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Odds & Ends: Barnes, Mavs, Rockets, Pistons

July 1st, 2013 at 3:46am CST by Luke Adams

Only one contract agreement has been reached so far on the first night of the NBA's 2013 free agent period, but that doesn't mean we weren't treated to plenty of news and rumors. Here are a few more odds and ends from a busy Sunday night:

  • In addition to all the other players they reportedly contacted tonight, the Lakers reached out to Matt Barnes, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com (via Twitter).
  • Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com reports that the Mavericks have expressed interest in Jose Calderon and Mo Williams. Even though MacMahon's report came before news broke that Dallas had agreed to sign Gal Mekel, it makes sense that the team would continue to seek a veteran point guard to complement rookies Mekel and Shane Larkin.
  • MacMahon adds (via Twitter) that now that Mekel is under contract, the Mavs are likely to trade the rights to 2009 second-round pick Nick Calathes, something that GM Donnie Nelson has hinted at.
  • After an encouraging meeting with Dwight Howard in Los Angeles, the Rockets will target players to complement him rather than fall-back options, says Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. The team will meet with Corey Brewer and Mike Dunleavy next, according to Feigen (Twitter links).
  • Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press spoke to Pistons owner Tom Gores about the process of hiring head coach Maurice Cheeks, the team's long-term vs. short-term prospects, and free agency.
  • Several NBA teams have expressed interest in point guard Bobby Brown, who played for four clubs between 2008 and 2010, tweets Shelburne.
  • Since they weren't released on or before June 30th, the 2013/14 contracts for E'Twaun Moore (Magic), Chandler Parsons (Rockets), Jason Smith (Pelicans), and Rodney Stuckey (Pistons) have become fully guaranteed. Paul Pierce's contract also became fully guaranteed, so it can be used in the Nets/Celtics swap that will be finalized later this month.
  • ESPN.com's Marc Stein rounds up the latest on a few early free agency rumors. We've already heard about most of the stories Stein addresses, such as the Nets leading the race for Kyle Korver, the Pelicans pursuing Tyreke Evans, and the Timberwolves and Bucks targeting Kevin Martin. However, there are a few notable tidbits from Stein, including word that the Thunder's odds of retaining Martin are dwindling.
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Bulls Targeting Mo Williams, Will Bynum

July 1st, 2013 at 1:52am CST by Luke Adams

With free agency underway, the Bulls are eyeing multiple backcourt options, exhibiting "significant interest" in Mo Williams and Will Bynum, according to Shams Charania of RealGM.com. Chicago has begun exploratory talks with both players' reps, says Charania. As our agency database shows, Williams and Bynum are represented by Priority Sports & Entertainment and agent Mark Bartelstein.

A report last week suggested that Nate Robinson was set to part ways with the Bulls due in part to a likely reduction in playing time, with Derrick Rose on his way back to the lineup. I'd imagine that Williams and Bynum will also be seeking significant playing time, so it's not clear if Chicago will be an ideal fit.

Still, even with Rose, Kirk Hinrich, and Marquis Teague on board, the Bulls could face losing Robinson, Marco Belinelli, and Richard Hamilton this offseason, so there will be backcourt minutes to be had next year, even if they don't necessarily come at the point.

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Jazz Rumors: Mo Williams, Tinsley, Watson

June 29th, 2013 at 4:59pm CST by Chuck Myron

Many players who spent 2012/13 with the Jazz are clients of agent Mark Bartelstein, as Jody Genessy of the Deseret News points out (Twitter link). Mo Williams, Gordon Hayward, DeMarre Carroll, Jeremy Evans and Earl Watson are all Bartelstein clients, and four of those five are either free agents or eligible for a contract extension this summer. Bartelstein spoke with Genessy, revealing much about the critical summer ahead for Utah. We've got the highlights here, along with other news on the Jazz:

  • Bartelstein is disputing a report last night that indicated Williams would not return to the Jazz unless he retains his starting position, Genessy reports (Twitter links). "That is 100% not the case," Bartelstein said. "We would never make a demand of the Jazz or any team."
  • Bartelstein says to Genessy that Williams will keep an open mind in free agency, with the Jazz among the teams he'll consider. "Mo's proven to be a starting caliber point guard in the league," the agent said. "(But) nothing is given to anyone. You earn your minutes" (Twitter links).
  • Whether or not Williams will take a back seat to Trey Burke, fellow Jazz free agent point guard Jamaal Tinsley wouldn't mind re-signing with Utah to mentor the rookie point man, a source tells Bill Oram of The Salt Lake Tribune (Twitter links).
  • Watson, who played through multiple injuries last season, envisions signing with an NBA team again, while Carroll "would love to come back" to the Jazz, Bartelstein tells Genessy (Twitter links).
  • As expected, the team will discuss rookie-scale extensions for Hayward and Derrick Favors later in the summer, after most free agents have signed, Genessy tweets.
  • It sounds unlikely that 47th overall pick Raul Neto will be on the Jazz roster this season, Oram tweets. 
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Western Rumors: Mo Williams, Mavs, Harris

