Odds & Ends: Cavaliers, Sessions, Morey, Johnson
The Cavaliers have a ton of draft picks in this year's draft, and the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Schmitt Boyer breaks down the specifics in a mailbag.
- Also from Schmitt Boyer, here are five questions with former Cavaliers, and current Bobcats, guard Ramon Sessions.
- Jodie Valade has a profile on Houston general manager Daryl Morey, a native of of Medina, Ohio.
- Pacers rookie guard Orlando Johnson has joined the rotation for the first time this season, writes IndyStar.com's Mike Wells.
Trade Candidate: Andrei Kirilenko
When the Minnesota Timberwolves signed Andrei Kirilenko to a two-year, $20MM contract last summer, they figured they would be adding him as a complimentary sidekick for Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio (upon his return from a knee injury).
Instead, Kirilenko has emerged as perhaps the team's best overall player, defending the opposition's best perimeter threat on a nightly basis while facilitating Rick Adelman's cut-and-move happy offense with fortuitous passing and a masterful understanding of angles and spacing.
He's averaging 13.1PPG (his most since 2005/06) on a career best 51.5% shooting from the floor, and his blocks, steals, and assists are all around his career averages.
But even though he's playing so well, Kirilenko is 31 years old with a $10.2MM player option on his contract next season. It's probable he seeks a long term deal, and it wouldn't surprise anyone to see him opt out of his current contract and force the Timberwolves to either sign him to a multiple year deal (not likely) or lose him for nothing.
Kirilenko wouldn't be on the hypothetical trading block if it weren't for the recent news that Love broke his right hand for the second time this season. With Minnesota's All-Star out of the lineup for who knows how long (Love will see a hand doctor in New York City next week to determine if surgery is necessary) the Timberwolves could seriously struggle.
It could potentially turn them from a buyer into a seller, as they fall from the playoff picture (as of January 5, the Lakers, Jazz, and Mavericks all trail Minnesota in the Western Conference standings).
One possible suitor might be the Oklahoma City Thunder, who could dangle Toronto's top three protected lottery pick in Minnesota general manager David Kahn's face. It would allow the Timberwolves to get a high draft pick and give them more flexibility moving forward. Kirilenko is playing some of the best basketball of his career right now, but moving him when his value is high might be the smartest options the Timberwolves have.
Western Notes: Bryant, Love, Ibaka, Cousins
Kobe Bryant is one of the most confident players in the NBA, but as the Lakers have struggled this season, Bryant has expressed self-doubt about his own play, writes InsideSoCal.com's Mark Medina.
- Al Jefferson talks to Star Tribune reporter Jerry Zgoda about Kevin Love's tenure and future with the Timberwolves.
- On NBA.com, Serge Ibaka's offense is given its proper due.
- DeMarcus Cousins and Kings head coach Keith Smart have had their share of difficulties over these last few weeks. But SheridanHoops.com reporter Moke Hamilton reports that Smart is putting those difficulties behind him.
Eastern Notes: Bobcats, Rose, Garnett, Knicks
According to a tweet from FoxSportsOhio.com's Sam Amico, the Bobcats might be preparing to make an offer for Kings center DeMarcus Cousins.
- According to Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau, Derrick Rose is conducting non-contact drills in practice with his team, but is nowhere near returning to game action, writes ESPNChicago.com's Nick Friedell.
- Celtics center Kevin Garnett discusses myriad of issues with Yahoo! NBA reporter Marc J. Spears.
- The Knicks are anxiously awaiting the return of several key players, including Amare Stoudemire and Iman Shumpert, writes USA Today's Sam Amick.
- According to the Orlando Sentinel's Josh Robbins, the Magic are on pace to set an NBA record for free-throws attempted per game.
- Pacers guard Lance Stephenson is having a productive season in an expanded role, and it's a good thing Indiana didn't let him go, writes IndyStar.com's Mike Wells.
Poll: Should The Rockets Waive Royce White?
Earlier today it was reported that Rockets rookie forward Royce White would decline his D-league assignment. In other news that's possibly related, the Rockets signed free agent forward James Anderson to a non-guaranteed three-year contract.
