Central Notes: Noah, Bucks, Pacers
Coach Fred Hoiberg does not anticipate the Bulls making a move in the wake of Joakim Noah‘s injury, Nick Friedell of ESPN.com relays. “I don’t think there’s anything serious out there,” Hoiberg said. That is not totally surprising, considering Noah was the big man that Chicago most wanted to trade, executives around the league told Marc Stein of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The Bulls recently measured the trade market for Pau Gasol, who has said that he’s leaning toward opting out of his contract this summer.
Here is more out of the Central Division:
- It’s conceivable that the Bulls would be able to re-sign Noah, who is set to be a free agent, to a short-term deal because not too many teams are expected to offer significant money to a 31-year-old center coming off shoulder surgery, Mark Schanowski of CSNChicago.com writes. In an interesting stat to note, the Bulls are actually 8-2 this season without Noah, Stein tweets. Surely, however, the Bulls would prefer to have Noah’s presence on the court.
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- C.J. Miles, who is averaging a career-high in minutes this season (26.9 per game), is performing well as a combo forward instead of a shooting guard for the Pacers this season, Andrew Perna of RealGM writes in a profile of the veteran.
Lakers Looking To Trade Roy Hibbert?
The Lakers are looking to trade Roy Hibbert to a team that is likely to make the playoffs, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders reports (on Twitter). Hibbert is set to be a free agent this summer. He waived nearly all of a $2.3MM trade kicker in order to join Los Angeles. The Lakers acquired Hibbert in July in exchange for a second round pick.
There is a decent chance that the Lakers will find it challenging to move Hibbert because of his expiring contract. He is in the final year of a deal paying him $15.5MM. What’s more, Hibbert has struggled as of late and his statistics, particularly his minutes per game and points per game, have been in decline each month after a solid start to the season. He is averaging 6.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Still, there are some things to like about Hibbert this season. He has started in each of the Lakers’ 43 games. The eighth-year veteran has also reportedly been a positive influence for the younger players on the Lakers. It is unclear which playoff team would be interested in Hibbert because several of the top-tier teams do not have a need for a center.
And-Ones: Davis, D-League, CBA
Baron Davis has cleared D-League waivers after going unclaimed by the league’s 19 teams, Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). In other words, no team thought he was worth a waiver claim. Davis now goes into the league’s available players pool, Stein adds. With an interesting point, Adam Johnson of D-League Digest tweets that some team would have likely taken a shot on Davis if this situation happened a few years ago, if only for marketing purposes, because the D-League had independent teams then.
Here’s more from around the basketball world:
- Either side may opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement after the 2016/17 season, but commissioner Adam Silver is encouraged by already having direct conversations with the Players Association and is optimistic that a lockout will be avoided, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports tweets.
- Jae Crowder is putting up career-best numbers across the board and after re-signing with the Celtics this past summer for five years and $35MM, he is looking like one of the league’s top bargains, Chris Forsberg of ESPN.com writes. Crowder was the prize in the trade that sent Rajon Rondo to the Mavs and is flourishing this season as the Celtics’ starting small forward, Forsberg adds.
- The Hawks recalled Lamar Patterson and Edy Tavares from the D-League, Atlanta announced in an emailed press release.
- The Magic will recall Devyn Marble from the D-League, John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com reports (on Twitter).
Hoops Links: Johnson, Mavs, Knicks
Every Sunday, we link to some of the very best work from around the basketball blogosphere. Do you have a link to a great basketball blog post – either your own or someone else’s – that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors? Then you should send it to us at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s rundown…
- The Sports Quotient takes a look at why Allen Iverson is underrated as one of the game’s greats.
- Grizzly Bear Blues wonders if the Jeff Green trade was worth it for the Grizzlies.
- CelticsBlog breaks down Amir Johnson‘s consistency.
- Pounding The Rock examines Kawhi Leonard‘s strong play.
- Daily Knicks analyzes the rivalry between the Nets and Knicks.
- The Smoking Cuban speculates on which Mavs players will be traded.
- Thunderous Intentions details Billy Donovan‘s array of lineups.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Western Notes: Barnes, Kerr, Barea
Grizzlies small forward/power forward Matt Barnes was slapped with a $35K fine from the league for his comments about Knicks coach Derek Fisher, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports tweets. Before the two teams played Saturday, Barnes said: “Every man who looks at the situation knows what’s right and wrong. Violence is never the answer, but sometimes it is. … I just don’t like him, plain and simple. He knows I don’t like him.” After the game, however, Barnes claimed he had moved on from the October incident that led to a two-game suspension, Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal writes.
