Knicks Top Lamar Odom’s List Of Destinations
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, a source with knowledge of Lamar Odom's situation says that should the veteran forward become a free agent, the Knicks would be number one on his list. Because of the Knicks' salary cap situation, Odom would have to sign at a discounted rate which is something the source said he would be willing to do.
"Lamar is big on being comfortable," says the source. "And New York is somewhere he can be comfortable. He wants to find a place where he can end his career, and New York is ideal. He's won championships in the past and he wants to win another. And to do it there would be great."
Odom is still under contract with the Mavericks next season, so in order for this to become a reality, he would have to be released. There has been plenty of talk about the Mavericks attempting to trade Odom before June 29 – which Begley notes – when a $2.4MM contract kicker for next year comes due. Odom is due $8.2MM next year under his current deal.
Begley says that Odom's ability to be effective off the bench for a shallow Knicks roster would be a good fit. While the Knicks hardly qualify as a "super team" yet, they do have nearly all of their money tied up in three players. We have seen with similarly built teams – namely the Heat – that veterans like Odom signing on the cheap can provide a much-needed source of depth.
Dirk Nowitzki Talks Mavs’ Offseason
Dirk Nowitzki was on Dallas radio Tuesday and was asked what his reaction would be if the Mavericks are unable to land any big-name players in the offseason. The Mavericks have been rumored to be interested in Deron Williams and Dwight Howard all season long.
"I’m not sure. I’ve always said I want to finish my career here and obviously the championship season topped it all off; that’s what I always was chasing and dreaming about so that kind of sealed that deal on that front. If we really come out with nobody this summer then maybe they want to rebuild and obviously I’m too old for that. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens on that front. But, I still think I got two, three good years left in me and if we get some players in here we can be right back up there and compete," Nowitzki said.
Nowitzki called himself the "grandfather of Dallas sports" and specifically went on to mention Deron Williams by name. It is clear that Dirk wants help while he still can contribute at a high level. It is also clear that he expects the front office to come through, and that he won't be faced with a situation where he is the elder statesman on a rebuilding team:
"I don’t even want to think about it because I don’t think it’s going to happen. I want to finish my career here and hopefully compete again in the playoffs and be a player late in June. We’ll see. Everything else is kind of all in the future. I can’t really see myself in another city or another uniform after 14 seasons I think it’s been now. Growing up here and basically I've matured so much over the years and met a lot of great people here, so I can’t even think about going somewhere else really," Nowitzki added.
I tend to agree with Nowitzki that he won't be put in a bad spot in his final years in the league. Mark Cuban hardly seems like the type of owner that is willing to completely rebuild. Whether or not they land the big fish they will be looking for remains to be seen, but if they don't, Dallas will likely refrain from throwing in the towel.
Amick On Bynum, Howard, Deron Williams
Like Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News did last night, SI.com's Sam Amick argues that the Lakers and Magic should explore swapping Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard. Within his piece, Amick drops a few interesting details to support his argument, and touches on Deron Williams' free agent options as well. Here are some highlights:
- When Howard included the Lakers in his list of preferred destinations, it was more a leverage play than a statement he'd sign long-term there, sources tells Amick.
- At the trade deadline, according to Amick, Howard to the Lakers didn't seem like a fit because Howard didn't want to play third-fiddle to Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. However, Amick says the dynamic for the Lakers, the Magic, and Howard has changed, and that all involved parties are more desperate for a shake-up now.
- According to a Lakers source, Bynum grew more vocal about his frustrations and was more prone to "acting out" as the season progressed.
- Magic CEO Alex Martins is still confident that Howard can be persuaded to remain in Orlando.
- Amick hears that Deron Williams has some interest in joining the Lakers, though that would only be possible through a sign-and-trade. Williams' preference is for the Nets to improve the roster sufficiently enough that he can feel good about re-signing in Brooklyn.
- Dallas is still a possibility for Williams, but a source tells Amick that there's "no longevity" when it comes to the Mavericks and their roster.
