Rumor Roundup: Cavs, Warriors, Rose

The trade deadline is over, the buyout market and waiver wire are here. Sometimes, the latter two actually help teams more than the considerably more-hyped first.

Either way, here's a look at the latest news, views, rumors and moves from around pro hoops:

Per Amico Hoops: "For Deron Williams, there was never any doubt. The minute the Mavericks waived him, he knew where he wanted to be." (Full report.)

Per Amico Hoops: "That place is Cleveland — as Williams officially cleared waivers Saturday at 5 p.m. EST, and according to league sources, will sign with the defending champion Cavaliers on Monday." (Full report.)

Per ESPN: "Guard Kyle Korver, who played with Deron Williams when they were both on the Jazz, led the Cavs' recruitment of Williams, sources told ESPN's Dave McMenamin. The team attempted to sign Williams as a free agent in 2015."

Per ESPN: "Asked how he sold Williams on going to Cleveland, Korver said it 'didn't have to be much of a sales pitch.'"

Per Cleveland.com: "David Griffin is the first to admit that LeBron James is the magnet. Other players want to be on his team. They know the road to the Finals is an interstate highway with No. 23 behind the wheel."

Per Cleveland.com: "Deron Williams remains a superb pick-and-roll player, but his overall game has slipped in the last few years.

Per Cleveland.com: "With the Cavs, Williams should be content and effective playing on a title contender."

Per ESPN: "If James is resting only when he’s ill, as Lue said his star player was Saturday -- the team told him to stay home and not bring the strep throat bacteria into the locker room -- it’s not ideal, of course."

Per ESPN: "Still, there will be nights to get him rest, even when he feels completely OK, and that should be completely OK with Cavs fans during these final 25 games of the regular season. There are seven more back-to-backs, for instance. Those will be prime opportunities to keep him out, as the Cavs' training staff is dedicated to monitoring the 'red zone' that players enter when they are overworked."'

Korver suffered a bruised right knee in the fourth quarter of Saturday's loss to the Bulls, per Cleveland.com.

Per Cleveland.com: "Because of their various illnesses and ailments, James and Korver's status for Monday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks is in question."

Per Cleveland.com: "I didn't know what it was going to feel like when I stood up," said Korver, who scored 14 points in the game. "I was really worried. I don't like to stay down on the ground long, but it just, until I put weight on it I didn't really know. I'm feeling very fortunate right now. It could've been worse."

Per Amico Hoops: "The Bulls won’t be winning a real championship, so why not? May as well get way up for a team that actually has a chance." (Full report.)

Per the San Jose Mercury News: "Briante Weber finished up the Warriors’ Saturday night game against the Nets and was then informed of his release. The Warriors are going elsewhere with that 15th roster spot."

Per the San Jose Mercury News: "That elsewhere is expected to be veteran guard Jose Calderon, according to team sources. Calderon must first officially come to terms on a buyout and release from the Lakers, which is expected to happen in the coming days. But his partnership with the Warriors is already in motion."

Fuel ⛽️ 2 🔥#NewBeginning
— Briante Weber (@Sir_deuce2) February 26, 2017

Per ESPN: "Derrick Rose's agent, B.J. Armstrong, reiterated on Saturday that Rose 'wants to be in New York' after the Knicks included the player in trade discussions prior to the trade deadline on Thursday. Per ESPN: "Armstrong added that he and Rose understand that the Knicks were operating in their best interests when talking to opposing teams about a Rose deal." Per ESPN: "Lonzo Ball's father clarified statements made Saturday to an Arizona radio station about the UCLA star playing only for the Los Angeles Lakers." Per ESPN: "All I said was that my boy is going to play for the Lakers, and I'm going to speak it into existence," LaVar Ball told ESPN on Saturday night. "I want him to be a Laker, but I wasn't saying he's only going to play for the Lakers."

Comments like this are why multiple NBA executives have told me they are concerned with Lonzo Ball's father. https://t.co/zp2MUtZvx2
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) February 26, 2017

Per ESPN: "Terrence Jones and Marcus Thornton have also cleared waivers, sources say."

Per Hoops Rumors: "The Sixers could have held onto Nerlens Noel, but it would have meant paying him a lucrative contract in restricted free agency or losing him for nothing. Philadelphia has no cap issues now, but GM Bryan Colangelo doesn’t want to start accumulating expensive assets, especially when he understands how much the market for centers has tanked. Everyone knew the Sixers had to make a trade."

Per Sports Illustrated: As news broke that the Los Angeles Lakers had not only fired longtime general manager Mitch Kupchak, but also lured power agent Rob Pelinka as his replacement, the ears of player representatives across the country perked up.

Per Sports Illustrated: "Pelinka boasts an impressive list of clients — ranging from James Harden to Buddy Hield — and will have to divest his ownership stake in his agency, Landmark Sports, which has sparked a vast number of phone calls from rival agents."

Per Sports Illustrated: “It will be like the wild, wild west,” one rival agent told The Crossover. “It’s like a real life Jerry Maguire,” said another.

