Celtics Interested In Michael Beasley
Michael Beasley's 27 points off the bench in a win over the Clippers last night apparently aren't swaying the Timberwolves, who are pushing hard to trade him, perhaps to the Celtics, tweets A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com.
Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio reports that while the Nets, Rockets and Lakers have all had talks with the Wolves about Beasley, Boston is in the lead for his services. The deal would center around the expiring contract of Jermaine O'Neal, who's making close to $6.23MM this year.
Our Luke Adams profiled Beasley's trade candidacy yesterday. The fourth-year forward is averaging career lows in almost every major statistical category, despite his strong performance last night. Nonetheless, he was the second pick in the draft in 2008, and at only 23, his still-bright potential will make him a sought-after restricted free agent this summer.
O'Neal, averaging 5.0 PPG and 5.4 RPG in 22.8 minutes a night, is probably not in the Wolves' long-term plans. It's also hard to see where he fits in Minnesota's crowded frontcourt now, especially with the recent emergence of Nikola Pekovic. That the Wolves would ship out Beasley, whom they could simply just let go this summer, for little in return suggests that Minnesota simply doesn't want Beasley around.
Minor Moves: Powell, Lee, Dowdell, Ebanks
We'll round up today's notable international and D-League-related transactions here, with the latest up top….
- Josh Powell has signed with Swiss team Neuchatel, according to Sportando. Powell played most of this season in China, and was thought to be drawing some interest from NBA teams. He appeared in 54 games for the Hawks a year ago.
- The Timberwolves have assigned Malcolm Lee to the team's D-League affiliate in Sioux Falls, according to the team (Twitter link). It's Lee's second D-League assignment this season.
- Spain's Gran Canaria has signed Zabian Dowdell to a contract for the rest of the season, according to the team's website (hat tip to Sportando). Dowdell signed a pair of 10-day contracts with the Suns a year ago before the team brought him aboard for the remainder of the season. After appearing in 24 games in 2010/11, he was cut by the Suns prior to this season.
- Via Mike Trudell of Lakers.com (Twitter link), the Lakers announced last night that they've recalled Devin Ebanks from the L.A. D-Fenders, their D-League affiliate. Ebanks, who started four games for the Lakers earlier this season, had been assigned to the D-Fenders two weeks ago.
Broussard On Gasol, Rondo, Ellis, Beasley, Kaman
In addition to providing an update on the Dwight Howard sweepstakes, Chris Broussard shares rumors about a handful of big-name trade candidates in his latest Insider-only ESPN.com column. Let's dive in….
- The Rockets still have interest in Pau Gasol but want to build around Kyle Lowry rather than include him in any Gasol deal. The Timberwolves haven't talked to the Lakers in months about Gasol, while the Bulls have shown some interest in the Spaniard.
- Sources tell Broussard that the Celtics have determined they're not title contenders this year and would prefer to move Rajon Rondo rather than deal with the "headaches" he brings.
- Broussard hears that if Monta Ellis were traded, the Warriors guard would like to join the Lakers, Bulls, or Magic (alongside Dwight Howard), but none of those scenarios appear realistic.
- The Timberwolves offered Michael Beasley to the Lakers in exchange for the higher of L.A.'s two first-round picks, but were turned down. The Lakers are torn on Beasley — because L.A. is over the tax line, the team would be adding more than just Beasley's $6.26MM cap figure. I imagine they'd also prefer to use their trade exception to acquire a point guard.
- The Hornets' asking price for Chris Kaman has dropped since earlier in the season. They're seeking a draft pick, even just a second-rounder, for the center.
- LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum are "virtually untouchable" but the Blazers would talk about anyone else on their roster, particularly Raymond Felton and Gerald Wallace.
Odds & Ends: Lakers, Mavs, Raptors, Kidd-Gilchrist
Rounding up a few Tuesday odds and ends from around the NBA…
- The Lakers are "determined" to acquire a point guard sooner rather than later, according to Peter Vecsey of the New York Post. The Lakers appear to be the most active team in pursuing trades, tweets Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio.
- Jeff Caplan of ESPN Dallas wonders if the Mavericks have a legit shot at landing Dwight Howard, and talks to owner Mark Cuban about his past investments in big men.
- Raptors coach Dwane Casey says no moves are on the horizon for his club and that he hopes his players don't get distracted by trade rumors. Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun has the details.
- Hunter Atkins of the New York Times explores the 10-day journey of recent Nets signee Andre Emmett, who was told New Jersey would not sign him to a second 10-day deal.
- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist insisted to reporters, including Kyle Tucker of the Courier-Journal, that he intends to stay at Kentucky and graduate, a stance that surprises even coach John Calipari. Kidd-Gilchrist could be a top-five pick if he enters the NBA draft this year, as ESPN.com's Chad Ford suggests in his latest Insider-only piece on the draft class.
Odds & Ends: Timberwolves, Calderon, Kobe
With the All-Star Game behind us and regular season games not restarting until tomorrow, a handful of writers today are looking ahead to the season's second half. With the March 15th deadline just 17 days away, the start of the second half figures to be dominated by trade rumors, so Sean Deveney of the Sporting News and Sam Smith of Bulls.com were among the scribes who examined a few big-name trade candidates. Here are a few more links from around the Association as we wait for the second half to get underway:
- Timberwolves head coach Rick Adelman doesn't believe that there is a solid wing upgrade available on the trade block, tweets Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune (via Twitter).
- Raptors head coach Dwane Casey says that there's nothing brewing on the trade front, tweets Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun. Casey added that the club has received interest in Jose Calderon but "there's nothing on the table" when it comes to the point guard (Twitter link).
- The Grizzlies recalled rookie Josh Selby from the D-League, according to the Commercial Appeal's Twitter feed. The former Kansas Jayhawk was assigned to the Reno Bighorns earlier this month in order to see more playing time.
- Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez told reporters this weekend that Kobe Bryant was thinking about retirement before undergoing platelet-rich plasma treatment in the offseason, writes Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Times.
- Michael Lee of the Washington Post wonders which of the Wizards' young players are part of the team's long-term plans. Spoiler alert: Andray Blatche isn't mentioned. In a separate piece, Lee previews the summer for Nick Young and JaVale McGee, who are both in contract years.
- Point guard may not be a major offseason priority for the Heat if they can win a title with Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole manning the position, says Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
- Doug Smith of the Toronto Star handicaps the odds of a few Raptors trade candidates being moved before the deadline.
- Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley has been eliminated from the list of prospective bidders for the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.
- The 2015 All-Star game will likely be in New York, reports Marc Berman of the New York Post.
Dwight Howard Rumors: Monday
Predictably, even though Dwight Howard declined comment for most of the weekend on his trade request and his next destination, rumors and speculation on D12 still dominated the All-Star proceedings. You can catch up on the latest rumors in our extensive Howard post from Sunday, and follow along with today's updates below:
- Sources with knowledge of Howard's thinking say that while his wish-list of teams still includes the Nets, Lakers and Mavs, New Jersey is far and away the leader, writes Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated. Amick also notes that even though Howard could sign with the Nets in free agency, getting there via trade means that he can sign a five-year deal with a 7.5 percent raise versus a four-year deal with a 4.5 percent raise.
- Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld says staying in Orlando for one more season is a real possibility for Howard, who could opt in for next year at $19.54MM. Kyler's piece includes a number of updates on the Howard rumors that circulated during the All-Star break.
- Several team executives believe Howard won't be moved before the trade deadline, says Fred Kerber of the New York Post. The "consensus feeling" is that any offers the Magic get before March 15th could also be had later. Plus, Orlando would have more time to convince Howard to stay.
- The Lakers are "fading as a viable trade option," due to questions about Andrew Bynum's knees, adds Kerber. Based on what we've heard to date, it seems like the Magic are reluctant to send Howard to L.A. even for a healthy Bynum.
- Jonathan Tjarks of RealGM.com believes trading for Bynum would be the best decision Orlando could make.
Dwight Howard Rumors: Sunday
Today could be the last hurrah for Dwight Howard in Orlando, where the rumored departure of yet another "Superman" has cast a pall over the mood surrounding All-Star weekend, observes Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News. We'll track the D12 rumors through tonight's All-Star Game here in this post, with the latest stuff up top, as usual:
- John Denton, who writes for the Magic website and recently published a book with Howard, tweets that he heard from a "very reliable source" that the Nets doubt that the Magic will move Howard before the March 15th deadline.
- If you watched the All-Star Game, you saw Craig Sager report that Dwight Howard's mom wants him to stay in Orlando. Howard spoke to it after the game, saying, "I don’t know what she said, but that’s my mom’s opinion. That’s it." (via Twitter here and here)
- Magic CEO Alex Martins has denied that they are close to a three way deal that would send Howard to the Lakers, according to Josh Robbins at the Orlando Sentinel. Orlando intends to talk to its All-Star center before March 1st about his offseason intentions.
- While it's unknown whether it would be a factor, Adidas would not object to Howard joining fellow Adidas headliner Derrick Rose in Chicago, despite reports to the contrary, says ESPN Chicago's Nick Friedell.
- Brian Schmitz from the Orlando Sentinel says he has heard rumblings of a three way deal that could happen as soon as March 1st. The deal has Howard going to the Lakers with Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu. Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Jose Calderon would end up in Orlando. Schmitz isn't sure what the Raptors would receive for Calderon. That would be an impressive haul for Orlando.
- Salary cap guru Larry Coon says the Nets and Magic are working on a long-rumored trade involving Dwight Howard and Brook Lopez, though nothing is imminent. A third team could be in on the deal. Coon doubts Dwight Howard will wind up with the Knicks, though the odds of D12 staying are lower than the Magic think they are. (Twitter links)
- The Knicks could be a darkhorse in the Howard sweepstakes, writes Peter Vecsey of the New York Post. He quotes an unnamed Eastern Conference GM who says, "I’m positive the Knicks have called just in case Dwight changes up. I’m sure they’ve offered a combination of everybody, excluding Jeremy Lin, of course. [Magic GM] Otis [Smith] deserves a lot of credit for not putting it out on the street which teams have offered what."
