Portland Trail Blazers Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Odds & Ends: Batum, Kaman, Ewing, Elson, Heat

March 14th, 2012 at 2:40pm CST by Luke Adams

A few odds and ends from around the league, with less than 24 hours until the 2012 trade deadline:

The Kings inquired on Nicolas Batum, tweets Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee. However, multiple reports have suggested the Blazers have no intentions of trading Batum.
If a second-round pick is all it takes to acquire Chris Kaman, expect the Pacers to make another run, says Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star (via Twitter). I had the same thought when I saw Chris Broussard's update on Kaman today — Indiana is the only team in the league that could take Kaman's salary without sending players back, and parting with a second-rounder wouldn't affect the team's long-term plan.
Patrick Ewing may have some interest in the Knicks' full-time coaching job, tweets Sean Deveney of The Sporting News.
Francisco Elson has been in touch with the Heat, but Miami isn't interested in working him out yet, tweets Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida. The Heat could make a move for Elson after the trade and buyout deadlines.
The Heat likely won't make a move at the deadline, but players will still be relieved when it passes, writes Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Wizards players talked to both Michael Lee of the Washington Post and Derek Page of HoopsWorld about the distraction of the impending deadline.

Broussard On Pierce, Brooks, Curry, McGee, Daye

March 14th, 2012 at 12:31pm CST by Luke Adams

ESPN.com's Chris Broussard has a ton of trade rumors in today's Insider-only piece. You can read his major update on Dwight Howard here, but let's dive into the rest of his rumors….

The Celtics offered Paul Pierce to the Blazers, though Broussard isn't sure who else would've been involved in the deal. Portland wasn't interested in Boston's proposal.
The Clippers are reluctant to trade Eric Bledsoe for Jamal Crawford because they believe Crawford will opt out of his contract at season's end, and Bledsoe will have more value at draft time, since there won't be many point guards available.
Ramon Sessions is unlikely to be moved unless the Cavaliers can get a first-round pick. Cleveland would try to trade for Jonny Flynn if they moved Sessions, though the Spurs have also expressed interest in Flynn.
The Cavs are also in talks with the Hornets about swapping Antawn Jamison for Emeka Okafor and a first-round pick.
Aaron Brooks is drawing interest from the Blazers and Kings, though the Suns hope to re-sign him. When Brooks returns from China, he can only sign with Phoenix. If he doesn't sign anywhere this season, he becomes a restricted free agent again this summer.
A second-round pick is likely all it would take for the Hornets to move Chris Kaman.
The Warriors preferred to deal Stephen Curry rather than Monta Ellis, but Curry's ongoing ankle issues hurt his trade value.
Broussard hears JaVale McGee will be seeking a contract worth $14MM annually this summer. Good luck with that, JaVale.
Wilson Chandler is seeking a deal starting at $7MM, which the Nuggets feel is too high, since that amount won't be prorated this season — Denver would prefer to start around $5MM.
The Pistons are shopping Austin Daye "all day every day" but not many teams are biting.
The Grizzlies would like to move Sam Young to get below the luxury tax line.

Odds & Ends: Spurs, Diaw, Kaman, Morris

March 13th, 2012 at 6:38pm CST by Ryan Raroque

On the speculation that Dwight Howard could be the determining factor with regard to his job security, coach Stan Van Gundy was forthright: "If they want to fire me to please somebody, fire me," later adding, "our job, my job is to focus on the basketball." Regardless of what happens before the deadline, the Magic coach will be able to put the trade speculation aside by the time Friday hits. Here are some other notes worth looking at from around the league:

The Spurs may be looking into the trade market for a point guard, according to Yannis Koutroupis of HoopsWorld.
Tony Parker spoke about his desire for Boris Diaw to join him in San Antonio should he be granted a buyout from the Bobcats. Interestingly enough, Parker referred to the Knicks as another team that is interested in Diaw.
Center Chris Kaman says he feels comfortable with his role in New Orleans and would hope to stay with the Hornets, writes Jimmy Smith of The Times-Picayune.
Lakers rookie Darius Morris suffered a bruised wrist during a game in the D-League and will be day-to-day, says Mike Bresnahan of The Los Angeles Times. (Twitter link)
Greg Oden appears to be preparing to move on from the Trail Blazers. According to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com, a source close to the situation has said that Oden is in the process of selling his home in Portland and has no intention of returning to the team next season.

