Boston Celtics Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Thunder, Heat Frontrunners For Derek Fisher

March 20th, 2012 at 3:42pm CST by Luke Adams

3:42pm: Fisher is in "advanced negotiations" to sign with the Thunder after he clears waivers, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein. Oklahoma City has the advantage over Miami because the Thunder have more financial flexibility and can offer Fisher a larger role, says Stein.

3:03pm: Sources close to Fisher expect him to sign with the Thunder if he clears waivers, according to Sam Amick of SI.com (Twitter link).

12:48pm: The Spurs are still expecting to sign Mills and don't plan to talk to Fisher, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link).

12:08pm: The Celtics and Bulls aren't interested in Fisher, according to Ken Berger of CBS Sports (via Twitter). Berger adds that Fisher is expected to discuss "ideas and concepts" with the Spurs, Heat, and Thunder.

8:05am: The Thunder and Heat have emerged as the favorites to sign Derek Fisher, reports ESPN.com's Marc Stein. Fisher, who was bought out by the Rockets, is expected to clear waivers tomorrow.

The Spurs are also believed to have some interest in Fisher, but San Antonio is still hopeful about completing a deal with Patrick Mills. Stein adds that signing with Chicago is something that "strongly interests" Fisher, but the Bulls are focused on signing a big man, possibly Ronny Turiaf.

According to Stein, there are a couple factors that could work in the Thunder's favor in the race for Fisher: The veteran point guard now shares an agent with Kevin Durant, and Oklahoma City has a good chance to face Fisher's old team in the Western Conference playoffs. Unlike the Heat, however, the Thunder don't have an open roster spot, so they'd need to waive someone to clear room for Fisher.

Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com reports that the Rockets allowed Fisher's agent to speak to "about six teams" during buyout negotiations to gauge interest. Knowing there were contending teams interested in bringing him aboard, the 37-year-old felt comfortable giving up the final year of his contract (Twitter links).

Kyler On Arenas, Hickson, Turiaf, Fisher, Powell

March 20th, 2012 at 9:28am CST by Luke Adams

In his latest NBA AM piece for HoopsWorld, Steve Kyler checks in on a few free agents and free-agents-to-be, providing updates on their potential destinations. Let's round up the highlights….

Gilbert Arenas is expected to take a physical and finalize his deal with the Grizzlies today.
The Pacers, Cavaliers, and Raptors, who all have enough cap space to easily absorb J.J. Hickson's $2.35MM salary, won't be placing waiver claims.
A number of teams are interested in Ronny Turiaf but "word is" the forward will likely decide between the Celtics and Heat. Like Hickson, he doesn't figure to be claimed on waivers by clubs with cap space.
The Lakers have extended an offer to Derek Fisher to join the team's basketball operations staff. However, it doesn't appear Fisher is ready to retire just yet. We heard earlier today that the Thunder and Heat are the favorites to land the longtime Laker.
Josh Powell is drawing interest from the Suns and Celtics, as Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld reported last night. I believe Powell signed in Switzerland late in February, and I haven't seen any reports that indicate he's parted ways with Neuchatel. The Swiss regular season has ended though, so perhaps Powell is lining up an NBA job for when he returns. Since he hasn't played for an NBA team this season, he can sign after March 23rd and still be eligible for the postseason.

Odds & Ends: Blazers, Bulls, Hornets, Lakers

March 19th, 2012 at 10:36pm CST by Zachary Links

With the Bulls' 85-59 victory over the Magic this evening, Tom Thibodeau reached 100 victories and hit that mark in the least time of any coach in NBA history. Here's more on Chicago and the rest of the league..

Blazers interim GM Chad Buchanan originally wanted the Nets 2012 first-round pick sans protection in the Gerald Wallace deal but compromised in the end for top-three protection, tweets Ben Golliver of BlazersEdge.com.
Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com spoke to a number of Bulls players and people around the team about the prospect of picking up a free agent. The general feeling around the club is that while they would gladly welcome a new acquisition, they don't feel as though they need one to win.
David Aldridge of NBA.com takes a look back at the deadline deals that went down and also the ones that didn't. Aldridge opines that the Hornets, Wolves, and Hawks all should have made moves rather than stand pat.
Most of the big names in this summer's free agent class are veterans on the downslope of their career, writes Sam Amico of FOXSportsOhio.com.
The Celtics, Suns, and Pacers will all be flush with cash this summer, writes Larry Coon for ESPN.com (Insider sub. req'd). Teams with limited cap flexibility going forward include the Bulls, Heat, and Lakers.

