Hoops Rumors Originals: 3/19/12 – 3/25/12
Here's a look back at all the original material produced by our writers from the past week:
- In a poll, Daniel Seco asks if tonight's Heat/Thunder showdown will be a preview of this year's NBA Finals.
- Chuck Myron takes a look at how NCAA success translates to the NBA.
- Myron also takes a look at Spencer Hawes' stock as a free agent.
- A quick look at the league's largest cap holds.
- Luke Adams explains how teams can claim a player off waivers.
- A look at the league's largest long-term contracts.
- In a poll, Chuck Myron asks which post-deadline pickup will help his team the most.
- An evaluation of last year's buyouts.
Week In Review: 3/19/12 – 3/25/12
Here's a look back at all the NBA's biggest stories from the past week.
- Boston center Jermaine O'Neal made the decision to have season-ending wrist surgery.
- Minnesota big man and 14-year veteran Brad Miller will retire at the end of this season.
- As expected, the Lakers announced they intend to pick up Andrew Bynum's $16.1MM option for next year.
- After being waived by Portland, Chris Johnson was claimed off waivers by New Orleans.
- Sacramento will extend a qualifying offer to Jason Thompson at the end of this season.
- Memphis signed the recently amnestied Gilbert Arenas to a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum.
- Philadelphia decided to part ways with Andres Nocioni, waiving the forward currently in the fifth year of a six-year contract. Nocioni then signed with a team in Spain.
- Cleveland made the decision to waive the seven-foot Ryan Hollins, who was then quickly signed by Boston.
- Portland's Elliot Williams underwent season-ending surgery to help repair an injured left shoulder.
- After being bought out by Houston, Derek Fisher signed with Oklahoma City.
- Charlotte bought out Boris Diaw. The forward later signed with San Antonio.
- Sacramento signed Terrence Williams to a 10-day contract.
- Long time member of the Pacers, Jeff Foster has announced his retirement.
- After being bought out by Denver, Ronny Turiaf was signed by Miami.
- Portland claimed J.J. Hickson off waivers.
- San Antonio signed Patrick Mills.
- Golden State signed Mickell Gladness.
- Dallas decided to waive Sean Williams.
- Denver guard Rudy Fernandez will miss the rest of the season after undergoing back surgery.
- Dallas signed Kelenna Azubuike.
- Toronto waived Rasual Butler.
- Indiana signed Kyrylo Fesenko.
- San Antonio signed Justin Dentmon.
Clippers Still Deciding On Bobby Simmons
MONDAY, 8:14am: Markazi has updated his story, saying that the Clippers will take the rest of the week to decide whether to sign Simmons for the remainder of the season. Coach Vinny Del Negro initially said the team would keep the forward, but according to Markazi, it became clear after yesterday's game that the team needed more time to decide whether to commit its final roster spot to Simmons.
SUNDAY, 4:00pm: According to ESPNLA.com's Arash Markazi, the Clippers will keep forward Bobby Simmons for the rest of the season. Simmons is currently on the final day of a second 10-day contract, which he signed on March 9th.
The 2004 Most Improved Player of the Year has averaged 3.8 PPG and 2.8 RPG in 12 games with the Clippers this season. A nine-year veteran, he was originally called up after averaging 13.5 points and 7.6 rebounds in 21 games for the Reno Bighorns of the D-League earlier this season.
Odds & Ends: Odom, Aldridge, Jefferson, Celtics
In his first game since becoming a member of the Warriors, Richard Jefferson had a tough go, making just two of 14 shots and scoring nine points in just under 38 minutes of play. On Thursday, the Spurs dealt Jefferson for veteran swingman Stephen Jackson. Due to the approximate $30 million due his way over the next three years (including an $11 million player option in 2013-14 which he's likely to exercise), the Warriors were questioned for making the deal.
Here are a few other notes from around the league.
- John Denton tweets that Otis Smith is content with the Magic roster and can't see adding any of the recently bought out vets like Derek Fisher and Ronny Turiaf. CBS Sports' Matt Moore explores potential landing spots for Fisher.
- The Blazers have announced a Monday press conference for Jonny Flynn and Hasheem Thabeet, suggesting they passed their physicals (via Mike Tokito tweet).
- Yesterday, Yahoo! Sports' Marc J. Spears wrote a detailed feature on Lamar Odom's struggles in Dallas. Inside the piece, Spears notes that Odom formally requested a buyout in February, but was rejected by owner Mark Cuban and general manager Donnie Nelson.
- Upon hearing that Ronny Turiaf has officially been bought out by the Nuggets, WEEI.com's Paul Flannery takes a look into whether the Celtics might be interested in bringing the 6'10" Frenchman aboard. Boston made no moves at the trade deadline but with the future of Jermaine O'Neal still in serious doubt, they're still in need of a big man or two.
- Since taking over for the Trail Blazers former head coach Nate McMillan, Kaleb Canales has decided to utilize LaMarcus Aldridge more from the elbow. According to CSNNW.com's Chris Haynes, the move was made before Friday night's win against Chicago, and Portland's best player has said he's enjoying the change.
Rockets Buy Out Derek Fisher
Derek Fisher has officially reached a buyout agreement with the Rockets, and is expected to hit free agency once he clears waivers, according to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski. In one of the more surprising deals that went down before the deadline, the 37-year-old point guard was dealt to Houston for Jordan Hill and a top-20 protected first round draft pick after the Lakers acquired Ramon Sessions in a separate move.
