Daniel Gibson

Lakers Made Push For Daniel Gibson

The Lakers and Cavaliers finalized a trade last year on deadline deal, but it doesn't appear they'll do so again. According to Yannis Koutroupis of HoopsWorld, the Lakers made a push to acquire Daniel Gibson from the Cavs today, but couldn't put together a package to Cleveland's liking. Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio first reported this afternoon (via Twitter) that the Lakers were eyeing Gibson and D.J. Augustin of the Pacers.

Earlier today, we heard that the Lakers were shopping Steve Blake, Chris Duhon, Darius Morris, and Devin Ebanks in an effort to clear roster spots, cut costs, and land second-round picks. I would guess that the Lakers' offer to Cleveland included either Blake or Duhon, perhaps paired with one of the youngsters, but that's just my speculation.

Finnan On Cavs, Varejao, Draft Targets, Speights

Bob Finnan of The News-Herald hears that Cavaliers GM Chris Grant could be looking to deal Luke WaltonDaniel Gibson, Omri Casspi (all expiring contracts), or even Marreese Speights (citing ESPN's Marc Stein) by the February trade deadline. He also shared a few more noteworthy tidbits in his NBA Notes piece: 

  • One reason why the team won't look to move Anderson Varejao is that he could be one of LeBron James' preferred counterparts should the current Heat star look to eventually return to Cleveland. 
  • Indiana's Cody Zeller, Kentucky's Nerlens Noel, and Maryland's Alex Len are among the top talented big men that the Cavs could target in June's NBA draft. Finnan adds that the addition of Marreese Speights has no bearing on the team's interest in drafting a big man during the offseason.
  • Due to his ability to veto his inclusion in a trade, Speights lost his Bird Rights, which essentially prevents Cleveland from being able to exceed the cap to re-sign him. The 6'10 forward owns a $4.5MM player option for next season, but could end up pursuing a multi-year deal this summer if he plays well for the rest of the year. 

Stein’s Latest: Celtics, Grizzlies, Cavs, Suns, McCants

Marc Stein of ESPN.com has posted his latest Weekend Dime column, which features updates on a variety of trade-related topics from around the NBA. Here are the highlights:

  • GMs around the league view the Celtics as likely to make a move. They have interest in J.J. Redick, and executives speculate that they may finally decide to move Paul Pierce or Rajon Rondo.
  • Some GMs believe a three-team trade is possible that would send Pierce to the Grizzlies, Rudy Gay to the Lakers, and Pau Gasol to Boston.
  • After their trade with the Cavs this week, the Grizzlies' roster is down to 11 players and they have 14 days to sign at least two players to meet the minimum requirement of 13. Memphis looked at Delonte West but decided against signing the veteran guard, Stein reports.
  • Stein notes that Memphis received three separate trade exceptions in the trade. Marreese Speights landed them an exception worth $4.2MM, while Wayne Ellington's was worth $2MM and Josh Selby's was worth $762,195.
  • Although the Cavaliers think highly of Speights and have wanted him for years, the forward is already drawing interest from other teams and could be moved before the February 21 trading deadline. Stein identifies Daniel Gibson and Omri Casspi as the other two Cleveland players most likely to be traded.
  • The Suns are said to be shopping Jared Dudley, Marcin Gortat, and Luis Scola in light of the team's struggles this season. It should be noted that Scola, having been claimed after being waived with the amnesty clause, cannot be traded until after this season.
  • Stein's column also featured a Q&A with 28-year-old former lottery pick Rashad McCants, who is playing with the Texas Legends of the NBA D-League in hopes of eventually making another run at an NBA career.

Amico On Cavaliers, Gibson, D-League

According to a tweet from FoxSportsOhio.com's Sam Amico, the Lakers are said to be interested in Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson, but they don't have much to offer.

Regardless, Gibson, who's set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, probably will not return to Cleveland next season, as Amico is reporting the team will let him walk if they can't move him in a deal before February's deadline. Gibson's ability to knock down three-pointers would make him a great fit in Mike D'Antoni's system. 

  • The Cavaliers have an open roster spot after waiving Samardo Samuels earlier this month, and they could be looking at the D-League to fill it. Some possible options are Micheal Eric and Arinze Onuaku.

Gibson Hopes To Remain With Cavs

Cavs guard Daniel Gibson is excited about having moved his way up the franchise record book in 3-point shooting.  However, he knows that in order to catch up to LeBron James and Mark Price in the category, he’s going to need to spend more time in Cleveland.  Yesterday in Atlanta, Gibson told reporters, including Jason Lloyd of the Beacon Journal, that he intends to do just that.

That’s going to take another contract with more years,” Gibson said. “But I’m game. I would love to be here for my entire time and then see where I finish up…I just feel like I’m becoming part of the Cleveland history, and to me, that’s what it’s all about. It’s that longevity and being with that one team and building something there. I appreciate that.

Gibson, 26, is in the final year of his contract and making a shade under $4.8MM.  It stands to reason that the Cavs would look to retain Gibson has coach Byron Scott has long considered him to be one of the best perimeter defenders on the squad.  They’ll also have the roster space for him as there are just six guaranteed players under contract for next season.  Of course, Gibson will earn considerably less than he is now on his next deal.

The seventh-year vet has averaged 8.2 PPG, 2.1 RPG, and 2.0 APG across his NBA career.  Gibson underwent surgery on his left foot and ankle over the offseason but hasn’t shown any ill effects from the procedure thus far.

Cavs Notes: Thompson, Leuer, Roster Cuts

As we heard earlier today, the NCAA is investigating agent Rich Paul and Myck Kabongo regarding a trip the Texas guard took to Cleveland this summer. Cavaliers big man Tristan Thompson, who is represented by Paul, was involved in Kabongo's trip, but doesn't think any NCAA rules were violated, as Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal writes (on Sulia).

