HoopsHype.com Rumors

Thursday, February 7

Visit the HoopsHype Forums to discuss the latest news and rumors in the NBA.

» 07:43 PM ET Update » 07:09 PM ET Update » 04:53 PM ET Update » 04:08 PM ET Update » 11:21 AM ET Update

» Update: 07:43 PM ET

Curry, widely regarded as an All-Star snub, has agreed to participate in the 3-point shootout during All-Star Saturday. The competitors were announced Thursday on TNT. He will compete against New Orleans’ Ryan Anderson, San Antonio’s Matt Bonner, Indiana’s Paul George, Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving and New York’s Steve Novak. Curry is second in the league in 3-point percentage (44.9) and 3-pointers made (147). This will be his second appearance in the event. In 2010, he finished runner up to Boston’s Paul Pierce. “I’ve got to avenge my rookie year shortcoming,” Curry said. Contra Costa Times

Golden State Warriors, Stephen Curry, All Star Game 

This year's rosters include celebrities from film, TV, and music. Reigning 2012 Sprit NBA All-Star Celebrity Game MVP Kevin Hart ("Real Husbands of Hollywood"), will look to defend his title alongside stars like Grammy Award-winner Ne-Yo (R&B/pop); Nick Cannon ("Real Husbands of Hollywood"); Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games); Trey Songz (R&B Singer/Actor); Usain Bolt (Olympic gold medal sprinter); Arne Duncan (Secretary of Education); Terrence Jenkins ("E! News," Anchor); Common (Rapper/Actor); John Schriffen (ABC News Correspondent); Ryen Russillo (ESPN Host); NBA Legends Dikembe Mutombo (eight-time NBA All-Star), Clyde Drexler (ten-time NBA All-Star), Sean Elliott (two-time NBA All-Star), and Bruce Bowen (NBA legend); WNBA stars Tamika Catchings ( Indiana Fever) and Maya Moore (Minnesota Lynx). NBA.com

Clyde Drexler, Dikembe Mutombo, Bruce Bowen, Sean Elliott, All Star Game 

While Frye won't play this season, he is considering traveling with the Suns in late March and April as a way of getting accustomed to the rigors of the road again. And should his recovery fall short and he's not able to return to the NBA next season or ever again, he knows first-hand how gratifying life after basketball can be. "I was really, really lucky…that my (condition) was viral and that they caught it before my heart had actually stayed that size," said Frye, who has two seasons and a combined $13.2 million left on his deal with the Suns (player option in 2014-15). "It's like a rubber band. If you have a hot rubber band and you're moving it back and forth it's going to stretch out, but once you put it in something cold it's going to stay that big. That's the problem with a lot of hearts is that they stay that big. USA Today Sports

Phoenix Suns, Channing Frye, Injuries 

Of course this is painful for Channing Frye. The 29-year-old Phoenix Suns forward has an enlarged heart, for goodness sakes, one that has taken him away from the game that he loves and forced him to wonder for quite some time now if he'll ever be the same again as a basketball player. But this isn't that. This, you see, is his new reality that only hurts when his kids don't pick up their toys. "Ouch!" he yelled during a phone interview with USA TODAY Sports this week. "Stepped on a lego…" USA Today Sports

Phoenix Suns, Channing Frye, Injuries 

Avon Products, Inc. today announced that Los Angeles Clippers basketball star Chris Paul will be joining the company’s team as the face of a new men’s fragrance, Untouchable. A legend in the making, Paul –husband, proud father of two and founder of the CP3 Foundation – represents the future of basketball and the power of the will to win. The new scent will capture the thrill of hitting the court when the crowd is going wild, sinking the game-winning shot and bringing home victory. “The drive to win is what gets me out of bed every morning,” explains Paul. “This new scent with Avon will capture the competitive attitude that motivates me to play my best on and off the court.” multivu.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Chris Paul, Showbusiness 
 

» Update: 07:09 PM ET

The Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors have engaged in exploratory trade discussions on a deal that would swap the Bulls' Carlos Boozer for the Raptors' Andrea Bargnani, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Other players with smaller contracts would have to be added to the deal to make the salary-cap math work, should talks indeed progress to a more serious level, but sources told ESPN.com on Thursday that both teams have given consideration to the move. From Chicago's perspective, sources said, Bargnani's arrival could help address their glaring lack of 3-point shooting and brighten the overall look of its payroll, given that the Italian forward makes $5 million less than Boozer this season. Despite his well-chronicled defensive deficiencies, Bargnani would figure to be an effective pick-and-roll partner for Derrick Rose, once Rose makes his expected return from knee surgery after the All-Star break. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Carlos Boozer, Andrea Bargnani 

The biggest impediment to such a trade, sources said, is believed to be whether Toronto can realistically afford having both Rudy Gay and Boozer on its payroll beyond this season. The Raptors, fresh off acquiring Gay from Memphis last week, have been openly shopping Bargnani, who resumed the most disappointing season of his career Wednesday night after missing 26 games with an elbow injury. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Rudy Gay, Carlos Boozer, Andrea Bargnani 

Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said on Thursday that despite rumors to the contrary, he doesn't expect to trade Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. "Yeah, I think that's by far the most likely thing. Sure," he said when asked if he was comfortable saying that the two stars will remain in Boston. "I'll just repeat what I always tell you guys -- the things that are out there are the things that aren't true and the things that are happening are not being reported," he said regarding trade rumors. ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Trade, Danny Ainge, Kevin Garnett 

Alex Kennedy: I'm told that Paul George will not be in the dunk contest this year. An official announcement with this year's participants is coming soon. Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Indiana Pacers, Paul George, All Star Game 

His comments were genuine, although at least somewhat in spite of the facts. Love knows where that "misconception" came from. He knows what he said in December about the team and his perception that it had been poorly managed. He knows his words might have been taken out of context – Love never explicitly said he wanted out or disliked this season's team – but he had to expect that. He'll need to craft together a healthy PR campaign as he eases back in with his team, and he knows why. "All I can do is, you know, be happy with and only manage things that I can control, and with that continue to be humble," Love said. "In some cases, just shut my mouth and continue to go out there and work. I think the same applies for everybody on the team, and you know, everybody involved with the organization." Fox Sports North

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Kevin Love 

Hawks guard Lou Williams had surgery today to repair a tear to his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee at the Andrews Institute for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Gulf Breeze, FL. The surgery was performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews and assisted by Hawks orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ashok Reddy from the Peachtree Orthopaedic Clinic. Williams will now undergo a period of rest, treatment and rehabilitation for his torn ACL. He will spend the next 2-3 weeks beginning his rehabilitation at the Andrews Institute. His status will be updated as appropriate throughout his recovery. NBA.com

Atlanta Hawks, Injuries, Louis Williams 

As pressure within and outside the Los Angeles Lakers has grown with the injury to Pau Gasol, All-Star center Dwight Howard plans to return to the lineup against the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. With Gasol out with a partial tear of his plantar fascia and the Lakers fighting to climb back into the Western Conference playoff race, Kobe Bryant has made public proclamations suggesting Howard needs to manage the pain and return to the floor. Others in the organization and locker room have privately been saying the same things, sources said. Howard has missed the past three games, including consecutive Lakers victories over Detroit and Brooklyn, with soreness in his right shoulder from a torn labrum. As a free agent this summer, Howard is eligible for a five-year, $118 million contract extension with the Lakers and doesn't want to jeopardize his long-term health and value. Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Lakers, Dwight Howard, Injuries 
 

» Update: 04:53 PM ET

Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni has and will not publicly advocate for the front office to make a roster change. But with it remaining uncertain when Pau Gasol will return from a torn plantar fascia of his right foot, D’Antoni said he will meet with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak fairly soon about the team’s personnel. “We’ll get together in Miami probably and we’ll see how it goes,” D’Antoni said. Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Mitch Kupchak, Mike D'Antoni 

New Orleans guard Eric Gordon is appreciative that the Suns helped get him a four-year, $58 million contract, but his heart has moved on from July, when he insisted Phoenix is where it belonged. The Hornets matched the restricted free agent’s offer, and Gordon slowly returned from knee issues that might have canceled the Suns deal after a physical. Gordon played his 16th game Wednesday, making 3 of 14 shots. “It was a part of business, and they threw out the best offer, and I had to take it,” Gordon said. “When you see a contract like that, and you have a team that is full-fledged going after you like that, you have to take it.” Arizona Republic

New Orleans Hornets, Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Eric Gordon 

Gordon said the decision also had to do with his brother, Evan, playing at Arizona State and the style under Alvin Gentry. In July, Gordon said in a statement that his heart was in Phoenix to discourage New Orleans from matching. “I can’t really get into that,” Gordon said. “Whether I was here or there, I would’ve been fine with it. It was nothing over the top that I wanted to be here or there.” Arizona Republic

New Orleans Hornets, Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Eric Gordon 

Kobe Bryant publicly challenged Howard to return, telling ESPNBoston.com's Jackie MacMullan on Wednesday, "We don't have time for [Howard's shoulder] to heal. ... We need some urgency." Howard dismissed Bryant's stance. "That's his opinion, that's it," Howard said. "He's not a doctor, I'm not a doctor. That's his opinion." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard 

Bargnani returned from a 26-game absence caused by a torn ligament in his elbow against the Celtics. When he entered the game, there were audible boos to go along with cheers. Coach Dwane Casey expressed discontent with the jeers on Wednesday, and did so again on Thursday. “I was disappointed a little bit in the fans booing him,” Casey said. “This kid had a torn tendon. It’s not like he had a backache or a headache or a toothache. He had a torn tendon in his arm, a legit injury. I was concerned about that. He was fine. He bounced back. He used it as a chip on his shoulder, which I like. Fans can boo who they want to. This kid, he responded last night.” National Post

Toronto Raptors, Dwane Casey, Andrea Bargnani 

Love said the season has been frustrating, given his high expectations coming off the Olympics and the team’s high hopes entering the season. When asked what there was left in the season to salvage, here’s what he said: “I think coach (Rick Adelman) mentioned it today,” he said. “That we can’t look at making the playoffs right now. We can just look at our next game and our next practice and what we can do to get better every single day. Even though myself, and Chase (Budinger) and Brandon (Roy) and (Andrei Kirilenko) are out right now, we can still look at getting back on the court and getting better.” Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Kevin Love 

