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.
Northwest Notes: Przybilla, Roy, Nuggets, Wolves
The newest Trail Blazer, Joel Przybilla, won't suit up for the team's game against the Nuggets tonight, but he expects to be on the court soon. Przybilla told Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com that he hopes to make his 2011/12 debut Saturday night against the Timberwolves. As Przybilla gets in a little more practice time, let's check in on what else is going on with the Blazers, Nuggets, and T-Wolves in our latest Northwest Division update…
- Trail Blazers players and coaches were surprised to hear that Brandon Roy is considering attempting a comeback, according to Joe Freeman of the Oregonian. Having amnestied Roy prior to this season, Portland wouldn't be able to bring the 27-year-old back right away if he were to come out of retirement.
- In a mailbag for the Denver Post, Benjamin Hochman provides the latest on Wilson Chandler and addresses the likelihood of the Nuggets adding a star player this summer.
- Tom Ziller of SBNation wonders if it would be worth it in the long run for the Timberwolves to give up Derrick Williams and other assets to acquire Pau Gasol.
Trade Candidate: Michael Beasley
A few years after the fact, the Derrick Rose vs. Michael Beasley debate that headlined the NBA draft in June 2008 seems laughable. Rose already has an MVP award under his belt, while Beasley has been inconsistent at best — he has switched teams once already and could potentially be on the move again before March 15th.
The Timberwolves acquired Beasley from the Heat in the summer of 2010, essentially giving up just a second-round pick in a deal that freed up cap space for Miami to sign its big three. While acquiring a former second overall pick for virtually nothing seemed like a coup, the Wolves have seen Beasley's production continue to slip during his time in Minnesota. Beasley's PER has declined in each of his four NBA seasons, from 17.2 in his rookie year to 13.0 this season.
The frontcourt in Minnesota is a crowded one, featuring Kevin Love, Derrick Williams, Nikola Pekovic, and a trio of former lottery picks in Beasley, Darko Milicic, and Anthony Randolph. Beasley doesn't seem to be in the team's long-term plans, having reportedly been offered to Golden State last June in a package for Monta Ellis. If the T-Wolves can find a deal that sends Beasley out of town and lands them a solid two guard, they'll likely pull the trigger.
Although Beasley hasn't developed in the way that many were expecting, he's still at least a useful rotation piece. He's shooting more three-pointers than ever this year, and hitting them at a career-best rate of 42.6%. And even though his scoring is down, this year's career-worst rate of 17.1 points per 36 minutes isn't bad. In addition to his play on the court, Beasley's contract situation makes him a useful asset. Whichever team holds Beasley at year's end would have the option of extending him a qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent, or simply letting his $6.26MM salary come off its books.
The Lakers reportedly have some interest in Beasley, though they may prefer to use their $8.9MM trade exception to acquire a point guard. According to Peter Vecsey of the New York Post, the Celtics and Nets are also interested. Boston makes some sense, since Beasley could help out in the short-term and be added to the team's lengthy list of expiring contracts. New Jersey is a less logical short-term fit for Beasley, though his expiring deal could help the team clear cap room to make a run at Dwight Howard — plus, Anthony Morrow is a shooting guard that may interest Minnesota. Michael Pina of Hoops Rumors suggested a swap with the Mavericks that sends Shawn Marion to Minnesota could help both teams, and I think there's something to that idea, though Marion's contract (which includes a 15% trade kicker) likely wouldn't appeal to the T-Wolves.
There are enough conceivable fits for Beasley that I think the Timberwolves will be able to find a deal before the deadline, if they so choose. The offers for Beasley may not seem like much for a former second overall pick, but one thing's for certain — they'll be better than the Rockets can expect for Hasheem Thabeet.
Northwest Notes: T-Wolves, Morrow, Blazers, Jazz
A pair of Northwest teams are on the road tonight to open the second half — the Jazz play the Kings in Sacramento, while the Timberwolves head to the Staples Center to face the Clippers. As we wait for the season to resume following the All-Star break, let's check in on some updates out of the Northwest Division….
