Grizzlies Discussed Pursuing Courtney Lee
After participating in the NBA's first two trades of 2013, the Grizzlies aren't necessarily done dealing, according to Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game (via Sulia). But Bucher says that the team is now far enough below the luxury-tax threshold that it's open to adding players rather than shedding more salary.
According to Bucher, the Grizzlies discussed the possibility of acquiring Courtney Lee using a traded player exception. The largest of Memphis' seven TPEs is worth about $7.49MM, so Lee's $5MM salary could comfortably fit in that exception with no danger of the team approaching the tax again. However, Bucher adds that the Celtics aren't currently interested in simply shedding salary themselves, and would prefer to add a big man — that's something the Grizzlies likely can't afford to give up, since coach Lionel Hollins has already griped about the team's lack of frontcourt depth.
Given the Grizzlies' aversion to adding big long-term money to their books, the club could end up targeting a perimeter player on a shorter deal than Lee, who is under contract for another three years and $16.35MM after this season.
Celtics Rumors: Garnett, Pierce, Rondo
In the immediate wake of Rajon Rondo's ACL injury, plenty of fans and pundits questioned whether the Celtics were still a playoff team, speculating that clubs like the Sixers, Pistons, and Raptors could end up challenging for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Since then, the Celtics have won six straight games, not only quieting that talk, but sneaking past the Bucks and into the seventh seed in the East. As the C's enjoy their best stretch of the season on the court, here's the latest off-the-court news out of Boston:
- Kevin Garnett reiterated something he's said before, telling reporters, including Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, that he wants to retire as a Celtic. "I don't know what all your sources are, or whoever's making up this [expletive] articles about me getting traded to Denver and all these other places," Garnett said. "But I bleed green, and I will continue to do that. And if it's up to me I'm going to retire a Celtic."
- In his weekly appearance on WEEI's Big Show, president Danny Ainge said that keeping Garnett and Paul Pierce was "by far the most likely thing" for the Celtics. "There are so many teams that are trying to get younger," Ainge said. "There are so many teams that are trying to rebuild. There are so many teams that are trying to get higher draft picks already. I just think that where we value them as players is just greater than the rest of the league, which I think is common for players that age."
- In a series of tweets, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports provides an update on Rondo's injury status. According to Spears, Rondo spoke to three doctors and will decide as early today which one will perform his surgery. The procedure is expected to happen next Tuesday or Wednesday, and will likely sideline him for six months.
Odds & Ends: NBPA, Team USA, Pietrus, Bulls
While Billy Hunter's job status is the main focus for the NBPA right now, Jerry Stackhouse believes that it's not just Hunter who needs to go. Calling for "wholesale changes," Stackhouse tells Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News that he belives the union needs to have a new executive committee, president, and executive director in place by the time Adam Silver takes over as commissioner next February.
Here are a few more notes from around the NBA:
- USA Basketball is putting off a decision on its next coach in hopes that Mike Krzyzewski can be talked into one more run with Team USA, reports ESPN.com's Marc Stein. Optimism is rising within the program that Coach K will reconsider his stance, even though he told ESPN.com's Andy Katz this week that "nothing has changed with anything," writes Stein.
- Mickael Pietrus wanted to return to the Celtics this season, and hoped that offseason surgery on his knee would help convince the club to bring him back, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.
- Although backup center continues to be an issue for the Bulls, the team can't afford to squeeze another free agent under the hard cap yet, so reinforcements don't appear likely in the short term, writes Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com.
- Grizzlies VP of basketball operations John Hollinger spoke to Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN.com about the difference between watching basketball as an executive and as a writer.
Pierce Not Interested In Being Part Of Rebuild
Paul Pierce has repeatedly expressed a desire to retire as a Celtic, and believes that this year's team, even without Rajon Rondo, is still strong enough to be a legit contender in the Eastern Conference. If president Danny Ainge disagrees and decides to launch a full-fledged rebuild, Pierce isn't interested in being part of it, as he tells Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.
"It’s all on what they plan on doing," Pierce said. "If they try to go into a rebuild mode, then, you know, I don’t know if I want to be a part of that. But that’s up to them and what they need to do. I don’t want to go out on a rebuild mode…. I want an opportunity to at least try to win another championship, simple and plain. And if that’s not going to be here — if that’s going to be somewhere else — so be it. That’s what it has to be. I mean, even the greatest players played for other franchises."
