Kenyon Martin Sr. Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Grizzlies Acquire Dexter Pittman From Heat

February 21st, 2013 at 2:54pm CST by Luke Adams

2:54pm: The Heat have confirmed in a press release that they've sent Pittman to Memphis. The Grizzlies also received cash considerations from the Heat, according to the release.

12:48pm: The Grizzlies and Heat have agreed to a deal that will send Dexter Pittman and a second-round pick to Memphis, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com reports that the Heat will acquire the rights to Ricky Sanchez, who is currently playing in Argentina, in the trade (Twitter link). Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal first reported that the two sides were in serious talks about a swap.

For the Grizzlies, Pittman represents another piece of frontcourt depth off the bench. Memphis had been carrying just 12 players, and would have been required to add a 13th man in the very near future had the team not acquired a player via trade today. The team had intended to make use of one of its seven trade exceptions, but likely won't need to do so, since the third-year big man is making the minimum salary of $854,389.

From Miami's perspective, the trade allows the club to open a roster spot for a potential free agent addition later in the season. According to Windhorst (via Twitter), the Heat have kept in touch with Kenyon Martin, but will likely wait until March to explore all their options.

Moving Pittman also reduces the Heat's tax bill slightly, and the cost to do so wasn't exactly exorbitant — Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports reports (via Twitter) that the second-rounder is Miami's 2013 pick, which is currently projected to be 59th overall, as our projected draft order indicates.

I would assume that Sanchez, who was drafted by the Trail Blazers in 2005, will never see the floor for the Heat. The Grizzlies simply had to include a piece in the deal so that they weren't acquiring Pittman and a pick for nothing. Miami will also obtain a trade exception worth $854,389 (Pittman's salary) in the move.

Knicks Rumors: Deadline, Amundson, Redick

February 21st, 2013 at 8:42am CST by Luke Adams

The Knicks' front office typically doesn't talk to the media too often, which leaves coach Mike Woodson to discuss the team's plans as the trade deadline approaches. And Woodson has been insisting this week that a deal isn't likely for the Knicks, who the head coach believes can beat the Heat with the current roster. Here's the latest out of New York from Marc Berman of the New York Post:

One source to Berman, on the Knicks' deadline plans: "They’re not even waiting on anything. It’s pretty safe to say they’re not making a deal."
The Knicks are more likely to sign a free agent after they wait to see which players receive buyouts. Jermaine O'Neal is one possibility there, and the team also continues to monitor current free agent Kenyon Martin.
Contrary to previous reports, Berman says the Knicks have "no interest" in Louis Amundson.
A source shot down a previously-reported rumor that the Knicks could explore trading Iman Shumpert and Amare Stoudemire for Josh Smith. No surprise there, since the idea of the Hawks taking on Stoudemire's contract was always pretty outrageous.
There's also no traction on talks with the Magic involving J.J. Redick, says Berman. The Knicks would have needed to include a third team, and weren't interested in giving up Shumpert anyway.

Knicks Considering Martin, Amundson

February 14th, 2013 at 6:25pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld writes that the Knicks have had internal discussions about possibly going after Kenyon Martin or Louis Amundson. New York's interest stems from concerns about their frontcourt depth as both Rasheed Wallace and Marcus Camby are yet to return from injuries. Although coach Mike Woodson told reporters that Wallace would be available at some point after the All-Star break, there appears to be some doubt about just how effective he'll be. As for Camby, Woodson said that he really doesn't know when the 38-year-old center will return.

With their roster currently at 15, the Knicks would have to release one of their guaranteed contracts or find a way to create a roster spot via trade in order to sign a free agent. Should the team stand pat heading up to the trade deadline, Kennedy thinks that New York will wait and see just how productive Wallace will be once he re-joins the lineup before determining whether or not they will look to sign Martin or Amundson for the remainder of the season.

