We may be in the final stages of seeing a blockbuster trade involving Dwight Howard that would shift the balance of power to the Atlantic Division. It would also signify the end of all the drama that dogged and surrounded Howard over the past several months. See what happened today in the Howard saga, plus other NBA news:
Adrian Wojnarowski has the latest news on a mega-trade scenario for Howard: “Talks about a blockbuster four-team trade that would send Orlando Magic All-Star center Dwight Howard to the Brooklyn Nets continue to progress, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. The tentacles of the proposed deal stretched across more than 10 players and three teams on Monday, with the Nets recruiting a fourth team to take on guard MarShon Brooks in exchange for an additional draft pick to send to Orlando. Nevertheless, multiple complexities need to be resolved to complete the deal, including the negotiation of contracts for four of the players in the proposed trade: Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries, Damion James and Shelden Williams.”
- A fourth team has been added to the discussion to make the deal possible, according to ESPN: “The Brooklyn Nets’ persistent efforts to land Magic center Dwight Howard are getting close to paying off, according to sources close to the process. Sources told ESPN.com that the Nets and Magic are cautiously optimistic that the Cavaliers and Clippers will help them facilitate a four-way trade that lands Howard in Brooklyn.”
- However, the trade will not be going through today, according to Bob Finnan: “Giant Dwight Howard trade won’t be consummated today, source said. Could be resolved by Wednesday.”
Deron Williams chimed in on the Howard situation, from Sekou Smith: “There have been a lot of rumors over the past year where he is concerned, so early on I concerned myself with it,” Williams said, “but now you just have to let it play out. And whatever happens, happens. I think we’ll have a good team without him and I think we’ll have an even better team with him. But the situation is tricky.” Williams said he feels for Howard, having to go through the endless speculation surrounding his future, because they are friends. “You want to see it end one way or another,” Williams said. “It’s tough on guys being in trade rumors. I know definitely know it’s tough on Brook [Lopez]. I’m happy with him as my teammate, he’s a promising young player.”
UPDATE: The Indiana Pacers will provide Hibbert with a contract with the same terms as the Portland Trailblazers, from David Aldridge: “Indy, per source, will give Hibbert the same terms that Portland was ready to give in offer sheet, & so won’t technically “match” the sheet.”
- More on Hibbert, from Mike Wells: “The suspense surrounding Roy Hibbert’s future ended Monday when the Pacers decided they wouldn’t let the center get away to Portland, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The Trail Blazers made a four-year, $58-million offer to Hibbert soon after the free agency period began July 1.”
LeBron James complimented New York’s signing of Jason Kidd, from Marc Berman: “It can’t hurt them,’’ James said yesterday after the U.S. Olympic Team’s practice at UNLV. “J-Kidd is a champion. He’s going to be a Hall of Famer when he decides to hang it up. He’s going to help them a lot. His mind, the reason he’s been able to play so long is because he can think the game better than a lot of guys who are faster than him and have more athleticism. He’s great for the game. I love him. I always looked up to him. He’s going to be really good for that team.’’
Marcus Camby had a positive meeting with the Knicks, but many teams are still pursuing him, from Jared Zwerling: “Marcus Camby’s meeting with the New York Knicks on Sunday was “very positive,” according to a source familiar with the situation. The source said a few other teams are still in the mix, likely the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Brooklyn Nets — the latest team to join the race for the unrestricted free agent big man.”
- UPDATE: The Knicks and Camby have agreed on a deal, from Woj: “Free-agent center Marcus Camby has agreed to join the New York Knicks in a sign-and-trade deal with the Houston Rockets, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. The Rockets will receive guard Toney Douglas, forward Josh Harrellson, center Jerome Jordan, second-round picks in 2014 and ’15 and cash used to pay Douglas’ salary from the Knicks. Camby will get a three-year, $13.2 million contract that contains a partial guarantee in the third season, sources said.”
- Steve Novak has come to an agreement to sign a four-year deal worth $15 million with the Knicks.
Ersan Ilyasova will stay a Buck next season, from Charles F. Gardner: “The 6-foot-10 Ilyasova opted to stay with the Bucks by agreeing to a five-year, $45 million deal.A league source confirmed the framework of the deal Sunday, although guaranteed dollars and bonus structure have not been fully disclosed. The Bucks made it a priority to retain the unrestricted free agent, who had a breakout season during the lockout-shortened campaign.”
Less than a year after signing a four-year contract, Kevin Love is already getting impatient with his team, form Marc J. Spears: “My patience is not high,” Love said. “Would yours be, especially when I’m a big proponent of greatness surrounding itself with greatness? All these [Team USA] guys seem to have great players around them. It’s tough seeing all these guys that are young and older who have all played in the playoffs. When they start talking about that, I have nothing to talk about. If I don’t make the playoffs next year I don’t know what will happen.”
