International Rumors | Hoops Rumors

And-Ones: G League, Motiejunas, Ad Revenue, Australia

September 14th, 2020 at 6:13pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The NBA and G League are interested in pursuing top international players prior to their draft year, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The G League is offering top domestic prospects as much as $500K to train in the G League for a season, rather than being a one-and-done in college or heading overseas. Several top prospects for next year’s draft, including Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga, have accepted those offers.

We have more from around the basketball world:

Former NBA forward Donatas Motiejunas will play in China for a fourth season, Lithuanian journalist Donatas Urbonas tweets. He’s expected to sign with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers. Motiejunas appeared in three games with the Spurs during the 2018/19 season after spending the bulk of his NBA career with the Rockets.
The NBA has approved an additional sponsorship asset on practice jerseys for use during team practices and shootarounds, Charania tweets. It’s another revenue source for a league that has been hit hard by the pandemic.
Australia’s NBL season won’t begin until early next year, according to a league press release. The season will be delayed, according to NBL Owner and Executive Chairman Larry Kestelman, “with the hope of giving clubs the best opportunity to play in front of as many fans as possible.” The Australian League intends to play a full season.

Wolves, Mavs, Spurs Among Likely Campazzo Suitors

September 14th, 2020 at 9:53am CST by Luke Adams

While veteran point guard Facundo Campazzo remains with Real Madrid for the time being, the expectation is that he’ll sign an NBA contract after the 2020 free agent period begins, according to Jose Luis Martinez of Marca.com (Spanish link), who identifies Campazzo’s most likely landing spot as Minnesota.

As Martinez explains, the presence of fellow Argentine and former Real Madrid point guard Pablo Prigioni on the Timberwolves‘ coaching staff helps make Minnesota an appealing destination for Campazzo, as does the fact that the club has little point guard depth on its roster behind D’Angelo Russell.

However, the Wolves aren’t the only team with an eye on Campazzo. The Mavericks and Spurs are also potential suitors, according to Martinez, who notes that San Antonio head coach Gregg Popovich is a fan of the 29-year-old. The two Southwest rivals have previously been cited as having interest in Campazzo.

A two-time EuroLeague champion and three-time Spanish League champ, Campazzo has a decorated international résumé that also includes four Argentine League championships, a EuroCup Defensive Player of the Year award, and a silver medal in the 2019 World Cup.

In 28 EuroLeague games in 2019/20, Campazzo averaged 9.9 PPG and 7.1 APG (second behind Nick Calathes‘ 9.1). His three-point percentage slipped to 31.0% but he’s typically a reliable outside shooter, knocking down 37.5% of his tries from beyond the arc over the previous two EuroLeague seasons.

While Campazzo is still under contract with Real Madrid, his deal includes an NBA out and he sounds prepared to pay the money necessary to exercise that out.

And-Ones: D. Johnson, Donovan, Macura, Free Agency

September 9th, 2020 at 3:52pm CST by Luke Adams

Former Thunder big man Dakari Johnson, a second-round pick in the 2015 draft, has re-signed with the Qingdao Eagles of the Chinese Basketball Association, he tells JD Shaw of Hoops Rumors (Twitter link).

Johnson, who will turn 25 later this month, appeared in 31 NBA games with Oklahoma City in 2017/18 and was eventually waived after being traded to Memphis in 2018. However, he’s coming off a strong season in China, having averaged 23.7 PPG, 14.5 RPG, and 1.6 BPG in 29 CBA contests.

Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:

Jeff Goodman of Stadium (Twitter link) has been told by multiple sources that Billy Donovan‘s preference is to continue coaching in the NBA rather than returning to college. Following his departure from Oklahoma City, Donovan is reportedly expected to draw interest from the Bulls and Sixers.
Former Hornets and Cavaliers guard J.P. Macura has signed with Turkish team Afyon Belediye, per an announcement from the club (hat tip to Sportando). Macura spent the 2018/19 season on a two-way contract with Charlotte and signed a 10-day deal with Cleveland in February 2020.
With the Pistons, Hawks, and Knicks poised to enter the 2020 offseason as three of the teams with the most cap flexibility, James L. Edwards III, Chris Kirschner, and Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic explore how those Eastern lottery clubs could potentially control free agency.
John Hollinger of The Athletic examines the next big decisions and moves facing the four Western teams that were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, including whether the Thunder will trade Chris Paul and whether the Jazz should extend Rudy Gobert.

Wilson Chandler To Play In China In 2020/21?

September 8th, 2020 at 4:35pm CST by Luke Adams

A reunion with China’s Zhejiang Lions for the 2020/21 season may be in the cards for Nets forward Wilson Chandler.

