Uncategorized Rumors | Hoops Rumors

And-Ones: LeBron, Pierce, Jazz, Kidd

July 12th, 2014 at 11:57pm CST by Cray Allred

The first domino that was LeBron James‘ free agency decision certainly set off the chain we anticipated, with a flurry of activity taking place over the last two days. Here’s a rundown of the league’s action this evening:

James hopes that his player option for the second year of his Cavs contract can be worked out quietly in the offseason, sources tell Terry Pluto of The Plain Dealer. Of course, a stress-free contract renewal for James would be the first of his career.
Paul Pierce‘s first choice wasn’t to sign with the Wizards, tweets David Aldridge of NBA.com. Pierce was more interested in joining the Clippers or returning to the Nets, but became more intrigued by the Washington roster as time went by this offseason.
Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey told reporters including Jody Genessy of Deseret News that Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors will both have a voice regarding Utah’s decision making (Twitter link).
Tom Moore of Calkins Media wonders if the Sixers might end up leveraging their abundant cap space to take back one of the Knicks burdensome contracts in exchange for draft compensation.
Jason Kidd tells Charles F. Gardner of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he has been working closely with Bucks GM John Hammond and assistant GM David Morway despite reports he was looking for front office power in the process that brought him from Brooklyn to Milwaukee. “We’re a family,” said Kidd. “Being able to talk to them every day about things, they have ideas, I share some of the things I think about. We’re still learning each other, how we want to play. A lot of things get misinterpreted with me, I guess. I’ll leave it at that.”

And-Ones: Bosh, Rockets, ‘Melo, Thunder

July 7th, 2014 at 11:28pm CST by Charlie Adams

Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski told FOX Sports 1 that Chris Bosh told the Rockets something that they don’t want to hear: “I want to be in Miami, I want to play with LeBron [James],” (link via Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders). More from around the league..

Carmelo Anthony is “torn” over where to spend the prime years of his career, a friend of the Knicks All Star forward tells Frank Isola of the Daily News. Anthony, 30, is still debating his next move with the Knicks, Lakers, and Bulls as his top three choices, the source claims.
The Knicks are feeling uneasy about the Melo situation, Marc Stein of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears. Meanwhile, the Bulls are encouraged by his indecisiveness, writes Joe Cowley of the Sun-Times.
Thunder coach Scott Brooks met today with Pau Gasol, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN.com.
In his introductory press conference, new Nets coach Lionel Hollins presented himself as a very different man than Jason Kidd, writes Mitch Abramson of the Daily News.
A bunch of teams, including the Warriors, concluded early after July 1st that Channing Frye would get more than the mid-level exception, tweets Zach Lowe of Grantland. However, teams didn’t expect him to land with the Magic. Frye is set to ink a four-year, $32MM pact with Orlando.
Kobe Bryant is recruiting Steve Blake and Caron Butler to the Lakers, tweets Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders.
Blazers point guard Mo Williams is scheduled to meet with the Mavericks tomorrow, a source tells Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter).

Week In Review: 6/30/14 – 7/6/14

July 6th, 2014 at 3:30pm CST by Zachary Links

In their meeting earlier this week, Knicks president Phil Jackson told Carmelo Anthony he can have the team’s maximum 5-year, $129MM contract if he wishes. However, there’s a distinct possibility Anthony will still decide to take a little less than the max. By all accounts, the Knicks appear to be in the lead for Melo. More from the week that was..

