Dwight Howard Still Wants Out Of Orlando
Despite the exit of coach Stan Van Gundy and GM Otis Smith today, Dwight Howard "desperately" wants to be traded before next season, a source tells Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com. While it seemed the moves were made with Howard in mind, the superstar center wants out of Orlando now more than ever, according to the source.
Sheridan says Magic execs are expected to meet soon with Howard in Los Angeles, where he's recovering from back surgery. If he reiterates then that he wants out, Sheridan says the team is expected to try to trade him to "the highest bidder." The source says the Nets are still the frontrunner for his services, but the Mavericks, Knicks and, to a lesser degree, the Clippers and Lakers, are destinations that also appeal to Howard.
Earlier today we heard that Magic CEO Alex Martins has called for Howard to make his decision regarding his future with the club. At the trade deadline this past March, Howard declined his early termination option for next season, committing himself to the last season of his contract with the Magic. The move appears only to have been a temporary stay of the drama surrounding his rumored departure. Howard missed the playoffs for the Magic this season after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back more than a month ago. He has been rehabbing in Los Angeles and has not returned to Orlando since the operation. The Magic said earlier he's staying there because he requires frequent checkups from his doctors in L.A., but Howard's choice of locations nonetheless fueled speculation he's estranged from the team.
Reactions To The Shakeup In Orlando
The news of the day has been that GM Otis Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy are out of their jobs with the Magic. We're keeping an eye on the moving pieces in the wake of the team's announcement, but there's also been a fair bit of criticism of the team, particularly over its firing of Van Gundy. Here's what NBA observers are saying:
- Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel takes Magic CEO Alex Martins to task for informing Van Gundy of his firing via cell phone.
- Fellow Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi said the future of the franchise is up to Dwight Howard, now that the team has seemingly bent to his will.
- Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today provides a dissenting voice, arguing that the time had come for the team to move on from Van Gundy and Smith. He also thinks the franchise might be better off moving on from Howard, too.
- Ken Berger of CBSSports.com predicts that in six months, Howard will be gone, the Magic will have a coach inferior to Van Gundy, and the franchise will be starting over.
- Zach Lowe of SI.com says the Magic just broke up a rare partnership of superstar player and elite coach.
- Shannon J. Owens of the Orlando Sentinel follows along that same line, wishing the drama-filled relationship between Howard and Van Gundy had been more like the placid, successful partnership of Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich of the Spurs.
- As we noted earlier, George Diaz of the Orlando Sentinel wants to see the Magic make bold hires when they replace Smith and Van Gundy.
Bobcats Notes: McMillan, Bickerstaff, Van Gundy
Earlier today we heard that Nate McMillan is in the midst of a two-day interview with the Bobcats for their coaching vacancy. Here's more from the Queen City:
- McMillan has an advocate in former Bobcats coach and GM Bernie Bickerstaff, as Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer writes.
- Bonnell believes the Magic's firing of Stan Van Gundy today could harm the Bobcats' search, since the Magic job is probably more attractive (Twitter link).
- Mike Tokito of The Oregonian seconds that thought, arguing that the Magic could be a more enticing destination for McMillan. He also speculates whether McMillan could wind up with the Clippers and Wizards.
- One coach the Bobcats wouldn't have to compete over with the Magic is Van Gundy, and Bonnell looks at how the former Magic boss would fit in Charlotte. Bonnell hears that Van Gundy may prefer to sit out the coming season rather than take another job right away.
Traded Draft Picks Who Turned Into All-Stars
Patience is an uncommon virtue around NBA front offices, where the pressure is on to win as soon as possible. That means the future, in the form of draft picks, is often mortgaged for the sake of the present. Of the 60 selections to be made at this June's draft, 19 of them have already changed hands, with another two picks subject to be moved pending the lottery, and one more contingent on a decision by the Lakers. That's not counting picks that could be traded on draft day or shortly thereafter, before draftees sign.
As a result, plenty of talent gets moved around, and that includes future All-Stars. Thirteen guys who played in an All-Star Game during the past three seasons were traded, either as future draft picks or recent draftees, before they ever suited up for the teams that originally held their rights. That list includes Rajon Rondo, whose rights the Celtics traded for, traded away, and eventually reacquired. A similar situation happened with Amare Stoudemire and the Suns. Below is the complete list of recent All-Stars whose draft rights were traded.
