HoopsHype.com Rumors

Finalists for the inaugural Twyman/Stokes Award were Jerry Stackhouse (Brooklyn Nets), Luke Walton (Cleveland Cavaliers), Andre Iguodala (Denver Nuggets), Jarrett Jack (Golden State Warriors), Roy Hibbert (Indiana Pacers), Chauncey Billups (Los Angeles Clippers), Shane Battier (Miami Heat), Roger Mason, Jr. (New Orleans Hornets), Jason Kidd (New York Knicks), Serge Ibaka (Oklahoma City Thunder), Manu Ginobili (San Antonio Spurs), and Emeka Okafor (Washington Wizards). NBA.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, Andre Iguodala, Manu Ginobili, Emeka Okafor, Jason Kidd, Roy Hibbert, Chauncey Billups, Jarrett Jack, Roger Mason, Jerry Stackhouse, Luke Walton, Serge Ibaka, Shane Battier 

The Cavs aren’t expected to attempt to re-sign free agent forwards Omri Casspi and Luke Walton. Also, sources said while they like guard Shaun Livingston, he’s seeking a deal larger than what the Cavs are willing to offer. FOXSports Ohio

Cleveland Cavaliers, Free Agency, Shaun Livingston, Omri Casspi, Luke Walton 

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Jodie Valade: Luke Walton talking to media wearing CLE shirt and Tribe hat. Says he'd like to return to #Cavs next season. Twitter @PDcavsinsider

Cleveland Cavaliers, Free Agency, Luke Walton 

But Walton was the glue that held the Cavaliers' second unit together, before all the injuries decimated the Cavs rotation. "I think he's done fantastic this year for us,'' Cavs coach Byron Scott said of Walton. "I got a lot more out of him than I thought we would ever get out of him." Walton, who will marry former Arizona volleyball player Bre Ladd this summer, is in the last year of his contract. He would like to continue to play, whether here or elsewhere. Scott thinks he still has a lot to offer. "I thought his experience was invaluable. I thought his presence in the locker room was unbelievable. His demeanor with the guys, the way he communicates with our guys ... they've got a lot of respect for what he's gone through and what he's done.'' Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Luke Walton 

That's one of the reasons why Pastner hired Walton as an assistant, but there were others -- besides the instant credibility a two-time NBA champion brought. "Luke's got a tremendous personality,'' Pastner said. "People are attracted to him because of his personality. He's easygoing. He's easy to talk to. He's down to earth and I think he's got a really good feel for people.'' Said Tomey, "Everybody likes Luke. He knows how to get along with people. He's genuine and honest. He's a breath of fresh air.'' Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Coaching, Luke Walton 

Luke Walton will wear mask to protect broken nose suffered in San Antonio Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Injuries, Luke Walton 

Walton’s back feels so good, he thinks he can play in the NBA another couple of seasons. And to the surprise of both Walton and the Cavs, this relationship could extend beyond this season. Walton was a money dump when the Los Angeles Lakers traded him to the Cavs at the deadline last season. The Lakers were thrilled to get out from under the $6 million owed him for this season, and most expected he would sit on the end of the Cavs bench and collect a check before drifting off into retirement. Even Walton thought that’s how it might go. “With the amount of back pain I’ve had the previous four or five years, I was going to give it everything I had this year, and if my back acted up, I was going to retire,” Walton said. “Now that my back has been feeling much better, I’m enjoying this.” Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Luke Walton 

To the surprise of most everyone, he doesn’t have to worry about that right now. He has more games to play — maybe even with the Cavs. He would have to take a veteran’s minimum contract to return here, something he understands and is even receptive to doing. “I’ve made my money,” he said. Scott believes there is a place on this roster for Walton next season — albeit in a reduced role given that two more first-round picks will be added to this team over the summer. For now, Walton is receptive to the idea. “I’m enjoying this,” he said. “I think this core group of people here and this coaching staff are doing some really good things and it’s a lot of fun to be a part of. I haven’t really gotten that far into it yet, but I’m still focusing on trying to stay healthy and having fun playing this game and helping this team become better. But I love playing with these guys.” Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Luke Walton 

There were rumors during training camp the Cavs could buy out the final year on Walton’s deal and send him on his way. But Scott liked what he saw in camp, liked the way Walton was moving and surprised everyone when Walton debuted with the Cavs’ second unit on opening night. He has remained there much of the season. Walton has never been much of a scorer, but his vision and passing ability are remarkable. He had a career-high 12 assists in a loss to the New York Knicks, including nine in the first half, and is averaging 5.8 assists in the Cavs’ past five games. He routinely hits guys on the run, makes passes between his legs and behind his back. “I think he’s the best passing forward in the league,” Scott said, even comparing Walton’s passing ability with Hall of Famer Magic Johnson. “Luke is not on that level, but he’s probably the closest thing I’ve ever played with … probably closest to Magic. But he’s still a ways away.” Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Luke Walton 

