Hoops Rumors Originals: 2/26/12 – 3/3/12
A look back at all original content we produced in the past week:
- Zach Links introduces our new Hoops Links feature.
- Luke Adams investigates Michael Beasley's worth as a potential trade candidate.
- I posted a poll asking who would make out better if Brook Lopez and Monta Ellis were pieces in a deal. As of this moment, 37% of you believe New Jersey would benefit the most.
- An in-depth look at what March 1st meant regarding player movement and Sacramento's arena deadline.
- Chuck Myron looks at Raymond Felton as a possible trade candidate.
- Luke Adams gives an update on all things surrounding the 10-day contract.
- A three-way deal between Boston, Golden State, and Minnesota is proposed.
- A list of players who still couldn't be traded after March 1st.
- A poll asking which team is most likely to land a star.
- A comprehensive list of deadline deals from the past, and how they impacted the playoffs.
- Chuck Myron asks which star is most likely to be traded.
- A look at Jose Calderon as a trade candidate.
Cuban On CBA, Free Agency, Chandler
Yesterday, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban had a few interesting things to say during a live taping of Bill Simmons’ B.S. Report at the 6th annual Sloan Sports Analytics Conference.
Here were a few of the main points:
- When asked about his team’s financial strategy of clearing cap space to make a speculative run at Dwight Howard and/or Deron Williams, Cuban said that since there’s a lot of other teams who have cap space, “the market gets inflated, which means it’s a bad time to buy.” Cuban went on to say he’d be happy heading into next season with the exact same team if that were possible, and that signing multiple super stars who will clog the cap might not be the best team building strategy moving forward.
- The issue of whether or not Dallas should have re-signed Tyson Chandler after winning the championship was broached, with Cuban explaining that because of the new CBA and its noticeable luxury tax hike, the monetary value for most players will probably go down in the next few years. Instead of overpaying, in their minds, for Chandler, Dallas instead chose to improve their perimeter defense. Cuban cites the signings of guys like Delonte West, and the great play of Shawn Marion as key reasons why Chandler’s presence hasn’t been missed on the defensive end.
- Cuban said that before the new CBA, whenever Dallas had a problem he would just spend more money. Now, with the increased luxury tax, it won’t be that easy, and the distribution of dollars will need to be done in a smarter way.
Broussard On Rockets, Knicks, Celtics
During halftime of today's Knicks–Celtics game, ESPN's Chris Broussard relayed several of the latest rumors regarding the league's most talked about trade pieces. Here they are:
- Houston has shown an interest in acquiring Pau Gasol, and Broussard believes if they still have a package consisting of Kevin Martin, Luis Scola, Goran Dragic, and the Knicks first round draft pick on the table, that the Lakers should take it. In a tweet, Larry Coon says Martin to the Lakers doesn't make any sense.
- People around the league are saying that if New York wants Howard, packaging Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler could do the trick. In order for a deal like this to be possible, the Knicks would also have to take on Hedo Turkoglu's undesired contract, and they won't formally inquire about Orlando's big man until he expresses desire to play for the Knicks long term.
- Boston likes Eric Bledsoe should they choose to move Ray Allen (the Clippers would need to throw in someone like Mo Williams to make the contracts match), but Los Angeles will likely hold onto their point guard until the offseason when his value is at an all-time high.
Poll: Who Benefits From Lopez For Ellis Swap?
It’s a popular rumor floating around right now, and one that makes sense for each side; we covered it a little earlier. Golden State and New Jersey are two teams who would like to make something happen before the trade deadline passes, and making a deal involving such big names could get the attention of some attractive free agents this offseason.
Odds & Ends: Mavericks, Trail Blazers, Stoudemire
Dallas is in an extremely enviable position. Today they're a championship contender, and tomorrow they might form the league's next super team, with Deron Williams and Dwight Howard. In a chat today with readers, Eddie Sefko from the Dallas Morning News looks at a few options the team might have should they not get the two superstars.