- The Timberwolves inquired on Anthony Morrow but were told the Nets intend to keep him, reports Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500 Twin Cities (via Twitter).
- Acting Blazers GM Chad Buchanan talked to Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge about why Portland waived Armon Johnson and what the team expects from Joel Przybilla.
- The Jazz are open to making a trade to improve their roster, but nothing is imminent, tweets Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune. The club doesn't feel any pressure to move Al Jefferson or Paul Millsap, though Devin Harris and C.J. Miles could be had, Smith adds.
- Gordon Monson of the Salt Lake Tribune says the Jazz need to find a way to add a star or two if they want to become serious contenders.
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.
Timberwolves Notes: Love, Rubio
While everyone seems eager to marry large markets and larger than life superstars, Minnesota Timberwolves teammates Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio are proving stardom can be achieved just as readily by performance on the court. The Timberwolves duo, along with rookie Derrick Williams, represent the greatest contingent of talent Minnesota has sent to All-Star weekend festivities since Kevin Garnett, Tom Gugliotta, and Stephon Marbury in 1997. Some notes on the Timberwolves this All-Star weekend:
- Timberwolves general manager David Kahn took a risk by signing Kevin Love to a four-year extension with an opt-out after three years instead of the five-year maximum. But with Minnesota at 17-17, Love is buying into the Timberwolves, writes Hoops World's Stephen Litel.
- A big reason behind the Timberwolves success is the play of rookie point guard Ricky Rubio, who Suns rookie Markieff Morris said has "dimes for days," in comparing Rubio to Suns point guard Steve Nash (via Stefan Swiat at Suns.com)
- Magic Johnson sees some of his game in Rubio as well, as he tells the Minnesota Star Tribune.
- Lost in all the Timberwolves relative success are the New Orleans Hornets, whose acquired first-round pick from the Timberwolves (via the Clippers) is being devalued with each passing day, writes Benjamin Hoffman of the New York Times' Off the Dribble blog.
- Also from Hoffman's piece is mention of the Timberwolves overcrowded front court situation, with Love set in the rotation and Michael Beasley, Derrick Williams, Nikola Pekovic, Darko Milicic, and Anthony Randolph all vying for minutes. Those are some interesting trade pieces for the Timberwolves to use in building a solid supporting cast.
Teams With Cap Space
Earlier this morning, we heard that the Pacers are exploring the trade market in search of a roster addition or two. Indiana is in a unique situation, with an incredible amount of cap space and no obligation to spend to reach the minimum cap requirements. While the Pacers' current cap figure falls well short of the minimum required team salary (85% of the cap), James Posey's amnestied $7.6MM salary counts for floor purposes, so the Pacers can stand pat if they so choose.
Although no other club has nearly the cap room Indiana does this season, there are a handful of under-the-cap teams who could make a move without having to use a mid-level or trade exception. Let's run through them, from the team with the most cap space (Indiana) to the least (Houston).
Indiana Pacers
Approximate cap space: $14.27MM
I don't expect the Pacers to make any moves for players under contract past this season. Indiana has a number of players on rookie scale contracts who will start to get more expensive over the next couple years, so the team won't want to chew up future cap space unless it can land a young, talented player. A rental player on an expiring contract is more likely, and I still think Indiana makes sense as the most likely destination for Chris Kaman.
Sacramento Kings
Approximate cap space: $9.43MM
While the Kings have a relatively affordable squad, they don't have quite the same flexibility the Pacers do. With nearly all its players under contract through next season, Sacramento is poised to increase its cap figure significantly this summer if it hopes to sign its lottery pick and hang onto restricted free agents like Jason Thompson, J.J. Hickson, and Donte Greene. Between the Kings' lack of expiring deals and its spot near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, I don't think we'll see Sacramento taking advantage of its cap space this season. The Kings need to add about $723K to reach the minimum salary requirement, but that amount is minimal enough that they may simply accept the end-of-season surcharge.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Approximate cap space: $7.21MM
Here's an interesting case. While it's widely assumed Cleveland will be looking to trade players like Antawn Jamison and Ramon Sessions this March, I'm not sure that'll be the case. The team has talked repeatedly about wanting to gain playoff experience, and as the current ninth seed in the East, it's not out of the realm of possibility. With Jamison's salary coming off the books this summer, the Cavs could afford to add a player who is under contract past this season and still have a ton of cap space in future seasons. If the Cavs can find a player that helps them this season and isn't too expensive going forward, I wouldn't be surprised if they pulled the trigger.
Toronto Raptors
Approximate cap space: $4.3MM
While the Raptors would probably love to use this cap room to sign Wilson Chandler to an offer sheet, any contract they offered Chandler could easily be matched by the Nuggets. If the Raptors make moves before the deadline, they're more likely to become sellers, gaining even more cap room to take advantage of this summer.
Washington Wizards
Approximate cap space: $2.17MM
Like the Raptors, the out-of-contention Wizards will be looking for deals that create even more cap space. They almost certainly won't use their remaining cap room to acquire anyone.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Approximate cap space: $1.2MM
Golden State Warriors
Approximate cap space: $813K
Houston Rockets
Approximate cap space: $777K
These three teams consider themselves playoff contenders, and should all be active on the trade market, trying to upgrade their rosters. However, their cap space isn't significant enough to play a major role in any trades.
The Asking Price For Monta Ellis
With the Warriors working actively to find a trade they like before the deadline, Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News decided to explore what sort of package Golden State could be seeking for Monta Ellis, one of the team's prime trade chips.
According to Kawakami, the Timberwolves and Warriors discussed a trade last June, with the Timberwolves offering Michael Beasley and Nikola Pekovic for Ellis, while the Warriors wanted to expand the deal to land Minnesota's top draft pick as well. As Kawakami points out, Minnesota wouldn't make such an offer now, with Pekovic having taken a huge step forward this season (17.2 PPG, 10.4 RPG in February), but at the time, each side thought the other was asking for too much.
Ellis' 2011/12 numbers have been as good as ever – his 19.4 PER would be a career high – so there's no reason to think the Warriors have dropped their asking price since June. Golden State is thought to be seeking a young star in return for Ellis, and Kawakami hears the team doesn't want to trade the 26-year-old for just cap relief.
But is there a team out there who would part with a young star for Ellis? As talented as he is, the former second-round pick is an undersized two guard who isn't particularly strong on defense, and is owed $11MM per season through 2013/14. I can't think of many teams who would be willing and able to meet the Warriors' asking price, and I can't see the Warriors lowering their demands much, given Ellis' scoring prowess. Unless something changes over the next few weeks, I think we should expect Ellis to remain in Golden State past March 15th.
Pau Gasol Rumors: Tuesday
While Pau Gasol appeared a little more at ease last night with the trade rumors swirling around Los Angeles, relations between Kobe Bryant and GM Mitch Kupchak still seem tense. After Kupchak released a statement that essentially said he wasn't going to give in to Kobe's request for the team to make a decision quickly on Gasol, Bryant told reporters, "I already said what I had to say. I'm done."
Kobe's public frustration may be a result of the team's lack of private communication with him, says Ken Berger of CBS Sports.
"Kobe's exploding, and he should," a source with ties to the Lakers told Berger. "Your lead player, you should always have communication with him let him know what's going on. There's no communication, and that's ridiculous."
As drama continues to surround the Lakers, here are today's updates on Gasol, with the newest items up top:
- Los Angeles won't send Gasol to Minnesota if Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio are off-limits, according to Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld. Pincus says the Lakers may have trouble finding a two-team deal for Gasol, though the Rockets and Timberwolves make some sense in three-team deals.
- The Lakers have resolved not to trade Gasol unless they get a "young star" in return, according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.
- Peter Vecsey of the New York Post explains why the Knicks should deal Carmelo Anthony for Pau Gasol. Not sure I can get behind that argument.
- Vecsey also hears that the Timberwolves and Lakers haven't discussed any deals in two months, including anything involving Gasol and Derrick Williams.
- Bryant's public rant hurts the Lakers and Gasol, says T.J. Simers of the L.A. Times.