Chris Paul did not rule out the possibility of signing with the Knicks next summer: “I know why I didn’t sign my extension,” Paul said on Sunday before the U.S. Olympic team practiced. “I’m going to play this season out and see what my options are.” Paul wouldn’t entirely rule out ending up in a Knicks uniform and neither would Anthony, who smiled when asked about Paul’s future prospects.”
DeMarcus Cousins didn’t make Team USA, and Jerry Colangelo explained why, from Jeff Zillgitt: “He needs to mature as a person (and) as a player if he’s going to have an outstanding NBA career,” Colangelo said Saturday. In May, Cousins told the Sacramento Bee: “I feel like if I did go play for the Select Team, I probably would get a spot (on the Olympic team). Honestly … but we’ll see.” That didn’t happen when Colangelo announced the 12-man Olympic roster Saturday. If Cousins doesn’t change, he won’t be on the 2014 world championship team either. “Before there’s discussion about him being part of our program, he has a lot of building to do. … He has a lot of growing up to do,” Colangelo said.”
- Speaking of Kings players, the team will keep Jason Thompson, from Jason Jones: “Jason Thompson will return to the Kings after an agreement was reached on a multi-year deal Sunday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed and Kings basketball president was limited in what he could say because of NBA rules during the moratorium on signing free agents that ends Wednesday. The deal is expected to average $6 million per season.
UPDATE: Danny Green will sign with the Spurs on a guaranteed three-year contract, from Spears: “Spurs to sign forward Danny Green to three-year, $12 million, source tells Yahoo!. Danny Green’s three-year, $12 million with the Spurs is totally guaranteeed, source tells Y! Sports.”
DeJuan Blair expects to be traded, and wouldn’t have it any other way, from Mike Monroe: “I’m trying to get down to 260 (pounds), and it’s working,” Blair said. “I’ll be great by September. I know I’m on the trading block, so we’ll see what happens.” Blair makes no attempt to hide his feelings when he discusses his diminished role in the playoffs, including his belief he might be better off elsewhere. “I love the Spurs, but they’ve got a lot of ‘bigs,’ and they’re bringing somebody else from overseas, so where am I going to fall at?” he said. “I was out of the rotation at the end of the season, so imagine next year. “That’s something I really don’t want to go through again, because it tore me down.”
Tyson Chandler will be on the next cover of ESPN’s “The Body Issue”, and his bottom is very visible. You’ve been warned.
- Chandler’s Team USA teammates discussed the value of having him play center for the team.
- Dwyane Wade went through successful surgery today, from Brian Windhorst: “Heat announce Dwyane Wade’s left knee scope lasted 20 minutes today & was “successful.” He’s expected back by start of camp.”
- More than eight teams are interested in Courtney Lee, from A. Sherrod Blakely: “Houston and (Rockets general manager) Daryl Morrey . . . he loves draft picks,” Lee said. “That’s one thing you can do, sign-and-trade. With Houston loving draft picks and Boston not having money to pay a player, that may be an option for both teams.” Lee, a career 10 points-per-game scorer since coming into the league four seasons ago, earned $2.2 million last season. Chances are good — very good — that Lee will be seeking a contract of greater value than that.”
Marc Stein wrote a detailed story of how Steve Nash became a Laker. Here is an excerpt: “Said Nash: “I think there’s a competitive relationship [between us]. At the same time, we’re both grown men, and we both can overcome a few playoff series. “It’s kind of one of those things that I think, from afar, you never want to play for the other team [in a rivalry]. But at the same time, there’s really no true loyalty in sports. You have to do what’s best for you. Once I realized the Suns were going to do what’s best for them, as they should, I figured I have to do what’s best for me and not cut off my nose to spite my face.”
- Matt Steinmetz sees troubling signs for the Warriors in free agency: “It’s not that the Warriors haven’t signed a big-time free agent. Nobody expected that given that they’re over the salary cap. The cause for concern is that players who Golden State likely had its eye on — particularly when it comes to the guard position — are signing elsewhere. And at salary cap friendly prices. Andre Miller, Jason Kidd, Kirk Hinrich, Brandon Roy and Chauncey Billups all agreed to very sensible contracts in the past week. Or put it this way — sensible enough contracts that the Warriors could have, or should have, been in the ballgame.”
Dwight Howard to Nets becoming realistic
Pretty element of content. I simply stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your weblog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing in your augment and even I achievement you get right of entry to constantly rapidly.