Miami Heat Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Marcus Camby Clears Waivers

July 21st, 2013 at 7:35pm CST by Zachary Links

7:35pm: Camby's three finalists are the Heat, Rockets, and Bulls, sources tell Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports (on Twitter).

4:19pm: Marcus Camby has cleared waivers and is now officially a free agent, according to Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports (via Twitter). The waivers process was more or less a formality as no one was expected to claim him following his buyout from Toronto.

The Heat are among the teams with interest in the veteran center along with the Rockets and Bulls. The Clippers were believed to have interest as well, but that notion was shot down last last week. The shot-blocking big man has impressed in recent years with his tremendous rebounding but played in just 24 games for the Knicks last season.

His recently-terminated deal called for him to earn $7.5MM between next season and 2014/15. Camby apparently wants to play for a couple more years before transitioning into coaching.

Eastern Notes: Damion James, Felix, Cavs

July 20th, 2013 at 9:41pm CST by Ryan Raroque

RealGM's Shams Charania notes that while Damion James has yet to speak about a training camp invite or regular season roster spot with the Heat, the 6'7 swingman may have boosted his stock after his solid play in Las Vegas over the last few weeks. James – who underwent foot surgery twice over the span of his first two season in the league – told RealGM: "Everybody knows I belong in the league…I’m completely, 100 percent healthy. It’s been a great experience for me. I really look up to the Miami Heat and I really appreciate them for letting me come and be a part of their organization. I just want to show them that I can play, show them that I can belong here.

Here's more out of the Eastern Conference tonight:

Carrick Felix made a strong enough impression on Mike Brown that the Cavaliers coach thinks he has a good chance to make the regular season roster, writes Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer. As for other players who could have possibly earned invites to training camp, Brown mentioned Matthew Dellavedova, Cory Higgins, Jermaine Taylor, and Justin Harper.
Wizards rookie Otto Porter did a brief interview with Hoopsworld about his experiences in summer league and what he needs to work on in preparation for training camp (video link).
DeMar DeRozan gave his thoughts and impressions on some of his young Raptors teammates, having a full training camp to work alongside Rudy Gay, Masai Ujiri, and team's playoff chances (video link).
Cody Zeller expounded on what he learned about the NBA game against summer competition and building chemistry with some of his teammates (video link).
Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports tweets that Vitor Faverani's three-year deal with the Celtics is worth $6MM, which was the projected deal a few days ago.
Frank Isola of the New York Daily News questions the leadership of Knicks owner James Dolan and is skeptical about how the team will fare next season.
Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer discusses how the NBA's new CBA has benefitted the Bobcats.

Odds & Ends: Mavs, Brown, Telfair

July 20th, 2013 at 5:32pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Amin Elhassan of ESPN (hat tip to SportsDayDFW) spoke about the Mavericks' signing of Samuel Dalembert, calling him a player who will be well-suited for a role as an impact player on the defensive end. Elhassan also doesn't think that bringing Dalembert on board will impact the team's pursuit of Greg Oden, who could be "the steal of the century" if healthy. Here are some more news and notes from around the Association this evening:

Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown addresses his relationship with LeBron James and his stint as coach of the Lakers in part one of an interview with Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.
The Knicks, Heat, and Thunder have shown interest in Sebastian Telfair, HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy tweets.
Kennedy, as part of his NBA PM piece, passes along comments from Chris Douglas-Roberts, who's confident that the Lakers will bring him to training camp for a second straight year.
Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York tweets that contrary to reports, the Bulls, Clippers, and Rockets are all front runners for Marcus Camby, and that the 39-year-old center is still weighing opportunities. It isn't clear as to what reports Zwerling is alluding to, as his list of frontrunners hasn't appeared to change much from this past week (with the exception of the Heat).
The Plain Dealer's Mary Schmitt Boyer touches on LeBron James and Andrew Bynum and a broad spectrum of Cavs-related topics in her mailbag column.
Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com tweets that former NBA All-Star Tim Hardaway Sr. networked with several teams in Las Vegas about potentially joining an NBA coaching staff and is optimistic about his chances.

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

LeBron James Likely To Choose Either Heat, Cavs

July 20th, 2013 at 3:41pm CST by Chuck Myron

Sources tell Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio that LeBron James will likely opt out of his contract with the Heat next summer and choose between re-signing with the Heat and returning to the Cavaliers, where he began his career. That would appear to leave the Lakers, who are gearing up for a run at the four-time MVP, out of the picture. Of course, James won't be able to sign a new deal with any team until July 2014, so much can change between now and then.

James took less than the max to sign with the Heat in 2010, and he's set to make only slightly more than $19MM this year. That's a figure that's less than the 2013/14 salaries for Pau Gasol, Joe Johnson, Amar'e Stoudemire and the amnestied Gilbert Arenas, among others, as HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy points out via Twitter. James' deal includes raises to $20.59MM in 2014/15 and to $22.1 for 2015/16, but it would make financial sense for him to lock in a long-term arrangement next summer while he's still at or near his peak.

