SanduskyCav
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Figured I would start posting Rumor Central...
Monday, November 17
Will Cavs Make A Run At Carter?
Vince Carter | Nets
Keep this name in mind: Vince Carter. Many observers around the league think the Nets will make the veteran shooting guard available at the trade deadline, and don't be surprised if the Cavs make another run at him.
The question in Cleveland is whether Carter can set aside his ego and play second fiddle with the Cavs. He should be able to accomplish that in order to win a championship before he retires. -- The News-Herald
Health Issues For Jawai
Nathan Jawai | Raptors
A report in an Australian newspaper says sidelined Raptor Nathan Jawai has an enlarged heart and, if the condition does not improve in six weeks, he might never play in the NBA.
The Sunday Telegraph revealed yesterday that a further six-week rest has been advised by doctors after the latest series of tests. An enlarged heart carries the obvious risk of heart attacks.
"The doctors are being extra cautious," Jawai's agent, Daniel Moldovan, told the paper. "It was their recommendation -- not their demand -- that Nate take another six weeks off." -- Toronto Sun
Nets Decline Trade For Belinelli
The Nets have had talks with Golden State involving multiple players, including unhappy Al Harrington and Marco Belinelli.
For Bellinelli, a league source said, the Warriors wanted either Josh Boone or Sean Williams. The Nets weren't interested. Eventually, they likely will make a trade. The Nets have seven power forwards/centers, but currently only four healthy so nothing is imminent.
"We talk to people a lot," Thorn said. "Most of it's idle chatter like with most teams. I don't really have anything to say about it." -- The Record
Riley Looking At McDyess, Mum On Marbury
On the road with the team for the first time this season, Miami Heat President Pat Riley said he has looked into free-agent forward Antonio McDyess, but declined to address the possibility of adding inactive Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury.
Riley said the preference would be to wait "20 to 30 games" into the season before considering personnel moves.
"I want to make the right moves to protect our future and our assets, and, at the same time, try to win," he said. "There are four or five things out there that might be interesting down the road." -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mavs Potential Destination For Marbury?
Stephon Marbury | Knicks
If Stephon Marbury is waived, the Mavericks could be a potential destination. Mark Cuban has spoken positively about Marbury in the past and has a history of risk-taking, having once signed Dennis Rodman.
"I want to win," Cuban said. "We have an organization that we think we put in place that has baby-sitting skills, and that's not a reference to any specific player." -- The New York Times
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban acknowledged Stephon Marbury will have plenty of suitors when the Knicks finally waive him, but stopped himself before putting his hat in the ring.
"Absolutely," Cuban said when asked the question of whether several teams will vie for the lightning-rod point guard's services. The Mavs owner then backed up, after once being fined for tampering.
"I take that back," Cuban said. "I'm not allowed to talk about players on other teams." -- New York Post
One idea would be to pawn off Jason Kidd on the Knicks -- who are owned by Cablevision, which also owns Newsday -- but that ship almost certainly has sailed. The Knicks, with an eye on the future, wouldn't be interested. Neither, it seems, would the Mavs' general manager, Donnie Nelson.
"That's not my problem," Nelson said when asked about Marbury. "We're a tenth of the way into the season. It's no time to start shifting around or making moves." -- Newsday
"They're trying to change the culture," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said of the Knicks. "When I got to the Mavs, Nellie [Don Nelson] did the same thing with Robert Pack and some other guys. You're not playing anymore. Go take a vacation. That's one way coaches come in and establish themselves and change the culture."
Cuban is a big Marbury fan, which begs the question of whether the Mavericks would be interested if he is waived or bought out. He can't comment specifically on players but did say that there's a reason why the Mavericks are only carrying 14 players.
"Just in case somebody falls through the cracks," he said. -- The Dallas Morning News
Knee Continues To Hurt
Antonio Daniels | Wizards
Wizards point guard Antonio Daniels continues to be bothered by pain in his right knee and did not practice yesterday.
Daniels said doctors have not brought up the subject of surgery.
