Mobile Menu
HEADLINES

Month: October 2024

Cavs Interested In Kosta Koufos

February 15th, 2016 at 12:07pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Cavaliers have pursued Kosta Koufos, sources tell Marc Stein of ESPN.com (Twitter link). It’s one of many names to which Cleveland has been linked in recent weeks, including fellow King Ben McLemore. Sacramento reportedly rejected the idea of trading for Timofey Mozgov, though It’s unclear if Cleveland’s pitch for Koufos, who’s a native of nearby Canton, Ohio, involved either Mozgov or McLemore. Stein reported last year that the Cavs reached out to the Grizzlies about trading for Koufos while the backup center was still with Memphis.

The Cavs have reportedly sought a 3-and-D wing player, but they’ve also been linked to Omer Asik as they’ve reportedly explored the market for Mozgov. Cleveland has apparently been shopping Kevin Love, but with a high price attached to him. Koufos, a former Ohio State player, is making $7.7MM in the first season of a four-year deal worth about $32.879MM that he signed with the Kings this past summer. That salary would fit within the largest of Cleveland’s three trade exceptions, so the Cavs theoretically wouldn’t have to send matching salary in return.

However, the Kings seem determined to make the playoffs this season, and they’ve sought a “quality young player” or someone whose contract runs past this season in return for Rudy Gay, as Stein reported late last month. Koufos isn’t the most logical fit next to Kings big men DeMarcus Cousins and Willie Cauley-Stein, both of whom are, like Koufos, on long-term deals, but Koufos’ name has largely been absent from trade rumors this season.

What should the Cavs offer in exchange for Koufos? Leave a comment to share your thoughts.

Retweet 6 Share 5 Send via email0

Pacific Notes: Griffin, Schlenk, Nance

February 15th, 2016 at 10:31am CST by Chuck Myron

Clippers president of basketball operations Doc Rivers told ESPN’s Chris Broussard that there isn’t truth to the idea that his team offered Blake Griffin and Lance Stephenson to the Nuggets for Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried, Will Barton and Nikola Jokic, as a source who spoke with the reporter had said earlier. Broussard relayed the exchange in an appearance on ESPN Radio’s “Mike & Mike” show (audio link; scroll to 6-minute mark), adding that the source had told him the Nuggets turned down the offer out of concern that Griffin would opt out and leave in free agency after next season. That jibes with an earlier report from Mitch Lawrence of Forbes, who indicated 10 days ago that the Clippers had engaged the Nuggets in talks about Griffin, though Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times reported shortly thereafter that the Clippers had no interest in trading their star power forward, a refrain that Rivers repeated in the days that followed. See more from the Pacific Division:

Retweet 10 Share 5 Send via email0

Atlantic Notes: Patterson, Hinkie, Ainge

February 15th, 2016 at 8:59am CST by Chuck Myron

The Atlantic Division figures to be among the most interesting corners of the NBA to watch as the trade deadline approaches, with the Celtics stuffed with assets, the Raptors apparently looking for a power forward, the Knicks having just changed coaches, the Sixers a continued mystery, and the Nets in a continued search for a GM. See what’s going on around the Atlantic:

Retweet 6 Share 3 Send via email0

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround: 2/14/16

February 14th, 2016 at 11:55pm CST by Will Joseph

It wasn’t that long ago when many people (myself included) figured Hassan Whiteside factored heavily in the Heat’s plans for the future. After all, the center emerged last year as one of the league’s best shot-blockers. At 26 years old, Whiteside was expected to take the next step in his development this season, the final one of his contract with Miami. For the most part, he has — Whiteside is averaging 12.2 points, 11 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game. Whiteside, however, has also looked lost at times defensively and has been inconsistent.

The Heat recently gauged what the market was for Whiteside, who has been coming off the bench after returning from an oblique injury. It would be difficult for the Heat to trade Whiteside since his minimum-salary contract and the league’s salary-matching rules don’t give them the ability to reap much value in return. Still, reports from earlier today said the Heat’s front office is debating whether or not it is worth re-signing Whiteside, who would command a lucrative deal, and is thinking about trading him.

That leads us to today’s shootaround topic: Should the Heat trade Hassan Whiteside?

Being mindful of our commenting policy, let us know in the comments section below what your thoughts are. We look forward to what you have to share.

