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Western Links: Maloofs, Rush, D’Antoni

March 30th, 2013 at 10:29pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com hears more and more that the Maloof brothers could keep the Kings rather than sell the team to the Sacramento-led group if the NBA declines the Seattle bid, adding that it's not a total longshot at this point. Howard-Cooper also says that whether the possibility could drag on into this summer or next season, the Maloofs may step back and re-assess their options (All Twitter links).  Interestingly enough, Aaron Bruski of USA Today tweeted that league sources "have maintained without any equivocation that the Maloofs will not own an NBA franchise next season." 

We've got more to share out of the Western Conference tonight:

  • Howard-Cooper reiterates that he's not saying the above scenario will happen, but it's still a possibility. He also clarifies that the Maloofs keeping the Kings would be a way for them to start a bidding war and evaluate at the type of offers they can receive (Twitter links).
  • Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle says that Brandon Rush plans to do some light running and jumping in three weeks, and that the Warriors guard/forward should be ready by the start of the 2013-14 training camp (Twitter links).
  • Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld tweets that he thinks Mike D'Antoni's job is safe for next season at least, being that the Lakers coach is still owed a lot of money and hasn't had a healthy roster. 
  • Ray Richardson of the Pioneer Press writes that Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman has a tough challenge of trying to evaluate upcoming free agents Mickael Gelabale and Chris Johnson without enough playing time to find for them. 
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Western Notes: Tony Allen, Clips, Lakers, Harris

March 28th, 2013 at 1:02pm CST by Luke Adams

The race for the final playoff spot(s) in the Western Conference will continue tonight, when the Lakers play the Bucks in Milwaukee and the Mavericks host the Pacers in Dallas. As we look forward to those games, let's round up a few Thursday items out of the conference….

  • Tony Allen is headed for unrestricted free agency this summer, and at least one Eastern Conference general manager thinks Allen will receive a modest raise. "Three years at $4MM per year sounds right," the GM tells Chris Mannix of SI.com. "He adds instant toughness and a defensive mentality to your team. He's a leader on the floor and he isn't going to back down from anyone. I think everyone in the league would love to have him." The Grizzlies have no interest in approaching luxury-tax territory, so it's unclear if they'll be able to bring back Allen.
  • Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com believes that both Los Angeles head coaches, Mike D'Antoni and Vinny Del Negro, could be on the outs with the Lakers and Clippers respectively if they don't finish the season strong.
  • With Metta World Peace expected to miss six weeks after undergoing surgery on his left knee, Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News wonders if the veteran forward has played his last game with the Lakers.
  • Terrel Harris' new deal with the Hornets includes an second year that will become guaranteed if Harris makes the team's 2013/14 roster, reports Sam Amick of USA Today.
  • Nuggets coach George Karl tells Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post that he thinks Gregg Popovich would be interested in the Team USA head coaching position, and that Popovich would be a great choice for the job.
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Odds & Ends: Lakers, Brooks, Morris Twins, Raptors

March 2nd, 2013 at 11:00pm CST by Sean Highkin

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

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Lakers Notes: Howard, Kobe, Gasol, D’Antoni

February 20th, 2013 at 2:41pm CST by Luke Adams

Here's the latest on the Lakers, as the club prepares to host the Celtics tonight in Los Angeles….

  • GM Mitch Kupchak has insisted for weeks that the Lakers won't trade Dwight Howard, and he told ESPN Radio today the team still envisions Howard as the centerpiece of its future (link via Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com).
  • Kupchak also hinted that the Lakers aren't necessarily counting on more than another year and a half from Kobe Bryant: "Kobe has one more year on his deal. That's all I can bank on or this organization can bank on. I have no idea if he wants to continue to play beyond next year. As of now, we're looking at a two-year window, [and that] plays to the urgency of the situation and how we build the team…. This team's window to win is this year and next year."
  • Pau Gasol won't be moved this week, but Kupchak didn't rule out the possibility that trade rumors will surface again in the summer or next season: "His name has come up in the past and it would be misleading to say it won't come up in the future."
  • According to Kupchak, the Lakers are "very happy" with coach Mike D'Antoni going forward, and are pleased with the job he has done considering he didn't have a training camp with the team.
  • Asked today whether he sees himself as part of the Lakers' future, Howard replied, "Yeah, I do. We talked about it plenty of times. That's what we've always talked about since the first day I got here. It hasn't stopped. The goal hasn't changed and won't change." However, he stopped short of committing to re-signing with the Lakers, telling reporters that there's no need to make that decision right now (Twitter links via Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com and Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe).
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Odds & Ends: Dwight, Lakers, Warriors, Bobcats

