Atlantic Notes: Woodson, Knicks, Humphries
Losing to the Kings at home was not a great way for the Knicks to quiet speculation about coach Mike Woodson‘s future heading into the All-Star break. Their turmoil continues, and Frank Isola of the New York Daily News doesn’t expect an end to the “nonsense” until owner Jim Dolan gives full autonomy to a head coach (via Twitter). Let’s take a look at more from the messy division:
- Dolan would rather keep Woodson for the rest of the season and does not want to make a change now, per Marc Stein of ESPN (via Twitter). Stein isn’t sure that he won’t be swayed by recent losses to the lowly Bucks and Kings, though.
- The Knicks are still targeting Rajon Rondo as their preferred upgrade at point guard according to Al Iannazzone of Newsday, although it’s unclear if Iannazzone is passing along new information or working from previous reports of the Knicks’ interest in Rondo. The Celtics have sent consistent signals that they wouldn’t give up Rondo for the kind of value the Knicks could offer.
- In the same piece, Iannazzone speculates that every Knicks player outside of Carmelo Anthony could be available, and thinks any one of Iman Shumpert, Raymond Felton, Metta World Peace and Beno Udrih could be in their final days with New York.
- Celtics power forward Kris Humphries wished team employees good luck heading into the All-Star break, “in case I don’t see you again,” as quoted by Scott Souza of MetroWest Daily News (via Twitter). The nine-year veteran is on an expiring $12MM contract, and is one of many Celtics players rumored to be available as Boston seeks to be active at the trade deadline.
Northwest Notes: Brooks, Love
At age 39, Derek Fisher is improbably playing his best basketball as a member of the Thunder, writes Anthony Slater of NewsOK. The veteran has come up with big shots when needed and maintained an overall plus/minus rating of 97, while serving as Oklahoma City’s only backup point guard with Russell Westbrook sidelined. Here’s more from the division:
- A league executive believes the Thunder would be fine without Russell Westbrook, evidenced by their continued dominance this season in 29 games without him, and the exec tells Bill Ingram of Basketball Insiders that the Thunder should consider trading Westbrook for a top-five draft pick (Twitter link).
- Thunder coach Scott Brooks tells Jeff Caplan of NBA.com he has no inclination about how the summer of 2016 will go for Oklahoma City. That’s when both Brooks’ and, more significantly, Kevin Durant‘s contracts are set to expire. “All the rhetoric about what’s going to happen three years from now, I kind of smirk and laugh about it,” Brooks said. “It’s crazy. Who knows? What our team believes in is what I believe in. I believe in coming to work everyday, I believe in giving your best, I believe in being solid on and off the court. Those are staples that this organization is about.”
- In the same article, Caplan describes the strong bond Brooks has with both Durant and Westbrook, and notes that there are some striking similarities with the Spurs, where stars Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili have all stayed with coach Gregg Popovich and the small market team rather than seeking more money elsewhere.
- Tom Haberstroh weighs whether Kevin Love should demand a trade in an ESPN Insider piece [subscription only]. The Timberwolves‘ 2013/14 struggles, a history of front office incompetence, and Minnesota’s cold weather are all factors that might motivate the superstar power forward to want out, but Haberstroh thinks the team’s misfortunes this year aren’t indicative of their true performance. The expected win total for the Timberwolves is 32-20, but poor fourth quarter play and close losses have saddled them with a 24-28 record, six games out of the playoffs. Haberstroh thinks the odds are good that Minnesota’s win totals start catching up to their statistical performance in the second half, giving Love a shot at the playoffs for the first time in his career.
Central Notes: Bucks, Bulls
The Bucks are playing the Pelicans tonight, and Gery Woelfel of the Journal Times suggests Milwaukee brass will pay close attention to opposing guard Eric Gordon amidst trade rumors about the 25-year-old (via Twitter). Gordon has not been linked to the Bucks in any reported discussions, however. Here’s more from around the division:
- Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, GM Gar Forman, and injured point guard Derrick Rose all spoke to reporters at a charity function, and both Forman and Rose are working under the assumption that the former-MVP will be out for the rest of the season per K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune and Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago. (Twitter links.)
- At the same event, Thibodeau said he watches tape of Nikola Mirotic whenever he can. The coach says he hasn’t had a chance to speak with the 6’10” sharpshooter that the Bulls hope to sign away from Real Madrid this summer. (Twitter link)
- Thibodeau also said that Carlos Boozer will retake the starting power forward spot for the Bulls when he returns from injury, per Johnson (Twitter link). The Bulls have been getting a longer look at Taj Gibson in Boozer’s absence, and Gibson’s continued career year could have ramifications for his own contractual performance bonuses, as well as the team’s willingness to amnesty Boozer before next season.
- We rounded up the Pistons and Cavs earlier tonight.
Cavs Notes: D-League, Deng
Steve Hetzel, coach of the Cavs D-League affiliate, the Canton Charge, gives Dakota Schmidt of Ridiculous Upside some insight as to how the developmental process works for Cleveland: “We all talk and communicate about when they’ll be sent down, their overall expectations and how they’ll be able to be coached. They allow me to coach these guys as if they’re my players. It’s a good relationship in the sense that we give constant feedback to each other on when we’re going to have those players and what they want the players to work on in-game. It’s a real benefit to be directly affiliated with the Cavs because it’s a struggle for teams who don’t have a direct NBA affiliation.”
Here’s more from Cleveland:
- In the same interview, Hetzel doesn’t rule out the possibility of an Anthony Bennett assignment, telling Schmidt, “That’s completely up to Coach [Mike] Brown and the Cavs organization. If they want to send him down, we’d be open arms. Right now Bennett is getting time with Cleveland and if you’re getting minutes in the NBA, then that’s the best experience that you can get. Whether he’s flourishing or struggling, he’ll improve with the playing time that he gets. If that time comes, we’ll cross that bridge as it happens.” Bennett’s play has finally picked up in recent days, after his historically poor play for a number one pick had some calling for him to get some time in the D-League.
- Rival executives believe new Cavs GM David Griffin‘s best option going forward would be trading recently acquired Luol Deng and trying to land a premium first-round pick in this year’s draft, per Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. Since it appears unlikely that Deng will stay with Cleveland beyond this season, Kennedy thinks buyers would see value in obtaining him now, while he still has his Bird Rights, to have a leg up on signing him to a long-term contract extension. Deng can be traded a second time this season with some limitations: he cannot be dealt back to the Bulls and he cannot be traded away along with any other Cavs players.
- The Cavs have recalled rookie Sergey Karasev from the D-League, per Cavs.com. Karasev has been in the D-League since being assigned late last month, and has totaled 17 games in his time with the Cavs.
Pistons Notes: Hollins, Billups
Pistons guard Chauncey Billups tells Terry Foster of The Detroit News that he wants to work in a front office job after he retires, despite the assumption from many that he would make a great coach: “I think a lot of people think that would be the natural progression because of what I do on the court. But if I had my desire I want to be in the front office and put the team together and be behind the scenes rather than being on the court every day.” Here’s more from Detroit:
- Lionel Hollins remains interested in the Pistons coaching vacancy, but said he still hasn’t been in contact with the team in an interview with SiriusXM NBA today. David Mayo of MLive transcribed the former Grizzlies coach’s perspective on the Detroit job: “I’m flattered by all the non-decision makers coming out and saying that the job is mine and I’m the first choice and they are coming after me. Well, none of that has happened and it only matters what the Detroit Pistons are thinking. Again, I’m flattered with the respect that has been shown me by some of the national media.” Hollins indicated the same a few days ago when former coach Maurice Cheeks was first fired.
- Pistons owner Tom Gores is in daily contact with the team, and his involvement will intensify following the firing of Maurice Cheeks, Palace Sports and Entertainment CEO Dennis Mannion tells Eric Lacy of MLive. The owner has been criticized as an “absentee owner” by some, but Mannion says Gores is very active in dealing with the Pistons business, one of 35 businesses he owns overall.
- Mannion also tells Lacy the team is optimistic that it can turn around the team’s plummeting attendance numbers: “While we haven’t been playing great basketball, we have had an opportunity to put ourselves in a position to be able to market and keep those people down the road.” After Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings were signed this offseason, season ticket sales jumped 33 percent.
Pacific Notes: Warriors, Bledsoe, Nash
Matt Steinmetz of Bleacher Report covers some of the growing concerns around Warriors small forward Andre Iguodala. The team currently sits in the sixth seed for the playoffs, and is on track to finish with about the same number of wins as last year despite inking the former All-Star to a four-year, $48MM contract this offseason. Steinmetz points out that his contract left Golden State no room for the team to retain key rotation players Jarrett Jack or Carl Landry, so the transition wasn’t simple roster addition. Still, Iguodala’s performance has dipped on his new team, with a near-career low in shot attempts a sign of his lack of presence on the offensive end. Here’s more from around the division:
- Suns president of basketball operations Lon Babby echoed earlier remarks from owner Robert Sarver, telling the Doug and Wolf Show on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM that the team intends to match any offer for Eric Bledsoe this summer in restricted free agency. Adam Green of ArizonaSports.com has the transcription.
- Steve Nash left last night’s game early with nerve issues in his back and hamstrings, but his appearance nonetheless means the Lakers are ineligible to wipe his contract off their books for next season if he retires for medical reasons. Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times has the details on what would have been a long shot, anyway.
- The Warriors have recalled Kent Bazemore, MarShon Brooks, and Ognjen Kuzmic from the D-League, per the team’s site. This comes a day after the team sent the three-man group to Santa Cruz for a one-game stint.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Odds & Ends: Martin, Cavs, Lakers
New NBA commissioner Adam Silver is looking to Jerry Colangelo for help with the collegiate and professional relationship, per Dan Bickley of USA Today. “He wants me to broker everything going forward between the NBA, the NCAA and all the constituents,” said Colangelo, current chairman of USA Basketball. “He wants to lift the bar in terms of youth development and where the game is going.” Silver has already announced his desire to raise the age limit for NBA players another year, but Colangelo says his role is about more than the immediate talent influx for the league. “We want more young people interested in playing the game. I don’t have to tell you that the ball fields and playgrounds—the places were kids used to be all the time—are empty by comparison. There’s more organized activities taking place, but generally speaking, we need to re-engage and re-energize the general population of youth to participate.” Here’s a look around the league:
- Kevin Martin is out indefinitely for the Timberwolves, per an Associated Press release passed on by the Star Tribune. Minnesota’s starting shooting guard suffered a non-displaced thumb fracture and will likely be out at least through the All-Star break. Center Nikola Pekovic has already been out, and likely won’t return before then, either, per Andy Greder of the Star Tribune. Team president of basketball operations Flip Saunders just said that a trade isn’t imminent, but prolonged absence from the team’s starters could force the hand of the front office that is fighting to make the playoffs for the first time in Kevin Love‘s career.
- Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders takes a look at some of the valuable expiring and non-guaranteed contracts that could be moved prior to the trade deadline.
- Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal details a busy six months ahead for the Cavs, a stretch that got even busier following the firing of GM Chris Grant. Now the Cavs are tasked with additional front office personnel decisions to go along with the trade deadline, the draft, free agency, extension talks with Kyrie Irving, and more.
- The Lakers have won two in a row, enjoying some rare success with both Steve Nash and Steve Blake back in the lineup. Mike Bresnahan and Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times write that the good times could jeopardize the franchise’s draft outlook. A playoff berth is unrealistic at this point, but the added return of both Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant could boost the team’s performance even further, just enough to significantly hurt their draft lottery chances in a lost season.
- After a 12-year NBA career and multiple stints overseas, Ricky Davis is still hoping his time in the D-League this season will give him another shot in the NBA, telling John Naughton of USA Today, “It’s what’s inside that keeps me wanting to be on the court. I’m blessed to be able to play this game. It’s just a thing that keeps ticking in me.” Davis was once an exciting player, but injuries took their toll on his game. “Now I’m the old man. In my mind, I still feel like I’m a kid. My body’s like, ‘No way, kid.'” His latest recovery has him feeling good, and hopeful about his chances for another shot.
- Players coming to New Orleans for All-Star Weekend festivities are planning to continue the informal tradition of meeting with the league, and seeking an end to the “Tennessee Tax” they incur when playing in Memphis is on their agenda, per Mitch Lawrence of The New York Daily News. The tax costs up to $7,500 a year for players, and goes directly to Grizzlies owner Robert Pera. NFL players are already exempt from the tax, while NHL players are not.
Poll: Will It Be A Busy Trade Season?
Many expect a lot of deals to go down before the February 20 deadline, with the common assumption that a big trade or two could lead to a domino effect throughout the rest of the league. For the second year in a row, Rudy Gay has been the centerpiece for an early in-season blockbuster. The Luol Deng deal between the Cavs and Bulls followed, and there are many more names on the trading block, many of which we’ve highlighted in our Trade Candidates series. There is also a pretty clear line between teams at the top and bottom of each conference, with a handful of teams on the playoff bubble. Teams with title hopes are generally buyers, and teams that have draft hopes typically sell during the trade season, with an oft-lamented tendency for losing teams to “tank” away their season in order to improve their chances at a higher pick. This disparity is a condition that theoretically makes for easier matchmaking for teams with clear needs.
Timberwolves team president Flip Saunders is skeptical of a lot of movement this trade season, describing a gridlock due to heightened values for draft picks. Teams are certainly hanging on to picks more tightly than they have in some previous eras, careful to build rosters around as many inexpensive contracts as possible to avoid paying the increasingly punitive repeater tax levied under the current CBA against franchises that exceed the luxury-tax line in consecutive seasons. Another dampening CBA component is the Stepien Rule, which prohibits teams from trading away first round picks in consecutive years. This rule prevents a team like the Nets from parting with upcoming picks they hold, even though they would otherwise meet the profile of a team willing to deal picks to bolster their short-term championship window.
Those teams on the playoff bubble could swing league activity, depending on how their next couple weeks go and how strong the commitment to a playoff run is in their front office. The Pistons, for example, have won four home games in a row and edged just a half-game behind the current eighth-seed Bobcats. A run like that could remove the temptation for a team like Detroit to give up on their core and part with any of their players for future assets.
What do you think? Will this trade season be “epic,” as ESPN’s Chad Ford has predicted, or will it underwhelm as it has in many years before?
Will It Be A Busy Trade Season?
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Somewhat, with a handful of significant moves 44% (381)
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No, it will be basically stagnant through the deadline 28% (243)
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Yes, trade activity will be off the charts 27% (234)
Total votes: 858
Draft Notes: Parker, Gordon
Jabari Parker‘s Duke team played at Boston College tonight, and Celtics GM Danny Ainge was spotted in attendance by ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, presumably to get a look at the forward (Twitter link). Parker did not disappoint, totaling career highs in points (29) and rebounds (16) for the Blue Devils. Here are some more notes surrounding the upcoming draft:
- Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe covers Parker‘s looming decision to enter the draft or not, and weighs opinions on whether his skill set will translate to the level of an NBA franchise player, potentially for the Celtics.
- Jake Henson of Sheridan Hoops updated his mock draft lottery, slotting Kansas freshman Joel Embiid and Andrew Wiggins in the first and second slots, respectively.
- Matt Moore of CBS Sports thinks that Aaron Gordon‘s talent level is so high, he could have gone first overall in last year’s draft. Moore gives a thorough rundown for Gordon’s game and stellar upside, while also pointing out some of his current weaknesses.
Eastern Notes: Varejao, Bobcats, ‘Melo
Sixers coach Brett Brown tells Tom Moore of the Bucks County Courier Times that he is confident the team’s struggles this season will pay off with a valuable draft pick. Brown admits that the bottoming out process isn’t fun, “At times, when you’re sitting on a sideline and your team isn’t guarding and your team is losing by a significant margin, you feel like you don’t really want, at times, to go through this.” But Brown is looking forward to brighter days ahead: “I know that if we can ever pull this off, then the city’s going to come right along with us and be proud to grow with us. That’s always been the vision and the plan.” Here’s more from around the East:
- Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders sees Anderson Varejao as the Cavs’ most movable asset, and speculates that Cleveland might become a seller and look toward the draft after the firing of GM Chris Grant. Greene thinks the Suns, Rockets, and Lakers are all teams that could be good trade partners with Cleveland for the veteran center.
- Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer thinks the Bobcats will be active at the trade deadline, but doesn’t think a blockbuster deal is likely. Bonnell notes that while Ben Gordon‘s expiring contract is a nice trade asset, losing the flexibility that comes with his contract could pose problems for the team as it attempts to retain Kemba Walker as his 2015 restricted free agency approaches.
- Howard Beck of Bleacher Report adds to the anniversary analysis of the blockbuster trade between the Nuggets and Knicks that sent Carmelo Anthony to New York. Beck quotes a rival executive that blames Anthony for pushing the trade rather than simply joining the Knicks as a free agent that summer, because financial considerations were Anthony’s top priority. Melo reportedly wanted to secure his maximum contract extension before the new labor deal–and its potential earnings reductions–would be negotiated. That meant that the Knicks had to give up a wealth of player and draft assets to pry the star from Denver, rather than a more moderate sacrifice had he joined as a free agent. Beck traces most of New York’s woes back to Anthony’s “original sin,” which diminished the team’s roster and crippled their ability to bolster it, leading to desperate moves that have not panned out.