Latest on Knicks, Phil Jackson
4:55pm: Jackson is leaning toward taking the Knicks job offer to become president of basketball operations, per Stephen A. Smith of ESPN.com. Smith’s source says it’s unclear if the role would include coaching the team next season. It was earlier reported that Jackson turned down a coaching offer with New York before the front office gig was extended.
12:40pm: In an update from a previous piece, Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com reports that Phil Jackson would be open to coaching for a short transition period, if it went along with the kind of front office role similar to Pat Riley‘s in Miami that Jackson is interested in. Jackson has managed to work the story on the Knicks job offer overwhelmingly to his benefit. He has everyone talking, with the media essentially negotiating on his behalf in public.
Mitch Lawrence of The New York Daily News believes the Knicks should give Jackson complete control over basketball activities, despite some potential pitfalls with Jackson’s disposition and lack of experience. Lawrence says having Jackson at the helm would be a better gamble than leaving it in the hands of current team executives. Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com makes the same plea, saying that giving Jackson the keys to the franchise would provide hope to a fan base dealing with a disappointing season and bracing for another.
Before Friday night’s game, Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire, and J.R. Smith told reporters they weren’t in the loop on the Jackson talks, including Fred Kerber of The New York Post. Smith added that he thinks coach Mike Woodson is being treated unfairly. “I think he’s done a great job since he’s taken over. To have a bad year, I don’t think he should take the blame for everything. The players should take the blame for that and we should move on as a unit instead of singling people out,” said Smith.
While most are excited about Jackson’s return to the league, New York’s awkward steps up to this point are not being forgotten. Scott Cacciola of The New York Times writes that GM Steve Mills was planning on being more open with the media when the season began, but hasn’t publicly addressed anything about the team since October. With a dive to the bottom of the standings, trade speculation for multiple players, hot seat rumors regarding Woodson, and now the buzz around Jackson, the Knicks have remained silent while their players and coach take the brunt of the media’s questions.
Eddie Scarito contributed to this post.
Heat Re-Sign DeAndre Liggins
2:15pm: The signing is official the team has announced via Twitter.
11:33am: The Heat will sign DeAndre Liggins to a second 10-day contract, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN (via Twitter). The 25-year-old wing played just one minute in a single game for the Heat during his first 10-day deal, scoring 2 points and grabbing a rebound against the Bobcats.
Liggins signed with the Heat last Tuesday, after criminal charges that played a hand in his pre-training camp release from the Thunder were reduced. Liggins appeared in 39 games with the Thunder last year, after playing in 17 contests with the Magic in his 2011/12 rookie season. Before joining the Heat, he had averaged 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 40.4 minutes per game for their D-League affiliate in Sioux Falls.
This will be the Creative Arts Agency client‘s final audition for Miami, who must either sign him for the remainder of the season or let him go at the end of this second 10-day agreement.
Eddie Scarito contributed to this post.
Draft Notes: Wiggins, Embiid, Cuban
One NBA GM tells Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv that uncertainty about entering the draft recently expressed by Jabari Parker, along with similar sentiments from Joel Embiid earlier this year, are par for the course. He says the high profile players will all say they are considering staying in college until after the NCAA season, when they will all declare for the draft (Twitter links). Here are more rumors surrounding the draft:
- Mark Heisler of The Orange County Register says that not one NBA source he’s talked to likes Andrew Wiggins as a sure-fire blue chip player. Heisler says NBA personnel people are now only in agreement on Embiid as a top-level prospect.
- Still, an anonymous Eastern Conference scout tells Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders that the 2014 draft class is much better than last year’s, and should be important for the league. The scout also gives his take on Wiggins, Parker, Embiid, Dante Exum, Julius Randle, Marcus Smart, and Noah Vonleh.
- Adi Joseph of USA Today looks at the draft stocks of Andrew Harrison, Rodney Hood, and Bryce Cotton.
