Andre Roberson

Northwest Notes: Love, Martin, Nuggets, Miller

While most any team would certainly have interest in acquiring Kevin Love, the Timberwolves reportedly have no intention of trading him. Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN.com tweets that the multitude of clubs seeking the big man’s services will continue to be turned away. Kevin Martin might not be so untouchable however, as Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times hears the sharpshooting two guard might be moved before Thursday’s deadline. Let’s round up the latest from the Northwest Division:

  • Given the current state of their franchise, the Timberwolves might be wise to listen to offers for Love, opines Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders. Hamilton thinks the T-Wolves should find a taker on Love while his value is as high as it is right now.
  • Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman is open to the idea of adding contributors to his team, writes Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press. “Any time you can add players that are going to help you, then you really have to look at it,” Adelman said. “If something gets serious, we’ll find out about it, but right now you have to listen to whatever is going on. It takes two, sometimes three (players), to make a deal.”
  • Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post believes that Nuggets rookie coach Brian Shaw has handled the Andre Miller situation correctly. Miller hasn’t played since December, when he publicly disagreed with Shaw’s decision to keep him on the bench during a game. Rumors circulated yesterday about a possible deal that would send Miller to the Timberwolves, but nothing new has surfaced tonight.
  • It’s been an exciting season for Thunder fans, as the team finds itself atop the Western Conference heading into the trade deadline. Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman takes a look at how the team should approach the coming days.
  • The Thunder have assigned rookie Andre Roberson to their D-League affiliate, the Tulsa 66ers, the team announced in a press release. Roberson has appeared in 22 games for the Thunder this season, averaging 1.6 points and 2.0 rebounds in 7.5 minutes per game.

Odds & Ends: Trade Deadline, Roberson, Smart

Bill Ingram of Basketball Insiders.com looks at three teams that will definitely be buyers at this years trade deadline. The Suns could look to add a big man, such as Josh Smith, Greg Monroe, Omer Asik, or Carlos Boozer. Acquiring a quality big could push the Suns into the second round of the playoffs, according to Ingram. The Knicks will try to add another star quality player to add alongside Carmelo Anthony, and aren’t likely to deal Anthony despite all the speculation. Ingram believes a point guard, such as Rajon Rondo or Kyle Lowry will be their primary target. He also thinks they will attempt to deal Amar’e Stoudemire to the Celtics. Lastly, he writes that the Bobcats will be looking to upgrade their wing position, and could deal Ben Gordon or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to facilitate a deal.

More from around the league:

  • The Thunder have recalled Andre Roberson from the Tulsa 66ers of the D-League, the team announced via a press release. During his most recent assignment, Roberson averaged 20.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 28.5 minutes per contest. In 21 NBA games with the big club in Oklahoma City, the power forward has averaged 1.5 PPG, 1.9 RPG and 7.2 MPG.
  • Former NBA player Johan Petro is set to sign a deal early next week to play in France, according to Matthieu Marot of Le Populaire du Centre (Twitter link; translation via Emiliano Carchia of Sportando). A report yesterday indicated he was close to an agreement. Petro last saw action in the NBA during the 2012/13 season, when he averaged 3.6 PPG in 31 games for the Hawks.
  • Last night’s incident in which Marcus Smart shoved a fan is unlikely to result in his draft stock falling, writes Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv. Smart would have been a top-3 pick if he had entered last year’s draft, but shooting woes and a wealth of talent in this year’s draft have him as the second or third-ranked point guard, behind Dante Exum and possibly Tyler Ennis. Recent mock drafts have him being taken in the 6-10 range now, writes Zagoria. Smart is averaging 17.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 4.3 APG, while shooting 42% from the field and 28% from 3-point range. 

Northwest Rumors: Blazers, Gallinari, ‘Melo

After the injured Russell Westbrook played his last game, the Thunder were tied with the Blazers atop the Northwest Division at 23-5. Since then, Oklahoma City has opened a four-game lead, even though Portland has been largely healthy. While the Blazers defense could use a boost if they’re to catch the Thunder, it’ll have to come from within, since coach Terry Stotts doesn’t expect the team will make any changes at the deadline, as he tells Sean Deveney of The Sporting News. Here’s more from the Northwest:

  • Danilo Gallinari tells Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post that he thinks he could have played on his surgically repaired left knee this season, but he says it wasn’t fully healed and he feared he’d shorten his career if he tried it out. He instead opted for another surgery that sidelines him for the season, but he expects to be ready for camp this fall.
  • There’s no consensus around the league about who got the better end of the Carmelo Anthony trade nearly three years later, observes Fred Kerber of the New York Post. Some are withholding judgment until after the season, when the draft choice New York still owes the Nuggets could become this year’s No. 1 overall pick.
  • The Thunder have assigned Andre Roberson to the D-League, the team announced. That makes it a half-dozen trips to the Tulsa 66ers for the rookie power forward, who’s still managed to start four games for the big club.