Odds & Ends: Howard, Lin, Butler, Belinelli
A few Tuesday afternoon odds and ends from around the NBA:
- After reporting yesterday that Dwight Howard still wants to be traded out of Orlando, Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com outlines why the Nets and Knicks may be the most logical trade partners for the Magic.
- If Howard is dealt this summer, it's probably bad news for the Mavericks, writes Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com. The Mavs could have the cap space for Howard next summer, but don't have the trade chips to get him right now.
- In an Insider piece for ESPN.com, David Thorpe examines some potential landing spots for Jeremy Lin, concluding that the Raptors, Nets, and Suns might be the best fits besides the Knicks.
- Rasual Butler has heard from several teams and plans to be ready to sign in July, according to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld. The Raptors released Butler in March, in time for him to catch on with another team for the postseason, but the 33-year-old didn't sign another contract before season's end.
- In an interview with Gazzetta.it, Marco Belinelli said he expects to receive offers from the Hornets and other NBA teams, and wants to determine where he'll sign before trying to join the Italian national team for the Olympics. Hat tip to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando for the translation.
Deron Williams Still Undecided On Future
Deron Williams has traveled to Turkey and Russia since the Nets' regular season ended, crossing paths with Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov and GM Billy King during his vacation. But Williams stressed to reporters today that they shouldn't read into the trip, and that he's no closer to deciding on where he'll sign than he was a month ago (link via Andy Vasquez of the Bergen Record).
"I want to reiterate, I don’t know what I’m doing next year," Williams said. "Still. Nobody does but me. Not even my mom, my brother, my uncle, my cousin. I haven’t talked to anybody about where I’m going next year."
Williams explained his trip to Russia by saying he'd never been there before, and suggested that when he visits his hometown of Dallas later this week, it shouldn't be interpreted as a clue either. The 27-year-old also had an answer for why he continued to work out at the Nets' practice facility in New Jersey.
"I’m here right now because I sold my house in San Diego so I can’t go there," Williams said. "I have a house in Utah that I’m trying to sell, but it has no furniture in it, so I can’t go there. Plus my kids are in school till June 28th, so I have to stay here. Then I leave on July 5th for the Olympic training. So it doesn’t really make sense for me to go anywhere."
The top free agent on the market this offseason, Williams is expected to be heavily courted by the Nets and Mavericks, among other teams. As I explained last week, the Nets can offer the most money, but the difference may not be significant enough to be the deciding factor in the point guard's decision.
Dwight Howard Still Wants Out Of Orlando
Despite the exit of coach Stan Van Gundy and GM Otis Smith today, Dwight Howard "desperately" wants to be traded before next season, a source tells Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com. While it seemed the moves were made with Howard in mind, the superstar center wants out of Orlando now more than ever, according to the source.
Sheridan says Magic execs are expected to meet soon with Howard in Los Angeles, where he's recovering from back surgery. If he reiterates then that he wants out, Sheridan says the team is expected to try to trade him to "the highest bidder." The source says the Nets are still the frontrunner for his services, but the Mavericks, Knicks and, to a lesser degree, the Clippers and Lakers, are destinations that also appeal to Howard.
Earlier today we heard that Magic CEO Alex Martins has called for Howard to make his decision regarding his future with the club. At the trade deadline this past March, Howard declined his early termination option for next season, committing himself to the last season of his contract with the Magic. The move appears only to have been a temporary stay of the drama surrounding his rumored departure. Howard missed the playoffs for the Magic this season after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back more than a month ago. He has been rehabbing in Los Angeles and has not returned to Orlando since the operation. The Magic said earlier he's staying there because he requires frequent checkups from his doctors in L.A., but Howard's choice of locations nonetheless fueled speculation he's estranged from the team.
