International Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Aaron Harrison Opts To Play In Turkey

September 1st, 2018 at 3:58pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Former Hornets and Mavericks guard Aaron Harrison has reached an agreement to play with Galatasaray in the Turkish league, according to a Sportando report.

Harrison will sign a one-year deal after protracted negotiations to continue his career overseas. In mid-August, Harrison backed out of an agreement to join Galatasaray.

Harrison was not tendered a qualifying offer this summer by Dallas and became a unrestricted free agent. He joined the Wizards’ summer league team but shot poorly in five Las Vegas games, making just 19% of his attempts while averaging 5.8 PPG and 3.0 RPG in 15.4 MPG.

The former Kentucky Wildcat appeared in nine games, including three starts, with Dallas last season after signing a 10-day deal and then a rest-of-the-season contract in early April. The 6’6” Harrison averaged 6.7 PPG in 25.9 MPG but shot just 27.5% from the field. He saw action in a combined 26 games with Charlotte the previous two seasons.

The Turkish team also has an agreement with forward Nigel Hayes, who played for three different NBA franchises last season.

Tyshawn Taylor Signs With Italian Team

September 1st, 2018 at 10:21am CST by marksuleymanov

Former Nets guard Tyshawn Taylor has signed with Fiat Torino of Lega Basket Serie A, the team announced. Taylor spent last season with Samsun BSB Anakent of the Turkish Basketball First League, averaging 21.0 PPG and 5.6 APG in eight contests.

Taylor, 28, was originally drafted 41st overall in the second round by the Trail Blazers in 2012. He was later traded to the Nets for cash considerations. The guard spent his first two NBA seasons in Brooklyn and was part of the team’s rotation when injuries to stalwarts such as Deron Williams struck.

After playing in 38 contests during his rookie season, averaging less than six minutes per game, Taylor saw a spike in playing time his sophomore campaign. In 23 games during the 2013/14 season, Taylor averaged 11.7 minutes per contest while posting 3.9 PPG and 1.6 APG.

The Nets traded Taylor to the Pelicans in January 2014, but he was waived before he played in a game for New Orleans. Taylor has not appeared in the NBA since as he’s had stints in the G League, Puerto Rico, Russia, Venezuela, Israel and Turkey.

And-Ones: Tax Projections, Bargain Signings, Ennis

August 30th, 2018 at 3:13pm CST by Luke Adams

By waiving and stretching Kyle Singler, the Thunder will reduce their projected tax bill to about $73.75MM, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, who lists the current penalties for the other clubs above the tax line as well. As Marks observes, teams hovering near the tax line should make every effort to finish the season below that threshold, since the non-taxpayers will be in line for a financial windfall. Currently, the league’s 22 non-taxpaying teams project to receive $4.88MM apiece in distribution money from eight taxpayers.

Let’s round up a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world…

While the usual suspects like DeMarcus Cousins and Isaiah Thomas top Jesse Blancarte’s Basketball Insiders list of this summer’s most team-friendly contracts, Blancarte also identifies Ed Davis (Nets), Greg Monroe (Raptors), and Seth Curry (Trail Blazers) as potential bargains.
Having signed with Fenerbahce earlier this summer, former Lakers point guard Tyler Ennis is excited about joining the Turkish powerhouse, as Antonis Stroggylakis of Eurohoops.net relays. “I started to got messages from our fans before I signed my contract,” Ennis told FB TV. “That was a huge support for me in that process. I can’t wait to get on the court and show them what I got.”
Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Brandon Ingram (Lakers), and Jaylen Brown (Celtics) are among the potential breakout players named by Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders in an article on players who could take a third-year leap.
A number of star players can hit free agency in 2019 and there should be plenty of teams with cap room available. Danny Leroux of The Athletic suggests that another interesting factor related to 2019’s free agent period involves all the star players who are already on long-term contracts. A team like the Lakers, for instance, with LeBron James locked up through at least 2021, will be able to sell potential targets on “a finished product rather than patience and possibility,” Leroux writes.

Alonzo Gee To Play In Australia

August 28th, 2018 at 1:03pm CST by Luke Adams

NBA veteran Alonzo Gee will head to Australia for the 2018/19 season, according to Olgun Uluc of Fox Sports Australia, who hears from sources that Gee has signed with the Brisbane Bullets of the National Basketball League.

Gee, a 6’6″ wing, made his NBA debut in 2010 and appeared in over 400 regular season gamse for six teams over the next seven years. He played most extensively for the Cavaliers, averaging 8.2 PPG and 3.8 RPG in 250 total games for Cleveland from 2010 to 2014.