The Raptors kept Kyle Lowry with a hefty four-year deal.
Chris Bosh‘s reps are calling around the league to see if a max deal is out there. It sounds like Bosh can have a max deal if he wants one. The Rockets are fans.
The Cavs and Kyrie Irving agreed to an extension.
The Mavs and Dirk Nowitzki agreed to a new deal.
Spencer Hawes is headed to the Clippers.
The Nets hired Lionel Hollins after shipping Jason Kidd to the Bucks.
Talks between the Pacers and Lance Stephenson are at a standstill.
The Mavs will re-sign Devin Harris.
LeBron James‘ agent is telling teams that his client will start seriously considering other teams if Pat Riley doesn’t build a strong supporting cast quickly. His return is no longer a certainty. Also, he wants a max deal.
In addition to considering a possible trade for Jeremy Lin, the Bucks are pursuing restricted free agents Eric Bledsoe and Greivis Vasquez.
The Nets and Cavs are talking Marcus Thornton-for-Jarrett Jack again.
A report indicated that Eric Gordon, among others, has been made available by the Pelicans but the club is downplaying it.
The Bulls, Thunder, Heat, and Spurs are among the teams in the mix for Pau Gasol. The Lakers believe he’ll re-sign quickly if they can land LeBron or Carmelo.
The Jazz got Steve Novak from the Raptors.
It sounds like Jusuf Nurkic will join the Nuggets this season.
Jamal Crawford wants a contract extension.
The Grizzlies are getting outbid for Mike Miller.
The Bulls may or may not be planning to amnesty Carlos Boozer.
Gordon Hayward will visit the Hornets next week. The Cavs were high on him but appear to be wavering.
The Wizards re-signed Marcin Gortat.
The Pistons and Pelicans have discussed a sign-and-trade that would send Greg Monroe to his hometown of New Orleans in exchange for Ryan Anderson.
The Spurs re-signed Patrick Mills.
Luol Deng wants $12MM per season. The Heat like him but they’re unsure about how much cap space they will have. The Hawks, meanwhile, are unwilling to pay that amount, so a team like the Mavs might be his best chance at that type of deal.
Speaking of which, Pat Riley was reportedly telling teams that he could spend ~$12MM.
The Pacers will sign C.J. Miles.
The Raptors and Patrick Patterson have reached agreement on a three-year, $18MM deal.
The Raptors are likely to ink their Brazilian prospects this year.
The Magic waived Ronnie Price.
The Thunder will sign Sebastian Telfair.
The Pistons and Cartier Martin agreed to a deal.
The Wolves and representatives for Ricky Rubio have begun discussions about a rookie scale extension for the point guard.
The Pacers are quietly shopping Roy Hibbert.
The Warriors signed Shaun Livingston.
The Magic and Ben Gordon agreed to a deal.
The Bulls, Mavs, and Wolves like Chandler Parsons.
The Pacers like Goran Dragic but the Suns don’t seem interested.
The Hornets hired Chad Buchanan as assistant GM.
The Spurs might sign Bryce Cotton.
The Nuggets have mulled trading JaVale McGee and Wilson Chandler.
The Pacers inked Shayne Whittington.
One report indicates that the Knicks are unwilling to take Carlos Boozer in a potential sign-and-trade with the Bulls and Anthony.
The Celtics and Avery Bradley agreed to a new deal.
The Raptors and Hawks made a deal involving John Salmons.
The union is getting crafty.
The Bucks are shopping O.J. Mayo.
The Magic signed their first-round picks.
The Hawks will sign Thabo Sefolosha.
The Kings got Darren Collison.
The Pacers signed Damjan Rudez.
The Pistons have a deal with Jodie Meeks.
The Blazers are set to sign Chris Kaman.
The Raptors are coming close to a deal with restricted free agent Greivis Vasquez.
Nikola Mirotic seems likely to join the Bulls.
The Rockets turned down their team option on postseason revelation Troy Daniels.
Interest in Isaiah Thomas is heating up.
The Magic waived Jason Maxiell.
The Heat like Shawn Marion, Vince Carter, and Steve Blake.
The Thunder have made the unusual decision to decline Grant Jerrett‘s option while also extending him a qualifying offer.
The Pistons declined their option on Chauncey Billups.
The Thunder signed first round pick Mitch McGary.
The Magic claimed Willie Green.
The Magic waived Jameer Nelson.
The Magic waived Doron Lamb.
The Pacers will re-sign Lavoy Allen.
The 76ers waived James Anderson.

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Western Notes: Randle, Lin, Ariza, Stuckey, Davis

July 2nd, 2014 at 11:15pm CST by Zachary Links

Specialists have determined that Lakers first-round pick Julius Randle does not need surgery on his right foot and has been cleared to play, tweets Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times. More from around the NBA..

Rockets GM Daryl Morey brushed off criticism over the club’s decision to photoshop Carmelo Anthony wearing the No. 7 that is sported by Jeremy Lin, writes Mark Berman of FOX 26. Of course, if Houston manages to sign Melo, that could mean the end of Lin in Houston. “Bottom line, if Carmelo comes Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin have to be traded. It’s just math. It’s not personal,” said the GM.
The Jazz are among the suitors for Trevor Ariza, according to Michael Lee of the Washington Post.
Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit Free Press (on Twitter) hears that there is definite interest in free agent guard Rodney Stuckey, particularly from high-level clubs. Goodwill suggests that a return to the Pacific Northwest could also be in the cards for the guard. In recent days, we’ve heard that the Magic and Pacers have interest.
The Clippers have been talking to free agent Ed Davis and they’re optimistic, tweets Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com. The Grizzlies opted against tendering the 25-year-old an offer earlier this offseason.

