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Pacific Notes: Karl, Cousins, Bass, Russell, Clarkson

October 5th, 2015 at 11:00am CST by Chuck Myron

Weeks before reports surfaced that coach George Karl was trying to trade DeMarcus Cousins and, subsequently, that the Kings were thinking about firing Karl, the coach remarked that he never felt he had a player who was off-limits for a trade. That comment was a mistake, Karl admitted to Kayte Christensen of CSN Bay Area (video link), and the coach apologized to Cousins, as CSN Bay Area’s James Ham notes.

But it’s my responsibility to be smart enough to not say things like that,” Karl said to Christensen, in part. “So I did apologize because I thought that was the only thing, maybe some other things, but really the only thing that got us separated was that comment that then everybody wrote [that] we’re going to trade [Cousins].”

Time will tell if the relationship between Karl and Cousins will remain on solid footing, but winning would probably go a long way toward keeping both of them satisfied, as Akis Yerocostas of SB Nation’s Sactown Royalty recently suggested in a recent installment of our Top Bloggers series. See more from the Pacific Division:

  • Metta World Peace is with the Lakers during the preseason in large part to mentor Julius Randle, but if World Peace doesn’t stick for the regular season on his non-guaranteed deal, fellow offseason signee Brandon Bass will still be there for Randle, as Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times details. Fostering the development of the 2014 No. 7 overall pick part of the reason why Bass, too, is on the Lakers roster this season, Pincus writes.
  • Bass is also a fan of Lakers coach Byron Scott, for whom he also played at the beginning of his career with New Orleans, Pincus notes in the same piece. “Coach Scott was someone who inspired me to continue to work hard, to be the player I am today,” Bass said. “My first two years I didn’t play much, so he was very motivating to me, letting me know how hard I have to work to be a pro.”
  • D’Angelo Russell was skeptical when Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak told him before the draft that the Lakers thought he and Jordan Clarkson could co-exist in the backcourt, but all parties seem on board with the idea now, notes Baxter Holmes of ESPNLosAngeles.com. “We’re two totally different players,” Clarkson said. “He’s an excellent passer and I’m real aggressive and it just kind of comes together.” Clarkson is set to hit restricted free agency at season’s end.
  • The Clippers are so far struggling to incorporate the nine newcomers to the team, observes Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times.
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Western Notes: Bryant, Clippers, Nuggets

October 4th, 2015 at 8:30pm CST by Will Joseph

Kobe Bryant has embraced his role as a mentor for a young Lakers team that is counting on D’Angelo Russell (who is 19),  Julius Randle (20) and Jordan Clarkson (23) to step up, Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com writes. After practices, Holmes adds, several players have been gathering, whether back at the team hotel or elsewhere, just to talk with Bryant.

“The other day, we sat around and talked for about 2 1/2 hours,” Bryant said. “They just wanted to know some of the things that I’ve been through, some of the things that I’ve learned, some of the things that I can help them with. The game really connects us.”

Here’s more on the Western Conference:

  • Kevin Eastman is now an assistant coach for the Clippers after previously serving as assistant vice president of the franchise, Dan Woike of the Orange County Register tweets.
  • Nuggets coach Michael Malone has prioritized getting to know his players, learning about their lives, their likes and dislikes, their families and what in general makes them tick, Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post relays in an entertaining read.
  • Eric Bledsoe, who is set to make $13.5MM next season in the second year of a five-year, $70MM deal, showed a commitment to the Suns this summer when he stayed in Phoenix and there are indications that his game could take another step forward this season, Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic writes.
  • The Kings have multiple options at the starting power forward position as complements to All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins, Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee writes. The team has looked for a power forward with shooting range, or one who can contribute defensively, Jones adds. Willie Cauley-Stein, Kosta Koufos, Quincy Acy, and small forward Rudy Gay are all in the mix, according to Jones.
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L.A. Notes: Clippers’ Roster, Lakers’ Backcourt

October 4th, 2015 at 12:44pm CST by ChrisCrouse

It appears Luc Mbah a Moute and Chuck Hayes will battle for the Clippers‘ last roster spot, Arash Markazi of ESPN.com notes (Twitter link). After waiving Nikoloz Tskitishvili on Saturday, the team only has 16 commitments and the duo’s pacts are the only contracts that are not fully guaranteed.

