Atlantic Notes: Chris Smith, Raptors, C’s
Let’s check out a few of the latest items from out of the Atlantic Division….
- The Knicks have assigned Chris Smith to the D-League, the team announced today (Twitter link). The regular season is set to get underway for the Erie BayHawks later this week, so Smith should get a chance to earn the minutes he wasn’t seeing in New York.
- Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun believes the Raptors, as constructed, could be a playoff team in the East this season. However, Wolstat doesn’t endorse building around the current core long-term, suggesting that the pieces don’t really fit together. Wolstat adds (via Twitter) that what should be done with the roster and what can be done are two different things, since teams aren’t exactly “beating down [the] doors” to trade for Rudy Gay, DeMar DeRozan, or Kyle Lowry.
- The Celtics‘ offseason roster moves have forced Jeff Green into a more prominent role, but he may be miscast as a focal point of the offense, observes Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.
- Earlier today, we rounded up several Knicks rumors and passed along Danny Ainge‘s comments on Rajon Rondo trade rumors.
Eastern Links: Cavs, Nets, Bobcats, Wallace
A 3-7 record is not what the Cavaliers had in mind for a season in which they’re facing owner Dan Gilbert’s mandate to make the playoffs, and the frustration is boiling up to the surface. Cavs players had a heated exchange during a players-only meeting Wednesday, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com, and Dion Waiters was one of those involved, as Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio tweets. It remains to be seen whether the discord will result in a roster move, but Cleveland will probably be a team to watch when the trade deadline approaches. Here’s more on a few teams the Cavs are trying to overcome in the East:
- The Nets have recalled Tornike Shengelia from the D-League, the team announced. Deron Williams, Brook Lopez and Paul Pierce are all out for tonight’s game with the Clippers, so Brooklyn is likely making the move to shore up its depth.
- The Bobcats are hiring Matt Carroll for an apparent non-playing gig, tweets Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. The Pennsylvania native had an informal coaching role with the Sixers in training camp, and now he’ll join the team with which he spent most of his 10 seasons as a player.
- Bonnell also checks in with one of Carroll’s former Bobcats teammates in Gerald Wallace, who’s no longer the player he once was, even though his contract with the Celtics pays him as though he were. Wallace played a key mentorship role for Gerald Henderson, who re-signed with the ‘Cats this summer on a three-year, $18MM deal.
Northwest Notes: Garrett, Durant, Wiggins
After recapping the Wolves offseason earlier today, let’s take a look at some links out of the Northwest Division..
- New Jazz guard Diante Garrett made one heck of a first impression in his debut on Wednesday night, writes Jody Genessy of the Deseret News. The 25-year-old D-League call-up helped lead Utah to a 111-105 over New Orleans on Saturday night.
- Count Thunder star Kevin Durant among those who are impressed with the top talent in the 2014 draft. Durant called Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins the “1A” and “1B” players in the class, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports. KD says that Parker is the “real deal” and sees Wiggins as a future All-Star and Hall of Famer.
- While promoting his new book, Jazz legend John Stockton was asked by reporters if he has any plans of returning the organization. “I wouldn’t rule anything out but I’m enjoying what I’m doing,” said the point guard, according to Steve Luhm of the Salt Lake Tribune (on Twitter).
Odds & Ends: Kelly, Lakers, Nelson, Davis
Lakers second round pick Ryan Kelly made a strong enough impression on the club to secure a roster spot despite being sidelined for the latter part of the offseason, but there isn’t enough playing time for him on the varsity squad. Earlier today, the Lakers announced that Kelly and forward Elias Harris have been sent down to the Los Angeles D-Fenders. To keep up with all of this year’s D-League assignments, check out Hoops Rumors’ running list for 2013/14. Here’s more from around the Association..
- This season Jameer Nelson is one of seven veterans with playoff experience on a Magic roster that includes eight players who are in their third NBA season or fewer, writes jessica Camerato of HoopsWorld.
- Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel contends that Glen Davis‘ latest off-court incident “killed” his trade value, and Schmitz wonders whether the Magic will hold Davis out of games for the entire season.
- A prominent online betting site has Wizards coach Randy Wittman at 2/1 odds for being the first NBA coach to get fired, tweets Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com.. Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni is handicapped at 12/1 odds for being the first to get the heave-ho.
