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Eastern Notes: Whiteside, Celtics, Young

January 5th, 2015 at 4:07pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The development of Hassan Whiteside this season has given the Heat hope for the future, Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel writes. “He’s learning the game,” Dwyane Wade said. “Every time he steps out there, you can see him getting more comfortable. I think as teammates we are a lot more confident, especially on the defensive end when he’s in. He’s big for us.” Coach Erik Spoelstra credits Whiteside’s growth as a player to the his tireless work ethic, Winderman adds.

Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:

The Celtics have once again recalled James Young from the Maine Red Claws, their D-League affiliate, the team announced in a press release. This was Young’s eighth stint in the D-League this season, and in eight games with Maine he is averaging 22.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.5 steals in 32.6 minutes per contest.
With the trade of Rajon Rondo, the Celtics are now in full rebuilding mode, and one issue that has cropped up is that the team now has 15 players with a legitimate reason to believe they should be playing more, Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald writes. “I think everybody can make a case for having even a bigger role than they have,” president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said. “I guess that’s just part of it. I think they all have responded well, and they’re all playing hard and trying to make a case for themselves.”
It’s possible that the rotation picture will clear up once the February trade deadline passes and the players will feel a better sense of stability, notes Bulpett, but Gerald Wallace has a different take. “But I don’t think so even then because you’ve got a lot of players that are on the last year of their deal,” Wallace said. “So I think once the trade deadline passes, that’s going to probably amp things up more because guys’ lives are at stake, guys’ careers are at stake. They’re on the last year of their deal, and obviously those guys want to be able to play and want to go into the summer in a good position for contract talks. We’ll see.”

D-League Notes: Kuzmic, Johnson, Young

January 3rd, 2015 at 3:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The D-League has become an integral part of the NBA’s process of developing younger players, as well as a source for locating hidden gems to bolster rosters during the course of the season. You can easily stay on top of which players are coming and going from the D-League all season by checking out our 2014/15 D-League Assignments, Recalls tracker, which is updated daily. You can also find this page anytime on the right sidebar under “Hoops Rumors Features.”

Here are the latest D-League moves:

The Warriors have assigned Ognjen Kuzmic to the Santa Cruz Warriors, their D-League affiliate, the team announced in a press release. This will be Kuzmic’s third trip of the season to Santa Cruz.
Toure’ Murry has been recalled by the Jazz from the Idaho Stampede, their D-League affiliate, the team has announced. This was his second assignment to Idaho this season, and in seven D-League games Murry has averaged 13.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists.
The Celtics have assigned James Young to the Maine Red Claws, the team announced. This will be Young’s eighth trip of the season to the D-League.
Nick Johnson has been assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets‘ D-League affiliate, the team has announced (Twitter link). This will be Johnson’s second stint in the D-League of the season.

Celtics Notes: Rondo, Young, Smart

January 1st, 2015 at 6:07pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Rajon Rondo will return to Boston on Friday night, and the veteran was was emotional when discussing the franchise that helped turn him into an NBA star, Mark Murphy of The Boston Herald writes. “That’s where I started. That’s where I got molded,” Rondo said. “That’s where everything happened for me. The best years are still ahead of me, but I was an All-Star four times, won a championship in Boston. I can’t thank the fans enough. Even when we were losing 18 in a row the first year, the fans still showed a lot of support. They came to every game. When I was out on the streets, they didn’t kill me or heckle me. It was always supportive. They’re true fans. They’re not fair-weather fans, when you’re losing, they’re gone. They ride it out and [want you to be] a Celtic for life.”

Here’s more from Boston:

The Celtics announced Thursday that they have recalled guard/forward James Young from the Maine Red Claws, their D-League affiliate. Young is averaging 21.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.7 steals in seven contests with the Red Claws this season.
Brandon Bass disputed the notion that Rondo wanted out of Boston prior to being dealt to the Mavs, Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com writes. “He wanted out? Why would he want out? I don’t think that,” Bass said. “He never told that to me. This is home for him. I thought he would want to finish his career here. I think he’ll finish his career in Dallas now. What better way to start and finish your career?“
Pairing rookie Marcus Smart alongside the newly acquired Jameer Nelson is benefiting both Smart and the Celtics, Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald writes. “When you’re tasked with running the offense and getting people in spots, and playing well yourself, it’s a difficult job,” coach Brad Stevens said. “I think that being able to manage those duties a little bit with a guy like Jameer is helpful. We’ll see how it continues to play itself out, but [Smart is] going to have some ups and downs. I just hope he continues to play hard through them.”