Eastern Notes: Billups, Livingston, Carmelo

July 2nd, 2014 at 10:56pm CST by Zachary Links

While Chauncey Billups has a number of coaching, front office, and media opportunities available to him, he hasn’t decided if he wants to retire and walk away from the game just yet, writes Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. “As far as me playing, I feel really good right now for the first time in a long time – in two or three years,” Billups said. “I know that in the right situation, I can really help a team win. But it would take the right situation. I’m not going to play just to play. I have nothing left to prove and I’ve accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish playing basketball, so it would take the right situation for me to play.” The guard spent last season with the Pistons and saw just 19 games of action.

It sounds like Shaun Livingston had strong interest from several other clubs, including the Heat, before he agreed to sign with the Warriors, tweets Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News.
Tim Bontemps of the New York Post looks at where the Nets stand after losing Livingston to the Warriors.
If the Bulls are worried about their chances of landing Carmelo Anthony, that should give an indication of the long odds that the Rockets, Mavs, and Lakers are up against, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN.com. He posits that the Knicks‘ confidence through the process might be justified.
The Sixers have expressed interest in Kent Bazemore, according to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. As previously reported, the Jazz, Hawks, Celtics, Mavs, Lakers, Suns, and Bulls also have interest in the guard.
Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer (on Twitter) gets the sense that the Hornets are unlikely to land a big fish free agent this summer.

Free Agent Rumors: Melo, Love, Henry, Sessions,

July 1st, 2014 at 1:15am CST by Zachary Links

The Knicks are still viewed in league circles as the favorites in the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes, tweets Ken Berger of CBSSports.com. The team is confident that it will get the final sales pitch with Anthony, a source tells Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). The latest free agent rumors from around the league..

The Rockets, Suns, Bulls, and Warriors are all expected to make plays for Kevin Love if they miss out on LeBron James and/or Anthony, tweets Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press.
The Pacers are targeting Xavier Henry in free agency to replace Evan Turner, tweets Shaun Powell of Sports On Earth.
Bucks free agent guard Ramon Sessions‘ camp received calls from three teams in the first hour of free agency, a source tells Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders (on Twitter).
The Grizzlies, Nets, Spurs, and Thunder have expressed in free agent point guard Sebastian Telfair, a source tells Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders (via Twitter). Telfair played in China last season. For the Nets, Telfair could be a potential replacement for Shaun Livingston if he goes elsewhere.
The Nets reached out as soon as the negotiating window opened to their own free agents Paul Pierce, Livingston, and Alan Anderson, a source tells Ken Berger of CBSSports.com (on Twitter).
The Blazers have strong interest in signing a stretch four, tweets Joe Freeman of The Oregonian. Spencer Hawes, Boris Diaw, and Josh McRoberts are among their targets.
Blazers GM Neil Olshey met with Hawes and his agent, Greg Lawrence, tonight in Los Angeles, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter).
Channing Frye would be open to returning to the Blazers, writes Joe Freeman of The Oregonian. “Of course coming back would be an option,” Frye wrote in an e-mail. “I love the city, the fans, and the players they have are top notch.”
Nick Young was contacted by the Lakers and a number of other teams, agent Mark Bartelstein tells Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com (via Twitter).

Knicks Notes: Calderon, Anthony, Thanasis

June 28th, 2014 at 12:54pm CST by Cray Allred

We learned earlier today that the Knicks are feeling increasingly optimistic at their chances of re-signing Carmelo Anthony, and are planning to make a run at Pau Gasol in free agency. Here’s more from New York:

Jose Calderon wants to play with Anthony, telling reporters including Marc Berman of The New York Post that he will soon tell the forward that he can make his life easier from the point. “I’m hoping to talk to him for sure,” Calderon said. “I’d love to make everything easier for him and make the team successful and try to get as far as we can.’’
Calderon added that he would help recruit other players to New York as well. “This is my team,” said Calderon, who has ties to potential Knicks target Marc Gasol. “I’m going to help to improve it as much as I can. Anybody that we can get here or would be interested, I’d be willing to talk to, to try to make them come to the Knicks.”
Thanasis Antetokounmpo may play in Greece next season, where teams are interested in signing him, reports Berman in a separate piece. Antetokounmpo was drafted with the 51st pick the Knicks received in the Dallas trade.
Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders runs the numbers on the recent Knicks/Mavs trade. Since Dallas is a non-tax paying team, they were allowed to unevenly match the salaries of Samuel Dalembert, Calderon, and Wayne Ellington for Tyson Chandler, and count Shane Larkin‘s full salary toward the exception. Dallas receives a $1,536,960 trade exception for Larkin’s departure, and New York receives a $3,637,073 exception for Raymond Felton.
Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com runs down how the draft moves of the teams planning to pursue Anthony may affect the race to sign the prized free agent.

