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Ford On Antetokounmpo, Cavs, Jazz, Thunder

June 27th, 2013 at 10:34am CST by Zachary Links

Chad Ford of ESPN.com has posted his latest draft day rumblings and we have the highlights..

  • The excitement over Giannis Antetokounmpo might be fading a bit as teams want the raw prospect to stay in Greece for a couple of years while he wants to come to the NBA now.  For GMs who don't think he's ready, that means that he will make for a very expensive D-League player.
  • If the Cavs can't trade the No. 1 overall pick for a veteran plus a 2014 lottery pick, they'll keep attempting to move whomever they draft until all their options have been exercised.  That could be a tall order since the hardest asset for a team to get right now is a 2014 lottery pick. Ford puts the odds at 95 percent that no potential 2014 lottery pick is moved tonight. 
  • The teams working hardest to move up higher in the lottery are the Jazz, Wolves and Thunder. The Jazz appear to be targeting Lehigh's C.J. McCollum and are offering picks No. 14 and 21, but they might have to give up Alec Burks as well to get high enough.
  • The Wolves are also trying to get up very high in an attempt to land Victor Oladipo or Ben McLemore.  As we've heard, they're dangling the No. 9 pick, No. 26 pick, and Derrick Williams. 
  • The Thunder want a big man – they like Nerlens Noel and Alex Len – but they don't have a ton to offer.  Movable assets like Jeremy Lamb, Perry Jones, and possibly Reggie Jackson don't have enormous trade value.  Their own pick next year won't be high and the Mavs pick that they own is top-20 protected next year. 
  • The Bobcats (No. 4) and Kings (No. 7) look like the two teams most willing to move down. 
  • A ton of teams want the Mavs' No. 13 pick.  The Cavs have been the most proactive but the Bucks, Hawks, and Nets are also in the mix. In virtually every case, the target is Sergey Karasev.  Trouble is, the Sixers or Thunder could grab him before 13. 
  • The Celtics are trying to pick up a late-first or early-second-round pick and sources say their target is Missouri's Phil Pressey if they decide to go big with their first pick. 
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Ford’s Latest: Draft Rumors, Aldridge, Jazz, Pacers

June 26th, 2013 at 1:31pm CST by Luke Adams

ESPN.com's Chad Ford is staying busy as Thursday night nears, chatting with fans this afternoon and also publishing a new story with Marc Stein on the latest draft-related rumors and rumblings. Here are the highlights from both links:

  • Stein reported earlier today that the Cavaliers were offering the No. 19 pick to the Rockets for Thomas Robinson, but that pick may also be necessary to complete another deal, whether it's a Shawn Marion trade with the Mavericks or a bigger move. If the Cavs can't finalize another trade though, they'd try to acquire Robinson with that pick, according to Stein and Ford.
  • Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal is skeptical that the Cavs would really offer the 19th pick for Robinson, since the team didn't have much interest in him as of a couple weeks ago (Twitter link).
  • Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (Twitter link) is also hearing, like Stein and Ford, that the Cavaliers are still trying to figure out a way to make a "mega-deal." Even if the Cavs are interested in such a move, they'd have to find a willing partner, which has been tricky so far. Ford notes in his chat that the Cavs would likely have to include Tristan Thompson along with the No. 1 pick to pull off something big.
  • If the Rockets can make a Robinson trade with the Cavs or Bulls, they'd almost certainly use that first-round pick to draft-and-stash an international player, according to Ford and Stein. Sergey Karasev, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lucas Nogueira, Dennis Schroeder, and Rudy Gobert are potential targets.
  • Ford wouldn't be shocked if the Bobcats traded down with the Wolves and used the No. 9 pick to draft Cody Zeller. Minnesota is attempting to trade into the top five.
  • Positional need likely won't be a major priority for the Kings, according to Ford, who adds that he thinks Sacramento's roster will be significantly overhauled by opening night of 2013/14.
  • Ford anticipates the Trail Blazers will "seriously listen" to LaMarcus Aldridge trade offers this summer.
  • If the Jazz want to move into the top 10 to take a top point guard, they'll probably have to make Alec Burks available, rather than just the Nos. 14 and 21 picks, says Ford.
  • The Pacers are trying to trade the No. 23 pick, and have been linked to both Robinson and Jimmer Fredette, according to Ford.
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Jazz Discussed Millsap Deals With Pacers, Clippers

March 9th, 2013 at 8:02am CST by Sean Highkin

The Utah Jazz did not move Paul Millsap before the February 21 trade deadline, but Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld reports that they discussed deals for the forward with the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Clippers, neither of which ended up coming to fruition.

Kennedy tweets that the Jazz and Pacers discussed a trade that would have sent Millsap and Alec Burks to Indiana for Danny Granger and Lance Stephenson. In a separate tweet, Kennedy reports that the Jazz and Clippers discussed a trade of Millsap and DeMarre Carroll for Eric Bledsoe and Lamar Odom.

