NBA Rumors Round-Up
NBA Rumors: Rondo May Weigh Free Agent Options?
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated04 Dec 2023
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The Mavericks made a deal for the four-time All-Star last month, and did so without seeking explicit confirmation that Rondo would re-sign with Dallas, a source told Sporting News. Instead, ahead of making the deal, the Mavericks wanted only to know they would be given a fair shake for Rondo this summer. By the same token, the Mavs have made no commitments in terms of putting up a max-contract offer.
There will be other teams involved in the pursuit of Rondo. The Lakers have long expressed interest and still are expected to be among the first in line in the bidding for Rondo. The Knicks—yes, even with the triangle offense—are already certain to be in the mix, too, a source with knowledge of the situation told SN.
via Sean Deveney of Sporting News
When the Mavericks traded for Rondo, most people assumed that they had received assurances that Rondo would re-sign when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. However, this report says that no such confirmation was made and that the Mavs are just hoping Rondo’s time in Dallas will persuade him to stay.
Rondo confirmed that his free agency isn’t entirely “closed,” telling USA TODAY’s Sam Amick: “My focus has been basketball, basketball, basketball, not necessarily being a free agent. I mean obviously I think (the Mavericks will) have the upside (in free agency). I wouldn’t say it’s wide open (in terms of considering other teams), but I wouldn’t say it’s closed (solely to the Mavericks) either because obviously they are the team that came and got me and from Day One they’ve been very loyal and very supportive in this transition for me.”
The Mavericks are obviously the frontrunner to ink Rondo to a new contract this summer, but it’s interesting that he’ll likely talk with other teams and weigh his options.
It’s hard to imagine the veteran point guard leaving a contending Mavs team to join a rebuilding situation in New York or L.A. – even though both markets and organizations are appealing. We’ll see if any other potential suitors enter the mix between now and July.
Bucks coach Jason Kidd said Larry Sanders is out due to "personal reasons" and there is no timetable for his return.
— cfgardner (@cf_gardner) January 3, 2015
I asked for details: Kidd said, "It's just personal. There's nothing I can give you more. That's the way the question will be answered."
— cfgardner (@cf_gardner) January 3, 2015
This is a situation worth monitoring, as Larry Sanders was initially missing from the team due to an “illness” and now his absence is being chalked up to “personal reasons.”
Kidd said that Sanders isn’t participating in any team activities and added, “The train keeps moving forward.” In other words, he’s focusing on the other players and not Sanders.
I’m sure more will come out soon explaining Sanders’ strange absence. It could be a dismissal, as Zach Lowe from Grantland noted that Kidd used similar terminology when describing Andray Blatche’s absences from the Brooklyn Nets last year and said it was “code for stay away from the team.”
Blatche returned shortly after that and carved out a role on the Nets. We’ll see if Sanders will do the same.
Lawson, who grew up playing basketball with Durant in the Maryland suburbs, has a good idea of the Oklahoma City Thunder star’s thinking. The Clinton, Maryland native knows we want to know. He also knows better than to break confidences.
“I’ve talked to him about it, but I probably can’t tell you what he said,” Lawson laughingly told CSNwashington.com when the Nuggets visited last month.
“We talked about it. Everybody going home and playing for their respective cities,” Lawson said. “It would be cool, especially playing with the people you grew up with. I grew up with KD. It would be fun to play with them on one team.”
via Ben Standig of CSN Washington
Wizards fans obviously love all of these Durant-to-Washington rumors, as having Durant, John Wall and Brad Beal in the Eastern Conference would be a dream come true for them.
This is one of the more interesting reports on the subject, since Ty Lawson is also from the area and knows Durant well. The fact that the two have discussed what a homecoming would be like and how “it would be cool” seems to suggest that Durant has some level of interest.
Durant obviously won’t say anything, as he’s under contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder through next season and doesn’t want that drama.
Still, all of these hints and rumors will make Durant’s free agency interesting… when that time comes.
