2012 October | Hoops Rumors

Lakers Notes: Kobe, Hill, Howard

October 25th, 2012 at 9:57pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Lakers star Kobe Bryant didn't make the trip to San Diego tonight for their pre-season finale against the Kings because of a sprained right foot, and Ramona Shelbourne of ESPN Los Angeles points out that the 34-year-old guard might be out for the season opener as well. Here are a few more team-related links from tonight:

On his blog for the Los Angeles Times, HoopsWorld's Eric Pincus discusses the challenge for Jordan Hill to learn his role within the Princeton offense after being out with a back injury.
Dwight Howard admitted on 98.7 ESPN radio that he initially had his sights set on joining the Nets but believes his trade to the Lakers was a "blessing in disguise," writes Tim Bontemps of the New York Post.
Greg Breacham of
the National Post draws insight from each starter about the opportunity to play together and their excitement for the upcoming season.

Jrue Holiday Wants Extension

October 25th, 2012 at 9:31pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Tom Moore of PhillyBlurbs.com took note of 76ers guard Jrue Holiday's preference to remain in Philadelphia and eagerness to secure a contract extension. After today's practice, Holiday elaborated on his desire to stay.

"I definitely want an extension," Holiday said. "I want to play here. I feel comfortable. It’s like family to me. But it’s kind of out of my hands. I’ve just got to go out and play every day…. I do think (the offer) should be fair… But, again, it’s really up to them. If they come out and I like the number they offer, then yeah (I’d sign). If not, then, hey, what can I do?"

Last week, we relayed a report about a meeting between Holiday's agent, Tony Dutt, and team management to touch base upon extension talks. Moore writes that while Holiday is looking for a four or five-year-deal worth close to the maximum of $13.6MM, the 76ers have initially presented an offer worth closer to $9MM. If an extension agreement is not made before next Wednesday, Philadelphia can present a qualifying offer of $3.8MM this summer and enable Holiday to become a restricted free agent.

Mavericks Claim Eddy Curry, May Waive West

October 25th, 2012 at 9:08pm CST by Ryan Raroque

9:08pm: Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas reports that West will not return to the team.

5:01pm: Art Garcia of FOX Sports Southwest tweets that the Mavericks have claimed Curry off of waivers.

4:47pm: Eddie Sefko of SportsDay DFW writes that Delonte West is expected to be waived or traded in order to make room for Curry's signing. West signed a one-year agreement in July worth $1.22MM but is currently under suspension.

4:21pm: According to the Dallas Morning News (via Twitter), the Mavericks are close to signing Eddy Curry. In five pre-season games with the Spurs, the 7'0 center averaged 8.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and shot 68% from the field in 15.4 MPG before being waived on Tuesday.

Dallas currently has 15 players on its roster, and would thus have to free up a roster spot in order to bring the ten-year veteran on board.

Mavericks Notes: West, Ely, Douglas-Roberts

October 25th, 2012 at 6:03pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Eddie Sefko of SportsDay DFW relayed an announcement made by Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson on the deal reached with Eddy Curry: “We are excited to bring (him) to Dallas…He has worked extremely hard this of-season and can provide our front line with much needed depth.” While Nelson made no mention of Delonte West, Sefko maintains that the 6'3 guard is set to be waived. Here are a few more topics surrounding Dallas tonight:

Sefko notes that West's suspension is without pay, and three resolutions to his situation could either involve a trade, a buyout agreement, or West agreeing leave without any of the salary owed to him this year. It is also mentioned that he will not be eligible to be traded until December 15th.
The team also expects to bring in center Melvin Ely and guard/forward Chris Douglas-Roberts for tryouts.
Chris Kaman has been dealing with a strained right calf muscle and remains doubtful for the season opener.

Stern On Profits, Silver, Expansion, Kings

October 25th, 2012 at 5:41pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Earlier this afternoon, we passed along reports that David Stern had set an official date for his retirement. There were several other topics that the NBA Commissioner spoke on during a teleconference today, and here are some of the highlights (mostly in the form of Twitter links):

The league is doing very well financially, as Stern specifically mentioned that an 86% renewal of last year's season ticketholder subscriptions as well as record sponsorships are among the significant sources of profit.
Between now and April, the NBA's Board of Governors will work on the terms of Adam Silver's agreement to become the next commissioner.
Stern used the words "extreme importance" to describe his focus on continued international expansion. It should be noted that the league recently opened offices in Brazil and Mumbai.
He urged the city of Sacramento to continue their support of the Kings and then hope for the best. Stern had separately stated that a new arena would be needed in order for the team to remain in Sacramento for the long-term. He also mentions that the league owners will discuss whether or not expanding the association beyond 30 teams should be considered, which could present a scenario in which Seattle would not have to purchase the Kings in order to own an NBA franchise (according to Tony Bizjak of the Sacramento Bee).
Stern denied any involvement in preventing Stan Van Gundy from becoming an analyst for ESPN.
He endorsed the system used to facilitate the Dwight Howard trade, calling it a "pretty good system."
The number of years for contracts signed by free agents has been decreasing, which the Board believes will improve competition.
The Grizzlies are expected to yield "much improved financial results" under their new ownership.

Odds & Ends: Wiggins, Howard, Bynum, Kings

October 25th, 2012 at 3:44pm CST by Luke Adams

With David Stern's retirement at the forefront of talks this week at the NBA's Board of Governors meetings, a number of other topics being pushed to the back burner. One such subject, according to Ken Berger of CBS Sports, is the issue of advertising on uniforms. The NBA's owners have agreed to table the issue for now, and likely won't revisit it until the board meets again in April, says Berger (Twitter links). Here are a few more odds and ends from around the league:

Andrew Wiggins' father tells Eric Prisbell of USA Today that he expects his son to reclassify and play college basketball next season (hat tip to RealGM.com). Wiggins would then be eligible to enter the 2014 NBA draft, where he's expected to be perhaps the No. 1 pick.
Appearing on 98.7 FM in New York, Dwight Howard confirmed that he "really wanted" the Magic to trade him to the Nets last year. Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com has the details.
The Sixers need a healthy Andrew Bynum over the long term, which means that in the short term, it's wise not to rush him back into action, says Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Daily News.
A 7% stake in the Kings, held by bankrupt Sacramento developer Bob Cook, is expected to be auctioned off, reports Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee. It will be available to any of the team's current owners, including the Maloofs, or an outsider.
Even though it was amnestied off the Magic's cap, Gilbert Arenas' contract still ranks at the top of Justin Verrier's ESPN.com list of the 10 worst contracts in the NBA.
With the deadline for rookie-scale option decisions looming, Rob Mahoney of SI.com looks at five second-year players in need of a turnaround this season.
In his daily mailbag for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Ira Winderman explains why the Heat haven't been seriously linked to free agent big man Mehmet Okur.

Suns Exercise Option On Markieff Morris

October 25th, 2012 at 3:16pm CST by Luke Adams

The Suns have exercised their 2013/14 option on Markieff Morris' contract, according to Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic (via Twitter). Morris will earn a guaranteed $2.09MM salary for '13/14, with the team holding an additional option for 2014/15.

Morris' is one of two option decisions facing the Suns this month. Wesley Johnson also has a 2013/14 option on the fourth year of his rookie contract, worth $5.42MM. The fact that there's no word yet on Johnson's option suggests to me that perhaps the Suns will turn it down and let the former fourth overall pick unrestricted free agency next summer. The team still has until next Wednesday to make a decision, however.

Warriors Exercise Option On Klay Thompson

October 25th, 2012 at 1:04pm CST by Luke Adams

The Warriors have officially exercised their third-year option on Klay Thompson, according to a team release. That ensures that Thompson will make a guaranteed $2.32MM salary in 2013/14.

Thompson, who averaged 12.5 PPG for the Warriors in his rookie season, was voted the most likely player to have a breakout season by NBA general managers in NBA.com's annual survey. Golden State will have one more team option on him for the 2014/15 season, worth $3.08MM. Assuming that fourth-year option is picked up, Thompson will be eligible for restricted free agency in the summer of 2015.

Check out our rookie contract option tracker for all the latest decisions on third- and fourth-year options.

Cavaliers Sign D’Aundray Brown

October 25th, 2012 at 12:57pm CST by Luke Adams

While teams around the league are making cuts to pare their rosters down to the regular-season limit, the Cavaliers are actually adding players. The Cavs have signed D'Aundray Brown to a contract, the team announced today in a press release.

Brown, who turned 24 on Sunday, is an undrafted rookie out of Cleveland State. The 6'4" guard averaged 10.8 PPG and 4.5 RPG in his senior year in 2011/12.

The timing of the move is unusual, as Monday represents the deadline for teams to reduce their rosters to 15 players each. Having signed Brown, the Cavs now have 18 players under contract. I would guess the team brought the local product on board in hopes of sending him to their D-League affiliate in Canton.

Stern To Step Down As Commissioner In 2014

October 25th, 2012 at 12:41pm CST by Luke Adams

12:41pm: Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, who will be replaced as Chairman of the Board of Governors by Spurs owner Peter Holt, confirmed at a press conference that Stern will be retiring in February of 2014.

12:29pm: David Stern will step down as NBA commissioner on February 1st, 2014, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). Stern will be replaced by current deputy commissioner Adam Silver, who was approved unanimously by the NBA's Board of Governors, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein (Twitter link).

Ken Berger of CBS Sports first reported that the timeline for Stern's retirement was discussed extensively at this week's Board of Governors meetings. As Stein notes, Stern has been in his current role since February 1st, 1984, meaning his tenure as NBA commissioner will last exactly 30 years.

David Stern

Month: November 2024