It's been another whirlwind day of player movement in the NBA, as the Hawks agreed to two significant trades, sending Joe Johnson to the Nets and Marvin Williams to the Jazz. Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld speculated that Josh Smith may be the next Hawk to go (Twitter link), but Brian Windhorst and Marc Stein of ESPN.com report that Smith is excited about the moves, which would free up plenty of cap space for next summer, when Atlanta could go after Smith and other major targets. Here's news from elsewhere around the busy Association.
The Mavericks will get the first face-to-face sitdown tomorrow afternoon with Deron Williams, sources familiar with Williams’ plans tell Marc Stein of ESPN.com. The Nets will get their chance to talk to the point guard at night to recap the pitch that they have been pushing for weeks.
With Dirk Nowitzki traveling and owner Mark Cuban in Los Angeles working on his television show this week, sources say that Dallas will be represented by president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson, coach Rick Carlisle, and former player Michael Finley. However, Dallas is really banking on Jason Kidd making a strong pitch for them as the two vacation in the Hamptons.
The Lakers and Magic have had preliminary contact about a possible deal for Dwight Howard, league sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. The Nets and Rockets have also talked to Magic officials, sources said.
The Nets, who are reportedly in discussions with the Hawks about trading for Joe Johnson, are considering making a significant offer to unrestricted free agent O.J. Mayo, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. The Nets were also "deep in discussions" today about a trade for power forward Luis Scola before talks with the Rockets broke down, Wojnarowski also reports via Twitter.
9:14pm: Williams has denied that he and Kidd have decided to play for the same team, ESPN's Chris Broussard reports. Williams told Broussard he's leaning toward either the Mavs or Nets, but wouldn't say which one (Twitter links). Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld reported earlier this week that Williams is leaning toward the Nets.
2:06pm: Throughout the year, Jason Kidd has repeatedly voiced his desire to back up Deron Williams next season, and it sounds like he'll make good on that statement. According to Ric Bucher of ESPN, Kidd will sign with whichever team Williams does. Since D-Will has narrowed his choices to the Nets and Mavericks, Kidd figures to end up one of those two squads as well.
Jameer Nelson decided yesterday to opt out of his contract, which will make him an unrestricted free agent this summer. However, turning down his player option with the Magic doesn't mean Nelson doesn't want to return to Orlando. According to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld, signing a long-term deal with the Magic is still Nelson's number one goal, and the point guard confirmed as much on Twitter today
"Like I have said over and over," Nelson tweeted. "I'd love to stay a Magic and I would love to play for the best fans in the NBA. And I still have faith that it can happen. So again thanks you guys for all the support."
Here are a few more updates on some soon-to-be free agents….
Eight years ago today, the Rockets made one of the biggest trades in team history, sending Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, and Kelvin Cato to the Magic in exchange for Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue, and Reece Gaines. GM Daryl Morey and the Rockets may have been looking to make a similarly big splash this June, but draft day came and went without a major trade from Houston. Still, if nothing else, the Rockets accumulated a ton of talent Thursday night, drafting Jeremy Lamb, Royce White, and Terrence Jones with their three first-round picks.
Here are a few more Friday afternoon odds and ends from around the NBA:
We're still a few days away from free agency and Deron Williams reportedly has yet to decide on his future. However, Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld hears from multiple sources that the prize of the free agent market is leaning toward re-signing with the Nets (Twitter link). Earlier this week, we heard that D-Will had narrowed his options down to the Nets and Mavericks.
The draft is today's primary focus, but once the 60th pick has been made, all eyes will turn to free agency, which begins Sunday. So, there will be plenty of news on that front as well. Zach Lowe of SI.com ranks the top 10 free agent point guards, and Deron Williams, No. 1 on that list, let it be known via Twitter that he played golf today with Jason Kidd, No. 8 in Lowe's ranking. Whether that means the two will be signing together with the Nets, the Mavs, or they won't be signing at all is open to interpretation, of course. Here's more from around the league:
We're not expecting to hear a ton of Mavericks rumors until free agency gets underway and Dallas' pursuit of Deron Williams officially begins in earnest. But that doesn't mean the Mavs won't be active today. According to Mike Fisher of DallasBasketball.com (via Twitter), the club is exploring ways to get into the top 11 of the draft. Any deal would be contingent on one of a handful of desired players being available. Here are a few more draft-day notes out of Dallas: