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Kings Notes: Cousins, Snell, Bratz

June 20th, 2013 at 11:20am CST by Luke Adams

Although many of our stories on the Kings so far this year have been related to Chris Hansen's attempt to buy the franchise and Sacramento's fight to keep the club in the city, the focus is beginning to shift. With a new ownership group in place, and a GM and head coach hired, the Kings can now turn their attention to figuring out how to transform a team that hasn't won more than 28 games since 2007/08 into a contender. Here's the latest out of Sacramento:

  • Asked about the Kings' new regime by Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee, DeMarcus Cousins replied with a "no comment." As Jones writes, Cousins has been instructed by agent Dan Fegan to stay quiet on the subject of the Kings team, management, and ownership.
  • Fegan "wants a maximum deal for his client with the threat of a trade demand looming if a deal isn't reached," according to Jones. It's not clear based on the wording if Jones is speculating about a potential trade demand or if that's coming from Fegan himself. Needless to say though, if Cousins and the Kings don't reach an agreement this offseason when the big man is extension-eligible, trade rumors will pick up in earnest.
  • In a separate piece for the Bee, Jones writes about the rising draft stock of New Mexico guard Tony Snell, and the impression Snell has made on the Kings.
  • Mike Bratz of the Nuggets is flying to Sacramento today to finalize an agreement as Pete D'Alessandro's assistant GM with the Kings, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). Bratz had been serving as the director of player personnel in Denver, and becomes the latest Nuggets executive to jump ship for another team.
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Western Notes: Ginobili, Hollins, Shaw, Nuggets

June 15th, 2013 at 4:58pm CST by Chuck Myron

Manu Ginobili said before the Finals that he would consider retirement after the series, and he reiterated that sentiment today in speaking to reporters, including Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com. "There's a small chance," Ginobili said. "It's not that I'm really considering, but I can never say 'no' for sure, because I sometimes consider it." If the soon-to-be free agent returns next season, it seems overwhelmingly likely he'll do so with the Spurs, notes Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com. Here's more from a busy Saturday around the Western Conference:

  • Lionel Hollins was so impressive in his interview Friday with the Clippers, he may have moved ahead of front-runner Brian Shaw, Shelburne tweets. Of course, the Clippers are in heavy pursuit of Doc Rivers as well, so the situation appears fluid.
  • If Shaw doesn't land the Clippers job, he probably won't be coaching in L.A. anytime soon. Late Lakers owner Jerry Buss adored Shaw, but his successors aren't as high on him, according to Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter links).
  • Hollins was supposed to interview with the Nuggets today, but flight delays prevented that, tweets Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. The interview has been rescheduled for Wednesday, reports Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post (Twitter link).
  • New Kings coach Michael Malone had input in the decision to bring Pete D'Alessandro aboard as GM, writes Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, who adds that D'Alessandro is a proponent of DeMarcus Cousins.
  • Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson recounts his successful efforts to keep the Kings in town to Dale Kasler of The Sacramento Bee.
  • Jody Genessy of the Deseret News details the free agent mini-camp the Jazz are holding this week with two dozen NBA hopefuls.
  • HoopsWorld's Joel Brigham sizes up six teams likely to be in the running for Andre Iguodala, who's set to opt out of his contract with the Nuggets.
  • Fellow HoopsWorld scribe Susan Bible ponders what's next for the Thunder.
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Amico On Cavs, Magic, Granger, Bucks, Cousins

June 13th, 2013 at 6:20pm CST by Luke Adams

Earlier this afternoon, I asked for your thoughts on which prospect would be drafted first overall two weeks from tonight. While I provided five names in the poll, it appears I omitted one more viable option, as Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio reports that Anthony Bennett is also under consideration for the Cavaliers at No. 1 overall. While several opposing GMs tell Amico that they don't believe Cleveland would draft Bennett (or Alex Len) first overall, the Cavs aren't tipping their hand, so plenty of options still remain in play. Here's more from Amico's latest collection of NBA news and notes:

  • One source says that the Cavs have been working on "something major," but no details were given due to the magnitude. While that may not reveal much, Amico relays from the same source that Cleveland has talked to one particular team several times about the number one pick, although discussions have only been exploratory at this point (Twitter links). 
  • Amico also tweets that the Cavaliers are lukewarm at the idea of taking Victor Oladipo or Anthony Bennett with their first overall pick and are going back and forth between Nerlens Noel and Ben McLemore.  

