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Dwight Howard Rumors: Wednesday

February 29th, 2012 at 6:24pm CST by Luke Adams

Orlando's roster could have an entirely new look a month from now, and Magic players are all aware of that fact. Nonetheless, as they tell Joshua Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel, their goal for the second half will be to avoid being weighed down by off-court distractions and focus on playing good basketball. Here's the latest on Dwight Howard, who figures to dominate Orlando's on- and off-court headlines in the coming weeks:

Add the Hawks to the list of potential Howard suitors. Marcus Thompson, while looking for Warriors rumors for the Bay Area News Group, tweets that Atlanta is offering Joe Johnson and Al Horford to the Magic for D12. Howard grew up in Atlanta and went to high school at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. Thompson notes that Howard and Hawks forward Josh Smith are friends.
Howard wants the Magic to pursue Steve Nash, and would consider staying at least another year in Orlando if the team can acquire Nash and re-sign him, according to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. Of course, given the Suns' current stance on their point guard, such an acquisition would be a challenge.
An Eastern Conference executive tells Chris Broussard of ESPN.com that he thinks if Howard is dealt by March 15th, it will be to the Nets, but the longer the saga drags on, the better the Mavericks' odds become. While the Knicks and Clippers aren't on Howard's list of preferred destinations, Broussard says D12 would consider both teams, though neither has engaged the Magic in trade talks.
The Warriors say they're not interested in trading Monta Ellis unless he's part of a package for Howard, sources tells Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News (Twitter link).
We covered some Howard-related links in our notes on the Warriors earlier this morning, as Golden State remains in the hunt for the Magic superstar. SI.com's Zach Lowe confirms the Warriors would be willing to acquire Howard without assurances he'd sign long-term or even opt into the final year of his contract next season. This seems a little crazy to me, but as Lowe points out, Golden State will likely have to break up its core at some point to become a legit title contender anyway. I suppose if the Warriors were able to deal David Lee along with Ellis and others, even just renting Dwight would create a ton of cap flexibility for future seasons. Still, I don't think it's a likely scenario.

Suns Don’t Intend To Trade Steve Nash

February 29th, 2012 at 1:15pm CST by Luke Adams

WEDNESDAY, 1:15pm: The Blazers are trying hard to pry Nash away from the Suns, reports ESPN.com's Marc Stein. However, Stein says the Suns still hope to re-sign their All-Star point guard to a multiyear deal this summer. The team would prefer to go that route and risk losing Nash to another team at that point, rather than losing him now in a "so-so trade."

TUESDAY, 3:23pm: A weekend report suggested the Magic were interested in pursuing a deal for Steve Nash, but any inquiries Orlando makes may prove futile. According to ESPN.com's Chris Broussard (via Twitter), the Suns still intend to hang on to Nash unless he asks for a trade, which Broussard says won't happen.

This has been the Suns' stance for weeks, so it's no surprise that the team hasn't changed its mind. Nash's recent comments about being open to a trade may have fueled speculation that the situation could be in flux, but being "open" to a deal isn't quite the same as asking for a deal. Nash is also "open" to remaining in Phoenix and re-signing with the club.

Given his continued All-Star caliber play and his expiring contract, Nash should draw plenty of interest as March 15th approaches. But if the Suns and Nash continue to resemble a passive-aggressive couple, deferring to one another on the subject of a trade, the two-time MVP looks likely to stay in Phoenix for at least the rest of the season.

Magic To Pursue Steve Nash?

February 26th, 2012 at 9:02pm CST by Alex Lee

The rumors continue to pour out of Orlando, though with the Dwight Howard sweepstakes and the All-Star game coinciding, it's hardly surprising. The Magic have already denied that they were nearing a three team trade involving the Lakers and Raptors.

Now, RealGM's Jarrod Rudolph tweets that multiple sources have told him that Otis Smith will "aggressively pursue" Steve Nash at the trade deadline, presumably in an attempt to keep Howard by showing that they are serious about adding talent around him. While it's an interesting idea for Orlando, giving up assets for a Nash rental seems pretty risky considering Nash and Howard could both walk at season's end.

Nash, an unrestricted free agent after the season, already indicated that he would be open to a trade. Paul Coro from The Arizona Republic tweets that the Suns stance to keep him remains.

