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Tuesday, January 5

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Alston, who had been moved out of the New Jersey Nets' rotation, completed a buyout Tuesday with the Nets, and plans to sign Thursday with the Heat. "I'm coming," he said Tuesday night. "I can't explain in words how excited I am. I'm really excited." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

“I can’t say enough good things about Rafer Alston,’’ Vandeweghe said. “He was a consummate professional for us, he filled in for Devin Harris when Devin was hurt, played a lot of minutes, played very, very well – always enthusiastic, always performed very well.’’ Newark Star-Ledger

In order to clear room for Alston in its backcourt rotation, the Heat on Tuesday traded seldom-used point guard Chris Quinn, as well as its second-round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft and cash to the Nets. In a bookkeeping matter, because something must be sent to the Heat in return in the Quinn trade, the Heat will get the Nets' 2010 second-round pick if it is No. 50 or higher. That, however, would require the league-worst Nets to finish with one of the NBA's 10 best records. Essentially, the Heat therefore traded Quinn for nothing. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

"There has never been a better person that has played for the Miami Heat than Chris Quinn," Heat President Pat Riley said in a statement. "He is one of the hardest-working, most-dedicated people that we've ever experienced. We want to wish Chris nothing but the very best as he moves on in his career." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Rafer Alston has agreed to a contract buyout with the New Jersey Nets and the Miami Heat have emerged as a frontrunner to sign the point guard after he clears waivers, sources told Y! Sports on Tuesday. The Cleveland Cavaliers have also expressed interest in Alston. Yahoo! Sports

Veteran point guard Rafer Alston has been given his parole from the Nets, who will save some money by reaching a buyout agreement for the final season of his $5.25 million contract. “We’ve reached an agreement in principle regarding a buyout for Rafer,” agent Dan Fegan said in a phone conversation. Newark Star-Ledger

Brian Windhorst: Yahoo! reports Rafer Alston has been bought out by Nets. But he's not coming to Cavs. Twitter.com

George Thomas: Source: No Alston for Cavs. Twitter.com

Alston and the Nets agreed to a buyout Tuesday that ended his brief stay in New Jersey, allowing him now to sign with a team that could use his experience. "People know I still have lively legs, and I can still play,'' he told FanHouse Tuesday afternoon. "I don't think I'll be out very long." FanHouse.com

"Miami would be nice. I know the system there, but I'd go any number of places. I just want to get back to work quickly,'' he said. "I can play heavy minutes if someone needs me, or I'd be happy as a backup on a good team.'' FanHouse.com

After winning big last season, it wasn't easy playing for the lowly Nets (3-30), who are on course to set a league futility mark. "There was no clash, or butting of heads in New Jersey. It's a team with a lot of young guys, and a good future,'' he said. "I didn't leave on a bad note at all. This (buyout) worked well for both of us.'' FanHouse.com

The Nets are going to buy out Rafer Alston’s $5.25 million contract for roughly $4 million and in a separate move are going to acquire Chris Quinn, Miami’s second round pick in 2012 and cash for a trade exception, league sources said. Bergen Record

Adrian Wojnarowski: Miami has agreed to send Chris Quinn to Nets for future 2nd and cash to free roster spot and will sign Rafer Alston, sources say. Twitter.com

According to multiple league sources, Washington is making its entire roster available and is open to all trades, including for players who bring less talent but have shorter contracts. But while interest in veterans, like Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, has been strong, sources told SI.com that teams aren't too keen on obtaining Arenas. SI.com

Sources said the team would prefer to move Jamison, 33, a good soldier and automatic 20-point, eight-rebound performer every night. The free-spending Cavaliers have long been enamored with the versatile Jamison, and they might be willing to absorb the final two years of underachieving Andray Blatche's contract to get him. By July, the Wizards could be armed with more than $25 million in cap space, a high lottery pick and a few decent parts in Butler, JaVale McGee and Nick Young. SI.com

But Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld, who allegedly was the one to report Arenas' firearms to NBA security, may have another option -- one he's seriously considering should Arenas be charged with a crime: void his contract. The move, which would free the Wizards of any financial obligation and instantly remove Arenas' salary from their books, is complicated but not unprecedented. The NBA's collective bargaining agreement clearly states that a contract can be voided if a player "at any time, fails, refuses, or neglects to conform his personal conduct to standards of good citizenship, good moral character (defined here to mean not engaging in acts of moral turpitude, whether or not such acts would constitute a crime), and good sportsmanship ..." It could be argued that any criminal charges leveled against Arenas would constitute a failure in personal conduct. SI.com

Alex Kennedy: Sources close to the situation say that Brandon Bass is safe in Orlando. The Magic still see him as part of their future and won't move him. Twitter.com

Is the approaching Feb. 18 trade deadline is impacting your team? Sloan: "Trades are something you have to be aware of. You might get traded. We're not a team that likes to make trades. We like to keep people together so, hopefully, they can get better. But we still have a job to do. Our responsibility is to do what's best for this franchise. You can trade guys and salaries and all that stuff, but I'd rather keep guys together so you have better continuity." Salt Lake Tribune

It doesn't sound like coach Larry Brown anticipates the Bobcats addressing their depth problem at power forward, via the waiver process or a 10-day contract. This is the week when NBA teams can start signing players to 10-days. Also, players with unguaranteed contracts must be waived, or their season becomes guaranteed at the end of this week. "I've thought all along we've needed somebody to back up Boris (Diaw at power forward). I don't think because the guarantee date is coming up, that will make any difference at all,'' Brown said pre-game today. "There are a lot of guys out there you could have brought in anyway, without a guarantee.'' Charlotte Observer

Eric Smith: I know Doug Smith had it earlier ... but ... FYI ... it's officially official now ... Pops Mensah-Bonsu has been waived by the Raptors. Twitter.com

Eric Smith: Here's the press release from the Raptors RE: Pops' release: blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/ericsmith/2010/01/05/raps-release-pops/ Twitter.com

