Los Angeles Lakers Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Atlantic Notes: Rondo, Lopez, Joseph, Williams

December 7th, 2015 at 8:59am CST by Chuck Myron

The breakfast meeting between Rajon Rondo and Kobe Bryant that took place a year ago hastened the trade that took Rondo out of Boston, the point guard believes, according to Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com. Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge didn’t indicate that was the case, Rondo concedes, and he wound up signing in the summer with the Kings instead of the Lakers, but Rondo still connects the breakfast and the trade, which happened two weeks apart, Forsberg notes.

“No, Danny never said anything, but I’m pretty sure that, after that, Danny thought he’d lose me for nothing at the end of the year so he made a decision and I understand that,” Rondo said.

People in the Celtics organization, including coach Brad Stevens, are glad to see Rondo playing well again, and Avery Bradley and Jared Sullinger both say their former teammate is like a brother to them, as Forsberg details. Rondo is reportedly back in play for a max deal in the summer ahead. See more from the Atlantic Division:

One reason why Kristaps Porzingis is rebounding so well, to the tune of 12.0 per 36 minutes, is the presence of Knicks offseason signee Robin Lopez, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post. “When you take a look at Robin in Portland, LaMarcus Aldridge’s rebounding numbers next to Robin were really good,” Knicks coach Derek Fisher said. “Robin does a really good job impacting his guy, boxing out and holding guys away from the basket so other players can get rebounds.’’
Cory Joseph‘s scoring has been a positive revelation for the Raptors, observes Doug Smith of the Toronto Star, who looks at the highlights and trouble spots for the team so far. The inability of fellow free agent acquisition Bismack Biyombo to provide a reasonable facsimile for what the injured Jonas Valanciunas can do on offense helps lead to the lack of ball movement that has plagued Toronto, Smith adds.
Deron Williams‘ shooting percentage and scoring are up, and Lionel Hollins, his former coach, attributes that to his escape from the spotlight of the New York metropolitan area, notes Brian Lewis of the New York Post. Williams gave up nearly $16MM in salary as part of a buyout of the final two years of his contract with the Nets before signing a two-year, $11MM deal with the Mavs this past offseason. “He’s played well. I said he’d play well, he’d be more comfortable out of New York,’’ Hollins said. “I said that he’d go down and play in a little different system, but mainly be out of New York and be away from the New York spotlight and expectations that were really unnatural. So I expected him to play better.’’

And-Ones: Morris, Begić, Jack

December 6th, 2015 at 10:34pm CST by Will Joseph

The Markieff Morris saga is “reheating,” Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic writes, after Suns coach Jeff Hornacek gave Morris his first benching by coach’s decision since 2011/12, the power forward’s rookie year. Hornacek, according to Coro, spoke with Morris before the team warmed up for Sunday’s game. Morris issued a trade demand in August after his brother, Marcus, was shipped to the Pistons. When training camp started, however, Morris declared he wanted to be in Phoenix. Morris, Coro notes, did not speak with reporters Sunday.

Here’s more from around the basketball world:

Mirza Begić, whom the Pelicans waived in October, is close to signing with Spain’s Bilbao, according to elcorreo.com (h/t Emiliano Carchia of Sportando).
The relationship between Nets guard Jarrett Jack and Stephen Curry extends beyond basketball, Mike Mazzeo of ESPN.com details. Curry mentioned the influence Jack (when he was with the Warriors) had on his career during his MVP speech. “I look at Steph like a little brother, but he’s somebody that I look up to and try to be like in a lot of ways,” Jack said, per Mazzeo. “What he said at his MVP speech — to take time out to acknowledge me during a moment where he deserved all of the [recognition] — it was amazing.”
Kobe Bryant has hinted at a desire to take a front office job with the Lakers, but he’s since clarified that if he sticks around the NBA after he’s done playing, he wants to be an owner, notes Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. “If I’m involved in basketball from a league perspective,” Bryant said, “it would be from an ownership perspective.”

Lakers Notes: World Peace, Randle, Bryant

December 6th, 2015 at 1:55pm CST by Will Joseph

Metta World Peace, whom the Lakers signed in September partially because of his veteran leadership, wants to be a coach after his playing career is over and his goal is to be a head coach, Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News writes in an extensive profile of the small forward’s character evolution. The Lakers, according to Medina, have been thoroughly impressed with the way World Peace has mentored second-year player Julius Randle. World Peace is not ready to hang it up just yet, Medina writes, but many around the Lakers believe his transition to coaching will be “seamless.”

“He’d be a good coach,” Kobe Bryant said, per Medina. “He’s extremely intelligent and communicates very well and is not afraid to hold guys accountable.”

