Category: Rumors & Gossip (Page 219 of 225)

The Denver Post is reporting that Nuggets’ forward Carmelo Anthony was “pulled over Sunday night on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.” He submitted to a blood test. The results won’t be known for two weeks.

(Sigh.)

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: HIRE A DRIVER!

Carmelo, you have made $28 million in five years and you are due to make another $66 million over the next four. Certainly, you have the cash flow to fork out $100K a year to a friend (or a stranger) to be your driver, right? He could drive you to the club, McDonald’s, wherever you want to go. That way, you won’t get pulled over for a DUI. Now your rep is tarnished and you’ll no doubt lose potential endorsement deals, however minor.

Not smart, ‘Melo. Not smart.

The Boston Globe blog is reporting that Sam Cassell has agreed to buyout terms with the Clippers and expects to sign with Boston once he clears waivers.

Reportedly, Cassell has no problem backing up Rajon Rondo and the C’s have said that they are looking for a veteran point guard. It seems like it would be a good fit, though it’s not clear just how much gas the 38 year-old Cassell has left in the tank. For the season, he’s averaging 12.8 points and 4.7 assists, so anchoring the Celtics’ second unit isn’t out of the question.

ESPN is reporting that a deal is in the works that would send Jason Kidd to the Dallas Mavericks.

The deal — salvaged from talks on a three-way trade with Portland that developed and fizzled quickly two weeks ago — has Dallas sending 24-year-old point guard Devin Harris, veteran swingman Jerry Stackhouse, the expiring contracts of center DeSagana Diop and swingman Devean George and guard Maurice Ager to New Jersey for Kidd and forward Malik Allen.

Sources say Dallas will also add the league-maximum $3 million in cash and send its first-round draft pick this June as well as a first-rounder in 2010.

Wow. Given the lopsided Gasol trade and Kidd’s demand to be moved, it looks like the Mavs are giving up an awful lot for a poor-shooting point guard that will turn 35 next month.

Before suffering an ankle injury, Devin Harris, 24, was enjoying something of a breakout season in his fourth year with Dallas. He is averaging 14.4 points and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 48.3% from the field. Harris plus two first round picks is a lot to give up for Kidd.

For his part, Kidd will bring toughness and leadership to Dallas. He is also a terrific rebounder for a guard and is always a threat to post a triple-double. The problem is his age. At 35, he may only have a season or two left of productive play while Harris has all the tools to be a top 10 point guard for the next 8-10 years. With Dirk Nowitzki turning 30 this summer, it’s clear that the Mavs think that their window is closing and that they wanted to get Dirk as much help as possible to make a title run in the next two seasons.

I love the trade for the Nets. I never thought they would get a terrific prospect like Harris plus two first round picks AND salary cap flexibility. There is good reason to be optimistic in New Jersey/Brooklyn.

Here are a few rumblings from around the league:

– Stan Van Gundy isn’t pleased with Dwight Howard’s recent play on defense. Van Gundy wants Howard to be more active in his help defense and be more of a force by blocking shots.

– Sam Cassell isn’t expecting the Clippers to buy him out or trade him to the Celtics, though he’d welcome the move.

– Isiah Thomas is still in charge of the Knicks and he’s shopping two of his latest acquisitions – Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry – around the league. Isn’t it the next guy’s job to clean up Isiah’s mess?

– Heat owner Mickey Arison feels fortunate that he was able to get out of Shaq’s remaining contract. Apparently, Shaq initiated the trade by having his agent call Arison and request a buyout.

– Through his agent, Jason Kidd told the Nets that he wants to play for a contender. If New Jersey sends him to a lottery team, his agent (Jeff Schwartz) has threatened to steer clients away from the Nets in the future.

– People give the Timberwolves grief for not getting enough in the Garnett trade. In a rarity, I’m going to come to Kevin McHale’s defense. Al Jefferson has been a beast thus far, averaging 21.4 points and 12.2 rebounds per game. He’s just 23 and Minnesota can build around him. Given what the Grizzlies got for Pau Gasol, I’d say Minny did pretty well.