Pierce has been the subject of a number of trade rumors this season, particularly since Rondo's season-ending injury. Ainge, like Pierce, has said he wants to see No. 34 retire in Boston, though Ainge also acknowledged that he had to act in the club's best interest, regardless of his personal ties to any one player, a stance that Pierce understands.
"Sometimes it’s not about the player," Pierce said. "It’s about the franchise moving forward and doing what they feel is best for them. And players have their agendas, too, as far as older players as they wind down their career wanting to finish on successful teams."
Pierce has a $15.33MM player option for next season, which will be partially guaranteed for $5MM if he exercises it. The 35-year-old indicated to Bulpett that he would also consider retirement this summer if he's still a Celtic and the club has entered rebuilding mode. For now though, Pierce remains fully committed to Boston and is convinced that the team still has the ability to be in the mix for a title.
Nuggets’ Interest In Garnett Not Reciprocal
The Nuggets have called the Celtics about Kevin Garnett, but Denver's interest isn't reciprocated by Garnett himself, according to Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post. Kiszla reports that the Celtics big man has "let it be known" through his representatives that he's not currently interested in joining the Nuggets.
For most players, that stance wouldn't mean a whole lot, but Garnett is one of a handful of veterans to negotiate a no-trade clause into his contract, giving him the ability to veto any deal. A report earlier this week suggested that the 36-year-old wouldn't give his consent to a trade unless Paul Pierce was also heading out of Boston — even then, KG would prefer to be dealt to a Los Angeles team, near his home in Malibu.
As Matt Moore of CBSSports.com notes, the Nuggets don't make a ton of sense as a potential destination for Garnett anyway, since Denver generally hasn't been eager to add age or money. Garnett also wouldn't necessarily be a fit with George Karl's up-and-down style of play. Still, Kiszla's report indicates that the Nuggets are exploring their options and would be open to making a deal if it helps improve their title chances.
Odds & Ends: Celts, Garnett, Gay, Wolves, Draft
Here are some additional odds and ends from around the Association late Tuesday night:
- Via CSN NE, Dan Shaughnessy and Gary Tanguay debate whether or not the Celtics should move Paul Pierce and/or Kevin Garnett. Shaughnessy seems to think that, with this core's championship hopes all but dashed, the Celtics have no reason not to move one of their stars.
- CSN NE's A. Sherrod Blakely offers much of what we've already heard on Garnett within this story, adding that trade rumors hardly affect a team with the experience that the Celtics have. Armed with a no trade clause, Blakely says convincing Garnett to agree to a deal would be a "monumental task" for any team.
- Fortunate to have several friends on the Raptors — most notably Kyle Lowry — Rudy Gay will have the freedom to do more in Toronto than he's recently had in Memphis, writes Stephen Brotherston of HoopsWorld.
- With Minnesota and San Antonio slated to play Wednesday, Ray Richardson of the Pioneer Press writes that the Wolves — now with six international players on their roster — have followed in the Spurs' footsteps with regard to their personnel strategy.
- Chad Ford and Eamonn Brennan of ESPN debate which college point guard is the best pro prospect. While both concede that Michigan's Trey Burke is the nation's best point guard, the analysts project Marcus Smart of Oklahoma State and Michael Carter-Williams of Syracuse as better fits for the pro game.
Odds & Ends: Andersen, Splitter, Celtics, Pacers
Of the 10 NBA teams in action tonight, eight are currently in position to make the playoffs, while one of the remaining two is a shorthanded Lakers squad trying to claw its way back to .500. As we look forward to what should be an entertaining evening slate, let's round up some miscellaneous updates from around the Association….
- As Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida documents, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is talking as if he expects Chris Andersen to remain with the team for the rest of the season. If Miami does guarantee Andersen's contract, it will be the 15th guaranteed deal on the roster, meaning the Heat wouldn't have an open spot for someone like Greg Oden later in the season.
- Tiago Splitter is eligible for restricted free agency this summer and acknowledges to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News that he can't help but think about his future. "I’m not thinking about it during the games, of course," Splitter said. "But it’s difficult not to think about it other times. It’s in your head." Splitter's preference is to re-sign with the Spurs, though he'll likely be in line for a decent raise.
- Celtics coach Doc Rivers referred to recent trade rumors involving his players as "silly," suggesting that they're media-driven rather than substantial. Greg Payne of ESPNBoston.com has the details.
- Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star implores the Pacers to make a deal before the February 21st deadline if they want to be legit contenders in the Eastern Conference.