Here’s more from around the Western Conference:
- The Warriors could benefit right now from Steve Kerr because the coach’s return would give them a necessary jolt of adrenaline in their quest to repeat as champions, Tim Kawakami of The Bay Area News Group opines. There is still a strong expectation that Kerr will be back at some point this season, but there are no guarantees, Kawakami reports.
- J.J. Barea, who has three more years left on his deal after this season, said he is “having the best time of his life” while competing for minutes on the Mavs. Barea made that and other comments in an appearance on The Afternoon Show with Cowlishaw and Mosley on KESN-FM 103.3 in Dallas (interview transcription via the Dallas Morning News). “Dallas is like my second home away from Puerto Rico,” Barea said. “I feel comfortable and I love it. I don’t want to be anywhere else. My family loves it. I got a bunch of friends. I feel like when I play for Dallas I’m playing for Puerto Rico.”
Rockets Notes: Howard, Lawson, Bickerstaff
Rockets GM Daryl Morey told reporters there is no way Houston will be able to make a solid playoff push this year without Dwight Howard when asked about Howard’s future in Houston as the trade deadline approaches, Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle relays. The Rockets are currently seventh in the Western Conference with a 21-20 record. Howard was the subject of trade rumors last month, but he has on multiple occasions denied a report that he’s upset with playing a secondary role to James Harden. The Rockets expect Howard to opt out and hit free agency this summer.
Here are some more highlights from the interview session with Morey and notes regarding the Rockets:
- Ty Lawson has played significantly better as of late and Morey believes the point guard still has tremendous upside, Smith details in the same interview transcription. “We know he’s capable of a very high level of play,” Morey said. “He’s done it every year he’s been in the league. … At times the fit on our roster has been challenging for him and us. But I feel like [interim coach] J.B. [Bickerstaff] has been working through that.”
- Speaking of Bickerstaff, Morey, in the same interview, applauded the work the interim coach has done in guiding the Rockets, but was noncommittal about Bickerstaff’s future beyond this season. “When the season ends, we’re obviously going to have a tough decision,” Morey said. “And he’s very good – he’ll have a tough decision, too. How well he’s done has put a spotlight on him.”
- The Rockets are 17-13 under Bickerstaff and the 36-year-old is starting to feel more comfortable in his interim role, Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune writes. “It’s not about me,” Bickerstaff said. “It’s about what’s best for those guys in that locker room. You have to put personal issues aside and go get a job done. It’s about being a teammate, sacrificing for others and doing things you might not normally do. Figuring out the job, leading a group of guys who have high expectations for themselves and getting the most out of them, that’s most important.”
Hoops Rumors Weekly Mailbag 1/10/16-1/17/16
In addition to our weekly chat, which Chuck Myron facilitates every Wednesday, we have a second opportunity for you to hit us up with your questions in this, our weekly mailbag feature. Have a question regarding player movement, the salary cap, or the NBA draft? Drop us a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com. Here are this week’s inquiries:
Do you believe that DeMar DeRozan will return to the Raptors or should the Raptors trade him now? — Illbedat44
HR: I’d be completely shocked if DeRozan was not playing with the Raptors next season. That’s how strongly I feel about the situation. DeRozan has been very transparent about his desire to stay in Toronto for the remainder of his career even though he is poised to turn down his player option worth only slightly more than $10MM and hit free agency this summer. DeRozan is from California and the Lakers would be a sensible fit, but I just don’t see him leaving the Raptors. Often when a player says he wants to stay with a team, he is being politically correct. DeRozan, however, has gone on record every time he is asked with a detailed answer on why playing with the Raptors is so important to him. If I’m the Raptors, I take him at his word, keep him for the remainder of this season and make the best offer possible this summer.
How likely is it that the Bulls make a trade this season? — Daniel
HR: I’d say it’s very likely now that Joakim Noah will be out of action for four to six months after suffering a dislocated left shoulder in Friday’s game. I don’t mean that the Bulls will be acquiring talent, either. I agree with Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com that the loss of Noah diminishes the Bulls as a contender this season. It’s unfortunate, at least from Chicago’s perspective, but this team doesn’t strike many as a championship contender. It’s time to look toward the future. While I don’t feel too strongly about his market, there will likely be several teams willing to at least listen about Pau Gasol, who has a player option for next season and is expected to enter free agency this summer. It is imperative for the Bulls to move Gasol. Still, it’s not clear what the Bulls plan to do at this point. If Chicago still wants to make a run at it, a wing player with some offensive upside is a necessity.