Turiaf To Decide On New Team By Wednesday

March 19th, 2012 at 9:42pm CST by Zachary Links

Free agent Ronny Turiaf will decide on a new team by Wednesday, agent Mark Bartelstein told Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The Celtics and Heat lead the pack of interested teams.

The Nuggets waived Turiaf yesterday, just days after receiving him from the Wizards in the deal that brought them JaVale McGee. The 6’10” big man has the unique distinction of being involved in two three-team deals inside of four months.

Atlantic Notes: Knicks, O’Neal, Lopez, Nets, Celtics

March 19th, 2012 at 9:20pm CST by Luke Adams

Gerald Green signed with the Nets for the remainder of the season yesterday, but he hopes and expects to remain a Net longer than that, as he told Fred Kerber of the New York Post.

"Me being here is good. I think the team wants me here," Green said. "Next year, I don’t think I’m going anywhere. I’m going to be here and I think we can definitely work something out. I wanted the team to have all the flexibility it could for what they want to do in the offseason so they’re fine with that. I’m not trying to go anywhere. So we’ll just finish out this season and see how it goes."

Here are a few more Monday updates out of the Atlantic Division:

Carmelo Anthony says that the Knicks have been more relaxed since Mike Woodson took over as head coach, tweets Al Iannazzone of Newsday.
Jermaine O'Neal tweets that he's not sure what his basketball future will hold. Earlier today, the Celtics announced that the veteran will have to undergo surgery on his wrist and will miss the remainder of the season.
Brook Lopez was disappointed earlier this season when the Nets didn't offer him a contract extension but coach Avery Johnson says that the center isn't holding a grudge, writes Stefan Bondy of the Daily News. Lopez also heard his name pop up in trade rumors once again at the trade deadline as the Nets reportedly offered him to Milwaukee for Monta Ellis.
Scott Schroeder of Ridiculous Upside thinks that Green's success with the Nets could make scouts re-examine some so-called failed prospects that are having success in the D-League.
After a quiet trade deadline, the Celtics' future is uncertain, writes Paul Flannery of WEEI.com.
In a separate piece for WEEI.com, Flannery examines how the deadline deals impact the Celtics.
Mike D'Antoni never viewed himself as a locker-room therapist, which was a factor in his parting ways with the Knicks, says Marc Berman of the New York Post.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Warriors Expect To Sign Hickson

March 19th, 2012 at 6:36pm CST by Zachary Links

6:36pm: The Warriors are expected to sign J.J. Hickson, according to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.com. Golden State has two open roster spots and could finalize a deal with Hickson as early as Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, league sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter) that the Warriors and Suns are frontrunners Hickson if he clears waivers.

6:09pm: Forward J.J. Hickson is likely committed to an NBA team and it's not the Celtics, a source told Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe (via Twitter). Hickson received a buyout from the Kings earlier today.

The C's seemed to be a likely destination for the 23-year-old as they had talks with Sacramento about Hickson before the trade deadline. The 6'9" forward put up 13.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in Cleveland last year but has averaged just 4.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest with the Kings.

Hickson still has to clear waivers before he can sign with a club and it's conceivable that he'll be claimed given his potential.

O’Neal To Undergo Season-Ending Surgery

March 19th, 2012 at 4:32pm CST by Luke Adams

Jermaine O'Neal will undergo surgery on his left wrist and miss the remainder of the season, reports Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald. O'Neal had been debating between trying to play through the injury or opting for surgery, and Bulpett says O'Neal and his doctor realized the wrist wouldn't heal without surgery (Twitter link).

Celtics coach Doc Rivers had already said he didn't expect O'Neal to play for Boston again this season, so the decision doesn't affect the Celtics' plan much. The team is still expected to add at least one big man to bolster a depleted frontcourt. For other contenders, O'Neal's surgery removes a potential buyout candidate from the mix.