He still hopes to return in mid to late March. But he’s not going to rush himself. Love was asked, again, if he came back too soon from his broken hand the first time. And while he said no, he at least suggested that maybe the breaks didn’t heal properly the first time. “Because, at the time I broke it, I was 10 weeks out (from the initial fractures),” Love said. “So I gave it enough time to heal. … But now that it’s fixed it feels great, and I can continue to progress.” Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Kevin Love 

Kobe's the villain in the "Linsanity" documentary just screened at Sundance and produced by my buddy Chris Chen ... It was in Boston postgame last year that Kobe said with a ton of reporters milling around his locker -- and with NY the next stop -- he hadn't really heard of Lin. That made Kobe the epitome of the world still not believing in Jeremy Lin's exploits, whether it was really disrespect or sheer ignorance -- and made for a great movie setup when Lin dropped 38 and 7 on the Lakers the next day at Madison Square Garden in the Knicks' victory. Jeremy heard about Kobe's comment and considered trash-talking after the game: "Who the hell is Kobe Bryant?!" But Lin thought better of it. Sulia

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Jeremy Lin 
 

» Update: 04:08 PM ET

Luke Ridnour is being shopped by the Minnesota Timberwolves, and a league source told SheridanHoops.com “there is a good chance” the 10th-year point guard will be dealt before the Feb. 21 trade deadline. With Ricky Rubio back from an injury that wiped out the first half of his season, the T-Wolves have a glut at the position with J.J. Berea also under contract (for this season plus two more). Ridnour has a reasonable contract ($4 million this season, $4.3 million next season) and is a steady playmaker who has spent the majority of his career with bad teams, having appeared in the playoffs just twice. SheridanHoops

Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Luke Ridnour 

A second source said the Timberwolves and Jazz had discussed a trade involving Utah guard Alec Burks, but said those talks had been tabled. Utah is in the market for a point guard with Mo Williams out until late March or early August and Earl Watson day to day with a foot injury. As reported on SheridanHoops.com yesterday, a point guard — Patty Mills or Nando de Colo — would be made available to them as part of a larger package that would send center Al Jefferson to San Antonio. SheridanHoops

Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Trade, Alec Burks 

A league source Wednesday characterized the odds of Dallas moving Carter by the Feb. 21 as a “long shot.” Which Carter said suits him just fine, despite the Mavs needing a significant run just to get into playoff contention. NBA.com

Dallas Mavericks, Trade, Vince Carter 

Portland’s energetic J.J. Hickson has played himself into a great position even while playing out of position. At 6-foot-9, Hickson is the Blazers’ undersized center who’s putting up double-doubles at a higher rate than even his All-Star teammate LaMarcus Aldridge. Hickson’s 14 points and 10 rebounds in Wednesday’s loss at Dallas was his 27th double-double, tied for third-most in the league. It’s the kind of production that will put Hickson, 24, atop many teams’ offseason shopping lists when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in July. “I’d be lying if I wasn’t looking forward to it, but that’s something I’ll get more excited about when that period hits,” Hickson said. “It’s something that me and my agent will talk about, but right now I’m just worried about playing basketball and trying to make these playoffs.” NBA.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, JJ Hickson 

Mickael Pietrus wanted to return to the Celtics, hoping that offseason right knee surgery that improved his flexibility and athleticism would convince the club to bring him back. It didn’t. Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Mickael Pietrus 

Here's the full testy exchange when Dwight got annoyed when asked if he has talked to Kobe about his injury ... Reporter: Have you talked to Kobe about it, just your situation? Dwight Howard: "What situation?" Reporter: In terms of your injury and all that? DH: "Have I talked to Kobe?" Reporter: Yes, just as far as outlining, like, telling him your perspective? DH: "Of what?" Reporter: Of you wanting to take the long view? DH: "Why do I have to explain that to Kobe?" Reporter: Well, because he’s a teammate … DH: "He’s a doctor?" Reporter: No, but he’s a teammate. DH: "OK. So I should explain that to all my teammates then, right?" Reporter: I’m not insinuating that. I’m just asking, have you talked to him? DH: "I’m asking you …" Sulia

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard 

Reporter: I don’t know if you’ve talked to him. DH: "I’m asking you, I’m supposed to tell all my teammates?" Reporter: No, I’m just asking if you talked to him. DH: "Just Kobe. Just Kobe." Reporter: Considering the comments he made yesterday … DH: "I don’t know what he said." Reporter No. 2: He says we don’t have time for Dwight’s shoulder to heal. We need urgency. We need him back on the floor. This is the Lakers. It’s either a championship or a complete failure. DH: "OK." Reporter No. 2: What do you say to that? DH: "That’s his opinion." Sulia

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard 

Philadelphia 76ers coach Doug Collins confirmed that veteran guard Jason Richardson is "looking at season-ending knee surgery," but the team disputed a report that any decision on surgery has been made. Richardson is scheduled to visit an undisclosed doctor today for a fourth opinion on his ailing left knee, a team spokesperson said. The Sixers describe the injury as synovitis, or inflammation of a thin membrane surrounding the inner lining of the joint. The team will update Richardson's status once he decides whether to proceed with surgery. USA Today Sports

