Minor Moves: Leslie, Jordan, Ely, Hayward
Here are today's notable international and D-League-related transactions:
- Travis Leslie has been assigned to the D-League by the Clippers, according to Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles. The Clips' second-round pick has played in just eight games this season.
- The Knicks announced that they've assigned Jerome Jordan to their D-League affiliate in Erie, tweets Zach Lowe of SI.com. The return of Josh Harrellson made the decision a no-brainer, says Marc Berman of the New York Post (on Twitter).
- Another former NBA player signed in Puerto Rico, as Melvin Ely joined Brujos de Guayama, according to Sportando. Ely, the 12th overall pick in the 2002 draft, played 12.2 MPG in 30 contests for the Nuggets last season.
- The Thunder have assigned Lazar Hayward to their D-League affiliate in Tulsa, according to the team (Twitter link). Hayward, who has appeared in 12 games for Oklahoma City this season, suffered a fractured orbital floor on his left eye last month.
- Craig Brackins has been recalled from the D-League by the 76ers, according to a team press release. The 24-year-old was assigned to the Maine Red Claws on February 7th, and averaged 18.9 points and 9.3 rebounds in seven games with the club.
Kyler’s Latest: Gasol, Mayo, Delfino, Williams
Earlier this week, Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld began exploring trade options for all 30 NBA teams, sharing the latest rumors and rumblings along the way. Kyler discussed ten teams on Tuesday, and looks at ten more today. Here are some highlights from the piece:
- The Pacers aren't looking to trade anyone, but would take advantage of their cap space to absorb salary if it meant acquiring a draft pick as well.
- Lakers sources insist the team still views Pau Gasol as an All-Star and would only trade him if it meant getting another All-Star back. L.A. isn't currently pursuing Dwight Howard, and any move the team makes will probably involve its $8.9MM trade exception.
- If the Grizzlies do anything before the trade deadline, it will likely involve O.J. Mayo, who has drawn interest.
- Carlos Delfino is an attractive target for a few teams, but Beno Udrih is the more likely trade candidate to be dealt by the Bucks.
- Trade talk surrounding Deron Williams could pick up before March 15th, if the Nets become concerned about their chances of acquiring Dwight Howard and signing Williams long-term.
- Trevor Ariza and Jarrett Jack could be had, but the price for most Hornets is an unprotected first-round pick, which seems like a long shot.
- The Knicks may consider moving Toney Douglas for a draft pick, in part to clear a roster spot for a player waived after the trade deadline.
Odds & Ends: Rondo, Curry, Lin
With just about every team back in action after the All-Star break, here are a few leap day notes from around the league:
- The Celtics have intensified their efforts to trade Rajon Rondo, reports Chris Broussard of ESPN. Broussard says sources have told him the Celtics consider Rondo to be too high maintenance, and so the team is considering a deal with the Warriors for Stephen Curry that's been percolating since December. Other players would have to be in such a deal for it to work. ESPN's Chris Forsberg also contributed to the report.
- Shabazz Muhammad, a premier college prospect who currently sits atop the class of potential 2013 draftees according to NBADraft.net, could be in trouble with the NCAA, report Jeff Goodman and Gary Parrish of CBSSports.com. The NCAA has informed schools recruiting Muhammad that his amateur status is in question. According to Goodman and Parrish, there are concerns that the 6'5", 210-pound shooting guard has been receiving payments for unofficial visits to campuses, among other benefits. Since NBA draft rules prohibit Muhammad from entering the league until a year after his high school class graduates, he may be forced to head overseas next year.
- Matt Moore of CBSSports.com doesn't see much truth in the rumored swap of Lamar Odom and Steve Nash, unless several other components are involved.
- It seems every other day we find out about another team that came close to signing Jeremy Lin, but whiffed. Today that team is the Italian club Banca Tercas Teramo, reports Adam Zagoria of SNY. The team was "extremely close" to signing him, Lin said, but they went with Charles Jenkins instead.
