City of Seattle Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Odds & Ends: Mavericks, Gordon, Heat, Rose

February 14th, 2013 at 8:32pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Despite Mark Cuban's belief that adding an overpaid player with a massive contract would be a huge mistake considering the framework of the current CBA, Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas wonders if the Mavericks would explore trading for Hornets guard Eric Gordon as a possible fallback option if the team falls short in its effort to land Dwight Howard this summer. On another note, Moke Hamilton of Sheridan Hoops explains why it would be wise for Dallas to deal Vince Carter and Shawn Marion for expiring contracts and draft picks now if they want to give themselves a legitimate chance at going after Howard, Chris Paul, or Andrew Bynum in upcoming free agency.

Here are more of this evening's odds and ends:

A report from ESPN (via the Associated Press) states that NBA Commissioner David Stern expects a concrete plan from Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson within the next two weeks regarding the Kings' future. Although the NBA Board of Governors does not meet until April 17-18, Stern believes that the official proposal could be made by March 1st "if (Mayor Johnson) follows through on what he's told us." He also put the kibosh on the idea of expansion and doesn't foresee a scenario where both Seattle and Sacramento wind up with teams.
With 15 guaranteed contracts and the team on a roll as of late, Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida figures that the Heat will be very quiet at the trade deadline next week (Twitter link).
Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago gets the sense that Bulls superstar Derrick Rose won't be returning this season.
Gino Pilato of Ridiculous Upside provides a rundown of the top available point guards in the D-League and organizes them in groups by what they specifically have to offer.
After suffering a torn ACL on Tuesday night, Kentucky big man Nerlens Noel figures to be on a six-to-eight month recovery. Once touted by some to be the number one overall pick in this June's draft, Noel has slid to number three in Chad Ford's ESPN rankings of the top 30 prospects (Insiders only). On a side note, Darren Rovell (also of ESPN) tweets that Noel has a $10MM insurance policy in the event that he suffers a career ending injury.
In a statement issued to Michael Lee of the Washington Post, David Falk (the former agent of Michael Jordan) apologized for his disparaging comments about John Wall and the Wizards recently.
There have been a flurry of reports today about Lakers owner Jerry Buss' bout with terminal cancer, which was first reported by Amber Goodhand of Radar Online this morning. In a statement issued by the team today, it was made clear that there is no intention of selling the team to an outside group and that the Buss family plans to keep ownership of the Lakers for many generations to come (Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News).

Berger’s Latest: Warriors, Mavericks, Kings, NBPA

February 14th, 2013 at 2:55pm CST by Luke Adams

In addition to publishing a new installment of his Postups column, Ken Berger of CBSports.com joined Kevin Corke (video link) to discuss a few trade rumors. Here are a few items of note from both Berger links:

The Warriors don't necessarily have to get under the tax threshold this year, but at some point they're interested in getting out from under Andris Biedrins' and/or Richard Jefferson's contracts. Golden State may be willing to include a first-round pick to move one of those two players.
Berger feels like the Mavericks could be a darkhorse for Josh Smith, despite reports indicating that Dallas isn't interested. The Mavs have at least internally discussed the possibility of making a run at Smith, says Berger.
While Sacramento isn't expected to officially present its bid to keep the Kings to the NBA's Board of Governors until April, mayor Kevin Johnson will be in Houston this weekend to update David Stern on his progress and to lobby team owners to not give up on Sacramento.
The player's union is also expected to meet during All-Star weekend to decide on Billy Hunter's future. However, even if the player reps vote to oust the executive director, Hunter may challenge the authority and composition of the union's new interim executive committee. Such a decision could also open the door for a civil lawsuit.

Sacramento Close To Unveiling Plan To Keep Kings

February 12th, 2013 at 3:48pm CST by Luke Adams

Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson says he's "very close" to unveiling the identities of the deep-pocketed investors he has recruited to make a bid to keep the Kings in the city, according to Ryan Lillis of the Sacramento Bee. Based on previous reports, it's expected that Ron Burkle and Mark Mastrov will lead the counter-offer for the Kings from Sacramento.

According to Johnson, he's up against a March 1st deadline to finalize the city's proposal. The mayor is hopeful that the NBA, which is expected to hear Sacramento's pitch to keep the franchise at the Board of Governors meetings in April, will give Sacramento an audience sometime before April, according to Antonio Gonzalez of the Associated Press (link via Star Tribune).

