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Stephen Jackson Talks Potential Destinations

February 20th, 2012 at 8:51am CST by Luke Adams

It's no secret that Stephen Jackson is a trade candidate, and that the Bucks wouldn't hesitate to move him if they got an offer they liked. But just in case there was any confusion, Jackson expressed his opinion to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.

"No disrespect to the guys (on the Bucks)," said Jackson. "But I’m at the stage of my career where I want to be in a different situation."

Reports have suggested that Dwight Howard and Jackson would like to play together, perhaps for the Magic or Nets. While the possibility of the pair teaming up in Orlando is likely a long shot, Jackson seemed enthusiastic about the chance to play in Brooklyn next season with Howard and Deron Williams. Williams had positive things to say about Jackson as well, telling Bondy he tried to recruit the 6'8" forward when he played for the Jazz.

"I like his game," said Williams. "I know a lot of people that knows him. I’m good friends with Baron Davis, who says (Jackson) was a great teammate. So he was just one of the guys I always wanted to play with."

Jackson says he has no desire to play for the Mavericks, another potential offseason landing spot for Williams and Howard. However, as Bondy points out in a pair of tweets, neither the Nets or the Mavs would be able to take on Jackson's $10MM+ 2012/13 salary if they signed Williams and Howard to max or near-max deals. To have a chance to team up with both players, Jackson would probably need to be amnestied by the Bucks.

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Odds & Ends: Lopez, Seattle, Jackson

February 17th, 2012 at 10:40pm CST by Sean Highkin

Some notes from around the league on Friday night:

  • Andy Vasquez of The Record reports that Brook Lopez may make his 2011/12 season debut tomorrow against the Bulls. Lopez has not played this year and is often mentioned as the centerpiece of a potential Dwight Howard deal for the Nets.
  • The proposal is in place for a new NBA arena in Seattle, but the AP's Tim Booth points out that there are still hurdles to be cleared before the plan can progress.
  • Stephen Jackson tells HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy that he is frustrated with his playing time in Milwaukee and does not foresee sticking around with the Bucks long-term.
  • Journeyman Jeff Adrien, who has bounced around the Warriors, Rockets, and D-League since 2010, has signed a deal to play in Russia with Khimki Moscow.
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Bucks Rumors: Jackson, Skiles, Fesenko

February 17th, 2012 at 8:52am CST by Luke Adams

Here are a few Bucks updates, as Milwaukee tries to snap a three-game losing streak tonight in Orlando….

  • It's "a given" that the Bucks will try to deal Stephen Jackson before the trade deadline, but the $10MM+ he's guaranteed next year won't make it easy, says Gery Woefel of the Racine Journal Times.
  • Woelfel spoke to NBA officials who believe Jackson could be moved if he were part of a package that included a player like Ersan Ilyasova or Brandon Jennings. Ilyasova, I could see, but I'd be pretty shocked if the Bucks traded Jennings.
  • Jackson's relationship with coach Scott Skiles is one reason the Bucks will try to find a suitor for the 6'8" shooter. According to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld, the two have had "numerous run-ins" relating to Jackson's professionalism and impact on young players.
  • Jackson on Skiles, in an interview with Milwaukee's NBC affiliate: "We don't have no relationship like I've had with other coaches and I don't expect to have one. Too much stuff has happened."
  • Within Woelfel's column for the Journal Times, he notes that the Bucks hope to set up a meeting with free agent big man Kyrylo Fesenko next week. The Heat, Bulls, and Hawks are also showing interest in Fesenko, says Woelfel.
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Trade Candidate: Stephen Jackson

February 10th, 2012 at 5:48pm CST by Chuck Myron

It's been a rough few weeks for the Bucks, who've lost Andrew Bogut for most of the season with a broken ankle and now must deal with doubt surrounding Brandon Jennings' future plans.  Plus, there's been debate about whether Stephen Jackson has or hasn't demanded a trade. For the record, Bucks GM John Hammond is declining comment on the issue. Suffice it to say, with Jackson's playing time in flux, there's plenty to suggest Captain Jack will soon be shipping out of Wisconsin.

Jackson, for the moment, seems to have found his way back into the Bucks rotation after Scott Skiles elected not to play him in four out of five games. That doesn't include the one-game suspension he received after missing the team bus. He admitted frustration with his lack of playing time, which isn't uncharacteristic. His tenure in Milwaukee seemed destined for trouble from the start, when the Bucks acquired Jackson from the Bobcats at the draft last year. Jackson said the trade took him by surprise, and insisted the Bucks extend his contract before tamping down his rhetoric.

Jackson is not the most attractive asset for the Bucks to dangle at this point in his career. He turns 34 in April, and his 12.4 PPG is his lowest since 2002/03, when he was a part-time starter for a title-winning Spurs team. That's due in part to his decreased playing time, but his rate of points per 36 minutes (14.5) is way down, too. His contract, which pays him $9,256,500 this year and $10,059,750 next season, makes him that much more difficult for the Bucks to unload. It's that long-ago experience with the Spurs, in addition to leadership roles on surprising playoff teams in Golden State and Charlotte, that may convince GMs he's worth still worth taking on.

