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With Will Conroy's 10-day contract expiring, the Rockets will dip into their NBA Development League team's roster to call up another member of their summer league and training camp teams, rookie guard Garrett Temple. Temple, who has averaged 14.9 points for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, is expected to sign a 10-day contract today. Houston Chronicle

With Kyle Lowry out with a sprained left ankle, the Rockets could have brought back Conroy to serve as Aaron Brooks' backup Tuesday in Miami. But had the Rockets signed Conroy to a second and final 10-day contract, most of his time on that contract would have been spent during the All-Star break. If Lowry is still out for an extended period after the break, Conroy could be signed then and give the Rockets an extra game with Conroy in a 10-day period then compared to if he signed now. Houston Chronicle

Though team president Danny Ainge has publicly ridiculed the Allen trade reports, several NBA executives told CBSSports.com that the Celtics have been actively trying to parlay Ray Allen's $19.7 million expiring contract into an asset that could keep them in the mix during the upcoming playoffs and also help them for the next several seasons. The most recent inquiry, sources say, involved Sacramento sharpshooter Kevin Martin, who'd be a good fit with Boston's remaining core. CBS Sports

Kings officials might be talked out of their reluctance to deal Kevin Martin if they could pry a prolific big man out of a third team brought into the discussions or in a separate transaction before the deadline. The bottom line is that Ainge, who saved his job by pulling off the perfect storm of trades that yielded Allen and Garnett three years ago, has made it clear in private conversations that he's "not going back to the abyss," according to one person familiar with the discussions. CBS Sports

If the Celtics kept Allen and let his contract come off the books, they'd still be over the cap this summer with no avenues besides sign-and-trades to acquire a starting shooting guard. That's why Boston also has expressed interest in the Bulls' Kirk Hinrich, an excellent defender and ball-handler who would give the Celtics a starting two guard next season at $9 million and in 2011-12 at $8 million. The Bulls' motivation would be cap relief. CBS Sports

The Kings, who are not planning to be big free-agent shoppers this summer, aren't seeking to acquire cap space alone. They want assets -- and the Celtics don't have a young big man to offer. The Bulls, who almost certainly will move Tyrus Thomas, might need to be invited into that conversation to satisfy everyone's needs. CBS Sports

Are the Suns inching closer to a trade with Philadelphia headlined by Amare Stoudemire and Andre Iguodala? Separate sources close to both teams caution that it’s too soon to answer that question affirmatively. One source with knowledge of the Suns’ thinking, in particular, insisted that Phoenix was still evaluating several potential trade candidates. ESPN.com

The Suns, though, would undoubtedly want Philly to take back Jason Richardson in such a swap. Even though the Sixers would have to surrender another player to make the salary-cap math work, such as Jason Kapono or Willie Green, they wouldn’t realize any significant savings in this trade configuration until the 2011-2012 season if Stoudemire follows through on this week’s suggestion that he will not become a free agent at season’s end and plays out his contract at $17.7 million in 2010-11. ESPN.com

Phoenix, furthermore, appears to be the team driving these discussions anyway. The Suns, by all accounts, like the idea of trading for Iguodala more than the Sixers like the thought of gambling on Stoudemire, who remains an undeniable force offensively but comes with that well-chronicled injury history in addition to the opt-out conundrum. ESPN.com

With D'Antoni saying Nate Robinson is "a shooting guard," it exacerbates their need for point guard help at the Feb. 18 trade deadline and they have been linked to Bobcats point guard Acie Law, who has been given permission to talk to other clubs. NY Post

Despite the Cavaliers' 11-game winning streak and NBA's best record, LeBron James didn't sound as if he's close to knowing where he will be next season on Saturday night. When asked if he's further along on giving a commitment to Team USA for the World Championships this summer, James said he can't do it until he knows what's up with his new contract. "I got a very busy schedule. You guys already know what my schedule is -- what's going to happen this summer," James said. "I got to take care of business [first]."

This summer, the Wolves must decide whether they will extend Ryan Gomes' conditional five-year contract he signed two summers ago and pay him $4.2 million for next season. If they decide not to do so, he will be paid about $1 million for each of those remaining three seasons. Minneapolis Star Tribune

It's an unusual contractual arrangement that was agreed upon long before David Kahn took over as Wolves boss last spring. Might that financial obligation make Gomes more likely to be dealt by the Feb. 18 trade deadline or at draft time? Minneapolis Star Tribune

Warriors guard Monta Ellis isn't buying it, though. While acknowledging the team has chemistry issues, he suggested the Warriors' lack in that area doesn't cover all of their ills. He said chemistry is built in training camp — in which center Chris Hunter, forward Anthony Tolliver, swingman Coby Karl, forward Vladimir Radmanovic, and forward Devean George did not participate — but in the meantime the team can pay attention to detail. Contra Costa Times

