Joel Przybilla To Decide Between Bulls, Heat
Kenyon Martin isn't the only player expected to decide on a team by this weekend. Joel Przybilla's agent, Bill Duffy, tells Sean Deveney of The Sporting News (Twitter link) that Przybilla will choose between the Bulls and the Heat by the end of the week. Duffy adds that the proximity of Chicago to Przybilla's family in Wisconsin won't be a factor in his decision (Twitter link).
Limited by knee injuries a year ago, Przybilla played in 36 games for the Trail Blazers and Bobcats. The 32-year-old's 2010/11 rates of 4.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per 36 minutes were down slightly from his career averages of 7.2 and 11.3. Przybilla reportedly considered retiring in the offseason, but ultimately decided against it. Last Thursday, Duffy said his client probably wouldn't sign for "a few more weeks," so it appears that timetable has been moved up a little.
The Heat have no exceptions or cap space available, so they'd only be able to offer Przybilla the veteran's minimum. The Bulls, on the other hand, could use their bi-annual exception on the former ninth overall pick, if they so choose. I'm guessing they're also offering the minimum and will save their BAE for next season.
The Celtics, Bucks, and Blazers also had interest in Przybilla, but are now out of the running, tweets Deveney.
Five European Teams Pursuing Ilyasova
Ersan Ilyasova is poised to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason, but there are a few non-NBA clubs that would like to get ahold of him before then. Ilyasova told Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times that five European teams have made him offers, and are trying to buy out his Bucks contract.
Given Ilyasova's recent performance, it makes sense that the Bucks have turned down any and all offers to date. With injuries plaguing Milwaukee's front-court, the 6'10" forward has been dominant on the boards over his last eight contests, averaging 9.1 rebounds in just under 23 minutes per game.
Ilyasova figures to remain a Buck for the rest of this season, but he hasn't made any decisions yet when it comes to his free agency.
"It's hard to say where I'll be next season," said the 24-year-old. "It's going to be about the money difference (whether he remains in the NBA or goes overseas). It's always business. I don't want to think about it because I don't want it to affect my game. We'll see what happens."
Jackson Frustrated, Hasn’t Demanded Trade
10:41pm: Bucks GM John Hammond declined comment today on whether Jackson has asked to be traded, writes Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel.
9:19pm: Stephen Jackson is frustrated with his situation in Milwaukee but has yet to demand a trade, sources tell Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (via Twitter). With the deadline approaching, Kennedy tweets that Jackson is someone to keep an eye as the Bucks won't pay him $9.26MM to sit on the bench.
The Bucks have won their last two games and the veteran has been out of the lineup for both contests. Jackson, 33, was suspended for Saturday's game against the Lakers for verbal abuse of an official the previous night against the Bulls. On Monday, coach Scott Skiles benched the veteran as the Bucks topped the Pistons 103-82.
Jackson has been openly campaigning for a contract extension ever since arriving in Milwaukee in June of last year. Earlier this month, Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times wrote that Jackson was still upset about not being approached about a new deal and planned on broaching the topic with the front office.
Yesterday, we heard that Jackson and Dwight Howard have spoken with each other and like the idea of joining Deron Williams in New Jersey. However, it should be noted that S-Jax and Howard are both represented by agent Dan Fegan.
Latest On Dwight Howard
Derrick Rose would be open to having Dwight Howard join him in Chicago, as indicated by his comments to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune. Here's the latest about the Magic big man who could be on the move:
- Howard and Milwaukee's Stephen Jackson have spoken with each other and like the idea of joining Deron Williams on the Nets, said ESPN's Ric Bucher via the Nets are Scorching blog.
- The Magic's struggles are putting a damper on any hopes Howard might stick around, writes ESPN's John Hollinger in an Insider post.
- Brian Schmitz of The Orlando Sentinel says the Magic would be better served dealing Howard right away instead of at the trade deadline.
- Pat McManamon of FoxSportsOhio.com believes the drama around Howard's trade demands is affecting the team's play.
Central Notes: Kaman, Pacers, Leuer, Cavs
The latest out of the Eastern Conference's Central division:
- Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News explains why acquiring Chris Kaman doesn't make sense for the Pistons.
- At Pistons.com, Keith Langlois answers fans' questions on trades and a handful of other topics, agreeing that Kaman-to-Detroit isn't likely.
- The Pacers have never sent a player to the D-League and don't intend to do so with anyone on their current roster, according to Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star.
- With Andrew Bogut and a handful of other Bucks on the shelf, Jon Leuer has surpassed expectations, writes Dennis Punzel of the Wisconsin State Journal.
- Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal examines the Cavaliers' shooting guard options, including some D-League possibilities.