http://[h3]
[h3]Foster's future[/h3]
11:24AM ET
[h5]Jeff Foster |
Pacers [/h5]
Jeff Foster is one of the many expiring contracts on the Pacers this season.
And after playing his whole career with the team, it doesn't seem like he's interested in heading elsewhere this coming summer.
"It's extremely important," Foster told
HOOPSWORLD on the significance of ending his career as a member of the Pacers organization. "I never thought about going anywhere else. Those thoughts have never even crossed my mind ... nothing would make me happier than to finish my career as a Pacer. So that's what I plan on doing and hopefully we'll be able to follow that through."
Foster will be 34 this coming summer and has often dealt with injuries in his career.
As such, the market for him likely won't be too intense -- though some Western Conference teams entertained trading for him last season to add another big frontcourt defender -- meaning the Pacers should be able to bring him back on the cheap if the feeling is mutual.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Philly's play with Iguodala [/h3]
11:07AM ET
[h5]Andre Iguodala |
76ers [/h5]
As ESPN's Chad Ford wrote last week, it's sounding like
Andre Iguodala could be on the move at the trade deadline.
But
Steve Kyler of HOOPSWORLD is hearing word on Monday he hasn't been offered up yet.
"A number of NBA teams have made inquiries on the availability of Iguodala in trade and all of them were turned away according to 76ers sources," he wrote. "The Sixers seem unwilling to entertain trade packages for Iggy according to a source that inquired about him recently, saying the team is exploring other ways to improve. Their stance is Iguodala is still a cornerstone player for the team and not on the market."
While this may be Philadelphia's current stance --
there have been previous reports teams were calling and being rebuffed -- it's possible when things get closer to Feb. 24's trade deadline the team may soften such a stance and strike on the right deal involving Iguodala.
-- Ryan Corazza
[h5]ESPN's Chad Ford[/h5]
Why Philly would trade Iguodala
"I think he's at, or near, the top of the list of players likely to be traded before the February trade deadline. The combination of
Jrue Holiday,
Evan Turner and Iguodala isn't working and if the Sixers can get Iguodala's number off their books, their in much better shape financially as well. My only issue ... is Turner going to step up? He's got a lot of potential if the ball is in his hands, but off the ball I have serious questions."
[/h3]
http://[h3]Melo forcing way to the Knicks?[/h3]
10:18AM ET
[h5]Carmelo Anthony |
Nuggets [/h5]
Carmelo Anthony is not giving the
Denver Nuggets any options. The team wants to sign him to a $65 million extension, but he has declined. The team will trade him, if an extension is not signed by February. However, no team will give up players and draft picks for him if he doesn't sign that same new deal with them.
All speculation has him signing with the
New York Knicks, if he opts for free agency in the summer and now word comes that Anthony will only sign an extension with the Knicks.
ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan writes: "Anthony has told the Nuggets he will not sign the nearly $65 million contract extension he has been offered unless he is traded to the New York Knicks, a source told ESPN.com on Sunday. ... The
New Jersey Nets have been holding out hope that their offer of
Derrick Favors,
Troy Murphy and two No. 1 draft picks would be the best offer available to the Nuggets, but the news that Anthony will not agree to sign with them long-term effectively knocks them out of the bidding."
The Denver Post has their own sources on the story and there are some new tidbits and conflicting angles.
Anthony did say after the game in New York on Sunday that he doesn't think Denver will deal him to a team not on his list and that he will sign an extension once he is traded.
The Nuggets may be able to get a better package than what the Knicks are offering, if Anthony was a little more flexible, but their options are limited since Anthony is in full control of where he'll be playing in the future.
-- Nick Borges
[h5]Chris Sheridan[/h5]
What a Nuggets-Knicks deal might look like
"The Knicks and Nuggets have discussed several variations of trades that would include
Eddy Curry's expiring contract,
Danilo Gallinari and other pieces, including a No. 1 pick the Knicks are confident they can acquire from a third team through a trade. Denver also would have interest in Knicks rookie
Landry Fields, who has started at shooting guard in all 25 games for the surging Knicks (16-9). New York also is known to have held trade discussions with several teams involving
Wilson Chandler and
Anthony Randolph, and some combination of the above-mentioned players would have to be agreed upon by the Knicks and Nuggets to make the deal happen sometime between now and the NBA trade deadline of Feb. 24."
http://[h3]Jones for Clark?[/h3]
10:02AM ET
[h5]Solomon Jones |
Pacers [/h5]
UPDATE: Andrew Perna of RealGM.com has been told by a source that the Suns and Pacers have not discussed a swap of Clark for Jones.
