NBA Rumors and News Roundup: Cavs, Knicks, Heat, Rockets, OKC Thunder [Kevin Durant's Playing Time Has To Be Better-Managed Next Season]
The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed free agent center Alex Kirk according to official NBA news. The Cavs general manager David Griffin himself made the announcement from the Cleveland Clinic Courts. The 245-pound Kirk appeared in 101 games over three seasons at the University of New Mexico where he averaged 10.0 points on 0.488 shooting, 6.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 25.3 minutes per game and where he was two-time All-MWC Defensive Team selection. During the 2014 Samsung NBA Summer in Las Vegas, Kirk playing for the Cavaliers Summer League team entry averaged 5.2 points on 0.523 shooting and 3.4 rebounds in 15.4 minutes per game.
NBA rumors have it that the New York Knicks will trade guard Wayne Ellington, forward Jeremy Tyler and a 2016 second-round pick to the Sacramento Kings for forwards Quincy Acy and Travis Outlaw according to USA Today. Part of the rumored deal will have the Knicks removing the protection on the 2016 second-round draft pick they sent to Sacramento in 2013. In turn, the Kings will waive Tyler and use the stretch provision on Ellington, who is owed $2.77 million next season, to improve their salary cap situation.
Miami Herald reports that LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers will be facing the Miami Heat on Christmas Day. By-lined by Barry Jackson, the report says, "Barring an unexpected change of heart by the league, Christmas in Miami will feature LeBron James' much-anticipated return to Miami, in an opposing uniform. Though the NBA's schedule will not be finalized and released until mid-August, an unofficial internal schedule of select games has Cleveland playing the Heat in Miami on Christmas on ABC..."
A recent exchange of words between James Harden and former teammate Chandler Parsons just added fuel to the already heated rivalry between the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks. According to ESPN, Harden reportedly said in the Philippines when asked about Chandler's transfer to Dallas that "Dwight [Howard] and I are the cornerstones of the Rockets. The rest of the guys are role players or pieces that complete our team. We've lost some pieces and added some pieces. I think we'll be fine next season." Reacting, Chandler said, "That's a pretty ridiculous statement if he meant that. That's part of the reason I wanted to go to Dallas, because I'm ready for that next step. I'm ready for a bigger role, and I'm ready for more leadership."
The Oklahoma City Thunder needs to start getting Kevin Durant's minutes down next season according to Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman. Durant decided to pull out of the 2014 FIBA World Cup USA Basketball Team because he said he was tired. He needed rest. Durant led all players in total minutes played in both the regular season and playoffs last season. No player has logged more combined regular season and playoff minutes over the past three seasons than Durant who has played 10,924 minutes, longer than LeBron James' 10,811 minutes. He publicly admitted that he was already too fatigued to join Team USA in the summer FIBA games.