- The Chris Paul trade may have transformed the Clippers, but since amnesty claim Chauncey Billups was lost for the year with an Achilles' tear, the Clips have gone 5-5 and appear to have lost their mojo, as Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times examines.
- Before handing the Spurs just their second home loss of the season, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau praised San Antonio's ability to identify and nurture the talent necessary to keep the team on top, writes Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago. Thibodeau hopes the Bulls can copy that model.
- Jazz swingman Josh Howard, an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, has responded well since Raja Bell's injury forced him into the starting lineup, notes Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune.
Dwight Howard Rumors: Wednesday
Orlando's roster could have an entirely new look a month from now, and Magic players are all aware of that fact. Nonetheless, as they tell Joshua Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel, their goal for the second half will be to avoid being weighed down by off-court distractions and focus on playing good basketball. Here's the latest on Dwight Howard, who figures to dominate Orlando's on- and off-court headlines in the coming weeks:
- Add the Hawks to the list of potential Howard suitors. Marcus Thompson, while looking for Warriors rumors for the Bay Area News Group, tweets that Atlanta is offering Joe Johnson and Al Horford to the Magic for D12. Howard grew up in Atlanta and went to high school at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. Thompson notes that Howard and Hawks forward Josh Smith are friends.
- Howard wants the Magic to pursue Steve Nash, and would consider staying at least another year in Orlando if the team can acquire Nash and re-sign him, according to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. Of course, given the Suns' current stance on their point guard, such an acquisition would be a challenge.
- An Eastern Conference executive tells Chris Broussard of ESPN.com that he thinks if Howard is dealt by March 15th, it will be to the Nets, but the longer the saga drags on, the better the Mavericks' odds become. While the Knicks and Clippers aren't on Howard's list of preferred destinations, Broussard says D12 would consider both teams, though neither has engaged the Magic in trade talks.
- The Warriors say they're not interested in trading Monta Ellis unless he's part of a package for Howard, sources tells Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News (Twitter link).
- We covered some Howard-related links in our notes on the Warriors earlier this morning, as Golden State remains in the hunt for the Magic superstar. SI.com's Zach Lowe confirms the Warriors would be willing to acquire Howard without assurances he'd sign long-term or even opt into the final year of his contract next season. This seems a little crazy to me, but as Lowe points out, Golden State will likely have to break up its core at some point to become a legit title contender anyway. I suppose if the Warriors were able to deal David Lee along with Ellis and others, even just renting Dwight would create a ton of cap flexibility for future seasons. Still, I don't think it's a likely scenario.
Dwight Howard Rumors: Sunday
Today could be the last hurrah for Dwight Howard in Orlando, where the rumored departure of yet another "Superman" has cast a pall over the mood surrounding All-Star weekend, observes Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News. We'll track the D12 rumors through tonight's All-Star Game here in this post, with the latest stuff up top, as usual:
- John Denton, who writes for the Magic website and recently published a book with Howard, tweets that he heard from a "very reliable source" that the Nets doubt that the Magic will move Howard before the March 15th deadline.
- If you watched the All-Star Game, you saw Craig Sager report that Dwight Howard's mom wants him to stay in Orlando. Howard spoke to it after the game, saying, "I don’t know what she said, but that’s my mom’s opinion. That’s it." (via Twitter here and here)
- Magic CEO Alex Martins has denied that they are close to a three way deal that would send Howard to the Lakers, according to Josh Robbins at the Orlando Sentinel. Orlando intends to talk to its All-Star center before March 1st about his offseason intentions.
- While it's unknown whether it would be a factor, Adidas would not object to Howard joining fellow Adidas headliner Derrick Rose in Chicago, despite reports to the contrary, says ESPN Chicago's Nick Friedell.
- Brian Schmitz from the Orlando Sentinel says he has heard rumblings of a three way deal that could happen as soon as March 1st. The deal has Howard going to the Lakers with Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu. Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Jose Calderon would end up in Orlando. Schmitz isn't sure what the Raptors would receive for Calderon. That would be an impressive haul for Orlando.