Just got word from a team source that the Raptors are going to waive the seldom-used forward today but will see if they can bring him back on a 10-day contract if he clears waivers. I’m told there are European clubs dangling contracts in front of him that may prove to be lucrative and there is a chance other NBA teams might have some interest. Mensah-Bonsu’s one-year contract would have been fully guaranteed had he remained on the roster past today. The savings amount to somewhere in the range of $400,000 and general manager Bryan Colangelo has also created an opening on the roster if he’s got other moves planned in the future. Toronto Star

The Toronto Raptors will announce the release of forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu later Tuesday, according to NBA front-office sources. The Raptors, though, hope to re-sign Mensah-Bonsu to a 10-day contract if the three-year veteran clears waivers. A stipulation in Mensah-Bonsu’s contract required Toronto to make a decision this week, with the remainder of his $825,497 salary becoming guaranteed for the rest of the season if he appears on the Raptors’ roster beyond Jan. 5. The 26-year-old has earned nearly $355,000 of his salary in the season’s first two-plus months. ESPN.com

It is thought Mensah-Bonsu's former club, Joventut Badalona, are preparing an offer to tempt him to return to the Spanish ACB although Caja Laboral Vitoria could also be in the running. BritBall

Arthur Triche: The Hawks have released forward Othello Hunter. Twitter.com

Morris Almond- Almond was clearly the best NBA prospect seen in Boise in day one, finishing with 31 points and 8 rebounds, and is very likely on his way to a call-up (possibly to Denver according to rumors here) very soon. We’ll be back with a full report on his strengths and weaknesses after his next game. DraftExpress.com

Ross Siler: Jazz appear set to call up Sundiata Gaines from Idaho of the D-League. Twitter.com

Ross Siler: Even after signing Gaines, Jazz could audition No. 3 point guards for the rest of the season, then possibly sign one heading into summer. Twitter.com

Ross Siler: Dontell Jefferson is still a candidate. Mustafa Shakur also was on the short list. So was Russell Robinson. Kevin Kruger possible as well. Twitter.com

Jerry Sloan isn't surprised to hear that trade rumors are swirling, especially considering the salary-bloated and struggling Jazz face stiff luxury-tax fees and have lost three rough games in a row. But Sloan hasn't heard about any impending player-swapping deals from Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor, who was not immediately available for a comment this morning. "Kevin hasn't come to me and told me we're going to make any trades with anybody," the veteran Jazz coach said at Tuesday morning's practice. Deseret News

This certainly isn't the first time Sloan, who's in his 22nd year as the Jazz's head coach, has heard trade rumors. "That's what happens when you lose a game or two — rumors come out of the woodwork," said Sloan, whose 18-16 team would not be in the playoffs if the season ended today. "That's the thing that you try to tell players — that's one of the things that happens. I told them that a couple of days ago. "You lose a couple of games," Sloan added, "and then the next thing you've got to worry about is people start to talk about trades and that's part of this business." Deseret News

Allen Iverson's contract with the 76ers will be guaranteed for the rest of the season, team president and general manager Ed Stefanski said today. Iverson signed a pro-rated non-guaranteed contract worth $1.3 million. Philadelphia Daily News

Such is life when you have played for a record number of NBA teams. Brown, who now coaches the D-League's Los Angeles D-Fenders, suited up for 12 teams from 1989-2002, a mark that later would be tied by Tony Massenburg and Jim Jackson. That record, though, is in jeopardy. Oklahoma City reserve point guard Kevin Ollie has been with 11 teams, and a trade of Ollie by the Feb. 18 deadline could make him a part of NBA history. Ollie's agent, Bill Neff, doesn't anticipate Ollie, whose primary role is to serve as mentor for young Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook, being dealt. But there's no hurry for Ollie, 37, to possibly land in the record book. "Maybe we will next year,'' Neff said of a new team being found for Ollie. FanHouse

So Ollie has played in 12 different cities. But he's one shy for that record, too; Massenburg has played in 13 cities, playing for the Grizzlies in Vancouver and Memphis. "I look at it as great,'' said Ollie, who has no problem being regarded as the most-traveled active player in the NBA. "I've been able to meet a lot of different people and be in a lot of different organizations and play for a lot of coaches who have different styles. It's been great for me. ... I'm glad I'm traveled.'' FanHouse

Neff currently has as a client point guard Mike Wilks, who has played for eight teams, although Neff noted he was on the roster last season for Orlando and Memphis while missing the entire campaign due to injury. And Neff has point guard Jason Hart, who has been with eight teams. Both Wilks, 30, and Hart, 31, recently were waived. So either could be joining a ninth team soon, with 10-day contracts allowed to be signed Tuesday. "We've got two candidates,'' Neff said of Wilks and Hart eventually challenging for the most-teams record. "They're young enough.'' FanHouse

The way Yahoo’s got the original story, the Mavs and the Nets have closed in on an “if’’ deal that would bring ex-Mav hero Eddie Najera back to town in exchange for Shawne Williams (a salary dump) and heartthrob Kris Humphries (solid work here, but buried on the bench when Dallas is healthy). *Is there more to the deal? There has to be either more to the deal or another deal entirely for this swap to work. That’s where the efforts of New Jersey to move Josh Boone to Denver in exchange for Joey Graham come in. Not long ago, Graham was neck-and-neck with Aaron Afflalo for a prominent 2-guard spot in the Nuggets’ rotation. Now Graham is expendable. If NJ makes that deal, or one like it, the chips fall into place for an ensuing Najera deal. DallasBasketball.com

In the case of the Mavs, we’d still love to see a fishing expedition in places like New Orleans (Hilton Armstrong), Washington (Caron Butler) and, as always, Utah, where Carlos Boozer seems destined to spend the rest of his NBA life on the trading block. That sort of notion is always going to be pooh-poohed by representatives of all involved teams -- that's all I'm hearing right now, is pooh-poohing -- for the same reasons team executives serve as “sources’’ who insist no deal will be done. The Mavericks are clutching their wallets … but that doesn’t mean they’re not shopping. DallasBasketball.com

