Knicks To Waive Samuel Dalembert?
4:45pm: The Knicks are actively trying to trade Dalembert prior to Wednesday to avoid facing the decision to retain or waive him on that day, Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports (Twitter link).
8:48am: With the Knicks’ season in a seemingly hopeless freefall, having lost 11 games in a row, and their record currently sitting at a dismal 5-31 overall, the team is considering numerous options for altering its roster. One change that could happen by this Wednesday is the team possibly waiving center Samuel Dalembert, Marc Berman of The New York Post reports.
This coming Saturday, January 10th, is the NBA’s leaguewide contract guarantee date. All players with non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed contracts still on team rosters on that date will have the remainder of their salaries guaranteed for the season. But in order for any franchise to clear undesirable or unwanted contracts off of its books, players will need to clear waivers in advance of this deadline. This means that any players, including Dalembert, would need to be placed on waivers by no later than 4:00pm Central time this Wednesday, January 7th. This would allow the requisite two days that players remain on waivers to pass prior to Saturday’s deadline.
The reason that Dalembert’s name has come up as a possibility to be waived is that only $1.98MM of his $4.05MM contract is guaranteed, Berman notes. So New York can save itself a cool $2.07MM by releasing the big man prior to the cutoff date. Waiving Dalembert would open up a roster spot for the Knicks to add a younger D-League player or sign a veteran who was waived by another team, Berman adds. One such player that the Knicks are possibly looking to sign to a 10-day contract is D-League point guard Langston Galloway, though New York is already painfully thin in the frontcourt, something releasing Dalembert and signing Galloway would not rectify.
New York is considering every option currently, Berman reports, which means that the Knicks could retain Dalembert and try to acquire an asset by trading him to a club looking to add a defensive big man for a playoff push, the New York Post scribe adds. There are numerous teams that are desperate to add a rim protecting big man, including Cleveland, Dallas, and Miami, though I’m merely speculating on their potential interest in Dalembert.
Dalembert certainly hasn’t been setting the league on fire with his performance for the Knicks, who were hoping that he could help replace the defensive presence of Tyson Chandler, whom the Knicks traded to Dallas prior to the season, in a deal which netted them Dalembert. In 32 appearances, including 21 as a starter, Dalembert has averaged an underwhelming 4.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 17.0 minutes per game. He hasn’t fit well into the triangle offense that the Knicks are attempting to implement, though judging by the team’s record, he’s hardly the only one.
For his part, Dalembert is currently in the dark about what the Knicks’ plans for him are, Berman notes. “Maybe you know more than me,’’ Dalembert said. “I love it here. I love the team we have. Unfortunately we’re going through what we’re going through right now. It’s a great organization. I would love for my career to finish here, but it’s business. A lot of times it’s beyond your control. I’ll still see how it goes and enjoy the time.’’
Team president Phil Jackson could soon decide the best thing for the Knicks’ long-term future is playing their younger players, which could also affect Amar’e Stoudemire ’s status, Berman also notes. Stoudemire missed his fifth straight game on Sunday night, and he could also eventually be waived to open up a roster spot, Berman opines. There is no immediate deadline to do so for Stoudemire, since the remainder of his $23,410,968 salary for this season is fully-guaranteed, though March 1st is the final date that players can be waived and be eligible to play in the postseason for another team.
Knicks Notes: Stoudemire, Draft, Kidd
The Knicks have lost 11 straight games, which is one shy of the franchise’s worst streak ever, and things don’t appear likely to improve. Amar’e Stoudemire certainly didn’t envision things turning out this way back in 2010, which is when he inked a five-year, $100MM deal with the team, Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com writes. “When I first signed with New York, that wasn’t the game plan,” Stoudemire said. “But the past is not here. And neither is the future, so we’ve got to deal with the now, and I think we’ve just got to continue to try to get better as a team and as players, try to keep improving.”
Here’s the latest out of the Big Apple:
- The Knicks’ multitude of injuries are forcing the team to field a D-League caliber squad, Filip Bondy of The New York Daily News writes. “Six of the guys who played tonight [Sunday night] barely played in the NBA before,” coach Derek Fisher said. “Losing isn’t enjoyable. From an emotional standpoint, you have to manage what you can manage and what you can control.” Bondy also believes that New York should shut down Carmelo Anthony for the remainder of the season due to his knee issues, but believes that the franchise is holding off until after the All-Star game, which is in New York, to do so, as not to hurt the game’s festivities and the team’s television ratings in the interim.