Arthur Hill contributed to this post.

Atlantic Notes: Rondo, Nets, Young

December 31st, 2014 at 2:00pm CST by Chuck Myron

Rajon Rondo will return to Boston as a Celtics opponent for the first time Friday, and he hasn’t quickly forgotten his more than eight seasons in green, as he made clear today to reporters, including Earl K. Sneed of Mavs.com (All Twitter links). Rondo thanked co-owner Wyc Grousbeck and president of basketball operations Danny Ainge for the chance to have been a Celtic, calling the C’s “one of the best franchises in sports history.”

“Hopefully I won’t be too emotional. I’ll try not to cry a little bit,” Rondo said, as Sneed also tweets. “I’m very excited to go back. Those fans are amazing.”

The threat of Rondo’s impending free agency at season’s end surely played into Ainge’s decision to trade him to Dallas, but Rondo’s comments seem to indicate that he was in no hurry to leave Boston. Here’s more from around the Atlantic Division:

The Nets are discussing numerous deals with several teams, but it’s not certain that Brooklyn will trade Deron Williams, Brook Lopez or Joe Johnson, league sources tell Robert Windrem of NetsDaily. A lot of the proposals the Nets are talking about would add to the payroll, at least for the short term, the NetsDaily scribe also hears.
The Celtics have sent James Young to the D-League, the team announced. It’s the seventh D-League assignment of the season already for this year’s No. 17 overall pick.
The Atlantic Division has the worst combined winning percentage of any division in the league, but it boasts two of the 10 underrated offseason acquisitions on Alex Kennedy’s list for Basketball Insiders. Raptors trade steal Lou Williams and Sixers draft find K.J. McDaniels are giving their teams much more than expected.

Celtics Notes: Pierce, Bradley, Young

December 29th, 2014 at 12:14pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Celtics already made one major trade this season, finally parting ways with Rajon Rondo, and they seem ripe for more moves. They’ve reportedly been in talks with the Cavs about three-team trade ideas, and they have as many as 11 extra draft picks coming their way between now and 2018. The C’s also possess veterans like Jeff Green, whose trade candidacy I examined this weekend, and Brandon Bass who appear fit to play key roles for contending teams, so president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has some ammunition at his disposal. While we wait to see if he and the Celtics can launch any fireworks in time for the New Year, here’s the latest from Boston:

Paul Pierce will probably speak with Ainge and Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck this summer about a role with the organization after his playing career is done, as Pierce tells Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald. The 37-year-old, who has a player option worth nearly $5.544MM with the Wizards for next year, didn’t allude to the notion of rejoining the Celtics as a player as he did in March when he indicated that he was open to the idea.
Avery Bradley probably took the news of the Rondo trade the hardest among his teammates, writes Michael Lee of The Washington Post. “Me, personally, I was a little down. We had a relationship with each other. He’s like a brother to me,” Bradley said to Lee about Rondo. “All I could do was wish the best for him and hope that he does well in Dallas. It was hard on us, but that’s part of this game.” Bradley, who re-signed with Boston on a four-year, $32MM contract this summer, is nonetheless confident about the C’s playoff chances this year.
The Celtics have recalled James Young from the D-League, the team announced (on Twitter). This year’s 17th overall pick had 15 points in 32 minutes Sunday for the Maine Red Claws while on his one-day assignment, the sixth time the C’s sent him to the D-League.

D-League Notes: Vonleh, Young, Ledo

December 28th, 2014 at 5:10pm CST by ChrisCrouse

The Hornets have assigned first round pick Noah Vonleh to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the D-League, according to the team’s twitter feed. The ninth overall pick of the 2014 draft will become one of the higher-profile players to play in the D-League. “We believe Noah would benefit greatly from additional game experience,” GM Rich Cho said in a press release. “He will be able to get that playing time through this D-League assignment.” Vonleh has only seen 8.0 minutes per game this season for Charlotte.

Here’s more from the D-League:

The Hornets are assigning Jeffery Taylor to the Austin Spurs for a D-League stint, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter). The team has since confirmed the move in a press release. “As with [Vonleh’s] situation, we think that Jeffery will benefit greatly by getting additional game action,” Cho said in the release. “Our depth at the wing position has limited his minutes and this D-League assignment will allow him to get some valuable playing time.”
The Celtics have assigned James Young to the Maine Red Claws of the D-League, according to the team’s twitter feed. Young has battled a shoulder injury recently and the playing time for the Red Claws should help determine whether his body is ready for significant minutes. Young has only seen action in five games this season for Boston but has been efficient during his time, shooting 62.5% from the field.
The Mavs have recalled Ricky Ledo and Dwight Powell from the Texas Legends, the team announced via press release. Both players saw court time for the Legends during their one game D-League assignment. Ledo nearly recorded a triple-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in 35 minutes of action. Powell was impressive as well, recording 26 points in 38 minutes.
The Hawks have assigned Mike Muscala to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the D-League, the team announced via press release. This will be Muscala’s third assignment to the D-League this season. The second-year center has seen 9.4 minutes per game this season for Atlanta.

Eastern Notes: Aldemir, Young, McDermott

December 12th, 2014 at 10:07pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Sixers‘ potential signing of Furkan Aldemir to a four-year deal was first reported back on November 24th. But since then, there have been numerous issues with getting the agreement finalized. Aldemir’s Turkish club was initially reluctant to let him out of his contract, and once that hurdle was taken care of, Aldemir was then said to be awaiting his FIBA letter of clearance which would allow him to sign with an NBA team. It’s been almost two weeks since there has been any movement on bringing Aldemir to Philly, and Bob Cooney of The Philadelphia Daily News tweets that it still doesn’t look like the signing will be completed anytime soon, if at all.

Here’s more from the East:

Celtics coach Brad Stevens gave an update on James Young, who injured his shoulder during a D-League game earlier this week, Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com reports (Twitter link). Stevens said that Young has a “little bit of muscular damage” in his right shoulder, and will rehab the injury in an attempt to avoid surgery. Young is currently listed as being out indefinitely.
The Bulls have announced in a press release that rookie forward Doug McDermott will have arthroscopic surgery on Saturday to repair damage to his right knee and will be out indefinitely. Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com was the first to report this news (Twitter link). In 17 appearances this season McDermott is averaging 3.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game.
The sale of the Hawks is moving more swiftly than before, as USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt notes. There has been little chatter regarding the sale since late October, when it was still unclear just what percentage of the team would be on the market.

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Atlantic Notes: Knicks, De Colo, Celtics

December 11th, 2014 at 6:10pm CST by Eddie Scarito

It might be time for the Knicks to end any thoughts of rebuilding the franchise around their existing core, and change their focus to completely tearing down their roster instead, Harvey Araton of The New York Times writes. The only thing that should prevent New York from doing so is if it can add a premier free agent next summer to partner with Carmelo Anthony, notes Araton. But team president Phil Jackson had admitted that he worries that this season’s disastrous turn will make New York an unattractive option to potential free agents like Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge, both of whom the Knicks would love to sign, Araton adds.

Here’s more out of the Atlantic Division:

Despite losing their last 10 games, the Knicks‘ biggest concern right now is Anthony’s left knee, Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com writes. According to Anthony, surgery is the last option that he will consider, Begley notes. “I’m not even looking forward to even discussing the surgery or anything like that,” Anthony said. “I’ll explore as many other options as I can before I go under the knife and get surgery. We really don’t know exactly what’s the problem.”
The Celtics have recalled James Young and Dwight Powell from the Maine Red Claws, their D-League Affiliate, the team announced. In Maine’s win over Delaware last night, Powell contributed 19 points and nine rebounds in 23 minutes of action. Young also dropped 19 points, including nailing five three-pointers in seven attempts.
The bad news regarding Young’s latest trip to the D-League is that he injured his shoulder and will be out indefinitely, Julian Edlow of WEEI 93.7 FM reports. “I guess his shoulder subluxed and they’re doing more tests to see the extent of the injury,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. “Those can be very, very short-term things or they can be a little bit longer, but that’s the extent of what I know. He’s getting X-rays right now.”
The Raptors and other NBA teams reached out last summer to express their interest in Nando De Colo, who wanted to re-sign with Toronto, but those clubs were too late, since he’d already committed to sign with CSKA Moscow, David Pick Of Basketball Insiders reports.
The Knicks are unlikely to make any deals that would impact their cap space for next season unless they can acquire All-Star level player, Chad Ford of ESPN.com reports in his weekly chat.

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Atlantic Notes: Raptors, Rondo, Celtics, Knicks

December 9th, 2014 at 11:05am CST by Chuck Myron

Raptors GM Masai Ujiri believes that he should let his team continue to grow, stocked as it is with plenty of young players around 28-year-old Kyle Lowry, as he tells Sportsnet’s Michael Grange. It’s more or less the same stance he’s taken ever since the Rudy Gay trade, which went down one year ago today,

“This is the time to let it sit and play itself out,” Ujiri said to Grange. “It’s not the time to play poker, not now.”

Of course, deception is often the key to a skilled poker player, and the Raptors have reason to act now if they’re going to make a move, since a trade exception worth more than $4.583MM that’s left over from the Gay trade expires at the end of today. Nonetheless, it seems only logical to take Ujiri at his word with the Raptors at 16-5 heading into tonight’s clash with the Cavs. Here’s more from around the Atlantic Division:

Scouts and player personnel officials tell Shaun Powell of NBA.com that Rajon Rondo is no longer the sort of player who can command a blockbuster return in a trade. That’s mostly because of a market flooded with quality point guards, Powell writes, wondering if the Celtics would have received more if they had traded Rondo around the time of this year’s draft.
The Celtics have sent rookies James Young and Dwight Powell to the D-League again, the team announced (Twitter link). It’s the fifth time that each has been on assignment to the Maine Red Claws this season. Young and Powell are the top two scorers for Boston’s D-League affiliate, checking in at 23.3 and 22.3 points per game, respectively.
Phil Jackson is being careful not to step into coach Derek Fisher‘s territory, but closer interaction between the Zen Master and Knicks players couldn’t hurt, opines Marc Berman of the New York Post.

Atlantic Notes: Pierce, Covington, Knicks

December 7th, 2014 at 9:00am CST by Arthur Hill

Paul Pierce will always be a Celtic, no matter what uniform he wears, Clippers coach Doc Rivers told Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post. Pierce will make his first trip to Boston today as a member of the Wizards. He spent last season with the Nets before accepting a $5.3MM offer from the Wizards with a $5.5MM player option for next year. “He’s a Celtic playing for other teams,” said Rivers, who coached Pierce for nine years in Boston. “That’s exactly the way I look at Paul. I’ll never look at him as a Wizard. That’s just not going to happen. He’s just a Celtic playing for the Wizards, and we all know that.”

There’s more from the Atlantic Division:

The Celtics have recalled Dwight Powell and James Young from the D-league, the team announced in a press release. Powell is averaging 22.3 points and 11.0 rebounds in three games with the Maine Red Claws, while Young is averaging 23.3 points and 6.8 rebounds.
The Sixers‘ Robert Covington is seizing the opportunity he has in Philadelphia, writes Max Rappaport of Sixers.com. The second-year forward had 25 points in Detroit Saturday as Philadelphia picked up its second win of the season. Covington signed with the Sixers November 15th after being waived by the Rockets before the season started. “I have my sights set on everything that I want to do to prove that I belong here,” he said. Covington is under the Sixers’ control through the 2017/18 season.
There’s plenty of blame to be shared for the Knicks‘ 4-17 start, opines Al Iannazzone of Newsday. He cites a mediocre roster assembled by team president Phil Jackson, questionable decisions from first-year coach Derek Fisher and a lack of production at the point guard, power forward and center positions.