Lakers Inquire About Mickael Pietrus
Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports reports (via Twitter) that the Los Angeles Lakers have shown interest in free agent guard Mickael Pietrus, in addition to their previously reported inquiries about Raja Bell.
Pietrus, who played for the Celtics in 2011/12, is an unrestricted free agent who has popped up in discussions among teams dealing with backcourt injury issues early in the season. The Timberwolves considered signing Pietrus before ultimately deciding on Josh Howard. The Raptors were also said to be interested, but nothing has developed on that front. The Spurs made Pietrus an offer after injuries to Stephen Jackson and Kawhi Leonard left them wanting for wing help, but he declined due to lack of guaranteed money.
With guards Steve Nash and Steve Blake continuing to battle injuries, the Lakers are in serious need of depth, which is why they are considering players such as Bell and Pietrus.
Amico On Cavs, Waiters, Varejao, Gee
Sam Amico of FoxSportsOhio.com has a new notebook column covering several topics relating to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Here are the highlights:
- Although the Cavs are struggling, Amico believes that it is part of the process the team will have to go through to get better.
- Amico cautions readers that, although rookie Dion Waiters has shown flashes, he will take time to mature and develop into a consistent NBA player.
- Amico doesn't believe the Cavs would be smart to trade Anderson Varejao, citing his outstanding production this season and his importance to the team's stability following LeBron James' departure in 2010.
- Alonzo Gee, re-signed to a three-year deal this summer, has been inconsistent this season, according to Amico.
Pistons Players Questioning Lawrence Frank
The Detroit Pistons are off to a horrendous start to the 2012/13 season, with a 3-10 record tied with Toronto for second-worst in the NBA behind only the winless Washington Wizards. The organization has insisted that head coach Lawrence Frank's job is not in question. However, some of Detroit's players have begun questioning his methods and rotations in the media.
Veteran forward Tayshaun Prince told Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News that he disagreed with Frank's decision to sub out all five players at once during a loss to the Magic:
"If I was Coach, I would've made a decision sooner than he did," Prince said. "A 6-0 run, call a timeout. Bam-bam, we come back out, nothing happens, bam (make a substitution). If you gotta make a choice, you have to make a choice. (He) went too long."
Guard Will Bynum has also expressed his displeasure with Frank's rotations, telling Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press that it's been difficult for him to find a place in the many lineups Frank has been juggling:
"I'm having to adjust to everybody. I'm playing with so many different people. First I go from not playing with [Rodney] Stuckey to playing with Stuckey every day. I go from playing with Kyle [Singler] all the time to never playing with Kyle. I'm playing with Tayshaun [Prince]. Early on I was playing with Brandon [Knight] and I never played with him in two years since I've been here. It's all over the place right now."
The Pistons front office reportedly views this season as a rebuilding year and thus isn't prone to letting Frank go. However, this will be an interesting story to keep an eye on if the Pistons' struggles continue.
Daryl Morey Talks D-League, Rookies
Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey attended a Rio Grande Vipers game this week to scout the talent on his team's D-League squad, and talked to Yannis Kotroupis of HoopsWorld.com. Among the topics he discussed was the importance of the D-League to the Rockets' player-development system:
“We consider it one of our key assets,” Morey said to HOOPSWORLD. “We have a great partnership. I think overtime people are going to see minor league basketball like Triple A baseball. It’s not much different than Major League Baseball where most players are one step away from the pros. The first three or four guys on every D-League bench are really not different from guys 11-15 on NBA benches. The quality of basketball is super high, way higher than college basketball. Pretty much every D-League team would have a chance to challenge for a NCAA title. These are really great teams playing every night and I think over time people are going to see how high the quality is.”
Among the players on the Vipers who impressed Morey the most was Lithuanian big man Donatas Motiejunas:
“[Motiejuans] a very skilled offensive player so we’re hoping shows that and I think he really did show that in the first half here,” Morey said. “We’re focused on him a getting a lot of minutes so he can get his game shape up cause we want to see him impact in transition at our level and this level. We want to see him as he gets tired continue to impact the game defensively, rebounding wise and be solid on defense without fouling. And, it’s overtime. It’s not overnight. We want him to get stronger, deal with stronger guys in the NBA. There’s quite a few bigs down here like a Jeff Adrien on his own team, but on other teams where he can get a real good sense going against these bigger, stronger guys than he’s faced in the past.”
Morey was also happy with what he saw from undrafted rookie point guard Scott Machado, and touched on the team's plans for him:
“Scott is a guy we really believe in,” Morey said. “The highest assist guy I think in 20 years in college basketball. Really skilled passer. Obviously he has has, we look for a guy with an elite skill in one area and then see if they can round it out in other areas. I think his time with the Vipers were really going to see can he take that passing an elite skill and add to it defense, rebounding and getting his own offense, things like that. Overtime we’ll see that but we really think he’s a great prospect for us going forward.”
