Free Agency Links: Millsap, Smith, Bynum, West, Oden
With the trade deadline behind us, some teams are already looking toward this summer's free agent class. Here is a roundup of the latest buzz on that front:
- Acknowledging that Chris Paul and Dwight Howard aren't likely to leave their respective Los Angeles teams, Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld looks at a list of free agents who are more obtainable by other teams, including Atlanta's Josh Smith and Utah's Paul Millsap.
- Ben Golliver of SI.com runs down a list of free agents whose stock has risen or fallen this season. He points to Andrew Bynum as someone who has hurt his chances at a big payday, and Smith and David West as likely candidates for a big payday.
- Jodie Valade of the Plain Dealer reports that Greg Oden, who is gearing up for a second attempt at an NBA career, recently attended a Cavaliers game and had positive impressions of the organization.
- Valade also profiles Rich Paul, a former member of LeBron James' marketing team who is finding success running his own sports agency.
Lakers Assign Morris, Sacre To D-League
The Los Angeles Lakers have assigned center Robert Sacre and guard Darius Morris to the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA D-League, the team announced.
You can view every D-League assignment and recall of the 2012/13 season Hoops Rumors' D-League assignment tracker.
Pacific Notes: Kings, Nash, Gasol, Patterson
The latest news and notes from around the Pacific Division on Saturday morning:
- Tom Ziller of SBNation.com discusses the importance of David Stern's implication that the Maloofs have no leverage in the sale of the Kings to the Seattle or Sacramento groups.
- Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com writes that Steve Nash is growing increasingly comfortable in his new role on the Lakers.
- Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register reports that Pau Gasol is still at least two weeks away from returning to action.
- Ric Bucher of CSNBayArea.com writes that the Kings traded for Patrick Patterson in part because of his close relationship with DeMarcus Cousins dating back to their time as teammates at the University of Kentucky.
- Wendell Maxey of RidiculousUpside.com chronicles Malcolm Thomas' journey from Israel to the D-League to the Warriors.
Jazz Discussed Millsap Deals With Pacers, Clippers
The Utah Jazz did not move Paul Millsap before the February 21 trade deadline, but Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld reports that they discussed deals for the forward with the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Clippers, neither of which ended up coming to fruition.
Kennedy tweets that the Jazz and Pacers discussed a trade that would have sent Millsap and Alec Burks to Indiana for Danny Granger and Lance Stephenson. In a separate tweet, Kennedy reports that the Jazz and Clippers discussed a trade of Millsap and DeMarre Carroll for Eric Bledsoe and Lamar Odom.
Millsap, 27, is averaging 15.2 PPG and 7.4 RPG this season. He will be an unrestricted free agent in July.
Odds & Ends: Lakers, Brooks, Morris Twins, Raptors
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Saturday evening:
- Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com wonders whether the Lakers are on the same page as head coach Mike D'Antoni.
- Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times writes that late owner Jerry Buss' legacy will be felt for years to come.
- Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld tweets that the Kings explored trades for Aaron Brooks before the trade deadline but ultimately bought him out instead.
- Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic examines the bond between brothers Markieff and Marcus Morris, newly teammates on the Suns.
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun wonders whether the Raptors will extend GM Bryan Colangelo's contract.
- Keith Langolis of Pistons.com praises the Pistons' new backcourt of Jose Calderon and Brandon Knight.
- Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News writes that Knight is committed to fitting into Lawrence Frank's system.
Northwest Links: Hayward, Batum, Wolves, Smith
Brandon Roy returned to Portland for the first time as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. Although he did not play, he did address the media. Here's what else is going on in the Northwest Division:
- Gordon Hayward was mentored by fellow Jazz guard Mo Williams during his recovery from his recent shoulder injury, writes Bill Oram of the Salt Lake Tribune.
- Hayward has also served as a sparring partner in practice for Enes Kanter, Jody Genessy of the Desert News writes.
- Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune talks to Nicolas Batum about his free agency and near-signing with the Timberwolves this past offseason.
- Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star Tribune wonders whether Flip Saunders is in line to be the next GM of the Wolves.
- John Canzano of the Oregonian chronicles the bond between Blazers guard Nolan Smith and Duke's Quinn Cook.