After Chinese journalist Zhang Duo was among those to report (via Twitter) that Chandler had signed with Zhejiang, Alex Schiffer of The Athletic (Twitter link) cited a source close to the forward who indicated that those reports were inaccurate. However, Emiliano Carchia of Sportando says (via Twitter) that while Chandler’s deal with Zhejiang isn’t done yet, it’s expected to be finalized eventually.

One of several players who opted out of the NBA’s restart this summer, Chandler technically remains under contract with the Nets until the 2019/20 league year ends. The 33-year-old was a part-time contributor in Brooklyn this year, averaging 5.9 PPG and 4.1 RPG in 35 contests (21.0 MPG).

Although he was a regular rotation player in ’19/20, Chandler missed the first 25 games of the season due to a PED suspension, and wasn’t as effective or efficient as usual after making his Nets debut — his .404 FG% and .306 3PT% were among the lowest marks of his NBA career.

While Chandler apparently hasn’t finalized any agreement with Zhejiang so far, a move to the Chinese Basketball Association wouldn’t be shocking, since his NBA production has slipped and he has some previous CBA experience. The former DePaul standout signed with the Lions in 2011 during the NBA lockout and averaged 26.6 PPG and 11.6 RPG in 32 games in the Chinese league.

We’ll have to wait for further confirmation on Chandler’s next move, but it sounds as if he’s at least discussing a return to Zhejiang, even if it’s not a done deal yet.

James Webb III To Sign In Greece

September 7th, 2020 at 1:37pm CST by JD Shaw

Free agent forward James Webb III has agreed to a deal in Greece with Larisa B.C., agent Daryl Graham told Hoops Rumors.

Webb will head overseas for the first time since playing in Germany during the 2018/19 season. He’s expected to sign his deal – which includes an NBA buyout – later on Monday, Graham said.

Webb spent time at North Idaho (2012-13) and Boise State (2014-16) during his collegiate career, later going undrafted and joining the Sixers for summer league in 2016. The 6’9″ forward then spent a year and a half with Delaware, signing a two-way contract with the Nets during the 2017/18 season.

Webb, 27, most recently played with the Iowa Wolves in the NBA G League, averaging 13.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 26.6 minutes in 29 games.

Jimmer Fredette Confirms Return To Shanghai

September 7th, 2020 at 9:07am CST by Luke Adams

Former NBA lottery pick Jimmer Fredette has confirmed that he’ll rejoin the Shanghai Sharks in China for the 2020/21 season, announcing the news on Instagram.

Emiliano Carchia of Sportando first reported in July that Fredette would return to Shanghai, though at the time agent Chris Emens denied that there was an agreement in place between the two sides. Carchia indicated in July that the deal was expected to be worth $1.6MM.

The 10th overall pick in the 2011 draft, Fredette has appeared in a total of 241 NBA regular season contests, most recently seeing action in six games for the Suns in 2018/19. However, his NBA production has been modest and he has enjoyed greater success in the Chinese Basketball Association.

Fredette played for Shanghai from 2016-19, earning CBA All-Star honors three times and averaging approximately 37 PPG over those three seasons. He spent the 2019/20 season with Panathinaikos, averaging 12.9 PPG with a .417 3PT% in 27 EuroLeague games. Panathinaikos was crowned the Greek League champion when the season was shut down to COVID-19.

Since Fredette is still just 31 years old, another NBA comeback remains a possibility. But he has been able to play a greater role for teams in Europe and Asia while earning salaries comparable to the NBA’s minimum, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he finishes his career overseas.

Johnathan Williams Signs With Turkish Team

September 6th, 2020 at 9:08am CST by Arthur Hill

SEPTEMBER 6: Galatasaray has officially signed Williams, according to Nicola Lupo of Sportando.

SEPTEMBER 5: Johnathan Williams, who spent most of this season with the Wizards, could be joining Galatasaray in Turkey, tweets Emiliano Carchia of Sportando.

The 25-year-old center originally signed with Washington in late December as a hardship player. He was waived in January, then rejoined the team a week later on a two-way deal. He appeared in 15 total games, with his best performance coming in the season finale against the Celtics when he scored five points and grabbed 16 rebounds. He also played 17 games for Washington’s G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go.

Williams, who appeared in 24 games for the Lakers last year, began the season with Maccabi Rishon LeZion in the Israel Premier League. He averaged 11.3 points and 7.8 rebounds in EuroCup play and 12.2 points plus 10.4 rebounds in the Winner League before leaving for the NBA opportunity.

