Miami Heat Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Heat Working Out Roger Mason Jr.

September 24th, 2013 at 7:02pm CST by Michael Pina

The Heat will work out veteran guard Roger Mason Jr., according to South Florida Sun-Sentinel reporter Ira Winderman. The two-time defending champions currently have 13 players under contract, and 18 total players coming to camp.

The 33-year-old Mason Jr. was recently elected vice president of the player's union, and spent last season, his ninth in the NBA, with the Pelicans, averaging 5.3 PPG in 69 appearances.

A career 38.4% shooter from behind the three-point line, Mason Jr. could potentially become another reliable shooter on a team that amnestied Mike Miller earlier this offseason.

Atlantic Notes: Nets, Felton, Noel, World Peace

September 23rd, 2013 at 9:32pm CST by Zachary Links

You love the NBA. You watch basketball almost every single night from Halloween into the early part of summer and read Hoops Rumors religiously. But you've always hoped that the NBA could be more like Vince McMahon's failed football league. Finally, the league office has heard your complaints. The NBA may have the Nets and Heat wear "nickname jerseys" for at least one of their four meetings this season, according to the Associated Press. Ray Allen plans to don a "Jesus Shuttlesworth" jersey, LeBron James is expected to go by "King James," and Nets stars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce will probably wear "KG" and "The Truth," respectively. As you dust off your sweet He Hate Me throwback, check out the latest from the Atlantic..

Guard Raymond Felton feels that the Knicks were just too old last season, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post. “We’re a younger team this year,’’ Felton said. “Kurt Thomas, Rasheed [Wallace], love them like brothers. [But] those guys were 38, 39, 40 years old. Once they got injuries, they’re out and it hurt us last year. We’ve added Metta [World Peace], Andrea [Bargnani], Kenyon [Martin] and Amar'e Stoudemire are coming back. Tim Hardaway Jr. looks great by the way. I’ve been most impressed with him. It gives us depth at that big spot and youth. Those guys are younger."
Best friends Nerlens Noel and Michael Carter-Williams are reunited with the Sixers, writes HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy. The youngsters first became friends on the AAU circuit and are anxious to replicate that success at the NBA level. “I’m looking forward to it,” Carter-Williams said. “I know it’s going to be a learning experience. We’re going to have a lot of young guys, but we’re also going to have some veterans so we’re going to learn from them. We’re just going to try to bring everything together as a team and be the best we can.”
World Peace is back in New York with a fresh perspective on things both on and off the court, writes Jared Zwerling of Bleacher Report. MWP joined the Knicks after the Lakers used the amnesty clause to get out from under his contract.

Heat To Bring Larry Drew II To Camp

September 23rd, 2013 at 12:39pm CST by Luke Adams

Former Hawks head coach Larry Drew has a new job this season, taking over as the Bucks' new coach, and now his son will have an opportunity to compete for an NBA job of his own. The Heat announced today (via Twitter) that Larry Drew II has signed a contract with the team.

Drew, 23, manned the point at UCLA last season, averaging 7.5 PPG and 7.3 APG in 35 contests for the Bruins. A quad injury prevented him from participating in Summer League action in July, but the Heat still kept an eye on him in recent weeks.

Given Miami's payroll and roster situation, Drew's deal is almost certainly a non-guaranteed camp invite, and is likely a long shot for the club's regular season roster. It's possible that he eventually lands on the Heat's D-League squad — for the first time, the NBA club will have a one-to-one affiliation with the Sioux Falls Skyforce this season.

Southeast Notes: Heat, McGrady, Battier, Miller

September 21st, 2013 at 10:39am CST by Zachary Links

Here's today's look at the Southeast Division..

In today's mailbag, a reader asks Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel if he thinks the Heat's Big Three could dissolve after winning a three peat to prove themselves individually elsewhere. In Winderman's mind, there is no way anyone of consequence leaves if Miami wins a third straight title, except for older players who might retire.
Former Magic star Tracy McGrady is done playing in the NBA but the possibility still exists that he might continue his career in China, writes Mary Perez of the Sun Herald. "I got a lot of fans over there, so we'll see," said the 34-year-old. We heard earlier this month that there's mutual interest between McGrady and the Sichuan Jinqiang Whale of China, so that could be T-Mac's landing spot if he continues his career overseas.
While Shane Battier was sad to see Mike Miller leave the Heat after being amnestied, he feels that Miller is in a better situation where he can find more minutes with the Grizzlies, Winderman writes.

Southeast Notes: Hawks, Wilkins, Bobcats, Oden

September 20th, 2013 at 6:06pm CST by Chuck Myron

Strength of schedule matters little in the NBA, where most teams have balanced slates. Teams within each division are nonetheless guaranteed at least four games against each other every year, giving the Heat an edge. Miami won't be knocking heads with another contender in the Southeast Division, and four dates against the bottom-feeding Magic and Bobcats are especially enticing. The Heat went 15-1 against the Southeast in 2012/13, and we'll soon see how their projected advantage plays out this year. Here's the latest from the division:

There's no timetable for Lou Williams' return from a torn ACL, and he's unlikely to be ready to fill his sixth-man role for the Hawks at the start of the regular season. That's probably why the team is bringing Damien Wilkins to camp, writes Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. If the team fills its 15th opening-night roster spot, it would probably be with a swingman like Wilkins, Vivlamore adds. That could also be an auspicious sign for David Lighty, another camp invitee.
New Bobcats head coach Steve Clifford talks to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer about integrating offseason additions Al Jefferson and Cody Zeller, as well as several other 'Cats related items.
HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy chronicles Greg Oden's journey from near-retirement to the cusp of training camp with the Heat. Oden is seeing a familiar face in Miami, as former Blazers teammate Juwan Howard remains unsigned but is still hanging around the Heat. organization, as Kennedy notes.

Eastern Notes: Singleton, Okafor, Bulls, Knicks

September 18th, 2013 at 1:43pm CST by Luke Adams

Chris Singleton will undergo foot surgery today and will be sidelined for the next six to eight weeks, the Wizards announced today in a press release. Not only does the injury, which occurred in a voluntary workout, put Singleton's status for opening night in jeopardy, but it could have an impact on his future in Washington.

The Wizards have until October 31st to decide whether or not to exercise Singleton's $2.49MM option for the 2014/15 season. Now that the club won't get to watch him in camp and in the preseason, the decision figures to be made primarily based on his NBA production to date, which has been underwhelming — he has averaged 4.4 PPG and an 8.1 PER in his first two seasons.

As we wish Singleton a speedy recovery, let's round up a few more items from around the Eastern Conference….

Singleton's teammate, Emeka Okafor, also looks like he'll miss the start of the season. The Wizards announced today that Okafor, who is entering a contract year, will be out indefinitely as he rehabs from a herniated disc. Okafor tells Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports that he's not considering retirement and plans to return this season (Twitter link).
While Tom Thibodeau has downplayed any sort of discord between him and the Bulls' front office, a source tells Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times that the head coach would be upset if the team traded Luol Deng or let him walk in free agency. "Ask Tom how important he thinks Luol is," the source said. "How happy do you think he would be with that decision?"
In his latest Heat mailbag, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel shares his thoughts on Dwyane Wade vs. Kyrie Irving, Joel Anthony's contract, and Steve Kerr's 2013/14 predictions.
Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com explores the issue of how the Knicks will complete their roster, asking readers if the team should add a big man, a forward, or a guard.
Begley adds (via Twitter) that former prep star Jonathan Hargett worked out at the Knicks facility, though it was in an informal capacity and the team isn't currently planning to sign him.

Heat Express Interest In Von Wafer, Others

September 17th, 2013 at 8:30pm CST by Michael Pina

According to Hoopsworld.com's Alex Kennedy, the Heat have recently expressed interest in several free agents, including Von Wafer, Julyan Stone, Justin Holiday, Yakhouba Diawara, and Larry Drew II.

