Miami Heat Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Heat Notes: Przybilla, Acquisitions, Lin

February 23rd, 2012 at 1:23pm CST by Luke Adams

On the final night of games before the All-Star break, the Heat will be seeking a win over a new-look New York squad, while Jeremy Lin and the Knicks hope to finish the first half above .500. A Heat win and a Thunder loss vs. the Lakers would put Miami in sole possession of the NBA's best first-half record. While we look forward to an impressive slate of Thursday games, let's check in on a few Heat-related updates:

Joel Przybilla spent three days last week in Florida being recruited by the Heat and team president Pat Riley, writes Jason Quick of the Oregonian. The veteran big man eventually decided to sign with the Blazers.
Przybilla on the Heat: "They were first class. You can tell they are on top of things. And trust me, it was a tough decision to turn them down. But (Monday) morning, I woke up and realized it wasn't for me."
Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel thinks the lack of playing time the Heat's centers received in last year's postseason may have factored into Przybilla's decision as well.
Winderman adds that any significant acquisition Miami makes this season may come at the buyout deadline rather than the trade deadline.
The Heat were happy with Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole, and didn't consider claiming Jeremy Lin on waivers earlier this season, coach Erik Spoelstra tells Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald (Twitter link).

Odds & Ends: Gordon, Chandler, Celtics, Martin

February 22nd, 2012 at 4:50pm CST by Luke Adams

As we look forward to a busy evening schedule highlighted by Hawks/Knicks and Mavericks/Lakers matchups, here are a few Wednesday links that we haven't covered elsewhere:

Asked about the possibility of signing with his hometown Pacers as a restricted free agent this summer, Eric Gordon sounded intrigued by the possibility, as Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star writes. "Coming back here would be a lot of pressure," Gordon said. "But I think it would be good for the fans. We'll see. You never know where this summer will take me."
Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post is curious to see how much money and how many years the Nuggets will offer Wilson Chandler, who may not be a future starter for the team. The Raptors' interest in Chandler may have an impact on his negotiations with Denver as well.
Injuries could force the Celtics to sign or trade for a big man, says A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com.
Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld explores what the future holds for Kevin Martin, who doesn't appreciate the way the Rockets are handling his contract situation, according to Ingram.
If the Heat sign Mickell Gladness to a second 10-day contract, it will likely happen after the All-Star break, tweets Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida. With Joel Przybilla headed to Portland, I'd be surprised if Miami didn't re-sign Gladness, whose first 10-day deal just expired.

Joel Przybilla Decision Expected Today

February 22nd, 2012 at 9:48am CST by Luke Adams

9:48am: Przybilla tells Quick that he has made his decision, but is waiting for his deal to be finalized before he announces anything. Quick thinks Przybilla has chosen the Blazers, but doesn't know for sure (Twitter links).

8:20am: When it was reported earlier this month that Joel Przybilla was nearing a decision on where he'd sign, the Heat and Bulls were said to be his finalists. Three weeks later, Przybilla appears ready to decide on a destination, but his list of options has expanded.

Agent Bill Duffy tells Jason Quick of the Oregonian that Przybilla is expected to choose today between playing for the Heat, Bulls, Trail Blazers, or Bucks. The veteran big man may also decide to spend the rest of the season at home in Milwaukee with his family.

One report last week suggested teams may be backing off Przybilla due to concerns about his health, but the Blazers are confident enough in the 32-year-old's status to have extended him an offer for the remainder of the season. Duffy sugested to Quick that there's a decent chance his client could end up in Portland.

"I think Portland is always the sentimental favorite for obvious reasons," Duffy said. "Joel has a home here and he had the best years of his career here. And at this particular time, it looks like he is needed, too."

Przybilla played 36 games in 2010/11 for the Trail Blazers and Bobcats. Over his 11-year career, the former ninth overall pick has averaged 4.0 points and 6.3 rebounds in 553 games (20.3 MPG).