Philadelphia 76ers, Jason Richardson, Injuries, Doug Collins 

Malone has no doubt if the Jazz's former coach was still in charge — or is again elsewhere someday — he'd be in a gym teaching bigs how it's done. "If coach (Jerry) Sloan ever got another coaching job, I would be with him sometime," he said. "End of story." And, yes, he told Olsen and Rust he's not just popping off for fun about this idea. "I'm being dead serious about this," Malone said. "I don't want no cameras around. I would be more than willing to come." Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Coaching, Karl Malone 

So when the officials fail to call a moving screen on Atlanta, or a Grizzlies shooter has his toe on the 3-point line, or Zach Randolph makes a strong defensive stand when he could’ve easily checked out, it feels a little different. These plays inform larger truths about the team, just as they did from press row. But as time progresses, every success or failure will be an expression of how well he’s doing the job. “I’ve been pretty calm so far,” Hollinger said. “But inevitably as we get further into this, it will probably get harder.” For Hollinger, watching League Pass and video of NBA basketball used to be an exploration for ideas, themes and patterns. These days, he surveys that landscape through a single lens -- the future of the Memphis Grizzlies. “I’m looking at players a little differently,” Hollinger said. “Any time I’m seeing a player, I’m thinking about how he would fit on our team.” ESPN.com

Memphis Grizzlies, John Hollinger 

Stackhouse says Hunter isn't the only one who needs to be shown the door. "Derek has stepped up and has really tried to grab the reins but I think he has to go too," he said. "If you're not aware of everything that's happened on your watch for so long, I think the whole system is flawed." Hunter recently spoke with the New York Times to defend his record of leadership, and Stackhouse said that was expected, while also pointing out the way the game has changed since 1995. "He's talked so much about what he's done," Stackhouse said. "We have shorter salaries, a hard cap. Make sure you take credit for that, too." Detroit News

Brooklyn Nets, Derek Fisher, Billy Hunter, Jerry Stackhouse, NBPA 

"I plan on going to make my point. I won't be surprised if Billy was there, with all he's done he'll try to show his face and act as if business as usual," Stackhouse said. "The same thing with Derek. They can't operate as if business as usual. They've shown their flaws too much to still continue in their positions." Stackhouse wants the current players to be educated about what's happening now, and is even taking a more extreme stance since he clearly believes in wholesale change. He wants the executive committee — which includes superstar Chris Paul — gone too. "The important thing is, it's nothing pressing as far as collective bargaining," said Stackhouse, as the current CBA isn't up for another five years. "We should take this time and figure out the best direction for our union. I don't think the way it is set up now is really what it should be. Everything (should change)." Detroit News

Brooklyn Nets, Billy Hunter, Jerry Stackhouse, NBPA 

Stern compared the refurbishment to updates done over time to Detroit's Palace at Auburn Hills, Phoenix's U.S. Airways Arena and New York City's Madison Square Garden that have kept those arenas viable while the Sacramento Kings' owners recently submitted to the NBA an agreement to sell their franchise to a Seattle group after the California city failed to finalize a new arena. "I don't think fans have to worry about that at all," Stern said when asked about the Timberwolves' long-term future in Minnesota. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, David Stern, Glen Taylor 

The Pacers have had just four sellouts this season; opening night, both Miami games and against Chicago earlier this week. While they have increased attendance by 1,320 fans a game from last season, that's still not enough. "It's very disappointing," Pacers guard and Indianapolis-native George Hill said. "The fans show up when we play the marquee teams, but they show up wearing the marquee team's clothes. We feed off them. As much as we can get people there, the better off we're going to be." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, George Hill, Indiana 
 

» Update: 11:21 AM ET

USA Basketball will not name its next men's national team coach until after the college season is over at the earliest, according to sources familiar with the process. One key motivation for adopting that revamped timetable, sources told ESPN.com, is to give Duke's Mike Krzyzewski as much time as possible to consider carrying on as Team USA coach. ESPN.com

Coaching, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

USA Basketball's original plan called for the coaching situation to be clarified by late 2012 or early in 2013, with Colangelo expected to turn to San Antonio's Gregg Popovich or Boston's Doc Rivers if Krzyzewski held firm. But sources told ESPN.com that optimism within the program was rising that Krzyzewski might ultimately prove willing to reconsider his stance that London was "the last time." However, Krzyzewski told ESPN.com's Andy Katz this week that "nothing has changed with anything." "(USAB) is not going to make a decision until the summer," Krzyzewski told Katz. "Nothing has changed with me. Usually in these situations, they don't do it while basketball season is going on. Nothing has changed. Right now, obviously -- I love USA Basketball -- but I'm trying to keep my head above water with my own team." ESPN.com

Coaching, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

One source close to the situation described the prospect of Colangelo convincing his good friend to carry on as "absolutely" still his preferred scenario. In a late November interview with ESPN.com, Colangelo revealed that he had not yet spoken to either of the two acknowledged favorites to succeed Krzyzewski -- Popovich or Rivers -- because he had not yet abandoned hope of getting the Duke legend to reconsider. ESPN.com

Coaching, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

“I mean, I really don’t want to be part of a rebuilding situation again. I just think at this point in time that’s something that would wear on me too much mentally that I don’t know what decision I may make if I have to. I may retire if I have to. You know, that’s something that’s a year-end process, especially given the situation that we have right now.” According to Pierce, his call will be dictated by the direction the Celtics take moving forward. And while he has stated strongly that he would like to end his career with the club, he opened the door wide to the possibility he could finish elsewhere. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Trade 