Who will be the biggest name traded before the trade deadline in just about a month? — Illbedat44
HR: We just answered a Bulls question, so Gasol and Taj Gibson jump out to me as well-known names to watch before the deadline. The most accurate answer to your question at this point is likely Markieff Morris. I know, it feels as if we’ve been discussing the Suns power forward as a trade candidate every week for months. That’s because we have. While Morris’ attitude is a question mark, he is also still viewed as a valuable stretch-power forward on the trade market, Sean Deveney of the Sporting News wrote recently. With the Suns struggling, it has to be only a matter of days before we see Morris, who has three years and $24MM left on his contract after this season, in a new uniform.
Jazz Sign J.J. O’Brien To 10-Day Contract
The Jazz signed small forward J.J. O’Brien to a 10-day contract, the team announced via press release. O’Brien was with the Idaho Stampede, Utah’s D-League affiliate. The Jazz now have 15 players on the roster.
O’Brien averaged 9.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game with the Stampede in 24 appearances.O’Brien’s familiarity with Utah’s system likely factored into the Jazz signing him, Jody Genessy of the Deseret News tweets. The Jazz waived O’Brien in October after he saw little action in the preseason.
The Jazz signed O’Brien to a minimum salary training camp deal in August. O’Brien, 23, went undrafted last June out of San Diego State and has yet to make his NBA regular season debut. In his NCAA career, O’Brien averaged 8.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
Southeast Notes: Whiteside, Zeller, Horford
Hassan Whiteside is set to become a free agent this summer and he conceded he factors that in a bit when determining whether or not to play through certain injuries, Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post details in a Q&A with the Heat center. When asked if he weighs his upcoming free agency into his decision-making regarding the fine line between resting and playing through injuries, Whiteside told Lieser, “It has something to do with it, but I’m not really thinking about that too much. I’m just trying to think of now.” Whiteside is battling tendinitis in his right knee, but he has missed only two of the Heat’s 40 games this season.
Here’s more from around the Southeast Division:
- Speaking of Whiteside, who is one of the league’s top big men, the 26-year-old said he will be looking to sign with a team that will give him the best opportunity to secure a championship, Jesse Blancarte of Basketball Insiders relays. “I want to go to a team that’s about winning,” Whiteside said. “[A team] that has a good understanding of what it takes to win and a good city with a good fan base.”
- Cody Zeller, on whom the Hornets exercised their 2016/17 rookie scale team option in November, has a decent shot to secure the role of Charlotte’s center of the future, Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer opines. Zeller is thriving as the team’s center because of his unusual quickness at the position, Fowler writes. Adding to the idea that Zeller will be the team’s center for the long haul, Fowler surmises that Al Jefferson, who is out with a knee injury and is set to be a free agent this summer, likely won’t be back with the team next season.
- There will be shortage of teams to compete with for the services of Al Horford, a 2016 free agent, but the Hawks remain as good a bet as any to re-sign him because of their solid management structure and recent success, Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders writes.
Western Notes: Suns, Kings, Davis
Mirza Teletovic and P.J. Tucker have attracted interest on the trade market, but the Suns are delaying discussions about those two players until they believe they are out of the playoff picture, one league source told Sean Deveney of the Sporting News. That time might come soon, however, considering the Suns are 13-27 and four and a half games behind for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Markieff Morris is also still viewed as a valuable stretch-power forward on the trade market, according to Deveney. That’s because Morris’ contract (he has three years and $24MM left after this season) is affordable and he still has plenty of upside, one source told Deveney.
Here’s more from around the Western Conference:
- Kings vice president of basketball operations Vlade Divac does not make it a priority to return calls from other executives around the league, according to ESPN.com’s Brian Windhorst (link to podcast hosted by ESPN.com’s Zach Lowe; h/t Dan Feldman of NBCSports.com). What’s more, Divac was unaware that there was a trade call to the league office when Sacramento sent Jason Thompson, Carl Landry, and Nik Stauskas to the Sixers, according to Lowe.
- Ed Davis, whom the Blazers signed to a three-year, $20MM deal in the summer, said Portland differs from his previous team, the Lakers, because the Blazers have a clear-cut rebuilding plan, Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders details. “Here, we’re trying to build something,” Davis told Kennedy. “I enjoyed my time with the Lakers. Coach [Byron] Scott, [GM] Mitch [Kupchak] and all those guys were good to me, so I don’t really have any complaints. But it’s just different [in Portland]. Obviously in L.A. they want those big stars and they’re not really trying to keep a core together. Now they’re starting to do it because they aren’t getting those top free agents in. Here, there’s just stability. You know that guys are going to be around for a while. You don’t have the feeling that you could get traded any minute or that they’re going to bring a superstar in [to replace you]. You can just focus on doing your job. You know [the plan] and that everything is going to be fine.”
- The Grizzlies assigned James Ennis to their D-League affiliate, the team announced. This will be Ennis’ seventh assignment to the Iowa Energy.