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L.A. Notes: D’Antoni, Lakers, Barnes

March 7th, 2014 at 9:11pm CST by Cray Allred

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak met separately with both coach Mike D’Antoni and vice president of player personnel Jim Buss to discuss the state of the team following their embarrassing loss to the Clippers on Thursday night, a team source tells Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com. The front office still desires to stick with D’Antoni and see how the team responds going forward, says Shelburne. D’Antoni’s job has appeared safe all season, although Shelburne earlier divulged that his status beyond next season, when his contract expires, is on shaky ground. We’ll see if chatter surrounding his job increases as the offseason approaches. Here’s more from Los Angeles:

D’Antoni said the meeting in question wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, per Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com (Twitter link).
Ben Bolch of The Los Angeles Times says it makes no sense for the Lakers to part with D’Antoni before his contract expires after next year. Bolch argues that the Lakers should ride out another lackluster season and rethink their coaching situation in 2015, when they stand a better chance of landing a difference-maker in free agency to complement their upcoming draft selection.
In a 5-on-5 post for ESPN, J.A. Adande, Chris Broussard, Israel Gutierrez, Marc Stein, and Ethan Sherwood Strauss all think the Lakers should target 2015 as the best opportunity to reload for title contention, not this summer.
Jabari Davis of Basketball Insiders takes a look at the Lakers options regarding Steve Nash and the stretch provision, pointing out that the team has the freedom to make their decision after the free agency dominoes have fallen in 2014. If the Lakers don’t end up in need of cap space for next season, it may be more prudent to keep Nash and absorb his contract rather than waiving him and extending the salary hit into 2015.
Matt Barnes was in a few trade rumors last month, but he remained with the Clippers through the deadline and has been playing remarkably well ever since. Barnes is intent on staying with the team and Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times wonders if the 11th-year forward is trying to prove a point to the Clippers front office.

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Los Angeles Notes: Shumpert, Gasol, Lakers

February 20th, 2014 at 5:25pm CST by Zachary Links

The Knicks and the Clippers went back and forth on a deal involving Iman Shumpert, but ultimately they couldn’t come to an agreement. The final discussion between the two clubs was a deal that would have sent Darren Collison, Willie Green, and Matt Barnes to New York for Shumpert and Raymond Felton, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. Meanwhile, Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com hears that it was the Clippers and not the Knicks who backed out of the swap (Twitter link). More from L.A…

Lakers big man Pau Gasol is “pretty confident” there will be desirable offers after the season when he’s a free agent, tweets Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report. Gasol added that he’s not holding any grudges against the Lakers over being in trade rumors, tweets Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.
Gasol says that he wanted to stay with the Lakers, so he’s happy to have seen the trade deadline come and go, tweets Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak said that a major factor in the Steve Blake trade was freeing up playing time to evaluate Jordan Farmar and Kendall Marshall, McMenamin tweets.

Clippers, Knicks In Serious Talks On Shumpert

February 20th, 2014 at 2:04pm CST by Chuck Myron

2:04pm: There will be no deal between the Knicks and Clippers, Wojnarowski tweets.

1:54pm: The Clippers and Knicks are engaging in “serious discussions” once more, according to Stein (Twitter link).

1:47pm: As of last night, the proposed deal between the Clips and Knicks was Darren Collison and Matt Barnes for Raymond Felton and Shumpert, Stein tweets.

1:41pm: The Clippers are having some last minute discussions on whether they should say yes or no to a deal for Shumpert, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN.com.

1:35pm: Shumpert’s MRI has revealed no tears in his left knee, only a mildly sprained MCL, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. He could miss two weeks, but that’s a whole lot better than what it could have been.

12:27pm: Shumpert to the Thunder isn’t likely, even if his MCL isn’t torn, Broussard tweets.

12:13pm: If Shumpert’s MRI looks OK, he could be headed to the Thunder for a first-round selection or to the Clippers, tweets Chris Broussard of ESPN.com. Of course, the scan must show that his MCL is not torn.

