Boston Celtics Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Western Notes: Brooks, Brewer, Rockets

February 22nd, 2014 at 2:28pm CST by Charlie Adams

MarShon Brooks isn’t accustomed to a significant role, but he’s ready to play as a member of the Lakers. His impressive performance against the C’s last night left some wondering if he considered the matchup a “revenge game,” but Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com passes along that Brooks doesn’t harbor any resentment toward his old team. “You know what, a lot of people think I should be mad at the Boston Celtics,” Brooks said. “But I guarantee you that there’s no one happier for me than Brad Stevens and [Celtics assistant] Jay Larranaga.” Here’s more from the West..

After being waived by the Rockets, Ronnie Brewer tells Mark Berman of My FOX Houston he will look to land with another team. “The NBA is a business,” the 28-year old said. “You got to accept the decision. You have to go back to the drawing board and continue to work and hopefully a team can pick you up for the remainder of the season.”
It appears that the Rockets are unlikely to pursue anyone in the buyout market, according to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Feigen says the indications are that Houston is done making moves for the year.
The Thunder assigned rookie Andre Roberson to the D-League again on Friday, as Oklahoma City’s D-League affiliate announced (Twitter link).
J.J. Barea admits to anxiety in the days leading up to the trade deadline, but he’s ready to move on and continue his recent strong play for the Timberwolves, reports Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune.
Shannon Brown would like to re-sign with the Spurs, but there’s interest from other teams if that doesn’t happen, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link). San Antonio would have to sign him for the rest of the season, since he’s already been on a pair of 10-day deals with the team.
Chad Forcier is a player development coach for the Spurs, and his presence in San Antonio might influence whether the team pursues the likely-to-be waived Metta World Peace. Mike Monroe of Spurs Nation has the details.
Sam Amick of USA Today weighs in on the trade that sent Steve Blake to the Warriors and thinks it could end up paying dividends for Golden State.
Jan Vesely and Aaron Brooks are excited for new roles on the Nuggets, writes Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post.

Cray Allred contributed to this post.

Celtics Notes: Rondo, Free Agents

February 22nd, 2014 at 9:38am CST by Cray Allred

The Celtics and Lakers played last night, but there wasn’t nearly as much at stake as there usually is when the storied franchises meet. Both teams are struggling this season, although it has been more so by design in Boston. Here’s more from the team that usually resides a lot higher in the standings:

Rajon Rondo wasn’t upset by the trade rumors that spiked around the trade deadline, but he apparently didn’t rule out the possibility that he could be dealt, telling Baxter Holmes of The Boston Globe in a subscription-only article, “I didn’t know what was going to happen.” It never appeared that the Celtics were open to moving him for anything in the ballpark of what teams were offering.
Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald thinks that Rondo’s detached leadership could hurt the Celtics, specifically players who are anxious when they hear their names swirling in trade rumors. Rondo says he doesn’t worry about reassuring players of their value to the team. “I don’t talk much about it,” he said. “We didn’t speak much about it as a team. [Coach Brad Stevens] announced it a couple of times in the meetings, but I didn’t say much about it.” Bulpett thinks Rondo should think more highly of his own voice within the organization, but the point guard doesn’t seem to think his input would change much. “You can’t worry about stuff you can’t control, you know? Everybody’s situation is different. I can’t worry about [Jeff Green] being traded, because it’s out of my control. He can’t worry about if I get traded. That’s just part of the game. It’s not the first trades that a lot of these guys have been through. We’ve all been through them, and when that time comes, it comes.”
In his “GM for a Day” series, Bradford Doolittle of ESPN Insider [subscription only] takes a look at the Celtics. Doolittle thinks that GM Danny Ainge is in no danger of growing impatient and trying to jump-start the rebuilding process at the expense of the team’s long-term plan. He also covers decisions that lie ahead for Boston, including whether they will still eventually trade Brandon Bass, if they will waive Gerald Wallace and absorb the remainder of his dubious contract, and the outlook for soon-to-be free agents Jerryd Bayless, Kris Humphries, and Avery Bradley.

