Odds & Ends: Wolves, Heat, Nets, Johnson
The Timberwolves have a roster vacancy following Josh Howard's season-ending injury and they're getting flooded with calls from agents, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (via Twitter). One guy who wants to be in Minnesota is Mickael Gelabale, who can opt out of his deal with Valencia on January 1st. Gelabale hasn't played in the NBA since tearing his ACL in the 2007/08 season with the Sonics. Here's more from around the league..
- Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel doesn't see the Heat and the Cavaliers teaming up for an Anderson Varejao trade. Cavs owner Dan Gilbert probably still has ill feelings towards Miami and Cleveland already owns their 2013 and 2015 first-round picks.
- Knicks guard Jason Kidd doesn't think that Nets coach Avery Johnson is to blame for Deron Williams' shooting woes, writes Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. “I don’t think it has anything to do with the coach,” Kidd said Thursday. “I think it’s just a matter of getting comfortable making shots. Also, he has new teammates. He’s got to get used to a new crew. It’s always a growing period."
- Meanwhile, Johnson told reporters that he isn't concerned about his job security and doesn't fear the worst case scenario, according to Roderick Boone of Newsday (on Twitter).
- Kyle Tucker of the Courier-Journal writes that freshman Kentucky center Nerlens Noel is similar to Anthony Davis, and is the current favorite to be the first pick in the 2013 draft.
T’Wolves To Audition Lazar Hayward
Forward Lazar Hayward is in Minnesota today for a workout with the Timberwolves, a source tells Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (on Twitter). It’s not yet known if Hayward will be working out solo or against competition (Twitter link).
Minnesota is looking to bolster their bench after Josh Howard tore his ACL and was subsequently waived. After hearing the news of Howard’s injury, head coach Rick Adelman told reporters that the team is now in need of a back up small forward who is capable of guarding wing players. Howard gave the T’Wolves some solid production, averaging 6.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and nearly 1 steal per game in 18.8 MPG.
Whoever the Wolves sign to fill the roster spot won’t receive a guaranteed deal, according to Wolfson (on Twitter). That makes a free agent such as Michael Redd unrealistic, as he won’t sign a non-guaranteed contract (Twitter link).
Hayward, 25, was released by the Rockets prior to the start of the season. The forward has appeared in 68 total games for the Timberwolves and Thunder since being drafted 30th overall in 2010.
Odds & Ends: Batum, Gallinari, Kabongo, Lee
Jason Quick of the Oregonian looks at the friendly rivalry between the Trail Blazers' Nicolas Batum and the Nuggets' Danilo Gallinari that has stemmed from their days as young Euroleague stars hoping to make it into the NBA. Most notably, Quick mentions that Batum's salary negotiations this past summer were influenced by the type of deals that Gallinari, Marvin Williams, and Arron Afflalo had received with their respective teams. With that aside, here are a few more rumblings from around the Association tonight:
- Derrick Rose took part in the non-contact portion of Bulls practice today, although coach Tom Thibodeau has not yet placed a timetable on the superstar's return (Seth Gruen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports).
- Despite a strong start to the season, the Warriors' upcoming stretch against teams that have a notable inside presence will help determine if their interior defensive struggles against the Kings were either minor or a sign of a major problem, writes Marcus Thompson II of MercuryNews.com.
- Rookie Royce White is "hopeful" that he'll play for the Rockets again sometime this season (Mark Berman of Fox 26 tweets).
- 1500 ESPN's Darren Wolfson confirms earlier speculation via a team source that Timberwolves guard Malcolm Lee will be sidelined for the rest of the year (Twitter link).
- Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune tweeted that Chris Douglas-Roberts is another top option available for the Timberwolves in addition to Michael Redd.
- In his Nuggets Mailbag, Benjamin Hochman of The Denver Post discusses why he thinks Gallinari has shown the capability of being a clutch All-Star type of player, why Carmelo Anthony isn't necessarily the clear-cut MVP right now, and the Nuggets' decision to commit to a long-term deal with Ty Lawson.
Who Should The Timberwolves Target?
With the Timberwolves now looking to fill a void at the wing position, we've heard today that Michael Redd and Chris Douglas-Roberts are among the options that the team could consider. Keeping in mind some of the available free agents who are capable of playing on the perimeter, who do you think the Timberwolves should go after?
Who Should The Timberwolves Target?
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Michael Redd 35% (256)
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Chris Douglas-Roberts 29% (211)
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Quentin Richardson 13% (96)
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Other 10% (73)
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Donte Greene 7% (51)
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Maurice Evans 6% (43)
Total votes: 730
Timberwolves Waive Howard, Could Target Redd?
The Timberwolves have waived Josh Howard after an MRI revealed a torn ACL, according to Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune (Twitter link). CBS's Ken Berger also tweeted that Howard will need season-ending surgery. The 6'7 swingman, who had been signed last month, suffered his injury in a game against the Hornets just a few days ago. Since joining Minnesota, Howard had averaged 6.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and nearly 1 steal per game in 18.8 MPG, reaching double figure scoring in three out of 11 games.
After hearing the news of Howard's injury, head coach Rick Adelman told reporters that the team is now in need of a back up small forward who is capable of guarding wing players, but also mentioned that there haven't been any discussions regarding what management will do next. While Michael Redd may not be known for his defensive abilities, Zgoda suggests that the former Bucks and Suns player could be a possible consideration. Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN added that whether or not it will be Redd, a new addition will be likely (all the Twitter links).
Odds & Ends: Wolves, Rockets, Stern, Thunder
The "Battle of the Boroughs" was all anyone wanted to talk about just a few short weeks ago, but the Nets' recent slide has taken much of the juice out of their renewed rivalry with the Knicks. Here's a glimpse around the league as the Knicks have padded their lead in the Atlantic Division..