- With a record of 5-31, the smart money is on the Knicks missing the playoffs this season, but those looking for hope can look to the Nets’ turnaround last season under former coach Jason Kidd, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com writes. “I think obviously, different teams, different circumstances, different rosters,” Fisher said. “But I think a better example is what the Detroit Pistons have done … the team starts feeling better about who they are. Whether the Pistons make the playoffs or not, it doesn’t take forever to start to feel better about who your team is and what you’re trying to do. I think there are those types of examples that we can look to our team compared to Brooklyn’s team last year.”
- The only thing left for the Knicks to do this season is to try and lose as many games as possible in order to garner a higher draft pick, Kevin Kernan of The New York Post opines. Kernan also adds that re-signing Anthony was a huge mistake, and the team would have been better off in the long run if it had let ‘Melo leave in free agency.
Knicks Notes: Anthony, Injury, Galloway
It’s time for the Knicks to shut down Carmelo Anthony for the rest of the season, opines Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com. New York’s star has missed the past three games with a sore left knee and is unlikely to play against the Bucks today. Coach Derek Fisher said the team hasn’t talked to Anthony about ending his season, but Youngmisuk writes that considering the Knicks have lost 10 in a row and 20 of their last 21, there is nothing to be gained by continuing to play him.
There’s more from New York:
- Fisher said any decision to shut down Anthony will be made with input from both the player and the organization, reports Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com. “From the conversations I’ve been a part of, I think everybody is smart enough to realize, calendar wise, timing wise, that there may come a point that that’s the decision that needs to be made,” Fisher said. “But [we realize] that we can’t force Carmelo to that point yet.” Anthony is in the first season of a five-year, $124MM contract and has said he plans to keep playing as long as the condition of his knee permits.
- The Knicks seem to be “tiptoeing” toward making a final decision with Anthony, writes Scott Cacciola of The New York Times. “I think there will definitely come a time at some point where there has to be a conversation about a longer space for him possibly,” Fisher said. “But it’s just not there at this point.” But with the team stuck at 5-30 and hopelessly out of the playoff race, the decision seems obvious. “As a friend. I’d tell him to take care of his body,” said teammate J.R. Smith.
- Help could be coming from the D-League, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. Langston Galloway, a 6’2″ point guard, starred for the Knicks’ summer league team and has reportedly been impressing team president Phil Jackson with his play for New York’s D-League affiliate in Westchester. The organization sees him as the type of outside shooter it needs for the triangle. Ten-day contracts can be issued starting Monday.
Atlantic Notes: Anthony, Bogdanovic, Sixers
Celtics coach Brad Stevens didn’t want to delve into Rajon Rondo‘s comments that he “hadn’t played defense in a couple of years,” prior to Friday night’s contest against the Mavs and his former player, Jimmy Toscano of CSNNE.com writes. “I don’t know the context of the discussion, I don’t know the seriousness of his answer,” Stevens said. “So I don’t really have a reaction to that. He’s a really good player and I’m certainly not here right now to be critical or analytical of his comments to the media. Like everybody else, I’m excited for him that he has a great opportunity in Dallas.”
Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- It is in the Knicks‘ best interest to shut Carmelo Anthony down for the remainder of the season, Filip Bondy of The New York Daily News opines. Since New York’s season is already lost, it makes little sense to risk chronic knee issues for ‘Melo, plus sitting its best player will aid the franchise in securing a higher draft pick, Bondy notes.
- The Sixers‘ Luc Mbah a Moute is much more than just a mentor for Joel Embiid; he’s quickly become the player that holds Philadelphia’s locker room together with his leadership, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes.