Atlantic Notes: Stevens, Rondo, Udrih

February 20th, 2014 at 4:16pm CST by Zachary Links

Celtics GM Danny Ainge thought the Suns were going to hire Brad Stevens over the summer before he got the chance, writes the Boston Herald’s Steve Bulpett. “When Ryan McDonough went to Phoenix, you know, Ryan and I had talked a lot about how much we liked Brad Stevens,” said Ainge. “I thought Ryan was going to hire Brad to go coach the Suns, but he didn’t and he got a great coach in Jeff Hornacek.”

The Celtics have “just valued Rajon Rondo” more than any other club over the last eight years, Ainge told reporters, including Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe (on Twitter). Of course, the C’s got a ton of calls on their star guard but wound up holding on to him through the deadline.
Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com (on Twitter) wouldn’t be surprised to see the Knicks negotiate a buyout with seldom-used guard Beno Udrih in the coming days.
The Knicks wound up standing pat at the deadline and Begley has the goods on what happened or, rather, what didn’t happen.

Atlantic Notes: Shumpert, Lin, Turner, Rondo

February 19th, 2014 at 11:49pm CST by Alex Lee

The Knicks‘ Iman Shumpert managed only 17 minutes on the court tonight before he was forced to leave the game with a knee injury. With his name involved in at least two deals under discussion, the early word on the second-year man out of Georgia Tech was that he has a sprained MCL in his left knee, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski, adding that Shumpert is on his way back to New York to undergo an MRI.

Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, citing a source close to the situation, tweets that a deal sending Jeremy Lin back to New York is very unlikely.
While they’re desperate to deal Evan Turner, it looks like the Sixers may not get what they want in return. Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports that Philly may settle for a second rounder as part of a bigger package for the Ohio State product, adding that the team has plenty of cap room to take back money but doesn’t want to make Turner a qualifying offer this summer (Twitter links).
Point guard Rajon Rondo is unlikely to be traded, tweets A. Sherrod Blakely of CSN New England, who adds that the Celtics star is likely to draw significantly more interest this summer once he re-establishes his health.
Sam Amick of USA Today offers his ruminations on Rondo, opining that having the point guard under contract through next season gives general manager all the leverage in any negotiations. Amick also reiterates his report that the Rockets and Celtics have not discussed a deal involving Rondo.

Celtics Eyeing Gordon Hayward

February 19th, 2014 at 3:49pm CST by Chuck Myron

WEDNESDAY, 3:49pm: The Jazz aren’t interested in trading Hayward, according to Sean Deveney of The Sporting News. League executives feel as though he’s in Utah’s long-term plans, unless the team lands a top-flight small forward in the draft this summer. Then, the Jazz may look for sign-and-trade offers for the soon-to-be restricted free agent. The lack of an agreement on an extension this fall isn’t a signal of waning affection on Utah’s part, tweets Jody Genessy of the Deseret News.

TUESDAY, 4:18pm: The Celtics have shown interest in acquiring Gordon Hayward, reports A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com. Such a deal would reunited Hayward with college coach Brad Stevens, but it would be cumbersome to pull off, as Blakely explains. The Jazz don’t have interest in Rajon Rondo, because they don’t feel like they could re-sign him, and they’re not high on trading for Jeff Green, either. Utah would like at least one first-round draft pick, but Blakely hears the Celtics are “very reluctant” to give one up.

Boston is instead focused on acquiring more picks, according to Blakely, though the Celtics are also on the lookout for someone who can be a major part of the team’s rotation. Hayward, averaging 16.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists, would probably fit that bill.

Hayward will be a restricted free agent at season’s end after he and the Jazz failed to reach agreement on an extension this past fall. He makes $3.45MM in the final season of his rookie deal this year, but he’s in line for a significant raise. Still, a report from Chad Ford of ESPN.com earlier today noted that Utah is unlikely to trade Hayward, and the Jazz have plenty of cap flexibility to retain him.

