Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
For the Rockets, there are two distinct advantages to letting Parsons into restricted free agency now. First, Houston is determined to clear the necessary salary cap space this summer to chase a third maximum contract free agent to join Dwight Howard and James Harden, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
Houston plans to pursue the major stars who could be available upon opting out of deals, including Miami’s LeBron James and Chris Bosh, and New York’s Carmelo Anthony, league sources said. Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki is expected to be a target too.
The Rockets are pursuing Minnesota’s Kevin Love in trade talks too, and Parsons could hold sign-and-trade possibilities.
In one scenario, Houston could secure three max-out players – including Howard, Harden and a potential star free agent – and then re-sign Parsons to an extension below the max-level range. Parsons could command in the $12 million to $13 million annual range, league executives tell Yahoo Sports.
Celtics fans should be familiar with Chandler Parsons because he’s been mentioned in past trade talks with the C’s. There was this doozy involving Rajon Rondo and Omer Asik back in February.
Parsons is close to being the “high-ceiling” player Minnesota covets, and the Celtics allegedly lack to offer in any deal. So we should be concerned that his name is linked to any deal involving Kevin Love.
I think Houston has one move: Carmelo Anthony. I don’t see LeBron leaving Miami and I’m convinced Love is landing in Boston.
Here’s a sobering reminder for Wolves fans dreaming up a rich trade bounty for Love; a 28-year-old Charles Barkley was dealt for Jeff Hornacek, Andrew Lang and Tim Perry in 1992. Barkley talks about Kevin Love’s situation here.
On Page 2, the Celtics notorious workout known as the Boston Marathon.
Back then, Ainge said Suns players would line up along the baseline of the 94-foot court and sprint to the opposing baseline and back again as much as possible during a three-minute span.
When he became the Suns coach in 1996, Ainge used the drill to close predraft workouts. Then when Ainge became the Celtics’ president of basketball operations in 2003, he brought that drill with him to Boston.
It has since become a staple of Celtics’ predraft workouts — so well known by players and agents around the NBA it has been called, simply, “The Boston Marathon.”
Danny Ainge said the drill is more revealing than one might expect.
“First of all, it shows what kind of condition you’re in, which I think is important,’’ he said. “Second, it shows just how willing a person is to push themselves.
“Even if they don’t get a great conditioning number, you can tell when people are fighting through or when they’re giving in. Those are the most important elements of that.”
Busting your ass for 3 minutes to prove you’re worthy of playing for the greatest franchise in NBA history? I think I’d go all out.
Former Northeastern guard Jonathan Lee holds the Celtics record with 29.5 court lengths in 3 minutes. That’s a number I can’t comprehend.
I’m not sure how many I can run, but I know it’s at least one more than John. Hmmm… this sounds like a good idea for a Red’s Army team challenge.
The rest of the links:
CSNNE – Warren may be C’s answer to scoring need | How is Minnesota reacting to Love trade rumors? | Herald – Cs drill for draft prospects |
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