“It’s all on what they plan on doing,” said Pierce. “If they try to go into a rebuild mode, then, you know, I don’t know if I want to be a part of that. But that’s up to them and what they need to do. I don’t want to go out on a rebuild mode. “I want an opportunity to at least try to win another championship, simple and plain. And if that’s not going to be here — if that’s going to be somewhere else — so be it. That’s what it has to be. I mean, even the greatest players played for other franchises. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Trade 

Hill gave every indication to me that he'll retire after the season, his first with the Los Angeles Clippers and 18th in the NBA. "I'm 40 — come on," he said. Orlando Sentinel

Los Angeles Clippers, Grant Hill 

Fittingly, cruelly, in his final season, Grant has had to overcome two knee surgeries, having played just 14 games for the Clippers. He doesn't buy the notion that his body was preserved sitting out most of his seven seasons wearing Magic colors. "Doesn't matter. Forty is still 40," he said. Orlando Sentinel

Los Angeles Clippers, Grant Hill 

Hollins is in the final year of his contract and is openly acting like someone who will be elsewhere next year. It’s having a major impact on how the Grizzlies are playing. Sources close to the situation caution not to read too much into the frustrations of a two-game losing streak, but when you factor in how leaky the Memphis process has been the whole way around, completely dismissing Randolph as a coveted trade asset would be naive. However, the Grizzlies continue to deny that Randolph is anyone they are willing to move, but it’s clear they are still active in the marketplace and the right incoming offer can always change a team’s thinking, especially if the skid continues. HoopsWorld

Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, Zach Randolph 

The Lakers have been reluctant to use the exception mainly because of the chaotic situation already in place and the belief that adding a fresh body to the circus isn’t believed to be helpful. That stance may change with the front court being so depleted, however, Lakers sources say adding a new body still seems more unlikely in the short term. HoopsWorld

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency 

A major transaction involving pending free agent J.J. Redick does not appear to be coming, despite dozens of teams trying to pry him out of Orlando. Sources close to the process say Redick has expressed a desire to sign a new deal in Orlando or at least work through a sign-and-trade in exchange for not being dealt at the deadline and the Magic seem open to that. There continues to be a sense that this Magic squad isn’t going to change much at the deadline and that any serious transactions are more likely in the offseason. HoopsWorld

Orlando Magic, Free Agency, Trade, JJ Redick 

DiLeo said before Wednesday's game against Indiana that the Sixers would explore all trade possibilities before the deadline, but they still believe that this roster, when healthy, can be a good one. "Right now the mind-set is we want to see what the roster looks like with Andrew out there and healthy," DiLeo said. "We still have lots of questions to answer, but we want to see the team we envisioned having out there. We're curious how well this team will function together, the players with Andrew and Andrew with the players, heading into the summer." Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Trade, Tony DiLeo 

Adrian Wojnarowski: After two consecutive 10 day contracts, the Philadelphia 76ers have released guard Shelvin Mack, league source tells Y! Sports. Twitter @WojYahooNBA

Philadelphia 76ers, Shelvin Mack 

Kobe Bryant again has urged Dwight Howard to play through some pain while claiming that the Los Angeles Lakers' center "worries too much" about media and fan criticism. Howard has missed the past three games because of a torn labrum in his shoulder, aggravating an injury he initially suffered earlier this season. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard 

"We don't have time for (Howard's shoulder) to heal," Bryant said Wednesday in an exclusive interview with ESPNBoston.com's Jackie MacMullan. "We need some urgency." The interview with MacMullan came one day after Bryant publicly challenged Howard, stating that playing through an injury is "something that you have to balance out and manage." Bryant also asserted that Howard is preoccupied with how he is perceived by fans and media. "Dwight worries too much about what people think," Bryant told MacMullan. "I told him, 'You can't worry about that. It's holding you back.' He says, 'OK, OK, OK,' but it's always hovering around him. "He just wants people to like him. He doesn't want to let anyone down, and that gets him away from what he should be doing." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard 

Howard preached patience in a recent interview with ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, pointing to the fact that Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal needed three years before winning a championship with the Lakers. But the 34-year-old Bryant, who is averaging 27.6 points per game in his 17th NBA season, is approaching this season with more desperation. "We don't have three years," Kobe said. "We've got this year." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard 

"To me, [Wall] can be your starting point guard and be your leader on a good team, but he can't be the franchise guy. They're going to need to surround him with guys like Paul Pierce or a Dwyane Wade or a Kobe Bryant. A scorer is going to have to surround him for them to really make a rise in the NBA. I don't think he can carry the load." CSNWashington.com

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Jeff Van Gundy 

Van Gundy recently commented on Wall's game and limitations. The evaluation, captured here, lumped the NBC Sports analyst in with those other naysayers, though Van Gundy does not believe his opinion of Wall's overall game is a negative one. "I said this: John Wall is a talented guy, a very good player. I don't think he's good enough that you can build a franchise around him," Van Gundy said after serving as television analyst for George Mason's home game against Drexel last Thursday night. "I don't think he can be your best player, certainly not clearly your best player. You need one guy better than him or a couple of guys at his talent level for them to win. CSNWashington.com