Suns Notes: Nash, Morris, Draft

February 25th, 2012 at 8:14pm CST by Jesse Blanchard

For Steve Nash, tomorrow's All-Star game could be his last, or simply his last representing the Phoenix Suns. A couple of Suns notes during All-Star weekend:

While Nash might be open to a trade, retirement is something that he's not ready to consider writes the Toronto Star's Doug Smith.
Given his level of play this season, adding another All-Star appearance, why would Nash be in a hurry to retire? Stefan Swiat of Suns.com talked to a number of All-Star weekend participants in Orlando and got their thoughts on the Suns' two-time MVP's game.
Over at Valley of the Suns, Michael Schwartz and company debate Steve Nash's fate in Phoenix.
If Nash is going to have any kind of future as a player with the Suns, he's going to need some help. Swiat was also able to get a number of All-Star participants to evaluate Suns rookie Markieff Morris, who is more skilled than many of his peers originally thought.
One way or another, the Suns are going to have to find some new talent through the draft. Over at Arizona Republic, Jay Dieffenbach looks at a couple of draft prospects the Suns might be interested in.

Odds & Ends: Howard, Lakers, Durant, Nash

February 25th, 2012 at 4:34pm CST by Daniel Seco

With the likes of Chase Budinger and Jeremy Evans among the Slam Dunk contestants set to do battle on Saturday evening in Orlando, let's take a look around the league to see what else is happening:

Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel (via Twitter) says he's having a hard time with Dwight Howard's constant line of wanting to push aside distractions and focus on winning. It's Howard, not anyone else, who has created such distractions by making trade demands and by telling his agent to ask for permission to pursue possible deals.
Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com is looking forward to the NBA trade deadline (March 15) and wonders if the Lakers should blow up their roster now or simply wait until the summer. He says that the Celtics are in a similar situation, but is excited to see another group of aging players in the Spurs continue to do well and perhaps threaten for an NBA Finals appearance.
Kevin Durant believes the Hornets can rebuild their franchise through the draft in a similar fashion to his own team, writes John Reid of The Times-Picayune. ''Losing C.P. and David West was tough for the Hornets, but they have Trevor Ariza and I like Gustavo Ayon. You know it's just a matter of time before everything starts to click. But losing your point guard in a lockout shortened season is tough. I love Monty for what he does and stands for.''
Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com says Steve Nash believes Jeremy Lin is the type of player that can succeed in any type of NBA system. While Lin is expected to re-sign with the Knicks this summer, such an endorsement from a marquee player may go a long way to drive up the asking price for the restricted free agent.

Nash Would Be ‘Completely Open’ To Trade

February 24th, 2012 at 8:31pm CST by Chuck Myron

There have been plenty of questions lately about Steve Nash's future, and it appears the veteran point guard isn't taking any options off the table. We passed along yesterday that Nash, who'll be a free agent this summer, expressed a desire to stay with the team beyond the season. Today, he told Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic that he sympathizes with the tricky position the Suns are in.

"It's up to the team," he said. "I'm happy where I am. I'm not happy with our record. I feel like I made a commitment to the fans and my teammates. But at the same time, I'd understand if the team wanted to make a move, so I'm completely open. To be honest, I just occupy myself with trying to prepare to play and play as well as I can."

Nash reiterated that he won't demand a trade, and Coro reported a few days ago that the Suns are unlikely to trade him. Still, it's worth noting that Nash is not dismissing the possibility of a deal.

The Suns come into the All-Star break well out of playoff contention at 14-20. Nash's 13.9 PPG and 10 shot attempts a night are his lowest numbers since 1999/00, but his 10.9 APG leads the league. He could help teams in the playoff hunt, like the Lakers, Blazers, Heat or Hawks, that don't possess a proven veteran at the point guard position. His $11.7MM contract is hefty, but not unwieldy, and it expires at the end of the season.

Steve Nash Open To Re-Signing With Suns

February 23rd, 2012 at 5:56pm CST by Sean Highkin

Steve Nash has repeatedly expressed his desire to remain in Phoenix through the end of the 2011/12 season, when his contract expires. However, it has long been assumed that upon becoming an unrestricted free agent this summer, the two-time MVP would look to sign with a contender. But a recent Associated Press interview (via ESPN.com) found Nash expressing a desire to stay with the Suns beyond this season.

According to Nash, two things would have to happen for him to re-sign: first, they would have to offer him a substantial contract, as he indicated that he is not willing to take a pay cut to re-sign; second, Nash wants the team to acquire new players and make a move towards playoff contention.

Nash, 38, will make approximately $11.6MM this season, the final year of a two-year, $22MM contract extension he signed in summer 2009.

Pacific Notes: Nash, Lakers, Kings

February 23rd, 2012 at 4:32pm CST by Luke Adams

In the 2005/06 season, the Clippers finished 47-35, topping their L.A. rivals by two games. Since then, the Lakers have finished ahead of the Clippers in the standings every season, but the two teams are in a neck-and-neck race for the Pacific Division crown this year. The Clippers will head into the All-Star break with a slight lead, as even a win for the Lakers in Oklahoma City tonight would only reduce the Clips' lead to a half-game. Here are a few afternoon links out of the Pacific:

At the end of his midseason awards, Ken Berger of CBS Sports names Stephen Jackson the "most disgruntled" player and Steve Nash the "most likely to be traded." The Nash note is interesting, since it still appears the Suns have no intention of dealing Nash unless he asks out. Presumably, Berger believes that's a real possibility.
Magic Johnson continues to weigh in on the Lakers, as Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times writes. In addition to suggesting a meeting between Kobe Bryant and Jim Buss, Magic also said the team needs to make "one or two trades" before the deadline.
Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee continues to hear that the threat to the Kings staying in Sacramento comes from Anaheim rather than Seattle. Seattle is years away from opening the doors on a new building and would need to find someone willing to sell a franchise.
Earlier this afternoon, we looked at the Warriors' asking price for Monta Ellis.

Pacific Notes: Nash, Blake, Hickson

February 19th, 2012 at 10:12am CST by Daniel Seco

With much of today's attention focused on the Eastern Conference, the Lakers will take on the Suns for the second time in three days later this afternoon. Known to elevate his level of play against the Suns, Kobe Bryant has led the Lakers to three straight victories after putting up 36 points and six assists in Friday night's 111-99 victory in Phoenix. Let's take a look around the rest of the Pacific Division to see what else is going on:

Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic says Suns star point guard Steve Nash isn't going anywhere prior to the trade deadline. It's a catch-22 situation where sending Nash to a contender wouldn't net the team fair compensation whereas sending the future HOFer to a middling squad who could send an attractive draft pick to the Suns would be doing a disservice to Nash. Coro expects Nash, 38, to stay with the Suns through the rest of the season and attempt to re-sign the former Santa Clara star to a new contract come June.
While there has been heavy speculation that the Lakers are plotting to make a move in order to make a playoff run, the return of one injured player has given the squad a much needed spark. Since rejoining the Lakers five game ago, the team has gone 4-1 with former Terrapins guard Steve Blake manning the point, says Janis Carr of The Orange County Register. The ninth-year player is currently averaging 6.8 PPG and 3.1 APG on the season.
After arriving in Sacramento last June via trade, life for Kings forward J.J. Hickson has been a series of adjustments, writes Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee. Hickson, 23, spent the first three years of his career with the Cavaliers and benefited from two years of tutelage under LeBron James. Now in Sacramento, he's had to deal with an early season coaching change and an overall different way of doing things which has led to the former N.C. State star's career-low FG% (.382) on the season.

Odds & Ends: Jackson, Freeland, Heat, Calderon

February 18th, 2012 at 12:13pm CST by Zachary Links

Saturday afternoon linkage..

If Stephen Jackson wants to leave Milwaukee to play with Dwight Howard in Orlando, the guard will have to give the Bucks $5MM or so back in a buyout, tweets Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun.
Former Blazers draft pick Joel Freeland denied a report from earlier this week that he agreed to a contract extension with his Spanish club, writes Nick Gibson of SheridanHoops.com. The big man also insists that he has nothing against the prospect of playing in Portland and will make the transition to the NBA “if the situation is right.”
The Heat could use an upgrade at center as they may have to face Tyson Chandler, Dwight Howard, and Joakim Noah to win the Eastern Conference in the postseason, writes Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel.
Some fans are calling for the Raptors to start tanking, but that doesn’t guarantee much for the club and would hurt the locker room culture, writes Steve Buffery of the Toronto Sun. Some are also calling for Toronto to deal Jose Calderon as the point guard has just one year remaining on his deal, but Jerryd Bayless hasn’t done enough prove that he be the team’s one-guard going forward.
A number of contenders could benefit from adding Steve Nash to the fold, but the point guard continues to stand his ground and won’t ask for a trade, writes J.A. Adande of ESPN.com.
There isn’t a trade out there that will be good enough to boost the 76ers into a finals team, opines John Smallwood of the Philadelphia Daily News.
In his piece earlier today, Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that the Warriors could use a 10-day contract as a tryout for a D-League big man. Will Foster of the Rio Grande Valley and Bakersfield’s Brian Butch could both be considered.