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Odds & Ends: Mavericks, Most Improved, George

January 15th, 2013 at 6:49pm CST by Alex Lee

With six games on the NBA docket tonight, let's round up any odds and ends from around the Association here:

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Examining The Grizzlies’ Cap Situation

January 15th, 2013 at 3:35pm CST by Luke Adams

2013's most popular subject of trade rumors to date has arguably been Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay. Since Grantland's Zach Lowe reported on January 4th that Memphis had made Gay available, the veteran forward has seemingly been linked with half the teams in the league, including the Suns, Raptors, Kings, and Wizards, among others.

As many others have written over the last couple weeks, the Grizzlies aren't exploring the market for Gay because they're dissatisfied with his play on the court. The 26-year-old is a crucial piece of a team that is on track to finish in the top four in a tough Western Conference. Rather, it's the Grizzlies' cap situation, and Gay's pricey long-term salary, that makes him a potential trade candidate.

Gay is earning about $16.5MM in 2012/13 and is in line for modest raises over the next couple seasons — he'll make $17.89MM in 2013/14 and has a player option worth $19.32MM in 2014/15. It's a lot of money for a player averaging 17.8 PPG and shooting a career-low 41.4% from the floor, and it's one of a handful of big deals that contributes to a total Grizzlies payroll exceeding $74MM this season.

With Robert Pera's new ownership group in place in Memphis, it's unclear exactly how comfortable the team is with being above the tax line ($70.31MM). At less than $4MM above the tax this year, the extra charges applied to the Grizzlies wouldn't be exorbitant, but being in the tax could become more problematic beginning next season. If the team doesn't move any of its current players, it could be on the hook for more than $73MM in 2013/14 and $65MM+ in 2014/15, without even having filled out its roster.

The repeater tax, which penalizes repeat taxpayers by exponentially increasing the tax on every dollar spent above the threshold, is on the horizon, but it shouldn't worry the Grizzlies. To qualify as a repeat taxpayer, teams must be over the tax line for four of five seasons, a line Memphis isn't in danger of crossing — even if the club were to remain in the tax through '14/15, the only money currently on the books for 2015/16 is Mike Conley's $9.59MM salary and Tony Wroten's $2.18MM team option, which should make staying under the tax threshold fairly easy. Still, tax penalties in general increase substantially next season, and the Grizzlies aren't the Lakers, Knicks, or Nets, all big-market teams that are comfortable with paying that premium.

If the Grizzlies hope to sneak below the tax threshold this season, Gay represents their best chance to do that, since he appears to be the most expendable of the club's three most expensive players (Gay, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol). It's not their only solution, but the alternate options are tricky.

Marreese Speights is the Grizzlies' only non-core piece earning $4MM+ this season, and has seen the team reduce his playing time this year. But the Grizzlies would be hard-pressed to find a taker for Speights without taking any salary back themselves. Other players could also be packaged in deals to get Memphis below the tax line, but the team is already carrying the minimum 13 players, so simply dumping salaries isn't as easy as it may seem.

If the Grizzlies don't find a deal they like for Gay or Speights, I expect the new owners to bite the bullet and pay the few extra million in taxes that the current roster will cost. But with more punitive penalties on the way for 2013/14, we should probably plan on seeing the Grizz aggressively explore ways to trim the payroll over the summer.

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Kyler’s Latest: Kings, Gasol, Magic, Bucks, Jazz

January 15th, 2013 at 10:19am CST by Luke Adams

Steve Kyler's latest piece for HoopsWorld is packed full of updates on players who could be on the move before this season's trade deadline. Kyler covers plenty of ground in his column, so let's dive right in and round up the highlights….

  • The Kings' uncertain ownership situation may result in a quiet trade deadline in Sacramento. While the situation could change between now and February 21st, Kyler says that for now the team appears "frozen in terms of making deals."
  • Kyler suggests it's possible the Grizzlies will explore ways of getting below the luxury tax line that don't involve trading a big contract like Rudy Gay's.
  • The Lakers aren't engaged in any trade talks involving Pau Gasol, and may not seriously explore a Gasol deal unless they fall out of the playoff hunt by the deadline.
  • While J.J. Redick is drawing plenty of interest, rival teams have also called the Magic about Arron Afflalo and Jameer Nelson. If Orlando makes a move, the club would like to include Glen Davis or Hedo Turkoglu to shed some long-term salary.
  • Pointing to Andrew Bogut as an example of an injured player who was dealt last season, Kyler warns not to rule out Anderson Varejao as a trade candidate.
  • The Bucks are much more inclined to move players like Beno Udrih, Drew Gooden, and Samuel Dalembert than Monta Ellis or Brandon Jennings, but those secondary pieces aren't drawing much interest.
  • Al Jefferson seems more likely than Paul Millsap to re-sign with the Jazz this summer, though clubs have been in touch with the Jazz about both players.
  • The Spurs "will be dealing" DeJuan Blair before the deadline, according to Kyler.
  • Derrick Williams appears unlikely to be moved by the Timberwolves while Kevin Love remains sidelined with his broken hand.
  • Several teams have been calling the Suns to inquire on Marcin Gortat. The Rockets are one team believed to have interest.
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Rudy Gay Rumors: Monday