"Right now, it's just a lot of rehab, a lot of icing," Daniels said yesterday afternoon. "I biked today, and it didn't feel too bad. The main problem is planting and pushing off. The thing is, I want to get myself right. I'm not going to help this team on one leg."-- The Washington Post
Difficult To Contemplate Trading Randolph
Zach Randolph | Knicks
A situation other than Stephon Marbury's that has to be addressed is Zach Randolph and the $48 million over three years left on his contract. But as Randolph continues to put up numbers -- 20.8 points and 12.9 rebounds after getting 27 and 18 last night -- Donnie Walsh admitted it's difficult to contemplate trading him.
"I think he's a good player, so yeah, I do think that," Walsh said. -- Newsday
Randolph's start has enhanced his trade value, with one of the teams that pursued him last summer, the Clippers, interested again. A league source says the Clips are down on center Chris Kaman, but his contract (three more years after this one) doesn't fit the Knicks' desire for deals that expire after next season, so another team would be necessary to make something happen. -- The Record
Stiff And Sore
Jason Richardson | Bobcats
It doesn't sound like Jason Richardson's return to the Bobcats is imminent. He has missed the past two games with an inflamed right knee, and before Sunday's loss to Orlando he described the joint as stiff and sore.
Coach Larry Brown would rather Richardson fully heal than play hero and potentially make the injury worse.
"We don't want him rushing back, and knowing him, he'll want to rush back," Brown said. "Especially with competitive guys like him, you've got to make sure he's OK." -- The Charlotte Observer
Smith Wants Ewing To Come Back
The Magic would love for assistant coach Patrick Ewing to return next season and help continue Dwight Howard's progress.
Ewing, in the final season of his contract with the Magic, has aspirations to be a head coach.
"We'd like Patrick to come back -- no question," General Manager Otis Smith said. "We like not just what he does with Dwight, but what he does for all of our guys." -- Orlando Sentinel
Hunter Will Return
Steven Hunter | Nuggets
After fearing his career could be in jeopardy, Nuggets center Steven Hunter, above, has been informed he'll play again.
"The doctor said it wasn't as bad as he thought," Hunter said of right knee surgery Friday. "I'm definitely going to be back. ... It's great news."
Hunter said he still could miss all of this season, and he won't have an update for about two months. Denver ruled him out at least 12 weeks. -- Rocky Mountain News
Andersen Mending
Chris Andersen | Nuggets
Reserve center Chris Andersen, out with a fractured rib, has begun to "jog a little bit," George Karl said. "But ribs are tough (injuries). Ribs are tough."
Andersen suffered a seventh-rib fracture to his left rib cage one week ago, and was expected to miss two to three weeks. -- The Denver Post
Ready To Play?
Chucky Atkins | Nuggets
Denver's Chucky Atkins, out since Sept. 24 knee surgery, will practice today and said, "If everything goes well, I'll be ready to play Tuesday" against Milwaukee.
Nuggets coach George Karl expects Atkins to be ready to play this week. Karl said Atkins, as third point guard, is "somewhat of an insurance policy," but he'll get a chance. -- Rocky Mountain News
Heavy Minutes Not A Concern
David West | Hornets
Through the NBA's Saturday night schedule, eight players were averaging more minutes per game than Hornets forward David West, whose 39.1 minutes per outing has been inflated primarily because of injuries to his two main backups.
But if New Orleans Coach Byron Scott told West each night he would be playing close to 48 minutes, there would be no complaints.
"I'm just going to play," West said. "I know there are some nights where Coach will say, 'You can't rest much tonight,' and there will be other nights, like (Friday) where the second unit came in and provided a spark where I could get a couple of extra minutes." -- The Times-Picayune
Ahearn Joins Spurs
Blake Ahearn | Spurs
The Spurs made the season's first dip into the NBA Development League on Sunday, signing free-agent point guard Blake Ahearn. To clear roster space, the team placed swingman Desmon Farmer on waivers. -- San Antonio Express-News
Giddens Eager For D-League
J.R. Giddens | Celtics
J.R. Giddens is looking forward to testing his developing NBA game in the minor leagues.
"I can stay here and work out all day and not be in the rotation," said Giddens Friday night, when he was inactive for the loss to the Nuggets. "Or I can go down there and make myself better so they'll want me anyway. I look at it as a positive.
"I work out hard every day. You feel like you're getting stronger and faster, but you don't get to go out there and apply it.
