Bojan Bogdanovic

Nets Won’t Sign Bojan Bogdanovic

Multiple reports last Friday surfaced suggesting that the Nets had reached an agreement to bring 2011 second-round pick Bojan Bogdanovic stateside, but it now appears that won't be happening. NetsDaily.com reported (via Twitter) that the team is "moving on without Bojan," while Howard Beck of the New York Times hears from a source that Bogdanovic is "not coming" (Twitter link).

As Beck notes, the Nets will retain Bogdanovic's rights and could attempt to bring him over again next summer. In the interim, GM Billy King indicated earlier today that Brooklyn has a Plan B. As he expressed some concern about bringing Bogdanovic over, King suggested there's another player who would be worth the mini MLE, though he didn't name the player (Twitter links via Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News).

Based on those early reports on Bogdanovic's agreement with the team and King's comments today, it appears the two sides had agreed to terms on a contract, but were unable to finalize a buyout with Bogdanovic's team overseas. Beck confirms (via Twitter) that the buyout was the sticking point.

Nets To Sign Bojan Bogdanovic?

SATURDAY, 1:51pm: Bogdanovic pegged his chances of joining the Nets at only 50% or slightly higher when speaking to a Croatian radio station today, as noted on the website Sportnet (translation via Nets Daily). Bogdanovic denied that a deal had been signed, though no deal can be officially signed until the July Moratorium is up on Wednesday, anyway.

FRIDAY, 8:23pm: Bogdanovic will get a three-year deal with a starting salary of about $2.4MM, tweets Howard Beck of The New York Times. That would leave close to $800K on the mini mid-level for the Nets to sign someone else. That wouldn't be enough room to bring on a player for as much as the two-year veteran's minimum salary, but as Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News points out on Twitter, the Nets may prefer to let that money go unspent so they can save on their already-hefty luxury tax bill.

8:03pm: The Nets have reached agreement on a deal that will bring 2011 second-round pick Bojan Bogdanovic to the team for the coming season, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link). The team acquired the draft rights to the Bosnia and Herzegovina native shortly after he was taken 31st overall by the Heat two years ago.

When it appeared the Nets would use their mini mid-level to sign Kyle Korver, it looked like Bogdanovic would not be coming stateside this season, since the rookie minimum salary would have been all Brooklyn would have had left to give him. With Korver heading back to the Hawks instead, that frees up as much as $3.183MM to give to Bogdanovic as a starting salary.

The 6'8" small forward maintained interest in playing for the Nets even as it appeared he wouldn't get the chance to do so right away. He averaged 14.3 points per game and shot 38.7% from three-point range this past season for Fenerbahce Ulker in Turkey. 

Odds & Ends: Kings, Lee, Martin, Cavs, Bulls

Tyreke Evans is being courted by the Pelicans and Andre Iguodala is reportedly drawing interest from several teams, but the Kings are expected to make a pitch to both players today. Bryan May of News10 in Sacramento reports (via Twitter) that Sacramento brass is scheduled to meet with Evans and Iguodala in Los Angeles today.

Here are a few more Monday odds and ends from around the NBA:

Kyle Korver To Nets ‘In The Bag’?

8:20am: An agreement between Korver and the Nets is "all but done," as Josh Newman of SNY.tv hears. Korver would sign via the taxpayer mid-level for three years and about $10MM. Nets Deron Williams, Paul Pierce, Mirza Teletovic and Tyshawn Taylor are all represented by Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management, who's also Korver's agent. A deal with Korver would throw the team's pursuit of Bojan Bogdanovic into doubt, Newman writes, since that would leave only the minimum salary on the table for him.  

12:58am: Kyle Korver is one of the top sharpshooters on the open market, and figures to draw interest from a number of teams in need of three-point help. But it sounds as if the 32-year-old isn't necessarily targeting the most lucrative offer available. A rival general manager tells ESPN.com's Marc Stein (Twitter link) that he's hearing Korver to the Nets is "in the bag."

Since their team salary is well into the tax, the Nets will only have the $3.18MM taxpayer mid-level exception to offer outside free agents. Korver could likely earn more than that with other teams, but would be a solid fit on a veteran Brooklyn squad in need of an outside shooter. Korver reportedly became a target for the Nets after they shook hands with Boston on the blockbuster deal to bring Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry to Brooklyn.

Deron Williams appears to be getting in on the recruiting effort, replying earlier tonight to a tweet from Korver's brother, Kaleb, seemingly encouraging Korver to sign with the Nets or implying that an agreement is already in place.

Eastern Notes: Prigioni, Nets, Bobcats, Redick

After spending 17 years playing professional basketball in Europe, Pablo Prigioni has enjoyed his first taste of the NBA this season with the Knicks. Prigioni will be a free agent at season's end, but George Bass, who represents Prigioni, tells Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com that his client is interested in re-signing with the Knicks.

"Pablo really enjoyed himself here, and he has interest in playing again next year," Bass said. "He's fallen in love with New York, there's no doubt. The Knicks are just a first-class organization, so it's been good all the way around."

Here are a few more updates from around the Eastern Conference:

  • With Bojan Bogdanovic expected to sign with the Nets this summer, Tim Bontemps of the New York Post examines what ramifications such a move would have for Brooklyn.
  • There's no timetable for the Bobcats' coaching search, which figures to be lengthy and include plenty of candidates, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports.
  • Before he makes a decision in free agency in July, J.J. Redick plans to consult with Mike Krzyzewski, his former coach at Duke, as Andrew Gruman of FOX Sports Wisconsin writes.
  • A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com identifies a few possible offseason targets for the Celtics.
  • Over at Bulls.com, Sam Smith's latest mailbag focuses primarily on the current Bulls/Heat series, but also looks ahead to the summer. Asked about Nate Robinson's value on the open market, Smith predicts Robinson will be looking at an annual salary in the $3MM neighborhood.

Atlantic Notes: Nets, Van Gundy, Sixers, Celtics

Stan Van Gundy's name has been linked to the head coaching search in Milwaukee and the potential opening in Los Angeles, should the Clippers part ways with Vinny Del Negro, but it doesn't appear he'll be targeted by the Nets. ESPN.com's Chris Broussard reported earlier this week that Van Gundy wasn't on Brooklyn's list, and Chris Mannix of SI.com echoed that report on Mike Bianchi's Open Mike radio show in Orlando.

"I've spoken to sources who've told me … Stan Van Gundy is not a candidate," Mannix said. "It's possible that Jeff Van Gundy could get a call, but from what I understand Stan Van Gundy is not a top candidate for that job."

Here are a few more notes from around the Atlantic Division:

  • A source tells Josh Newman of SNY.tv that there's a 90-95% chance of 2011 second-rounder Bojan Bogdanovic joining the Nets for the 2013/14 season. Earlier in the week, GM Billy King indicated he was hoping to bring Bogdanovic stateside this year.
  • Sixers players won't be deciding on the team's next head coach, but if they did have a vote, it sounds as if it would go to current assistant Michael Curry. As John N. Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes, both Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner endorsed Curry for the position.
  • Most of the interviews conducted by the Sixers as they search for a new coach will take place during or after next week's predraft camp in Chicago, according to Tom Moore of PhillyBurbs.com.
  • Will the long-rumored Celtics' rebuild finally get underway in earnest this summer? Stephen Brotherson of HoopsWorld makes a case for why the C's should let things ride with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett for one more year.
  • In an Insider-only piece for ESPN.com, Broussard spoke to one of the NBA's top assistant coaches about the most desirable current or potential head coaching jobs this summer. The unnamed assistant ranked the Nets' job as the top option, with the Raptors and Sixers coming in at fifth and sixth, respectively.

