Jason Kidd Talks Brooklyn, Retirement, Williams
With the Nets and Mavericks set to square off in Dallas, Jason Kidd talked to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News about his former team, his future, and the point guard he'll be facing tonight. Here are the highlights:
- A free-agent-to-be, Kidd says he'd like to remain a Maverick, but conceded that signing with the Brooklyn Nets this summer is also a possibility: "You can’t rule that out…. But we’ll see what happens here in Dallas. I wouldn’t mind staying here in Dallas if that opportunity presents itself. But if Brooklyn presents itself, we’ll see."
- While Kidd doesn't think he's ready for retirement yet, he'll consider that option before signing anywhere this offseason.
- Kidd again praised Deron Williams and reiterated that he'd enjoy backing up Williams in the future: "I know he’ll play 40 minutes so I can give him an eight-minute break. Wherever he ends up – whether it’s in Brooklyn or Dallas – that franchise has a great point guard."
Johnson: Mavs A Threat To Sign Deron Williams
8:02pm: Williams told reporters that the Mavericks' American Airlines Center is his favorite arena in the league and praised its shooting background, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
7:09pm: As the Nets look to land Orlando center Dwight Howard, they also face the very real possibility of losing Deron Williams in free agency this summer. Head coach Avery Johnson told reporters that he expects the Mavericks to make a major play for the point guard based on his familiarity with owner Mark Cuban, tweets Colin Stephenson of the Star-Ledger.
Over the weekend, Williams indicated that he would be open to signing elsewhere and sacrificing earnings for an opportunity to win. The 27-year-old spent his teenage years in The Colony, Texas, just 30 miles outside of Dallas.
Nets Sign Gerald Green To 10-Day Contract
Gerald Green has officially signed a 10-day contract, the team announced (Twitter link). He'll take the roster spot that was vacated when Andre Emmett's 10-day deal expired.
Green had been a member of the D-League's Los Angeles D-Fenders, and was the MVP of this weekend's D-League All-Star game. He has averaged 19.1 points in 22 games on the season.
The 26-year-old Green last appeared in the NBA in 2009 as a member of the Dallas Mavericks when he averaged 5.2 points in about 10 minutes per game. The Nets will be his fifth NBA franchise, as the forward also had stops in Boston, Houston and Minnesota.
Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio first reported (via Twitter) that Green would sign with the Nets.
Dwight Howard Rumors: Sunday
Today could be the last hurrah for Dwight Howard in Orlando, where the rumored departure of yet another "Superman" has cast a pall over the mood surrounding All-Star weekend, observes Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News. We'll track the D12 rumors through tonight's All-Star Game here in this post, with the latest stuff up top, as usual:
- John Denton, who writes for the Magic website and recently published a book with Howard, tweets that he heard from a "very reliable source" that the Nets doubt that the Magic will move Howard before the March 15th deadline.
- If you watched the All-Star Game, you saw Craig Sager report that Dwight Howard's mom wants him to stay in Orlando. Howard spoke to it after the game, saying, "I don’t know what she said, but that’s my mom’s opinion. That’s it." (via Twitter here and here)
- Magic CEO Alex Martins has denied that they are close to a three way deal that would send Howard to the Lakers, according to Josh Robbins at the Orlando Sentinel. Orlando intends to talk to its All-Star center before March 1st about his offseason intentions.
- While it's unknown whether it would be a factor, Adidas would not object to Howard joining fellow Adidas headliner Derrick Rose in Chicago, despite reports to the contrary, says ESPN Chicago's Nick Friedell.
- Brian Schmitz from the Orlando Sentinel says he has heard rumblings of a three way deal that could happen as soon as March 1st. The deal has Howard going to the Lakers with Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu. Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Jose Calderon would end up in Orlando. Schmitz isn't sure what the Raptors would receive for Calderon. That would be an impressive haul for Orlando.
- Salary cap guru Larry Coon says the Nets and Magic are working on a long-rumored trade involving Dwight Howard and Brook Lopez, though nothing is imminent. A third team could be in on the deal. Coon doubts Dwight Howard will wind up with the Knicks, though the odds of D12 staying are lower than the Magic think they are. (Twitter links)
- The Knicks could be a darkhorse in the Howard sweepstakes, writes Peter Vecsey of the New York Post. He quotes an unnamed Eastern Conference GM who says, "I’m positive the Knicks have called just in case Dwight changes up. I’m sure they’ve offered a combination of everybody, excluding Jeremy Lin, of course. [Magic GM] Otis [Smith] deserves a lot of credit for not putting it out on the street which teams have offered what."
