Gerald Wallace Open To Returning To Nets
Gerald Wallace hasn't decided whether to pick up his $9.5MM option for next season, but after an upbeat meeting with Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov this week, his comments to Fred Kerber of the New York Post indicate he's open to coming back to the team next year.
Wallace said he can see himself in a Nets uniform next season, and relayed that he and agent Rob Pelinka have talked about the possibility. Though he said he'll wait to make a decision until the offseason, he is already thinking about what he and his teammates must do next year to improve on their 22-38 record.
“The biggest thing for this team is going to be training camp — keeping guys accustomed to having that real training camp,” he said. “Coming back next year, we’re able to get adjusted to being together.”
Before the Blazers traded him to New Jersey at the deadline, Wallace had indicated he would turn down the option, but was seeking a long-term deal with the Blazers. It's unlikely that the 29-year-old Wallace, two years removed from his All-Star season and putting up his lowest scoring average in seven years, could command $9.5MM a year on the open market. Still, he could secure much more than that spread over a number of years, so that sort of guarantee might be enticing.
Nets GM Billy King said last week he sees Wallace as the key to the team's success going forward, an interesting comment considering the pending free agency of Deron Williams. Though Wallace seems high on Prokhorov, it's unlikely he sees the Nets as favorably as they see him. Still, opting in might be a smart move. He's averaged 14.8 PPG in 13 games with New Jersey after posting just 13.3 PPG in Portland this season, and most of his other numbers are up since the trade as well. If he keeps it up for another season, he could erase some of the doubts raised by his time with the Blazers and increase the value and likelihood of the long-term contract he seeks in free agency.
Atlantic Notes: Bargnani, Odom, Nets, Woodson
The Celtics look to move one step closer to clinching the Atlantic Division and first-round home-court advantage when they play the shorthanded Raptors in Toronto tonight. Here's the latest on Toronto and a few other Atlantic teams:
- Andrea Bargnani will be shut down for the season with a left calf injury, the Raptors announced today in a team release. Considering where the team sits in the standings, the decision likely has as much to do with securing a good draft pick as it does with Bargnani's calf.
- The Mavericks could potentially have avoided a good deal of drama if the Lakers' trade for Chris Paul had gone through in December. According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, Lamar Odom would have been sent to the Nets if that Paul deal had gone through. The Hornets, knowing Odom wouldn't be happy in New Orleans, had a deal in place to trade Odom for a future first-round pick, says Stein.
- Nets coach Avery Johnson had a two-hour meeting with majority owner Mikhail Prokhorov this week about the future of the team, writes Fred Kerber of the New York Post.
- Making Mike Woodson the full-time coach rather than bringing in a big-name candidate this summer would give the Knicks a chance for stability, says Marc Berman of the New York Post.
Stern On Brooklyn, Ads on Jerseys, Kings, Maloofs
In a press conference today at the NBA's Board of Governors meetings, commissioner David Stern introduced new Hornets owner Tom Benson and addressed a number of other topics. Here are a few highlights, with all links going to Twitter:
- Stern called Benson the "perfect owner" for the Hornets.
- The board formally approved the Nets' move to Brooklyn and the name change to the Brooklyn Nets.
- Advertising on jerseys was discussed, but is unlikely to go anywhere before next season.
- Stern viewed the Kings' arena agreement as non-binding and said it was fair for the Maloofs to back out. He wishes they'd made that decision a little sooner, since it could have saved "a lot of angst and trouble," but he's very protective of their rights as owners to make the decision they did.
- Stern is "hopeful" but "not optimistic" about the talks between Sacramento and the Kings, saying that there was nothing more the league could do. J.A. Adande of ESPN.com notes that the commissioner seemed to be using the past tense a lot in discussing the arena situation.
- While he was respectful of the Kings' owners, Stern used the term "ill grace" frequently when discussing the Maloofs' economist, who argued the arena plan would put Sacramento in dire financial straits. The commissioner added that he believes the Maloofs when they say they want to keep their team in Sacramento, but refused to speculate on whether the Kings would remain in the city past next season.
- Stern's future as commissioner was not discussed with the Board of Governors.