"I had to pay for it, but then his brother reimbursed me, which is totally fine with the NCAA," Thompson said. "I think everything will work out. I don't see no eligibility issues, but that's for the NCAA to figure out."

Here are a few more Thursday notes related to the Cavs:

  • Jon Leuer doesn't appear to be in jeopardy of not making Cleveland's regular season roster, though he may face an uphill battle for minutes, says Bob Finnan of the News Herald.
  • Leuer was traded by the Bucks this summer, waived by the Rockets, and eventually claimed by the Cavs on waivers, and says he was caught off guard by all the movement: "I didn't see that coming at all. Milwaukee needed a center and Houston had a million things going on. It was a pretty crazy offseason, kind of a welcome to the free-agency frenzy for a young player."
  • The Cavs have 18 players on their roster and will need to cut three more before the season begins. Finnan expects the team to cut one of Donald Sloan or Jeremy Pargo, and one of Luke Harangody, Luke Walton, and Kevin Jones. It's unclear who the last cut could be — perhaps Kelenna Azubuike or Micheal Eric. Finnan suggests that Cleveland may also be willing to move Daniel Gibson for a second-round pick.
  • As our list of non-guaranteed deals shows, Sloan, who appears to have a leg up on Pargo, is the only Cav under contract without any sort of guarantee. So Cleveland may end up releasing three players who are all owed guaranteed money.

Injury Notes: Mbah a Moute, Honeycutt, Cavaliers

As training camps begin to start all throughout the league, here are few bits of injury related news. 

Odds & Ends: Shaq, Wilkerson, Vaughn

The Lakers will retire Shaquille O'Neal's #34 jersey on April 2nd at Staples Center before the team faces the Mavericks, tweets Kevin Ding of The Orange County Register. He adds that the team will also retire center Jamaal Wilkes' #52 jersey on December 28. Also, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's statue will be unveiled on November 16, according to Ding (via Twitter). Here's what else we're hearing from the NBA this evening…

  • Tyler Wilkerson has received an offer to attend training camp with the Spurs after a standout performance with their summer league team, says Dan McCarney of Spurs Nation. McCarney cited a tweet from NBA agent Seth A. Cohen for making the announcement.   
  • John Denton of NBA.com highlights Magic head coach Jacque Vaughn as he prepares for his first season with Orlando and obtains some thoughts regarding his newly hired assistant coaches. 
  • According to an ESPN.com survey of "100 of ESPN's best basketball minds", the Lakers received 56 votes and the Thunder finished with 42 on the topic of who will be the Western Conference champions this year. 
  • Moke Hamilton of SheridanHoops.com reviewed a list of the remaining NBA teams with cap and trade exceptions. 
  • Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio doesn't think that the Cavaliers are actively trying to move Daniel Gibson, contrary to what other rumblings might suggest (Twitter link). In a separate tweet, he asserts that Kyrie Irving is ahead of his recovery schedule and should be ready by training camp on October 1. 
  • Head coach Doug Collins likes the pieces that the 76ers have heading into training camp and is excited to start work, writes Marc Narducci of Philly.com

Kyler On Harrington, Thomas, Gibson, Calderon

Sources close to the Magic deny that Al Harrington was included in this month's Dwight Howard blockbuster as a throw-in, according to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld. However, Kyler still believes the Magic will explore the possibility of moving Harrington and his contract before the trade deadline. Harrington has three years remaining on his deal, but the last two are only partially guaranteed, and he's still a serviceable player, so Orlando could find a taker. Here are the rest of Kyler's Thursday morning updates on players that may be on the move prior to the trade deadline:

  • According to Kyler, the Bobcats are hoping new coach Mike Dunlap can reach Tyrus Thomas in a way that Paul Silas couldn't. Thomas' contract still looks like an albatross though, and the Bobcats would likely move it in a minute if they could find a taker.
  • While Kyler hears a handful of teams have been in contact with Cleveland about Daniel Gibson, the Cavs deny they're shopping the guard.
  • The Raptors haven't been able to find a deal they like for Jose Calderon to date, but as February's deadline approaches, the Spaniard may turn into a more viable trade chip, as his contract nears its end.
  • Larry Sanders could be on the trade block for the Bucks, who acquired Samuel Dalembert and Ekpe Udoh, re-signed Ersan Ilyasova, and drafted John Henson within the last few months.
  • Kevin Martin and the Rockets and Corey Maggette of the Pistons figure to be trade candidates this season, as veterans with $10MM+ expiring contracts.
  • The Spurs are expected to continue trying to find a trade partner for DeJuan Blair, but his health history raises some red flags for rival clubs.

Cavs Notes: Scott, Gibson, Szczerbiak

The News-Herald's Bob Finnan has a few interesting rumors regarding Cleveland's current coaching situation and some salary misconceptions.  

  • On Friday night the Cavaliers suffered a 38-point loss against the Bucks. The margin of defeat and perceived lack of effort caused Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert to express his displeasure on Twitter. Finnan says that despite the display of dissatisfaction with his team's effort, there's no reason to believe Gilbert will not allow Byron Scott to fulfill the remaining two years on his contract.
  • Daniel Gibson's 2012/13 contract is incorrectly being listed as a "team option" on some websites. Only $2.3MM is guaranteed on next year's contract. Gibson's deal is worth $4,792,332 in 2012-13.
  • The team renounced former Cavalier forward Wally Szczerbiak on March 16th. They no longer have a cap hold on his deal. It is unknown why they waited to renounce his deal, only that it was a cap move.