Ben Q. Rock: A Magic source tells @erivera7 one of the reasons Brandon Bass doesn't play much is his inability to remember the team's plays. Twitter.com

George Thomas: Jamario Moon out three weeks with abdominal strain. Twitter.com

Mike Miller will not play and Brendan Haywood may not play against the Philadelphia 76ers tonight, Coach Flip Saunders said at the morning shootaround. After saying that the chances of Miller returning from a strained right calf were "50-50," Saunders ruled out using Miller on Tuesday. But the Wizards may also be without Haywood, who came down with some illness last night and stayed back in the team hotel. "He just didn't feel good, kind of feeling 'blah' or whatever," Saunders said. "It wasn't a fever or anything thing. Maybe it was something he ate, maybe a 24-hour thing." Washington Post

Joe Freeman: The Blazers have upgraded LaMarcus Aldridge (left ankle) to probable for tonight's game vs. Memphis. Steve Blake (pneumonia) is out. Twitter.com

Lamar Odom missed practice Monday because of stomach problems and is listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game against Houston. Apparently, he caught the flu bug from his wife, Khloe Kardashian, who posted on Twitter that she spent New Year’s Eve sick in bed. She said her husband stayed by her side and she posted a picture to prove it. Orange County Register

Eric Smith: Jose Calderon took part - fully - in practise today and unless there are any setbacks overnight, he'll be in uniform (not starting) tomorrow. Twitter.com

NBA star Gilbert Arenas didn't have a license to possess the guns he stored in his locker in D.C.... law enforcement sources tell TMZ. We're told there were four guns in Arenas' locker that were turned over to police, including a gold-plated Desert Eagle -- a gigantic handgun. Arenas could be charged for "CPWL"-- carrying a pistol without a license. TMZ.com

Two law enforcement sources said Tuesday morning that prosecutors planned on presenting evidence to a Superior Court grand jury in the Gilbert Arenas gun case as soon as today. The case would go to the existing panel. The Examiner reported this morning that a grand jury had been convened for the case and it was "mulling" bringing gun charges against the Washington Wizards guard. Washington Post

The NBA has not ruled out suspending Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas before the legal process plays out fully in Arenas' gun-possession case, according to sources close to the situation. Although it has been widely expected that league officials will abide by their usual practice -- which is to wait for penalties to be meted out through the legal system before imposing their own sanctons -- sources told ESPN.com that suspending Arenas while he awaits his legal fate remains an option under consideration by NBA commissioner David Stern depending on how long the case goes because Arenas has already admitted to possessing firearms on Wizards property. ESPN.com

That is a key distinction between Arenas' situation and other off-court disciplinary matters, such as the September arrest of Cleveland's Delonte West on weapons charges after a motorcycle-speeding incident. Arenas has already admitted to breaking league rules on gun possession both publicly and to federal investigators. "I don't think anything has been ruled out," one source said Tuesday. ESPN.com

James has responded to Arenas's tweets with some of his own on @mikejames7, in which he urged Arenas to keep faith in God through his struggles. After practice, I asked James what he hoped to accomplish with his message, and he spent the next five minutes saying, essentially, to back off of Arenas while he deals with this ordeal. He specifically went after those who have been critical of the lighthearted way that Arenas has handled some complicated and serious problems in his life. "That's his own situation, however he feels he needs to cope with it, that's how he needs to cope with it," James said. "We're not the ones to judge, but at the end of the day, we all have issues that we have to face. But it's easy to talk about somebody elses issuses. That's why I wrote what I wrote, because I'm in his corner. Whatever happens, that's my teammates, that's my brother here. Washington Post

"Everyone is going to judge, everyone is quick to point the finger, but ... God is the only judge, in any situation. Whenever something happens in life, our focus always has to be on Him," James said. "So many times, people call him stupid, ignorant. 'Why should an athlete carry guns?' And other issues, but what people don't understand is, we are victims as athletes. Everybody, they can go to USA Today, they can type in our name and here it is, every other article that's been written, our contract is being talked about in it. There's a lot of people that's hungry right now and they look at athlete's like, 'Hey. We can get everything off them, because they have insurance on everything.' So here we are, we can't even go to the grocery store without somebody coming up to us. We can't hang out, can't do nothing. Washington Post

Another reporter asked James if Arenas and Crittenton got along. "We a team. We're going to stick together through good times. We're going to stick together in bad times," he said. "If you have an issue with one of your co-workers, the next two days you go to work, I'm pretty sure you're going to do what you have to do and that co-worker is going to do what they have to do. It's still a job that has to be done. "At the end of the day, we all friends. That's our family. Its like anyone, brothers, they always have arguments, but at the end of the day, they're talking again," he said. "It's the media that blows everything out of proportion. It's the media that makes everything bigger than what it is." Washington Post

Karl Malone: If I'm a player on that team, of course, I'm saying to those guys, "What the hell are you doing?" Even if, as Arenas insists, he brought the guns to the arena because he wanted them away from his children at home, I wouldn't have bought that excuse. Buy a safe. Put them in there. End of story. SI.com

Karl Malone: The NBA can't sweep something like that under the rug. To me, this is another example of a dark cloud that we can never seem to get over. When I say "we," I mean the NBA. I'm still an NBA player; I'm just retired. The amazing thing to me is, it seems just when the league has a little bit of positivity, then we have one big negative and it reflects on all the players. Now people think every NBA player is carrying firearms into the locker room. I guess the next thing is that instead of us walking around those metal detectors in arenas, we should start walking through them. So many kids are doing it the right way in the league, but you get linked with one guy making one mistake. SI.com