Atlantic Notes: Prokhorov, Nets, Celtics, Raptors
Nets majority owner Mikhail Prokhorov is in America this week and spoke to reporters yesterday about meeting with Deron Williams and his desire to turn the team into a championship contender. If you're looking for something substantial though, look elsewhere, says Dave D'Alessandro of the Star-Ledger. D'Alessandro calls Prokhorov an absentee owner who doesn't really follow the team closely, and wonders how that will affect players deciding whether or not to sign with the Nets.
Here are a few morning Wednesday morning links out of the Atlantic Division:
- Trail Blazers fans are hoping the Nets' first-round pick Portland holds turns into perhaps a fourth- or fifth-overall selection, but as a NetsDaily piece points out, that's not possible based on the current standings. The best the Blazers' could do with New Jersey's pick right now is seventh overall. I updated the status of this pick and other protected first-rounders yesterday.
- With the 2012 London Olympics approaching, a pair of Celtics teammates expressed a lack of interest in playing for Team USA, as Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida writes. Rajon Rondo said he loves his summers too much to consider playing in the Olympics, while Ray Allen said he believes players should be paid to participate, given the profit made off Team USA jersey sales.
- Unlike Toronto's NHL team, the Raptors shouldn't be sorry for the team's performance this season, says Doug Smith of the Toronto Star. While Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke took out an ad in the Star to apologize for his team's disappointing record, Bryan Colangelo and the Raptors have done exactly what they intended this season — develop young players, maintain cap flexibility, and incorporate the philosphies of new coach Dwane Casey.
Deron Williams Met With Nets’ Owner
Nets majority owner Mikhail Prokhorov is making a rare appearance in America this week, visiting the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York today. Speaking to reporters, Prokhorov was asked about the number one topic on the minds of Nets fans these days: Deron Williams. After initially declining comment, Prokhorov said that he met with the star point guard yesterday and that he thinks he and Williams are "on the same page" (via Andy Vasquez of the Bergen Record).
"[Deron] wants to win," Prokhorov said, according to Ken Berger of CBS Sports (via Twitter). "And I want to win maybe even more."
Williams, who holds a player option for next season, has indicated multiple times that he intends to explore free agency this summer. While the Nets could offer him the most money, there are a few other teams that could make a play for Williams, including his hometown Mavericks. Prokhorov acknowledged that he will likely be competing with Mark Cuban and the Mavs in the offseason.
"Let the best man win," Prokhorov said, joking: "If he wins, I will crush him in kickboxing throwdown" (Twitter link).
When we asked Sunday night where Williams would end up next season, about 53% of nearly 1000 Hoops Rumors readers predicted the point guard would be a Dallas Maverick.
Minor Moves: Selby, Jazz, Ahearn, Randolph
In a team statement, the Nets announced they have signed guard Armon Johnson to a 10-day contract (Twitter link). The move was likely made to help replace Jordan Farmar, who will miss the rest of the season with a groin injury. The 6’3″ Johnson has played just five minutes this season with the Trail Blazers.
- The Grizzlies recalled Josh Selby from the D-League, according to J. Michael Falgoust of USA Today (via Twitter). If that sentence looks familiar, that’s because Memphis has sent the guard to Reno and recalled him three times this season. That’s the maximum number of times that a player can be demoted in a year, so Selby won’t be sent down again.
- The Jazz are expected to sign Blake Ahearn to a ten-day contract, according to Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune (via Twitter). Ahearn is the D-League’s all-time leading scorer and led the league in scoring this season 23.8 PPG while shooting over 40% from three-point range.
- Former NBA player Shavlik Randolph has officially signed with Puerto Rico’s Piratas de Quebradillas, according to Sportando. He spent the first part of this season in China.
Atlantic Notes: Sixers, Celtics, Anthony, Nets
In what has to be one of the most shocking collapses in recent memory, the Sixers have gone from championship contender to fringe playoff team in a mere couple of weeks. In an Insider article, ESPN.com's John Hollinger says one reason for the constant losing has been a sharp decline in offensive efficiency. Philly.com's John Mitchell says the problem lies in the team's lack of character.
- In a column that ponders possible locations for Dwight Howard next season, Bulls.com's Sam Smith says the Sixers are almost sure to break up their potent Jrue Holliday, Evan Turner, Andre Iguodala trio.
- Rich Levine of CSNNE.com says Celtics fans should be hoping the Bucks make the playoffs. If they do, Boston gets Milwaukee's second round draft pick from the offseason Keyon Dooling.
