1.Knicks interested in Noah
The New York Knicks continue to plunder the Chicago Bulls.
After grabbing Derrick Rose in a blockbuster trade on Wednesday, ESPN's Ian
Begley reports that several members of the Knicks organization are interested
in making a run at free-agent center Joakim Noah.
The 30-year-old grew up in New York and holds close ties to Rose and Knicks
star Carmelo Anthony.
After moving starting center Robin Lopez to Chicago in the Rose deal, the
Bulls now have a potential replacement for Noah, while opening up a vacancy
in New York.
Noah only made 29 appearances as he toiled through yet another injury-plagued
campaign in 2015-16. When he did manage to suit up, Noah was a shadow of his
former All-NBA First Team form as he averaged 4.3 points on 38.3 percent
shooting from the floor.
In a trend dating back at least two seasons, Noah has struggled to finish
around the basket and has been a liability on offense. His defense, however,
remains sharp.
The Bulls reportedly consider re-signing Noah a "high priority", but given
the acquisition of Lopez, Noah's time in Chicago seems to be numbered.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, led by another Bulls castoff in Tom Thibodeau,
are also reportedly interested in Noah.
http://goo.gl/0rufKl
2.Conley interested in signing with Mavericks, Spurs
Don't be surprised if Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley finds a new
home in Texas this summer.
Conley is interested in signing with the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio
Spurs when he becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason, ESPN's Tim
MacMahon reports, citing sources.
Conley reportedly has "great respect" for Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle,
and the Mavericks are in need of a starting point guard with Deron Williams
set to become a free agent.
The Spurs are also on Conley's radar, but would need to sort out Tony
Parker's future role with the club prior to signing him.
In order to keep Conley, the Grizzlies would reportedly have to offer their
starting point guard a fifth year - something no other team is able to do.
Re-signing Conley would not come cheap, as a fifth year would cost Memphis
more than $33 million.
The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers would've reportedly drawn interest
from Conley, but both teams settled their starting point guard issues on
Wednesday, trading for Derrick Rose and Jeff Teague, respectively.
In 56 games, Conley averaged 15.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 2.9 rebounds on
42.2 percent shooting in 2015-16, prior to suffering a season-ending Achilles
injury.
http://goo.gl/sM3TGv
3.Suns looking to move Bledsoe, draft Dunn
The Phoenix Suns are once again looking to reshuffle their ranks at point
guard.
Sean Deveney of the Sporting News reports that the Suns will put Eric Bledsoe
on the trading block as they hope to select Providence PG Kris Dunn with
their No. 4 pick in Thursday's NBA Draft.
The Suns are hoping to add some frontcourt help as well, Deveney adds.
Moving Bledsoe, however, won't be easy on account of his three knee
surgeries. He had surgery to repair his right meniscus in 2011 before having
it removed altogether in 2014. This season, Bledsoe went under the knife yet
again to fix his left meniscus.
Injuries aside, Bledsoe remains a strong two-way option at point guard on a
team-friendly contract that pays him $44 million through the 2018-19 season.
The 26-year-old is a dogged defender and put up 20.4 points, four rebounds.
6.1 assists, and two steals per game while shooting 37.2 percent from the
field in 31 games this past season.
http://goo.gl/ZPjMPj