Odds & Ends: J.R. Smith, Celtics, Davis, Jack
J.R. Smith is likely to opt out of his deal for next season with the Knicks, and once he does, he'll be looking for a long-term deal, writes Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. While Smith's comments suggest he'd favor the Knicks over other teams, New York can't do any better than a four-year deal worth about $25MM, since they only have his Early Bird rights. As our Ryan Raroque surmised when he looked at Smith's free agent stock, the Sixth Man of the Year will be able to command a hefty raise on his $2.8MM salary this season. We'll soon find out whether the Knicks' best offer will be enough.
Washburn has more on the NBA as part of his weekly column, and we'll round that up along with other Sunday afternoon tidbits here:
- Washburn gets former NBA executive Tom Penn's take on the future of the Celtics, and hears from Glen Davis of the Magic, who says he's willing to stick it out through the team's rebuilding process.
- Jarrett Jack is adamant that he'll prioritize a return to the Warriors in free agency this summer, even if it means passing up the opportunity to become a starter elsewhere, as he tells Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com.
- Bucks center Joel Przybilla saw a total of just 68 minutes this season, but he says he's healthy and believes he can still play in the NBA next season, reports Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times. He'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
- Shooting guard Trey Johnson and Italian club Angelico Biella have parted ways, Sportando's Emiliano Carchia reports (Twitter link). Johnson appeared in 11 games with the Pelicans in 2011/12, and has also spent time with the Cavaliers, Raptors and Lakers.
- Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress already had Giannis Adetokunbo on his list of early entrants for the draft, as did we, and agent Giorgos Dimitropoulos confirms the Greek swingman has officially declared, Givony tweets.
Odds & Ends: Brown, Turkoglu, Celtics, Cavs
The Cavaliers bringing Mike Brown back as coach in an effort to woo LeBron James in the summer of 2014 is just the latest example of the NBA being a player's league, writes Jan Hubbard of Sheridan Hoops. Of course, Brown was fired three years ago in an effort to appease James, but since the star appears to be fond of him once again, Cleveland hopes that the hire will be enough to move the needle in their direction. Here's more from around the league..
- Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel outlined the issues facing the Magic this offseason. One of Orlando's toughest tasks will be finding a taker for Hedo Turkoglu and his $12MM salary for next season. Only half of the veteran's salary is guaranteed, however, and the club is expected to waive him if they cannot work out a trade.
- In time, aging Celtics veterans Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry will have to evaluate their futures in the league, writes Tom Layman of the Boston Herald. If the C's wind up getting eliminated in the first round by the Knicks, they may be forced to make significant changes this offseason.
- Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer looked at the journey that Brown took from being the head coach of the Lakers to rehired by the Cavs.
Atlantic Notes: Martin, Knicks, Celtics, Sixers
The Nets-Bulls series was panned as one of the less exciting first round matchups this year through the first three games, but that all changed with a triple overtime thriller in game four. After a grueling back-and-forth that saw Nate Robinson and Joe Johnson come up in the clutch for their teams, the Bulls ultimately wound up on top with a 142-134 victory. Here's a look at the latest out of the Atlantic as the Nets are now charged with winning three straight to extend their season..
- Knicks forward Kenyon Martin told Jackie MacMullan of ESPNBoston.com last month that he was "real close" to signing with the Celtics earlier this season. He characterized the negotiations differently this week when he spoke to reporters, including Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. "I didn't come close at all," he said. "They didn't offer me anything, so it wasn't close. I didn't talk to them per se; my agent did. It didn't happen, so it doesn't matter at this point."
- As they appear to be on the verge of getting swept by the Knicks, this is likely the end of the Celtics as we know them, writes Sean Deveney of the Sporting News. Deveney also suggests that Danny Ainge should have been more open to welcoming either Chris Andersen or Kenyon Martin to the Celtics’ fold when both were free agents to enhance their frontcourt depth.
- Tom Moore of Calkins Media could see the Sixers' coaching search coming down to Mike Malone and Sixers associate head coach Michael Curry. Philly hopes to land a solid prospect with their No. 11 pick as well and Moore believes that Victor Oladipo would be a strong choice if he falls that far.
Odds & Ends: Dwight, Expansion, Thunder
The storyline on the Lakers tonight is their makeshift starting backcourt of Darius Morris and Andrew Goudelock, but as soon as their season ends, the attention will no doubt shift back to marquee names, and Dwight Howard in particular. HoopsWorld's Bill Ingram, with an assist from colleague Eric Pincus, breaks down the numbers to show that Howard would make more money in the first four years of a contract with the Rockets than he would in as many seasons with the Lakers, thanks to differing tax rates. Still, L.A.'s ability to offer a fifth season, enhanced endorsement opportunities and the cachet of the purple and gold provide varying levels of motivation for Howard to re-sign with the Lakers.