- Also covered in his chat, why Dallas can't afford to cut ties with Lamar Odom, despite his poor production and present absense from the team.
- The Oregonion's Joe Freeman, writing about whether or not the Trail Blazers will be players before the trade deadline, says other teams will be in aggressive pursuit of Nicolas Batum, but the team won't part with him. Freeman notes that team President Larry Miller will explore every option with regards to improving the team, and that includes making a deal before the deadline.
- Amare Stoudemire's struggles this season could be attributed to myriad of issues, including the 15 pounds of muscle he put on during the lockout in an attempt to make his back stronger, according to Howard Beck of the New York Times.
Pacific Notes: Fredette, Curry
With Golden State currently battling Indiana, and Sacramento doing battle with Utah later tonight, here are a couple quick notes from the Pacific Division:
- While he's struggled mightily in the first half of his rookie year, Kings head coach Keith Smart believes Jimmer Fredette just needs to make a few adjustments in order to find actual success in the league. In a lengthy interview with the Salt Lake Tribune's Brian T. Smith, Smart goes on to compare Fredette with J.J. Redick and says he can someday contribute in a positive way like the former Duke product is doing in Orlando.
- MercuryNews.com's Monte Poole gives what will surely be received as an unpopular opinion regarding what Golden State should do with its most valuable asset, Stephen Curry, who missed tonight's game against the Pacers with a strained tendon in his right foot. With half a season left to play, Poole thinks the Warriors should sit Curry from here on out in order to increase draft position and get a look at rookies such as Charles Jenkins and Klay Thompson. In essence, he wants the team to tank the season.
Odds & Ends: Howard, Wallace, Lopez, Ellis
While everyone is busy discussing possible deals that would ship Dwight Howard out of Orlando, Magic GM Otis Smith is probably thinking of trades that will bring in talent to convince his franchise piece that staying is the best option for everybody. With a roster full of bad contracts and young assets not worth enough to bring back immediate value, this could ultimately pose as an impossible task. Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel takes a crack at it anyway, offering a few ideas that could get the team some enticing players, such as Monta Ellis and Amare Stoudemire.
Here's a look across the league at some other rumors that are being batted around:
- Matt Steinmentz of CSNBayArea.com gives his views on the rumored deal between Golden State and New Jersey centered around Brook Lopez and Monta Ellis. He argues from the Warriors viewpoint that giving up your best player for a center who does not rebound wouldn't be a smart decision. Especially since they already have David Lee, a big man who's able to face up with the ball, just like Lopez.
- The New York Times NBA blog, Off The Dribble, takes a stab at analyzing how effective Rasheed Wallace could be if Los Angeles did in fact sign him to come aboard for the rest of 2012. The consensus feeling is that if Wallace does in fact come back, defense would be the one thing in his game he's guaranteed to bring with him. Meanwhile, the Lakers still need someone small and athletic to create off the dribble and defend the pick and roll.
- The next super team may be in Dallas, but only if they can fit everyone in at an appropriate financial number. Zach Lowe of SI.com's The Point Forward gives a brilliant breakdown of what the Mavericks would have to do, exactly, if they wanted to lock up both Dwight Howard and Deron Williams this summer. In the end, it's not as easy as it seems.
- In his preview piece for tonight's game between Boston and Cleveland, Sam Amico from Fox Sports Ohio writes that a Jermaine O'Neal for Michael Beasley trade has been making the rounds lately. In terms of salary and production the deal makes moderate sense, but if you're Minnesota there must be more you could get back than a hobbled big man. Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors recently wrote about Beasley as a possible trade candidate.
Trade Candidate: Marvin Williams
Last week, rumors circulated around Atlanta forward Marvin Williams and his reported request to be traded. While the report was squashed shortly after it came out, the rumor coincidentely happens to be backed by the lowest workload Williams has seen since 2007. In other words, even if Williams didn’t request a trade, now might be an appropriate time for him to do so.