June 28th, 2013 at 6:59pm CST by Chuck Myron

There's a major shakeup going on in the Eastern Conference now that Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce are on their way to Brooklyn. An even more resounding move could happen in the West, where Dwight Howard's primary suitors are. We've got more on that storyline and others from the Western Conference: 

  • Mo Williams is expected to discuss re-signing in Utah with Jazz brass, but a source tells Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports that Williams isn't interested in returning if he's not the starter. Last night, the Jazz wound up with point guard Trey Burke in the draft, and he has eyes on the starting job, too, notes Jody Genessy of the Deseret News. (Twitter link). 
  • Mavericks owner Mark Cuban tells Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News that he has a couple of meetings with players scheduled to take place in Los Angeles, presumably referring to Howard and Chris Paul. Still, those two big fishes aren't the team's sole focus, as Cuban also says the Mavs were in discussions yesterday about a deal that would have prevented the team from making a maximum-salary signing this summer.
  • Devin Harris dropped hints Friday about returning to the Mavericks, where he began his career, as Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News observes. "It’s always crossed my mind," Harris said. "It’s crossed my mind since I left. Obviously, I think it would be cool to come back. But I also like it in Atlanta. It comes down to what best fits me."
  • Howard won't necessarily make the Lakers the last stop on his listening tour as he fields free agent pitches this summer, even though the purple and gold brass would like to see that happen, tweets Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News.
  • The Lakers are declining the chance to tender Darius Morris a $1.2MM qualifying offer, but the team has interest in re-signing him to a deal worth less than that, writes Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times. Andrew Goudelock may return as well, but Devin Ebanks won't be back, Pincus adds in a look at the team's would-be restricted free agents.
  • Brian Scalabrine is talking with the Warriors about joining the team as an assistant coach, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
  • The Spurs officially announced their hiring of Pacers assistant coach Jim Boylen as an assistant on Gregg Popovich's staff. Boylen is not to be confused with Cavs assistant Jim Boylan.
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Free Agent Stock Watch: Mo Williams

April 24th, 2013 at 9:43pm CST by Chuck Myron

The last time Mo Williams signed an NBA contract, he had the look of a rising star amid a second-round success story for the ages. He parlayed an all-around performance of 17.3 points, 6.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds a game into a $51.263MM contract that stretched out over six years, a length that wouldn't be allowed under the current collective bargaining agreement. Just one season into the arrangement, Milwaukee traded him to the Cavs, who thought he could be a much-needed second scoring option next to LeBron James. Williams never really became that kind of player in Cleveland, and two more trades later, his value on the open market isn't what it used to be.

His replacements struggled when Williams missed two and a half months with a severely sprained right thumb this season, but the Jazz had a better record when he was out (21-15) than when he played (22-24). The 30-year-old averaged 12.9 PPG this year, his fewest since 2005/06, and he did so on an amount of shot attempts that's held steady the past four seasons. His assists were up over last season, when he primarily played shooting guard next to Chris Paul with the Clippers, but his turnovers jumped as well, and he finished with an assists-to-turnover ratio of 2.28.  

Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey praised Williams' performance prior to the injury this season, and indicated the team was open to bringing him back as the team's point guard. When Williams returned, his assists went down by one a game and his shooting percentage dropped from .441 to .418. More importantly, the Jazz failed to make the playoffs, and that may weigh most heavily on Lindsey's mind.

Lindsey and executive vice president of basketball operations Kevin O'Connor are notoriously tight-lipped, so it's hard to say what their opinion of Williams is now. The Jazz only have seven players under contract for next season, meaning the front office has plenty to consider. Negotiating with Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap or their replacements is likely the team's first priority, so what happens in the early days of free agency could have a significant effect on Williams' next contract. 

The Alabama product's declining play figures to bring about a commensurate decline in salary. The question is how much less Williams will have to take after making $8.5MM this season. He's helped by a class of free agent point guards that's fairly weak after Paul, who's likely to re-sign with the Clippers, and restricted free agents Brandon Jennings and Jeff Teague. Teams will likely be choosing between Williams, Jose Calderon and Jarrett Jack. Calderon will probably be the top pick among them, particularly for teams looking for pure, pass-first point guards. Our Luke Adams estimated that Calderon could command three years and more than $20MM on his next deal. 

