Mobile Menu
HEADLINES

Gerald Henderson

Trade Rumors: Gasol, Hawks, Bucks, Bobcats

December 20th, 2012 at 9:58am CST by Chuck Myron

The trade deadline is two months and one day away, and we'll be hearing a lot about trade candidates in the coming weeks. HoopsWorld's Steve Kyler provides an update on a few teams and players we're likely to hear more about soon. 

  • While Kyler believes it's "inevitable" the Lakers will trade Pau Gasol, he doesn't think there's much of a market for him, having heard there are only three or four teams in the mix. No one is offering a "home run" deal, and trading Gasol now would mean selling low. The Lakers would like to swap Gasol for a pair of players on less lucrative deals who would be better fits, but no such deal is out there at the moment. L.A. has a full roster with 15 players, and the team would like to open up a spot. Kyler speculates that the Lakers could move Jordan Hill, Devin Ebanks, Darius Morris or Darius Johnson-Odom for a second-round pick or a backup point guard.
  • The Hawks want to trade some of their expiring contracts for a player who can help the team this season, but they won't make a deal unless it's an obvious win. They still want to have enough cap space to fit Dwight Howard or Chris Paul on the team, and with only about $18.5MM in commitments for next season, not including cap holds for free agents like Josh Smith, whom they're optimistic about re-signing and, according to Kyler, not planning to trade. The Hawks could probably add a player who helps now while maintaining enough flexibility this summer.
  • We heard yesterday that the Bucks have told Brandon Jennings they'll match any offer he'll get in restricted free agency. That makes Monta Ellis the more likely to be traded among the team's pair of backcourt aces, but Kyler hears that there are teams with interest in both. If Milwaukee elects to hang on to Jennings and Ellis, it isn't worried about losing either in free agency.
  • Everyone on the Bobcats is available in a trade, a source tells Kyler. That's not a shock, considering the team has lost 13 in a row, but Kyler cautions that Gerald Henderson probably won't be dealt unless it's as part of a package with others.
  • While the Magic are open to sending J.J. Redick away in a deal that offloads other contracts, the team doesn't want to let him go, as GM Rob Hennigan and the revamped front office has become more fond of the veteran two-guard than they were at the beginning of the season.
  • Kyler believes the Raptors must trade Jose Calderon to recoup value for him before he becomes a free agent next summer, and while it seems like Andrea Bargnani is headed out of Toronto, too, uncertainty about GM Bryan Colangelo's future is complicating potential deals.
  • If the Jazz remain in the playoff picture, a deal is less likely, but if not, Utah will look to unload one of its big men for draft picks and players on rookie contracts.
Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0

Spears On Trade Candidates

December 14th, 2012 at 7:20pm CST by Chuck Myron

In addition to the well-documented cases of Pau Gasol, Jose Calderon and Anderson Varejao, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports shares a litany of tidbits from high-ranking executives on trade candidates from around the league. Here's the chatter going on about each player:

  • Andrea Bargnani, Raptors — "Toronto definitely wants to move Bargnani," a GM told Spears.
  • MarShon Brooks, Nets — The Nets put him on the trading block over the summer, but his rookie-scale contract is making it hard for the team to part with him, since there are few more valuable players on the market with a matching salary.
  • Andrew Bynum, Sixers — The Sixers are trying to find another starting center, according to Spears, who hears from a GM who figures the team is starting to get panicked about Bynum health. "They could get a really interesting deal for (Bynum)," the GM said. "I could see them doing that."
  • Tyreke Evans, Kings — Despite a meeting with GM Geoff Petrie that went well, according to a source close to Evans, the Kings will trade him if they don't think they can afford to re-sign him as a restricted free agent this summer.
  • Tyler Hansbrough, Pacers — Spears speculates that the team could trade him for help at the wing.
  • Gerald Henderson, Bobcats — Like Evans, Henderson will likely be dealt if the team decides against re-signing the restricted free agent over the summer.
  • Kevin Love, Timberwolves — "I don't think that's a match that is permanent in Minnesota," an assistant GM tells Spears. "I'm not saying they're shopping, but if they can get the right deal they would look at it. And I don't think he wants to be there." 
  • Paul Millsap, Jazz — The Jazz are more likely to trade Millsap than Al Jefferson because Millsap, who makes almost half as much money, will "go to the highest bidder" in free agency next summer, according to a GM.
  • Timofey Mozgov, Nuggets — With Mozgov a restricted free agent next summer, the Nuggets are likely to go with Kosta Koufos and JaVale McGee in the middle instead, and with other Nuggets set to hit the market, a rival GM tells Spears that Denver won't pay the luxury tax.
  • Derrick Williams, Timberwolves — Both player and team would be pleased with a trade, and an executive for another team warns that Williams' value is shrinking as he continues to sit on Minnesota's bench.
Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0

Injury Notes: Stoudemire, Wizards, Lowry

November 20th, 2012 at 9:51pm CST by Sean Highkin

In the early goings of the 2012/13 season, several high-profile players have sustained injuries. Here are the latest updates on some of these players:

  • Mike Woodson told ESPNNewYork.com that Amar'e Stoudemire is still expected to return to the Knicks in mid-December. Woodson would not say whether Stoudemire will start.
  • Nene said last week that he was roughly three weeks away from returning to the Wizards, but it's possible he makes his season debut at some point this week, says Michael Lee of the Washington Post. Lee notes that John Wall is making progress as well.
  • Kyle Lowry returned to the Raptors Tuesday night following an ankle injury, although Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun writes that he looked rusty.
  • Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson tells Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer that he's a week away from returning from a foot injury.
Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0

Southeast Notes: Martin, Heat, Magic, Henderson

November 6th, 2012 at 11:52am CST by Luke Adams

As Americans head to the polling stations today and cast their votes, many eyes will be on Florida, one of the swing states that could decide the presidential race. When it comes to the NBA, we're eyeing a pair of Florida teams in this morning's round-up of Southeast Division notes:

  • With Kenyon Martin expressing a desire to join an NBA roster, fans of contenders are asking if their favorite teams ought to consider signing the former first overall pick. Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel weighs the odds of the Heat going after Martin. Elsewhere, Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com explores the topic in relation to the Knicks.
  • In a piece for Grantland, Zach Lowe looks into whether teams around the league, such as the Thunder, might be trying to "wait out Miami" and peak as a contender when the Heat starts getting older, rather than right now.
  • Even after having dealt Dwight Howard, the Magic weren't built to lose a ton of games this season, says Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld. Kyler adds that could change if Orlando moves some of its veterans before the trade deadline.
  • The Bobcats have announced that Gerald Henderson will miss two to four weeks with a mid-foot sprain. Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer tweets that it could be worse for Henderson, as there was some concern the foot was fractured. Still, it's a setback for a player who is in a contract year, preparing for restricted free agency next summer.
Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0

Eastern Notes: Magic, Bobcats, Rasheed, Turner

November 3rd, 2012 at 4:40pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Magic will be without Hedo Turkoglu for at least four weeks because of a broken left hand, reports Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel, leaving them thin at small forward. That might suggest a move is in the offing, but as Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld observes, the team’s primary objective is to get better for the future, even if it means sacrificing the present. We’ll detail Kyler’s comments, as well as more from the Eastern Conference, right here.

  • Orlando might not want to make a move at the trade deadline, but Kyler thinks the team has to, believing some of the Magic‘s contracts don’t fit the franchise’s long-term goals. He doesn’t foresee the team signing a major name next summer, either, and expects the front office to take a slow, deliberate approach to rebuilding (All four Twitter links). 
  • Kyler isn’t surprised the Bobcats passed on a rookie-scale extension for Gerald Henderson this week, saying the team prefers to keep the salary cap space open for free agents (Twitter link).
  • Rasheed Wallace, with the Knicks on a non-guaranteed minimum-salary deal, said he’s OK with being the last man off the bench, notes Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com. “Oh yeah, I accept my Brian Scalabrine role,” Wallace said. “I’m cool with it.” 
  • Former No. 2 overall draft pick Evan Turner will be eligible for a rookie-scale extension next summer, but he must work on his jumper if he hopes of receiving a deal similar to the extension the Sixers gave teammate Jrue Holiday this week, writes Tom Moore of PhillyBurbs.com.
Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0

Kyler On Harden, Jennings, Holiday, Rockets

October 30th, 2012 at 10:50am CST by Luke Adams

Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld shared a few updates on extension-eligible players in his NBA AM column this morning, and also tweeted a few notes about the Rockets' options in free agency next summer. Let's dive right in and round up the highlights….

