Monta Ellis Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Bobcats Exploring Sign-And-Trade For Henderson

July 11th, 2013 at 8:28am CST by Chuck Myron

8:28am: The Bobcats' preference remains to re-sign Henderson, but the team is open to considering sign-and-trade options, says Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer.

THURSDAY, 12:03am: The Bobcats are reluctant to offer Henderson a deal with a starting salary between $7.5MM and $8.5MM, Wojnarowski writes. That led the team to enter the mix for Monta Ellis, a favorite of executive Rod Higgins from their days together with Golden State.

WEDNESDAY, 11:12pm: Negotiations between the Bobcats and Gerald Henderson have hit a stalemate, and the team has begun reaching out to multiple other clubs to see if there are any sign-and-trade possibilities, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. There hasn't been much chatter about the restricted free agent this month, though teams may have been waiting to see how negotiations went between Charlotte and agent Arn Tellem.

Henderson largely plateaued this season after showing steady improvement over his first three years in the league. His points, assists and rebounding averages were virtually the same in 2012/13 as they were in the previous season, but a jump to 33% shooting from three-point range for the career 27.2% long-distance shooter shows a degree of promise, as does his 16.4 PER in 2012/13, his best number yet in that category.

Charlotte struggled to find takers for Henderson at the trade deadline, when the team was seeking either a big man, like J.J. Hickson or Timofey Mozgov, or a first-round pick. The Bobcats may have to shoot lower this time around as they seek a return for the player they took 12th overall in 2009.

Pacific Notes: Kobe, Ellis, Kings, Boylan

July 11th, 2013 at 7:56am CST by Luke Adams

Let's round up a few overnight links from out of the Pacific Division….

Asked if he'd be willing to take a significant pay cut next season to help the Lakers create as much cap space as possible, Kobe Bryant wasn't overly enthusiastic about the idea, telling Serena Winters of Lakers Nation that he still intends to negotiate the best deal possible.
Although the Kings talked to Monta Ellis, it never escalated to the point where the two sides were close on a deal, says Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee, pointing out that other roster moves would now be necessary to accommodate Ellis (all four Twitter links).
Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee makes the case for why the Kings should avoid signing Ellis.
The Lakers have been linked to Josh Powell, Sasha Vujacic and Lamar Odom, but Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register doesn't expect those ex-Lakers to follow Jordan Farmar back to the team (Twitter link).
After their success with a late-summer signing of Matt Barnes in 2012, the Clippers are again taking a patient approach with the back end of their roster, tweets Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
Joe Boylan will join the Warriors coaching staff, as the team notes in a press release that also confirms the hiring of new assistant coach Brian Scalabrine.

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Renounced Players: Wednesday

July 10th, 2013 at 9:58pm CST by Luke Adams

As teams clear cap space to finalize signings and trades, it may mean renouncing Early Bird or Bird rights to their own free agents, in order to remove cap holds from the books. Once a player is renounced, his previous team has no more claim to him that any other team — he could still be re-signed, but it would have to be done using cap space or an exception. Some of those decisions are more notable than others, but for completion's sake, we'll track the latest of these cap-clearing moves right here:

Mo Williams is the most prominent name among the several whose rights the Jazz renounced today, according to the RealGM transaction log. Al Jefferson, DeMarre Carroll and Earl Watson, who already have deals to join other teams, are also on the list, as are the long-retired Brevin Knight and Greg Ostertag.
Bobcats are set to re-sign Josh McRoberts, but they won't be using their Early Bird rights to do so, as they've renounced his rights, RealGM shows. The team also renounced their rights to Reggie Williams, who's heading to the Rockets, and it cut ties with DeSagana Diop, Byron Mullens and Jannero Pargo, too.
Golden State will sign Jermaine O'Neal, so the Suns have renounced his rights, as well as their rights to Wesley Johnson and Diante Garrett, as RealGM notes.

