Miami Heat Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Odds & Ends: Pekovic, Paul, Ennis, Knicks

August 9th, 2013 at 11:12pm CST by Chuck Myron

NBA teams hit the hardwood again in October, but some of the news tonight concerns courts of a different nature. Cuttino Mobley dropped his lawsuit against the parent company of the Knicks in the hopes that doing so will make it easier for him to play again in the NBA, while lawyers for the former owners of the Kings have allegedly funded an effort to stymie Sacramento's arena plans. While we await more on those legal matters, here's the latest from around the NBA:

The Wolves and Nikola Pekovic's camp are making progress toward a deal, president of basketball ops Flip Saunders tells Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune (Twitter link).
Four NBA teams invited undrafted Illinois shooting guard Brandon Paul to camp, but he's signing to play in Russia instead, Paul reveals via Twitter (hat tip to Zgoda). Paul doesn't say which Russian team he's joining.
Scott Nichols, the agent for James Ennis, tells Shams Charania of RealGM.com that there's a good chance the Heat will sign his client at some point this season, allowing him to invoke the opt-out clause in his contract with an Australian club. Ennis turned down "a lot more money" from Russia's BC Nizhny Novgorod and "a little more" from France's Nantere to sign with the Perth Wildcats, Nichols says to Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida. A team from Germany also made a lucrative offer, according to Charania.
Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com chatted with readers today, dishing on possibilities for the final spot on the Knicks 15-man roster, and passing along word from a source that Jeremy Tyler's two-year deal makes it less likely that the team will sign Ivan Johnson.

James Ennis Signs To Play In Australia

August 9th, 2013 at 8:39pm CST by Chuck Myron

It's seemed likely for the past few days that 50th overall pick James Ennis would wind up overseas rather than with the Heat this season, and now that indeed appears to be the case. The Perth Wildcats of the Australian National Basketball League have announced on their website that they've signed the former Long Beach State small forward. The deal includes an NBA out for this season if an opportunity with the Heat arises, though Ennis almost certainly won't be playing stateside this season, barring a trade or a rash of injuries for Miami.

The Hawks originally drafted Ennis, but traded his rights to the Heat on draft night in exchange for a future second-round pick. Miami's 2017 second-rounder will go to Atlanta, unless it falls between 31st and 40th overall, according to RealGM.com. If it does, the Hawks get the Heat's 2018 second-rounder.

Ennis, 23, has a 6'11.5" wingspan despite his 6'7" height, as DraftExpress.com shows. He averaged 16.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in a breakout senior year this past season in college. Ennis backed it up last month with a 12.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG effort in seven summer league contests with the Heat.

The Heat will retain the NBA rights to Ennis in perpetuity until they bring him to camp, trade him, or renounce those rights. The Scott Nichols client had offers from France and Russia, but the NBA out for this season prompted him to sign with Perth, his agent tells Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Twitter link). If Ennis does sign with the Heat this season, he'll still receive the full value of his Australian contract, Nichols says to Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida (Twitter link).

Eastern Notes: Knicks, Amundson, Sanders, Heat

August 9th, 2013 at 11:53am CST by Luke Adams

Let's round up a few Friday morning items from around the Eastern Conference….

The Knicks are one of a handful of teams that have interest in Louis Amundson, tweets Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com. Zwerling adds that Amundson is hoping to make his free agent decision next week.
When the Knicks conducted a workout featuring five free agents on Wednesday, the identity of the fifth player, a Lithuanian big man, wasn't immediately clear. Today, Zwerling identifies the player as Ovidijus Galdikas (Twitter link).
According to Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times (via Twitter), Larry Sanders, who is reportedly nearing an extension with the Bucks, recently changed agents, switching from Andy Miller to Dan Fegan. Earlier in his career, Sanders was represented by Happy Walters, who now works with Fegan at Relativity Sports.
Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld hears that unrestricted free agent Stephen Jackson has talked to the Heat (Twitter link).
Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reiterates that the Heat will sign at least one more veteran before camp, though he's not sure if it'll be another minimum-salary deal, or if the team will use some or all of its mini mid-level exception.