Amico hears that James' enjoyment of the recruiting process is one reason why he's likely to opt out next summer, which makes it curious that he'd narrow his choices to just two teams. I'd imagine he'd at least meet with the Lakers and others to hear what they have to say, though that's just my speculation.

HoopsWorld's Steve Kyler reported this week that James is not a lock to exercise his early-termination option next summer. The former No. 1 overall pick also has a player option he can decline in 2015, so James could take a year-by-year approach. With so much uncertainty, Amico argues the Cavs need not focus too much on the specter of a King James return, even if it appears they have a chance to get him.

Southwest Rumors: Barbosa, Oden, James

July 20th, 2013 at 3:06pm CST by Chuck Myron

The news today has had a distinctly Southwestern feel, and we've already rounded up a few items from Texas teams. There's still more news from the Lone Star State amid our broader look at the Southwest Division:

Artur Barbosa, who doubles as the brother and agent of Leandro Barbosa, tells Terra Brasil that the Mavs have offered the veteran guard a contract, and that the Dallas option is preferable to the Bulls, who've also shown interest (translation via HoopsHype). The agent says he's also engaged in talks with the Rockets. The Mavs wouldn't comment last night about a Brazilian report linking them to Barbosa, so perhaps this is the report in question.
Greg Oden is the top big man on the Mavs' radar following the team's signing of Samuel Dalembert and the release of Bernard James, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.com, who names the Heat, Spurs and Pelicans as the other teams still in the mix for Oden (Twitter link).
There's a legitimate chance that a team claims James off waivers from the Mavs, Stein writes in the same piece. A source close to James tells Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities that he's heard teams are eyeing the big man. The Wolves haven't expressed interest yet, but Minnesota is prepared to waive center Chris Johnson if necessary to make way for a better option, Wolfson reports (Twitter links).
Spanish club FC Barcelona announced the signing of Kostas Papanikolaou to a four-year deal (translation via Sportando's Emiliano Carchia). The Rockets hold the power forward's NBA rights, but it's unclear what the buyout clauses in his new contract are like. A report last weekend indicated that Papanikolaou "definitely" wants to play in the NBA this season, but signing a long-term European deal seems to run counter to that.
Tyreke Evans is ready to embrace a sixth-man role with the Pelicans, as Sean Deveney of The Sporting News details.

Southeast Notes: Heat, Miller, Mack

July 20th, 2013 at 10:12am CST by Zachary Links

The buzz is back in Charlotte, or at least, it is in one sense. The floundering Bobcats will shed their moniker dedicated to their former owner and their day-glow orange jerseys and become the Hornets in 2014/15. Here's a look at the latest out of the Southeast..

The Heat dropped Mike Miller's salary by using the amnesty clause, but their real tax test is still ahead of them, writes Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. If a proven veteran with an outsized contract is put on the market at the deadline, Winderman wonders if the club will take the plunge by packaging smaller pieces such as Joel Anthony, Udonis Haslem, and Shane Battier to get a deal done.
One reader asks Winderman if the Heat still have room in their rotation for another upgrade this winter. With Chris Andersen, Chris Bosh, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Mario Chalmers, Ray Allen, Battier, Norris Cole, and possibly Haslem, there doesn't seem to be another rotation spot available.
The Hawks appear to be overloaded at the one-guard position after re-signing Jeff Teague and drafting Dennis Schroder, but GM Danny Ferry believes that there will still be a place for guard Shelvin Mack, writes Robby Kalland of Peachtree Hoops.

Eastern Rumors: KG, Mo Williams, Hawks, Cavs

July 18th, 2013 at 7:16pm CST by Chuck Myron

In his introductory press conference with the Nets today, Kevin Garnett admits he "absolutely" considered retirement this spring, and indicated that Paul Pierce's uncertain future with the Celtics was a major reason why. Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe has more from Garnett. Washburn rounds up Pierce's comments as well, and we'll take a look at the rest of the East:

The last we heard on Mo Williams was that he's prepared to take a discount to sign with a contender, and HoopsWorld's Steve Kyler reiterates that, tweeting that Williams is telling people he'll look to sign with the Heat if offers from other clubs don't improve.
The Hawks are mulling whether to sign 16th overall pick Lucas Nogueira this summer or let him play overseas this year, as Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution examines (subscription required).
Atlanta paid $550K to buy 15th pick Dennis Schröder out of his European deal, and a larger buyout would be probably be necessary for Nogueira, Vivlamore writes in the same piece. NBA clubs can only pay up to $575K in a buyout without money coming out of the player's check.
The Cavs are high on undrafted guard Matthew Dellavedova, and would like see him play for their D-League affiliate, tweets Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal. The St. Mary's product is drawing offers from overseas that could complicate matters, Lloyd notes.
Foreign clubs are also showing interest in Chris Quinn, who's with the Cavs on a non-guaranteed minimum-salary deal. Quinn isn't likely to last long in Cleveland, and the Cavs may cut him soon to allow him to pursue other opportunities, according to Lloyd (Twitter link).
Talks between the Knicks and Bobby Brown are gathering steam, a source tells Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com. The Creative Artists Agency client was among a group who worked out for the Knicks this week, though five other teams have interest, Zwerling says.
Toure Murry has also made a positive impression on the Knicks, Zwerling adds.