Here’s more from Los Angeles:

  • Despite the number of new pieces in Los Angeles, Clippers President of basketball operations/coach Doc Rivers is optimistic that the team can seamlessly fit together, Rowan Kavner of NBA.com writes. “Chemistry can grow,” Rivers said. “In 2010, we had no chemistry and people had given up on us and all of a sudden, the second half of the year things start clicking, guys start getting together and the next thing you know we found ourselves in the Finals again. So, it can happen a lot of ways.”
  • No. 2 overall pick D’Angelo Russell and sophomore combo guard Jordan Clarkson seem to have chemistry early in camp, Baxter Holmes of ESPN writes. “We just relate to each other,” Russell said. “He’s not one of those real serious vets that you can’t crack a smile around. He’s a young dude, second year, still learning, still growing. Me, the same way. I’m a goofy guy, he’s a goofy guy. So we kind of complement each other.” 
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Pacific Notes: Bryant, Pierce, Green, Curry

October 3rd, 2015 at 9:48pm CST by Arthur Hill

Kobe Bryant, who will take the court Sunday for the first time since late January, enjoys playing beside a true point guard in D’Angelo Russell, writes Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com. Bryant, whose 2014/15 season was cut short by a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, said he is “definitely playing” in the Lakers‘ preseason opener. He is looking forward to a revised role with Russell on the roster. “I do not like setting up the offense,” Bryant said. “I hate it. [Former Lakers coach Phil Jackson] made me do it years ago, and I had to learn how to do it years ago, to set up the triangle [offense]. I haven’t played with point guards that are playmakers at heart, and D’Angelo is a ridiculous playmaker.”

There’s more from the Pacific Division:

  • Paul Pierce has only been a Clipper since July, but he knows his new team pretty well, according to Ben Bolch of The Los Angeles Times. Pierce, who signed a three-year, $10MM deal with L.A., is very familiar with coach Doc Rivers from their time together in Boston. Pierce also was a teammate of Clippers assistant coach Sam Cassell with the Celtics and spent several summers training at L.A.’s practice facility. Pierce said he “already felt like I knew the guys” when he signed.
  • Draymond Green said Warriors players will hold one another accountable during coach Steve Kerr’s absence, writes Carl Steward of The Bay Area News Group. Kerr will be gone for an undetermined amount of time while recovering from back surgery. “It’s like if your boss leaves work, everyone relaxes,” Green said. “It’s like a weight off your shoulders. When you’re boss checks out, it’s like, ‘Oh man, what’s up, now we can chill.’ It’s just human nature.”
  • The Kings‘ Seth Curry won’t change his approach to the game, even though he has a guaranteed contract for the first time in his NBA career, according to Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee. Curry signed a two-year deal worth $1.96MM with Sacramento this summer. Curry said he expected to go to New Orleans, but the Kings submitted their offer first. “I think it just gives me a sense of trying to fit in with the team and find my role instead of just trying to make the team,” Curry said of the guaranteed money. “But I still have the same sense of urgency that I’ve had in the past.”
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Pacific Notes: Clarkson, Gudaitis, Iguodala

October 2nd, 2015 at 10:31pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson has chosen Jeff Austin and Chris Emens of Octagon Sports to represent him, Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Daily News reports. Clarkson was previously represented by Mike George of Excel Sports Management, which reportedly broke off its relationship with the young guard back in September. The young combo guard was reportedly frustrated with the agency’s communication and felt he received conflicting information about marketing opportunities, according to an earlier report by Medina. Jon Krawczynski of The Associated Press first reported the split. Clarkson is eligible to become a restricted free agent next summer.

Here’s more from the Pacific Division:

  • Lithuanian big man Arturas Gudaitis, whose draft rights are held by the Kings, said that Sacramento has expressed interest in signing him for next season, according to a report by Donatas Urbonas of 15min.It (translation by Emiliano Carchia of Sportando). Gudaitis, who is signed to a multi-year deal with the Lithuanian club Lietuvos Rytas, said his dream is to play in the NBA, and that he will travel to Sacramento to work out for the team after his season is completed, Urbonas notes.
  • The Warriors intend for veteran swingman Andre Iguodala to continue his role as a top reserve during the 2015/16 season, Diamond Leung of The Bay Area News Group writes. “Nothing is set in stone, but we won 67 games, so I don’t think we’ll change the starting lineup to start the season,” coach Steve Kerr had said prior to taking his leave of absence due to back related issues. “Why would we? Why would we change what we did last year when we had as much success as we did?“
  • Jamal Crawford has been the subject of numerous trade rumors throughout the offseason, but he says that his time spent in New York as a member of the Knicks prepared him for the daily barrage of questions from the media, Janis Carr of The Orange County Register writes. “That time [in New York] prepared me for this,” Crawford said. “It’s a business and in a day, you can only control what you can control and worry about how you can get better.” The veteran shooting guard also noted that he is extremely happy to still be a member of the Clippers, Carr adds. The franchise was reportedly exploring trades involving the two-time Sixth Man of the Year shortly before the draft, with other reports this summer indicating that the Heat, Cavs and Knicks have held interest, but Doc Rivers recently said that the team was unlikely to deal Crawford.
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Kevin Durant Brushes Aside Lakers Rumors

