Hoops Rumors Originals
Here’s a look at the original analysis generated by the Hoops Rumors staff this week..
- The world’s best app for staying up-to-date on NBA, MLB, and NFL trades and free agency just got better: the Trade Rumors App now has notifications and many more new features.
- Mark Porcaro ran down traded future draft picks by round. He’s also keeping track of every move this season on Hoops Rumors’ transactions log.
- Chuck Myron looked at Goran Dragic as a trade candidate.
- Eddie Scarito fielded your questions in the latest edition of the mailbag.
- Chuck gathered the best of your comments in Hoops Rumors Featured Feedback.
- If you haven’t already, take a look at the our 10-Day Contract Tracker.
- If you missed out on this week’s chat, check out the transcript.
Cavs Notes: Allen, Love, Williams
The Cavs had their 12-game winning streak snapped Friday and they were apparently anxious to get back to their winning ways. On Sunday, Kevin Love scored a season high 32 points while LeBron James got into triple double territory, leading the way for Cleveland to beat the Lakers, 120-105. James finished with 22 points, 10 boards, and 8 dimes across three quarters of play while Kyrie Irving helped out with 28 points and 10 assists. More out of Cleveland..
- Teams have been led to believe that Ray Allen will be deciding on where he’ll play in the next 10 days, according to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio (via Twitter). The veteran guard had his concerns about the Cavs when LeBron visited with him a little while back, but that’s no longer the case. Of course, Allen has other suitors and the red-hot Hawks are among the teams that have checked in with him.
- Following Sunday’s contest against the Lakers, Cavs forward Love was asked if the purple and gold could be an attractive option for him this summer. Love told reporters, including Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News (on Twitter), “I’m a Cavalier.” When asked if joining the Lakers could be a reality, he replied, “No.”
- While he won’t completely rule out the possibility, Jason Lloyd of the Beacon Journal thinks that the Cavs have other alternatives higher on their list than Mo Williams. It had been speculated that the Cavs could make a play for the Wolves guard since he appears to be available and Cleveland could use another point guard off the bench.
Clippers Considering Sebastian Telfair
The Clippers are considering free agent guard Sebastian Telfair, league sources tell Shams Charania of RealGM (on Twitter). The two sides are discussing a potential deal.
Earlier today, head coach Doc Rivers told reporters, including Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times (on Twitter) that he’d probably sign someone to a 10-day deal, adding that it might even be a guard. Rivers doubted that something would get done before Monday night’s game against the Mavs.
“We may even bring a guard in and just go small. We just need another player for sure… I doubt we could have it by tomorrow,” Rivers said, according to Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com (on Twitter).
The Clippers have two games left before the All-Star break, but 10-day contracts must cover a minimum of three games, so if the Clips make a 10-day signing before Wednesday’s first half finale, it’d run more than 10 days. It was widely expected that the Clippers would sign a big man following Blake Griffin‘s injury, but Rivers apparently isn’t afraid to go small.
In 16 games for the Thunder earlier this year, Telfair averaged 8.4 PPG, 2.8 APG, and 1.9 RPG in 20.4 minutes per contest. After he was let go by OKC, Telfair signed on in China.
Week In Review: 2/2/14 – 2/8/14
Last week, the Magic decided to fire coach Jacque Vaughn midway through his third season at the helm. Orlando has shown only mild improvement under Vaughn, going from a league-worst 20-62 record in his first season to a 15-37 mark under Vaughn in 2014/15. Vaughn goes out with a total winning percentage of .269, the second lowest for anyone who’s ever coached 200 or more regular season games. Our look back at the week that was..
- The Magic will consider Scott Skiles, Mark Jackson and Michael Malone to take over the head coaching job. George Karl would also be interested in coaching the Magic. Several league sources told Chris Mannix of SI.com that they think Orlando might pursue Tom Thibodeau if he shakes free from the Bulls at season’s end.
- The Kings, meanwhile, have serious interest in Karl, but pushback from center DeMarcus Cousins and minority owners seem to be a roadblock at this time.
