"They really want [Jordan]," source told Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com. The Clippers countered by offering Jordan and a No. 1 pick, without Bledsoe involved, but apparently that wasn't rich enough for the Celtics. Jordan didn't make a strong impact in the playoffs, shooting just 45.5 percent from the field (down from his season field goal shooting of 64.3 percent) but L.A.'s young center still commands solid value around the league in trade talks.
Report: Boston wants DeAndre Jordan in deal
DeAndre Jordan | LAC
(June 15, 2013 5:24 PM EDT)
Updating a previous item, the Celtics want both DeAndre Jordan and Eric Bledsoe in a potential blockbuster trade involving Kevin Garnett and Doc Rivers.
Source:
Ramona Shelburne on Twitter
Boston interested in trading for Eric Bledsoe
Eric Bledsoe | LAC
(June 15, 2013 4:39 PM EDT)
The Celtics acquiring Eric Bledsoe would be the "first major hurdle" in a deal that sent a package of Kevin Garnett and Doc Rivers to Los Angeles, according to Yahoo! Sports.
Rivers wouldn't be a part of the trade, but the Celtics would release him based on the terms of the deal. Bledsoe is one of the best backup point guards in the NBA, averaging 14.2 points, 5.3 assists and 2.5 steals in his 12 starts this year, so he would be a tremendous insurance policy to Rajon Rondo. If Bledsoe isn't a part of the deal, the Clippers could send two first-round picks and DeAndre Jordan to Boston, but as of Saturday night the deal seems to have fallen apart.
Source:
Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
Kevin Garnett could waive no-trade clause
Kevin Garnett | BOS
(June 15, 2013 4:17 PM EDT)
If Celtics and Clippers can finalize a deal that includes Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett will waive his no-trade clause, according to Yahoo! Sports.
This story has been gaining steam in the past couple weeks on both fronts. The Clippers are looking to make some moves and it could include trading Eric Bledsoe to change the fabric of their team. They also have to worry about bringing Chris Paul back, especially since CP3's loss could be compounded by Blake Griffin's inability to create his own shot.
Source:
Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
Report: Hollins may be ahead of Shaw w/ Clips
Lionel Hollins | MEM
(June 15, 2013 4:10 PM EDT)
Lionel Hollins' interview for the Clippers coaching job went so well that he "might've moved ahead of frontrunner Brian Shaw," according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.
This report comes simultaneously with another suggesting the Clippers and Celtics have "clear mutual interest" in a deal centering around coach Doc Rivers. Undoubtedly there is some misdirection and PR-gamesmanship being played, but it seems as though all three coaches (Rivers, Hollins and Shaw) are still in the mix for the Clippers job.
Source:
Ramona Shelburne on Twitter
Hollins has great meeting with the Clippers
Lionel Hollins | MEM
(June 15, 2013 4:02 PM EDT)
Lionel Hollins had such a great meeting with the Clippers that he may have moved ahead of Brian Shaw.
Hollins and Shaw are arguably the two most attractive candidates on the market and both will likely be the head coach of two teams in the coming weeks. Hollins knocked the Clippers out in the playoffs this year, so it's not much of a surprise that he's their top candidate at this point. The Clippers should make their hire soon.
Source:
Ramona Shelburne on Twitter
Report: Celts, Clips discuss Doc Rivers deal
Doc Rivers | BOS
(June 15, 2013 3:59 PM EDT)
The Celtics and Clippers have "clear mutual interest" in a transaction involving coach Doc Rivers and players, according to the Boston Herald.
The Celtics have an iron-clad non-compete clause with Rivers, who is under contract for three more years, so they can demand significant compensation from the Clippers. At the moment it's unclear which players might be involved, and the Clips are said to have interest in coaches Lionel Hollins and Brian Shaw, but Rivers-to-L.A. rumors are rapidly gaining credibility.
Source:
Boston Herald
Jordan Hill (hip) on pace to play opening day
Jordan Hill | LAK
(June 15, 2013 3:48 PM EDT)
The Lakers expect Jordan Hill (hip) to be "fully functional by the start of the season," according to head trainer Gary Vitti.
Interestingly, Vitti suggests that Hill's hip injury may have been caused by his style of play. "Just bending and twisting in every which way to get his hands on balls," said Vitti, "he went down at the wrong angle and tore the hip labrum." Hill made a surprise return from hip surgery during the playoffs and he should be ready to go for training camp.
Source:
NBA.com
Gallinari (ACL) could return in December
Danilo Gallinari | DEN
(June 15, 2013 3:46 PM EDT)
Danilo Gallinari (partially torn ACL) could resume basketball activities by December.
Gallo was originally expected to be out through February, but he got some good news when doctors determined his ACL was not fully torn. He said in a recent video posted on Twitter, "I underwent a healing response procedure, in which ligament is stimulated to respond naturally ... This procedure changes completely my rehab and recovery time." He's still expected to miss the first month of the season, at a minimum.
Source:
Denver Post
Lakers trainer defends Dwight's lengthy rehab
Dwight Howard | LAK
(June 15, 2013 3:42 PM EDT)
Lakers trainer Gary Vitti defended Dwight Howard's slow rehabilitation last season as the result of a complex of inter-related injuries.
To outline the situation, Dwight had back surgery to relieve nerve pressure which was causing him to lose sensation in his foot. When his back and foot recovered, he was out of shape and frequently brought the ball down to gather himself, at which point opponents whacked him, held him and generally aggravated a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He should be close to 100 percent healthy for training camp this year, though it's less certain which team he'll be playing with.
Source:
NBA.com
Kings agree with D'Alessandro as new GM
Mike Malone | SAC
(June 15, 2013 3:12 PM EDT)
The Kings have reached an agreement with Pete D'Alessandro to be their general manager, according to Yahoo! Sports.
D'Alessandro was the VP for the Denver Nuggets, who lose yet another key guy in their front offices. The Kings were even rumored to have interest in TNT's Kenny Smith for their GM position, but D'Alessandro has a solid track record and should help the Kings improve. Sam Amick previously reported that Nets assistant GM Bobby Marks would follow D'Alessandro if he landed the Kings job, but that has yet to be confirmed.
Source:
Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter