LeBron Considering Cleveland Return, Cavs Inquired On Love?
According to a new report from Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal, LeBron James is open to the possibility of returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers if he chooses to opt out of his contract with the Miami Heat after the 2013/14 season. Lloyd writes that James is friends with Cavs players Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson, and his new agent, Rich Paul, has local ties.
Lloyd adds, however, that Cavs GM Chris Grant is aware that the team must improve considerably in order to be considered a viable option for James. Grant is reportedly aggressively exploring options to add another impact player. Lloyd reports that Grant asked about trading an Anderson Varejao-based package for Kevin Love following Love's recent comments critical of the Timberwolves, but was rebuffed. He has also inquired on the possibility of trading for the Blazers' LaMarcus Aldridge, the Grizzlies' Marc Gasol, and the Lakers' Pau Gasol.
Lloyd writes that although the Cavs are still open to moving Varejao, who is having an outstanding season, it doesn't seem likely because his recent play has raised their asking price and no team thus far has been willing to meet their demands. A trade of Varejao to the Thunder for Perry Jones III, Jeremy Lamb, and Toronto's protected 2013 first-round draft pick has been discussed, but both sides have concerns about the players they would get back.
Western Notes: Nash, Scola, Mayo, Nuggets
The latest updates from around the Western Conference on Friday afternoon:
- Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com reports that there is a low chance that Steve Nash will return on Saturday when the Lakers face the Warriors, although he still hopes to play on Christmas Day.
- Luis Scola reflects on his journey to the NBA and the long wait to get bought out from his team in Spain, as reported by Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic.
- O.J. Mayo tells Jon MacHota of the Dallas Morning News that he holds no hard feelings towards the Grizzlies after signing with the Mavericks this summer.
- The Nuggets do not plan to change course after a historically bad three-point shooting night against Portland, writes Aaron J. Lopez of Nuggets.com.
- LaMarcus Aldridge does not know when he will return from his recent ankle turn, writes Mike Tokito of The Oregonian.
Latest On Eric Gordon
Eric Gordon plans to return to practice next week for the New Orleans Hornets, reports Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. Gordon has missed the entirety of the 2012/13 season thus far with a knee injury, and appeared in just nine games in 2011/12.
Gordon reflected to Spears on his controversial free agency, in which he signed a four-year, $58MM offer sheet with the Suns and upset some Hornets fans with public comments stating his preference to play in Phoenix:
"Of course I did [regret it]," Gordon said. "But that was the only way to push the table on the Hornets. To get a deal done I was willing to negotiate. My agent and I were going through negotiations with them. But they weren't leaning into really giving me one. So I had to ride with Phoenix and from Day 1 they weren't playing games."
Hornets head coach Monty Williams did not commit to a limit on Gordon's minutes when he returns.
"We're just going to throw him out there," Williams said. "Eric is so explosive and knows how to play. I think our guys are going to gain confidence. Most of our guys have no idea [about his talent] … It's going to breed confidence in our team and they're going to understand why we paid so much money in order to get him back."
Central Notes: Pistons, Varejao, Bucks, Robinson
The latest news and notes from around the Central Division on Thursday afternoon:
- Keith Langolis of Pistons.com has a new mailbag column in which he answers reader questions about hypothetical trades the team could make for players like Kevin Love and Al Jefferson. Langolis expects the Lakers to make a strong push when Love hits free agency.
- Jessica Camerato of CSNNE.com writes that Anderson Varejao is happy with the Cavs, and wonders whether the Celtics could be a potential trade destination.
- Former Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley denies reports that he would like to buy the Bucks.
- Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com writes that Nate Robinson is not affected by the fact that his contract with the Bulls isn't guaranteed.
- Joe Gabriele of Cavs.com has a Q&A with Jeremy Pargo, who filled in ably for Kyrie Irving when Irving was injured earlier this season.
