Dwight Howard Rumors: Sunday
Saturday, it was reported that a phone conversation between Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard has soured the Magic center on the prospect of playing for the Lakers. Today has been relatively quiet in the area of Howard-related rumors.
- HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy appeared on NetsAreScorching TV and stated that he strongly believes Howard will end up on the Nets, citing the center's close relationship with Deron Williams and the allure of a new arena in Brooklyn as selling points.
Atlantic Links: Garnett, Williams, Jeffries
Here's a few links to what's been going on in the Atlantic Division over the weekend.
- Tim Bontemps of the New York Post points to the Nets' pick and roll defense as a main reason in why they lost to the Knicks last night. "It's something they have struggled with time and again all season long. When you break down their defense using advanced stats, the best part of their defense actually is defending the ball handler in the pick-and-roll (16th overall in the league at 0.8 points per possession). But it's the roll man that constantly kills them."
- After New York's win, Mike D'Antoni said that Jared Jeffries played his best game of the season, according to Jared Zwerling of ESPN NewYork. Jeffries finished the game with nine points and 10 rebounds in 31 minutes of action.
- After defeating the Grizzlies 98-80 on Sunday afternoon, A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com writes that Kevin Garnett's 24 point, nine rebound performance was especially crucial for the Celtics because of backup power forward Brandon Bass' injury.
- New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams has had an uncharacteristically inconsistent year so far. Jake Appleman of the New York Times gives an in-depth account of Williams' battle with Jeremy Lin.
Odds & Ends: Noel, D’Antoni, Smith, Lopez, Russell
The Knicks suffered another tough loss last night as they fell to the Celtics, 91-89. Here's more on New York and other items from around the league..
- Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak doesn't regret trading Lamar Odom to the Mavericks in December, writes Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times.
- Kyle Singler isn't sure if he'll play for the Pistons next season, writes Justin Rogers of MLive.com. The Duke product, who was taken in the second round by Detroit in 2011, says he's enjoying his time with Real Madrid in Spain.
- Cathal Kelly of the Toronto Star asked Andrea Bargnani if he'll consider leaving the Raptors at the end of his deal in 2015. The former No. 1 overall pick said that he has made it "pretty clear" that he wants to remain in Toronto.
- Chauncey Billups recruited Kenyon Martin heavily to join the Clippers, tweets J. Michael Falgoust of USA Today. Martin and Billups are both represented by agent Andy Miller.
- Massachusetts high school center Nerlens Noel now appears to be in line for the 2013 NBA Draft rather than 2014 after reclassification, writes Adam Zagoria for Sheridan Hoops. Earlier this week, Noel told Dave Telep of ESPN.com that he's now set to graduate with the class of '12 rather than '13. The center now projects as the top pick in the 2013 draft according to DraftExpress.com.
- Despite uncertainty surrounding his job, Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni will not be fired today despite back-to-back, last-second losses to the Bulls and Celtics, NBA sources tell Marc Berman of the New York Post.
- Even though the Knicks were linked to Kenyon Martin, the guy that they've really had their eye on is J.R. Smith, writes Moke Hamilton of Sheridan Hoops. Smith said to be considering five teams, including New York. The Clippers are also in that group but they can only make Smith a minimum offer after agreeing to sign Martin using their room exception.
- Six weeks after undergoing surgery on his right foot, Nets center Brook Lopez still isn't sure when he'll be able to return, writes Colin Stephenson of the Star-Ledger. The Nets will likely need a healthy Lopez in order to put together a package for Orlando's Dwight Howard.
- Friday marks the league deadline for teams to either release players with non-guaranteed contracts or guarantee their deals for the rest of the season. Pistons 29-year-old rookie Walker Russell is making a strong case to stay with Detroit, writes David Mayo of MLive.com.
Dwight Howard Rumors: Friday
Updates on the latest Dwight Howard rumors have been a daily feature over the course of Hoops Rumors' first week. Considering we still have exactly six weeks until the trade deadline, that trend may continue for a while yet. Here are Friday's Howard items, with the newest updates up top:
- Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Cleveland Plain Dealer wonders why Orlando no longer appears to be an attractive destination for NBA free agents – specifically why the Magic haven't sold Howard on the idea that they can attract stars to come to him, as opposed to the other way around.
