Boston Celtics Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Eastern Notes: Stephenson, Dawkins, Celtics

February 15th, 2015 at 12:49pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Although Lance Stephenson says returning home and playing for the Nets would be a “blessing,” the guard is just focusing on getting back on track with his current team, writes Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. “I’m just trying to get my mind off of basketball, go to my neighborhood and get my hunger back,” Stephenson said. “With me, it’s all mental. I feel like once I get mentally into it, coming back to get that hunger. ‘Cause sometimes you lose your hunger. You’ve been doing it for so long you forget all the hard work that got you here. So I’m just getting back on that, getting focused.” Stephenson was mentioned in trade discussion with the Nets, as Arthur Hill of Hoops Rumors notes in his trade candidate piece.

Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:

The Sioux Falls Skyforce, the D-League affiliate of the Heat, have reacquired Andre Dawkins after his second 10-day contract with the Celtics expired, tweets Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. Dawkins was a member of the Heat earlier this season but the team waived him right before his contract was set to become guaranteed. Dawkins had appeared in four games this season for Miami, accumulating a total of three points and two rebounds. The Duke product did not see court time during his two 10-day stints with Boston.
The Celtics can learn from how the Hawks play on the court and how the franchise constructed its roster, writes Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald. “The thing that stands out is just the quick decision making,” coach Brad Stevens said of the Hawks. “I’m hoping that’s a function of age.” Murphy believes it’s also a function of good scouting and drafting. The Celtics’ own picks over the next two years will most likely be the team’s only chance to draft in the top five. Like the Hawks did with Al Horford, who was drafted third overall in 2007, the Celtics need to land at least one elite talent with these opportunities. The Hawks also nailed their mid-to-late first-round picks, which helped elevate the team’s talent without adopting a complete tanking strategy. The Celtics have plenty of opportunities to nab good, young talent as they have several first rounders in addition to their own, as our Future Draft Pick Tracker indicates.
If anyone understands what Bradley Beal is going through, it’s teammate John Wall, writes J. Michael of CSNWashington.com. Wall, like Beal, had injuries keep him out of games while he was still under his rookie contract. “You do [think about it]. The main thing he can learn from what I did was come back and try to have a great end to the season and try to finish the season well,” Wall said of Beal, who is eligible for an extension this summer of up to four years. “If you have a good end of the season they (know) where you are and you’re taking the right steps. I was fortunate to have the chance to come back from injuries and play well … and let them see what I can do.”

Atlantic Notes: Knicks, Prokhorov, Celtics

February 14th, 2015 at 3:01pm CST by Eddie Scarito

When asked how quickly the Knicks would be able to improve as a franchise, Carmelo Anthony said he believes that the impetus for change begins off of the court, and not with the players, Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com writes. “The fate is in the front office now,” Anthony said. “As players, the only thing we can do is go out and try to compete on a nightly basis and try to get wins and try to get better. But I think the onus is on the front office, and they’ve got a task ahead of them to start building for now and for the future.”

Here’s more out of the Atlantic Division:

Knicks team president Phil Jackson says that he won’t be using the All-Star weekend in New York City to recruit potential free agents, Mitch Abramason of The New York Daily News writes. “That can’t be what I do here,” Jackson said. “I’ve got to be even-handed and friendly and this isn’t a recruiting tool.” NBA tampering rules would also prevent Jackson from trying to entice players to join the Knicks this offseason, Abramson notes.
The moves that the Nets have made since Mikhail Prokhorov took over as owner have done more to raise the value of the franchise than to bring the team closer to raising a championship banner, Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News writes.
Jackson says that despite the Knicks‘ considerable struggles this season, he remains confident the franchise is on the right course, Neil Best of Newsday writes. “Things are working out just the way we want them to,” Jackson said. “They may not have gone splendidly in the first month, but you know, whatever. We’re forward. We’re forward thinking.”
A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com doesn’t think that the Celtics should make an attempt to trade for Utah’s disgruntled center, Enes Kanter. The big man doesn’t appear to be a player who could significantly improve Boston’s frontcourt situation enough for Danny Ainge, the Celtics’ president of basketball operations, to try and get a deal deal done with Utah, Blakely notes.