Eastern Notes: Knicks, Udrih, Nets, Teague

August 8th, 2013 at 10:45am CST by Luke Adams

The Pacers strengthened their bench, the Nets made a big splash by landing Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Andrei Kirilenko, and the Bulls will have Derrick Rose back. Nonetheless, the Heat remain the favorites in the Eastern Conference for 2013/14, according to Hoops Rumors readers. Nearly half of you named Miami the best team in the East in last night's poll, with Indiana receiving about 24% of the vote, followed by Chicago (about 16%) and Brooklyn (12%). Here are a few more items from around the East:

Ivan Johnson has been in talks with the Knicks, but the possibility of the two sides reaching an agreement may be dwindling since Jeremy Tyler signed with the team, tweets Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com.
Before Beno Udrih agreed to sign with the Knicks, the Grizzlies were the other primary suitor for him, and the Sixers also had interest, according to Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter). A chance to win with the Knicks was the deciding factor in Udrih's decision, says Begley.
Tim Bontemps of the New York Post spoke to future NBA commissioner Adam Silver about the Nets' offseason spending, and Brooklyn's willingness to pay substantial tax penalties. As Silver notes, the league sought a hard cap during 2011's CBA negotiations, in the hopes that "the teams that have disparate resources are all competing with roughly the same number of chips."
Jeff Teague tells Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld that he realizes his new long-term contract comes with a greater responsibility for the Hawks' success, and that he's ready for a larger role.
In his latest mailbag for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Ira Winderman wonders if a healthy Greg Oden could affect Chris Bosh's role and future with the Heat. Of course, Oden would have to prove he can be healthy and productive before the effect on Bosh could really be evaluated.

Eastern Notes: Knicks, Pistons, Bucks, Heat

August 7th, 2013 at 2:51pm CST by Luke Adams

Let's round up some Wednesday links from around the Eastern Conference….

Both seasons of Jeremy Tyler's two-year deal with the Knicks are partially guaranteed, confirms Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter). Begley adds (via Twitter) that it's "highly unlikely" the Knicks sign Chris Duhon, despite their reported interest.
Speaking to Grantland's Zach Lowe, Pistons GM Joe Dumars says that he only started talking to the Bucks about Brandon Jennings four days before the deal was consummated, and adds that the team had some "good talks" with Andre Iguodala before Iggy decided to sign elsewhere.
In his latest mailbag, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com field a handful of questions on the Pistons' trade and free agent options.
Bucks coach Larry Drew has offered his top assistant coaching position to a former NBA coach and is awaiting a response, reports Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times. It's not clear who the unnamed candidate is, but according to Woelfel, Jim Cleamons and Dean Demopoulos are among those interviewed for the job.
Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel still expects the Heat to sign one more "proven veteran" at some point this offseason.
The Bobcats intend to work out Seth Curry, Stephen Curry's younger brother, in the coming weeks, says Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter).

Mo Williams Close To Making Decision

August 7th, 2013 at 12:55pm CST by Luke Adams

More than half of you voted Mo Williams the best unrestricted free agent still on the market over the weekend, and it appears the veteran guard is close to coming off the board. ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman reports (via Twitter) that Williams could decide on where he'll sign as soon as today.

The Grizzlies are among the teams in the mix for Williams, having met with him in Memphis last week. Memphis could offer the 30-year-old part of its mid-level exception, but Goodman tweets that he doesn't believe Williams is leaning toward choosing the Grizz.

Eastern Conference teams like the Heat and Knicks have also been cited as suitors, even though they have limited financial flexibility. Miami could offer all or some of its mini mid-level exception (worth $3.18MM), while New York could only offer the veteran's minimum. Williams is reportedly open to taking a discount to join a contender though.

When Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors examined Williams' free agent stock back in April, he predicted that the former Jazz point guard could receive a deal worth about $5MM annually, but it appears Williams will be hard-pressed to find a starting salary that high, wherever he decides to sign.

Greg Oden Signs With Heat

August 7th, 2013 at 12:40pm CST by Chuck Myron

AUGUST 7TH: The Heat have officially signed Oden, the team announced today (Twitter link).

AUGUST 2ND: Greg Oden will sign with the Heat, tweets Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com. It's a two-year deal with a player option for the final season, Goodman adds. The two sides agreed on a minimum-salary contract, according to fellow ESPN.com scribe Marc Stein, who adds that Oden will officially sign the pact on Monday (Twitter links).

The deal is a coup for Heat president Pat Riley, not only because Oden chose Miami over five other finalists, but because he consented to the minimum salary, tweets Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. That allows the Heat to preserve their mini mid-level exception should an enticing player come available at some point this season.

