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- Here’s the other angle on the Clippers’ offseason plans, via Ramona Shelburne and Marc Stein of ESPN.com: “Sources say the Clippers want to keep open the option that they could package Bledsoe with Griffin in a sign-and-trade offer for Howard after the Lakers’ center becomes a free agent on July 1. ESPN The Magazine’s Chris Broussard reported Friday that Howard and Clippers star Chris Paul have been in consistent contact in recent weeks in hopes of landing on the same team via free agency. The Clippers, furthermore, also have made Bledsoe their centerpiece of recent trade discussions with the Orlando Magic aimed at acquiring swingman Arron Afflalo. All of these potential transactions, sources say, are part of the Clippers’ intent, as reported Thursday by ESPN.com, to be “very aggressive” and “shake every tree” in an attempt to upgrade the roster to the point that Paul not only re-signs when he becomes a free agent on July 1 but that they are an unquestioned championship contender.”
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- SH’s own Mark Heisler looks at the Dwight Howard situation for Lakers Nation: “So what if Dwight Howard leaves? Here’s one thing you won’t see: the Lakers helping him find his dream team, or trying to salvage something for him, with a sign-and-trade. Barring a bonanza they don’t expect to be offered, insiders say the Lakers’ fallback position would be to bring back this team and bank the savings—almost $50 million in salary and luxury tax. They would then drop under the luxury tax threshold after next season–a Laker priority after paying the tax for as long as there has been one, with new, ever-escalating repeater penalties. In the key, it would give them $55 million worth of cap space for the 2014 free agent class, which could include LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.”
Alex Kennedy of USA Today talked to possible #1 pick Nerlens Noel about, among other things, his knee injury: “Feb. 12, Noel sprinted down the court in pursuit of Florida guard Mike Rosario, who had leaked out in transition. He had a few steps on Noel, but the big man showed why he’s such an intriguing prospect by chasing down Rosario and swatting the ball out of bounds. After the block, Noel landed awkwardly below the basket, tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and ending his brief collegiate career. He had surgery March 12 and is going through a grueling rehabilitation. He recently moved to Alabama so he could be near his physical therapist, Kevin Wilk, and he’s trying to get healthy so that he can make his NBA debut as early as possible in the 2013-14 season. “I’m feeling good,” Noel says. “I’m still ahead of schedule with the things that I’m doing. It’s usually about a seven- to eight-month injury timeline to returning. I’m just taking steps to get back. From when I got surgery, eight months would be probably around Christmas. It’s probably November to Christmas. There’s no rush. I’m just trying to get back.” “- There was a problem connecting to Twitter.
- Barbara Barker of Newsday talked to Larry Brown about the Nets’ Jason Kidd hire: “Larry Brown believes in the system. He believes the best way to become a good NBA coach is to first be a good NBA assistant coach. Brown, a former point guard and Hall of Fame coach, also believes that there are exceptions to every rule. And Jason Kidd, whom the Nets hired last week to coach their team just two weeks after he retired from playing, is the ultimate exception. “I think it sends a bad message to hire guys who haven’t coached,” Brown said in a phone interview with Newsday. “I don’t think it’s a good thing for our profession. That being said, I think this is a phenomenal hire. I have no doubt that Jason will do a great job. It’s not an easy transition to make from player to coach, but Kidd is someone who has instant credibility with the Nets and the team is smart enough to put the right people around him.” “
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- The Kings have a new GM, and another highly regarded name ditches Denver. Sam Amick of USA Today writes: “The Sacramento Kings have an agreement in principle to make Denver Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Pete D’Alessandro their new general manager, two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. … The Kings were bought by Silicon Valley software magnate Vivek Ranadive last month and he made the decision shortly thereafter to part ways with longtime general manager Geoff Petrie. The Nuggets, meanwhile, have now seen general manager and Executive of the Year Masai Ujiri leave for the Toronto Raptors, have fired George Karl after he was deemed the Coach of the Year, and have lost a respected executive in D’Alessandro, who is considered one of the best minds in the game when it comes to salary cap management.”
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So Lakers are OK with losing Howard for nothing (I’m sure that will please Kobe).
Lakers could go 5 or more years without making the playoffs. But at least they won’t pay heavy luxury taxes.
Danny Ainge is the one who will get desperate as June 30 approaches.
Hollins may be just as good as Doc Rivers. CP3 wouldn’t go anywhere. Clippers just need to be patient and they can always trade Bledsoe in July.
So what does Ainge end up doing? Does he trade Pierce or save money by waiving him.
At that point Garnet could ask to be traded to Clippers or might consider retirement.