Here’s more on the Lakers:

World Peace has become more assertive in instructing Randle about developing a mid-range game and becoming more aggressive consistently on the boards, Medina writes in the same piece.
Randle is averaging 11.5 points per game and 9.1 rebounds per game this season.
Speaking of Bryant, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times interviewed several former players about transitioning to life without basketball and the consensus was that the transition might be hard for Bryant, given how much he has devoted to the game. In on-camera interviews, however, (and this is simply my observation) Bryant has appeared at ease with his decision and seems set on pursuing different opportunities like filmmaking outside of basketball.
Bryant is, in fact, at peace with his decision, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe writes, since the superstar said he “has known for a while” that this would be his final season. To further drive the point home, Washburn adds that Bryant is no longer interested in the preparation required to play in games.

Southeast Notes: Hardaway, Whiteside, Heat Picks

December 6th, 2015 at 9:00am CST by Arthur Hill

The Hawks have no complaints about Tim Hardaway Jr.‘s performance, even though he was assigned to the D-League this week, writes Chris Vivlamore of The Journal-Constitution. Hardaway, who was acquired in an offseason deal with the Knicks, has appeared in just four games for Atlanta, averaging 2.5 points, but coach Mike Budenholzer said the third-year guard has maintained a good attitude. “He has been great,” Budenholzer said. “The way that he has attacked and worked – before practice, after practice, the weight room, his conditioning, getting stronger, all those things. I think he is understanding some of the things we are doing defensively. I’m very happy with his approach to everything.”

There’s more from the Southeast Division:

It took Heat center Hassan Whiteside several years to make his mark in the NBA, but he tells Tim Bontemps of the Washington Post that he never doubted it would happen someday. After two seasons out of the league, Whiteside became a force in the middle after signing with Miami last season. “No, I never wondered if it was going to work out,” he said. “I just kept praying on it, and you just kind of hope for the best. I look at things day-by-day. I just feel like, you look at things in the short-term and they don’t seem as long. Like I could have looked at it like, ‘Oh, man, I’m this far from the NBA.’ But I just kind of looked at it like if I do something day-by-day to get closer to your dream, something good’s got to happen.”
Recent visits from the Sixers and Celtics, who are stocked with draft picks over the next few seasons, are a reminder that the Heat are pursuing the opposite strategy, writes Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel. This year’s first-rounder is top 10 protected and almost certainly will go to Philadelphia. Miami also owes first-round picks in 2018 and 2021 to Phoenix in the Goran Dragic trade. In addition, four of the Heat’s next five second-rounders are being sent elsewhere.
This week’s trip to Los Angeles had Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton of the Magic recalling their 2014 pre-draft workout with the Lakers, writes Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel. “It just wasn’t fair,” Gordon said. “Basically, we were just taking turns coming off the pick-and-roll, setting picks for each other. We were dominating.”

L.A. Rumors: Stephenson, Rivers, Williams, Bryant

December 5th, 2015 at 9:50pm CST by Arthur Hill

On his third team in three seasons, Lance Stephenson is working to rebuild his reputation with the Clippers, writes Candace Buckner of The Indianapolis Star. After starring in Indiana, Stephenson signed a free agent deal with the Hornets in the summer of 2014. He was quickly branded a disappointment in Charlotte and was traded to the Clippers in June. He has settled into a backup role, averaging 18.5 minutes, 4.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists off the bench. “I’m on a better team,” Stephenson said. “I’ve got a group of guys that are veterans who know how to play the game. They help me out and teach me more about the game. I definitely feel better than when I was in Charlotte.”

There’s more tonight out of Los Angeles:

The Clippers‘ Austin Rivers has become an effective fill-in when Chris Paul is injured, according to Dan Woike of The Orange County Register. Rivers, who re-signed with the team in July for $6.4MM over two seasons, has been especially effective on defense, where he is holding opponents to 33.1% from the field. “I just want to compete,” Rivers said. “The one lesson I’ve learned from the times I’ve done well starting and the times I haven’t is to just focus on playing hard. When I go in and think I’m playing so many minutes and need to help score, that’s when I don’t play as well. When I go out and just focus on competing, I play really well. That’s just my focus – to play hard and help the team win. You just play.”
At age 29, Lou Williams has become a mentor to the Lakers‘ younger guards, writes Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Coach Byron Scott praised the job that the free agent signee has done in passing along direction. “The one things we didn’t know we were getting with Lou is he had that natural instinct to be a leader,” Scott said. “Watching him interact with some of our young guys has been great.”
The Lakers‘ young players are enjoying their role in Kobe Bryant‘s retirement tour, according to Mike Bresnahan of The Los Angeles Times. Bryant has been the focus of intense media attention since announcing earlier this week that this will be his final NBA season. “It’s like Michael Jackson’s coming to town or something like that,” said Julius Randle. “I haven’t seen anything like it.”

