Joel Przybilla Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Free Agent Rumors: Flynn, Heat, Mahinmi

July 10th, 2012 at 10:15pm CST by Luke Adams

We're less than 14 hours away from the July moratorium coming to an end and this season's signing period beginning in earnest. As of 11:00pm central time tonight, teams can officially sign free agents, trades can be consummated, and players can sign contract extensions. In the meantime, free agents have one more day to try to reach contract agreements before clubs start finalizing the moves they've agreed to over the last week and a half. We'll track today's rumors on free agents here, with the newest updates up top:

Jonny Flynn has worked out for the Hawks and will visit the Bulls on Friday, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. Count the Cavs as another team interested in the point guard's services.
Look for the Heat to add a minimum-scale big man, such as Kwame Brown or Joel Przybilla, as they finish up their offseason spending, tweets Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times (Twitter link) hears from NBA officials that the Bucks have some interest in Ian Mahinmi.

Earlier updates:

Free Agent Rumors: Lakers, Mavs, Cavs, Crawford

July 1st, 2012 at 3:00am CST by Chuck Myron

It's past midnight on the East Coast, and that means teams may negotiate with free agents from other clubs, as the NBA's offseason gets under way in earnest. Players can't officially sign contracts until July 11, and trades can't be made official until that date either. That doesn't mean there won't be plenty of talk and agreements in principle between now and then, and if this evening is any indication, we're in for a busy couple of weeks ahead. There are several bits of news rolling in on free agents as July begins, so we'll round up what we're hearing around the late-night rumor mill here.

The Lakers are seeking a point guard in free agency, and in addition to reaching out to Ramon Sessions, they're also targeting veterans like Chauncey Billups, Jameer Nelson, and Kirk Hinrich, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
In search of a center, the Mavericks have shown some interest in Hasheem Thabeet and Joel Przybilla, says Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com.
The Cavaliers have expressed interest in Jonny Flynn, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. They're also eyeing Sonny Weems, according to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio (Twitter link).

Earlier updates:

Blazers’ Crawford, Batum, Przybilla Talk Offseason

April 29th, 2012 at 8:31pm CST by Alex Lee

With the disapointing 2012 Blazers season in the books, Jamal Crawford, Nicolas Batum and Joel Przybilla all discussed their uncertain offseason outlooks with The Oregonian, who posted the videos online:

Crawford owns a player option on his contract (which we already heard he may turn down) that he must opt into by June 15, or he will become an unrestricted free agent. Crawford called his year in Portland the "longest-shortest season ever" and said that he still plans to weigh his options before making a decision. Crawford goes on to say, "I don’t think this year was any one person’s fault. I just think it was a bad situation with the short training camp." Crawford still considers Portland's future bright and says that "seeing where the team is going" will be key to his choice.
Batum is a restricted free agent and would be in high demand should Portland balk at matching offers for him. All indications are that Portland will try to keep the young forward. Batum indicated his desire to stay: "Of course I want to come back here. This team drafted me and put me on the court at 19 and gave me my chance in the NBA so we will see what happens." However, Batum went on to add that the basketball situation for him is more important than the city, implying he would have interest if another team had more to offer basketball-wise than the Blazers. Batum said he is "99 percent" sure he will be back, but is excited about the summer's prospects of a new contract and his first Olympic appearance.
Przybilla signed with the Blazers in late February after considering sitting out the lockout shortened season. He now seems intent on playing next year, citing his knees feeling great and a newfound love for the game as the primary reasons. He is an unrestricted free agent and thinks he will draw some interest over the course of the offseason: "With a good summer of working out and a training camp with a team, I think there will definitely be opportunities out there for me." He added that he would definitely consider resigning in Portland.

Trail Blazer Free Agents Talk About Their Future

April 25th, 2012 at 7:45pm CST by Michael Pina

With the Trail Blazers assuming the look of a franchise trying to turn the page and overhaul almost every key piece, CSNNW.com's Chris Haynes attended the team's final practice today and asked seven of the team's free agents—Nicolas Batum, Raymond Felton, Joel Przybilla, Jamal Crawford, J.J. Hickson, Hasheem Thabeet, and Jonny Flynn—if they expected to be back with the team next season. Their answers were both varied and interesting. Here's what they said.

Batum, a restricted free agent, said he would see whether or not the team is willing to match any offers he gets. If they don't he'll probably leave. Hickson called his relationship with the Trail Blazers a "win-win" situation; he'd prefer to stay. Thabeet said he'd love to stay in Portland. Flynn says anything could happen, but that he appreciates the opportunity the Trail Blazers organization gave him to see the court.

Przybilla says he'll probably have minor surgery on his left foot once the season ends, but that he'd like to come back next year and thinks he'd be more effective in a regular 82 game campaign. Felton and Crawford, two players who had disappointing first years with the team, both gave uncommitted answers as to whether or not they pictured themselves back next season. Crawford's contract has a player option for next season, but it's believed he will opt out of it.