Earlier updates:

  • The Sixers are high on Michael Carter-Williams, who they believe could contribute at both guard positions, according to Amico. With Carter-Williams drawing some interest from teams in the top 10, it remains to be seen whether he'll be available for the Sixers at No. 11.
  • While the Magic have explored trades involving the second overall pick, they're "far from desperate" to move it.
  • Depending on how their pursuit of Dwight Howard goes, the Rockets may be interested in making a bid for trade candidate Danny Granger.
  • The Bucks and Bobcats have engaged in discussions involving Milwaukee's 15th overall pick, says Amico.
  • If DeMarcus Cousins was available at one point, he isn't any longer. New Kings coach Michael Malone is excited about working with the young big man.
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Odds & Ends: Grizzlies, Heat, McGrady

June 8th, 2013 at 10:40pm CST by Spencer Lund

According to Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game, the Grizzlies' current ownership is in a serendipitous position to save money by honoring a bizarre clause in some assistant coach contracts (Sulia link). Usually, the playoff winnings from the NBA are shared with a team's players and personnel after postseason success. But former owner Michael Heisley negotiated deals with some assistant coaches that awarded a flat bonus based on a small percentage of their regular salaries.

After the Grizzlies surprised many by reaching the Western Conference Finals, the resulting playoff shares are worth $70K or more, depending on how many shares the team elected to have. Under the Heisley terms, some assistant coaches are due only 1/7th of that amount. 

Current Grizzlies principal owner, Robert Pera, is under no obligation to stray from the deals the previous regime negotiated, but as Bucher points out "sometimes there is a divide between what is acceptable and what is right." In the grand scheme of things, it's a paltry sum to pay for assistants who may not be back next season and who helped guide a Rudy Gay–less Grizzlies team far into the tough Western Conference playoff bracket. 

With Lionel Hollins' future as the Grizzlies' head coach in doubt, a sign of good faith to his assistant coaches, who rightfully deserve a larger share of the playoff winnings than their current contract calls for, might be the move that tips the odds in favor of Hollins returning to the sidelines for the Grizzlies next season. 

Here are some other links from around this quiet NBA Saturday night before the Heat and Spurs do battle in Game 2 of the NBA Finals tomorrow:

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Latest On DeMarcus Cousins

June 1st, 2013 at 12:21pm CST by Zachary Links

Despite reports and rumors to the contrary, the Cavs have zero interest in Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, a source tells Sam Amico of FOX Sports (on Twitter).  The Bobcats, on the other hand, have interest in the troubled big man.  However, the Kings preference at this time is to keep him.

The source went on to tell Amico (link) that plenty of teams have or will ask about Cousins, but clubs like the Cavs are staying away from him due to “consistent issues with structure.”  A report earlier this week indicated that the new regime in Sacramento is intent on moving Cousins, but that may have been floated out there by rival teams.

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Odds & Ends: West, Cousins, Ginobili, Celtics

May 31st, 2013 at 11:21pm CST by Chuck Myron
David West seems content with the Pacers, as he tells Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida, but the Hawks, armed with plenty of cap space, might be planning to make a run at him in free agency this summer, a source tells Sean Deveney of The Sporting News. That's not entirely surprising, since Atlanta is on track to have enough cap room for a pair of max free agents. The Hawks probably wouldn't make West their top priority, since they seem ready to go after Dwight Howard and Chris Paul, but if they strike out on them, West might not be too far down the list. Here's more as we enter the final month before free agency starts:
  • Rival teams may have been behind a report that the Kings are ready to trade DeMarcus Cousins, Deveney hears, adding that the team's new owners have yet to decide what they want to do with the turbulent big man. Deveney wonders if the Kings might do some message-management of their own and have incoming coach Michael Malone talk up Cousins to increase his value.
  • As for Cousins, sources tell Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee that he isn't looking for a trade (Twitter link).
  • Manu Ginobili's contract is up June 30th, but he told Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News that he has no plans to retire. The 35-year-old seems likely to return to the Spurs and expects to take a paycut to do so, though he and agent Herb Rudoy aren't starting negotiations with the team until July 1st.
  • The Celtics attempted to acquire either Paul Millsap or Al Jefferson at the trade deadline, but couldn't work out a deal with the Jazz for one of their big men, tweets Greg Dickerson of CSNNE.com. Boston is reportedly interested in Millsap as a free agent.
  • The Rockets plan to pursue Dwight Howard and Chris Paul, but with the league telling teams to expect a $58.5 million salary cap and $71.5MM tax line next season, squeezing both onto the team will be nearly impossible, as HoopsWorld's Bill Ingram examines.
  • Kelvin Sampson would have been Brandon Jennings' choice to coach the Bucks, reports Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times. The team hired Larry Drew instead, a choice that was definitely GM John Hammond's call, unlike the team's hiring of former coach Scott Skiles (Twitter links).
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Cousins A “Goner” In Sacramento?

May 30th, 2013 at 10:16pm CST by Ryan Raroque

10:26PM: Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee tweets that the new ownership has no intention of trading Cousins, also mentioning that the center is supposed to meet with Ranadive soon.