February 19th, 2013 at 6:06pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops told Joe and Evan of WFAN 660 today that he believes there is a 50-50 chance that Dwight Howard winds up with the Nets by the trade deadline. Despite the Lakers' reassurances that they wouldn't be willing to deal their prized center, Sheridan thinks that they soon have to realize that this season cannot be salvaged and suggests that a deal involving MarShon Brooks, Kris Humphries, Tyshawn Taylor,  Mirza Teletovic, Tornike Shengelia, the draft rights to some of their overseas prospects, and a few first round picks could be enough to get something done. Here's what else we're hearing this afternoon:  

  • In contrast to Sheridan's thoughts, Mike Trudell of Lakers.com tweets about Mitch Kupchak's insistence that Howard won't be traded and the unlikelihood that the Lakers acquire a talent upgrade anytime soon. Mike Bresnahan of the LA Times relayed Kupchak's thoughts explicitly: "I don’t anticipate anything dramatic talking place in the next two days" (Twitter link). 
  • Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News notes that coach Mike D'Antoni remains convinced the Lakers don't have to make any moves before the deadline and that Pau Gasol is hopeful he can return before the end of the regular season. Gasol, who suffered a foot injury two weeks ago, expects to be off crutches soon (All Twitter links). 
  • As we heard last week, Warriors ownership hasn't required the front office to make deals for the sake of avoiding the luxury tax and would be willing to make a deal if the right one came along. With that being said, team co-owner Joe Lacob told Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News that he likes how the current group has been performing and needs to see them continue to perform together for an extended period of time.
  • Bobcats head Coach Mike Dunlap said that he's met with some of his players to talk about the trade deadline, adding that he feels "uncomfortable communication" is necessary too. Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer thinks that the latter was likely a reference to Ben Gordon, who has been notably unhappy with Dunlap this season (Twitter links). 

 

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Lakers Rumors: Gasol, Howard, Trades

February 5th, 2013 at 3:52pm CST by Luke Adams

With the eighth-seeded Rockets hosting the red-hot Warriors tonight, the Lakers will have the opportunity to gain some ground in the Western Conference playoff race. It won't come easy though, as the Lakers head to the Barclays Center for the first time to face the 28-19 Nets. As we wait to see how tonight's game plays out, let's round up a few of the latest rumblings out of L.A….

  • D'Antoni told reporters, including Ken Berger of CBSSports.com (on Twitter), that he isn't concerned about his relationship with Gasol. "He will probably do what we ask him to do. I'm not going to Spain to vacation with him this summer, but he's good," the coach said.
  • The Lakers aren't upset about Gasol's comments either, tweets Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com. The big man is a professional and they don't believe that what he said will impact the team.

Earlier updates:

  • Asked by T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times how he'd feel about next season, if Mike D'Antoni remained with the Lakers and Dwight Howard re-signed, Pau Gasol admitted it would "be hard for me to deal with another season." Gasol acknowledged that it's possible he'd ask for a trade this summer in that case, but he won't do so this month: "I'm not a quitter. Just because things look better on the other side of the fence, I'm not going to take the easy way out."
  • More Gasol to Simers: "I'm fortunate to be doing what I am for a living and being highly rewarded for it. But it hurts me that this unique opportunity we have with such good players is not being maximized."
  • Gasol's trade value may be rising recently as he plays well with Howard out of action, but D12's absence also exhibits that Pau is an important piece for the Lakers to keep around this season, writes Brian Kamenetzky via Sulia.
  • It would be a major departure from Mitch Kupchak's style for him to say he's not trading Howard and then turn around and do it, says Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game (via Sulia). As such, Bucher expects the Lakers to roll with their current roster rather than making any significant changes.
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Western Notes: Kobe, Ridnour, Odom

January 26th, 2013 at 10:49pm CST by Ryan Raroque
Although Kobe Bryant registered a season low of 10 field goals on Friday night, his 14 assists proved to be instrumental in the Lakers' rout of the Jazz. Mike D'Antoni praised his star shooting guard's approach, saying that the dip in field goal attempts shouldn't be looked at as a sacrifice if the team ultimately comes out on top, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles. McMenamin also takes a closer look at the impending return of Steve Blake, who practiced with the team today and could return to game action next week. You'll find the rest of tonight's Western Conference notes here:
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Lakers Updates: Saturday

January 26th, 2013 at 6:39pm CST by Sean Highkin

All of the day's updates about the Los Angeles Lakers will be gathered in this post.

6:39pm: Steve Blake announces (via Twitter) that he'll be healthy for a return this upcoming Tuesday. 

2:16pm: Despite all the turmoil surrounding the team, sources tell Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News the Lakers have no intention of firing D'Antoni, and still plan to re-sign Howard this summer.

10:28am: The Buss family released a statement dispelling rumors that the Lakers are for sale. Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News has the transcript:

"We unanimously agree that we have no intention of ever selling the Lakers, and intend to keep ownership of the team in our family for generations to come," the statement read.