Odds & Ends: Heat, Thornton, Gordon, Gasol, Lin

February 19th, 2012 at 12:05pm CST by Daniel Seco

With 10 games on the schedule for Sunday, let's take a quick look around the league to see what's happening:

Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel responds to a reader's question wondering if the Heat are setting themselves up for NBA Finals failure by not beefing up their post play. Winderman points to LeBron James as a player who could utilize his unique size to provide the Heat with an option to slow down the game in fourth quarter by getting the ball in the paint.
Former Warriors forward Al Thornton has signed to play with Puerto Rico's Brujos de Guayama according to Sportando. The former Seminoles star averaged 7.4 PPG and 3.0 RPG during the 2010/2011 season with time split between Golden State and Washington.
The Hornets are playing a waiting game with injured guard Eric Gordon, writes John Reid of The Times-Picayune. The former Indiana star was acquired prior to the start of the season in the Chris Paul blockbuster but has only played in two games thus far. He'll become a restricted free agent this summer with the Hornets holding hope that they can re-sign him for a manageable price.
Brian Kamenetzky of ESPN.com says it's been an unique season for Pau Gasol as he awaits his fate amidst trade rumors that he'll be moved prior to the trade deadline. Kamenetzky concedes his affection for the Barcelona native but would trade him to the Nets in exchange for Deron Williams in a heartbeat.
According to Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (via Twitter), Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is currently searching for Jeremy Lin's 2010 Mavericks summer league jersey so he can sell it on eBay. No word yet on the reserve price.

LeBron Stresses Commitment To Heat

February 17th, 2012 at 9:35pm CST by Sean Highkin

LeBron James sparked controversy earlier this week with comments that he would be open to a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he played the first seven seasons of his career. However, on Friday, he clarified these comments, as reported by the Associated Press (via The New York Times):

"I love the fans of Miami. I'm here," he said following Friday's shootaround as the Heat prepared to play the Cavs. "The question was asked of me, could I see myself playing back here. I said yeah, in the sense of I don't know what my future holds and I don't want to take that out. I love the fans of Miami.

"I've got everything thing invested with this team. I'm looking forward to the years to come."

These latest comments are intended to diffuse the firestorm caused by some earlier comments that hinted at a return to the Cavs for James in the future. He signed a six-year deal with the Heat worth $110MM in July 2010 and can opt out after the fourth year, giving him the ability to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2013/14 season.

LeBron Laying Groundwork For Return To Cavs?

February 17th, 2012 at 4:43pm CST by Luke Adams

With the Heat set to face the Cavaliers in Cleveland tonight, the focus is on LeBron James, who yesterday expressed an openness to eventually play in Cleveland again before telling Heat fans not to worry today. While both remarks struck me as attempts by James to make everyone happy, Adrian Wojnarowksi of Yahoo Sports says LeBron came to Cleveland on a mission this week, and that his comments were no accident.

According to Wojnarowski, James delivered the same message he expressed publicly yesterday to Cavs owner Dan Gilbert months ago via "an emissary or two." Wojnarowski says LeBron is legitimately interested in the possibility of returning to Cleveland when he can opt out of his current contract (2014) and is already putting out feelers. Says one source to Yahoo: "[LeBron] has started to lay the groundwork, and he’s waiting to see what Dan Gilbert’s reaction to it is."

Under NBA tampering rules, Gilbert can't reply to James' comments, so we shouldn't to expect to hear anything out of the Cavs' camp. And with over two years until he even has the chance to opt out of his current deal, the two-time MVP could easily change his mind a few more times before he even hits free agency again. However, according to the Yahoo report, LeBron has nagging doubts about Miami.

Wojnarowski is blunt in his assessment of LeBron's motives, writing that the former Cavalier "lives for the recruitment, lives to be wanted elsewhere," and rightly pointing out that the Heat and president Pat Riley must be "livid" about James discussing free agency already.

Whether or not James is serious about a potential return to Cleveland, this week has made one thing clear: The road to The Decision: Part II could be even longer and more winding than the first time around.

Bucks Rumors: Jackson, Skiles, Fesenko

February 17th, 2012 at 8:52am CST by Luke Adams

Here are a few Bucks updates, as Milwaukee tries to snap a three-game losing streak tonight in Orlando….

