Pistons Rumors

Berger On Howard, Williams, Chandler, Nash, GMs

Ken Berger of CBSSports weighed in on the Dwight Howard situation, Deron Williams and several other hot NBA topics.  Here is a quick summary of his updates:

  • Dwight Howard would already be on his way out of Orlando if he was able to make a decision on a destination, according to a person close to the situation.  Rival executives believe that after the All-Star game in Orlando, the Magic will be forced to move him.  
  • Berger says that despite reports to the contrary, the Lakers are indeed one of Howard's finalists, along with the Mavericks and Nets.  The Lakers would prefer to move Pau Gasol in a deal over newly named All-Star starter Andrew Bynum
  • While the Nets are encouraged by Deron Williams' outlook on the team, the team knows that it must complete a Dwight Howard-sized deal to resign the point guard. 
  • Despite league-wide concern over how the Kenyon Martin situation shook out in China, the Nuggets remain committed to signing Wilson Chandler.
  • Steve Nash has not requested a trade, but if he should, the Suns would do all they can to accommodate his request. 
  • On top of the Lakers interest in Ramon Sessions, the team has also discussed the possibility of adding Gilbert Arenas.  
  • Berger suggests the following front office members have uncertain futures:  Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld, Pistons team president Joe Dumars, Kings team president Geoff Petrie, Raptors team president Bryan Colangelo

Odds & Ends: J.R. Smith, Powe, Celtics, Redd

Here are a few Thursday links of note from around the NBA:

Central Notes: Kaman, Pacers, Leuer, Cavs

The latest out of the Eastern Conference's Central division:

Chris Kaman Drawing Trade Interest

12:49pm: The Bobcats have also inquired on Kaman, but a deal isn't likely, tweets Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer.

9:40am: The Rockets and Spurs are among the teams to inquire on Chris Kaman since Hornets GM Dell Demps said he intends to trade the center, reports John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. According to Reid, at least five teams have talked to the Hornets about Kaman, and Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group adds the Warriors to that list.

Kaman, who arrived in New Orleans last month as part of the package for Chris Paul, will sit out until the Hornets can work out a trade, as Demps told ESPN.com's Marc Stein last week.

"Chris has been the ultimate professional since he joined us," said Demps. "In no way is this a disciplinary action. We had discussions about extending his current contract when he first came to the Hornets, but the organization decided to go in a different direction."

According to Thompson's sources, a deal with the Warriors is unlikely. While Golden State could use Kaman to replace the injured Kwame Brown, it doesn't appear the Warriors have the pieces to match up with New Orleans. The league-owned Hornets may also find it tricky to work out a deal with division rivals like Houston and San Antonio.

The Pistons, Pacers, and Cavs have also been linked to Kaman, though Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski says New Orleans' reported asking price of draft picks, cap space, and a young player is too high for most teams (Twitter link).