NBA Trade Rumors 3/12/12
Howard To Chicago?
Orlando would like to seriously discuss a Dwight Howard trade with the Bulls, Ken Berger reports, but Howard does not want to go to Chicago. So all indications are, according to Berger, Alex Kennedy and others, that Orlando will keep Howard for the rest of the season and likely lose him in free agency this summer.
“He’s telling everyone he’s leaving,” a source told Berger.
Offers have not been good enough by the Nets, Mavericks and Lakers, teams on Howard’s preferred trade list, and Chicago could offer Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng, Omer Asik and a future Bobcats first-round pick the Bulls own. However, it seems like Howard would not want to play second fiddle to Derrick Rose in Chicago and therefore does not want to go to the Bulls.
Knowing that they’ll likely get Howard in free agency this summer, the Nets have only been offering Jordan Farmar and Mehmet Okur rather than young assets like MarShon Brooks, says Bill Ingram.
Report: Lakers Nixed Gasol For Rondo
The Celtics-Lakers rivalry reportedly extended to the proverbial negotiating table recently, as the two sides discussed a trade involving Pau Gasol and Rajon Rondo, according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles would not trade Gasol for Rondo and talks pretty much ended there. “Unless they give up Gasol, they’re not going to get a top-level point guard,” a source told Bresnahan. Another possibility for the Lakers is Michael Beasley, but LA isn’t willing to give up a first round pick for him just yet.
Clippers Search For Two-Guard Could End With Crawford
The Clippers should be more urgent in its search for a shooting guard, but the price has thus far been to high for Los Angeles, according to Ramona Shelbourne of ESPN LA. The Clips have looked into Boston’s Ray Allen, Portland’s Jamal Crawford and Washington’s Nick Young, but teams have been asking for a combination of Eric Bledsoe, a first round pick and/or the expiring contract of Randy Foye or Brian Cook.
Now it seems their pursuit of Crawford has gotten serious. CBS’ Ken Berger reports that the Clippers and Blazers are discussing a deal that would send Crawford to LA for Eric Bledsoe and Ryan Gomes. The Clippers-Blazers deal is being discussed, says Ken Berger, but has not yet advanced to the ownership level. However, Alex Raskin reports that the Clippers are reluctant to move Bledsoe for a rental player like Crawford. The Crawford trade could be the precursor, Berger says, of a Blazers-Lakers swap that would exchange Raymond Felton for Steve Blake, with the Lakers also adding an extra piece to make the salaries match.
Another possible landing spot for Jamal Crawford is Charlotte, with the Bobcats sending D.J. Augustin and filler to Portland, according to David Aldridge. Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer confirms that Portland is interested. A Crawford trade could be coming soon, says Alex Kennedy, and the Berger report give Kennedy’s tweet from earlier more credence.
Sam Amick Reports
The Warriors’ interest is real, but Milwaukee doesn’t know if they can get maximum value for him right now. The Bucks would want anyone to take either Stephen Jackson or Drew Gooden in a Bogut trade. Another Bucks player who could be on the block is Brandon Jennings, who is available for the right price. Atlanta is considering Josh Smith’s trade request and he’s been a lifelong friend of Dwight Howard’s.
Sacramento’s Tyreke Evans is no longer considered the centerpiece of the Kings’ rebuilding process and they could move him if the right opportunity arises. Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Thornton has made for a good backcourt with DeMarcus Cousins at center. *Portland will be active this week, but don’t expect a Nicolas Batum trade. *Houston could deal a few players from a list including Goran Dragic, Courtney Lee, Chase Budinger, Jonny Flynn and Terrence Williams. Luis Scola and Kevin Martin are still in play for Howard or Gasol.
Extra Points
-More Bogut: Golden State’s pursuit of Milwaukee center Andrew Bogut is “nothing but hype” according to Rusty Simmons. Milwaukee wants any team that trades for Bogut to take Stephen Jackson as well, according to Marc Stein.
-Ramon Sessions would like to remain a Cavalier, says the Cleveland Plain Dealer, but that has not stopped teams from wanting to deal for the coveted point guard. The Lakers, Hawks and TimberWolves are among the interested parties.
-Memphis is no longer taking offers for O.J. Mayo, Bill Ingram reports. Indiana and Minnesota had shown interest.
-The Nets have inquired about the expiring contract of Boris Diaw, Rick Bonnell reports. Charlotte would likely want a first round pick in return, Houston’s could be in play, and players like Jordan Farmar and Johan Petro would also be in play, says Alex Raskin.
