Keyon Dooling Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Odds & Ends: Harden, Gay, Wolves, Mavs, Gibson

October 30th, 2012 at 3:05pm CST by Luke Adams

We're a few days removed from the Rockets' acquisition of James Harden, but that doesn't mean that reaction pieces or additional details have stopped rolling in. Today, Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel wonders if the Thunder got as much for Harden as the Magic did for Dwight Howard, and DeMar DeRozan talks to Eric Koreen of the National Post about how he, Harden, and other members of the 2009 draft class approach their contract situations. Meanwhile, Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game hears from one GM that Sam Presti didn't canvass the entire league for the best deal for Harden, presumably since Presti didn't want to create an avalanche of rumors (Twitter link). And finally, Bill Simmons of Grantland adds that Harden and his agent were seeking a 15% trade kicker as part of extension talks with the Thunder.

Now that we've rounded up today's Harden-related links, let's turn to the afternoon's non-Harden notes:

Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld examines a few players who could be trade candidates between now and the deadline, including Rudy Gay, who Kennedy says would be open to a move.
The Timberwolves have inquired on the recently-waived JaJuan Johnson, but don't figure to be a match, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star Telegram spoke to Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson about a number of topics, including the team's chemistry with so many new players on board.
Extension talks between Taj Gibson and the Bulls are ongoing and are expected to push up against tomorrow's 11:00pm CT deadline, says Ken Berger of CBS Sports (Twitter links).
Scottie Pippen is interesting in eventually becoming a head coach in the NBA, as he told The Waddle & Silvy Show on ESPN 1000 in Chicago (ESPNChicago.com has the details and quotes).
Mark Deeks of ShamSports tweets the details on a pair of contract buyouts: Jordan Williams will receive $420K from Atlanta after being waived by the Hawks, while Keyon Dooling will receive $400K from the Celtics following his retirement.
Dionte Christmas, who was released by the Celtics this month, appears headed for CSKA Moscow, according to Eurohoops.net (hat tip to Sportando).
A Spurs' second-round pick in 2009, Jack McClinton is hoping to earn a spot in the D-League this year and eventually receive an NBA call-up, writes David Pick at Eurobasket.com.

Celtics Notes: Dooling, Pierce, Garnett, Cap

September 28th, 2012 at 1:05pm CST by Luke Adams

A week after the Celtics announced his surprise retirement, Keyon Dooling opened up to Jessica Camerato of CSNNE.com about his motivations for ending his playing career early. Camerato's piece is extremely engaging, and is worth a read for any NBA enthusiast, Celtics fan or otherwise. Here are the rest of today's Celtics notes from the team's media day in Boston:

If Kevin Garnett had retired or signed with another team this summer, Paul Pierce would have seriously contemplated retirement, Pierce told the media today (Twitter link via Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com). The longtime Celtic says he didn't want to endure another rebuild.
Pierce's plan now is to retire when Garnett does, tweets Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. That could happen in the summer of 2015, when KG's newly-signed deal expires.
While GM Danny Ainge says he had some doubts about whether Garnett would be back (Twitter link via A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com), head coach Doc Rivers was skeptical about the big man's retirement talk: "He told me that all year; it was a bunch of crap. I never believed him" (Twitter link via Forsberg).
Ainge says the Celtics don't have the bi-annual exception available, based on money committed thus far, according to Forsberg (via Twitter). That news is surprising, since it was believe the Celtics signed players using either Bird rights, the mid-level exception, or the minimum-salary exception. Like the Bulls, the Celtics are hard-capped at $74.307MM because they used the non-taxpayer MLE, so perhaps the team is just getting uncomfortably close to that hard cap.
As we noted earlier today, the Celtics have formally announced the signings of Darko Milicic, Rob Kurz, and Micah Downs.

