John Wall On Wizards’ Season, Needs, Future
Although it was a disappointing overall season for the Wizards, the team ended on a high note, winning its final six games without compromising its lottery odds. As the season came to an end this week, John Wall spoke to Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida and Michael Lee of the Washington Post about the year and what the future looks like for Wall and the Wizards. Here are a few of the highlights from the interviews:
On the Wizards' midseason roster upheaval:
"For some guys, it was contract year, wasn’t serious with the basketball as I think they should’ve been and with them being traded to veteran teams, it helped them. We didn’t have any veterans to get on them, they was the veterans. Now they are with veteran teams doing better and we’re doing better."
On the post-trade Wizards:
"This year, really, after the trade, it felt like it was my third year. It was a whole totally different team and we started playing totally different, to be honest. No disrespect to any guys we had before, but everything changed. We were more serious in the locker room, more serious on the court, unselfish play, everybody played together and just wanted to win."
On what the team needs to add:
"I think another veteran big man, another wing player and maybe a two guard. Another strong two guard. And that's it."
On the odds of eventually signing an extension with Washington:
"I like being here, but you let the future hold its own. When the time comes, you see what the best situation is for you."
Southwest Notes: Rockets, Dragic, Batum, Terry
The Southwest Division will be well represented in this year's postseason, with the defending champion Mavericks getting their series underway tomorrow night in Oklahoma City. The Spurs and Grizzlies will join the action on Sunday, hosting Game Ones against the Jazz and Clippers, respectively. While we look forward to what should be some excellent series, let's round up the latest news and rumors out of the division….
- Following Thursday's regular-season finale, there was a sense in the Rockets' locker room that the team could look much different next season, says Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. According to Feigen, Houston's primary goal, to find a star player to be the team's foundation, remains unchanged.
- Rockets GM Daryl Morey seems very interested in re-signing Goran Dragic, who will be an unrestricted free agent. Morey took to Twitter last night to lobby for Dragic's return, tweeting: "Rockets fans,tell Goran Dragic how much U want him 2extend his time with Hou. I will get your message 2him."
- Nicolas Batum talked to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com about the possibility of signing with the Spurs this summer.
- Rick Gosselin and Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News discuss Jason Terry's contract situation with the Mavericks, and whether the free-agent-to-be will be "playing for his money" during the postseason.
Odds & Ends: Asik, Team USA, Pistons
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Thursday night:
- The Akron Beacon Journal's Jason Lloyd expects (link via Twitter) the Cavaliers to have interest in Bulls center Omer Asik this summer. Asik will be a restricted free agent.
- USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo told Marc Stein of ESPN.com that no new players will be added to the London Olympics team roster to replace injured players such as Dwight Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge.
- David Mayo of MLive.com has quotes from Pistons owner Tom Gores, who says more moves are necessary to bring Detroit back to respectability.
Raptors Notes: Bayless, Bargnani, Davis
The latest on the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night:
- Jerryd Bayless tells Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun that he wants to re-sign with the Raptors. The fourth-year guard will be a restricted free agent this summer.
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun has a recap of Andrea Bargnani's season. Despite a disappointing, injury-plagued campaign, Simmons still feels the Italian forward can be a cornerstone for the Raptors going forward.
- Wolstat also examines Ed Davis' development, calling the big man a "work in progress." Davis will become a restricted free agent after the 2013/14 season.
Jameer Nelson Likely To Opt Out
ESPNFlorida.com's Andrew Melnick reports (via Twitter) that point guard Jameer Nelson is likely to opt out of his contract with the Magic and become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Earlier today, Nelson said he wants to spend the rest of his career in Orlando. Because of this, it is likely that Nelson will opt out only to negotiate a deal with the Magic that goes beyond next season. His contract was due to expire after the 2012/13 season if he picked up his option.
Nelson, 29, is averaging 12.4 PPG and 5.7 APG this season. His option for next season is expected to be worth $8.6MM.
Poll: Will Deron Williams Remain With The Nets?
Earlier today, Deron Williams discussed his tour of the Nets' new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and hinted that there was a chance he would re-sign with the team this summer. While nothing will be certain until at least July 1, do you think Williams' name will be on the posters in Brooklyn next season?
