Celtics Attempting To Move Rajon Rondo?
Just earlier today, we passed along that ESPNBoston.com’s Chad Forsberg suggested it was unlikely Rajon Rondo would be moved, but Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News hears from “more than a few” executives around the league that the C’s will try to deal Rondo, either at the trade deadline or before the draft this June. According to Lawrence, the proposed move would probably be appealing to the recently returned Rondo since he likely won’t be eager to accept a role on a rebuilding team. He’s signed through 2014/15, and will earn about $13MM next season.
There have been a steady flux of Rondo trade rumors since the Celtics and Nets hooked up last summer on the blockbuster deal that sent Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to Brooklyn. Boston GM Danny Ainge has repeatedly dismissed these rumors and continues to stress that he pegs Rondo as the cornerstone to build the franchise around. Rondo has recently been part of rumors involving a potential deal with the Knicks, but Lawrence hears that Phoenix and Houston are two of the most likely landing spots for him. Dallas seems to have an affinity for Rondo as well, but it doesn’t look like they’ll have the proper assets to put together a desirable package for Boston.
Lawrence’s piece implies it’s essentially a foregone conclusion that Rondo will be dealt, which I find a little surprising since there are so many questions about how he will bounce back and perform on the court after recovering from his ACL tear. Rondo’s talent is enticing though, and it’s tough to imagine there are many teams in the league that would object to his presence on their roster. We’ll likely continue to hear trade chatter about Rondo as the February 20th trade deadline fast approaches.
Suns Re-Sign Leandro Barbosa
JANUARY 18th, 12:30pm: The Suns have signed Barbosa to a second ten-day deal, according to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). Barbosa, 31, has averaged 9.3 PPG, 2.5 RPG, and 2.3 APG in four games for Phoenix.
JANUARY 8th, 4:35pm: The Suns have officially signed Barbosa to a 10-day contract, the team announced today in a press release. Phoenix now has a full 15-man roster.
SUNDAY, 3:28pm: The Suns plan to sign Leandro Barbosa to a 10-day deal, according to Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic (via Twitter). Teams can start signing players to 10-day deals tomorrow.
Barbosa, 31, spent 41 games with the Celtics last season, averaging 5.2 PPG and 1.4 APG in 12.5 minutes per contest. The veteran was on the Lakers’ short list when they suffered a rash of injuries at the point guard position, a major need for the club before the recent emergence of Kendall Marshall.
The deal brings Barbosa back to the club where he spent his first seven NBA seasons and did his finest work. Barbosa suffered a torn ACL before the trade deadline last season but since then he’s been scorching the Brazilian league and appears fully recovered.
Odds & Ends: Heat, Green, Roberson
What will you remember Sam Cassell for? His infectious enthusiasm? His long run as one of the better starting point guards in the league? His two NBA rings? Well, for some, it’s “the Sam Cassell dance” (We’re a family-friendly blog, so if you don’t know what we’re talking about, please look it up on YouTube). Everyone from Kobe Bryant to Andray Blatche has done the boogie, and Jameer Nelson of the Magic was the latest to join in, writes Ken Hornack of FOX Sports. While Jameer tries to shake off that $15K fine, let’s take a look around the Association..
- Enjoy the royalty of the Heat while it lasts, writes Tom Sorensen of the Charlotte Observer. If Dwayne Wade’s decline doesn’t do them in, the opt-out clauses will, Sorensen opines.
- It’s been a bumpy road for NBA veteran Gerald Green, but he’s finally found a home with the Suns, writes Jeff Caplan of NBA.com.
- The Thunder announced that Andre Roberson has been assigned to the Tulsa 66ers, in time for their game this evening against the Bakersfield Jam. To keep up with all of this seaosn’s D-League moves, check out Hoops Rumors’ running list.
- The National Basketball Players Association could name an executive director during All-Star weekend, writes Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. It is also possible a short list of candidates is presented to players for discussion and consideration, and a vote would come at a later time.
Western Rumors: Randolph, Rockets, Davis
Zach Randolph has spoken many times about his affection for Memphis, and he tells Shams Charania of RealGM.com that he and Marc Gasol want to continue playing together. Both have contracts that end after next season, but Randolph’s deal includes a player option for 2014/15, and Z-Bo also tells Charania that he hasn’t decided what he’ll do with that option, worth more than $16.9MM. The RealGM.com scribe has more on the offseason ahead for the Grizzlies, as we share amid our look at the Western Conference:
- The Rockets are still in the market for a floor-stretching forward, writes Chris Mannix of SI.com, who also passes along a few of James Harden‘s comments about his recruitment of Dwight Howard.
- Ed Davis didn’t reach a deal on an extension with the Grizzlies before the October 31st deadline, but he nonetheless views the negotiations as a sign the team views him as key cog, as Charania notes in the same piece. Davis admits to Charania that he feels frustration when his minutes drop, but the big man understands he falls behind Randolph and Gasol in the pecking order. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t get a deal done, but it wasn’t a big thing because I’ll be a restricted free agent in the summer,” Davis said. “Hopefully, we’ll get something done this summer and I’ll be back.”
- Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson doesn’t seem eager to make a deal before the February 20th trade deadline, observes Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “You never say never, but we do like the team,” Nelson said. “With nine new faces we’re not looking for reasons to change. But that being said, if an opportunity presents itself that can take us over the top we certainly have to look at it.”
- Leandro Barbosa‘s 10-day contract with the Suns expires after tonight’s game, one he may miss with a right shoulder sprain. That could prompt Phoenix to wait until he’s healthy to give him another 10-day deal, tweets Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic.
- The Warriors have assigned center Ognjen Kuzmic to the D-League, the team announced. It’s his third trip to Santa Cruz, but he’s only appeared in a single D-League game, scoring two points in a 16-minute stint.
Pacific Notes: Warriors, Clippers, Okafor
There’s a compelling race going on for the top spot in the Pacific Division, and the playoff seeding priority that comes with it. The Clippers hold a one and a half game lead, but they’re without Chris Paul for about another month, and the Warriors have won 11 of 13 to move to within a game and a half of the lead. The Suns lurk three games back in the loss column, and could be a factor if they can tread water while Eric Bledsoe is out. Here’s the latest:
- The Warriors are about $2.2MM below the luxury tax threshold after adding salary in yesterday’s trade, and GM Bob Myers says ownership hasn’t given him a mandate to stay below that line, tweets Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com. It would nonetheless take a “special deal” to make the team consider it, Howard-Cooper adds.
- Myers hinted that additional moves may be coming, telling reporters “Nobody is sitting back and saying, ‘Well, we’re done now. We did our jobs. Let’s see what happens,'” according to Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link).
- It’s no surprise that the Clippers chose to retain Darius Morris over fellow point guard Maalik Wayns, tweets Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com, who points out that Doc Rivers likes Morris’ defense and Wayns rarely saw the floor (Twitter link).
- Former Magic coach Stan Van Gundy helped sell Rivers on the idea of acquiring J.J. Redick, as Rivers tells Markazi.
- Insurance would cover about $5.8MM of Emeka Okafor‘s $14.5MM salary for the Suns if he’s unable to return from injury this season, notes Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic.
- The Lakers picked the right time to bottom out since, for once, they hold their own first-round pick for a well-stocked draft class, writes Tom Ziller of SB Nation.
Suns Not Panicking In Wake Of Bledsoe Injury
The Suns were one of the biggest surprise teams of the year, having sprinted out of the gate to a 19-11 record in the tough Western Conference. Then came the crushing injury to star point guard Eric Bledsoe. Now looking at life without his 18.0 PPG and 5.8 APG, the organization is at a crossroads.
Suns first-year GM Ryan McDonough says the organization isn’t panicking, writes Paul Flannery of SB nation. This is despite the fact the team has lost four of the six games it has played since losing Bledsoe for the season. Even prior to losing Bledsoe, the team didn’t have much rotation depth and that will only be highlighted more by having to fill the 33.5 MPG that the point guard averaged. Ishmael Smith and Leandro Barbosa will now be called on to contribute meaningful minutes. The Suns could possibly swing a deal, but according to McDonough, it will have to be the right one for the organization’s plans.
The team would be willing to make a trade if the right younger player comes along. As for what constitutes the right player, the GM stated they would prioritize acquiring players that would help them in both the short-term as well as long-term. Stopgap players wouldn’t appear to be an option. They don’t want to take on a veteran’s salary just to have to try and unload it at a later date. McDonough doesn’t want the team to sacrifice its financial flexibility to make a playoff run this season.
This is especially prudent considering the Suns want to retain Bledsoe, who becomes a restricted free agent after the season. McDonough expressed confidence the team would be able to retain Bledsoe, though it is unclear how large a contract the young point guard would seek. His pre-injury performance certainly set him up for a big payday, but questions about his recovery may impact the amount teams are willing to offer. Phoenix will have the right to match any offer that Bledsoe receives.
