New York Notes: Garnett, Nets, Carmelo, Clippers
Both New York clubs are set to take the floor today as the Nets face off against the Bulls in Brooklyn and the Knicks take on the Thunder in Oklahoma City. Here’s the latest out of NYC:
- Kevin Garnett spoke on the Nets’ lack of success this season and stated he’s not sure if the club has an identity, reveals Andy Vasquez of The Record. “I don’t know what we are… I’m not an excuse kind of guy and I’ll figure it out. But I don’t think we have an identity.” The Nets are a disappointing 9-18 so far this year, but still sit just two games back from a playoff spot in the underwhelming Eastern Conference.
- Jabari Davis of HoopsWorld sees the injury to Brook Lopez as an opportunity for Andray Blatche, Mason Plumlee, and Mirza Teletovic to display their skills in increased playing time. The Nets had shown some interest in bringing a player aboard via the Disabled Player Exception, but it seems unlikely they’ll acquire anyone, given their already complicated financial situation.
- Recent Knicks rumors suggested Carmelo Anthony might wind up in a Clippers uniform next season, but Howard Beck of Bleacher Report doesn’t see it happening since the Clippers have such little cap flexibility (Twitter link).
- Beck also refutes the possibility of a sign-and-trade involving Anthony (via Twitter) since the Knicks would only engage in such a move if the Clippers had the ability to sign him outright.
Atlantic Notes: Nets, Lowry, Anderson, Knicks
The Nets’ long-term plan has centered on building around Deron Williams and an impact center, and when the team was unable to land Dwight Howard, Brook Lopez became that big man. However, as Tim Bontemps of the New York Post points out, the two franchise cornerstones often haven’t been healthy at the same time. The Nets are 58-42 in games the two stars have played together, and 29-71 when one or the other doesn’t play.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- Kyle Lowry knows he’s been the subject of trade rumors over the last several weeks, and spoke to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld about the challenge of not letting those rumors affect him. “I think a lot of guys say that they don’t think about it, but of course you think about it,” Lowry said. “You just can’t let it affect your play.”
- James Anderson credits Brett Brown, who was an assistant coach for the Spurs, and Sam Hinkie, who was the Rockets’ assistant GM, with bringing him to the Sixers after he made stops in San Antonio and Houston. As he tells Shams Charania of RealGM.com, Anderson is trying to make the most of his first real opportunity to be an NBA regular.
- The pairing of Andrea Bargnani with Carmelo Anthony hasn’t worked out so far for the Knicks, and that’s one of the main reasons the team finds itself at 9-18 entering its Christmas Day game, writes Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com.
Southwest Links: Asik, Lin, Spurs, Evans
Let’s round up a few of Monday’s notes out of the Southwest Division….
- Following up on a weekend report, Howard Beck of Bleacher Report (Twitter link) confirms that the Rockets and Nets discussed Omer Asik, Jeremy Lin, and Deron Williams. However, a source tells Beck that nothing came of the talks, which appear to be dead.
- In a piece for SBNation.com, Mark Deeks of ShamSports.com argues that the Rockets‘ leverage in Asik trade talks could actually improve as the trade deadline approaches, as rival teams feel more pressure to make a move. Deeks also points out that keeping Asik and giving him minutes that may otherwise have gone to Greg Smith will help keep Smith’s value down as he approaches restricted free agency, which should help the Rockets keep him.
- The Spurs have recalled Malcolm Thomas and Nando De Colo from the D-League, according to a press release from the team. Thomas and De Colo appeared in just one game during their stint with Austin, combining for 53 points to help the Toros blow out the Delaware 87ers on Saturday.
- Although he’s a Pelican now, Tyreke Evans keeps an eye on his old team, and tells Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee that he was happy to see the Kings remain in Sacramento “after all the uncertainty.”
Eastern Notes: DeRozan, Magic, Nets, Heat
The Raptors‘ decision to trade Rudy Gay earlier this month may have looked on the surface like a signal that the team was giving up its shot at the playoffs. Instead, the new-look Raps have reeled off their best stretch of the year, handing the Thunder their first home loss of the season last night. Toronto may not be done making moves, but ESPN.com’s Marc Stein says that the latest indications suggest DeMar DeRozan isn’t being “overtly shopped.”
Here’s more from around the East:
- According to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld, league sources characterize the Magic as “value shoppers” in the trade market. The team wouldn’t be opposed to moving players like Jameer Nelson and Glen Davis, but doesn’t appear to be actively engaged in finding deals. As we heard earlier today, the Magic also continue to turn away inquiries on Arron Afflalo.
- The Nets have recalled Tornike Shengelia and Tyshawn Taylor from the D-League, the team announced today in a press release. The duo appeared in a pair of games for the Springfield Armor this weekend, with Shengelia’s 23 points on Sunday helping to lead the Armor to a victory over the Maine Red Claws.