-Wilson Chandler has set a Friday deadline to negotiate a long-term deal with Denver or he’ll sit out the rest of the season, says Alex Kennedy. Denver has been quiet so far on the trade front, says Zach Lowe.
-Kyle Lowry can be officially ruled out of any trade now that he’s out two to four weeks with a viral infection.
NBA Trade Rumors 3/10/12
The Latest On Dwight Howard
Orlando has talked about bringing Dwight Howard help more than they have about trading him, says Marc Spears. The Lakers are interested, but would only deal Andrew Bynum in a trade for Howard. Golden State is now willing to include Monta Ellis in a deal for Howard with the emergence of Klay Thompson.
The Magic are looking for a Carmelo Anthony-like haul if they were to trade him. New Jersey is still Howard’s preferred destination, but the Magic don’t like Brook Lopez as the centerpiece of a trade and three or four teams would be needed, says Sam Amick. Houston and Golden State will be discussed, but Orlando may not like anyone on the Warriors roster.
On the acquiring front, Orlando doesn’t have the assets to acquire Ellis or Steve Nash without Howard going the other way, but the team is trying to trade Hedo Turkoglu alone, says Marc Stein. To do that, though, it could take as many as two-first round picks along with Turkoglu.
Lakers On The Hunt
As for Pau Gasol, Houston still has interest but a third team would be needed because Los Angeles wants a point guard and the Rockets aren’t trading Kyle Lowry, says Marc Spears. Other Lakers targets include Devin Harris of Utah, Ramon Sessions of Cleveland, Raymond Felton of Portland and Michael Beasley of Minnesota. Cleveland is looking for a first round pick in return for Sessions, says Marc Stein.
Chris Kaman Talk Heats Up
New Orleans is looking to trade the big man, with the Rockets, Warriors, Heat, Pacers and Celtics among the teams interested in the expiring big man, says Sam Amick. Indiana would not be willing to give up a first round pick, says Marc Stein. There are rumors of Kaman going to Dallas for Lamar Odom and another piece, says Stein, but expect the Mavs to hold on to Odom for the rest of the season.
Extra Points
-Boston won’t trade Rajon Rondo unless they get a superstar in return, says Marc Spears. A Paul Pierce trade is unlikely, but dealing Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett for picks and young players is a possibility. Allen’s price would be Tyler Hansbrough and a first round pick from Indiana.
-Phoenix will only trade Steve Nash if he asks out, says Yahoo! Sports’ Marc Spears.
-Milwaukee is finally softening its stance on dealing Andrew Bogut by the deadline, says Marc Stein. The catch? Teams dealing for the former top overall pick would have to take on Stephen Jackson’s contract as well. Washington is among the interested teams.
-Washington is trying to deal JaVale McGee and Andray Blatche in the same trade, says Marc Stein. John Wall is the only untouchable on the roster, says Michael Lee.
-Count Indiana among the teams interested in Jamal Crawford, says Marc Stein. Minnesota also has interest and Orlando is interested in Gerald Wallace, says the Oregonian. The Blazers would also like to deal Raymond Felton.
-Antawn Jamison is generating trade interest, says Marc Stein.
-Don’t expect the Knicks to be busy at all, says Alan Hahn.
-Nets C Mehmet Okur will miss six weeks and will probably not be dealt by the deadline.
Mets Spring Training Questions
NEW YORK– By Mo Miller
Entering the 2012 season, it’s been six years since the Mets have made the playoffs. The last three years have been dreadful, seasons to forget. Coming into the 2012 season, things look bleak. The Mets are rebuilding and waiting for their prospects to grow and become Major League ready. However, if things go right the Mets could be a competitive team and surprise many people. Here are some of the story lines coming into the 2012 season.
Johan Santana- Since joining the Mets Santana has had trouble staying healthy. Can he remain in the rotation all season? Can Santana return to something resembling his old Cy Young form? How much will fatigue factor into Santana’s pitching considering he hasn’t pitched in a Major League game in close to 18 months?
Jason Bay- Two years into the Jason Bay contract, and so far it hasn’t looked good for anyone. In Bay’s two years as a Met, he’s combined for a .251 average, with 18 HR’s and 108 RBI’s. Combined. In two seasons. So what will 2102 hold for Jason Bay? With the outfield walls coming in and coming down, will Bay’s offensive numbers improve? Will Bay return to the offensive threat he was in Boston and Pittsburgh?
Mike Pelfrey- After a good 2010, Pelfrey was awful in 2011, going 7-13 with a 4.74 ERA. Will Pelfrey return to 2010 form and lower his large ERA? Pelfrey gave up 21 home runs in 2011, so can he re-find that sinker, that was so good in 2010, and keep the ball down?
David Wright- Wright is coming off a year where he had a back injury and only played 102 games. Wright’s contract has a $16 million club option for 2013. Were Wright’s offensive problems because of his back issue alone? Will Wright get traded at the trade deadline if the Mets are not in contention? What type of offensive threat will Wright be? Will he show his opposite field power again and return to old form?
Josh Thole- Mets GM Sandy Alderson & Co. decided not to pursue a veteran catcher and go with the youngsters in Thole and Mike Nickeas. Thole’s defense was lacking last year and at times he looked lost behind the plate; he led the NL with 16 passed balls. Can Thole improve on his defense and be competent behind the plate? Thole, who was expected to be a good average hitter, hit a woeful .268 in 2011. Can Thole improve on his offense and raise his average close to .300?
Jonathon Niese- Niese has had trouble his whole career staying healthy. Can he stay healthy for a full season in 2012? At times in 2011 Niese looked like an All-Star with an amazing curveball. Can Niese return to that form and be consistent with his best pitch?
Ruben Tejada- The Mets let Jose Reyes walk, handing the shortstop reigns to the 22-year-old Tejada. It is clear Tejada can play shortstop at a Major League level, but can he play it over a long 162 game campaign? Tejada’s offense was very up and down in 2011, at times looking like he could hit in the Majors, but often not being able to get the ball out of the infield? Who is the real Tejada? Can he hit well consistently over the span of the long season?
Daniel Murphy- The past two seasons, Murphy has had trouble staying healthy, getting both knees blown out the past two years. One thing for sure is Murphy can hit, hitting .320 in 109 games last season. The Mets are ready to give Murphy the everyday job at 2B, but can he defend it properly? Can he turn the double play, something he had trouble doing in 2011?
Bullpen- Yet again, the Mets had problems in the bullpen in 20111. Alderson & Co. made the bullpen a priority over the off-season, signing Frank Fransisco and Jon Rauch, while trading for Ramon Ramirez. Can the bullpen finally be stable? Can they close out games and hold leads for the Mets? Can they keep games close and give the Mets an opportunity to come back and win games late?
These are just some of the questions that need to be answered yes for the Mets to be successful in 2012.
NBA Three-Point Play 2/1/12
LOS ANGELES– By Aron Jacobowitz
1) Are the Sixers really ‘contenders’ in the East, or are they impecable pretenders? They have won 13 games thus far by double digits (tied for the most this season with the Bulls – who they play tonight). They are killing their division with the likes of Boston and New York trying desperately to salvage a season, and they don’t even have a superstar.
Are they the East’s Nuggets? Is it too early for this type of question? Hmm. Well at 15-6, it’s safe to say that through a third of the season, you ain’t trippin’. Although they do not have very many quality wins, thankfully, as mentioned above, they are playing Chicago tonight. Because this will be the first legitimate threat to limit the Sixers window of success for the ’11-’12 condensed season.
How are the Sixers doing what they do so far? Two words: Doug Collins. Early season coach of the year? Yes. When you’ve coached Michael Jordan early in his career, you immediately demand the respect necessary to say whatever needs to be said to turn their fortunes around. They rank first in scoring defense (86.1) and fifth in rebounds per game (43.8). That said, they only own three victories against teams with winning records: Indiana, Atlanta and Orlando. Beating Atlanta is most likely the best thing these guys have done all year. However, they don’t choose their schedule. They were given these games, and they’ve plowed right through them. They beat Orlando, who is in complete dysfunction, in the midst of a 1-5 stretch that has seen them play worse than the Tulsa Shock, the WNBA team who went 3-31 last season.
We have watched Coach Collins turn this team into a collective group; a core of young talent (Jrue Holiday, Lou Williams, Thaddeus Young) surrounded by savvy veterans (Elton Brand and Andre Igoudala). As much as I hate to admit it, Elton Brand is actually helping his squad. His numbers aren’t the 20 and 10 he used to put up in Clipperland. However, his minutes are down, his mentoring up, and his contract is also up ($17.1 million). All jokes aside, a win tonight against the East leading Bulls will undoubtedly provide legitimacy to the City of Brotherly Love for the first time since The Answer left the building (the first time).
2) Did Kevin McHale spike the Gatorade after the Rockets dismal 2-6 start? Granted, Houston began the season with one of, if not the toughest schedule in the league. They also began the season with some players pretty damn upset about the failed trade that would have seen their landscape completely change. Kevin Martin and Louis Scola (their two leading scorers at 21 and 15 points per game) were to be shipped off and Pau Gasol was supposed to be brought in. Maybe because McHale thought he could relate better to a seven-foot soft Spaniard?