Morey also denied reports that the team had intended to send embattled rookie forward Royce White to the D-League, saying he's optimistic the two parties can sort out their issues.
Atlantic Notes: Camby, Lin, Celtics, Nets
An early roundup of the latest happenings from around the Atlantic Division on Saturday morning:
- Marc Berman of the New York Post wonders whether Marcus Camby regrets not re-signing in Houston given how infrequently he has played for the Knicks this season.
- Moke Hamilton of SheridanHoops.com believes the Knicks were right to let Jeremy Lin leave, as proven by his poor play in Houston to begin the season.
- Chris Forsberg of ESPN.com takes a look at how Doc Rivers and the Celtics are managing Kevin Garnett's minutes as the star forward advances in age.
- Tim Bontemps of the New York Post writes that Nets coach Avery Johnson is still tinkering with the team's rotations for the season.
Southwest Notes: Anderson, Lin, Mayo
The Southwest Division boasts the two best teams in the Western Conference, the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs. Here are the latest rumblings from around the division:
- Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News notes (via Twitter) that the newly signed James Anderson will cost the Spurs about half as much to sign for the minimum at as it would have to pick up the option they declined after last year.
- McDonald also tweets that, barring a change of plans, the Spurs plan on keeping their roster at 14 players.
- Richard Dean of Newsday.com talks to Jeremy Lin, who says he is happy playing for the Rockets after being let go by the Knicks this summer.
- Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com writes that O.J. Mayo is proving to be a major bargain for the Mavericks.
Brandon Roy Considering Retirement
Brandon Roy may retire for a second time if his knees do not recover from his latest arthroscopic procedure, the Timberwolves guard tells Jason Quick of the Oregonian.
"I wouldn't be disappointed either way," Roy said. "If it ends in three weeks, it ends. It's over. I'm totally satisfied with what I've done. I know the sacrifice and the effort that I put into coming back. It took a lot of discipline to get to where I am. That's all I care about: how hard I've worked. So I can't say I'm disappointed, that would be selfish."
Roy, who underwent the latest of his seven knee surgeries on Monday, revealed to Quick that his knees have reached Level III arthritis, the last step before requiring knee replacements.
Roy, who won Rookie of the Year for the 2006/07 season and made three All-Star teams in five seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, retired in 2011 after being hampered by continued knee issues. His five-year, $82MM contract with the Blazers was waived using the amnesty clause. After sitting out the 2011/12 season, he signed a two-year, $10.4MM contract with Minnesota, the second year of which will become nonguaranteed if his health issues continue. Roy has averaged 5.8 PPG and 4.6 APG in five games with the Timberwolves this season.
Eastern Notes: Heat, Wright, Knicks, Wallace
A glance around the Eastern Conference on Thanksgiving Day:
- The South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Ira Winderman writes that the Heat do not see a need for free agent forward Kenyon Martin. Winderman says if Miami makes any move, it will be to sign or trade for a defensive-minded point guard.
- Dorell Wright, acquired by the 76ers this summer, is not fazed by his decreased playing time, writes Tom Moore of PhillyBurbs.com.
- Nate Taylor of the New York Times attributes the Knicks' early-season success to their defensive focus.
- Jack Appleman of the New York Times examines the impact Gerald Wallace has on the Nets on the defensive end.
Odds & Ends: Mavs, Kings, Kapono, Williams
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Tuesday night:
- Tim Cowlishaw of SportsDayDFW.com writes that, despite a hot start, the Mavericks are struggling without the injured Dirk Nowitzki.
- Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee has a Q&A with Kings GM Geoff Petrie covering the state of the franchise.
- Former NBA guard Jason Kapono is still unsure whether or not he will play in Greece, as he agreed to, citing a family emergency.
- Sean Williams has signed to play in China, according to Jon Pastuzek of NiuBBall.com.
Injury Notes: Stoudemire, Wizards, Lowry
In the early goings of the 2012/13 season, several high-profile players have sustained injuries. Here are the latest updates on some of these players:
- Mike Woodson told ESPNNewYork.com that Amar'e Stoudemire is still expected to return to the Knicks in mid-December. Woodson would not say whether Stoudemire will start.
- Nene said last week that he was roughly three weeks away from returning to the Wizards, but it's possible he makes his season debut at some point this week, says Michael Lee of the Washington Post. Lee notes that John Wall is making progress as well.
- Kyle Lowry returned to the Raptors Tuesday night following an ankle injury, although Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun writes that he looked rusty.
- Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson tells Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer that he's a week away from returning from a foot injury.