Hornets Reportedly Close To Sale
The Times-Picayune's Jimmy Smith has a new report that says the New Orleans Hornets could have a new owner in place as soon as Friday, as the NBA is deciding between two potential ownership groups.
The league is currently holding its Board of Governors meeting in New York, and while Sacramento's arena situation is the most high-profile issue still to be resolved, Smith reports that a sale of the league-owned Hornets is also being discussed. One prospective ownership group is headed by California swimwear manufacturer Raj Bhathal, while the other is led by New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson.
On March 16, the Hornets and the state of Louisiana announced an extension of the team's lease, which will keep them in New Orleans through at least 2024, effectively eliminating any prospective buyers who wanted to move the team to another city.
Poll: Where Will Eric Gordon End Up?
Earlier today, Luke Adams posted a breakdown of Eric Gordon‘s free-agency outlook for the summer. Later, SI.com’s Sam Amick named the Mavericks, Pacers, Suns, and Trail Blazers as teams that could potentially compete with the Hornets for Gordon’s services. The fourth-year guard, acquired by New Orleans in the Chris Paul trade, is set to be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
Where do you think Gordon will end up: back with the Hornets, with one of these rumored suitors, or somewhere else entirely?
Warriors Notes: Bogut, Draft, Future
The latest news and notes about the Golden State Warriors on Thursday evening:
- Marcus Thompson II of the Contra Costa Times is optimistic about the odds that the Andrew Bogut trade will pan out for the Warriors.
- The San Jose Mercury-News' Tim Kawakami takes a look at the chances that Golden State will be able to keep its 2012 first-round draft pick, which is owned by Utah, albeit with top-seven protections.
- Kawakami believes it essential for the Warriors' future that they keep this pick, as it will be the only upside to what has been a disappointing season that began with playoff hopes.
Poll: Will The Knicks Re-Sign Jeremy Lin?
Talk is heating up in recent days about the future of Jeremy Lin. The second-year guard, who became a global sensation as he emerged as a leader for the Knicks, is set to be a restricted free agent this summer. Do you think New York will retain the rising star?
Nets Shut Down Brook Lopez For Season
The Associated Press reports (link via The New York Post) that the New Jersey Nets have shut down center Brook Lopez for the remainder of the 2011/12 season.
Lopez, 24, is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season, and figures to be one of the most attractive free-agent big men on the market. Because of this, general manager Billy King has decided it is not worth the risk to play the injury-plagued Lopez in the final 10 games of the season.
Lopez missed the majority of the season with a broken foot and only appeared in five games before spraining his right ankle. He was averaging 19.2 PPG and 3.6 RPG.
HoopsWorld On Howard, Smith, Gasol
HoopsWorld's Derek Page has compiled a column about the futures of several prominent NBA players featuring input from other writers:
- Alex Kennedy thinks the Magic will once again attempt to acquire a player via trade or free agency to appease Dwight Howard, although the possibility is still open for him to be dealt.
- Lang Greene says the Hawks should give serious consideration to moving Josh Smith this summer, as his trade value will be high and he is unhappy in Atlanta.
- Eric Pincus finds it unlikely that Pau Gasol has a long-term future with the Lakers, due to the luxury-tax implications of keeping him.
- Bill Ingram thinks the emergence of Courtney Lee will make it easier for the Rockets to move Kevin Martin for the right price.
- Page believes Shawn Marion's contract makes him relatively easy for the Mavericks to trade, but with Howard off the market, it's not as necessary for the purpose of clearing cap space.
Stein On Jeremy Lin’s Future
ESPN.com's Marc Stein posted a column reflecting on Knicks guard Jeremy Lin's unlikely breakout season. Stein, citing sources around the league and within the Knicks organization, discusses the future of Lin, who is set to become a restricted free agent this summer.
Stein's sources around the league are convinced that the Knicks will retain Lin, due to both his enormous on-court potential and to the lucrative endorsement opportunities he promises as an icon in the Asian-American community. Stein also hears that a Knicks run at Steve Nash is a long shot, because they will not have the money to sign both Nash and Lin.
As a restricted free agent with less than three years of service time, Lin is subject to the Gilbert Arenas rule, meaning teams wishing to sign him to an offer sheet are not allowed to go above the mid-level exception.
Odds & Ends: Ilyasova, Thornton, Thunder
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Thursday night:
- Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel speculates on the future of forward Ersan Ilyasova, who is set to potentially earn a large payday as he hits unrestricted free agency.
- Sean Deveney of the Sporting News talks to journeyman Al Thornton, who is attempting to work his way back into the NBA.
- Fox Sports Ohio's Sam Amico wonders whether the Oklahoma City Thunder model of rebuilding is replicable.
Poll: Will Stan Van Gundy Last The Season?
The story of the day has been Magic coach Stan Van Gundy's revelation that Dwight Howard asked Orlando management to fire him. It's expected that Van Gundy will be fired at the end of the season, but it could come sooner if the situation is not resolved. Do you think Van Gundy will end the 2011/12 season as Orlando's head coach?
Agent For Greg Oden Discusses Future
The agent for former Trail Blazers center Greg Oden, Mike Conley, Sr., spoke with CSNNW.com's Chris Haynes about his client's future in the NBA. Conley says that Oden, the former No. 1 overall pick who was waived by Portland in March, does not plan to retire from basketball.
“No he's not retiring. The only way that would happen is if he was forced to and I don't see that happening,” Conley said. “He's dedicated to making sure he's back on the court as soon as possible.”
Oden was drafted first overall by the Blazers in 2007, but repeated knee injuries have limited him to 82 games in five seasons. He has not played since November 2009. Despite being released by Portland last month, Conley did not close the door on an eventual return for Oden:
“There's a possibility. Obviously, that decision is up to the Blazers, but my job as his agent is to find him the best offer out there on the market. Absolutely, no way in the world is the answer no.”
Oden is currently an unrestricted free agent and recovering from his third microfracture surgery in five years. There is no timetable for a potential return to the court.