Pops Mensah-Bonsu Rumors | Hoops Rumors

International Notes: Kapono, Cook, Mensah-Bonsu

March 4th, 2013 at 11:33am CST by Luke Adams

While it's been a fairly quiet day in the NBA so far, a few familiar names are making headlines internationally. Here are the latest notes from around the globe:

Jason Kapono is not expected to finish the season with Greek team Panathinaikos, according to a report from Lefteris Moutis of EuroHoops.net. Kapono joined the club in December, but has been disappointed by his lack of playing time and will likely ask to be let go, according to Moutis.
Brian Cook has reached an agreement to sign with Piratas de Quebradillas of Puerto Rico, agent Greg Nunn tells Jorge Sierra of HoopsHype. Cook, who played for the Clippers and Wizards a year ago, will have an NBA out, giving him the option of returning stateside before season's end if an opportunity arises.
Cajasol Sevilla has signed former NBA veteran Pops Mensah-Bonsu, the Spanish club announced today on its website (English link via Sportando). The 29-year-old played with five NBA teams in parts of four seasons, last appearing in seven games for the Hornets in 2010/11.

Free Agent Notes: Fisher, Gilder, Joyner

September 19th, 2012 at 6:20pm CST by Michael Pina

With preseason action right around the corner, several teams are holding informal workouts in an attempt to figure out their training camp rosters. Of them are the Lakers, who've begun bringing in newcomers in El Segundo, writes CBSLA.com. One semi-surprising player in attendance was former Laker point guard Derek Fisher, who was traded by the team to the Rockets last season.

Here are a few other free agency related notes floating around the league this Wednesday evening.

Forward Trey Gilder has been invited to the Jazz's training camp, writes The Salt Lake Tribune's Brian T. Smith. The 27-year-old Gilder spent last season in the D-League where he averaged 19.2PPG and 7.7RPG in 34 apperances. He's expected to compete for a roster spot with the team.
Terrence Joyner is weighing training camp options from several teams, tweets Hoopsworld.com's Alex Kennedy. If he doesn't take any offers, Joyner will play in the D-League.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Ira Winderman gives his top 20 remaining free agents. (Sulia link)
Maccabi Tel-Aviv has waived Pops Mensah-Bonsu due to a lingering knee injury, reports Sportando.net.

Troy Murphy Drawing Interest Overseas?

September 3rd, 2012 at 12:11pm CST by Luke Adams

Troy Murphy didn't have a major impact off the bench for the Lakers this past season, but as we saw when we examined the top outside shooters still available, no unsigned free agent posted a better three-point percentage in 2011/12 than Murphy's 41.8%. Still, based on the news and rumors out there this summer, the big man doesn't seem to be drawing much interest from NBA teams.

One club that may be interested in Murphy, however, is Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv. The team reached an agreement with Pops Mensah-Bonsu earlier in the summer, but with questions arising about Mensah-Bonsu's physical condition, a replacement may be necessary. And according to David Pick of Sportando, Murphy is one name that's been mentioned as a possibility.

Mensah-Bonsu is scheduled to arrive in Israel for a medical check-up in mid-September, according to Pick, so Murphy is on the backburner for Maccabi Tel Aviv. In the meantime, the 32-year-old will presumably continue to seek an NBA contract, despite the apparent lack of interest.

After recording a 16.0 PER for the first nine years of his career, Murphy has struggled in limited minutes over the last two seasons, posting an 8.7 PER for the Nets, Celtics, and Lakers.

Odds & Ends: Blazers, Przybilla, Gentry, Villanueva

July 30th, 2012 at 12:35pm CST by Luke Adams

With Olympic basketball underway in London, new Timberwolves Andrei Kirilenko and Alexey Shved led the Russian squad to a victory over Great Britain in each team's first game. Former NBA veteran Pops Mensah-Bonsu scored 22 points for Britain, and has also reportedly agreed to play in Israel for the coming season. Emiliano Carchia of Sportando (via Twitter) confirms an Israel Today report suggesting that Mensah-Bonsu has agreed to terms with Maccabi Tel Aviv. The 28-year-old had played in regular-season games for the Mavericks, Spurs, Raptors, Rockets, and Hornets in four NBA seasons.

Let's round up a few more Monday odds and ends….

The Trail Blazers will interview their final four coaching candidates today and tomorrow, starting with Steve Clifford today, tweets Jason Quick of the Oregonian. Kaleb Canales, Terry Stotts, and Elston Turner are the other finalists.
Joel Przybilla says he's meeting with teams this week and will decide "really soon" where he'll play in 2012/13, though he didn't say if the Blazers are still in the running, according to Quick (Twitter links). We heard last week that the Bucks, Blazers, and Mavericks were all interested in the big center.
Suns coach Alvin Gentry isn't concerned that the team hasn't extended his contract, which will expire at the end of the coming season. "My view is if a person has a three-year contract, you assess it at the end of three years," said GM Lon Babby, and Gentry is on board with that approach, as he tells Randy Hill of FOX Sports Arizona.
Plenty of Pistons fans were disappointed that Detroit didn't amnesty Charlie Villanueva earlier this month, but the veteran forward tells Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press that he plans to take advantage of the opportunity and use fans' scorn as motivation.