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Spears On Oden, Kings, Gordon, Ridnour, Bucks

February 19th, 2013 at 12:01pm CST by Luke Adams

In the last pre-trade-deadline installment of his weekly power rankings, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports shares trade nuggets for a good chunk of the NBA's 30 teams. We've already heard many of them, but here are a few of Spears' notes of interest:

  • Agent Mike Conley tells Spears that his client Greg Oden likely won't sign with a team until the offseason. We've heard that the Cavaliers and Bobcats are preparing to make Oden offers after the trade deadline, so if he really waits until the summer to sign, it would strongly suggest to me that he prefers to go to the Heat. Miami can only offer a minimum-salary contract at this point, but would have the mini mid-level exception available again in July.
  • The Kings prefer to let a new ownership group inherit the team as is, so they likely won't make any moves at the deadline.
  • Eric Gordon figures to remain with the Hornets through the deadline, but the club may explore potential trades involving Gordon this summer.
  • A source tells Spears that, contrary to previous reports, the Timberwolves aren't actively shopping Luke Ridnour.
  • The Bucks doubt that they'll move either Brandon Jennings or Monta Ellis this week, even though both players could become free agents in the summer.
  • Mark Cuban would like to make a trade that makes Dirk Nowitzki the Mavericks' second-best player, according to Spears. I have a hard time believing there's a deal out there like that for Dallas.
  • The Pistons are expected to stand pat at the deadline.
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Odds & Ends: Aldridge, George, Oden, Knicks

February 16th, 2013 at 11:15pm CST by Sean Highkin

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

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Oden Leaning Toward Cavs; Heat Out Of Mix?

February 13th, 2013 at 10:53am CST by Luke Adams

WEDNESDAY, 10:53am: Sources tell Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio that Oden appears to be leaning toward the Cavaliers.

MONDAY, 1:58pm: The field of suitors for Greg Oden may have decreased by one, as Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio reports (via Twitter) that the Heat have removed themselves from the running. Miami had been considered one of the frontrunners for Oden, according to a report last month.

On Friday, we heard that the Cavaliers were preparing to make Oden a contract offer after the trade deadline. Amico confirms that report, adding that the Bobcats are also expected to make an offer. While the Cavs have about $4MM in cap space that they could use for their offer, the Bobcats have a pro-rated portion of the $2.5MM mini mid-level exception available.

Although Oden isn't expected to appear on the court until the 2013/14 season, his agent has suggested he may sign a contract this season in order to rehab with an NBA club. If the former first overall pick were to wait until the summer to sign, perhaps the Heat could re-emerge as an option, since they'd have their $3MM taxpayer mid-level exception available at that point. That's just my speculation though — it's not clear if an inability to offer more than the minimum this year is the reason why the Heat are out of the running for Oden.

In addition to the Heat, Cavs and Bobcats, the Celtics, Spurs, Pacers, Hornets, and Mavericks have also been mentioned as potential destinations for Oden.

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Northwest Notes: Jazz, Thunder, Rubio, Williams, Oden

February 9th, 2013 at 9:33pm CST by Sean Highkin

The latest news and notes from around the Northwest Division on Saturday evening:

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Brigham On Humphries, Gordon, Lucas, Oden, Leonard

February 9th, 2013 at 10:02am CST by Sean Highkin

Joel Brigham of HoopsWorld.com has a new column touching on a few trade rumors as well as some other topics from around the NBA on Saturday morning:

  • Brigham writes that the rumored swap of Kris Humphries for Ben Gordon is a move that makes sense for both the Nets and Bobcats, given the needs each player fills on their roster.
  • John Lucas enjoys playing for the Raptors, but he misses the Bulls.
  • Following yesterday's report that the Cavaliers are preparing a multiyear offer for Greg Oden, Brigham writes that they are the frontrunners to land him.
  • Brigham talks to Trail Blazers rookie center Meyers Leonard about his adjustment to the NBA lifestyle and the difference between the college and pro games.
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Cavs Preparing Multiyear Offer For Greg Oden

February 8th, 2013 at 2:06pm CST by Luke Adams

Greg Oden's agent Mike Conley said earlier this week that the odds of his client signing a contract before season's end were decreasing, but it sounds as if at least one team is still interested in making that happen. According to Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal (via Sulia), the Cavaliers are preparing a two-year offer for Oden that would include a third-year team option for 2014/15.

Lloyd reports that the Cavs are waiting until after the trade deadline to make a formal offer to Oden, which makes sense, as the team could still use its cap space for trades. Other potential suitors for the former first overall pick, such as the Heat, could only currently offer a minimum-salary contract, but Cleveland has about $4MM in cap room — if the team doesn't take on salary at the deadline, it could use a portion of that space to offer Oden more than the minimum.

The Cavs' willingness to offer a contract this season could also give them a leg up on rival suitors for Oden. The Heat, rumored to be the other frontrunner for the 25-year-old, officially signed Chris Andersen to a rest-of-season deal today, giving Miami 15 players on guaranteed contracts. The Cavs, like the Heat, have 15 players under contract, but appear open to trading or releasing a player to clear a roster spot. For Miami, waiving a guaranteed contract and aborbing the cap hit would make for a pricier transaction, since the club is well into the luxury tax.

Regardless of when he signs, Oden isn't expected to see the court until 2013/14. If he reaches an agreement with a club before season's end, it will simply allow him to continue his rehab with NBA doctors as he gets adjusted to the team's system. The Celtics, Bobcats, Spurs, Pacers, Hornets, and Mavericks have also been mentioned as potential destinations for the big man.

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Bobcats, Spurs Possibilities For Greg Oden

February 6th, 2013 at 7:19pm CST by Luke Adams

A week after confirming that the Heat and the Cavaliers were both potential fits for his client, agent Mike Conley tells Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida that the Bobcats and Spurs are possibilities for Greg Oden as well.