The Suns have been looking for another frontcourt player.
-- Nick Borges
----
Steve Kyler of HOOPSWOLRD reports the Pacers and Suns have held informal talks about sending
Solomon Jones to Phoenix and
Earl Clark to Indiana.
The Suns could use Jones' size, while the Pacers are in the market for a power forward.
Jones is making $1,500,000 million this season and will be a free agent in July. Clark had his third-year team option declined by the Suns in October and will be an unrestricted free in July, too. Clark is making $1,898,760 this season.
-- Nick Borges
http://[h3]Sterling taunts Davis[/h3]
9:45AM ET
[h5]Baron Davis |
Clippers [/h5]
Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling is not happy with the injuries and lack of production from point guard
Baron Davis. According to
Yahoo! Sports, Sterling has been heard taunting Davis from his courtside seats.
Reportedly Sterling has said: "Why are you in the game?"; "Why did you take that shot?"; and "You're out of shape!"
Davis, when asked, didn't want to talk about one of the worst sports owners in the United States.
"There's nothing I can say," Davis said. "I have no comment on that. You just get to this point where it's a fight every day. It's a fight. You're fighting unnecessary battles. I'm fighting unnecessary battles."
Davis, who has three years and about $42 million remaining on his contract, says he and his agent have not asked for a trade.
"I believe in the talent we have on this team," Davis said. "I believe in the pieces, and I know I'm an integral part of it. I just believe this could be one of the most exciting teams to watch in the league if we can develop that style we all want to play."
-- Nick Borges
http://[h3]Foot surgery for Jones[/h3]
9:15AM ET
[h5]Damion James |
Nets [/h5]
Nets rookie
Damion James broke the fifth metatarsal of his right foot on Thursday against Dallas. He is set to have surgery on Monday.
"Never really been hurt," James told
The Star-Ledger. "I still haven't told my parents yet."
A timeline for his recovery won't be known until after the procedure is completed.
James was given the starting spot against Dallas because
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2015Travis Outlaw has been struggling. Now that James is out,
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2188Quinton Ross started on Sunday against the Lakers.
-- Nick Borges
http://[h3]Lopez set to return[/h3]
8:24AM ET
[h5]Robin Lopez |
Suns [/h5]
Robin Lopez's recovery from left knee surgery is complete, and he'll get back in the lineup early this week.
"I think Robin's probably going to go [Wednesday]," coach Alvin Gentry told
The Arizona Republic. "We'll see, but he made a lot of progress. He had a good practice and doesn't seem to have any pain or anything. The big thing for him is going to be the conditioning part of it. He seemed to have a little bounce back and things like that."
Lopez should start when he returns, which means Gentry will have to move
Channing Frye or
Earl Barron to the bench.
-- Nick Borges
http://[h3]Evans' plantar fasciitis[/h3]
8:09AM ET
[h5]Tyreke Evans |
Kings [/h5]
UPDATE: According to
The Sacramento Bee, Evans' brother Julius tweeted Sunday that Evans will be "out for a while."
Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie has not made a decision yet about letting Evans rest because they didn't speak on Sunday.
"Whatever needs to be done needs to be done in the best fashion possible," Petrie said. "We'll see what [this] morning brings. It really comes down to if the player says he can't go."
-- Nick Borges
----
Due to a case of plantar fasciitis in his left foot,
Tyreke Evans has struggled with his game so far this season.
Evans saw a foot specialist last week, and word came that it was OK for him to continue to play.
But after a 2-of-10 shooting performance against the Heat on Saturday night, Kings coach Paul Westphal is having his doubts.
"I'd have to say if he was OK, he usually plays better than that," Westphal said after the game,
according to the Sacramento Bee. "We're concerned about his foot. He struggled. ... We're not really adjusting the offense, but certainly it can't continue like it is. We've either got to get Tyreke playing like he can play or do something else. ... I just walked from the game to [the news conference]. We haven't talked about it. We have to talk about it."
While there appears to be no official word yet, it's looking like it's possible Evans may be headed for some much-needed rest soon.
If he does indeed take time off,
Francisco Garcia could see a rise in backcourt minutes at the 2-guard.