  • James Harden and the Rockets will almost certainly reach an agreement on a five-year extension today or tomorrow. It's just a matter of whether it will be for the true max or slightly below that.
  • If Tyreke Evans, who won't be extended this week, struggles early in the season, he could become a trade candidate for the Kings.
  • According to Kyler, Brandon Jennings' camp is seeking an extension worth $9-10MM annually, which the Bucks aren't interested in. Those numbers are a little surprising to me — I'd think the Bucks wouldn't mind a deal in that neighborhood, while Jennings would be seeking something closer to the max.
  • The Sixers and Jrue Holiday don't appear headed for an extension this week. Kyler says Philadelphia's offer was worth about $8-9MM annually.
  • The "broad strokes" are there for an agreement between Ty Lawson and the Nuggets. Now it's just a matter of working out the final value of the contract.
  • The odds of Taj Gibson and the Bulls reaching an extension agreement today or tomorrow are about 50/50 at best.
  • The Hawks have told Jeff Teague that he's still part of their long-term plans, but the team wants to maintain flexibility next summer, so he won't be extended now. The Bobcats have a similar stance with Gerald Henderson and Byron Mullens.
  • In a series of tweets, Kyler says the Rockets are unlikely to be serious players for Josh Smith in free agency next summer, unless they trade for him. The fifth year that the team holding Smith's Bird Rights will be able to offer could be a dealbreaker, according to Kyler, who adds that the forward appears happy with the Hawks for now.
  • Kyler expects the Rockets to take a similar approach to what they did this past offseason, pursuing restricted free agents and perhaps making a poison pill offer or two. Paul Millsap could also be a potential target, says Kyler (Twitter links).
Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0

Eastern Notes: Henderson, Sixers, Belinelli

October 23rd, 2012 at 10:05pm CST by Chuck Myron

We looked at news from around the Western Conference this morning, and now it's time for the East, where seven lottery teams will look to make their first playoff appearance in awhile this season. The same eight teams made the Eastern Conference playoffs in 2011 and 2012, but at least one of them will have trouble holding onto its spot this year, as the Magic are in full rebuilding mode after the departure of Dwight Howard. Here's the latest on some of the teams trying to take their place, and others hoping they don't follow the Magic's descent.

Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0

Stein On Extension Candidates, Boozer, Paul

October 17th, 2012 at 11:43am CST by Luke Adams

Earlier this week, TNT's David Aldridge shared the latest rumors and rumblings he'd heard about this year's fourth-year extension candidates. ESPN.com's Marc Stein follows suit today, and while much of what he's hearing is along the same lines as Aldridge's updates, there's still enough new info that it's worth rounding up the highlights….

  • Despite chairman Jerry Reinsdorf's apparent aversion to early extensions, it's still likely that the Bulls and Taj Gibson work something out this month, and that the team will eventually release Carlos Boozer using the amensty clause.
  • An extension for Ty Lawson remains more a question of "when" than "if," sources tells Stein.
  • The Raptors seem to "want to be wowed" by DeMar DeRozan in the 2012/13 season before committing to him long-term.
  • The Bobcats aren't expected to lock Gerald Henderson up to an extension unless the terms are very team-friendly.
  • Although the Hawks like Jeff Teague, they'll likely hold off on committing future cap space to a point guard until they're 100% sure they can't lure Chris Paul to Atlanta.
  • Extensions for Darren Collison and Rodrigue Beaubois can safely be ruled out as the Mavericks attempt to preserve next summer's cap room.
  • Stein also believes Stephen Curry and James Harden are likely to be extended, and that a new deal for Jrue Holiday is possible. However, he classifies the rest of this offseason's extension candidates as unlikely to receive long-term contracts by Halloween.
Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0

Bobcats To Explore Extension For Henderson

October 3rd, 2012 at 8:50am CST by Luke Adams

Although players like James Harden, Stephen Curry, and Ty Lawson have been cited more frequently as extension candidates this offseason, one 2009 first-rounder also eligible for a new long-term deal is the Bobcats' Gerald Henderson. And a team source tells Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer that the Bobcats figure to explore an extension for Henderson before the October 31st deadline.