Southwest Links: Suns, Mavs, Olympics
With the veteran Spurs looking to take a commanding 2-0 lead on the Clippers tonight, lets look at some links for the Western Conference's Southwest division:
- Stefan Swiat of Suns.com takes an initial look at the Suns draft situation. The team has a miniscule chance of obtaining the top pick and will likely pick around number 13, where last year they took Markieff Morris. Swiat rounds up the mocks of several websites, most of which have the Suns taking a guard, presumably anticipating the departure of free agent Steve Nash.
- Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News answered questions in a chat today (full transcript here). Cowlishaw points to the Spurs as an example of why the Mavericks must draft a "contributing rookie" regardless of position in June.
- Cowlishaw adds that the Lamar Odom experiment in Dallas was a worthwhile endeavor that never should have gone as sour as it did. He says trading Odom is an option, but is skeptical of the number of suitors and the return.
- Finally, Cowlishaw gives his take on Mavericks owner Mark Cuban's position against his players participating in the Olympics. Cowlishaw tends to agree with Cuban, saying that professional basketball players aren't as engrained in Olympic history as other athletes, like hockey players for example.
Odds & Ends: Olympics, Howard, Bulls, Mavericks
A few Thursday afternoon odds and ends from around the Association….
- When Mike Krzyzewski steps down, Gregg Popovich is the logical choice to coach Team USA, argues Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee.
- Roy Hibbert told Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida that he attempted to get his release from Team Jamaica so he could potentially play for Team USA, but that it's a dead issue and he has moved on.
- Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel wonders why, if Dwight Howard truly wants to stay with the Magic, he doesn't come out and say so.
- Ronnie Brewer told ESPN 1000 in Chicago that he hopes both he and Kyle Korver can return to the Bulls next season, as ESPNChicago.com notes. Both players are on non-guaranteed contracts for 2012/13.
- According to Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com, Rick Carlislie's comments on Dallas radio open the door for speculation that the Mavericks could explore packaging Lamar Odom in a trade for a player on a large contract.
Odds & Ends: Mayo, Joe Johnson, Hawks
Here are some of tonight's miscellaneous links:
- Lang Greene of HoopsWorld had his weekly chat with fans tonight. Among the significant things I took from his exchange: O.J. Mayo will most likely leave Memphis since the Grizzlies do not want to exceed the luxury tax and that Joe Johnson won't likely be dealt anytime soon.
- Greene also took a look at what to expect from the Hawks this offseason. Aside from being committed to $61 MM in salaries with six roster spots to fill, the team could have some decisions to face with management and coaching as well. We reported earlier this week that current general manager Rick Sund has drawn interest from the Trail Blazers, and Greene thinks that his departure could also mean an end to Larry Drew's tenure with the team.
- Kevin Sherrington of SportsDay DFW answered some questions from fans today, including an explanation of why he'd choose Rick Carlisle over Phil Jackson.
- This Reuters article (via Simon Evans) examines Miami's struggles as a result of Chris Bosh's absence. The Heat players outside of Lebron and Wade were a combined 9-for-34, and Mario Chalmers was limited to 22 minutes because of foul trouble. Even with that in mind, the Heat don't appear to be fazed going into a road game against a confident Pacers team.
Southwest Notes: Benson, Carlisle, Assistants
- Tom Benson cleared another hurdle in the process of assuming ownership of the Hornets, as the Federal Trade Commission signed off today on his $338 MM purchase of the team, writes John Reid of The Times Picayune.
- Not every coach in the league experiences the same pressure of working for a candidly passionate and fanatical owner like Mark Cuban, but Rick Carlisle believes that those traits bring along a constant effort to provide the necessary resources to compete. Jeff Caplan of ESPN Dallas recorded more of Carlisle's thoughts on his confidence in management along with the work cut out ahead for the Mavericks this summer.
- Tom Ziller of SBNation gives his power rankings of the NBA's top assistant coaches who deserve a shot at a head coaching position. Dave Joerger of the Grizzlies is slated at number four, while Mike Budenholzer of the Spurs tops the list at number one.