Washington Wizards, John Wall, Jeff Van Gundy 

Spurs forward Matt Bonner might have added an unlikely ally in his bid to score an invitation to his first All-Star weekend 3-point shootout Feb. 16 in Houston. As part of a new format for this year’s festivities, Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul has been appointed the Western Conference captain for All-Star Saturday night. After tonight’s announcement of the league-approved field for the contest, Paul is allowed to choose one more name to add to the list. And Paul just so happens to be close with Spurs point guard Tony Parker, one of the more vocal proponents of Bonner’s candidacy. San Antonio Express-News

Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, Chris Paul, Tony Parker, Matt Bonner, All Star Game 

But the thing that has intrigued Spoelstra the most is what he calls the "vertical spacing" that Andersen brings. The idea: Throw the ball up in the air and let Andersen catch it for an easy bucket. Bosh is usually out on the perimeter. Haslem doesn't have the legs or the height to pull that off consistently. Anthony doesn't have the hands to make it worthwhile. But Andersen has that promise. At Wednesday's shootaround, Spoelstra as well as James, Dwyane Wade, Mario Chalmers and even Ray Allen drilled the lob pass to Andersen over and over. It's what Spoelstra fears the most when playing against athletic big men like Tyson Chandler and Dwight Howard. Now, he's trying it out with Andersen. “We haven’t had that element before other than Dwyane and LeBron in the fast break," Spoelstra said. "Guys are starting to see it now, but the play is there." ESPN.com

Miami Heat, Chris Andersen 

The Orlando Magic, who badly needed some good news, received welcome results from an MRI exam on J.J. Redick's sore right shoulder. The MRI, taken Tuesday, revealed no structural damage. "A huge relief," Redick said before he sat out the Magic's game Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, JJ Redick, Injuries 

"There was some worry. I want to play. I don't want to be out long. At this point, it's basically just soft tissue. It's whatever I can handle. I tried shooting some before shootaround [Wednesday], and there's too much pain right now to play." Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, JJ Redick, Injuries 

Pau Gasol's worst fears became reality. The forward will be out indefinitely after suffering a tear of the plantar fascia of his right foot in Tuesday's win in Brooklyn. "I'm hoping to recover asap so I can be back with the team and keep fighting until the end of the season," tweeted Gasol, who won't be in Boston tonight when the Lakers (23-26) face the Celtics (24-23). Gasol had an MRI Wednesday, but will fly today to Los Angeles for more evaluation from Lakers team doctor Steve Lombardo and foot specialist Dr. Kenneth Jung. The Lakers will then provide a timetable for Gasol's return. Plantar fasciitis involves painful swelling on the soft tissue under the arch of the foot. It can also extend from heel to toe. "If it's a one-third tear, within four to six weeks he should be OK," said Dr. Robert Khorramian, a Santa Monica foot and ankle specialist. "If it's a two-third tear, it would go much higher, possibly eight to 10 weeks. When there's over a two-third or a complete tear, we advise surgery. That takes 12 to 14 weeks." Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Injuries 

Rick Carlisle on if he’s worried about Dirk Nowitzki’s long-term health: “What I’ve been saying recently is we need to get to the all-star break and then when we come out of the all-star break, we’ll see where everything is at with him. The Portland game was very encouraging then he had this setback. It’s scary because it happened and he’s never had a pulled muscle, which tells you something about the preparation that he does in general, the stretching, the yoga, the pilates, everything that he does. In terms of where he’s at, we need to use him the right way. We have to keep him going in five or six minute stretches whenever possible and keep him going in and out fresh. We have to match the right people with him. It’s premature to get into hey he’s this or that or too injured. I don’t see it that way.” Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Injuries, Rick Carlisle 

Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, recovering from surgery on his right hand, was at Target Center Wednesday night, Feb. 6, to work out before the Wolves' game against San Antonio. Love returned to the team for the first time since undergoing surgery Jan. 15 in New York to repair the third and fourth metacarpal bones on his right hand. Love was not available to speak to reporters but is scheduled to meet the media after Thursday's practice. Love was projected to miss eight to 10 weeks after the surgery, which is expected to keep him out of the lineup until at least mid-March. The two-time all-star apparently is resuming his rehab work in the Twin Cities. St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Kevin Love 

Andrew Bynum is heading into the most important phase of his rehabilitation, according to 76ers GM Tony DiLeo. “When he practices, bangs, jumps, moves — that’s really the most critical part,” DiLeo said on the court prior to Wednesday’s game against the Pacers. “We’ll just have to see how he reacts during that phase.” DiLeo denied that he told reporters he expected Bynum to practice this week and is unsure when Bynum will be able to work out with the team. “I never said he would practice with us the first week of February,” DiLeo said. “I said he would increase his basketball activities the first week of February. I don’t know where that came from.” phillyburbs.com