Dwight Howard has apparently indicated he'd like to have Jackson as a teammate, so that could point to interest from the Magic, who sought Jackson on draft night before the Bucks got him. That means the Nets, Mavericks, Lakers and any other team that's in on the D12 sweepstakes could be after Jackson as well. The Nets, who say they don't want to sign anyone else this year, haven't closed the door on trading for another player, and with recent signee Keith Bogans done for the year, there's an opening for a swingman that Jackson could fill.

The Bulls, who haven't been mentioned in Jackson rumors but are one of the teams linked to Howard, present an intriguing scenario. Jackson could provide insurance if Luol Deng's wrist doesn't hold up and/or Richard Hamilton fails to round into shape. Jackson's contract would mean the Bulls would have to part with some of their depth and young assets, but if they're concerned about having a second scoring option after Derrick Rose and want to woo Howard, they may bite.

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Odds & Ends: Heat, T-Wolves, 76ers, Jackson

February 6th, 2012 at 5:30pm CST by Luke Adams

On this day in 2008, the Heat parted ways with Shaquille O'Neal, shipping him to Phoenix in exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. Although Shaq saw a boost in his production for the next year and a half, he didn't win a playoff series in Phoenix — the Suns fell to the Spurs in the first round in 2008, then failed to make the postseason a year later. Here are a few items of note from around the league, starting with one of Shaq's former teams:

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Odds & Ends: Bucks, Williams, Beasley, Raptors

February 2nd, 2012 at 9:59pm CST by Jason Hahn

Here are some notes from around the NBA on a quiet Thursday night…

  • Michael Hunt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel examines the Bucks and their chance at becoming one of the league's pleasant surprises this season. He says the team is sharing the basketball, swarming on defense and scoring triple-digit points on a regular basis. In fact, the loss of Andrew Bogut to a broken ankle could be a reason why the ball is moving so well on offense. All this despite Stephen Jackson's touchy situation. "And it is my understanding that he has requested a trade," writes Hunt. 
  • Deron Williams is staying positive in New Jersey, according to Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News. The Nets have been hit hard by injuries lately, even playing with just eight players in uniform on Wednesday against the Pistons. "But, you know, hopefully we get some guys back here soon," Williams said of his depleted team. "What can you do?" This is a sign of progress for Williams, who used to pout and show his frustration on the court. Williams' rosy perspective could be something of a positive sign for the Nets, who will be looking to retain the 27-year-old point guard when he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. He's still considering his one-year, $17.8MM player option.
  • Michael Beasley might have a reputation for being a detrimental black hole, but the numbers tell a different story, according to Rob Parker of the New York Times. "The Wolves are not, as has been suggested, better without Beasley; the Wolves’ offense may be a bit more fluid when he sits, but the skill that produced Beasley’s volume scoring last season is still present and still valuable," writes Parker. An analysis of on/off data from this season shows that the Timberwolves benefit from having Beasley on the court. The 23-year-old forward should hope NBA teams see this — he's a restricted free agent after this season.
  • The Raptors are struggling, so coach Dwane Casey is going back to the basics. For one thing, he's focusing on the team's poor 2-6 record at home. While taking away comforts would be one way to shake up his players, "there really are no visible extras this team enjoys," writes Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun. Ganter also notes that Amir Johnson's recent struggles might be tied to personal issues off the court.
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Jackson Frustrated, Hasn’t Demanded Trade

January 31st, 2012 at 10:41pm CST by Zachary Links

10:41pm: Bucks GM John Hammond declined comment today on whether Jackson has asked to be traded, writes Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel.

9:19pm: Stephen Jackson is frustrated with his situation in Milwaukee but has yet to demand a trade, sources tell Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (via Twitter).  With the deadline approaching, Kennedy tweets that Jackson is someone to keep an eye as the Bucks won't pay him $9.26MM to sit on the bench.

The Bucks have won their last two games and the veteran has been out of the lineup for both contests.  Jackson, 33, was suspended for Saturday's game against the Lakers for verbal abuse of an official the previous night against the Bulls.  On Monday, coach Scott Skiles benched the veteran as the Bucks topped the Pistons 103-82.

Jackson has been openly campaigning for a contract extension ever since arriving in Milwaukee in June of last year.  Earlier this month, Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times wrote that Jackson was still upset about not being approached about a new deal and planned on broaching the topic with the front office.

Yesterday, we heard that Jackson and Dwight Howard have spoken with each other and like the idea of joining Deron Williams in New Jersey.  However, it should be noted that S-Jax and Howard are both represented by agent Dan Fegan.

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Latest On Dwight Howard

January 30th, 2012 at 7:36pm CST by Chuck Myron

Derrick Rose would be open to having Dwight Howard join him in Chicago, as indicated by his comments to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune. Here's the latest about the Magic big man who could be on the move:

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