7:35am: The Thunder are interested in Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr., a source tells Marc Berman of the New York Post. There’s a possibility Shumpert sustained damage to the MCL in his left knee last night that could keep him out for weeks, according to Berman, so that could dampen Oklahoma City’s enthusiasm. Hardaway is a “virtual untouchable,” Berman writes.

The Thunder have been looking for a two-way wing player via trade. Shumpert fits the bill defensively, and while he’s not a long-range artist, he’s a career 34.7% shooter from three-point range. Hardaway, a rookie, is making 39% of his three-point attempts this year.

Either player would fit into Oklahoma City’s $2.339MM trade exception that expires Friday. The Knicks have been demanding that a team either give up a first-round pick or take back Raymond Felton in a trade for Shumpert. Oklahoma City could wind up with a pair of 2014 first-rounders, so the Thunder would probably give up a pick rather than absorb Felton, though that’s just my speculation.

New York has been engaged on multiple teams on Shumpert, and the Knicks are trying to revive talks with the Clippers. Doc Rivers has long coveted Shumpert, Berman notes.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Knicks, Clippers Discuss Iman Shumpert Deal

February 20th, 2014 at 7:02am CST by Chuck Myron

THURSDAY, 7:02am: The Knicks are pushing to revive the talks, Stein and Begley write. New York attempted to interest the Clippers in a compromise proposal that would have sent Barnes, instead of Bullock, along with Collison to New York for Shumpert and Felton, but the Clippers continue to be reluctant to take on Felton.

WEDNESDAY, 8:29pm: Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports confirms Aldridge’s report, tweeting that the talks between the Knicks and Clippers have “broken down and concluded.”

7:28pm: The proposed deal involving Shumpert, Felton and Collison is “not happening,” tweets David Aldridge of TNT, who adds that it’s unclear if talks can be revived before tomorrow. ESPN’s Marc Stein, also on Twitter, adds that Shumpert is only available in exchange for a first round pick or alongside Felton.

2:16pm: Jared Dudley is also in the conversation, according to Chris Broussard and Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com.

12:37pm: Two sources involved with the talks tell Ken Berger of CBSSports.com that a deal is unlikely (Twitter link).

12:17pm: The Knicks are most interested in the Felton-for-Bullock part of the exchange, according to Chad Ford of ESPN.com, who believes the Clippers would prefer to substitute Matt Barnes for Bullock, and would also want Beno Udrih rather than Felton.

11:35am: The Knicks and Clippers are in talks on a deal that would send Darren Collison to New York for Iman Shumpert and Raymond Felton, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. A deal isn’t close and the proposal is fluid, but the Clippers are interested in Shumpert, Wojnarowski writes. Clippers coach/executive Doc Rivers has expressed affection for Collison on several occasions this season, notes Sean Deveney of The Sporting News (Twitter link), so perhaps his inclusion could become a stumbling block. Reggie Bullock is also a part of the talks, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News (on Twitter).

Such a deal would help the Knicks upgrade their point guard position and the Clippers get better on the wing, both goals the teams have sought to achieve. The return of Chris Paul makes Collison somewhat expendable, Wojnarowski notes, in spite of Rivers’ affection for his backup point guard. The trade would also help the Clippers offset the loss of J.J. Redick, who’s out indefinitely with back trouble.

Presuming it’s a two-for-two proposal at this point of Bullock and Collison for Felton and Shumpert, the Clippers would have to include another player to make the salaries match. Unless it’s someone on a long-term deal, the trade would appear to help New York’s plans for the summer of 2015, as none of the players who would head to the Knicks have guaranteed salary beyond 2014/15. Felton’s contract includes an approximately $3.95MM player option for 2015/16.

