Atlantic Notes: Bynum, Felton, Celtics
The latest news and notes from around the Atlantic Division on Monday afternoon:
- John Smallwood of the Philadelphia Daily News believes no winner has emerged from the Dwight Howard/Andrew Bynum trade, but points out that while the Sixers would have plenty of flexibility if Bynum left in free agency next summer, the Lakers would still be over the cap if Howard departs.
- Bynum has some advice for Howard regarding playing with Kobe Bryant, which he relays to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.
- Raymond Felton has bone bruises on both of his hands, reports Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com.
- Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe calls for widespread contributions from players on the Celtics' roster.
- Avery Bradley has returned to practice for the first time since having shoulder surgery in May, reports Washburn.
Latest On John Wall
John Wall addressed media Monday after the Washington Wizards' morning practice in Miami. He revealed for the first time that he had a stress fracture in his knee in addition to cartelige problems. Amin Vafa of Bullets Forever has a full transcript of his comments, where he discussed his injury, rehab, and the state of the Wizards.
On whether he has a timetable to return:
No, no timetable. Basically, I just got to see how this shot goes, and see if I can get back to ramping it up without having any problems or pain or soreness.
On being cautious:
So, that's the 50-50 chance you got. I mean, you never know how it's going to go. You just hope it heals the right way, and I think I've been doing the right things I'm supposed to do: just rest, do my exercises, try to stay in shape as best as possible without going out there and injuring myself and hurting myself for the rest of my career. I want to be out there playing basketball with my teammates, but I just want to make sure I'm fully healthy.
On the Wizards' current struggles:
I still understand that things happen for a reason. I just feel like God is testing me to see how strong I am mentally, and it's tough for me because I want to be out there and play. It's tough watching basketball when you can't play. I don't really know what to say.
Mavericks Not Considering Rebuilding
After a hot start to the season, the Dallas Mavericks have taken a step back and currently sit at a disappointing 11-13, good for 11th place in the Western Conference standings. However, Mavs owner Mark Cuban tells Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com that despite the team's struggles, he is not ready to consider undertaking a full rebuild.
“We’re not ready to go there,” Cuban said. “Look, I’m always the one who says there’s nothing worse than winning 41 games. That’s no-man’s land. You can’t get a good pick. And I don’t see that for us yet.
“Look at it the other way. If we were stumbling along like this and all of the sudden we made a big trade for a German guy for nothing, everyone would say, ‘Oh, let’s see where we can take it.’ So we’ll see. We’ll see what happens.”
The "German guy" Cuban is referring to, of course, is Dirk Nowitzki, who has yet to play for the Mavs in 2012/13 and does not have a definitive date to return. Cuban wants to wait and see how Nowitzki, the 2011 NBA Finals MVP, meshes with the current group before looking to trade standout players such as Chris Kaman and O.J. Mayo.
Cuban also ruled out tanking:
“I’ll know when we suck,” Cuban said. “At the same time, I’ll also know what we’re trying to accomplish, and it’s not about anything other than, what puts you in the best position to win a championship?
“When guys know you’re OK with losing, guys play like you’re OK with losing. When guys play like you’re not OK with losing, you get a different culture, different attitude, different approach to the game. We’re not a team that everybody just retired and we’re starting to look like the Bulls in ’98.
“But you won’t see us like some teams have where you win 41 games for three straight years. Then, ‘Oh, this is the year,’ but nothing’s really changed. You won’t see us there.”
The Mavs will be a team to keep an eye on as the trade deadline draws closer if Nowitzki experiences a setback in his recovery or the team does not improve.
Week In Review: 12/10/12 – 12/16/12
A look back at the transactions and notable developments of the past week:
- The Hornets signed free agent Dominic McGuire to shore up their small forward depth.
- The Wizards reportedly turned down a trade offer from the Thunder that would have sent James Harden to Washington for Bradley Beal and Chris Singleton. Harden was ultimately dealt to the Rockets.
- The Grizzlies hired ESPN.com statistician John Hollinger as Vice President of Basketball Operations.
- The Grizzlies also worked out free-agent guard Mike Bibby, who is seeking a return to the NBA.
- Comments to the media by Kevin Love about his frustration with the direction of the Timberwolves prompted speculation that he may want to leave Minnesota. He later clarified his stance, saying he is happy with the team's progress this season.
- Isaiah Thomas expressed his frustration with his lack of consistent playing time, leading to speculation that the Kings may waive or trade him.
- Despite the latest in a series of struggles with knee injuries, Brandon Roy says he is not planning to retire.
- Dwight Howard strongly hinted that he plans on re-signing with the Lakers this summer.
- The Lakers are reportedly interested in free-agent point guard Jannero Pargo, along with other point guards such as Delonte West and Jose Calderon.
- Josh Smith is strongly considering re-signing with the Hawks this summer.
- Suns owner Robert Sarver backed head coach Alvin Gentry amidst rumors his job was in danger.
- The latest word on the Andrew Bynum front is that the 76ers still expect him to play at some point this season.
- University of Florida head coach Billy Donovan, who was nearly hired by the Magic in 2007, is open to coaching in the NBA in the future.
- The Spurs are not willing to pay the luxury tax for the 2012/13 season.