- Salary cap guru Larry Coon says the Nets and Magic are working on a long-rumored trade involving Dwight Howard and Brook Lopez, though nothing is imminent. A third team could be in on the deal. Coon doubts Dwight Howard will wind up with the Knicks, though the odds of D12 staying are lower than the Magic think they are. (Twitter links)
- The Knicks could be a darkhorse in the Howard sweepstakes, writes Peter Vecsey of the New York Post. He quotes an unnamed Eastern Conference GM who says, "I’m positive the Knicks have called just in case Dwight changes up. I’m sure they’ve offered a combination of everybody, excluding Jeremy Lin, of course. [Magic GM] Otis [Smith] deserves a lot of credit for not putting it out on the street which teams have offered what."
- Vecsey also says a Western Conference executive has told him the Lakers have offered Andrew Bynum for Howard, but the Magic have no interest.
- Carmelo Anthony is glad to be watching Dwight Howard field countless questions about his future this year, instead of being the focus of last year's Melo-drama, notes Marc Berman of the New York Post. Anthony called last year's proceedings "a zoo."
Odds & Ends: Bogut, Gasol, Kings
Peter Vecsey, in the same column in which he revealed the Knicks as potential suitors for Dwight Howard, hears that the Bucks are "definitely open to offers" for Andrew Bogut, who's currently out with a fractured left ankle. He also says the rumored signing of Rasheed Wallace by the Lakers lends credibility to the idea that the team could send Pau Gasol to the Celtics for Rajon Rondo and Jermaine O'Neal. Here's the rest of what's being whispered around All-Star weekend.
- Restricted free agent Wilson Chandler's Chinese team has been eliminated from the playoffs, and he's expecting FIBA clearance soon, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. Yesterday we noted that Chandler's clearance has been delayed. He's been a target of the Nuggets, his former team, and the Raptors of late.
- A meeting today between Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson, the Maloof brothers and league officials could be make-or-break for the city's hopes to keep the Kings, writes Sacramento Bee columnist Ailene Voisin.
- Ken Berger of CBSSports.com delves into the finer points of the lockout negotiations, and notes how close the league came to canceling the entire season.
- Celtics team president Danny Ainge and coach Doc Rivers must turn into salesmen to attract top free agent talent to Boston as the team looks to replace its aging core, writes Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.
- To get the Hornets to trade Chris Kaman to the Heat, it would take Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller, a price Miami is unwilling to pay, observes Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
- Swingman Mike Dunleavy, who signed a two-year, $7.5MM free-agent deal with the Bucks this past offseason, is getting comfortable in what was already familiar territory in Wisconsin, writes Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. It's worth noting, though, that Dunleavy's dad is part of what's reportedly the leading potential ownership group for the Hornets.
- Wendell Maxey of Ridiculous Upside chronicles the fall of one-time top prospect Reeves Nelson.
- Fred Kerber of the New York Post looks at how free-agent-to-be Deron Williams is showcasing his talents with little help in New Jersey.
Atlantic Notes: Iguodala, 76ers, Williams
Even though the Sixers are sitting atop the Atlantic thanks to a surprisingly strong first half of the season, there have been plenty of calls for the team to upgrade as they look ahead to the postseason. Here's more on Philly and the rest of the Atlantic..
- Andre Iguodala isn't on the trade block but knows that things can change quickly, tweets Sean Deveney of the Sporting News. "We lost some games, so you never know. Next week, we might be back at it again," said the 28-year-old. The team discussed Iguodala with several clubs prior to last year's draft but has since stopped those talks.
- If fans are looking for the 76ers to make a franchise-altering deal before the trade deadline, they should think again, writes John N. Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Team president Rod Thorn appears committed to allowing the roster to grow together while one Eastern Conference GM told Mitchell that he doesn't see the club making a mid-season deal.
- Iguodala isn't surprised to see the Sixers flourishing under second-year coach Doug Collins, writes A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com. Blakely points out that in his three previous head coaching stints , Collins' teams averaged six more wins from the first year to the second.