"I'm under the assumption that the joint committee may want to hear from us sooner," Johnson said. "We're going to have all the agreements and all the actions and all the documents squared by March 1st, as well as if there's an opportunity to present to the joint committee prior to mid-April, then I feel very confident. We're going to have all our ducks in order. We're going to be ready before mid-April if that's what it takes."

While the Maloofs have already reached an agreement with a group led by Chris Hansen and Steve Ballmer, and have filed to relocate to Seattle, Johnson says the deal isn't as done as the Seattle group would have you believe. The former NBA veteran remains confident that Sacramento has a realistic chance of keeping the Kings in town.

"You just cannot tell me that when Sacramento presents a comparable, fair, competitive deal to what Seattle's done and makes good on this arena that this team is going to be plopped and relocated somewhere else," Johnson said. "At the end of the day, you just can't tell me that's going to happen."

Odds & Ends: Rockets, Kings, Draft, Calderon

February 11th, 2013 at 3:32pm CST by Luke Adams

As we continue counting down the days to next week's trade deadline, let's catch up on a few odds and ends from around the NBA:

Asked about the trade deadline during an appearance on KBME in Houston, Jeremy Lin said he loves the current Rockets players, though he "definitely" wouldn't be averse to a deal that makes the team better (link via Chris Fedor of Sports Radio Interviews).
Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee has the latest details on the Kings sale, reporting that the Maloofs have given bankruptcy trustee David Flemmer some of the documents regarding the sale of the team to the Seattle group.
In their weekly Insider-only draft piece for ESPN.com, Chad Ford and Jay Bilas take a look at the nation's best mid-major prospects.
Kevin Pelton also has a new Insider-only piece up at ESPN.com, in which he examines potential buy-low opportunities on the trade market. Pelton's list includes Andrea Bargnani, DeJuan Blair, and Derrick Williams, three players we've profiled in our trade candidate series.
Jose Calderon spoke to Shams Charania of RealGM.com about adjusting to life with the Pistons, adding that he can envision himself in Detroit long-term.
ESPN.com's 5-on-5 panel weighs in on whether a number of trade candidates, including Carlos Boozer, Zach Randolph, and Iman Shumpert, should be moved.

Pacific Rumors: Dwight, Magic, Hill, Kings

February 10th, 2013 at 10:50am CST by Chuck Myron

Dwight Howard's father made news yesterday, weighing in on his son's upcoming free agency and the way he gets along with Mike D'Antoni and Kobe Bryant, among other topics. The younger Howard declined to address Dwight Sr.'s remarks, and Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game is not surprised. Bucher says the relationship between Howard and son is a rocky one, and that Dwight Sr. has given several inaccurate off-the-record stories about his son to reporters over the years (Sulia link). It hasn't been easy to separate fact and fiction with the seemingly mercurial Howard over the past two years of his NBA career, but we're sure to hear plenty more about him between now and the day he inks his next contract this summer.

In the meantime, there's more about D12 and other Pacific Division figures right here:

Howard never wanted to go to L.A., according to Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal, who hears the Magic were threatening to trade him to the Lakers if he didn't decline the early-termination option on his contract at last year's trade deadline.
Though Grant Hill is not ruling out a return to the Clippers, Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel is convinced this is the final season for the 40-year-old, based on Hill's comments to him this week.
If Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson can work with Mark Mastrov and Ron Burkle to mount a credible bid for the Kings, the league will be facing an unprecedented showdown between two cities seeking the franchise, observes Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee.
Fellow Bee scribe Mark Glover examines some of the 20 local investors who've committed $1MM apiece to become minority owners if the Kings stay in Sacramento.

Pacific Notes: Hill, Frye, Kings, Lakers

February 8th, 2013 at 9:31pm CST by Chuck Myron

Whether or not the Lakers have what it takes to come close to fulfilling their promise this season, they've already outstripped all expectations for drama. Tonight was no exception, as they bounced back from last night's blowout loss, erasing a 20-point deficit in Charlotte to defeat the Bobcats. The win assures they'll finish better than .500 on their seven-game road trip, which finishes up Sunday with a visit to the defending champion Heat. We've got more on the Lakers and their Pacific brethren right here:

Clippers reserve Grant Hill has been hinting at retirement, but told Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida "there's definitely a chance" he returns for the final season of his deal next year.
USA Today's Sam Amick checks in one of Hill's former Suns teammates, Channing Frye. The sharpshooting big man said he's 95% sure he'll be able to make it back next season from the heart ailment that's kept him out all of this year.
A hearing has been scheduled for later this month in a lawsuit brought by a Seattle longshoremen's union that contends the arena plan at the centerpiece of a potential Kings move violates Washington state environmental laws. The suit seeks to nullify the agreement on the building between local governments and investor Chris Hansen. Tony Bizjak, Dale Kasler and Ryan Lillis of the Sacramento Bee have the details.
Michael Lee of The Washington Post examines the conflicting goals of Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard.

