David White Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Odds & Ends: Duncan, Oden, Wizards

February 19th, 2014 at 7:54am CST by Chuck Myron

ESPN analyst and former coach George Karl hears that Tim Duncan is thinking of retiring at season’s end, notes Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News, but Duncan isn’t sure how Karl got that impression. The Big Fundamental says he’s undecided, as he tells reporters, including Express-News scribe Mike Monroe (Twitter link). Fellow Express-News writer Jeff McDonald would be “shocked” if Duncan retired. The sense around the Spurs is that Duncan will keep playing as long as he feels he’s useful, McDonald says, pointing out that the big man is still under contract for next year (Twitter links). Here’s more from the Association:

Greg Oden considered a handful of teams last summer, but it came down to a decision between the Mavs and the Heat, tweets Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Most reports have suggested the Wizards are looking for a backup point guard, but Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times hears they’re seeking a backup who can play both guard positions, suggesting Luke Ridnour as a possibility (Twitter link).
A veteran scout tells Woelfel that he has Creighton forward Doug McDermott No. 6 on his draft board, and Chris Mannix of SI.com examines a polarizing prospect who’s sparked a wide range of opinions in NBA front offices.
The Cavs had discussions with the Lakers about acquiring Chris Kaman, but those talks are no longer active, notes Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.
Free agent Malcolm Lee hasn’t played since December 2012 because of injury, but he’s about two weeks away from being ready to suit up for a team, USA Today’s Sam Amick tweets.
The Warriors on Tuesday recalled Ognjen Kuzmic from the D-League, the team announced. Kuzmic’s latest stint in Santa Cruz lasted one day.
Some members of the actors union are upset that executive director David White is a candidate for the same position with the National Basketball Players Association, observes Dave McNary of Variety.com.
Lionel Hollins explains the root of his raw feelings from the end of his tenure as Grizzlies coach to Mearl Purvis of WHBQ-TV in Memphis.

White, Roberts Finalists For Union Chief

February 15th, 2014 at 7:05pm CST by Chuck Myron

SATURDAY, 6:52pm: No one was officially elected today as NBPA executive director today despite the NBPA executive committee having deliberated for almost three hours. It appears though, the search is down to two finalists: White, and Michele Roberts, an attorney from Washington D.C., tweets Howard Beck of Bleacher Report. No timetable has been set for when someone will be appointed, but certain powerful agents have been frustrated with the search, writes Ken Berger of CBSSports.com. According to Berger, multiple influential agents say they have candidates in mind who have not been considered. At least one player involved in the search believes the it should be started over and a new list of candidates should be developed, to be voted on at the NBPA’s summer meeting.

FRIDAY, 10:02am: Screen Actors Guild executive director David White is the front runner to take the same job with the National Basketball Players Association, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. Union president Chris Paul and the NBPA’s executive committee have already interviewed White, though Wojnarowski hears no formal vote on whether to hire him will take place among union membership this weekend.

White first joined the actors union in 2002, and he became the group’s executive director in 2009. He signed a three-year extension in 2012, so it’s unclear what the players union will have to do to get him out of his contract.

The NBPA has been without an executive director since the All-Star break last year, when longtime chief Billy Hunter was let go amid controversy. Attorney Ron Klempner is serving in an interim capacity. Steve Mills was at one point the favorite for the job before he became Knicks GM, and other rumored candidates have included Isiah Thomas and current NHL and former baseball union head Don Fehr, though none of those three appear to be in the running now.

Eddie Scarito contributed to this post.