January 14th, 2013 at 5:10pm CST by Luke Adams

When we asked on Saturday where you think Rudy Gay will finish the season, votes were fairly split, with many of you suggesting he'd stay in Memphis or that the Raptors were one of the top candidates to acquire him. With five and a half weeks still remaining before the trade deadline, we have a few Gay updates to pass along, including one related to those Raps, so let's dive right in….

  • The Grizzlies have tabled the idea of trading Gay for now, sources tell Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio. One source indicates that the offers for Gay will probably get worse toward the trade deadline, and believes the team would be better off waiting until after the season to make another push to trade him.

Earlier updates:

  • Agent Mark Bartelstein tells Michael Lee of the Washington Post that he has spoken to both the Wizards and Grizzlies and that his client Bradley Beal has not been offered in any potential Gay deal. "The Wizards have made it very clear that they are not moving Brad Beal," said Bartelstein.
  • The Grizzlies have spoken to every team in the league over the last month or so, but haven't shown an inclination to simply give away players like Gay for financial purposes, says Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
  • Gay is likely to remain in Memphis through season's end, unless the team receives a no-brainer proposal, according to Tillery.
  • Although Tillery writes that the Wizards may be open to including Bradley Beal in a package for Gay, Grantland's Zach Lowe tweets that, based on what he has heard, he'd be shocked if Washington moved Beal for Gay.
  • Michael Lee of the Washington Post confirms that the Wizards have had conversations with the Grizzlies about what it would take to acquire Gay, and hears from one source that they're "pushing for" the forward. However, Lee indicates that a Washington offer would likely include any of the team's recent first-round picks besides Beal and John Wall.
  • The Raptors' chances of acquiring Gay are dwindling fast, according to Doug Smith of the Toronto Star, who says the asking price is too high for Toronto. Smith hears that Terrence Ross and Jonas Valanciunas came up in conversations, which didn't interest the Raps. The Star scribe estimates there's only a 5% chance that more serious discussions occur between the two teams.
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D-League Moves: Beverley, Wroten, Jones, Joseph

January 14th, 2013 at 4:55pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Monday's D-League assignments and recalls, with the latest moves added to the top of the page throughout the day:

  • After Jeremy Lin sprained his ankle at practice today, the Rockets will recall the recently-signed Patrick Beverley from the D-League, tweets Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. Since joining the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Beverley has averaged 13.7 PPG, 7.0 APG, and 6.7 RPG in three contests.
  • After a brief stint with the Reno Bighorns, Tony Wroten has been recalled from the D-League by the Grizzlies, according to Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal (via Twitter). Quincy Pondexter is out with a knee injury, and Rudy Gay will miss tonight's game while attending his grandmother's funeral, so Wroten will provide some extra depth for Memphis.
  • Terrence Jones has been recalled from the D-League by the Rockets, tweets Feigen. Jones, 2012's 18th overall pick, had been on his third D-League assignment with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, having averaged 19.2 PPG and 11.0 RPG in nine contests for the club this season.
  • The Spurs have recalled Cory Joseph from their D-League affiliate, the team announced today in a press release. Joseph was assigned to the Austin Toros back on December 17th for the third time this season. In 14 games with the Toros, Joseph has averaged 20.7 PPG and shot 44.2% from three-point range.
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Southwest Notes: Asik, Hornets, Hollins

January 14th, 2013 at 3:24pm CST by Luke Adams

While the Spurs hold a 2.5-game lead over the Grizzlies in the Southwest Division, the two teams are actually even in the loss column, with the Spurs (29-11) having played five more games than the Grizzlies (24-11). The Grizz will play one of those extra contests tonight, but it won't be easy to pick up a game in the standings on San Antonio, with the Clippers coming to town. As we look forward to what should be the game of the night in Memphis, let's round up a few items out of the Southwest….

