San Antonio Spurs Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Texas Notes: Kidd, Pietrus, Spurs, McHale

November 21st, 2012 at 7:42pm CST by Chuck Myron

There's plenty of news coming out of the Lonestar State tonight, where the Spurs, Mavs and Rockets have begun to cool off, to varying degrees, after their hot starts. Here's the latest:

Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News argues that Jason Kidd had every right to leave the Mavericks this summer, and scolds owner Mark Cuban for giving him the cold shoulder.
The Spurs made an offer to Mickael Pietrus that included a "one month" guarantee, but Pietrus wasn't interested, tweets Shams Charania of RealGM.com.
According to the French newspaper Le Parisien (translation via Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News), Pietrus never received an offer from the Spurs. That's in contrast to Charania's information, as well as an earlier report from Marc Stein of ESPN.com suggesting Pietrus' demand for more than the minimum is what kept him from the team. Le Parisien attributes Stein's report to misinformation from Pietrus' "entourage," according to McCarney.
Interim Rockets coach Kelvin Sampson, who's subbing for Kevin McHale, said the situation surrounding McHale is improving, but, "It's not out of the woods yet," reports David Barron of the Houston Chronicle. The team has not specified the reason for McHale's absence, but he's believed to be tending to his ailing daughter.

Spurs Recall Cory Joseph From D-League

November 21st, 2012 at 9:46am CST by Luke Adams

Cory Joseph has become the first player this season to be recalled from an assignment to the D-League. Less than a week after sending him to the Austin Toros, the Spurs have recalled Joseph to help shore up a roster depleted by injuries. The team confirmed the move in a press release.

The D-League season doesn't get underway until later this week, so Joseph didn't get a chance to appear in a regular-season game for the Toros. The Spurs likely would have preferred to keep him in the D-League a little longer, but the team's hand was forced by injuries to Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Jackson. San Antonio also signed James Anderson to add some depth at small forward.

To keep tabs on all of this season's D-League assignments and recalls, be sure to check out our complete list.

Spurs Sign James Anderson

November 21st, 2012 at 9:34am CST by Luke Adams

The Spurs have officially signed James Anderson, the club announced today in a press release. ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported yesterday that Anderson was expected to rejoin the Spurs, in the wake of injuries to Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Jackson.

Although San Antonio is calling Anderson up from the D-League, the 23-year-old had joined the Rio Grande Valley Vipers as a free agent rather than as a Spurs asignee. As such, Anderson will fill the Spurs' 15th and final roster spot.

Anderson was a member of the Spurs last season, but the club didn't pick up its 2012/13 option on the Oklahoma State product, making him an unrestricted free agent at season's end. He joined the Hawks for training camp and the preseason, but failed to earn a spot on Atlanta's roster.

According to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News, Anderson's deal is believed to be non-guaranteed. That would give the Spurs the opportunity to cut him without taking much of a cap hit when Leonard and/or Jackson return.

Spurs Rumors: Anderson, Joseph, Pietrus

November 20th, 2012 at 12:44pm CST by Luke Adams

On the heels of Stephen Jackson's right hand injury, which will keep him out for at least a month, the Spurs are exploring ways of adding depth to a roster that's also without Kawhi Leonard. Here are the latest rumors on how the team intends to move forward:

San Antonio is in the process of calling up former Spur James Anderson from the D-League's Rio Grande Valley Vipers, reports ESPN.com's Marc Stein (via Twitter). Anderson is no longer under contract with the Spurs, so the team would have to ink him to a new deal and use its open roster spot to call him up.
Head coach Gregg Popovich indicated the Spurs will likely recall Cory Joseph from the team's D-League affiliate as well, according to Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News. Joseph was assigned to the Austin Toros last week.
The Spurs also have interest in Mickael Pietrus, who would be a natural fit with three Frenchmen already on the roster, according to Stein (Twitter link). However, the former Celtic is still seeking more than a minimum salary. For San Antonio, which is close to the tax threshold and has spent most of its mid-level and bi-annual exceptions, the pro-rated veteran's minimum is the only option.

Stephen Jackson Out Four To Six Weeks

November 19th, 2012 at 9:04pm CST by Chuck Myron

We normally don't cover injuries here at Hoops Rumors, but when a star player goes down or there's an absence that could prompt a roster move, we're on it. After news earlier today that Brandon Roy, Kyrie Irving and Tyrus Thomas will miss significant time, Stephen Jackson has become the latest injury victim, as he'll miss four to six weeks with a fractured pinky finger, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman notes that it's a non-displaced fracture to his right pinky (Twitter link).

The timing is unfortunate for the Spurs, who are already without Kawhi Leonard for several more days. Jackson had been filling in for Leonard at small forward. The Spurs have limited options at the three with both out, though they could use Danny Green and Manu Ginobili, both 6'6", at the position. They have 14 players on the roster, so there's an open spot if they want to sign someone. It probably has to be a minimum-salary deal, since they're over the salary cap and have only $500K left on their mid-level exception. The Spurs are also about $1MM below the tax line.

Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News suggests Derrick Brown, one of the team's training camp invitees, could get a look (Twitter link). Wesley Witherspoon, who was also with the team in camp, is on the roster of the Spurs' D-League affiliate and may also receive consideration, though I'm only speculating. The biggest name on the Hoops Rumors list of remaining free agent small forwards is probably Mickael Pietrus, but he may not want to sign for the minimum. As I explained when news of Irving's injury broke, the trade market isn't a likely path, since most teams aren't looking to deal at this point in the season, and the Spurs might not want to tinker too much with their roster just to solve a short-term problem.