Western Rumors: Clippers, Aldridge, Gay

Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com examine the chances that the Clippers could wind up with LeBron James this summer, calling them “perhaps the most serious competitor” the Heat will face for the four-time MVP. The Clippers aren’t set to have cap space, but Miami had to pull off some last-minute moves to open up room for their free agent haul in 2010, and a source close to James tells the ESPN.com scribes that James will consider teams without cap room. It would require the Heat to cooperate, and league executives believe they’d ask for Blake Griffin as part of a sign-and-trade, according to Windhorst and Shelburne. While we wait to see if that scenario plays out, here’s more from the West:

  • LaMarcus Aldridge says he’ll make “winning and happiness and making sure my worth is valued” his priorities in his next contract negotiations, and tells Ken Berger of CBSSports.com that he wants to wait until summer to talk about an extension. That’s the same timetable Blazers owner Paul Allen said he’ll take shortly after Aldridge revealed he’d be open to an extension.
  • Rudy Gay tells Marc Stein of ESPN.com that he isn’t leaning one way or another about whether to exercise his player option this summer, but he says he appreciates the on-court freedom the Kings have given him since December’s trade.
  • The Suns have assigned Archie Goodwin to the D-League, the team announced. The rookie performed well on his first trip to the Bakersfield Jam late last month, averaging 29.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in a pair of games.
  • Andre Roberson is back from yesterday’s assignment to the D-League, the Thunder announced. The power forward put up 20 points and 11 rebounds Tuesday for the Tulsa 66ers.

Northwest Notes: Miller, Harden, Jazz

Andre Miller‘s estrangement from the Nuggets has driven down his value, writes Sean Deveney of The Sporting News. Sources from around the league tell Deveney they believe the Timberwolves, who are eager to add a guard, and the Kings are the main contenders for Miller. If Miller is to suit up for the Nuggets again, he’ll have to approach them about the idea, since the team isn’t going to reach out to him, coach Brian Shaw says, according to Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post. Here’s more from the Northwest:

  • James Harden wouldn’t tell Henry Abbott of ESPN.com whether he’d have signed with the Thunder if they had offered him the same max extension the Rockets did. Still, he says he could have envisioned a long-term future in OKC under the right circumstances, pointing to his strong relationship with his ex-teammates.
  • The Jazz are unlikely to make a move before the deadline, unless a significant offer for Marvin Williams or Richard Jefferson emerges, according to Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider only).
  • The Thunder have assigned Andre Roberson to the D-League, the team announced via Twitter. Oklahoma City often shuttled a handful of players back and forth from the Tulsa 66ers last season, but Roberson is the only one they’ve sent down this year.

Southwest Notes: James, Thunder, Mavs

The latest out of the Southwest Division..

  • The Grizzlies are considering picking up Mike James on a 10-day deal, according to Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal (via Twitter).  The guard inked a 10-day pact with the Bulls on January 22nd but Chicago allowed it to lapse rather than sign him to a second one.
  • The Thunder announced that they have recalled forward Andre Roberson from the Tulsa 66ers.  Roberson, who is very familiar with the trip from Oklahoma City to Tulsa at this point, recorded two double-doubles while averaging 14.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.75 steals, 1.75 blocks and 31.3 minutes in four games during his most recent assignment.  Overall, the forward is averaging 15.6 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.45 steals, 1.45 blocks and 35.2 minutes in eleven games with Tulsa.
  • The Mavericks announced today that they have recalled rookie guard Shane Larkin from the Texas Legends of the D-League.  Larkin has played in 32 games for the Mavericks and is averaging 3.6 points and 1.8 assists in 12.5 minutes per contest.

Northwest Notes: Thomas, Roberson, Jazz

Now in his fifth NBA season, Ty Lawson is looking to make his final All-Star push before teams are selected, writes Aaron J. Lopez of Nuggets.com.  The Nuggets guard is historically a slow starter, but he has scored in double figures in 39 of his 41 games and is averaging 17.9 points and 8.9 assists – both career-highs.  In his past 12 games, Lawson is averaging 18.5 points and 11.1 assists with ten double-doubles.  While Lawson hopes to punch his ticket for New Orleans, let’s take a look at today’s news out of the Northwest Division..