The Cavs' trade with Memphis illustrated what a team armed with cap space can accomplish. Whenever a team can turn Jon Leuer into Marreese Speights and a first-round pick, it's a win. The deal was lopsided and a feather in Grant's cap. The Grizzlies needed to get under the luxury-tax threshold. His last two transactions have helped re-shape the team. His waiver claim of journeyman Shaun Livingston was also a shrewd move. Grant will be on the prowl for more young talent at the Feb. 21 deadline. Three players with expiring contracts, Luke Walton, Daniel Gibson and Omri Casspi, could be moved. ESPN's Marc Stein said not to be surprised if the Cavs flop Speights to another team at the deadline. News-Herald

Cleveland Cavaliers, Trade, Omri Casspi, Luke Walton, Daniel Gibson, Marreese Speights 

With Varejao now removed from the equation, various front office executives around the league polled this week believe the Cavs’ plan will remain unchanged. They have tried unsuccessfully for three years to rent their cap space to another team willing to give up a first-round pick in an effort to shed an unwanted contract, and that will continue to be the plan for the next month. They have Luke Walton’s $6 million expiring contract and about $10 million in cap space to shop as a few teams around the league begin scrambling to avoid the league’s stiffer cap penalties. The Cavs’ parameters, however, are a little more complex than they were the last couple of years. With the summer of 2014 quickly approaching, the length of a contract the Cavs will absorb is now limited. Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Free Agency, Luke Walton 

"If my back feels good, I want to keep playing," said Walton, who scored a season-high eight points Friday. "If my back goes out again, I'll have to re-evaluate it at the end of the season and contemplate calling it a career. But right now the back is feeling good, so I'm just kind of enjoying playing again (and) being able to play basketball without pain for the first time in a long time." FOXSports Florida

Cleveland Cavaliers, Luke Walton 

Tom Withers: #Cavaliers say F Luke Walton excused from team to address "personal matter." Not playing tonight in Chicago. Twitter @twithersAP

Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Luke Walton 

League sources said bluntly, that anything involving Varejao is also going to have to move out Luke Walton and his $6 million ending contract and return youth and draft picks. That might be too much to ask, so it’s more likely that Varejao stays where he is, but you never know how another team may view him, especially as the trade deadline gets closer. HoopsWorld

Cleveland Cavaliers, Trade, Luke Walton, Anderson Varejao 

Luke Walton doesn't think Phil Jackson will coach again. "I think he'll get involved in basketball, but as far as the travel, and all the long practices and preparation, I don't think he will. Maybe if the right circumstance presents itself. But my gut instinct is that he won't." Walton, a forward for the Cavs, played for the Lakers from 2003-12. Jackson coached the Lakers for all but the 2005-06 season during that span (and for the nine games that Walton played in L.A. last year). "There were times you'd be furious with Coach Jackson, but he was a great coach and a great motivator," Walton said. "But I learned a lot from him. So I think a lot of his stuff was drilled into my personality." Sulia

Cleveland Cavaliers, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Luke Walton 

Fans might have thought the Cavs were just trying to pump Luke Walton’s trade value when Byron Scott said recently that Walton was the biggest surprise of camp. But the Cavs truly believe it. Walton believes a combination of yoga, pilates and strength training over the summer left his back feeling better than it has in years. He dealt with a minor hamstring issue recently, but appears healthy and moving well. Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Trade, Byron Scott, Luke Walton 

Walton will probably make this team, and not just because the Cavs owe him $6 million. He obviously isn’t part of their long-term plans, but his expiring contract could be a nice chip at the trade deadline — particularly since the tax penalties will increase significantly for teams over the cap beginning with the 2013-14 season. Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Trade, Luke Walton 

Byron Scott told me yesterday Luke Walton has been the biggest surprise through the first week of training camp. Scott was amazed at Walton's conditioning and the way he's making shots, moving around on the court. Walton has proven that with a nice first half (5pts) in this scrimmage. Sulia

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Luke Walton, Training Camp 

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Tom Reed: #Cavs also not expected to buy out Luke Walton, according to two NBA sources Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Luke Walton 

Dave McMenamin: Former Lakers Luke Walton, Theo Ratliff & Mo Evans are in Vegas this week participating in a program to develop players into scouts/GMs Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Theo Ratliff, Luke Walton, Maurice Evans