Rockets Interested In Rajon Rondo

February 19th, 2014 at 3:23pm CST by Chuck Myron

3:23pm: The teams have yet to speak about any Rondo deal, tweets Sam Amick of USA Today.

2:25pm: The Rockets have “absolute interest” in trading for Rajon Rondo, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN.com. That alone doesn’t make a deal happen, Stein cautions, but he notes that talks could easily strike up between Rockets GM Daryl Morey and his former boss, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge (Twitter link). The Rockets were also linked to Rondo last month.

The asking price for Rondo is astronomical, as the team appears to be looking for a pair of unprotected first-round picks virtually guaranteed to come near the top of the order. A source tells Stein that Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck is behind the team’s lofty demands, as the ESPN scribe noted in a piece earlier today.

The Celtics would insist on acquiring Chandler Parsons, but Houston doesn’t appear willing to give him up, Stein tweets. Still, the Rockets are making renewed attempts at trading Omer Asik, and Boston was involved in rumors when Morey made efforts to unload his backup center in December. The notion of Asik getting involved in any Rondo talks is just my speculation, however.

Mannix’s Latest: Celtics, Pelicans, Afflalo

February 19th, 2014 at 9:42am CST by Chuck Myron

Every Celtics player, including Rajon Rondo, is available for the right price, Chris Mannix of SI.com reports in a pair of tweets. Still, some rival executives believe Boston is overvaluing Brandon Bass and Jeff Green, for whom Danny Ainge is demanding first-round picks, as Mannix writes in a full piece. Mannix also notes that the Celtics would prefer to keep Kris Humphries through the deadline. There’s plenty more in Mannix’s dispatch covering several of the league’s most active teams in advance of Thursday’s deadline, so let’s dive in:

The Pelicans are making a strong effort to trade either Eric Gordon or Tyreke Evans, Mannix hears, contradicting what coach Monty Williams told reporters earlier this week.
Mannix adds Arron Afflalo to the list of players the Bobcats are eyeing. Charlotte is apparently willing to absorb a player-friendly contract as part of a deal that brings in an impact player, Mannix writes.
The Pistons like Evan Turner, and they may be willing to offer the Sixers the first-round draft pick they’re looking for, according to Mannix. Still, it will take “an overwhelming offer” to pry Greg Monroe from Detroit, which would like to trade Josh Smith instead but is finding no takers.
Andre Miller is “gone one way or another,” but that may be the only trade Denver makes, in spite of a heavy volume of calls coming in from other teams, Mannix writes. The Nuggets don’t appear inclined to auction off Kenneth Faried, according to Mannix. His report contrasts with what teams are telling Grantland’s Zach Lowe, who hears that anyone outside of Ty Lawson is available (Twitter link).
Rival teams are interested in Bojan Bogdanovic, but the Nets are unwilling to trade the rights to the former second-round pick who’s playing in Turkey.
Kirk Hinrich has been drawing more interest than Mike Dunleavy, but executives around the league believe the Bulls probably won’t deal Hinrich and risk deepening the divide between Tom Thibodeau and the front office. Dunleavy is similarly off the table.
Cavs owner Dan Gilbert has been “determined” to find another star to go along with Kyrie Irving, but the league appears to have lukewarm feelings about the young players on the Cavs, according to Mannix, which would appear to make a blockbuster unlikely.
There’s been friction between Harrison Barnes and Andre Iguodala, Mannix hears, but rival executives nonetheless believe it will take a massive offer to acquire Barnes, Mannix notes, echoing what Warriors co-owner Joe Lacob has said.