Wizards, Heat, Cavs Interested In Jameer Nelson

February 13th, 2015 at 7:46am CST by Eddie Scarito

FRIDAY, 7:46am: The Cavs have also targeted Nelson as they’ve made contact with several teams as they seek an upgrade at backup point guard, reports Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com. They’ve been offering Brendan Haywood and his subtly valuable contract to other teams amid their search, Windhorst writes, seconding an earlier report from Joe Vardon of the Northeast Ohio Media Group. Still, the ESPN scribe doesn’t specify whether they’ve offered Haywood to Denver.

THURSDAY, 4:50pm: The Wizards and the Heat have had discussions with the Nuggets regarding Jameer Nelson, Shams Charania of RealGM.com reports (Twitter link). The Cavs had previously expressed interest in the veteran point guard when Nelson was a member of the Celtics, but there has been no contact since, Charania adds. Nelson is currently nursing a sore Achilles, and has missed Denver’s last three games as a result. The 33-year-old is making $2,732,000 this season, and he owns a player option for 2015/16 worth $2,854,940.

Nelson is already on his third team of the season, having began the year in Dallas. But he was dealt to the Celtics along with Brandan Wright and Jae Crowder in the trade for Rajon Rondo back in December. The Celtics and Nelson had discussed a potential buyout arrangement, but the point guard was instead dealt to the Nuggets for Nate Robinson back in January.

Miami is badly in need of an upgrade at the point, with Norris Cole averaging only 6.3 points per game, and rookie Shabazz Napier struggling as well, logging 5.1 points on 36.8% shooting. Cole is reportedly on the trading block, and has been mentioned in connection with the Hornets, Pistons, and Nets. Our own Chuck Myron examined Cole’s trade candidacy last month.

The Wizards could be looking to add backcourt depth in the event that Bradley Beal‘s stress reaction in his right leg will keep him out for a prolonged period of time. Beal is set to be reevaluated by the team after the All-Star break. The Wizards have All-Star John Wall and veteran Andre Miller on their depth chart at the one spot.

Nelson’s career stats over 10 years and 691 contests are 12.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. His career slash line is .439/.372/.815. He has appeared in 11 games for the Nuggets, and has logged 9.4 points and 4.5 assists in 21.7 minutes per contest.

Eastern Notes: Williams, Nets, Wizards

February 12th, 2015 at 10:31pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Mo Williams was traded to the Hornets on Tuesday but their interest in the veteran point guard dated back to last summer when he was on the free-agent market, according to Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer. The Hornets were shopping for a backup to Kemba Walker but ultimately settled on Brian Roberts, Bonnell adds. Their interest in Williams was rekindled when Walker suffered a knee injury that will sideline him until at least early March, Bonnell notes.

Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:

Nets coach Lionel Hollins expects to have the same roster after the trade deadline, according to Tim Bontemps of the New York Post. Any move by the Nets would likely involve Deron Williams, Joe Johnson or Brook Lopez but the market for them is underwhelming because of their salaries and, particularly in Williams’ case, a lack of production, Bontemps adds. The fact that the Nets must swap first-round picks with the Eastern Conference-leading Hawks, courtesy of their acquisition of Johnson in 2012, leaves them no incentive to strip the roster to increase their chances of moving into the lottery, Bontemps notes.
John Wall feels the Wizards need to add another play-making guard or wing player to the second unit, Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post reports. Rather than making a deal, the Wizards could wait to fill that spot with a free agent bought out of his contract after the trade deadline or an overseas pickup, Castillo notes. Former Pistons point guard Will Bynum, who is currently playing in China for the Guangdong Southern Tigers, could fill the void when the CBA playoffs end, Castillo adds. Wall told Castillo that he endorses Bynum’s skill set and competitive nature.
Brandon Bass and Marcus Thornton could be moved before the trade deadline as the Celtics continue their quest to shed salary and stockpile draft picks, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Both will be unrestricted free agents at the end of the season. Bass, who is averaging 9.5 points and 4.2 rebounds, is making $6.9MM this season. Thornton, who is averaging 8.9 PPG, has a $8.575MM salary.
The Hawks will have to give All-Star Paul Millsap a substantial raise to retain him, according to Paul Newberry of the Associated Press. That’s just what Millsap planned when he left the Jazz to sign with Atlanta for what turned out to be a bargain rate of two years and $19MM, Newberry adds. He will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.

