- Here are a few of the potential landing spots for Andrew Bynum if the Cavs are able to trade him: “So this seems to be the most likely scenario, right? Owner Jerry Reinsdorf is notoriously frugal as far as paying the luxury tax, and without Derrick Rose it seems that their season is off the rails. By trading Bynum’s contract for Luol Dengand Erik Murphy, the Bulls could shed the requisite $8.2 million needed to get below the luxury tax line. Obviously, the Cavaliers would need to provide draft picks to make it work. The Cavaliers own all of their own draft picks through eternity, along with an oddly protected Memphis first round pick — if Memphis finishes with the 6-14 pick in 2015/16, the Cavs get it, then it’s just top 5 protected after that — and a top 12 protected Kingspick that becomes top 10 protected after this season. They also own a Miami Heatfirst rounder in the future. Of those picks, the Memphis one seems to be most valuable outside of the Cavaliers’ own pick. I don’t think that a Bynum plus either the Memphis pick or a top 10 protected 2014 Cavs first round pick for Deng and Murphy is enough to get it done, but weirder things have happened.”
- More from Fear The Sword: “The Cavaliers have been connected with Jeff Green already this season, but there is no way that Bynum alone gets a trade done. My proposal on the Cavaliers’ behalf would be something like Green and Courtney Lee for Bynum and one of the first round picks. Green is obviously valuable. Lee is overpaid at $5.3 million for the next three seasons, but he’s still a useful bench guard that can shoot and play defense. The Cavs can turn around and move him if need be to get max cap room next season. The Celtics can get that contract off of their cap sheet, release Bynum, and save about $36 million over the next three seasons (Green has 3 years left at about $9 million per). They’d also pick up a valuable draft pick for the future. This would totally depend on how committed they are to making the playoffs this season. I don’t hate that trade for either team, I just don’t love it for the Celtics.”
- The Toronto Raptors may have an interest of Aaron Afflalo of the Orlando Magic: “The Raptors could turn into buyers, using Ross as the linchpin to net one of the many proven veterans playing on rebuilding teams. One such veteran, Arron Afflalo, is a former Ujiri guy who plays for a team that values Ross highly, per several league sources. There are lots of other potential targets out there, though things would get much more complicated if the Raptors work to unload either Landry Fields or Steve Novak in any “buy now” trade talks.”
- Spurs’ Tony Parker apologizes for gesture: “The photograph shows Parker and a French comedian making a gesture known in France as a ”quenelle,” which critics describe as inverted Nazi salute. Parker said in a statement released through the Spurs that the photograph was taken three years ago. Parker, who was born in Belgium but raised in France, said he didn’t know at the time that ”it could be in any way offensive or harmful.” He said he thought it was part of a comedy act and said he apologized for any misunderstanding or harm. ”While this gesture has been part of French culture for many years, it was not until recently that I learned of the very negative concerns associated with it,” Parker said.”
- Boston Celtic’s guard Rajon Rondo may consider a short stint in the D-League: “”It’s not really a rehab assignment as much as to get your wind,” said Stevens. “It’s going to be his call on those things. We talked about it with him and in our offices. I think he will end up doing that at some point, and I think from a conditioning standpoint, and from a game-simulation standpoint, both in practice — they’ve got a few more days between games to be able to practice a lot of times — and maybe even in a game, that would be good for people.” It appears more likely that Rondo would join the Claws on assignment in order to get practice reps than game action, though that’s an option. Stevens admitted he’s uncertain if Rondo would appear in games. “No idea if he plays in a game or not, it may just be practice,” said Stevens. “That’s all to be determined. And still very much just a talking point more so than a certainty.””
- Anthony Bennett is learning how to cope with criticism: “Getting stern criticism from the national media, as well as many outlets in Cleveland, was all new to Anthony Bennett. The Cavaliers forward had to learn how to deal with it. “I don’t pay attention to all that,” Bennett said. “That’s people’s opinions. I have to focus on what’s going on here and win some games.” Cavs coach Mike Brown said Bennett is coping with the questions about his game. “He’s getting better (dealing with it),” he said. “It’s helped him become a stronger individual. At first, I think it bothered him. He wants to play better and prove to everybody he was worthy of where he was selected. “At first, I think it wore on him. Now, it does bother him, but he’s strong enough to fight through it.” It wasn’t his fault he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 draft. But he came to training camp grossly out of shape and overweight. He has worked hard on trimming some of that weight and getting in NBA shape. His numbers are still inadequate. He’s averaging 2.4 points and 2.0 rebounds and shooting 27.7 percent from the field and 15.4 percent from the 3-point arc.”
- The Toronto Raptors may be considering a black-and-gold rebrand: “The Toronto Star reports that the Raptors’ planned color rebrand could be black and gold, but the decision is far from final. Under new president Tim Leiweke, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment which owns the team decided to not change the mascot factoring cost and brand impact, but they are rebranding it under the direction of new executive in rap star Drake. The Toronto Sun reports that blue and white could also be an option, to tie the team to the Blue Jays. The Sun also notes that black and gold are the covers most often associated with Drake’s OVO Brand. You know what color would look best? The one that prospective No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins could wear for his home-country team, but the Raps are going to need to actually start losing games for that to happen.”