The Rockets appeared to be in need of another point guard while Kyle Lowry recuperates from a bacterial infection, but they instead chose to sign Courtney Fortson from the D-league.
At this stage in his career, Fisher is seen as one of the weaker guards in the league, but due to this experience in big games (five championships with the Lakers since 2000) he could sign on with a contender upon becoming a free agent. He'll be available to sign with any team except the Lakers due to a new rule in the CBA.
Poll: Who Had The Best Trade Deadline?
Looking back on Thursday’s trade deadline, several teams shook things up with some big moves. Some organizations looked ahead to the future, while others tried to put themselves in a position to win the championship right now. In this poll, we’re asking who made out the best?
Minor Moves: Henry
The Hornets have sent Xavier Henry to the D-league’s Iowa Energy, according to the New Orleans Times Picayune’s John Reid. Now in his second season, the former lottery pick has appeared in 25 games for New Orleans this season, and is posting averages of 5.0 PPG and 1.9 RPG. He was acquired from Memphis in a three-team trade in January that also included the Sixers.
The move was most likely made because Eric Gordon is soon to return from a knee injury that’s plagued him all season long. There is no expected timetable for Henry’s return.
Rockets, Warriors, Wizards Discussing Bogut
Houston, Golden State, and Washington are all trying to construct deals that would land them Milwaukee center Andrew Bogut, according to CBS Sports NBA Insider Ken Berger. Here's how each rumored deal looks to be shaping up:
- The Warriors, who have been in the spotlight all day as rumored participants in a possible three-team deal with Orlando and New Orleans, have reportedly entered a new three-team opportunity that would send Bogut to Golden State and Monta Ellis to Orlando. It's unclear what Milwaukee would receive in the deal, but chances are they'd be giving up Stephen Jackson in the process, which is a favorable situation for them. Golden State had also been talking to the Lakers and Bulls about a deal involving Ellis, but those have yet to get off the ground.
- If they strike a deal with the Rockets, it's believed the Bucks would receive a package that includes Samuel Dalembert, Courtney Lee, and draft picks in exchange for Bogut and Jackson. This deal would give Houston the All-Star level center (when healthy) they've coveted since Yao Ming retired, along with an immediate impact wing man. Dalembert is probably not in Houston next season, and Courtney Lee is an athletic bench player, so if this is rumored to be true, the deal could work out splendidly for Daryl Morey's team.
- Despite having JaVale McGee on its roster, Washington has been in talks to acquire Bogut from Milwaukee. One would assume McGee, who is physically gifted but suffers from mental lapses, is a part of the deal, but no specific players on Washington's side have been reported. All we know with the Wizards is that every player on the roster is on the table except for John Wall.
Ainge: Rondo’s Not Being Traded
Rajon Rondo has been a constant subject of constant trade rumors this season. His chilly attitude and enigmatic play have reportedly been the reason Boston has entertained offers, but every player has strengths and weaknesses, and Rondo's court vision, hyperactivity, and contract are all positives that outweigh the negatives.
The rumors are surprising because having a young All-Star, All-Defensive team point guard under contract is one of the most valued commodities in the NBA today, and moving him to rebuild around other pieces seems like it'd just delay the renovation.
Before tonight's game against the Clippers, Boston general manager Danny Ainge placed a cork in the faucet currently spewing trade rumors about his team's best player, telling CSNNE.com's A. Sherrod Blakely that the star point guard will stay put. "I don't know how many times I have to say it. Rondo's not being traded," he said.
Unless blown away by a deal that brings back immediate, young talent and draft pick(s), it looks like Boston will make a run with what they have without moving any of their core pieces before the trade deadline.
Odds & Ends: Sixers, Martin, Jennings
Sixers president Rod Thorn says Philadelphia will likely be quiet at the trade deadline, according to the Philadelphia Daily News’ Bob Cooney. When you combine Evan Turner‘s recent transformation into a serious impact starter with the eventual return of injured center Spencer Hawes, who was playing the best basketball of his career before going down, the 76ers aren’t exactly in a position of need. Any trade could screw up one of the league’s most symbiotic rosters.
- Rockets guard Kevin Martin says he’s frustrated with his up and down play as of late, and knows it could be the difference as to what team he’s on by the end of March, according to the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen. The loss of Kyle Lowry, who’s out at least two weeks with a bacterial infection, may have an impact on whether or not the Rockets choose to move Martin. If they want to make the playoffs this year, they can’t afford to remove their starting backcourt from the equation and expect to compete on a nightly basis.
- Brandon Jennings appears to be flustered by an SI report earlier this week that said he was available “for the right price.”
- In a column over at Hoopsworld.com, Joel Brigham says that Dwight Howard should be dealt to Chicago, but the Bulls will never pull the trigger. In the piece, Brigham criticizes Chicago for over-valuing its homegrown talent. He cites the team’s refusal to go after Pau Gasol and Kevin Garnett in year’s past as evidence that it’s unlikely they’ll make a rightful run at Howard before Thursday’s deadline.
- ESPNBoston.com’s Chris Forsberg tweets some interesting words from Celtics GM Danny Ainge says “there’s nothing going on right now” and that “we need another big body for sure, at some point.” The words seem to mean that if Boston doesn’t swing a deal before the deadline, they’ll either pursue someone from the D-league or a bought out player. Injuries to Jermaine O’Neal and Chris Wilcox have depleted the team’s front court.