Carmelo Anthony Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Atlantic Notes: Carmelo, Nets, Raptors, C’s

January 6th, 2014 at 10:43am CST by Luke Adams

Regardless of whether or not Carmelo Anthony plans to re-sign with the Knicks, the team should trade him, opines Howard Beck of Bleacher Report. Beck argues that even if Carmelo stays, building a contender around him would be tricky, and that the Knicks would be better off starting the retooling process now. Multiple league executives agree with that assessment, with one suggesting that an ideal trade partner for New York would be “a team that so wants a star and so wants it now and will do anything to get it, and that thinks Carmelo is still a star.”

Here’s more from around the Atlantic:

The Nets have re-assigned Tornike Shengelia and Tyshawn Taylor to the D-League, the team announced today in a press release. It’s the fourth time each player has been assigned to the Springfield Armor this season, though like their first three assignments, there’s a good chance this one will be brief.
If the Raptors acquire a player in the next few weeks, it should probably be a big man, according to Doug Smith of the Toronto Star, who says that even having a young big at the end of the bench would help the team.
A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com and Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com explain the Celtics‘ motivations for swapping Courtney Lee for Jerryd Bayless, with financial considerations playing a large role. Jimmy Toscano of CSNNE.com also caught up with Avery Bradley and Jeff Green, who weighed in on the move, wishing Lee the best in Memphis. The deal is expected to be finalized later today.

Atlantic Notes: Carmelo, Lopez, Patterson

January 5th, 2014 at 11:49am CST by Chuck Myron

Carmelo Anthony brushed off rumors of trade talks involving him and Blake Griffin, calling the reports “silly and stupid” to gathered media today, including Frank Isola of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). That doesn’t mean that he and Chris Paul wouldn’t like to join forces, Isola notes, and Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com wrote yesterday that their desire to play together hasn’t waned since Paul first raised the idea in 2010. Anthony addressed the latest talk linking him to Paul, pointing out that, “It never happens,” as Isola also tweets. Of course, there’s wiggle room with that statement, too, since Anthony didn’t say it will never happen. As cryptic messages and conflicting reports abound, here’s the latest from the Knicks and their Atlantic Division rivals:

The Nets believe Brook Lopez will recover fully from the latest surgery on his right foot, but if the procedure designed to make the foot more resistant to injury doesn’t prove successful, the 25-year-old’s career is probably in jeopardy, writes Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com.
Patrick Patterson‘s strong play has helped fuel the resurgence of the Raptors following his acquisition as part of the Rudy Gay trade, observes Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun.
The Knicks and Clippers are denying that they’ve had internal discussions about an Anthony/CP3 trade, but with the Knicks far adrift from their title aspirations, Keith Schlosser of Knicks Journal thinks New York’s front office should be open to such a deal.
Tom Moore of The Intelligencer wonders how the Sixers would have fared if they hadn’t traded Jrue Holiday this past summer.

Knicks, Clippers Deny ‘Melo-For-Griffin Talks

January 4th, 2014 at 7:44pm CST by Zachary Links

7:44pm: Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld took to Sulia and expanded on the quotation that Woelfel tweeted earlier. Rivers’ full comment on the alleged deal:

“Please, please, let’s move on. That’s so stupid. Let’s move on. It really is, it’s just so stupid. You know how I rarely read stuff, but someone told me to read that. … It’s just stupid. My issue with any of that crap is that network (ESPN), to me, reports a story that they created and then they do reports on it for the next two days, on a story that they created! It’s stupid. [Griffin’s] name isn’t out there. I mean, if you’re the Knicks or whoever, wouldn’t you want Blake Griffin? I would! I don’t see what the story is, I really don’t. I just thought it was such a non-story.”

The Knicks have echoed Rivers’ sentiment and haven’t considered a deal involving Anthony and Griffin, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post. According to Berman, the only way the Knicks would attempt to deal for Griffin is if New York was facing a situation where they lost Anthony to another club this summer without compensation.

