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Pacific Notes: World Peace, Howard, Kings, Suns

June 4th, 2013 at 7:41pm CST by Alex Lee

Let's round up any and all links from the West's Pacific division in this post tonight:

Confirming Jason Jones' report from earlier, the Kings announced the firings of assistant coaches Jim Eyen, Alex English, and Clifford Ray via press release. However, former assistant Bobby Jackson will be retained in some fashion, but will not serve as an assistant under Michael Malone.

Earlier updates:

The Lakers have granted the Hawks and Bobcats permission to speak to Darvin Ham, currently an assistant in L.A., about joining their staffs, tweets Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News.
Metta World Peace will continue to defer to his agent, Marc Cornstein, on what he should do about his $7.7MM player option with the Lakers in 2013/14, writes Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News, who exclusively spoke with the veteran forward. World Peace has until June 25 to make a decision. If he exercises his option, he will force the Lakers to make a decision on whether or not to use the amnesty provision on him.
While the Lakers certainly have a built-in advantage when it comes to signing Dwight Howard, there are plenty of factors that make him obtainable for other teams, writes ESPN salary cap guru Larry Coon. In this Insider only piece, Coon breaks down what it will take for Howard to land with the Rockets or Mavericks, both of which are considered realistic destinations.
It looks like new Kings head coach Michael Malone will not retain any assistant coaches from Keith Smart's staff from last season, tweets Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee. According to the team's media guide, Smart's staff consisted of assistants Alex English, Jim Eyen, Bobby Jackson and Clifford Ray.
Suns managing partner Robert Sarver understands that his team's rebuilding process could be long and painful, writes Paul Coro for USA Today. With the No. 5 pick in a draft that seems devoid of high-end talent, and not enough star power to lure one of the big-time free agents, franchises like Phoenix need this patient approach to avoid the pitfalls of trying to rebuild too quickly.

Kobe On Recovery, Retirement, Howard

June 3rd, 2013 at 9:35pm CST by Zachary Links

It would be an understatement to say that the 2012/13 season was a disappointment for the Lakers and Kobe Bryant. Bryant helped will the Lakers into the playoffs with a late-season surge but had to watch his club get bounced by the Spurs from the sidelines. Now, six weeks into his rehabilitation program, the 34-year-old sat down with Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com to discuss his future and plans for the summer. Here's a look at the highlights..

Will you be ready for the 2013/14 opener?

"I hope so. That's the challenge. With the tendon, there's really only but so much you can do. There's a certain amount of time that they deem necessary for the tendon to heal where you don't overstretch it and now you never get that spring back. So, you just have to be patient, let the tendon heal and then when that moment comes when they say, 'OK, we can take off the regulator so to speak and now it's on you to train as hard as you can to get back to where you want to be,' that's going to be a good day."

On courting Dwight Howard back to L.A.:

"For me, you kind of let him do his due diligence and then move in and talk to him and figure out if this is a place he wants to be. We all want him here. But then that's when the selling begins [after Howard is courted by other teams]. You don't start the selling process right before he goes and does all this stuff. You want to get the last word. You want to have the final word and the closing argument. I'll give him a little opening statement, but then I have to make sure I have the final word."

What if Howard goes elsewhere?

"This franchise is a franchise that you really don't have to worry about too much, because no matter what happens, whether it's a year from now, two years from now, whatever the case may be, they're always going to find a way to have an impact on this league. It's gotten to a point at this stage in my career where those lines of communication are more open and we talk more frequently both with [general manager] Mitch [Kupchak] and [vice president of player personnel] Jimmy [Buss] and [vice president of business operations] Jeanie [Buss] to a certain extent. Those lines of communication are open."

On Phil Jackson's book stating that Michael Jordan is the superior player:

"I talked to Phil about it. I said, 'You know, you can't compare me at [age] 21-22-23 to Michael at 28-29-30. That's not a fair comparison. But, you know, I'm comfortable at resting on my five [championships] and what I had to do for this team to be successful. We both had different roles and [Jordan has] had his level of frustration coming up as a young player and challenges that he had to deal with and I had mine in playing a different role to what I thought naturally I could do. We had different career paths, man, so it's kind of tough to [compare]. At least for me it is, anyway."