Kyle Lowry has literally transformed into one of the more efficient PG’s out West putting up 15, 8, 6.5 and the dude’s name has literally never been so much as uttered on SportsCenter before this season. Okay, maybe once or twice, but definitely not with the enthusiasm necessary. He had to fill Aaron Brooks shoes, who put up a monster playoffs a few years back, then disagreed with the coaching staff, and was shipped off to Phoenix (now he’s in China). Speaking of that trade, Goran Dragic was part of that deal and has also used his few years of watching Steve Nash to quietly put together a solid backup PG season (eight points and four assists per game).
The Rockets began the season with losses to Orlando, Memphis, Lakers, Clippers, and Oklahoma City (twice- home and away) while also posting wins against San Antonio and Atlanta (both at home), which accounts for their 2-6 record out of the gate. Since then, they have won 10 of 13 (only playing four road games during that stretch) highlighted by wins against Portland and San Antonio. They have also benefited from a relatively weak stretch, playing the Wizards twice, New Orleans, Detroit, Charlotte (ALL W’s). But at 12-9, the Rockets may slide into the 7th or 8th seed in the West and make some noise. With seven of their next eight games on the road, I’m sure we’ll find out by Valentine’s Day if this team is legit.
3) Fresh off of back-to-back victories against the top two teams in the West (Denver and Oklahoma City), the LA Clippers continue to add to their impressive early season resume. With wins against Miami, Oklahoma City, Lakers, Denver, Dallas, Portland and Memphis thus far, the sky’s the limit.
Early season MVP Chris Paul (although he missed five of their 18 games) has already proven he will be the guy to make the necessary buckets down the stretch. Blake Griffin keeps finding ways to top himself, while also amassing a large amount of haters – and you only gain haters when you increase your media coverage- so he’s doing something right. Mo “Money” Williams, if he keeps up his high energy and hot shooting, will be hoisting that sixth man award in front of the home crowd come May. The dude is approaching 50 percent from downtown, while putting up 15 points per game. This team has five guys averaging at least 15 points per game and they are a Kenyon Martin signing away from going nine-deep and legitimately becoming the best team in the West.
To play the other side, the Clippers have only played six road games (2-4) compared to 12 at the Staples Center (10-2). That’s about to change. They play in Utah tonight, where they were clobber-fisted about two weeks prior. Then they go home tomorrow against Denver before playing eight of their next 10 on the road. Are they battle-tested thus far? Yes. But not on the road. Beating Denver on Sunday in the Rockies was a nice start, but with games at Orlando, Philadelphia and Dallas on the upcoming trip, we’ll see if Vinny Del Negro and his band of Clippers wet the bed or continues to climb the ladder.
Reaction: A’s Acquire OF Smith in Deal With Rockies
The A’s and Rockies made agreed to a deal that would send OF Seth Smith to the Oakland in exchange for LHP Josh Outman and RHP Guillermo Moscoso.
Smith is the prototypical “Moneyball” player that Oakland GM Billy Beane covets. Although he has a career .348 OBP, Smith has shown patience at the plate over his five seasons in the big leagues. Smith should also provide some gap to gap power that could result in new career highs in doubles and triples. The problem Smith has had over his career is his inability to hit lefties. Smith has a .202/.269/.319 slash line over his career. In order to become a successful everyday player in this league, Smith must perform better versus left handed pitchers. If he does, this would be an excellent acquisition for the Athletics.
While the A’s probably acquired the more significant player in this deal, the Rockies received a pair of pitchers that should help solidify the backend of the rotation or bullpen. Josh Outman is a left handed pitcher who appeared in only 13 games last season (9 as a starter) after missing all of the 2010 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. It usually takes pitchers time to fully recover from Tommy John surgery so Outman’s 2011 numbers might be a bit misleading (3.70 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 5.4 K/ 9 IP) . Instead I would look toward is 2009 numbers (3.48 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 7.1 K/ 9 IP) and expect his numbers to fall somewhere in between those two seasons. If he fails to break the rotation, Outman has the chance to be a solid lefty reliever out of the bullpen. Moscoso is a RHP who performed well in his first full year last season. He could get a look as the fifth starter in Colorado, but can also be used as a long reliever out of the pen.
Overall this could turn out the be a good trade for both teams as the A’s were looking to improve their lineup and the Rockies were looking to add pitching depth, both in the rotation and bullpen. At the same time though, there are a lot of question marks surrounding all the players involved in this deal, but the reward could certainly outweigh the risk in this situation.