Karl Malone: With regard to discipline, commissioner David Stern is the only one who can attempt to fix this, and he has to be the one to make the statement -- in the same way that Roger Goodell treats disciplinary situations with the NFL. I absolutely love the way Goodell handles things. I know people don't really like what Goodell has done in certain cases, but they respect him because he'll tell you why he did it. I don't want to seem like I'm bashing Stern, because I'm not, but that's what people want to see. I don't want to see Arenas made an example of, but this is not just a minor situation, and if we say that, it's ridiculous. This is one of those times that the league needs to say, "We will not condone this." Guys need to be proud of being an NBA player. Being in the NBA is a great thing. The league owes us nothing. We owe what we have to the NBA. Take your job seriously, have a sense of urgency to get people back in the stands. People are waiting to see how the commissioner handles it. They don't want to hear from anyone but him. SI.com

Martin Frank: Eddie jordan on arenas: hes an assassin on the floor. Then he added he shouldnt have said that. Twitter.com

Commissioner David Stern has denied the Mavericks' protest of a 116-108 loss to the Houston Rockets on Dec. 18, the NBA said in a release Tuesday. The Mavs had alleged that the referees improperly called a technical foul on Erick Dampier, which resulted in his ejection. Stern ruled that the decision to assess a technical foul was a judgment call, which can't be protested under NBA rules. ESPN.com

"It's what I expected,'' owner Mark Cuban said. "But if it happens again, I'll protest it again. And I think it's worth taking to the board of governors to discuss.'' Dallas Morning News

Paul Coro: SI player poll asks "Who do you want on the line at the end of a game?" Nash (33.9%) beat Kobe (23.4%). Twitter.com

Most of the first three games were plagued by a distinct lack of energy on the part of many of the players, leading many scouts to shake their heads and wonder what needs to happen for the likes of Gabe Pruitt (almost invisible), Alexis Ajinca, Joey Dorsey (“worst body language of any player in this league,” according to one NBA scout) and others to actually play hard and act like they want to be here. You would think that the players here would be spitting blood at any opportunity to show their skills to the many influential talent evaluators in attendance, but that wasn’t always the case. DraftExpress.com

Dorell Wright: Just walked out the gym and saw Zo. Talked to me about sum real stuff. Always good whn u get great advice frm ppl thts done it! Much Respect. Twitter.com

Are the Jazz players and coaches on the same page? Sloan: "Oh, yeah. Expectations are always high. And we have a number of guys who play the same position. It's hard to get everybody in. So they are probably not totally happy, if they have to sit down and wonder when they are going to get playing time. But that's part of it. You have to work through those things. Maybe something happens and the players can get comfortable again." Salt Lake Tribune

As a Jazz fan, I am frustrated with some of the losses of late. But I’m not ready to throw in the towel. I am committed to doing all I can to support the team, as I hope Jazz fans everywhere are. I hope fans are with us for the long haul. Larry H. Miller

Our search for a new Lakers blogger is over, and we are pleased to announce that Mark Medina will take over the Lakers blog effective later today. Mark has performed numerous roles for The Times in the past and will become the keeper for the eclectic cast of characters who regularly comment on the Lakers blog and, we trust, for many more new blog readers and commenters as well. Los Angeles Times

Ralph Lawler: Stunned by the death of fellow broadcaster and former partner on Clipper radiocasts - Rory Markas. Wonderful man and sportscaster. Sad day. Twitter.com

Williams was officially charged with drunken driving by cops ... at his hospital bed. TMZ.com

Concerned about a lackluster start that has left them in ninth place in the Western Conference and motivated not to pay a hefty luxury-tax bill for moderate success, the Utah Jazz appear willing to trade anyone on their roster but point guard Deron Williams, multiple league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Sports

Carlos Boozer, who is making $12.6 million in the final season of his contract, has attracted interest, but sources said the Jazz have yet to enter any substantive trade talks involving the forward. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan has told management he’d prefer to keep Boozer for the season to help with the team’s playoff push, but ownership wants to avoid paying as much luxury tax as possible. Yahoo! Sports

Rival executives think the Jazz have been asking for too much for Boozer, and that most teams who trade for him would want assurances they have a good chance to re-sign him over the summer. Boozer is averaging more than 19 points and 10 rebounds and could prove to be a difference-maker for a contending team. The Detroit Pistons discussed trading Tayshaun Prince for Boozer over the summer, but one West executive said the Jazz wanted only to redirect Prince to the Portland Trail Blazers and now lack another team with salary-cap room to do so. Yahoo! Sports

It’s also little secret the Jazz have been trying with no luck to trade forward Andrei Kirilenko and his hefty contract for some time. Kirilenko is making a team-high $16.4 million this season and $17.8 million next season. Yahoo! Sports

Two weeks have passed since the organization traded rookie Eric Maynor and injured veteran Matt Harpring to Oklahoma City, and the undermanned team has until the end of the day to bring its depleted roster up to the league minimum of 13 players. Whether that acquisition will come through a free-agent pickup or a trade remains to be seen. Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor suggested both options are on the table when he described the situation to be "status quo" on Monday. "There's a lot of things bouncing around," O'Connor said. Deseret News

Since pulling the trigger on the salary-dumping move, the Jazz have expressed a desire to obtain a third point guard. One name high on the team's list is Dontell Jefferson, an athletic combo guard currently playing for its D-League affiliate, the Utah Flash. Former Flash point Kevin Kruger is another possible addition. Deseret News

Arenas told me on Sunday, "if they want to get rid of me [via trade], at the end of the day, it's alright." I'm told by insiders that multiple players have asked to be traded. Jamison is too professional to do so, but he wouldn't complain if he got shipped to a contender. Mike Jones Sports

The Wizards are, according to multiple sources, are talking to "lots of teams" right now. They're weighing their options and trying to see if they can get a deal to turn things around this season, while also trying to figure out if it's best unload some money and gain some financial flexibility for the summer. Mike Jones Sports

