Atlantic Notes: Raptors, Williams, Brown
Knicks owner James Dolan told his team Thursday that no drastic moves are in the offing, but management apparently didn’t get the message, since the front office is reportedly still involved in trade talks and planning for a potential coaching change. Regardless of whether the Knicks pull off any moves, they seem destined to continue to make headlines all season long. There’s more news on another team that could be active at the trade deadline as we check the latest from the Atlantic Division:
- None of the Raptors appear to be off-limits for a trade, and Kyle Lowry might be the most likely to go. Still, he says he and his teammates aren’t letting the talk get to them, notes Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun. Lowry tells Wolstat that he was flattered to hear Knicks fans in New York chanting his name on Christmas Day, but he remains committed to the Raptors.
- Terrence Williams is headed to the D-League, a source tells Gino Pilato of D-League Digest. Williams left his Turkish team last month to deal with a family matter. Williams has bounced around since the Nets made him the 11th overall pick in 2009 and spent part of last season with the Celtics.
- Williams also has experience playing in China, where Bobby Brown scored 74 points in his last outing for the Dongguan Leopards. Brown, who saw summer league action with the Raptors this year, seems destined to return to the NBA later this season when his Chinese deal is up, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN.com.
- Earlier tonight, we passed along a report that suggested head coach Jason Kidd may be losing support from the Nets.
Several Teams Interested In Luol Deng
6:06pm: Sam clarifies in a pair of tweets that the teams mentioned in his story are more interested in Deng as a free agent than a trade target, since they wouldn’t want to give up assets to rent him for a half-season.
4:59pm: The Cavaliers, Mavericks, Lakers, Raptors, Spurs, Grizzlies and Nets are among the teams interested in Luol Deng, sources tell Aggrey Sam of CSNChicago.com. It’s not clear whether those teams are looking to trade for Deng this season or sign him in the summer, when he’ll be a free agent. The Bulls, while reportedly determined not to trade Deng, would apparently do so if they receive the right offer, and according to Sam, such an offer would involve a productive young player and a first-round pick.
Deng and the Bulls had extension talks this summer, but agent Ron Shade, who represents Deng along with Herb Rudoy, tells Sam that the Bulls never even made an extension offer to his client and says that many were “shocked” that Chicago wouldn’t do so.
“Honestly, I wanted something to be done,” Deng said. “I wanted to be here. I really felt we were going to. I don’t know how the money works. I don’t know what needed to be done. I really don’t know any of that stuff. But after the spinal tap, I went away and everything, I think I was waiting to hear from the Bulls. I was waiting to hear from [GM] Gar [Forman], and I really thought there would be weeks, maybe months of going back and forth, and trying to get it done. I felt like I’ve been here since I was 18. I’ve worked hard. They’ve seen me come in and do everything. But for whatever reason, Gar felt like it wasn’t the time yet.”
Still, Deng insists Forman “didn’t do anything wrong,” and remains open to staying with the team. The Bulls could have plenty of competition if they don’t deal him, Sam writes, believing that Deng could become the most sought-after free agent of the summer if marquee stars like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony decide not to opt out of their deals.
Amick On Knicks, Lowry, Rondo
USA Today’s Sam Amick offered his New Year’s resolutions for a handful of teams who appear badly in need of help, touching base with issues currently encompassing the Knicks, Warriors, and Timberwolves. Aside from lamenting about the Eastern Conference’s shortage of winning records, Amick provides some fascinating tidbits on what’s been going on in New York, particularly with regard to their recent pursuit of Kyle Lowry and their reported interest in Rajon Rondo. Being that Amick’s discussion of Golden State and Minnesota is more-or-less tied to point differential and strength of schedule, we’ll focus on the Knicks-related topics from his piece, and you can find the highlights below:
- New York would be wise to consolidate all their efforts and assets toward acquiring Rondo and not Lowry, especially if they’re willing to discuss trading their already limited supply of draft picks, suggests Amick.
- According to a person with knowledge of the Raptors’ dealings, the Knicks had first raised the idea of sending a 2018 pick to Toronto during trade discussions for Lowry. Interestingly enough, it appears that GM Steve Mills was the one who ultimately vetoed this particular approach altogether, opting to remain patient for more worthwhile pursuits.
- Regardless of how many times Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge insists that Rondo isn’t on the trading block, the belief from rival executives remains that the star point guard can be had for the right price. With two months and change left before the NBA’s trade deadline, it doesn’t look like the rumors of New York’s pursuit of Rondo will go away anytime soon, especially if Carmelo Anthony remains part of the Knicks’ plans. Even if Rondo becomes available, the Knicks face another hurdle of being one of many teams in line looking to make a pitch to the Celtics for his services.
