Odds & Ends: McCants, Free Agency, Parker
- Sportando reports that former Timberwolves lottery pick Rashad McCants has reached an agreement with Piratas de Quebradillas after being released by Caciques de Humacao of the BSN, Puerto Rico's main basketball league. McCants drew some attention from the media last fall after saying he wanted to be considered the "best basketball player not in the NBA." Julius Hodge, a former Nuggets first-round pick, was also released by Caciques de Humacao.
- Tom Haberstroh of ESPN (Insider link) examines possible fits for Eastern Conference teams with regards to upcoming free agency.
- Anthony Parker of the Cavaliers will consider retirement after this season, says Lang Greene of HoopsWorld.
- Mavericks owner Mark Cuban defended the Lakers management for how they've handled their roster this season, writes Jeff Caplan of ESPN Dallas/Fort Worth.
- Although Von Wafer has fallen out of Stan Van Gundy's rotation in Orlando, he remains professional and hopes to work hard enough to move up the depth chart. Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld briefly explores other options Wafer may have.
Mavericks Waive Sean Williams
The Mavericks have requested waivers on Sean Williams, according to a team release. The move reduces the team's roster to 14 players.
Williams, 25, signed with the Mavs prior to the season on a two-year contract worth the minimum salary. While Dallas will be on the hook for the rest of his salary for this season, the second year of the deal was nonguaranteed.
Williams was up and down between the Mavericks and the team's D-League affiliate in Austin this season. The former 17th overall pick averaged 3.6 PPG and 1.6 RPG in eight contests for the Mavs, and 14.7 PPG, 8.5 RPG, and 2.5 BPG in 24 games for the D-League's Texas Legends.
With an empty roster spot, the Mavs could be eyeing a replacement for Williams. They reportedly had interest in Ryan Hollins, though it appears Hollins will sign with the Celtics.
Buyout Updates: Hickson, Hollins, Cook
Boris Diaw is the latest player to be bought out by his team, as he and the Bobcats parted ways today. Rumors continue to swirl about where he and other free-agents-to-be could land, with the latest report suggesting Diaw could be headed for San Antonio. Here are the most recent updates on where bought-out players could sign, and who might receive a buyout next:
- J.J. Hickson is still expected to sign with the Warriors if and when he clears waivers, tweets SI.com's Sam Amick.
- In addition to sharing a few notes on what the Cavaliers' offseason could bring, Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio provides an update on Ryan Hollins in his weekly chat — the big man is drawing interest from the Celtics and Mavericks, according to Amico.
- Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star adds the Pacers to the list of potential suitors for Hollins (Twitter link).
- Brian Cook is unlikely to pursue a buyout from the Wizards, his agent tells Michael Lee of the Washington Post.
Southwest Notes: Mavs, Joseph, Arenas, Grizzlies
Here's the latest from the Southwest Division, where the Mavericks' Monday night victory pulled them into a tie with the Grizzlies, four games behind the division-leading Spurs….
- Jason Terry isn't expecting the Mavericks to be in on any new free agents like Derek Fisher and J.J. Hickson this week, as he tells Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: "We're not doing anything over here. That's been proven. We're not signing anybody."
- The Spurs have re-assigned Cory Joseph to the D-League's Austin Toros, tweets Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express News. Perhaps the move indicates the team is close to officially signing Patrick Mills.
- Zach Lowe of SI.com isn't sure whether Gilbert Arenas is the answer for the Grizzlies, but he says it's probably worth a low-cost flier to find out. Memphis made the signing official today.
Rivers: Celtics Close To Adding Player
1:09pm: Following up his earlier tweet, Blakely writes that the Celtics hope to add a player today, and expect to make a move by Friday at the latest. Blakely adds that Boston is keeping an eye on potential buyout candidates like Chris Kaman and Lamar Odom, just in case they become available.
"You want to wait for that," Rivers said. "You don't want to sign a guy and then another guy (you're interested in) buys out. It's a game of chicken, but it's hurting us. We literally need a body. We just need anybody."
12:51pm: If a move is imminent for the Celtics, don't expect it to involve Ronny Turiaf, says Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com. Although Turiaf "drew immediate interest" from Boston, he still needs to clear waivers, and agent Mark Bartelstein says his client may take some time after that to make a decision on where to sign.
10:44am: The Celtics are "close" to adding another player, coach Doc Rivers tells A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com (Twitter link). Blakely adds that the player is likely a big man. The Celtics have been lacking frontcourt depth with Chris Wilcox and Jermaine O'Neal out.
Boston's roster currently sits at 15 players, so the team would have to make a corresponding move to make room for a new addition. O'Neal is perhaps the likeliest Celtic to be cut or bought out. Rivers said last week that he doesn't expect the veteran big man to play for Boston again this season, and O'Neal is rumored to be seeking a buyout. Resolution on his situation, whether that means a buyout or wrist surgery, was expected to come early this week.