-- Ryan Corazza
[h5]ESPN's Zach Harper[/h5]
Plantar fasciitis a tough injury
"Kings fans remember just how debilitating plantar fasciitis is.
Peja Stojakovic had it when he was here and it's just a very painful and uncomfortable ailment that can take months or even longer to heal. It requires rest, stretching, ice and other treatment to heal. When you have it and you're the lead player for a NBA team everyday, it makes it hard to get that much needed rest. The fact that Tyreke can play with it so far shows that he either has a ridiculously high level of pain tolerance or the injury is somewhat minor for the time being."
[h5]ESPN's John Hollinger[/h5]
Hard to play with plantar fasciitis
"Plantar fasciitis is some bad stuff. You can play on it, but it's tough to play very well."
http://[h3]Price wants to stay with Jazz[/h3]
7:48AM ET
[h5]Ronnie Price |
Jazz [/h5]
Ronnie Price, making $1.3 million, is in the final season of his contract with Utah and his desire is to re-sign with the Jazz in the summer.
"Man, I would love to come back and be a part of this organization for many years," Price told
The Salt Lake Tribune.
Price is the team representative for the NBPA and is aware that this is a business and he may not get what he wants.
"Things don't always go in your favor," Price said. "You have to feel a certain way; the organization has to feel a certain way about you. But that's out of my hands. All I can do is be me and play the game of basketball. And I'll just leave all of that in God's hands and let him make that decision."
Earl Watson, the other backup point guard, is also a free agent in July, so the Jazz will have to make decisions about both players in the offseason.
-- Nick Borges
http://[h3]Okur's timeline[/h3]
7:33AM ET
[h5]Mehmet Okur |
Jazz [/h5]
According to the
Deseret News, Jazz president Randy Rigby announced on Sunday during a television show that
Mehmet Okur could return to the lineup before Christmas.
"We think it's a matter of maybe a week, hopefully, that we're gonna see him close to action," Rigby said. "So, I'm optimistic that within a week to two weeks, I'm hoping, that we see Memo back on the court."
Okur ruptured his left Achilles tendon in April during the first game of the playoff series against Denver.
"Our trainers have told us recently that they're really happy," Rigby said. "It's right now really in Memo's mind to just mentally be ready to be back."
-- Nick Borges
http://[h3]Flynn ready, Rambis not sure[/h3]
6:39AM ET
[h5]Jonny Flynn |
Timberwolves [/h5]
Wolves point guard
Jonny Flynn says he is ready to make his debut on Tuesday against the
Golden State Warriors.
"I think I'm ready to get back in it and starting playing this week on this road trip, I think (Tuesday) is a very high possibility," Flynn told the
Star Tribune. "I feel good enough to do it. Now it's just whether Kurt (Rambis) and them feel the same way. By my standards, I think I'm definitely playing."
Flynn will meet with Rambis and the medical staff on Monday to discuss Flynn's desire to play Tuesday.
"We'll see," Rambis said. "I still haven't seen the tape (from Friday's game), still haven't seen him practice. I doubt it if he'll play Tuesday, but I don't know."
-- Nick Borges
http://[h3]Howard's debut getting closer[/h3]
6:18AM ET
[h5]Josh Howard |
Wizards [/h5]
UPDATE: Howard practiced on Sunday without needing a break and he could play for the first time this season in the near future.
"It's getting close," Howard told
The Washington Post. "Staying in practice, not taking any subs, fighting through fatigue, that will be the first thing. Because getting used to that new tendon, it's a big thing. If I can fight through that, I know I'm going to be ready."
Howard has been targeting a return on Dec. 20 against Charlotte or Dec. 22 against Chicago.
-- Nick Borges
----
The Mavericks dealt
Josh Howard to the Wizards last season in a deal that landed them
Caron Butler in return, among others.
But on Feb. 22, shortly after the trade, Howard suffered a torn ligament in his left knee.
He had surgery to repair the ligament in March, and has yet to return to the court.
But
according to Michael Lee of the Washington Post, he's angling for a return within the next two weeks.
"It's about to be that time," Howard said Tuesday, according to Lee. "It's probably going to be one of those home games coming up."
Because he's been out so long, it's unrealistic to expect Howard to immediately play a healthy does of minutes. But if he can stay healthy and continue to work back into game shape, he may be able to get solid rotation minutes behind
Al Thornton on the wing as the season progresses -- and maybe even assume a starting role.