"The four years I've been under Nellie, it's always been like that," Ellis said. "We've never just had a consistent lineup since he's been here. We can't make that as an excuse. We've just got to go out and stick with the game plan and do what we do. "Everybody's got to be on the same page. It doesn't matter if he puts you in the starting lineup tonight or takes you out tomorrow. That chemistry still has to be there within the team." Contra Costa Times

Officially, Kobe Bryant is "day to day," according to Phil Jackson. It wouldn't be inconceivable for him to play tonight against the Spurs, but it also wouldn't be a surprise if he again opted to give his sore ankle a rest. Press Enterprise

"It takes a lot to decide that you're going to miss a game," Derek Fisher said. "I can only imagine how it must be feeling for him to make the decision not to play, with the pain and discomfort that he's been in. "I think it's a smart decision. I think he can and has to trust that we can hold down the fort and do the things we need to do." Press Enterprise

Pau Gasol sighed and shook his head. He was looking forward to having Sunday off, as were the rest of the Lakers. "I can't wait," Gasol said Saturday night. "My legs are so heavy right now. It was pretty noticeable out there [against the Trail Blazers]. So, yeah, I can't wait for [Sunday] just to be able to chill, drink a lot of water, stay off my feet, watch the Super Bowl and just chill and get ready for San Antonio and Utah." LA Times

Jerry Sloan now readily acknowledges, with the benefit of hindsight, that perhaps Andrei Kirilenko hasn't been used properly over the years. But lately the Jazz's starting small forward has been playing like the NBA All-Star he once was. Playing like when he stars for his homeland on the world stage. Playing like someone living up to, if such a notion actually is possible, his $16.44 million season-long salary. But why? Why now, and why not previously? Curious minds want to know just what's behind the recent resurgence of the lanky Russian, which not so coincidentally at all coincides roughly with a stretch in which the Jazz have won eight straight and 12 of their last 13 games. Deseret News

Though he's never been one to openly complain about coming off the bench, Kirilenko — who had a team high-tying 22 points and five blocks in Saturday's home win over Northwest Division-leader Denver — makes a compelling case that extended minutes and a return to the Jazz's starting lineup have spurred his terrific turnaround. "One good reason for this is playing time," he said. "I'm playing, like, almost 35, 40 minutes every game."

Owner Mark Cuban said publicly that changes are coming, and Dallas — one of the few teams not terrified of the expected smaller salary cap — is on the phones hard, according to sources. The Mavericks have more than $17 million worth of expiring contracts, including forward Josh Howard, who has an $11.8 million team option for next season. Contra Costa Times Blog

The departure of Del Harris Tuesday night came only two days after his agent, Warren LeGarie, approached Nets president Rod Thorn about the possibility that his client become the team’s head coach. This exchange, according to two NBA officials privy to the conversation who requested anonymity because they are friendly with both sides, took place at Izod Center. LeGarie, one of the game’s heaviest hitters, told Thorn the Nets would be better off letting Harris take over and moving Kiki Vandeweghe back to the front office, if only to begin preparation for 2010-11. Newark Star Ledger

According to one of the officials, Thorn interrupted LeGarie with this door-slam: “Hold it right there,” he said. “All due respect, he will not be the next head coach here. So if he has any delusions about that, you should let him know it’s not going to happen.” Newark Star Ledger

Nets: If there is change, it could come after the All-Star break. Team president Rod Thorn will meet with Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov and likely will learn his own fate. Prokhorov is expected to be approved as the Nets' new owner next month. Until Thorn knows about his situation, there's not much he can do. Thorn, who previously said he had no plans for a coaching change, said yesterday he would "probably not" replace interim Kiki Vandeweghe, who has compiled a 4-28 record and this week lost assistant coach Del Harris. NY Post

Interest in Nets players is lukewarm. Some teams, including Toronto, like Hassell. There is interest in Josh Boone, but he has fallen out of the rotation and off the radar and is a hard sell. Teams like Chris Douglas-Roberts for his minor salary ($736,000), but he would not bring back value -- and the Nets like him, too. "We're not looking to trade Chris," Thorn said. "He's more guard than forward but through circumstance, has played forward and still had very good moments. I can understand why [teams] like him. He has talent and a small salary." NY Post

