Sefko On Jennings, Dwight, Dalembert
Eddie Sefko of SportsDayDFW doesn't think the Mavericks will engage in any trades before Thursday, saying that the team's biggest issue – namely their rebounding deficiencies – will have to improve with the personnel they already have. He also participated in a chat with fans about trade deadline rumblings, and you can read some of the highlights here:
- Sefko says that the Mavs won't have much luck if they want to go after Brandon Jennings, being that his asking price would be too high for them to reach.
- Dallas hasn't been turned off by the way Dwight Howard's tenure has gone in Los Angeles, and Sefko thinks the Mavericks' chances of landing him over the summer notably improve if the Lakers fail to make the playoffs.
- Bucks center Samuel Dalembert would make sense as a trade target, but Milwaukee's price tag may be too high, especially if they want a young player in exchange.
- Sefko puts the Mavericks' chances of making a deal at 25%.
- While talking about the draft may be a little premature, Dallas would be wise to target a guard or a swingman once the NBA Draft comes along in June, says Sefko.
HoopsWorld’s Latest: Randolph, D12, 2014, Ellis
Steve Kyler and Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld both have new pieces up, in which they address various trade candidates or possibilities. Let's dive in and cover the highlights….
- Zach Randolph is "all but untouchable" for the Grizzlies this week, according to Kyler. While Memphis is still expected to make a move or two using its trade exceptions, the club would have to be blown away to consider moving Randolph.
- Sources tell Kennedy that there's a non-zero chance the Lakers will move Dwight Howard this week, which is something we've heard from Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio and from Kennedy himself. Howard hasn't asked for a trade and isn't expected to do so, so a deal is very unlikely, but there's no guarantee D12 will remain in Los Angeles through the deadline, according to Kennedy.
- If the Lakers are fielding calls on Howard, the Rockets, Mavericks, and Hawks, three teams frequently linked to the All-Star center, are expected to make inquiries.
- When weighing trade offers this week, teams will be cognizant of their salary commitments for 2014 and beyond, says Kennedy. Like 2010, the 2014 free agent class is expected to be particularly star-studded, so plenty of teams are attempting to preserve cap space for that summer.
- League sources expect Monta Ellis to opt out of his contract this summer and look to sign with a contender, since he's tired of being on losing teams, according to Kennedy. It's worth noting that the 26-25 Bucks aren't technically a "losing team," but I suppose being one game above .500 doesn't exactly qualify Milwaukee as a contender.
Kobe OK With Lakers Trading Dwight Howard?
As we documented yesterday, Kobe Bryant was indifferent when asked during All-Star weekend about Dwight Howard's future, telling reporters: "I don't know what [the Lakers' front office is] going to do. At this point, it doesn't matter." While the response could have interpreted as Kobe blowing off a question he didn't want to discuss, Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio suggests that Bryant's answer may have been sincere.
According to Amico, it doesn't matter to Bryant whether Howard is a part of the team's "attempted revival" in the second half. While general manager Mitch Kupchak has insisted privately and publicly that he won't trade Howard, he'd have Kobe's "full support" if he changed his mind, says Amico, who adds that Bryant, Steve Nash, and Pau Gasol all have some level of uncertainty about Howard's level of commitment.
Despite his public stance about not moving Howard, Kupchak has at least fielded a few trade inquiries, according to Amico. However, he has quickly rejected any pitches for his All-Star center. I'd be shocked if anything happened with D12 this week, but with his free agency coming up this summer, it'll be worth keeping an eye on the situation in Los Angeles. Amico writes that Howard hasn't made a decision about his free agent destination yet, and will wait to see how this season plays out.
Wojnarowski On Wolves, Smith, Nets, Bell
Here's the latest news from around the league courtesy of Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski with all links going to Twitter..
- The Wolves have been aggressive in offering multiple first-round picks for established talent, according to league sources (Twitter link). We've heard some trade buzz around Minnesota in recent weeks, but it has mostly concerned guard Luke Ridnour.
- The Celtics are on several fronts, including discussions on Josh Smith, Wojnarowski tweets. They've got plenty of competition, however, as the Nets are solely focused on making a deal for Smith, despite being linked to a few other big names in recent weeks.
- Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni has remained intrigued with bringing exiled Jazz guard Raja Bell to Lakers, sources tell Wojnarowski. The Jazz would be delighted to put a bow on their saga with the disgruntled guard.
