Minor Moves: Foote, Rush
The latest news and notes from around the D-League:
- Former Cornell center Jeff Foote, currently with the D-League's Springfield Armor, will be called up by the New Orleans Hornets, according to Eurobasket.com's David Pick (link via Twitter).
- Yahoo! Sports' Marc J. Spears reports (via Twitter) that Kareem Rush has entered the D-League player pool. Rush last played with the Clippers in 2009.
Amico On Lakers, Clippers, Celtics, Magic
Fox Sports Ohio's Sam Amico has posted a rundown of the trade-deadline needs of four teams: the Lakers, Clippers, Celtics, and Magic. Here are the highlights:
- Amico believes the Lakers should surrender first-round draft picks for Ramon Sessions to address their point-guard issues, arguing that they will not likely find an equally-skilled player in the draft.
- Kirk Hinrich would be the safest bet for the Clippers, with Ray Allen likely costing too much. Amico also mentions Jamal Crawford as a possibility.
- Amico points to J.J. Hickson as a potential low-cost trade target who could benefit from being around Kevin Garnett.
- Amico says the Magic should do everything in their power to convince Dwight Howard to stay, and trade him only if it becomes clear that is impossible.
Blazers Interested In Jose Calderon
With point guard Raymond Felton underperforming, the Trail Blazers are looking to shore up their backcourt ahead of next week's trade deadline. And while their name has been in the mix for names such as Steve Nash, Rajon Rondo, Luke Ridnour, and Steve Blake, Hasan Alanam of Canada.com points to their reported interest in Raptors point guard Jose Calderon and explores several trade scenarios.
Alanam mentions possible trades involving Felton and either Gerald Wallace or Jamal Crawford, with Portland possibly also taking back Linas Klezia. In one scenario, the Timberwolves participate in a three-team deal with Malcolm Lee going to Portland and Anthony Randolph going to Toronto.
Calderon is making approximately $9.8MM this season and has one year left on his contract, which will pay him $10.5MM in 2012/13. He is averaging 10.7 PPG and 8.7 APG this season.
Pacers Still Covet Kaman
The Indianapolis Star's Mike Wells reports (via Twitter) that Chris Kaman is still the Pacers' top target for the trade deadline. However, due to Pacers' strong salary-cap flexibility (they are about $14.5MM under the cap), they don't consider it worth giving up a first-round pick for Kaman's expiring deal, which is by all indications what the Hornets are asking for.
Kaman has been on the trading block since the start of the season after being shipped from the Clippers to the Hornets as part of the Chris Paul trade. The Pacers have long been thought to be the most interested suitor, and with the trade dealine a week away, a decision one way or the other appears to be forthcoming.
Chris Kaman Discusses Rumors
The Times-Picayune's John Reid talked to Hornets center Chris Kaman about the many rumors surrounding him as the trading deadline approaches.
"I dont care what they do," Kaman said. "So if they want to trade me, trade me. If they want to keep me, keep me. I don’t care, but not in a disrespectful way. I just know I can’t control that part of it, so it something I don’t care about.
"That’s something for my agent to deal with, and I don’t think coach cares about it. I think he’s trying to focus on winning games, and my teammates are doing the same.’"
Kaman, 29, was sent to New Orleans in the Chris Paul trade in December and has been on the trading block ever since. He is averaging 12.3 PPG and 7.9 RPG for the Hornets in the final year of a contract that is paying him $14MM for 2011/12.
Cavs Notes: Free Agency, Irving
The latest news and notes surrounding the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday:
- Tom Reed of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says in a mailbag that it's too early to begin worrying about Kyrie Irving leaving the Cavaliers, saying that if the team surrounds him with the right pieces, there's a good chance he'll stay.
- Reed also believes that Ramon Sessions will be traded before the deadline, but that the Celtics' Rajon Rondo will not.
- Reed does not see the Cavs being in the mix for Wilson Chandler this summer if he hits restricted free agency.
- In another article, Reed examines the Cavs' upcoming cap flexibility, suggesting that Dan Gilbert may take a more conservative approach to free agency than in 2005, the last time the team had significant cap space.
- Reed also notes (via Twitter) tha Irving is close to making a decision as to whether or not to play for the Australian national team at the Summer Olympics in London.
Miller On Nash, Carlisle, Cuban
Dallas radio host Craig Miller posted a mailbag covering several Mavericks topics. Here are the highlights:
- Miller likes the idea of the Mavs signing Steve Nash if they miss out on Deron Williams, but wonders whether his age will be a deterrent.
- Rick Carlisle's contract status is currently up in the air, but Miller expects the two sides will get something done to keep the coach in Dallas long-term.
- Miller wonders whether Mark Cuban is gearing up to sell the Mavericks after finally achieving his decade-long goal of winning an NBA championship in 2011.
Odds & Ends: Knicks, Porter, Tanking
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Saturday night:
- Newsday's Al Iannazzone takes a look at the success the Knicks have had this season signing minimum-salary players, including Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak.
- Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic talks to Terry Porter, who is hoping for another shot as an NBA head coach after a disappointing stint with the Suns.
- SI.com's Zach Lowe has an interesting post on how the NBA can eliminate tanking for draft position.
Spurs Notes: Joseph, Dawson
Tim Griffin and Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News have a couple of minor news updates about Spurs rookies.
- Griffin reports that Cory Joseph, the 29th overall pick in the 2011 draft, has been assigned to the D-League's Austin Toros for the second time this season. Joseph is averaging 1.8PPG and 1.2APG with the Spurs this season.
- Monroe notes that Eric Dawson, recently cut by the Spurs, lost his roster spot for financial reasons, not because of his play.
Amick On Dwight, Celtics, Crawford
SI.com's Sam Amick has a roundup of the latest crop of NBA trade rumors, touching on a variety of topics. Here are the highlights:
- There is a distinct possibility that the Magic will opt not to trade Dwight Howard, either because they don't like the offers out there or because they believe they can convince the superstar center to stay.
- Nets GM Billy King believes it will be easier to land Howard through trade than via free agency, because of the difference in money the team will be able to offer.
- The Warriors are still said to be interested in trading for Howard, even as a rental, and convincing him to stick around.
- Ray Allen is more likely to be moved by March 15 than Rajon Rondo, but a deal with the Clippers is unlikely. The Celtics are asking for young talent and picks, which is more than most teams are likely to want to give up for the 36-year-old Allen.
- Amick suggests Jamal Crawford as a trade possibility for the Clippers or any other team looking for help at the shooting guard position. He believes Crawford may be available because of the Blazers' struggles and his dissatisfaction with Nate McMillan playing him at point guard.
- The Lakers continue to monitor Michael Beasley and Ramon Sessions, and the future of Pau Gasol is still uncertain.
- It is possible that Wilson Chandler will spend the rest of the season overseas rather than re-sign with the Nuggets, and instead test free agency this summer.
- The market is still slow for Gilbert Arenas, who is working out in Orlando in hopes that a team will sign him.