The Spurs and Mavs appeared as of last night to be Miami's primary competition, with the Pelicans next in line, followed by the Kings and the Hawks. Sources from three Western Conference teams among those spurned finalists told Stein minutes before news broke of Oden's decision that they were informed that they wouldn't be landing the former No. 1 overall pick, and that they believed he was headed to Miami (Twitter link).

Oden tells former Ohio State teammate Mark Titus of Grantland.com that the Heat became the front-runners for him when he visited Miami during the NBA Finals. Three months ago, Oden told Titus that he wanted to play in Cleveland because he liked playing in Ohio. About a year ago, Oden let Titus know that the plan was to reunite in Memphis with Mike Conley, another of their Buckeye teammates. Conley's father, Mike Conley Sr., is one of Oden's agents.

The 7'0" center has only played 82 games in his NBA career, but he was on the Blazers roster for five seasons, meaning he qualifies for a minimum salary of $1,027,424 this season, as Mark Deeks of ShamSports confirms (Twitter link).

Southeast Notes: Wizards, Heat, Bobcats

August 6th, 2013 at 11:58am CST by Luke Adams

Let's round up a few Tuesday morning items from around the Southeast Division….

While most major free agents have found teams since the start of July, Wizards coach Randy Wittman rightly points out that there's still plenty of time left in the offseason to make moves. "We're not done," Wittman tells Michael Lee of the Washington Post. "[GM] Ernie [Grunfeld]’s not done, and we’re trying to explore [upgrades], whether it’s through trades or free agency."
The Heat aren't likely to pursue Stephen Jackson, add another big, or retain Jarvis Varnado, opines Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel in his latest mailbag.
Joel Anthony (Heat) and Shelvin Mack (Hawks) are two of the potential "odd men out" identified by Lang Greene of HoopsWorld as possible trade candidates.
After re-signing with the Bobcats this summer, Gerald Henderson speaks to Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer about wanting to a part of the solution in Charlotte, rather than a part of the problem.

James Ennis Likely Heading Overseas

August 5th, 2013 at 6:35pm CST by Spencer Lund

On draft night the Hawks sent the 50th pick, James Ennis, to the Heat in exchange for a future second rounder. Fox Sports Florida's Chris Tomasson reports that Ennis' agent, Scott Nichols, has informed the Heat he is making phone calls overseas on Ennis' behalf.

No final decision on Ennis' future with the team will come until the end of the week when Nichols speaks to Heat president Pat Riley about the situation, but it looks highly unlikely Ennis will suit up for the Heat this coming season. If Ennis plays overseas, the Heat maintain his rights; if Ennis goes to training camp in the fall, they either have to sign him, or waive him.

Nichols tells Tomasson he's spoken with teams in France, Russia, Australia, Italy and Germany about the 6'7" swingman out of Long Beach State. But Ennis' agent was adamant that because the Heat have so many wings who are free agents next summer (Shane Battier, Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis and James Jones), Ennis will "definitely" be playing for the Heat in the 2014/15 season.

Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel agreed that the glut of wings on the Heat probably led to the decision (Twitter link). The Heat are trying to avoid paying more in luxury taxes, and they're hopeful they can convince any remaining free agents–like their recent interest in point guard Sebastian Telfair–to take the minimum.

Southeast Notes: Heat, Stevenson, Henderson

August 5th, 2013 at 4:57pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier today, we learned that the Heat are still interested in free agent point guard Sebastian Telfair. Telfair would help shore up Miami's depth chart, but they're hardly alone in their pursuit of the Brooklyn native. Both the Knicks and Thunder have been tied to Telfair this summer and it seems likely that the guard will land somewhere in the next couple of weeks. Here's more on Miami and the rest of the Southeast Division..

Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel figures that the Heat should be able to convince most of their remaining targets to take the minimum, so he doesn't foresee the team using its mini mid-level exception.
DeShawn Stevenson took to Twitter to lobby for an opportunity to play for the Heat this season, but that could be a poor fit for a number of reasons. Jeff Caplan of NBA.com recaps the most notable reason of all – Stevenson's previous animosity with two-time MVP LeBron James.
Gerald Henderson met with reporters in Charlotte today, expressing his excitement about the Bobcats' offseason moves and explaining why he convinced the team to give him less money in exchange for a player option in the final year of his new contract. "I’ve improved every year and I believe I’ll continue to improve," Henderson said. "I have that much confidence in myself." Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer has more.

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.