Reyshawn Terry

Pelicans Audition Terry, Powell, Childress

Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York has heard from a source that the Pelicans have worked out Reyshawn Terry, Josh Powell, and Josh Childress over the past two days. Hoopshype also relayed the news from a source who confirmed Powell's audition for New Orleans today (Twitter links).

After officially announcing the signings of Lance Thomas and Arinze Onuaku earlier today, the Pelicans currently have 15 players under contract. It's worth noting that only 13 of those deals are guaranteed, which means that the final two roster spots are still up for grabs. 

Powell last played in the NBA as a member of the Hawks during the 2010/11 season, averaging 4.1 PPG, 2.5 RPG, and shooting 45.2% from the field in 12.1 MPG. Last November, he signed with the eventual champion Olympiacos Piraeus of the Euroleague after a few short stints in China and Puerto Rico. The 30-year-old power forward enjoyed two championship seasons as a reserve on the Lakers in 2008/09 and 2009/10, and his most productive NBA season to date appears to be with the Clippers in 2007/08, where he posted career bests of 5.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 19.2 MPG in 64 games played.  

Childress, also 30 and a former member of Olympiacos, is looking to land with another NBA team after an underwhelming season on the Nets last year. The former sixth overall pick of 2004 played in just 14 games with Brooklyn, averaging 1.0 PPG and 28.6% shooting overall in 7.1 MPG before being waived in late December. Childress showed some promise in 2007/08 before leaving for Greece over the next two seasons, averaging 11.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 29.9 MPG and shooting an incredible 57.1% from the field in 76 games for the Hawks. However, upon returning to the league three years ago, the 6'8 swingman is still trying to regain his niche in the NBA.

Terry may not have much NBA experience other than his summer league cameos with the Mavericks and Trail Blazers in 2008 and 2010 respectively, but he brings a wealth of international experience to the table. After being selected as the 44th overall pick in 2007, the 6'8 forward headed overseas for the next six years, playing in Greece, Italy, Spain, Germany, the Ukraine, and most recently in Lebanon. Zwerling (via Twitter) noted the opinion of one scout who likened the former North Carolina Tar Heel to "a better version of Chris Copeland," and added that the 29-year-old swingman got off to a late start this summer after being hurt. As a member of Champville SC in Lebanon for 17 games last season, Terry averaged 19.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 36.6 MPG while shooting 56.0% from inside the arc and 37.5% from long range.

Odds & Ends: Lakers, Asik, Warriors

While trying to rationalize a sign-and-trade involving the Lakers sending Dwight Howard to the Warriors from L.A.'s point of view, Kevin Pelton of ESPN.com (Insiders only) writes that Golden State could possibly sweeten their offer by adding another expiring contract to the table while agreeing to take on the rest of Steve Nash's deal in return. If in fact Dwight decides to leave, Pelton thinks that acquiring expiring contracts, future first round picks, and a young talent like Harrison Barnes would be much more preferable than seeing their star free agent walk away for nothing. 

Here are more of the rest of tonight's miscellaneous notes:

  • Although 76ers GM Sam Hinkie chose not to comment much on the team's possible interest in Omer Asik, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that Hinkie is very familiar with the Rockets big man, as he was part of Houston's front office when they signed him to a deal last summer. 
  • ESPN's Marc Stein tweets that the most notable aspect of the D12 rumors from the Warriors' perspective is how they'll deal with Andrew Bogut if their pursuit of Howard falls through. Matt Steinmetz of CSN Bay Area (via Twitter) adds David Lee, Barnes, and Klay Thompson to the list of players that will be owed an explanation as well. 
  • A number of the Mavericks' point guard targets – including Monta Ellis, Mo Williams, Jarrett Jack, Chauncey Billups, and Jose Calderon – remain on the free agent market, and Eddie Sefko of SportsDayDFW writes that the team is working behind the scenes with multiple agents regarding potential acquisitions. In another piece, Sefko details why Howard would fit and make a much needed positive impact in Dallas. 
  • Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times goes through the potential repercussions for the four teams that miss out on signing Howard this summer.
  • John Canzano of The Oregonian endorses the under-the-radar moves Neil Olshey has completed recently for the Trail Blazers, even if they may not appeal to fans who were expecting a big splash thus far. 
  • Kevin Sherrington of SportsDayDFW says that there’s virtually no chance that Mark Cuban sells the Mavericks even if things don’t continue to go well, citing a tweet from the team owner himself. 
  • Jared Zwerling of ESPN NY recommends keeping an eye out for Reyshawn Terry and Toure Murry as players who could find themselves on an NBA team's radar soon (Twitter links). Terry, whom Zwerling thinks could be another team's 'Chris Copeland,' has reportedly played well overseas and could find himself on an NBA summer league team. Murry is currently on the Knicks' summer team and could be good enough to make a team's regular season roster. 
  • Earlier tonight, A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE tweeted that the Mavericks were expected to see if the Celtics are more willing to trade Rajon Rondo now with Brad Stevens as the new head coach.  However, with a report that Rondo is keeping an open mind to the hiring, it might not seem likely that Danny Ainge would be receptive to trade overtures just yet. 

Odds & Ends: Spurs, Bulls, Knicks, Louisville

The rumor mill has begun to pick up as the calendar turns to September, with news that the Pacers have reached a deal with Blake Ahearn, while the Nets look at Andray Blatche and the Knicks eye Sean Williams. There's plenty more this afternoon, so let's get right to what's happening around the league:

Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors also contributed to this post.