HoopsHype.com Rumors

Would the Cavs go for broke with free agents like Utah center Al Jefferson or Minnesota center Nikola Pekovic? The 6-10, 289-pound Jefferson made $15 million this season. Pekovic, a 6-11, 290-pounder, had a breakthrough year in 2012-13 with 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds. He made $4.6 million this season, and could vault up to the $8 million-$10 million range. The Cavs probably won't take on that kind of commitment from either player, even though they desperately need scoring from the post. They might pursue free-agent role players like Matt Barnes or Corey Brewer to round out the roster. News-Herald

Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Free Agency, Al Jefferson, Matt Barnes, Nikola Pekovic, Corey Brewer 

New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith and the Utah Jazz's Al Jefferson today were named Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 25 through Sunday, March 31. Smith led the Knicks to a 4-0 week which included two wins over the Boston Celtics and a win vs. the Memphis Grizzlies. Smith averaged 29.8 points (second in the league), 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals. He had three consecutive 30-plus point performances off the bench to open the week, including a season-high 37 on March 29 during a 111-102 win vs. the Charlotte Bobcats. The last NBA player to score 30-or-more off the bench in three consecutive games was the Milwaukee Bucks' Ricky Pierce in 1990. USA Today Sports

New York Knicks, Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson, JR Smith 

Al Jefferson told HOOPSWORLD he feels the coach has done everything he can do, and that it’s now on the players to prove they are willing to do the things that will get the to the playoffs. “We’ve got to start with high energy, especially at the defensive end,” Jefferson said. “We’ve got to learn how to play 48 minutes, we can’t take any plays off. These last few games really count and our playoffs really start right now.” HoopsWorld

Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson 

Bill Ingram: Al Jefferson said he feels like Corbin has done everything he can do. It's on the players now, and he's not confident they can make a run. Twitter @TheRocketGuy

Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson, Coaching, Tyrone Corbin 

Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson headline a large group of Jazz players who will be unrestricted once the season ends, and Corbin said factors such as wanting to produce bigger numbers and not getting hurt could impact individuals’ performances at this point in the year. "All that stuff could come into play," Corbin said. "I’ve been a free agent before. You’ve got a lot of things that come into play now." Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Free Agency, Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap 

Bill Oram: Al Jefferson also wanted to make sure I got this on the record: He believes he is better looking than a young Denzel Washington. Twitter @tribjazz

Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson, Denzel Washington 

So, if “Plan A” doesn’t work out for the Sixers, what is the best possible option at center? The more I think about it, the more I tend to agree with the targeting of Utah soon-to-be- unrestricted free-agent Al Jefferson. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz, Free Agency, Al Jefferson 

Meanwhile, the Jazz are expected to sign and keep either Al Jefferson or Paul Millsap (both unrestricted), but not both. Like the Hawks, the Jazz are more likely to get involved in a sign-and-trade then just let either player walk away for nothing. FOXSports Ohio

Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap 

Bill Oram: Al Jefferson delivered a rather lovely soliloquy today on why it pained him to miss these three games. Long, but I'll share it soon. Twitter @tribjazz

Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson, Injuries 

Bill Oram: Jefferson: "It sucks man, I felt useless, attitude’s messed up. Didn’t really feel like talking to nobody. I just go into this dark place.." Twitter @tribjazz

Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson, Injuries 

Bill Oram: Jefferson (cont.): "... because you ain’t playing basketball — for me, I can’t speak for anybody else — I love it." Twitter @tribjazz

Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson, Injuries 

Bill Oram: More Al: "if you ain’t playing due to injuries or whatever the situation is, it takes a lot out of me." Twitter @tribjazz

Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson, Injuries 

As he’ll enter free agency this summer, Jefferson made it clear he’s focused on closing out this season, locking up a playoff berth. Nevertheless, the Jazz were shown yet again on Monday that Favors and Kanter are the future big men up front, that they might not be inclined to re-sign Jefferson and Paul Millsap. “I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. … I know both sides, me and Utah, are going to do what’s best,” Jefferson said. “Utah is going to do what’s best for the team and I’m going to do what’s best for my family.” RealGM

Utah Jazz, Free Agency, Al Jefferson 

Jefferson has enjoyed more team success than with the Celtics and Timberwolves earlier in his career. He’s refined his game and become more consistent. While it’s still a sore spot, he believes he’s improved his defensive game. "Utah’s been the best thing that ever happened to my career," Jefferson said. "This team has been the best thing that ever happened to me." Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson 

Center Al Jefferson and power forward Paul Millsap remained at the center of all speculation entering Tuesday’s game against Golden State, but both said they pay little attention. "It don’t affect me," Jefferson said. "I cross that bridge when I get there, man. I just … I’m a Utah Jazz, this is my teammates and this is the way it’s going to be until I find out otherwise." Millsap said that the flip side of being a centerpiece of trade talk is knowing that teams are interested in him. "That’s how you’ve got to look at it," he said. "I try to keep it positive. When they’re not talking about you is when you should be concerned." Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap 

Not sure if the Spurs make a deal before Thursday, but a source says it won't be for Josh Smith or Al Jefferson. The Jefferson rumor never had substance to it because it would've put San Antonio into a difficult salary-cap position. The Smith interest apparently died upon discovering that Josh simply didn't have the requisite Spurs' DNA. Former NBA coach Sam Mitchell told me today that playing for the Spurs would be a great benefit to Smith and I agree; he's never struck me as a malcontent or bad guy or purposely undisciplined. He might not have Spurs' DNA now, but I believe he wouldn't reject a transfusion and it would make the most of the raw talent he clearly has. Sulia

Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson, Josh Smith 

Not sure if the Spurs make a deal before Thursday, but a source says it won't be for Josh Smith or Al Jefferson. The Jefferson rumor never had substance to it because it would've put San Antonio into a difficult salary-cap position. The Smith interest apparently died upon discovering that Josh simply didn't have the requisite Spurs' DNA. Sulia

Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson, Josh Smith 

Bill Oram: Asked Al Jefferson about trade deadline: "When they say all that stuff it ain't going to happen. Y'all are stuck with me." Twitter @tribjazz

Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson 

Maynor will be a restricted free agent this summer. Utah needs a backup point guard and would be a good fit, but sources say the Jazz front office is consumed with the dilemma of whether to trade Jefferson or Paul Millsap. CBSSports.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, Free Agency, Trade, Al Jefferson, Eric Maynor, Paul Millsap 

Steve Luhm: Al Jefferson on Sidney Lowe situation: "Coach is a great guy, man. ... He'll take care of it." Twitter @sluhm

Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson, Coaching, Law, Sidney Lowe