As for the player the Celtics may be adding, Rivers said on Friday that recently waived Blazer Chris Johnson is "an absolute option" for Boston.
Kennedy On Williams, Buyouts, Nets, Magic
Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld chatted with readers this afternoon, and passed along a few intriguing nuggets. Here are the highlights:
- He rounded up the buyout candidates, listing Chris Kaman, Derek Fisher, Jermaine O’Neal, Shawne Williams, Boris Diaw, Marquis Daniels, Brian Cook and Ronny Turiaf.
- Kennedy says he's been told free agent-to-be Deron Williams wants to play in Dallas, he and predicts the point guard winds up with the Mavs.
- Since Dwight Howard's option only covers one more season, Kennedy wouldn't rule out the Nets pursuing D12 again next year.
- The Magic won't go after Derek Fisher if he's bought out by the Rockets, but they may try to work a sign and trade with restricted free agent Ryan Anderson this summer as they try to get creative to bring in the talent necessary to appease Howard.
Southwest Rumors: Fisher, Mills, Jackson
Four of the five Southwest Division teams are in action tonight, including the Mavs and first-place Spurs, who meet in Dallas. Here's a quick check around the division:
- Though reports suggest Houston will buy out Derek Fisher, coach Kevin McHale's comments, as noted by Sean Deveney of The Sporting News, seem to suggest he'd like to see the point guard in uniform for the team tonight. Fisher has yet to report to the Rockets.
- Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld tweets that the Spurs would go after Fisher if his rumored buyout takes place, given the team's need at point guard in the wake of T.J. Ford's sudden retirement this week.
- Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports via Twitter that the Rockets are pursuing former Blazers guard Patrick Mills, who has received FIBA clearance to play in the U.S. after signing with a Chinese team earlier this year. That's further suggestion that the Rockets will let Fisher go, as they also signed guard Courtney Fortson today.
- Jason Terry believes San Antonio's trade of Richard Jefferson for Stephen Jackson was a "no brainer," reports Jeff Caplan of ESPN Dallas/Fort Worth. Jackson, scheduled to make his debut tonight according to a tweet from Earl K. Sneed of Mavs.com, gives them scoring and toughness, Terry says.
Deadline Notes: Warriors, Nets, Mavs
A few notes in the aftermath of the trade deadline:
- Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com believes that the Warriors were willing to take on Richard Jefferson's contract because they don't believe luring a free agent with cap space is a viable option at this point.
- SI.com's Chris Mannix suggests that the Nets could target Kevin Garnett and Ryan Anderson in free agency this summer.
- Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson is happy with the team he has assembled and didn't see the need to make a move, reports Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News.
Kyler On Smith, Magic, Bulls
Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld passed along a few goodies on Twitter, so let's take a look (all Twitter links, of course):
- The Magic are one of multiple teams trying to get the Hawks to change their minds about keeping Josh Smith, even though it's a long shot. One potential scenario would have the Magic sending Jason Richardson to the Wolves and Ryan Anderson to the Hawks while Michael Beasley would go to Atlanta. Ownership would be reluctant to do that deal because they believe Smith is worth twice that price. David Aldridge of NBA.com tweets that no such talks between the Magic and Hawks have taken place.
- The rumored three-team trade involving the Lakers, Wolves and Blazers is just one of the options the Wolves have.
- The Bulls are eyeing Courtney Lee, and would look to Raja Bell as a fallback.
- Kyler is much more confident about the Mavs' chances of landing Deron Williams now that Dwight Howard is close to committing to the Magic for next season.
Odds & Ends: Mavericks, Hornets, Smith, Harris
- Mark Cuban doesn't see a reason why the Mavericks would be involved in the trade market right now, according to Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News.
- Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reports that the Hornets are not looking to add any payroll in a deal involving Chris Kaman, which makes a deal tough. (Twitter link)
- Despite numerous reports that Josh Smith wants out of Atlanta, Hawks co-owner Bruce Levenson believes that the chances of the team receiving equal value for their star forward is very unlikely, according to an Associated Press article by the Star Tribune.
- Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune tweeted that the Jazz are not trying to move Devin Harris.
- Clippers GM Neil Olshey tells Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times that the team is not looking to trade any of their remaining assets unless it makes an "impact acquisition."
- A panel of experts from ESPNChicago.com discussed the current state of the Bulls, and all agreed that the Bulls should remain intact past the deadline.
- Jeff McDonald of Spurs Nation gives a rundown of the team's thought process as the trade deadline looms. While they may not have the trade assets to get anything major done, they could look to the waiver wire after the deadline.
- Stephen Litel of HoopsWorld offered his opinion on trade scenarios in a chat with fans.