- The Hawks are trying to convince Ray Allen to consider signing with them when and if he decides to play in the NBA this season. However, the Cavs are still in the lead for the 39-year-old.
- Amar’e Stoudemire will think about taking a buyout. The Knicks have yet to discuss a buyout with him, however. If he does wind up as a free agent, the Mavs are said to be the favorites to land him.
- The Raptors are “sniffing around” for an upgrade at power forward and league officials have mentioned David West, Taj Gibson, and Kenneth Faried as possibilities.
- The Thunder signed Nick Collison to a multiyear veteran extension worth $7.5MM over two seasons.
- Blake Griffin is expected to miss four to six weeks due to a staph infection in his right elbow.
- The Nets have been seeking trade partners for Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson, and Deron Williams, but they are looking for assets, not just a salary dump. GM Billy King insists that he won’t make a deal just for the sake of making a deal.
- The “prevailing thought” around the league has been that Tim Duncan will retire when his contract expires after the season, but Gregg Popovich isn’t so sure.
- Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird said he’s taking a win-now approach and left the door open to Paul George returning to play this season.
- The Mavericks and Wizards were said to be “among the possibilities” for Kevin Martin, though a report from Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN indicated that the Wizards have not discussed him yet.
- Lakers forward Ed Davis intends to opt out of his contract for next season.
- Every team with which Chad Ford of ESPN.com has spoken has Jahlil Okafor atop its draft board.
- The Nuggets have discussed dealing Wilson Chandler but would prefer to trade Arron Afflalo instead.
- Kevin Garnett isn’t seeking a buyout.
- Knicks president Phil Jackson opened up about the idea of the triangle keeping free agents away and more.
- The Nets and Grizzlies are among the teams interested in signing Andray Blatche.
- The Timberwolves plan to “push hard” to sign former 35th overall pick Nemanja Bjelica this summer.
- The Warriors are willing to pay the luxury tax in 2015/16.
- Boston is unlikely to find a trade for Tayshaun Prince before the deadline.
- The Nuggets are nearing a deal with 6’11” forward Joffrey Lauvergne. The 23-year-old Frenchman was originally selected by the Grizzlies with the No. 55 overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft.
- Nuggets GM Tim Connelly admitted that his team is “very, very aggressive” as it seeks changes to the roster. Team president Josh Kroenke hinted that it’s a matter of when, not if, Denver will make a move.
- The Clippers signed Dahntay Jones for the rest of the season.
- Former Clippers point guard Jordan Farmar joined up with Turkey’s Darussafaka Dogus.
- The Hornets waived Jannero Pargo in order ink Elliot Williams to a 10-day contract.
- The Warriors signed James McAdoo to a second 10-day deal.
- The Timberwolves will sign Lorenzo Brown to a second 10-day deal.
- The Pelicans signed Toney Douglas to a 10-day contract.
- The Pistons agreed to sign John Lucas III to a second 10-day contract.
- The Spurs signed Reggie Williams to a second 10-day contract.
- Sixth-year NBA veteran Austin Daye is expected to sign with the D-League.
- The Sixers signed Tim Frazier to a 10-day contract.
- Pacers draft-and-stash prospect Stanko Barac is finally seeking an NBA deal.
- Former Pistons and Suns power forward Tony Mitchell will play for Atleticos de San German in Puerto Rico.
- The Heat will re-sign Tyler Johnson for the remainder of the season.
- The Bucks signed Jorge Gutierrez to a second 10-day contract.
Western Notes: Nuggets, Collison, Johnson
The Nuggets players revolted against coach Dan Issel in 2000 and they’re doing the same thing to Brian Shaw now, Nick Groke of The Denver Post opines. Shaw ripped into his players after Sunday’s 104-86 loss to the Hornets, saying that they “didn’t feel like playing tonight from the start.” Groke feels that’s exactly the case and, eventually, he thinks Shaw will be ousted if things continue on this course.
