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Latest On Magic Coaching Search

July 4th, 2012 at 2:16pm CST by Luke Adams

Now that new Magic general manager Rob Hennigan has spent a couple weeks on the job, the team will turn its attention to hiring a new head coach. Joshua Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports that the Magic are expected to interview Michael Malone, Brian Shaw, Quin Snyder, and Jacque Vaughn for their head coaching opening.

Dwight Howard Rumors: Wednesday

July 4th, 2012 at 10:16am CST by Luke Adams

Yesterday's round of Dwight Howard rumors was fairly eventful, featuring reports that the Magic are discussing deals with a number of teams, including the Lakers and Nets. The Nets still appear determined to put together a complicated package for Howard, though their increasing cap figure will make it difficult. The Lakers, meanwhile, seem willing to offer Andrew Bynum, but only with Metta World Peace in the deal as well, and only if D12 agrees to sign a long-term deal. I don't think that package gets it done for a Magic team looking for cap relief.

We'll round up today's Howard updates right here, so check back throughout the day for the latest:

Kennedy On Paul, Williams, Beasley, Ebanks

July 3rd, 2012 at 5:27pm CST by Michael Pina

Despite turning down a three-year, $60MM offer from the Clippers when free agency started, Chris Paul is acting like someone who plans on staying in Los Angeles for a long time, writes Hoopsworld.com reporter Alex Kennedy. Paul has been working the phones and setting up face to face meetings with free agents, selling them on joining him for a chance at winning multiple championships. Paul is eligible after the 2012/13 season to sign a five-year, $110MM contract should the Clippers offer it.

Dwight Howard Rumors: Tuesday

July 3rd, 2012 at 4:43pm CST by Luke Adams

4:43pm: The Magic haven't ruled out trading Howard to the Nets, and continue to talk to the Lakers, tweets Ken Berger of CBSSports.com.

12:54pm: The Lakers are prepared to offer Bynum and Metta World Peace in exchange for Howard, providing Dwight agrees to sign an extension, tweets Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM.com. Based on Wojnarowski's report, I'd be a little surprised if Orlando agreed to that deal. Plus, it would hinge on both big men agreeing to sign new contracts.

The Magic would include Jason Richardson in any Howard deal, Rudolph adds in a second tweet.

12:49pm: The Magic are focusing on Lakers center Andrew Bynum as their top target in Howard trade talks, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. However, the Magic would likely want more than just Bynum for Howard, and they'd need assurances that Bynum, who is also entering the final year of his contract, would sign an extension.

Wojnarowski adds that there's another trade scenario that involves a "significant player" that intrigues the Magic, but the team and player are unknown.

8:42am: There's not "great enthusiasm" within the Magic front office that the Nets can put together the most appealing offer for Howard, tweets Wojnarowski. However, the Magic also haven't received an offer from any team that they feel is enough to seriously consider trading Howard now, Wojnarowski adds in a second tweet.

8:03am: For progress to be made on the Magic/Nets talks, a third team would need to agree to take Humphries in the deal, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.

7:49am: The Magic and Nets have re-engaged in talks on a possible deal for Dwight Howard, reports ESPN.com's Chris Broussard (all Twitter links). According to Broussard, the two sides are discussing a trade that would send Howard to Brooklyn in exchange for Kris Humphries, Brook Lopez, MarShon Brooks, and three first-round picks (2013, 2015, 2017).

Such a trade would be tricky financially, particularly if the Nets also take on Hedo Turkoglu, as Chris Mannix of SI.com suggests they're willing to (Twitter link). Sign-and-trades for Lopez and Humphries would be subject to Base Year Compensation — if their new salaries are more than 20% larger than their old salaries, then the Nets would use either their previous salary or 50% of their new salary (whichever is greater) for trade purposes, while the Magic would use their full salary. For instance, if Lopez signed for $10MM in year one, it would act as $5MM for the Nets' salary-matching purposes.

Ken Berger of CBS Sports confirms the talks between the Magic and Nets, but says those aren't the only discussions Orlando is having (Twitter links). According to Berger, GM Rob Hennigan is also trying to engage the Hawks, Rockets, Lakers, and possibly Mavericks. Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld hears that Dallas has been aggressive in pursuing Howard, but says the Lakers and Clippers are reluctant to deal without assurances D12 would sign an extension (Twitter links).