Millsap, 27, is averaging 15.2 PPG and 7.4 RPG this season. He will be an unrestricted free agent in July.

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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.
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Timberwolves Shopping Luke Ridnour

February 7th, 2013 at 1:44pm CST by Luke Adams

With two weeks to go until the trade deadline, the Timberwolves are exploring possible deals involving Luke Ridnour, reports Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops. According to Sheridan, there's a "good chance" that Ridnour will be dealt before the deadline.

Ridnour, who is earning $4MM this season, has one additional year left on his contract at $4.32MM, and is one of a number of point guards on the Wolves' roster, along with Ricky Rubio and J.J. Barea. While Ridnour earned major minutes at the point earlier this season, Rubio has seen his playing time increase over the last month as his health improves, meaning Minnesota now has an excess of players at the position.

The Timberwolves engaged in trade discussions with the Jazz in a deal involving Alec Burks, but those talks have been tabled for now, according to Sheridan. Nonetheless, Utah is in the market for a point guard, so it's possible the two sides revisit those negotiations before February 21st.

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Odds & Ends: NBPA, Joseph, Lakers, Burks

February 6th, 2013 at 10:50pm CST by Sean Highkin

The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Wednesday evening:

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Amico On Thunder, Burks, Varejao, Fisher

December 3rd, 2012 at 10:14am CST by Zachary Links

At the quarter-mark of the year, Sam Amico of FOXSports.com offers up his rookie review.  The Blazers' Damian Lillard is proving that big talent can come out of small schools and figures to be a top candidate for the Rookie Of The Year award.  Fourth-overall pick Dion Waiters has been streaky from the outside but has been extremely impressive at times for the Cavaliers.  Not every rookie is off to a hot start, however, as Thomas Robinson of the Kings is struggling along with the rest of his team.  More from today's column..

  • The Thunder are loaded with young players that aren't getting a ton of burn and are also loaded with draft picks, making them very attractive trade partners.  However, Sam Presti & Co. have no interest in making a trade at this time since the team is playing well, according to a team source.  Oklahoma City is tied with the Spurs for the second-best record in the West (14-4) as they get set to face the Nets (11-5) tomorrow night.
  • If the Jazz placed Alec Burks on the trading block, it seems he’s played his way off of it.  Utah's injuries have given the second-year shooting guard increased minutes and he has made the most of them.  Burks was said to be available in a trade roughly two weeks ago.
  • Despite the insistence of some that the Cavaliers should trade center Anderson Varejao while his value his high, it's not likely that Cleveland will move him.  The big man is off to a career start, but non-contenders with assets don’t want to trade them at this point and most contenders don’t have the assets – save for the aforementioned Thunder.  More than 70% of Hoops Rumors readers said yesterday that the Cavs should trade Varejao.
  • Veteran guard Derek Fisher made a positive impression in his Mavericks debut over the weekend. “Fisher solidifies the (second) unit, he keeps us tight and he’s a proven veteran,” said forward Elton Brand.
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Northwest Links: Rubio, Iguodala, Burks, Jeffries

December 2nd, 2012 at 7:42pm CST by Sean Highkin

Here are the latest updates from around the Northwest Division:

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Burks “Available” On Trade Market

November 17th, 2012 at 6:50pm CST by Michael Pina

Earlier this week we passed along news that Jazz forward Al Jefferson might be interested in re-joining the Celtics at some point before his career is through (This is Jefferson's final year under contract with the Jazz.) 

Now, it appears another member of the Jazz could be on his way out of town. Second year shooting guard Alec Burks is reportedly "available," according to a tweet from Fox Sports Ohio reporter Sam Amico. Only 21 years old, Burks' per game averages are plummeting across the board. This season he's appeared in only five games, and is averaging just 1.4PPG on 20% shooting. Last season he averaged 7.2PPG. 

No potential suitor was mentioned in the tweet, but it isn't difficult to imagine several teams around the league that might be interested in buying low on this athletic talent. 

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Jazz Exercise Options On Four Players

October 26th, 2012 at 10:44am CST by Luke Adams

The Jazz have picked up all four rookie contract options on their docket this offseason, according to Bill Oram of the Salt Lake Tribune (via Twitter). The team exercised its fourth-year options on Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward, along with its third-year options on Enes Kanter and Alec Burks.

Favors, 2010's third overall pick, represents the priciest decision of the group, as he'll now be in line for a guaranteed $6.01MM salary in 2013/14. He and Hayward, who will earn $3.45MM in '13/14, will be eligible for restricted free agency in 2014 unless they're extended next summer. As for Kanter and Burks, they'll earn $4.51MM and $2.2MM in 2013/14, with the Jazz holding additional options on both players for the following season.

To follow option decisions from around the NBA in advance of next week's deadline, check out our rookie contract option tracker.

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