Latest On Possible Kings Sale
Earlier Thursday, Sacramento Kings co-owner George Maloof stated that the reported sale to Chris Hansen's Seattle-based group was not close. Aaron Bruski of NBCSports.com tweets that Wednesday's reports of an imminent sale continue to be premature, citing sources close to the negotiations.
Speaking at a public event on Thursday in Washington, D.C., NBA commissioner David Stern addressed the Kings' situation. Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today tweets that Stern does not plan to get personally involved in the negotiation or potential relocation process, leaving those responsibilities to the NBA's board of governors. Zillgitt adds that Stern believes an ownership group committed to keeping the Kings in Sacramento should be given a fair chance to match the offer made by the Seattle group.
Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com spoke to Kings head coach Keith Smart, who understands that the uncertainty of the team's ownership status could pose a distraction for the players and the coaching staff. However, Smart believes the players will be able to tune out the speculation.
Lakers Rumors: Buss, Howard, Gasol
As the Lakers continue to struggle, rumors are swirling as to which adjustments they will make to adjust for injuries and lack of chemistry. Here's the latest from Los Angeles:
- Lakers Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Jim Buss backs head coach Mike D'Antoni and says the team will not make any moves out of panic, according to Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times.
- Ramona Shelburne and Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com debate the likelihood of Dwight Howard re-signing with the Lakers this summer as a free agent. Shelburne believes that Los Angeles is still Howard's best long-term option, while Markazi wouldn't be surprised if the team's struggles this season drive Howard to look elsewhere.
- The Orange County Register reports that Pau Gasol is improving after suffering a concussion but still has not been cleared to resume play.
Kennedy On Martin, Anderson, McGrady
Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.com has a new column touching on a few relevant topics from around the NBA. Here are the highlights:
- Kennedy wonders whether the Knicks or Lakers may consider signing veteran forward Kenyon Martin as they continue to battle injuries. Martin does not currently have any NBA offers.
- In a video interview posted by Kennedy in the column, Hornets forward Ryan Anderson tells HoopsWorld writer Steve Kyler that he's happy in New Orleans after signing a four-year, $36MM offer sheet this summer.
- Kennedy speculates that Tracy McGrady may attempt an NBA comeback soon, as he is struggling and frustrated playing for the Qingdao Eagles of the Chinese Basketball Association.
Hornets Notes: Gordon, Anderson, Smith
The latest updates on the New Orleans Hornets on Thursday evening:
- John Reid of the Times-Picayune writes that Eric Gordon expects to have both good and bad games as he gets back into shape after missing the first two months of the season.
- Ryan Anderson tells Kyle Bass of Hornets.com that he has worked on diversifying his offense beyond just three-point shooting in his first season with the Hornets after signing an offer sheet this summer.
- Jason Smith discusses his role on the team in an interview with the Times-Picayune.
- Jimmy Smith of the Times-Picayune believes the Hornets have showed signs of maturation over the past week.
Potential Kings Sale Could Impact Trades
On Wednesday, Yahoo! Sports reported that the Maloof family was in talks to sell the Sacramento Kings to a Seattle-based ownership group led by investor Chris Hansen. While the status of the deal is still up in the air, Grantland's Zach Lowe examines how the potential sale could affect the Kings' willingness to make trades as the deadline approaches.
Lowe writes that executives around the league believe the Kings will still be willing trade partners, despite the complications that may arise in the event of an ownership transfer. He believes there is a unanimous belief within the organization that DeMarcus Cousins, despite his recent troubles, is considered off-limits in any trade discussions.
The three players beyond Cousins that Lowe points to as potential pieces the Kings could move are Tyreke Evans, Jason Thompson, and Francisco Garcia. Lowe suggests that these and other players could be turned into a package for Rudy Gay.
Lowe also speculates about the status of Evans, who is headed to restricted free agency after the 2012/13 season. He writes that Evans may have a similar experience in free agency to that of O.J. Mayo, who signed a two-year contract with the Mavericks when no long-term deal presented itself.