Odds & Ends: Trail Blazers, Przybilla, Warriors

April 10th, 2012 at 4:49pm CST by Luke Adams

Let's round up a few Tuesday links from around the NBA….

The Trail Blazers have interviewed agent Noah Croom for their general manager opening, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. Blazers president Larry Miller didn't confirm that Croom was interviewed, but told Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com that Portland has yet to reach out to any candidates currently with NBA teams.
Joel Przybilla told Jason Quick of the Oregonian that he plans to play in the NBA next season, but hasn't decided where yet. Przybilla added that he's "had fun" playing with the Blazers and doesn't regret choosing Portland over the Bulls and Heat (Twitter links).
Warriors assistant coach Michael Malone could draw interest for teams looking for a head coach this offseason, writes Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com.
ESPN.com's Chad Ford (Insider link) previews this year's Portsmouth Invitational, naming Jet Chang as his sleeper prospect in the tournament.
The NBA announced today that the Las Vegas Summer League will return to action this July, after having been cancelled due to the lockout last summer.
The league also announced that the NBA D-League has set new records this season for both assignments and call-ups.

Blazers Notes: Cap, Felton, Przybilla, Canales

April 4th, 2012 at 4:50pm CST by Luke Adams

In a look ahead to the summer's free agent period, Ken Berger of CBS Sports identifies the Trail Blazers as one of three teams who will be in the "driver's seat" when it comes to cap space. Along with the Cavaliers and Rockets, Portland will be among the clubs with the most cap room, though they could be joined by a few other teams (Mavericks, Nets, Suns, etc.) when the dust settles.

Here are a few more notes on the Blazers, as they look ahead to tonight's game against the Nets:

It's safe to assume Raymond Felton won't be back with the Blazers next season, tweets the team's TV announcer Mike Barrett.
Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge has the transcript of a Joel Przybilla interview on Blazers Courtside. In the interview, Przybilla says he'd "love to come back" to Portland next year, though that decision will be in the hands of his family as well as the team.
Przybilla also endorsed Blazers interim coach Kaleb Canales, suggesting he deserves to be the team's full-time coach: "He's made such strides in a few weeks. I'm excited for the future for him. He has great potential to be a great coach for many years."

Trail Blazers Sign Joel Przybilla

February 27th, 2012 at 11:18am CST by Luke Adams

Joel Przybilla has officially signed with the Trail Blazers, the team announced today (Twitter link). Przybilla, who passed a physical yesterday, will earn a pro-rated portion of the veteran's minimum salary for the remainder of the season.

The ninth overall pick in the 2000 draft, Przybilla had spent six and a half seasons with the Blazers before he was traded last February as part of the deal that saw Gerald Wallace head to Portland. The 32-year-old averaged 5.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG with a .581 FG% during his first five years with the Blazers, though his health and production began to slip in 2009. The 7'1" center will add size and depth to a Blazers' frontcourt that includes LaMarcus Aldridge, Marcus Camby, Kurt Thomas, and Craig Smith.

Przybilla had been deciding whether to sign with the Blazers, Bulls, Heat, or Bucks, or to sit out the season and remain with his family in Milwaukee. Portland has a full roster of 15 players, so a corresponding move will have to be made before Przybilla officially joins the team.

Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports first reported that Przybilla had decided to sign with the Blazers, while SI.com's Sam Amick and Jason Quick of the Oregonian added details.

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: Howard, Knicks, Kaman, Przybilla

February 22nd, 2012 at 10:39pm CST by Daniel Seco

In an action-packed Wednesday night of basketball, the Thunder and Knicks have stolen the show so far with impressive victories over quality opponents. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook led the Thunder to 72 points in the first half as the squad held on to beat the Celtics 119-104 in a box score seemingly from a different era. Let's take a look around the league to see what else happened on a night where Kevin Love and the Timberwolves climbed to .500 on the season:

In what was potentially a preview of things to come, Magic center Dwight Howard did not disappoint the Nets faithful with his 20-point and 17-rebound performance Wednesday night in Newark. Jake Appleman of The New York Times says the Nets organization gave Howard a special welcome by displaying new signage promoting their Brooklyn arena and shooting off fireworks prior to the start of the game. When asked about playing for the Nets, Howard said he was humbled by the way the crowd of over 15,000 received him, reports Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
The Knicks are a team bound to benefit from the All-Star break, writes Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday. Having only played two games together as a team with the current roster, the Knicks will utilize their time to schedule five practices with hopes of better acclimating players like J.R. Smith to the offensive scheme.
Hornets center Chris Kaman continues to add to his trade value as he scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in Wednesday's 89-84 victory over the Cavaliers. Over the last five games, Kaman is averaging 16.0 PPG and 8.2 RPG and has notched two double-doubles. Thanks to Kaman's strong play, the Hornets have won four of their last six games after starting the season 4-23.
Jason Quick of The Oregonian tweets free-agent center Joel Przybilla said he was thinking with his heart when he decided to sign with Trail Blazers instead of the Heat.

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).