Bonnell cautions that if history is any indication, the Bobcats are more likely to let their first-round picks become restricted free agents rather than locking them up in advance of free agency. Charlotte may prefer to simply let the season play out and make Henderson a qualifying offer next summer, likely worth about $4.27MM.

As Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors wrote when he examined Henderson as a potential extension candidate in August, the Bobcats had trouble convincing free agents like Carl Landry and Antawn Jamison to sign in Charlotte this summer. If free agents continue to shy away from Charlotte, the team's best approach may involve locking up its own players, particularly one like Henderson, who has shown consistent improvement over his first three seasons and is still just 24 years old.

Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0

Extension Candidate: Gerald Henderson

August 25th, 2012 at 3:17pm CST by Chuck Myron

It's tempting to write off everyone from the woeful 2011/12 Bobcats as unable to contribute to a winning NBA team, but at least a few of the players from the NBA's all-time worst outfit have futures in the league. There are no superstars in this bunch, but the team might want to hang on to Gerald Henderson, the team's leading scorer last year at 15.1 points per game. The 12th overall pick from 2009 has shown consistent improvement in his three years in the league, and for a team that found it difficult to attract even middle-tier free agents like Carl Landry and Antawn Jamison this offseason, developing and retaining its lottery picks must be a priority.

Henderson came to the Bobcats with a sterling basketball pedigree, having played three seasons at Duke after learning the game from his father, 13-year NBA veteran Gerald Henderson Sr. He saw limited run in his rookie season, and spent 2010/11 as a part-time starter before landing in the starting lineup for all 55 games in which he appeared last season. His increasing role led to healthy jumps in his scoring average the past two seasons, but he's backed that up with improvements in his shooting percentage, which he lifted from 35.6% in his rookie year to 45.9% last season, and true shooting percentage, up from 45.3% his first go-around to 51.1% in 2011/12. His PER has gone up in each successive season as well, from 9.7 as a rookie to 14.0 last year. Henderson isn't an effective distributor, averaging 2.3 assists and 1.8 turnovers last season, and his per-36-minute rebounding numbers have declined two years in a row. That's not too disconcerting, since wing players aren't often tasked with heavy rebounding or assist-making duties, but his outside shooting is cause for greater worry. He made just 23.4% of his three-point attempts last year, and that was a career high. Teaming him with fellow lottery picks Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, neither of whom is an outside shooting threat, might prove difficult.

The Bobcats will surely give Kidd-Gilchrist, the No. 2 pick in this year's draft, every chance to prove he can hold down the starting small forward spot in Charlotte. Walker likely has a future with the team as well, but at 6'1", he'll probably have to prove he can handle the point guard position to become a full-time starter. Point guard Ramon Sessions is around for this season and next at $5MM a year, and 6'7" Jeffery Taylor, the first pick of the second round this past June, will be in the mix among wing players as well. The team has options when it comes to outside players, but Henderson looks like the best bet at two-guard. Shooting aside, his blossoming scoring punch complements Kidd-Gilchrist's defensively oriented game, and new coach Mike Dunlap's up-tempo attack could allow Henderson's athleticism to flourish. The Bobcats figure to be a lottery team for a while, so they could always look for another two-guard in the draft, but early returns on the next two draft classes don't offer much hope.

Henderson certainly isn't going to see anything close to a maximum extension, but the Bobcats might be wise to offer something in the neighborhood of $5MM a year for three or four seasons before the October 31st deadline. That would be roughly the equivalent of the mid-level exception and the annual salary of Sessions, Charlotte's lone veteran free agent signing this summer. Locking up the 24-year-old Henderson would be like signing a middle-tier free agent, but with more upside. Henderson could be in line for more money as a restricted free agent next summer if his improvement continues, but it probably wouldn't be too much more. Long-term security has its own value, particulary for a player who's started only 85 NBA games.

Retweet 0 Share 0 Send via email0