I asked Jamison how he has been dealing with trade rumors, with league-wide speculation that the Wizards are interested in shaking up things with the team underachieving. "I've been around a while, so it goes in one ear and out the other," he said. "I don't think it's affecting this team at all. A lot of guys are hearing [the trade rumors], but what it all boils down it is, it's part of the territory, it's part of the game. So you just got to block it out and go out and play. Washington Post

"With me, every year, it's something. You just go out there and play the game, but if I have to go somewhere else, that's part of the game," he said. "I have a pretty good relationship with the front office people and they have yet to indicate with me that something different is about to happen. They are being very patient and they want to see this thing turn around, but how long do you wait? And how many chances to do give this core group of guys that you have here? Us as players, we know we're in a difficult situation, but we just got to go out there and play hard and know eventually we'll turn things around." Washington Post

I saw one a few days ago about Washington ready to trade Caron Butler, perhaps to the Bulls for Kirk Hinrich. The only benefit to the Bulls in this one is Hinrich’s deal runs two more years, while Butler is done after next season. Otherwise, it makes no sense for the Bulls and I’m reasonably certain it’s not happening. Butler has played small forward his whole career, so plugging him in at two guard is a stretch. Then if the Bulls are intent on building a defensive base, which GM Gar Forman has promised several times, they wouldn’t trade one of their best defenders for someone from a team that has consistently refused to play defense over the years. Arlington Heights Daily Herald

HOOPSWORLD recently talked with TJ about his situation and he admitted quite frankly that while the situation wasn't ideal from a losing point of view that he was not trying to force a trade. TJ reminded that he understood all too clearly how the business worked. His exact words were "if a trade happens, it's not because I was looking for it to happen." HoopsWorld

To that end, the Grizzlies' effort to improve the team's depth is ongoing. Memphis has three first-round picks in the 2010 NBA draft and is peddling its two late-round selections in an attempt to add scoring off the bench. The Griz will not take a player whose deal extends beyond this season if they indeed consummate a deal. Although they are willing to trade draft picks because of the team's youth, the Griz are not offering their own 2010 selection. Memphis Commercial Appeal

The process began earlier this season when the Grizzlies approached tonight's opponent, the Portland Trail Blazers, about a potential trade involving forward Travis Outlaw. According to league sources, the Blazers weren't interested in swapping Outlaw merely for draft picks so the deal quickly fizzled. It was the second time since last season that the Griz expressed interest in Outlaw, who is out another two months while recovering from a broken bone in his left foot. Memphis Commercial Appeal

That development led Memphis to negotiations with the New York Knicks about maligned guard Nate Robinson. Team insiders confirmed a recent New York Newsday report that the Griz and Knicks agreed in principle to exchange Robinson for guard Marcus Williams and a draft pick. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Griz general manager Chris Wallace wouldn't confirm or deny any trade discussions. Wallace would only say that the Griz are active and will remain so until the league's February trade deadline. "We would like to add to our offensive firepower off the bench but we want to do so on our terms," Wallace said. "We don't want to complicate our long-term team salary obligations and potentially detract from our ability to sign Rudy Gay." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Discussions for a trade that would’ve exchanged Eduardo Najera for Kris Humphries and Shawne Williams are “on life support,” a league source said, because the New Jersey Nets have been unable to clear a roster spot to make it happen. New Jersey had hoped the Dallas Mavericks would add some money to the deal to allow them to buy out Williams’ contract, but the Nets haven’t been able to make a roster move. Yahoo! Sports

They tried to trade former first-round pick Josh Boone to Denver for Joey Graham and his non-guaranteed deal as a precursor to the Dallas deal, but those talks dried up, too. Yahoo! Sports

An NBA source said the Denver Nuggets continue to have interest in acquiring another big man. Yahoo! Sports

By trading a player with a guaranteed contract for a player with a non-guaranteed deal, a team looking to save money could just cut the non-guaranteed player and save the salary. Considering almost half of the league is headed for the dollar-for-dollar luxury tax, plenty of teams could save double by trading for a player they can cut. That is why, league sources say, the Cavs have been on the phones taking a look at their options with some or all of their non-guaranteed contracts. There are a handful of teams looking to reduce their payroll. Two franchises -- the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns -- have already made minor trades to dump salary. Cleveland Plain Dealer

If a trade doesn't work out, there is a good chance the Cavs will let at least one player go to create space on their 15-man roster. That would allow them to make a lopsided trade, where they take on more players than they trade, between now and the trade deadline in late February. Cleveland Plain Dealer

The New Orleans Hornets have been attempting to clear off salary for the last few weeks and had a trade to do so last week fall apart. The Philadelphia 76ers and the Washington Wizards are also teams believed to be considering making changes to save money. Cleveland Plain Dealer

The Toronto Raptors will announce the release of forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu later Tuesday, according to NBA front-office sources. The Raptors, though, hope to re-sign Mensah-Bonsu to a 10-day contract if the three-year veteran clears waivers. A stipulation in Mensah-Bonsu’s contract required Toronto to make a decision this week, with the remainder of his $825,497 salary becoming guaranteed for the rest of the season if he appears on the Raptors’ roster beyond Jan. 5. The 26-year-old has earned nearly $355,000 of his salary in the season’s first two-plus months. ESPN.com

Tuesday is D-Day for Pops Mensah-Bonsu and the Toronto Raptors. The Great Britain forward will meet team management to learn whether he will be retained for the rest of the NBA season - thereby, fully guaranteeing his contract. Ditching the Londoner would save the Raps US$400,000 and leave them extra flexibility for an extra roster move. Sources close to Pops say "he is prepared for either outcome" but reports in the Spanish press that an approach from CSKA Moscow is on the table have been described as "nonsense". BritBall

