Odds & Ends: Horford, 2014, Celtics, Hudson, Cavs
Hawks center Al Horford will return from a pectoral injury on Thursday after saying earlier today he thought he would miss the playoffs, reports Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports.
As Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal Constitution writes, Horford's comments over the last few days sent mixed signals on his playoff eligibility, so this latest development shouldn't come as too much of surprise. Still, it's a huge boost for the Hawks, even though he'll be limited to 15 minutes a game in the first round. Atlanta's frontcourt has been so depleted lately that Josh Smith started at center against the Knicks yesterday.
Here are a few more Monday links from around the league:
- One Western Conference executive tells Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld that he believes the 2014 free agent class could be even better than the heralded group from 2010. Unrestricted free agents Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki and Danny Granger could be joined by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony, who are among those with player options.
- The Celtics did their homework before they signed Sean Williams, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. Although Williams has had off-court issues in the past, the Mavericks informed the Celtics that they had not waived the 25-year-old for disciplinary reasons.
- Signing with his hometown Grizzlies was a dream scenario for Lester Hudson, says Ron Higgins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
- Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio writes that Cavaliers GM Chris Grant and his scouting staff seem to have an eye for D-League talent, having signed Hudson and Donald Sloan this season.
Agent Says Cavs Mishandled Hudson Situation
Lester Hudson's agent, Keith Glass, told the Akron Beacon Journal today that had the Cavaliers guaranteed Hudson's contract for the rest of the year after his initial 10-day deal expired, he would have signed it and would still be in Cleveland. The Cavs instead merely offered Hudson another 10-day pact, despite the guard filling in admirably for an injured Kyrie Irving, and Hudson accepted the deal, played it out and today signed with his hometown Grizzlies.
“If 10 days ago, they had just done what I thought they should’ve done, which was guarantee the rest of the year, he would’ve signed it and been there. The way the league works, the way the world works, the word is leverage. I guess they had the leverage 10 days ago and we had some yesterday," Glass said.
Both teams offered Hudson non-guaranteed contracts for next year, and because Hudson chose Memphis, they will control his rights in the offseason.
Grizzlies Sign Lester Hudson
FRIDAY, 3:07pm: The Grizzlies announced the Hudson signing today in a press release. He'll take up the 15th spot on Memphis' roster.
THURSDAY, 10:26pm: Lester Hudson has a verbal agreement to join the Grizzlies for the rest of this season, according to The Commercial Appeal's Ronald Tillery. With Gilbert Arenas recovering from a torn ligament on his shooting hand, the Grizzlies decided to bring Hudson on as for backcourt insurance as the team heads into the playoffs. Hudson, whose most recent 10-day contract expired, is eligible to play in the postseason because he was not waived by the Cavaliers.
This is the 27-year-old Memphis natives second stint with the Grizzlies. Two years ago he appeared in nine games with the team, averaging 4.0 PPG. After Cleveland failed to extend him an offer to sign for the rest of the season, Hudson decided to part ways with the team earlier today.
Cavaliers To Part Ways With Lester Hudson
As Tom Reed of the Cleveland Plain Dealer speculated as a possibility earlier today, the Cavaliers have decided not to renew Lester Hudson's contract for the rest of the season (Twitter link). It appears the combo guard could be headed to another team, although it's not certain where at this time. One of this season's more successful 10-day contract signings, it's believed that Hudson and his representatives felt as though he was deserving of a guaranteed contract beyond the rest of this season, and, clearly, the Cavaliers felt differently.
The 27-year-old Hudson is averaging 12.7 PPG on 39.1% shooting since joining the team with his first of two 10-day contracts on March 30. The Cavs are 3-10 since he came aboard to help shore up a backcourt that has seen rookie of the year favorite Kyrie Irving go down with a shoulder injury, and his former backup, Ramon Sessions, off playing for the Lakers.
Odds & Ends: Magloire, Curry, Hudson, Stiemsma
A few Thursday odds and ends from around the Association….
- The Raptors hope to bring Jamaal Magloire back next season, coach Dwane Casey tells Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida.
- Stephen Curry told reporters, including Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News, that "it would be great" if he and the Warriors could work out a contract extension this year. However, he acknowledged that it may be difficult for the two sides to agree on his value right now, given his injury-plagued 2011/12 campaign.
- Lester Hudson's second 10-day contract with the Cavaliers has expired and Tom Reed of the Cleveland Plain Dealer wonders if he'll be re-signed. It's believed that Hudson is drawing interest from teams besides Cleveland, says Reed.
- If you're going to tank to score a good draft position, this is the year to do it, writes Sean Deveney of the Sporting News.
- Greg Stiemsma is "absolutely" interested in returning to the Celtics next season, as he tells Jessica Camerato of CSNNE.com.
- Hornets GM Dell Demps and coach Monty Williams deserve to be retained by new ownership, writes John DeShazier of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Central Notes: Maxiell, Bucks, Bird, Sloan
The Central Division plays a prominent role in a pair of tonight's most intriguing games, as the Bucks look to keep their postseason hopes alive with a win in Indiana, while the Bulls will aim to lock up the East's number one seed by beating Miami. Before we get to tonight's games, let's check in on the latest out of the Central:
- Jason Maxiell holds a $5MM player option for next season, and is undecided on whether to exercise it, writes Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News. "I want to talk to [Pistons' management], see where everybody's head is at," Maxiell said. "[Exploring free agency] could be the smart thing to do, but Detroit's my home and the security I have with them could be great for next season."
