Week In Review: 1/30/12 – 2/4/12
Here's a look back at the past week of activity:
- The Dwight Howard saga continues, with the latest significant development being Kobe Bryant's apparent message to Howard that he would be a third option on the Lakers, which seems to have turned the 26-year-old superstar center off from the idea of playing in Los Angeles. The Nets appear to be the frontrunner to land Howard at this point, although he is said to be interested in the Bulls as well.
- The biggest transaction of the week was Kenyon Martin's FIBA clearance to return to the NBA, and subsequent agreement with the Los Angeles Clippers on a one-year contract worth the $2.5MM room exception.
- Martin's former Nuggets teammate J.R. Smith is also set to return to the NBA soon after a stint in China, and has been linked in recent days to the Clippers and Knicks.
- The Hornets took Chris Kaman off the market after shopping him aggressively in recent weeks. New Orleans also signed Lance Thomas to a 10-day contract following Carl Landry's sprained MCL.
- The Lakers have discussed acquiring Gilbert Arenas or Ramon Sessions to solve their point guard issues, but questions of Arenas' health and the prospect of giving up a first-round pick for Sessions has made them hesitant to pull the trigger on either one. The Knicks also have interest in Sessions.
- Washington forward Andray Blatche is on the trading block, with the Bobcats a possible match, although nothing is close.
- Veteran center Joel Przybilla has received offers from Miami and Chicago and is expected to decide between them soon.
Dwight Howard Rumors: Sunday
Saturday, it was reported that a phone conversation between Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard has soured the Magic center on the prospect of playing for the Lakers. Today has been relatively quiet in the area of Howard-related rumors.
- HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy appeared on NetsAreScorching TV and stated that he strongly believes Howard will end up on the Nets, citing the center's close relationship with Deron Williams and the allure of a new arena in Brooklyn as selling points.
Celtics A Free Agency Possibility For Mayo
Rich Keefe of CelticsHub.com interviewed O.J. Mayo before Sunday's Grizzlies-Celtics game, and the Memphis guard implied that he would be open to playing in Boston.
"It’s always been one of the top organizations in basketball," Mayo said. "Ever since you were a little boy start playing basketball you always heard about the Boston Celtics and Larry Bird, all the great players, it’s always been a great organization."
Mayo, 24, was the third overall pick in the 2008 draft and will be a restricted free agent after the 2011/12 season. He's averaging 12.5 PPG, 3.1 RPG, and 2.0 APG this season.
Seattle Working To Land NBA Team
The city of Seattle is working behind the scenes to plan a new sports arena and eventually land an NBA franchise, report Steve Miletich and Lynn Thompson of the Seattle Times. Seattle has been without a team since the SuperSonics departed to become the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008.
Christopher Hansen, a hedge-fund manager with roots in Seattle, has approached the city about purchasing a team if a new arena can be built.
The logistics of actually bringing a team to Seattle are yet to be determined, but the most likely franchise to be moved is the Sacramento Kings, who are currently embroiled in a fight of their own for a new arena.
How Landry’s Sprained MCL Affects The Hornets
New Orleans forward Carl Landry announced via Twitter that he has suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain. The injury is expected to keep him out for several weeks, and is likely to have a significant impact on moves the Hornets make in the coming weeks.
The Hornets will sign Lance Thomas to a 10-day contract on Monday as a short-term fix, it was reported earlier today.
More importantly, Landry's injury makes the prospect of New Orleans trading center Chris Kaman even more unlikely. After Kaman was shelved by the Hornets until they found a trading partner, it was reported that the Pacers and Rockets were pursuing the veteran center aggressively.
However, on Friday the Hornets appeared to take Kaman off the market. Landry's injury leaves New Orleans in need of frontcourt help, making it harder for them to have a change of heart and deal Kaman. The 29-year-old is in the final year of a contract that will pay him approximately $14MM for 2011/12. He will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 1/30/12 – 2/4/12
A quick look back at the original content our team produced during HoopsRumors' inaugural week:
- A list of the remaining unrestricted free agents currently on the market.
- An overview of the many types of salary cap exceptions in the new CBA.
- A primer on 10-day contracts, which begin on Monday.
- A look at which taxpaying teams have used their mid-level exceptions this season.
- An explanation of the so-called Derrick Rose rule, which allows players who outperform their rookie contracts to receive larger contract extensions than would be otherwise allowed.
- Cleveland guard Ramon Sessions is a prime candidate to be moved before the deadline. Here's a look at his options.
- Jesse Blanchard suggested a Landry Fields-for-Sessions swap as a possible solution for the Knicks' backcourt woes.
- A look at the trade market for New Jersey guard Anthony Morrow, another candidate to be traded.