  • Within his mailbag at NBA.com, Sam Smith of Bulls.com writes that even after signing Omer Asik away from the Bulls last summer, the Rockets had talks about packaging him in a deal for a higher-level player. Smith suggests that perhaps the Heat could be a match in such a trade, with Chris Bosh going the other way, but it appears that's just his own speculation.
  • Hornets GM Dell Demps spoke to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld about finally getting a chance to see his team's core players all healthy at the same time and evaluate the roster. Demps indicated that he could be active at the trade deadline, though he isn't expecting to aggressively pursue a move: "I think we’ll listen. If there’s something out there that will make us significantly better for the long-term I think we’ll look at it. Actually, I like our group. I like our young guys. I want to really evaluate them over the next month playing together and see that chemistry there. For the last week or so I think we’ve been playing pretty good, we’ll see how it goes over the next few games."
  • There have been no talks about a contract extension between new Grizzlies ownership and coach Lionel Hollins, who's in the last year of his deal, writes Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
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Odds & Ends: Grizzlies, Gelabale, Van Gundy

January 13th, 2013 at 9:34pm CST by Zachary Links

There has been lots of trade talk surrounding the Grizzlies, particularly small forward Rudy Gay, but Jeff Caplan of NBA.com opines that this team deserves the opportunity to stay together and make a run at the title in 2013.  Power forward Zach Randolph agrees with that sentiment.  "That’s what happens when you get new owners," said Randolph. "Mr. [Michael] Heisley (the Grizzlies’ previous owner), he had a vision of keeping us all together. He took care of all of us to build a team and try to win a championship. Now the new owner probably wants to do something different. But it’s a business."  Here's more from around the league…

  • Spanish team Valencia Basket announced that they have granted Mickael Gelabale permission to travel to the U.S. to negotiate a deal in the NBA, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando.  The forward has an NBA out in his contract with Valencia to exercise by end of January.  If Gelabale doesn't find an agreement in NBA, he will return to Spain to finish out the season with Valencia.
  • Former Magic coach Stan Van Gundy spoke to Chris Mannix of NBC Sports (on Twitter) about why he wouldn't be interested in the Nets' head coaching job.  "I just don't think that's a place [my family] would relocate to at this point," Van Gundy explained.
  • Van Gundy also expressed a similar opinion to Caplan and said that he didn't understand why the Grizzlies would move Gay right when they are accomplishing the kind of success that they've been building for (Twitter link).
  • Derek Page of HoopsWorld checked in with Rockets rookie Terrence Jones and wonders if he is NBA ready at this stage.  Jones has been shuttled between Houston and the D-League's Rio Grande Valley Vipers this season.
  • The D-League's influence is growing bigger and bigger every year, writes Sam Amick of USA Today.  Nearly 30% of the NBA's current players have had D-League experience.  This season, a record 49 NBA players have been assigned a record 100 times to the D-League.  For a full list of this year's assignments and recalls, check out our handy running post.
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Kyler On Lakers, Redick, Grizzlies

January 13th, 2013 at 2:01pm CST by Sean Highkin

Just as he did on Saturday, Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld.com answered some questions Sunday morning from his Twitter followers. Here are the highlights:

  • Kyler does not expect the Lakers to trade Pau Gasol, noting that his hefty salary makes it difficult to find a fit. He says the Lakers are not interested in taking back another similar-sized contract for Gasol, and would prefer to break his cap hit into smaller pieces.
  • Kyler says that, although former Blazers head coach Nate McMillan makes sense as an assistant coach for the Lakers, there is no incentive for him to take the job due to the Lakers' struggles and his enjoyment of spending time with his family (link).
  • Kyler expects Magic guard J.J. Redick to get a contract similar to the four-year, $36MM deal Ryan Anderson signed with the Hornets. He does not think the Blazers would be a fit for Redick, given the presence of Wesley Matthews.
  • Kyler doesn't think the Grizzlies will trade any of their key players unless the return helps them win now.
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Kyler On Dwight, Hornets, Beasley, Gay, Magic

January 12th, 2013 at 3:34pm CST by Sean Highkin

Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld.com answered some questions from his Twitter followers on Saturday regarding various free agency and trade rumors.

Earlier updates:

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Wizards Interested In Rudy Gay

January 12th, 2013 at 12:08pm CST by Zachary Links

There's no shortage of suitors for Grizzlies small forward Rudy Gay and the field just got even larger.  The Wizards are now in the mix of teams that are interested in the services of the Memphis standout, one league source tells Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game (on Twitter).

It's unclear what the Wizards' offer might be but the source says that it is "a good one."  Bucher opines that the Grizzlies should stick with the squad that they have as it has the talent and experience to make a serious run at the title.  Regardless, the Grizzlies seem open to the idea of trading their star.  All indications are they're aggressively looking for a deal, Bucher writes.

The Raptors are reportedly making the hardest push for Gay of any team.  The Warriors, Suns, and Kings have also shown a great deal of interest in making a trade for the seven-year veteran.

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