Lawrence: Knicks Not Planning Major Moves
In a new column about the chemistry the Jeremy Lin-era Knicks have developed, Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News says that the team's owner, James Dolan, wants to see how the current group grows and is not planning any major shake-ups at the trading deadline.
Lawrence, citing an Eastern Conference GM who had a recent conversation with the Knicks, believes that Dolan likes the chemistry between Lin and Carmelo Anthony and doesn't think another move is necessary. He also points out that, between the huge contracts of Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chander, the Knicks wouldn't have many assets to trade if they were inclined to make changes. However, Lawrence doesn't rule out the long-shot possibility of Dolan making a run at Deron Williams or Dwight Howard if the opportunity were to present itself.
Odds & Ends: Nash, Beasley, Dawson
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Thursday night:
- The Arizona Republic's Dan Bickley writes that the Suns are taking a risk by not attempting to trade Steve Nash, pointing out that he's a longshot to re-sign in Phoenix after the season.
- HoopsWorld's Eric Pincus explores the possibility of the Lakers making a trade for Michael Beasley after reportedly turning down an offer from the Timberwolves this week.
- The San Antonio Express-News' Jeff McDonald reports that the Spurs are unlikely to re-sign Eric Dawson, who just finished up his first 10-day contract with the team.
Hunter Discusses Future, Next CBA
SI.com's Sam Amick interviewed National Basketball Players Association general counsel Billy Hunter, and the players' chief attorney discussed the recently-negotiated CBA, his future as an NBPA executive, and the next CBA the players' union will negotiate, probably in 2017. Here are the highlights:
- Hunter is not paying attention to the backlash to his performance during the recent CBA negotiations, saying that criticism simply comes with the job.
- Hunter is under contract through 2016, and strongly hints that he will step down when his deal expires.
- The players and owners have an opt-out clause in the current CBA that can be used after the 2016/17, and Amick believes it will almost certainly be used by one of the sides.
Wilson Chandler Offer Sheet Deadline Passes
HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy reports (via Twitter) that the deadline for forward Wilson Chandler to sign an offer sheet with a team other than Denver has passed. Chandler, a restricted free agent, may now either re-sign with the Nuggets or sit out the remainder of the 2011/12 season and become a restricted free agent this summer.
Chandler signed with the Chinese Basketball Association's Zhejiang Guangsha Lions during the NBA lockout and recently received FIBA clearance to return to the NBA. The Raptors were rumored to be interested in signing Chandler, but any team besides Denver that wants to pursue him will have to wait until after the season.
Details Of Sacramento Arena Proposal
Earlier this week, an agreement was reached between the city of Sacramento and the NBA to keep the Kings in town and build them a brand-new, state-of-the-art arena. The details of the city's proposal have now been revealed, and USA Today has the report. Here are the important points:
- The arena will open in time for the 2015/16 season, and the Kings have agreed to act as its anchor tenant for 30 years.
- The city will contribute $255.5MM to the construction of the arena, while AEG will kick in $58.75MM and the Maloof brothers will be responsible for $73.25MM. In addition, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson will solicit $3MM in donations for the project.
- A new revenue sharing plan will be implemented distributing profits between the city and AEG.
Winderman On Possible Heat Moves
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Ira Winderman touched on a few transaction-related topics in today's Heat mailmag. Here are the details:
- Winderman thinks Mike James is worth considering as a backup point guard, but warns that his last stint with the Heat didn't go well, and points out that he may not get much playing time in Miami competing for minutes with Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole.
- There is a distinct possibility that players who went overseas during the lockout, such as guard Chris Quinn, could be back in time for the playoffs.
- Winderman does not believe the Heat will make a major trade before the deadline. Rather, he views it as more likely that they'll try to find help among the players who may be bought out in the final months of the regular season.
Latest On Ramon Sessions
HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy is reporting (via Twitter) that teams are continuing to inquire about Cavaliers guard Ramon Sessions, who has been long thought to be on the trading block. Kennedy notes that many of these teams view the 25-year-old Sessions as a starting-caliber point guard, and though he does not mention any specific teams interested, he says the Cavs are considering their options.
Sessions is averaging 10.3PPG and 5.3APG this season. His contract pays him approximately $4.2MM this year, and he holds a player option worth $4.5MM for 2012/13.
Odds & Ends: Howard, Koponen, Hunter
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Thursday night:
- Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson, a champion of NBA player rights in the 1970s, told the Orlando Sentinel that Dwight Howard should stop feeding trade rumors and focus on basketball.
- Sportando reports that Finnish guard Petteri Koponen is undecided as to whether to stay with Virtus Bologna or join the Mavericks, who own his draft rights. Koponen was drafted no. 30 overall in 2007 by Philadelphia and had his rights traded to Portland before being sent to Dallas in June 2011.
- Sportando also reports that Othello Hunter has reached an agreement to play in the Ukraine with Azovmash Mariupol. The 26-year-old power forward played in 23 games for the Hawks between 2008 and 2010.
Latest On Sacramento Arena Proposal
Yesterday, it was reported that the talks for a new arena for the Kings in Sacramento were making progress. However, NBA.com's Scott Howard-Cooper (via Twitter) shed some new light on the state of the talks that was slightly less optimistic. Here are the important points:
- Howard-Cooper characterizes the talks as "too close to call" as to whether a deal will get done by the March 1 deadline.
- David Stern does not believe that the Maloof brothers' financial stability will be an obstacle in the arena talks, refuting a previous report.
- There is a belief among some NBA officials that the deal could fall short, leading to the Kings' eventual departure from Sacramento.
Kevin Martin Disputes Report He’s Dissatisfied
It has been suggested recently that Kevin Martin is unhappy in Houston, but the veteran guard told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle that these reports are inaccurate.
“I think it’s an inappropriate article,” Martin said. “A writer must be starving for attention. He’s not going to bring a distraction around our team. I’m the team’s leading scorer, and we’re in the playoff hunt. I don’t understand how I could not be happy about that. Basically, he’s just making it up.
“Individually and team-wise, we’re doing pretty well.”
Speculation on Martin's happiness in Houston has been prevalent since he was nearly traded in the failed Chris Paul deal from December that would have sent Pau Gasol to the Rockets. Martin, 29, is owed approximately $23.9MM through the remaining two years of the five-year, $53MM deal he signed in 2007. He will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2012/13 season.