Odds & Ends: Aldridge, George, Oden, Knicks
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Saturday evening:
- There hasn't been much trade chatter involving LaMarcus Aldridge lately, but when asked about interest from other teams in an interview with Damon Jones on Nike Basketball's YouTube page, Aldridge said he enjoys playing in Portland, but might listen to overtures from other teams down the road (transcription via Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge). Aldridge's contract runs through 2015.
- Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star examines Paul George's journey to the NBA as the third-year forward makes his first All-Star appearance this weekend.
- Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer writes that the Heat will only be able to sign Greg Oden to the veteran's minimum.
- Tyson Chandler tells Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com that the Knicks sorely miss injured big men Rasheed Wallace and Marcus Camby.
- Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee profiles Kings guard and Seattle native Isaiah Thomas, who is torn on his hopes for the team's ownership situation.
- Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra revisits his Portland roots with Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com.
Latest On Kings Ownership, Relocation
10:37pm: After NBA commissioner David Stern told reporters that he expects Johnson's group to have a fair shot at retaining the Kings, Johnson tells Sam Amick of USA Today that he is getting closer to assembling his group of prospective buyers and presenting a final bid to the NBA's board of governors.
12:36pm: Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports that Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson has participated in a series of meetings in Houston to explore the possibility of keeping the Kings from moving to Seattle. Johnson said he was "encouraged" and called the meetings "positive and productive."
The Kings were sold last month to an ownership group led by hedge fund billionaire Chris Hansen, who is intent on moving the team to Seattle to play in a new arena they have a plan in place to build. However, Johnson and other Sacramento investors are attempting to put together a counteroffer to prevent the team from leaving.
Pacific Notes: Kings, Dwight, Curry, Lee
When Gary Payton was a rookie with the old SuperSonics, he faced a challenge when he went up against the division-rival Warriors, who boasted a backcourt of Tim Hardaway and Mitch Richmond as two-thirds of their "Run TMC" combo. Now, all three players could be a few weeks away from election to the Hall of Fame, as today the Hall announced the finalists for this year's class. Other finalists with NBA ties include Tom Heinsohn, Maurice Cheeks, Spencer Haywood, Bernard King, Rick Pitino and Jerry Tarkanian. A pair of ex-players have already made it into the Hall's class of 2013 as direct-elects from the ABA and Veterans committees, respectively: Roger Brown and Richie Guerin.
Another Pacific Division point guard from Payton and Hardaway's vintage is making news this evening, and there's more on him and others right here:
- Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson is conducting closed-door meetings with NBA officials at the All-Star Game as he attempts to keep the Kings in town, as Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee details.
- Dwight Howard is adamant about waiting until the end of the season to decide where he'll sign in free agency, notes Sam Amick of USA Today. Even as it appears Howard will remain with the Lakers after the trade deadline — discussion of a trade to the Celtics notwithstanding — the star center's refusal to commit to staying in L.A. beyond the season leaves the Lakers in a precarious situation, observes Michael Wallace of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
- Looking ahead to the 2014 World Cup, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo tells Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com that Stephen Curry is in the mix for Team USA. Howard-Cooper adds that fellow Warrior David Lee is also drawing consideration, as is Pacers All-Star Paul George.
Western Notes: Rockets, Blazers, Payton, Suns
While there's been plenty of talk about the cap space the Rockets are expected to have this summer, coach Kevin McHale is just hoping to see that space turned into an impact player, as he jokes to Sam Amick of USA Today.
"I've never seen Cap Room score a basket yet though," McHale said. "I've seen old Cap, and his last name is Room, I've yet to see him put a hoop in, haven't seen him block a shot, haven't seen him get a rebound yet. But when Cap Room starts putting up numbers, we should be in great shape."
Here are a few more notes out of the Western Conference as we prepare for All-Star weekend:
- LaMarcus Aldridge doesn't expect the Trail Blazers to make a move at the trade deadline, as he tells Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge (Twitter link).
- With expansion not currently being considered by David Stern and the league, it appears unlikely that Sacramento and Seattle will both have an NBA team in the near future, writes Ryan Lillis of the Sacramento Bee.
- Former SuperSonic great Gary Payton tells Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com that he has spoken to Chris Hansen about joining the front office if Hansen's bid to move the Kings to Seattle if successful.
- Another former star, Charles Barkley, has talked about wanting to be hired as the general manager of the Suns, and Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic thinks that might not be a bad idea.
- Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News writes that Darren Collison has made a solid case for being a long-term fixture with the Mavericks.
Odds & Ends: Mavericks, Gordon, Heat, Rose
Despite Mark Cuban's belief that adding an overpaid player with a massive contract would be a huge mistake considering the framework of the current CBA, Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas wonders if the Mavericks would explore trading for Hornets guard Eric Gordon as a possible fallback option if the team falls short in its effort to land Dwight Howard this summer. On another note, Moke Hamilton of Sheridan Hoops explains why it would be wise for Dallas to deal Vince Carter and Shawn Marion for expiring contracts and draft picks now if they want to give themselves a legitimate chance at going after Howard, Chris Paul, or Andrew Bynum in upcoming free agency.
Here are more of this evening's odds and ends:
- A report from ESPN (via the Associated Press) states that NBA Commissioner David Stern expects a concrete plan from Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson within the next two weeks regarding the Kings' future. Although the NBA Board of Governors does not meet until April 17-18, Stern believes that the official proposal could be made by March 1st "if (Mayor Johnson) follows through on what he's told us." He also put the kibosh on the idea of expansion and doesn't foresee a scenario where both Seattle and Sacramento wind up with teams.
- With 15 guaranteed contracts and the team on a roll as of late, Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida figures that the Heat will be very quiet at the trade deadline next week (Twitter link).
- Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago gets the sense that Bulls superstar Derrick Rose won't be returning this season.
- Gino Pilato of Ridiculous Upside provides a rundown of the top available point guards in the D-League and organizes them in groups by what they specifically have to offer.
- After suffering a torn ACL on Tuesday night, Kentucky big man Nerlens Noel figures to be on a six-to-eight month recovery. Once touted by some to be the number one overall pick in this June's draft, Noel has slid to number three in Chad Ford's ESPN rankings of the top 30 prospects (Insiders only). On a side note, Darren Rovell (also of ESPN) tweets that Noel has a $10MM insurance policy in the event that he suffers a career ending injury.
- In a statement issued to Michael Lee of the Washington Post, David Falk (the former agent of Michael Jordan) apologized for his disparaging comments about John Wall and the Wizards recently.
- There have been a flurry of reports today about Lakers owner Jerry Buss' bout with terminal cancer, which was first reported by Amber Goodhand of Radar Online this morning. In a statement issued by the team today, it was made clear that there is no intention of selling the team to an outside group and that the Buss family plans to keep ownership of the Lakers for many generations to come (Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News).
Berger’s Latest: Warriors, Mavericks, Kings, NBPA
In addition to publishing a new installment of his Postups column, Ken Berger of CBSports.com joined Kevin Corke (video link) to discuss a few trade rumors. Here are a few items of note from both Berger links:
- The Warriors don't necessarily have to get under the tax threshold this year, but at some point they're interested in getting out from under Andris Biedrins' and/or Richard Jefferson's contracts. Golden State may be willing to include a first-round pick to move one of those two players.
- Berger feels like the Mavericks could be a darkhorse for Josh Smith, despite reports indicating that Dallas isn't interested. The Mavs have at least internally discussed the possibility of making a run at Smith, says Berger.
- While Sacramento isn't expected to officially present its bid to keep the Kings to the NBA's Board of Governors until April, mayor Kevin Johnson will be in Houston this weekend to update David Stern on his progress and to lobby team owners to not give up on Sacramento.
- The player's union is also expected to meet during All-Star weekend to decide on Billy Hunter's future. However, even if the player reps vote to oust the executive director, Hunter may challenge the authority and composition of the union's new interim executive committee. Such a decision could also open the door for a civil lawsuit.
Kyler’s Latest: Knicks, Mavs, Kings, Granger
Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld shares a number of trade rumors and updates in his latest NBA AM piece, so let's dive right in and round up the highlights….
- The Knicks likely won't make a deal in the next week, but if they do, it will probably involve Iman Shumpert being moved for a more proven veteran. Jared Dudley's camp claims there's nothing to reports of the Knicks' interest, but according to Kyler, sources in New York say Dudley is exactly the sort of veteran the Knicks are considering.
- Sources say the Mavericks have assured Darren Collison he's not going anywhere, but Kyler says that may be simply to boost Collison's confidence rather than a set-in-stone stance. O.J. Mayo and Chris Kaman also have trade value, though the Mavs may prefer to keep Mayo.