- Team and league sources confirmed to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN that former point guard Will Conroy, who appeared in four games for the Wolves in November, will join the front office as a scout. The 30-year-old is just putting his playing career on hold for the time being and not retiring.
- Commissioner David Stern spoke with Jason Friedman of Rockets.com about the All-Star Game in Houston this year, as well as other memories of his tenure and interaction with Rockets great Hakeem Olajuwon.
- The Oklahoman's Darnell Mayberry cautions the Thunder about sacrificing too much in a trade for the Cavaliers' Anderson Varejao. One suggested deal for the forward would likely require Kendrick Perkins, Perry Jones III, and Jeremy Lamb, which would leave OKC with a thinned out bench. Mayberry is also wary of Varejao's injury history.
- Ryan Ripley of Ridiculous Upside looks at talented D-League veterans who could be impact players for NBA teams this season.
Odds & Ends: Billups, Pistons, Aldridge, Blazers
Clippers guard Chauncey Billups says that he would like to keep playing for a few more years and won't rule out a return to the Pistons, writes Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press. "You never say never to any situation. I got nothing but great memories about here and winning, and this building was on fire. I would like for my memories to stay like that," said the 36-year-old. Here's more from around the Association..
- The Blazers have said repeatedly that big man LaMarcus Aldridge will be the cornerstone of the franchise for years to come, but Aldridge doesn't see himself as "untouchable", writes Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com. Aldridge is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2014-15 season.
- The Hawks made a bold move this summer when they traded franchise player Joe Johnson to the Nets in an effort to improve their depth. The Lakers might want to take a page out of their book, writes Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld.
- The Timberwolves may have an abundance of point guards after Ricky Rubio's return, but Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel doesn't see the Heat pursuing them as they want to avoid taking on long-term money. Luke Ridnour will make $4.3MM next season, while J.J. Barea has two additional seasons at more than $9MM total.
- Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld looks at five underrated members of the rookie class, including Nando De Colo of the Spurs and Pablo Prigioni of the Knicks.
Kyler On Varejao, Spurs, Gordon, Calderon
HoopsWorld's Steve Kyler took to Twitter to reveal the career-threatening nature of Al Harrington's staph infection, and he also let loose with plenty of trade rumors along the way. We'll round up the juiciest tidbits here (all links via Twitter).
- The Spurs asked the Cavs about Anderson Varejao, but talks didn't proceed too far.
- The Hornets expect Eric Gordon back around Christmas, and aren't biting on any trade offers.
- The Raptors would be a willing partner in a trade that sends Jose Calderon to the Lakers, but Kyler isn't sure the purple-and-gold would be interested.
- Kyler hears Kevin Love "isn't remotely available," echoing what Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio wrote over the weekend, in spite of Love's critical comments about the Wolves last week.
- The Thunder, at a league-best 19-4, are understandably pleased with the season thus far, and they aren't looking to make any moves at the moment. As for the future, a strong playoff run could drive up Kevin Martin's price in free agency this summer, Kyler believes.
Wolves Rumors: Love, Derrick Williams, Roy
Ricky Rubio wasn't in the starting lineup and played only 18 minutes last night, but that he played at all is joyous news for the Wolves. The team welcomed him back for his first action since March, when he tore two ligaments in his left knee. Rubio shot just 1-for-4 from the field, but dished out nine assists against only two turnovers, and helped spark a comeback win after Minnesota endured an early deficit against the Mavs. His return isn't the only story of note from the Twin Cities, and we've got the latest here.
- Kevin Love's name has surfaced in trade rumors following his comments critical of the Wolves organization this week, but Minnesota has no intention of trading its All-Star power forward, tweets Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio.
- While agreeing with Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer that the Cavs likely aren't interested in Derrick Williams, Bob Finnan of The News-Herald believes the disappointing second-year forward would "have to be the center of any proposal" the Wolves might offer Cleveland in exchange for Anderson Varejao.
- The idea of retirement might have crossed Brandon Roy's mind following his latest knee surgery, but Roy should be back in the Wolves lineup in a week and a half, according to Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link).
Central Notes: Varejao, Derrick Williams, Belinelli
All five Central Division squads are in action tonight, and three of them face stiff tests. The Bulls take on the Nets, the Bucks play host to the red-hot Clippers, and the Cavs visit the Knicks, who are unbeaten at Madison Square Garden. There's plenty of action off the court as well, and here's the latest on Central squads.
- While she acknowledges she's in the minority, Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer doesn't think the Cavs will trade Anderson Varejao, arguing that he's the team's best player and that it might take several years to develop a young replacement who could equal his production.
- In the same Q&A with readers, Schmitt Boyer says she also doesn't think the Cavs will go after Timberwolves forward Derrick Williams.
- Bulls offseason signee Marco Belinelli said he had perhaps the toughest training camp of his life as he struggled to adjust to a new system and a new team, but now he's averaging 19.0 points per game over his last five contests after stepping into the starting lineup for the injured Richard Hamilton. HoopsWorld's Joel Brigham has more.
- In that piece, Brigham also looks at several who could be in line for their first All-Star appearance this season, and Central Division players are well represented. Varejao and Kyrie Irving of the Cavs, Joakim Noah of the Bulls and Brandon Jennings of the Bucks are on the list.
- Pistons GM Joe Dumars has been high on Andre Drummond ever since a pre-draft meeting in which Drummond gave Dumars direct answers to questions about his energy and willingness to play hard, two areas of doubt that had caused other GMs to pass on him. Keith Langlois of Pistons.com has the details.