In addition to prioritizing getting Bledsoe back into the fold, the team will also have some extra cap space available to pursue other free agents. McDonough stated that he expected the Suns to be major players in the free agent market after the season.
On top of their financial flexibility, the Suns could have up to four first round picks this year. They hold their own, plus picks from the Timberwolves (top-13 protected), Wizards (top-12 protected) and Pacers (lottery protected). They also have another on the way from the Lakers in 2015 that’s top-five protected. McDonough also mentioned that it was unlikely that the Suns would use all four picks this year. They could potentially trade one or more of those picks to either move up in the draft, or possibly as a sweetener to acquire a player.
It seems like the first-year general manager has a plan and wishes to stick to it. If he can, the Suns outlook is bright. Making the playoffs this season without blowing up the future would be icing on the cake.
Pacific Rumors: Suns, Frye, Clippers, Bynum
Here’s the latest on two of the three Pacific teams currently in playoff positions, the Suns and Clippers:
- In a piece on Eric Bledsoe‘s injury, Grantland’s Zach Lowe examines whether it makes sense for the 21-13 Suns to try to “re-tank.” Lowe offers up a few potential destinations for Goran Dragic, if Phoenix wants to trade him, but suggests that he’d rather see the team stay on its current path, perhaps adding a solid point guard behind Dragic.
- Lowe also reports that the Suns were prepared to use Channing Frye as a trade chip in three-team trade scenarios involving Omer Asik when the Rockets were actively looking to move the big man. Phoenix wouldn’t have been the club acquiring Asik in those hypothetical deals.
- The Clippers have frequently been mentioned as one of Andrew Bynum‘s preferred destinations, but reports have indicated that L.A. is lukewarm on the former All-Star center. According to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter), the Clips have gone “back and forth” on Bynum, but have had a few more internal discussions recently and have some interest. The club currently has no open roster spots, but two players are on 10-day deals, so there could be a pair of openings soon.
- Ricky Davis was last seen in the NBA with the Clippers, and even as L.A. searches for backcourt help, a reunion is not too likely. Still, speaking to Howard Beck of Bleacher Report, Davis, who is currently averaging 14.1 PPG for the D-League’s Erie BayHawks, says he’d love one more shot at the NBA: “It could be one game. It could be 20 minutes. It could be a 10-day contract. It just lets me know that guys are watching and guys do see that I can still play the game. However long it is, just as long as they know I can play.”
Eric Bledsoe Has Surgery, Out Indefinitely
FRIDAY, 10:54am: Bledsoe underwent successful surgery this morning, and the expectation is that he’ll return at some point this season, tweets Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com. In the Suns’ official press release announcing the procedure, the team indicated that Bledsoe “will pursue a possible return to action” in the second half.
THURSDAY, 3:22pm: Eric Bledsoe requires a surgical procedure to repair cartilage in his right knee, and will be out indefinitely, reports ESPN.com’s Marc Stein. According to Stein, Bledsoe is suspected to have meniscus damage, though the exact scope and severity of his injury isn’t yet known.
If Bledsoe misses a significant amount of time, it could have a major impact on both his future and his team’s future. The Suns were rumored to be buyers leading up to the trade deadline, with multiple reports suggesting the team was willing to give up draft picks to land an impact player. However, even with a 21-13 record, Phoenix will likely become more reluctant to improve its roster in the short term if Bledsoe won’t be around to help the club contend.
Additionally, Bledsoe is in the final year of his rookie contract, making him eligible for restricted free agency this summer. Based on his excellent play so far this season (18.0 PPG, 5.3 APG, 20.2 PER), the 24-year-old appeared poised for a huge payday in July. He should still do very well, but if there are any concerns about the long-term health of his knee, a maximum-salary offer certainly won’t be a given.
In Bledsoe’s absence, Goran Dragic will get the majority of minutes at the point, while other Suns guards like Ish Smith and Gerald Green should see an uptick in playing time.
Western Notes: Bledsoe, Love, Kaman
ESPN’s Kevin Pelton wonders if the Suns can continue to play well without Eric Bledsoe, mentioning that in the ten games Bledsoe has missed, Phoenix has gone 5-5 (Insiders only). Should the 24-year-old guard be unable to return this season, Pelton doesn’t think the Suns will have trouble finding a viable backup point guard, whether it be Leandro Barbosa (recently signed to a 10-day contract) or acquiring one with an expiring deal via trade.
