Odds & Ends: Wizards, Ebanks, Nets, Celtics
Wizards owner Ted Leonsis used his personal blog to address a report this week by Michael Lee of The Washington Post that the Wizards turned down a trade for James Harden. Leonsis denies that finances were a factor in the team's decision, and points out the trade wouldn't have put the team over the luxury tax. However, Lee didn't write that the trade would make Washington a taxpayer, surmising instead that the team would eventually have to pay the tax if it wanted to keep Harden, John Wall and the rest of its post-trade core together. Here's who else is making news on an 11-game night in the NBA.
- Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times thinks Devin Ebanks might not be with the Lakers much longer, though he points out that he's one of a handful of players who can veto trades this season (Sulia link).
- More than half of the players on the Nets roster become eligible to be traded tomorrow, but Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News tweets that the team isn't planning any moves.
- Sports Illustrated's Ian Thomsen isn't high on the Celtics, but he doesn't foresee the team making changes in an effort to win a title this season, he tells CSNNE's Sports Tonight (link via CSNNE.com).
- This year's class of college sophomore draft prospects is especially deep, writes Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider only). Centers Cody Zeller and Alex Len, two potential No. 1 overall picks, sit atop Ford's ranking of the top 10 sophomores.
- Eddie Johnson of HoopsHype points to the shortcomings of Eric Maynor this season and speculates that the Thunder may look to add another point guard to back up Russell Westbrook.
- Pacers rookie guard Orlando Johnson would have been sent down this weekend for his second D-League assignment if not for Lance Stephenson's right ankle injury, notes Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star.
- After passing along a pair of reports that linked Carlos Arroyo to teams in Italy and Turkey, Sportando's Emiliano Carchia believes the nine-year NBA vet is down to a single option overseas. Arroyo last played in the Association in 2010/11, splitting the season between the Heat and Celtics.
Pacific Rumors: Dwight, Suns, Gentry, Gasol
Tomorrow, most of the players who signed this offseason become eligible to be traded, and NBA scribes have been busy today rounding up rumors of potential moves. We've passed along pieces from Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN, Marc Stein of ESPN.com and HoopsWorld's Bill Ingram, and now Ken Berger of CBSSports.com checks in with a quarterly report on the season thus far along with his weekly Friday 5 discussion with fellow CBSSports.com scribe Matt Moore. The highlights from both pieces concern Pacific Division teams, and we'll round them up here.
- Berger says sources confirm earlier rumors of an impending shakeup for the Suns, and he also notes the disconcerting struggles that this year's first-round pick Kendall Marshall is having during his stint in the D-League. He agrees with Stein that Alvin Gentry is safe this season, citing owner Robert Sarver's lack of willingness to pay two head coaches, but Berger doesn't think Gentry will be back next year, predicting that he'll wind up on Mike D'Antoni's staff with the Lakers.
- Not surprisingly, Berger tabs Pau Gasol as the league's biggest trade chip, believing the Lakers have little else to offer teams, and that they may have to accept the short end of a deal if it means bringing in players who are a better fit.
- Berger details the frustration Dwight Howard's feeling as the Lakers struggle, and reminds readers that a trade to L.A. wasn't Howard's first choice.
Ingram On Love, Derrick Williams, Mayo
It's been a busy day of news off the court for the Timberwolves, as we passed along a number of Wolves rumors earlier today, and this afternoon HoopsWorld's Bill Ingram checks in with a few more.
- Ingram praises the offseason moves of Wolves GM David Kahn, and believes that if Kevin Love continues to criticize the team, Minnesota might be better off trading him, perhaps to the Lakers in a Pau Gasol swap.
- The Wolves would like to send Derrick Williams out as part of a package, and Ingram thinks Williams might fit in well with the Cavs. Earlier today, we heard that Minnesota reportedly has strong interest in Anderson Varejao.
- Ingram lists Nicolas Batum and O.J. Mayo as the two offseason targets the Wolves missed out on, adding that Mayo took less money because "he had his heart set on Dallas." Going into the summer, the Wolves were seen as a team that might go after Mayo, but this is the first we've heard suggesting that Minnesota did indeed pursue him. It seems that Mayo couldn't have been turning down too much money, from the Wolves or anyone else, to sign with the Mavs, given his recent comment to Stein that he was disappointed with the two-year, $8.22MM deal he got.
Stein On Pau, Raptors, Varejao, Jazz, Gentry
ESPN.com's Marc Stein has published his Weekend Dime, and leads off the jam-packed column with a look at a handful of players that are candidates to be dealt before February 21st's trade deadline. Here are the highlights on those guys, and from the rest of Stein's piece:
- The Lakers continue to recognize that they're unlikely to get fair value for Pau Gasol, given his health, salary, and performance, and would prefer to avoid another major shakeup anyway. So for now, they're still not seriously considering a Pau trade.