7:06pm: Before Saturday night’s game against the Spurs, Clippers coach Doc Rivers called the rumors suggesting such a deal between his team and the Knicks “so stupid,” tweets Gary Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times.

11:37am: A source tells Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com that the mutual desire Anthony and Paul have to play together is just as strong as it was in 2010, when Paul suggested at Anthony’s wedding that he’d join the Knicks.

8:04am: As Carmelo Anthony plays out the final year of his contract with the Knicks, club officials have discussed proposing a trade to the Clippers for Blake Griffin, league sources tell Chris Broussard of ESPN.com. Sources say the Clippers front office has also had internal discussions about such a deal ,but the two sides haven’t talked to each other about a potential deal yet.

As of now, neither team is certain it would pull the trigger. The Clippers appear to be the more reluctant party, however, because of the season Griffin is having. He’s really turned it up as of late, averaging 26 points and nearly 11 rebounds in his past ten games. One source close to the situation said the Clippers’ latest round of talks ended in favor of keeping the 24-year-old.

Meanwhile, New York’s top priority appears to be re-signing Anthony to a long-term deal. Unfortunately for them, the team’s struggles and Melo’s unwillingness to make a commitment to the club mean that they have to explore other possibilities. The Clippers are one possibility for the Knicks since Anthony and Clippers point guard Chris Paul have wanted to play together since 2010 and that sentiment apparently has not changed.

Carmelo Anthony Rumors: Thursday

January 2nd, 2014 at 10:08am CST by Luke Adams

With Carmelo Anthony not yet a real trade candidate, and still months from free agency, we’re not likely to have daily rumor posts about him anytime soon. However, both the New York Post and the New York Daily News have intriguing updates on the Knicks star today, so we’ll round up the highlights from the two pieces below:

Seeing Stephon Marbury get heckled on Christmas Day during his first visit to Madison Square Garden in three years may stick with Carmelo, a source tells Marc Berman of the New York Post. “He doesn’t want to be the next Marbury. He’s very sensitive,” the source said, referring to the fact that the former Knicks guard is viewed as the poster boy of a losing era for the team.
Anthony not only wants to play for a winner, but also “desperately” wants to continue playing in a big market, according to Berman, who says that in addition to New York, Los Angeles (both teams) and even Chicago are on Carmelo’s short list. Berman adds that the Bulls would intrigue Anthony in part because he has a lot of respect for coach Tom Thibodeau. Still, the Knicks remain Carmelo’s top choice, assuming he sees that the club has a solid plan for the future in place, writes Berman.
A source who has played with Anthony spoke to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, expressing a belief that his former teammate will sign elsewhere in free agency. “I think he’s leaving,” said Carmelo’s unnamed ex-teammate. “I’ve played with Melo for a long time and he knows he can’t win [in New York]. At this stage, all he wants to do is win. That’s why he’ll leave.”
According to Isola, those comments echo the thoughts of “several people close to Anthony who believe he’s ready to leave.”

No Trades Or Coaching Changes for Knicks?

December 27th, 2013 at 1:35pm CST by Jonathan Nehring

1:35pm: The Knicks front office remains in active pursuit of trades and is making contingency plans in the event Woodson is fired, writes Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. Isola figures Dolan felt compelled to meet with the team to quell internal speculation about potential changes ahead. In any case, the future of the Knicks appears to remain shrouded in mystery.

11:15am: Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports that Knicks chairman James Dolan told players yesterday morning that there will be no trades or changes in the coaching staff. Stein says the meeting was held by Dolan to convince the players to come together behind head coach Mike Woodson and his plan to “win [the Atlantic Division]”.

The Knicks have started the season 9-19 which has created many rumors that Woodson would be the first NBA coach fired this season and be without a job as early as this weekend. They have also been included in many trade rumors including a trade for Toronto’s Kyle Lowry, and a trade for Boston’s Rajon Rondo. Knicks players considered to be trade candidates so far this season included Iman Shumpert, Carmelo Anthony, and Metta World Peace.