Western Notes: Burks, Carter, Lakers, Kings

February 7th, 2013 at 3:13pm CST by Luke Adams

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.

Seattle Group Officially Files Intent To Move Kings

February 6th, 2013 at 7:20pm CST by Chuck Myron

The investors who have a deal with the Maloof brothers to buy the Kings have officially filed with the league to move the team to Seattle, reports Tim Booth of The Associated Press. The group, led by Chris Hansen and Howard Ballmer, had been expected to do so before the March 1 deadline, but the news, delivered by commissioner David Stern, makes it official. Stern called Hansen and Ballmer's bid "very strong" in his comments to reporters in Minneapolis assembled before tonight's Timberwolves-Spurs game.

Hansen and Ballmer reached an agreement last month to buy a 65% stake in the Kings, investing $340MM of the $525MM value of the franchise. That value, a 75% jump from the value Forbes magazine determined last year, was set as part of the agreement. The city of Sacramento and mayor Kevin Johnson have been scrambling to put forth a counter offer, having found 20 local investors to pledge $1MM, with rumors that Ron Burkle and Mark Mastrov have interest in teaming up to spearhead the bid.

The Sacramento group is expected to make its case before the league at the board of governors meeting in April, so no resolution on the future of the Kings appears likely until then.

Odds & Ends: HGH, Kings, Gelabale, NBPA

February 6th, 2013 at 4:53pm CST by Luke Adams

On this day in 2008, the Shaquille O'Neal era began in Phoenix, when the Heat and Suns finalized a deal that sent O'Neal to the Suns in exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. February 6th also represents Hoops Rumors' anniversary, as we launched our site a year ago today. Whether you've been with us from the beginning or just visited for the first time today, we'd like to thank you for reading, and we hope you'll stick with us longer than the O'Neal era lasted in Phoenix.

Here are this afternoon's odds and ends from around the NBA:

Commissioner David Stern told WCCO radio in Minnesota that he expects the NBA to introduce blood testing for HGH by next season, according to Ben Golliver of SI.com.
Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson hopes to have a detailed plan to attempt to keep the Kings in Sacramento in place by the end of the month, according to Ryan Lillis and Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich acknowledged that French forward Mickael Gelabale, currently with the Timberwolves, is a player that's interested San Antonio in the past. "He's somebody we thought about a lot over the last couple of years," Popovich said. "We just never really had a position there" (Twitter links via Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News).
Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld takes a look at trade possibilities for Western Conference clubs, identifying which players on each team are most likely to be on the move.
Israel's Elizur Ashkelon has signed former NBA veteran Jarvis Hayes, according to the team's website (translation via Emiliano Carchia of Sportando). Hayes, who last played for the Nets in 2009/10, was drafted 10th overall in 2003.
The recently-formed five-man interim NBPA executive committee has hired the law firm of Orrick Herrington as advisors, tweets Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal.

Kings/Seattle Links: Tuesday

February 5th, 2013 at 11:18am CST by Luke Adams

There haven't been many concrete updates on the status of the Kings sale lately, as a Sacramento group appears to still be putting together a counter-offer. But rumors, rumblings, and speculation continue to trickle in, so we'll round up today's links related to Sacramento, Seattle, and the Kings right here:

If a Ron Burkle/Mark Mastrov-led group can finalize an ownership group whose bid for the Kings values the franchise at over $525MM, Sacramento should have a fighting chance to keep the team, writes Steve Kyler of Hoops World.
According to Kyler, Sacramento's counter-offer would have to include more than just a big-money bid — the group would have to present a concrete plan for ways to increase team revenues in Sacramento, since a move to Seattle is expected to yield major corporate advertisers and a big TV deal.
Tom Ziller of SBNation.com looks back at the SuperSonics' move to Oklahoma City, noting that Clay Bennett had more time and fewer roadblocks than Chris Hansen does, and was still tied up in legal proceedings for a few months. If the "right of first refusal" issue becomes a real factor, things could get messy, says Ziller.
Ziller argues that David Stern's best move is to open up a discussion about keeping the Kings in Sacramento and creating a new expansion team in Seattle.