- Howard's camp has informed the Lakers that the center would opt out and test free agency if he's dealt to Los Angeles, according to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.
- Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM suggests the Nets should just wait out the Howard sweepstakes, since he seems interested in signing with them on the open market after the season.
- The Magic figure to push for resolution one way or the other when March arrives, says Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel. The club said the DeVos family hasn't asked the Magic not to trade Howard until after the All-Star game in Orlando, Schmitz tweets.
- The Nets are quietly confident they can land Howard, with a team source telling Fred Kerber of the New York Post the team is "more than just 'in the mix.'"
- Kerber also hears from sources that Howard isn't overly enthusiastic about going to the Lakers because Shaquille O'Neal's shadow looms. After the disagreement between the two about the "Superman" nickname, I could buy that Howard would be reluctant to again follow in O'Neal's footsteps with an Orlando-to-L.A. move.
- One executive to Kerber, on the possibility of trading for Howard without being sure he'd sign a contract extension: "To bring in a player of that magnitude without assurances he’d be staying would be professional suicide."
- In an interview with 710 ESPN in Los Angeles (via ESPNLosAngeles.com), former Lakers GM Jerry West said if he were an executive in a situation similar to Howard's, he would call the player's bluff: "I don't think any agent or player is going to leave $30MM on the table. I just don't believe that's going to happen."
Berger On Howard, Williams, Chandler, Nash, GMs
Ken Berger of CBSSports weighed in on the Dwight Howard situation, Deron Williams and several other hot NBA topics. Here is a quick summary of his updates:
- Dwight Howard would already be on his way out of Orlando if he was able to make a decision on a destination, according to a person close to the situation. Rival executives believe that after the All-Star game in Orlando, the Magic will be forced to move him.
- Berger says that despite reports to the contrary, the Lakers are indeed one of Howard's finalists, along with the Mavericks and Nets. The Lakers would prefer to move Pau Gasol in a deal over newly named All-Star starter Andrew Bynum.
- While the Nets are encouraged by Deron Williams' outlook on the team, the team knows that it must complete a Dwight Howard-sized deal to resign the point guard.
- Despite league-wide concern over how the Kenyon Martin situation shook out in China, the Nuggets remain committed to signing Wilson Chandler.
- Steve Nash has not requested a trade, but if he should, the Suns would do all they can to accommodate his request.
- On top of the Lakers interest in Ramon Sessions, the team has also discussed the possibility of adding Gilbert Arenas.
- Berger suggests the following front office members have uncertain futures: Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld, Pistons team president Joe Dumars, Kings team president Geoff Petrie, Raptors team president Bryan Colangelo
Odds & Ends: Bucks, Williams, Beasley, Raptors
Here are some notes from around the NBA on a quiet Thursday night…
- Michael Hunt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel examines the Bucks and their chance at becoming one of the league's pleasant surprises this season. He says the team is sharing the basketball, swarming on defense and scoring triple-digit points on a regular basis. In fact, the loss of Andrew Bogut to a broken ankle could be a reason why the ball is moving so well on offense. All this despite Stephen Jackson's touchy situation. "And it is my understanding that he has requested a trade," writes Hunt.
- Deron Williams is staying positive in New Jersey, according to Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News. The Nets have been hit hard by injuries lately, even playing with just eight players in uniform on Wednesday against the Pistons. "But, you know, hopefully we get some guys back here soon," Williams said of his depleted team. "What can you do?" This is a sign of progress for Williams, who used to pout and show his frustration on the court. Williams' rosy perspective could be something of a positive sign for the Nets, who will be looking to retain the 27-year-old point guard when he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. He's still considering his one-year, $17.8MM player option.
- Michael Beasley might have a reputation for being a detrimental black hole, but the numbers tell a different story, according to Rob Parker of the New York Times. "The Wolves are not, as has been suggested, better without Beasley; the Wolves’ offense may be a bit more fluid when he sits, but the skill that produced Beasley’s volume scoring last season is still present and still valuable," writes Parker. An analysis of on/off data from this season shows that the Timberwolves benefit from having Beasley on the court. The 23-year-old forward should hope NBA teams see this — he's a restricted free agent after this season.