“We’re better than Orlando.’’ Coach Doc Rivers wouldn’t let anyone in the room believe that. Not after Orlando had outscored the Celtics, 36-11, in the third quarter, not after Boston had let Matt Barnes, Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, and Mickael Pietrus combine for 10 3-pointers, not after the Celtics lost the season series to Orlando. “No, you’re not,’’ Rivers said. “That’s a bunch of [expletive].’’ The Magic were better than the Celtics in the third quarter (when they shot 12 of 17 and held the Celtics to 4 for 14) the same way they were last month when they outscored the Celtics, 35-22, in the fourth quarter and put them to bed on a last-second layup by Lewis. Boston Globe

“They beat you three games,’’ Rivers said. “Two at your place. They’re better.’’ They’ve been better all season, taking the series, three games to one, the head-to-head tiebreaker, and sole possession of second place in the East by a game just like that. They were better when they bounced the Celtics from the playoffs in the second round last year, cutting short their attempt at a championship repeat. Boston Globe

Said Ray Allen, who scored 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting, “Right now we can’t say that we’re better than Orlando. We can’t say that we’re better than Atlanta. We can’t say that we’re better than the Lakers. They beat us. It’s all about what’s in the pudding, and right now, we don’t have the proof.’’ Boston Globe

The Bulls will return to practice today with an assumption that Tyrus Thomas will be back ready to play after serving a one-game team suspension. The Bulls did find a quick replacement, though. Power forward Chris Richard, in his second game since signing a 10-day contract, played 20 minutes and grabbed 7 rebounds in the Bulls' 95-91 win over Miami. Richard, a former Florida teammate of Joakim Noah, spent the preseason with the Bulls, so he had a partial recollection of the team's plays. Arlington Heights Daily Herald

Team insiders suggested the Bulls have tried several tactics to help Thomas understand the role they want him to play, but it hasn't helped. When he first came back from a broken arm on Dec. 26, Thomas averaged 16 points, 8.3 points and 2 blocks in his first three games. Arlington Heights Daily Herald

None of this is to excuse Thomas' profanity-laced postgame outburst at Del Negro, the seeds of which started during Friday's game and which several witnesses termed inexcusable. Thomas' wild first quarter, which included two goaltending infractions, a turnover on a crosscourt pass and a running, left-handed hook, led to Del Negro benching him for the second quarter and words were exchanged on the bench. Chicago Tribune

Thomas met with general manager Gar Forman on Saturday, the day the team imposed its latest discipline. The meeting went well and the Bulls are continuing their efforts to move Thomas. Thomas grew up with loving uncles instead of a father but still once told the Tribune he "couldn't take other males telling me what to do." Contrast that to the recent night in Philadelphia, when a reflective Thomas engaged in a long conversation about rising above adversity and staying professional. Chicago Tribune

Bulls forward Taj Gibson suggested there's a small chance he could skip the rookie-sophomore game during all-star weekend. But for now, he's planning to play despite suffering from plantar fasciitis in his left foot. "I'm still going to go," Gibson said. "Pax (vice president of basketball operations John Paxson) talked about it might be limited minutes. I'm looking forward to the weekend to see how the experience will be." Arlington Heights Daily Herald

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For the first time in their marriage as superstar player and neophyte head coach, Dwyane Wade has publicly and pointedly taken issue with the approach of Erik Spoelstra. In the wake of Saturday's 95-91 loss in Chicago, a loss that extended the Heat's losing streak to five, the longest in Spoelstra's two seasons as coach, Wade said predictability has contributed to the team's series of late-game struggles. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

With opponents relentlessly double-teaming and trapping Wade, a more up-tempo approach could free him for higher-percentage scoring opportunities, an approach he embraces. "I don't know if Coach wants us to do that," he said. "I don't know if he's gonna have the confidence that guys are going to make the change on the go." Most distressing to Wade is that he cannot enjoy even minimal rest. Once again, the Heat stumbled when Wade took breathers Saturday at the start of the second and fourth quarters. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

An ongoing trend remains limited late minutes for second-year forward Michael Beasley. Yet it is not only Spoelstra and Beasley who appear to be on different pages. At one point Saturday, reserve point guard Carlos Arroyo pointedly glared at Beasley and asked if he knew the play. Yet despite that broken play, Beasley still scored on the possession. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

There's a point guard in Lou Williams who is more of a scorer. More than $80 million has been committed to a shooter in Andre Iguodala, who is known as anything but a shooter. We could easily focus on the jump-shooting Elton Brand, a 6-foot-9 forward given $79.5 million for a power post game. Or lament Samuel Dalembert's continued lack of consistency or Allen Iverson's personal and basketball troubles. Or the fact that Tracy McGrady would love to come to Philly but probably can't because the Sixers don't have enough attractive parts to lure his expiring salary of $23 million away from Houston. But we're trying to be nice here. Philadelphia Inquirer

