Andrew Bynum Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Sefko On Howard, Trade Targets, Chemistry

January 8th, 2013 at 10:36pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Eddie Sefko of SportsDayDFW answered questions from fans on Tuesday about the current state of the Mavericks among other rumors. Here are some of the more noteworthy topics of discussion from his chat:

Three centers that should be on the team's list of targets this summer include Al Jefferson, Andrew Bynum, and Dwight Howard. He also thinks that either Paul Millsap and/or Jefferson are destined to be dealt from the Jazz, and that the Mavericks' projected draft position at this point could garner a high enough pick to offer for one of Utah's big men.
From the above list, the team should still have a shot at landing Howard, depending on if the Lakers continue to struggle.
Jose Calderon will be in very high demand near the trade deadline and should be on Dallas' radar. While he hasn't heard anything with regard to Devin Harris being on the trade block in Atlanta, Sefko notes that the former Mavericks player is in the last-year of his deal and would instantly become the team's starter if they were to somehow acquire him.
Despite the team's struggles at this point in the season, there doesn't seem to be any serious issues in the locker room. He also thinks that Rick Carlisle has the ability to keep the team from splintering.
Considering that players picked up off of amnesty last summer can't be traded this year, it's one reason to advocate an increased role for Elton Brand.

Sefko On Mavs, Mayo, Cuban, Deron

January 2nd, 2013 at 9:43pm CST by Sean Highkin

Eddie Sefko of SportsDayDFW.com answered some questions from readers on Wednesday in a live chat, and touched on a number of Mavericks topics including the team's free agency plans and possible trades. Here are the highlights:

Sefko expects the Mavericks to be in the hunt for big-name free agents such as Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, and Andrew Bynum in the summer of 2013, and the pursuit of a big name will take precedence for the front office over retaining O.J. Mayo.
Sefko trusts Mark Cuban's long-term vision for the Mavs, citing his track record of turning the team into a championship organization.
Sefko thinks the Mavericks may search for point guard help at the deadline, naming Jose Calderon, Luke Ridnour, and Rodney Stuckey as possible targets.
Sefko does not believe Rick Carlisle is on the hot seat in spite of the Mavs' recent struggles.
Losing out on Deron Williams may have been a blessing in disguise for the Mavs given Williams' struggles with the Nets this season, writes Sefko.

Atlantic Notes: Nets, D-Will, Bynum, Stoudemire

January 2nd, 2013 at 10:14am CST by Luke Adams

The Atlantic Division was expected to be the strongest in the Eastern Conference, and perhaps even in the NBA, this season. So far though, only the 21-10 Knicks have exceeded expectations. The Nets, Sixers, Celtics, and Raptors are a combined 56-68, putting the division one game below .500 as a whole. Here's the latest out of the underachieving Atlantic:

As we've heard before, the Nets are targeting Phil Jackson for their head coach opening, and are expected to launch their pursuit of Jackson soon. However, if they can't persuade the Zen Master to come to Brooklyn, the Nets may wait until the offseason to find a permanent solution for the position, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein (Twitter links).
Current Nets coach P.J. Carlesimo doesn't want to see struggling point guard Deron Williams put so much pressure on himself, as he tells Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News: "I think a lot of it is the reality of what has happened to our franchise this year. It would be hard to overstate how dramatically different the franchise, the team, the expectations, the focus, everything is this year compared to last year. And he’s in the middle of the whole thing. So it’s been a big challenge. I think it’s important for me to not let him think it all revolves around him."
Asked whether there had been any progress in Andrew Bynum's recovery, Sixers GM Tony DiLeo told reporters, including Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News, that there was no news at the moment. Cooney expects an update from the team next week.
Lang Greene's NBA AM piece at HoopsWorld is particularly Atlantic-heavy, focusing on Avery Bradley's return to the Celtics, Amare Stoudemire's 2012/13 debut for the Knicks, and Jrue Holiday's All-Star chances.
Ken Berger of CBSSports.com also takes a look at Stoudemire's first game back with the Knicks, including Carmelo Anthony's assertion that he and Stoudemire have to focus on "not listening to what everybody has to say" about the duo's ability to play together.