Odds & Ends: LeBron, Lowry, T’Wolves
Fresh off of winning the Associated Press’ 2013 Male Athlete of the Year award, LeBron James spoke in depth about being a role model off the court and having a higher calling outside of basketball in addition to how he’s continued to mature in life. With the possibility of hitting free agency once again since 2010’s “The Decision”, the Heat superstar couldn’t avoid another inquiry about what could happen this summer (Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press). Not surprisingly, LeBron didn’t elaborate on much:
“I’m so zoned in on what my task is here this year that it’s hard to think about anything else…A guy the other day asked me what I’m going to do for New Year’s, and I haven’t even thought about that.”
With that aside, here are more of tonight’s miscellaneous news and notes from around the league:
- Eric Koreen of the National Post examines the trade/free agent value of Kyle Lowry, especially now that the Raptors appear to be thriving since trading Rudy Gay to Sacramento. Koreen argues that talent-wise, Lowry is worth the price of a first-round pick for teams looking to acquire him. On the other hand, if he finishes the season in Toronto looking to stay, then the asking price could start around at least $8MM annually, similar to what Jeff Teague and Brandon Jennings garnered as restricted free agents last summer.
- Sitting at 13-15 through 28 games, the Timberwolves are on par with what president of basketball operations Flip Saunders had expected at this point. Saunders explained his stance to Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press: “Of the record, when the season started, I thought we’d be right where we’re at, or maybe 14-14, 15-13…I thought that was a very realistic goal. But we haven’t finished games like I thought we would be able to do right now.” Saunders also pointed to the team’s road-heavy schedule early on as well as the fact that many of the core players don’t have much experience with each other as reasons why he’s optimistic about brighter days ahead this year.
- Prior to this season, Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts compiled an NBA head coaching record of 148-217 over 365 games, with just one playoff appearance and a first-round exit to boot. This year, Stotts is enjoying an .821 winning percentage in Portland in what is currently his most successful season to date thus far. In a special article for ESPN.com, Daniel Nowell discusses Stotts’ long road to becoming an NBA coach.
- Taj Gibson is repaying the Bulls’ investment in him, writes K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune (Subscribers only).
Carlos Morais To Play In Angola
Raptors training camp invitee Carlos Morais will play for Recreativo Libolo in his native Angola, agent Adão Costa tells Angola’s Radio 5, according to Desporto (translation via Sportando). The deal is for two years, Costa said, though it’s not clear whether it includes an NBA out.
The 6’3″ guard appeared in three preseason games for Toronto and scored six points in a total of 21 minutes before the Raptors cut him prior to the start of the regular season. NBA teams passed him over when he was eligible for the draft in 2007, and Morais had never played in an NBA summer league, so it was surprising to see the Raptors bring him to camp. He led Angola to the gold medal in the FIBA Africa Championship this past summer.
It may not have worked out with Morais this fall, but his presence on the Raptors camp roster could signal a willingness on the part of Nigerian-born GM Masai Ujiri to tap the African market for talent. Morais played for Petroleos in Angola last season, as our International Player Movement Tracker shows.
Atlantic Notes: Nets, Lowry, Anderson, Knicks
The Nets’ long-term plan has centered on building around Deron Williams and an impact center, and when the team was unable to land Dwight Howard, Brook Lopez became that big man. However, as Tim Bontemps of the New York Post points out, the two franchise cornerstones often haven’t been healthy at the same time. The Nets are 58-42 in games the two stars have played together, and 29-71 when one or the other doesn’t play.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- Kyle Lowry knows he’s been the subject of trade rumors over the last several weeks, and spoke to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld about the challenge of not letting those rumors affect him. “I think a lot of guys say that they don’t think about it, but of course you think about it,” Lowry said. “You just can’t let it affect your play.”
- James Anderson credits Brett Brown, who was an assistant coach for the Spurs, and Sam Hinkie, who was the Rockets’ assistant GM, with bringing him to the Sixers after he made stops in San Antonio and Houston. As he tells Shams Charania of RealGM.com, Anderson is trying to make the most of his first real opportunity to be an NBA regular.
- The pairing of Andrea Bargnani with Carmelo Anthony hasn’t worked out so far for the Knicks, and that’s one of the main reasons the team finds itself at 9-18 entering its Christmas Day game, writes Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com.
Amico’s Latest: Lowry, Dragic, Cavs
Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio leads his latest piece with news about the Bucks making Larry Sanders available in trades, but he passes along plenty more pre-Christmas rumors. Let’s dive in:
- Amico identifies the Magic and Pelicans as potential Kyle Lowry suitors and hears from one league executive who says he’d be shocked if the Raptors don’t deal the point guard by the deadline.