- Nets rookie Bojan Bogdanovic has been an afterthought in coach Lionel Hollins‘ rotation the past month thanks to the strong play of Sergey Karasev, Roderick Boone of Newsday writes. “It’s not what Bogey’s [Bogdanovic] done, it’s what he’s not done,” Hollins said. “You’ve got to play and compete, and go out and play well, and Karasev has shown me a lot in practice. We were struggling, I gave him a shot and he played well. It’s also a product of Bogey just hitting a wall and just not being aggressive.“
- If Nerlens Noel projects as a center long term, it could throw a wrench into the Sixers‘ plans to pair him and Embiid together in their frontcourt, Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com writes. “Look at what a lot of teams do with their four men,” coach Brett Brown said. “They’re away from the basket. Most of the fours nowadays can almost shoot threes. If that’s your world, naturally you’re pulled away from the basket. That was Nerlens’ problem when we played him at four. He’s so used to just running to the rim, he’d lose Dirk Nowitzki, he’d lose perimeter people. It wasn’t natural for him. Maybe he can guard a five player [better]. I don’t know. I think it’s all a work in progress. But he really is a presence at the rim.“
Mavs Notes: Rondo, Ledo, Carlisle
Mavs coach Rick Carlisle believes that the Rajon Rondo trade was beneficial for both Boston and Dallas, Jimmy Toscano of CSNNE.com relays. “The trade has been great for both teams,” Carlisle said. “Boston’s in a much stronger position moving forward. They’ve got three more assets to add to their collection, and they’ve got more draft picks and we’ve got an experienced point guard and we got a young player in Dwight Powell that we really like too. And you like trades to be good for both teams, and I really believe this one is and will continue to be as history unfolds.”
Here’s more out of Dallas:
- If the remainder of the Mavs’ season goes well, then Dallas will have the best shot at signing Rondo when he becomes a free agent this summer, Sean Deveney of The Sporting News writes. The stiffest competition for the veteran point guard’s services will be from the Knicks and the Lakers, Deveney notes. Rondo’s preference would be to play for a winner, and the Mavericks are set up to contend for the next few years. “Depending on how things go from here, obviously, Dallas would get the first word,” a league source told Deveney.
- The Mavericks have assigned guard Ricky Ledo to the Texas Legends, their D-League affiliate, the team announced in a press release. This will be Ledo’s seventh trek to the D-League this season.
- Rondo is now playing for a contender, to solidify his reputation, and to prove that he is worthy of a max contract when he hits free agency this summer, Jackie MacMullan of ESPNBoston.com writes. “This second half of the year is a very big one for Rajon,” Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said. “Dallas is getting a player who is very motivated to prove he’s a max guy.”
Eastern Notes: Sanders, Anthony, Magic
Bucks big man Larry Sanders will be away from the team indefinitely due to personal reasons, Charles F. Gardner of The Journal Sentinel reports. When asked about a timetable for Sanders’ return, coach Jason Kidd said, “That’s a good question so you don’t have to ask me tomorrow or Sunday or Monday, so there’s no timetable. Being sick, away from the team, guys go on as you see. Charlotte, we played without him. The other night we played without him [in Cleveland]. It’s nothing new to this ball club. Injuries happen. The train keeps moving forward.”
When pressed for details regarding Sanders either being ill, injured, or having personal issues, Kidd said, “It’s just personal. There’s nothing I can give you more. That’s the way the question will be answered.” Sanders has not played since the Bucks’ home loss to Charlotte on December 23rd, Gardner notes.
Here’s more from the East:
- The Magic‘s primary focus in free agency next summer will be to land a power forward, Brian Schmitz of The Orlando Sentinel writes. Orlando needs to improve its rebounding, notes Schmitz, something that drafting Aaron Gordon and signing Channing Frye to a four-year, $32MM deal this past offseason hasn’t fixed.
- Knicks coach Derek Fisher acknowledged that at some point the team might need to shut down Carmelo Anthony due to his ailing knee, Mitch Abramson of The New York Daily News writes. “I think everybody involved is reasonable enough and smart enough as people in this business to come together on that if that time comes,” Fisher said. “I can’t speak for all of the different parties but from the conversations I’ve been a part of- I think everybody is smart enough to realize, calendar wise, timing wise- that there may come a point that’s the decision that needs to be made but that we can’t force Carmelo to that point just yet.“
- Anthony has stated that it’s ultimately his decision whether or not to continue playing, something that Fisher doesn’t fully agree with, Abramson adds. “There’s a balance between a player and his health and the part that he plays in the decision-making process and then where we are as a team and giving our thoughts and our opinion to it,” Fisher said. “I think our medical staff, our training staff, continue to have conversations with him about where he is. He’s conversing with us about how he’s feeling, what the symptoms are. As each day kind of unfolds decisions are being made. It’s not something that we’re just kind of stepping back and saying, Carmelo, you kind of tell us when you don’t feel like playing anymore.”