"Going down there to the D-League will give me an opportunity to apply it. It will make me a better player." -- The Boston Globe
Monday, November 17
Will Cavs Make A Run At Carter?
Vince Carter | Nets
Keep this name in mind: Vince Carter. Many observers around the league think the Nets will make the veteran shooting guard available at the trade deadline, and don't be surprised if the Cavs make another run at him.
The question in Cleveland is whether Carter can set aside his ego and play second fiddle with the Cavs. He should be able to accomplish that in order to win a championship before he retires. -- The News-Herald
Health Issues For Jawai
Nathan Jawai | Raptors
A report in an Australian newspaper says sidelined Raptor Nathan Jawai has an enlarged heart and, if the condition does not improve in six weeks, he might never play in the NBA.
The Sunday Telegraph revealed yesterday that a further six-week rest has been advised by doctors after the latest series of tests. An enlarged heart carries the obvious risk of heart attacks.
"The doctors are being extra cautious," Jawai's agent, Daniel Moldovan, told the paper. "It was their recommendation -- not their demand -- that Nate take another six weeks off." -- Toronto Sun
Nets Decline Trade For Belinelli
The Nets have had talks with Golden State involving multiple players, including unhappy Al Harrington and Marco Belinelli.
For Bellinelli, a league source said, the Warriors wanted either Josh Boone or Sean Williams. The Nets weren't interested. Eventually, they likely will make a trade. The Nets have seven power forwards/centers, but currently only four healthy so nothing is imminent.
"We talk to people a lot," Thorn said. "Most of it's idle chatter like with most teams. I don't really have anything to say about it." -- The Record
Riley Looking At McDyess, Mum On Marbury
On the road with the team for the first time this season, Miami Heat President Pat Riley said he has looked into free-agent forward Antonio McDyess, but declined to address the possibility of adding inactive Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury.
Riley said the preference would be to wait "20 to 30 games" into the season before considering personnel moves.
"I want to make the right moves to protect our future and our assets, and, at the same time, try to win," he said. "There are four or five things out there that might be interesting down the road." -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mavs Potential Destination For Marbury?
Stephon Marbury | Knicks
If Stephon Marbury is waived, the Mavericks could be a potential destination. Mark Cuban has spoken positively about Marbury in the past and has a history of risk-taking, having once signed Dennis Rodman.
"I want to win," Cuban said. "We have an organization that we think we put in place that has baby-sitting skills, and that's not a reference to any specific player." -- The New York Times
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban acknowledged Stephon Marbury will have plenty of suitors when the Knicks finally waive him, but stopped himself before putting his hat in the ring.
"Absolutely," Cuban said when asked the question of whether several teams will vie for the lightning-rod point guard's services. The Mavs owner then backed up, after once being fined for tampering.
"I take that back," Cuban said. "I'm not allowed to talk about players on other teams." -- New York Post
One idea would be to pawn off Jason Kidd on the Knicks -- who are owned by Cablevision, which also owns Newsday -- but that ship almost certainly has sailed. The Knicks, with an eye on the future, wouldn't be interested. Neither, it seems, would the Mavs' general manager, Donnie Nelson.
"That's not my problem," Nelson said when asked about Marbury. "We're a tenth of the way into the season. It's no time to start shifting around or making moves." -- Newsday
"They're trying to change the culture," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said of the Knicks. "When I got to the Mavs, Nellie [Don Nelson] did the same thing with Robert Pack and some other guys. You're not playing anymore. Go take a vacation. That's one way coaches come in and establish themselves and change the culture."
Cuban is a big Marbury fan, which begs the question of whether the Mavericks would be interested if he is waived or bought out. He can't comment specifically on players but did say that there's a reason why the Mavericks are only carrying 14 players.
"Just in case somebody falls through the cracks," he said. -- The Dallas Morning News
Knee Continues To Hurt
Antonio Daniels | Wizards
Wizards point guard Antonio Daniels continues to be bothered by pain in his right knee and did not practice yesterday.
Daniels said doctors have not brought up the subject of surgery.
