Miami Heat Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Heat Notes: Lewis, Sign-And-Trades, Milicic

July 22nd, 2012 at 9:46am CST by Daniel Seco

The rich got richer this offseason as the Heat reloaded for another run at the Larry O'Brien trophy heading into the 2012/13 season. With the proverbial monkey off LeBron James' back, the Heat will enter next season as the odds-on favorites to take home another championship with an even stronger supporting cast surrounding King James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel has the latest news and headlines from South Beach to catch you up to speed…

The addition of Rashard Lewis to the mix for merely the veteran minimum doesn't mean the forward will strictly come off the bench for the Heat next season. Adding Lewis to the starting lineup would allow Shane Battier to return to his role of defensive stopper off the bench and allow Bosh to play at center given Lewis' length. Lewis, who is reportedly in good shape, will have to show something during training camp for any chance at securing a spot in the starting lineup.
Joel Anthony and a first-round pick from the Sixers could be dangled as attractive pieces in a potential sign-and-trade if the Heat aren't satisfied with their current roster. While the team would benefit from acquiring a veteran point guard, the available options wouldn't make the team significantly better at this point. Andray Blatche, recently amnestied by the Wizards, could be a quality addition, but the team wouldn't have to do a sign-and-trade to acquire him.
Look for Darko Milicic to end up in Miami now that Nazr Mohammed appears set to sign with the Bulls. Milicic could stand to benefit playing amongst a group of All-Stars who will push him to play to the best of his ability. At 27, the former second overall draft pick of the Pistons in 2003 still has a chance to have a respectable career if given the right opportunity.

Ben Wallace, Juwan Howard Considering Returns

July 21st, 2012 at 1:44pm CST by Chuck Myron

Long-tenured NBA veterans Juwan Howard and Ben Wallace are considering whether to come back and play one more season. Howard, who'll turn 40 on February 7th, said he'd prefer to come back with the Heat if he opts against retirement, according to the Associated Press.

"I still have the itch," Howard said. "I still have the passion and the love for the game. More importantly, I still like staying in shape and I can't sit on my behind. I'm still iffy as far as if I want to come back and play or not, but I'll tell you one thing – once I decide, I want to be ready. So I am working out … ready for whatever happens."

Wallace recently indicated he'd like to return to the Pistons after previously saying he'd retire following last season. He tells WTVR, a Richmond, Va., television station near his home, that he's "50-50" about coming back. The Detroit Free Press says the team would have to make a trade to open a roster spot for Wallace, but that's contingent on the team signing second-round pick Khris Middleton, which is not a given. The Pistons are mulling whether Wallace fits in with their youth movement, but some in the organization would like him around to mentor ninth overall pick Andre Drummond, the Free Press report says.

Wallace averaged 1.4 points and 4.3 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game last season for the Pistons, cracking the starting lineup 11 times. Howard was an afterthought in Miami, notching 1.5 PPG and 1.7 RPG in just 6.8 MPG in 28 appearances. If either were to play next season, it would almost certainly be on a veteran's minimum deal.

Four Teams In Running For Darko Milicic

July 18th, 2012 at 1:45pm CST by Luke Adams

No team submitted a bid for Darko Milicic when the Timberwolves placed him on amnesty waivers, but the former second overall pick is drawing interest now that he's a free agent. According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter), the Heat, Clippers, Bulls, and Nets are the frontrunners to sign Milicic.

We heard yesterday that the Nets and Clippers are targeting backup centers, so their interest comes as no surprise. The Heat are also in the market for a big man, after adding a pair of shooters, Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, in free agency. The most interesting team of the four is the Bulls — K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune wonders (via Twitter) if Chicago's interest in Darko is a hint that the team might let Omer Asik go to Houston.

While Milicic certainly hasn't had the sort of career that the other top-five picks in 2003 have, the 27-year-old is one of the more attractive centers left among this summer's unrestricted free agents. Nazr Mohammed, Ben Wallace, and Ryan Hollins are a few of the other available options.

With the T-Wolves still paying him for the next two years, Milicic is a good bet to sign a minimum-salary deal this summer.

Free Agent Rumors: Timberwolves, Rush, Mills

July 17th, 2012 at 8:42pm CST by Luke Adams

A couple more notable names came off the free agent market this morning, when Kris Humphries landed a two-year deal from the Nets and Grant Hill agreed to sign with the Clippers. While a number of solid rotation players are still available, the market is rapidly thinning for teams in search of starters. As clubs continue to jockey to sign the remaining available players, we'll track many of today's free agent rumors right here:

Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune lists who the Timberwolves will target with nearly $14MM in cap space if they lose out on Nicolas Batum, specifically highlighting Courtney Lee, Jordan Hill, and Greg Stiemsma.
Marcus Thompson of the Contra Costa Times says that despite the delay on an official decision regarding Brandon Rush's future, the Warriors are still likely to retain him.

Earlier updates:

Mark Deeks of ShamSports.com clarifies that Spurs guard Patty Mills re-signed with San Antonio for the value of his qualifying offer of about $1.08MM with a $1.13MM player option for 2013-14 (Twitter link).
Jason Quick of The Oregonian says that the Trail Blazers could target free agent point guard A.J. Price (Twitter link), also mentioning that Price's agent, Jeff Schwartz, declined to comment.
The Cavaliers, Rockets, Timberwolves, Hornets, 76ers, Suns, Trail Blazers, Kings, and Raptors are all eligible to make a bid on recently amnestied Andray Blatche (Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated tweets). Mannix also says (via Twitter) that although doesn't expect a team to bid, Blatche will draw interest as an unrestricted free agent.
Mike Trudell of KCAL-9 in Los Angeles tweets that owner Jim Buss has reiterated GM Mitch Kupchak's comments that the team would like to re-sign Jordan Hill.
John Reid of the Times Picayune writes that the Hornets are interested in Ryan Hollins.
The Clippers' agreement with Hill likely takes them out of the running for Marco Belinelli, but Belinelli is still drawing interest, says Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld. Pincus names the Bulls, Magic, Warriors, and Knicks as potential suitors.
Mavericks VP of basketball operations Donnie Nelson says the Mavs are still interested in bringing back Delonte West, who has "other options on the table he's going through." Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News has the details.
Raja Bell, who is attempting to work out a trade or buyout from the Jazz, hasn't heard from the Heat, but has drawn interest from six other teams, says Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida.
Anthony Randolph has "more than piqued" the Nuggets' curiousity, tweets Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times.
Nuggets coach George Karl has a standing offer out to unrestricted free agent Anthony Carter to become an assistant coach under Karl whenever his playing career is over, says Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida (Sulia link). However, Carter still believes he can help a team as a third point guard and hopes to play for a couple more years, according to Tomasson.
Despite rumors of overseas interest, Sonny Weems continues to seek an NBA contract, agent Roger Montgomery tells Emiliano Carchia of Sportando (via Twitter).
The Nets' next move might be signing Nazr Mohammed or Ryan Hollins as a backup center, tweets TNT's David Aldridge.
The Clippers are also looking to add a big, and are eyeing Hollins and Darko Milicic, tweets Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com.
In a piece for ESPN Deportes, Andres Nocioni confirms he'll continue playing for Caja Laboral in Spain next season rather than returning to the NBA (hat tip to Sportando for the translation).

—–

Mike Miller Won’t Retire

July 17th, 2012 at 5:41pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Despite being continually plagued by several injuries last season, Mike Miller does not plan to retire, according to an ESPN report (via the Associated Press). The Heat veteran dealt mostly with a debilitating back problem last season that would have caused him to lean toward retirement if surgery was required this summer. However, after discussions with his doctor and the conclusion that rest and rehabilitation were viable alternatives to surgery, Miller remains hopeful that he can recover well enough to play again soon.

Ray Allen Signs With Heat

July 15th, 2012 at 12:40pm CST by Zachary Links

JULY 15 12:40pm: According to a Miami Herald report, Ray Allen's contract has a player option for the 2013-14 season, giving the lethal three-point shooter an opt-out opportunity should things not work out after the first year.

WEDNESDAY, 10:02am: The Heat have officially signed Allen, the team announced in a press release.

FRIDAY, 8:52pm: The Heat have reached agreement on a deal with free agent guard Ray Allen, Heat owner Micky Arison announced via Twitter. The agreement was confirmed by agent Jim Tanner, tweets Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated. The veteran is widely expected to sign for the mini mid-level exception, worth $3.09MM per year.

Grant Hill Considering Knicks, Heat, Lakers

July 15th, 2012 at 8:33am CST by Daniel Seco

Grant Hill has narrowed down his list of potential teams to play for next season to three, reports Frank Isola of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). Hill, 39 and currently the second oldest player in the league, is interested in joining the Knicks, Heat or Lakers. According to Isola, Hill met with the Knicks in Las Vegas to discuss how the small forward would be a great addition to New York's roster. (Twitter link).

While all three teams are considered championship contenders heading into the 2012/13 season, Hill's wife prefers New York over Miami and Los Angeles. As we mentioned last week, the Lakers were considered the frontrunners for Hill given ex-Suns teammate Steve Nash's arrival in LA but it appears the Knicks are vying for the top spot given the preference of Hill's wife. Regardless of where Hill ends up, Hoops Rumors' Luke Adams predicts Hill will receive a one-year deal worth the veteran's minimum or a small cap exception.