Earlier updates:

The Hawks have cleared out unwanted cap holds from their books, renouncing their rights to Hilton Armstrong, Erick Dampier, Devin Harris, Dahntay Jones, Randolph Morris, Zaza Pachulia, Johan Petro, Josh Smith, and Etan Thomas, according to RealGM.com's transactions log.
RealGM.com also has the Trail Blazers renouncing multiple players, including Luke Babbitt, J.J. Hickson, Eric Maynor, and Nolan Smith.
Most interestingly, according to RealGM.com, the Bucks have renounced their rights to Monta Ellis. That doesn't necessarily preclude a sign-and-trade, but it would mean the team would have to use cap space rather than Ellis' Bird rights to accommodate a deal.
The Pelicans have renounced their rights to Louis Amundson, Xavier Henry, and Roger Mason Jr., the team announced today in a press release.
In order to clear cap room for their signings, the Pistons renounced Will Bynum, Jose Calderon, Vernon Macklin, Corey Maggette, Jason Maxiell, and Ben Wallace, according to RealGM's transactions log. The Pistons plan to re-sign Bynum, but removing his $6MM+ cap hold and signing him to a smaller figure using cap space makes the most sense.
After renouncing their rights to Chauncey Billups and Lamar Odom, the Clippers have also renounced Bobby Simmons, according to RealGM.com's transactions log.

Odds & Ends: Kings, Tolliver, Lakers, Ellis

July 10th, 2013 at 4:30pm CST by Luke Adams

After a bid to relocate the NBA's Kings failed, Seattle-based investors also reportedly explored the possibility of moving the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes to the city. Although the franchise appears to be staying put in Phoenix, Seattle wasn't the only city interested in relocating it. According to Dwight Jaynes of CSNNW.com, Paul Allen and the Trail Blazers were also interested in buying the Coyotes and moving the team to Portland's Rose Garden.

Here are more odds and ends from around the NBA on a very busy Wednesday:

The Kings have named high-ranking NBA executive Chris Granger as their new team president, according to Ryan Lillis of the Sacramento Bee. Granger, who had been the executive VP of team marketing and business operations for the NBA, will oversee the team's role in the development of a new downtown sports arena and its business operations, says Lillis. It doesn't sound like Granger will be involved much, if at all, in the Kings' basketball operations.
Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports (via Twitter) that Anthony Tolliver is in talks with five teams, including the Hawks, and hopes to make a decision soon.
The Lakers have had conversations with Josh Powell's representative, tweets Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com. McMenamin adds in a second tweet that the team has also spoken to a couple more former Lakers: Sasha Vujacic and Lamar Odom.
As Monta Ellis continues to seek a free agent deal, there doesn't appear to be a clear favorite to sign him, writes Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld. News broke today that Ellis has parted ways with his longtime agent.
Elton Brand and Brandan Wright are still talking to the Mavericks about a potential return, but Rodrigue Beaubois is almost certainly headed elsewhere, as GM Donnie Nelson told reporters today, including Bryan Gutierrez of ESPNDallas.com.
Before he agreed to sign with the Bobcats, Al Jefferson received interest from the Mavericks and Pelicans, tweets Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer.

Mavs Out Of Mix For Monta Ellis?

July 10th, 2013 at 3:23pm CST by Luke Adams

Although they've frequently been cited as one of the potential landing spots for Monta Ellis, the Mavericks are esssentially out of the running for the free agent guard, according to GM Donnie Nelson (link via Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News). Sefko, seemingly passing along Nelson's thoughts, says the Mavs probably have too many bodies in the backcourt already to make Ellis a realistic possibility.

If the Mavs are truly out of the mix for Ellis, it appears to be "Andrew Bynum or bust" for the club, writes Sefko. Bynum met with the Mavs today, and Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio is hearing that the Cavs believe the big man may want to play in Dallas (Twitter link). But so far, the former Laker and Sixer has given no indication of which way he's leaning. As Amico notes (via Twitter), the Mavs likely aren't equipped with enough cap space to match Cleveland's offer, but perhaps they'd be willing to give Bynum more than a one-year guarantee.