- In light of LeBron James' recent comments suggesting that his contract doesn't reflect his true value, ESPN.com's Henry Abbott and Brian Windhorst (video link) discuss the value of NBA superstars like LeBron.
- In a mailbag, Ian Thomsen of SI.com identifies 12 teams he thinks could be "buyers" as the trade deadline approaches.
Spears On Mozgov, Josh Smith, Rondo, Gay
Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports has been busy today, publishing a piece on Lindsey Hunter's adjustment to the head coaching job in Phoenix as well as posting Yahoo!'s weekly power rankings, which features the Spurs in the No. 1 spot once again. Spears' power rankings also feature a few tidbits of note, which we'll round up right here:
- The Nuggets are getting plenty of calls about Timofey Mozgov, but aren't under any financial pressure to make a deal. They'll probably only move Mozgov for a "too-good-to-be-true offer," says Spears.
- While there's still plenty of speculation that the Hawks could trade Josh Smith, interested teams have been keeping any talks very quiet.
- A surgery date for Rajon Rondo's ACL still hasn't been set, as Rondo could seek opinions from as many as three doctors.
- A source close to Rudy Gay tells Spears that the newest Raptor was happy about leaving the Grizzlies and should be a very good fit in Toronto — not only in the team's up-tempo offense, but in the city as well.
Kevin Garnett Addresses Trade Rumors
Despite having a no-trade clause in his contract with the Celtics, Kevin Garnett has been the subject of trade rumors this week, after a weekend report suggested the Clippers were interested in acquiring the veteran big man. Garnett spoke to reporters today about the NBA's trade season, and Brian Robb of CelticsHub passed along a few of KG's comments. Here's what Garnett had to say:
On the possibility of being traded:
"Danny [Ainge] made it very obvious since day one when he brought me and Ray [Allen] here to be aligned with Paul [Pierce] that he was going to do whatever was best for the organization. He’s made that apparent so I’ve understood that. I bleed green, I die green, that’s what it is. But it is a business though, and when it cross paths, I’ll deal with it. Trades are a part of this league. Every year you are going to hear certain things. If I were ya’ll, I wouldn’t read much into it though."
On having to deal with constant rumors:
"It’s part of the year. Right after All-Star, you start to hear things. Some of it’s chatter, some of it’s real. You just have to block certain things out, play through certain things. If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen — it’s out of your control a lot of times. The things you do control, you control those. You play, obviously fair. If the situation comes up where you got to move, then you are ready for it."
On having input on the Celtics' roster moves:
"Management usually makes those decisions on what they feel is best for the organization. A lot of the time players are just parts, and moving. No decision making. Danny talks to key guys here about decision making and that’s cool. He’s always give us important information and has been upfront with us. I don’t anticipate that changing anytime soon."
On whether he can imagine the Celtics without Pierce:
"No. I cannot. I will not."
Atlantic Notes: Knicks, Amundson, Celtics, Garnett
Yesterday, we heard that Louis Amundson is bracing for a possible trade or release as the Timberwolves near a decision on whether to keep their players on 10-day contracts (Mickael Gelabale, Chris Johnson) for the rest of the season. Today, Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com wonders if the Knicks could be in play for Amundson if the T-Wolves decide to cut him loose. Here are a few more notes from around the Atlantic Division:
- Some Knicks sources remain convinced that Rasheed Wallace is done for the season, but coach Mike Woodson isn't rushing to bring in a replacement, according to Zwerling.
- Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld hears from sources that while Celtics president Danny Ainge has kicked the tires on some trade possibilities, he hasn't seriously considered moving Kevin Garnett. KG's bond with Paul Pierce and coach Doc Rivers would likely result in him blocking many possible deals anyway, writes Kyler.
- Even though Nikola Vucevic is enjoying a breakout season for the Magic and Andrew Bynum hasn't played a single game for the Sixers, John Smallwood of the Philadelphia Daily News isn't second-guessing Philadelphia's decision to make last August's blockbuster trade.
- As the Lakers arrive in Brooklyn for tonight's game against the Nets, Deron Williams tells reporters, including Tim Bontemps of the New York Post, that he isn't spending any time thinking about what could have been if Brooklyn had acquired Dwight Howard. "We’re happy with Brook [Lopez], we’re happy with the team we have now," Williams said. "It’s not a 'shoulda, woulda, coulda' scenario."