- Vecsey also says a Western Conference executive has told him the Lakers have offered Andrew Bynum for Howard, but the Magic have no interest.
- Carmelo Anthony is glad to be watching Dwight Howard field countless questions about his future this year, instead of being the focus of last year's Melo-drama, notes Marc Berman of the New York Post. Anthony called last year's proceedings "a zoo."
Coon On Lakers, Rockets, Celtics
Salary cap expert and burgeoning Twitter star Larry Coon unleashed a stream of tweets today on several topics. Here are some of the highlights:
- The Lakers are considering a swap with the Blazers for point guard Raymond Felton, who was recently benched. The Lakers would be able to fit Felton's $7.5MM salary in using part of their $8.9MM trade exception acquired in the Lamar Odom deal.
- Gilbert Arenas could be the fallback option at point guard if the Lakers don't get Felton or Ramon Sessions from the Cavs.
- The Rockets are still hot after Pau Gasol, but their unwillingness to part with Kyle Lowry makes a deal with the Lakers unlikely unless additional teams are involved.
- In a rumored deal involving Rajon Rondo and Gasol, the Lakers would seek Brandon Bass instead of Jermaine O'Neal. Rondo, Coon says, is "on the outs" in Boston.
- If the Celtics are looking to move Ray Allen, Coon reiterated what he's been saying about the interest the Clippers have in him. Complicating such a move is the health of Allen's son, Walker, who has juvenile diabetes and is accustomed to receiving care in the Boston area. The Clippers are also closing in on signing Bobby Simmons.
Odds & Ends: Bogut, Gasol, Kings
Peter Vecsey, in the same column in which he revealed the Knicks as potential suitors for Dwight Howard, hears that the Bucks are "definitely open to offers" for Andrew Bogut, who's currently out with a fractured left ankle. He also says the rumored signing of Rasheed Wallace by the Lakers lends credibility to the idea that the team could send Pau Gasol to the Celtics for Rajon Rondo and Jermaine O'Neal. Here's the rest of what's being whispered around All-Star weekend.
- Restricted free agent Wilson Chandler's Chinese team has been eliminated from the playoffs, and he's expecting FIBA clearance soon, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. Yesterday we noted that Chandler's clearance has been delayed. He's been a target of the Nuggets, his former team, and the Raptors of late.
- A meeting today between Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson, the Maloof brothers and league officials could be make-or-break for the city's hopes to keep the Kings, writes Sacramento Bee columnist Ailene Voisin.
- Ken Berger of CBSSports.com delves into the finer points of the lockout negotiations, and notes how close the league came to canceling the entire season.
- Celtics team president Danny Ainge and coach Doc Rivers must turn into salesmen to attract top free agent talent to Boston as the team looks to replace its aging core, writes Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.
- To get the Hornets to trade Chris Kaman to the Heat, it would take Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller, a price Miami is unwilling to pay, observes Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
- Swingman Mike Dunleavy, who signed a two-year, $7.5MM free-agent deal with the Bucks this past offseason, is getting comfortable in what was already familiar territory in Wisconsin, writes Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. It's worth noting, though, that Dunleavy's dad is part of what's reportedly the leading potential ownership group for the Hornets.
- Wendell Maxey of Ridiculous Upside chronicles the fall of one-time top prospect Reeves Nelson.
- Fred Kerber of the New York Post looks at how free-agent-to-be Deron Williams is showcasing his talents with little help in New Jersey.
Odds & Ends: Howard, Lakers, Durant, Nash
With the likes of Chase Budinger and Jeremy Evans among the Slam Dunk contestants set to do battle on Saturday evening in Orlando, let's take a look around the league to see what else is happening:
- Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel (via Twitter) says he's having a hard time with Dwight Howard's constant line of wanting to push aside distractions and focus on winning. It's Howard, not anyone else, who has created such distractions by making trade demands and by telling his agent to ask for permission to pursue possible deals.
- Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com is looking forward to the NBA trade deadline (March 15) and wonders if the Lakers should blow up their roster now or simply wait until the summer. He says that the Celtics are in a similar situation, but is excited to see another group of aging players in the Spurs continue to do well and perhaps threaten for an NBA Finals appearance.
- Kevin Durant believes the Hornets can rebuild their franchise through the draft in a similar fashion to his own team, writes John Reid of The Times-Picayune. ''Losing C.P. and David West was tough for the Hornets, but they have Trevor Ariza and I like Gustavo Ayon. You know it's just a matter of time before everything starts to click. But losing your point guard in a lockout shortened season is tough. I love Monty for what he does and stands for.''
- Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com says Steve Nash believes Jeremy Lin is the type of player that can succeed in any type of NBA system. While Lin is expected to re-sign with the Knicks this summer, such an endorsement from a marquee player may go a long way to drive up the asking price for the restricted free agent.