Retweet 5 Share 1 Send via email0

And-Ones: Rubio, Anthony, Cousins

February 14th, 2016 at 9:25pm CST by Will Joseph

Ricky Rubio is “readily available,” writes Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, but Wolves GM Milt Newton earlier this week told Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities that he hadn’t fielded any offers for the point guard. Still, Newton said he would be obliged to listen if a team came calling. The Knicks are in the market for a point guard, but it’s hard to envision New York having the assets needed to acquire Rubio, Isola notes. Jon Krawczynski of The Associated Press further clarifies the situation, tweeting that the Wolves are not shopping Rubio, but they won’t immediately hang up the phone if someone calls to ask.

Here’s more from around the basketball world:

  • Carmelo Anthony has said he is not looking to leave the Knicks and is not interested in waiving his no-trade clause, but Isola hears Anthony would strongly consider a trade to the Clippers (in the same piece). Isola adds that Anthony has wanted to play with Chris Paul for a while and speculates that a deal involving Blake Griffin would make sense for both teams.
  • DeMarcus Cousins has been answering to trade rumors all weekend, but the Kings are not going to move him, according to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports’ Pro Basketball Talk. There is little incentive to trade Cousins because he has a reasonable contract, owner Vivek Ranadive loves him and the Kings plan to open a new arena in downtown Sacramento next season, Helin adds. “First of all, I can’t control the trade [rumors] and I can’t control if I’m traded or not,” Cousins said. “But I do want to be in Sacramento, and I know everybody in Sacramento knows that.”
  • Commissioner Adam Silver hinted that keeping the relative status quo in the next collective bargaining agreement would be OK with him as he spoke Saturday in his All-Star weekend press conference, according to a transcript on NBA.com. “Did we get everything we were looking for in collective bargaining last time? No,” Silver said. “But we feel it’s a fair compromise, and we feel it’s working pretty well.”
  • Warriors coach and former Suns GM Steve Kerr was inspired to get into coaching because of Jeff Hornacek‘s initial success and expressed disappointment toward Hornacek’s firing, Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic relays. “It’s just a jolt of NBA reality,” Kerr said. “Every coach is sort of a victim of circumstance, good or bad. So much depends on the talent that you have and the support you have and the chemistry in your organization and your locker room. Unfortunately, it’s a really, really hard thing to discover or to create. I feel very lucky to have that here because I know it doesn’t exist in most places.”

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Retweet 11 Share 2 Send via email0

Atlantic Notes: DeRozan, Sixers, Knicks

February 14th, 2016 at 9:16pm CST by Will Joseph

DeMar DeRozan again indicated that it would be unlikely for him to sign elsewhere this summer, Marc Stein of ESPN.com relays. DeRozan is poised to turn down his player option worth only slightly more than $10MM and hit free agency this summer, but he has made it clear on several occasions that he prefers to stay with the Raptors. The Lakers, however, are ready to make a maximum-salary offer to him.

“My whole mindset has always been this is home for me,” DeRozan said. “I never think otherwise unless it’s brought up to me, or you see things, or people ask you about certain things. This has always been home to me. I took pride in putting on this Toronto Raptors jersey since I’ve been drafted here. And my whole goal was to get this team to the point where it is now. And I feel I’ve been a major key to that.”

Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:

  • Point guard Ish Smith has been credited with helping to improve things with the Sixers and teammate Nerlens Noel doesn’t want to see the soon-to-be free agent leave this summer, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. “He has to come back,” Noel said. “He has to. He’s an important piece to this and why we are so playing so well these past couple of months. And he’s helped us at the point guard position, you know, just setting guys up in the post position. So he’s got to come back.” The Sixers were 1-30 before they acquired Smith from the Pelicans in late December. They are 7-15 since the trade. Sixers team executive Jerry Colangelo was non-committal recently about Smith’s future with the team beyond this season.
  • Carmelo Anthony said he was shocked when he learned the Knicks had fired coach Derek Fisher, Marc Berman of the New York Post details. “We were all surprised,’’ Anthony said. “This was something, I really don’t know if it was a quick decision or if it was lingering. Nobody wants to lose their coach, especially some of the young guys. This is an experience they have to go through. For me, having to keep those guys intact, keep them in line, and let them know it happens. Unfortunately it’s happening to us right now.”
Retweet 4 Share 3 Send via email0

Hoops Links: Lakers, Blazers, Knicks

February 14th, 2016 at 8:26pm CST by Will Joseph

Every Sunday, we link to some of the very best work from around the basketball blogosphere. Do you have a link to a great basketball blog post – either your own or someone else’s – that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors? Then you should send it to us at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s rundown…

Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.

Retweet 2 Share 1 Send via email0

Heat Interested In Ryan Anderson

February 14th, 2016 at 7:22pm CST by Will Joseph

The Heat have interest in adding Pelicans power forward Ryan Anderson as an offseason signee this summer, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports. It’s unclear how much interest there is, but Jackson indicates that Miami is fond of Anderson. Anderson is making $8.5MM this season and is set to be unrestricted free agent in the offseason.