According to the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen, White's contract is worth $1.6MM this season and $1.8MM next season, with both seasons guaranteed. If the Rockets cut him without showing cause, White would have to be paid the balance of the guaranteed two seasons of his contract. But they could try to show he had not fulfilled his contract.
Should they keep him around? Or is this situation too far gone?
Western Notes: Jamison, Lakers, Thunder, Gordon
Antawn Jamison has apologized for commenting negatively on his decreased playing time, writes ESPNLA.com's Dave McMenamin. Jamison has not played in five straight games, but says he's in it for the "long haul."
- Now that Steve Nash and Pau Gasol have returned to the Lakers, the team is beginning to play with more cohesion and confidence, writes Los Angeles Times reporter Eric Pincus.
- Darnell Mayberry on NewsOk.com writes that Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook needs to improve his jump shot if the team is to contend late in the season.
- FoxSportsOhio.com's Sam Amico writes that Hornets guard Eric Gordon is healthy, but is he happy. If Gordon still wants a trade, the Suns, Thunder, and Pacers could all be interested.
Southwest Notes: Nowitzki, Jackson
Dirk Nowitzki says that despite his team's poor place in the standings, their goal is still the playoffs, according to ESPN.com's Tim MacMahon. If Nowitzki's thoughts are shared by Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, this could indicate that the team is a buyer, instead of a seller, before the trade deadline.
- According to a tweet from NBA.com's Earl K. Sneed, Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle says that any evaluation of Nowitzki's play should be held off until the middle of January. Nowitzki made his season debut last week after undergoing knee surgery earlier this year.
- The Spurs love the "edge" guard Stephen Jackson gives them, according to Star-Telegram.com's Dwain Price.
Dominic McGuire To Sign With Hornets
SUNDAY, 11:17am: John Reid of The Times-Picayune confirms that the signing will take place. The Hornets have been carrying 13 players on their roster, the minimum amount, so they won't have to make a corresponding move unless they want to. He's likely in line for a minimum-salary deal, since that's what he was making before the Raptors let him go earlier this season.
SATURDAY, 10:10pm: According to a tweet from ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the Hornets could be signing former Raptors forward Dominic McGuire soon. McGuire was released by Toronto at the end of November, to make room for Mickael Pietrus.
McGuire's 2012/13 salary was believed to be fully guaranteed. He's owed $992K for this season and had a non-guaranteed year for 2013/14 worth $1.11MM. He spent last season with the Warriors, establishing himself as an athletic perimeter defender. He's 27 years old.
Odds & Ends: Gasol, D-League, Knicks, Nash
There has been much talk that the Lakers should trade Pau Gasol. Ben Bolch from the Los Angeles Times gives five possible trade scenarios that could end up pleasing both parties. .
- Ridiculous Upside's Keith Schlosser writes that former first round draft pick Damion James is currently down in the D-League fighting his way back to the NBA. And he's not the only one. Ryan Ripley tells the same story with Morris Almond.
- ESPNNewYork.com's Jared Zwerling writes that Knicks head coach Mike Woodson prefers to push the ball and increase the tempo.
- The Orange County Register's Kevin Ding writes that Lakers fans should be exicted as they await Steve Nash's return.
- Former Bulls backup point guard C.J. Watson says he was "mistreated" in the offseason and had no plans on re-signing with Chicago, writes The Chicago Sun-Times' Neil Hayes. Watson is currently backing up Deron Williams with the Nets.
Eastern Notes: Johnson, Lee, Drummond, Bobcats
After hitting a game-winning shot against Detroit, Joe Johnson is beginning to find his rhythm in Brooklyn, according to Newsday's Roderick Boone.
- Courtney Lee is not worried about the shooting slump he's gone through to start the season, writes CSNNE.com's A. Sherrod Blakely. With him now eligible for a trade, there's much speculation that the Celtics could look to move their recently acquired shooting guard.
- The Pistons are having a difficult time figuring out how to maximize Andre Drummond's minutes, writes MLive.com's David Mayo.
- The Bobcats have a difficult situation approaching with regards to the future first round pick they still owe the Bulls due to the Tyrus Thomas trade, writes Charlotte Observer reporter Rick Bonnell.