October 2nd, 2015 at 2:14pm CST by Chuck Myron

2:14pm: Smith, in his response to Durant, identifies the Thunder and the Lakers as well as the Heat, Wizards, and Knicks as the teams he’s heard Durant is considering (Twitlonger link).

FRIDAY, 12:25pm: Durant made it clear that he finds no truth to the rumor, as he explained to The Oklahoman’s Anthony Slater. “I don’t talk to Stephen A. Smith at all,” Durant said to Slater. “No one in my family [or] my friends do. So he’s lying.”

THURSDAY, 8:20am: Kevin Durant would prefer the Lakers over other teams in free agency next summer if he is to leave the Thunder, as ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith hears (YouTube link; transcription via Glenn Erby of BlackSportsOnline), and as Colin Cowherd of Fox Sports 1 corroborates. Smith also hears that the possibility of Durant teaming up with Kobe Bryant to join Carmelo Anthony is in play, though he suggests that the notion is a long shot. It’s not entirely clear whether that scenario would play out on the Knicks or the Lakers.

Most of the executives who spoke with Ken Berger of CBSSports.com this summer told him they expect Durant will re-sign with the Thunder, with the Lakers, Mavericks and Wizards among the few alternatives with a legitimate chance at the former MVP and the Knicks on the fringe of the picture. Durant said this week that he’s “hit it off” with new Thunder coach Billy Donovan, adding to the idea that the incumbent Thunder are the favorites to put pen to paper with Durant this coming July. Rumors are sure to fly between now and then, but Durant put out a word of caution in August, saying that he’d only be discussing his future with a tight circle of advisers and that if reporters drew from other sources, the information wouldn’t be reliable.

Phil Jackson recently raised the idea of Bryant playing with a team other than the Lakers after this coming season, as Smith points out, but Bryant put the kibosh on that, telling Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports recently that, “I bleed purple-and-gold” and, “I am a Laker for better or worse.” Bryant, 37, is also considering retirement at season’s end. Anthony, the Knicks star, is the only one among himself, Bryant and Durant who isn’t a free agent after this season, as his contract doesn’t allow him to elect free agency until 2018. ‘Melo could waive his no-trade clause if he wants to join the Lakers, though both Jackson and the Lakers would have to agree to a deal for that to happen, a prospect further complicated by the 15% trade kicker on Anthony’s contract that the Knicks would have to pay in the event of a swap.

Durant’s projected maximum salary for 2016/17 is $24.9MM, a figure the Thunder can exceed the cap to pay because they have his Bird rights. The Lakers have less than $20MM in commitments for next season against a projected $89MM cap, and the Knicks have about $55MM, meaning both teams are poised to have enough room to make Durant a max offer.

Where do you think Durant ends up? Leave a comment to tell us.

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Pacific Notes: Johnson, Morris, Barnes, Collison

September 30th, 2015 at 2:59pm CST by Chuck Myron

Wesley Johnson grew tired of the individualism on the Lakers last season and sought a change this summer, as Janis Carr of the Orange County Register details. Johnson signed with the Clippers, citing the persistence of the front office that took a similar tack in its pursuit of Josh Smith, and the swingman praised the clear set of expectations that Doc Rivers has laid out for him, contrasting it to what he thought was a disjointed Lakers offense, Carr observes.

“You would go out there and want to play the right way, but everyone wanted to prove themselves,” Johnson said, according to Carr. “So nobody really knew what was going on. Nobody ever knew, so it was hard for anyone to come in and get into a good rhythm or flow. Nobody was playing together.”

See more from the Pacific Division:

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Lakers Notes: Bryant, World Peace, Young

September 29th, 2015 at 1:44pm CST by Chuck Myron

Phil Jackson raised the specter of Kobe Bryant playing for a team other than the Lakers in comments the Zen Master made last week, but Bryant made it clear Monday he has no intention to do that, telling Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports, “Dude, I bleed purple-and-gold.”

“A lot of players want to go to different teams or contend to win championships,” Bryant said. “I’m a Laker, man. I’m a Laker for better or worse.”