- Vecsey also says a Western Conference executive has told him the Lakers have offered Andrew Bynum for Howard, but the Magic have no interest.
- Carmelo Anthony is glad to be watching Dwight Howard field countless questions about his future this year, instead of being the focus of last year's Melo-drama, notes Marc Berman of the New York Post. Anthony called last year's proceedings "a zoo."
Odds & Ends: Bogut, Gasol, Kings
Peter Vecsey, in the same column in which he revealed the Knicks as potential suitors for Dwight Howard, hears that the Bucks are "definitely open to offers" for Andrew Bogut, who's currently out with a fractured left ankle. He also says the rumored signing of Rasheed Wallace by the Lakers lends credibility to the idea that the team could send Pau Gasol to the Celtics for Rajon Rondo and Jermaine O'Neal. Here's the rest of what's being whispered around All-Star weekend.
- Restricted free agent Wilson Chandler's Chinese team has been eliminated from the playoffs, and he's expecting FIBA clearance soon, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. Yesterday we noted that Chandler's clearance has been delayed. He's been a target of the Nuggets, his former team, and the Raptors of late.
- A meeting today between Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson, the Maloof brothers and league officials could be make-or-break for the city's hopes to keep the Kings, writes Sacramento Bee columnist Ailene Voisin.
- Ken Berger of CBSSports.com delves into the finer points of the lockout negotiations, and notes how close the league came to canceling the entire season.
- Celtics team president Danny Ainge and coach Doc Rivers must turn into salesmen to attract top free agent talent to Boston as the team looks to replace its aging core, writes Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.
- To get the Hornets to trade Chris Kaman to the Heat, it would take Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller, a price Miami is unwilling to pay, observes Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
- Swingman Mike Dunleavy, who signed a two-year, $7.5MM free-agent deal with the Bucks this past offseason, is getting comfortable in what was already familiar territory in Wisconsin, writes Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. It's worth noting, though, that Dunleavy's dad is part of what's reportedly the leading potential ownership group for the Hornets.
- Wendell Maxey of Ridiculous Upside chronicles the fall of one-time top prospect Reeves Nelson.
- Fred Kerber of the New York Post looks at how free-agent-to-be Deron Williams is showcasing his talents with little help in New Jersey.
Atlantic Notes: Iguodala, 76ers, Williams
Even though the Sixers are sitting atop the Atlantic thanks to a surprisingly strong first half of the season, there have been plenty of calls for the team to upgrade as they look ahead to the postseason. Here's more on Philly and the rest of the Atlantic..
- Andre Iguodala isn't on the trade block but knows that things can change quickly, tweets Sean Deveney of the Sporting News. "We lost some games, so you never know. Next week, we might be back at it again," said the 28-year-old. The team discussed Iguodala with several clubs prior to last year's draft but has since stopped those talks.
- If fans are looking for the 76ers to make a franchise-altering deal before the trade deadline, they should think again, writes John N. Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Team president Rod Thorn appears committed to allowing the roster to grow together while one Eastern Conference GM told Mitchell that he doesn't see the club making a mid-season deal.
- Iguodala isn't surprised to see the Sixers flourishing under second-year coach Doug Collins, writes A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com. Blakely points out that in his three previous head coaching stints , Collins' teams averaged six more wins from the first year to the second.
- In his piece concerning Deron Williams and Dwight Howard this morning, Fred Kerber of the New York Post writes that the point guard doesn't seem fazed by the notion of leaving $25MM-$30MM on the table to sign elsewhere. “I want to win,” the All-Star said. “[The contract] doesn’t matter to me. It’s not all about money. I want to win at the end of the day, so I’m just going to wait until the end of the year and see what happens.”
- Even though it's not a position that he or the Knicks envisioned when he signed a five-year, $100MM deal with the club, Amare Stoudemire says that he's okay with taking a backseat this year the betterment of the team, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post.
Dwight Howard Rumors: Saturday
Yesterday, Dwight Howard manned the sidelines for the All-Star celebrity game but beforehand had to fend off questions about his immediate future. Even though the big man tried his best to sidestep the issue, the media still pressed Howard for answers. Here's a look at today's rumors..
