Knicks Interested In Jermaine O’Neal
ESPN's Chris Broussard (via Twitter) says that the Knicks have been showing strong interest in Suns center Jermaine O'Neal. The 34-year-old former All-Star is putting up averages of 6.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and a notable 1.3 BPG in just 16.6 MPG and has been relatively healthy in Phoenix this season.
Such an addition would be welcomed with open arms in New York, where the Knicks have been recently lacking in viable frontcourt depth due to the injuries of Rasheed Wallace and Marcus Camby. The team has been reportedly considering Louis Amundson and Kenyon Martin as possible reinforcements but have been reluctant thus far to waive a player in order to make room for a free agent signing.
Atlantic Links: Bynum, Celtics, Knicks
76ers center Andrew Bynum still hasn't set an exact return date for his practice debut, telling reporters that he expects to be able to join the team in "a week, could be two" (reports Jason Wolf of USA Today). The young center provides a distinction between returning to practice and going up against "live defenders," the latter of which he doesn't think he'll be ready for until a couple of weeks from now. Slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July, Bynum remains confident he can still return to NBA action at some point this season. Here's more out of the Atlantic Division tonight:
- Baxter Holmes of Boston.com looked further into Danny Ainge's uncertainty about the Celtics getting a trade done within the coming days. Ainge admitted that he's been involved in a lot of conversations due to their misfortune with injuries, also mentioning that he's had to field a lot of "waste-of-time calls from the media and other teams."
- Paul Pierce thinks that the Celtics need to add help – whether through trades or free agency – for practice and preservation's sake (CSNNE.com report). Coach Doc Rivers thinks the team needs two guards (at least one for practice), but also made it clear that they won't go after somebody they don't want.
- Knicks big men Rasheed Wallace and Marcus Camby had limited participation in today's practice, although head coach Mike Woodson says that they still have a lot to show him before he can consider putting them back into games (Barbara Barker of Newsday reports).
Odds & Ends: Bargnani, Nets, Jennings, Greene
Earlier today, we heard that the Sixers are a good bet to stand pat at this year's deadline, and given how their last trade turned out, perhaps that shouldn't be a surprise. One player acquired by the 76ers in the deal, Jason Richardson, underwent successful surgery on his left knee this morning, according to a team release. Meanwhile, the centerpiece, Andrew Bynum, told reporters today that he still intends to play for Philadelphia this season, though it won't happen until at least March.
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the NBA:
- According to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com (via Twitter), while the Raptors would move Andrea Bargnani in the right offer, teams don't sense an urgency on Toronto's part. That falls in line with comments Bryan Colangelo made today.
- I questioned earlier today whether Nets GM Billy King was being honest when he told reporters there's a 10% chance he makes a trade, but Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News says (via Twitter) that's the same line King has been giving privately to rival teams.
- Despite his agent change, Brandon Jennings really doesn't have a ton of leverage, and the Bucks should still be expected to match any offer sheet he receives this summer, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
- Donte Greene, who was set to sign with the Nets last summer before he fractured his ankle, is back to 100% and is drawing interest, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link). The Nets, Pacers, Hornets, Spurs, Bulls, Knicks, Magic, Rockets, and Cavaliers have inquired on Greene, says Spears.
Atlantic Rumors: Knicks, C’s, Barbosa, Nets, Sixers
We've already rounded up a number of Celtics rumors this morning, but there's plenty happening around the rest of the Atlantic Division as well. Let's dive in….
- Celtics president Danny Ainge and Knicks coach Mike Woodson both downplayed the possibility of their respectives teams making a trade this week, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com and Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv (Twitter links).
- If the Celtics get into a position where they need a roster spot, they may waive Leandro Barbosa, tweets Blakely. Barbosa would still receive his full salary in that case. For now, the C's have some flexibility — even with Terrence Williams on the roster, the club still has an open roster spot.
Earlier updates:
- Nets GM Billy King told reporters, including Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News (Twitter link), that there's a 10% chance the Nets will make a trade this week. I'd probably put the odds higher than that, but I suppose he'd know better than I would.
- The Sixers are exploring a few trade avenues, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see them stand pat at the deadline, says John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I don't see anything for us right now," coach Doug Collins said. "If something happens for us right now, I think it would be something that would be very small. [GM] Tony [DiLeo] is on the phone, but I don't think there is anything major that is going to turn our season around. What would be major for us would be to get our guys healthy."
- Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun doesn't expect the Raptors to find a taker for Linas Kleiza, who figures to be an amnesty candidate this July (Twitter link).
- Terrence Williams' 10-day contract with the Celtics could be beneficial for both the player and the team, writes A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com.
Magic, Knicks Have Discussed Redick, Shumpert
The Magic and Knicks have had discussions about a deal that would send J.J. Redick to New York and Iman Shumpert to Orlando, according to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (via Twitter). Kennedy notes that if the teams were to get serious about a trade, other players, or perhaps a third club, would have to get involved in order to match salaries.
Shumpert's agent, Happy Walters, said yesterday that reports indicating that his client is unhappy with his role in New York and wants to be traded are "totally false." However, that doesn't necessarily mean that the Knicks wouldn't consider moving him. Although the team seems to value Shumpert highly, he remains virtually the only young piece on a team of veterans. If the Knicks decide to go all-in to contend in the short term, the second-year guard would be the club's most logical trade chip.