Bryant shed no more light on the matter of whether he’d play at all beyond this season, the last on his contract with the Lakers. While we wait to find out if this is the end for the 36-year-old star or if he’ll re-sign this summer, see more from Lakerland:

  • Metta World Peace regrets returning to play 12 days after surgery on a torn meniscus in his left knee during the spring of 2013, his last as a Laker, saying that it affected his ability to perform for the Knicks the next season, as he tells Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. The 35-year-old who’s returned to the Lakers on a non-guaranteed deal feels as though he’s since recovered and is ready to embrace a mentorship role, even if he can’t quite duplicate the soft touch that Derek Fisher used in juxtaposition to Bryant’s caustic personality, as he explained to Medina.
  • Nick Young endured trade rumors early in the offseason, and the return of Bryant plus the free agent signing of Lou Williams figures to cut into his time. Still, after trade talk died off and GM Mitch Kupchak met with him to explain the Williams signing, Young arrived at camp Monday with an upbeat attitude, saying Williams “will make things better,” observes Janis Carr of the Orange County Register.
  • The Lakers hired Hall-of-Famer James Worthy to work with the team’s coaching staff, the team announced, without specifying a former title for the “Showtime” era great.
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Pacific Notes: Cousins, Bryant, Warriors

September 28th, 2015 at 10:16pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and coach George Karl called their relationship “solid” during the team’s annual media day on Monday, Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee reports. While Karl reportedly wanted to trade Cousins after he took over as the head coach late last season, they seem to have ironed out their differences, Jones continues. Cousins called Karl “my man” and said their offseason meeting in Las Vegas was vital to establishing a relationship. “When we met in Vegas, we came to a head and we talked our differences out like men,”€ Cousins said to Jones. “And at the end of the day, it’s about winning games. That’€™s one thing me and him can agree on –€“ we want to win and that’™s our goal and that’s all that really matters, winning.”€ Karl gave Cousins an A-plus for his offseason training and said Cousins has shown maturity, Jones adds. “€œI see a different player,”€ Karl said. “€œI see a different substance of character in this guy right now.”

In other news around the Pacific Division:

  • Kobe Bryant feels more uncertainty about this season than any other in his career with the Lakers, according to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. Bryant is unsure how the team will blend together after the franchise made a number of offseason moves and drafted D’Angelo Russell as their point guard, Medina continues. “It’€™s a big question mark,” Bryant said during the team’s media day. “We have a lot of young guys. It’s a good mix. We have some veterans as well. But guys have never played together before, so it remains to be seen.” Bryant is also unsure how he fits into that mix after enduring three season-ending injuries in as many seasons, Medina adds.
  • Small forward Harrison Barnes claims that extension talks with the Warriors are “going well,” Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Barnes reportedly turned down a four-year, $64MM offer but expressed confidence during the team’s media day that a contract can be finalized before the Nov. 2nd deadline, Simmons continues. GM Bob Myers said last week that he expects the negotiations to go down to the wire, Simmons adds.
  • Veteran power forward Nikoloz Tskitishvili, who is in training camp with the Clippers, feels he’s ready for the NBA again after playing in six countries over a nine-year span since leaving the United States, according to Rowan Kavner of Clippers.com. “I’m just enjoying what I do,” he said to Kavner. “With this mentality, I got better. All of a sudden, I was like, ‘Yeah, I can do this.’ I think I’m ready for it.”
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L.A. Notes: Hibbert, Hayes, Bass

September 27th, 2015 at 8:45pm CST by Will Joseph

The last spot on the Clippers‘ 15-man roster will be a training camp battle between Chuck Hayes, Luc Mbah a Moute and Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Arash Markazi of ESPN.com relays (on Twitter). Markazi believes Hayes is the favorite because the Clippers are looking for someone with the versatility to play both power forward and center.

Here’s more from around Los Angeles:

  • Roy Hibbert will resurrect his career after the center agreed to waive part of his 15% trade kicker to join the Lakers, opines Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times in a list of questions and answers about the team. Hibbert’s scoring average of 10.6 points per game last year was the lowest since his rookie season. He will be a free agent next summer.
  • Brandon Bass should help the Lakers improve their defensive efficiency that ranked 29th out of 30 teams this season, Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Daily News writes. It is unclear if Bass or Julius Randle will be the team’s starting power forward, Medina adds.
  • The Lakers attempted to hire Steve Nash to a similar position in which he joined the Warriors following his acceptance of Golden State’s offer, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports tweets.
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