Jamal Crawford Rumors: Tuesday

March 13th, 2012 at 3:13pm CST by Luke Adams

While the chatter about Raymond Felton has been "very light" in recent days, according to Ben Tolliver of Blazer's Edge, Felton's teammate Jamal Crawford still seems to be drawing significant interest. Yesterday we heard the Trail Blazers had discussed D.J. Augustin with the Bobcats, and had talks with the Clippers involving Eric Bledsoe and Ryan Gomes. Today's Crawford rumblings can be found below, with the newest items added up top throughout the day:

The Blazers haven't been able to secure a first-round pick in any offers for Crawford, and are thought to be "cooling" on the idea of moving him, tweets Ken Berger of CBS Sports.
The Clippers' interest in Crawford hinges on the Blazers taking Gomes' contract, which Portland is unlikely to do, tweets Golliver.
Crawford talked to Joe Freeman of The Oregonian about the trade rumors, saying that if it were up to him, he'd remain in Portland: "At the end of the day, I chose to come here. I want to be here. I don't know how to approach the situation, honestly. I haven't talked to anybody in the organization. I'm just trying to stay ready for whatever. Hopefully we can finish what we started. If not, well, it's a business."

Minimal Interest In Felton; Trade Unlikely

March 13th, 2012 at 1:49pm CST by Luke Adams

Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge reported earlier today that chatter surrounding Raymond Felton has been "very light" over the last few days (Twitter link). Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com backs up that report, writing that the Blazers have contacted all 29 NBA teams to gauge the interest in Felton, finding minimal interest.

According to Haynes, there's currently an offer for Felton on the table. However, Portland doesn't figure to accept that deal unless the Blazers' next two games before the deadline are a disaster.

Ken Berger of CBS Sports reported yesterday that rival execs felt the Blazers may have some interest in trading Felton to the Lakers for Steve Blake and another piece, but Haynes couldn't confirm whether such a proposal is the one the Blazers are currently weighing (Twitter link).

Clippers Unlikely To Move Bledsoe For Rental

March 12th, 2012 at 4:52pm CST by Luke Adams

In the weeks leading up to March 15th, Eric Bledsoe's name has surfaced in trade rumors involving the Blazers' Jamal Crawford and the Celtics' Ray Allen, among others. However, the Clippers aren't motivated to trade the young guard unless they're blown away by a proposal, says Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld. According to HoopsWorld's report, the Clippers are hesitant to move Bledsoe for a player who they'd just be renting for the rest of the season.

In Bledsoe, the Clippers have a young, inexpensive player at a position of depth. Chris Paul and Mo Williams are ahead of Bledsoe on the team's depth chart, so it makes sense that L.A. would consider moving its 2010 first-rounder to upgrade at two guard. However, the 22-year-old is the only guard the Clippers have under contract long-term — Paul's and Williams' contracts are set to expire after next season, and their futures are unknown. Bledsoe doesn't figure to be eligible for even restricted free agency until the summer of 2014.

As for the Clippers' potential two-guard targets, Allen will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, while Crawford figures to decline his player option for next season, making him an unrestricted free agent as well.

