Joel Przybilla Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Odds & Ends: Nuggets, Suns, Jazz, Bulls

February 17th, 2012 at 12:48pm CST by Luke Adams

While we wait for official word on the Knicks' pending roster moves, let's round up a few odds and ends from around the NBA:

Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post looks ahead to Wilson Chandler's expected return to the Nuggets, which could happen sooner than expected.
Free agent Al Thornton will work out for the Suns today, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. Michael Finley and Jermaine Taylor worked out for Phoenix yesterday, and Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic adds Elijah Millsap to the workout list as well (Twitter link).
After Seattle officially unveiled its arena proposal yesterday, Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson tells the Sacramento Bee he doesn't blame Seattle for pursuing an NBA franchise (potentially the Kings): "If we were without a team, I would be doing the same thing. But we have laser focus, we control our own destiny and we're closer than we've ever been."
The Jazz should listen to trade proposals over the next few weeks, but refrain from acting on anything unless they're blown away, opines Patrick Kinahan of 1320 KFAN at NBA.com.
Sam Smith answered a number of Bulls-related trade and roster questions in his latest mailbag at Bulls.com. Smith says the delay on a Joel Przybilla signing may stem from whether or not the big man wants to continue his NBA career.

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 Notes: Curry, Przybilla, Howard

February 7th, 2012 at 9:40pm CST by Zachary Links

A few notes on the Heat, who topped the Cavs 107-91 tonight behind 26 points from Dwyane Wade and 24 from LeBron James..

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said that Eddy Curry's contract was never in jeopardy in advance of tonight's deadline, tweets Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. Miami waived Mickell Gladness but opted to hold on to Curry and Terrel Harris. Spoelstra stopped short of saying that Gladness could be brought back on a 10-day contract, Winderman tweets.
More from Winderman, as Spoelstra indicated that the club isn't in a rush to fill its newly vacant roster spot. This could mean that Joel Przybilla, who is said to have offers from the Bulls and Heat, could be on the backburner.
Juwan Howard turned 39 today and said that he wouldn't mind one day having the title of the NBA's oldest player, tweets Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida. Howard is the third-oldest active player in the Association behind Kurt Thomas and Grant Hill.

Central Notes: Bogans, Thompson, Gee, Pistons

February 6th, 2012 at 12:29pm CST by Luke Adams

By this point, we expected to hear where Joel Przybilla decided to sign, but ESPN's Marc Stein tweets that the veteran center is still weighing his options. Though the Bucks are thought to have interest, Przybilla is believed to have narrowed down his options to the Bulls and Heat. While we wait for a decision from Przybilla, let's check out some links from around the Central division….

Keith Bogans, who recently signed with the Nets, wasn't pleased about the way the Bulls released him this preseason, as K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune writes. "I put everything on the line each night," said Bogans. "I played with a hurt knee 82 games. I took a pill 82 games to get that (release) in return. Every time I play them for the rest of my career, it will give me something added."
Mychel Thompson of the Cavaliers is trying to prove his worth, says Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. Thompson's non-guaranteed contract would become guaranteed if the Cavs hold onto him through Friday.
Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio discusses the Cavaliers' trade assets, and suggests the team extend Alonzo Gee by season's end.
Keith Langlois answered readers' questions about the direction of the Pistons in a Pistons.com mailbag.

Bucks Eyeing Fesenko, Przybilla

February 3rd, 2012 at 4:21pm CST by Luke Adams

After waiving Darington Hobson earlier today, the Bucks are searching for a big man to fill their open roster spot, reports Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. According to Kennedy, Milwaukee is considering free agents Kyrylo Fesenko and Joel Przybilla.

With Andrew Bogut's broken ankle expected to sideline him for most of the season, the Bucks are seeking frontcourt depth. Przybilla is said to be deciding between offers from the Heat and Bulls, so he may not consider an offer from Milwaukee at this point. Fesenko, meanwhile, nearly signed with the Warriors in December, but has remained on the market since then. For what it's worth, head coach Scott Skiles indicated earlier today that no moves were imminent for the Bucks.

For an idea of other free agent options the Bucks could pursue, check out our list of current unrestricted free agents.

Heat Make Offers To Przybilla, Martin

February 1st, 2012 at 6:43pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com reports that the Miami Heat have offered contracts to both Joel Przybilla and Kenyon Martin.

We heard earlier about the mutual interest between Przybilla and the Heat, and it was reported that a decision is expected to be made by the end of this week. Ira Winderman of South Florida Sun Sentinel indicated (via Twitter) that Przybilla is leaning toward selecting the Heat over the Bulls, who have also shown interest. It was also noted that Kenyon Martin could make his decision by this weekend as well.

The current Heat roster stands at the maximum of 15 players, so Miami would need to find a way to clear a roster spot for Przybilla and/or Martin if they accept their respective offers. Terrell Harris and Mickell Gladness, two rookies who are currently playing on unguaranteed contracts, are candidates to be waived.

Joel Przybilla To Decide Between Bulls, Heat

February 1st, 2012 at 1:16pm CST by Luke Adams

Kenyon Martin isn't the only player expected to decide on a team by this weekend. Joel Przybilla's agent, Bill Duffy, tells Sean Deveney of The Sporting News (Twitter link) that Przybilla will choose between the Bulls and the Heat by the end of the week. Duffy adds that the proximity of Chicago to Przybilla's family in Wisconsin won't be a factor in his decision (Twitter link).

Limited by knee injuries a year ago, Przybilla played in 36 games for the Trail Blazers and Bobcats. The 32-year-old's 2010/11 rates of 4.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per 36 minutes were down slightly from his career averages of 7.2 and 11.3. Przybilla reportedly considered retiring in the offseason, but ultimately decided against it. Last Thursday, Duffy said his client probably wouldn't sign for "a few more weeks," so it appears that timetable has been moved up a little.

The Heat have no exceptions or cap space available, so they'd only be able to offer Przybilla the veteran's minimum. The Bulls, on the other hand, could use their bi-annual exception on the former ninth overall pick, if they so choose. I'm guessing they're also offering the minimum and will save their BAE for next season.

The Celtics, Bucks, and Blazers also had interest in Przybilla, but are now out of the running, tweets Deveney.