With Houston currently pegged as the front-runner and Golden State becoming more enticing by the day, the Lakers are left to prepare for the worst when it comes to Dwight’s decision: “It was a particularly uncomfortable holiday for theLos Angeles Lakers, sources told ESPN.com, as fears mount within the organization that Howard’s current employers could have fallen to as low as fourth in his pecking order. Sources close to the situation stressed that the famously fickle Howard — deliberating at a hideaway in Aspen, Colo. — still was undecided about choosing between the Houston Rockets,Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks and incumbent Lakers. Yet, there were indications late Thursday that Lakers officials, already bracing for the worst, had begun to rethink their long-held position of ruling out sign-and-trade options in the event Howard decides to bolt to one of L.A.’s rivals.”- More from Stein: “One source briefed on the Lakers’ thinking told ESPN.com that, if the extra fifth year and nearly $30 million they can offer Howard isn’t enough to hold off the competition, they would be forced to “look at everything.” For months, Lakers officials have privately indicated they have no interest in taking back long-term contracts in a sign-and-trade for Howard, preferring to preserve their salary-cap space for the summer of 2014 and focus on slashing their luxury-tax bill for the coming season.”
In order to help clear room for Igoudala — and potentially Howard — the Warriors had to make the difficult decision to renounce their rights to Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry, both intergal parts of last seasons success: “The Warriors also had to renounce their rights to guard Jarrett Jack and forward Carl Landry. Golden State had the Bird rights to Jack, which meant they could sign him to a new contract despite being over the cap. But to get under the cap, the Warriors had to waive that right and now Golden State can’t afford Jack or Landry.”
On Friday the Boston Celtics introduced new head coach, Brad Stevens, to the organization: “Brad Stevens was introduced on Friday as the new coach of the Celtics, but the 36-year-old talked as much about the past as the present and future. It mattered little that Stevens wasn’t even born when Bill Russell helped the Celtics win an 11th title in 1969 or John Havliceck won two more titles in the early ’70s. Stevens agreed on Wednesday to a 6-year contract that will pay him $22 million to help the Celtics and President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge rebuild a franchise that will be missing not only Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, but coach Doc Rivers.”
“I admired his poise and intelligence,” said Ainge, who must find a way to take the nine draft choices the Celtics will have in the next five years and create a contender. “I always looked at him the last five years as a candidate to become a great coach. I was never thinking I would come this soon.”
The Los Angeles Clippers, who have been making plenty of noise this offseason, have re-signed Matt Barnes to a three-year deal: “Terms of the deal were not disclosed but league sources said it was worth between $11 million to $12 million. Barnes tweeted the news Friday by first re-tweeting Chris Paul’s announcement earlier in the week that he was staying with the Clippers. “RT @CP3: I’M IN!!! #CLIPPERNATION… I guess that makes two of us!! Lets get this..” After signing a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum before the start of training camp last year, Barnes enjoyed a career season with the Clippers, averaging a career-high 10.3 points, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. He also averaged 4.6 blocks and 1.5 assists per game. Barnes’ production increased during the playoffs averaging 11.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, including putting up 30 points and 10 rebounds in the Clippers’ Game 6 loss to theMemphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs.”
Ben Baroff is a basketball journalist who blogs for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter here.
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