Dwight Howard Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Odds & Ends: Bulls, Josh Howard, Deng, Heat

August 7th, 2012 at 9:06pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Mark Deeks of ShamSports.com (via Twitter) points out that the Bulls are specifically $758,642 below the luxury tax apron and that the league minimum salary for sophomore players is $762,195. This definitely factors into the situation of Malcolm Thomas, who put on a standout performance as a member of their summer league roster and more importantly is entering his second year in the league. Deeks still doesn't think that Chicago is willing pay the tax, adding that the team isn't in any rush to make moves that would incidentally put them over the apron. Here are more of tonight's links from around the NBA…

Matt Moore of CBS Sports gives the Bobcats a grade of "C" for their work this offseason.
Earl K. Sneed of NBA.com talks about the plenty of backcourt options that the Mavericks have for the upcoming season.
Australia's David Andersen hopes that Wednesday's game against Team USA is enough to make an impression as he hopes for an opportunity to return to the NBA, writes Sean Deveney of the Sporting News. The 6'11 forward/center played in Italy last year and was a member of the Hornets during the 2010-11 season. Andersen says he will continue to play in Europe if he doesn't receive an offer from an NBA team.
Chris Bernucca of Sheridan Hoops examines the top 20 remaining free agents and groups them by position.
Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune tweets that the Jazz are expected to re-engage in talks with free agent Josh Howard soon.
Brian Kamenetzky of ESPN LA clarifies that although the Lakers are interested in Jodie Meeks, the shooting guard isn't quite open to signing for the veteran's minimum. Also, Kamenetzky notes that while the team has placed a priority on adding a backcourt or wing player, they won't use their mini-mid level exception to overpay for a player they feel isn't worth that much. Earlier today, Brian joined his brother Andy to discuss some names in free agency that are worth considering, including Carlos Delfino, Tracy McGrady, and Terrence Williams in addition to Meeks.

Eastern Notes: Green, Deng, Howard

August 6th, 2012 at 3:58pm CST by Daniel Seco

Nene found himself on the bench in London as Brazil beat Spain in Olympic basketball play this afternoon. The Wizards big man doesn't plan on playing again until the semifinals as he rests his left foot, currently feeling the effects of plantar fasciitis. Here's the latest news and headlines from around the Eastern Conference…

The Celtics have yet to make their agreement with Jeff Green official, but A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com notes that Green's recent comments indicate he's looking forward to returning to action with Boston after missing last season with a heart ailment. "I actually feel a lot better than I did prior to the surgery. It was a blessing, and I'm doing better now," said Green.
Luol Deng may not be missing any time this upcoming season as his performance during the Olympics has him thinking he won't need immediate surgery on his wrist, reports K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. The Bulls forward plans to be ready to play in eight weeks when training camp opens and may elect to have the surgery after the 2012/13 season.
Dwight Howard will not be attending his summer youth basketball camp later this month for undisclosed reasons, reports Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel (via Twitter). The Magic big man will send teammate Andrew Nicholson to the camp as his replacement.

Odds & Ends: Howard, Williams, Songaila

August 4th, 2012 at 10:28pm CST by Sean Highkin

The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Saturday night:

George Diaz of the Orlando Sentinel writes that the Magic need to move on from Dwight Howard as soon as possible.
John Manasso of Fox Sports South has quotes from the Hawks' press conference introducing Lou Williams and Devin Harris, and an analysis of the guards' ability to fit together.
ESPN's Marc Stein tweets that, after a strong performance against the United States, Lithuania's Darius Songaila says he intends to play in the NBA again.

Southeast Notes: Wizards, Howard, Ferry, Teague

August 1st, 2012 at 6:52pm CST by Chuck Myron

In a piece that calls upon Dwight Howard to act professionally as he seeks to move on from the Magic, Chris Broussard of ESPN.com revisits the big man's decision to waive his early termination option this past March. Broussard says Howard wanted to give the team a chance to improve the roster and was open to staying, but when former coach Stan Van Gundy told the media a team executive had let him know Howard wanted him fired, Howard lost all trust and confidence in the Magic. There are a few other items concerning the Magic's Southeast Division rivals this evening:

Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune expects former Wolves assistant coach Jerry Sichting to wind up in that same role for the Wizards (Twitter link). That appears to be the "tweak" to his staff Wizards head coach Randy Wittman was referring to (link below).

