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Rumor Roundup: Cavs, Jackson, Lakers

In case you haven't yet heard, the Cavaliers have signed former No. 2 overall draft pick Derrick Williams to a 10-day contract. You can read the Reports: Cavs
Sam Amico|

In case you haven't yet heard, the Cavaliers have signed former No. 2 overall draft pick Derrick Williams to a 10-day contract. You can read the Reports: Cavs signing Williams to 10-day deal

">full post here.

Also, as I wrote in Korver catches fire and Cavs burn Pacers

">my recap of the Cavaliers' win over the Pacers, the Big Three may rest for Thursday's game at Oklahoma City.

More on that and all the latest news and views from around pro hoops:

Per Korver catches fire and Cavs burn Pacers

">Amico Hoops: "The Cavs visit Oklahoma City on Thursday and Coach Tyronn Lue indicated LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love may take the night off." (Korver catches fire and Cavs burn Pacers

">Full report.)

Lue to the Korver catches fire and Cavs burn Pacers

">media: “Probably, I’m not sure yet, but it’s a good possibility. We’ll see how the guys feel. When we’re playing good like this, guys might want to play. So we’ll just see." (Korver catches fire and Cavs burn Pacers

">Full report.)

Per ESPN: "If Lue rests all three of his stars, the Cavs will have just eight healthy players available for the Thunder game because of the injuries to J.R. Smith (right thumb), Iman Shumpert (left ankle) and Chris Andersen (torn ACL)." (Full report.)

Per ESPN: "One month and one day after the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Kyle Korver in the surprise trade of the NBA season so far, the assassin went out and put on a performance unlike anything we've seen out of him in almost 10 years." (Full report.)

Per ESPN: "Korver will continue to become part of the Cavs' culture, whether it be through experiencing his first postgame awards ceremony, where Cleveland honors whatever achievement a player reaches -- tonight it was James congratulating Korver in front of the whole locker room for passing Jason Kidd for seventh all-time in 3-pointers -- or even picking up a new nickname." (Full report.)

Per the Akron Beacon Journal: "Korver is 18 of 29 on 3-pointers during this four-game winning streak. He shot 41 percent from deep in January after joining the Cavs, so he wasn’t exactly terrible, but he missed a lot of shots he normally makes in what has certainly been an adjustment for him." (Full report.)

Per the Akron Beacon Journal: "James and Irving spoke recently about getting back to their defensive identity, which begins with pick-and-roll coverages. The Cavs got away from their principles and began changing too much of what they wanted to do too often. James recently went to Lue and told him he thought it was time to start simplifying things and Lue agreed." (Full report.)

Per Korver catches fire and Cavs burn Pacers

">Amico Hoops: "In the end, the Cavs halted the Pacers’ seven-game winning streak. They did the same to the Wizards at Washington on Monday. That makes the Cavs (36-15) the first team in NBA history to win two straight road games against an opponent that was riding a win streak of at least seven games." (Korver catches fire and Cavs burn Pacers

">Full report.)

Per Yahoo Sports: "New York Knicks president Phil Jackson’s public campaign to pressure Carmelo Anthony into waiving his no-trade clause is working to harden Anthony’s resolve to remain with the franchise, league sources told The Vertical." (Full report.)

Per Yahoo Sports: "Anthony has privately told teammates, too: He refuses to let Jackson run him out of the Knicks. The Knicks have contacted three teams – the Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers – about possible Anthony trades. The Clippers and Cavaliers have interest, but only in cobbling together packages that include role players, league sources told The Vertical." (Full report.)

Per Yahoo Sports: "There was an expectation around the NBA that Knicks management would start to search elsewhere for trade possibilities and bring Anthony different scenarios for his approval, but that process doesn’t appear to have begun, league sources said." (Full report.)

Per Newsday: "As much as he is tired of losing, Anthony is tired of having to talk about why Jackson keeps taking shots at him." (Full report.)

Per Newsday: "Jeff Hornacek was asked about the level of dysfunction surrounding the team and if it was 'worse' than he expected. 'I was warned,' he said. 'But it was expected that there was going to be something all the time. It’s lived up to the billing.'" (Full report.)