- The New York Post's Tim Bontemps points out a rare bright spot relating to the Nets. If the Rockets make the playoffs, New Jersey receives the team's first round draft pick.
- Coming off an Easter Sunday thriller that saw Carmelo Anthony score his most points in a Knicks uniform, ESPNNY.com's Ian Begley writes that the All-Star is thriving in isolation sets. With Amare Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin both out, New York will only go as far as Anthony can take them.
Nets GM Billy King Confident In Quick Turnaround
The Nets are just 20-37, but GM Billy King has his eyes on building a winner for next season, reports Colin Stephenson of the Star-Ledger. The GM is counting on Deron Williams and Gerald Wallace, both of whom could elect free agency this summer, to return, but believes the cap flexibility they'll have if they don't would be a positive as well.
"I think we’re headed in the right direction, and if you look at our team this year, being as banged up (as it was), to beat Chicago in Chicago, Philly in Philly, New York in New York… we won some games in tough places,'' the GM said. "And you see things getting in the right direction. Winning is important. And that’s what I told Deron: ‘We’re not rebuilding this year. We’re going to build this team to win next year.’''
King sees the trade deadline acquisition of Gerald Wallace as a key to the team's success going forward, even though the former All-Star hasn't turned the team into a winner since the trade, going 5-7 in the 12 games he's played for New Jersey. Plus, his acquisition likely means they'll give up their 2012 first-round draft pick, unless it falls within the top three.
Much rides on the offseason, when the team could lose Williams, Wallace, Brook Lopez and Kris Humphries, four-fifths of its preferred starting lineup. Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News writes that the pursuit of Williams, in particular, is key for owner Mikhail Prokhorov. Still, the free agent point guard says he doesn't know enough about the owner for him to be a factor in his decision. One team executive Williams presumably does have a relationship with is King, so the onus is on him to woo Williams back.
The Nets have built-in advantages with their free agents, since they can go over the salary cap to sign them and, at least in Williams' case, a max deal could be on the table. Plus, the team is moving to Brooklyn next year, a move that can't hurt the endorsement opportunities available for its players. Still, it's hard to see how bringing them all back, and convincing Wallace to take his $9.5MM option for next season, could instantly turn the team into a contender. The trick might be to let some of them go and find other available parts that are a better fit with what they do bring back, or continue to pin their hopes on convincing Dwight Howard and the Magic to end their troubled relationship. In any case, it's going to be a challenge for King to turn the franchise around as quickly as he'd like.
Nets Shut Down Brook Lopez For Season
The Associated Press reports (link via The New York Post) that the New Jersey Nets have shut down center Brook Lopez for the remainder of the 2011/12 season.
Lopez, 24, is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season, and figures to be one of the most attractive free-agent big men on the market. Because of this, general manager Billy King has decided it is not worth the risk to play the injury-plagued Lopez in the final 10 games of the season.
Lopez missed the majority of the season with a broken foot and only appeared in five games before spraining his right ankle. He was averaging 19.2 PPG and 3.6 RPG.
Atlantic Notes: Farmar, Green, Allen, Chandler
We could be in for quite a finish in the Atlantic Division, as the Sixers trail the first-place Celtics by a game while the Knicks are two and a half games back. The Celtics are just four games ahead of the Bucks for the final playoff spot, so it's conceivable that any of the Atlantic contenders could miss the playoffs. Here's the buzz from around the division:
- Nets guard Jordan Farmar was thought to be done for the season with a groin injury, but Andy Vasquez of the Bergen Record tweets that he may be back sooner than that. Farmar has a $4.25MM player option for next season, and if he can prove he's healthy and maintain his career-high 10.4 PPG scoring average in a few more outings this year, he may be inclined to turn down the option and test free agency.
- Chris Mannix of SI.com chronicles the long road back to the NBA for Gerald Green, who's made solid contributions for the Nets and is drawing interest from the Lakers as this summer's free agency looms.
- Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald looks at the Celtics' decision to bring shooting guard Ray Allen, a free agent this summer, off the bench for just the fifth time in his career last night against the Bulls.
- Keith Schlosser praises the impact that free-agent signee Tyson Chandler has had on defense for the Knicks, while Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com makes the case that Chandler should win the Defensive Player of the Year award. You can give your thoughts on the award in this Hoops Rumors poll.