We've heard that the Lakers and 76ers have also been considering Amundson, whereas Martin doesn't seem to have been drawing much interest outside of New York lately. Kennedy notes that teams will have until April 17, which marks the final day of the regular season, to sign free agents.

Atlantic Rumors: Lowry, Calderon, Knicks, Celtics

January 26th, 2013 at 4:58pm CST by Chuck Myron

Sunday's nationally televised tilt between the Heat and Celtics will mark the return of Ray Allen to Boston, and the erstwhile Celtics guard spoke to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports about the "collection of everything" that led him to sign with Miami. In addition, Allen has told those close to him that he felt he ranked behind Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo on coach Doc Rivers' list of favorites, as Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News shares. Rivers is nonetheless calling for Boston fans to cheer Allen when he's introduced, but a hostile greeting seems more likely, as LeBron James surmises in Chris Tomasson's report for Fox Sports Florida.

There's more on the Celtics and their Atlantic Division rivals, as we round up here:

Last night Ken Berger of CBSSports.com shared that he's hears the Raptors would prefer to trade Kyle Lowry over Jose Calderon, but according to Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun, the front office is split on which point guard it likes best. Wolstat speculates that a trade that sends both away is more likely than a scenario in which Toronto deals Lowry and keeps Calderon (All Twitter links).
While some members of the Knicks organization were worried several days ago that Rasheed Wallace might miss the season, coach Mike Woodson said that if the team had a playoff game today, Wallace would play, as Newsday's Al Iannazzone observes. That appears to make it less likely the Knicks would sign Kenyon Martin, as their interest in him is reportedly tied to Wallace's ability to return.
While the Celtics' strengthening affinity for J.J. Redick may not be likely to result in a deal, CSNNE.com rounds up opinions on what a trade for the Magic sharpshooter and other moves could do for Boston. The problem isn't a lack of talent, according to CSNNE.com scribe A. Sherrod Blakely, adding that he believes Rivers' job is safe.
Hall of Famer Robert Parish is campaigning for an NBA front-office or coaching job, but isn't expecting a hand from many of his former Celtics teammates, as Stan Grosfeld of the Boston Globe observes.

Beck On Knicks, Melo, Lin, Felton, Lakers

January 25th, 2013 at 6:18pm CST by Sean Highkin

Howard Beck of the New York Times has posted a new mailbag in which he answers reader questions about the New York Knicks and the rest of the NBA. Here are the highlights:

Beck stands by criticsms he made at the time of the Knicks' trade for Carmelo Anthony but admits it has worked out better than he expected.
Many people in and around the NBA are impressed with the Bulls' success this season despite Derrick Rose's absence, writes Beck.
Beck doesn't see Kenyon Martin as a realistic option for the Knicks in the event that the injury to Rasheed Wallace is season-ending, citing his advanced age and the team's abundance of forwards.
Beck doesn't believe the Lakers will move Dwight Howard before the trading deadline, although he doesn't consider it as much a lock that he will re-sign in Los Angeles this summer given the team's struggles.
The decision to let Jeremy Lin go and sign Raymond Felton has worked out for the Knicks despite facing heavy criticism at the time, writes Beck.

Odds & Ends: Kevin Martin, Kenyon Martin, Celtics

January 24th, 2013 at 9:06pm CST by Daniel Seco

With the NBA trading deadline mere weeks away, teams such as the Cavs and Rockets are among those aggressively pursuing ways to make roster upgrades midseason, writes Sam Amico of FOXSportsOhio.com. Let's catch up around the league on the latest whispers, rumors and news…

Thunder veteran Kevin Martin sees himself returning to Oklahoma City next season as he hits free agency this summer, writes Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. "I love playing with this group of guys. The organization is great to me. The community has been great to me. It's the happiest I have been during my NBA career."
Former NBA star Kenyon Martin's looking for a new home, specifically with the Knicks, but roster space and salary demands remain issues unless injured Rasheed Wallace decides to call it a season, says Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter).
Celtics head coach Doc Rivers spoke on ESPN's "Pardon The Interruption" on Wednesday about his outburst after Sunday's game. The good folks at ESPNBoston.com have a partial transcript of the conversation for your perusal.

