Broussard On Gasol, Rondo, Ellis, Beasley, Kaman
In addition to providing an update on the Dwight Howard sweepstakes, Chris Broussard shares rumors about a handful of big-name trade candidates in his latest Insider-only ESPN.com column. Let's dive in….
- The Rockets still have interest in Pau Gasol but want to build around Kyle Lowry rather than include him in any Gasol deal. The Timberwolves haven't talked to the Lakers in months about Gasol, while the Bulls have shown some interest in the Spaniard.
- Sources tell Broussard that the Celtics have determined they're not title contenders this year and would prefer to move Rajon Rondo rather than deal with the "headaches" he brings.
- Broussard hears that if Monta Ellis were traded, the Warriors guard would like to join the Lakers, Bulls, or Magic (alongside Dwight Howard), but none of those scenarios appear realistic.
- The Timberwolves offered Michael Beasley to the Lakers in exchange for the higher of L.A.'s two first-round picks, but were turned down. The Lakers are torn on Beasley — because L.A. is over the tax line, the team would be adding more than just Beasley's $6.26MM cap figure. I imagine they'd also prefer to use their trade exception to acquire a point guard.
- The Hornets' asking price for Chris Kaman has dropped since earlier in the season. They're seeking a draft pick, even just a second-rounder, for the center.
- LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum are "virtually untouchable" but the Blazers would talk about anyone else on their roster, particularly Raymond Felton and Gerald Wallace.
Northwest Notes: Przybilla, Roy, Nuggets, Wolves
The newest Trail Blazer, Joel Przybilla, won't suit up for the team's game against the Nuggets tonight, but he expects to be on the court soon. Przybilla told Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com that he hopes to make his 2011/12 debut Saturday night against the Timberwolves. As Przybilla gets in a little more practice time, let's check in on what else is going on with the Blazers, Nuggets, and T-Wolves in our latest Northwest Division update…
- Trail Blazers players and coaches were surprised to hear that Brandon Roy is considering attempting a comeback, according to Joe Freeman of the Oregonian. Having amnestied Roy prior to this season, Portland wouldn't be able to bring the 27-year-old back right away if he were to come out of retirement.
- In a mailbag for the Denver Post, Benjamin Hochman provides the latest on Wilson Chandler and addresses the likelihood of the Nuggets adding a star player this summer.
- Tom Ziller of SBNation wonders if it would be worth it in the long run for the Timberwolves to give up Derrick Williams and other assets to acquire Pau Gasol.
Suns Don’t Intend To Trade Steve Nash
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.
Odds & Ends: Mavericks, Trail Blazers, Stoudemire
Dallas is in an extremely enviable position. Today they're a championship contender, and tomorrow they might form the league's next super team, with Deron Williams and Dwight Howard. In a chat today with readers, Eddie Sefko from the Dallas Morning News looks at a few options the team might have should they not get the two superstars.
- Also covered in his chat, why Dallas can't afford to cut ties with Lamar Odom, despite his poor production and present absense from the team.
- The Oregonion's Joe Freeman, writing about whether or not the Trail Blazers will be players before the trade deadline, says other teams will be in aggressive pursuit of Nicolas Batum, but the team won't part with him. Freeman notes that team President Larry Miller will explore every option with regards to improving the team, and that includes making a deal before the deadline.
- Amare Stoudemire's struggles this season could be attributed to myriad of issues, including the 15 pounds of muscle he put on during the lockout in an attempt to make his back stronger, according to Howard Beck of the New York Times.
Northwest Notes: T-Wolves, Morrow, Blazers, Jazz
A pair of Northwest teams are on the road tonight to open the second half — the Jazz play the Kings in Sacramento, while the Timberwolves head to the Staples Center to face the Clippers. As we wait for the season to resume following the All-Star break, let's check in on some updates out of the Northwest Division….
- The Timberwolves inquired on Anthony Morrow but were told the Nets intend to keep him, reports Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500 Twin Cities (via Twitter).
- Acting Blazers GM Chad Buchanan talked to Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge about why Portland waived Armon Johnson and what the team expects from Joel Przybilla.
- The Jazz are open to making a trade to improve their roster, but nothing is imminent, tweets Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune. The club doesn't feel any pressure to move Al Jefferson or Paul Millsap, though Devin Harris and C.J. Miles could be had, Smith adds.
- Gordon Monson of the Salt Lake Tribune says the Jazz need to find a way to add a star or two if they want to become serious contenders.
Brandon Roy Contemplating Comeback
A seemingly career-ending knee condition pushed Brandon Roy into an early retirement in December, but the longtime Blazers guard tells David Pick of Eurobasket that he misses the game and is considering attempting a comeback.
