Lakers, Celtics In Talks To Swap Dwight, Rondo
10:08pm: Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak, speaking with Chris Broussard of ESPN.com tonight, strongly denied that any Howard-Rondo talks have taken place at any time this season.
"I haven't talked to Danny Ainge in weeks. I made the statement a week or two ago that we're not going to trade Dwight Howard and that hasn't changed," Kupchak said (All Twitter links).
Kupchak hasn't spoken with anyone else in the Celtics organization either, Broussard also tweets.
9:54pm: A source tells TNT's David Aldridge that there's nothing to the rumored Howard-for-Rondo proposal (Twitter link).
8:43pm: The Lakers and Celtics have engaged in preliminary talks about a trade involving Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo, reports Ken Berger of CBSSports.com. The proposal has yet to gain traction, Berger writes, and Celtics basketball president Danny Ainge would be reluctant to do a deal without assurances from Howard that he would re-sign with the Celtics this summer. The Lakers are also continuing to insist they won't trade Howard, and that's the impression the Celtics have at present, according to Berger.
The trade could be tabled until after the offseason, but a sign-and-trade would only allow Howard to sign with the Celtics for four years instead of five, Berger points out, which would cost him as much as $30MM. It would also preclude the Celtics from exceeding the luxury-tax apron next season and keep them from using their full midlevel exception under new sign-and-trade rules going into effect this summer.
Sources tell Berger that the Nets, Mavericks and Rockets are teams that intrigue Howard as he looks ahead to free agency this summer. Absent from that list are the Celtics, which would seem to make the deal a long shot. By taking back Rondo, who's out for the year with a torn ACL, the Lakers would be throwing up a white flag of sorts with regard to this season, though the Celtics would have to throw in others who make at least another $5.8MM for the deal to work under the league's salary-matching rules. Rondo would also be an odd fit in L.A., considering fellow point guard Steve Nash is the only Laker signed past 2014.
Howard said happiness and the ability to have fun on the court is what he'll look for in a free agent destination, and he said he's not having as much fun as he used to, as Berger notes. While a trade to Boston or elsewhere might not be in the cards before Thursday's deadline, it seems there's a strong chance Howard won't be wearing the purple and gold come next season. The Celtics, meanwhile, could be in for radical changes as Ainge, as he has done in the past, appears open to exploring blockbuster moves to return the team to title contention.
Celtics Rumors: Garnett, Downs, Green
The Celtics enter the All-Star break winners of eight of their last nine, with a three-point loss to the league-worst Bobcats as the only blemish. Boston is in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, but just five games back of the Knicks, with whom the C's would matchup if the playoffs began today. Coach Doc Rivers discussed some of the options available as the team looks to bolster its depleted roster, and we've also heard today about the Boston's interest in Luke Ridnour. There's plenty more from the back bay, and we'll round it up here:
- Appearing on ESPN Radio, Kevin Garnett said that his recent comments about playing in his last All-Star Game weren't meant to hint at retirement, though he added that he doesn't expect to play until he's 40 (audio link).
- We've already heard the Celtics are taking a look at Jannero Pargo and Delonte West, and A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com adds 6'8" small forward Micah Downs to the names on the team's list. Even though the Celtics have greater needs at other positions, Rivers said he'd rather have the best player available, no matter the position.
- Rivers, in his comments to WEEI, noted that the Chinese league's season is ending soon as he discussed possible signing targets. The CBA regular season ends Sunday, freeing guys whose teams failed to make the postseason, while others will become available once their squads have been eliminated. Ben Rohrbach of WEEI.com examines 10 Chinese leaguers who could help the Celtics.
- Jeff Green's four-year, $36.24MM contract includes $1.04MM worth of incentives, at least some of which are tied to his rebounding, as Jackie MacMullan of ESPNBoston.com reveals. "That one area was our biggest concern," Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said. "To me, it's not a lack of effort. It's about bad habits. I don't think Jeff has ever focused on rebounding in his life, from what I can tell."
Wolves Rumors: Ridnour, Pekovic, Williams, Roy
As usual, Friday morning means the latest installment of Darren Wolfson's Scoops column has been published at 1500ESPN.com. With Minnesota expected to be active in trade talks over the next several days, let's check out the latest Timberwolves rumors from Wolfson….
- The Knicks are one of several teams interested in Luke Ridnour, who is mentally preparing to be moved. The Celtics, Sixers, and Jazz are among the other clubs with varying degrees of interest, says Wolfson.
- Nikola Pekovic has been assured by the T-Wolves that he isn't going anywhere for now.
- While Derrick Williams is still available, a trade over the summer may be more likely, according to Wolfson.
- Brandon Roy's financial advisor is still "rejecting overtures" on a buyout. It seems unlikely the Wolves will be able to move his salary in a trade, so a buyout would be the team's preferred route.
- When Chris Johnson signed for the rest of the season with the Wolves, the contract included a second year. Wolfson expects that it'll essentially be a team option for 2013/14 — a non-guaranteed minimum salary.
Doc Rivers Talks Potential Celtics Roster Moves
Neither Celtics president Danny Ainge nor coach Doc Rivers is shy about talking to the media about their team's roster and potential needs. Earlier this week, Ainge discussed potential roster moves for the C's in the wake of season-ending injuries to multiple key players. This morning, appearing on WEEI in Boston, Rivers did the same, answering a number of questions about the Celtics' roster options. Here are the highlights from Doc, via Jerry Spar of WEEI.com:
On the Celtics' next move:
"Danny and I, we thought about it and we all have been thinking about it since all the injuries. With the last one with [Leandro] Barbosa, now we can't look at one position anymore. That's what we were looking at — looking at size first, then a guard. Now we're looking at players. We need players. We need to pick up a couple of players as soon as we can get them. That's what basically we're doing."
On the timetable for making a move:
"We don't want to do anything so quick that somebody else comes available and then we don't have room because we're at the cap threshold. We have to be very careful in what we do."
On the Celtics' biggest need:
"I would say a ball-handling guard. It's no longer a point guard, it's just a guard. If I had my perfect guard for this group right now, it would be a guard that can play multiple positions and that can shoot, that has some toughness…. And then you need a big. You're not going to find a center, so a four. Obviously a five would be great, but a four that can stretch the floor. Or a four that can rebound, just a great rebounding four that has skills."
On where the C's are looking:
"There's so many places to look. The China league ends in a week. So now some of the American players that are playing over there will begin coming back over to our league. The D-League. And then obviously through a trade. We don't have a lot of assets to trade, so we have to be very careful there."
On possible interest in Delonte West:
"Yeah, that's something we're looking at. I don't know where we're going to go with that. Again, we have to be so careful. One thing I love about Delonte is his toughness. But the other thing you don't like is that he does get injured a lot. So you're worried about that as well, beside the other stuff."
On whether rookie Fab Melo is ready for a larger role with the team:
"I don't think he's ready yet. I can tell you he's really working on it. I just don't think he's ready yet."
Eastern Notes: Bulls, Magic, Bobcats, Garnett
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times relayed some gems out of Bulls camp tonight, reporting that Chicago is still taking and making phone calls as the trade deadline approaches. He cites a source within the organization that says talks between the Bulls and Raptors involving Carlos Boozer are "off the table," and that there hasn't been a high demand for Richard Hamilton. As for Derrick Rose's status, the reality that he might not return this season hasn't put any additional pressure on Chicago to find more help or try to lessen the payroll. Here's more of what we've heard tonight out of the Eastern Conference:
- Several Magic veterans weighed in on the possibility of being traded before next Thursday's deadline including J.J. Redick, who is in the final year of his deal and has drawn significant interest from other teams. Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel says that although the front office has told their players that they aren't being shopped, they still acknowledge that they are responsible for listening to offers and taking into account what could make them better in the long term.
- Amidst reports of tension boiling over between Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap and embattled guard Ben Gordon on Monday, Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer notes that it wasn't the first time that the 29-year-old guard appeared frustrated this season and that Gordon and Dunlap have already met twice before to discuss his role.
- Celtics forward Kevin Garnett explained his comments that this Sunday would be his last All-Star game, as some had seen it as possible hint that he would retire after this year: "Let's just put it like this: I'm more than grateful for going. I'm not going to act like I've got more All-Star games in me. So I'm just going to actually enjoy this one with friends and family. That's what I meant" (NBA.com).