Knicks Fear Wallace Could Be Out For Season

January 17th, 2013 at 8:36am CST by Luke Adams

THURSDAY, 8:36am: Wallace says he isn't letting a "little sore foot" derail his comeback season, indicating that he doesn't plan to be out for the rest of the year, tweets Marc Berman of the New York Post.

WEDNESDAY, 4:54pm: Rasheed Wallace hasn't appeared in a Knicks game in over a month, and some members of the organization are starting to worry that he'll be out for an extended period of time, if not the season, according to Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com.

Wallace, 38, is sidelined with what the Knicks are calling a "stress reaction" in his left foot. While Mike Woodson previously expressed optimism that the big man could start running this week, the Knicks coach told reporters in London that it'll be a little longer before that happens.

With the Knicks in a holding pattern while they wait for Wallace to get healthy, some members of the organization want to immediately pursue a replacement, according to Begley, who notes that Kenyon Martin has been discussed internally. Other members of the Knicks, such as Woodson, would rather give Wallace more time to heal and see if he's able to return to the court.

Because Wallace's and Chris Copeland's contracts became guaranteed last week, the Knicks now have 15 guaranteed deals on their roster. So if New York were to sign a free agent, the team would have to cut someone, likely Wallace, and eat his salary.

Eastern Notes: Cavaliers, Martin, Carlesimo

January 12th, 2013 at 10:17pm CST by Michael Pina

The Plain Dealer's Mary Schmitt Boyer answers e-mails from readers, most of them pertaining to possible Cavaliers trade chips like Anderson Varejao and Tristan Thompson.

Discussions between the Knicks and Kenyon Martin's representative have not progressed, according to a tweet from ESPNNY.com's Jared Zwerling.
The New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy writes about Nets interim head coach P.J. Carlesimo, who has his team back on the right track since taking over for the fired Avery Johnson.

Atlantic Notes: Martin, Knicks, Nets, Brooks

January 12th, 2013 at 10:57am CST by Zachary Links

Yesterday, we learned that the Lakers have lost big man Jordan Hill for the season, leaving many to speculate that they could be interested in the services of Kenyon Martin. However, another signature franchise on the opposite end of the country could beat them to the punch. Here’s more on that and other news out of the Atlantic..

With Marcus Camby and Rasheed Wallace out, it might be time for Knicks to check in on Kenyon Martin or another available power forward/center, tweets Al Iannazzone of Newsday. However, a league source said the Knicks haven’t called about Martin at this point and coach Mike Woodson says they’ll probably stand pat for now. It’s also worth noting that Tyson Chandler is still banged up and Amare Stoudemire is on a minutes limit.
The Nets‘ new-look bench, anchored by standout Andray Blatche, has given the Nets an extra boost during their current hot streak, writes Anthony Sulla-Heffinger of the New York Post. MarShon Brooks has also shined under new head man P.J. Carlisemo, which should silence any trade speculation for the time being. Brooks averaged just 11 minutes per contest under Avery Johnson.
Jared Sullinger may be in his first year with the Celtics, but he is defying the rookie label, writes CSNNE.com’s A. Sherrod Blakely. Sullinger has impressed as of late and will be an even greater asset for Boston if he can stay out of foul trouble.

Hill To Have Surgery, Lakers Considering Martin?

January 11th, 2013 at 10:37pm CST by Sean Highkin

Mike Trudell of Lakers.com reports (via Twitter) that Jordan Hill will need surgery on his hip and is expected to miss the rest of the regular season. This injury does not come at an ideal time for the Lakers, who are also without Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol due to injuries, and are lacking in frontcourt depth.

Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.com speculates that the injury to Hill could lead the Lakers to consider signing Kenyon Martin. Martin has not signed with a team in 2012/13 and last played last season for the Clippers.