LeBron Considering Cleveland Return, Cavs Inquired On Love?
According to a new report from Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal, LeBron James is open to the possibility of returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers if he chooses to opt out of his contract with the Miami Heat after the 2013/14 season. Lloyd writes that James is friends with Cavs players Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson, and his new agent, Rich Paul, has local ties.
Lloyd adds, however, that Cavs GM Chris Grant is aware that the team must improve considerably in order to be considered a viable option for James. Grant is reportedly aggressively exploring options to add another impact player. Lloyd reports that Grant asked about trading an Anderson Varejao-based package for Kevin Love following Love's recent comments critical of the Timberwolves, but was rebuffed. He has also inquired on the possibility of trading for the Blazers' LaMarcus Aldridge, the Grizzlies' Marc Gasol, and the Lakers' Pau Gasol.
Lloyd writes that although the Cavs are still open to moving Varejao, who is having an outstanding season, it doesn't seem likely because his recent play has raised their asking price and no team thus far has been willing to meet their demands. A trade of Varejao to the Thunder for Perry Jones III, Jeremy Lamb, and Toronto's protected 2013 first-round draft pick has been discussed, but both sides have concerns about the players they would get back.
Odds & Ends: Cavs, Varejao, Warriors, Fisher
Out in Brooklyn, the Nets are celebrating a 95-92 win over the Sixers. The Nets have kept the edge over Philly thanks in large part to the play of Joe Johnson, who had 22 points off of 8-17 shooting. For a large portion of the game, coach Avery Johnson seemed to call iso plays for the two-guard, daring the Sixers to stop it. For the most part, they were unsuccessful. Here's more from around the Association.
- Bob Finnan of The News-Herald took the Cavaliers to task for over-reliance on young players, and urges them not to trade Anderson Varejao, one of their lone veteran leaders. Varejao's name has popped up frequently in trade rumors as he turns in an extremely strong year for a non-contending team.
- The Warriors' expectations have grown exponentially thanks to their offseason moves and there are bright days ahead in Golden State, writes Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. Two additions in particular have helped propel the team to an 18-10 record, according to guard Stephen Curry. “Having the same coaching staff back from last year really helps,” Curry said. “You have some familiarity with the system and day-to-day how the team is going to feel and what to expect from the coaching staff. But also bringing Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry in, and for guys to be able to contribute off the bench and a great draft class, three guys that are contributing right off the bat.”
- Although Derek Fisher only spent 24 days with the Mavericks, coach Rick Carlisle appreciates what he did for the team and commended him for his professional attitude, writes Dwain Price of the Star-Telegram.
Odds & Ends: Varejao, Bargnani, Mayo
A night after the first-place Thunder lost to tighten up the Western Conference race, the idle Heat slipped into the top spot in the East by percentage points on Friday when the Knicks fell at home to the Bulls. There's still plenty left to be resolved this season, and with the trade deadline now less than two months away, the level of intrigue is on the way up. Here's more from the Association.
- In a HoopsWorld video, Alex Kennedy says consensus around the league is that the Cavs will trade Anderson Varejao this season, and with some executives still high on Andrea Bargnani, Kennedy wouldn't be surprised to see a team take a risk to bring him on board.
- O.J. Mayo wasn't caught off guard when the Grizzlies let him walk in free agency, and the two sides didn't have talks about bringing him back this summer, notes Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com. "Once you see the writing on the wall, you can’t be dumb to the fact," Mayo said. “I didn’t even go to the exit meeting. I pretty much knew what it was.”
- Lou Williams had hoped he wouldn't have to come back to Philadelphia with an opposing team, as he did tonight, and wanted to work out a return to the Sixers in free agency last summer, Dei Lynam of CSNPhilly.com has the details. "I think Philly did a good job of making my decision easy for me," the Hawks guard said. "They made it clear they were going in a different direction and at that time I had to find somewhere else to go, and luckily for me I landed on my feet in my hometown. Both sides moved on. It is what it is, and I am sure they are happy with what they got out of the deal and I am happy to be at home."
- Andrei Kirilenko fit the profile of what the Wolves front office identified as the team's most pressing need this past offseason, but Minnesota still had questions about him, writes Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune. Kirilenko is answering those doubts, and coach Rick Adelman has been surprised at just how much the 31-year-old defensive ace has helped the team.
- The Suns recalled Kendall Marshall from the D-League today, but the rookie doesn't appear to be any better from the experience, observes Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic.
Wolves Rumors: Redick, Williams, Love, Varejao
Ever since the Wolves released Josh Howard following news of his ACL tear yesterday, we've heard plenty about potential replacements, as a roster spot on a team contending for a playoff spot has many NBA hopefuls salivating at the opportunity. Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN has provided many of the updates via Twitter, and he's collected those rumors along with plenty of other Wolves-related scuttlebutt in his latest piece. We'll round up the highlights here.
- Wolfson earlier today mentioned former Sonic Mickael Gelabale as one of the players reaching out to the Wolves about the open roster spot, and Gelabale's agent has contacted all 30 teams about a return to the NBA for his client, according to Shams Charania of RealGM. Charania also hears that the Wolves are unlikely to sign any wing player until after Christmas.
