Winderman On LeBron, Lewis, Anthony
The defending champion Miami Heat closed out 2012 with a dramatic overtime win over the Orlando Magic. Here are the latest rumors surrounding the team from Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:
- Winderman is not worried about LeBron James leaving Miami in 2014 as a free agent, if the Heat win another championship in the next two seasons.
- In a different column, Winderman writes that Rashard Lewis is not frustrated with his lack of playing time, with the veteran stating that he understands his role with the team.
- Winderman adds that center Joel Anthony has been happy with his new involvement in the Heat's offense.
Magic Not Interested In DeMarcus Cousins
Over the weekend, a rumor surfaced that the Orlando Magic had interest in putting together an offer for embattled Kings center DeMarcus Cousins. However, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel tweets that these reports are false and the Magic are not planning to make a bid for Cousins.
Since his reinstatement from a suspension, which reportedly came against the wishes of the Kings' front office, Cousins has been on the trade block, with the Pistons and Celtics having interest and the Bobcats denying making an offer.
Week In Review: 12/24/12 – 12/30/12
A look back at the news and major developments of the past week.
- The biggest story of the week was the Nets' firing of head coach Avery Johnson. P.J. Carlesimo was named interim coach, although names such as Phil Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, and Kelvin Sampson have been thrown around as replacements.
- DeMarcus Cousins was reinstated by the Kings after a suspension, but trade speculation still lingers. The Celtics and Pistons are known to be interested.
- The Rockets signed James Anderson to a three-year deal and are expected to waive Daequan Cook to make room on the roster.
- Rockets forward Royce White turned down a D-League assignment from the Rockets, leaving his future even more uncertain.
- The 76ers are looking for a backup point guard for Jrue Holiday.
- The Nets waived forward Josh Childress.
- Following another setback in his recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery, Brandon Roy may be considering retirement.
- Jermaine O'Neal said he would like to retire a member of the Pacers if given the opportunity.
- Joey Graham worked out for the Timberwolves, who are seeking free-agent help.
- The Lakers, meanwhile, are no longer searching for help on the free-agent market.
- The Cavaliers claimed guard Shaun Livingston off waivers and waived Donald Sloan.
- The Wizards signed Shelvin Mack and Garrett Temple.
- The Jazz are in no hurry to trade big men Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 12/24/12 – 12/30/12
A look back at the original content produced by the HoopsRumors staff over the past week.
- Our Luke Adams wrote a piece on SEEDS Academy and how they're developing basketball talent in Africa.
- With the trade deadline two months away, Hoops Rumors' Trade Candidate series looked at Anderson Varejao (link), Pau Gasol (link), Richard Hamilton (link), and Kris Humphries (link).
- The latest installment of Hoops Links, a roundup of worthwhile reads from around the NBA blogosphere.
- A list of team and player options for the 2013/14 season.
- Catching up with the lottery picks from the 2012 NBA Draft.
D-League Notes: Hayward, Alabi, Call-Ups
The latest on various moves and happenings from around the D-League on Sunday afternoon:
- The Los Angeles D-Fenders have acquired former NBA player Lazar Hayward, reports ESPNLosAngeles.com's Dave McMenamin.
- Gino Polato of Ridiculous Upside looks at former Raptors center Solomon Alabi, currently with the Idaho Stampede, as a player who could help an NBA team in need of big-man depth.
- David Scrivenes of Ridiculous Upside lists D.J. Kennedy, Henry Sims, and Keith Benson as D-League players with the potential to be called up to the NBA.
Latest On Nets Coaching Search
Since the firing of head coach Avery Johnson on Thursday, rumors have swirled around the Brooklyn Nets as to who will replace him. For now, though, Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com reports that the team isn't in a hurry to replace interim head coach P.J. Carlesimo. Nets GM Billy King made it clear that, although the team will continue looking, Carlesimo has the organization's support for the time being.
"We've put our support behind (P.J.) and then we'll look at things and evaluate it later," King said. "I know people have been throwing lists together and things like that, but we have not contacted anybody. … We've made the move and now we're going to let P.J. coach."
Phil Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy are believed to be the Nets' two top priorities in terms of head coaching targets. Former Blazers coach Nate McMillan, former Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy, and current Rockets assistant Kelvin Sampson are also believed to be under consideration.
Kings Listening To Offers On Cousins
12:59pm: The Kings have reinstated Cousins from his suspension, the team announced (via Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter).
10:19am: After a tumultuous week in which he was suspended indefinitely by the Kings, DeMarcus Cousins tells Sam Amick of USA Today that he wants to stay in Sacramento. Following his suspension and the firing of his agent this week, speculation has begun as to whether the third-year center is demanding a trade. However, although he has privately voiced his frustrations with the Kings organization, Amick writes that Cousins has yet to formally demand a trade.
Cousins is no longer considered untouchable in trade talks, Amick writes. At this point, however, the Kings are not actively shopping him as much as they are listening to offers. Although the fifth overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft is coveted by several teams, his recent behavior has resulted in his trade value declining around the league. Amick names the Pistons, Rockets, and Nuggets as teams that have had interest in trading for Cousins in the past.
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated tweets that teams around the league would be open to exploring trades for Cousins, but are not interested in giving up valuable assets for him. He also adds that the Nets and Rockets, two teams known to have had interest in Cousins in the past, are no longer pursuing him.
Mavs Notes: Nowitzki, Fisher, Beaubois
The latest news and notes on the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Eve:
- Dwain Price of the Star-Telegram writes that Dirk Nowitzki is encouraged by his season debut Sunday night for the Mavs.
- Derek Fisher's release and retirement from the Mavs surprised teammates, writes Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News.
- Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News would like to see greater contributions from Rodrigue Beaubois following Fisher's exit.
Southeast Notes: Bosh, Wizards, Varnado, Heat
An early roundup of links from around the Southeast Division on Christmas Eve:
- Israel Gutierrez of ESPN.com writes that Chris Bosh has proven skeptics wrong after facing criticism when he teamed with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in Miami in 2010.
- David Aldridge of NBA.com writes that several Wizards players are frustrated with the team's struggles this season and are questioning whether the team has a direction.
- The South Florida Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman wonders whether the Heat will regret letting Jarvis Varnado sign with the Celtics if he has more success than Miami's Dexter Pittman.
- Winderman has the same question about Wizards signee Garrett Temple, whom the Heat Let go in favor of Terrel Harris.
- Shelvin Mack was surprised the Wizards were the team to call him up from the D-League, reports Michael Lee of the Washington Post.
Dwight Howard Considered Retirement
Dwight Howard briefly considered retiring from the NBA after having surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back this spring, he tells Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com. He was advised by doctors over the summer that nerve damage caused by the herniated disc may have rendered him unable to play basketball if he had waited any longer to have surgery, forcing an early retirement:
“If I would have waited until after the season (to have the operation), if I would have tried to continue to play, then I probably wouldn’t be able to play anymore. I had to do it right away. I didn’t want to risk my career for some playoff games. They were important for me, but my health is important.”
Howard's injury caused him to miss the end of the 2011/12 regular season as well as the 2012 playoffs when he was a member of the Orlando Magic. It also prevented him from playing for Team USA at the Summer Olympics in London. Howard was traded to Los Angeles in August, but questions have lingered as to whether his back is fully healed from the surgery as the Lakers have struggled.