Sixers Rumors: Okafor, Draft, Williams, Moultrie

December 5th, 2015 at 7:40pm CST by Arthur Hill

Sixers coach Brett Brown thinks a two-game suspension imposed on Jahlil Okafor could serve as a “turning point” for the rookie center, according to Bob Cooney of The Philadelphia Daily News. Brown said Okafor understands he “messed up” with his off-court conduct that included two altercations in Boston on November 25th. “In a strange way maybe this is a turning point for him, to get hit on such a repetitive basis that maybe it’s just that much more dramatic,” Brown said. “Maybe the point is made more violently and viciously. This is, right now, a situation that we have to talk through and help him. He will come out just fine, I’m confident of that.”

There’s more out of Philadelphia:

The 2016 draft will determine if the Sixers can make a quick turnaround, according to Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post. Already holding the worst record in basketball, Philadelphia could receive the Lakers’ first-round pick, which is only top-three protected, along with first-round selections from the Thunder and Heat. Add in the possible debut of Joel Embiid and the chance that Dario Saric, the No. 12 pick in 2014, could be enticed from Europe, and the Sixers could have six additional first-round talents playing for them next season.
The Sixers are counting on fans to stay patient with their rebuilding plan, former Philadelphia GM Pat Williams tells Mike Sielski of The Philadelphia Inquirer. He acknowledges it’s not an easy thing to ask a city not known for its patience to keep believing in a process that has produced a 1-20 start in the third year of rebuilding. “They’ve got to stay the course: draft high, do lots of teaching, wait for these youngsters to mature,” Williams said. “It takes some years to see the vision and stick with it, and it stretches the patience of any good sports fan. You can’t survive without hope. That’s what Sixers fans are searching for here.”
Arnett Moultrie, who last played with the Sixers in 2013/14, has signed to play in Lebanon with Al Riyadi, according to Sportando’s Emiliano Carchia. After two seasons in Philadelphia, Moultrie was traded to the Knicks in October of 2014, but was waived before the season started.

Pacific Notes: Bryant, Morris, Thomas

December 5th, 2015 at 3:17pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Lakers coach Byron Scott said that he found out that Kobe Bryant intends to retire after this season when the shooting guard informed him during the third quarter of last Saturday’s game against the Blazers, Baxter Holmes of ESPNLosAngeles.com relays. “I said, ‘KB, I played you 20 minutes in the first half. I’m going to cut those minutes down. I’ve got to cut them down,‘” Scott told ESPN. “He said, ‘That’s good, coach. That’s all right. I’m going to announce my retirement after the game.’”

Bryant didn’t intend to inform Scott in that manner, Holmes notes. “I have no idea. I don’t know,” Bryant said on why he told his coach during the game. “It just slipped out. It just slipped out. He was worried about the minutes. I said, it doesn’t matter. I’m not playing next year anyway. He was like [gives an odd stare]. I looked at him at his face, and I realized I said it. He was just shocked. I said, you know what? I’m just leaving him like that. I’m not even going to soften him up. I’m just going to mess with him a little bit. Then after the game, he walks by and he goes, ‘Hey, um, remember what you said during the game?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ He said, ‘Did you mean it? I said, ‘Yeah.’ He was like, ‘OK, all right.’ But it just kind of slipped out.”

Here’s more from out of the Pacific Division:

Markieff Morris disputes his brother Marcus’ assessment that he looks unhappy playing for the Suns this season, Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic writes. “That’s just his opinion,” Morris said. “He knows me and he thinks he knows. Outside looking in, really. It’s his opinion. We don’t really talk too much about it. I’m just trying to get my job done. Missing [expletive] shots. I’m all right. If you didn’t hear it from me, then I’m all right.” The forward also downplayed any notion that he isn’t engaged this season, Coro adds, with Morris saying, “I’ve got to be the same,” said Morris. “Nothing different. I’m good where I’m at and just trying to move forward.”
Former Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas was disappointed that he wouldn’t have the opportunity to play in Sacramento this season since the teams squared off in Mexico City instead, Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee writes. “I definitely wanted to go back to Sac,” Thomas said. “It’s always a home for me and always a special place in my heart. When the schedule came out, I was looking for that Sac game and then it was in Mexico, so I was like, I won’t be able to go back to Sac.”

