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Odds & Ends: Batum, Gallinari, Kabongo, Lee

December 20th, 2012 at 10:08pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Jason Quick of the Oregonian looks at the friendly rivalry between the Trail Blazers' Nicolas Batum and the Nuggets' Danilo Gallinari that has stemmed from their days as young Euroleague stars hoping to make it into the NBA. Most notably, Quick mentions that Batum's salary negotiations this past summer were influenced by the type of deals that Gallinari, Marvin Williams, and Arron Afflalo had received with their respective teams. With that aside, here are a few more rumblings from around the Association tonight:

  • Derrick Rose took part in the non-contact portion of Bulls practice today, although coach Tom Thibodeau has not yet placed a timetable on the superstar's return (Seth Gruen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports).  
  • Despite a strong start to the season, the Warriors' upcoming stretch against teams that have a notable inside presence will help determine if their interior defensive struggles against the Kings were either minor or a sign of a major problem, writes Marcus Thompson II of MercuryNews.com.
  • Rookie Royce White is "hopeful" that he'll play for the Rockets again sometime this season (Mark Berman of Fox 26 tweets).
  • 1500 ESPN's Darren Wolfson confirms earlier speculation via a team source that Timberwolves guard  Malcolm Lee will be sidelined for the rest of the year (Twitter link). 
  • Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune tweeted that Chris Douglas-Roberts is another top option available for the Timberwolves in addition to Michael Redd. 
  • In his Nuggets Mailbag, Benjamin Hochman of The Denver Post discusses why he thinks Gallinari has shown the capability of being a clutch All-Star type of player, why Carmelo Anthony isn't necessarily the clear-cut MVP right now, and the Nuggets' decision to commit to a long-term deal with Ty Lawson.

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Who Should The Timberwolves Target?

December 20th, 2012 at 7:37pm CST by Ryan Raroque

With the Timberwolves now looking to fill a void at the wing position, we've heard today that Michael Redd and Chris Douglas-Roberts are among the options that the team could consider. Keeping in mind some of the available free agents who are capable of playing on the perimeter, who do you think the Timberwolves should go after? 

 

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Timberwolves Waive Howard, Could Target Redd?

December 20th, 2012 at 5:02pm CST by Ryan Raroque

The Timberwolves have waived Josh Howard after an MRI revealed a torn ACL, according to Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune (Twitter link). CBS's Ken Berger also tweeted that Howard will need season-ending surgery.  The 6'7 swingman, who had been signed last month, suffered his injury in a game against the Hornets just a few days ago. Since joining Minnesota, Howard had averaged 6.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and nearly 1 steal per game in 18.8 MPG, reaching double figure scoring in three out of 11 games. 

After hearing the news of Howard's injury, head coach Rick Adelman told reporters that the team is now in need of a back up small forward who is capable of guarding wing players, but also mentioned that there haven't been any discussions regarding what management will do next. While Michael Redd may not be known for his defensive abilities, Zgoda suggests that the former Bucks and Suns player could be a possible consideration. Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN added that whether or not it will be Redd, a new addition will be likely (all the Twitter links).

 

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Odds & Ends: Wolves, Rockets, Stern, Thunder

December 19th, 2012 at 10:54pm CST by Zachary Links

The "Battle of the Boroughs" was all anyone wanted to talk about just a few short weeks ago, but the Nets' recent slide has taken much of the juice out of their renewed rivalry with the Knicks.  Here's a glimpse around the league as the Knicks have padded their lead in the Atlantic Division..

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Odds & Ends: Billups, Pistons, Aldridge, Blazers

December 18th, 2012 at 12:03pm CST by Zachary Links

Clippers guard Chauncey Billups says that he would like to keep playing for a few more years and won't rule out a return to the Pistons, writes Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.  "You never say never to any situation. I got nothing but great memories about here and winning, and this building was on fire. I would like for my memories to stay like that," said the 36-year-old.  Here's more from around the Association..

  • The Blazers have said repeatedly that big man LaMarcus Aldridge will be the cornerstone of the franchise for years to come, but Aldridge doesn't see himself as "untouchable", writes Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com.  Aldridge is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2014-15 season. 
  • The Hawks made a bold move this summer when they traded franchise player Joe Johnson to the Nets in an effort to improve their depth.  The Lakers might want to take a page out of their book, writes Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld.
  • The Timberwolves may have an abundance of point guards after Ricky Rubio's return, but Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel doesn't see the Heat pursuing them as they want to avoid taking on long-term money.  Luke Ridnour will make $4.3MM next season, while J.J. Barea has two additional seasons at more than $9MM total.
  • Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld looks at five underrated members of the rookie class, including Nando De Colo of the Spurs and Pablo Prigioni of the Knicks.
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Kyler On Varejao, Spurs, Gordon, Calderon

December 17th, 2012 at 11:32am CST by Chuck Myron

HoopsWorld's Steve Kyler took to Twitter to reveal the career-threatening nature of Al Harrington's staph infection, and he also let loose with plenty of trade rumors along the way. We'll round up the juiciest tidbits here (all links via Twitter).