Sixers Unsure If Bynum Can Make Impact This Year

December 21st, 2012 at 5:52pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Sixers revealed the results of the examination performed yesterday on Andrew Bynum's knees, and GM Tony DiLeo told reporters, including Tom Moore of PhillyBurbs.com, that it's "hard to predict" whether the team's marquee offseason acquisition will make it back to the court in time to have a relevant effect on the team this season (Twitter link). The Sixers said today that Bynum is showing improvement and has been cleared to intensify his workouts, tweets Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News.

Bynum is confident he'll return at some point this season, as Moore notes, although he characterizes today's news as a "baby step" (Twitter links). There remains no timetable for his recovery. The center has dealt with pain and swelling in both knees the past few months and has yet to make his debut for Philadelphia. As Moore documents, DiLeo is still confident in wisdom of the trade in which Bynum and Jason Richardson came to the Sixers, which shipped out Andre Iguodala, Nikola Vucevic, Maurice Harkless and a first-round draft pick (Twitter link).

"Would we still make the move knowing what happened? Yes," DiLeo said. "Are we disappointed? Yes.'"

DiLeo had not yet been promoted to GM when the trade went down August 10th. Team president Rod Thorn was in charge of day-to-day basketball operations at the time. Executives from other teams have reportedly begun to wonder whether the Sixers will trade Bynum, a free agent next summer, though DiLeo insists they haven't been shopping him. A few days ago, a majority of Hoops Rumors readers weighed in to say the Sixers should try to swap Bynum, as the prospect of the team losing him in free agency looms.

Atlantic Notes: Bynum, Felton, Celtics

December 17th, 2012 at 2:58pm CST by Sean Highkin

The latest news and notes from around the Atlantic Division on Monday afternoon:

John Smallwood of the Philadelphia Daily News believes no winner has emerged from the Dwight Howard/Andrew Bynum trade, but points out that while the Sixers would have plenty of flexibility if Bynum left in free agency next summer, the Lakers would still be over the cap if Howard departs.
Bynum has some advice for Howard regarding playing with Kobe Bryant, which he relays to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.
Raymond Felton has bone bruises on both of his hands, reports Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com.
Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe calls for widespread contributions from players on the Celtics' roster.
Avery Bradley has returned to practice for the first time since having shoulder surgery in May, reports Washburn.

Poll: Should The Sixers Trade Andrew Bynum?

December 16th, 2012 at 8:28pm CST by Zachary Links

Could the Sixers be looking to trade prized summer acquisition Andrew Bynum? Depends on who you ask. One NBA General Manager told Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports that the Sixers have been making trade inquiries about adding a starting caliber center. “They got to be a little panicked now,” the GM said. “They could get a really interesting deal for him. I could see them doing that.” Meanwhile, 76ers GM Tony DiLeo told Tom Moore of Calkins Newspapers that he hasn’t been shopping Bynum as he wants to see what the team looks like at full strength. DiLeo reasons that the post-presence of Bynum will free up the perimeter shooters, boosting the club’s offense as a whole.

Bynum is currently earning $16.1MM, the final year of the four-year, $58MM contract he signed back in 2008 with the Lakers. The center figured to be in line for a five-year, $100MM deal this summer, but he obviously won’t fetch that kind of pact until he can prove that he is healthy and back to his old form. The Sixers could wait things out with Bynum to see if he can get back on the floor sometime before February 21st, or they could move him for an impact piece that can help in the short-term and possibly beyond 2012/13. Trading Bynum might be a tough sell considering that the Sixers parted ways with fan favorite Andre Iguodala, promising young center Nikola Vucevic, and the draft rights to Maurice Harkless to land him. However, it might be the best move for the Sixers for the long-haul.