Celtics Notes: Rondo, Smart, Rebuild

June 28th, 2014 at 12:07pm CST by Cray Allred

The Celtics plummeted down the standings last season, their first chapter in a rebuild after parting with Doc Rivers, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett. Boston netted two first round picks from those efforts, selecting Marcus Smart and James Young. Here’s the latest on where the franchise stands:

GM Danny Ainge will entertain offers for Rajon Rondo this summer, but that doesn’t mean the point guard will be traded, sources tell Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald. Bulpett’s sources say that the market for Rondo is not very high, and that Boston would rather let him walk as a free agent than take salary back in an underwhelming package.
For now, Boston does hope that pairing Rondo with Smart will work despite their positional overlap, and the Celtics ideal scenario is to improve around Rondo rather than plan for his exit, per Bulpett.
While the Celtics have failed to land Kevin Love or swing any kind of blockbuster to accelerate their rebuilding process, Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com thinks the franchise is still on pace to become a long-term contender as soon as next summer.

Draft Rumors: Jazz, Clippers, Rockets

June 26th, 2014 at 3:00pm CST by Zachary Links

Jody Genessy of the Deseret News (on Twitter) hears the Jazz are “frantically” trying to move up from the No. 5 spot. Everything Utah has remains available for trade consideration. The Jazz reportedly have their eye on forward Jabari Parker and they know there’s no chance of him falling to No. 5. Here’s the latest draft news..

Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com (on Twitter) hears the Clippers are “50-50” on keeping their first round choice.
One name to watch for the Rockets at either No. 25 or No. 42 is Russian big man Artem Klimenko, tweets Chad Ford of ESPN.com. Houston has been doing some serious research on him in recent months.
The Lakers aren’t sensing a lot of momentum for a pre-draft trade and, as of right now, expect to keep the No. 7 pick, tweets Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.
The Knicks, Blazers, and Nets are among the teams trying to land a first-round choice, league sources tell Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link).
The Hornets have explored moving up from No. 24, league sources tell Kennedy (on Twitter).
The Kings want to acquire a second-round pick, sources tell Kennedy (Twitter link).
There are several picks in the late 20s “to be had,” one exec tells Ken Berger of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). With nine teams lacking a first-round pick, there’s a strong market for them.
Meanwhile, Marc Stein of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears that we could be in for high number of international picks in the 20-to-30 range. That’s because teams are placing a high value on cap space and want to stay away from the luxury tax so clubs might not be lining up to trade for picks in that range as expected (link). The clubs left holding those selections might prefer to go with draft-and-stash candidates in cases where they don’t have obvious, pressing needs.

Western Rumors: Warriors, Asik, Parker, Kings

June 26th, 2014 at 12:35pm CST by Zachary Links

In an interview with SiriusXM, Warriors star Andre Iguodala said that he doesn’t believe teammate Klay Thompson should be traded as part of a deal for Minnesota’s Kevin Love, writes Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group. “That’s not going to happen,” Iguodala said. “I want to clear that up right now. We should not trade Klay Thompson. I tell Klay this every day. I text Klay and say, ‘Don’t worry. I’m your man. I’m going to make sure you get paid. I’m going to get you the max (contract). You’ll be taken care of. Don’t stress.’” Here’s more out of the West..

More dominoes will fall from the deal that sent Omer Asik to the Pelicans, tweets Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com. New Orleans may move Austin Rivers to create cap space. One possibility, Windhorst suggests, would be trading him to the Clippers, where Austin’s father holds a trade exception.
The Rockets talked about sending Asik to the Pelicans for Ryan Anderson, but could not get much traction, tweets Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
The Jazz remain interested in Jabari Parker, but sources say there’s still a “big concern” about his right foot, which he broke in high school, tweets Jody Genessy of the Deseret News. However, Parker is still in the lead over Andrew Wiggins on their wish list if they can pull off a deal for the No. 1 pick (link).
The Kings appear poised to keep the No. 8 pick, sources tell Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter).
Sponsors continue to be skittish about the Clippers as the team’s ownership situation remains unresolved, as Andrea Chang and Tiffany Hsu of the Los Angeles Times detail.
The Timberwolves received initial criticism for last year’s draft-day trade of Trey Burke to Utah for Shabazz Muhammad and Gorgui Dieng, but one year later, team president Flip Saunders is happy with the returns, writes Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press.