Here’s more from the West:
- The contract extension that Nick Collison signed earlier today marks the eighth time in the past six years that a Thunder player has signed a contract extension and bypassed the chance at free agency, Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com notes. “This organization shows a commitment to players, and it’s an everyday thing,” Collison said. “That is something the guys have valued, how we’ve been treated over the years. Guys appreciate it and we’ve wanted to be here. It’s a two-way street. This organization has always shown an interest in getting something done [before free agency]. When both sides feel good about the deal, then things get done. ”
- The Nuggets’ prolific use of their depth used to be a source of pride for the team, as well as a necessity, thanks to Denver’s altitude and fast paced playing style, but it has now become a source of contention within the locker room, Adi Joseph of USA Today writes. Nuggets players are unsure of their roles with the team, which is one of the issues that is sinking Shaw as a coach, Joseph notes.
- Lakers swingman Wesley Johnson has left agent Rob Pelinka and he has hired Octagon Basketball to represent him, Shams Charania of RealGM reports (Twitter link). Johnson, who is making $981,084 this season, will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Eddie Scarito contributed to this post.
Southwest Notes: Wolters, Grizzlies, Aminu
After last night’s 102-101 come-from-behind victory over the Suns on Monday night, swingman Tony Allen is optimistic about the Grizzlies‘ chances to win it all, writes Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal (subscription required). “We’ve got a great chance at getting it done this year,” said Allen, who won a ring with the Celtics in 2008. Here’s a look at the Southwest Division..
- The Pelicans won’t re-sign guard Nate Wolters for the remainder of the season after his 10-day contract expired Monday, a league source tells John Reid of The Times-Picayune. Reid writes that Wolters’ departure could result in more minutes for backup Jimmer Fredette, who gave New Orleans a great performance off of the bench on Monday night against Atlanta.
- The Grizzlies are 10-1 since acquiring Jeff Green, but that’s not the only thing boosting them in recent weeks, Chris Herrington of The Commercial Appeal (subscription required) writes. As good as Green has been for Memphis, the return of Zach Randolph gave them a palpable sense of cohesion that they didn’t have for much of December.
- The Mavs hoped that Al-Farouq Aminu, a 24-year-old former lottery pick, would be a minimum-salary bargain when they signed him this summer. So far, he’s producing for Dallas, giving them solid rebounding and defense off the bench, as Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com writes. Aminu fell out of the rotation in favor of better scoring options earlier this year, but a need for reboudning cracked the door open for him once again. Aminu is averaging 11.2 boards per 48 minutes this season.
Pacific Notes: Clippers, Warriors, Curry
Many NBA teams are deathly afraid of paying the luxury tax, but Warriors co-owner Joe Lacob says that Golden State has no fear in that regard. The Warriors have more than $77.5MM in salary committed to just eight players for next season, and that doesn’t include a new deal for soon-to-be restricted free agent Draymond Green. Still, Lacob & Co. are apparently willing to pay the price if it means being in championship contention. Here’s more from the Pacific Division..
- The Clippers would like to acquire a wing player with more size, but they discovered when they came up empty in their pursuit of Jeff Green that they don’t have trade assets that other teams find attractive enough to part with such a player, Grantland’s Zach Lowe writes. The Spencer Hawes signing for the full $5.305MM mid-level exception helped drain the team of assets and flexibility, as Lowe explains, adding that most league executives nonetheless praised the Hawes signing when it took place.
- Despite the pull of a Charlotte homecoming, Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News believes that Stephen Curry will want to stay with the Warriors for the long term. You never know what can happen between now and the summer of 2017, but Curry seems comfortable in Golden State despite having a new coach and the Warriors are showing that they can win this season.