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Wolves Rumors: Love, Derrick Williams, Roy

December 16th, 2012 at 12:30pm CST by Chuck Myron

Ricky Rubio wasn't in the starting lineup and played only 18 minutes last night, but that he played at all is joyous news for the Wolves. The team welcomed him back for his first action since March, when he tore two ligaments in his left knee. Rubio shot just 1-for-4 from the field, but dished out nine assists against only two turnovers, and helped spark a comeback win after Minnesota endured an early deficit against the Mavs. His return isn't the only story of note from the Twin Cities, and we've got the latest here. 

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Central Notes: Varejao, Derrick Williams, Belinelli

December 15th, 2012 at 4:59pm CST by Chuck Myron

All five Central Division squads are in action tonight, and three of them face stiff tests. The Bulls take on the Nets, the Bucks play host to the red-hot Clippers, and the Cavs visit the Knicks, who are unbeaten at Madison Square Garden. There's plenty of action off the court as well, and here's the latest on Central squads.

  • While she acknowledges she's in the minority, Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer doesn't think the Cavs will trade Anderson Varejao, arguing that he's the team's best player and that it might take several years to develop a young replacement who could equal his production.
  • In the same Q&A with readers, Schmitt Boyer says she also doesn't think the Cavs will go after Timberwolves forward Derrick Williams.
  • Bulls offseason signee Marco Belinelli said he had perhaps the toughest training camp of his life as he struggled to adjust to a new system and a new team, but now he's averaging 19.0 points per game over his last five contests after stepping into the starting lineup for the injured Richard Hamilton. HoopsWorld's Joel Brigham has more.
  • In that piece, Brigham also looks at several who could be in line for their first All-Star appearance this season, and Central Division players are well represented. Varejao and Kyrie Irving of the Cavs, Joakim Noah of the Bulls and Brandon Jennings of the Bucks are on the list.
  • Pistons GM Joe Dumars has been high on Andre Drummond ever since a pre-draft meeting in which Drummond gave Dumars direct answers to questions about his energy and willingness to play hard, two areas of doubt that had caused other GMs to pass on him. Keith Langlois of Pistons.com has the details.
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Western Notes: Lakers, Freeland, Blazers, Love

December 15th, 2012 at 11:57am CST by Zachary Links

Notes out of the Western Conference..

  • Lakers fans are clearly frustrated with how the season has gone so far, but they should be grateful that they have Dwight Howard in the lineup rather than the sidelined Andrew Bynum, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com.  The Lakers will take on the Bynum-less Sixers on Sunday evening.
  • Joel Freeland‘s camp told HoopsHype (via Twitter) that they are unhappy with his assignment to the D-League by the Blazers.  Agent Rafa Calvo pointed out that Freeland has been one of the top big men in EuroLeague for three years and doesn’t need the extra time to adjust to the NBA.  Despite that, Calvo says he and his client are trying to stay positive about the situation.
  • Paul Ladewski of Sheridan Hoops wonders if the T’Wolves have a strong trading partner in the Bulls if they wind up moving Kevin Love.  The Timberwolves might have an interest in power forward Nikola Mirotic who is widely considered to be the best player in Europe right now.
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Spears On Trade Candidates

December 14th, 2012 at 7:20pm CST by Chuck Myron

In addition to the well-documented cases of Pau Gasol, Jose Calderon and Anderson Varejao, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports shares a litany of tidbits from high-ranking executives on trade candidates from around the league. Here's the chatter going on about each player:

  • Andrea Bargnani, Raptors — "Toronto definitely wants to move Bargnani," a GM told Spears.
  • MarShon Brooks, Nets — The Nets put him on the trading block over the summer, but his rookie-scale contract is making it hard for the team to part with him, since there are few more valuable players on the market with a matching salary.
  • Andrew Bynum, Sixers — The Sixers are trying to find another starting center, according to Spears, who hears from a GM who figures the team is starting to get panicked about Bynum health. "They could get a really interesting deal for (Bynum)," the GM said. "I could see them doing that."
  • Tyreke Evans, Kings — Despite a meeting with GM Geoff Petrie that went well, according to a source close to Evans, the Kings will trade him if they don't think they can afford to re-sign him as a restricted free agent this summer.
  • Tyler Hansbrough, Pacers — Spears speculates that the team could trade him for help at the wing.
  • Gerald Henderson, Bobcats — Like Evans, Henderson will likely be dealt if the team decides against re-signing the restricted free agent over the summer.
  • Kevin Love, Timberwolves — "I don't think that's a match that is permanent in Minnesota," an assistant GM tells Spears. "I'm not saying they're shopping, but if they can get the right deal they would look at it. And I don't think he wants to be there." 
  • Paul Millsap, Jazz — The Jazz are more likely to trade Millsap than Al Jefferson because Millsap, who makes almost half as much money, will "go to the highest bidder" in free agency next summer, according to a GM.
  • Timofey Mozgov, Nuggets — With Mozgov a restricted free agent next summer, the Nuggets are likely to go with Kosta Koufos and JaVale McGee in the middle instead, and with other Nuggets set to hit the market, a rival GM tells Spears that Denver won't pay the luxury tax.
  • Derrick Williams, Timberwolves — Both player and team would be pleased with a trade, and an executive for another team warns that Williams' value is shrinking as he continues to sit on Minnesota's bench.
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