- The jobs of coach Scott Skiles and GM John Hammond could be on the line if the Bucks miss the playoffs, says Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times.
- It doesn't make sense for Larry Bird to leave the Pacers after this season, argues Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star.
- Donald Sloan has turned into a capable backup point guard, according to a piece at FOX Sports Ohio. The report adds that "many seem to think" Sloan has a better chance of earning a spot on next year's Cavaliers roster than Lester Hudson. Based on contract statuses alone, it's hard to argue that point — Cleveland has Sloan under contract for 2012/13 on a non-guaranteed deal, while I believe Hudson's second 10-day deal with the team expired last night.
- Keith Langlois of Pistons.com fielded Pistons-related inquiries in a mailbag.
Cavs Notes: Hudson, Draft, Varejao
The struggling Cavs host the Dwight Howard-less Magic this afternoon as another season of struggles winds down for Byron Scott's club. One of the few bright spots has been rookie Kyrie Irving, who has shown flashes of brilliance after being selected with the top pick in last year's draft. Let's head to Cleveland to check up on the latest news and happenings with the Cavs.
- Bob Finnan of The News-Herald thinks the Cavs may have found another D-League success story in Lester Hudson, who has been a strong contributor of late and may find himself on the roster next season. With his ability to play both guard positions even with his limited size (slightly taller than six feet), the former Tennessee-Martin star has provided a spark for the Cavs and even had team owner Dan Gilbert calling his success, "Lesanity" on Twitter. In 10 games with the Cavs, Hudson has averaged an eye-opening 19.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 4.7 APG.
- Look for the Cavs to add an offensively-minded wing player and another shooting guard either through the draft or free agency this offseason, writes Tom Reed of The Plain Dealer.
- Reed ponders what it would take for the Cavs to deal Anderson Varejao considering how his level of play will likely diminish once the team's core of young players is ready to contend. The Blazers could be a good match as a trade partner as they currently hold two 2012 lottery picks. Giving up one of them would be enough to send the former first-round pick to Portland as the deal would provide the Cavs yet another young player to add to their youth movement.
Odds & Ends: Odom, Bucks, Knicks, Hudson
- With Lamar Odom set to be listed as inactive for the remainder of the season, the question becomes where the former Rhode Island star will end up next year, ponders Chuck Schilken of the Los Angeles Times. Schilken checks in with a series of different sports writers from around the Tribune Co. family of newspapers and finds two teams (both hailing from Los Angeles) that may prove to be a good fit for the beleaguered forward. Even though Odom had a rough stretch with the Mavs, he is still only one season removed from being the most productive sixth man in the league.
- Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel writes Wednesday night's matchup against the Knicks is the most important game of the Bucks' entire season. A victory by the Bucks over the Knicks would give Milwaukee a head-to-head playoff tiebreaker in the case both teams finish with the same record. While the Bucks are currently on the outside of the playoff picture looking up at the Sixers and Knicks, the team does have the least difficult schedule remaining out of the three teams.
- Forget Phil Jackson and John Calipari for the Knicks head coaching job, says ESPN NBA Insider Chris Broussard, especially if the Knicks can make a run in the playoffs. Broussard thinks Mike Woodson can remain the coach in New York if he can get his team to challenge the Bulls or the Heat and make the first round of the playoffs competitive. Woodson has done an excellent job of inspiring his team to play strong defense, maximizing the offensive output of Carmelo Anthony and fostering the growth of rookie guard Iman Shumpert.
- The signing of Lester Hudson from the NBA D-League marks one of the best moves the Cavaliers have made this season, writes FOXSportsOhio.com's Sam Amico. After scoring 49 total points in his last two games, Hudson added another 25 points Tuesday night against the Bobcats. What impresses Amico most is how Hudson has provided a boost off of the bench late in the game as the former Celtics second-round draft pick has scored 32 total points in the fourth quarter of the past two games.
Cavs Re-Sign Lester Hudson
The Cavs have signed guard Lester Hudson to another 10-day contract, tweets Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal. Hudson's first 10-day deal expired last night.
Hudson has averaged 12.7 PPG, 3.8 APG and 3.5 RPG in 23.8 minutes a night during his six-game stint with the Cavs. He scored 23 points Friday against the Raptors and 26 on Sunday versus the Nets. Earlier I speculated that the Hornets, in need of a point guard, might try to grab him, but this move blocks them from doing so, at least for the time being.
Hudson May Be Playing His Way Into Contract
Lester Hudson, signed by the Cavaliers to a 10-day contract on March 30, has been excellent off the bench in the wake of Kyrie Irving's shoulder injury. According to Tom Reed and Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, head coach Byron Scott told the team's front office that Hudson "was doing great."
Headed into tonight's matchup against the Nets, Hudson has averaged 10 points, 4 assists and over 3 boards in the 5 games since signing. Today is the last day of that contract and Hudson is making it hard for the Cavs not to re-up him. Hudson already has 26 points in 24 minutes on 9-of-18 shooting and just sent the game into overtime with a 3-pointer in the final seconds.
Reed and Schmitt think it's likely, given his performance, that Hudson gets at least another 10-day look from Cleveland.