And-Ones: Buyouts, Dragic, Stauskas, Magic

February 12th, 2015 at 10:53am CST by Chuck Myron

Andrea Bargnani, Brandon Bass, Marcus Thornton, Andrei Kirilenko, Willie Green, Randy Foye and Darrell Arthur are all likely buyout candidates if they’re not traded before the deadline, league sources tell Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck. Beck also mentions Tayshaun Prince, who’ll probably strike a buyout deal with the Celtics if he’s not traded, as Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald reported last month. The Bleacher Report scribe also reiterates that Kevin Garnett isn’t seeking a buyout, seconding an earlier report from Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com. Here’s more from around the NBA:

The Suns want a first-round pick if they’re to give up Goran Dragic in a trade, as Gery Woelfel of the Journal Times hears (Twitter link). Woelfel suggests that opposing teams will be willing to pay that price and believes the Rockets, who’ve reportedly tried to trade for Dragic this season, will consider going after him again.
There are rumors connecting the Bucks to Kings rookie Nik Stauskas, according to Woelfel (Twitter link). Still, it’s unclear if there’s truly interest from Milwaukee’s end.
James Borrego says the Magic haven’t told him whether or not he’ll be the head coach for the rest of the season, and he takes it as a signal that he’ll remain in place, according to Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel. The timing of the situation and the Magic’s track record don’t suggest they’ll make a move before season’s end, though “it’s widely believed” the team will eventually replace Borrego with a proven coaching veteran, Schmitz writes. Rumored coaching candidate Scott Skiles indeed has interest in the job, but the Magic’s players seem to be supporting Borrego, Schmitz adds.
Blazers GM Neil Olshey is exploring possible trades to help shore up the team’s depth, The Oregonian’s Joe Freeman writes, noting that Thomas Robinson and Will Barton seem unsure if they’ll remain on the team past the deadline. Olshey declared earlier this week that he wouldn’t trade any of the team’s starters and also talked up the value of his bench players in an interview during a game broadcast, as Mike Richman of The Oregonian transcribes.
Former Mavs guard Dominique Jones is drawing renewed NBA interest following an impressive showing in China, tweets Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. Jones, who last played in the league in 2012/13, averaged an eye-popping 36.8 points per game over 41 appearances in China this season.

Celtics Rumors: Bass, Prince, Thornton, Trades

February 10th, 2015 at 9:00pm CST by Charlie Adams

The Celtics have swung a league–leading nine trades so far this season, but word around the league is that Boston’s front office is interested in reshaping its roster even further, as Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald details. Of the pieces the C’s would be willing to move, Tayshaun Prince carries the most value, Bulpett hears from one executive. However, Bulpett also relays that teams are hesitant to part with a second-rounder in exchange for the 34-year-old, believing Boston and Prince will reach a buyout if no deal is made, allowing for an opportunity to sign the veteran forward without losing a pick.

We’ll wait to see if the Celtics continue to make moves with the future in mind as the trade deadline approaches. For now let’s round up all of the latest rumblings from coming out of Boston..

Brandon Bass has been included in trade discussions since the early going of the season, a source tells Bulpett for the same piece, but in spite of the big man’s solid play this year, teams are potentially turned off by the less-than-stellar numbers he amassed before arriving in Boston. “It’s crazy,” the source said to Bulpett. “People have seen how well he’s played in Boston, but it’s as if they’ve backed off him because of how he played in Dallas or Orlando. I don’t get it. We don’t have a need for him right now, but whoever gets him is going to like what he can do, even if it’s just in limited minutes.”
Although Marcus Thornton has put up efficient numbers for the C’s in his limited minutes on the floor this season, Bulpett passes along in the same story that teams haven’t shown a desire or willingness to take on his expiring deal worth $8.6MM.
Coach Brad Stevens isn’t necessarily opposed to all the player movement his team has experienced so far this year, but he admits it’s difficult to form cohesion when there are so many moving parts. A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com has the details.