Sixers’ DiLeo Denies Bynum Trade Talk

December 16th, 2012 at 6:02pm CST by Zachary Links

Before the tipoff of tonight's Sixers-Lakers game, Philadelphia GM Tony DiLeo made it known that the club has not had trade discussions about center Andrew Bynum, according to Tom Moore of Calkins Newspapers. DiLeo also rejected the notion that the Sixers have talked to the Timberwolves about swapping forward Dorell Wright for point guard J.J. Barea.

A recent piece by Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports intimated that the 76ers have talked about trading the injured big man and cited one source as saying that the club was fishing for a starting caliber center. When asked if the Sixers are looking to make a move prior to the February 21 trade deadline, DiLeo said management would do something, “if we can improve our talent level.” DiLeo also said they aren’t targeting a specific position and that the club wants to see what the team looks like when healthy.

Meanwhile, the idea that the Sixers have discussed a Wright-Barea swap with the Mavs comes from an NBA source who spoke with Moore. Wright, 27, was acquired by Philly in a three-way deal this summer that sent Jarrett Jack to the Warriors and the rights to Edin Bavcic to New Orleans. Wright started every game he played in for Golden State over the last two years, averaging 13.8 PPG and 5.0 RPG in 33.5 minutes per contest. However, he has seen his playing time dip to just over 20 minutes per game with averages of 6.9 PPG and 4.2 RPG.

Latest On Andrew Bynum

December 16th, 2012 at 10:16am CST by Chuck Myron

The Lakers' visit to Philadelphia highlights a four-game Sunday slate in the NBA, and it puts the spotlight back on the most significant trade of 2012, which put Andrew Bynum on the Sixers and Dwight Howard in L.A. Of course, Bynum has yet to make his debut for Philly, and that's made the four-team megadeal difficult to assess so far. On Thursday, Bynum will get an MRI on his knees that will help determine his path to recovery, and as we await those results, here's the latest on the missing 7-footer.

John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer hears there's no question Bynum will play at some point this season, and argues that the Sixers benefitted from the trade even if Bynum plays only briefly before departing as a free agent this summer. The cap space they'd have if he signs elsewhere would be enough to attract a significant free agent, Mitchell writes, contending that even if they acquired Bynum knowing the severity of his knee issues, the trade was still worthwhile because of the cap flexibility it gives them.
If Bynum doesn't play this season, the Sixers "most certainly will not sign him," according to Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News, who points to the improvement of Jrue Holiday, Thaddeus Young and Evan Turner as reasons the team can be optimstic about the future.
Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak said the team wasn't concerned about Bynum's history of knee trouble heading into this past offseason, and was prepared to move forward with him until the opportunity to acquire Howard arose. Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News has the details.

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.

Eastern Notes: Bynum, Blatche, Wizards, Scott

December 11th, 2012 at 12:43pm CST by Luke Adams

On the heels of Andrew Bynum's comments yesterday, in which he suggested he could miss another month, Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld says league sources wonder if Bynum's prolonged rehab is about trying to get healthy for his upcoming free agency. However, 76ers sources tell Kyler that if the team remains in the hunt and Bynum returns at some point in January, they're okay with the wait.

Here are a few more Tuesday notes out of the Eastern Conference:

Andray Blatche and the Nets are both reaping the benefits of Brooklyn's willingness to bring the ex-Wizard aboard on a minimum-salary deal, writes ESPN.com's David Thorpe in an Insider-only piece.
Despite working out a couple point guards over the weekend, the Wizards are staying the course and not adding anyone to the roster for now, according to Gene Wang of the Washington Post. "We’re looking at different scenarios," coach Randy Wittman said. "Obviously brought a couple guys in [on Sunday], looked at, and we’re still, we haven’t done anything. Don’t know when or if we will do anything, but we’re looking at different scenarios, different options, different people. We’re not going to make a snap quick judgment. There’s not a guy out there right now that warrants that, so we’re going to take our time and look at some different guys and see what best fits us moving forward."
With the Bakersfield Jam not scheduled to play their next game until Friday, the Hawks are set to recall Mike Scott from their D-League affiliate, says Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
While one school of thought suggests the Bulls shouldn't bring Derrick Rose back from his ACL injury until the 2013/14 season, Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times explains why that would be playing it too safe.