Clippers Looking For Frontcourt Help

February 18th, 2014 at 10:05am CST by Chuck Myron

The Clippers are dangling Jared Dudley, Antawn Jamison and Byron Mullens in search of a frontcourt upgrade, according to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). Matt Barnes may also be on the block as well, Berger says. Marc Stein of ESPN.com first reported the Clippers were shopping Dudley a couple of weeks ago. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports last night tweeted overnight that the Clips were seeking backup bigs.

Jamison and Mullens were two players the team signed this past summer to serve as frontcourt reserves, but neither is having much impact. Both are on minimum-salary deals, though Jamison’s pact covers just this season while Mullens has a player option for next year.

Dudley is signed through 2015/16, making $4.25MM each year. His production is down after coming over from the Suns last summer via trade, and Doc Rivers recently yanked him from the starting lineup. Barnes is posting a career-worst 38.5% field goal percentage after inking a three-year deal for nearly $10.2MM in the offseason.

Clippers Re-Sign Matt Barnes

July 10th, 2013 at 5:02pm CST by Luke Adams

JULY 10TH: The Clippers have officially finalized the signing of Barnes, per a team release.

JULY 5TH: Matt Barnes is heading back to the Clippers, as Barnes himself announced today on Twitter. According to Sam Amick of USA Today (via Twitter), Barnes has reached a three-year contract agreement to remain in Los Angeles.

The deal will be in the $11-12MM range, reports Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter), which means the Clippers appear to be using a portion of their mid-level exception to get it done. Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com notes (via Twitter) that the third year won't be guaranteed, while Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter) pegs the value at $9-11MM. The difference between Spears' and Turner's figures may be related to the amount of guaranteed money.

Barnes was linked to a ton of teams during free agency, including the Mavericks, Nuggets, Nets, Knicks, Trail Blazers, Timberwolves, and Pelicans. However, he always seemed to be a good bet to stick in Los Angeles with either the Clippers or Lakers. A report earlier today suggested he would likely sign with one of those two L.A. teams for an amount around the mini mid-level.

Barnes, an Aaron Goodwin client, outperformed his minimum-salary contract with the Clippers in 2012/13, averaging 10.3 PPG and recording a 15.5 PER. While his new salary will take up a portion of the Clippers' MLE, the team isn't done looking for more help, according to Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com. As Markazi tweets, L.A. still has room to sign another veteran for more than the minimum, though the player would have to come fairly cheap.

Clippers Sign Darren Collison

July 10th, 2013 at 4:56pm CST by Spencer Lund

JULY 10TH, 4:56pm: Collison's deal with the Clippers is now official, the team announced today on its website.

JULY 6TH, 10:40pm: HoopsWorld's Eric Pincus says (via Twitter) that if Collison's reported $1.9MM salary is accurate, then Barnes' three-year deal is for $10MM and not the $11MM-12MM we reported yesterday.

10:12pm: Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com offers some specifcs from cap guru Nick Silva regarding how much Barnes and Collison took from the MLE. She says Barnes signed for $3.25MM in the first year ($3,396,250 in the second and a non-guaranteed $3,542,500 in the third) and Collison the aforementioned $1.9MM (Twitter link).

8:59pm: According to Sam Amick of USA Today, Collison will make $1.9MM in the first year (Twitter), and as noted by Star-Telegram Mavs beat writer Dwain Price, that's less than half of the MLE (Twitter).

ESPNLosAngeles.com's Ramona Shelburne tells Marc Stein, that it's believed Matt Barnes took less from the Clippers in order to make the Collison deal happen (Twitter).

Collison is represented by BDA Sports Management, according to the Hoops Rumors Agency Database.

8:45pm: Sources reveal to ESPN.com's Marc Stein that Darren Collison will sign with the Clippers for a two-year deal with a player option for the second year (Twitter).

With no sign-and-trade option available between the Mavs and Clippers, Collison is opting to take a portion of the Clippers' Mid-Level Exception in order to go back to Los Angeles (Twitter).