Earlier updates:

Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio applauds Hawks GM Danny Ferry, hired barely a month ago, for assembling a competitive team for the upcoming season while freeing cap space to make a major move next summer.
This coming season will be the last of Jeff Teague's rookie contract, and with all the new faces on the Hawks this year, including fellow point guard Devin Harris, Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution takes a look at how Teague can make the most of 2012/13.
Roger Mason, who agreed to sign with the Hornets today, thought when last season ended that he'd be back with the Wizards, as Michael Lee of The Washington Post writes. With the team drafting Bradley Beal at his position and adding other veterans who can assume his leadership role, the eight-year veteran decided to turn elsewhere.
Wizards coach Randy Wittman held forth on a number of topics, and Lee has the details. Wittman hinted that the team may keep a roster spot or two open heading into training camp, and said he's still considering another "tweak" to the coaching staff after hiring former Spurs assistant Don Newman earlier this summer.
In the same piece, Wittman addressed the team's decision to use the amnesty clause to waive Andray Blatche, saying, "I hope and wish the best for Dray. And maybe this can be the best thing for him in turning his career back around and being the player I think we all think he can be."
Wittman expressed a preference for having three point guards on the roster, and said that's one reason the Wizards signed A.J. Price.

Southeast Notes: Bobcats, Heat, Magic, Howard

August 1st, 2012 at 11:28am CST by Luke Adams

On this day 12 years ago, the Heat and Hornets consummated a blockbuster swap that was, at the time, the largest trade in Heat history. The nine-player deal saw Jamal Mashburn, P.J. Brown, and three others head to Charlotte in exchange for four players, including Anthony Mason and Eddie Jones. We're certainly not expecting a move that big out of the Southeast or any other division today, but there are a few links worth passing on out of the Southeast, so let's round them up….

The Bobcats made "a big push" to sign Carl Landry, but there was mutual interest between Landry and Warriors since the start of free agency, writes Yannis Koutroupis of HoopsWorld.
Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel thinks the Heat would still like to add a veteran big man, if possible.
While the exact details of the Magic's long-term plan remain unclear, the team intends to follow the model established by the Spurs, says Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel.
In an Insider piece for ESPN.com, Chris Broussard suggests the steps Dwight Howard should take to rehabilitate his image and part ways on good terms with the Magic.

Odds & Ends: Blazers, Timberwolves, McGrady

July 31st, 2012 at 9:55pm CST by Ryan Raroque

The NBA does not make a profit by sending its stars to play at the Olympics, and a move to re-direct their headline players into a rebranded World Cup of Basketball would certainly change that. While Ken Berger of CBS Sports understands the idea of pulling NBA stars out of the Olympic games in the future, he says that it should be based on the premise that "Dream Teams" have run their course, and not because it is driven by an opportunity for David Stern and NBA owners to try to make money elsewhere. With that aside, here are some of tonight's miscellaneous links…

Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld mentions that Jeremy Lamb, Royce White, and Terrence Jones cannot be included in a potential Dwight Howard trade until the end of August, specifically 30 days after each of them signed their rookie deals with the Rockets on July 26 (Sulia link).
In a series of tweets, Jason Quick of The Oregonian reports that Trail Blazers GM Neil Olshey has concluded the second round of interviews and will "move on to the next phase" of the process once all four finalists are given due consideration. Although team owner Paul Allen was not involved in the interviews with Terry Stotts, Steve Clifford, Kaleb Canales, and Elston Turner, Quick assumes that Olshey will ultimately present a recommendation for hire to Allen after deliberation. Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com (via Twitter) pointed out that Turner's interview lasted for four-and-a-half hours today.
When asked if the Timberwolves had more changes to make after the Olympics, GM David Kahn replied, "Maybe it’s a tweak here and there, maybe even something big, to make us even better still" (according to a tweet by Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune). In a separate piece, Marcus R. Fuller of the Pioneer Press documented Kahn's thoughts on the team's new additions this offseason.
HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy says that although the Bulls and Tracy McGrady have flirted in the past, it doesn't sound like a deal is close (Twitter link).