"I've been doing some treatment and I'm trying to leave the window open to returning to basketball," Roy said. "It's really hard being so far away from the game…. If the treatment I've been looking into can work, I believe there's a good chance you will see Brandon Roy back hoopin'."
As much as Roy may miss the game, he'd have a long road back to an NBA roster. It's unclear whether it would even be possible for him to work his knees back into game shape, but we'll certainly be rooting for him. His promising career was cut short after just five seasons, during which he averaged 19.0 PPG and 20.1 PER in 321 career games.
When it became clear before the season that Roy would retire, the Blazers amnestied him to clear his $15.03MM cap figure.
Trail Blazers Sign Joel Przybilla
Joel Przybilla has officially signed with the Trail Blazers, the team announced today (Twitter link). Przybilla, who passed a physical yesterday, will earn a pro-rated portion of the veteran's minimum salary for the remainder of the season.
The ninth overall pick in the 2000 draft, Przybilla had spent six and a half seasons with the Blazers before he was traded last February as part of the deal that saw Gerald Wallace head to Portland. The 32-year-old averaged 5.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG with a .581 FG% during his first five years with the Blazers, though his health and production began to slip in 2009. The 7'1" center will add size and depth to a Blazers' frontcourt that includes LaMarcus Aldridge, Marcus Camby, Kurt Thomas, and Craig Smith.
Przybilla had been deciding whether to sign with the Blazers, Bulls, Heat, or Bucks, or to sit out the season and remain with his family in Milwaukee. Portland has a full roster of 15 players, so a corresponding move will have to be made before Przybilla officially joins the team.
Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports first reported that Przybilla had decided to sign with the Blazers, while SI.com's Sam Amick and Jason Quick of the Oregonian added details.
Trail Blazers Waive Armon Johnson
The Trail Blazers have waived Armon Johnson, the team announced today (hat tip to Ben Golliver of Blazers Edge). The move clears a spot on the roster for Joel Przybilla, who passed a physical yesterday and should officially join the Blazers today.
Portland was said to be deciding between waiving Johnson or Greg Oden, who is out for the year after undergoing microfracture surgery on his knee. As Jason Quick of the Oregonian points out (via Twitter), the Blazers may believe another team will claim Johnson on waivers, freeing Portland of his salary.
Johnson, who turned 23 last Thursday, only appeared in one game this season for the Blazers after playing in 38 a season ago. Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link) believes that Johnson's youth and athleticism will attract interest, and wonders if the Lakers could make a play for the 6'3" guard. According to Golliver, the Blazers "aggressively shopped" Johnson last month, seeking a second-round pick, but didn't find a taker (Twitter link). If he's not claimed on waivers, Johnson would become a free agent later this week.
Coon On Lakers, Rockets, Celtics
Salary cap expert and burgeoning Twitter star Larry Coon unleashed a stream of tweets today on several topics. Here are some of the highlights:
- The Lakers are considering a swap with the Blazers for point guard Raymond Felton, who was recently benched. The Lakers would be able to fit Felton's $7.5MM salary in using part of their $8.9MM trade exception acquired in the Lamar Odom deal.
- Gilbert Arenas could be the fallback option at point guard if the Lakers don't get Felton or Ramon Sessions from the Cavs.
- The Rockets are still hot after Pau Gasol, but their unwillingness to part with Kyle Lowry makes a deal with the Lakers unlikely unless additional teams are involved.
- In a rumored deal involving Rajon Rondo and Gasol, the Lakers would seek Brandon Bass instead of Jermaine O'Neal. Rondo, Coon says, is "on the outs" in Boston.
- If the Celtics are looking to move Ray Allen, Coon reiterated what he's been saying about the interest the Clippers have in him. Complicating such a move is the health of Allen's son, Walker, who has juvenile diabetes and is accustomed to receiving care in the Boston area. The Clippers are also closing in on signing Bobby Simmons.
Greg Oden Doesn’t Intend To Retire
Having previously had microfracture surgery on each knee, Greg Oden underwent yet another microfracture surgery on his left knee this week, ending his season. While the procedure is just the latest in a number of setbacks for the former first overall pick, Oden has no plans to retire yet, reports Chris Mannix of SI.com.
At this point, a comeback for Oden, who hasn't played in an NBA game since December 2009, looks like a long shot. The Blazers don't figure to offer Oden another contract this summer, though acting GM Chad Buchanan wasn't about to write off the center's career.
"Greg's still very young, in relative terms, for a professional basketball player," Buchanan said. "He's recovered from a couple of these before. His last two microfracture lesions have healed fine. So there's no reason to think he couldn't come back as long as he shows the work ethic and desire that he's had in the past to come back."
Agent Bill Duffy told Jason Quick of the Oregonian that it's too early to speculate about Oden's future, but that the 24-year-old "is not going to hear anything from us but optimism" (Twitter links).