Kyler On Hawks, Jazz, Calderon, Rockets, Varejao

November 19th, 2012 at 11:43am CST by Luke Adams

With this season's deadline still three months away, the trade market likely won't be too active for at least a few more weeks. However, as Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld writes, things could start to pick up on December 15th, when most players who signed over the summer are eligible to be dealt. Kyler looks at a few specific trade candidates in his latest piece, so let's round up the highlights….

Josh Smith, Paul Millsap, and Al Jefferson are a few players in the final year of their contracts whose respective teams aren't planning to deal. However, the Hawks and Jazz could reconsider their stances as the deadline approaches, if there's an increasing concern that those players will leave in free agency.
While there's no urgency in Toronto to move Jose Calderon, the Raptors are expected to explore deals. Kyler suggests that small forwards like Omri Casspi and Wilson Chandler are worth keeping an eye on as potential Raptors targets, adding that Chandler isn't in the Nuggets' long-term plan.
The Rockets likely aren't done dealing, with players like Daequan Cook, Toney Douglas, and Marcus Morris among the team's possible trade candidates.
DeJuan Blair continues to be available, but the Spurs are still seeking a first-round pick, and it's unclear if any team would pay that price for a player that could sign elsewhere at season's end.
Anderson Varejao isn't likely to be moved, but if the Cavaliers were to consider a deal, it would have to include Luke Walton and his $6.09MM salary.
Similarly, if the Kings explored a Tyreke Evans trade, Sacramento would want to include either John Salmons or Francisco Garcia.
The Timberwolves would be open to moving Derrick Williams if they could land a good veteran player for him.
Kyler also names Hedo Turkoglu, Tayshaun Prince, Tyrus Thomas, and Wesley Johnson as trade candidates, though all those players could be tough to move due to their salaries.

Southwest Notes: Howard, Jackson, Sampson

November 17th, 2012 at 7:59pm CST by Michael Pina

Over the summer, the Rockets were aggressive in trying to facilitate a trade for then Magic center Dwight Howard. Multiple reports at the time said Howard was reluctant to play in Houston, and that if a trade were to occur he wouldn't be happy. Earlier today, Howard told the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen that he "didn't have a problem" with the Rockets heavy pursuit, but his two most desired teams were still the Lakers and Nets.

With Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard out 10-14 days with tendinitis in his left quadriceps, veteran swingman Stephen Jackson has been selected as his replacement in the starting lineup, writes San Antonio Express-News reporter Dan McCarney.
With Kevin McHale on indefinite leave from the Rockets as he tends to a family emergency, Kelvin Sampson has been thrust into the role of head coach, writes Feigen.

Kawhi Leonard Out 10-14 Days

November 16th, 2012 at 9:38pm CST by Sean Highkin

Kawhi Leonard is expected to be out 10 to 14 days with left knee tendinitis, the Spurs announced in a press release Friday. San Antonio's starting small forward underwent an MRI and the diagnosis was confirmed.

The Spurs will begin a six-game road trip Wednesday, and the second-year forward will not travel with the team. It is expected that Stephen Jackson will start in Leonard's place.

Spurs Assign Cory Joseph To D-League

November 15th, 2012 at 11:29am CST by Luke Adams

With the D-League season approaching, Cory Joseph is the latest NBA player to be assigned to a D-League affiliate. The Spurs announced today in a press release that Joseph will join the Austin Toros.

Joseph, 21, appeared in 29 games for the Spurs last season, averaging 2.0 PPG on 31.4% shooting in 9.2 minutes per contest. He played briefly in just one game for San Antonio this season. For Joseph, it won't be the first time he's played for the Toros. The Canadian guard had multiple stints in the D-League last season, recording 13.8 PPG, 5.1 APG, and 5.1 RPG in 14 games with Austin.

Joseph becomes the eighth player assigned to a D-League affiliate this year, a list that includes his second cousin, Kris Joseph of the Celtics.

Odds & Ends: Kapono, Kidd, Muhammad, Pacers

November 15th, 2012 at 10:57am CST by Luke Adams

The owners of the D-League's Sioux Falls Skyforce received an offer from an unnamed NBA team this offseason to sell the franchise, according to Terry Vandrovec of the Argus Leader (hat tip to Gino Pilato of Ridiculous Upside). However, the proposal, which would have made the Skyforce a one-on-one affiliate for the unknown team, would have required the team to relocate, which didn't appeal to owners Mike and Greg Heinman.

The Skyforce are one of five D-League teams without a single affiliation, as Sioux Falls is currently the affiliate for the Heat, Magic, Timberwolves, and 76ers. With a new arena set to open next season, the Heinmans are hoping to land a hybrid single affiliation with the neighboring T-Wolves.

Here are a few more Thursday morning odds and ends from around the NBA:

After a pair of disappointing seasons with the Sixers and Lakers, Jason Kapono didn't land an NBA contract this summer. However, according to reports out of Greece, the sharpshooter could be headed overseas to join Panathinaikos. Emiliano Carchia of Sportando has the details.
Jason Kidd tells Marc Berman of the New York Post (Sulia link) that he was "very, very close" to signing with the Spurs in 2003 before he decided to return to the Nets.
Many members of the Knicks, including Kidd, Tyson Chandler, and GM Glen Grunwald, were happy to see Mike D'Antoni land the Lakers' coaching job, as Berman writes in a piece for the Post.
An overheard conversation has raised questions about whether the NCAA has prejudged the case on Shabazz Muhammad's eligibility, reports Baxter Holmes of the Los Angeles Times. Muhammad's representatives believe the revelation is enough for the NCAA to declare the UCLA freshman eligible immediately.
Discussing how to "fix" the Pacers, Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star essentially rules out the possibility of a trade, since David West's expiring contract is one of Indiana's only real assets.