Rivers: Celtics Close To Adding Player

March 19th, 2012 at 1:09pm CST by Luke Adams

1:09pm: Following up his earlier tweet, Blakely writes that the Celtics hope to add a player today, and expect to make a move by Friday at the latest. Blakely adds that Boston is keeping an eye on potential buyout candidates like Chris Kaman and Lamar Odom, just in case they become available.

"You want to wait for that," Rivers said. "You don't want to sign a guy and then another guy (you're interested in) buys out. It's a game of chicken, but it's hurting us. We literally need a body. We just need anybody."

12:51pm: If a move is imminent for the Celtics, don't expect it to involve Ronny Turiaf, says Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com. Although Turiaf "drew immediate interest" from Boston, he still needs to clear waivers, and agent Mark Bartelstein says his client may take some time after that to make a decision on where to sign.

10:44am: The Celtics are "close" to adding another player, coach Doc Rivers tells A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com (Twitter link). Blakely adds that the player is likely a big man. The Celtics have been lacking frontcourt depth with Chris Wilcox and Jermaine O'Neal out.

Boston's roster currently sits at 15 players, so the team would have to make a corresponding move to make room for a new addition. O'Neal is perhaps the likeliest Celtic to be cut or bought out. Rivers said last week that he doesn't expect the veteran big man to play for Boston again this season, and O'Neal is rumored to be seeking a buyout. Resolution on his situation, whether that means a buyout or wrist surgery, was expected to come early this week.

As for the player the Celtics may be adding, Rivers said on Friday that recently waived Blazer Chris Johnson is "an absolute option" for Boston.

Odds & Ends: Odom, Aldridge, Jefferson, Celtics

March 18th, 2012 at 6:51pm CST by Michael Pina

In his first game since becoming a member of the Warriors, Richard Jefferson had a tough go, making just two of 14 shots and scoring nine points in just under 38 minutes of play. On Thursday, the Spurs dealt Jefferson for veteran swingman Stephen Jackson. Due to the approximate $30 million due his way over the next three years (including an $11 million player option in 2013-14 which he's likely to exercise), the Warriors were questioned for making the deal.

Here are a few other notes from around the league.

John Denton tweets that Otis Smith is content with the Magic roster and can't see adding any of the recently bought out vets like Derek Fisher and Ronny Turiaf. CBS Sports' Matt Moore explores potential landing spots for Fisher.
The Blazers have announced a Monday press conference for Jonny Flynn and Hasheem Thabeet, suggesting they passed their physicals (via Mike Tokito tweet).
Yesterday, Yahoo! Sports' Marc J. Spears wrote a detailed feature on Lamar Odom's struggles in Dallas. Inside the piece, Spears notes that Odom formally requested a buyout in February, but was rejected by owner Mark Cuban and general manager Donnie Nelson.
Upon hearing that Ronny Turiaf has officially been bought out by the Nuggets, WEEI.com's Paul Flannery takes a look into whether the Celtics might be interested in bringing the 6'10" Frenchman aboard. Boston made no moves at the trade deadline but with the future of Jermaine O'Neal still in serious doubt, they're still in need of a big man or two.
Since taking over for the Trail Blazers former head coach Nate McMillan, Kaleb Canales has decided to utilize LaMarcus Aldridge more from the elbow. According to CSNNW.com's Chris Haynes, the move was made before Friday night's win against Chicago, and Portland's best player has said he's enjoying the change.

Kennedy On Williams, Buyouts, Nets, Magic

March 17th, 2012 at 4:45pm CST by Chuck Myron

Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld chatted with readers this afternoon, and passed along a few intriguing nuggets. Here are the highlights:

He rounded up the buyout candidates, listing Chris Kaman, Derek Fisher, Jermaine O’Neal, Shawne Williams, Boris Diaw, Marquis Daniels, Brian Cook and Ronny Turiaf.
Kennedy says he's been told free agent-to-be Deron Williams wants to play in Dallas, he and predicts the point guard winds up with the Mavs.
Since Dwight Howard's option only covers one more season, Kennedy wouldn't rule out the Nets pursuing D12 again next year.
The Magic won't go after Derek Fisher if he's bought out by the Rockets, but they may try to work a sign and trade with restricted free agent Ryan Anderson this summer as they try to get creative to bring in the talent necessary to appease Howard.