Anderson would be an intriguing addition to the Heat, especially if the team decides against re-signing Hassan Whiteside this season, which is something Jackson also reports Miami is considering. Anderson is averaging 16.7 points per game and is shooting 38.3% from beyond the arc. Therefore, he has been the subject of trade rumors regarding several teams, including the Wizards, Raptors and Pistons.

Like presumably the Heat, the Pistons’ interest in Anderson is only as an offseason signee. Anderson would likely not be a cheap sign. A source within an NBA team told Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times and Basketball Insiders that he expects that Anderson will be able to command a maximum-salary contract this summer. Anderson will be a veteran of eight years by the offseason, so he’d be eligible for the middle-tier max of a projected $24.9MM.

Retweet 3 Share 9 Send via email0

Hoops Rumors Weekly Mailbag 2/7/16-2/14/16

February 14th, 2016 at 6:10pm CST by Will Joseph

In addition to our weekly chat, which Chuck Myron facilitates every Wednesday, we have a second opportunity for you to hit us up with your questions in this, our weekly mailbag feature. Have a question regarding player movement, the salary cap, or the NBA draft? Drop us a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com. Here are this week’s inquiries:

Doesn’t it seem perfect that Al Horford became available in trade talks right about the same time Festus Ezeli had surgery? That seems like a good fit. Golden State could trade picks that they don’t seem to need. — Isaac

HR: Perfect, sure, if the Warriors were simply able to plug him into their rotation. I don’t see that dream becoming a reality, though. It was reported earlier today that the Hawks are not actively shopping Al Horford despite his looming free agency. While Horford has not offered much regarding his plans for after this season, he has on multiple occasions expressed how much he enjoys playing in Atlanta so I wouldn’t bet on him signing anywhere else. I know that is the politically correct answer from athletes, but there is a lot to like about the Hawks’ situation, especially with the season they are experiencing. While the Celtics have reportedly reached out about Horford, the Warriors have not expressed interest in him, at least not publicly. I don’t see Golden State making a move, anyway. What’s more, Ezeli, a soon-to-be restricted free agent, is expected back in five weeks and has said he wants to stay with the Warriors for the rest of his career.

Who are possible suitors for Greg Monroe? — John

HR: The Bucks shouldn’t be shopping Monroe, but they’ve reportedly let teams know that they are. It’s unlikely the center is moved because Monroe was the Bucks’ prized free agent signing last July. He can opt out after next season. The Knicks, Lakers and Blazers made max offers to Monroe, so they all could presumably still be interested. I wouldn’t bet on Monroe getting traded because coach Jason Kidd, who apparently calls the shots on player personnel, said the Bucks won’t be making any deals at the deadline.

Retweet 2 Share 1 Send via email0

Central Notes: Bucks, Pistons, Pacers

February 14th, 2016 at 4:07pm CST by Will Joseph
The Bucks are experiencing a disappointing season, but coach Jason Kidd said there are no plans for any moves with the trade deadline only a few days away, Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel relays. Despite signing Greg Monroe this past summer, the Bucks are 22-32. The franchise remains focused on developing its young and promising core, however, Gardner adds.

“I don’t know if we have any action going on, so there shouldn’t be anybody worried about the rumors if it entails the Milwaukee Bucks,” Kidd said. “This is our team. As a professional athlete, the small print says there could be a trade at some point in your career. Sometimes expected, sometimes not. You have to be able to handle that. But right now, this is our team. There’s no one coming in and there’s no one leaving.”

Here’s more from around the Central Division:

  • Acquiring Ryan Anderson from the Pelicans at the deadline would make sense for the Pistons, but the power forward wouldn’t be enough of an upgrade to discard Ersan Ilyasova, which would likely be the result if Detroit wanted to re-sign Anderson in the summer, David Mayo of MLive writes. Adding Anderson, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, would help stabilize the one unsecured position for the Pistons, Mayo adds. It would likely take point guard Brandon Jennings, who is presumably headed out of Detroit via free agency, to land Anderson, Mayo writes. On the other hand, the idea that Jennings automatically is gone in free agency is premature because many teams have point guards locked up, as Mayo points out.
  • Ian Mahinmi, who is in the final year of his contract with the Pacers, has dealt with a variety of injuries this season, his first as a full-time starter with an increased workload, and he’s looking to prepare his body for the second half, Nate Taylor of the Indianapolis Star details.
Retweet 3 Share 1 Send via email0