- The Mavericks will not make a trade until they see how a healthy Dirk Nowitzki fits in with their current roster.
- Former Kings center Hassan Whiteside signed with the Sioux Falls Sky Force of the NBA D-League.
- An updated list of every D-League assignee and recall from this season.
- Steven Gray signed to play in France.
Trade Notes: Gasol, Cavs, Heat
Yesterday was December 15, meaning players who were signed as free agents during the offseason are now eligible to be traded. With just a few months to go before the trade deadline and teams beginning to assess their needs, trade rumors and talks are beginning to heat up. Here are the latest rumblings from around the league on that front:
- Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times doesn't think Pau Gasol and Steve Nash will mesh as the Lakers hoped, and has a few Gasol trade ideas that might benefit the Lakers.
- The Cavs will have a pair of first-round picks in the 2013 draft, and according to Terry Pluto of The Plain Dealer, they'd love to add another via trade.
- A trade isn't a priority for the Heat right now, writes Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. If they were looking to make a deal, they would not have a lot of assets.
Atantic Notes: Casey, Teletovic, Meeks
The latest news and notes from around the Atlantic Division on Sunday afternoon:
- Despite rumors that Dwane Casey's job is in jeopardy, Doug Smith of the Toronto Star backs the Raptors coach and notes that perception around the league is generally optimistic about Casey and the team's future.
- Mirza Teletovic was used to being the focal point of his team in Europe, so it's been a challenge for him to adjust to being on the end of the Nets' bench this season, as Newsday's Roderick Boone chronicles.
- Mark Narducci of the Philadelphia Inquirer talks to Lakers guard Jodie Meeks, who reflects on the 76ers organization where he spent the first three seasons of his career as his new team prepares to play his former one.
- Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com reports that Iman Shumpert and Amare Stoudemire are making progress toward returning to the Knicks.
HoopsRumors Originals: 12/10/12 – 12/16/12
A look back at the original content produced by the HoopsRumors.com staff over the past week:
- HoopsRumors' Offseason in Review series continued this week with looks at the Mavericks, Hornets, Rockets, and Spurs.
- The December 15 lifting of the moratorium on trading players signed this summer has passed, but there are a handful of players who can't be dealt until later dates. Here's a list of all of them.
- The return of our Tentative Draft Order feature for the 2012/13 season.
- A transcript of HoopsRumors' weekly reader chat.
- A list of important dates during the 2012/13 season.
Odds & Ends: Knicks, Harden, Terry, Draft
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Wednesday night:
- Al Iannazzone of Newsday.com writes that Mike Woodson has been more successful at coaching Carmelo Anthony than Mike D'Antoni was.
- James Harden was indifferent in his reaction to reports that the Wizards had rejected an offer from the Thunder to send him to Washington.
- Jason Terry did not rule out a return to the Mavericks later in his career, writes Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com.
- ESPN.com's Chad Ford took a variety of questions from fans relating to the 2013 NBA Draft in a live chat.
- SNY.com's Adam Zagoria reports that Jabari Parker, the second-rated prospect of the 2014 Draft, is down to Duke and Michigan State in his choice of colleges.
- Chris Broussard of ESPN.com reports that John Wall will have his knee re-examined on Friday.
- Sam Amico of FoxSportsOhio.com writes that youth is not an excuse for the Cavs' poor play.
- D.J. Augustin has been a disappointment since signing with the Pacers this summer.
- Sean Michael Meager of the Oregonian has an interview with Trail Blazers rookie Will Barton about his recent D-League assignment and the adjustment from college to the NBA.
- Brandon Jennings was perhaps the best player up for a rookie-scale extension who didn't get one, but he's drawing comparisons to Chris Paul and Mike Conley from Bucks coach Scott Skiles for his play this season, as Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel documents.
- Stephen Curry is feeling happy with his level of play this season and is not disappointed with his contract extension, he tells Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports.
Josh Smith Happy With Hawks
Outside of Chris Paul and Dwight Howard, Hawks forward Josh Smith is the biggest name on the free-agent market this summer. And while there has been speculation in the past that Smith is unhappy in Atlanta, HoopsWorld.com's Steve Kyler says that is no longer the case.
Kyler tweets that Smith believes the Hawks, who currently own the third-best record in the Eastern Conference at 13-6, are title contenders. A contending team is what Smith has always desired, Kyler says, and is satisfied with the progress the Hawks have made.
Smith, 27, is averaging 17.3 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 3.8 APG in his ninth season with the Hawks. He will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Evans Unsure Of Future With Kings
Tyreke Evans told Derek Page of HoopsWorld.com that he does not know whether he will remain with the Sacramento Kings beyond this season. However, he also said that his uncertain future is not affecting his play this season:
“I don’t know yet,” Evans told HOOPSWORLD of his future with the Kings. “It’s still early. I’m just going to keep playing and see what happens from there. I got the Sacramento Kings, and the fans have been great to me since I’ve been here, so let’s see what happens.”
Evans, the fourth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft and the 2010 Rookie of the Year, was perhaps the most high-profile player of the 2009 draft class not to receive a contract extension before the October 31 deadline. He has largely failed to live up to the promise of his outstanding rookie campaign, leaving his value in question and opening up speculation that he could be traded.