The Kings and Hawks appear to be among the most likely destinations for Ellis if he doesn't end up in Dallas. As we heard earlier today, the 27-year-old will be negotiating this week without his longtime agent, after he parted ways with Jeff Fried.

Monta Ellis Parts Ways With Agent

July 10th, 2013 at 11:49am CST by Luke Adams

One of the top free agents remaining on the open market, Monta Ellis, had parted ways with longtime agent Jeff Fried of Peake Management Group, reports ESPN.com's Chris Broussard. According to Broussard, Ellis is frustrated that he has yet to receive a viable and lucrative long-term contract offer.

"I only wish Monta and his family the very best," Fried said. "He is a superstar on the court and a character individual with tremendous integrity off the court."

While Ellis had been hoping to reach a decision on a team in the next day or two, the change in agents may push that timetable back. The Hawks, Kings, and Mavericks are reportedly still in the running for the 27-year-old guard, while other teams have shown interest, but may not have the financial means to make a competitive offer. Few teams have substantial cap space remaining, so Ellis may prefer a sign-and-trade to get the destination of his choice.

Broussard's sources expect Ellis to sign with Dan Fegan of Relativity Sports. However, it's my understanding that after firing an agent, a player must wait 15 days before hiring a new one. Unless that rule has changed or there's a technicality I don't know about, Ellis may have to be represented by the NBPA in the short-term.

Bucks Readying Offer Sheet For Jeff Teague

July 10th, 2013 at 9:24am CST by Luke Adams

There are strong indications that the Bucks are preparing an offer sheet for restricted free agent Jeff Teague, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein (via Twitter). Stein adds (via Twitter) that the threat of an offer sheet could lead the Hawks and Bucks to ramp up talks on a potential sign-and-trade.

Throughout free agency, Milwaukee has been said to covet Teague, and the Hawks have been linked to both Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings, making a sign-and-trade deal a realistic possibility. However, it appears the Bucks' interest in Teague may be stronger than Atlanta's interest in either Ellis or Jennings. The Hawks also don't seem all that enthused by the possibility of re-signing Teague and are have shown some interest in Mo Williams as an alternative, according to Stein (via Twitter), so it will be interesting to see what the team decides to do in this situation.

There are a few points worth mentioning on a potential offer sheet for Teague from Milwaukee. First, if Teague officially signs an offer sheet from the Bucks, the teams will no longer have the option of working out a sign-and-trade — the Hawks would have three days to either match the offer or let Teague walk to the Bucks. Additionally, as Zach Lowe of Grantland points out (via Twitter), Milwaukee would likely have to make at least one corresponding roster move to clear space for a competitive offer for Teague. That could mean amnestying Drew Gooden, or renouncing their rights to Jennings and Ellis.

In other words, there's some incentive for both sides to negotiate a sign-and-trade here, so the rumblings that the Bucks are readying an offer sheet may be just a tactic to move those negotiations forward.

Hawks, Mavs, Kings Finalists For Monta Ellis?

July 9th, 2013 at 3:44pm CST by Luke Adams

3:44pm: The Bulls made a run at Ellis in hopes of acquiring him via sign-and-trade, but couldn't make the other roster moves necessary to complete a deal, according to Shams Charania of RealGM.com. Charania writes that the Kings appear to be in the lead for Ellis, with the Hawks and Mavs also in play. Whatever team Ellis decides on will likely have to make at least one roster move to create room for him.

2:46pm: A source tells TNT's David Aldridge that Ellis' decision may come down to the Hawks and Mavericks (Twitter link). Aldridge adds that Ellis remains interested in Sacramento, but the Kings' acquisition of Luc Mbah a Moute may take them out of the mix.