Brandon Roy Talks Future, Rehab, Lillard
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Brandon Roy, who has missed most of the season after undergoing knee surgery, addressed media in Portland before the Wolves faced off against the Trail Blazers. Roy reflected on his five seasons in Portland as well as updating on the status of his rehab and the future of his career. Ben Golliver of BlazersEdge has a full transcript of Roy's comments.
On the status of his rehabilitation from knee surgery:
I'm doing good. I've been doing good for a few weeks now. Working without any setbacks. I'm getting closer to getting back out there on the court. I was talking to Kevin [Love] and Chase [Budinger] and those guys, once they're healthy, I'll be that much closer and we'll give ourselves a good look at what we could have been had we been healthy. Maybe it's just timing also.
On how many more years he plans to play:
I'm not sure. My body has a lot to say about that. At the end of the year, I'll do some reflecting on how this season went and if I want to continue. I made the commitment at the beginning of the year that I'm going to stick with this season no matter what through the ups and downs and at the end of the year I'll reflect on things and do I still want to go forward. I'm not going to make that decision now, I know maybe people want me to. I made a commitment and I'm going to stick it out.
Thoughts on Blazers rookie guard Damian Lillard:
He's a good player. Being in Minnesota I don't get to watch as many Portland games, but the games I've watched, he's a really tough player. I didn't know he could shoot the ball that good. He's a really good three-pointer shooter. He's just tough on the court and he makes big shots, timely shots. He's going to be a special player in this league.
He's solid. I've never really been one to compare guys to myself but I see a lot of Chauncey Billups in him. Chauncey wasn't at that level so early but you could see a lot of similarities. He just comes down and makes timely baskets. Playing against guys like Chauncey, that's what they did. He's going to be a really good player in this league.
Reflections on the would-be dynasty in Portland with LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden:
I never really do it. But people will sit around and watch games and go, 'man, if you guys could have stayed healthy,' and they will mention Greg, me and LaMarcus, we had a lot of young talented pieces. Some people say you guys could have been this, you could have been that. I'm the type where unless you work and actually get that, it's just a what if. If you think too hard on the what ifs, it takes too much credit from the teams that are actually going out and doing it.
Southwest Notes: Vasquez, White, Mavs, Dirk
With the Spurs attempting to mitigate Tony Parker's ankle injury, the Grizzlies and Rockets firmly in the playoff picture, and the Mavericks attempting to stay out of the lottery, the Southwest Division is one of the more fascinating in the league currently. Here is a roundup of the latest updates:
- Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune writes that Grievis Vasquez is thriving in an increased role for the Hornets.
- Jim Souhan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune profiles Rockets rookie Royce White, who is attempting to carve out an NBA career for himself while managing an anxiety disorder.
- Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle is demanding accountability from his rookies, writes Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News.
- Dirk Nowitzki is excited to have another native German in the NBA in Rockets rookie Tim Ohlbrecht, Sefko writes.
- Jan Hubbard of SheridanHoops.com writes that Jerry Colangelo should hire Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich to coach Team USA.
Atlantic Notes: Knicks, Sheed, Martin, Bynum
The latest news and notes from around the Atlantic Division:
- Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com writes that the Knicks chose not to waive Rasheed Wallace because they want him to have the option to come back in time for the playoffs.
- Marc Berman of the New York Post tweets that head coach Mike Woodson believes Wallace's surgery was successful and there is a chance he could still play this season.
- Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida notes that Kenyon Martin is the first top overall pick in NBA history to sign a 10-day contract.
- Ric Bucher of CSN Bay Area reports that Andrew Bynum's knees have a degenerative condition.
Cavs Notes: Waiters, Zeller, Varejao
A roundup of the latest updates on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday evening:
- Dion Waiters praises the development and chemistry of his teammates after being named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for February, writes Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer.
- Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal writes that the rising value of first-round draft picks under the new CBA increases the likelihood the Cavs can pull off a trade similar to the one they made for Tyler Zeller.
- Injured big man Anderson Varejao discusses his relationship with former Cavs center Zydrunas Ilgauskas with Jodie Valade of the Plain Dealer.