Odds & Ends: Jazz, Millsap, Marion, Andersen, MJ
Here’s tonight’s look around the Association..
- Between Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap, the Jazz are more likely to deal Millsap, several opposing team executives tell Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game (on Sulia). The consensus is that Utah can’t afford to keep both with Gordon Hayward soon to be eligible for an extension and the belief that he is in the team’s long-term plans.
- If Shawn Marion’s deal was expiring at season’s end, we would be hearing trade speculation about him on a daily basis, writes Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Marion has attracted attention because of his strong play as of late, but his $9.3MM player option for next season is something of a deterrent.
- Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter) likes what Chris Andersen has brought to the Heat and believes that he has fixed the club’s only glaring weakness. The Heat signed Birdman for the remainder of the season late last week.
- Lakers forward Antawn Jamison believes that Michael Jordan could still play at the age of 50 if he was on the right team alongside the likes of a LeBron James or Kobe Bryant, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
Northwest Notes: Jazz, Thunder, Rubio, Williams, Oden
The latest news and notes from around the Northwest Division on Saturday evening:
- Kurt Kragthorpe of the Salt Lake Tribune writes that the Jazz' rebuilding efforts over the past two seasons have not yielded much progress.
- Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune writes that the Thunder may not be able to keep their core together because of the new CBA.
- Kent Youngblood of the Minneapolis Star Tribune praises Derrick Williams' play since Ricky Rubio returned to the Wolves' lineup.
- John Canzano of The Oregonian reflects on Greg Oden's tenure with the Trail Blazers as he gears up to sign with a new team.
Odds & Ends: Josh Smith, Suns, Mavs, Tony Allen
It's a light five-game schedule in the NBA tonight, with no clashes of two teams that appear to be headed for the playoffs. So, it may be time for a few executives around the league to take their eyes off the court and delve into trade talks, with the deadline just a dozen days away. We'll be keeping tabs on all the latest, with a few afternoon items right here:
- Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News expects the Suns and Mavs to be players for Josh Smith before the deadline (Twitter link). Yesterday we heard there's a 60% chance the Hawks deal Smith away, and that they're seeking a "quality young center" in return — the sort of asset neither Phoenix nor Dallas appears to possess, which could necessitate a three-way swap.
- Shaun Powell of Sports on Earth praises Tony Allen's defense, and passes along comments from the Grizzlies swingman about hitting free agency this summer. "I'd like to stay but whatever happens I'm cool with it," Allen said. "I'll get what's coming to me. At least I hope. They say defense wins games, right? They say it's all about how you play defense, right?"
- Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game is surprised that Brandon Jennings has changed agents, arguing that Excel's Jeff Schwartz is likely to use the same leverage BDA's Bill Duffy would have when Jennings becomes a restricted free agent in the offseason (Sulia link).
- Brad Rock of the Deseret News believes the Jazz should stand pat at the trade deadline and preserve their flexibility for the summer.
- Chris Dortch of NBA.com looks at how potential No. 1 overall pick Nerlens Noel sizes up against Anthony Davis and other shot-blocking savants.
- Joe Kotoch of SheridanHoops.com examines the top power forwards available in the 2013 draft.
Wolves Rumors: Ridnour, Roy, Johnson, Gelabale
2013/14 Timberwolves season ticket holders appear to be in line for a 10% discount, as the T-Wolves continue to slip further out of playoff contention. As Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities writes in his latest Scoops column, the marketing department that promised a 10% discount if Minnesota failed to reach the postseason should have also offered a money-back guarantee if the team doesn't make a deadline trade, since that seems like a near certainty. Here are the latest Wolves rumblings from Wolfson:
- Following up on Chris Sheridan's report on Luke Ridnour's availability, Wolfson confirms that the Jazz like Ridnour. However, Wolfson thinks a package that includes Raja Bell and one of Utah's first-round picks is more likely than one that features Alec Burks.
- Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor confirmed that GM David Kahn has engaged Brandon Roy's agent in talks about a possible buyout. Roy's contract could also be used for salary-matching purposes in a trade.
- Taylor also said the T-Wolves were never too involved in Rudy Gay talks, and said other trade discussions are "slow-going" at the moment.
- Chris Johnson's and Mickael Gelabale's 10-day contracts expired overnight, but both players are expected to be retained for the rest of the season. The Wolves are talking to Johnson about a deal that would keep him around for 2013/14 as well.
- If Johnson and Gelabale are both re-signed, Louis Amundson appears to be the odd man out. Minnesota has been allowed to carry 16 players temporarily after receiving an injury exception, but will have to reduce that number to 15.
Western Notes: Burks, Carter, Lakers, Kings
Let's check out a few afternoon links related to Western Conference clubs….
- In his report about Luke Ridnour's availability, Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops mentioned Alec Burks as a player the Timberwolves have discussed with the Jazz. However, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities tweets that Burks has been given some sort of assurance that he won't be moved in a deal for Ridnour.
- A league source tells NBA.com's Jeff Caplan it's a "long shot" that the Mavericks will decide to trade Vince Carter in the next two weeks.
- Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni expects to meet with GM Mitch Kupchak soon to discuss the team's roster, according to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News.
- Dwight Howard is growing tired of people questioning his shoulder injury, telling reporters, including Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com, that his career and future would be at stake if he tries to play through it.
- Although he said last July when he signed an offer sheet with the Suns that his heart was in Phoenix, Eric Gordon is happy to still be a member of the Hornets, as he tells Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic. "Whether I was here or there, I would’ve been fine with it," Gordon said. "It was nothing over the top that I wanted to be here or there."
- Tom Ziller of Sactown Royalty is very pleased that commissioner David Stern seems to be suggesting the NBA's Board of Governors will be taking a holistic approach when evaluating Seattle's and Sacramento's bid for the Kings.