As we wait for yet another Dwight decision, there's plenty of news from around the league:
- Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com suggests David Stern's stance on expansion may be softening somewhat (Sulia link). Stern had been adamant that the league won't try to solve the Kings dilemma by adding a team, though Spurs owner Peter Holt, chairman of the Board of Governors, said the issue isn't off the table.
- In an Insider piece, Tom Haberstroh of ESPN.com argues the Thunder shouldn't regret the James Harden trade in the wake of Russell Westbrook's injury as much as the deadline move that sent Eric Maynor away.
- A team executive who saw Greek swingman Giannis Adetokunbo practice tells Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News that while he's a project who probably won't see significant playing time for two or three years, he's still worth a first-round pick (All Twitter links).
- Martell Webster is open to coming off the bench if he re-signs with the Wizards, notes J. Michael of CSNWashington.com. The Wizards and Webster, whom I tabbed one of the season's best mid-level exception signees, appear to have mutual interest in a return.
- Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv wonders what would have happened if Kenyon Martin were on the other team in the Knicks–Celtics series. Martin was close to a deal with Boston earlier this season.
Kyler’s Latest: Pierce, Nuggets, Rockets, Odom
According to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld, Hawks sources say the team would be open to working out a sign-and-trade involving Josh Smith this summer if it meant getting something of value in return for the unrestricted free agent. It appears there are still a number of possibilities though for Smith, who could end up returning to the Hawks or signing outright with another suitor. Here's more from Kyler:
- Since less than a third of Paul Pierce's $15.33MM salary for 2013/14 is guaranteed, the "basketball move" may involve trading him or buying him out, but Pierce's history with the Celtics complicates the team's decision, says Kyler.
- Andre Iguodala seems likely to decline his player option for next year in favor of re-signing a long-term contract with the Nuggets that reduces his cap hit for '13/14.
- There's also mutual interest between Corey Brewer and the Nuggets in a new deal for the veteran, though Denver's cap situation may make it tricky for the club to give him much of a raise.
- Carlos Delfino and Chandler Parsons both have deals with the Rockets that aren't fully guaranteed, but are good bets to be back in Houston unless the team needs to move them to make room for a star.
- Sources tell Kyler that the Clippers would like to re-sign Lamar Odom, albeit for a significantly lesser salary than he's making now. Considering Odom is unlikely to receive huge offers on the open market, a multiyear offer from the Clips could get it done, says Kyler.
- Mike Dunleavy's future in Milwaukee may depend on how much the Bucks spend to retain their bigger-name free agent guards.
- According to Kyler, league sources have "openly questioned" how much longer Robert Sarver intends to own the Suns, leading to speculation that after the Kings sale is finalized, the Suns could be the next NBA franchise on the market.
Atlantic Links: Curry, Sixers, Celtics, Iverson
Yesterday was the first day since 1974 that two pro basketball teams held playoff games in New York, and the Knicks and Nets made the most of it. Both came away with victories and 1-0 series leads. The other three teams in the Atlantic Division are making noise off the court, as we detail here.
- Sixers players have spoken positively about assistant coach Michael Curry, who appears ready to become a head coach again after his unsuccessful stint leading the Pistons in 2008/09, tweets Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News. Curry will interview for the head job with the Philadelphia and may do so with the Cavs, but he doesn't appear to be a candidate for Detroit, Goodwill adds (Twitter link).
- John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer believes the Sixers should embrace rebuilding and resist the urge to spend significant cash on free agents this summer in a quick-fix effort.
- With Doug Collins no longer in a position to dictate the direction of the team, the time is right for the Sixers to pursue a marquee general manager, argues fellow Inquirer scribe Bob Ford.
- Ray Allen is pleased that Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has given him the license to post up smaller defenders, something he said Celtics coach Doc Rivers did not allow him to do, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.
- Washburn has heard rumors that the Celtics considered signing Allen Iverson this season, but he says there's no truth behind them.
- HoopsWorld's Stephen Brotherston looks back on the tenure of Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo, concluding that the team shouldn't fire him. If Toronto wants to make a change to its front office, it should give more responsibility to Ed Stefanski, its executive vice president of basketball operations.
D-League Moves: Jones, Lamb, Liggins, Melo
Today's D-League assignments and recalls are listed here, with any additional moves added to the top of the page throughout the day. Our complete list of 2012/13 D-League assignments and recalls can be found right here….
- The Thunder have recalled Perry Jones, Jeremy Lamb, and DeAndre Liggins from the Tulsa 66ers, the team announced today in a press release. Unlike Melo's Maine Red Claws, the 66ers won their first-round series in the D-League playoffs, topping the Canton Charge in three games. The OKC trio will rejoin the NBA squad for tonight's game, but perhaps they'll be headed back to Tulsa for the next round of the D-League postseason.