"Right now, it's just a lot of rehab, a lot of icing," Daniels said yesterday afternoon. "I biked today, and it didn't feel too bad. The main problem is planting and pushing off. The thing is, I want to get myself right. I'm not going to help this team on one leg."-- The Washington Post
Difficult To Contemplate Trading Randolph
Zach Randolph | Knicks
A situation other than Stephon Marbury's that has to be addressed is Zach Randolph and the $48 million over three years left on his contract. But as Randolph continues to put up numbers -- 20.8 points and 12.9 rebounds after getting 27 and 18 last night -- Donnie Walsh admitted it's difficult to contemplate trading him.
"I think he's a good player, so yeah, I do think that," Walsh said. -- Newsday
Randolph's start has enhanced his trade value, with one of the teams that pursued him last summer, the Clippers, interested again. A league source says the Clips are down on center Chris Kaman, but his contract (three more years after this one) doesn't fit the Knicks' desire for deals that expire after next season, so another team would be necessary to make something happen. -- The Record
Stiff And Sore
Jason Richardson | Bobcats
It doesn't sound like Jason Richardson's return to the Bobcats is imminent. He has missed the past two games with an inflamed right knee, and before Sunday's loss to Orlando he described the joint as stiff and sore.
Coach Larry Brown would rather Richardson fully heal than play hero and potentially make the injury worse.
"We don't want him rushing back, and knowing him, he'll want to rush back," Brown said. "Especially with competitive guys like him, you've got to make sure he's OK." -- The Charlotte Observer
Smith Wants Ewing To Come Back
The Magic would love for assistant coach Patrick Ewing to return next season and help continue Dwight Howard's progress.
Ewing, in the final season of his contract with the Magic, has aspirations to be a head coach.
"We'd like Patrick to come back -- no question," General Manager Otis Smith said. "We like not just what he does with Dwight, but what he does for all of our guys." -- Orlando Sentinel
Hunter Will Return
Steven Hunter | Nuggets
After fearing his career could be in jeopardy, Nuggets center Steven Hunter, above, has been informed he'll play again.
"The doctor said it wasn't as bad as he thought," Hunter said of right knee surgery Friday. "I'm definitely going to be back. ... It's great news."
Hunter said he still could miss all of this season, and he won't have an update for about two months. Denver ruled him out at least 12 weeks. -- Rocky Mountain News
Andersen Mending
Chris Andersen | Nuggets
Reserve center Chris Andersen, out with a fractured rib, has begun to "jog a little bit," George Karl said. "But ribs are tough (injuries). Ribs are tough."
Andersen suffered a seventh-rib fracture to his left rib cage one week ago, and was expected to miss two to three weeks. -- The Denver Post
Ready To Play?
Chucky Atkins | Nuggets
Denver's Chucky Atkins, out since Sept. 24 knee surgery, will practice today and said, "If everything goes well, I'll be ready to play Tuesday" against Milwaukee.
Nuggets coach George Karl expects Atkins to be ready to play this week. Karl said Atkins, as third point guard, is "somewhat of an insurance policy," but he'll get a chance. -- Rocky Mountain News
Heavy Minutes Not A Concern
David West | Hornets
Through the NBA's Saturday night schedule, eight players were averaging more minutes per game than Hornets forward David West, whose 39.1 minutes per outing has been inflated primarily because of injuries to his two main backups.
But if New Orleans Coach Byron Scott told West each night he would be playing close to 48 minutes, there would be no complaints.
"I'm just going to play," West said. "I know there are some nights where Coach will say, 'You can't rest much tonight,' and there will be other nights, like (Friday) where the second unit came in and provided a spark where I could get a couple of extra minutes." -- The Times-Picayune
Ahearn Joins Spurs
Blake Ahearn | Spurs
The Spurs made the season's first dip into the NBA Development League on Sunday, signing free-agent point guard Blake Ahearn. To clear roster space, the team placed swingman Desmon Farmer on waivers. -- San Antonio Express-News
Giddens Eager For D-League
J.R. Giddens | Celtics
J.R. Giddens is looking forward to testing his developing NBA game in the minor leagues.
"I can stay here and work out all day and not be in the rotation," said Giddens Friday night, when he was inactive for the loss to the Nuggets. "Or I can go down there and make myself better so they'll want me anyway. I look at it as a positive.
"I work out hard every day. You feel like you're getting stronger and faster, but you don't get to go out there and apply it.
"Going down there to the D-League will give me an opportunity to apply it. It will make me a better player." -- The Boston Globe