Odds & Ends: Timberwolves, Nets, Daniels

September 27th, 2012 at 10:47pm CST by Ryan Raroque

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:

In a Q&A with Mike Wells of IndyStar.com, Danny Granger said that he will try to take things slow through training camp after experiencing irritation in his knee this summer. He also mentioned that he would play if the Pacers were currently in the regular season, adding that the team is just being cautionary right now.
Paul Flannery of WEEI.com provides a comprehensive breakdown of the Celtics' moves this offseason, complete with some input from coach Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge.
Tyson Chandler told Tim Bontemps that his workouts with Hakeem Olajuwon have been going very well, says Marc Berman of the New York Post (Sulia link).
After recently signing an extension in Boston, Keyon Dooling talked about his abrupt decision to retire from the NBA (Jessica Camerato of CSNNE reports).
The Kamenetzky Brothers of 710 ESPN in Los Angeles took to their radio show to discuss Steve Blake's injury and the possible opportunities for Chris Duhon and Darius Morris, Kobe Bryant's ESPN ranking at number six, and Jason Terry's recent comments about the Heat and Lakers.

Southeast Rumors: Heat, Dooling, Carter, Magic

September 22nd, 2012 at 2:34pm CST by Chuck Myron

The defending champion Heat have been in the news a lot over the summer, and today is no exception, as the agent for former Celtics guard Keyon Dooling denied a report that his client is reconsidering his decision to retire and wants to play with Miami. If that report were true, and Dooling wound up joining the Heat, it's safe to say the Boston-Miami rivalry would become the league's most intense, if it isn't already at that point. Ira Winderman points out that Udonis Haslem has already reached out to new teammate Ray Allen to smooth over any hard feelings that might have been lingering from Allen's time with the Celtics (Sulia link). While the Heat might look out of the Southeast Division for their chief rivalry, the rest of the division's teams would probably like nothing more than to score at least one win against the Heat this year. Here's the latest from the Southeast.

Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida says he's received an email from Dooling that seconds his agent's denial of the report that he might come back (Sulia link). "No truth!'' Dooling wrote. "I will never play NBA ball again.''

Earlier updates:

Amidst notes on the Raptors, Doug Smith of the Toronto Star reveals that the Magic interviewed former Toronto head man Butch Carter for the coaching job that wound up going to Jacque Vaughn.
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel, in the same report that links Dooling to the Heat, says some of the Magic's veterans, principally Al Harrington, will be on the trading block. He says the team will likely try to move Harrington at the deadline for an expiring contract, draft picks or both as it continues its rebuild.
GM Rob Hennigan has also been retooling the Magic basketball operations department, as Schmitz writes in the same piece, having hired 23 new employees.
HoopsWorld writers preview the Hawks, and while they conclude the team figures to be the second best in the division, Atlanta will remain in transition as GM Danny Ferry plots how to manage the financial flexibility he obtained this summer.

Heat Notes: Dooling, Darko, Miller

September 22nd, 2012 at 10:57am CST by Zachary Links

Yesterday, Jazz guard Raja Bell said in a radio interview that the Heat would be his first choice in free agency if he can work out a buyout with Utah. The real question is, when will the veteran finally hit the open market? Bell's buyout has been in the works for months now and should be a simple matter as he is owed $3.5MM in the final year of his deal. The conflict appears to be more personal than financial, as the 36-year-old has reportedly been at odds with the Jazz organization dating back to when Deron Williams was the face of the franchise under the coaching of Jerry Sloan. Here's more on the Heat as we wait to see if Bell finds his way to South Beach..

Dooling's agent Kenge Stevenson says that there is no truth to the suggestion that his client wants to play for the Heat, tweets Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com. Stevenson added that Dooling is at peace with his decision to retire (Twitter link).
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel hears that guard Keyon Dooling, who is said to be retiring, would also be interested in joining the Heat. The one-guard was waived earlier this week by the Celtics and the press release indicated that Dooling was ready to call it quits after twelve years in the league.
In today's Q&A column, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel fields questions from readers who are disappointed that the Heat did not sign Darko Milicic. Even the Heat signed Darko, there is no guarantee that he would have received more time off the bench than Josh Harrellson. Miami may seem pressed for talented big men from the outside, but Winderman notes that in Erik Spoelstra's "position-less" system, true centers aren't a priority.
Heat forward Mike Miller is breathing a little easier after seeing the amnesty period come and go this July, writes Winderman. "I don't look at it as an escape," Miller said. "To be honest with you, I'm just happy with the opportunity I've had. I got a championship and they stuck with me through two [amnesty periods], so it's fun to be a part of this, still."

