Magic try to follow Howard trade with lottery luck (Yahoo! Sports)
NEW YORK (AP) — Pat Williams is pretty good at being lucky, and he’s got a hunch.
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Grizzlies GM Compares Pau Gasol to Organ Donor for Marc Gasol Trade
Pau Gasol has made everything the Memphis Grizzlies are doing right now possible, like a catalyst, or, you know, someone who was gleaned for their organs.
Reflecting on the trade that sent Pau to the Los Angeles Lakers and netted the Grizzlies his brother Marc Gasol and so much more, Memphis general manager Chris Wallace offered the most unorthodox of analogies.
“We like to think that Pau is the NBA version of an organ donor,” Wallace explained (via Peter May of SheridanHoops.com). “We’re still living on what we harvested from him.”
It’s not everyday you hear the Gasol trade put in that kind of context. The Grizzlies have really only just begun to even garner praise for it.
Wallace and the rest of the organization were lambasted by just about everyone for making the deal. The San Antonio Spurs head coach and now Western Conference Finals adversary was among the most “irked” by the accord.
“What they did in Memphis is beyond comprehension,” Popovich told Sports Illustrated (via The Memphis Commercial Appeal) at the time. “There should be a trade committee that can scratch all trades that make no sense. I just wish I had been on a trade committee that oversees NBA trades. I would have voted no to the L.A. trade.”
Plenty of others shared Coach Pop’s caustic sentiments, many of which were probably also relieved when David Stern vetoed a 2011 trade that would have landed Chris Paul with the Lakers. The Los Angeles Clippers would have been helping the most evil of big-market franchises with little resistance; the NBA couldn’t have that again.
Five years laters, it’s clear the Association didn’t have that to begin with.
Memphis sent Pau and a second-round pick to Los Angeles for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie and two first rounders in addition to Marc. Crittenton was shipped to the Washington Wizards for a first-round pick, Brown left as a free agent and McKie was cap fodder, never appearing in a game for the Grizzlies.
Those two first-round picks turned into Darrell Arthur, who is still with the Grizzlies, and Greivis Vasquez, who was sent to the New Orleans Hornets for Quincy Pondexter, another one who still resides in Memphis.
At first glance, the deal seems as bad as Popovich made it sound. Dealing a perennial All-Star for a number of spare parts is unforgivable, but as Wallace points out, there was so much more to the trade.
Pau’s departure created cap space—according to Wallace, about $20 million—which the Grizzlies used to sign Zach Randolph after acquiring him from the Clippers in 2009. Z-Bo has been selected to two All-Star games while with Memphis and has averaged a double-double in three of his four seasons with the team.
Then there’s Marc, a one-time All-Star, now reigning Defensive Player of the Year and a dazzling star in his own right. He along with a few others that can still be linked to the Pau trade—Randolph, Pondexter and Arthur—have helped push the Grizzlies within four victories of an NBA Finals appearance.
Memphis owes so much of where it is now to that deal, the one that was considered one of the biggest transactional travesties in NBA history. The same one that is now paying championship-caliber dividends.
Plan your toast to Pau’s organs, accordingly.
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Exploring the Celtics Trade Options for Paul Pierce
The ESPN Trade Machine is a fun way to waste a Wednesday night. Danny Ainge has a multi-tiered mission ahead of him this offseason as he looks to either retool a contender on its (last) (double last) triple last leg or cash in on the reduced yet still prominent value of Paul Pierce’s in flux contract. Let’s play some trade machine and see if there’s a mutually attractive deal out there for Danny to lose a few weeks’ sleep over. Ainge has 6.5 weeks to establish Pierce’s trade market and pull something off. On June 30th, he either buys Pierce out for $5m or keeps him at $15.3m. Ben Watanabe from NESN.com and Brian Robb from Celtics Hub already wrote great breakdowns of Pierce’s contract mechanics and trade mechanics, so they deserve your full read. We’ll just take a look at Pierce’s trade market. First, let’s lay out the five key points for this exercise: 1. Pierce cannot resign with the Celtics if they buy him out. The NBA has a one-year ban on players re-signing with teams that wa…
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New Philadelphia 76ers GM Sam Hinkie Calls Andrew Bynum Trade a ‘Failure’
The Andrew Bynum trade was a failure.
