The NBA does not make a profit by sending its stars to play at the Olympics, and a move to re-direct their headline players into a rebranded World Cup of Basketball would certainly change that. While Ken Berger of CBS Sports understands the idea of pulling NBA stars out of the Olympic games in the future, he says that it should be based on the premise that "Dream Teams" have run their course, and not because it is driven by an opportunity for David Stern and NBA owners to try to make money elsewhere. With that aside, here are some of tonight's miscellaneous links…
- Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld mentions that Jeremy Lamb, Royce White, and Terrence Jones cannot be included in a potential Dwight Howard trade until the end of August, specifically 30 days after each of them signed their rookie deals with the Rockets on July 26 (Sulia link).
- In a series of tweets, Jason Quick of The Oregonian reports that Trail Blazers GM Neil Olshey has concluded the second round of interviews and will "move on to the next phase" of the process once all four finalists are given due consideration. Although team owner Paul Allen was not involved in the interviews with Terry Stotts, Steve Clifford, Kaleb Canales, and Elston Turner, Quick assumes that Olshey will ultimately present a recommendation for hire to Allen after deliberation. Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com (via Twitter) pointed out that Turner's interview lasted for four-and-a-half hours today.
- When asked if the Timberwolves had more changes to make after the Olympics, GM David Kahn replied, "Maybe it’s a tweak here and there, maybe even something big, to make us even better still" (according to a tweet by Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune). In a separate piece, Marcus R. Fuller of the Pioneer Press documented Kahn's thoughts on the team's new additions this offseason.
- HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy says that although the Bulls and Tracy McGrady have flirted in the past, it doesn't sound like a deal is close (Twitter link).
- Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld tweeted that Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried will join JaVale McGee and Amare Stoudemire in their private workouts with NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon this summer.
- Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports explains why Doc Rivers would be a great candidate to coach Team USA in 2016.
- Ronnie Brewer talked to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld about why he decided to choose the Knicks, his willingness to play any role needed from him, and the ties he has with current members of the organization.
- Andy and Brian Kamenetzky of 710 ESPN LA spoke with Jordan Hill this afternoon about his decision to return to the Lakers and his role for next year.
- Jeff Caplan of ESPN Dallas recaps the Mavericks' offseason up until this point and wonders how readers would assess the work of GM Donnie Nelson and owner Mark Cuban.
- Sean Deveney of the Sporting News obtained Tony Parker's thoughts on playing against Spurs teammate Manu Ginobili today after France defeated Argentina during pool play at the Olympic Games.
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