Amico On Jamison, Favors, Blatche, Sessions
Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio talked Cavaliers and trade rumors in a chat today, sharing some noteworthy items along the way. Here are a few of the highlights:
- Teams are beginning to show more interest in Antawn Jamison, but it doesn't sound as if any talks have gotten serious yet. When I examined Jamison as a trade candidate three weeks ago, I wrote that I wasn't expecting the Cavaliers to move him. Amico agrees, saying Jamison probably only gets dealt if Cleveland finds a desperate trade partner.
- Derrick Favors, the third overall pick in 2010, is on the trade block, according to Amico. The Jazz would like to acquire a point guard or small forward.
- Pistons GM Joe Dumars is "really working the phone," which Dumars himself confirmed this week. Amico thinks Detroit could be a candidate for Andray Blatche. I'd assume if the Pistons were to discuss Blatche with the Wizards, Detroit would want to include Charlie Villanueva in any deal.
- Amico hears there's not much to the Cavs' reported interest in Marvin Williams, though he adds that Williams does want out of Atlanta.
- It's not a sure thing that Ramon Sessions will opt out and sign elsewhere at season's end. He's open to remaining in Cleveland, though he knows his minutes may be limited behind Kyrie Irving.
Kyler On Thunder, Howard, Crawford, Young
Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld wraps up his look at trade options for all 30 NBA clubs today, running alphabetically from Oklahoma City through Washington. You can find our recaps of the first two installments in the series here and here. Now, let's round up a few of the highlights from Kyler in part three….
- The Thunder aren't actively engaged in any trade talks, but if they're concerned about Thabo Sefolosha's foot injury lingering, they could look into acquiring a defensive-minded replacement.
- Sources close to the Dwight Howard process say the Magic are at least 50% sure they can keep D12 around for another season, if not longer. If that's the case, a blockbuster trade involving Howard is unlikely. Orlando is working hard to acquire pieces around its star center, though the team's lack of assets is making it a challenge.
- Daniel Orton is "a safe bet" to be traded by the Magic.
- While the 76ers have trade chips, they're unlikely to make a move before the deadline.
- The Suns would gladly move Josh Childress, Hakim Warrick, or Robin Lopez.
- Kyler hears from sources close to Jamal Crawford that the Blazers guard hasn't requested a trade, but that he wouldn't be opposed to being sent to a less chaotic situation.
- The Spurs haven't had "meaningful discussions" with any potential trade partners, and will probably stand pat at the deadline.
- The Raptors may be active in the next ten days, but Toronto continues to turn away proposals for Andrea Bargnani.
- Although the Jazz have some strong trade assets, they probably would want to include Devin Harris in any deals, which could turn off potential suitors for other players.
- Having accepted a qualifying offer from the Wizards this season, Nick Young can veto any deal that sends him out of town. However, Kyler hears that Young would welcome a move.
Northwest Notes: Blazers, Carroll, Howard
Oklahoma City, with Western Conference player of the month Kevin Durant, casts a shadow over the rest of the Pacific Division, with a nine and a half game lead over second-place Denver. The Nuggets, who currently occupy the eighth playoff spot, Blazers, Timberwolves and Jazz are all within two and a half games of each other, so every team in the division has a shot at the postseason. Here what's going on with a couple of those teams:
- Jeff Kramer, the man behind the superb Storytellers Contracts database, made note of a few little-known facts about the Blazers' payroll in this piece on SB Nation. He notes that Portland can't trade this year's first-round draft pick and wonders whether cost-conscious teams may take an extra look at Wesley Matthews, since his contract is cheaper than his cap hit. The lack of an extension for Nicolas Batum may save the Blazers cap space even if they re-sign him, Kramer writes, and he notes that the team is unlikely to make a move to go back over the tax line this year.