Eastern Notes: Sanchez, Hornets, Anthony

February 10th, 2015 at 6:12pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Orlando Sanchez remains with the D-League affiliate of the Knicks and continues to seek an NBA contract, agent Brian J. Bass tells Hoops Rumors (Twitter link), even though the owner of Cangrejeros de Santurce, a Puerto Rican team, says Sanchez has signed with his club, as Sportando’s Emiliano Carchia relays in a pair of tweets.

Here’s more from the East:

The Celtics have recalled guard Andre Dawkins from the Maine Red Claws, their D-League affiliate, the team has announced. Dawkins has appeared in seven games for the Red Claws this season, and he is averaging 16.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 36.3 minutes per game.
Hawks coach and acting GM Mike Budenholzer indicated that dealing Adreian Payne to the Wolves was about creating roster flexibility, and that the trade should be taken on its own merit, Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (Twitter links). Budenholzer also said that no other trades are imminent, Vivlamore adds.
Hornets GM Rich Cho said that he doesn’t think that Charlotte “gave up a ton” to acquire Troy Daniels and Mo Williams from the Timberwolves, Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer tweets. The Hornets shipped Gary Neal and the Heat’s 2019 second-round pick to Minnesota to complete the trade.
Cho also indicated that the Hornets would continue to be active up until the trade deadline, but that there was no specific need that the team would try and address, Bonnell adds (Twitter link).
Carmelo Anthony said that the chances of him undergoing surgery during the season on his injured knee are growing increasingly likely, Keith Schlosser of SNY.tv writes. The Knicks’ star also relayed that the procedure would keep him out a minimum of two months, which would likely sideline ‘Melo for the remainder of the season, Schlosser adds.

Mavs Favorites To Ink Amar’e Stoudemire

February 10th, 2015 at 2:25pm CST by Eddie Scarito

TUESDAY, 2:25pm: The Warriors “would definitely have some interest” in Stoudemire if he buys his way out of his Knicks deal, writes Tim Kawakami of the Bay Area News Group.

FRIDAY, 11:29pm: If Amar’e Stoudemire opts to pursue a buyout arrangement with the Knicks, the Mavericks would be considered the front-runners to sign the oft-injured big man, Tim MacMahon and Marc Stein of ESPN.com report. Stoudemire has said that he’s unsure if he would indeed seek a buyout from New York, and he will use the upcoming All-Star break to make his decision.

“All possibilities at this point are still open,” Stoudemire said regarding the possibility of a buyout. “The door is still open for that. But at the same time, I am with the Knicks now. I got to stay optimistic about things and what we are doing here. I can’t really focus on the future because it’s not here. We still have a couple weeks left before it’s all said and done. It’s a decision I have to make with my family to figure out the best scenario for the near future.”

The Mavericks are still interested in inking Jermaine O’Neal, and are prepared to clear the necessary roster space to sign both players, the ESPN scribes add. Dallas’ roster count is currently at 14 players, which means that the team would need to release a player or make an unbalanced trade in order to add both men to the team. The Mavs have been shorthanded in the frontcourt since dealing away Brandan Wright in the trade that netted them Rajon Rondo from the Celtics, which makes both O’Neal and Stoudemire extremely valuable pieces to Dallas.

The ESPN duo also report that Dallas will still be seeking to add a big man on a 10-day deal while O’Neal continues to try and work his way back into NBA shape. It should be noted that while the Mavs are reportedly the frontrunners to ink O’Neal, the player hasn’t publicly announced which team he intends to join, and has only hinted at making a return to the NBA.

Stoudemire, who is in the final season of a five-year, $99.7 million contract with the Knicks, is averaging 12.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.0 block in 24.9 minutes per contest. The 32-year-old is currently nursing an ankle injury, but he has played well this season for a floundering Knicks team.