The 28-year-old Wafer last played in the NBA during the 2011/12 season as a member of the Magic. He averaged 5.9 PPG in 33 appearances. Only 24 years old and with two seasons under his belt with the Nuggets, Stone appeared in four games last year, but has reportedly agreed to a training camp deal with the Raptors.

The Heat have 13 players on guaranteed contracts, not including the recently signed Michael Beasley, who is on a non-guaranteed deal.

Odds & Ends: Extension Candidates, Heat, McGary

September 17th, 2013 at 6:25pm CST by Michael Pina

A few random notes from around the league.

Steve Kyler from Hoopsworld.com takes a look at a few 2010 extension candidates, including Derrick Favors, Evan Turner, and DeMarcus Cousins.
Writing for The Score, Mark Deeks offers a list of players who currently can't be traded for a variety of reasons, one of them being players who sign as a free agent cannot be traded for at least three months (or until December 15th).
Earlier today, TNT analyst Steve Kerr predicted that the Heat would fail to make the Finals for a fourth straight year. South Florida Sun-Sentinel writer Ira Winderman gives his views here.
DraftExpress.com's Mike Schmitz breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of Michigan forward Mitch McGary, a player who's projected to be an NBA lottery pick next summer.

Heat Notes: Beasley, Oden, Mini MLE

September 17th, 2013 at 10:21am CST by Luke Adams

Since LeBron James took his talents to South Beach, no team besides the Heat has represented the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. However, former GM and current analyst Steve Kerr believes that will change in 2013/14. According to Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times, Kerr is picking the Bulls to unseat the Heat this season, as Miami faces the pressure of trying to three-peat.

"Emotionally, it's just exhausting to keep doing it year after year," Kerr said. "Particularly when you have to deal with everything Miami has to deal with on a daily basis, just the constant critiquing and scrutiny on the team, and then you factor in the injuries with [Dwyane] Wade and [Chris] Bosh and their health. I don't think Miami will get out of the East this year."

Here's more on the Heat:

The Heat "initially balked" when Michael Beasley's agent called the team to gauge its interest, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. However, Pat Riley reconsidered, and meeting with Beasley eased many of the concerns that Riley and Erik Spoelstra had, according to Jackson.
Ethan Skolnick of the Palm Beach Post examines the one-year contracts signed by Beasley and Greg Oden, exploring the duo's chances of making the team and earning minutes this year, along with the odds that either player returns for a second year in Miami.
Considering spending the mini mid-level exception would cost the Heat about $11MM in taxes and there aren't many free agents available worth more than the minimum, Miami is unlikely to spend its MLE, says Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Winderman leaves the door open for the Heat to add a player who is bought out later in the season, particularly if the club is able to find a taker for Joel Anthony, but the mid-level could very well go unused.

Odds & Ends: Pelicans, Grizzlies, Miller, D-League

September 16th, 2013 at 9:20pm CST by Zachary Links

We started the day off here at Hoops Rumors with some very pleasant news as Rick Adelman is confirmed to return to the sidelines as Timberwolves coach this season. The T-Wolves haven’t been to the postseason in nearly a decade, but there’s plenty of reason to believe that this will be the year that they break through. Here’s tonight’s look around the Association..

The Pelicans added a whole bunch of talent this offseason and with that comes dramatically increased expectations, writes Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans will start alongside Eric Gordon, Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson with Brian Roberts, Al-Farouq Aminu, Austin Rivers, Anthony Morrow, Jason Smith, Greg Stiemsma and Jeff Withey off the bench, giving the 27-win team some serious playoff buzz.
Andrew Ford of Sheridan Hoops runs down five things to watch when it comes to the Grizzlies this season. One of the keys for Memphis will be Mike Miller and it’ll be interesting to see if the returning veteran can hold up enough to make an impact. The 33-year-old has dealt with a litany of health issues in recent years and was let go via the amensty provision by Miami this summer.
Gino Pilato of Ridiculous Upside ran down what we can expect out of this year’s D-League tryouts and even some tips for how the participants can impress scouts.