Earlier updates:
- Minnesota would be "heavily" in the mix for J.J. Redick if the Magic decide to put him on the market. Derrick Williams' name has come up in connection with Redick in the past, but it'll take more than Williams to get a deal done, Wolfson hears. Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game listed the Wolves among a handful of likely trade partners earlier this week.
- Kevin Love made a few hearts jump in Minnesota earlier this month when he questioned his future with the franchise, but according to Wolfson, no teams have called the Wolves' front office to ask about Love's availability.
- Anderson Varejao is still "very much on the Wolves' trade radar," but Tyreke Evans is not, Wolfson writes.
- The Wolves aren't thinking of signing Chris Douglas-Roberts, who's been the second-leading scorer in the D-League this season at 22.7 points per game after the Mavericks waived him at the end of training camp.
- Though Howard's minimum-salary contract was non-guaranteed, he'll recoup some money from an insurance policy.
- The Wolves own the draft rights to Serbian power forward Nemanja Bjelica, and the Wolves are entertaining the possibility of bringing him to the NBA next season. Wolfson provides a scouting report from an executive who likes his offense better than his defense.
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.
Central Notes: Pistons, Varejao, Bucks, Robinson
The latest news and notes from around the Central Division on Thursday afternoon:
- Keith Langolis of Pistons.com has a new mailbag column in which he answers reader questions about hypothetical trades the team could make for players like Kevin Love and Al Jefferson. Langolis expects the Lakers to make a strong push when Love hits free agency.
- Jessica Camerato of CSNNE.com writes that Anderson Varejao is happy with the Cavs, and wonders whether the Celtics could be a potential trade destination.
- Former Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley denies reports that he would like to buy the Bucks.
- Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com writes that Nate Robinson is not affected by the fact that his contract with the Bulls isn't guaranteed.
- Joe Gabriele of Cavs.com has a Q&A with Jeremy Pargo, who filled in ably for Kyrie Irving when Irving was injured earlier this season.
D-League Moves: White, Copeland, Leuer
We’ll keep track of all the day’s D-League moves right here. As always, you can reference the season’s comings and goings with this post.
- The Knicks have assigned James White and Chris Copeland to the Erie BayHawks of the D-League for a second time this week, tweets Keith Schlosser of Knicks Journal. The pair of forwards went to Erie on Tuesday and were called back to New York yesterday in time for both to appear in the Knicks‘ victory over the Nets. Neither played in a game for the BayHawks, and the assignments are simply a measure to get the players more practice time, as Schlosser points out.
- The Cavaliers have recalled Jon Leuer from the D-League, the team announced. Leuer has appeared in six games, all starts, for the Canton Charge since he was assigned to the club two weeks ago. The 6’10” power forward notched 20.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game and shot 54.5% during his D-League stint.
- Tyler Honeycutt was on the active list for the Kings in their win against the Warriors last night in his first game since returning from the league’s longest D-League stint of the season. Honeycutt was sent down November 7th, the first time an NBA player was assigned to a D-League squad in 2012/13. The 6’8″ small forward averaged 10.9 points and 9.6 rebounds in seven games with the Reno Big Horns.
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: Williams, Celtics, Heat, Varejao
Before the Jazz came to Brooklyn to face the Nets on Tuesday, Deron Williams told reporters that he has struggled since joining the Nets in part because of coach Avery Johnson‘s offense. While it was seen as excuse-making by some, Sean Deveney of the Sporting News writes that the one-guard has a point. It remains to be seen whether Johnson will re-fashion his offensive system in order to better accomodate Williams, who seemed to thrive in former coach Jerry Sloan‘s 1-4, pick-and-roll-heavy sets. Here’s today’s look around the league..
- There are no obvious fixes for the Celtics on the trade market at present, so Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com offers up three internal solutions to their woes. One idea is for the C’s to recall Fab Melo from the D-League and play him alongside Kevin Garnett.
- The Heat amassed overall quality this summer to position themselves to trade for the right big man at the right price, writes Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. The Heat still have time to find frontcourt help either at the trading deadline or buyout deadline.
- The ESPN.com staff looked at five of the top trade candidates in the league and weighed in on whether they should be moved. Most of the ESPN scribes are in agreement that the Cavaliers should part ways with Anderson Varejao, who is playing at an All-Star level and staying healthy.
Central Notes: Varejao, Gilbert, West
With the Cavaliers about to tip off and the Bulls, Bucks and Pacers slated to play later tonight, the Pistons are the only Central division team not playing tonight. Let's keep all the links from the Central division within this post tonight:
- Jim Cavan of The New York Times explains
some of the reasons why Cavs center and trade candidate Anderson Varejao has shown marked
improvement this year. - Todd Jones, for SI.com, writes a long feature on Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, who is still trying to dig his team out of the hole that LeBron James' departure left. Gilbert has no regrets about the letter he wrote after James' decision, despite LeBron proving him wrong in his second year in Miami.
- David West, who'll
be an unrestricted free agent at season's end, is the "backbone" of
the Pacers, asserts Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star, who looks
at how West has continually disproved the doubters (link via USA Today).