It's "a given" that the Bucks will try to deal Stephen Jackson before the trade deadline, but the $10MM+ he's guaranteed next year won't make it easy, says Gery Woefel of the Racine Journal Times.
Woelfel spoke to NBA officials who believe Jackson could be moved if he were part of a package that included a player like Ersan Ilyasova or Brandon Jennings. Ilyasova, I could see, but I'd be pretty shocked if the Bucks traded Jennings.
Jackson's relationship with coach Scott Skiles is one reason the Bucks will try to find a suitor for the 6'8" shooter. According to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld, the two have had "numerous run-ins" relating to Jackson's professionalism and impact on young players.
Jackson on Skiles, in an interview with Milwaukee's NBC affiliate: "We don't have no relationship like I've had with other coaches and I don't expect to have one. Too much stuff has happened."
Within Woelfel's column for the Journal Times, he notes that the Bucks hope to set up a meeting with free agent big man Kyrylo Fesenko next week. The Heat, Bulls, and Hawks are also showing interest in Fesenko, says Woelfel.

Inquiries Picking Up On Chris Kaman

February 16th, 2012 at 2:17pm CST by Luke Adams

Since re-inserting Chris Kaman into their lineup, the Hornets have received increased inquiries on the 7'0" center, reports John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. New Orleans is seeking young talent and expiring contracts in exchange for Kaman, says Reid.

After keeping Kaman off the court while fielding trade offers, the team decided earlier this month to temporarily end trade talks and bring him back to the club. The 29-year-old has made the most of what's essentially a showcase for potential suitors, averaging 18 points, 11 boards, and 1.8 blocks in the four games he's played sinced rejoining the Hornets. Though he was sidelined briefly with an ankle injury, Kaman bounced back in a big way, posting double-doubles in the Hornets' last two contests (both wins).

Earlier today, we heard about Miami's interest in Kaman, but the Heat don't match up well with New Orleans, and haven't even contacted the Hornets about Kaman, according to Reid. The Heat would likely only have a shot at Kaman if the Hornets held onto the big man, then bought him out of his contract later in the season. The Pacers and Rockets, who have plenty of cap space and expiring contracts, respectively, are among the more realistic suitors.

Free Agent Rumors: Iverson, Przybilla, Taylor

February 16th, 2012 at 12:30pm CST by Luke Adams

J.R. Smith's potential deal with the Knicks is the biggest free agent story of the day, but there are plenty of players out there hoping to land contracts of their own. Let's round up a few of the day's free agent updates….

Allen Iverson is still drawing international interest, though there are conflicting reports on whether A.I. has received official contract offers. According to Sportando, Iverson has offers on the table from Puerto Rican and Venezuelan teams, but ESPN.com's Chris Broussard hears no formal offers have been extended so far. Broussard says Iverson would sign in the Caribbean, South America, or even the D-League, if it could lead to another shot at the NBA.
Both Iverson reports agree that the next week will be crucial. According to Broussard's source, Iverson will "accept that his forced retirement is permanent" if he hasn't signed by the All-Star break.
Some teams are backing off of Joel Przybilla, concerned that he's not fully healthy, tweets Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida. Przybilla was thought to be deciding between the Heat and Bulls, but perhaps those clubs are wary of extending formal offers.
Jermaine Taylor, who appeared in 34 games for the Kings and Rockets last season, has signed with the D-League, according to Scott Schroeder of Ridiculous Upside. Perhaps Taylor's time in the D-League will be short-lived though — Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld says (via Twitter) the Suns will work out Taylor today, while Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports tweets that the 25-year-old will work out for the Clippers tomorrow..

Heat Interested In Chris Kaman

February 16th, 2012 at 7:54am CST by Luke Adams

The Heat are interested in adding Chris Kaman to their roster, but they'll likely have to overcome a few obstacles to do it. Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida reports that Heat officials have been calling people close to Kaman to ask about him, and are hoping to sign the big man if the Hornets buy out his contract.

Kaman, 29, was acquired by the Hornets in the Chris Paul trade, and was held out of the team's lineup for some time while New Orleans tried to move him. Although Kaman is playing again, he could likely be had in the right deal, with the Pacers and Rockets said to be among the interested teams.

The Heat don't have the trade chips to be a real contender for Kaman before the March 15th trade deadline, so the team's only realistic chance at him is via a buyout. As both Tomasson and Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel point out, it seems unlikely that the league-owned Hornets would allow the deadline to pass without dealing Kaman, buy him out, and allow the Heat to sign him in a move that would solidify Miami's title hopes.

Besides that significant roadblock, getting Kaman to the Heat would also involve him agreeing to the veteran's minimum with Miami and giving up his Bird rights, which could affect his next contract. As much as the Heat would like to see Kaman bring his talents to South Beach, it looks like a long shot at this point.