Warriors Notes: Jamison, Draft, Barron
The latest news regarding the Golden State Warriors on Thursday evening:
- The Bay Area News Group's Marcus Thompson suggests the Warriors may have interest in free-agent forward Antawn Jamison this summer. He cited Jamison's closeness with new Golden State GM Bob Myers and willingness to come off the bench as reasons he could be a fit.
- Thompson also notes (via Twitter) that if the Warriors lose tonight, the likelihood of keeping their first-round pick in June's draft will come down to a coin-flip on Friday. Utah owns Golden State's pick unless it falls in the top seven slots.
- Sportando reports that journeyman center Earl Barron, released by the Warriors earlier this season, has signed a contract in Puerto Rico.
Deron Williams Talks Arena, Brooklyn, Future
Colin Stephenson of the Newark Star-Ledger reports that Nets point guard Deron Williams recently took a tour of the franchise's brand-new Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The free agent-to-be says he walked away impressed:
"It was great, it was great,'' Williams said of the new arena. "It’s definitely taking shape. It was looking nice, it’s going to be a special arena.''
Williams, expected to be the most coveted free agent of this summer's class, would not commit to re-signing with the Nets in the offseason, but he did not close the door on the possibility, either.
"I’ve got some big decisions to make,'' he said. "I think going to Brooklyn helped me see the vision again, so we’ll see what happens.''
Williams also mentioned that there were times during the season when he lost faith in the Nets' ability to contend in the future, although he's feeling more encouraged about that possibility now.
Odds & Ends: Camby, Wallace, Barnes, Cavs
If you were looking forward to watching Kobe Bryant try to drop 38 points on Sacramento tonight to win the scoring title, you may want to make alternate plans. According to Sam Amick of SI.com (via Twitter), Lakers coach Mike Brown says Bryant won't play in tonight's game, meaning Kevin Durant will finish as the NBA's leading scorer for the third straight season. While it would've been fun to see Kobe gun for 38, we have to give props to Durant — at just 23 years old, he's the youngest player ever to win three scoring titles.
Here are a few more Thursday afternoon odds and ends from around the Association:
- Marcus Camby reiterates to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle that the Rockets will be his first choice in free agency this summer: "A lot of suitors are going to be trying to reach out. This is where I want to be. So hopefully, we can make something work."
- Ben Wallace has appeared headed toward retirement all season, but wants to make sure it's the right decision, as Vince Goodwill of the Detroit News writes. Wallace will sit down with Pistons management and his family and won't rush his final decision.
- Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld believes Harrison Barnes could be the ideal fit for the Raptors in the draft.
- Samardo Samuels and Manny Harris will head into the summer looking to earn themselves a spot on next year's Cavaliers' roster, says Joe Gabriele of Cavs.com. Both players are on non-guaranteed contracts for 2012/13.
- If the Magic let Stan Van Gundy go at season's end, the veteran coach will have no shortage of options, according to Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel.
Nelson Wants To Spend Career With Magic
Dwight Howard may have spent a good chunk of the year going back and forth on whether he wanted to remain in Orlando, but teammate Jameer Nelson is more certain about his preference.
"My thing is, I definitely want to be here next year and for the rest of my career," Nelson told Joshua Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. "I’m just focusing on winning games and helping my team win and lead the team. But definitely it’s something in the back of my mind. But, like I said, I can’t focus on it as much as I would like to. I’ll sit down with my team and my family at the end of the season and discuss what’s going on and what are the possibilities."
Nelson holds a player option for 2012/13 and hasn't decided whether or not to exercise it. Contract databases like Storytellers Contracts and ShamSports put the value of the option year at $8.6MM, though Robbins says it's worth about $7.8MM. Either way, it's likely a larger salary than Nelson would earn next season if he opted out, but given all the uncertainty surrounding the Magic, it's not an automatic decision for the point guard. If he opts in, he could be viewed as a trade chip by a new GM or see his role change under a new coach.
After struggling early in the season, Nelson has performed well in the second half, averaging 14.3 points and 6.1 assists per game since the All-Star Break, on .448/.419/.786 shooting.