Raptors Buy Out Marcus Camby

July 18th, 2013 at 6:06pm CST by Luke Adams

THURSDAY, 6:06pm: The Raptors and Camby have completed the buyout, tweets Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com. Begley says Camby is a free agent now, but the veteran center will have to clear waivers first. Camby is hoping to play two more years before getting into coaching, as Zwerling reported today.

WEDNESDAY, 11:05pm: Camby and the Raptors are still working on the details of the buyout, which has not yet been finalized, reports Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com. Still, an agreement remains in place and the parting of ways should be official by the end of the week, Zwerling writes. The Heat, Rockets, Bulls and Clippers are the front-runners to sign Camby once he clears waivers and becomes a free agent, Zwerling hears.

2:05pm: The Raptors have agreed to a buyout with Marcus Camby and have released him, the team formally announced today (Twitter link). Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports reported last night that Toronto was expected to reach a buyout agreement with Camby.

Camby, 39, was sent back to Toronto, where he started his NBA career, in the trade that saw the Knicks acquire Andrea Bargnani. Not long after the move was agreed upon, the veteran big man expressed some unhappiness with being traded to a non-contender, and Marc Berman of the New York Post reported shortly thereafter that Camby had asked to be traded or bought out.

Camby was set to earn $4.38MM in 2013/14 and was on the books for a $4.18MM salary the following season, though only about $1.03MM of that second year was guaranteed. I would guess that Camby probably agreed to give up that second-year guarantee in his negotiations with the Raptors, though the terms of the buyout aren't known. The move also reduces the cap hit for Toronto, since the club can apply the stretch provision to Camby's deal.

Assuming Camby clears waivers, which seems like a safe bet, he'll be free to sign with any team except the Knicks, who are ineligible to re-add him until next July. However, according to Spears, other contenders like the Clippers, Bulls, and Rockets could have some interest.

Camby Hopes To Play Two More Years, Then Coach

July 18th, 2013 at 10:50am CST by Luke Adams

Having agreed to a buyout with the Raptors, Marcus Camby appears to be ticketed for unrestricted free agency by this weekend, but the 39-year-old doesn't intend to end his playing career anytime soon. According to Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com, Camby still hopes to play until 2015, when his previous contract would have ended, and then aims to get into coaching after that.

"He wants to play two more years and then move into coaching," a source told Zwerling. "He would likely start out as an assistant, as many [former players] do, but someday he'd be a great head coach. He has a very high basketball IQ."

Reports are divided on whether or not Camby is officially on waivers yet. Zwerling hears that details of Camby's buyout are still being finalized, even though the team announced yesterday that an agreement had been reached and the big man had been released. Either way, Camby should be on the open market soon, free to sign with any team except the Knicks. The former second overall pick hopes to join a contender, with the Clippers, Heat, Bulls, and Rockets believed to be in play.

"His decision will be fairly quick," the source said. "He's not ruling out the minimum, but if a team shows a bigger commitment, that could make a difference."

Kyler’s Latest: Bucks, Magic, Knicks, LeBron

July 18th, 2013 at 9:58am CST by Luke Adams

When I asked Hoops Rumors readers yesterday what Brandon Jennings' future holds, about half of you predicted a return to Milwaukee, either on a one-year contract or on a longer-term deal. And according to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld, the Bucks have indeed shifted their focus back to retaining Jennings, after their pursuit of Jeff Teague fell short. Here's more from Kyler on the Bucks and a few other situations:

While the Bucks' three-year, $15MM contract with Zaza Pachulia was viewed as an overpay, sources tell Kyler that Pachulia had received two-year offers worth about the same amount annually, making that third year necessary for Milwaukee to get a deal done.
The Magic haven't been very involved in free agency this summer, but they continue to work the phones on possible deals. According to Kyler, the team is hoping to reach a buyout agreement with Al Harrington that would reduce his guaranteed salary for the 2014/15 season.
We've already heard that the Pelicans are preparing an offer in the $3MM range for Greg Oden. Kyler reports that the offer may be worth $3MM+ annually for two years, adding that Oden's camp is looking for a "safe" spot for the former first overall pick to continue his career. An organization with patience and the right kind of expectations is Oden's preference.
Although the Knicks will continue to be active in looking to add talent this year and next, the team will be careful about taking on any salary beyond next season, says Kyler. With Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, and Andrea Bargnani set to come off the books by the summer of 2015, the Knicks barely have any salary on their books beyond that.
It's been widely assumed that LeBron James will opt out of his contract next summer in search of a new long-term deal, but Kyler says that's not a lock. LeBron will also have the chance to opt out in the summer of 2015, and the continued health and production of Dwyane Wade figures to play a significant part in the MVP's decision.