- Mavs owner Mark Cuban told reporters, including Dwain Price of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, that he wishes there were additional rounds in the NBA draft. “I’d like to see four rounds so you can draft guys overseas, get more guys drafted that are your property so you can try to develop them,” Cuban said. “You’ve got to realize that toward the bottom of the second round there are teams that pick for financial reasons, and that takes advantage of guys that might have otherwise been picked.”
Paul Pierce Open To Return To Celtics
Nets star Paul Pierce says he’s open to returning to the Celtics as either a player or team employee, he told reporters including Baxter Holmes of The Boston Globe. Responding to a question on the possibility of a return to Boston, he answered, “Yeah, why not? Maybe play for them, maybe work for them.” As final as the departure from Boston of Pierce and fellow star Kevin Garnett felt last summer, the small forward says he remains close with point guard Rajon Rondo and still has affection for the franchise he build his Hall of Fame career with.
The 36-year-old becomes a free agent this summer, and sees hope in Boston despite the losses that have piled up in their first year of rebuilding.
“They’re a young team. They’ve got a mix of some veterans, some young guys who are developing. They’re only going to get better,” Pierce said. “Rondo is ready to lead, he’s leading them right now, moving into the next generation of Celtics. I think their future is going to be very bright.”
A good chunk of Pierce’s 15 years with Boston was spent enduring similar rebuilding efforts before finally enjoying a championship, so he is optimistic about the Celtics current trajectory.
“When you’re in the middle of your prime, like Rondo is, and you’re frustrated with the losing, it’s about just staying patient, staying with the guys, helping them develop, helping them get better,” said Pierce.
Pierce averaged 21.8 PPG with the Celtics, and only experience three winning seasons during his first nine years in the league. After turning their assets and appeal into the Big-Three of Pierce, Garnett, and Ray Allen, the Celtics immediately won a title, reached the Finals again, and won nearly two-thirds of their games over his last six seasons in green.
Pierce is averaging career lows in points, assists, rebounds, and minutes per game this season. Although he has played better of late, it would seem out of character for Celtics GM Danny Ainge to consider adding an expensive contract for a veteran in the twilight of his career. Pierce makes $15.3MM this year, and would likely fetch a salary well north of the veteran’s minimum should he extend his career beyond this season. Ainge has vowed to stay patient and avoid shortcuts in the rebuilding process, which in most cases means prioritizing youth on a roster and reserving cap space for elite players that can help build a long-term contender.
Jabari Parker Uncertain About Entering Draft
Jabari Parker says that there is a possibility he doesn’t enter this summer’s draft, per Joedy McCreary of The Associated Press (H/T Adam Zagoria). The freshman, long hyped as a potential number-one-overall draft pick, says his development will be key in his decision.
“If I feel like there are things I could improve on or things I left, like during the season, then I will probably come back,” Parker said. “A deciding factor is where I’m going to grow the most, whether it’s in the NBA or even in college, the learning experiences that I need as far as [growing as] a basketball player.”
Speculation on Parker’s decision has churned all year, with NBA executives going back and forth on what they believe he will ultimately be in the draft. Most have maintained that they expect him to enter the draft, but a veteran NBA scout tells Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv that he’s “buying” the possibility of Parker returning to Duke for his sophomore season (Twitter link). If Parker were to remain in college for another year, it would have a huge effect on the both the 2014 and 2015 draft. In addition to shuffling around the upper tiers in both draft classes, Parker’s prolonged college tenure could alter the exposure and/or development of a 2015 Duke roster likely to feature a handful of draft prospects.
The 6’8″ small forward has been seen as perhaps the most polished player in the top tier of this year’s draft crop, and he began this season in a neck-and-neck projection alongside Andrew Wiggins for the first overall selection. He’s slotted fourth in Chad Ford’s latest Insider-only mock draft at ESPN, third in Jonathan Givony’s mock draft at Draft Express. Parker, who will turn 19 in a week, is averaging 18.8 PPG on .483 shooting, to go with 9.0 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 1.3 assists in 30.2 minutes per contest.
Knicks Notes: ‘Melo, Jackson, Woodson
Over the last two days, we’ve heard about Joakim Noah recruiting Carmelo Anthony for the Bulls and the Knicks offering Phil Jackson a front office position. The news continues to have trickle effects–let’s take a look at the latest from New York:
- A person with knowledge of the ‘Melo/Noah discussion tells Sam Amick of USA Today that the talk has been overblown, and suggested that Anthony’s camp might have leaked the discussion as an attempt to remind the Knicks that his departure in the offseason is a legitimate possibility.
- Anthony denied to reporters, including Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv, that the alleged conversation occurred (Twitter link). Anthony said he “can’t” have those kinds of discussions, alluding to league tampering restrictions.
- A source with knowledge of Jackson’s thinking tells Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com that he’s “ready to go back to work.”
- In the same piece, Shelburne quotes Mike Woodson‘s comments to reporters about the Phil Jackson news: “I really don’t have an opinion on it. I really don’t. Again, as I sit here today, I am the coach of the New York Knicks. I am not going to entertain anything about Phil. I have a great deal of respect for Phil, but I am not going to entertain anything about Phil Jackson.”
- Jackson has made it clear that he wants a Pat Riley-esque role with a team, tweets Shelburne. Riley has more power as team president of the Heat than a typical general manager, and built the behemoth that Miami has become after luring LeBron James and Chris Bosh to join Dwyane Wade.
- Joel Brigham of Basketball Insiders thinks that the Knicks talks with Jackson are early signs that they will make a splash and replace Mike Woodson this offseason. Jeff Van Gundy, Lionel Hollins, and Tom Thibodeau are some high profile names that have already been linked to the potential vacancy.
- Nuggets coach Brian Shaw isn’t surprised to hear Jackson’s name as a front office candidate, telling Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com that the legend is more suited for that kind of role now. “I don’t think at this point that he would really have the energy to [coach],” Shaw said. “I think he would be more inclined to–in terms of constructing a team from top to bottom–be in more of an advisory role or a front-office role, where he can put his imprint on a team in that way.”
L.A. Notes: D’Antoni, Lakers, Barnes
Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak met separately with both coach Mike D’Antoni and vice president of player personnel Jim Buss to discuss the state of the team following their embarrassing loss to the Clippers on Thursday night, a team source tells Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com. The front office still desires to stick with D’Antoni and see how the team responds going forward, says Shelburne. D’Antoni’s job has appeared safe all season, although Shelburne earlier divulged that his status beyond next season, when his contract expires, is on shaky ground. We’ll see if chatter surrounding his job increases as the offseason approaches. Here’s more from Los Angeles:
- D’Antoni said the meeting in question wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, per Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com (Twitter link).
- Ben Bolch of The Los Angeles Times says it makes no sense for the Lakers to part with D’Antoni before his contract expires after next year. Bolch argues that the Lakers should ride out another lackluster season and rethink their coaching situation in 2015, when they stand a better chance of landing a difference-maker in free agency to complement their upcoming draft selection.
- In a 5-on-5 post for ESPN, J.A. Adande, Chris Broussard, Israel Gutierrez, Marc Stein, and Ethan Sherwood Strauss all think the Lakers should target 2015 as the best opportunity to reload for title contention, not this summer.
- Jabari Davis of Basketball Insiders takes a look at the Lakers options regarding Steve Nash and the stretch provision, pointing out that the team has the freedom to make their decision after the free agency dominoes have fallen in 2014. If the Lakers don’t end up in need of cap space for next season, it may be more prudent to keep Nash and absorb his contract rather than waiving him and extending the salary hit into 2015.
- Matt Barnes was in a few trade rumors last month, but he remained with the Clippers through the deadline and has been playing remarkably well ever since. Barnes is intent on staying with the team and Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times wonders if the 11th-year forward is trying to prove a point to the Clippers front office.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
D-League Notes: Timberwolves, Trades
While the NBA’s trade deadline passed over two weeks ago, the D-League’s window for trading players between teams closed today. While deals between D-League teams don’t affect NBA player rights, they can still have an impact on which NBA teams and development staffs get the closest look at prospects at that level. Here are some notes from the D-League, including today’s deadline deals:
- The Timberwolves are looking at owning their own D-League team, a source tells Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities (Twitter link). Wolfson says the Iowa Energy, who currently serve as an affiliate for the Timberwolves, Nuggets, Bulls, Pelicans, and Wizards, are open to a singular partnership with Minnesota.
- Sources tell Gino Pilato of D-League Digest that a multi-team trade sent William Buford to the Canton Charge, Vander Blue to the Idaho Stampede, and Richard Howell‘s returning player rights for next year to the Santa Cruz Warriors, among other D-League draft considerations.
- In the same post, Pilato passes along a trade sending Santa Cruz’s Dominic McGuire to the Tulsa 66ers in exchange for Dominic Sutton‘s returning player rights.
- Pilato reports one final deal between the Charge and the Delaware 87ers. Kyrylo Fesenko was sent to Canton in a trade that also saw the teams swap second round draft picks.
Eastern Notes: Sixers, Price, Free Agency
Mike Sielski of The Philadelphia Inquirer spoke with the Sixers marketing firm that has been tasked with selling Philly fans optimism in the midst of a miserable season. The “Together We Build” campaign has tried to convince fans that enduring short term on-the-court sacrifices will make future, more competitive Sixers rosters even more sweet. The message hasn’t landed with many fans, as attendance has dropped by more than 3,000 per game compared to last year. Here’s more from around the East:
- Sixers coach Brett Brown said his gut feeling is that Jason Richardson will not play this year, he tells Christopher A. Vito of The Delaware County Daily Times (via Twitter). Richardson has been out all season while recovering from knee surgery, and owns a player option for next year at $6.6MM.
- Magic point guard Ronnie Price has embraced his role as a veteran mentor to younger players in Orlando, he tells John Denton on the team’s site. “I think it is part of my responsibility and part of my respecting the game and respecting the people who mentored me when I was a rookie and a young guy in this league. I would be selfish to not try to mentor some of these guys and share what I’ve learned in this league.” The 30-year-old has another $1.3MM non-guaranteed year left on his contract, but is aware that his playing career could be over soon. “I like my role right now as a player and I still think of myself as a player. What I do as far as talking to guys on and off the court, that just comes naturally to me. I don’t consider myself a player-coach or anything like that; I love the game of basketball so I know that I will always be around the game.”
- In a 5-on-5 post for ESPN, J.A. Adande, Chris Broussard, Israel Gutierrez, Marc Stein, and Ethan Sherwood Strauss weigh in on whether stars for the Heat and Knicks will become free agents this off-season. Their consensus is that LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade will opt out of their player options this off-season.
Draft Notes: Saric, Stauskas, Lakers
Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak and vice president of player personnel Jim Buss are expected to scout the Big 12 tournament next week, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com (via Twitter). Prospects in the Big 12 for the 2014 draft include Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, Marcus Smart, Isaiah Austin, Cory Jefferson, LeBryan Nash, and Markel Brown. Embiid, Wiggins, and Smart are projected in the lottery, where L.A. will likely be picking. The Lakers owe their second round pick to the Bucks, although they could certainly acquire one on or before draft night. Here are more rumors surrounding the draft:
- Turkish team Anadolu Efes is set to offer NBA draft prospect Dario Saric a five-year deal worth 6 million euros, or about $8.32MM, a source tells Sportando’s Emiliano Carchia, who notes that there are rumors the offer would cover only three years. Saric, a potential lottery pick, is undecided about whether to enter the draft this year, but he’s seriously considering the offer from Turkey, Carchia hears. The deal would include an NBA escape clause for 2016, when Saric will be automatically eligible for the NBA draft.
- Saric is expected to hire a new agent at the end of the season, and his choice figures to significantly impact his call on his decision to declare for the draft, Carchia tweets.
- Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com has Saric at No. 10 on his latest draft board, which features Jabari Parker on top.
- An NBA scout tells David Mayo of MLive.com that Michigan shooting guard Nik Stauskas would likely go in the late teens or early-20s if he entered the draft this year.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.