Jamaal Franklin Signs With Lakers D-League Team

December 4th, 2015 at 3:13pm CST by Chuck Myron

Former Grizzlies and Nuggets shooting guard Jamaal Franklin has joined the D-League affiliate of the Lakers, the team announced (Twitter link). It’s the second stint with the Los Angeles D-Fenders for the 24-year-old Franklin, who played 21 games for the club last season in between his time with China’s Zhejiang Guangsha and his brief encounter with Denver. He remains eligible to join any NBA team.

The Grizzlies made Franklin the 41st overall pick in 2013, but they waived him the following summer after he appeared in only 21 NBA games his rookie season. Memphis still owes him about $163K each season through 2018/19 because the team used the stretch provision to spread out the remaining guaranteed salary on his deal. The Nuggets inked him shortly before the end of the regular season this past spring to a three-year deal that didn’t include guaranteed salary beyond 2014/15, and they took advantage of that, waiving him in mid-July, though he continued to play for Denver’s summer league squad.

The 6’5″ Franklin only started in eight of his 21 appearances with the D-Fenders last season, but he proved an all-around threat. He averaged 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 3.7 turnovers in 34.1 minutes per contest.

Lakers Notes: Kobe, Russell, Scott

December 3rd, 2015 at 1:30pm CST by Chuck Myron

Kobe Bryant said this week that he’s not considering a midseason retirement, and three longtime executives from opposing teams don’t think he will, as Chris Mannix of SI.com reports. Bryant is prepared to endure the pain of playing with reduced physical capacity on a woeful Lakers team, notwithstanding his 31-point performance in a Lakers win Wednesday, as he told Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports.

“Take it all in, man,” Bryant said. “One thing about it, if you’re going to win championships and you want to be a champion inside and out, you can’t run from very, very tough times. You can’t run from the criticism. You can’t run from the fact that you’re not playing as well as you want to be playing. You’ve got to stand up and face that stuff, just like when everybody was singing your praises and winning championships and everything is fine. You’ve got to be able to take it all in, with the same demeanor as you would when you’re winning.”

See more on Kobe and others who wear the purple-and-gold:

Bryant and the Lakers and haven’t had any talks about him assuming a non-playing role with the team after he retires, and rules prevent them from doing so until he’s no longer on a playing contract, but Bryant is open to the possibility, writes Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times. It would presumably have to be a front office gig, since Bryant has dismissed the idea of coaching. Coach Byron Scott figures the Lakers would welcome him in such a position, Bresnahan adds. “Me and the Buss family, we grew up together,” Bryant said. “Jeanie and Jimmy, they’ve known me since I was a kid. It would be an honor to help them make that transition and help them try to get back to the top.” Bryant also expressed receptiveness to the idea of owning a team, as Bresnahan relays.
D’Angelo Russell is improving, Scott said before Wednesday’s game, but Scott again held the No. 2 overall pick out of crunch time and wants him to improve his defense, Bresnahan notes in a separate piece.
Building around Russell and soon-to-be free agent Jordan Clarkson, finding two-way players to plug in at center and small forward, and exercising restraint in free agency are a few of the keys to the Lakers’ rebuilding, as Kevin Pelton of ESPN.com argues in an Insider-only piece. Pelton also suggests replacing Scott with a coach who specializes in player development, but it’s extremely unlikely that the Lakers will fire Scott anytime soon, a source told USA Today’s Sam Amick.

And-Ones: Gasol, Bryant, Jennings

December 2nd, 2015 at 10:32pm CST by Will Joseph

There is a distinct possibility that Pau Gasol will opt out of his contract after this season with the Bulls because he’d likely get at least two years of guaranteed money by doing so, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune writes in response to a reader’s question. Gasol has not been featured as prominently in Fred Hoiberg‘s offense as he was under Tom Thibodeau, but since he’s still playing effectively, that should not factor much in Gasol’s decision, Johnson adds. Gasol will be a name to watch, according to Johnson, when the trade deadline nears if the Bulls believe they will lose him for nothing, however.

Here’s more from around the league:

Kobe Bryant shot down the idea that he would consider coaching after he retires as a player, Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times tweets. “Coaching, me? That’s about the funniest thing I’ve ever heard,” Bryant said, per Bresnahan. A transition to coaching seemed unlikely, anyway, given Bryant’s ultra-competitive demeanor. Bryant has said he plans to delve further into storytelling through different forms of media after this season.
Pistons point guard Brandon Jennings, who is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in January, is still three or four weeks away from seeing the court and thus his return is not imminent, coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters, including Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today Sports (Twitter link).
The two-year contract worth $11MM that the Mavs signed point guard Deron Williams to over the summer is looking like a bargain one month into the season, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com details. While Williams said he would like to be more consistent, he has shown flashes of dominance, MacMahon writes. Williams is averaging 14.8 points and 5.8 assists per game.