NBA Rumors: Buzz on Kenyon Martin, Miami Heat and More Around the League
Thanks to the Los Angeles Lakers hiring Mike D'Antoni (I'm not sure if you have heard about that...), the NBA can start spinning on its axis again and other teams around the league can step back into the spotlight from time to time.
The rumor mill is starting to heat up as teams begin to assess where they are. At the start of the season everything shuts down because there is no reason to make changes, or think about making changes, after a game or two.
Teams understand what their expectations are coming into the season, even if they won't admit them publicly. It makes the rumors easier to come by when they have an idea of what is going on when they step on the court.
Here is the latest buzz from around the NBA as we reach the second week of the season.
Kenyon Martin Has Dreams of South Beach
While Kenyon Martin still waits for a team to come forward with an offer, he does have a certain preference for where he would like to play.
According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Martin wants to play for the Miami Heat.
"For what it's worth, a source said during Monday's game that Heat have moved to top of Kenyon Martin's wish list.
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Martin is nothing more than a bench player at this point in his career, but he can still grab rebounds and add a handful of points as long as he can stay healthy. The Heat need more size in the frontcourt, so he would be helpful.
Monta Ellis Ready to Hit the Open Market
The Milwaukee Bucks (4-2) have started out well this season. Monta Ellis and his 20.7 points per game have played a significant role in that hot start, but his contract could take him away from Milwaukee soon.
According to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.com, Ellis plans to opt out of his contract after this season and become a free agent.
"The general consensus around the league is that Ellis is going to exercise his Early Termination Option after this season, leaving $11,000,000 on the table to become an unrestricted free agent. In recent years, Ellis has expressed interest in joining a contender.
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The Bucks have a solid nucleus and have added enough offensive firepower, like Ellis, to become a contender in the Eastern Conference.
If the team stays in contention all season, perhaps it can convince Ellis that Milwaukee is a good place to stay long term.
Tyler Zeller Progressing Slowly from Concussion
The Cavaliers have invested a lot in the draft over the last two years. Tyler Zeller was one of the key players they grabbed this year, hoping he could contribute as a young, versatile center.
Unfortunately a concussion and fractured cheekbone have kept Zeller out for the last week, and there is no clear indication as to when he will return, according to Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.
"Zeller continues to recover from his injuries and will not join the team in New York. The concussion is keeping Zeller out of the lineup more than the fractured cheekbone, a team source said.
Zeller cannot return to the court until he is cleared from the league’s concussion program. That has not happened yet.
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Zeller was off to a solid start this season, averaging 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He also had a career-high 15 points in his final game before getting hurt.
Getting Zeller back on the floor with Kyrie Irving would give the Cavaliers an extended look at the backcourt-frontcourt duo that will lead them into the future.