- Jason Quick of The Oregonian thinks the Blazers have hit a dead end, and believes major changes are coming. He doesn't see coach Nate McMillan returning next year, and predicts the team will also let go of Marcus Camby, Gerald Wallace, Raymond Felton, and Jamal Crawford. A deadline deal would mean the team is interested in making the playoffs this year, while standing pat is a sign that points to rebuilding.
- DeMarre Carroll, who signed with the Jazz last month, has played only three minutes so far, but the veteran of four different teams in three seasons is not showing any frustration, writes Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune.
- Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin is toying with a change to his starting lineup, but won't make the call until Raja Bell returns from injury, tweets Smith. Josh Howard, a free agent at the end of the season, has impressed Corbin as a fill-in starter. (Twitter link)
Odds & Ends: Rondo, Curry, Lin
With just about every team back in action after the All-Star break, here are a few leap day notes from around the league:
- The Celtics have intensified their efforts to trade Rajon Rondo, reports Chris Broussard of ESPN. Broussard says sources have told him the Celtics consider Rondo to be too high maintenance, and so the team is considering a deal with the Warriors for Stephen Curry that's been percolating since December. Other players would have to be in such a deal for it to work. ESPN's Chris Forsberg also contributed to the report.
- Shabazz Muhammad, a premier college prospect who currently sits atop the class of potential 2013 draftees according to NBADraft.net, could be in trouble with the NCAA, report Jeff Goodman and Gary Parrish of CBSSports.com. The NCAA has informed schools recruiting Muhammad that his amateur status is in question. According to Goodman and Parrish, there are concerns that the 6'5", 210-pound shooting guard has been receiving payments for unofficial visits to campuses, among other benefits. Since NBA draft rules prohibit Muhammad from entering the league until a year after his high school class graduates, he may be forced to head overseas next year.
- Matt Moore of CBSSports.com doesn't see much truth in the rumored swap of Lamar Odom and Steve Nash, unless several other components are involved.
- It seems every other day we find out about another team that came close to signing Jeremy Lin, but whiffed. Today that team is the Italian club Banca Tercas Teramo, reports Adam Zagoria of SNY. The team was "extremely close" to signing him, Lin said, but they went with Charles Jenkins instead.
- The Chris Paul trade may have transformed the Clippers, but since amnesty claim Chauncey Billups was lost for the year with an Achilles' tear, the Clips have gone 5-5 and appear to have lost their mojo, as Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times examines.
- Before handing the Spurs just their second home loss of the season, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau praised San Antonio's ability to identify and nurture the talent necessary to keep the team on top, writes Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago. Thibodeau hopes the Bulls can copy that model.
- Jazz swingman Josh Howard, an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, has responded well since Raja Bell's injury forced him into the starting lineup, notes Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune.
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.
Odds & Ends: Thomas, Jones, Miles, Howard
With the All-Star Game about to kick off in Orlando, here are some other things going on around the league:
- After signing Lance Thomas to a couple of 10-day contracts, league sources have confirmed that the New Orleans Hornets will now sign the forward for the remainder of the season, according to John Reid at the Times Picayune.
- Reid also indicates that the Hornets will offer big man Solomon Jones his second 10-day contract this year. Both of these moves will be announced later this week.
- Utah Jazz forward C.J. Miles discussed his upcoming free agent status with Brian Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune. Miles indicates that while he will explore his options, he is definitely open to re-signing with the Jazz.
- Smith also talked to Jazz forward Josh Howard, who like Miles, will also consider re-signing with Utah.
Expired Trade Exceptions
There were a great deal of trade exceptions obtained in the days leading up to last season's February 24th trade deadline and with a full year gone by they have expired. In certain trade scenarios, a team can acquire a traded player exception, which is worth a specific amount of money and can be used at any time over the next year.
For a more detailed refresher on how trade exceptions work, check out our glossary of salary cap exceptions and Larry Coon's CBA FAQ. Here's a look at the exceptions that expired this week..