- Multiple front-office sources view the Raptors as the team most motivated to make a move. The team would like to make Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon in tandem, but Bargnani's elbow injury may force Toronto to deal Calderon on his own. The Lakers and Mavericks have interest, though neither team is an obvious match for Calderon's $10.5MM+ salary.
- NBA teams believe Anderson Varejao is "highly available," but are skeptical he'll be dealt, since the Cavaliers' high asking price is only increasing. Cleveland is seeking multiple young assets for Varejao, according to Stern, who says the Thunder, a potential match, have exhibited little interest.
- Teams around the league aren't sure whether the Jazz would be more inclined to trade Paul Millsap or Al Jefferson, but the general consensus suggests one of the two will be dealt by the deadline for a front-line point guard.
- Stein lists a few other names that come up repeatedly in talks with sources as trade candidates: Monta Ellis, Brandon Jennings, Derrick Williams, Luke Ridnour, J.J. Barea, Michael Beasley, Courtney Lee, and D.J. Augustin.
- Former Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley may already be interested in buying another team, with the Bucks as a potential target, according to Stein.
- Robert Sarver's assurances that Alvin Gentry will keep his job as Suns head coach shouldn't be viewed as a "dreaded" vote of confidence. Sources tell Stein that Sarver likes Gentry "too much personally to make an in-season change."
Lakers Rumors: Gasol, Bell, D’Antoni, Jackson
As I suggested in yesterday's round-up of Lakers links, a loss last night in New York wouldn't have been the end of the world, but a loss tonight in Washington? If that happens, sound the alarm bells. As L.A. looks to snap its four-game losing streak, let's browse a few Lakers rumors….
- Multiple sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports that if Pau Gasol still struggles to find a fit with the Lakers once Steve Nash has returned, the team would be willing to explore dealing him for a younger, more athletic forward and bench help.
- With Wojnarowski's piece, the Yahoo! scribe also says the Lakers have put their pursuit of Raja Bell on held as they realize that point guard is a more pressing concern. The Bulls are willing to commit to Bell on a non-guaranteed deal, says Wojnarowski, but that hasn't motivated the veteran forward to finalize a buyout with the Jazz.
- Kobe Bryant doesn't blame the Lakers' struggles on new coach Mike D'Antoni, as Fred Kerber of the New York Post writes. "It’s not fair. He’s been thrown into a situation," Bryant said. "It’s been a huge adjustment for all of us. And we’ve been asked to figure it out with some key pieces that are out. When they come back we’ll get this thing locked and loaded."
- Lakers fans still holding out hope for Phil Jackson probably shouldn't hold their breath, as Jackson tells TMZ.com that he wouldn't take the job if it were offered to him.
Lakers Notes: Nash, Point Guards, Howard
The Lakers have road games lined up the next two nights with the Eastern Conference's best team (the Knicks) and its worst team (the Wizards). A loss tonight in New York wouldn't be the end of the world, but if Kobe Bryant and co. lose in Washington tomorrow, the Mayans may have been right about 2012 after all. In advance of tonight's nationally televised matchup, let's round up a few Lakers notes….
- People around the league are whispering that one more setback in his injury rehab could end up costing Steve Nash the entire season, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
- Shelburne also tweets that the Lakers continue to assess their options at point guard, but that it's unlikely the team will do anything until at least December 15th, when offseason signees become trade-eligible.
Earlier updates:
- Sam Amick of USA Today discussed the Lakers' slump with lead executive Jim Buss, who believes "many little factors" are contributing to the team's struggles. Amick also spoke to Steve Kerr, who thinks Phil Jackson's Triangle would have been a better fit for this roster, but doesn't want to pass judgment the Lakers until Steve Nash and Pau Gasol are healthy.
- In spite of their early-season problems, the Lakers still appear to be the winners of the summer's four-team Dwight Howard blockbuster, according to Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney of SI.com.
- Following up on Kevin Love's recent comments about the Timberwolves, Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post wonders if the UCLA product, who has an offseason home in Los Angeles, would sign with the Lakers when he hits free agency in 2015.
- Yesterday, we passed along a Howard quote in which he suggested he "knows" where he'll be signing in free agency next summer. D12 has been known to change his mind in the past, but that still seems to bode well for the Lakers.
Lakers Notes: Kobe, Gasol, World Peace
The Los Angeles Lakers have continued to struggle this week, losing 100-94 on Tuesday to the Cleveland Cavaliers to fall to 9-13 so far for the 2012/13 season. Here are the latest tidbits around the team:
- Lakers.com's Mike Trudell reports that Kobe Bryant defended the struggling Pau Gasol from recent criticism during an appearance on ESPN's SportsCenter. Bryant reiterated how important Gasol is to the team and should be viewed among the top big men in the game (Twitter links).
- Lakers forward Metta World Peace told the Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan that the team should not use the injuries to Gasol and Steve Nash as an excuse for their struggles.
- Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky of ESPNLosAngeles.com discuss the Lakers' playoff hopes in a new video segment.
Dwight Howard Discusses Magic, Health, Future
T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times has a new feature story on Lakers center Dwight Howard. In it, Howard opens up about his messy departure from the Magic, his health, the Lakers' current struggles, and his future as a free agent this summer.
On his decision to leave the Magic and the criticism he faced:
"I remember making appearances in Orlando and families asking me to stay and sitting there trying not to cry," he says.
He says he watched LeBron leave Cleveland and knew what was coming. "I saw people burning his jersey and I'm thinking I don't want to hurt these people like that. But at the same time I had everyone telling me what I should do.
"People don't understand," he says. "Yeah, I'm this big guy, but I also have a big heart. All I wanted to do was put Orlando on the map, but then I see all this stuff being written; I had to stop reading Twitter and doing Facebook. It was bad for my soul.
"And here I am shouting for God to help me knowing the teacher sometimes remains quiet. I guess it was a test."
On his current health after April back surgery:
"I get so tired running," he says. "I look like I'm in shape, but I'm not. My friends are used to seeing me run for 40 minutes without a problem."
On his relationship with Kobe Bryant:
"Why can't we coexist?" he asks. "Because we're opposites? I thought opposites attract.
"You know why we can play well together? Kobe knows how hard I work and that I'm all about championships. We're also entertainers, and for the two hours and 20 minutes that people come to a game they want to be entertained."
So could you yell a little more at Kobe to really make it entertaining?
"We've already had our moments," he says.
On his future:
Howard will be a free agent at the end of this season. I ask him if he knows now where he will be playing next year, and he says, "I know."
I suggest that means the Lakers because he could not know of any other opportunity at this time. But I still make a pitch for the Clippers, figuring he might want to play for the best team in town.
He laughs, and when I suggest that some opine if this season falls apart it will convince him to leave, he says that's not the case.
He says the Lakers are all about championships, and "what's not to like about L.A.?"
Mike Bibby Worked Out For Grizzlies
3:28pm: Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports (via Twitter) that while the workout took place, no deal is imminent between Bibby and the Grizzlies. If Memphis decides to add a point guard, it will be so Bayless can play off the ball, says Tillery.
1:03pm: While the Lakers seem to be eyeing virtually every point guard on the market, one name that they haven't been connected to is Mike Bibby. However, Bibby is drawing NBA interest, according to Sam Amick of USA Today. Amick reports that the veteran guard is working out for the Grizzlies today in Phoenix.
With Bibby looking to catch on with a team for the second half of the season, the Grizzlies will be just one of "four or five" clubs that work him out, sources tell Amick. However, the Lakers aren't expected to be one of those teams. Bibby, who made his NBA debut in 1998, spent last season with the Knicks, appearing in 39 games.
While the Grizzlies are happy with starter Mike Conley, the team seems to be considering adding some depth at the point guard position, says Amick. Backup Jerryd Bayless isn't exactly a traditional point guard, and hasn't been as productive so far for the Grizzlies as he was in Toronto last season.
Lakers Eyeing Jannero Pargo
Yet another name has surfaced in the Lakers' search for a point guard, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein. Stein tweets that the Lakers are eyeing Jannero Pargo, who was released by the Wizards nearly a month ago.
Pargo, 33, was unproductive in seven games for the Wizards this year, averaging career-lows in FG% (.250), points per 36 minutes (7.4), PER (0.5), and many other categories. However, the sample size was small, and he has proven before, including last year with the Hawks, that he can be an effective backup off the bench. Pargo, who began his NBA career with the Lakers, was recently said to be on several NBA teams' radars.
In addition to Pargo, names like Jose Calderon, Delonte West, Mike James, Jonny Flynn, Eddie House, and others surfaced last night when various reports suggested that the Lakers were considering adding a point guard to their roster. Ken Berger of CBSSports.com throws former Cleveland State guard Cedric Jackson into the mix as well, noting (via Twitter) that the current Australian League baller is drawing interest from multiple NBA clubs.
While the Lakers are clearly exploring their options, it remains to be seen whether the team will add another point guard, with no open roster spots and Steve Nash due back before the end of the month.