-- Ryan Corazza
[h5]ESPN's John Hollinger[/h5]
Howard should play to defense and energy once he returns from injury
"Howard's season couldn't have gone worse. He was delivering by far the worst campaign of his career when Dallas traded him to the Wizards; after four games in Washington, he blew out his knee and missed the rest of the season. Even before the injury Howard's athleticism was clearly on the wane, as evidenced by his rapidly diminishing rebound rate. He used to rank among the top five small forwards in this category, but last season he finished 50th. Barely a quarter of his attempts originated in the basket area compared to a few seasons ago when he logged nearly double that number. His numbers should bounce back a bit, because he also had an unusually bad shooting season. Howard shot only 26.7 percent on 3s even though he's at 33.8 percent for his career. He saw his percentages on long 2s take a similar dive. That said, he's not a great shooter and he'll probably be further diminished athletically once he returns. Howard had been focusing more on his offense the past couple of seasons, but he's not a go-to guy anymore. He needs to get back to being a defense and energy guy in his career's second chapter."
http://[h3]No timetable for Stojakovic[/h3]
6:13AM ET
[h5]Peja Stojakovic |
Raptors [/h5]
According to the
Toronto Star, small forward
Peja Stojakovic is still dealing with swelling in his left knee and there is no timetable for his return.
Stojakovic has now missed the Raptors last eight games.
Stojakovic was not expected to bring that much to the Raptors, except his expiring contract, after being acquired from New Orleans on Nov. 20.
Stojakovic, who is making $15,034,483, could be used in a trade or take a buyout.
-- Nick Borges
http://[h3]O'Brien confusing Collison[/h3]
5:40AM ET
[h5]Darren Collison |
Pacers [/h5]
The Pacers traded for
Darren Collison because they view him as their future at point guard. He starts each game, but doesn't always finish them, including Friday against Atlanta, which has confused Collison.
"I don't know why I didn't play," Collison told
The Indianapolis Star. "I'm not going to lie, it's been tough. Right now, I'm not used to it. It is what it is."
Reportedly Collison is not running the offense properly or playing good enough defense and that has led head coach Jim O'Brien to play
T.J. Ford or
A.J. Price during the last part of games.
"It's real tough, but I guess you have to control things when you're in the game," Collison said. "When you're not in the game, you just have to stay in tuned and try to help other guys."
Collison is averaging 13.5 points and 4.2 assists this season.
-- Nick Borges
http://[h3]76ers recall Brackins[/h3]
5:06AM ET
[h5]Craig Brackins |
76ers [/h5]
The
Philadelphia 76ers recalled rookie
Craig Brackins from the Springfield Armor over the weekend.
"It was a good experience," Brackins told the
Philadelphia Daily News. "It felt real good. I feel like I'm in better shape now, I got to play, work on my defense. My focal point was on the defensive end, just trying to get back, working on screen defense, on the ball, pick-and-roll. Just trying to work on stuff they wanted me to work on."
He averaged 17.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.8 blocks during his five-game stint in the D-League.
-- Nick Borges
http://[h3]Karl and Nuggets discuss extension[/h3]
4:47AM ET
[h5]George Karl |
Nuggets [/h5]
UPDATE No. 2: Both sides are continuing to negotiate a new deal, so Karl can stay with the club.
"We're talking. Sometimes these things take time," Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri told
The Denver Post on Sunday. "George is the guy we want."
-- Nick Borges
----
UPDATE: According to
The Denver Post, talks between the Nuggets and Karl are ongoing. Karl reportedly wants a three-year deal with the choice to work as a consultant for another three years.
Karl's deal would average about $5 million per season and would keep him as one of the top-10 paid coaches in the league.
-- Nick Borges
----
George Karl and the
Denver Nuggets are in talks to extend the head coach's contract beyond this season. Karl is thrilled to be staying with the team.
"I love Denver," Karl told
The Denver Post. "It's kind of my type of city. It's seems like they have a lot of people like me here. Out-of-the-box guys, a little bit crazy here, a little bit different here. The thinking is accepted. The weather is incredibly good."
Karl says he'd like to have a
three-year deal.
"I'd be 63 then," Karl said. "If I want to do it after that, then we talk again maybe. I think I have the passion and the bottle of energy to try to keep this Broadway show going."
Karl is back on the bench full-time this season after battling cancer last season. His health will ultimately determine how long he remains as a coach in the NBA.
