Central Notes: Karasev, Barnes, Ilyasova, Pistons
Here is the latest coming out of the Eastern Conference’s Central Division on Wednesday night:
- The Cavaliers have recalled rookie Sergey Karasev from the D-League, the team tweeted earlier tonight. Karasev returned to the Canton Charge for last night’s contest after being recalled to the NBA a week ago.
- Despite a recent uptick in Harrison Barnes rumors, Zach Lowe of Grantland tweets that any buzz about the UNC product likely ending up in Cleveland is inaccurate for now.
- Acting Cavaliers general manager David Griffin is a “breath of fresh air” in trade talks according to one opposing GM, tweets Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio. Griffin took over general manager duties after Chris Grant was fired earlier this month.
- The asking price for Ersan Ilyasova is very high, tweets Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, who adds that Bucks owner Herb Kohl believes the 6’10” Turk could eventually be a star. Ilyasova requested a trade from Milwaukee last week.
- While the Pistons are hardly without their problems, things are pretty quiet on the trade front in Detroit, writes Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News. Players like Charlie Villanueva, Will Bynum, Rodney Stuckey and Jonas Jerebko were thought to be on the block, but there has been next to no movement since the surprise firing of head coach Maurice Cheeks.
Latest On Pau Gasol
2:10pm: The Gasol-to-Suns deal is “dying on the vine,” according to TNT’s David Aldridge, who hears the Suns are moving on to other talks (Twitter link).
8:50am: The Lakers, with an eye on Kevin Love, gauged the Wolves’ interest in a deal that would send Pau Gasol to Minnesota, but those talks didn’t go anywhere, a source tells Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com. There’s a growing sentiment within the Lakers that it’s more worthwhile to retain Gasol and his Bird Rights heading into the offseason than unload him by tomorrow’s trade deadline, Shelburne writes. The Lakers remain in contact with the Suns and Cavs about potential deals, but there’s been no significant progress with either team, as Shelburne notes.
The Bobcats and Lakers have reportedly been in talks about Gasol, though such a deal is unlikely, and Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer, who broke the story, wonders if the Lakers leaked the news to prompt the Suns into more serious conversations (Twitter link). The Suns and Lakers are expected to engage once more in negotations about Gasol before the deadline.
The Lakers have been active, canvassing the market for Gasol, Jordan Hill, Steve Blake and Chris Kaman, Shelburne writes. A groin injury has kept Gasol out of action for the past six games, perhaps slowing trade chatter surrounding him, but he’s listed as questionable for tonight.
Gasol is eligible for an extension, so the Lakers could lock him up, as they’ve done with Kobe Bryant. The big man says he’s had no conversations with the team about an extension, but that doesn’t bother him, notes Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
“Actually, it makes it easier for me,” Gasol said. “[I can] wait until that moment comes and then see what I got.”
Ford’s Latest: Knicks, Rockets, W’s, Pelicans
Chad Ford of ESPN.com takes an Insider-only look at the trade market for a handful of teams with little more than 24 hours remaining before Thursday’s 2:00pm Central trade deadline. We’ll round up the highlights here:
- The Knicks are shopping Raymond Felton, Iman Shumpert and Beno Udrih as they seek to upgrade their point guard spot. Ford mentions Jeremy Lin as a long shot possibility for New York, but Houston is adamant it doesn’t want to give him up. Trading for Lin or Kyle Lowry would require the Knicks to relinquish Tim Hardaway Jr.
- The Warriors have been listening to offers for Harrison Barnes, and they’ve gone as far as to counter a few of them, Ford hears. Greg Monroe, Thaddeus Young, Tristan Thompson, Kenneth Faried, John Henson and Amir Johnson all intrigue the W’s as possible targets in exchange for Barnes, Ford writes. Golden State is also enamored with Kevin Love, as most teams around the league are.
- Ford describes David Lee as available, too, but he notes there isn’t much of a market for him, which makes sense, given his bloated contract.