Berger’s Latest: Felton, Blake, Okafor, Gasol

March 12th, 2012 at 3:49pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are a few trade updates from Ken Berger of CBSSports.com:

Rival executives believe the Blazers are interested in trading Raymond Felton to the Lakers for Steve Blake. Since Portland would be giving up the better player and some salary flexibility, the Blazers would need to be compensated with another piece in such a deal.
The Hornets aren't interested in packaging Emeka Okafor with the first-round pick they acquired from the Timberwolves, even if it means saving the $28MM+ left on his deal.
The Hawks appear likely to make only a small move or two at the deadline.
Pau Gasol could be traded in the right deal, but the Lakers will need to ensure it's a basketball upgrade rather than a cost-saver. "If they're going to send a message to Kobe Bryant that they're not about winning, they're about money," one league source told Berger. "That's going to set off a whole new deal."
Berger also has an update on the Jamal Crawford trade talks, as we covered earlier.

Jamal Crawford Rumors: Monday

March 12th, 2012 at 2:46pm CST by Luke Adams

No Jamal Crawford trade is imminent, but Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld reports (via Twitter) that one league source believes a deal is coming. With less than 72 hours remaining until the trade deadline, Crawford could be the "first domino" to fall, says Kennedy. Here are the latest rumors on Crawford trade talks:

The Blazers and Clippers are discussing a trade that would send Crawford to Los Angeles for Eric Bledsoe and Ryan Gomes, tweets Ken Berger of CBS Sports.
David Aldridge of NBA.com mentioned earlier today that the Bobcats and Blazers could be talking about a deal involving Crawford and D.J. Augustin. Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com also hears that the two teams have engaged in discussions. Said one league exec: "At this point, they are just talking right now and it's just part of what happens around this time of season."
Haynes adds that the Timberwolves are purusing Crawford more aggressively than ever, which is somewhat surprising — Luke Ridnour had been mentioned in previous rumors as a Blazers' target, but the Wolves presumably need to keep Ridnour following Ricky Rubio's season-ending injury. Haynes thinks perhaps the two teams are trying to involve a third club to get Crawford to Minnesota.

Augustin Drawing Interest From Pacers, Others

March 12th, 2012 at 1:26pm CST by Luke Adams

The Trail Blazers aren't the only team talking to the Bobcats about the possibility of acquiring D.J. Augustin. According to Sean Deveney of the Sporting News (Twitter link), the Pacers are also among the clubs who have inquired on Augustin. Deveney says (via Twitter) the Bobcats would want to package a bad contract with Augustin if they were to trade the point guard.

Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld reported in January that the Bobcats weren't shopping Augustin, but were willing to listen if it meant gaining draft picks or financial flexibility. Unloading a contract like Corey Maggette's or DeSagana Diop's would certainly qualify as gaining flexibility.

Augustin, whose cap figure for 2011/12 is just $3.24MM, will be eligible for restricted free agency this summer. So the team he finishes the season with would be able to match any competing offers and keep him, if it so chooses. In 28 games this season, the former ninth overall pick has averaged 12.2 PPG and 6.5 APG in 30.8 MPG.

Amick On Jennings, Bogut, Batum, Rockets

March 12th, 2012 at 12:26pm CST by Luke Adams

Sam Amick of SI.com has a few updates on this week's trade candidates, so let's dive in….

Brandon Jennings could be had "for the right price." Long considered a franchise cornerstone, Jennings irked some Bucks officials with his comments last month about exploring free agency.
Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle hears from Warriors sources that reports of Golden State's interest in Andrew Bogut are "nothing more than hype." However, sources tell Amick that the team's interest is real. The Wizards also inquired on Bogut, but talks went nowhere, says Amick. The Rockets aren't thought to be involved on the Bucks' center.
Amick goes on to say that the Bucks feel this may not be the best time to get full value for Bogut, considering he's still on the shelf for a few weeks with a fractured ankle.
The Blazers may be active this week, but they don't intend to move Nicolas Batum, who they are determined to keep long-term.
Courtney Lee, Chase Budinger, Jonny Flynn, and Terrence Williams are among the Rockets who would "likely welcome a trade," according to Amick. Goran Dragic is also a trade candidate, since he's not expected to be re-signed this summer. Though I'd imagine Houston will be more inclined to keep Dragic with Kyle Lowry's return date up in the air.