Odds & Ends: Barnes, Knicks, Mavs, Johnson

July 5th, 2013 at 1:31pm CST by Luke Adams

As we continue to await resolution on the Dwight Howard sweepstakes, here are a few odds and ends from around the NBA, with a focus on Howard and several other free agents:

Matt Barnes remains in play for both the Lakers and Clippers for a contract worth around the mini mid-level, tweets Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com.
Exploring what the Knicks will do with the rest of their own mini mid-level exception, Zwerling hears that the team is looking for a small forward who is a solid wing defender and can shoot the three. Francisco Garcia, Carlos Delfino, and Dahntay Jones could be potential targets, says Zwerling.
Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com considers both potential outcomes for the Mavericks in the Howard derby, examining what Dallas will do if Howard signs elsewhere and how the team could add complementary players if Howard commits to the Mavs.
In an Insider-only piece for ESPN.com, Kevin Pelton attempts to breaks down Howard's chances of winning on the court with each of his five suitors. The Rockets top the list, with the Hawks unexpectedly placing second.
Don't expect Chauncey Billups to sign with the Pistons this summer, writes Perry A. Farrell of the Detroit Free Press.
Unrestricted free agent Ivan Johnson has parted ways with longtime agent Larry Williams of Union Sports, tweets Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com. Once Johnson finds new representation, we'll be sure to update the change in our agency database.

Odds & Ends: Blazers, Iguodala, Knicks, Morrow

July 4th, 2013 at 4:58pm CST by Luke Adams

Now that the Trail Blazers have struck a deal to acquire a big man (Robin Lopez), the team figures to move on to address other needs. As Jason Quick of the Oregonian tweets, Portland's focus could shift to a wing player next, with Francisco Garcia, Matt Barnes, and Corey Brewer representing possible targets.

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

Andre Iguodala will likely make a decision on a team early next week, according to Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter).
The Knicks are likely out of the running for Matt Barnes and Nate Robinson now that the team no longer has its full mini mid-level exception, tweets Zwerling.
Before they agreed to sign C.J. Watson, the Pacers expressed interest in Robinson, says Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (via Twitter).
Kennedy also tweets that free agent shooter Anthony Morrow has been in contact with the Lakers, Spurs, Suns, Rockets, and Knicks.
A source tells Marc Berman of the New York Post (Twitter link) that the Mavericks weren't willing to commit $8MM a year to J.R. Smith, let alone $10MM. The market for Smith was fairly modest, according to Berman.
Jared Dudley wasn't looking to be traded out of Phoenix, and is open to returning to the Suns at some point down the road. But as he tells Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic, if the Suns were going to move him, Dudley couldn't have asked for a much better fit than the Clippers.

Carl Landry, Clippers In Serious Talks

July 3rd, 2013 at 4:37pm CST by Luke Adams

The Clippers and unrestricted free agent Carl Landry are engaged in "serious contract talks," reports ESPN.com's Marc Stein (via Twitter). We heard yesterday that Landry was set to meet with Doc Rivers and the Clips last night.

According to Stein, the Clippers are "optimistic" that they'll be able to sign Landry, but it remains to be seen whether it will cost them their whole mid-level exception. Landry turned down a $4MM player option with the Warriors, so he'll presumably be looking to at least match that salary, if not exceed it.

Even after agreeing to acquire Jared Dudley and J.J. Redick, Los Angeles has the flexibility to use the full non-taxpayer MLE, which starts at $5.15MM. However, the team would also like to bring back Matt Barnes, and can only offer him a first-year salary of up to $1.48MM without dipping into the mid-level.

I would guess L.A.'s preferred outcome would be to sign Landry using the MLE and Barnes using his non-Bird rights, but if Barnes pushes for a higher salary, the team may be forced to choose between the two players. It's not clear what the Clippers would decide in that scenario, though it remains hypothetical for now.