- Zach Lowe of Grantland took an in-depth look at Lance Stephenson and the impact that he has had on the Pacers. There’s strong mutual interest in hammering out a new deal in Indiana and that could spell the end of Danny Granger‘s tenure there.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Eastern Notes: Knicks, Bulls, Davis, Wolters
Parity has been the story of the first two weeks of the NBA season in the Eastern Conference. Outside of the 8-0 Pacers and the 5-3 Heat, every single team in the East has between two and four wins, and none are separated from the rest by more than two games. If the Knicks make good on James Dolan’s promise of a win tonight in Atlanta, there are scenarios in which Indiana and Miami will be the only Eastern teams above .500 tomorrow. While we look forward to a busy slate of games tonight, let’s check in on a few items out of the East….
- According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, the Knicks considered signing Louis Amundson before the veteran big man joined the Pelicans, but ultimately decided to pass.
- The Bulls don’t have a shortage of trade chips, but the safe money says they won’t cash in and make a major trade this season, says Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com.
- In today’s NBA AM piece for HoopsWorld, Steve Kyler explores Glen Davis‘ trade value, and how it was (or wasn’t) affected by a recent off-court incident.
- The No. 38 pick used to select Nate Wolters was involved in a pair of draft-night deals, and while Wolters never thought he was headed to Washington, he briefly thought he’d be a Sixer rather than a Buck, as he tells Shams Charania of RealGM.com.
- The Nets have re-assigned Tornike Shengelia to the Springfield Armor, the club announced today in a press release. It’s already Shengelia’s third D-League assignment of the season.
Odds & Ends: Wizards, Pelicans, Nash
Wizards owner Ted Leonsis has said he expects his club to be a “playoff-caliber team” this year, but today he backtracked from the notion that the Wizards face an ultimatum of making the postseason, observes Joseph White of The Associated Press.
“Playoffs or bust, what does that mean?” Leonsis said in an interview that also touched on his ownership of the NHL’s Capitals. “Shut the team down if we don’t make the playoffs for the Wizards? We would certainly, if we don’t make the playoffs, for both teams we would do our due diligence in a more hypersensitive manner, right? Because we didn’t meet our expectations. But the team’s not going bust. The fan base isn’t going bust. It would just heighten the scrutiny that we have to do.”
The Wizards, with GM Ernie Grunfeld and coach Randy Wittman on expiring contracts, fell to 2-5 with tonight’s loss to the Mavericks. Here’s more from around the NBA:
- Pelicans coach Monty Williams said the team had been considering signing Josh Childress and Louis Amundson for weeks, but he called their additions today “nothing to write home about” and said “we’re just taking a look” at the veterans, notes Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com (Twitter link).
- Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni rolled his eyes at the suggestion that Steve Nash should retire, according to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News, and Marc Stein of ESPN.com points to Nash’s determination to overcome his injury and continue playing.
- The Knicks plan to send Chris Smith to their D-League affiliate once the season starts next week, as Marc Berman of the New York Post writes within a piece highlighting the Knicks’ woes.
- Kevin Martin‘s shooting has been a boon for the Wolves, and the free agent pickup feels he’s benefited just as much from his pairing with Kevin Love, as Bruce Brothers of the St. Paul Pioneer Press observes. “After playing with Kevin (Durant) and Russell (Westbrook), guys that can score 30 in their sleep, I wouldn’t go to another team without a superstar,” Martin said. “That’s what I have in Kevin Love.”
- RealGM’s Andrew Perna examines the learning curve for Bucks first-round pick Giannis Antetokounmpo, still just 18 years old and adjusting to life outside of his native Greece.
New York Notes: Woodson, Carmelo, D-League
The Nets and Knicks are both coming off home losses, and even though those losses came to a couple of the best teams in the NBA (the Pacers won in Brooklyn, while the Spurs beat the Knicks), New Yorkers are still getting uneasy about their teams’ slow starts. Here’s the latest on the pair of 2-4 clubs:
- According to Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News, Mike Woodson‘s seat in New York is starting to heat up after the Knicks’ 31-point loss to San Antonio. However, Marc Berman of the New York Post argues that the team’s slow start should be attributed to a combination of the front office, the players, and the medical staff.
- In his Morning Tip column at NBA.com, TNT’s David Aldridge focuses on the Nets, a team still trying to adjust to a new roster and a new coach.
- Jim Cavan of Bleacher Report explores what the Knicks’ future could look like if Carmelo Anthony signs somewhere else in free agency next summer.
- The Nets have recalled Tornike Shengelia and Tyshawn Taylor from the D-League, the team announced this morning in a press release. Shengelia has already been assigned to the Springfield Armor twice, while Taylor was on his first assignment, so it looks like both players will be shuttled back and forth frequently throughout the season.
Nets Notes: Garnett, Kirilenko, Pierce
It’s still early, but so far Kevin Garnett is off to a puzzling start, writes Mitch Abramson of the New York Daily News. Too often in games, the 37-year-old can be seen settling for outside shots and drifting along the perimeter when he should be doing more inside. “I’ve just got to quit thinking so much and be more aggressive,” Garnett told reporters yesterday, following a 96-91 loss to the Pacers. “I’m trying to make things easier for (Brook) Lopez and cause opportunities for other people out there. I’ve got to be a little more aggressive and look for my offense a little bit.” Here’s more out of Brooklyn..
- One bright spot for the Nets has been the play of offseason acquisitions Andrei Kirilenko, backup point guard Shaun Livingston, and scrappy rookie Mason Plumlee, writes Beckley Mason of the New York Times. Mason also notes that the older Boston teams led by Garnett and Paul Pierce were notoriously slow starters.
- Even though Garnett and Pierce have moved on, they’re still not talking to former teammate and friend Ray Allen, writes Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald. “For them to be so upset with me is disappointing because of how everything happened,” said the Heat guard. “That banner in 2008 is still going to be there, and we’re still going to be tied to it.“
- The Nets announced earlier today that they have re-assigned Toko Shengelia to the Springfield Armor of the NBA Development League. The forward’s NBA stay lasted just one day as he was recalled on Saturday.
- Former Nets forward Kris Joseph signed with France’s Elan Chalon, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. To keep up with the global basketball scene, check out the Hoops Rumors international Player Movement Tracker, made with the help of Secret Rival’s Mark Porcaro.
- Earlier today, I recapped the Nets’ offseason.
D-League Notes: Nets, Rockets, Kings
While the Nets, Rockets, and Kings are busy preparing for their games this evening they also remain busy with their respective D-League affiliates..
- The Nets announced they have recalled forward Tornike Shengelia from the D-League Springfield Armor. Shengelia was assigned to the D-League only two days ago and will join the Nets for their game against the Pacers this evening. Shengelia has not had a chance to play in the NBA this season due to the depth on the Nets’ bench but averaged 1.6 PPG in 4.9 MPG in 19 games for Brooklyn last season. It’s likely Shengelia is in the lineup due to Andrei Kirilenko and Kevin Garnett‘s ailments.
- Scott Rafferty of SB Nation wonders if Tyshawn Taylor, another young Nets player who is struggling for minutes, will crack Brooklyn’s NBA rotation this year. Taylor was also sent down to Brooklyn’s D-League affiliate, the Springfield Armor, this week. Last year Taylor played in 38 games for the Nets, averaging 5.8 MPG and 2.2 PPG.
- The Rockets announced via Twitter they have named Gianluca Pascucci the GM of their D-League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Pascucci was the Rockets’ Director of Player Personnel last season.
- Ray McCallum, rookie point guard for the Kings, has been inactive the first three games of the Kings’ season but not due to his lack of ability according to coach Michael Malone. Although earning praise from his coach as a “very good defensive player,” Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee suspects it will be hard for McCallum to find minutes that are currently going to Greivis Vasquez and Isaiah Thomas and that the D-League may be a better option. Jones predicts that’s where McCallum will find himself once the Kings’ D-League affiliate, the Reno Bighorns, begin their season Nov. 22nd.
Eastern Rumors: Shumpert, Rondo, Heat, Pacers
Six Eastern Conference teams have 2-3 records, and all of them had playoff aspirations coming into the season. The Bulls, Nets and Knicks had even loftier expectations, but they’re among the clubs that find themselves below .500 five games into the season. It might not seem like it’s time for a drastic move yet, but tell that to Mike Brown, whom the Lakers fired five games into last season. Our look across the East has the latest on a team that could make a change soon:
- An Eastern Conference executive tells Frank Isola of the New York Daily News that Iman Shumpert‘s trade value around the league is high, and that the Knicks aren’t nearly as sold on the third-year swingman as the rest of the league is. Isola wonders if the return of J.R. Smith from suspension and the Knicks’ belief in rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. will prompt the team to trade Shumpert, speculating that a swap with the Nuggets for Kenneth Faried might be the best fit. A deal with the Celtics for Rajon Rondo would meet with Mike Woodson‘s approval, but no such trade is likely, Isola writes.
- More NBA teams appear to be putting stock in analytics, but the successful Heat and Pacers aren’t among them, as a coach points out to Isola for the same piece.
- Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution identifies John Jenkins and Jared Cunningham as possible candidates for D-League assignments once Lou Williams returns from injury for the Hawks.