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The Golden State Warriors released forward-center Mikki Moore on Monday and have agreed to pay for the rest of his rehabilitation for a right heel injury that has him sidelined until at least April. An NBA source said the Warriors made the move so they could guarantee forward-center Chris Hunter’s contract for the rest of the season before Wednesday’s deadline. The Warriors were worried that if they cut Hunter in hopes of signing him to a 10-day contract later, he would be picked up off waivers by another team. Yahoo! Sports

According to the Agencia EFE, Roko Leni Ukic has signed a 18-month contract with Turkish giants Fenerbahce in Istanbul to replace Will Solomon’s departure. This is a good news for the new coach of Croatia, Josip Vrankovic, who was concerned about the fact that one of his major players didn’t play. Hoops Notes

Gery Woelfel: Marc Cornstein, Roko Ukic's agent, said he's very grateful to Bucks for releasing his client. Roko has 48 hours to clear waivers. Twitter.com

Jonathan Givony: Nice first day here in Boise at D-League Showcase. Morris Almond was a stud & will not be here much longer. Big dropoff after that. Twitter.com

After riding the bench for much of his time with the Bulls, Sefolosha is starting on a good, young team. He was dealt after the Bulls acquired John Salmons. ''I really like it here; I think it worked out well,'' Sefolosha said. ''Of course, nobody wants to be traded, but once it happened, I was like, 'OK, a new start, new situation, so just try to make the best of it.' '' SouthTown Star

The Thunder is very happy with the Sefolosha deal, but the trade also worked out for the Bulls. The first-round draft pick they acquired (No. 26) turned into power forward Taj Gibson. ''We were fortunate, especially with Tyrus (Thomas) going down for so long, to have Taj,'' Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said. SouthTown Star

Federal prosecutors have convened a grand jury to explore an incident in which Washington Wizards All-Star Gilbert Arenas allegedly brandished high-powered handguns in the team locker room, The Examiner has learned. Arenas and his lawyer, former U.S. Attorney Ken Wainstein, huddled with police and prosecutors Monday afternoon trying to explain the Dec. 21 incident with teammate Javaris Crittenton. There have been conflicting reports about whether the two men faced off in an angry confrontation over gambling debts or whether displaying the weapons was part of a bad joke. Washington Examiner

Prosecutors exploring gun charges against the NBA All-Star are pursuing the case through a grand jury, a law enforcement source told The Examiner. The District has rigid gun laws, and Arenas wasn't licensed to carry the weapons into the District, the source added. After Monday's two-hour meeting with prosecutors, Wainstein issued a statement on behalf of the embattled star. It quoted Arenas as saying that he moved four unloaded handguns out of his Virginia home and into his Verizon Center locker to keep them away from his "young kids." Washington Examiner

Gilbert Arenas' troubles did not come to an end Monday when he met with prosecutors and police in Washington, D.C., to explain what he was doing with four firearms in the Wizards' locker room last month. This may only be the beginning, according to two Washington law enforcement officials familiar with the state and federal probe sparked by what the three-time All-Star characterized as "a misguided effort to play a joke on a teammate." Arenas' contrition in a joint statement with his attorney after meeting for two hours with police and prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is not expected to sway authorities who are weighing whether to charge Arenas with any crimes, the sources said. Neither is the fact that Arenas is claiming to have been unaware that a recent change in the District's firearms law did not allow the possession of guns outside the home, one of those law enforcement officials said. "The U.S. Attorney will have to file charges for possession of a pistol without a license," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he did not have jurisdiction over the case. "The prosecutor cannot simply walk away from this case." CBSSports.com

"Given his prior offense, however, a judge might consider jail time in this case," one of the law enforcement officials said. "It all depends on which judge he draws." Arenas pleaded guilty to charges of failing to maintain proper registration of a firearm in California in 2003 while playing for the Golden State Warriors. Arenas, who had spent several days mocking the incident with public comments and via his Twitter account before admitting fault in postgame interviews Saturday night at Verizon Center, reiterated Monday that he'd brought the guns from his Virginia home to the Wizards locker room because he didn't want them near his young children. CBSSports.com first reported on Dec. 24 that Arenas was under investigation for possession of firearms on team property, a clear violation of NBA rules. CBSSports.com

"Gun cases are taken very seriously in D.C.," one of the officials said. "He's got some problems on his hands, because even if it was a joke -- and this is where people get themselves in trouble -- he's basically admitted in the press that he violated the law. He thinks, 'If I didn't assault a guy, it's cool.' It's not cool." CBSSports.com

Sharpton, who spoke with Stern by phone Monday and hopes to meet with him later this week, was not in a laughing mood. "The NBA needs to stand up and send a strong message by dealing with this situation," Sharpton told the Daily News. He also chided black leadership groups for not speaking out about the "culture of violence being perpetuated in professional sports." Sharpton cited former Giant Plaxico Burress as an example of professional athletes run amok. New York Daily News

Sharpton believes the reaction over reports that Arenas allegedly drew a gun on teammate Javaris Crittenton on Dec. 21 has been tempered because the players involved are black. "If it had been a white player pointing a gun at a black player, there would have been much more of an uproar," he said. "It's almost as if people are saying, 'Well, we don't expect anything better from our black athletes.'" New York Daily News

"This all happened in the Verizon Center?" Sharpton said. "This is the same place where the Obamas watched a Wizards game (on Feb. 27, 2009). You telling me that he had guns in the locker room when Obama went to the game?" New York Daily News

Gilbert Arenas: no im not going to jail i didnt do what they keep writing but stay away from guns..i was wrong for puttn them in my locker. Twitter.com

Gilbert Arenas: i play poker on my phone...i dont play for money. Twitter.com

The Nets had a scheduled "Team Awareness Meeting" with the NBA and players’ union Monday, but after what happened with the Wizards’ Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton, the issue of guns came up. Bergen Record