D-League Moves: Barton, Smith
The Portland Trail Blazers have assigned rookie small forward Will Barton and second-year point guard Nolan Smith to the Idaho Stampede of the NBA D-League, the team announced (link via Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com). They will both be sent down in time to appear at the D-League Showcase in Reno, Nevada.
Barton has appeared in 28 games for the Blazers this season, averaging 2.9 PPG and 1.4 RPG. Smith has played in 18 games and averaged 2.5 PPG and 1.8 APG. We'll keep track of today's NBDL assignments and recalls below:
- IndyStar.com reports that the Pacers have recalled Miles Plumlee from the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- Director of 76ers PR Michael Preston tweets that Philadelphia has recalled Arnett Moultrie.
Week In Review: 12/31/12 – 1/6/13
A look back at the news and transactions of the past week:
- Timberwolves forward Kevin Love broke his hand for the second time this season, which will cause him to miss significant time.
- NBA commissioner David Stern believes there will be NBA teams playing in Europe within the next two decades.
- The Rockets suspended rookie forward Royce White, citing breach of contract after he refused an assignment to the D-League.
- Despite the continued uncertainty of his role with the Lakers, Pau Gasol will not ask for a trade.
- The Hornets signed Donald Sloan, who was waived by the Cavs.
- The Cavs also waived Samardo Samuels.
- The Timberwolves signed and waived Lazar Hayward.
- The Mavericks waived Chris Douglas-Roberts. One possibility to replace him is Mike James, who signed with the Texas Legends of the D-League this week.
- The Pacers waived Sam Young.
- The Bulls signed Daequan Cook, who was waived by the Rockets to make room for James Anderson.
- The Bulls also guaranteed Nate Robinson's contract for the rest of the season.
- The Heat waived Terrel Harris.
- The Hornets waived Dominic McGuire.
- The Warriors elected to keep Kent Bazemore despite the luxury tax implications of guaranteeing his contract.
- Unable to secure an NBA contract, Christian Eyenga elected to play in China rather than stay in the D-League.
- Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe is not expected to be available at the trade deadline.
- The Grizzlies, meanwhile, are said to be shopping Rudy Gay.
- Kyrylo Fesenko signed in the Ukraine.
- Although DeMarcus Cousins has drawn interest from several teams, the Magic are not one of them. The Bobcats have also denied reports that they made the Kings an offer for the embattled big man.
Pacers Release Young, Eyeing McGuire?
4:26pm: The Pacers have officially waived Young, according to Wells (via Twitter).
1:48pm: The Indiana Pacers are expected to release Sam Young today, reports Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star (via Twitter). Wells points out that Young suffered a severe ankle sprain that is expected to keep him out several weeks, just as teams are forced to make a decision on whether to guarantee nonguaranteed contracts.
Wells also reports that the Pacers are likely to sign another player to a 10-day contract for short-term wing help, which the team has needed since the injury to Danny Granger. Wells speculates that the team may look to sign forward Dominic McGuire, who was waived by the Hornets over the weekend.
HoopsRumors Originals: 12/31/12 – 1/6/13
A look back at the original content produced by the Hoops Rumors staff over the past week:
- Hoops Rumors' Trade Candidate series continued with posts on the Timberwolves' Andrei Kirilenko (link) and Raptors teammates Andrea Bargnani (link) and Jose Calderon (link)
- An overview of 10-day contracts on the eve of their start time.
- A breakdown of how much money the Houston Rockets owe to players waived during training camp.
- Hoops Rumors' weekly Hoops Links roundup of the top posts across the NBA blogosphere.
- A poll asking readers whether the Jazz should be buyers or sellers.
- A list of players on non-guaranteed contracts.
- A look at some of the most disappointing long-term deals signed this summer.
- A New Year's Day poll asking readers what the biggest NBA story of 2012 was.
- A list of expired trade exceptions from the month of December.
Timberwolves Waive Lazar Hayward
The Minnesota Timberwolves have waived Lazar Hayward, the team announced on Sunday. Their roster now stands at 14, which gives them room to sign another player to compensate for Kevin Love's hand injury.
Hayward, 26, appeared in two games for the Timberwolves and averaged 1.0 PPG and 1.0 RPG.