- A report yesterday suggested Goran Dragic is the Suns player most likely to be dealt, but Amico hears that while the Suns would listen to offers, they aren’t looking to trade him.
- The Cavs have been aggressive in their search for “an impact player” on the trade market recently, but they’re not willing to give up Dion Waiters or Tristan Thompson to do so, according to Amico. The team might become more willing to include those players in trades at a later point, Amico speculates.
- Kings GM Pete D’Alessandro is still talking to other teams about moves that would improve his club, Amico writes, which jibes with earlier reports that suggest Sacramento remains in trade mode.
- Draft prospect P.J. Hairston could soon wind up in the D-League. The University of North Carolina recently dismissed the swingman, but many around the league think he might head to the D-League to help his draft stock. He’s currently No. 32 on the DraftExpress Top 100 Prospects list.
Eastern Notes: Pacers, Stephenson, Raptors
The latest from the Eastern Conference..
- Keeping Lance Stephenson will be an expensive problem for the Pacers, writes Jonathan Tjarks of RealGM. Still only 23, he’s already a better shooter than Dwyane Wade, a better defender than James Harden and a better passer than Paul George. Stephenson may not have gaudy numbers, but he’ll be worth more to a franchise without established stars, one who can make him the primary option on the first team.
- Raptors guard Kyle Lowry is growing as a player and a person this season, writes HoopsWorld’s Alex Kennedy. “Kyle’s approach has been exceptional,” said trainer Joe Abunassar of Impact Basketball. “I think that has really translated to helping his game. He has been focused and he understands what being a top player in the NBA takes. It’s more than just basketball – it’s how he’s carrying himself and working.” As he shines in Toronto, Lowry has seen his name pop up in trade rumors all year long. He was very close to joining the Knicks, but those trade talks are apparently dead now.
- John Salmons is having a huge impact on the Raptors, writes Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun. Toronto fans may not have had a great impression of the forward back in 2006 when he backed away from a verbal agreement to sign with the Raptors because – according to him – god told him not to go there. Meanwhile, Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun recently reported that Salmons was a prime candidate to be traded.
Knicks’ Talks For Kyle Lowry Dead
Attempts to revive discussions on a trade that would have sent Kyle Lowry to the Knicks died a few days ago, says Howard Beck of Bleacher Report (via Twitter). According to Beck, despite injuries to multiple point guards, the Knicks were unwilling to offer a first-round pick for Lowry. It’s not clear which side was more interested in revisiting negotiations, but either way, it looks like no deal is coming.
Trade talks involving Lowry appeared to be heating up earlier in the month, but Knicks owner James Dolan is believed to have vetoed a swap that would have sent Lowry to New York in exchange for Raymond Felton, Metta World Peace, and a 2018 first-round pick. While the Nets were also linked to Lowry, they were reportedly equally unwilling to include a future first-rounder in their offer.
Felton is expected to be a game-time decision for tonight’s contest, and Prigioni could return in time for the new year, so the Knicks shouldn’t be shorthanded at the point for much longer. While an upgrade at the position could help New York make a playoff push, it seems for now that the team is unwilling to mortgage more of its future for a short-term gain.
Ford On Randolph, Raptors, Cavs, Suns, Draft
Recent reports have downplayed the Grizzlies‘ and Raptors‘ interest in moving Zach Randolph and DeMar DeRozan, but in his latest chat, ESPN.com’s Chad Ford suggests both teams would still be open to moving their respective highest-paid players in the right deal. Here’s more from ESPN’s draft guru:
- Jonas Valanciunas and perhaps Amir Johnson are the only players the Raptors “really want to keep,” according to Ford.
- The Cavaliers are working the phones in an effort to add impact players, and are still very much trying to make the playoffs this season, says Ford.
- Ford believes that anyone on the Suns except for Eric Bledsoe could be had, suggesting that Goran Dragic, who is drawing interest from the Kings, is “the most likely to go.” I’d assume the Suns would require a pretty nice package to seriously consider moving Dragic, given how well he and Bledsoe have played together so far.
- In a 2013 re-draft, Ford would have Giannis Antetokounmpo at No. 1, followed by Victor Oladipo and Michael Carter-Williams.
- There’s no clear consensus on who will be picked first overall in 2014. According to Ford, conservative GMs will lean toward Julius Randle or Jabari Parker, while risk-taking teams will likely opt for Andrew Wiggins, Dante Exum, or Joel Embiid.