Time, and the Knicks’ place in the standings, will tell whether Dolan sticks with this plan. The trade deadline which would force the Knicks to stick to this plan is Thursday, February 20th.

Odds & Ends: Anthony, Carter-Williams, Kelly

December 27th, 2013 at 9:02am CST by Jonathan Nehring

This weekend appears to be a big weekend for the Knicks and head coach Mike Woodson as they have the opportunity to finish the weekend one game out of first place in the Atlantic Division. Some have speculated this is also a prime opportunity to replace Woodson if the 9-19 Knicks don’t turn things around. If they do in fact replace Woodson, Ian Begley of ESPN New York recommends the Knicks inquire who Carmelo Anthony will want to play for if they want a chance at his pending free agency next summer. The Knicks have said they want to re-sign Anthony and having a coach he favors could go a long way in achieving that goal.

A few other morning notes around the league.

Although there is still a lot of the season left, the Sixers are in rebuilding mode and any roster moves will, and should, focus on how they complement breakthrough star of 2013, Michael Carter-Williams. Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News thinks this will be the Sixers plan for the rest of the season. With only seventeen game opportunities, Carter-Williams has proven he is a pro the team can build around and Cooney believes they will treat him just like they did Jrue Holiday in previous seasons.
Ryan Kelly has embraced his role as a bench player for the Lakers. The 48th overall pick in last summer’s draft was limited in pre-draft activities due to an injured foot but is hoping to make the most of his rookie minimum salary deal with the goal of it becoming vested after the new year. Kelly told Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles he is “taking [every possession] like it’s his last” in order to “make it past Jan. 10”.
Former Mavericks GM Gersson Rosas has officially returned to his prior role with the Rockets as executive vice president. Rosas expressed to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle it is “good to be home” and that he is returning from Dallas with “some unfinished work to do”.

Eastern Notes: Carmelo, LeBron, Korver, Butler

December 26th, 2013 at 4:57pm CST by Charlie Adams

Here’s the latest from the NBA’s Eastern Conference:

Carmelo Anthony is a free agent at the end of the season, but Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld reports the Knicks are quite confident they’ll re-sign the All-Star forward. Said one executive: “They’re one confident bunch… To listen to them, they expect to have Carmelo re-signed and have another star with him in another year. They’re so sure about it you’d think they already know what will happen.“
The Heat’s LeBron James is another potential free agent, but Kennedy reports in the same post that James isn’t giving next summer much thought: “I’m so zoned in on what my task is here this year that it’s hard to think about anything else.” James can exercise the early termination clause in his contract and become a free agent at the end of the year, but he certainly sounds content in Miami: “What is there not to like about Miami?” James said. “It is a home. My family is very happy; I’m very comfortable.”
Hawks GM Danny Ferry has been pleased with Kyle Korver‘s production this year, revealed Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer. Korver re-signed with Atlanta this offseason. In her piece, Boyer passes along a few fond words that Ferry had about Korver: “I respect him. As we build our culture, our environment here in Atlanta, having Kyle back as a part of that was exciting.”
Rasual Butler hasn’t always had a reputation as an asset in the locker room, but Frank Vogel insists that hasn’t been the case during the veteran’s time with the Pacers, as Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star observes. Butler didn’t make the team out of camp solely because Danny Granger had been slow to recover from injury, Vogel adds.
The Pistons announced today via press release that they have assigned rookies Tony Mitchell and Peyton Siva to the D-League. The duo will get to see minutes playing for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

New York Notes: Garnett, Nets, Carmelo, Clippers

December 25th, 2013 at 12:03pm CST by Charlie Adams

Both New York clubs are set to take the floor today as the Nets face off against the Bulls in Brooklyn and the Knicks take on the Thunder in Oklahoma City. Here’s the latest out of NYC:

Kevin Garnett spoke on the Nets’ lack of success this season and stated he’s not sure if the club has an identity, reveals Andy Vasquez of The Record. “I don’t know what we are… I’m not an excuse kind of guy and I’ll figure it out. But I don’t think we have an identity.” The Nets are a disappointing 9-18 so far this year, but still sit just two games back from a playoff spot in the underwhelming Eastern Conference.
Jabari Davis of HoopsWorld sees the injury to Brook Lopez as an opportunity for Andray Blatche, Mason Plumlee, and Mirza Teletovic to display their skills in increased playing time. The Nets had shown some interest in bringing a player aboard via the Disabled Player Exception, but it seems unlikely they’ll acquire anyone, given their already complicated financial situation.
Recent Knicks rumors suggested Carmelo Anthony might wind up in a Clippers uniform next season, but Howard Beck of Bleacher Report doesn’t see it happening since the Clippers have such little cap flexibility (Twitter link).
Beck also refutes the possibility of a sign-and-trade involving Anthony (via Twitter) since the Knicks would only engage in such a move if the Clippers had the ability to sign him outright.

Clippers Emerge As Possible Carmelo Suitor

December 24th, 2013 at 9:23am CST by Chuck Myron

Many around the Knicks doubt that Carmelo Anthony will re-sign with the team this summer, and they believe the Clippers are the team most likely to land last year’s scoring champion, according to HoopsWorld’s Steve Kyler. Those same sources suggest the Knicks may try to trade Anthony to the Clippers before the February 20th deadline, Kyler writes.

It’s unclear whether that sort of talk is coming from Knicks management, players, or others around the team. Kyler also suggests that the Knicks would be reluctant to make Anthony a max offer in the summer, which would erode the team’s built-in financial advantage for re-signing its own player.

Anthony has made it clear he intends to exercise the early termination option on his deal and test free agency this summer, but it’s not a given that he would do so if he’s traded this season, Kyler says. The Clippers or another team could attempt to see if Anthony is willing to waive his option before agreeing to any trade.

Bleacher Report’s Jared Zwerling recently posed the idea of a Clippers/Knicks swap centered on Anthony and Blake Griffin to league executives, and it would probably take a star-laden package for the Knicks to pull the trigger on any trade. Such a move also require plenty of salary going to New York, since Anthony is making nearly $21.4MM this year. That figure alone would make any swap difficult, and it doesn’t sound like the Knicks are actively talking to teams about trading him, so the idea seems far-fetched, at least for now.

Knicks May Make Run At Tom Thibodeau

December 11th, 2013 at 4:05pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Knicks might attempt to pry Tom Thibodeau out of his contract from the Bulls, sources tell Marc Stein of ESPN.com, who gets the sense that current Knicks head coach Mike Woodson will only last until owner James Dolan can find a splashy replacement. Soon-to-be free agent Carmelo Anthony wouldn’t object to the move, Stein also hears. Thibodeau, like Anthony, is a client of the Creative Artists Agency, a firm with close ties to the Knicks.

Thibodeau has two seasons remaining on his deal with Chicago, but he’s reportedly feuding with Bulls GM Gar Forman. It would nonetheless be hard to convince the Bulls to let him go, Stein writes, but the ESPN scribe figures the Knicks stand a better chance of pulling that off than they do of landing marquee names like John Calipari, Phil Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy and Stan Van Gundy.

The Knicks are also apparently considering assistant GM Allan Houston as a possible replacement for Woodson. Houston played for the Knicks when Thibodeau was an assistant coach for the team. Perhaps Houston could serve as an interim if the Knicks decide to replace Woodson during the season, with a pursuit of Thibodeau happening in the summer, but that’s just my speculation.

Coaching transactions between teams are rare, but the Knicks once received compensation for letting Pat Riley go to the Heat, and this summer’s Doc Rivers swap is the most recent example. The Celtics acquired a 2015 first-round pick in exchange for letting Rivers out of his deal so the Clippers could hire him, but the earliest first-rounder the Knicks can surrender is their 2018 pick. The NBA prohibits teams from exchanging players for coaches, so it would indeed be difficult for the Knicks to bring Thibodeau back to Madison Square Garden.