"Guys have got to protect themselves, but it makes no sense to have a gun in the locker room with teammates,'' Jackson said after the Bobcats' 107-97 victory. "There's no reason to get so mad you'd want to pull a gun on a teammate. Even I can't imagine that. No way would I ever think about that -- bringing a gun to a game, or into the locker room. Nothing should make you that mad.'' FanHouse

Hughes also wondered whether D'Antoni's drastic shifts ultimately work and do not kill morale, referring to his methods as "mind games." During the locker-room euphoria after Sunday's blowout, some players looked confused as they stared over at Hughes' locker, which was surrounded by captivated reporters hanging on the veteran's every inflammatory word. "It's not a good way to play the season, going back and forth," said the 11-year veteran. New York Post

"Nothing was explained," Hughes said. "It's easy to communicate," he added. "It's a long season, you always want to have dialogue and talk things out. Every night's not going to be your night. I understand that. Those are things you need to talk about . . . I definitely want the dialogue." New York Post

"We're not playing well together, as a team," said point guard Deron Williams, who sprained and bruised his right wrist in a hard fourth-quarter fall to the floor. "We don't have that same continuity, that same consistency, that we've had in the past. It just seems like we're not together right now. "We're not taking the right shots. We're passing when we're not supposed to, not passing when we're supposed to," Williams added after a 17-point, 11-dish double-double that included his 3,000 career assist. "So, it's been frustrating." Deseret News

As one could expect, Williams wasn't exactly in a celebratory mood after the Jazz blew a double-digit lead and became only the third road victim of the New Orleans Hornets in a 91-87 loss at EnergySolutions Arena. "It's a great accomplishment," said Williams, only the fourth Jazzman to hit the milestone. "But what's so special about 3,000?" Deseret News

Triano, while insisting no firm decision had been made, alluded to easing Calderon back into the speed of the game during an interview last week. "If we have to limit his minutes, we'd have to decide whether that's at the start or during the game," the coach said. "I don't know what way we'd go." Toronto Star

The Lakers and Kobe Bryant are now moving through another season with hopes of defending the NBA title they won last June, and Odom says he can still feel Winter right there in his ear. “Experience is the best teacher in the world,” Odom explained recently with more than a bit of tenderness in his voice. “He’d been around the block. And Tex always had stories for me. I miss his presence. We all miss Tex. A lot.” HoopsHype.com

That’s not to say the versatile forward hasn’t had tremendous frustrations with the system. He laughed heartily when he heard that new teammate Ron Artest talked of the triangle as an impetuous lady who needs constant romance. “You can call it that,” Odom said. “Romance is good. It’s always better when you take your time.” HoopsHype.com

“Teams double Pau a lot,” Odom said. “We try to get him the ball as much as possible. When Kobe gets going, you got to understand that he’s going to stay aggressive, he’s gonna stay in the attack mode. Pau’s so versatile, so underrated as a rebounder. There are so many ways he can hurt a team in so many different. His passing. He hits me down low with passes all the time. He’s always around four or five or six assists a night.” HoopsHype.com

When Kevin Durant was 15 years of age living on the East Coast, his godfather came back from a trip to Chicago in which he watched a handful of AAU games with some news. “He told me he didn’t know who the best player in the country was, but that Derrick Rose was the best talent he had seen in a long, long time,” Durant recalled on Monday at the United Center. “Once he told me that, I remember I started to hear his name and I knew who he was talking about.” Bulls.com

Durant calls Rose one of his close friends and both received NBA honors on Monday when they were named the Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Dec. 28, through Jan. 3. “It gives me a lot of confidence,” Durant said before his Thunder took on the Bulls. “I know it’s a smaller award, but it still feels good. Coming from a small town in Maryland, I never thought I would be in the NBA first of all. To get the player of the week award with all the great players in the league is an honor. I’m truly humbled and I just thank my teammates for giving me the opportunity to shine.” Bulls.com

Rafer Alston missed practice because he was under the weather, but he’s had two DNP-CD’s in a row now, which woud make any veteran sick. “It was my first time in seven years, almost eight years,” he said a few days ago. “Kiki just said he’s getting a feel for different lineups, different guys. Especially with the way our record is, he’s trying to experiment.” Newark Star-Ledger

So, long term or short term? And how long before Dan Fegan liberates him from all this? “I didn’t ask either question,” Alston said with a laugh. “I don’t know what they’re going to do. But if you’re asking me if I’d rather play, yeah -- I’d rather play.” Newark Star-Ledger

Admitting he'd had occasional off-season doubt about Duncan 's ability to return to the sort of nightly dominance that twice made him the Most Valuable Player, Popovich sounded relieved. “I hoped I would (see him back at that level),” he said, “and I have. “He's just been fantastic. He was really wise this summer and took care of himself and was careful with his workouts and didn't overdo it. He's reaping the benefits and has been our most consistent player and continues to be the foundation of what we do.” Duncan chuckled at Popovich's doubts that he could get back to MVP level. “I didn't know I left this level,” he said. “Did I?” San Antonio Express-News

Truth be told, after a season that included a diagnosis of tendonosis in his right quadriceps tendon — a condition defined as chronic soreness — and a second straight season with a scoring average under 20 points per game, Duncan spent a few off-season days pondering what the future might hold. “I had a really tough year with injuries and trying to play through all that,” he said of a season that ultimately required the use a right knee brace that he found uncomfortable and limiting. “I definitely took a step back.” San Antonio Express-News

DeMar DeRozan: Want to see me in this years NBA Dunk Contest All Star Weekend. Go to LetDeMarDunk.com and sign the Petition to get me in it. Twitter.com

The Cavs can claim to have three candidates — Daniel Gibson, Anthony Parker and Mo Williams — for the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout at next month's All-Star Game festivities in Dallas. Gibson is ranked No. 2; Parker No. 6 and Williams No. 8 in the league in 3-point shooting. But when it comes to who should be one of the six players who gets to bomb away next month, Williams comes out in favor of Gibson. ''Boobie should get it,'' he said. ''It's his home state.'' Akron Beacon Journal