9:21am: Kobe Bryant discussed Dwight Howard's adjustment and the center's future with the Lakers with Sam Amick of USA Today:

"I don' t know what the future holds," Bryant said. "I don't know if (Howard will be traded)…But I know that as long as he's here, I'm going to continue to help him, mentor him, help him be great. That's all I can do. I'm a problem solver. I try to figure things out, come hell or high water."

8:39am: With the Lakers reeling after a four-game losing streak, Mike Trudell of the Los Angeles Times reports that GM Mitch Kupchak and Executive Vice President Jim Buss met with head coach Mike D'Antoni and gave him their vote of confidence. The Lakers defeated the Jazz Friday night, 102-84.

According to Trudell's report, Buss and Kupchak gave D'Antoni permssion to continue running his offense the way he had been previously, and handle all lineup and personnel decisions himself. D'Antoni commented to the Los Angeles Times that he saw no reason to change things:

"I just find it amusing that people want us to play a different way," he said. "And I don't know why we don't look at the top five teams and play that way. You know, San Antonio, Miami, Oklahoma City — they're all playing small and fast and moving the ball. The league has changed a little bit. We're not trying to get to mediocrity. We're trying to get to be better."

There had previously been speculation that the Lakers were considering firing D'Antoni after the team got off to a rough start under him. D'Antoni replaced Mike Brown, who was fired five games into the season after a 1-4 start.

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Lakers Not Considering Dismissing D’Antoni

January 25th, 2013 at 1:46pm CST by Luke Adams

Despite a 17-25 record that has them ahead of only the Kings, Hornets, and Suns in the Western Conference, the Lakers don't seem to be considering making another coaching change. Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register reports that buying out or firing Mike D'Antoni isn't currently an option for the Lakers.

The Lakers' stance comes as no surprise. If the team had entered the season with D'Antoni on the bench, he may have already been let go, but since he replaced Mike Brown in November, the odds are against another change happening so soon. The Lakers are already on the hook for Brown's remaining salary, and inked D'Antoni to a long-term deal himself, which the club would have to pay if it brought in another replacement.

Regardless of the guaranteed money still owed to D'Antoni, ESPN.com's Chris Broussard believes the club needs to let him go, replacing him with interim coach Bernie Bickerstaff, who led the team to a 4-1 record in between Brown's and D'Antoni's stints. While Broussard acknowledges that Bickerstaff probably isn't a long-term solution in L.A., he believes Bickerstaff would give the team its best chance to finish the season on a high note.

Responding to the argument that Jim Buss likely won't dismiss D'Antoni because it would mean admitting a huge mistake, Broussard points out that it would be a bigger mistake to let the season continue spiraling out of control, leading to the possibility of losing Dwight Howard this summer. According to Broussard, a few Lakers are "fed up" with D'Antoni and his system, and Kobe Bryant is the only one keeping those players from tuning out the coach.

After going 1-4 under Brown and 4-1 under Bickerstaff, the Lakers have won just 12 of D'Antoni's 32 games as head coach.

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Lakers Rumors: Nash, D’Antoni, Howard, Gasol

January 24th, 2013 at 8:21am CST by Luke Adams

The Lakers' disastrous first half has been one of the major stories for most of the NBA season, but the situation has somehow seemed to get even worse within the last few days. Yesterday, the Lakers "went at each other a little bit" in a team meeting, and then lost in Memphis to fall to 5-15 on the road and 17-25 overall, closer to the Western Conference basement than the eighth playoff spot. What's next? Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports has the latest on the Lakers….

  • The biggest issue Lakers vice president Jim Buss had with the possibility of choosing Phil Jackson over Mike D'Antoni as the team's head coach was the idea that offseason signee Steve Nash would be marginalized in Jackson's Triangle offense, says Wojnarowski. "The way this turns out," one league source told Wojnarowski. "You've chosen not only Steve Nash over [Pau] Gasol, but maybe over Gasol and Dwight [Howard]."
  • The Mavericks and Hawks have called the Lakers to inquire on Howard, and have been told the big man isn't available, and that the stance won't change before the trade deadline.
  • Sources tell Wojnarowski that the only reason Howard might hesitate about re-signing with the Lakers is the presence of D'Antoni. According to the Yahoo! scribe, the Lakers coach "fundamentally doesn't believe in post play."
  • When he was coaching the Knicks and a possible pursuit of Howard was discussed, D'Antoni told the Knicks front office that USA Basketball preferred Tyson Chandler to Howard, and that "the Knicks would be wise to adopt that thinking," according to Wojnarowski.
  • Gasol, who has been marginalized in D'Antoni's system, is upset and privately expects to be traded, says Wojnarowski.
  • The Lakers are very unlikely to fire D'Antoni, since it would leave them paying $25MM to coaches no longer in Los Angeles (D'Antoni and Mike Brown). But if they did make a change, Wojnarowski suggests that Bernie Bickerstaff may be the Lakers' best option, since he simplified the offense and had the club playing solid defense during his interim stint.
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