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And-Ones: Collins, Dumars, Farmar, Thomas

April 14th, 2014 at 9:26pm CST by Zachary Links

Sources identified a long list of potential NBA GM candidates to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders.  Doug Collins, Mavs director of player personnel Tony Ronzone, Blazers director of college scouting Chad Buchanan, Bucks assistant GM David Morway, Nets assistant GM Bobby Marks, Knicks director of pro personnel Mark Hughes, Wizards director of player personnel Frank Ross, Pacers director of scouting Ryan Carr, Heat assistant GM Adam Simon, Magic assistant GM Matt Lloyd, Jazz assistant GM Justin Zanik, and Rockets executive VP of basketball ops Gersson Rosas all earned mentions.  Here’s tonight’s look around the Association..

  • The Kings have recalled Willie Reed from the Reno Bighorns, according to Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee (on Twitter).   The Bighorns were eliminated from the D-League playoffs on Sunday.
  • Some people familiar with Pistons exec Joe Dumars expect him to take some time off before pursuing another top executive role, according to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.
  • Jordan Farmar reiterated his interest in re-signing with the Lakers following the club’s 102-90 loss yesterday to the Grizzlies, writes Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News.  “Of course, I’d be a Laker,” Farmar said. “And if I was [General Manager] Mitch [Kupchak], I would sign me.”  The guard averaged 10.3 points and 4.8 assists despite playing in only 39 games this season due to injury.
  • The Bulls tried to lure Kurt Thomas to Chicago, but Marc Stein of ESPN.com hears that the big man considers himself retired.
  • The T’Wolves never had interest in putting in a waiver claim for Greg Smith, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN.  Smith landed with the Bulls earlier today.
  • Who will be the biggest name traded this offseason?  The Basketball Insiders staff held a mini-debate and the names of Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Love, and Rajon Rondo all came up in conversation.

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

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Lakers, Jordan Farmar Have Mutual Interest

April 7th, 2014 at 1:21pm CST by Chuck Myron

Jordan Farmar wants to re-sign with the Lakers when he becomes a free agent this summer, and the Lakers would like to accommodate him, reports Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. A reunion isn’t a slam-dunk, Medina cautions, writing that much depends on other players the Lakers target and the offers that the Southern California native receives on the market. Still, the Tony Dutt client tells Medina that he’s optimistic about his chances to remain with the Lakers for years to come.

Farmar could have earned a combined $10MM for this season and next had he remained under contract with a Turkish team last summer, but he says he doesn’t regret his decision to leave that club and instead sign with the Lakers for the minimum salary, Medina notes. The point guard inked a three-year, $12MM deal with the Nets in 2010, but it’s doubtful he’d approach such numbers this time around after missing half of this season with two left hamstring tears and a strained right groin. Farmar is averaging 10.4 points, 4.7 assists and 2.2 turnovers in 21.9 minutes per contest.

The 27-year-old felt constrained in Phil Jackson‘s offense in his first stint with the Lakers from 2006 to 2010, and he’s a fan of embattled coach Mike D’Antoni‘s go-go attack, Medina writes. Farmar is one of 10 Lakers with expiring contracts, so there figures to be plenty of shuffling this summer for GM Mitch Kupchak and company. The Lakers can clear significant cap space, but if they use it up, they have Farmar’s Non-Bird rights, allowing them to exceed the cap with a deal worth 120% of his salary this season, slightly more than he’d make on a minimum-salary contract next year. He doesn’t appear to be one of the team’s first offseason priorities, but it looks like the Lakers wouldn’t mind bringing him back if the opportunity presents itself.

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L.A. Notes: Jackson, Bryant, Howard

March 15th, 2014 at 10:11am CST by Cray Allred

One effect of the Phil Jackson signing in New York has been some fallout on the other coast. Jackson’s estrangement from the Lakers organization he guided to five championships will be permanent, at least professionally, for another five years. As we learned yesterday, the Lakers did have interest in bringing Jackson back to their front office, but weren’t willing to offer the kind of control he could obtain in New York. Here’s more from Los Angeles:

  • Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com details how the Lakers ownership structure made the potential to bring in Jackson a virtual impossibility. Former owner Jerry Buss intentionally handed the franchise over to be shared between his six children, preferring for the family to stay at the forefront instead of giving the keys to a basketball legend like Jackson or Jerry West.
  • Shelburne says the Buss family considered a return from Jackson for several months leading up to his signing with the Knicks.
  • Mike D’Antoni, who won the Lakers coaching job over Jackson last season, told reporters including Mike Bresnahan of The Los Angeles Times that the signing is a good move for the Knicks.
  • D’Antoni, who often hears “We want Phil!” chants from the home crowd when the Lakers struggle, added that he feels no relief over his job now that Jackson is signed elsewhere. 
  • Sam Amick of USA Today says that the Lakers decision to let Jackson go to New York without a fight shows that Kobe Bryant has lost his clout with L.A. brass. Bryant recently spoke openly about his disappointment at missing out on Jackson’s return to the league for a second time.
  • Pau Gasol and Jordan Farmar think that Jackson will do a great job in New York, per Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Daily News.
  • Steve Nash told Bill Simmons of Grantland on a recent podcast he knew Dwight Howard wouldn’t work out with the Lakers early on last season (transcription via Sean Highkin of USA Today). “I think everyone could see it was going to be tough from the start. As the season went on, I think Dwight didn’t hide the fact that he didn’t like it,” Nash said.
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Los Angeles Notes: Bazemore, Jackson, Gasol

March 11th, 2014 at 7:45pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Kent Bazemore played sparingly during his stint on the Warriors, averaging 4.4 MPG as a rookie in 2012/13 and 6.1 MPG in 44 games this season. After being dealt to the Lakers a few weeks ago, the 24-year-old guard is now seeing 29.8 MPG and has made quite an impression thus far. With 14.6 PPG on 45.9% shooting overall and 40.4% from long distance over his last 10 games, Bazemore may not only resemble a potential piece for L.A.’s future, but a possible free agency target for other teams as well.

With that being said, Bazemore wants to remain with the Lakers long-term, and his camp is confident that if he continues to play as he has so far for the team, L.A. will tender a qualifying offer to make him a restricted free agent this summer, writes Jeff Caplan of NBA.com.

Here’s more out of Los Angeles this evening:

  • Phil Jackson has been recently linked to a few front office opportunities around the league, and despite his lack of experience as an executive, the Lakers – with a dire need for stability and direction – can ill afford to let him get away again, opines Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times.
  • Though Pau Gasol‘s frustration for most of this season implies an infinitesimal chance that he re-ups with the purple and gold beyond this year, it could still be mutually beneficial for Gasol and the team if he were to return, explains Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report. One idea involves re-signing the Spanish big man to a gargantuan one-year deal for next season, which would allow L.A. to eventually clear Gasol and Steve Nash‘s contracts at the same time and thus have ample cap space for 2015.
  • In the above piece, Bucher also shares a list of players who Kobe Bryant said he envisions returning after this season, including Jordan Hill, Chris Kaman, Jordan Farmar, and Wesley Johnson.
  • During a recent interview with Kustoo.com, Bryant admitted that he has been frustrated with the slow recovery process from his knee injury (hat tip to Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times): “It’s progressing slowly. It really tests my patience…There’s only so much you can do, so I find myself relegated to riding the bike.”
  • Former Clippers swingman Sasha Vujacic has signed on with basketball agency Interperformances, according to Sportando (Twitter link).

Chuck Myron contributed to this post. 

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Western Notes: Farmar, Lakers, Pelicans, Spurs

December 2nd, 2013 at 3:48pm CST by Luke Adams

Let’s round up a few afternoon updates from around the Western Conference….

  • Jordan Farmar was diagnosed with a torn left hamstring today and is expected to be sidelined for about four weeks, according to the Lakers. Steve Nash is on the mend, but if Nash misses more time, the Lakers will be very shorthanded at the point, perhaps necessitating a roster move.
  • Another team that finds itself shorthanded is the Pelicans, who will be without Anthony Davis for the next few weeks. As Grantland’s Zach Lowe writes, New Orleans is in trouble and almost certainly headed for the lottery if Davis misses significant time. With a full 15-man roster and no obvious help available via free agency or trades, the Pelicans may have to make do with their current roster while Davis recovers.
  • A day after assigning them to the Austin Toros, the Spurs have recalled Aron Baynes and Nando De Colo from the D-League, the team announced today. The duo combined for 53 points, 18 rebounds, and 13 assists in the Toros’ win over the Delaware 87ers last night.
  • Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman passes along a handful of interesting quotes from Thunder GM Sam Presti on the evolving identity of the Oklahoma City franchise.
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Pacific Links: Granger, Lakers, Nunnally, Kings

October 4th, 2013 at 9:52pm CST by Chuck Myron

Kings team president Chris Granger had been a candidate to succeed Adam Silver as NBA deputy commissioner before he accepted the Sacramento job this summer, Kings owner Vivek Ranadive revealed, reports Dale Kasler of The Sacramento Bee. Granger told a gathering of Sacramento business leaders that the city's longstanding support of the Kings weighed heavily on the league as it debated letting the club leave for Seattle. There's more from the Kings among the latest from the Pacific Division:

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Western Notes: Odom, Kevin Martin, Adelman