- Part of the Pelicans‘ motivation for exploring trades for Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans is the feeling that they could fall back into position to snag a top-five pick in this year’s draft if both guys are off the roster, according to Ford. Their first-rounder goes to the Sixers if it’s No. 6 or worse. Chris Mannix of SI.com wrote earlier this morning that New Orleans was looking to move either Gordon or Evans, but not both.
Mannix’s Latest: Celtics, Pelicans, Afflalo
Every Celtics player, including Rajon Rondo, is available for the right price, Chris Mannix of SI.com reports in a pair of tweets. Still, some rival executives believe Boston is overvaluing Brandon Bass and Jeff Green, for whom Danny Ainge is demanding first-round picks, as Mannix writes in a full piece. Mannix also notes that the Celtics would prefer to keep Kris Humphries through the deadline. There’s plenty more in Mannix’s dispatch covering several of the league’s most active teams in advance of Thursday’s deadline, so let’s dive in:
- The Pelicans are making a strong effort to trade either Eric Gordon or Tyreke Evans, Mannix hears, contradicting what coach Monty Williams told reporters earlier this week.
- Mannix adds Arron Afflalo to the list of players the Bobcats are eyeing. Charlotte is apparently willing to absorb a player-friendly contract as part of a deal that brings in an impact player, Mannix writes.
- The Pistons like Evan Turner, and they may be willing to offer the Sixers the first-round draft pick they’re looking for, according to Mannix. Still, it will take “an overwhelming offer” to pry Greg Monroe from Detroit, which would like to trade Josh Smith instead but is finding no takers.
- Andre Miller is “gone one way or another,” but that may be the only trade Denver makes, in spite of a heavy volume of calls coming in from other teams, Mannix writes. The Nuggets don’t appear inclined to auction off Kenneth Faried, according to Mannix. His report contrasts with what teams are telling Grantland’s Zach Lowe, who hears that anyone outside of Ty Lawson is available (Twitter link).
- Rival teams are interested in Bojan Bogdanovic, but the Nets are unwilling to trade the rights to the former second-round pick who’s playing in Turkey.
- Kirk Hinrich has been drawing more interest than Mike Dunleavy, but executives around the league believe the Bulls probably won’t deal Hinrich and risk deepening the divide between Tom Thibodeau and the front office. Dunleavy is similarly off the table.
- Cavs owner Dan Gilbert has been “determined” to find another star to go along with Kyrie Irving, but the league appears to have lukewarm feelings about the young players on the Cavs, according to Mannix, which would appear to make a blockbuster unlikely.
- There’s been friction between Harrison Barnes and Andre Iguodala, Mannix hears, but rival executives nonetheless believe it will take a massive offer to acquire Barnes, Mannix notes, echoing what Warriors co-owner Joe Lacob has said.
Odds & Ends: Duncan, Oden, Wizards
ESPN analyst and former coach George Karl hears that Tim Duncan is thinking of retiring at season’s end, notes Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News, but Duncan isn’t sure how Karl got that impression. The Big Fundamental says he’s undecided, as he tells reporters, including Express-News scribe Mike Monroe (Twitter link). Fellow Express-News writer Jeff McDonald would be “shocked” if Duncan retired. The sense around the Spurs is that Duncan will keep playing as long as he feels he’s useful, McDonald says, pointing out that the big man is still under contract for next year (Twitter links). Here’s more from the Association:
- Greg Oden considered a handful of teams last summer, but it came down to a decision between the Mavs and the Heat, tweets Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
- Most reports have suggested the Wizards are looking for a backup point guard, but Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times hears they’re seeking a backup who can play both guard positions, suggesting Luke Ridnour as a possibility (Twitter link).
- A veteran scout tells Woelfel that he has Creighton forward Doug McDermott No. 6 on his draft board, and Chris Mannix of SI.com examines a polarizing prospect who’s sparked a wide range of opinions in NBA front offices.