Keyon Dooling To Retire, Waived By Celtics

September 20th, 2012 at 8:55pm CST by Luke Adams

8:55pm: Chris Forsberg tweets that the Celtics may still be responsible for Dooling's $854K cap hit this year, crediting CBA guru Larry Coon with the assist.

4:21pm: The Celtics have officially waived Keyon Dooling, according to a press release from the team. Within the release, Dooling's representative, Kenge Stevenson, indicates that the veteran guard has decided to end his NBA playing career.

"Keyon has decided that he has given the NBA twelve good years and that it’s time to pursue other interests and spend more time with his family," said Stevenson. "He will never forget his time in Boston with the Celtics."

Dooling had just re-signed with the Celtics earlier this summer, so the decision comes as something of a surprise. Over the course of his NBA career, the 12-year veteran appeared in 721 games with the Clippers, Heat, Magic, Nets, Bucks, and Celtics, averaging 7.0 PPG and 2.2 APG in 19.5 MPG. According to Basketball-Reference, Dooling earned over $29MM in his playing career — it's not known whether he'll receive his entire 2012/13 salary, or if he and the Celtics agreed to a buyout.

For the Celtics, the move frees up an additional roster spot and could mean the team will decide to add another backcourt player. With Dooling out of the picture and Avery Bradley not expected to be healthy to start the season, Boston could at least extend another camp-invite or two for depth purposes.

Odds & Ends: Ibaka, Grizzlies, Dooling, Lindsey

September 2nd, 2012 at 9:42pm CST by Michael Pina

The Oklahoman's Darnell Mayberry gives us five ways Serge Ibaka can live up to his recent contract extension.

Here's a look at the rest of today's news throughout the league.

After suffering through a disappointing 2011/12 season, CBSSports.com's Royce Young highlights what we might be able to expect next season from the Grizzlies.
Brian T. Smith from The Salt Lake City Tribune gives an informative take on Dennis Lindsey, recently hired by the Jazz to be their general manager.
Pistons guard Brandon Knight looks up to Celtics veteran Keyon Dooling, writes the Detroit Free Press' Kirkland Crawford.

Celtics Re-Sign Keyon Dooling

July 31st, 2012 at 3:02pm CST by Luke Adams

JULY 31ST: The Celtics have officially re-signed Dooling, according to a team release.

JULY 24TH: The Celtics and Keyon Dooling have agreed to terms on a one-year contract, a source tells Paul Flannery of WEEI.com (Twitter link). ESPN.com's Chris Forsberg confirms with Dooling's agent that the guard will be returning to Boston on a one-year deal (Twitter link).

Because Dooling played for the Celtics last season, he was eligible to sign for more than the veteran's minimum, but Forsberg confirms it'll be a minimum-salary deal (Twitter link). Dooling's 4.0 PPG and 6.9 PER in 2011/12 were both career lows, so a larger guarantee was unlikely, though Forsberg adds that the 32-year-old's "locker room leadership" is invaluable (Twitter link).

Having used their full mid-level exception to sign Jason Terry, the Celtics will be hard-capped at $74.3MM this season. They'll only be on the hook for $854,389 of Dooling's $1,352,181 salary, with the league covering the remaining portion.

Celtics Trying To Clear Space For Courtney Lee

July 14th, 2012 at 2:32pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Celtics agreed to terms with Jason Terry last week, but they'd "love" to turn the deal into a sign-and-trade with the Mavericks in order to free their mid-level exception to pursue Courtney Lee, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. Sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the Mavericks and Celtics discussed a sign-and-trade for Terry earlier in the process, but the Mavs are no longer open to such a move (Twitter link). Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com hears the only way a sign-and-trade happens is if a third team gets involved.

Celtics Rumors: Crawford, Pietrus, Dooling, Daniels

June 16th, 2012 at 10:08am CST by Chuck Myron

A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com yesterday advanced the notion of Jamal Crawford joining the Celtics. Fellow CSNNE.com scribe Rich Levine endorses the idea, but believes Crawford is seeking a multi-year deal worth more per year than the $5MM he made this past season with the Blazers, and wonders whether the Celtics are willing to spend that much on him. Crawford is expected to decline his $5.225MM Blazers option for next year. There's plenty more on potential Celtics comings and goings this morning, with just a few weeks to go until free agents officially hit the market.