Marc Gasol On Free Agency, Lakers, Grizzlies
Memphis big man Marc Gasol is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season and will not lack suitors for his services. The Knicks, Spurs, Lakers and Raptors have already been reported to be interested in signing the 29-year-old, and the list of parties wanting to lure him away from the Grizzlies is likely to keep on growing. Gasol sat down with the Los Angeles Newspaper Group (hat tip to Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Daily News) to discuss a number of topics. The entire article is worthy of a look, but here are some of the highlights…
On what variables Gasol is going to weigh when making his free agency decision:
“I haven’t weighed anything yet. Knowing that Arn [Tellem] will handle pretty much the load of everything else, whenever July comes, it’ll come. We’ll sit down and have a human eye-to-eye conversation and we’ll see what we’re looking for and looking at for the next four or five years of my life with the team and different teams and my family. Whatever decision I make, it would be the best.”
On if he would consider the Lakers as an option:
“I haven’t even looked at it yet. Whenever the time comes, I’m not going to say no to anything or refuse anything. I’m not going to agree to anything. We’re much in no man’s land right now. I pretty much just have to wait until July.”
On if his brother, Pau Gasol, provided any perspective on playing in Los Angeles:
“That was Pau’s time. I won’t say no to anything right now. It’s not something I have in front of me right now. If it’s presented to me, I’ll think about it. If not, I won’t.”
On his thoughts about being included in the 2008 trade that brought his brother to the Lakers:
“I never thought I would be in this league. I was happy for Pau because I knew that he needed a new start. I didn’t see myself as an NBA player. I didn’t see myself coming over here [from his native Spain]. I knew the Lakers didn’t know much about me. I never talked to them and they never came over. They gave me a training camp minimum contract. I wasn’t going to leave my team to be a training camp guy, especially not knowing what a training camp guy is. I would have a slim chance of making the team. It happens, but it normally doesn’t happen. I was just happy for Pau, honestly. I think it worked out pretty well for both sides. The Grizzlies got what they want, which was rebuilding and the cap space at that time and some young players. I don’t think they knew what that could turn into. The Lakers obviously have two rings, which is the ultimate goal and a great, unique and outstanding player in Pau. I don’t think they’ll get another one like that in years to come.”
On if he knew that he would develop into one of the best centers in the game after being dealt:
“I don’t think they knew the player I was. Nobody knew. Even today, I don’t think I’m the player I can still be. You never know. You make a decision and you have your side. They got a pretty good result having Pau for 6 and a half years. I don’t think they got the most out of Pau. They used Pau well for the 3 and a half years. But after that, the team didn’t have everything figured out. It was sad to see that. Move on and onto the next goal and next thing.”
Atlantic Notes: Knicks, Noel, DeRozan, Raptors
“Lose more for Okafor” should be the Knicks‘ rallying cry for the rest of the season, contends Marc Berman of the New York Post. Nineteen-year-old Duke center Jahlil Okafor is the early favorite to be the first player selected in June’s NBA Draft. In Hoops Rumors’ reverse standings, New York currently leads the NBA with 29 losses, but has a slightly better winning percentage than the Sixers. “At worst, you’re getting a young Al Jefferson — an 18 and 10 guy. At best, Tim Duncan,” said ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla. “He’s got potential to be a franchise player. Odds are it’s somewhere in between.’’
There’s more this morning from the Atlantic Division:
- The Knicks‘ Derek Fisher doesn’t want to talk about losing, according to Al Iannazzone of Newsday. The first-year head coach is trying to remain positive in the face of a disastrous 5-29 start. “Our fans have, I think, waited a long time from their perspective and how they feel about us,” Fisher said. “But this is a new beginning for us and we’re going through our growing pains right now. The people we have involved with what we’re trying to do, we have no doubt that we’re going to eventually be successful, and we’re going to keep working until we are.”
- Sixers coach Brett Brown sees Nerlens Noel‘s future as a center, reports Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The 6’11” Noel is averaging 7.8 points and 7.1 rebounds in his first season in the NBA after sitting out last year while recovering from knee surgery. “I think right now, it’s a five,” Brown said. “I feel that we’re going to have to do the right thing by him and grow his game, which will allow him to better play alongside Joel Embiid.”
- Coach Dwane Casey hopes to phase DeMar DeRozan into the lineup slowly when the injured Raptor returns from injury, writes Doug Smith of The Toronto Star. DeRozan has already missed 16 games with a groin and hip tendon injury, and although there is no set timetable for his return there are hints it could happen soon. “He can’t come back expecting to be a 19-, 20-point scorer first game, second game,” Casey said. “It’s going to take a while to get his rhythm back.”
And-Ones: LeBron, Thunder, Fisher
LeBron James is expected to miss the next two weeks of action thanks to injuries to his back and left knee, the Cavaliers have announced. Coupled with the season-ending injury to Anderson Varejao, Cleveland suddenly finds itself a bit short-handed. The league has approved the franchise’s request for a disabled player exception, but with the league maximum 15 players already on their roster the Cavs would need to waive or deal a player to be able to utilize it.
Here’s more from around the league:
- The Thunder are edging closer toward the summer of 2016, which is when Kevin Durant can elect to depart Oklahoma City as a free agent, and the speculation is that it will take an NBA title to keep him in town beyond then. The team’s play as of late has gotten it back on track for the season after enduring a multitude of injuries, Jeff Caplan of FOX Sports Southwest writes. “I’m excited. Obviously we need everybody healthy,” coach Scott Brooks said. “But I like the fact that our guys compete regardless of who’s on the floor. They get out there and compete. We haven’t had as many wins as we would like, but we’re competing every night. We put ourselves in a position to win games and we have a no-excuse mentality.”
- Derek Fisher said that the Lakers never reached out to him after last season, and the Knicks were the only offer he had to become a head coach, Marc Berman of The New York Post writes. “I never had any conversations with the Lakers of coaching the team,’’ Fisher said. “This was the only one. It doesn’t disappoint me in any way. I never pretended to run the Lakers or make decisions for them. I did the best I could when I played. They don’t owe me anything. I don’t owe them anything.’
- Brandon Jennings has emerged as a leader since the Pistons released Josh Smith, Brendan Savage of MLive.com writes. “Brandon has noticeably gotten back to probably what is his natural personality,” coach Stan Van Gundy said. “He’s really having fun. He’s talking a lot, joking with guys, things like that. I think he had been suffering. He hadn’t been playing real well, we hadn’t been winning. He had gotten really quiet.” There were conflicting reports regarding Detroit shopping the veteran point guard prior to Smith being released.
- The Raptors have recalled Bruno Caboclo from the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the D-League, the team announced in a press release. This was Caboclo’s first D-League assignment of the season.
Eastern Notes: Cavaliers, Henson, Wade
The Cavaliers have some roster flexibility after being granted a disabled player exception on Wednesday, and Nick Borges of ESPN.com [Insider subscription required] suggests a number of players it could be used to acquire. In recent weeks, there have been rumors linking the team to Timofey Mozgov of the Nuggets, Kosta Koufos of the Grizzlies and Robert Sacre of the Lakers. Borges also suggests Brandan Wright of the Celtics, Jerome Jordan of the Nets, Joel Anthony of the Pistons, Ekpe Udoh of the Clippers, Jeff Withey of the Pelicans, Cole Aldrich and Samuel Dalembert of the Knicks, Dewayne Dedmon of the Magic, Joel Freeland of the Blazers and Ryan Hollins of the Kings. The DPE gives Cleveland an extra $4,852,273 to use for a trade, free agent signing or waiver claim through March 10th.
There’s more from the Eastern Conference:
- LeBron James understood what he was getting into when he opted to return to Cleveland, opines Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders. Kyler notes that James said “I’m not promising a championship” when he announced his decision in July. With a massively overturned roster and James’ problems with a sore back and aching knees, he was realistic about what his first season back with the Cavaliers might look like.
- A rash of injuries has given the Bucks‘ John Henson a chance to show off his skills, writes Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. With Jabari Parker, Ersan Ilyasova and Larry Sanders out of action, Henson has responded with 10 blocks in his last two games. “He brings another dimension to our team and it’s not just defensively,” said teammate Kendall Marshall. “He’s very good offensively, making plays, being in the right spots at the right times.” Henson is under the Bucks’ control through the 2016/17 season.
- Dwyane Wade gave up approximately $10MM in salary by opting out of his deal and then re-signing with the Heat, but despite Miami’s struggles this season it isn’t something he laments over, Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press writes. “I’ll be all right,” Wade said. “It cost me a lot. But it wasn’t ‘The Decision’ [James’ return to the Cavs] that cost me. It was my decision. I opted out for the better of the team, not for any individual. I opted out for the better of the team and it cost me some money. I’m not concerned about it. Not overly concerned, anyway.”
Eddie Scarito contributed to this post.