- The Cavs had discussions with the Lakers about acquiring Chris Kaman, but those talks are no longer active, notes Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.
- Free agent Malcolm Lee hasn’t played since December 2012 because of injury, but he’s about two weeks away from being ready to suit up for a team, USA Today’s Sam Amick tweets.
- The Warriors on Tuesday recalled Ognjen Kuzmic from the D-League, the team announced. Kuzmic’s latest stint in Santa Cruz lasted one day.
- Some members of the actors union are upset that executive director David White is a candidate for the same position with the National Basketball Players Association, observes Dave McNary of Variety.com.
- Lionel Hollins explains the root of his raw feelings from the end of his tenure as Grizzlies coach to Mearl Purvis of WHBQ-TV in Memphis.
Central Rumors: Cavaliers, Karasev, Pistons
It’s been a tough season for Cleveland, but Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio suggests that recent strong play from the Cavs might be an indicator that there’s no need for the club to make a move at this season’s trade deadline. The team has won five straight and finds themselves rejuvenated after firing GM Chris Grant earlier this month. Here’s the Central Division’s latest:
- Sergey Karasev joined the Cavs’ D-League affiliate for their game tonight, announced the team via their D-League squad’s official Twitter.
- One league executive believes the Cavs are likely to retain Dion Waiters through the deadline, writes Sean Deveney of Sporting News. While Cleveland might be listening to offers for the second year guard, their asking price is thought to be very high.
- The Pistons have hired Sam Roth as a new assistant coach. Roth has been an assistant with four NBA teams, spending last season with the Raptors. He was also the head coach of the D-League’s Bakersfield Jam.
- Even with questions about how Derrick Rose will bounce back from injury and perform for the Bulls, Rick Telander of the Chicago Sun-Times thinks Joakim Noah‘s presence might be enough to lure Carmelo Anthony to the Windy City.
- Earlier tonight, we passed along the latest Bulls rumors.
Pelicans Open To Signing Pierre Jackson
The Pelicans are open to signing D-League standout Pierre Jackson, tweets Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio. Amico earlier today added the Wizards to a list of teams looking to trade for the 5’8″ guard that already includes the Cavaliers and the Nuggets.
Jackson has thrived in the D-League this year, but he can’t sign with any team other than the Pelicans, who hold his rights. The Sixers drafted him in the second round this past summer, and traded him to New Orleans, which has elected not to sign him.
The Pelicans have 15 guaranteed contracts, so they’d have to either trade someone or waive one of those deals to sign Jackson. The 22-year-old is averaging 29.1 points and 6.2 assists for the Idaho Stampede. New Orleans have given Jackson’s representatives permission to seek trades, though no deal appears imminent.
The league is poised to give New Orleans a disabled player exception worth more than $4MM, so perhaps the Pelicans will use part of that to sign Jackson.
Wizards, Cavaliers, Nuggets Eye Pierre Jackson
TUESDAY, 1:06pm: The Wizards are also in the market for Jackson, according to Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio, who says the Pelicans are trying to package Jackson with Austin Rivers (Twitter link). The Pelicans have fielded plenty of calls for the 5’8″ Jackson, but GMs around the league are worried about his size, particularly since he’s not a true point guard, Amico also tweets.
SATURDAY, 2:57pm: The Cavaliers and Nuggets have made inquires to the Pelicans about the rights of D-League standout Pierre Jackson, according to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com. Neither club has come up with a deal to New Orleans’ liking, but Haynes hears from one GM that it’s “inevitable” the Pelicans make some sort of deal before next week’s trade deadline.