Timberwolves Shopping Luke Ridnour
With two weeks to go until the trade deadline, the Timberwolves are exploring possible deals involving Luke Ridnour, reports Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops. According to Sheridan, there's a "good chance" that Ridnour will be dealt before the deadline.
Ridnour, who is earning $4MM this season, has one additional year left on his contract at $4.32MM, and is one of a number of point guards on the Wolves' roster, along with Ricky Rubio and J.J. Barea. While Ridnour earned major minutes at the point earlier this season, Rubio has seen his playing time increase over the last month as his health improves, meaning Minnesota now has an excess of players at the position.
The Timberwolves engaged in trade discussions with the Jazz in a deal involving Alec Burks, but those talks have been tabled for now, according to Sheridan. Nonetheless, Utah is in the market for a point guard, so it's possible the two sides revisit those negotiations before February 21st.
Northwest Notes: Hickson, Wolves, Nuggets
With the Grizzlies and Warriors not playing their best ball as of late, another team has quietly passed them in the standings and assumed the fourth seed in the Western Conference: the Nuggets. Heading into tonight's game against the Bulls, Denver has won seven straight, and has posted a 21-3 record at home. The Lakers/Celtics matchup will draw most of the headlines, but it may be that late game at the Pepsi Center that turns into the evening's best contest.
As we look forward to tonight's action, here are a few notes out of the Northwest Division:
- Although he's played out of position at center for much of the season, J.J. Hickson has excelled with the Trail Blazers, and is increasing his chances of landing a big deal in unrestricted free agency this summer, according to Jeff Caplan of NBA.com. "I’d be lying if I wasn’t looking forward to it, but that’s something I’ll get more excited about when that period hits," Hickson said. "It’s something that me and my agent will talk about, but right now I’m just worried about playing basketball and trying to make these playoffs."
- Commissioner David Stern is involved in Minnesota's plan to refurbish the Target Center and remains apprised on Glen Taylor's process of eventually selling the Timberwolves, as Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune writes.
- In his latest mailbag for the Denver Post, Benjamin Hochman fields multiple questions on trade possibilities for the Nuggets, discussing Timofey Mozgov, Jordan Hamilton, and the team's $13MM trade exception.
- Karl Malone is willing to work for free if it means getting a chance to join the Jazz's coaching staff as an assistant, says Jody Genessy of the Deseret News.
Odds & Ends: NBPA, Joseph, Lakers, Burks
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Wednesday evening:
- Agent David Falk tells Jorge Sierra of HoopsHype that the NBPA needs to band together to force a change in union leadership.
- Kris Joseph is returning to the D-League, reports Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.
- Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News writes that Dwight Howard should look to Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant as an example of how to play through injuries.
- Bill Oram of the Salt Lake Tribune writes that Alec Burks is succeeding in playing out of position at point guard to replace Earl Watson for the Jazz.
- The Bulls' rash of injuries have forced Tom Thibodeau to improvise his rotations, writes Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times.
- Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle tells Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com that J.J. Hickson has been a smart pickup for the Blazers.
Spurs Frontrunners To Acquire Al Jefferson?
As ESPN.com's Chad Ford noted in his chat this afternoon, the Jazz are one of the league's most close-to-the-vest teams, which may explain why we haven't heard a ton of rumors about trade candidates and soon-to-be free agents Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap. However, according to Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops, one team has emerged as a frontrunner to acquire Jefferson: the Spurs.
Sheridan points out that various members of San Antonio's and Utah's front offices used to work for the other club, strengthening the relationship between the two teams. As one source tells Sheridan: "Those teams are practically incestuous, they are on such good terms internally."
The Spurs don't have a ton of obvious trade assets, but Stephen Jackson's $10MM+ expiring contract could be used in an offer for Jefferson, who makes $15MM. From there, Sheridan suggests that a package including Tiago Splitter, Patrick Mills, and the rights to European prospects Erazem Lorbek could make some sense for both sides, though he cautions that he's not sure whether that specific deal has been discussed. Like Jefferson and Jackson, Splitter will be a free agent after this season, while Mills has a 2013/14 player option for a modest $1.13MM, so the Jazz wouldn't be giving up much future flexibility in that hypothetical trade.
Some reports have suggested the Jazz would prefer to move Millsap rather than Jefferson, while others have indicated the team would be fine with simply standing pat and keeping both big men. Given the club's secrecy when it comes to trade talks, we likely won't know for sure what Utah's intentions are until a move is made or the deadline passes.
Randy Foye Hopes For Long-Term Stay With Jazz
Although he only signed a one-year contract with the Jazz last summer, Randy Foye wouldn't mind extending his stay in Utah. Foye tells Bill Oram of the Salt Lake Tribune that he can picture a long-term future for himself with the Jazz.
"To tell you the truth I do see myself long-term here," Foye said. "Because everything from an organization, to the values they have here is me. And in the beginning I probably never would have thought it was Utah, probably thought I was a big-city guy. But this is me. I got my family here, my family really likes it here — even when my friends come out they really like it."
While Foye is playing for his fourth team in seven NBA seasons, the 29-year-old's production has remained remarkably consistent. Many of Foye's numbers for the Jazz this season (11.9 PPG, 13.1 PER, .416 FG%) are virtually identical to his career numbers (11.6 PPG, 13.2 PER, .412 FG%). With his $2.5MM deal set to expire at season's end, Foye is hoping to re-sign with the Jazz in July, but isn't thinking too much about his contract situation at the moment.
"I love the guys here," Foye said. "I know the guys, we get along really well. I just picture myself being here for a while. I don't really want to talk about contract things, but I just picture I would want to be here for a long time."