- Since the Nets may not have their own first-round pick for the next five years, it doesn’t make sense to bottom out, meaning the team will need to find a way to field a competitive roster, writes Tom Ziller of SBNation.com.
- Responding to an inquiry on whether the Heat should explore trading for Kyle Lowry as an upgrade on Mario Chalmers, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel suggests Chalmers represents an ideal fit for the team, since he understands his role and doesn’t push for more minutes or shots.
Odds & Ends: Hickson, Nets, Spurs, Granger
J.J. Hickson has rebounded from the ups and downs of off-court life, writes Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post. Hickson inked a three-year, $16.15MM deal – the full mid-level exception – with the Nuggets over the summer. More from around the league..
- Howard Beck of Bleacher Report (Twitter link) hears that it’s “highly doubtful” that the Nets will wind up using the Disabled Player’s Exception if they are granted it by the league. The Nets, of course, have lost Brook Lopez for the year.
- Now on assignment from the Spurs, Malcolm Thomas is still impressing in the D-League, writes Scott Rafferty of Ridiculous Upside. Thomas was averaging 33.5 points on 62.2% shooting from the floor in his memorable two game stint for the D-Fenders before being picked up by San Antonio. Now with the Austin Toros, Thomas isn’t putting up numbers that are quite as gaudy, but he’s still looking strong.
- Pacers president Larry Bird is less-than-thrilled with Danny Granger‘s work ethic during the offseason, writes Bob Kravitz of the Indy Star. “He doesn’t work hard enough (in the offseason),” Bird said. “He’s not a guy who’ll push himself to the brink like a lot of our guys do. He works hard but he doesn’t push himself. That’s why he starts slow every year and he just works his way back. Now this year, he’s been hurt, so it’s a different deal.“
- Jazz rookie Trey Burke spoke with Sekou Smith of NBA.com about dealing with expectations, patience, and what he learned from his time spent with Jazz legend John Stockton.
- David Alarcon of HoopsHype catches up with Italian prospect Alessandro Gentile. Gentile is pegged to go in the middle of the second round in DraftExpress‘ 2014 mock.
Draft Notes: Hawks, Bennett, Craft, Ross
Is your favorite team looking to deal future draft choices to make things brighter today? Not so fast. There are rules and regulations to follow. You can get yourself all caught up on the rules for dealing future picks thanks to Luke Adams’ handy guide, published last week. Here’s today’s draft links..
- It may be bad times in Brooklyn but the Nets’ troubles are giving the Hawks reason to smile, writes Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- Everyone feared that the 2013 Draft would be historically bad and the early returns support that, writes Jodie Valade of the Plain Dealer. “It’s very early,” ESPN.com analyst Chad Ford said of No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett, “but right now, he’s looking like the worst in the past 20 years. That includes Greg Oden. Oden was injured all the time, but when he played, he at least looked like a No. 1 pick.“
- Dan Kelly of SNY.tv asks if Ohio State’s Aaron Craft and LaQuinton Ross have NBA futures. Craft figures to be the best perimeter defender in this year’s class and is currently slated to go in the second round. Ross, who stands at 6’7″ and boasts a 7’1″ wingspan, has a good build for the two-guard position and can shoot well, but his effort isn’t consistent from game to game. He’s also projected to go in the second round.
Atlantic Notes: Nets, Pierce, Celtics, Brooks
Earlier today, Nets GM Billy King confirmed that the Nets will apply for the Disabled Player Exception in a bid to replace injured big man Brook Lopez with outside help. Meanwhile, the Nets have also reportedly discussed Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin with the Rockets. Here’s a look at the Atlantic as the Nets look to salvage their season..
- Howard Beck of Bleacher Report wonders aloud if the Nets should consider dealing Paul Pierce before the February deadline. PIerce can leave as a free agent at the end of the season and if they feel that they can’t regroup in time to make a title run this year, it would make sense to shop the veteran as a short-term rental.
- There is a constant evaluation process happening with the Celtics and no one should be surprised if they make a move that feels like one step forward, or even two steps back, writes SBNation’s Paul Flannery. Meanwhile, Flannery says that it’s telling that the C’s didn’t up their offer of Brandon Bass, Courtney Lee, and a protected future first-round pick for Asik. Boston was only interested in Asik if they could secure him for two contracts that extend beyond this season and once rebuffed, they were okay with walking away.
- Celtics guard MarShon Brooks is anxiously awaiting an opportunity to prove himself in Boston, writes Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald. The Celtics turned down their fourth-year option on Brooks, making him a free agent at the end of this season.
- Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com tries to read between the lines of Carmelo Anthony‘s recent assertion on NBA TV that LeBron James and Chris Bosh were “smart” to join Dwyane Wade with the Heat in free agency three years ago. Of course, the Knicks star is headed for free agency after this season.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Nets To Apply For Disabled Player Exception
SUNDAY, 11:48am: The Nets will indeed apply for the disabled player exception, GM Billy King confirms to reporters, including Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). Several agents and opposing teams have contacted the Nets to shop their big men, King says, adding that tax concerns won’t preclude the team from making a trade, according to Newsday’s Roderick Boone (Twitter links). The Nets could use the DPE to absorb a player on an expiring deal of no more than $5.25MM, or they could sign a player for as much as $5.15MM to replace Lopez. Still, King cautions that no trade is imminent, as Boone tweets.
SATURDAY, 11:57am: Indications are that the Nets will at least explore using the Disabled Players Exception to replace the injured Brook Lopez, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com (on Twitter). David Aldridge of NBA.com, meanwhile, hears that the Nets don’t have plans to go outside at present (link). Earlier today, we learned that the Nets will lose the big man for the season thanks to a broken foot, though the Nets say they’re waiting on official word.
In the short term, the Nets are unlikely to rush out and find a Lopez replacement, Stein tweets. Instead, they’ll rely on Kevin Garnett, Andray Blatche, Mason Plumlee, Mirza Teletovic, and Reggie Evans to pick things up and help fill the void. That could be a tall order given the offensive limitations of Evans, Blatche’s inconsistency, Teletovic’s defensive shortcomings, and Garnett’s overall decline. Brooklyn will also hope to get Andrei Kirilenko back in the fold to help across the board, particularly with rebounding.
The exception would be worth the amount of the non-taxpayer MLE, as explained in Hoops Rumors glossary entry on the DPE.
Nets, Rockets Had Talks About Asik, Lin
Plenty of teams have been linked to Omer Asik of late, but it appears the Rockets also had discussions with a team that hadn’t been rumored to be in the mix. Houston had preliminary talks with the Nets involving Omer Asik as well as Jeremy Lin, a source tells Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com. Youngmisuk describes the conversations as due diligence on the part of the Rockets, and apparently Houston asked for Deron Williams in return. The Nets weren’t receptive to trading Williams since his presence in Brooklyn was one of the reasons Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett gave their blessing to the trade that brought them to the Nets this summer, Youngmisuk writes.
Ken Berger of CBSSports.com brought up a similar notion yesterday, and though it appeared that his mention of a Nets-Rockets deal for Asik was merely speculative, he might know more than he let on. Berger suggested the Nets could offer Paul Pierce and a first-round pick in return, though I doubt the Rockets would go for that.
The Rockets abandoned their efforts to trade Asik by a self-imposed deadline this week, and while GM Daryl Morey says Asik will probably remain in Houston “for quite a long time,” it still seems there’s a strong chance the Turkish center is on a new team by the trade deadline. He’d make more sense for the Nets now that they’ve lost Brook Lopez for the season. Asik’s nearly $15MM balloon payment for 2014/15 that dissuaded many teams from trading for him wouldn’t seem to be an issue for high-rolling Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov, even though Lin is due the same amount next season. That would mean $30MM in actual salary, plus luxury tax penalties, for two players whose combined salary cap hits are about half that amount. Williams is due close to $18.5MM this year and $19.75MM in 2014/15, though his salary aligns with his cap hit.
The most popular response from Hoops Rumors readers in last night’s poll suggested the Nets should trade for someone in response to Lopez’s injury. It sounds like Nets GM Billy King was thinking of a trade even before the injury happened.
Odds & Ends: Jefferson, Jazz, Lakers
With all but six teams around the league in action today, it has been a busy day on the hardwood. Off the court news has also been in abundance. Here are a few notes:
- Prior to Al Jefferson facing his old team, the Bobcats center spoke (Twitter link) with Aaron Falk of the Salt Lake Tribune regarding his exit from the Jazz last year. Jefferson told Falk he knew the Jazz were likely going to move on from him and Hawks forward Paul Millsap. According to Jefferson he gave the Jazz “the first option” to sign him but knew with Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter coming up in the Jazz organization that it would likely be time for him and Millsap to move on.
- Jazz head coach Tyrone Corbin told Jody Genessy of the Deseret News he wishes Richard Jefferson hadn’t stated his intentions for next summer when the Jazz are still “trying to be a championship-contending team” this season. Corbin said Jefferson has been a great player for the Jazz this year but wishes the forward who will be “hunting” to play for a championship team in free agency would have discussed the championship push this year’s team is trying to make.
- While we asked you guys what the Nets should do now that Brook Lopez is out for the year, Bradford Doolittle of ESPN (Insider piece) thinks the Nets should try to get a trade together with the Lakers to trade away Lopez himself. Doolittle thinks the Lakers should trade Pau Gasol‘s expiring contract in return for two years of a healthy Lopez when they will be trying to chase two final titles for recently extended Kobe Bryant. He also argues that Gasol could help the Nets continue to try to get a championship this year.