Philadelphia 76ers, Andrew Bynum, Injuries 

Not being able to play seems to be hurting Rasheed Wallace more than the stress reaction in his left foot. He doesn't like talking about the injury that's sidelined him for 25 games. But Wallace opened up Wednesday about how much he hates not playing -- something Knicks coach Mike Woodson said could change after the All-Star break. "Sometimes just sitting on the sideline or sitting in the back watching those guys, it's killing me," Wallace said. "It's killing me because I feel like at certain points of the game, 'OK, I could have gotten that rebound,' or 'I would have been able to trap here or do something there.' It's a whole lot of what-ifs and I couldas, shouldas, wouldas. The anxiety kills me because I definitely want to be out there with my soldiers. "It's like, 'OK, you're preparing for war, I'm up here in practice, going through practice and game film and all of that. I'm preparing myself, but guys, I can't get on the airplane and go to war with you.' It kills me. But there's nothing I can do. I just got to let this foot do what it does." Newsday

New York Knicks, Rasheed Wallace, Injuries 

The tax, which kicks in when a team surpasses the salary cap (approximately $58 million this season) and goes above the threshold ($70.3 million this season), is at the root of the change. The dollar-for-dollar format that was in place in the old CBA has been replaced by a structure in which a team like the Lakers is on pace to pay at a rate as high as $4.25 for every extra dollar. But the "repeater tax" is a major factor as well, as – starting in the 2014-15 campaign – teams that are in the tax in four of any five seasons will be paying yet another dollar for every dollar above the threshold as well as facing serious restrictions when it comes to the mechanisms put in place to build their teams. "If you can find a reasonable facsimile (of a player) for a reduced (financial) number, you're going to do it," one Western Conference general manager told USA TODAY Sports. He spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the CBA. "The punitive nature of where we're going with the repeater tax and the escalating tax number puts you in a position where it's just not viable to have a third or fourth guy on your roster paid like a first or second guy." USA Today Sports

Los Angeles Lakers, CBA, Salary Cap 

If the Lakers are able to re-sign free-agent-to-be Dwight Howard to a maximum contract deal this summer and they don't make any trades, they would have a payroll of approximately $100 million with just nine players on the roster (the league minimum is 12) for next season. Even at that price – which would be increased with a handful of players on the relative cheap – the Lakers' tax payment based on estimates of the salary cap and luxury tax threshold for next season would be a whopping $72.8 million. The price tag for a Lakers team that has hardly been the championship contender that was expected, then, would be an astounding $172.8 million. As such, it should surprise no one that the future of forward Pau Gasol ($19.2 million next season in the last year of his deal) and even Kobe Bryant (who's a free agent in 2014) is suddenly uncertain. USA Today Sports

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Trade, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard, Salary Cap 

David Falk: I've always said that the union has to be very strong. When you're negotiating the terms under which the players are going to share the revenues, I think it's important to have a strong union to understand how to protect the players' rights. And now that we have a 10-year agreement, I think the most important thing is for the players collectively with the league to sit down and be partners in this business now. They have to map out a joint strategy to grow the business. The only way the players are going to make more money down the road is for the league to prosper, so they are essentially partners. That's the way it's always always been, I just don't think Billy [Hunter] ever educated the players, explained to them that the best way to go is to grow the business together with the league. I hope that what's happened is a wake-up call for the players as a group that they need to get more involved. They can't leave to a handful of players to do all the work. There's a lot of work to be done. HoopsHype

David Falk, Billy Hunter, NBPA 

What now? What are the next steps? DF: Before talking about this person or that person, the first thing the players need to do is figure out, in this environment, what is that they need to hire. You've got a very, very long deal with the League, so the first thing to do is figure out what is the skillset of the person that they need to hire to do this job. That's Step 1. Everything else comes after that. I think it's a little different of a skillset than the skillset that was required when Billy was hired because I don't think they'll be doing a lot of collective bargaining. The person they hire needs to be able to sit down with the next commissioner, Adam Silver, and figure out a way to get the revenues in basketball to go from where they are now - from $5 billion roughly to $10 billion. For the players to make more money, we're going to have to figure out a way to significantly grow the revenues. You look at a sport like football, which is so much bigger than basketball in terms of revenues... We need to find a way to grow our sport significantly. That's the next challenge for the union. HoopsHype

David Falk, Billy Hunter, NBPA, Adam Silver 

There have been names thrown around already. There's been a report that Donald Fehr's name has been pushed by some NBA agents as a replacement for Hunter. Are you among those agents supporting Fehr? DF: No, no. These guys are bashing each others' heads in the recruiting, then trying to say everybody's on the same page. I don't think there are too many on the same page. I think they need to slow it down and figure out who they need to hire before they start putting names out there. It's time for a whole fresh approach to figure out what is it that we need to make this union better, stronger. For example: Why is that the basketball players have ceilings on their salaries but they don't have that on football and baseball? Why? The answer is that the union is very weak and allowed that to happen. That's a mistake. The players need to look at the thing a lot more closely and try to understand what it is that they need to go forward before people start arbitrarily throwing names around. I think they need to take their time. HoopsHype

David Falk, Billy Hunter, NBPA 

In a 65-minute interview conducted at the Newark offices of his lawyer, Thomas Ashley, Hunter passionately defended his record and his reputation, and he indicated that he would not leave without a fight. “I intend to exercise all my options, as of this moment,” Hunter said. Hunter is owed $10.5 million on a contract that runs through 2016, and he said he expected to be paid the balance if he is fired. Contrary to the audit — which determined that Hunter’s contract was not properly approved and thus unenforceable — Ashley contended that the contract is binding under Delaware law, where the union is incorporated, setting the stage for a possible legal battle. “They would be required, if they terminated him without cause, to pay him the remainder of his contract and benefits,” Ashley said. New York Times