"I definitely can see both of those teams (as possibilities)," Conley said. "San Antonio has an aging front line with [Tim] Duncan, and with Duncan and the Admiral (David Robinson, who still lives in San Antonio), he would have some great mentors…. Charlotte, they are rebuilding. They would be in a better position to take more of a risk."

While Miami and Cleveland were reported as the frontrunners for Oden, those teams were never considered the only two possible destinations. The Celtics have met with the former first overall pick, and a handful of other teams, including the Mavericks, are said to have interest. Conley suggests to Tomasson that about seven or eight teams are in the mix for the former Ohio State star, a number he expects will continue to grow.

Despite the seemingly strong market for Oden, the chances of him signing a contract before season's end are decreasing, according to Conley, who figures teams will want to thoroughly explore his client's medical records. Oden was always eyeing a return to the court in 2013/14, but had been considering signing this season in order to rehab with an NBA team.

"A few weeks ago, I’d probably have said it was 80%," Conley said of Oden signing with a team this season. "Now, I’d say it’s 50-50."

As for teams who won't be in the running for Oden, Conley suggests that he doesn't see the Magic as a fit, and also tells Tomasson that the Lakers and Knicks haven't expressed any interest.

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Celtics Meet With Greg Oden

February 2nd, 2013 at 2:52pm CST by Chuck Myron

We heard a couple of weeks ago that the Celtics were keeping an eye on former No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden, and today the oft-injured center met with team officials, tweets A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com. The meeting took place in Waltham, Mass., the site of the C's practice facility. Though the Celtics could use some healthy bodies with Rajon Rondo and Jared Sullinger out for the season, Oden isn't looking to return until 2013/14. Celtics basketball president Danny Ainge told Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald that nothing is imminent. 

"We're just finding out as much as we can and letting Greg know what we have here," Ainge said. "He's not ready to play now, but he's someone who's very interesting."

Ainge said he wanted to ask Oden about his physical condition, and refuted a report that the 7-footer wasn't interest in the Celtics, pointing to the meeting as proof. The Heat and Cavs have been the frontrunners for Oden's services, but he's been linked to several other teams, including the Pacers, Hornets, Bobcats, Spurs and Mavericks. The Wolves are the only team that appears to be definitely out on Oden.

The Celtics have the minimum 13 players on their roster, but Ainge has said he'll fill the two available spots before the trade deadline. Boston could use a prorated portion of its $1.957MM biannual exception to exceed the minimum salary on a two-year deal. Signing Oden wouldn't help them lock down the final playoff spot this year, but it could give them a boost once Rondo and Sullinger return for next season. Still, it remains to be seen just how much Oden can give any team at this point, and even when healthy, he hasn't been particularly productive. He's averaged 9.4 points and 7.3 rebounds in 22.1 minutes per game in 82 NBA contests, the last of which came on December 5th, 2009. 

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Wolves Rumors: Rubio, Love, Pekovic, Amundson

February 1st, 2013 at 4:09pm CST by Luke Adams

On Wednesday, when the Raptors and Grizzlies were on their way to finalizing the Rudy Gay deal, the Pistons, Celtics, and Mavericks were all mentioned as the potential third team involved, with Detroit eventually helping to facilitate the trade. According to Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN.com, the Timberwolves were never in the mix as the potential third team in the trade, but the Hawks were in play. Here's more from Wolfson on the T-Wolves:

  • While club president David Kahn recently called Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love "untouchable" in trade talks, he didn't say the same about Nikola Pekovic, though he said he hopes the big man is "part of us for many years to come."
  • According to Wolfson, there's still a difference of opinion in the front office about whether Pekovic is worth a big, long-term deal. Still, he's likely not going anywhere this month — Wolfson says that if a trade comes, it's more likely to be a sign-and-trade deal over the summer.
  • Minnesota doesn't have interest in trying to trade for Josh Smith, and also hasn't inquired on Greg Oden yet.
  • Wolfson hears from multiple sources that Andrea Bargnani is an unlikely fit for the T-Wolves. While one source "scoffed" at the idea, another didn't rule it out entirely, says Wolfson.
  • The Knicks and Sixers are believed to have some interest in Louis Amundson, who is expected to be the odd man out once the Wolves lose their ability to carry 16 players. This is my speculation, but I'd imagine both teams would be more inclined to wait for the Wolves to waive him, rather than giving up any real assets in a trade.
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Odds & Ends: Hudson, Garnett, Heat, Bulls

February 1st, 2013 at 12:11pm CST by Luke Adams

Ex-NBA veteran Troy Hudson has officially ended his playing career, Sioux Falls Skyforce president Mike Heineman announced on Thursday (link via Terry Vandrovec of the Argus Leader). While Hudson hasn't appeared in the NBA since the 2007/08 season, he started this year with the D-League's Skyforce. In 517 career NBA games for five teams, the 6'1" guard averaged 9.0 PPG and 3.4 APG.

Here are a few more Friday odds and ends from around the league:

  • Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game clarifies (via Sulia) that his report earlier this week on Kevin Garnett simply meant to convey that trade interest in Garnett may not be as strong as expected, since rival general managers aren't convinced he'll play out his contract. Bucher also notes that while those GMs don't expect KG to finish his contract, that doesn't mean they expect him to retire this summer.
  • In his latest mailbag, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel discusses the Heat's trade options and the team's signing of Jarvis Varnado to a rest-of-season contract.
  • Sam Smith of Bulls.com has his own mailbag up, which includes his thoughts on the Bulls' potential interest in Greg Oden and the possibility of the team re-signing Nate Robinson this summer.
  • Yannis Koutroupis of HoopsWorld takes a look at which players may be on the move next.
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