Odds & Ends: Fields, Scola, Blazers, Gordon

July 14th, 2012 at 12:41pm CST by Zachary Links

The Knicks’ deadline to match Landry Fields’ 3-year, $18.7MM offer sheet from the Raptors is tonight at 11pm CDT. If they match Lin and Fields, the Knicks will have roughly $86MM committed to those two plus Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire, and Tyson Chandler for the 2014-15 season, tweets Al Iannazzone of Newsday. Include Jason Kidd and Steve Novak and it’s more than $92MM committed to seven players. The luxury tax penalties really start to get stiff in 2013/14 and that could make the Knicks' decision on Fields a difficult one. Here's more from around the Association..

Free Agent Rumors: Humphries, Stiemsma, Lin

July 12th, 2012 at 11:02pm CST by Luke Adams

As NBA teams continue to agree to contracts and officially sign this year's free agents, you can keep tabs on all the activity by checking out Hoops Rumors' 2012 Free Agent Tracker. We're continuously updating our database to reflect the latest contract agreements, adding details on years and salaries as they become available. But there are still plenty of unsigned players left on the market, so we'll track today's rumors on those guys right here:

TNT's David Aldridge (via Twitter) cites league sources that believe Kris Humphries would be more inclined to remain with the Nets than leave for the Bobcats. Marc Stein tweeted that the Nets could be involved no matter what Humphries decides to do, and could end up offering to negotiate a sign-and-trade if he chose Charlotte.
The Timberwolves are waiting for Portland to make a decision on Nicolas Batum before they extend an offer sheet to Greg Stiemsma, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com.

Earlier updates:

Jeremy Lin will sign his $28.8MM offer sheet with Houston on Friday, marking the start of the three day clock in which the Knicks can match the offer (Twitter link via Howard Beck of the New York Times).
TNT's David Aldridge says that the Nets want to keep Kris Humphries and are not currently facilitating a sign-and-trade deal with the Bobcats (Twitter link). In fact, it appears that both teams are competing against each other to sign him. ESPN's Marc Stein tweets that Charlotte is currently offering a three-year deal worth $22MM, while the Brooklyn is offering three years and $24MM.
Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York tweets that the Knicks have interest in Ronnie Brewer.
Tim McMahon of ESPN Dallas reports that the Mavericks remain interested in re-signing Delonte West.
Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida says that although Rasheed Wallace had been contemplating a return since 2010 and even had a workout with the Heat last season, the 6'11 forward/center appears to be "done" (Twitter link).
With the Bulls casting out a wide net in free agency, Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald tweets that Chicago could have already been in touch with Greg Oden.
Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com tweets that Will Barton and his agent are currently working out a deal with the Trail Blazers.
If they lose Nicolas Batum, the Timberwolves are interested in signing Courtney Leeoutright, rather than in a sign-and-trade deal, tweets Yannis Koutroupis of HoopsWorld.
C.J. Watson will become an unrestricted free agent if he clears waivers tomorrow afternoon, but there's no guarantee he'll go unclaimed. Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld tweetsthat Watson is drawing interest from several teams.
Brad Miller isn't technically a free agent, but his contract for 2012/13 is non-guaranteed, meaning he could hit the market soon. While Miller is expected to retire, agent Mark Bartelstein tells Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida that nothing is official on that front. The deadline to waive Miller without paying his full guarantee is July 30th, so the Timberwolves are expected to continue looking to include him in a trade before that date.
The Bulls, Mavericks, Lakers, Cavaliers, and Timberwolves are eyeing Anthony Tolliver, according to Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida (Twitter link).
Courtney Lee and the Timberwolves have continued to talk daily since free agency opened, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities (via Twitter). Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune agrees that Lee could become Minnesota's top target if the team's offer sheet for Nicolas Batum is matched by the Trail Blazers.
Greg Oden's agent Mike Conley tells Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida that his client has begun working out and is interested in playing in the NBA in 2012/13. Conley's comments about Oden's desire to play this season, perhaps with the Heat, echo what we heard in May.
The Bulls continue to negotiate with John Lucas III even though he's drawing interest from the Heat, Wizards, and other teams, tweets K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.

—–

Odds & Ends: Spurs, Perkins, Fields

July 12th, 2012 at 10:46pm CST by Ryan Raroque

The Spurs were two wins away from an NBA Finals appearance this year, and while some fans may be alarmed that the team fell short of a Finals berth after going 50-16, R.C. Buford explained why there's little need to panic (Jeff McDonald of SpursNation reports). Along with the re-signing of Tim Duncan, Danny Green, Boris Diaw, the team announced the additon of point guard prospect Nando De Colo and appear to be excited at the continued development of Kawhi Leonard. Here's the rest of what we've heard tonight out of the Association..