- League GMs believe that the Hawks, Bucks, and Suns will make significant moves before the trade deadline.
- The Trail Blazers are still willing to move J.J. Hickson, but haven't found an appealing offer yet.
- Teams trying to trade for J.J. Redick of the Magic are surveying the cost of re-signing him this summer, Wojnarowski tweets. If Bucks move a starting guard, he'll be a major target for them.
Buss Family To Continue Running Lakers
Following the passing of Dr. Jerry Buss, the Lakers held an afternoon press conference today in Los Angeles, during which Buss family spokesman Bob Steiner and Lakers vice president of public relations John Black addressed the media. Mike Trudell of Lakers.com brought us the key points, via Twitter:
- According to Black, Jerry Buss has had a plan in place for years for when he can no longer run the team. "The future of the organization will remain unchanged," says Black.
- Jim Buss will continue to run the basketball side of the Lakers, while Jeanie Buss will continue to run the business side, according to Black.
- Jim Buss, GM Mitch Kupchak, and the Lakers' staff will continue to handle the basketball decision-making for the club.
- The controlling ownership of the Lakers, which is about 65-66% of the franchise, has been passed on to a trust on behalf of Jerry Buss' six children. It will be managed by Jeanie, Jim, and Johnny Buss.
- As I noted earlier today, the Buss family has previously said they have no interest in selling the Lakers, and will carry out their father's wishes.
Lakers Owner Jerry Buss Passes Away
12:14pm: The Buss family has released a statement, according to the Lakers' official website. It reads as follows:
"We not only have lost our cherished father, but a beloved man of our community and a person respected by the world basketball community.
"Dr. Buss had been hospitalized much of the past 18 months in a battle which showed his amazing strength and will to live. It was our father’s often stated desire and expectation that the Lakers remain in the Buss family. The Lakers have been our lives as well and we will honor his wish and do everything in our power to continue his unparalleled legacy."
10:07am: Longtime Lakers majority owner Jerry Buss passed away this morning, according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter). Buss, who was 80, had owned a majority share of the Lakers since 1979, having overseen 10 championship teams during his tenure.
Although his son Jim and daughter Jeanie had taken over many of the basketball and business decisions for the franchise, Buss had remained a part of the Lakers' decision-making process until he was recently hospitalized by health issues. Buss was being treated for cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Following a January column by Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register in which Ding speculated on what might become of Buss' 66% share of the Lakers when he eventually passed away, the Buss family released a statement refuting the idea that the team would be sold to an outside group.
"We unanimously agree that we have no intention of ever selling the Lakers, and intend to keep ownership of the team in our family for generations to come," the family said in the statement.
Los Angeles Rumors: Paul, Clips, Howard, Lakers
Clippers and Lakers stars led the way for the Western Conference last night in Houston, as Chris Paul's 20 points and 15 assists earned him MVP honors, while Kobe Bryant's late-game defense helped secure the West's victory. But with All-Star weekend behind us and the trade deadline looming, there's plenty of off-court intrigue to follow in Los Angeles, and Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports has the latest updates on the city's two teams….
- Paul is "planning to re-sign" with the Clippers this summer, according to Wojnarowski.
- The All-Star point guard is also expected to continue to have final say about any move the franchise makes. As one of Wojnarowski's sources puts it: "If Chris wants Vinny [Del Negro], he'll be the coach. If Chris wants [Kevin Garnett], they'll push harder for it."
- Rival teams are still calling the Lakers about Dwight Howard, despite Mitch Kupchak's public and private insistences that D12 won't be moved. When rumors surfaced recently suggesting that the club could be engaged in talks, Kupchak told Howard to pay them no mind.
- One rival GM on the Lakers' stance with Howard: "They're too arrogant to move him now, even if Dwight asked for it. They're the Lakers, and they'll dare you to walk away in July. And if I was them, I would, too."
- Asked about Howard's situation at All-Star weekend, Bryant was fairly indifferent, telling reporters, "I don't know what [the Lakers' front office is] going to do. At this point, it doesn't matter."
- According to Wojnarowski, Howard has come to realize that winning needs to be his top priority in free agency, rather than marketing potential or geography. He'll weigh all his options thoroughly in July.