- The Raptors are struggling, so coach Dwane Casey is going back to the basics. For one thing, he's focusing on the team's poor 2-6 record at home. While taking away comforts would be one way to shake up his players, "there really are no visible extras this team enjoys," writes Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun. Ganter also notes that Amir Johnson's recent struggles might be tied to personal issues off the court.
Dwight Howard Rumors: Thursday
Dwight Howard led the way in Orlando's win over Washington at the Amway Center last night, scoring 23 points and pulling down 18 boards. A single victory over the Wizards won't silence the trade rumors swirling around Howard and the Magic, but getting back in the win column may temporarily calm the panic over the team's recent slide. After checking out the Howard rumors from Tuesday and Wednesday, you can follow today's updates here:
- According to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld, sources close to the situation continue to say that New Jersey is Howard's first choice, and that D12 will try to sign with the Nets as a free agent if the Magic don't trade him.
- The Magic aren't actively engaged in any trade discussions for Howard at the moment, Kyler adds.
- In an Insider piece for ESPN.com, Bradford Doolittle of Basketball Prospectus explores three possible trades that could send Howard to the Bulls.
Atlantic Notes: Bogans, Pietrus, Raptors, D’Antoni
Let's round up a few Thursday morning items out of the Atlantic division….
- Keith Bogans is at a loss trying to explain why he was out of work so long, says Fred Kerber of the New York Post. The newest Net told Colin Stephenson of the Star-Ledger that he's been "sitting at home for a month and a half, going crazy." Bogans, who signed with New Jersey yesterday, will received a guaranteed pro-rated portion of the veteran's minimum.
- Mickael Pietrus talked last night about his decision to sign with the Celtics, and Ben Rohrbach has the quotes at WEEI.com: "To be honest with you, the reason I came to the Celtics is because of coach Rivers and KG…. [Kevin Garnett] makes everybody play hard. I was like, that’s going to be a good fit for me to play with the man."
- Raptors GM Brian Colangelo put in some face time with top draft pick Jonas Valanciunas for the first time since last summer, as Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun writes. Following the visit, Colangelo said everyone "is certainly on the same page."
- There are strong indications that Mike D'Antoni will keep his job past Super Bowl Sunday, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. There's some hope that a healthier and rejuvenated Knicks squad can still turn things around.
Dwight Howard Rumors: Wednesday
According to GM Otis Smith, Dwight Howard's camp has yet to inform the Magic of any preferred destinations besides the Lakers, Mavericks, and Nets, despite rumblings of Chicago. That was one of the many updates we heard yesterday in the roundup of Howard links. What will today bring? We'll recap the latest on D12 right here:
- ESPN.com's Chris Broussard (Insider link) thinks it's time for Howard to force a trade, preferably to the Nets, since the center's previous "request" left too much room for interpretation. Broussard argues Howard is worried too much about his brand and hurting the city's feelings, even though the Magic superstar knows he won't be in Orlando much longer.
- Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld fielded a number of Howard-related questions via his Twitter feed today. Among the higlights: Kyler views the Nets as the frontrunner, and thinks there's less than a 25% chance that Howard stays in Orlando (Twitter links). I'm in agreement on both counts.
Nets Sign Keith Bogans
The Nets have signed Keith Bogans, waiving Larry Owens to clear a spot on their roster, the team announced (via Twitter).
Prior to the season, the Bulls declined their $1.73MM option on Bogans, making the 31-year-old a free agent. The former Kentucky Wildcat started all 82 games for Chicago last season, averaging 4.4 points and 17.8 minutes per game. Known as a three-point shooter and defensive specialist, Bogans will provide the Nets some backcourt depth while MarShon Brooks recovers from a broken toe.
Owens, 29, saw limited action for the Nets after signing with the team in mid-January. He appeared in seven games, and set a career-high by playing 28.7 minutes against the Bulls on January 23rd. Owens will become a free agent after he clears waivers.