Earlier updates:
- The Celtics have recalled rookie center Fab Melo from the D-League, the team announced today in a press release. Melo almost certainly won't be a part of Boston's postseason rotation, but he'll available if needed. The 22-year-old had been playing with the Maine Red Claws for the last several weeks. However, the club was eliminated from the D-League playoffs over the weekend, losing in the first round to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets' affiliate. Melo averaged 8.5 PPG and 7.5 RPG in Maine's two postseason losses.
Atlantic Notes: Bargnani, Lowry, Pierce, Collins
Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun believes the Raptors will pursue a power forward this summer via trade in return for Andrea Bargnani, and he advocates that Toronto go after Carl Landry, as the team is reportedly considering (Twitter links). If Bargnani is successfully dealt, he joins Greg Oden, Andrew Bogut, Dwight Howard, and LeBron James on the list of #1 picks over the last ten seasons to either eventually leave or be traded from the team that drafted them. Here are a few more tidbits to relay from the Atlantic Division:
- Raptors guard Kyle Lowry tells Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun that he's hopeful about returning to Toronto next season and wants to be back, but acknowledged that the decision is out of his hands. Ganter, who argues that the 6'1 point guard must become a 'jack-of-all-trades' player to fit Toronto's needs, also mentions that Lowry has a $6.21MM team exception for next season.
- Celtics star Paul Pierce still finds it difficult to fathom that Ray Allen left for the Heat, saying that his former teammate could have gone anywhere else – citing the Lakers as another exception – and he wouldn't have felt betrayed, says Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald.
- Tom Moore of PhillyBurbs.com wonders why Doug Collins would want to return next season, when the 76ers may still be mediocre.
- Although P.J. Carlesimo would like to rest his key players as much as he can before the playoffs, Deron Williams and Joe Johnson aren't ready to sit just yet, writes Roderick Boone of Newsday. Williams and Johnson briefly mentioned the possibility of catching the Pacers, who are currently the third seed in the Eastern Conference.
Eastern Links: Randolph, Jay-Z, Maxiell, Casey
After a very productive year in China, Shavlik Randolph is playing some of the best ball of his NBA career for the Celtics, but as he tells Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, he's not about to take his current role for granted.
"I’m not the kind of player who can even think about relaxing," Randolph said. "I’m not really gifted enough or talented enough to relax and still go out there and perform. Some guys are, but I’m not. And, look, this can all change in any game. Washington played big (in Sunday’s win by the Celtics), so we needed size. Maybe that got me more time. But I’m going to be ready whatever my role is."
Here's more from around the Eastern Conference:
- Jay-Z has begun the process of selling his small share of the Nets in order to be able to become a certified NBA agent, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. According to Wojnarowski, rival agents are anxious about the rapper's ability to attract top prospects and current stars, given his cultural standing.
- With Jason Maxiell facing unrestricted free agency this summer, Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press suggests that the forward has likely played his last game with the Pistons. Maxiell, an eight-year veteran, has spent his entire NBA career with the club.
- One of basketball's newest Hall-of-Famers, Gary Payton, tells Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun that he thinks it's unfair to consider Raptors head coach Dwane Casey as on the hot seat. "I think he shouldn’t be under fire, but that’s just the way business goes," Payton said. "I think he understands that and I think he’ll be fine. Give him one more year, ’til you let Rudy [Gay] be there for a whole year and see what happens."
- In his latest piece for the Sporting News, Sean Deveney names the Bucks, Hawks, and Cavaliers as a few teams that could be hunting for a new head coach this summer.
- Writing for SheridanHoops.com, Jon Pastuszek of NiuBBall.com wonders if Yi Jianlian could help a playoff-bound NBA team, listing the Celtics, Pacers, and Knicks among the potential fits.
Jason Collins Wants To Return To Celtics
Jason Collins enjoyed his time in Boston and Celtics coach Doc Rivers never wanted to let him go, but his tenure with the C's came to an end this season when the club had to acquire backcourt help in the wake of injuries to Rajon Rondo and Leandro Barbosa. He declined to comment when asked if he wanted a buyout of his deal in order to finish his career with a contender, but said he told Michael Lee of the Washington Post that he would "definitely" consider signing with Boston next season.
"[I] might put a no-trade clause in there," joked Collins, who was traded to Washington after Chris Wilcox refused to forfeit his Bird rights to facilitate the deal. "What an honor it was to play for a great organization that has so much history. Great group of guys in that locker room. The leadership with Doc, [Kevin Garnett] and [Paul] Pierce. Nothing but good memories."
For his career, Collins has averaged 3.6 PPG and 3.8 RPG while providing tough, physical defense off the bench. The big man will be a free agent this summer after earning the veteran's minimum for 2012/13.
Though he's far from a star player, Collins is accustomed to winning in his NBA career after time with Boston and the Jason Kidd-led Nets. For his part, Rivers says that he wouldn't mind having Collins back in green and white.