Gee’s last stint in the NBA came during the 2016/17 campaign, when he appeared in 13 contests for the Nuggets. Last season, the 31-year-old played for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the G League before signing with Caciques de Humacao in Puerto Rico to finish the season.

If Gee returns stateside and wants to play in the G League at some point in the near future, he may end up playing for the Wizards’ new NBAGL affiliate — the Capital City Go-Go acquired his G League rights during last week’s expansion draft.

Southeast Notes: Carter, Heat, Winslow, Len

August 27th, 2018 at 9:50pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Vince Carter wants to go into broadcasting once his playing days are finished and has no desire to become an NBA coach, he told Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. One of the reasons he joined the Hawks is that he’ll be in the same city as the headquarters of TNT.

“I enjoy coaching the game, but I don’t want to be a coach,” Carter said. “I think this is another way you can coach the game, but to a different crowd. Everybody watches the game and wonder why do they do this? I can give the inside look as an NBA player on what they think about, what they’re talking about, what teams are trying to accomplish while you’re watching the game.”

The fact that NBA coaches can get fired even if they’re successful is another reason why Carter would rather be a broadcaster.

We have more from the Southeast Division:

The Heat are unlikely to trade for a star player during the upcoming season, though they could dump some salary to avoid the luxury tax, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel opines. The current roster doesn’t look strong enough to justify a bold move for a big-time player. Instead, it’s more likely the plan to return to prominence will center around 2020 free agency, Winderman adds.
The Heat ought to experiment with Justise Winslow, and Josh Richardson in various situations and positions to find out how they fit into the long-term picture, Winderman argues in another mailbag post. They could look at Winslow anywhere from a backup point to an undersized power forward. They could also take a similar approach with Richardson, even though he’s already signed an extension, Winderman adds.
Hawks center Alex Len will play for Ukraine’s national team in the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament in September, according to the Ukrainian Federation. The news was tweeted by Olesandr Proshuta. Len hasn’t played for his national team since he left for the United States to play college ball at Maryland in 2011, Proshuta notes.

Former Clipper Jamil Wilson To Play In Italy

August 27th, 2018 at 9:16am CST by Luke Adams

Former Clippers forward Jamil Wilson has reached a deal to play in Italy, a source tells Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. According to Carchia, Wilson will sign a contract with Fiat Torino that includes both NBA and EuroLeague outs (Twitter link).

Wilson, 27, appeared in 15 games (10 starts) on a two-way contract with the Clippers last season, averaging 7.0 PPG and 2.1 RPG with a .469/.429/.500 shooting line in 18.3 MPG. However, he was waived by Los Angeles in January.

The Lakers considered signing Wilson after he became a free agent, reportedly reaching an agreement on a 10-day deal. The club quickly reversed course though, deciding against adding Wilson to its roster after he was named in a civil suit involving sexual battery and fraud. While the Lakers didn’t publicly confirm that those legal issues led to their change of heart, Wilson’s agent said at the time that the “false accusations” had “irreparably harmed” his client’s NBA career.

Wilson, a 6’7″ small forward, later signed with Italian club Virtus Bologna to finish the 2017/18 season, and is now set to stick in Italy for the 2018/19 campaign. He’ll have until January 1 to opt out of his contract for a EuroLeague opportunity and until February 1 to opt out for an NBA offer, per Carchia. Assuming he doesn’t receive interest from teams in either of those leagues, Wilson will spend the season playing for former NBA head coach Larry Brown with Fiat Torino.

Jamil Wilson Close To Signing In Italy

August 26th, 2018 at 12:58pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Talks between former Clippers forward Jamil Wilson and Italy’s Fiat Torino have reached the advanced stage.

The news was originally reported by Tuttosport and relayed by Sportando.

Wilson will apparently leave the door open for a return to the NBA. The contract being discussed would have NBA and EuroLeague escapes, according to the report.

Wilson appeared in 15 games on a two-way contract with the Clippers last season, including 10 starts, and averaged 7.0 PPG in 18.3 MPG. He was waived in January and the Lakers seriously considered signing him. They decided not to give him a 10-day contract after he was named in a civil suit involving sexual battery and fraud, though it was never made clear whether that led to their change of heart.

He eventually wound up with the Pacers’ G League team in Fort Wayne, Ind. before signing with Italy’s Serie A team, Virtus Bologna.

Wilson will be under the guidance of a familiar face if he joins the Italian club. Longtime NBA coach Larry Brown signed a contract early this summer to coach Fiat Torino.