  • Jazz newcomer Malcolm Thomas has bounced around a bit but he’s hoping to stick with the club so that he can build on what he learns, writes Aaron Falk of the Salt Lake Tribune.  Meanwhile, GM Dennis Lindsey told reporters, including colleague Steve Luhm, that Utah has had the former Spurs forward on their radar for some time.  Thomas was in the middle of getting a pedicure when he found out Utah was claiming him, writes Jody Genessy of the Deseret News.
  • The Thunder announced that they have assigned Andre Roberson to the Tulsa 66ers of the D-League.  In 19 games (four starts) with the Thunder this season, Roberson is averaging 1.7 points and 2.1 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game. Roberson has seen action in seven games (all starts) with the 66ers this season and recorded averages of 16.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.86 steals and 1.29 blocks in 37.3 minutes.  He’s quite familiar with the drive from OKC to Tulsa, as our running list of D-League assignments shows.
  • Lee Benson of the Deseret News writes that outgoing commissioner David Stern helped save the Jazz and the NBA as a whole.

D-League Notes: Canaan, Roberson, Rice Jr.

Playoff teams in both conferences have tweaked their rosters with some recent D-League maneuvers.  Here’s a look at the moves the Rockets, Thunder, and Wizards are making with their rookie players..

  • The Rockets have re-assigned point guard Isaiah Canaan to the Rockets’ D-League affiliate Rio Grand Valley Vipers, according to the Rockets’ official Twitter account. Canaan has spent a third of this season at Rio Grand Valley.
  • The Thunder called up shooting guard Andre Roberson from the Tulsa 66ers D-League squad, per NBA.com. Roberson is only averaging 8.4 MPG, but has made four starts in place of Thabo Sefolosha when the latter has sat out due to injury.
  • The Wizards are sending shooting guard Glen Rice Jr. down to the Iowa Energy, per The Washington Post’s Michael Lee, in what head coach Randy Wittman described as a rehabilitation stint.

D-League Notes: Roberson, Thomas, Hairston

The Thunder announced that they have recalled forward Andre Roberson from the Tulsa 66ers of the D-League.  During his most recent stint with the 66ers, Roberson averaged 17.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 3.0 steals, 2.5 blocks and 40.5 minutes while helping the team to a pair of road wins at Bakersfield and Los Angeles. Over three assignments this season, the forward is averaging 16.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.9 steals and 1.3 blocks in 37.1 minutes in seven games (all starts).  Here’s more out of the NBADL..

  • The Spurs today announced that they have recalled forward Malcolm Thomas from the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League.  In 10 games with the Toros this season, Thomas is averaging 15.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.40 blocks in 32.6 minutes.  The San Diego State product was signed by the Spurs on Dec. 3.
  • Scott Rafferty of Ridiculous Upside recaps P.J. Hairston‘s D-League debut.  The former UNC forward led the way with a team-high 22 points in 28 minutes off the bench.
  • Dakota Schmidt of Ridiculous Upside checked in with Red Claws coach Mike Taylor to discuss Rajon Rondo‘s recent workout with the team, his relationship with Celtics coach Brad Stevens, and some of Maine’s impact players.

Odds & Ends: Heat, Green, Roberson

What will you remember Sam Cassell for?  His infectious enthusiasm?  His long run as one of the better starting point guards in the league?  His two NBA rings?  Well, for some, it’s “the Sam Cassell dance” (We’re a family-friendly blog, so if you don’t know what we’re talking about, please look it up on YouTube).  Everyone from Kobe Bryant to Andray Blatche has done the boogie, and Jameer Nelson of the Magic was the latest to join in, writes Ken Hornack of FOX Sports.  While Jameer tries to shake off that $15K fine, let’s take a look around the Association..

  • Enjoy the royalty of the Heat while it lasts, writes Tom Sorensen of the Charlotte Observer.  If Dwayne Wade’s decline doesn’t do them in, the opt-out clauses will, Sorensen opines.
  • It’s been a bumpy road for NBA veteran Gerald Green, but he’s finally found a home with the Suns, writes Jeff Caplan of NBA.com.
  • The Thunder announced that Andre Roberson has been assigned to the Tulsa 66ers, in time for their game this evening against the Bakersfield Jam.  To keep up with all of this seaosn’s D-League moves, check out Hoops Rumors’ running list.
  • The National Basketball Players Association could name an executive director during All-Star weekend, writes Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today.  It is also possible a short list of candidates is presented to players for discussion and consideration, and a vote would come at a later time.