On retirement plans:

"I don't know if I want a farewell tour because I want that competition. I want the crowd being on top of you all the time. I wouldn't want a farewell tour. No. I wouldn't do that."

Pacific Notes: Howard, Gasol, Kobe, Kings

June 3rd, 2013 at 8:46pm CST by Zachary Links

Dwight Howard is keeping mum on what his plans might be after July 1st, but if you’re one for reading between the lines, yesterday’s comments to T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times could carry some weight. The prized free agent referred to his time with Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni in the past tense. “He’s a great person and I’m glad we had the opportunity to be together,” Howard said. Here’s more out of the Pacific Division..

Pau Gasol said he hasn’t talked to Dwight Howard this offseason and won’t try to convince him to return, tweets Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. “He has to make the decision,” Gasol said. Gasol wants Howard back like everyone else on the Lakers but he wants to give him space out of respect for him.
Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie is still playing a key role with the team even as he knows he’s in his final month with the franchise, writes Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee (Sulia link). Until the Kings hire a new GM, Petrie and his staff are running all the preparations and research leading up to the NBA Draft on June 27.
Until Kings ownership settles on a new general manager, new coach Michael Malone is leaning on Petrie, Jones writes. “I just told (Petrie) how much I appreciate him sticking around because he knows the draft a lot better than I do,” Malone said. “He’s been studying these guys … And he also can offer great insights to the current players on our roster as to what their strengths, weaknesses are and personalities. But I’m still going to keep an open mind and form my opinion on these guys.”
Kobe Bryant doesn’t envision Mike Krzyzewski talking him into playing in the 2016 Olympics, tweets Dave McMenamin of ESPNLA.com.
With Jason Kidd retiring, Steve Nash is now the NBA’s oldest player under contract for next season, notes Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times.

Odds & Ends: West, Dwight, Drew, Malone, Spurs

June 2nd, 2013 at 12:01pm CST by Chuck Myron

A few executives from around the league have told Chris Mannix of SI.com that David West is likely to draw offers of three- to four-year deals worth between $11MM and $13MM per season (Twitter link). That's encouraging news for the Pacers, tweets HoopsWorld's Bill Ingram, who says the team was hoping to re-sign him for that sort of money to avoid the luxury tax. Indiana has only about $49MM committed for next season, so the Pacers could afford to pay him plenty more without going into the tax, though doing so could compromise their other offseason goals. Here's more on the offseason plans of others around the NBA:

Dwight Howard offered few hints about his next destination in an interview with T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times, though Howard said he'll prioritize winning and, for what it's worth, referred to his time with Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni in the past tense. "He's a great person and I'm glad we had the opportunity to be together," Howard said.
Lester Conner, who served as Larry Drew's lead assistant with the Hawks, tells Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel what the Bucks can expect from their new head coach. Conner will likely follow Drew to Milwaukee, according to Gardner.
Michael Malone hasn't officially been hired as coach of the Kings, but an agreement with the team is in place, and he spoke with Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee and fellow Bee scribe Ailene Voisin about his background and his plans for the club.
There's plenty of reason for Peter Holt to sell the Spurs, with the franchise value surging, but he has no intention of doing so, even as executive Rick Pych assumes more of Holt's duties, writes Buck Harvey of the San Antonio Express-News.
Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post provides a brief sketch of Pete D'Allesandro, the vice president of basketball operations for the Nuggets who's rumored as a candidate for the team's vacant GM job, as well as a role in the Kings front office.
The Post's Christopher Dempsey runs down the issues surrounding the Nuggets in the wake of Ujiri's departure, including the notion that D'Allesandro could follow Ujiri to the Raptors. He also wonders if the changes could irk coach George Karl, though it appears the team may not be so high on Karl, either.

Dwight Howard Leaning Toward Rockets

May 31st, 2013 at 9:15pm CST by Chuck Myron

Dwight Howard is leaning toward signing with the Rockets, but he'll meet with every potential suitor once free agency begins July 1st, according to HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy (Twitter links). The Rockets are increasingly optimistic about their chances to land the big man, though given the indecisiveness he's shown in the past, Houston may not be his preferred destination by July 10th, the first day he can sign a contract.