- Rich Levine of CSNNE.com said that nothing definitive can be concluded by Garnett's comments, and that only time will tell if he is actually contemplating retirement soon.
Ainge On Trade Options, Team Plans, Delonte
Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge made his weekly appearance on 93.7 WEEI FM in Boston to discuss a number of topics about the team, most notably saying that a tough week lies ahead in terms of making personnel decisions. Here's an outline of some of the highlights from the transcript:
- Trade options right now have dwindled since the team dealt with injuries to Rajon Rondo, Jared Sullinger, and Leandro Barbosa.
- The team "will eventually get some help", but Ainge feels that there aren't any players out there who could make the same impact that those three have made when healthy. Anyone comparable to Barbosa is currently under a "multimillion dollar and multiyear contract", and no one who impacts the dynamic of team rebounding the way Sullinger does is available, which would make the task of acquiring replacements very challenging.
- They'll take this next week to explore trades and free agent signings, and Delonte West is one of the players on their long list of targets. According to Ainge, West is "someone who we certainly know, probably better than anyone in the NBA." However, Ainge also added that it'd be difficult for someone to have sat out for almost a year and immediately contribute.
- He didn't perceive the team would do so well after Rondo got hurt, saying that short samples can sometimes be deceiving.
- One key for the Celtics moving forward hinges on how well they can exploit the matchup advantages that Jeff Green can create offensively.
Celtics Considering Jannero Pargo
As they survey the free agent market and the D-League for potential short-term backcourt options, the Celtics have expressed some interest in Jannero Pargo, agent Mark Bartelstein tells A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com.
"Yes, we have talked," Bartelstein said. "But I know Danny [Ainge] is weighing a lot of different options right now, looking for what works best for them. We're doing the same thing, too."
We heard from Ainge yesterday that the Celtics, who have lost Rajon Rondo, Jared Sullinger, and Leandro Barbosa to season-ending injuries, will likely sign a player to a 10-day contract after the All-Star break, and are considering players overseas as well as stateside. Ainge's comments seemed to suggest that he favored a veteran who could contribute right away rather than a young prospect, which could work in Pargo's favor.
Pargo, 33, was recently re-signed to a pair of 10-day contracts by the Hawks, but wasn't retained for the rest of the season when his second deal expired. Atlanta reportedly had interest in bringing the veteran point guard back, but wanted to keep its 15th roster spot open in case it came in handy at the trade deadline.
Atlantic Notes: Celtics, Wallace, Sixers, Taylor
The last-place team in the Atlantic Division beat the division leader last night, as the Raptors upset the Knicks in Madison Square Garden. With just 29 games left on their schedule, it may end up being too little, too late for the Raps' playoff hopes, but Toronto has looked like a different team since acquiring Rudy Gay, and heads into the All-Star break riding a four-game winning streak. Here are a few other notes out of the division:
- A lack of salary-cap flexibility is part of the reason the Celtics haven't rushed to add a player or two in the wake of a handful of season-ending injuries to key players, as Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe explains.
- Coach Doc Rivers agrees that the Celtics intend to take their time when it comes to bolstering their roster, telling A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com that "there's no reason to just go grab a guy."
- According to coach Mike Woodson, there's a chance that Rasheed Wallace could return to practice for the Knicks next week, writes Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. The Knicks have reportedly been debating between waiting on Wallace and Marcus Camby or signing a free agent big man.
- Within the same piece, Isola notes that Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo was "huddled" with Andrea Bargnani's agent, Leon Rose, before Wednesday's game.
- Sixers GM Tony DiLeo reiterates that, while he's working the phones, he's not going to jeopardize the team's long-term future to improve the roster in the short-term. Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News has the details.
- Tyshawn Taylor has received an opportunity to earn minutes with Deron Williams out, and wants to make the most of it, says Zach Schonbrun of the New York Times. Unlike many second-round draft picks though, Taylor isn't playing for a contract — the Nets have already guaranteed his salary for 2013/14.
Odds & Ends: Smith, Sixers, Noel, Exceptions
As we've seen, the Josh Smith rumors have been frequent and plentiful. While Smith is aware of the buzz, the veteran forward seems unaffected, reports Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld via a series of tweets. Per Kyler, Smith has asked his family to refrain from bringing up media reports to him since he attempts to block that stuff out. While he is flattered to hear how many teams are interested, Smith's mind is on the present and he says the Hawks have yet to discuss the situation with him. While it certainly looks like there is a solid chance he will be traded, Smith reminds us that his name has been mentioned in rumors before to no avail. (Kyler tweets are listed here)
Smith's Hawks are in Orlando tonight – one of 12 games on the NBA schedule on Wednesday. Let's round up all the odds and ends from around the league here for the night:
- The Sixers are not interested in trading Spencer Hawes and Evan Turner for Josh Smith, tweets the Philadelphia Inquirer's John Mitchell, citing two league sources. Philly has reportedly been dangling that duo and may be considered sleepers in the Smith sweepstakes.
- Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times tweets that he keeps hearing Smith will end up as a member of the Celtics.
- In light of the news that Nerlens Noel suffered a torn ACL on Tuesday, Yannis Koutroupis of HoopsWorld drops the Kentucky freshman to No. 4 in his mock draft. Similar to what we heard from Jeff Goodman earlier, Koutroupis suspects that Noel will remain in this year's draft despite the injury, referencing the strength of next year's field. To me, since Noel will likely miss a sizeable chunk of next year with the Wildcats if he were to stay in school, it makes more sense to leave and rehabilitate his knee under NBA trainers if he can go anywhere in the top 10.
- Several general managers still consider Noel a top-5 pick, while one has him slipping to between 10-12 if he comes out, tweets SI's Chris Mannix. Ben Roberts of the Lexington Herald-Leader, quoting Draft Express' Jonathan Givony, writes that the prevailing wisdom is that Noel is still a lock for the top-5. Givony believes Noel could still go No. 1 overall. Roberts adds that young NBA players that have suffered similar injuries have not had long term effects.
- In an Insider piece for ESPN.com, Bradford Doolittle points to the Nuggets ($13MM), Magic ($17.8MM), Grizzlies ($7.5MM) and Bulls ($5MM) as teams with Traded Player Exceptions worth $5MM or more. The Nuggets may just have the urgency (their exception expires March 15) and the ability (it's large enough to acquire a significant piece) to make utilizing their exception worth it, Doolittle says. While Memphis is likely to use their modest exception, Orlando and Chicago will likely refrain.
Danny Ainge Talks Potential Celtics Roster Moves
Earlier today, we heard that Danny Ainge had provided injury updates on Rajon Rondo, who underwent ACL surgery yesterday, and Leandro Barbosa, who the Celtics have interested in bringing back next season. Ainge also made a few other comments to reporters, including Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, about his plans for re-stocking the roster after the team suffered three season-ending injuries in as many weeks. Let's round up the notable comments from the Celtics president of basketball operations….
On the impact of the season-ending injuries:
"All three of them are real blows to us. First of all, we lose our star player and then Jared [Sullinger] and then Barbosa. That’s devastating. We’re short on guards now, and we have to bring someone in. We have players we like in the D-League, and we have a little more than a week before the trade deadline. And we’ll explore all of that."
On a short-term fix:
"Immediately we will probably bring someone in on a 10-day contract, and we’re going through all those names. There’s a lot of names actually, but it’s going to be very difficult to replace Leandro Barbosa…. There are guys playing all around the world, and I need to figure out when they may become available with their contracts. So there’s a lot to go through here."
On whether the team will be able to add an above-average player:
"Those guys are hard to find, someone with veteran NBA experience that has the athleticism to make an impact. There’s a lot of players out there that are good enough to play in the NBA, that could come into an NBA game today and contribute. I’m not worried about that, but to find someone who can play to Leandro’s level, to have an impact and be one of the best players on the court for a quarter like Leandro, that’s what’s going to be a challenge."
On adding a veteran vs. adding a younger player:
"We need someone that can help us more now. If there’s a decent player that could contribute some now and might have a bright future, we’d look at that as well, but I think that’s less likely at this moment. But we’d really like to get someone who could step in and play an important role right away, if we can."
On how injuries have affected the team's ability to make trades:
"The problem with trades now is we don’t have enough bodies to trade. Like, we can’t afford to trade a big for a guard. It’s not like we have an excess amount of anything. We have nine or 10 players, and we’re not trading draft picks unless someone really special becomes available."