Jackson, whose rights are held by New Orleans, has excelled for the Idaho Stampede this season. He’s averaging 29 PPG while shooting 45% from the floor in 31 contests. He’s posted seven 40 point performances so far this year, but despite his success, the Pelicans haven’t given Jackson a shot to prove himself in the NBA. Haynes hears that it’s certainly possible the club hangs on to Jackson, but notes that their roster currently stands at the league maximum of 15 players, so the team would have to make some sort of move to make room for the rookie guard out of Baylor. Earlier this season, we heard the team was allowing Jackson and his agent to seek out a trade partner.
Reports this morning suggested Cleveland was primed to make some sort of deal before the deadline, but New Orleans reportedly doesn’t feel rushed to make any move with Jackson. However, the Nuggets could definitely use some help at the point guard position, with Nate Robinson out for the season, Ty Lawson missing time, and Andre Miller still inactive.
Ford’s Latest: Magic, Cavs, Bobcats
Victor Oladipo may be the only Magic player unavailable for a trade, according to Chad Ford of ESPN.com, who adds that the team is looking for multiple first-round picks or young players for Arron Afflalo. Ford believes Orlando will indeed find a taker for Afflalo, but that’s in contrast to a report from Sam Amick of USA Today indicating the Magic aren’t that eager to trade him and aren’t hearing from any team with strong interest (Twitter link). The Magic’s price is much lower for Glen Davis and Jameer Nelson, Ford writes, and while Amick tweets that the Magic is focusing most of its trade attention on those two, Orlando hasn’t gotten anywhere with either of them yet, Amick says.
Ford has much more in his latest Insider-only piece, and we’ll hit the highlights here:
- The Cavs and Bobcats appear to be the only teams capable of trading away a 2014 lottery pick that would actually do so, according to Ford. If the Cavs are determined to make a playoff push, they’ll offer Dion Waiters and their 2014 first-round pick in search of veteran help, Ford writes.
- There’s nothing major happening on the Ersan Ilyasova front, Ford hears, naming Gary Neal and Luke Ridnour as the Bucks most likely to be traded. Milwaukee is reluctant to let go of Caron Butler, who’s a native of nearby Racine, Ford adds.
- The Sixers want “significantly” more than just a first-round pick for Thaddeus Young, which has been dissuading some teams from trading for him, Ford writes.
- Jeff Green and Brandon Bass are the names that come up most frequently in trade discussions involving the Celtics, according to Ford.
- Several GMs tell Ford that the Lakers appear willing to discuss any player on their roster short of Kobe Bryant.
- Everyone outside of DeMarcus Cousins, Rudy Gay and Isaiah Thomas is available from the Kings, with Marcus Thornton, Jason Thompson, Carl Landry and Jimmer Fredette the primary bait, Ford writes.
- It’s unlikely the Jazz trade Gordon Hayward, Ford says, naming Marvin Williams as the team’s most likely trade candidate.
- Teams are looking to acquire a package of both Greg Monroe and Rodney Stuckey, but the Pistons remain unwilling to deal Monroe, as multiple GMs tell Ford.
Amico’s Latest: Terry, Sixers, Cavs
Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio seconds Monday’s reports of discussions between the Cavs and Nets about Jarrett Jack, but the Cavs have no interest in Jason Terry, whom the Nets would apparently be relinquishing as part of the deal. The trade appears to be on the back burner for now, but there are plenty of other rumors involving the Cavs and others around the NBA, and Amico passes along more in his latest piece:
- People around the league tell Amico that Thaddeus Young is more likely to be traded than Sixers teammates Spencer Hawes and Evan Turner, who aren’t garnering strong interest. Philadelphia is reportedly looking for more in return for Young than for Hawes and Turner, lending credence to the notion that Young has greater market value.
- New Cavs GM David Griffin is active, but most around the league believe he’ll pull off a small-scale deal rather than another foundation-shaking move, Amico writes.
- C.J. Miles‘ camp is bracing for a trade, Amico hears, though that appears to be based out of the recognition that his $2.225MM expiring contract is a fungible asset more so than any knowledge that the Cavs are shopping him.