The Knicks reportedly engaged in internal discussions about a buyout for Stoudemire earlier this season, and team president Phil Jackson spoke with the Sixers this summer about a trade, but no deal was struck. With Stoudemire earning $23,410,988 this season, finding a trade partner prior to the February 19th deadline will likely be an impossible task, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports opined. The final day that Stoudemire could be waived and still be eligible to appear in the postseason for another team is March 1st.

Eastern Notes: Dudley, Crowder, Jack

February 9th, 2015 at 6:49pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Jared Dudley was skeptical about coming to play for the Bucks, but after playing with the team for just half a season, the forward is considering staying Milwaukee for the long-term, writes Gery Woelfel of the Journal Times. “I’ve been giving it thought,’’ Dudley said. “For me, it’s about adding more years. You obviously want to play longer. I want to come back here. Definitely. I mean, this team is building each year and will get better.” The 29-year-old is set to make $4.25MM during the 2015/16 season but if he elects the early termination option in his contract, he can become a free agent at the end of this season.

Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:

Jae Crowder is fitting in nicely with the Celtics, writes A. Sherrod Blakely of CSSNE.com. The forward is known for his defense but there is another reason why coach Brad Stevens has been able to give him significant playing time. “What I like is his versatility,” Stevens said. “And coming off the bench you have flexibility of where you bring him.” Boston is 3-1 over its last four games and Crowder is averaging 12 points and 5.5 rebounds during those contests.
Jarrett Jack has been one of the major reasons that Brooklyn is still in the playoff hunt, writes Reed Wallach of NetsDaily.com. Last offseason, Jack was acquired as part of a three team trade that was primarily about giving the Cavs financial flexibility. The point guard has not only been able to bolster the Nets‘ bench unit, but he has provided the team with a good starting option when Deron Williams is unable to play because of injuries. Jack has started 25 of the Nets’ 50 games this season.
James Johnson can be a contributor for the Raptors come playoff time, opines Eric Koreen of the National Post. Koreen notes that although Johnson has shooting issues from the perimeter, he more than makes up for it with his stout defense. Johnson is averaging 1.0 blocks per game and owns a player efficiency rating of 18.4.

Eastern Notes: Gibson, Prigioni, Muscala

February 7th, 2015 at 8:59am CST by Eddie Scarito

The Bulls have made no calls to other teams about trading Taj Gibson , a source tells Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, who indicates that the team is especially reluctant to part with Gibson given health concerns surrounding Joakim Noah. The Raptors, Suns, Pistons and Trail Blazers are reportedly interested in the sixth-year veteran.

Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:

Knicks point guard Pablo Prigioni, whom the team has reportedly been trying to trade for a second round draft pick, says that he is extremely focused on staying in New York, and doesn’t wish to be dealt, Marc Berman of The New York Post reports (Twitter link). Prigioni also revealed that he recently injured his hip during a workout, Berman notes. The full extent of his injury, nor its impact on the Knicks’ efforts to find a taker for Prigioni, isn’t yet known.
Steve Kerr was Knicks team president Phil Jackson‘s first choice to replace Mike Woodson as head coach this past offseason, but Kerr accepted the coaching job in Golden State instead. Kerr’s Warriors currently possess the NBA’s second best record, while the Knicks have floundered to a 10-40 mark. When asked if he has thought about what might have been if he had come to New York instead of heading to Oakland, Kerr said, “Sometimes I lie when I say I haven’t thought about stuff. But I’m not lying this time. I haven’t thought about the Knicks at all,” Diamond Leung of The Bay Area News Group relays (Twitter link).
The Hawks have assigned Mike Muscala to the Iowa Energy, their D-League affiliate, the team has announced. This will be Muscala’s fourth trek of the season to Iowa.
Marcus Thornton knows that his expiring contract makes him a likely candidate to be dealt by the Celtics, but the veteran would love to remain in Beantown, Ben Rohrbach of WEEI 93.7 FM writes. “No, I’m not thinking about that,” Thornton said regarding the February 19th trade deadline. “Whatever happens, happens. I would like to stay here. Who wouldn’t? We’ve got a good thing going, but like I said, it’s not controllable. I can’t control it, so whatever happens, happens.”

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.