Atlantic Rumors: Sixers, Terry, Felton

February 18th, 2014 at 11:13pm CST by Charlie Adams

It might turn out to be a busy deadline for the Sixers, who are trying hard to deal Evan Turner, Thaddeus Young, and Spencer Hawes. Philly GM Sam Hinkie has reportedly contacted every team in the NBA about potential deals involving Turner and Young, reveals Jason Wolf of USA Today Sports. The club wants a first rounder in exchange for any of the three, and Hinkie has apparently yet to find a deal to his liking since each of them is still on the roster. Here’s more on the Sixers and the Atlantic Division:

The Sixers haven’t been shy about shopping Hawes, and the big man admits that this is the most he’s ever been mentioned in trade talks, passes along Tom Moore of Calkins Media (on Twitter).
Like Hawes, Young is also aware of speculation regarding potential deals surrounding him and his teammates, and Moore hears that Young would like to stay a member of the Sixers past the deadline (Twitter link)
Jason Terry is allegedly part of “serious” trade talks between the Nets and Kings, but he says hasn’t talked talked to GM Billy King about the rumors, tweets Rod Boone of Newsday.
Raymond Felton would like to remain on the Knicks past the deadline, but Al Iannazzone of Newsday writes that Felton understands the NBA is a business and wouldn’t be offended if he was moved. “Whoever I play for, it’s who I play for,” Felton said. “If it’s here, great, I’m going to love it. I love these guys. But if it happens, then it happens. I’m a guy who’s been in the league a long time. That’s part of the business. I understand that.”
Earlier tonight, we passed along the latest on the Celtics’ Rajon Rondo.

Latest On Rajon Rondo

February 18th, 2014 at 9:36pm CST by Charlie Adams

Celtics coach Brad Stevens doesn’t foresee drastic changes coming to Boston’s roster any time soon, reports Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com, but that won’t stop speculation from around the league on potential deals about players on his club. Rajon Rondo seems to be at the forefront of the discussion on the teams’ potential trades, so let’s round up the latest regarding the much-discussed point guard:

We heard earlier tonight that the Raptors were actively pursuing Rondo, but Chris Broussard of ESPN tweets that Rondo wouldn’t have any interest in remaining in Toronto long term. It’s not clear whether or not Rondo’s alleged unwillingness to remain with the Raptors is affecting the clubs’ pursuit, however.
If a deal is to take place that puts Rondo on the move, league executives know it won’t be until the closing hours before the deadline, according Sam Amick of USA Today (Twitter link).
As for the notion that Rondo wouldn’t be open to re-signing as a member of the Raptors or Kings, Amick notes (via Twitter) that any club that might acquire him would have 17 months to change his mind before his contract expires. Rondo is signed through the 2014/2015 season.

Amick’s Latest: Rondo, Love, Asik, Ilyasova

February 18th, 2014 at 8:06pm CST by Charlie Adams

Despite the high asking price set by Celtics GM Danny Ainge, Rajon Rondo is still being pursued by several teams, most actively by the Raptors, Knicks, and Kings, writes Sam Amick of USA Today. Ainge is seeking multiple first round picks and a young prospect in exchange for Rondo, and no team has been able to present a deal that meets such a hefty cost. Here’ more from Amick:

The Timberwolves are willing to listen to offers for any player on their roster besides Kevin Love, says on league executive. It’s a common belief Love will part ways with Minnesota in the summer of 2015 to seek out a deal with the Lakers, and the Wolves want to do everything they can to help prevent such a scenario.
Omer Asik has been asking for a trade since the Rockets signed Dwight Howard, but Amick hears it’s unlikely the disgruntled big man gets moved this week. It’ll be interesting to see where Asik is come Thursday, since this news contradicts an earlier report stating the Sixers might be in play to land him.
The Bucks have emerged as a possible “longshot destination” for Asik, as the Rockets would be interested in a swap involving Ersan Ilyasova. The Bucks remain hesitant to take on Asik, who will receive a steep pay increase next season, despite word that Ilyasova is unhappy in Milwaukee.
Amick reiterates earlier reports that suggest Mike Dunleavy is unlikely to be traded away from the Bulls.
Jeff Teague might emerge as a fallback option for clubs that are unable to trade for Rondo, as rival executives believe Teague will be available to teams if the price of the package coming their way is high enough.