Meanwhile, in his full story on Ellis, Broussard goes into detail on each suitor's pursuit of Ellis, noting that the Mavs are hoping to land both Ellis and Andrew Bynum, and are shopping Shawn Marion in an effort to make room. The Hawks are considering a sign-and-trade involving Jeff Teague, the Bobcats are waiting to see what happens with Gerald Henderson, and the Kings are exploring trading Marcus Thornton, though again, the Mbah a Moute deal could reduce Sacramento's chances.

2:00pm: Among the free agents still on the board, none had a higher scoring average last season than Monta Ellis. But the top scorer on the market may not be available for long. According to ESPN.com's Chris Broussard (via Twitter), Ellis hopes to make a decision on his destination within the next 48 hours, choosing from a group of suitors that includes the Hawks, Kings, Bobcats, and Mavericks.

The Hawks and Kings have been the teams most often linked to Ellis in the last several days, though the Mavs were also identified as a potential destination for him earlier in the free agent period. I believe this is the first we've heard of the Bobcats' interest, though it's probably not "serious," according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter). Depending on what other moves are made, and how big a starting salary Ellis receives, some of those teams may need to negotiate a sign-and-trade with the Bucks rather than signing him outright.

Ellis, 27, declined an $11MM player option to hit free agency, and also reportedly turned down a three-year, $36MM extension offer from the Bucks last season, so he'll likely be seeking a starting salary in that $10-12MM neighborhood.

FA Updates: Brewer, Teague, Hawks, Knicks, Lucas

July 9th, 2013 at 12:18pm CST by Luke Adams

With the July moratorium scheduled to be lifted tomorrow, free agent contracts can finally become official, and tomorrow should be a busy day, as teams and players formally finalize their agreements from the last nine days. However, there are still plenty of players on the market in search of a new team, or a deal with their old team. Here's the latest on a few of them:

Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities tweets that the Timberwolves have spoken to Corey Brewer's reps, and Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune hears from a source close to Brewer that the Wolves "would love him" (Twitter link).
The Bucks' interest in Jeff Teague is "undeniable," but it's not clear if the Hawks are ready to take back Brandon Jennings or Monta Ellis in a sign-and-trade, says ESPN.com's Marc Stein (via Twitter).
After passing along a handful of Knicks updates this morning, Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com provides a couple more. According to Zwerling, there's still mutual interest between the Knicks and Aaron Brooks, and the team also has some interest in Shawne Williams, though there's "nothing firm" there (Twitter links).
Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today reports that John Lucas III met with the Jazz in Orlando yesterday, and hears from agent Bernie Lee that Lucas will meet with another team today in his hometown of Houston. According to Bill Oram of the Salt Lake Tribune (via Twitter), four teams, including the Jazz, are interested in the free agent point guard.
Before he agreed to sign with the Pistons, Italian forward Gigi Datome drew interest from the Celtics, Bucks, Rockets, Suns, Spurs, and Grizzlies, tweets Vincent Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.

Pacific Notes: Kings, Salmons, Lakers, Scalabrine

July 9th, 2013 at 11:27am CST by Luke Adams

Let's round up a few Tuesday morning items out of the Pacific Division….

Having missed out on Andre Iguodala, the Kings are still seeking a small forward, as Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee writes. Within his piece, Jones notes that the Kings haven't shown interest in Andrei Kirilenko or Corey Brewer, and explores some trade possibilities for the club.
The Kings continue to have interest in Monta Ellis, and ESPN.com's Marc Stein points out in a tweet that the team could potentially amnesty John Salmons to create the cap space necessary to sign Ellis. Of course, that would create an even bigger hole at small forward.
Marc Berman of the New York Post is the latest to speculate that Carmelo Anthony might decide to sign with the Lakers next summer, especially if the Knicks underachieve in 2013/14. However, Tom Ziller of SBNation.com is skeptical about the Carmelo-to-L.A. rumblings, explaining in his latest piece why he thinks it's a comical idea.
Warriors head coach Mark Jackson tweeted word last night that the team has brought Brian Scalabrine aboard as an assistant.