Jabari Parker Commits To Duke
Jabari Parker, the second highest-recruited high-school player of the 2013 graduating class behind Andrew Wiggins, has committed to play for Duke University in 2013/14. Parker announced his decision in a 30-minute television special that aired Thursday on ESPNU.
Parker, a senior at Simeon Career Academy in Chicago, is expected to be the second overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft, after Wiggins. He is considered a gifted scorer with superstar potential.
Spurs To Activate Leonard, Release Anderson
The San Antonio Spurs plan to activate forward Kawhi Leonard, who missed the past five weeks of action, Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reports (via Twitter). In order to clear a roster spot for Leonard, the team has waived forward James Anderson, reports Wojnarowski. Leonard is expected to play for the Spurs on Friday against the Hornets.
Leonard missed five weeks with tightness in his left knee and quadriceps. His return appeared to be getting closer when he was recently sent down to the team's D-League affiliate, the Austin Toros, for a rehab assignment. He will be called up from the D-League and rejoin the Spurs on Friday.
Amick On Clippers, Nuggets, Davis, Raptors
Sam Amick of USA Today has posted a new notebook column covering a variety of topics of interest from around the NBA. Among the subjects touched on are the progress of several Western Conference teams and an update on the Rookie of the Year and MVP races.
- Amick is buying the Clippers as a contender, and points out that head coach Vinny Del Negro is making a strong case for himself as deserving of a contract extension. Del Negro appears to have the support of Clippers owner Donald Sterling as the team's long-term head coach.
- Following a slow start to the season, the Nuggets are starting to improve following high expectations in the preseason, Amick writes.
- Amick catches up with top overall pick Anthony Davis, who says that he is 100 percent healthy following missing several weeks with an ankle injury.
- Amick writes that the latest slate of injuries have been a mixed blessing for the Raptors as they attempt to move certain players. Andrea Bargnani has sunk his value on the market by being sidelined with a torn elbow ligament, while Jose Calderon has raised his by doing an excellent job filling in for the injured Kyle Lowry.
- Michael Beasley has seen his role diminish with the struggling Suns since signing a three-year, $18MM contract this summer, Amick writes.
Latest On Amare Stoudemire
Amare Stoudemire spoke with reporters following a practice with the Knicks' D-League squad, and gave an update on his status in rehabbing from a knee injury and his thoughts on the team thus far. Nate Taylor of the New York Times posted the quotes from Stoudemire on Twitter. Stoudemire said that, although he has completed his first practice, he is not ready to return to the court yet. He thinks he is getting closer to a return, but he and the team do not have a firm target date in mind.
Stoudemire also expressed optimism that he will return to his pre-injury All-Star level, provided he takes the time to get fully healthy before playing again. He also said that Knicks head coach Mike Woodson has done a "phenomenal job" with the Knicks roster in his absence. New York currently holds the best record in the Eastern Conference at 19-6.
Western Notes: Billups, Nuggets, Lakers, Suns
The latest rumblings from around the Western Conference:
- Chauncey Billups thinks the Pistons might still be an elite team if they hadn't traded him to the Nuggets four years ago, as Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News documents. "I still had some great, great years left," the point guard said. "I never wanted to leave, even though I was home (Denver) and it was good to be home, I always wanted to be a Piston. I wanted to retire a Piston."
- Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com tweets that Nuggets coach George Karl wants to coach in Europe again one day, with his son, Coby Karl, as an assistant.
- Aaron J. Lopez of Nuggets.com writes that JaVale McGee is becoming more efficient for the Nuggets.
- Paul Coro of USA Today points out that the Suns own the Lakers' 2013 first-round draft pick as part of the Steve Nash trade, meaning they could benefit if the Lakers continue to struggle.
Trent Plaisted Signs in France
Sportando.net reports that former NBA draft pick Trent Plaisted has signed to play with the French team Limoges, after having played last season in the Ukraine and Turkey.
Plaisted, 26, was drafted 46th overall in 2008 by the Seattle SuperSonics. He has since played for professional teams in Italy and Croatia, as well as making Summer League and training camp appearances with various NBA teams.