Per ESPN: "Reasonable people can disagree if it’s wise to deal Anthony. Several people in the organization believe the best approach is to deal Anthony and move forward with Kristaps Porzingis and fellow young big man Willy Hernangomez, per sources." (Full report.)

Per ESPN: "Multiple prominent agents said on Tuesday afternoon that the way Jackson has handled Anthony would turn off their clients and others to the idea of signing with Jackson’s Knicks." (Full report.)

Per the New York Post: "Austin Rivers, whom the Knicks would like as part of an Anthony package, is now the Clippers starting point guard with Chris Paul out with a thumb injury until March." (Full report.)

Per the New York Post: "The Knicks want more assets than Rivers, who met with Jackson in July during free agency." (Full report.)

Per the New York Post: "To make a deal work under the collective bargaining agreement, the addition of Jamal Crawford’s contract is needed." (Full report.)

Per ESPN: "NYPD police source told ESPN that Charles Oakley was making comments towards Knicks owner James Dolan and eventually Dolan had security escort him out."

Per the New York Post: "A security man was trying to calm him, and Oakley shoved the security man’s arm out of the way. Then he pushed the security man. And pushed him again. And now, this wasn’t quite so funny anymore." (Full report.) Per the New York Post: "Oakley wound up on the ground, cuffed, read his Miranda rights, and then arrested. This is what the Knicks have become." (Full report.) Per the New York Post: "Oakley has criticized Dolan regularly since he was exiled to Toronto almost 20 years ago, and reportedly started chattering in Dolan’s direction at the start of this fiasco; some called it “heckling,” others asserted it was more sinister, more vulgar." (Full report.)

Per Amico Hoops: "Calvin Watkins of ESPN revealed Wednesday that the Houston Rockets have shown interest in free-agent point guards Mario Chalmers and Jarrett Jack as possible backups for James Harden and Patrick Beverley. Watkins also writes that the Rockets have shown “some interest” in trading for Orlando Magic power forward Serge Ibaka." (Full report.)

Per ESPN: "According to sources, the Rockets expressed interest in acquiring another shooter and were in serious discussions with Cleveland for a Mike Dunleavy Jr. deal which would have included K.J. McDaniels but pulled out. Dunleavy Jr. was later traded to Atlanta." (Full report.)

Per Amico Hoops: "Celebrated NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski is close to leaving Yahoo Sports for ESPN, according to a report from Deadspin." (Full report.)

Per Amico Hoops: "A Deadspin source coined Wojnarowski’s possible exit as 'complicated, and will likely take months to fully sort out.'" (Full report.)

Per ESPN: "According to sources close to the situation, Magic Johnson has already heard from agents and executives from other teams that Mitch Kupchak's deliberate style can be frustrating to deal with and has probably cost the Lakers in free agency in recent years, missing out on a list of names that includes Isaiah Thomas, Kent Bazemore, Kyle Lowry, Ed Davis, Trevor Ariza, Pau Gasol and Eric Gordon." (Full report.)

Per ESPN: "As the trade deadline approaches, we'll hear more about the possibility of moving starting shooting guard Nick Young and super-sub Louis Williams." (Full report.)

Per ESPN: "Of course, the Lakers will listen to any and all offers for Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng, though they shouldn't expect to hear any unless they are willing to package them with one of their younger players such as Ivica Zubac, Larry Nance Jr. or one of the three former lottery picks." (Full report.)

Per the Chicago Tribune: "Despite some outside perception to the contrary, the jobs of executive vice president John Paxson and general manager Gar Forman are safe, sources familiar with ownership's thinking told the Tribune." (Full report.)

Per the Chicago Tribune: "In fact, ownership's trust in Paxson and Forman remains so intact that they would be retained even if the Bulls miss the postseason for a second straight season, one source said." (Full report.)

Per the Trail Blazers: "Further medical evaluation confirms that Portland guard Evan Turner sustained a fracture of the third metacarpal in his right hand. He is expected to be sidelined for 5-6 weeks. The injury will not require surgery." (Full report.)

Hornets guard Ramon Sessions is expected to miss 4-6 weeks following surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear, per the team.

Free agent guard Nate Robinson has been claimed by the Delaware 87ers of the D-League, per the team.

The Pacers have recalled forward Georges Niang from the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the D-League, per the team.

The Heat have signed guard Marcus-Georges Hunt to a 10-0day contract, per the team.

The Hawks have signed forward Lamar Patterson to a second 10-day contract, per the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

The Timberwolves have officially signed veteran guard Lance Stephenson to a 10-day contract, per the team.

Former Cavaliers and D-League forward Jawad Williams (North Carolina) is nearing a contract agreement with Italian club Grissin Bon, per Amico Hoops.

Former D-League forward Tiny Gallon (Oklahoma) has agreed to a deal with Limoges of France, per Amico Hoops.

Former D-League forward Deng Deng (Baylor) agreed to a contract with Al Shamal of Qatar, per Amico Hoops.

Former D-League forward Brandon Costner (NC State) has agreed to a contract with Puerto Rican club Humacao, per Amico Hoops.

Reports: Cavs signing Williams to 10-day deal

Wednesday's News

Per Basketball Insiders: “The Cavaliers have been aggressively exploring options to off-load the contract of Chris Andersen to open a roster spot and clear out his salary.” (Full report.)

Per Basketball Insiders: “The Cavs are also preparing for the annual NBA buyout market, which is where they believe they’ll find the answers to their depth issues.” (Full report.)

Two opposing executives told said they are interested in exploring a potential trade for Andersen, per Amico Hoops.

Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert will miss Wednesday’s game at Indiana, per the team. Shumpert suffered a sprained ankle in Monday’s win over Washington and left the arena in a walking boot. DeAndreLiggins will start in his place.

Per the Indianapolis Star: “Don’t expect the Pacers, riding a season-high, seven-game winning streak, to take the Cavaliers lightly regardless of who plays.” (Full report.)

Per the Akron Beacon Journal: “The relationship between James and Kevin Love certainly seems to have evolved from their early days together, when James was subtweeting Love on social media. Team officials will acknowledge that the chemistry between the two stars was frigid back then.” (Full report.)

Per the Akron Beacon Journal: “Is Phil Jackson at the point where he’s willing to just give Carmelo Anthony away to be rid of his contract? He reached that point with J.R. Smith a few years ago and was willing to include Iman Shumpert just to get out from under Smith’s contract.” (Full report.)

Per ESPN: “The Cavaliers already have two of the top 10 players in isolation plays this season (LeBron and Kyrie Irving). No team in the past 10 seasons has had three rank in the top 10. Adding Anthony would mean adding a consistent leader in that department; he ranks third this season.” (Full report.)

Per Yahoo Sports: “Lance Stephenson is expected to provide depth and playmaking to a Timberwolves backcourt that lost guard Zach LaVine for the remainder of the season because of a torn ACL.” (Full report.)

Per the Philadelphia Inquirer: “With the Feb. 23 trade deadline looming, the New Orleans Pelicans and Chicago Bulls have reportedly expressed interest in Jahlil Okafor.” (Full report.)

Per the Philadelphia Inquirer: “The most intriguing names possibly coming to Philadelphia have been Bulls rookie shooting guard Denzel Valentine and third-year small forward Doug McDermott, both of whom are bench players.” (Full report.)

Per Basketball Insiders: “It seems the Pelicans are being aggressive. They are pursuing Okafor as well as Brooklyn Nets big man Brook Lopez, according to sources close to the situation.” (Full report.)

Per Basketball Insiders: “Sources close to the situation are saying the 76ers wanted guard Jrue Holiday in an Okafor deal instead of the draft pick. Both sides are said to be continuing the dialogue, and now that the talks are out in the open, there will be some urgency to either complete the deal or move on.” (Full report.)

Per Basketball Insiders: “League source continue to speculate that Orlando could be the team that makes the most moves around the deadline with big man Nikola Vucevic, forward Serge Ibaka, forward Jeff Green and possibly guard C.J. Watson also changing teams before the deadline.” (Full report.)

Per ESPN: “The verbal altercation between Kevin Durant and Draymond Green on Saturday was nothing more than an attempt by Green to light a fire under his superstar teammate, league sources told ESPN on Tuesday.” (Full report.)

Per ESPN: “Sources told ESPN that Green, trying to use reverse psychology, intentionally and aggressively approached Durant with a bevy of choice words during a break in Saturday’s loss to the Sacramento Kings.” (Full report.)

Per the San Jose Mercury News: “Executive board member Jerry West’s most recent contract with the Warriors is scheduled to expire this July, and as of yet there have been no serious discussions with owner Joe Lacob about an extension, both men told me recently.” (Full report.)

Per the San Jose Mercury News: “Multiple sources indicated to me that West might be intrigued by an offer from the Lakers, but he also feels very connected to the Warriors’ quest for championships.” (Full report.)

The Knicks could potentially sign forward Derrick Williams, provided he clears waivers, per ESPN. Williams was waived by the Heat on Tuesday.

Per the Racine Journal Times: “By acquiring two frontcourt players, the Bucks are expected to make another trade before the deadline later this month and acquire additional backcourt help.” (Full report.)

Per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “The Milwaukee Bucks will own and operate an NBA Development League franchise in Oshkosh, starting in the 2017-’18 season, sources close to the team said Tuesday.” (Full report.)

Per The Ringer: “The Suns want to be the Spurs, but they are much closer to the stage the Sixers found themselves in last summer: rebuilding with a group of young players that may or may not fit together, and managing the expectations of a frustrated fan base longing to get back to relevance.” (Full report.)

Per The Ringer: “GM Ryan McDonough calls Devin Booker ‘the ringleader’ of the Suns’ young players. He’s also the franchise’s cornerstone. Or, he is until someone better comes along.” (Full report.)

Per the Chicago Tribune: “The Bulls are trying to remain competitive while positioning themselves for the future. It’s tough to make deals with that mindset. And the values of Rajon Rondo and Nikola Mirotic are low. I think a good gauge of how aggressive they are will be what happens with Taj Gibson. Plenty of teams would be interested in him.” (Full report.)

Per Sports Illustrated: “At 6’0, Yogi Ferrell was boxed out of the NBA’s draft combine. After auditioning for 16 teams, the three offering to call his name on draft night came stipulated with a draft-and-stash agreement. He declined. ‘It was very hard to watch that,’ said Indiana head coach Tom Crean. ‘Draft night was a low point.'” (Full report.)

Per Sports Illustrated: “By late January, the phone of Ferrell’s agent, Keith Kreiter, was buzzing with Euroleague calls, including former Cavaliers head coach David Blatt, now coaching Darussafaka in Turkey. Ultimately, Ferrell persisted, continuing to pursue his dream stateside. A few hours later, Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson intervened with a 10-day contract. ‘It happened fast,’ Ferrell said.” (Full report.)

Kings center DeMarcus Cousins has been suspended one game for picking up his 16th technical and fined for a gesture, per the NBA.

Per the Associated Press: “The Minnesota Timberwolves say forward Adreian Payne is out indefinitely with a blood condition.” (Full report.)

Per the Associated Press: “The Timberwolves announced the diagnosis on Tuesday night. They say that Payne has thrombocytopenia, or low platelet count. The condition can cause bleeding, bruising and slow blood clotting after injury.” (Full report.)

The Celtics have assigned rookie guard Demetrius Jackson to the Main Red Claws of the D-League, per the team.

Per Hoops Rumors: “In Chad Ford’s latest mock, Markelle Fultz (Celtics), Lonzo Ball (Lakers), Josh Jackson (Suns), Malik Monk (Sixers), and Dennis Smith (Magic) are the first five players off the board.” (Full report.)

Per Hoops Rumors: “As ESPN’s draft guru explains, teams like the Celtics and Lakers don’t necessarily need another point guard, as their rosters feature bigger holes elsewhere. However, Ford thinks it will be hard for any team in the top two to pass up Fultz or Ball, based on their potential.” (Full report.)

Per international reporter David Pick: “Former NBA center Bernard James, just two games into his contract, has been cut by French club Limoges, according to a source.”

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Sam Amico
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