The Sixers need to emulate San Antonio (Tim Duncan), Cleveland (LeBron James), Miami (Dwyane Wade), Toronto (Chris Bosh) - teams that once did everything they could to position themselves for a top draft pick just to get their hands on a franchise-caliber player. They also need to keep pursuing McGrady, who told me, "I'd love to finish this season in Philadelphia." That would be a step in the right direction. At least it would look that way. Philadelphia Inquirer

In the strongest comments yet by a players' union official since NBA owners made a new collective bargaining proposal, first vice president Adonal Foyle of the Orlando Magic said the offer put forth last week by commissioner David Stern's office was "ludicrous." That was the first word out of Foyle's mouth when he was asked Sunday to characterize the owners' new labor proposal, which was given to the union late last week as the sides took one of the first major steps toward replacing the collective bargaining agreement that expires at the end of the 2010-11 season. ESPN.com

"I think it's a proposal that's far-reaching," said Foyle, the union's second-in-command behind president Derek Fisher. "This [new proposal] has gone too far. It wants a hard cap, it basically will create no middle class, and which, in effect, means none of the Bird rules would apply," Foyle said, referencing the so-called Larry Bird exception that allows teams to exceed the salary cap to retain their own free agents. ESPN.com

In addition to a hard salary cap to replace the current system of a "soft" cap, with its accompanying luxury tax penalties for teams that exceed a certain payroll threshold ($69.9 million this season), owners have asked that contracts be shortened to a maximum of four years, Foyle said. ESPN.com

"A system like that would be too restrictive, and it doesn't jibe with what we think the league is. We have been willing to negotiate a guarantee that we don't get over a certain threshold, and no other businesses do that. We hold back 9 percent of our income so that the owners can make sure they are covered on the back end. We have given up a lot of stuff, and they have given up a lot of stuff, so I think to start off a negotiation in this rash a term, I think it's unfair," Foyle said. ESPN.com

The Cavs have their orthotics made through the Cleveland Clinic after getting players' feet analyzed. In addition to getting a simple mold, players will be fitted using ever-developing methods, including sensors that measure where players create stress. The team also can observe potential problems by watching players run on an underwater treadmill. "The design and the materials have gotten so much better," Cavs athletic trainer Max Benton said. "They are using everything from cork to impact gels, and it has been great in terms of development." Cleveland Plain Dealer

The FBI investigated a series of threatening letters sent to Detroit Pistons coach Chuck Daly at the height of his team's success during the 1989-90 "Bad Boys" championship era, newly released government records show. The 67 pages, obtained by The Associated Press as part of a Freedom of Information Act request, detail how federal agents in Detroit ordered fingerprint, handwriting and even psycholinguistic analyses as part of an effort to determine who sent the correspondences. AP

The Nuggets coach said Saturday that back in 2005, Denver had a trade on the table with Atlanta, which had the No. 2 pick in the draft. The plan was for the Nuggets to draft Deron Williams, now an all-star for the Jazz. "I don't know why we didn't do it or what happened, but there's no question that I thought he'd be a great player," Karl said. "I like him because his passion and energy for the game is contagious. It's fun to watch and it's difficult to play against." Denver Post

Karl spoke Saturday about the ill-fated draft workout he attended in the summer of 2005, which he called a "$100,000 party." Karl attended a workout at Marquette to see his son, Coby, but Deron Williams was there too. Williams had yet to officially declare for the draft. Karl was fined $200,000 and suspended for the first three games of the upcoming season. Denver Post

I know there has been a lot of talk lately about the Wizards being reluctant to move Jamison to Cleveland given the bad blood between the two franchises. The apprehension is believed to be rooted in three hotly contested playoff series, and Larry Hughes's departure in the summer of 2005. The prevailing sentiment from people around the league is that President Ernie Grunfeld has no desire to help Danny Ferry and the Cavaliers win a championship by giving them Jamison. But I had a recent conversation with an Eastern Conference executive who made a very interesting point. The executive said the Wizards should only be concerned about interest of the organization - not what Jamison could do for the Cavaliers - and used Memphis as an example. Washington Post Blog

Of course, Cleveland also has to be wiling to give the Wizards a deal as sweet as the one Memphis received for Pau Gasol. Some reports have the Cavaliers offering Zydrunas Ilgauskas's expiring deal, J.J. HIckson and a first-round pick, but I heard from a league source that the Wizards have not been offered that much. The Wizards, according to the source, have made their demands known to Cleveland, which so far has been unwilling to budge. Washington Post Blog

Michael Jordan: The basketball legend left a Super Bowl after-party in Miami last night and rolled out in a brand new Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano -- base price: $300K. TMZ.com

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