New York Notes: Jackson, ‘Melo, Pierce
Nets GM Billy King tells reporters, including Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe (via Twitter) that the team hasn’t had any discussions with Paul Pierce about an extension. Pierce will become a free agent this summer if he doesn’t reach an extension agreement with Brooklyn by June 30. Here’s more from New York:
- King also said he has no idea if Kevin Garnett may be planning to retire this offseason or after his current contract expires following the 2014/15 season, per Washburn (Twitter link).
- In a recap of the Knicks close victory over the Sixers last night, The New York Post’s Marc Berman notes how some of the Knicks culture hasn’t changed yet following Phil Jackson‘s hiring as team president. GM Steve Mills is still traveling with the team while Jackson stays home in Los Angeles, and the team’s standoffish attitude toward the media is still in effect.
- Sources are split on whether Jackson will play a deciding role in Carmelo Anthony‘s free agent decision this summer, as Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops reports.
- For his part, Jim Boeheim thinks the addition of Jackson adds credibility to a team with limited possibilities for roster improvement next season, telling Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv that Anthony always wanted to stay with the Knicks.
- Bill Parcells tells Gary Myers of New York Daily News that the hardest part of Jackson’s new job might be watching Knicks games without the ability to jump in and coach. Parcells also took on a personnel role with the Dolphins after establishing himself as a great coach in the NFL, and eventually resigned due to the frustration of lacking hands-on control. “These are things not directly related to personnel acquisitions. Putting the right kind of player on the team — he will know what to do with all that,” says Parcells. “The ancillary issue is he’s not going to be coaching. So his vision for what might be done in certain situations might not be the same vision as the guy who is coaching. It doesn’t mean they are not on the same page personally from an organizational standpoint, but there may be things that he sees he can’t control.”
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Central Notes: Drummond, Bulls, Bynum
Andre Drummond tells Vince Ellis of The Detroit Free Press that the many Pistons losses this season have taken their toll on the young big man. “That’s how it goes sometimes. Nothing good comes easy, and nothing starts off easy, either. Tough starts will help us build this team and this organization,” said Drummond. Ellis points out that if the Pistons finish low enough to keep their lottery pick, it would be little consolation if continued losing sours Drummond on the organization. Here’s more from around the Central:
- Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times thinks speculation on Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau moving to the Knicks, or Carmelo Anthony signing with the Bulls, is a thing of the past, implying that Phil Jackson‘s tenure in New York will put an end to those possibilities.
- Cowley adds that Gary Harris, Doug McDermott, K.J. McDaniels, and Zach LaVine could be good options for the Bulls in the draft. Barring a Bobcats late-season meltdown, Chicago will have Charlotte’s first round pick to go with their own in the 2014 draft, both of which are currently projected in the teens.
- Carlos Delfino, lost for the year due to injury, won’t be joining the Bucks for the remainder of the year, per Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times (Twitter link). The guard is opting to rehab in his home country of Argentina, and is still under contract with Milwaukee beyond this season.
- Pacers backup center Andrew Bynum is sidelined indefinitely while he receives treatment for swelling and soreness to his knee, per a team release. Bynum has only played two games with Indiana since signing there in early February, and it’s no shock that his chronic knee issues are limiting his time.
Northwest Notes: Westbrook, Nuggets, Jazz
Kevin Durant likely regained the lead for the MVP last night, leading the Thunder to a double-OT victory over the Raptors by hitting a game-winning three that put him over 50 points for the second time this season. It wasn’t all good news for Oklahoma City, though, as Russell Westbrook had to leave the game after a collision with Kyle Lowry against the same knee he’s had three recent surgeries on. Here are some notes from the Northwest Division:
- After the game, Westbrook was positive, telling reporters including Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman that he felt no pain and doesn’t expect to miss time. Westbrook first hurt the knee in the first round of last year’s playoffs. He played through that game and expressed similar optimism before being ruled out for the postseason. Last night’s injury was officially ruled a sprained knee, and he will be re-evaluated today.
- While former Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri, now guiding the Raptors, is routinely mentioned as one of the best executives in the league, Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post says that Ujiri is responsible for one of the worst trades in Denver’s history. Sending away Arron Afflalo and a first-round pick for one year of Andre Iguodala set the franchise back in Kiszla’s eyes.
- The Jazz will be joining the Las Vegas Summer League this year and leaving the Orlando league, per Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal (H/T Jody Genessy of The Deseret News). The team decided to switch leagues because the logistics of conducting team activities on the East Coast can be challenging and limiting.
Draft Rumors: Parker, Wiggins, Nuggets
Jabari Parker called his college career “incomplete” after Duke’s upset loss in the NCAA tournament Friday, and the Blue Devils’ early exit could affect his decision about whether to enter the draft this year, he tells Andy Katz of ESPN (Twitter link). Scouts had held the belief that Parker was leaning toward declaring for the draft, tweets Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. Here are more draft rumors:
- Sean Highkin of USA Today doesn’t think Parker will skip the draft based on his disappointing tournament. Highkin says the farthest Parker could fall is to the third overall pick, so the small forward has more certainty of his selection (and payday) than players like Marcus Smart or Jared Sullinger had when deciding to return to school for another year.
- Chad Ford and Kevin Pelton of ESPN Insider [subscription only] offer some analysis of Andrew Wiggins‘ upside, using both scouting information and advanced metrics. Both Ford and Pelton see Wiggins as a potential Paul George-type player.
- Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post thinks that Gary Harris, Nik Stauskas, and James Young are three players who would make sense for the Nuggets to draft this year. Kiszla notes that the Knicks‘ recent winning streak has hurt the Nuggets’ odds of landing a high lottery pick. The Nuggets will have the better of their own pick and New York’s pick.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
And-Ones: Harden, Collins, Daye, Williams
In a series of tweets, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders says there was more to the Thunder‘s decision to trade James Harden before last season than money concerns. Coming off their Finals loss, Harden wanted an increased role on the team, believing himself to be the superstar talent we now know he is. Kyler says Harden wanted to stay, but the Thunder didn’t want to change their roster dynamics to accommodate his wishes. Here’s more from around the league:
- Jason Collins is happy stay with the Nets for the rest of the season, he tells Roderick Boone of Newsday. “Thank you to the Nets organization, coaches and players,” Collins said.“Our team is playing really well right now and I’m glad to continue to be here.”
- The Spurs have assigned Austin Daye to their D-League affiliate per a team release.
- After showing promise in some extended playing time with the Raptors, Ed Davis has struggled to see many minutes with the Grizzlies, writes Ryan Wolstat of The Toronto Sun. The lack of playing time has come because of a crowded frontcourt in Memphis, not a lack of skill on Davis’s part, says coach Dave Joerger. “It’s tough and he’s a similar style to the guys that are at that position,” said Joerger. “What his athleticism is, is a different look for us. But it’s tough with Marc [Gasol] and Zach [Randolph] in front of him.”
- Derrick Williams has been debated as a “true” small forward or power forward since coming into the league, but Kings coach Michael Malone tells Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee that Williams’ versatility is a good thing. “You go back to his days at Arizona, when he was the No. 2 pick, he played a lot of four (power forward),” Malone said. “I see in the NBA if a bigger guy is guarding him, he can take that guy out on the perimeter. If you play him at the small forward, you can post him up some. He’s got that versatility and athleticism that is very attractive. The league is getting a lot smaller it seems, and I think Derrick’s versatility is a real advantage when you play him at the four.” If small forward Rudy Gay picks up his $19.3MM player option in Sacramento for next season, Williams will likely have to establish his ability to thrive at the power forward spot.
Draft Rumors: Parker, Martin, Age Limit
Ben Detrick of The New York Times writes that finding a franchise savior at the top of the draft is a pretty rare feat, pointing out that even the low expectations for last year’s lottery picks haven’t been met yet. Detrick notes that cheap, young roster components are becoming more necessary under the current CBA, and highlights some of the deeper selections that have been contributing this year. Regardless, many fan bases are hoping their team lands a franchise cornerstone in this year’s draft. Here’s a look at the latest on the draft:
- Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com (via Twitter) thinks that LSU freshman Jarrell Martin has enough talent to end up a lottery pick if he chooses to enter the draft this year. Martin is currently ranked just #21 in DraftExpress’s 2015 mock draft.
- Jabari Parker would be the safest, most NBA-ready first-overall pick in the 2014 draft, an NBA executive tells Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com.
- In a subscription-only piece, ESPN Insider David Thorpe says that many of the arguments being made for and against a hiked age limit for the NBA draft are based on myths. Thorpe touches on common perceptions dealing with player development, the D-League, and prospects’ NBA-readiness.
Eastern Notes: Lowry, Ridnour, Heat
At his introductory press conference, Paul Pierce said that he would be a “glorified role player” for the Nets. Now, as the Nets ascend the standings without the services of Kevin Garnett, it’s clear that he’s much more than that, writes Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. Here’s more from around the East:
- Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders suspects point guard Kyle Lowry will re-sign with the Raptors this summer for $7-$8MM per year (Twitter link).
- Luke Ridnour was happy to leave the Bucks and land with the Bobcats, he tells Jerry Zgoda of The Star Tribune. “I was glad to get out of Milwaukee,” said Ridnour. “It’s a good situation here. I’ve only played five, six games here so I’m trying to get used to it. It’s a good city and I’ve been in the playoffs before, and just to be back in the hunt where every game is big, it’s just a lot different feeling… This has been fun.”
- The Bobcats are looking to add a third center now that it appears Brendan Haywood is done for the season, tweets Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer.
- In the same tweet, Bonnell says the Heat‘s signing of Justin Hamilton was made due to coach Erik Spoelstra‘s faith in the big man.
- Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel writes that Hamilton’s two-year deal is about the future. Winderman sees Hamilton and 2013 first-rounder James Ennis as having a shot to make the Heat’s roster next year, and notes that Pat Riley is scouting college tournaments in looking ahead.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Central Notes: Bynum, Sessions, Pistons
Andrew Bynum considered playing for both the Heat and the Lakers before signing with the Pacers, tweets Tom Moore of Calkins Media. The Lakers were viewed as a potential trading partner for the Cavs when Cleveland was looking to move him, but were not linked as a suitor once he hit free agency after being traded to and waived by the Bulls. Here’s more from the Central Division:
- Bucks guard Ramon Sessions tells Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders that he was completely blindsided by the trade that sent him from the Bobcats to the Bucks. “To be honest the trade was kind of last minute,” Sessions said. “I didn’t really hear too much coming up to the trade deadline but as we got closer I started getting calls from my agent and hearing certain things were happening behind the scenes. But it’s one of those things in the league that when it happens, you got to pack up and be ready to move on to another team.”
- Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times thinks Bulls center Joakim Noah can be penciled into the All-NBA first team, and the $500,000 bonus that would come with that selection.
- Pistons coach John Loyer tells Vincent Goodwill of The Detroit News that the three-big lineup in Detroit can eventually work if the team is able to get consistent shooting from the perimeter. “You need spacing, two guys who can score the ball from the perimeter when you have those three on the floor,” said Loyer. “As long as those three are here and here together and playing productively, you’ll see them. It’s what we have. We want to put them in places where we think they can score the best. It’s your job as coach to figure out who you’re coaching and what they’re best at and put them in those spots.”
Zach Links contributed to this post.
L.A. Notes: Jackson, Bryant, Howard
One effect of the Phil Jackson signing in New York has been some fallout on the other coast. Jackson’s estrangement from the Lakers organization he guided to five championships will be permanent, at least professionally, for another five years. As we learned yesterday, the Lakers did have interest in bringing Jackson back to their front office, but weren’t willing to offer the kind of control he could obtain in New York. Here’s more from Los Angeles:
- Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com details how the Lakers ownership structure made the potential to bring in Jackson a virtual impossibility. Former owner Jerry Buss intentionally handed the franchise over to be shared between his six children, preferring for the family to stay at the forefront instead of giving the keys to a basketball legend like Jackson or Jerry West.
- Shelburne says the Buss family considered a return from Jackson for several months leading up to his signing with the Knicks.
- Mike D’Antoni, who won the Lakers coaching job over Jackson last season, told reporters including Mike Bresnahan of The Los Angeles Times that the signing is a good move for the Knicks.
- D’Antoni, who often hears “We want Phil!” chants from the home crowd when the Lakers struggle, added that he feels no relief over his job now that Jackson is signed elsewhere.
- Sam Amick of USA Today says that the Lakers decision to let Jackson go to New York without a fight shows that Kobe Bryant has lost his clout with L.A. brass. Bryant recently spoke openly about his disappointment at missing out on Jackson’s return to the league for a second time.
- Pau Gasol and Jordan Farmar think that Jackson will do a great job in New York, per Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Daily News.
- Steve Nash told Bill Simmons of Grantland on a recent podcast he knew Dwight Howard wouldn’t work out with the Lakers early on last season (transcription via Sean Highkin of USA Today). “I think everyone could see it was going to be tough from the start. As the season went on, I think Dwight didn’t hide the fact that he didn’t like it,” Nash said.
Lamar Odom’s Comeback Cut Short By Injury
Two games into his professional comeback, Lamar Odom is leaving his Spanish team due to a back injury, as first reported by Marc Stein of ESPN. Enea Trapani of Sportando reports that the Baskonia club has terminated Odom’s contract. Odom is returning stateside for at least two months to have his back evaluated and treated. That process would have lasted the duration of his two-month deal, but the team could have extended the deal another two months. While the team hopes to have Odom back, they opted to scrap the current deal and work on re-signing him when the time comes, per Trapani.
Odom told Baskonia’s official website that he is grateful for the short time he played there, and said he wants to return as soon as possible (translation via Trapani). “I want to say thank you. I’m grateful to the fans for their support and understanding. Not only people, but the whole of Vitoria has shown me much appreciation as a person and not just as a basketball player. I would like to thank you for your continued support. I am a bit embarrassed, but at the same time I am proud to say I’m injured and I still have a team that understands and continues to support me,” Odom said. “This means a lot to me and forces me to have a lot of respect.”
While both team and player sound positive about the chances of a reunion, Trapani tweets that he is less optimistic one will occur. Odom had hoped to revive his NBA career, using international play as his first stepping stone back. This is an unfortunate roadblock for Odom, who is trying to overcome a tumultuous stretch in his personal and professional life that has kept the 34-year-old out of the league this year.