July 20th, 2013 at 8:18pm CST by Ryan Raroque
ESPN LA's Arash Markazi (via Twitter) wonders who will sign with the Clippers next, noting that Lamar Odom is still on the team's radar. A week ago, we noted that the team had maintained interest in both Odom and Antawn Jamison and were taking their time to determine who would be the better fit. As for other potential suitors, we've heard of the Lakers' interest in the 6'10 combo forward earlier this month. You can find several of tonight's notable Western Conference links below:  
  • After spending a season in Oklahoma City, Kevin Martin believes he can bring a "championship tone" to the Timberwolves' locker room next season, writes Alex M. Smith of the Pioneer Press. 
  • When asked if he was convinced that coach Rick Adelman would be returning to the sidelines in Minnesota, Martin replied "that's the story I've heard" (Yahoo's Marc J. Spears tweets). 
  • Moments after his press conference in Los Angeles, Jordan Farmar sat down with Mike Trudell of Lakers.com to discuss his return to the team that drafted him, how he's progressed since he's been overseas, and what he brings to the table now.
  • Ty Lawson spoke with Hoopsworld about the Nuggets' offseason changes, giving his thoughts on the team's young players, how he'll fit with new head coach Brian Shaw, and what his expectations are for next season (video link). 
  • Pelicans guard Eric Gordon briefly talked to Hoopsworld about how he sees himself fitting next to Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans, saying that it's "all about getting the chemistry down" (video link). 
  • Doug Robinson of the Deseret News discusses how the Jazz franchise has been able to keep leaks and rumor mill discussions to a minimum. 
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Odds & Ends: Evans, Lakers, Miller, Magic

July 18th, 2013 at 3:23pm CST by Luke Adams

Maurice Evans didn't latch on with an NBA team during the 2012/13 season, and hasn't appeared in an NBA game since he played for the Wizards in April 2012. Nonetheless, the veteran wing isn't about to call it a career just yet. Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com tweets that Evans hasn't retired, is healthy, and is talking to a few teams in Europe. It doesn't appear anything is finalized, though Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld tweets that Evans is "set to sign" with a club overseas. As we wait to see where the 34-year-old lands, let's round up a few more odds and ends from around the league:

  • The Lakers paid $500K to Jordan Farmar's former team in Turkey to buy him out of his contract, according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter).
  • Mike Miller calls a reunion with the Grizzlies a "definite possibility" if he clears waivers, tweets Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
  • After reaching deals with Ronnie Price and Jason Maxiell, the Magic are done with free agent signings for this offseason, says Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel (via Twitter).
  • Breaking down some comments made by Paul George on ESPN Radio, Matt Moore of CBSSports.com writes that the Pacers shouldn't have to worry about the Lakers making a play for George anytime soon, but that it may be an issue that resurfaces in a few years.
  • Bob Sansevere of the St. Paul Pioneer Press spoke to Timberwolves president Flip Saunders about how the roster is coming together, and his expectations for the coming season.
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Lakers Sign Jordan Farmar

July 17th, 2013 at 7:55pm CST by Luke Adams

JULY 17TH, 7:55pm: The Lakers have officially announced the signing.

JULY 15TH, 4:27pm: The Lakers are "close" to a buyout with Farmar's former club, a source tells Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News (via Twitter).

JULY 10TH, 8:52pm: Farmar is still on track to join the Lakers, but his buyout with Anadolu Efes is still not complete, according to Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register (on Twitter).

7:28am: Although Dwight Howard left guaranteed salary on the table to leave Los Angeles, at least one player is willing to give up money to come back to L.A. According to Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com, the Lakers have agreed to terms with Jordan Farmar on a one-year deal worth the minimum salary.

After being bought out by the Hawks a year ago, Farmar signed a three-year contract with Turkey's Anadolu Efes worth a reported $10MM+. The 26-year-old will earn about $1.1MM with the Lakers after the team negotiates his buyout with Anadolu Efes, a figure that McMenamin says will be around $500K.

"They knew about my deal overseas and really didn't push it earlier because they didn't think I'd be willing to give up that guaranteed money I had over there," Farmar told McMenamin. "I wanted to be back in the NBA, but more importantly, back with the Lakers. This is the only situation I would have taken a minimum deal with."

The Tony Dutt client spent the first four years of his NBA career with the Lakers before joining the Nets for a pair of seasons. Overall, Farmer has averaged 7.7 PPG and a 13.3 PER in 413 NBA contests. We first heard back on the opening day of free agency that there was mutual interest between him and the Lakers.

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Lakers Rumors: Farmar, Garcia, Young, D12

July 1st, 2013 at 12:30am CST by Luke Adams

We rounded up a few Lakers notes earlier tonight, but now that free agency has begun, there are plenty more updates out of Lakerland. Here's the latest:

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