Feb. 22nd
- Nuggets: $4,640,536 (Carmelo Anthony), $1,675,000 (Renaldo Balkman), $854,389 (Shelden Williams)
Feb. 23rd
- Hawks: $1,042,320 (Jordan Crawford)
- Hornets: $762,195 (Marcus Thornton)
- Jazz: $1,815,873 (Deron Williams)
Feb. 24th
- Bobcats: $1,486,330 (Gerald Wallace)*
- Celtics: $473,604 (Semih Erden), $473,604 (Luke Harangody)
*Charlotte used roughly $1.28MM of this trade exception plus a 2013 second-round pick to acquire center Byron Mullens from the Thunder in December.
Howard, Miles Open To Re-Signing With Jazz
Utah's 2012/13 roster doesn't have many question marks at this point, with most of its current players either under contract or eligible for restricted free agency following the season. Only two players aren't under team control for next year, and both Josh Howard and C.J. Miles say they're interested in staying in Utah, according to Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune (Twitter links).
Howard, 31, signed with the Jazz as an unrestricted free agent prior to the season on a one-year deal worth $2.15MM. He has seen his usual minutes reduced in Utah, having come off the bench for most of the season — his 8.0 PPG and 21.7 MPG would be career lows.
Miles, meanwhile, had his $3.7MM team option exercised by the Jazz before the lockout began. This summer will represent his first opportunity to hit unrestricted free agency and fully control his future, so he intends to explore all his options before making a decision, according to Smith (Twitter links). Miles has contributed 10.5 PPG and 12.6 PER in 245 games (23.2 MPG) over the course of his four-year contract with the Jazz.
If Utah is interested in keeping both Howard and Miles past this season, the team could probably do so without dipping into its mid-level exception. The Jazz would have Bird rights on Miles and non-Bird rights on Howard, which is likely all they'd need if both players continue to produce like they have so far.
Odds & Ends: Richardson, Favors, Novak, Nocioni
After missing Monday night's game against the Bucks with chest pains, Magic guard Jason Richardson says he could be seeking a second opinion on what hopefully isn't too serious of an injury, according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel.
Here are a few other notes from around the league:
- Jeremy Lin's been the at the center of the world these last couple of weeks, but the Knicks have seen other unlikely contributions throughout their roster. Most notably from fellow journeyman Steve Novak. The two played alongside one another in the D-league last February and the results were fantastic, writes Mark Viera of The New York Times.
- The league has announced that due to Spurs center Tiago Splitter's right calf strain, Jazz forward Derrick Favors will replace him in this weekend's Rising Stars Challenge.
- With Elton Brand held out of tonight's game against Memphis with a sprained right thumb, Sixers coach Doug Collins chose to name the seldom used Andres Nocioni his starting power forward. With Philadelphia's bench and depth serving as their main advantage throughout this shortened season, the decision to start Nocioni over Thaddeus Young shows Philadelphia's need to keep their rotation as normal as possible. Brand will be out through the All-Star break.
Odds & Ends: Nuggets, Suns, Jazz, Bulls
While we wait for official word on the Knicks' pending roster moves, let's round up a few odds and ends from around the NBA:
- Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post looks ahead to Wilson Chandler's expected return to the Nuggets, which could happen sooner than expected.
- Free agent Al Thornton will work out for the Suns today, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. Michael Finley and Jermaine Taylor worked out for Phoenix yesterday, and Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic adds Elijah Millsap to the workout list as well (Twitter link).
- After Seattle officially unveiled its arena proposal yesterday, Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson tells the Sacramento Bee he doesn't blame Seattle for pursuing an NBA franchise (potentially the Kings): "If we were without a team, I would be doing the same thing. But we have laser focus, we control our own destiny and we're closer than we've ever been."
- The Jazz should listen to trade proposals over the next few weeks, but refrain from acting on anything unless they're blown away, opines Patrick Kinahan of 1320 KFAN at NBA.com.
- Sam Smith answered a number of Bulls-related trade and roster questions in his latest mailbag at Bulls.com. Smith says the delay on a Joel Przybilla signing may stem from whether or not the big man wants to continue his NBA career.