The Suns were also said to have interest in Shumpert, though ESPN.com's Chris Broussard reported last week that a deal involving Shumpert and Jared Dudley is "not happening." Meanwhile, the Bucks, Bulls, and Pacers are among the teams reportedly interested in Redick.
Odds & Ends: Luxury Tax, Mavs, Draft, Wiggins
Tonight's look around the Association as we approach Thursday's trade deadline..
- In his latest blog entry on CBA FAQ, Larry Coon looks at the cumulative effects of the luxury tax on teams. Going back to 2002, the Warriors, Bobcats, and Bulls have been the biggest beneficiaries of the tax pool. Meanwhile, the Mavericks and Knicks have been amongst the most penalized in the league, paying $192.8MM and $150.4MM, respecitvely.
- The 2013 NBA Draft class is so weak that more than a half dozen prospects from the 2014 Draft class would go No. 1 this year, one NBA GM told Adam Zagoria of SNY. “It’s a historically weak draft that, as a result, you’re going to see a lot more guys putting their name in knowing they’ll go higher in this draft, even though they may not be ready, just because next year’s class has such incredible depth that they could actually play better and improve and drop their draft status next year,” said the GM.
- Speaking of the 2014 draft, Canada's Andrew Wiggins figures to be the top selection. The 6-foot-8 forward could just be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to strong talent from north of the border, Zagoria writes.
Knicks Open To Trading Iman Shumpert
MONDAY, 7:53am: Although Sheridan indicated that people close to Shumpert "prefer Iman in another situation," agent Happy Walters took to Twitter to call that report "totally false," adding that no one in Shumpert's camp has asked for a trade.
That doesn't necessarily mean that a deal involving Shumpert won't happen, but Walters seems to suggest the second-year guard is happy in New York.
SATURDAY, 12:43pm: The New York Knicks are open to the idea of trading Iman Shumpert, Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com reports. A source tells Sheridan that the second-year guard is unhappy with being played out of position at small forward, and wants to either see his developmental situation resolved or be moved.
In recent weeks, Shumpert has been linked to the Phoenix Suns, possibly in a trade that would include Jared Dudley. Coming off a torn ACL suffered in the 2012 playoffs, Shumpert is averaging 5.3 PPG and 3.4 RPG in 13 games for the Knicks this season.
Odds & Ends: Aldridge, George, Oden, Knicks
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Saturday evening:
- There hasn't been much trade chatter involving LaMarcus Aldridge lately, but when asked about interest from other teams in an interview with Damon Jones on Nike Basketball's YouTube page, Aldridge said he enjoys playing in Portland, but might listen to overtures from other teams down the road (transcription via Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge). Aldridge's contract runs through 2015.
- Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star examines Paul George's journey to the NBA as the third-year forward makes his first All-Star appearance this weekend.
- Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer writes that the Heat will only be able to sign Greg Oden to the veteran's minimum.
- Tyson Chandler tells Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com that the Knicks sorely miss injured big men Rasheed Wallace and Marcus Camby.
- Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee profiles Kings guard and Seattle native Isaiah Thomas, who is torn on his hopes for the team's ownership situation.
- Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra revisits his Portland roots with Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com.
New York To Host 2015 All-Star Game
The city of New York will host the 2015 NBA All-Star Game, NBA commissioner David Stern and deputy commissioner Adam Silver announced during their Saturday media availability (link via Howard Beck of the New York Times). The Knicks' home arena, Madison Square Garden, has put in a bid to host the weekend, as has the Nets' new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and Silver said Saturday that one of the two arenas will get it.
The 2014 All-Star game will be hosted by New Orleans. It will be the first All-Star weekend under Silver, who is expected to take over as commissioner after Stern steps down.
Odds & Ends: Knicks, Randolph, Josh Smith
Kyrie Irving is willing to listen to any pitch LeBron James might make about joining forces on the Cavaliers in 2014, a source tells Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio, who wonders if All-Stars from around the league will use this weekend to hatch plots to form more superteams. While we wait to hear if any such whispers emanate from Houston, here's the latest from the Association:
- Jared Zwerling, speaking with fellow ESPNNewYork.com scribe Ian Begley, says he's hearing the Knicks will "hold tight" and not make a move before the trade deadline (video link).
- Zach Randolph agrees with owner Robert Pera's view that the Grizzlies are stronger after the Rudy Gay trade, as Kyle Veazey of the Memphis Commercial Appeal details.
- The Grizzlies have reportedly assured Randolph that he won't be traded, and the power forward spoke today about his desire to remain in Memphis. Jeff Zillgitt and Kevin Spain of USA Today have more.
- Trade candidate Josh Smith talked about dealing with speculation about his post-deadline address and his belief that he deserves a max deal with Lang Whitaker of GQ.
- Jeff Teague believes rumors involving Smith and others have been a huge distraction for the Hawks, as HoopsWorld's Bill Ingram tweets.
- Billy Hunter ally and former players union executive vice president Maurice Evans told Jason Whitlock of FoxSports.com he's received a letter warning him to stay away from tomorrow's meeting that will decide whether Hunter remains executive director. Evans, who has not played in the NBA this season, also contends the only reason Derek Fisher signed with the Mavs is so he could remain union president and engineer Hunter's exit.
- HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy checks in with a few points to keep in mind as the trade deadline approaches.