- In his piece concerning Deron Williams and Dwight Howard this morning, Fred Kerber of the New York Post writes that the point guard doesn't seem fazed by the notion of leaving $25MM-$30MM on the table to sign elsewhere. “I want to win,” the All-Star said. “[The contract] doesn’t matter to me. It’s not all about money. I want to win at the end of the day, so I’m just going to wait until the end of the year and see what happens.”
- Even though it's not a position that he or the Knicks envisioned when he signed a five-year, $100MM deal with the club, Amare Stoudemire says that he's okay with taking a backseat this year the betterment of the team, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post.
J.R. Smith Plans To Stay With Knicks
Before Thursday night's game game against the Heat, new Knick J.R. Smith told FoxSports.com's Chris Tomasson (via Tomasson's Twitter feed) that he plans to pick up his player option and remain with the Knicks for the 2012/13 season.
Upon returning from a stint in China, Smith signed a two-year contract with the Knicks last week worth a pro-rated version of the $2.5MM mini mid-level exception. The contract included a player option for next season also worth $2.5MM.
Odds & Ends: Howard, Knicks, Kaman, Przybilla
In an action-packed Wednesday night of basketball, the Thunder and Knicks have stolen the show so far with impressive victories over quality opponents. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook led the Thunder to 72 points in the first half as the squad held on to beat the Celtics 119-104 in a box score seemingly from a different era. Let's take a look around the league to see what else happened on a night where Kevin Love and the Timberwolves climbed to .500 on the season:
- In what was potentially a preview of things to come, Magic center Dwight Howard did not disappoint the Nets faithful with his 20-point and 17-rebound performance Wednesday night in Newark. Jake Appleman of The New York Times says the Nets organization gave Howard a special welcome by displaying new signage promoting their Brooklyn arena and shooting off fireworks prior to the start of the game. When asked about playing for the Nets, Howard said he was humbled by the way the crowd of over 15,000 received him, reports Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
- The Knicks are a team bound to benefit from the All-Star break, writes Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday. Having only played two games together as a team with the current roster, the Knicks will utilize their time to schedule five practices with hopes of better acclimating players like J.R. Smith to the offensive scheme.
- Hornets center Chris Kaman continues to add to his trade value as he scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in Wednesday's 89-84 victory over the Cavaliers. Over the last five games, Kaman is averaging 16.0 PPG and 8.2 RPG and has notched two double-doubles. Thanks to Kaman's strong play, the Hornets have won four of their last six games after starting the season 4-23.
- Jason Quick of The Oregonian tweets free-agent center Joel Przybilla said he was thinking with his heart when he decided to sign with Trail Blazers instead of the Heat.
Atlantic Notes: Calderon, Lin, Celtics
With the Knicks scorching the Hawks through three quarters thanks to strong play from Landry Fields, let's take a look around the Atlantic Division to see what else is going on:
- Hasan Alanam of Canada.com suggests five possible destinations for Raptors guard Jose Calderon to end up prior to the trade deadline. A trade to the Trail Blazers may be a good fit for both teams as Raymond Felton has struggled immensely since arriving in Portland from Denver last June. The 30-year-old Spaniard has spent his entire seven-year career with the Raptors and is currently averaging 11.2 PPG and 8.8 APG on the season.
- On the heels of becoming the first New York City athlete to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated two weeks in a row, Nike announced that they will release a shoe for Knicks guard Jeremy Lin. According to Nina Mandell of the New York Daily News, the shoe will feature the Knicks' orange and blue colors with "Lin" appearing on the back. The 23-year-old star out of Harvard joins Pistons center Ben Wallace as one of the few undrafted NBA players to score a signature sneaker deal.
- Celtics head coach Doc Rivers and team general manager Danny Ainge will discuss adding a big man over the All-Star break, says Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. The Celtics have suffered from depth issues due to injuries to Jermaine O'Neal and Chris Wilcox among others. Former Lakers forward Derrick Caracter may become an option as he is set to join the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the D-League (via Twitter).