Williams is playing the fewest minutes per game of his entire career (10 fewer minutes per game than he did in the 2009 season) which is incredible given the injury issues Atlanta has seen in their frontcourt this year. If he is in fact unhappy with his role in the Hawks’ offense, he may have a logical reason. Despite the team losing Jamal Crawford to free agency before the season—a player who never met a shot he didn’t want to marry—the 25-year-old veteran’s field goal attempts are the lowest they’ve been since he was a 19-year-old rookie. All this while finally showing some serious improvement in his three-point shot. Williams is taking more threes per 36 minutes than at any point in his career, and making a personal best 43.2% of them.
Atlanta is over the cap, but barely under the luxury tax, so if they were lucky enough to find a potential suitor for Williams’ services (his contract isn’t attractive), it wouldn’t be with the intention of bringing back any increase in salary.
One possible deal that could either work out for both teams (and players), or leave everyone hardly noticing a trade was made at all, would be Marvin Williams to Washington for the talented, yet oft-maligned Andray Blatche. Both players have worn out their welcome with the franchises that drafted them, and both could see an uptick in production when placed in a new situation. Atlanta still needs depth in their frontcourt; pairing Blatche with Josh Smith and a healthy Al Horford next year could make the team’s weakness a strength.
The move would also allow Washington to amnesty Rashard Lewis—Williams could slide in as the long-term replacement—and not have to overpay players just to meet the minimum salary line. He’s never been an elite defender or potent offensive threat, but if placed in a new situation, surrounded by young athletes, Marvin Williams could have a large impact on basketball games.
Blatche is owed approximately 6.6MM more in guaranteed money over the course of their respective contracts, but Atlanta would save $2.2MM over the next two years. It’s a risky deal, but an interesting one.
The Cavaliers have also reportedly shown interest in Williams’ services. One possible deal could be Williams for Ramon Sessions and either center Ryan Hollins or forward Christian Eyenga.
Week In Review: 2/19/12 – 2/25/12
Here's a look back at the biggest stories we covered from the past week:
- Dwight Howard's ongoing trade saga stayed in the news.
- Steve Nash says he'd be "completely open" to a trade.
- Rumors of the Lakers trading Pau Gasol has been picking up steam.
- Wilson Chandler's return to the NBA has been a topic of much discussion.
- Atlanta re-signed Erick Dampier for a second 10-day contract.
- Unfortunate news out of Portland, as it was announced Greg Oden will miss the rest of this season after undergoing a third microfracture knee surgery. He has no plans to retire.
- The Cavaliers signed Manny Harris to a 10-day contract.
- The Spurs signed Eric Dawson to a 10-day contract.
- The Hornets re-signed Donald Sloan to a second 10-day contract.
- After it was speculated that Hawks forward Marvin Williams had requested a trade, Williams came out and denied everything.
- Center Joel Przybilla signed with Portland.
- Nets forward Shawne Williams underwent foot surgery and will miss the rest of the season.
- Clippers guard Chris Paul confirmed what most already suspected when he announced he'd pick up his player option for the 2012/13 season.
- The Lakers will sign former Piston and Celtic Rasheed Wallace.
- The league plans to make 13-man rosters permanent.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 2/19/12 – 2/25/12
Here's a look back at some original material our writers produced over the past week:
- Jesse Blanchard analyzed the rosters in Golden State, Denver, and Detroit, and took a look at where they stand with tradeable assets.
- Luke Adams took a look at Chris Andersen as a possible trade candidate.
- We asked readers if they think Pau Gasol will be traded before the deadline. To date, 57% believe he will be moved.
- I took a look into Shawn Marion's status as a trade candidate.
- Luke Adams went through new trade rules in the latest CBA.
- We broke down all teams with plentiful cap space.
- Zach Links details teams with trade exceptions that expired this week.
- Chuck Myron writes about why Kevin Martin might be a good trade candidate.