Sefko On Mavericks, Crowder, Dwight

July 31st, 2012 at 9:15pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Eddie Sefko of SportsDayDFW engaged in a chat with fans about the Mavericks' offseason. Among his more notable thoughts were that the team's interest in Steve Nash was never that serious, Mark Cuban deserves to be applauded for their attempt to land Deron Williams despite falling short, and that he gives the team a grade of "B" for their work this summer. Here are some more of the highlights:

The additions of Darren Collison, Dahntay Jones, O.J. Mayo, and Elton Brand should give Dirk Nowitzki plenty of reasons to be excited about the upcoming season.
Sefko has continued to hear good things about Jae Crowder (selected 34th overall in last month's draft) and thinks that Crowder, along with first-round pick Jared Cunningham, should receive long looks in training camp.
Being able to reserve cap room along with the collection of assets and one-year contracts that Dallas obtained this summer, he believes that the team still feels they have a shot at landing Dwight Howard, whether via trade or during free agency next summer.

Magic, Mavs Met To Discuss Howard Trade

July 31st, 2012 at 9:55am CST by Luke Adams

The Magic and Mavericks met to discuss a possible Dwight Howard trade last week, and "will probably talk again," Mavs GM Donnie Nelson tells Mike Fisher of FOXSportsSouthwest.com. The Mavs have taken a back seat to teams like the Nets, Lakers, and Rockets in Howard trade rumors this year, but have expressed "repeated interest" in the star center, tweets Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld.

Still, acquiring Howard this offseason or before the trade deadline seems very unlikely for the Mavericks. According to Nelson, "there's just not much there," which isn't surprising — while the Lakers could offer Andrew Bynum and the Rockets could offer a combination of potential lottery picks and young, affordable players, the Mavs don't have a ton of attractive assets outside of a few expiring contracts. If Orlando was unmoved by the Lakers' and Rockets' offers, I can't see the team being too tempted by a package from Dallas.

As I suggested when I outlined the Howard situation last week, the Mavericks' best chance of acquiring D12 is in free agency next summer. If Dwight isn't traded to the Lakers or Nets, there's a very good chance he chooses to sign with the Mavs as a free agent, rather than re-upping with the Magic or (if he's traded to Houston) the Rockets.

Mayberry On Howard, Thunder, Lakers

July 29th, 2012 at 8:26pm CST by Sean Highkin

As the Dwight Howard saga drags on, Lakers, Rockets, and Mavericks have emerged as the teams with the best chances of landing the superstar center from the Magic. The Oklahoman's Darnell Mayberry has posted two new columns on Howard's future:

In the first column, Mayberry writes that landing Howard would be contradictory to the Thunder's long-term plans.
In the second column, Mayberry argues that Howard ending up in Los Angeles will be bad for Oklahoma City's title chances in the next several years.

Amico On Latest Dwight Howard Rumors

July 29th, 2012 at 8:41am CST by Daniel Seco

Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio has the latest news and rumors on Dwight Howard as the saga drags on with the calendar set to turn to August on Wednesday. Here are the highlights…

Several sources told FOX Sports Ohio that Howard may be moved by the end of the week now that the Magic have named a head coach. The team presumably wants to create a less chaotic atmosphere for Jacque Vaughn, who was hired on Saturday after spending time coaching in the Spurs organization. The trade partners in a potential Howard deal remain the same as Orlando is expected to once again reach out to the Lakers, Cavs and Rockets.
Andrew Bynum would still be the major piece in a deal with Los Angeles as sources close to the Lakers big man state that Bynum may be open to a trade. The issue with Bynum is that like Howard, he will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2012/13 season. It would seemingly be foolish for the Magic to acquire Bynum without first getting a pulse on whether he would sign a long-term deal with the team.
While the Magic will attempt to move Howard before the season starts, some sources say that the team may wait until the February trade deadline to move the All-Star center. A deal halfway through the season would probably net Orlando a lesser package than it would receive now, but more trade partners may come to fruition and provide the Magic with a variety of options.