And-Ones: Sotto, Lue, Campazzo, Bubble

September 3rd, 2020 at 5:01pm CST by Luke Adams

Kai Sotto, a 7’2″ center from the Philippines, is one of the prospects who will be part of the new G League Ignite select team, forgoing college for the NBAGL’s new professional path. Sotto spoke to Ajayi Browne of NetsDaily about his decision and the adjustments he’ll have to make after growing up in the Philippines.

“My challenge here in the States is how they play,” Sotto told Browne. “Being an international player from Asia they don’t really give you the respect right away, you have to earn it. They really have great players here. Every time I play I just have to earn everybody’s respect and play my hardest.

“For an 18-year-old player coming straight out of high school and playing in the G league is a really big thing for me, for a player like me. I know I’m gonna be playing against great players, stronger players, and faster players so I’m just trying to get ready to be better. That’s gonna be the best way for me to improve to play against players like them, to be around an amazing coaching staff and amazing teammates. I just can’t wait.”

Like the 2020/21 NBA season, next year’s G League season remains up in the air. But whenever it happens, Sotto will be part of an Ignite squad that also features guards Jalen Green and Daishen Nix, as well as forwards Jonathan Kuminga and Isaiah Todd.

Here’s more from around the basketball world:

While he has appreciated having Tyronn Lue on his staff this season, Clippers head coach Doc Rivers is rooting for Lue to get a head coaching job, as Brian Lewis of The New York Post details. “It’s a joke that he’s not a head coach, but it’s to my advantage that he’s not,” Rivers said, adding that he has no problem with Lue taking interviews during the playoffs. “… He’s been absolutely (great). He’s just a wonderful guy to be around. His IQ, his feel, he’s made this year really enjoyable for me.”
Argentinian point guard Facundo Campazzo is still hoping to make the leap to the NBA for the 2020/21 season, but with next season’s schedule up in the air, he’s sticking with Real Madrid for the time being, per Ricardo Gonzalez of AS.com (Spanish link; hat tip to Sportando). The plan is for the salary he earns in the interim with the EuroLeague club to be put toward his NBA buyout, Gonzalez explains.
As of this Saturday (September 5), the eight teams still playing in the Walt Disney World bubble will have the opportunity to add one staff member and swap one out for another, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).

And-Ones: White, McCullough, Bolmaro, Orlando Reunions

August 31st, 2020 at 8:41pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Forward Okaro White has signed with Russia’s BC UNICS Kazan, the team tweets. White played for the Nets’ G League team this season before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. White was waived by the Wizards in December and playing a couple of seasons with the Heat.

We have more from around the basketball world:

Another former NBA forward, Chris McCullough, is finalizing an agreement with Lithuania’s Rytas Vilnius, Lithuanian journalist Donatas Urbonas tweets. The Nets drafted McCullough with a late first-round pick in 2015 and he appeared in 59 games, most recently 10 with the Wizards during the 2017/18 season.
Argentinian shooting guard Leandro Bolmaro, a potential first-round pick, is planning to stay in Barcelona next season, Dario Skerletic of Sportando relays. His overseas contract doesn’t expire until 2023, though it has NBA outs. The 6’7” Bolmaro is currently ranked No. 23 by ESPN. Bolmaro’s decision to remain overseas could make him attractive to cost-conscious clubs as a draft-and-stash prospect.
The NBA is now allowing select family members to enter the Orlando campus during the second round of the playoffs. That’s a cause for celebration and relief for many players, as Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated details.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Announces Signing Of Ante Zizic

August 25th, 2020 at 10:23am CST by Luke Adams

Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv has announced the signing of veteran center Ante Zizic, indicating in a press release that he has agreed to a two-year contract with the club.

Zizic, who has spent the last three seasons with the Cavaliers, was on track to become an unrestricted free agent in October. His new deal has been confirmed by agent Misko Raznatovic (Twitter link).

It’s a little unusual to see a player sign with an international team before his NBA contract technically expires, but the unprecedented impact of the coronavirus pandemic presumably played a part in Zizic’s early exit from Cleveland. The 2020/21 season in several European leagues is on track to get underway this fall before the NBA’s offseason begins.

Zizic, a 2016 first-round pick who was acquired by Cleveland in the 2017 blockbuster that sent Kyrie Irving to Boston, didn’t make a major impact in 113 games over three seasons for the Cavaliers, averaging 6.0 PPG and 3.9 RPG in 13.4 minutes per contest. The Croatian native played just 10.0 MPG in 22 contests in 2019/20 for the Cavs, but should take on a more substantial role with Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Reports earlier this summer suggested that Zizic appeared likely to join Spanish team Real Madrid for the ’20/21 season, but the two sides never finalized a deal, and the 23-year-old shifted his focus to Maccabi Tel Aviv earlier in August.

The move represents a return to Europe for Zizic, who spent time with clubs in Croatia and Turkey from 2013-17.