And-Ones: Carr, Jackson, Lakers, Sixers
Former high school standout Aquille Carr has officially declared for the 2014 draft, his agent tells Adam Zagoria of SNY (on Twitter). Agent Joshua Wildes of Hazan Sports Management told Hoops Rumors via email that “Aquille is excited about this next chapter in his career and looks forward to fulfilling his dream.” The 5’6″ guard, who turned down a scholarship offer from Seton Hall to pursue overseas opportunities, is not featured on DraftExpress’ 2014 mock. Here’s tonight’s look around the Association..
- According to an NBA source, new president Phil Jackson has talked recently about his disappointment in some of the Knicks’ conditioning — or lack thereof — this year, writes Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com. It’s unclear which players Jackson was talking about, though J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert were coming off of offseason surgery and coach Mike Woodson mentioned that Shumpert was dealing with minor injuries throughout camp, which may have hindered him early on.
- With the salary cap expected to rise to $63.2MM in 2014/15, Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times looks at the decisions facing the Lakers this offseason. Waiving and stretching Steve Nash‘s salary would spread his salary over the next three seasons, reducing the Lakers spending power for 2015/16, when players like Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Rajon Rondo may be available, and 2016/17, when Kevin Durant could be a free agent.
- The Sixers managed to have a remarkably bad season in 2013/14, but now comes the tricky part for GM Sam Hinkie, writes Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Philly figures to have two top ten picks in this year’s draft and it’ll be up to Hinkie & Co. to choose wisely.
- Sam Amico of FOX Sports (on Twitter) agreed with a follower who says that the Bobcats never should have taken Michael Kidd-Gilchrist at No. 2 last year since he’s a perimeter player in today’s NBA who can’t shoot. However, he can’t fault them too much (link) since several teams were trying to trade up to get him.
- Jorge Sierra of HoopsHype spoke with Euroleague standout Malcolm Delaney about his opportunity to sign with the Rockets earlier this year. Houston wanted to sign Delaney but FC Bayern, who was about to begin a playoff run, declined to let him out of his contract. The 25-year-old says he’s not bitter towards the German club and hopes to get another NBA opportunity this summer.
Jazz Could Decide Corbin’s Fate Tomorrow
Tyrone Corbin‘s job security in Utah has come into question and we could have a resolution sooner rather than later. Multiple sources tell Tony Jones and Steve Luhm of The Salt Lake Tribune that Corbin and General Manager Dennis Lindsey are scheduled to meet on Monday and an announcement concerning Corbin’s future could come soon after that meeting.
A report late last week indicated that the Jazz already decided to part ways with Corbin, but both the club and the coach’s agent came out to deny the story. It’s very possible that the Jazz will let Corbin go after a 25-57 season and a last place finish in the Western Conference, but nothing has been decided yet. The sources told Jones and Luhm that Lindsey wanted to take the Easter weekend as a short cooling off period heading into tomorrow’s meeting.
Corbin took over in the middle of the 2010/11 season after longtime coach Jerry Sloan stepped down. The team went 8-20 the rest of the way that year, but Corbin guided the team to winning records the following two seasons. Utah appeared in the playoffs only once during Corbin’s tenure, and they were swept by the Spurs in the opening round in 2012.
Central Rumors: Cavs, Colangelo, Bucks
Earlier this week, our own Chuck Myron looked at the free agent stock of Cavaliers small forward Luol Deng. The Cavs were in talks with several teams about flipping Deng at the deadline, a sign that the club isn’t confident about its chances to keep the small forward. We know that the The Lakers and Suns have interest, and the Mavs, Celtics, Magic and Bobcats are reportedly likely suitors as well, so things appear to be wide-open for the 29-year-old. Here’s the latest out of the Central Division..
- If Cavaliers acting General Manager David Griffin leaves the Cavs for the vacant Pistons job or isn’t retained, Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer says two names to keep in mind are Bryan Colangelo and Ed Stefanski. Both were most recently with the Raptors and both likely would be under consideration should the Cavs have an opening. Griffin actually worked in Phoenix for Colangelo. Stefanski, meanwhile, was previously was president and GM of the 76ers and GM of the Nets where he worked alongside Rod Thorn.
- New Bucks owners Wesley Edens and Marc Lasry spoke with Don Walker of the Journal-Sentinel about what fueled them to buy the club, their business philosophy, and their plan to land a new arena.
- The Journal-Sentinel staff graded the Bucks‘ 2013/14 season and the report card isn’t pretty. Milwaukee’s final grade is an F in part because the off-season moves to sign Larry Sanders and O.J. Mayo to long-term deals backfired in a hurry. There weren’t many bright spots, but the trade to land Brandon Knight and Khris Middleton yielded decent results and the draft picks of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nate Wolters were promising.