- The All-Stars were paired for a “Day of Service” event in the community and Magic officials were upset when the NBA paired Howard with Deron Williams, writes Fred Kerber of the New York Post.
Dwight Howard Rumors: Friday
With the media descending on Orlando for the All-Star Game, Dwight Howard is in for a busy weekend. Of the hundreds of questions he'll field over the next few days, Howard shouldn't expect many to address the Eastern Conference's strategy for Sunday's game. This weekend's inquiries will focus on D12's trade request, his contract status, and the Magic's post-All-Star plans. As the festivities get underway in Orlando, we'll keep tabs on today's Howard updates here, with the latest up top:
- Around the league, there are those who view it as "suicidal" if the Magic don't trade Howard by March 15th, says Ken Berger of CBSSports.com. "I think he's gone," one source told Berger. "And you can't afford to let him go and get nothing."
- Nets GM Billy King is preparing three- or four-team trade scenarios for Howard to pitch whenever the Magic are ready to talk, says Chris Mannix of SI.com.
- Asked if there's a future for him in Orlando, Howard said "it's a big possibility," according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. Howard also cryptically commented, "Kobe [Bryant] asked to be traded, and looked what happened."
- Magic GM Otis Smith, meanwhile, views the odds as about 50/50, since "until you have a signed contract in your hand, it could go either way."
- "I do think there's a piece of Dwight that wants to be here," said Magic CEO Alex Martins. "And deep down inside knows that this organization is committed to winning."
- Howard suggested last night that the idea of being recruited by teams as an unrestricted free agent appeals to him, tweets John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com.
Dwight Howard Rumors: Thursday
The Magic easily handled the Nets last night behind Dwight Howard's 20 points and 17 rebounds — after Orlando jumped out to a 17-point first quarter lead, the teams, rather improbably, tied each of the remaining quarters, resulting in a 108-91 Magic win. However, Howard was humbled by the show the Nets put on for him, including a pyrotechnic display and chants of "We want Dwight!" Howard declined comment when asked if saw potential in New Jersey's current roster, says Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com, but that won't stop the rumors and speculation from flying. Here's the latest on Howard:
- Howard's agent Dan Fegan "badly wants a client in the New York market," according to Dave D'Alessandro of the Star-Ledger.
- While his name has frequently popped up in Howard trade rumors, Brook Lopez would love to play with D12, as he tells Fred Kerber of the New York Post. This scenario could only happen if Howard signed with the Nets as a free agent.
- RealGM has a year-by-year breakdown of the contracts Howard could sign in free agency with his end-of-season team or a new team.
Odds & Ends: Howard, Knicks, Kaman, Przybilla
In an action-packed Wednesday night of basketball, the Thunder and Knicks have stolen the show so far with impressive victories over quality opponents. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook led the Thunder to 72 points in the first half as the squad held on to beat the Celtics 119-104 in a box score seemingly from a different era. Let's take a look around the league to see what else happened on a night where Kevin Love and the Timberwolves climbed to .500 on the season:
- In what was potentially a preview of things to come, Magic center Dwight Howard did not disappoint the Nets faithful with his 20-point and 17-rebound performance Wednesday night in Newark. Jake Appleman of The New York Times says the Nets organization gave Howard a special welcome by displaying new signage promoting their Brooklyn arena and shooting off fireworks prior to the start of the game. When asked about playing for the Nets, Howard said he was humbled by the way the crowd of over 15,000 received him, reports Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
- The Knicks are a team bound to benefit from the All-Star break, writes Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday. Having only played two games together as a team with the current roster, the Knicks will utilize their time to schedule five practices with hopes of better acclimating players like J.R. Smith to the offensive scheme.
- Hornets center Chris Kaman continues to add to his trade value as he scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in Wednesday's 89-84 victory over the Cavaliers. Over the last five games, Kaman is averaging 16.0 PPG and 8.2 RPG and has notched two double-doubles. Thanks to Kaman's strong play, the Hornets have won four of their last six games after starting the season 4-23.
- Jason Quick of The Oregonian tweets free-agent center Joel Przybilla said he was thinking with his heart when he decided to sign with Trail Blazers instead of the Heat.