- Shaun Powell of NBA.com wonders if new owner Steve Ballmer is disappointed with what he’s seen out of the Clippers so far. As an executive, many have wondered if Doc Rivers has been making wise choices. His only meaningful addition has been Hawes, a jump-shooting big man who hasn’t connected all that often this season. Meanwhile, Rivers dealt for son Austin Rivers to help fortify a bench that is thin beyond Jamal Crawford and it remains to be seen whether that will get the job done.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Hornets To Sign Elliot Williams To 10-Day
The Hornets plan to sign Elliot Williams to a 10-day deal, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Williams recently went through a pair of 10-day deals with the Jazz before returning to the D-League.
Williams appeared in five games for Utah during his time there, averaging 3.6 points and 0.6 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per contest. The 25-year-old is a former first round draft pick of the Trail Blazers and was selected No. 2 overall in this year’s D-League draft.
Over parts of three seasons with the Blazers, 76ers, and Jazz, Williams has averaged 5.3 PPG and 1.6 RPG in 14 minutes per contest. Prior to joining the Jazz this season, Williams had appeared in 16 contests for Santa Cruz, Golden State’s D-League affiliate. The 25-year-old had notched 21.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 7.7 APG in 37.2 minutes per game.
Utah opted against giving Williams a deal covering the rest of the season and instead used his roster spot to sign swingman Chris Johnson to a 10-day deal.
Grizzlies Notes: Udrih, Allen, Gasol
The Grizzlies have interest in Andray Blatche, but they’re not alone in that pursuit as the Nets and playoff-bound teams have him on their radar. Blatche certaintly didn’t shine last season, but Brooklyn’s apparent willingness to welcome him back could be a sign of encouragement for other clubs. It also helps that the big man looked strong in China as he averaged 31.0 points and 14.5 rebounds in 38.7 minutes per game for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers. Here’s a look at the Grizzlies following their win over the Suns..
- Beno Udrih‘s production for his contract this season has been “ridiculous,” one member of the Grizzlies‘ braintrust remarked to David Aldridge of NBA.com. Udrih re-signed with the Grizzlies in July on a two-year deal for the biannual exception. The guard played only 55 regular season minutes for the Grizzlies last season but stepped into the rotation for the postseason and averaged 7.9 points and 1.7 assists in 16.4 minutes per game. This season, he’s putting up 7.8 PPG and 3.2 APG in 18.8 minutes per contest with a career-high 17.2 PER.
- Grizzlies forward Tony Allen says he had no problem with ceding his starting spot to new acquisition Jeff Green. “I just said if it’s best for the team, let me come in and do what’s best for the team, give 110%. Let’s win a championship. I’m well-proven in this league,” Allen said to Aldridge. “Now, we got Jeff and he’s adapting well, and I’m adapting myself. But I’ve been productive coming off the bench last year, and I know what the ultimate goal is.”
- While Marc Gasol will listen to any and all suitors this summer, he’s not looking to leave the Grizzlies, Aldridge writes. Between his time attending high school in Memphis and his years spent playing for the Grizzlies, he has found a high level of comfort with the city, the team, and the team’s fans.
Kevin Garnett Not Seeking Buyout
Before the Nets tipped off against the Clippers Monday night, there was a great deal of focus on Kevin Garnett facing former coach Doc Rivers. Many have speculated that KG and the Nets could hammer out a buyout this season, which would free the veteran up for the possibility of reuniting with Rivers in Los Angeles. However, Garnett is not looking to be bought out of the final year of his deal with Brooklyn, sources tell Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com.
Garnett, 38, told reporters on Sunday that he is “all in” with the Nets and enjoys serving as a mentor to the team’s youngsters, such as Mason Plumlee. Even from a distance, Rivers told reporters that he can see the impact that the 15-time All-Star is having on the Duke product.
“Plumlee I think is the biggest beneficiary of having Kevin around,” Rivers said, according to Youngmisuk. “I can’t imagine the tutelage and experience that Plumlee gets from Kevin every single day. Kevin is a great teacher.”
For the time being, it sounds like Garnett is likely to finish out the year in Brooklyn. Heading into tonight’s game, Garnett had averages of 6.8 PPG and 6.9 RPG in 21 minutes per contest.