Officials from teams other than the Lakers can't talk to Howard until July 1st, but that doesn't preclude players on opposing teams from chatting with him and trying to influence his decision. Howard has already spoken with James Harden, sources tell Kennedy, who believes Howard and Rockets sharpshooter Chandler Parsons have spoken as well (Twitter link). A conversation with Parsons might have been somewhat odd, since there's a chance he might not be around if the Rockets end up with Howard. Parsons' $926,500 contract for next season, partially guaranteed for $600K, could wind up a casualty of the team's effort to clear cap space, as Salary Cap FAQ author Larry Coon surmised last month. Houston already appears to be shopping Thomas Robinson in an effort to make room for Howard.

The Rockets, along with the Lakers, Mavericks and Hawks, appear to be the most fervent suitors of Howard, though Kennedy reported a couple of weeks ago that there's still mutual interest between Howard and the Nets. Brooklyn's salary cap limitations would make it almost impossible for him to wind up there, but if Howard is as open to pitches from teams as he seems to be, other clubs with cap room may get involved.

Howard is eligible for a contract of up to four years and about $87.59MM if he signs with a team other than the Lakers. If he stays with the purple and gold, he could get up to five years and $117.95MM.

Rockets Increasingly Hopeful Of Signing Howard

May 31st, 2013 at 10:10am CST by Luke Adams

While plenty of fans and pundits have made the argument in recent weeks that the Rockets make the most sense as a destination for Dwight Howard, there's been no real indication that Howard has felt the same way. But that may be changing, as ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports the Rockets have been receiving "hopeful signals" that Howard will seriously consider signing in Houston.

According to Stein's sources, Howard has conveyed an interest in Houston to James Harden, who previously stated that he planned to be involved in recruiting free agents this summer. Stein adds that Howard has already indicated he'll field in-person pitches from the Rockets and Mavericks — more teams could be added to that list as free agency approaches.

The Rockets' hopeful outlook on Howard makes some sense, considering the rumor we heard yesterday — Houston is reportedly shopping Thomas Robinson in an effort to clear the cap space necessary to make Howard a max offer. According to Stein, Rockets GM Daryl Morey has spoken to multiple teams about Robinson, and sources tell the ESPN.com scribe that Morey has been leaving the impression that he believes Houston has a real shot at landing Howard.

Despite the Rockets' optimism, we know from past Dwight-related drama that the All-Star center isn't exactly decisive, so he may feel differently in a month than he does now. Stein also quotes one "longtime Howard-watcher" as saying that D12 has a penchant for "making everyone feel good about their chances."

If Howard were to sign with the Rockets, he'd be eligible for a contract of up to four years and about $87.59MM. With the Lakers, he could get up to five years and $117.95MM.

Rockets Shopping Robinson For More Cap Space

May 30th, 2013 at 5:11pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports that the Rockets are trying to deal Thomas Robinson in an effort to clear more cap room for a run at Dwight Howard. The former Kings lottery pick is on the books for about $3.52MM next season, and Houston has made it clear to several teams that they'll accept the best offer. Should the team's effort to deal Robinson be successful, Wojnarowski writes that the Rockets will be able to pitch a max contract offer to Howard starting at nearly $20.5MM per season.

In addition to targeting teams with cap space, Wojnarowski adds that Houston is seeking a trade package that could include assets in the form of a trade exception, draft pick, or non-guaranteed contracts that could be unloaded. With the Mavericks and Warriors expected to be in the race for Dwight once free agency starts, acquiring more cap room for the sake of making a bigger offer can only enhance the Rockets' chances of landing the seven-time All-Star, who one source said is intrigued at the prospect of playing alongside a supporting cast that includes James Harden and Chandler Parsons.