Someone from the Philadelphia 76ers organization who wasn’t the recently departed Doug Collins had to say it, so it might as well have been Sam Hinkie.
Fresh off being named the team’s president and general manager, Hinkie wasted no time in putting that advanced analytics-endorsing brain of his to good use.
Speaking with the media from the Sixers practice facility, Hinkie said it was fair to call the Bynum trade a “failure.”
Of course it’s fair. It seems unfair not to call it a gargantuan-sized folly at this point.
Philly mortgaged its team dynamic (and future) on Bynum. It shipped out an All-Star in Andre Iguodala and a budding young big man in Nikola Vucevic who went on to tear it up with the Orlando Magic. And they willingly relinquished those assets in pursuit of the second-best center in the NBA.
What did it actually get? Not much.
Bynum didn’t play in a single game for the Sixers, leaving the team in absolute disarray. Collins’ reign in Philly came apart right before our eyes and the organization was reduced to creating false senses of hope that inevitably did little to quell the resentful cries of their fanbase.
So yes, this trade was failure. And as the man who will be expected to neutralize the chaos this accord instilled, Hinkie has every right to call it one.
His job, unfortunately, doesn’t end with admitting the deal was a sham. Bynum is now an unrestricted free agent and the Sixers must decide whether to invest even more in the fragile big man or sever ties that were never really affixed to begin with.
Thus far, the latter hasn’t appeared to be an option. The Sixers maintained that Bynum was still “Plan A“, and managing owner Josh Harris went as far as saying he’d make the trade again.
But Hinkie made no such promises, nor did he offer any similar inclinations. He instead explained that he considers Bynum just another free agent, no different than anyone else the Sixers will look at.
Tough talk for a new guy, I know, but that’s what the Sixers need at this point.
Hinkie isn’t as invested in Bynum as the rest of the organization and is thus free to make a more objective decision. He’s an analytics-driven guy, and if the numbers don’t jive, both financially and statistically, he’ll let Bynum walk.
Or, as he would probably put it, he’ll put as much distance between the Sixers and their latest failure if he sees fit.
“Philadelphia will realize over time what an important acquisition they have made,” Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said (via ESPN.com).
To be clear, Morey was making reference to Hinkie, not Bynum.
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NBA Trade Speculation: 7 Players Likeliest to Be Traded in the Offseason
The summer of 2013 figures to be an interesting time throughout the NBA.
After an eerily quiet trade deadline this past February, a number of moves are poised to shake up the league landscape.
Aside from big-name free agents like Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Josh Smith all making monumental decisions, the trade market figures to be active as well.
With franchises searching to move in new directions this summer, it’s time to ponder which players could be on the move in just a few short months.
Note: All statistics retrieved from Basketball-Reference unless noted otherwise.
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Trade to Orlando helped ignite Tobias Harris’ season
ORLANDO, Fla. The NBA doesn’t hand out awards based on what transpired during the final third of its regular season.
If it did, Tobias Harris would have been a prime candidate for Most Improved Player.
When the Orlando Magic acquired him and guards Beno Udrih and Doron Lamb in February from the Milwaukee Bucks, Harris wasn’t even averaging five points a game in his second season as a pro. With rookies Maurice Harkless and Andrew Nicholson having become the Magic’s starting forwards, the thought of another young player competing with them for minutes was likely not very high on their fans’ wish list.
But all that dormant potential surfaced in a hurry. After Harris had 27 points and 10 rebounds off the bench against the Houston Rockets in only his fourth game with the Magic, it became clear he belonged.
Harris made his first start March 8 and ended up averaging more than 17 points and nine rebounds during the next 20 games. Those are the sort of numbers NBA followers might associate more wi
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NBA Trade Rumors: Analyzing Latest Buzz Around the League
The 2013 NBA playoffs are intensifying, and the last place anyone is looking this May is in the rumor mill.
