, Anderson, Knicks
While there haven't been any big Dwight Howard rumors so far today, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel indicates that there has been a "shift in tone" in how Howard's desires are perceived. As we documented yesterday, the rumors are running wild, seemingly due to Howard's ambivalence. Here is what else is going on around the league on this Wednesday evening:
- Brian Schmitz from the Orlando Sentinel takes a look at the some of the hardships facing the Magic leading up to the trade deadline, including their tough schedule and inconsistency.
- Eddie Sefko from the Dallas Morning News says (via chat), should Dwight Howard not get traded by March 15th, he considers the Mavericks the heavy favorites to land both Howard and Deron Williams. He also mentions Gerald Wallace and C.J. Miles as potential complimentary fits around Dirk Nowitzki, Howard and Williams.
- According to Yahoo's Marc Spears, Lakers assign rookie guard Darius Morris to the NBDL D-Fenders. Mike Bresnahan, Lakers beat writer for the L.A. Times, adds that Morris is still counted on the roster and will continue to get paid as a Laker.
- Chris Bernucca from Sheridan Hoops examines some of the recent deadline deals, and their impact on the league today.
- Magic forward Ryan Anderson has been trying to block out the Dwight Howard rumors, says Brian Schmitz from the Orlando Sentinel. Anderson knows he could be packaged with Howard, or traded to get Howard help.
- Mike D'Antoni recognizes that the Knicks are struggling with Carmelo Anthony and Jeremy Lin on the floor, but D'Antoni thinks it's a solvable problem, writes Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
Poll: Which Team Is A Trade Away From The Elite?
Earlier today, we looked at five Eastern Conference contenders to key an eye on at the trade deadline as teams jockey for playoff positioning. Most people think that the Heat and Bulls are a step above everyone else in the East, and for good reason. As we near the trade deadline, let's look at the group below those two elite Eastern Conference teams. Which of the following likely playoff teams in the East would benefit the most by making a splash at the trade deadline? Who is a trade away from being able to compete with the class of the East?
For very obvious reasons, I am taking Orlando out of the equation here. Feel free to offer any trade scenarios this poll evokes in the comments section.
Diaw Deactivated, Likely Done in Charlotte
Bobcats forward Boris Diaw was deactivated prior to Wednesday's game against the Jazz, and according to Rick Bonnell from the Charlotte Observer, it sounds like Diaw is likely done in Charlotte. Bobcats coach Paul Silas spoke about Diaw's deactivation before tonight's game:
"I think if he had played all out, the way he should have, it would have been a much, much better club,” Silas said.
Bonnell said that based on Silas' direct tone, he can't imagine Diaw will play again for the Bobcats. Diaw's agent contacted the organization about a buyout, but Bonnell said they indicated they will only consider that after the trade deadline. Diaw didn't get on the floor last night against the Magic.
More from Silas: “I like a player who is really committed to not only the team but to himself and then doing the best he can as a player. Some of the things that would go on, like not shooting the ball (and) passing all of the time… I needed hoops and he could put the ball in the hoop. When that wouldn’t happen it was very disturbing."
It sure sounds like Diaw has been abusing his position as a relatively talented player on a team that does not have many like him. That doesn't sound like the best strategy if he expects a different team to take a chance on him in the coming weeks. Silas was asked if Diaw will play against for Charlotte:
“We just have to wait and see.’’
Trade Candidate: Andre Iguodala
Make no mistake about it, Andre Iguodala is having a fine year. The veteran forward was selected to his first All-Star game and has been mentioned as a potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate. While his scoring is down at 12.6 PPG, Iguodala has continued to stuff the statsheet as he always has while being the leader of a first place team.
But as the shine of a 20-9 start begins to wear off, the 76ers fans are getting restless. Going into tonight's game against Boston, the Sixers are 2-8 in their last 10 and have seen their once sizeable lead over the Celtics shrink to just a game. That stretch has shown the Sixers go ice cold offensively in the final minutes of close games, primarily because they lack an offensive star who can create his own shot.
Making almost $14MM this year, that player is supposed to be Iguodala. But as he showed on Sunday night against Chicago – where he airballed two pivotal attempts in the last few minutes – it probably is not. Iguodala's ineffectiveness at the end of games has led the team to turn to sixth man Louis Williams to take the final shot. Williams is a nice "instant offense" type of player, but he is not who a team wants deciding games for them if they intend to go deep in the playoffs.
Another issue is the lack of chemistry between Iguodala and Evan Turner – neither of whom is a traditional shooting guard. Turner's minutes have been down for the last month and the most popular theory is that those two cannot play together – prompting John Smallwood of the Philadelphia Daily News to suggest that one of them needs to go. As mentioned by Luke Adams, Smallwood thinks it will be Turner.
While I disagree that Turner will be moved, all of the elements mentioned above definitely point to the Sixers needing to make a decision at some point. They need a star, or at least someone who can create (and make) their own shot. With Iguodala due nearly $30MM in the two years after this one, the Sixers would need to take salary back to make a trade work.
How about a swap centered around Iguodala and the recently signed Marcus Thornton? Iguodala's defensive prowess would fit nicely around offensive studs Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins in Sacramento Meanwhile, Thornton's scoring and three point shooting would be a good fit in Philly. ESPN Trade Machine likes a straight up Iguodala-for-Thornton swap. Doug Collins and Rod Thorn both love Iguodala, so it is just speculation at this point, but it's clear that Philadelphia needs to do something, whether this year or very soon, if they want to compete with the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference.