Eastern Notes: Nelson, Bynum, Rose, Celtics
Magic guard Jameer Nelson is playing some of his best basketball of the season right now, and according to the Orlando Sentinel's Brian Schmitz, the 30-year-old point guard is interested in playing until he's 40. Nelson signed a three-year contract with the Magic before this season.
- CSNPhilly.com's John Finger reports that Sixers center Andrew Bynum has said he isn't feeling a lot of pain in his surgically repaired knee, and that his debut could come around the All-Star break.
- ESPNBoston.com's Chris Forsberg answered questions from readers about the Celtics recent struggles, and the likelihood that the team blows everything up.
- The Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson tweets that Derrick Rose could take part in full-contact drills as soon as this week in practice.
Amico On Cavaliers, Gibson, D-League
According to a tweet from FoxSportsOhio.com's Sam Amico, the Lakers are said to be interested in Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson, but they don't have much to offer.
Regardless, Gibson, who's set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, probably will not return to Cleveland next season, as Amico is reporting the team will let him walk if they can't move him in a deal before February's deadline. Gibson's ability to knock down three-pointers would make him a great fit in Mike D'Antoni's system.
- The Cavaliers have an open roster spot after waiving Samardo Samuels earlier this month, and they could be looking at the D-League to fill it. Some possible options are Micheal Eric and Arinze Onuaku.
Pacers Seek To Retain West
The Pacers and David West—their soon to be unrestricted free agent power forward—are committed to extending their relationship, according to the Indianapolis Star's Bob Kravitz. Team President Donnie Walsh declared that Indiana wants to keep West earlier today.
It's against NBA rules for the Pacers to offer West an extension right now, but both parties have made it known they're interested in getting something done this offseason. Along with Paul George, West has been Indiana's most valuable player this season, and retaining him for off the court reasons are just as important, due to his positive influence with younger players in the locker room.
Eastern Notes: Cavaliers, Martin, Carlesimo
The Plain Dealer's Mary Schmitt Boyer answers e-mails from readers, most of them pertaining to possible Cavaliers trade chips like Anderson Varejao and Tristan Thompson.
- Discussions between the Knicks and Kenyon Martin's representative have not progressed, according to a tweet from ESPNNY.com's Jared Zwerling.
- The New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy writes about Nets interim head coach P.J. Carlesimo, who has his team back on the right track since taking over for the fired Avery Johnson.
Northwest Notes: Trail Blazers, Porter, Hickson
The Portland Tribune's Kerry Eggers makes the case that Trail Blazers players LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum should both make the Western Conference All-Star game.
- As he serves as head coach of the Timberwolves while Rick Adelman is on leave for personal reasons, Terry Porter wants to have a similar job full-time, writes TwinCities.com's Ray Richardson.
- The Oregonian's John Canzano writes that the Trail Blazers have an interesting decision to make with regards to whether or not they should trade center J.J. Hickson.
Pacific Notes: Nash, Barnes, Howard
Lakers guard Steve Nash believes his two new teammates, Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard, can get on the right track sooner than later by playing hard and not necessarily worrying about game plans, writes ESPNLA.com's Dave McMenamin.
- MercuryNews.com's Marcus Thompson writes that the Warriors want more aggression from their rookie, Harrison Barnes.
- The Los Angeles Times' Ben Bolch writes about Lakers center Dwight Howard, and how despite his team's struggles, he remains an upbeat personality.
Odds & Ends: Rose, Coaches, Joseph
Given all that's known medically regarding serious knee injuries today, the advisers for Derrick Rose are strongly suggesting he sit out the rest of the season, reports Comcast reporter Ric Bucher.
- SheridanHoops.com's Brian Geltzeiler speculates on several NBA head coaches who could be fired before the season is over.
- Former Celtics rookie Kris Joseph is fielding offers from several teams overseas, according to HoopsHype.com. The forward was drafted in the second round by Boston in the 2012 NBA draft, and waived earlier this month.
Poll: Where WIll Rudy Gay End His Season?
Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay has been in several trade rumors these last few weeks, and the combination of his expensive contract and team's need for outside shooting makes it possible one of them comes true. Where will he end up at the end of the season?
Kevin Love Breaks Hand, Out 8-10 Weeks
WEDNESDAY, 2:26pm: Love is expected to undergo surgery on his broken hand next week and then miss an additional eight to ten weeks, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter).
SATURDAY, 4:23pm: According to a tweet from the Star Tribune's Jerry Zgoda, Kevin Love has re-fractured the third metacarpal in his right hand. Love will see a hand specialist in New York City this week, and his return to action is pending whether or not the doctor decides surgery is needed, tweets CBSSports.com's Ken Berger.
The injury occurred Thursday night against Denver. It's the same hand he infamously broke before the season while doing knuckle push-ups. Minnesota is currently 15-14 fighting for their first playoff appearance in nine seasons. Already rumored to be an active team before the trade deadline, Love's injury could have a major impact on whether or not they become sellers or buyers.
Poll: Are The Timberwolves Buyers Or Sellers?
The Timberwolves are currently in ninth place in the Western Conference, fighting for a playoff spot with the Lakers, Mavericks, and Jazz hot on their heels. But news today of Kevin Love missing time with a broken right hand could deter those playoff plans.
With the trade deadline looming, do you think Minnesota will sell assets (Derrick Williams, Andrei Kirilenko), add pieces that could help them in the short term, or do nothing?