Kyler On Nash, Howard, D’Antoni
In an NBA AM piece for HoopsWorld, Steve Kyler shares a few updates on some trade candidates and a coach on the hot seat. Let's check out the highlights….
- Suns sources indicate they're open to a two-year extension for Steve Nash at the end of the season. Nash could earn more money by staying in Phoenix than he could by signing elsewhere, so that could be a reason he and his agent haven't expressed any desire for a trade.
- The Lakers have always been behind the Nets and Mavericks on Dwight Howard's list of preferred destinations, according to Kyler. Howard views the Nets as Plan A, with the Lakers, Mavericks, and Magic as backup plans, Kyler hears.
- The Magic, who could offer Howard significantly more money than any other team this summer if they keep him, still believe they can retain their star center. Until Howard makes it unquestionably clear that he'll leave in free agency, the Magic won't feel obligated to move him.
- Although the Knicks probably need to replace Mike D'Antoni, there's no clear candidate to step in for him, says Kyler. An outside replacement is unlikely during the season, and none of the in-house candidates would represent a clear upgrade.
Berger On Howard, Williams, Chandler, Nash, GMs
Ken Berger of CBSSports weighed in on the Dwight Howard situation, Deron Williams and several other hot NBA topics. Here is a quick summary of his updates:
- Dwight Howard would already be on his way out of Orlando if he was able to make a decision on a destination, according to a person close to the situation. Rival executives believe that after the All-Star game in Orlando, the Magic will be forced to move him.
- Berger says that despite reports to the contrary, the Lakers are indeed one of Howard's finalists, along with the Mavericks and Nets. The Lakers would prefer to move Pau Gasol in a deal over newly named All-Star starter Andrew Bynum.
- While the Nets are encouraged by Deron Williams' outlook on the team, the team knows that it must complete a Dwight Howard-sized deal to resign the point guard.
- Despite league-wide concern over how the Kenyon Martin situation shook out in China, the Nuggets remain committed to signing Wilson Chandler.
- Steve Nash has not requested a trade, but if he should, the Suns would do all they can to accommodate his request.
- On top of the Lakers interest in Ramon Sessions, the team has also discussed the possibility of adding Gilbert Arenas.
- Berger suggests the following front office members have uncertain futures: Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld, Pistons team president Joe Dumars, Kings team president Geoff Petrie, Raptors team president Bryan Colangelo
Odds & Ends: J.R. Smith, Powe, Celtics, Redd
Here are a few Thursday links of note from around the NBA:
- The Knicks have more interest in J.R. Smith than they have in Kenyon Martin, tweets Howard Beck of the New York Times. If Smith's CBA team doesn't make the playoffs, he could make his way back to America in a couple weeks.
- Leon Powe has talked to the Bulls, and may be a backup plan if Chicago doesn't land Joel Przybilla, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.
- The Celtics have discussed sending JaJuan Johnson to the D-League, but head coach Doc Rivers tells A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com that it won't happen anytime soon.
- Early-season signee Michael Redd is still trying to get comfortable on the floor with the Suns, writes Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic.
- In an NBA.com mailbag, Keith Langlois answers readers' questions about the Pistons, including a couple related to possible Rodney Stuckey trades.
Lakers Links: Brooks, Bynum, Free Agents
The Lakers pulled to within a game of the first-place Clippers in the Pacific division standings last night, trouncing the Bobcats at the Staples Center. The Pacific looks like it'll be a two-team race all season, as the Warriors, Suns, and Kings are a combined 20-40 so far. As the Clippers prepare to face the Jazz in Utah tonight, here are some updates on their L.A. rivals:
- Plenty of talk recently has centered around Kenyon Martin and when he'll be available to sign with an NBA team. However, SI.com's Chris Mannix (via Twitter) warns not to forget about Aaron Brooks, who is also under contract in China. Mannix thinks Brooks could be an impact addition for the Lakers, though he notes that inquiring teams would need to be creative since Brooks would be a restricted free agent for the Suns (Twitter link).
- Andrew Bynum on the team's upcoming six-game road trip: "These are big games for us coming up. We need to prove that we’re able to win, or else they’re going to start doing things." Dave McMenanim has the full story at ESPNLosAngeles.com.
- ESPN.com's J.A. Adande agrees that a slide over the next couple weeks would prompt the Lakers to make more dramatic moves than signing a low-cost veteran like Gilbert Arenas.
- Earlier today, we heard that the Lakers could be interested in signing retired forward Rasheed Wallace.
Pacific Links: Petrie, Smart, Biedrins
Here are a few happenings from the West Coast:
- Josh Childress is finding his way back into the Suns rotation, notes Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic.
- The Kings could be looking to replace longtime president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie, sources tell Tom Ziller of Sactown Royalty and SBNation.com.
- Former Warriors and current Kings coach Keith Smart "represented a continuation of the Don Nelson era," Golden State co-owner Joe Lacob said, and that's why he had to be replaced, reports J. Michael Falgoust of USA Today.
- Andris Biedrins is averaging a career-low 2.9 PPG, and he's unhappy with his role, writes Marcus Thompson of the Contra Costa Times.
- Brian Kamenetzky of ESPN Los Angeles analyzes the potential implications of a Gilbert Arenas signing for the Lakers.