Western Links: Gay, Howard, Mavs, Hornacek

May 27th, 2013 at 1:41pm CST by Luke Adams

It's Memorial Day in America, but it's certainly no holiday for the Grizzlies and Spurs, who will meet in Memphis tonight, with the Spurs looking to complete a four-game sweep. As the Grizzlies look to begin climbing out of a 3-0 hole, ESPN.com's Kevin Pelton (Insider-only link) re-examines a question that has come up several times in the last few months, exploring whether Memphis misses Rudy Gay. Here are a few more Memorial Day links from around the Western Conference:

Dwight Howard is "wide open" to the Mavericks, tweets Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld. That fits with what we've heard about Howard being willing to listen to pitches from any team when free agency opens. Ingram goes on to say that the Mavs, unlike the Rockets, actually project to have the space necessary to sign Howard without making a corresponding move. Without O.J. Mayo's option on the books, that may be true, though it will likely depend on how much the salary cap increases for 2013/14.
In exploring the Mavericks' chances of landing Howard, Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com wonders if the Rockets are a greater threat than the Lakers.
Sam Smith of Bulls.com touches on the upcoming Howard drama in his latest piece, in which he also explains why his idea of a LaMarcus Aldridge-for-Kevin Love trade could make some sense.
The Suns' hiring of Jeff Hornacek may give the team a boost in the community, given Hornacek's positive reputation in Phoenix, but it wasn't a factor in GM Ryan McDonough's decision, a source tells TNT's David Aldridge. Aldridge speculates that the community impact is something owner Robert Sarver may have considered. Aldridge's Morning Tip also includes a look at Larry Bird and details on Billy Hunter's lawsuit.
Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv lists all the players scheduled to participate in the Timberwolves' draft workouts this week.

Latest On Dwight Howard

May 27th, 2013 at 8:54am CST by Luke Adams

Five weeks from today, we'll be inundated with stories about free agents meeting with teams and perhaps even agreeing to contracts, as July's free agent period begins. But for now, one of the crown jewels of this year's class, Dwight Howard, remains undecided about his destination. Here are a few of the latest stories on the All-Star center's free agency, as decision day draws nearer:

Speaking to Sam Amick of USA Today, Pau Gasol suggested it'd better from the Lakers' standpoint if Howard made a decision sooner rather than later but said there's nothing wrong with D12 exploring his options. "I'm not him," Gasol said. "I'm not in his position, but I guess it all starts with his decision and I'm sure the franchise is waiting to see whether he decides to sign (with the Lakers) or sign with somebody else, I guess."
While the Lakers ostensibly have a financial advantage when it comes to re-signing Howard, that may not ultimately amount to much, says Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times. As Pincus points out, if Howard signed for four years rather than five, he could make up a good chunk of that fifth-year money on his next deal. And if he were to sign with a Texas team, the difference in taxes could make the difference in salaries virtually negligible.
When free agency opens, expect Howard to listen to any team interested in making him a pitch, says Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld. After considering his options, Howard will likely choose the place where he'd be happiest and most comfortable.

Odds & Ends: Magic, Warriors, Dwight, Clippers

May 24th, 2013 at 11:01pm CST by Chuck Myron

In the NFL, teams are frequently better off drafting for positional need rather than going for the best player, writes Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel, who argues that the opposite is true in the NBA. Thus, he implores the Magic to ignore fans who have football on the mind and draft the most talented player available with the No. 2 pick. He also notes that the Orlando summer league will add a title game this year, similar to the Las Vegas summer league, and sees Kevin Love's frequent chats with Flip Saunders as encouraging news for the Timberwolves. Here's more from around the Association as a long weekend commences:

Dwight Howard's camp has "never given the slightest indication" that he wants to join the Warriors, tweets Tim Kawakami of the Bay Area News Group (Twitter link), echoing an earlier report from Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game. Kawakami thinks the W's shouldn't pursue Howard as a result.
Grantland's Bill Simmons points to evidence that suggests Howard is in decline, leading him to advise the Lakers to pass on him. Simmons encourages Howard to sign with the Rockets instead.
DeAndre Jordan was surprised to see the Clippers and Vinny Del Negro part ways, as the center tells Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston (Twitter link).
As for Del Negro's replacement, HoopsWorld's Bill Ingram makes the case that Nate McMillan and Brian Shaw should top the list of coaching candidates for the Clippers.
Point guard Pierre Jackson will work out on June 17th for the Trail Blazers, Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com reports, adding that strong workouts in New Jersey this past week have turned the Baylor senior into a potential first-round pick.
Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune thinks the Wolves will shy away from guards with the No. 9 pick, as long as they don't trade the selection (Twitter link).