Pacific Notes: Ellis, Kings, Suns, Williams, Blake
Seattle mayor Mike McGinn is reportedly set to unveil details of Christopher Hansen's proposal for a new sports arena later this afternoon. However, while Seattle is making strides toward returning to the NBA, it will likely need to relocate another franchise to do so. The Kings are the most likely candidates to be relocated, so let's check in on the progress on Sacramento's new arena, along with some other notes out of the Pacific….
- The Suns hosted a free agent work out today, with Michael Finley and Jermaine Taylor in attendance, says Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (via Twitter).
- It has become clear that Monta Ellis is expendable in Golden State, writes Monte Poole of the Bay Area News Group. Poole says that rookie guard Klay Thompson has been getting more playing time as it becomes clear to the Warriors that they will continue to struggle if Ellis remains their best player.
- Sacramento is seeking a contribution of about $85MM toward a new arena from the Maloofs, according to a report from the Sacramento Bee. It's not yet known whether the NBA, negotiating on the Kings' behalf, will agree.
- Suns owner Robert Sarver and president of basketball operations Lon Babby are confident the team can become competitive again in the near future, writes Paola Boivin of the Arizona Republic. The team still doesn't plan to trade Steve Nash unless he asks out, and isn't interested in a full-scale "blow-up" since that process would mean not contending for several years.
- Reports last week suggested Mo Williams was unsatisfied with his role for the Clippers, but Williams told Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld that's not the case.
- Elliott Teaford of the Los Angeles Daily News wonders if the Lakers' point-guard issues could be solved in part by Steve Blake rather than a free agent signing or trade acquisition.
Pau Gasol Addresses Swirling Rumors
Earlier today, we heard that the Timberwolves are putting together a package for Pau Gasol. According to Brian Kamenetzky from ESPN Los Angeles, the Lakers big man recently addressed his future in Los Angeles:
"There's talks and rumors every day. Today I was reading it was Minnesota is really interested in trying to put a good package together," Gasol said. "[Other teams are] calling, and it seems like things are just waiting for the right offer to come along, for [the Lakers] to pull the trigger."
Gasol goes on to say that he wants to stay in Los Angeles to try to win another title, but knows it's not up to him. Gasol also indicated that it hasn't been easy to ignore all the trade talk.
In addition to Minnesota, we have heard the Rockets are still interested in Gasol despite David Stern vetoing their first attempt to land the 31-year-old. The Celtics may also have kicked the tires on a Gasol deal.
Clippers, Knicks Frontrunners for J.R. Smith
While J.R. Smith has been linked to practically half the teams in the NBA at this point, the Clippers and Knicks are the frontrunners for his services, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Magic GM Otis Smith tells Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel that his team isn't considering Smith.
Smith recently listed the Clippers, Knicks, Magic on his Twitter profile along with the Lakers, Bulls, and Pacers, leading to speculation that he could be choosing between those six teams. Currently, however, only the Clips, Knicks, and Lakers remain mentioned on his page.
The Clippers have been actively recruiting Smith, with Chris Paul confident about the team's chances and Vinny Del Negro saying a phone call with Smith yesterday went "very, very well." The Knicks, however, could offer Smith more money this season, along with a player option for next year. Both L.A. teams could only guarantee Smith the pro-rated veteran's minimum for the remainder of the season. According to Shelburne, the security of having a 2012/13 option with the Knicks could factor into Smith's decision.
Having just returned from his season in China, Smith still requires a FIBA letter of clearance before he's free to sign with an NBA team.
Timberwolves Pursuing Pau Gasol
The Rockets aren't the only club still trying to pry Pau Gasol from the Lakers. The Timberwolves are pursuing a deal for Gasol, dangling rookie Derrick Williams and draft picks, a source tells Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida.
According to Tomasson, the Timberwolves view Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio as their only untouchable players, and would be willing to part with their second overall pick from the 2011 draft if it meant pairing Gasol with fellow Spaniard Rubio. Given the difference in salaries between Gasol ($18.71MM) and Williams ($4.6MM), the T-Wolves would have to include other pieces as well. While Minnesota could build an intriguing package, it's hard to imagine the Lakers moving Gasol unless it nets them a starting point guard or a star at another position, like Dwight Howard.
In December, the Lakers thought they had finalized a deal that would send Gasol to the Rockets, but it was ultimately nixed by the league. Since then, Houston has maintained interest in Gasol, who has also been linked to trade rumors involving Howard and Rajon Rondo, among others.
Minor Moves: Devin Ebanks
We'll update todays news about the D-League here.
- The Lakers' official Twitter account announced today that 6'9 forward Devin Ebanks will be assigned to the Los Angeles Defenders. After beginning the season in the starting lineup, Ebanks gradually fell out of the rotation and had not seen action since January 31 in a game against the Bobcats.
Pacific Notes: Smith, Brown, Arenas, Howard
Chris Paul is confident about the Clippers' chances of landing J.R. Smith when the former Nugget returns from China, but Smith's Twitter profile suggests a number of teams are in play, including one he hasn't been linked to yet. Smith's Twitter bio simple reads: "NYK? LAL? LAC? CHI? ORL? iNDI?" While there's no guarantee the 26-year-old is deciding between just those six teams, the Magic are an interesting inclusion, given the uncertainty surrounding Dwight Howard. Hoops Rumors readers voted the Clippers as the frontrunner for Smith yesterday.
Here are a few more items out of the Pacific Division:
- Lakers coach Mike Brown confirmed that he spoke with free agent guard J.R. Smith today over the phone, tweets J. Michael Falgoust of USA Today.
- Shannon Brown signed a one-year deal with the Suns prior to the season because he thought he'd get a chance to play and increase his value, but it hasn't been working out that way, writes Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic.