Nets Rumors: Blatche, Shaw, Bogdanovic

It was an eventful weekend for the Nets, who fell to the Bulls in the first round's only Game Seven, then announced that interim coach P.J. Carlesimo wouldn't be retained as the team's permanent coach going forward. This year's offseason won't be as eventful as last year's for the Nets, but it still figures to be a crucial one. Here are a few updates out of Brooklyn as the club looks ahead to its coaching search and to free agency:

  • If it's up to free-agent-to-be Andray Blatche, he'll be a Net again next year, as he told reporters, including Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com. "I can’t tell you 100% yet. But that’s the plan for me," Blatche said. "I like it here, I got my second chance here and I’m loyal to being here. We just have to see what happens."
  • Pacers president Donnie Walsh told Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News that Pacers assistant Brian Shaw will be permitted to speak to the Nets about their head coaching vacancy once Indiana's season is over. Based on Bondy's report, it's not entirely clear if the Nets have already asked to speak to Shaw or whether Walsh simply expects Brooklyn to reach out.
  • The Nets are hoping to add 2011 second-round pick Bojan Bogdanovic to their roster for the 2013/14 season, according to GM Billy King (Twitter link via Bondy). Previous reports have indicated that Bogdanovic, who was drafted 31st overall two years ago, has an NBA out this summer on his contract in Europe.
  • Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post thinks current Celtics coach Doc Rivers would be an ideal fit in Brooklyn, and suggests that King ought to at least explore the possibility of prying Rivers away from the Nets' division rival.

Josh Smith Rumors: Tuesday

Last night, ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported that many teams around the NBA are convinced that the Hawks will move Josh Smith by Thursday's trade deadline. Stein cited the Celtics as one team with interest, but wrote that he couldn't see them giving up Paul Pierce in a deal for Smith. We'll likely hear a few more rumors and rumblings on Smith today, so we'll round all those up in one place, with the latest updates added to the top of the page throughout the day:

Earlier updates:

  • ESPN's Chris Broussard tweets that although the Suns have been in touch with the Hawks regarding Smith, a deal is very unlikely. 
  • The Hawks called the Clippers and asked about acquiring Eric Bledsoe in a Smith trade, but the conversation was short, according to Broussard, who says the Clips aren't really interested in Smith (Twitter link).
  • Broussard adds in a second tweet that Smith heading to the Suns in a package headlined by Marcin Gortat is "unlikely."
  • Most of the offers the Hawks have received so far for Smith have been underwhelming, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.
  • Several members of the Warriors organization tell Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group (Sulia link) that they think Smith would be an ideal fit in Golden State. However, the club wouldn't want to give up Klay Thompson or Harrison Barnes for a free-agent-to-be, so a trade is "improbable at best."

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Odds & Ends: Timberwolves, Nets, Daniels

There's a chance that Minnesota could bring Hassan Whiteside into training camp, but Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500 believes that it would have to be a non-guaranteed contract. Wolfson also covers a few more miscellaneous notes surrounding the Timberwolves, including the status of Nikola Pekovic, other players under consideration along with Louis Amundson, and that Chicago businessman Richard Chaifetz has been "kicking the tires" on the prospect of owning the team. Here's what else we've heard from around the league tonight:

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International Rumors: Okur, Mirotic, Owens, Uzoh

At various points during the offseason, Mehmet Okur has been linked to the Timberwolves and other clubs, but the reports usually point to the same roadblock: Okur is seeking more than the minimum salary. It's possible some NBA team makes Okur an offer worth more than the minimum, but it appears he may have a better chance at that kind of money overseas. TrendBasket.net passes along a Turkish report suggesting that Galatasaray Medical Park of Turkey is interested in Okur, and could potentially offer him $2-3MM per year. Here are a few more of the morning's international notes and rumors:

  • Nikola Mirotic tells Enric Corbella of Marca.com (English link via HoopsWorld) that the Bulls know his situation with Real Madrid and respect his contract. Mirotic, the 23rd overall pick in 2011, has a number of years left on his contract in Spain, but will have the opportunity to opt out and join the Bulls before it ends.
  • Two players that received 10-day contracts in 2011/12 may be on the verge of leaving their French teams. Emiliano Carchia of Sportando passes along French reports suggesting that Gravelines may part ways with Larry Owens, and that Ben Uzoh's time with Cholet may be nearly over.
  • Unicaja Malaga coach Jasmin Repesa said that his team would love to add Bojan Bogdanovic, who is under contract for two more years with Fenerbahce (link via Emiliano Carchia of Sportando). Bogdanovic was drafted with the 31st overall pick in 2011's draft, with his NBA rights now held by the Nets.