| Team by Team |
| The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that Paul Pierce was briefly placed in handcuffs during a traffic stop in Vegas early Sunday, after police spotted Pierce driving erratically on the strip. Pierce was placed in handcuffs because he was initially uncooperative. "We find this happens a lot of times," public information officer Bill Cassell said. "Someone is a little agitated, and when they're placed in handcuffs, they rethink things." Cassell said individuals are often placed in cuffs when they're being "loudly hostile," and pointed out that Pierce is "a big guy." Pierce was given field sobriety tests at the scene, and a Breathalyzer showed Pierce was below the 0.08 legal threshold for intoxication. Pierce was not cited for the infraction, but he opted not to drive the car after being stopped, having a valet park it for the night. |
| The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Bulls and Ben Gordon remain far apart in negotiations, with a sign-and-trade deal the most favorable solution for both sides at this point. |
| The Cavs are reportedly talking to Denver about restricted free agent J.R. Smith, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Nuggets should be willing to part ways with Smith since they just signed Dahntay Jones and have otherwise been on a mission to cut payroll. The story noted that Cleveland has a number of expiring contracts that might be of interest to the Nuggets as they continue to trim their overhead. Also, the paper reported that the Cavs tried to get Luol Deng from the Bulls on a sign-and-trade deal before the Bulls opted to keep Deng.The Cavs are said to be interested in Kirk Hinrich although a deal may not happen, and are not interested in Ben Gordon. |
| The Cavs are reportedly talking to Denver about restricted free agent J.R. Smith, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Nuggets should be willing to part ways with Smith since they just signed Dahntay Jones and have otherwise been on a mission to cut payroll. The story noted that Clevland has a number of expiring contracts that might be of interest to the Nuggets as they continue to trim their overhead. |
| The Houston Chronicle reports that the Rockets have reached a deal with Sacramento to acquire Ron Artest, citing an anonymous NBA executive with knowledge of the situation. The story claims the Rockets will give up guard Bobby Jackson, a 2009 first-round draft pick and one other player that the source couldn't identify. Other sources have named rookie Donte Green as the other player in question. Additionally, the Sacramento Bee adds that the Kings could also send Sean Singletary and Patrick Ewing Jr. to Houston to help keep Sacramento under the luxury tax threshold. |
| The Indianapolis Star reports that the Pacers management is on the same page about point guard Jamaal Tinsley being done with the team. Indications are the Pacers are set on trading him. "Tinsley, he's probably outlived his welcome here," Pacers co-owner Herb Simon said. "He's a very talented player. Teams will give us a hard time because they know it's better for him and for us to have him play somewhere else. We're confident that we'll find a good place." |
| The Miami Herald reports that the Heat have spoken to agents for both Shaun Livingston and Jannero Pargo but have made no offers to either player. They have also maintained contact with Jason Williams, who is now thought to be an option only if more favorable deals fall through. The story also noted that the Heat would explore the possibility of signing Stephon Marbury if he were cut by the Knicks. |
| The New York Post reports that while Nenad Krstic will leave the NBA after accepting a 2-year deal with to play for Triumph of Moscow in Russia, the Nets will retain his NBA rights by giving him a qualifying offer each year he is gone. Krstic was apparently disappointed with the money offers he'd gotten from other NBA teams, feeling he was worth more. Krstic believes he'll be back in the NBA one day. "That's my plan," he said. "I'm going to try to play really good in Russia and see what's going to happen." |
| The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that the Hornets seem ready to let Jannero Pargo sign with another team, with the San Antonio Spurs mentioned as an option. Agent Mark Bartelstein said the Hornets "don't seem interested in signing (Pargo) at this point. I don't think he'll be back with them." |
| The Bucks County Courier Times reports that the Sixers are talking with agent Rob Pelinka about a potential five-year, $70 million deal for Andre Iguodala. Team president Ed Stefanski added that they are also looking to add an experienced big man to the Sixers, but it would probably be someone they could get for a reasonable price. |
| The Suns still need to add two players to get their roster up to the league-minimum 13 players, but they're in a sort of holding pattern right now. The Arizona Republic reports that when Tyronn Lue left for Milwaukee, the Suns turned their attention toward second-round draft pick Goran Dragic as their priority for adding a backup point guard. Dragic has a contract with the Spanish club Tau Ceramica that doesn't offer a buyout clause until next year. The Suns are hoping Dragic and the Tau can come to terms on a deal that would allow an early buyout and bring Dragic to the Suns this season. The paper also reports that the Suns will probably use a roster spot for a big man, and notes that Shaquille O'Neal wants the team to bring in Jason Williams. |
| The Houston Chronicle reports that the Rockets have reached a deal with Sacramento to acquire Ron Artest, citing an anonymous NBA executive with knowledge of the situation. The story claims the Rockets will give up guard Bobby Jackson, a 2009 first-round draft pick and one other player that the source couldn't identify. Other sources have named rookie Donte Green as the other player in question. Additionally, the Sacramento Bee adds that the Kings could also send Sean Singletary and Patrick Ewing Jr. to Houston to help keep Sacramento under the luxury tax threshold. |