- In a series of tweets, Ramona Sherburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com explains why she thinks the Lakers should sign Gilbert Arenas, assuming he's healthy.
- Looking at a few realistic trade destinations for Dwight Howard, ESPN.com's John Hollinger (Insider link) evaluated how Howard's potential teammates would complement the star center. Hollinger determined that the Clippers' Chris Paul would be the best partner for Howard, while the Lakers' Andrew Bynum would be the worst.
Gilbert Arenas Rumors: Monday
Yesterday, we heard that Gilbert Arenas worked out in Los Angeles with the Lakers in attendance. Here are the latest updates following that workout, as the free agent guard continues to seek an NBA job….
- Kobe Bryant, who earlier indicated he'd have no problem with the Lakers signing Arenas, gave further endorsement of such a move today, reports Andrew Kamenetzky of ESPN Los Angeles. Bryant said, "It certainly wouldn't hurt, that's for sure."
- Warriors consultant Jerry West also attended Arenas' workout, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. However, Golden State doesn't have interest in Arenas — West was "just watching," Wojnarowski hears.
- Sources tell Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles that Arenas looked "slimmed down" and "explosive" at Sunday's workout.
- Adding Arenas is viewed as a low-risk move by the Lakers, says Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld. Kyler adds that L.A. is reluctant to make any significant subtractions from their roster via trade, preferring to explore internal changes or use their trade exception before considering any major deals.
- Some league sources believed that Arenas was waiting to see whether Dwight Howard was traded so he could play with D12 on his new team, according to SI.com's Sam Amick.
Odds & Ends: Gasol, Thunder, Batum, Rondo
February 13th has historically been a busy day for trades, with the most recent blockbuster coming in 2010 — the Mavericks and Wizards finalized a seven-player deal that sent Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood to Dallas. Other notable Valentine's Eve deals? Shawn Marion to Toronto (2009), Damon Stoudamire to Portland (1998), and Mychal Thompson to the Lakers (1987). With a late trade deadline this season, we're not expecting any big deals quite yet, but the day's still young….
- Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle is still on board with the Rockets trying to acquire Pau Gasol.
- While the Thunder might prefer a veteran backup at point guard, there are reasons to believe they'll be fine with Reggie Jackson, says Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman. The rookie has served as Russell Westbrook's backup since Eric Maynor went down for the season with a torn ACL.
- Chris Bernucca of Sheridan Hoops thinks the Lakers should consider signing Gerald Green from the D-League.
- Re-signing Nicolas Batum will be a priority for the Trail Blazers this summer, whether or not Gerald Wallace exercises his player option, writes Derek Page of HoopsWorld.
- Rich Levine of CSNNE.com tries to make sense of Rajon Rondo's season, wondering if trade rumors are affecting Rondo's performance at all.
Odds & Ends: Lakers, Knicks, Celtics, Bulls
Teams in three of the top markets in the NBA, the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Knicks, are struggling through disappointing seasons (though the Knicks have picked up lately under the promise of Linsanity). A fourth big-market club, the Chicago Bulls, now has a potential injury problem.
- Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports officials from the Lakers attended a private workout for Gilbert Arenas. Arenas was amnestied this off-season by the Orlando Magic, and is hoping the same knee procedure that benefited Kobe Bryant in the off-season can produce similar results.
- Amare Stoudemire returns Monday and Al Iannazzone of Newsday wonders how the Knicks' offense will look when Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony return. Stoudemire seems a natural fit alongside Lin. His skill set has always been maximized alongside a pick and roll point guard. Anthony, however, is one of the best isolation scorers in the NBA and the ball tends to stop in his hands.
- Derrick Rose sat Sunday's game against the Celtics out with a back injury and will meet with some specialists Monday in Chicago reports Neil Hayes at the Chicago Sun-Times. Rose had similar back issues in high school, but this is the first time he's had trouble since. The Bulls lack the star power of some of the other team, but compensate with their depth and chemistry. That chemistry, however, still depends on Rose operating near peak form.
- Brandon Bass is ailing, and Jermaine O'Neal is often injured. The Celtics have been looking for front court depth for some time. Today they got some good minutes from rookie JuJuan Johnson and veteran Chris Wilcox writes Green Street's Mike Petraglia.
- Paul Flannery of WEEI.com wonders if Rajon Rondo is the centerpiece of the next generation of Celtics, or will he prove to be too unorthodox for a team minus three future Hall of Famers?
Lakers Notes: Iverson, Alston, Fisher
Currently in second place in the Pacific Division, the Lakers are 2-3 on their six-game, 10-day Grammy road trip. Ever since the Grammy Award ceremonies started being held at the Staples Center in 2004, the Lakers have been forced to take a lengthy road trip at this point of the season each year. Here's a look at some Lakers-related items as the team heads to Toronto this afternoon to conclude their road trip against the Raptors.
- ESPN's Stephen A. Smith says there was conversation between Allen Iverson and the Lakers about a possible contract offer. Terms of the deal would have required Iverson, 36, to spend time in the NBA Developmental League before joining the Lakers. Smith suggests signing Iverson would be a mistake given the fact that he is simply not a point guard.
- Rafer Alston, more of a true point guard than Iverson, was recently signed to the Los Angeles D-Fenders, the Lakers' NBA Developmental League affiliate. Smith contends Alston and the Lakers have talked about promoting the 35-year-old former Rockets guard to the parent club at some point in the future. There is no timeline in place for the move, however.
- Patrick Ewing points to Derek Fisher's NBA lockout duties as a cause for his poor performance thus far this season, says Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News. Ewing speaks from experience as he previously served as the president of the Players Association and believe his Achilles problems during the '98/'99 season stemmed from spending too much time talking and not enough time working out. Fisher, 37, is currently averaging 5.2 PPG, his lowest output since his rookie year.