LaMarcus Aldridge: Pick traded by Knicks to Bulls; Drafted by Bulls, traded to Blazers
Ray Allen: Drafted by Timberwolves, traded to Bucks
Kobe Bryant: Drafted by Hornets, traded to Lakers
Luol Deng: Drafted by Suns, traded to Bulls
Roy Hibbert: Drafted by Raptors, traded to Pacers
Marc Gasol: Drafted by Lakers, traded to Grizzlies
Pau Gasol: Drafted by Hawks, traded to Grizzlies
David Lee: Pick traded by Suns to Spurs; Pick traded by Spurs to Knicks
Kevin Love: Drafted by Grizzlies, traded to Timberwolves
Dirk Nowitzki: Drafted by Bucks, traded to Mavericks
Rajon Rondo: Pick traded by Lakers to Celtics; Pick traded by Celtics to Hawks; Pick traded by Hawks to Suns; Drafted by Suns, traded to Celtics
Amare Stoudemire: Pick traded by Suns to Magic; Pick traded by Magic to Suns
Deron Williams: Pick traded by Blazers to Jazz
Atlantic Rumors: Nets, Lopez, Young, Sixers, Draft
The Sixers and Celtics are taking the weekend off, but resume their compelling series tied at two games apiece Monday in Boston. Here's what's going on around the Atlantic Division:
- While noting that Pacers center Roy Hibbert is in line for much more, Chris Mannix of SI.com lets fly that the Nets are expecting to pay Brook Lopez somewhere between $8MM and $10MM a year in his next contract (Twitter link). Lopez, who played in just five games this season due to injuries, is a restricted free agent, so the Nets may not have a say in the terms of his deal if he chooses to sign an offer sheet with another team.
- The Sixers locked up Thaddeus Young for five years and $43MM before the season started, and he's making his presence known against the Celtics, as John Finger of CSNPhilly.com examines.
- Four second-round draft prospects — Scott Machado, Zack Rosen, Terrell Stoglin and Maalik Wayns — will work out tomorrow for the Sixers, the team announced. Dei Lynam of CSNPhilly.com has details.
Week In Review: 5/13/12 – 5/20/12
A look back at what made headlines around the league this week.
- The Hawks picked up their option on Larry Drew, meaning the coach will return for the 2012/13 season.
- The Rockets and Hawks joined the Grizzlies, Timberwolves and Thunder among teams interested in guard Alexey Shved, who's currently playing for CSKA Moscow.
- The oft-injured Greg Oden says the Heat is one of the teams he'd like to play for when he makes his comeback.
- The Mavs, Nets, Raptors, Blazers and Warriors are all targeting restricted free agent Jeremy Lin of the Knicks.
- The Bobcats continue to interview candidates for their coaching position, but they aren't expected to hire anyone for several weeks.
- Seattle area governments and a private investor took the next step toward building an arena.
- Larry Bird became the first man ever to win MVP, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year, taking home the front-office honor for his work as Pacers president of basketball operations.
- The NBA revamped its competition committee, going with a smaller panel of owners, GMs, coaches and a player.
- The Bulls confirmed that Derrick Rose is not expected back until 2013.
- The union is seeking an arbitrator's ruling to determine whether players claimed off waivers retain their Bird rights, and released a statement on the issue.
- The Mavs locked up coach Rick Carlisle with an extension that will run through at least the next four seasons.
- Bouna Ndiaye, the agent for Blazers restricted free agent Nicolas Batum, says his client will jump at the first good offer he gets this summer.
- Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving, last year's No. 1 overall pick, won Rookie of the Year.
- Animosity and legal wranglings continue in the wake of the failed Sacramento arena deal.
- Ty Lawson wants to sign a long-term extension with the Nuggets.
- In addition to their interest in Jeremy Lin, the Raptors may look to sign Suns free agent Steve Nash.
Pacers-Heat Notes: Gordon, Granger, Wade, Riley
There's been no shortage of drama in the Heat-Pacers series, and the leadup to this afternoon's pivotal Game 4 has been no exception. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports that Juwan Howard and Lance Stephenson, who directed a choking gesture at LeBron James during Game 3, had a verbal altercation 90 minutes prior to tipoff, the latest chapter in a history of animosity between the two. With Erik Spoelstra going to his fourth staring lineup in four games this series, let's check in on the rumors surrounding these playoff combatants:
- Bob Finnan of The News-Herald believes Hornets restricted free agent Eric Gordon, thought to be a Pacers target, might not get a max deal because of the knee problems he's dealt with the past two seasons. Finnan could see the Hornets and Pacers working out a sign-and-trade with Danny Granger headed to New Orleans, Gordon going to Indiana and Pacers shooting guard Paul George shifting to small forward.