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Magic Sign Andrew Nicholson

July 3rd, 2012 at 12:40pm CST by Luke Adams

The Magic have signed 2012 first-round pick Andrew Nicholson, according to a team release. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the 19th overall pick has a rookie scale amount of about $1.18MM, so Nicholson could sign for up to about $1.42MM (120%) for year one.

Nicholson, 22, spent four seasons at St. Bonaventure, averaging 18.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in 30.1 minutes per game in his senior season.

Dwight Howard Rumors: Monday

July 2nd, 2012 at 11:30pm CST by Luke Adams

The first day of free agency was a busy one on the Dwight Howard front, as reports suggested D12 was upset with the Magic and that Orlando was discussing potential trades with the Lakers, Nets, and Rockets. Howard denied saying that the Magic "blackmailed" him and told Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM.com that he was tired of hearing reports cite unnamed sources when discussing his situation, but also said he'd only re-sign with one team if he were traded — presumably the Nets. We'll track the latest on Howard throughout the day, with the latest updates on top of the page:

The Mavs' offer for Howard could include some combination of Rodrigue Beaubois, Vince Carter, Dominique Jones and Brandan Wright, Jared Cunningham, Bernard James and Jae Crowder, plus draft picks and a sign-and-trade of Ian Mahinmi, a source tells Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Earlier updates:

Ric Bucher of ESPN.com hears the Nets are not out of the running for Howard, with the Mavs and Nets sharing space atop the big man's wish list (Twitter link).
With the Nets likely no longer an option for Howard, the Mavs have replaced Brooklyn as D12's single preferred destination, tweets Ric Bucher of ESPN.com.
The Nets would have preferred to deal for Howard instead of Joe Johnson, ESPN's Chris Broussard says, but the Magic were unwilling trade partners. Howard's decision to opt in with the Magic in March scuttled any chance of him going to the Nets, a source tells Broussard (Twitter links).
Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld points out the Nets could still acquire Howard by doing a sign-and-trade that sends Brook Lopez to Orlando (Twitter link). However, as Al Iannazzone of Newsday tweets, the Magic hasn't wanted Lopez.
In spite of Howard's request to be traded to Brooklyn, there's no Nets deal that interests the Magic, tweets TNT's David Aldridge.
Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com tweets that the Warriors have "been there, done that" regarding Howard trade talks, and suggests there's nothing going on now.
A source tells SI.com's Sam Amick that there's no chance Howard is traded to the Clippers if the Magic ask for Chris Paul or Blake Griffin, which of course they would.
Magic GM Rob Hennigan confirmed today that Howard asked to be traded and prefers the Nets, tweets David Baumann of BHSN and News 13. According to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel (Twitter link), Hennigan said teams have shown "significant" interest in Howard, but talks are still preliminary.
David Pingalore of WKMG Orlando adds the Sixers to the list of teams that have discussed a possible Howard trade with the Magic.
The Warriors are still willing to trade for Howard even with no assurances that he'd re-sign, tweets ESPN.com's Chris Broussard.
The Nets are determined not to "wait around" for a Howard deal to materialize, says Ken Berger of CBSSports.com. As Berger writes, both the Nets and Rockets appear to be moving forward with alternate plans.
Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld adds the Clippers to the list of team that have expressed interest in Howard. According to Kyler, the Magic will likely look to deal Howard quickly, though there is no internal rush to make a bad deal.

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Free Agent Rumors: Lin, Hinrich, Kaman, Nash

July 2nd, 2012 at 10:07pm CST by Luke Adams

While a report surfaced last night suggesting that the Knicks may be reluctant to match a backloaded offer to Jeremy Lin, it doesn't appear that such an offer will come from Brooklyn. According to TNT's David Aldridge, the Nets haven't reached out to Lin, and appear to be viewing Steve Nash as Plan B if they can't lock up Deron Williams. Let's round up a few more free agent tidbits from around the league….

While an earlier report (linked below) from K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune suggests the Bulls will only offer the minimum to Kirk Hinrich, Johnson says he's now emerging as the team's top target (Twitter link).
Chris Kaman had a "positive" meeting with the Pacers today, but no offer was made, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports.
Frank Isola of the New York Daily News believes Lin and Nash may be an either/or proposition for the Knicks.

Earlier updates:

Lin has received interest from a number of teams, including the Raptors, Mavericks and, contradicting Aldridge, the Nets, Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld writes. At least one of those teams has considered making Lin a backloaded offer, according to Kennedy.
Lin and fellow restricted free agent Greg Stiemsma have withdrawn from the USA Olympic select team. Lin is off the team because of contract concerns, as Marc Berman of the New York Post tweets, and Stiemsma is nursing a foot injury, tweets Howard Beck of The New York Times.
Jamal Crawford will spend Tuesday with the Clippers, frontrunners for his services, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports tweets. The Celtics, Sixers, Suns and Wolves are also interested.
It's likely the Bulls won't pick up C.J. Watson's option, but that could change if they don't match Omer Asik's offer sheet from the Rockets, tweets Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com.
Restricted free agent Devin Ebanks has drawn the eye of the Magic, Thunder, Nets, Hawks and 76ers, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.
The Warriors, one of the teams on Brandon Roy's list of finalists, would like to bring him aboard, but can't afford to commit cap space to someone whose status is so uncertain, says Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group, who adds that if Roy is unwilling to sign for the minimum, it's unlikely he'll be a Warrior (Twitter link).
The Bulls are pursuing Derek Fisher, write Ramona Shelburne and Nick Friedell of ESPN.com, and the Heat, Mavs and Thunder are also on the radar for the veteran guard. The report also confirms the team's interest in Brandon Roy (linked below).
Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com hears that John Lucas III is a good bet to re-sign with the Bulls (Twitter link).
Marco Belinelli is drawing interest from teams targeting shooting guards, and the Mavericks are one possibility for him, tweets Ken Berger of CBSSports.com.
Berger also tweets that interest in unrestricted free agent centers Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby has increased since Omer Asik agreed to a deal with the Rockets.
Goran Dragic is expected to meet with Rockets officials today in Houston, tweets Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston.
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau has been in contact with Brandon Roy about the possibility of signing with Chicago, tweets K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. Roy has met with the Timberwolves and Mavericks, and intends to meet with the other three clubs on his wish list before making a decision, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.
While they're rumored to have interest, the Cavs haven't made an offer to Alexey Shved, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer (via Twitter).
Chris Wilcox, recovering from aortic surgery, has been cleared for full-court contact, his agent tells TNT's David Aldridge.
Steve Novak is drawing heavy interest, as nearly a dozen teams contacted his representatives yesterday, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. Berman says the Knicks are targeting Anthony Tolliver as a possible alternative if Novak gets away.
The Suns and Pistons are among the teams pursuing Michael Beasley, according to Sam Amick of SI.com.
Amick also says the Raptors, Suns, Nets, Hornets, Lakers, and Rockets have expressed some interest in Goran Dragic.
The Bulls' talks with Kirk Hinrich have focused on the veteran's minimum, which is unlikely to get it done with eight teams in the mix, tweets K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.
The Wizards have reached out to a handful of their own free agents as well as John Lucas III and Hinrich, tweets Michael Lee of the Washington Post.
Jonny Flynn is receiving interest from the Hawks in addition to the Cavs, says Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com.

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Kings Meet With Ryan Anderson

July 2nd, 2012 at 8:40pm CST by Chuck Myron

8:40pm: Petrie reiterated to Jones that Thompson remains his top priority, saying the team has made him an offer and added that he can envision Anderson sliding over to play small forward for the team (Sulia link).

7:32pm: The Kings met with restricted free agent Ryan Anderson today, tweets Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee. Jones opines the three-point sharpshooter, who attended high school in the Sacramento area, would make sense for the Kings (Twitter link). With Anderson in town and Thomas Robinson, another power forward, arriving through the draft, Jason Thompson is taking a "wait-and-see" approach to re-signing with the Kings.

Warriors Dropping Out Of Dwight Howard Race

July 2nd, 2012 at 5:44pm CST by Chuck Myron

We're following all of the day's Dwight Howard rumors right here, but the news out of Golden State is worthy of its own post. Warriors co-owner Joe Lacob said today that he doesn't expect the team to go after Dwight Howard via trade, as Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com writes.

Howard Will Only Re-Sign With One Team

July 1st, 2012 at 11:49pm CST by Zachary Links

Dwight Howard says that he will not re-sign with a team outside his preferred list of trade destinations, writes Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. The Magic star also denied using the term "blackmail" with regards to the Magic front office convincing him to waive his early termination option.

"There’s only one team on my list and if I don’t get traded there, I'll play the season out and explore my free agency after that," said Howard, who is reportedly seeking a trade to the Nets but would not name the team.