Atlantic Rumors: Fizdale, Leonard, Dukan, Kurucs

August 23rd, 2018 at 11:01am CST by Dana Gauruder

New Knicks coach David Fizdale has told Kristaps Porzingis to set lofty goals for himself and the franchise player appreciates getting pushed. In a WNBC TV interview that was relayed by Kurt Helin of NBC Sports, Fizdale said that he wants Porzingis, who is rehabbing from a torn ACL, to embrace the status that comes with being the team’s star. “He likes the challenge of me saying ‘I want him to be the MVP’ and ‘I want him to be the Defensive Player of the Year.’ That’s real competitors they want that and I’m going right at it with him. I want him to look at himself that way,” Fizdale said.

We have more from the Atlantic Division:

The Celtics made the right decision by holding onto Jayson Tatum rather than dealing him to the Spurs to Kawhi Leonard, A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston opines. Boston would likely have needed to give up Tatum to land Leonard with no assurances that Leonard would stay beyond the upcoming season, Blakely continues. With Leonard’s questionable health and the Celtics already considered the Eastern Conference favorite, it didn’t make sense for Boston to roll the dice, Blakely adds.
New York’s G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks, has acquired former Kings forward Duje Dukan, Ian Begley of ESPN tweets. Dukan was chosen by the Wizards’ new G League team, the Capital City Go-Go, in the expansion draft on Wednesday. Dukan has also played for the G League affiliates of the Kings, Bulls and Pacers.
Buyout issues caused Nets forward Rodions Kurucs to slide in the draft, according to a NetsDaily.com post. Kurucs’ Euro team, FC Barcelona, reportedly priced his buyout at $5MM until late last season and NBA teams can’t pay more than $700K toward an international player’s buyout. Buyout talks also prevented Kurucs from playing in the summer league. Kurucs, the 40th overall pick, signed a four-year, $7MM contract with Brooklyn.

International Notes: Webb, Wilson, Patterson, Austin

August 23rd, 2018 at 9:30am CST by Dana Gauruder

Former Nets forward James Webb III has officially signed a one-year contract with Germany’s Telekom Baskets Bonn, according to a Sportando report. Webb reportedly had an agreement to play in Italy earlier in August but it fell through. Webb played 10 games with Brooklyn last season after signing a two-way deal in January. He also played 19 games for the Long Island Nets in the G League, averaging 14.3 PPG and 6.6 RPG, after starting his NBA career in 2016 with the Sixers’ G league affiliate.

We have more news from overseas:

Ex-Clippers forward Jamil Wilson has received interest from Italy’s Fiat Torino but the two parties are not close to an agreement, according to another Sportando post. Wilson appeared in 15 games on a two-way contract with the Clippers last season, including 10 starts, and averaged 7.0 PPG in 18.3 MPG. He was waived in January and eventually wound up with the Pacers’ G League team in Fort Wayne, Ind. before signing with Italy’s Serie A team, Virtus Bologna.
Center Isaiah Austin, who has been medically barred from playing in NBA, is posting big numbers in China, as Leo Sepkowitz of Bleacher Report details. The 7’1” Austin, who has Marfan syndrome, is averaging 35.1 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1.8 BPG for Guangxi in the Chinese National Basketball League. “I’m in really good shape, which is why it’s really hurtful that people won’t give me an opportunity,” he told Sefkowitz. However, it’s unlikely the NBA will ever give him the green light to play, as Kurt Helin of NBC Sports notes.
Former Hawks guard Lamar Patterson is close to an agreement with Australia’s Melbourne United, Emiliano Carchia of Sportando tweets. Patterson, the 48th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft, spent his first professional season in Turkey before joining Atlanta for the 2015/16 campaign. In parts of two NBA seasons, the former Pitt standout appeared in 40 games, averaging 2.3 PPG and 1.4 RPG in limited minutes. He played in Italy and China last season.

Former Hornet Mangok Mathiang To Play In Italy

August 22nd, 2018 at 10:33am CST by Luke Adams

10:33am: Vanolia Cremona has officially announced the signing of Mathiang.

8:54am: Former Hornets two-way player Mangok Mathiang appears set to play in Italy during the coming season. A source tells Emiliano Carchia of Sportando that Mathiang has signed with Italian team Vanoli Cremona.

Mathiang, who will turn 26 in October, inked a two-way deal with Charlotte last August and spent the entire season with the club. Although he only appeared in four games for the Hornets, the 6’10” forward/center was a regular starter for the Greensboro Swarm in the G League, averaging 10.8 PPG, 9.2 RPG, and 1.4 BPG in 43 games (25.3 MPG).

The former Louisville standout remained under contract with the Hornets up until last Wednesday, when the team terminated his two-way deal, making him a free agent. Charlotte has yet to fill that newly-opened two-way slot on its roster.

Mathiang is one of several former NBA two-way players who will head to Italy for the 2018/19 campaign, joining Jack Cooley, Matt Costello, and Erik McCree.