Nets Express Interest In Boris Diaw
TUESDAY, 9:58am: The Nets would be willing to include the protected first-round pick the Rockets owe them to acquire Diaw's expiring contract, says Bonnell. Bonnell hears a potential Diaw package would also consist of Petro and Jordan Farmar. The pick Houston owes New Jersey is top-14 protected for the next five years.
Personally, I like this trade idea for both teams. The Bobcats may lose some short-term cap flexibility, but they'd gain another first-round pick and could shed Farmar's and Petro's contracts after next season. The Nets, meanwhile, would gain valuable cap space to pursue marquee free agents this summer.
MONDAY, 3:16pm: The Nets have expressed interest in acquiring Boris Diaw and his expiring contract, tweets Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. Diaw, who hasn't appeared in the team's last four games, recently asked the Bobcats about the possibility of buying out his contract.
The Nets' interest in Diaw makes sense, since the team is looking to make a run at Dwight Howard this summer. If they hope to retain Deron Williams and Brook Lopez and make a competitive offer for D12, the Nets will need to clear all the cap space they can, and Diaw's $9MM contract will expire at season's end.
As Bonnell points out though, the hitch is what players the Bobcats would receive in exchange for Diaw. I'd guess the Nets would want Charlotte to take at least one of Johan Petro and Shawne Williams — Petro's contract is guaranteed for next season for $3.5MM, while Williams has a $3.14MM player option he figures to exercise. Neither player is under contract past 2012/13, so perhaps the Bobcats would be interested in taking on the pair if they came packaged with a future draft pick.
Atlantic Notes: Lopez, Carmelo, Sixers, Celtics
- Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News mentioned (via Twitter) a possible return of Nets center Brook Lopez before the All-Star break. Also, Colin Stephenson of The Star-Ledger tweeted that Jordan Farmar did not suit up for tonight's game due to a strained right groin.
- Ian Begley of ESPN New York writes that Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony could return as early as Friday's game against the Hornets.
- Bob Cooney of Philly.com discusses the uncertainty of how active the Sixers will be in the trade market before the deadline.
- Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com touches upon the durability of Kevin Garnett, the trade value of Jermaine O'Neal, and the current state of the Celtics.
- Linas Kleiza is out of the Raptors lineup after injuring himself during Tuesday's game against the Knicks, according to a tweet by Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun.
Kyler On Rockets, Nets, Augustin, Chandler
Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld took a look this morning at a few names he expects to be discussed in the weeks leading up to March's trade deadline. Here are a few highlights from the piece:
- The Jazz and Grizzlies are among the many teams that have some interest in Chris Kaman.
- The Rockets have been active, but are seeking a significant return for players like Jordan Hill, Chase Budinger, and Luis Scola.
- With just over $34MM committed in 2012/13 salaries, the Nets wouldn't mind clearing some future cap room by moving Anthony Morrow or Jordan Farmar prior to the trade deadline.
- If the Cavaliers are still in the mix for a playoff spot as the deadline approaches, don't expect them to become sellers.
- Although the Bobcats aren't shopping D.J. Augustin, Kyler hears from sources close to the team that they'll listen to offers if they can obtain draft picks and gain financial flexibility.
- When Wilson Chandler returns to the NBA from China, the Raptors plan to "make life hard" for the Nuggets. Denver has the rights to Chandler as a restricted free agent, but Toronto may try to move Jose Calderon or Leandro Barbosa to gather assets for a sign-and-trade offer for Chandler.