Pacific Links: Clippers, Warriors, Gordon, Kobe
The Pacific Division will be well-represented in tomorrow's All-Star Game, as five of the 12 Western Conference All-Star spots are occupied by players from the division, and four of the five starters come from the two L.A. teams. There easily could have been six Pacific Division All-Stars if the coaches had selected Stephen Curry as a reserve. Here's more on a few All-Stars who were voted as starters by the fans, including a hint at retirement from one of them.
- Chris Paul and Blake Griffin would welcome Kevin Garnett to the Clippers if he's traded to the team, as Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com observes.
- ESPN's Chris Broussard wrote a couple of days ago that the Warriors are one of a few clubs believed to have inquired about Eric Gordon, but Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group reports that Golden State is not engaged in talks about the Hornets shooting guard. The W's are turned off by Gordon's injury history, contract, and the Hornets' likely asking price (Sulia link).
- In a video on Nike Basketball's YouTube page, Kobe Bryant sat down with former NBA player Damon Jones and addressed how long he plans on playing. "Probably two years max," Bryant said."Two years max. Next year might be it. It's one of those things, I think I'll wake up, and I'll know, and if it's it for me, then that's it, and there's no looking back." Bryant's contract expires at the end of next season (hat tip to HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy).
- Carl Landry, who has a $4MM player option on his contract with the Warriors for next season, spoke to Grantland's Zach Lowe about his enjoyment playing for Golden State and coach Mark Jackson (Twitter link).
Celtics Rumors: Josh Smith, Rondo, Dwight, Pierce
The Celtics have been, by far, the most active team in trade rumors since yesterday evening, with news of talks about sending Kevin Garnett to the Clippers coming on the heels of the Rajon Rondo/Dwight Howard rumor. In the meantime, Garnett has said he's not waiving his no-trade clause, telling reporters he wants to "live and die green." Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak has strongly denied any Rondo/Howard discussion. Still, it appears it will be quite a ride for Boston fans between now and Thursday's trade deadline. Here's the latest:
- Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times reported earlier that the Celtics are offering Jeff Green and Brandon Bass in a deal to acquire Josh Smith, but A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com tweets that the C's don't have a lot of interest in a two-for-one deal like that, since injuries have left them shorthanded.
- Likewise, Boston would probably have to give up more players than it gets in a deal with the Lakers involving Rondo and Howard, as Blakely points out. The CSNNE.com scribe hears the Celtics and Lakers have had discussions with each other, but not about a Rondo/Howard deal.
- With regard to a Rondo-for-Howard swap, Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio tweets that "something's going on there," adding that all he knows for sure is that the Celtics are trying everything right now. Had Garnett consented to a trade, the Celtics would have "aggressively" pursued a deal to send Paul Pierce away, too, Amico writes.
Pacific Notes: Kings, Dwight, Curry, Lee
When Gary Payton was a rookie with the old SuperSonics, he faced a challenge when he went up against the division-rival Warriors, who boasted a backcourt of Tim Hardaway and Mitch Richmond as two-thirds of their "Run TMC" combo. Now, all three players could be a few weeks away from election to the Hall of Fame, as today the Hall announced the finalists for this year's class. Other finalists with NBA ties include Tom Heinsohn, Maurice Cheeks, Spencer Haywood, Bernard King, Rick Pitino and Jerry Tarkanian. A pair of ex-players have already made it into the Hall's class of 2013 as direct-elects from the ABA and Veterans committees, respectively: Roger Brown and Richie Guerin.
Another Pacific Division point guard from Payton and Hardaway's vintage is making news this evening, and there's more on him and others right here:
- Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson is conducting closed-door meetings with NBA officials at the All-Star Game as he attempts to keep the Kings in town, as Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee details.
- Dwight Howard is adamant about waiting until the end of the season to decide where he'll sign in free agency, notes Sam Amick of USA Today. Even as it appears Howard will remain with the Lakers after the trade deadline — discussion of a trade to the Celtics notwithstanding — the star center's refusal to commit to staying in L.A. beyond the season leaves the Lakers in a precarious situation, observes Michael Wallace of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
- Looking ahead to the 2014 World Cup, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo tells Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com that Stephen Curry is in the mix for Team USA. Howard-Cooper adds that fellow Warrior David Lee is also drawing consideration, as is Pacers All-Star Paul George.