- Until the Kings are officially sold, the Maloofs and Geoff Petrie aren't prevented from making roster moves, but the team still isn't expected to do a whole lot at the deadline. One rival club that expressed interest in Tyreke Evans wasn't able to make much progress, says Kyler.
- ESPN.com's Chad Ford suggested yesterday that Danny Granger might make more sense as a trade candidate this summer, a point Kyler echoes. Paul George will be extension-eligible starting in July, and Granger will be entering the final year of his contract, making a possible deal more logical for the Pacers.
Southwest Links: White, Spurs, Prince, Mavs
As every Southwest team except the Grizzlies prepares for action tonight, let's check in on the latest notes out of the division….
- Royce White finally made his D-League debut for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and showed flashes of the potential that makes Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle think White could help the Rockets this season.
- Don't expect the Spurs to make a serious play for Josh Smith, writes Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News.
- Tayshaun Prince appeared on the Chris Vernon Show on ESPN Memphis, and discussed how shocked he was when he heard he'd been traded to the Grizzlies, as well as the adjustment he's making to a new team and city (link via Sports Radio Interviews).
- Kevin Sherrington of the Dallas Morning News explains why Mavericks fans shouldn't be holding their breath waiting for the club to make a blockbuster trade.
- The Mavs would love to get their hands on DeMarcus Cousins, who they think would greatly benefit from the team's culture, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com. But with the Kings unlikely to move Cousins and the third-year big man not due for restricted free agency until the summer of 2014, Dallas may not have much of an opportunity to land him.
Sacramento Close To Unveiling Plan To Keep Kings
Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson says he's "very close" to unveiling the identities of the deep-pocketed investors he has recruited to make a bid to keep the Kings in the city, according to Ryan Lillis of the Sacramento Bee. Based on previous reports, it's expected that Ron Burkle and Mark Mastrov will lead the counter-offer for the Kings from Sacramento.
According to Johnson, he's up against a March 1st deadline to finalize the city's proposal. The mayor is hopeful that the NBA, which is expected to hear Sacramento's pitch to keep the franchise at the Board of Governors meetings in April, will give Sacramento an audience sometime before April, according to Antonio Gonzalez of the Associated Press (link via Star Tribune).
"I'm under the assumption that the joint committee may want to hear from us sooner," Johnson said. "We're going to have all the agreements and all the actions and all the documents squared by March 1st, as well as if there's an opportunity to present to the joint committee prior to mid-April, then I feel very confident. We're going to have all our ducks in order. We're going to be ready before mid-April if that's what it takes."
While the Maloofs have already reached an agreement with a group led by Chris Hansen and Steve Ballmer, and have filed to relocate to Seattle, Johnson says the deal isn't as done as the Seattle group would have you believe. The former NBA veteran remains confident that Sacramento has a realistic chance of keeping the Kings in town.
"You just cannot tell me that when Sacramento presents a comparable, fair, competitive deal to what Seattle's done and makes good on this arena that this team is going to be plopped and relocated somewhere else," Johnson said. "At the end of the day, you just can't tell me that's going to happen."
Odds & Ends: Rockets, Kings, Draft, Calderon
As we continue counting down the days to next week's trade deadline, let's catch up on a few odds and ends from around the NBA:
- Asked about the trade deadline during an appearance on KBME in Houston, Jeremy Lin said he loves the current Rockets players, though he "definitely" wouldn't be averse to a deal that makes the team better (link via Chris Fedor of Sports Radio Interviews).
- Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee has the latest details on the Kings sale, reporting that the Maloofs have given bankruptcy trustee David Flemmer some of the documents regarding the sale of the team to the Seattle group.
- In their weekly Insider-only draft piece for ESPN.com, Chad Ford and Jay Bilas take a look at the nation's best mid-major prospects.
- Kevin Pelton also has a new Insider-only piece up at ESPN.com, in which he examines potential buy-low opportunities on the trade market. Pelton's list includes Andrea Bargnani, DeJuan Blair, and Derrick Williams, three players we've profiled in our trade candidate series.
- Jose Calderon spoke to Shams Charania of RealGM.com about adjusting to life with the Pistons, adding that he can envision himself in Detroit long-term.
- ESPN.com's 5-on-5 panel weighs in on whether a number of trade candidates, including Carlos Boozer, Zach Randolph, and Iman Shumpert, should be moved.