Per the Chicago Tribune: "Earlier this season, Dwyane Wade confirmed that in the summer of 2010 the Bulls were close to signing the same Big Three that the Heat landed of Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh. In fact, the Bulls were a Luol Deng trade to the Clippers away from doing so."

Per the Chicago Tribune: "There is massive skepticism over management's current rebuilding plan — and there should be."

Per the Chicago Tribune: "This is, after all, the organization that sold coach Fred Hoiberg as the missing piece to a championship-ready roster after making the polarizing decision to fire Tom Thibodeau — and then missed the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons."

Per the Sacramento Bee: "Since moving to California’s capital in 1985, the Kings have had six All-Stars. Two were drafted by the Kings (DeMarcus Cousins and Peja Stojakovic), three arrived by trade (Mitch Richmond, Chris Webber and Brad Miller) and one was signed (Vlade Divac).

Per the Sacramento Bee: "Of the six, Divac was the only one who was not traded."

The Pelicans have officially announced the signing of shooting guard Reggie Williams to a 10-day contract.

The Bucks have officially announced the signing of guard Alex Toupane to a 10-day contract.

Per the Atlanta Journal Constitution: "The Hawks didn’t wait long — or for the buyout market to fully unfold — before filling two open roster spots. The Hawks officially announced the signings of Ryan Kelly and Lamar Patterson to multi-year deals Friday."

The Cavaliers recalled rookie point guard Kay Felder from the Canton Charge, per the team.

The Canton Charge have acquired guard Cameron Jones from the Santa Cruz Warriors in exchange for the rights to Jordan Morgan and Juvonte Reddic, as well as the Sioux Falls' 2017 third-round pick, per the team.

The Thunder have assigned forward Josh Huestis to the Oklahoma City Blue, per the team.

Former Ohio State swingman David Lighty has agreed to a deal with Italian club Banco di Srd, per Amico Hoops.

Former NBA guard Carlos Delfino is close to reaching a deal with Boca Juniors of Argentina, per Amico Hoops.

Former D-League forward John Millsap has agreed to a contract with Echague of Argentina, per Amico Hoops.

Former D-League forward Paul Carter has agreed to sign with Hyeres-Toulon of France, per Amico Hoops.

Amico, Phelps talk Cavs’ signing of Deron

Saturday's News

Per ESPN: "Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is confident that recent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee will not affect his ability to prepare for a repeat title run in the playoffs."

Love to reporters, via ESPN: "There's definitely enough time to where I can get into a good rhythm. I don't know what the [plan is] as far as other guys resting or me resting going forward, but I imagine between J.R. [Smith] and myself, we'll get out there and get our wind and be ready to go for whenever [the playoffs start] in April."

Per ESPN: "Tuesday will mark the two-week point in his recovery, when he will progress to doing lateral activity on the court once again. Love said he has been limited to 'linear' running and 'real easy shooting' when he has practiced."

Per Bleacher Report: "The Celtics' pursuit of Bulls forward Jimmy Butler or Pacers forward Paul George reportedly had the reigning champion Cavaliers on 'pins and needles' leading up to Thursday's NBA trade deadline."

Per Bleacher Report: "RealGM passed along comments ESPN NBA writer Brian Windhorst made on the Lowe Post podcast about the Cavs' view of the situation as one of the top contenders for their Eastern Conference crown made a bid to land a potentially game-changing asset".

Per Bleacher Report: "The Cavs were on pins and needles yesterday about the Celtics getting Paul George or Jimmy Butler," Windhorst said. "Pins and needles. That's why I'm saying...Let's put it this way: If on day one next year it's Gordon Hayward, Al Horford and Isaiah Thomas, the Cavs will be like, 'OK, that's going to be a challenge.' If it's Isaiah Thomas, Al Horford and Jimmy Butler, the Cavs might be out there saying, 'We may have to trade Kevin Love.'"

Per the Canton Repository: "Charge general manager Mike Gansey said Quinn Cook is 'likely' to get called up by the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, but he would not elaborate further since nothing is official as of yet."

Per the Canton Repository: "The Mavs have two open roster spots after buying out Deron Williams and trading Andrew Bogut and Justin Anderson for Nerlens Noel this week."

Per the Canton Repository: "With Cavs assistant coach Phil Handy sitting courtside, the 5-9 Kay Felder zoomed around the Civic Center for 32 points and six assists. He shot 13-for-25 from the floor, including 2-of-3 from the arc."

Other free agents considered by the Mavericks were Pierre Jackson and "D-League scoring machine Manny Harris," per ESPN.

Per Cleveland.com: "Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue, always a 'Laker at heart,' believes Los Angeles made the right decision naming Magic Johnson president of basketball operations."

Lue to reporters, per Cleveland.com: "When you get a Hall of Famer and an all-time great and get a chance to step in and run an organization -- I feel bad for Mitch (Kupchak) and Jim (Buss), and you know, that that had to happen, but I like seeing Magic back involved with the Lakers."

Per Cleveland.com: "The NBA has moved Cleveland's March 3 game in Atlanta up one hour to a 7 p.m. start time, and announced that ESPN will carry the game as part of it's Friday national television doubleheader."

The Pelicans are waiving forward Omri Casspi and signing shooting guard Reggie Williams, per Yahoo Sports. Casspi broke his thumb in his first game with the team after coming over in a trade with the Kings. He is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks.

Per Amico Hoops: "The Pelicans and Jarrett Jack have agreed to a 10-day deal, per Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports."

Per Amico Hoops: "While the Cavaliers are expected to sign Deron Williams, it’s worth noting that Jack and Mario Chalmers were both on the team’s radar in late-January/early-February, but Chalmers was reportedly opposed to signing a 10-day contract at the time."

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry on the addition of Jack, via the New Orleans Times-Picayune: "I think, number one, he's just a natural leader. He plays with toughness, he always has in the league. He finds a way to get things done. We just felt like that he'd be a good addition to the team."

The Pelicans have officially signed swignman Hollis Thompson to a 10-day contract.

Free agent forward Terrence Jones, waived by the Pelicans, may have interest in the Celtics, per Basketball Insiders.

Per the Indianapolis Star: "The alarm is sounding on Paul George’s time here in Indianapolis, and this is how Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird has decided to deal with it: Hit the snooze button and go back to sleep."

Per the Indianapolis Star: "It’s possible Bird didn’t do anything because he believes George will stay in Indianapolis, no matter what. It’s possible he believes George is gone, no matter what. It’s possible the battery on Bird’s cellphone died Thursday at 2:30 p.m."

Per the New York Daily News: "Considering the record and unrest inside the locker room you really have to start wondering if Phil Jackson, the Knicks president, has the chops to turn this around."

Per the New York Daily News: "Jackson's losing tenure as Knicks president has now covered three trade deadlines and the only player he's acquired is Alexey Shved. Clearly, Jackson simply isn't doing enough to upgrade the roster and/or acquire assets."

Per the New York Post: "Barring a miracle final 25 games, the Knicks will have a lottery pick and Jackson needs to sit on the dais and own it. There’s a slew of point guards — maybe six of lottery caliber — who could take Derrick Rose’s spot."

Per the New York Post: "UCLA’s Lonzo Ball, Washington’s Markelle Fultz, N.C. State’s Dennis Smith, Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk and France’s Frank Ntilikina. You’ll be hearing a lot of these names over and over if the Knicks season collapses further as Jackson hopefully makes the rounds of the postseason college tournaments."

Per Yahoo Sports: "Source: Knicks' Kristaps Porzingis will be out several days with ankle injury, but no ligament damage. For now, only swelling."

Per the Dallas News: "When talking about his latest acquisition, fourth-year center Nerlens Noel, Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson made one repeated comparison: Tyson Chandler."

Per the Dallas News: "Nelson hopes that Noel fits next to Dirk Nowitzki and small forward Harrison Barnes the same way that Chandler did, offsetting Nowitzki's limitations with a combination of athleticism and defensive skills."

Per Amico Hoops: "Sixers rookie Ben Simmons received some bad news on his latest CT Scan, which showed there is not full healing in the fractured bone in his right foot."

Per Amico Hoops: Sixers GM Bryan Colangelo told reporters Friday that Simmons will be out for the remainder of the season."

Per Amico Hoops: "Colangelo told reporters his team 'will talk about' Simmons playing in the NBA summer league, but even that looks like a question mark at this point."

Per the Los Angeles Times: "Representatives of Steve Ballmer and Stan Kroenke, two of the richest owners in professional sports, have had multiple discussions about the Clippers joining the Rams and Chargers in the sports and entertainment district Kroenke is building in Inglewood."

Per the Los Angeles Times: "Five people with knowledge of the conversations told The Times the arena could either be on the 298-acre site or an adjacent parcel. Either way, an arena would drive traffic to the planned mixed-use development and share parking with the $2.6-billion football stadium scheduled to open in 2019."

Per the Los Angeles Times: "One person with knowledge of the discussions said the Forum, which was built by Jack Kent Cooke in 1967 as the home of the Lakers and the Kings, would be “protected” as part of an agreement if a competing venue were to be built. The person wouldn’t elaborate on what that would entail."

Per Hoops Rumors: "Now that the dust has settled from the trade deadline, Ricky Rubio has high aspirations for the Timberwolves. 'I believe this team can make the playoffs and we can make a push,' Rubio told Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune."

The Suns have officially waived forwards Jared Sullinger and Mike Scott, obtained in separate trades Thursday.

The Mavericks and power forward Ben Bentil have agreed to a 10-day contract , per ESPN.

The Raptors recalled Bruno Caboclo, Pascal Siakam, and Fred VanVleet from Raptors 905, per the team)

The Warriors assigned Damian Jones to the Santa Cruz Warriors, per the team.

Hoops Rumors rounds up the new traded player exceptions teams created after Thursday's deadline, as well as examines which teams still have roster space available. View here.