Hoops Links: Knicks, Hawks, Wizards, Bucks
On this date in 1986, Bulls guard Michael Jordan scored an NBA Playoff record 63 points, but the Bulls dropped a 135-131 double-overtime decision to the Celtics at Boston Garden in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round. Jordan shot 22-of-41 from the field and 19-of-21 from the free throw line in his record performance, breaking Elgin Baylor’s previous mark of 61 points in a playoff game, set during the Lakers’ 126-121 road win at Boston in Game 5 of the 1962 NBA Finals. After the game, Boston’s Larry Bird shook his head and proclaimed “That was God disguised as Michael Jordan.”
Got a great basketball blog post that you want to see featured on Hoops Links? Send it to me at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s look around the basketball blogosphere..
- Yahoo Sports says the Knicks’ future isn’t so bad after all.
- The B-Ball Drop doesn’t see any upset potential for the Hawks in round one.
- Sean Mason’s Sports Blog sees the Wizards knocking off the Bulls.
- Bucksketball remembers the Bucks’ season the only way they know how: with Haikus.
- Mavs Moneyball previews the Mavs’ series against San Antonio.
- Liberty Ballers issued an open letter to Sixers GM Sam Hinkie.
- Sonics Rising has a plan to improve the NBA postseason.
You can send your submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Tim Duncan To Play For “Couple” More Years?
As the top-seeded Spurs look to bring another championship trophy home, questions persist about how long the current core will be able to stick together. Manu Ginobili has admitted that, at one point, he considered calling it a career after this season and big man Tim Duncan has done the same. However, after today’s game, Duncan told reporters that he only has “a couple more” playoff runs left in him (according to Marc SteIn of ESPN.com on Twitter) which would indicate that this season won’t be his last.
When asked to elaborate, Duncan said that he doesn’t “know what that number” is (link), but “a couple” would indicate that he feels he has at least two seasons left in the tank. The future Hall of Famer will celebrate his 38th birthday on Friday and sounds intent to continue his career through age 40.
Earlier this month, Tony Parker told a French-language website that Duncan and Ginobili would return for another season in 2014/15. Meanwhile, Coach Gregg Popovich, who once said that he’d call it quits when TD does, has walked those comments back.
Hoops Rumors Originals
Here’s our look back at the original analysis generated by the Hoops Rumors staff this week..
- Cray Allred asked readers which playoff contender might panic. No surprise here, the Pacers won in a landslide.
- Eddie Scarito profiled Michigan State’s Gary Harris.
- Chuck Myron checked in on the stock of free-agent-to-be Luol Deng.
- Want to follow your favorite team on Facebook, Twitter, and RSS? Here’s how.
- On Wednesday, Chuck previewed the games with possible draft implications.
- Here’s the projected 2014 first round draft order, courtesy of Chuck.
- Did you miss out on this week’s chat? Check out the transcript.
Week In Review: 4/14/14 – 4/20/14
Paul Pierce can envision playing for the Celtics again, and president of basketball operations Danny Ainge can see Pierce returning to Boston, too, if the price and circumstances are right. The 36-year-old Pierce will be a free agent in the summer, but the Nets would like to re-sign him, too. More from the week that was..
- Is Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin on his way out? A report this week said yes but the Jazz have denied the rumors.
- The Lakers and Suns are interested in Luol Deng.
- The Knicks signed Lamar Odom.
- Thaddeus Young might ask out of Philadelphia.
- There is no chance that Rick Adelman will be back as coach of the Timberwolves next season.
- Wesley Edens and Marc Lasry will purchase the Bucks.
- Channing Frye wants an extension from the Suns.
- Candidates are emerging for the Pistons job vacated by Joe Dumars. The two sides officially parted ways this week.
- Joel Anthony intends to exercise his option to return to the Celtics next season.
- Steve Kerr would coach the Knicks, if offered.
- Dario Saric‘s agent says his client will declare for the draft.
- The Jazz will consider rookie scale extensions for Enes Kanter and Alec Burks.
- The Rockets signed Josh Powell.
- The Pelicans signed Melvin Ely and waived Greg Stiemsma.
- The Cavs’ next GM will decide Mike Brown‘s fate.
- Jabari Parker has decided to go pro.
- The Bucks re-signed Chris Wright to a multi-year pact.
- The Sixers re-signed Casper Ware.
- The Bulls signed Greg Smith.
- Kentucky standout Willie Cauley-Stein is staying in school.
- The Knicks were considering Ike Diogu before they inked Odom.
- The Bulls waived Tornike Shengelia.
- Glen Robinson III hired an agent and will be in the draft.
- Arizona junior Nick Johnson announced that he’ll be in the draft.
- Louisville sophomore Montrezl Harrell has decided against entering this year’s draft.
- Aaron Gordon formally declared that he’ll be in the draft.
- Terrence Williams and Dexter Pittman are headed to Puerto Rico.
- Marcus Lee is staying at Kentucky.
- UCLA sophomore Jordan Adams will return to school for his junior year.
- New Mexico State center Sim Bhullar will enter the NBA draft.
- James Young is entering his name in the draft.
- Syracuse sophomore Jerami Grant will enter the draft.
- Baylor big man Isaiah Austin will reportedly enter this year’s NBA Draft, but he denied the story.
- The Magic will partner with the Erie BayHawks.
- Michigan sophomore Nik Stauskas has decided to declare for the NBA draft.
- Serbian shooting guard Nemanja Dangubic is going pro.
- Louisiana Lafayette guard Elfrid Payton will enter the NBA Draft.
And-Ones: Collins, Dumars, Farmar, Thomas
Sources identified a long list of potential NBA GM candidates to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders. Doug Collins, Mavs director of player personnel Tony Ronzone, Blazers director of college scouting Chad Buchanan, Bucks assistant GM David Morway, Nets assistant GM Bobby Marks, Knicks director of pro personnel Mark Hughes, Wizards director of player personnel Frank Ross, Pacers director of scouting Ryan Carr, Heat assistant GM Adam Simon, Magic assistant GM Matt Lloyd, Jazz assistant GM Justin Zanik, and Rockets executive VP of basketball ops Gersson Rosas all earned mentions. Here’s tonight’s look around the Association..
- The Kings have recalled Willie Reed from the Reno Bighorns, according to Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee (on Twitter). The Bighorns were eliminated from the D-League playoffs on Sunday.
- Some people familiar with Pistons exec Joe Dumars expect him to take some time off before pursuing another top executive role, according to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.
- Jordan Farmar reiterated his interest in re-signing with the Lakers following the club’s 102-90 loss yesterday to the Grizzlies, writes Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News. “Of course, I’d be a Laker,” Farmar said. “And if I was [General Manager] Mitch [Kupchak], I would sign me.” The guard averaged 10.3 points and 4.8 assists despite playing in only 39 games this season due to injury.
- The Bulls tried to lure Kurt Thomas to Chicago, but Marc Stein of ESPN.com hears that the big man considers himself retired.
- The T’Wolves never had interest in putting in a waiver claim for Greg Smith, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN. Smith landed with the Bulls earlier today.
- Who will be the biggest name traded this offseason? The Basketball Insiders staff held a mini-debate and the names of Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Love, and Rajon Rondo all came up in conversation.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Southwest Notes: Rockets, Randolph, Pelicans
Tonight’s look at the Southwest Division..
- The Rockets announced (on Twitter) that Isaiah Canaan and Robert Covington have been assigned the club’s affiliate in Reno Grande Valley. Both players are extremely familiar with the Vipers.
- Zach Randolph reiterates his desire to remain with the Grizzlies for the rest of his career, though he adds in his interview with Marc Stein of ESPN.com that he hasn’t had any talks with team management as a decision on his player option for next season looms (video link).
- The Pelicans‘ late-season release of Greg Stiemsma is an embarrassment, opines Jimmy Smith of the Times-Picayune. New Orleans signed veteran journeyman Melvin Ely in his stead.
Knicks Notes: Carmelo, Bulls, Woodson
The Knicks reportedly have a pitch for Carmelo Anthony that includes finishing in the bottom of the 2014/15 standings. The full plan: lose big next season, watch the contracts of Amar’e Stoudemire, Andrea Bargnani, and Tyson Chandler come off the books, and make a big free agent splash next summer. Here’s the latest from MSG..
- Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News doesn’t see Carmelo Anthony leaving New York this summer. While there are potential suitors out there including the Bulls, Lakers, and Rockets, there are roadblocks in each of those destinations. The only thing that can prevent No. 7 from coming back to MSG, in Lawrence’s view, is if Phil Jackson has a better plan.
- The Bulls have a lot to offer Carmelo, if he’s interested, writes Harvey Araton of the New York Times. Coach Tom Thibodeau was very complimentary in discussing the Knicks star over the weekend. Reading between the lines, Araton thinks that Thibs is saying that he can enhance his virtues and camouflage his weaknesses if he comes to the Windy City.
- Coach Mike Woodson, Stoudemire, and Anthony all took a share of the responsibility for the Knicks’ disappointing season, writes Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com. Mea culpas are great and all, but it seems likely that Woodson will be the one who gets the ax in New York.