Here are some more links to share out of the Western Conference tonight:
- In the midst of mounting frustration in Minnesota, Ken Berger of CBS Sports wonders if the Timberwolves should consider trading Kevin Love before he hits free agency.
- Lakers center Chris Kaman is still confused about his on-again/off-again role in Mike D’Antoni’s rotation, telling Mike Bresnahan and Eric Pincus of the L.A. Times: “I honestly can’t answer that question for you without telling you a lie. I really have no clue why. I’d just be making something up…I haven’t played in six games and then all of a sudden I play [Wednesday]…I really have no rhyme or reason for it. When it’s my turn, it’s my turn and when it’s not, I just sit and be positive and try to be professional about it.”
- The city of Sacramento filed an eminent domain lawsuit in Sacramento Superior Court that seeks to take control of a former downtown Macy’s department store for the development of a new sports arena, reports Ryan Lillis of the Sacramento Bee. The Kings wired $4.3MM to the city in anticipation of the city taking the eminent domain action.
- Aaron Falk of The Salt Lake Tribune briefly mentions that at a reasonable price of $4MM this season, Brandon Rush could become one of the Jazz’s best assets leading up to the February trade deadline.
- Doug Robinson of the Deseret News discusses how Trey Burke has been one of the lone bright spots of a “bad” 2013 NBA Draft.
- Despite their continued struggles, the Lakers aren’t resorting to any finger-pointing, writes Janis Carr of the OC Register.
Stein On Bulls, Bynum, Bledsoe, J.R. Smith
During a five-and-a-half minute interview earlier tonight, ESPN’s Marc Stein offered his thoughts on the Deng-Bynum trade, Eric Bledsoe‘s latest injury, and the latest on J.R. Smith and the Knicks (ESPN Radio link). You can find some of the highlights from the interview below.
On what the Deng-Bynum trade means for the Bulls:
“I really like this deal better for Chicago because they’ve reset themselves entirely as far as finances…nobody wants to part with first-round picks, but to be able to get a first-round pick for a guy who was headed to free agency, that’s a pretty impressive feat…when you look at what’s left over in Chicago, lets assume Derrick Rose comes back, they still have Jimmy Butler, they have Joakim Noah, they’ve got some picks coming in, they’re going to try to get Nikola Mirotic – who’s considered one of the top players in Europe…there’s still some pieces there…if they can hang onto Tom Thibodeau, they still have a good platform for a team moving forward.”
On Andrew Bynum‘s free agency prospects:
“…the issue with Bynum is I think everyone’s concerned because it’s been so long since he’s been motivated…the reality is that he’s still a very big guy who takes up a lot of space and did show enough flash in Cleveland to let you know he can still be a productive player when he’s in the mood…He wants to go to a contender and somewhere where he can (make more) than the league minimum. I know Dallas is very interested in him. Miami and the Clippers are two teams that have been mentioned, but I think in both cases there’s probably some hesitation as well…Miami already has Greg Oden there, do they really want two reclamation project centers on that team?
Doc Rivers has been very vocal this week saying that our concern is on the perimeter because we lost Chris Paul for six weeks…they’re not looking for a big man. Is that smoke screen from (Rivers)? I think we’ll find out pretty soon.”
On how Eric Bledsoe’s injury affects the Suns plans:
“It’s a crusher…there’s been all kinds of talk that Phoenix would move (one or two of their stash of future first-round picks) in order to try to get another frontline player and make a playoff push now…those plans are going to have to be revised most likely because it looks like Bledsoe (could) miss a significant amount of time.”
“…they won’t know exactly how bad (the condition) and they won’t know until the surgery takes place, but this is the first depressing downer to happen to Phoenix after a fairy-tale two months.”
On J.R. Smith and the Knicks:
“The reality is that I don’t think they’ll be able to move him. Now I would not co-sign on the notion that this is purely a Knicks ‘scare tactic’…the Knicks weren’t the ones who told me or Ian Begley that J.R. Smith was being shopped…I don’t think this was some sort of thing the Knicks strategically leaked because they’re trying to light a fire under (him)…They’re undoubtedly frustrated with him, they (feel) like it’s time for a fresh start for all parties, but the reality is that (Smith) has two more years left on his contract after this one, his production has dropped considerably, and off the cour there’s been four or five flareups already that have resulted in fines or negative headlines…the Knicks are realistic, they know that chances are they’re not going to find a trade partner for him, but they’re trying. They are trying and that is legitimate.”