- HoopsWorld's Stephen Litel argues that the Heat should try to trade Dwyane Wade if the team fails to come back to win the series.
- Shaun Powell of NBA.com says team president Pat Riley failed to stock the roster with competent role players, and that's one of the reasons Heat coach Erik Spoelstra may lose his job if he doesn't deliver a title.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 5/13/12 – 5/20/12
Here's the original content and analysis from the Hoops Rumors team this week.
- Zach Links sizes up Illinois center Meyers Leonard in our Prospect Profile.
- I look at veteran small forward Josh Howard in a Free Agent Stock Watch.
- The latest weekly installment of Money Time: Upcoming Free Agents In The Playoffs.
- Damian Lillard's Prospect Profile sheds light on the small-school point guard.
- Zach Links rounds up the best from the blogosphere in this week's Hoops Links.
- A look at what has Arnett Moultrie climbing up draft boards in a Prospect Profile.
- Deron Williams wouldn't be giving up too much money to leave the Nets, as Luke Adams explains.
- The Bucks seek to complement their backcourt stars as the team makes its plans for the summer.
- Alex Lee looks at the dichotomy of opinion on Jeremy Lamb in our Prospect Profile.
- Luke Adams answered reader questions in the weekly Hoops Rumors Chat.
- Chris Kaman is in line for plenty of money, as our Free Agent Stock Watch examines.
- A roundup of the top five vote-getters for each of the NBA's individual awards this season.
- The Blazers have plenty of cap room to play with as they make their offseason plans.
- Luke Adams explains the July Moratorium.
- Daniel Seco asks readers whether the Pacers will beat the Heat with Chris Bosh out.
- Ramon Sessions can elect a $4.55MM option or test the open market, as our Free Agent Stock Watch examines.
- A look at how the contract of Toney Douglas will affect the Knicks this offseason.
- The Grizzlies may give up the right to match offers for O.J. Mayo, as our Free Agent Stock Watch explains.
- Information on the Amnesty Provision, courtesy of Luke Adams.
- The improved Timberwolves look to take the next step as they plan for the offseason ahead.
- I go back in the history books to look at where contributors to playoff teams were drafted.
- The Wizards and Rashard Lewis are at a crossroads, and Luke Adams has the details.
- After a solid finish to 2011/12, the Pistons may not be eyeing a major move as they plot their offseason.
- Sean Highkin asks readers where Steve Nash will end up in free agency.
GM Rumors: Blazers, Sund, Kupchak, Stern
There's been plenty of front office news of late, so let's get right to the weekend's updates:
- Hawks GM Rick Sund, whose contract with the team is up, has told the Hawks he's had no contact with the Blazers about their GM opening, according to Jason Quick of The Oregonian (Twitter link). Last week we heard the Blazers had asked for permission to speak with Sund, but the Hawks, who were still in the playoffs at the time, turned them down.
- Quick also tweets that the Blazers have not asked for permission to interview Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak for the position.
- Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News writes that the NBA's new competition committee represents a power play by commissioner David Stern, who felt the old committee made up of the league's 30 GM's was too large to influence, Lawrence says. The commissioner would like to see the league adopt international goaltending rules and cut down on flopping, according to the report.
Nets Rumors: Deron Williams, Bogdanovic, Lopez
The Nets, who hold the 57th overall pick, are holding a workout today at their practice facility for roughly two dozen fringe draft prospects. They'll also be hosting a free-agent mini-camp next week, the team announced, and it will likely involve another set of guys trying to play their way onto the end of a team's bench. Here's the rest of the day's news from Brooklyn:
- Andy Vasquez of the Bergen Record rounds up what Deron Williams has said and done since the end of the season to indicate his willingness to re-sign with the Nets.
- GM Billy King said Bojan Bogdanovic, a 6'7" swingman currently playing in Turkey, would like to join the Nets, but he remains under contract with his European team, writes Sportando's Emiliano Carchia. The Nets acquired Bogdanovic's NBA rights through a draft-day trade last year, but King did not sound optimistic about him coming to Brooklyn for next season, Carchia says.
- Restricted free agent center Brook Lopez is "progressing nicely" in his recovery from the ankle injury that ended his season, King told reporters, including Brendan Prunty of the Star-Ledger. King qualified those remarks by saying Lopez is still not running or jumping, as we heard earlier today.
- Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News looks at Zack Rosen, a prospect whom the Nets could target to fill the backup point guard role. The 6'1" Rosen, who played through what might be a broken thumb at the combine today, hopes to follow the path of another Ivy League point guard: Jeremy Lin.