Pau Gasol couldn't practice because of a mild-to-moderate strained left hamstring, but Ron Artest participated in a full-contact workout for the first time since suffering a concussion Dec.25. Lamar Odom did not attend practice because of a stomach ailment, but Luke Walton (pinched back nerve) joined his teammates for some but not all of a light workout one day before they face the Houston Rockets at Staples Center. Los Angeles Daily News

It remains to be seen whether Artest can play tonight. He has missed five games since suffering a concussion after a fall at home. He had four stitches removed from the back of his head and seven taken from his elbow Sunday. "I felt good in practice," he said. "I can't wait to play. ... I felt a little fatigued because I haven't played (since the Lakers' loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Christmas Day). I feel like I have to get back in shape. ... (But there's) nothing to complain about." Los Angeles Daily News

Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups will miss at least one more game because of a strained left groin that has sidelined him for seven of the past eight games. Forward Carmelo Anthony (bruised right knee) hopes to be back tonight against Golden State. In those eight games, the Nuggets are just 2-6. Billups' importance becomes clearer by the day because of how the team struggles when he's out. Anthony, who is second in the NBA in scoring, averaging 30.0 points per game, is listed as day to day. "I'm hopeful (for tonight's game)," Anthony said. "I think it was worse than everybody expected. The pain is little bit different; it was more of a deeper bruise than right there on the tip of the bone." Denver Post

Reserve center Chris Andersen (sprained left ankle) is out tonight, and quite possibly Friday and Saturday, coach George Karl said. Andersen suffered the injury during the second quarter of Sunday's home loss to Philadelphia. He is wearing a boot on his left foot. Andersen's backup is Malik Allen, who played nine minutes off the bench Sunday, scoring two points and committing three turnovers. Denver Post

Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo told Yahoo! Sports he expects to return to action Wednesday against Miami after missing the previous game with a hamstring injury. “I’m getting better each day with the rest I’m getting. I’m just ready to get back up there,” Rondo said. Yahoo! Sports

Small forward Nicolas Batum is targeted to return late this month -- possibly a Jan. 25 home game against New Orleans -- after his surgically-repaired right shoulder received a positive checkup on Monday in Los Angeles. Batum, who was estimated to be out three to five months when he underwent surgery for a torn labrum Oct. 30, was examined by the doctor who performed his surgery. "He's right on track," general manager Kevin Pritchard said. "Everything looks really good. My guess is (his return) is still three weeks away." Batum will accompany the team on its four-game trip that starts Jan. 18, but Pritchard said the plan is to have Batum use the trip as a way to get acclimated to shooting and playing with the team in practices and before games. Oregonian

With his scrimmage team down three points with 25 seconds left and García open on the left wing, he took the pass in stride and buried what appeared to be a three-pointer. It was like he'd never left, as García not only made the long-range shot but argued to no avail when assistant coach Mario Elie ruled it a two-pointer in what led to his team's loss. "I was still a little scared because of my arm, but it was good," García said. "I think the biggest challenge is getting comfortable on the floor, getting hit on the floor. "When I fall on the floor, how am I going to feel? Other than that, I feel good." Sacramento Bee

García was truly the innocent one Oct. 9. He was resting on his back on the ball while lifting two 90-pound dumbbells in bench-press form. The ball exploded, and García's hopes for a sixth-man-of-the-year-type season went along with it. There were greater concerns, too. The significant damage raised questions about whether he would ever be the same. And while García said his actual return to action won't be until late January at the earliest, he is already confident there are no long-term effects. "I'm shooting the ball very good," García said. "I feel good dribbling, shooting, passing. I'm not concerned. "I was worried (about long-term effects). I won't lie … I was wondering how it was going to be coming back. I've worked so hard to get to this moment, and I want people to know that when I step back on the basketball court, I want to help. I don't just want to be out there." Sacramento Bee

Rookie guard Chase Budinger returned to practice Monday and could play tonight against the Lakers. Though the Rockets expected to hold him out until Saturday, his recovery after missing seven games with a sprained right ankle has improved recently. “He looked good (Monday),” coach Rick Adelman said. “I'm hoping if he has no reaction that he'll go (tonight).” Houston Chronicle

China's NBA star Yao Ming and his wife are expecting their first child, the Guangzhou Daily reported today. A close friend of Yao's wife Ye Li revealed the happy news at a show for the Shanghai World Expo. "Ye looks well now and sleeps early every day for the wellbeing of the fetus. The couple hopes to have a boy," said Miao Lijie. "She was supposed to be with the show today, but I understand that it's inconvenient for her to come," Miao added. China Daily

Good eyes, my man! Indeed, J.R. has two "Transformers" tattoos on his neck — an Autobot and a Decepticon. "I was a fan when I was growing up," J.R. explained. "I got the tattoos about a month-and-a-half ago. I like the second 'Transformers' movie better. I like how they brought some of the old characters back." Denver Post

Fans of the 1990's two-on-two basketball series NBA Jam may not need to hang onto that old Genesis cartridge anymore. The new rumor is that EA's about to create a new installment in the series. ESPN reports that EA Sports acquired the rights to develop a new NBA Jam exclusively for the Wii. The game will supposedly be announced soon. The original Jam was published and developed by Midway but they're bankrupt and slowly selling off their assets. Assuming Midway still had the license to the series, EA probably managed to grab it for cheap. CinemaBlend

Former NBA player Jayson Williams was taken to a hospital with minor injuries Tuesday after his SUV struck a tree. The New York Police Department said it appeared Williams may have been drinking before the accident at 3:15 a.m. at a northbound exit of the FDR Drive in Manhattan. However, he has not been charged. Williams was in the passenger seat when officers arrived and told them someone else had been driving. But witnesses told police they saw him in the driver's seat, and officers said no one else was in the car. FOXNews

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