Jack and Williams wound up with precisely the same scoring average this season, though Jack probably played a greater role in his team's offense down the stretch. A team could give Jack an inflated offer to try to scare off the financially inflexible Warriors, and that may mean a similar offer for Williams.

It's more likely Williams winds up with the full mid-level exception, which would be a four-year deal with a starting salary of $5.15MM. Taking the mid-level would allow Williams to sign with teams that are over the cap. He's been with plenty of winning squads of late, but Williams has only once been as far as the conference finals, so winning may be a priority. Williams will be even more likely to sign with a contender if he and agent Mark Bartelstein let teams know he's open to coming off the bench, as he did last season with the Clippers.

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Northwest Links: Hayward, Batum, Wolves, Smith

March 2nd, 2013 at 10:05pm CST by Sean Highkin

Brandon Roy returned to Portland for the first time as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. Although he did not play, he did address the media. Here's what else is going on in the Northwest Division:

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Jazz GM Talks Roster, Trades, Mo Williams

February 12th, 2013 at 12:18pm CST by Luke Adams

Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey spoke to reporters on Monday, and while he didn't comment on specific trade talks or targets with next week's deadline approaching, he addressed a few topics of interest in more general terms. Jody Genessy of the Deseret News has the notable quotes from Lindsey, so let's round them up right here:

On what sort of moves the Jazz are exploring:

"We have the foundation in place and a lot of flexibility to allow us to make decisions in going in whatever direction we want. If this team catches a great rhythm and advances in the playoffs, we can invest in that. If the team doesn't meet expectations, our internal expectations, we can readjust the team in a lot of different ways."

On whether the team is involved in more trade talks than usual:

"Normal course of business. I wouldn’t characterize it as saying any more or any less busy. We have a job to do. We can't hide from that. Kevin [O'Connor] and I have to listen and survey. Our overriding point is we want to be very disciplined to the threshold that's been built, the flexibility that's been built…. We want to be very strategic (about) who we add. Is there a value add? This is now, draft, free agency. Do they fit the character of our playing group and our organization?"

On bringing along young players like Alec Burks, Enes Kanter, and Derrick Favors slowly:

"We understand the public – as we are – is excited about the young guys, but we've got to bring them a long at the appropriate pace. I think we're adhering to the history of the organization when we're doing that…. What is Derrick averaging minute-wise, 21-22 minutes? What's the greater good, giving him 28 or 30? Does he develop better? Or is the greater good giving him a real sense of appreciation that he earned the additional bump in minutes eventually whenever that is? I don't know."

On whether Mo Williams, a free agent at season's end, could be Utah's point guard past this season:

"Yes, he could. We'll see how the rest of the season goes. I'll say this, he's acquitted himself well here. He's been very professional and we really appreciate what he's done so far."

On whether the Jazz will look to land a star or build a team-first roster of solid players:

"I think there's a lot of different ways to team-build. You can look at different models, whether it's heavily star-driven, a true franchise player that is an all-time great, or you have a Detroit model, for lack of better description, where they do it with five good starters and good depth…. I think with how we're positioned, we have the ability to react to a lot of different scenarios and team-build in a lot of different ways. I don't mean to harp on flexibility. I think that's a strength of ours is to react to markets."

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Odds & Ends: LeBron, Miles, Harrington

January 19th, 2013 at 11:33pm CST by Ryan Raroque
With LeBron James currently slated to become a free agent in 2014, Mary Schmitt-Boyer of The Plain Dealer thinks that speculation about a possible return to the Cavaliers could become a hot topic over the next 18 months. Don't count former Cleveland guard Mo Williams among those who thinks about the notion much, telling Schmitt-Boyer when asked about the possibility of LeBron's homecoming: "I don't know, I don't know. I think that is a question for him only." Here's more links from the rest of the NBA tonight:  
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Western Notes: Nolan Smith, Royce White, Mavs

January 4th, 2013 at 2:03pm CST by Luke Adams

You could make a convincing case that the biggest NBA news out of the Western Conference so far today has been Kobe Bryant's arrival on Twitter. With just a single tweet to his name, Kobe has already racked up over 200,000 followers, a figure that continues to grow exponentially. There's plenty going on around the rest of the conference too though, so let's check out a few links….

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Odds & Ends: Williams, Warriors, Magic, Roy

January 2nd, 2013 at 10:52pm CST by Sean Highkin

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

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