10:16PM: On the cusp of Michael Malone's agreement with the Kings, Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio tweets that a source in tune with Sacramento's head coaching decision suggests that the move was made with the presumption that DeMarcus Cousins "is a goner." In an earlier piece by Sam Amick of USA Today, it was noted that former Kings head coach Keith Smart had forged a close relationship with the young center during his first season in Sacramento. Amico (via Twitter) isn't quite sure he completely believes his source and thinks the Kings will give things a chance to work, though one may wonder if the 6'11 center's future in Sacramento could be tied to how well he gets along with Malone.

Despite admitting to some growing pains during the second season, Smart spoke candidly about how he envisioned playing a role in Cousins' development, saying that a third year could have been a prime opportunity to make things work even better:

"We put a lot of pressure on a 22-year-old to carry the franchise right now, and he's probably not there yet…But that's why I just thought all the work that you had to go through to get to a certain point and understanding how to manage a player, now you go into that third year, that next stage and (you're in a good place)."

"I understand him and he understands me now. And that's where you grow…You get a chance to develop that relationship. You had to push, you had to fight, you had to argue. But you come back, and you're able to trust each other."

With Malone now leading the bench, it will be interesting to see if or how long team brass will give him a chance to work with Cousins. The picture could be much clearer on this front once a general manager is put in place, though the speculation about how their relationship could develop is intriguing nonetheless. 

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Draft Rumors: Cavs, Cousins, Magic, Bledsoe

May 29th, 2013 at 11:21am CST by Luke Adams

After updating his big board yesterday, ESPN.com's Chad Ford returns today with a handful of the latest draft-related rumblings he's been hearing (Insider-only link). With less than a month until draft day, let's round up the highlights from Ford's piece….

  • Nerlens Noel remains atop the Cavaliers' draft board, making him the favorite to be drafted first overall, but Ford notes that Noel's ACL injury and the Cavs' desire to make the playoffs next season mean the Kentucky center is far from a lock at No. 1. If Cleveland can acquire a young small forward or big man using the top pick as trade bait, owner Dan Gilbert may push for a deal.
  • One name you shouldn't totally rule out when considering Cleveland's possible trade scenarios, according to Ford? DeMarcus Cousins. Ford reports that the Cavs, Bobcats, and the Mavericks are among the clubs who could call the Kings about Cousins in the hopes of trading draft picks and/or other assets for the young big man.
  • The Magic have Arron Afflalo at the two guard and a more glaring need at the point, but aren't sold on Trey Burke, according to Ford, who says the team is eyeing Ben McLemore and Victor Oladipo at No. 2. If the Magic were to draft a two guard, they'd be interested in trying to trade Afflalo to the Clippers for Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler's expiring contract, says Ford. It's not clear whether such a deal would interest the Clips.
  • Arizona State's Carrick Felix, USC's Dewayne Dedmon and Will Clyburn of Iowa State were among the standouts at this week's draft workouts in Minnesota, NBA GMs and scouts told Ford. On the other end of the spectrum, French big man Mouhammadou Jaiteh struggled and now projects as a late second-round pick.
  • In a separate piece for ESPN Insider, Bradford Doolittle examines a few hypothetical trade scenarios involving draft picks.
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Pacific Notes: Bryant, Amnesty, Cousins

April 16th, 2013 at 8:17pm CST by Alex Lee

With three NBA games scheduled, the Clippers are the only Pacific division team in action tonight.  Let's round up links from the division here:

  • Just because the Lakers aren't thinking about amnestying Kobe Bryant just yet, doesn't mean everyone else isn't.  An ESPN Los Angeles poll shows that most do not think the Lakers should use the amnesty provision on their longtime star.  Amin Elhassan of ESPN is in favor of cutting ties with Bryant, writing that the team could conceivably re-sign him if he can return to full strength.  On the other hand, Arash Markazi sees Bryant helping the Lakers next season and thinks the franchise's image would take a hit should they release him. 
  • Markazi follows up on Twitter, clarifying that the Lakers can only use their amnesty provision on Bryant, Pau Gasol, Steve Blake or Metta World Peace, adding that he believes the team will use it on either Blake or World Peace.  Markazi also tweets that for a player to be eligible for the amnesty provision, he must have been with the team that amnesties him since July 1st, 2011, as Luke Adams noted in his amnesty refresher this afternoon.
  • In an all-access interview with Bleacher Report's Jimmy Spencer, Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins insists that he is not interested in a change of scenery.  "No, I am loyal to this organization," Cousins said.  "The biggest reward to me would be, at the end of the day, hearing them say, 'He turned this around. He stuck with it through thick and thin and he made it happen.'"  While the story comes with a disclaimer that Cousins granted the interview with an agenda in mind, there are plenty of worthwhile quotes that make it worth a read. 
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Pacific Notes: Kings, Nash, Gasol, Patterson

March 9th, 2013 at 9:34am CST by Sean Highkin

The latest news and notes from around the Pacific Division on Saturday morning:

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