But that doesn’t mean the trade chatter hasn’t already started up. With 22 teams, including Pau Gasol and the Los Angeles Lakers, already in offseason mode, there’s plenty to dissect as the NBA draft and free agency draws closer.
Below we’ll take a break from postseason action and get you caught up on the latest NBA trade buzz.
Potential Blockbuster Deal Between Celtics and Clippers
On ESPN’s First Take earlier this week, Stephen A. Smith brought up rumors of a potential blockbuster trade between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers, one that would involve Blake Griffin, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and even Doc Rivers among others.
Smith took to Twitter not long after to clear things up, but it does seem that both teams are in talks.
With Chris Paul becoming a free agent this summer, the trade Smith discussed, which would send Blake Griffin, Eric Bledsoe, DeAndre Jordan and Caron Butler to Boston in exchange for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, would also feature Doc Rivers signing on to coach the Clippers.
The reason behind it would be to keep Chris Paul in L.A. as he’s set to become a free agent this summer.
A coaching change on top of adding two veterans with championships already under their belt would have to be enough to convince Paul to resign, wouldn’t it?
As far-fetched as it sounds, Smith mentions that you can’t rule anything out at this point. But as long as former No. 1 overall pick Blake Griffin is involved, something tells me this deal won’t be happening anytime soon.
Paul Gasol Won’t Be Shocked If He’s Not a Laker Next Season
After a disappointing first-round playoff exit, the Los Angeles Lakers will likely be making some serious changes this offseason, and forward Pau Gasol is well aware, setting the stage for a summer full of trade rumors with these comments at his exit interview (via ESPNLosAngeles.com’s Dave McMenamin):
The future is uncertain. There’s no doubt about it. It’s a possibility that I could be gone and there’s a possibility that I could stay. I don’t know the exact percentages of it. But I’m prepared for either way.
The Lakers have serious financial concerns with a payroll around $100 million. At the moment L.A. would owe roughly $85 million in luxury-tax penalties according to McMenamin, so dumping Gasol is definitely a real possibility at this point.
After all, Gasol is set to make slightly over $19 million next season according to Spotrac.com, will turn 33 this July and is coming off a season in which he was plagued by injuries. Gasol played in just 49 regular season games in 2012-13, averaging a career-low 13.7 points per game on a career-worst 46.6 shooting from the field.
There’s no denying that Gasol was a key piece to the Lakers’ back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010, but times are changing and the penalties are beginning to pile up in L.A.
Eric Gordon May Be On His Way Out of New Orleans
New Orleans Pelicans general manager Dell Demps has yet to rule out the possibility of the franchise parting ways with talented shooting guard Eric Gordon this offseason according to a report last month by NOLA.com’s John Reid.
Here is Demps on Gordon’s future:
To say if I anticipate him being back – I don’t know if that’s something I can answer right now, or him not to be back. We’re going to sit down and evaluate every situation and opportunity.
But for a guy to come back from injury like that, I thought he had some ups and some downs, but I still think his future is bright as an NBA player.
It’s tough to project where Gordon will end up playing next season based on all the concerns about his health and the size of his current contract.
Gordon will make roughly $15 million in each of the next two seasons under his current deal according to Spotrac.com but was only able to play in 42 games last season because of knee issues. On top of that, the 24-year-old shot just 40 percent from the field and 32 percent from beyond the arc for New Orleans.
The Hornets weren’t able to find any takers for Gordon prior to the February trade deadline, but the long offseason has just begun for most NBA teams.
Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.
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Stephen A. Smith Starts Ridiculous KG, Pierce and Doc to Clippers Trade Rumor
There is no need to fret about the futures of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett with the Boston Celtics, because Stephen A. Smith already knows what is about to happen. The ESPN analyst can also clue you in on the future of coach Doc Rivers in Boston and those of Eric Bledsoe, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and Caron Butler with the Los Angeles Clippers.
While on ESPN’s First Take, Smith spoke of a trade rumor that had been discussed between the Celtics and Clippers. And when I pen “discussed,” I really mean this is a rumor Smith more likely manufactured himself (via Kurt Heilin of NBC Sports’ ProBasketballTalk):
The proposal allegedly being discussed was Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Clippers for Blake Griffin, Eric Bledsoe, DeAndre Jordan and Caron Butler. Then Doc Rivers would walk away from the Celtics this summer and sign on to coach the Clippers in place of a canned Vinny Del Negro.
Forgive me for indulging in the absurd, but I simply could not resist.
Few things make less sense than this potential accord would, and Smith himself knows it. He has already elected to play the “anything can happen” card.
When someone says that, it usually means they are hurling Jello at the wall and hoping it sticks. This batch of gelatin will not, because we are smarter than that.
I have no doubt that Garnett would consider waiving his no-trade clause for the Clippers if Pierce was still by his side. I also still believe that Chris Paul would welcome the opportunity to play alongside KG.
I sincerely doubt that this “rumor” holds any validity, though.
As injury prone as Griffin is, why would the Clippers ship out a top-15 superstar—along with two other young talents—for a pair of aging stars on the wrong side of 35? Do they hate Jordan that much?
No disrespect to Pierce and Garnett, but Los Angeles could (likely) fetch a far more appealing package if it is dangling Bledsoe and Jordan in the same deal.
And why, all of a sudden, is Rivers leaving Boston as well? Is he attached at the hip to Pierce and Garnett?
Puh-lease. Let’s be real. A startling concept, I know, but let’s try it.
The Celtics have already called this steaming pile of unfounded conjecture “absurd,” and Danny Ainge has made it clear that he expects Rivers to be back on the sidelines in Boston next season.
“From all I know, Doc will be back,” Ainge said (via Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald).
Clearly, Ainge does not have the kind of access Smith does. Smith is so well connected that he knows about trades that Boston’s general manager doesn’t.
If that seems impossible, it’s because it is.
The futures of Garnett and Pierce in Boston are in doubt, and there could come a point where one, or both, is traded. One could even be sent to the Clippers (doubtful). If and when that time comes, though, the Celtics will (likely) not be landing Griffin of all people in return.
My apologies to Stephen A., but this one just isn’t going to work out in his favor. Such is the peril of using a chimerical crystal ball as a reputable source.
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C’s, Clips talking blockbuster trade?
Could Doc Rivers, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett be headed to Los Angeles? The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers are no stranger to most sports blogs’ rumor mill section. We’ve seen plenty of trade scenarios tossed around over the past year involving Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo for the Celtics. The Clippers have been said to be intrigued with bringing Kevin Garnett to Los Angeles in an attempt to make a run now at an NBA championship even if that means mortgaging their future. What’s this all mean? Stephen A. Smith has learned that “Things” are being talked about and “Scenarios contemplated” between the two teams. Before First Take this morning, Smith tweeted that he had news regarding what the Clippers are up to. Stick around for my talk on CP3 and the Clippers on FIRST TAKE. You won’t want to miss it. Especially once you here what the Clips are up to — Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 6, 2013 The proposal Stephen A. Smith talked about would involve Kevin Garn
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Can The Wizards Sign & Trade for Dwight Howard?
How would DC fans feel about Dwight Howard in a Wizards jersey? I had a crazy thought this morning. I must have been a dream or something. And more than likely, it would only be a dream scenario. Anyone think the Wizards should pursue a sign and trade for Dwight Howard? It’s no secret that Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard aren’t the best of buds. I’m not sure what kind of package it would take but the Wizards certainly could send two players entering the final year of their contracts in Emeka Okafor (coming off one of his best seasons in his career) and Trevor Ariza (SF on the 09 Lakers Championship team) plus their 2013 1st round pick for Dwight Howard. But the salaries going out would have to match up closely with the salary of Howard coming in. And on top of everything, he would have to want to come to DC to make it work — which isn’t as much as a stretch as it would have been last year or the year before with the back court the Wizards have built. I’m sure many people would shoot…
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