Billy Hunter, NBPA 

“My client maintains his absolute innocence,” Ashley said, “so to that extent, we are not concerned.” But, he added, “Anytime you’re being investigated by the federal government, there is some cause to think about it.” The audit found no criminal wrongdoing, although it concluded that Hunter had failed in his fiduciary obligations and had put personal and family gain ahead of union interests — judgments that he vehemently protested. “That’s not true,” he said. “Never. Absolutely not true. Absolutely not true.” New York Times

Billy Hunter, NBPA 

The relationship between Hunter and Fisher turned adversarial long ago. It was Fisher who pressed for the audit of business practices last spring, initially over the objections of other executive committee members. In Hunter’s view, the forced leave is the first step toward a termination that he views as almost predetermined. “I assume that between now and then that Derek will be doing everything he can to stack the deck,” Hunter said, referring to the coming union meeting, “so that they have the appropriate players in place to vote according to their request or plan.” New York Times

Derek Fisher, Billy Hunter, NBPA 

Although Hunter defended hiring his family members, he said firing them was necessary. “I decided that I didn’t want that to be a distraction.” “Very difficult,” Hunter added, quietly. “But I did what I had to do.” A former federal prosecutor, Hunter is known in N.B.A. circles as a tenacious advocate for player rights and a sometimes-feisty orator. On Wednesday, he was unusually subdued, his spirit sapped by the battle for his career. “It’s had a negative impact on my family,” Hunter said. “It’s been very stressful. And I obviously worry about their health. I worry about the impact it’s had on my wife. I think pretty much my family looks at me, as long as they see me continuing to be strong, then they kind of take solace in that.” New York Times

Billy Hunter, NBPA 

My first reaction to seeing Ted Leonsis’s recent appearance on Bloomberg TV was holy wow, he’s lost a lot of weight. You can’t really do an entire blog post based on images of someone’s torso, though — well, unless it’s Alex Ovechkin, or John Wall, or Rex Grossman. So let’s move on to what Leonsis was actually discussing, which was his continuing push toward at least partial ownership of a sports network. “I think everyone who owns a sports team, and especially those who own multiple sports teams, has to look at what is the way that they can grow their revenue and be competitive on the ice or on the court, and that’s to generate more media dollars,” Leonsis said. “And one of the ways to do that is to launch and own, or own a part of, your own network. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Ted Leonsis 

“Local and social and mobile is the fastest growing segment of the internet media market,” Leonsis later said. “If you just look at your own wallet, where you write checks to and send your money to, about 80 percent of your wallet is spent within 20 miles from your home. Sports teams and arenas, we activate a lot of that local spending and time online and interest. “And what we want to be able to do is create media properties, so that as you’re going to the game, if you’re watching the game on television, we can provide you data and information and services about your city, about sports, about youth hockey, about youth baskestball, about college basketball, college hockey, so that we can get more and more of your time,” Leonsis said. “And by creating it and being optimized for social and for mobile – in fact, in our first two weeks, almost half of our traffic was generated either from Twitter or Facebook, or from a mobile device. So we’re already seeing great traction through those venues.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Ted Leonsis 

Stoudemire said a mixture of asparagus, brussels sprouts and salads have worked wonders. Last night after the loss, he sat with a plate of spinach and broccoli as his teammates downed postgame pasta and sausage. “It purifies the red blood cells and eliminates toxins,’’ Stoudemire said. “It fortifies the blood. It helped me recover and persevere through injuries. I did that for three months. I wanted to really give myself the best opportunity to remain healthy.’’ It wasn’t easy and Stoudemire needed to take a little time off to dine on his favorite foods. “It was tough,’’ Stoudemire said. “I love chicken and I love Chilean seabass. I missed it. But I wanted to stay strong.’’ New York Post

New York Knicks, Amare Stoudemire 

Chris Andersen is not your usual NBA player. Neither is his offseason conditioning regimen. What was his secret to staying in shape after nine months away from the game? Fried rice. Seriously. "It was mainly my future mother-in-law’s fried rice," Andersen said after Wednesday morning's shootaround. "Listen, I’m telling you. She’s from Taiwan. She makes some legit fried rice. It’s not like the fried rice you can pick up from P.F. Chang’s or something like that. This is legitimate, healthy ..." And then a long pause. "Man, it’s awesome." ESPN.com

Miami Heat, Chris Andersen 

BallinEurope would really appreciate it if a native speaker of Japanese could translate the below piece on Nikola Pekovic and the Minnesota Timberwolves which recently ran in the periodical Dunk Shot – but it’s already a great big hunk of awesome. Check out the manga versions of Peks, sharp-angled Andrei Kirilenko, Alexey “Tiny” Shved and the doe-eyed Ricky Rubio (What? No Mickael Gelabale?) doing some kind of super task forcey thing and … is that Bill Walton there in panel four? Ball In Europe

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Nikola Pekovic, Andrei Kirilenko, Bill Walton 
 

Any rumor missing? E-mail us at   hoopshype@hoopshype.com.