Turiaf To Decide On New Team By Wednesday
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Odds & Ends: Buyouts, Thunder, Williams, Camby
A few teams got a first look at their new acquisitions tonight, while others still await players to arrive and take physicals in their new cities. It's a league that's still in flux less than 36 hours after the trade deadline. Let's take a look at what's going on as everyone gets settled:
- Marquis Daniels of the Celtics and Brian Cook of the Wizards are buyout candidates, says agent Mark Bartelstein via Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports. (Twitter link)
- The Thunder have assigned forward Ryan Reid to the Tulsa 66ers of the D-League, reports Emiliano Carchia of Sportando, via Twitter. Oklahoma City signed the undrafted 25-year-old forward to a partially guaranteed two-year contract before the season, but he's only appeared in five games so far, scoring a total of eight points in 17 minutes. The 6'8", 232-pound Reid played 48 games with Tulsa last year, averaging 8.5 points and 5.8 rebounds while posting a 14.7 PER.
- According to Alex Raskin of HoopsWorld, Nets GM Billy King is confident his team can re-sign Deron Williams this summer, even though the point guard said today he will not opt in to the final season of his deal, a la Dwight Howard.
- Marcus Camby, who sees himself playing four more years, wants to finish his career with the Rockets, writes Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
- Tommy Dee of Sheridan Hoops takes a look at the NBA prospects of Cincinnati's Yancy Gates.
- ESPN's Chad Ford believes NCAA tournament hero C.J. McCollum of Lehigh is a "serious draft sleeper" (Twitter link). Ford reported a few weeks ago that scouts had McCollum pegged as a late first-round or early second-round selection (Insider only).
- J.A. Adande of ESPN looks at what we've learned from the trade deadline. The most significant takeaway is that it pays to have a Plan B, Adande says.
Odds & Ends: Nene, Celtics, Camby, Kaman, Rubio
A few odds and ends from around the league for Friday afternoon:
- Explaining yesterday's acquisition of Nene, Wizards president Ernie Grunfield cited the cost certainty of Nene's deal, noting that free agency is a "crap shoot." Michael Lee of the Washington Post has the details.
- Celtics coach Doc Rivers told reporters, including Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com, that Chris Johnson, who was waived by the Blazers yesterday, is "an absolute option" for the Celtics.
- Shawne Williams' agent hasn't been approached by the Blazers yet about a buyout for his client, though that could change soon, writes Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com.
- After Brendan Haywood sprained his knee in last night's game, the Mavericks will recall Sean Williams from their D-League affiliate, according to a team press release. The Mavs had assigned Williams to Austin earlier this week.
- Marcus Camby may be 38 years old and in the final year of his contract, but he's not ready for retirement yet. The Rockets big man tells Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle that he wants to play for four more years (Twitter link).
- Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel doesn't think David Stern would block the Hornets from buying out Chris Kaman.
- Ricky Rubio will undergo reconstructive surgery on his left knee next Wednesday, the team announced today.
O’Neal Resolution Expected Early Next Week
The Celtics' situation with Jermaine O'Neal should come to a close by early next week, reports A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com (via Twitter). O'Neal has been sidelined with a wrist injury, and could decide to undergo season-ending surgery, while a contract buyout also seems possible.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports suggested yesterday that O'Neal had been angling for a buyout and is interested in rejoining the Heat. The injured Celtic took to his Twitter account to seemingly refute that report, tweeting "You can't always believe what you see and hear on tv!"
Celtics coach Doc Rivers said yesterday that he didn't expect to see O'Neal back on the court for Boston this season, referring to the 33-year-old's wrist injury.