Odds & Ends: Magic, Ellis, Turiaf, Bulls, Garnett
Earlier today we heard that the Magic general manager Rob Hennigan spoke with the media and addressed the plethora of issues he has on his plate in his first few weeks on the job. Following Hennigan's availability, Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel put together a comprehensive story on the rapid rate of change with which the Magic have overhauled their organization. By Schmitz's count, the Magic have dispatched of 17 important pieces of the organization since December. Starting as early as tomorrow night's draft, it is Orlando roster's turn for a makeover.
Here are some some odds and ends from around the NBA on this Wednesday night:
Anthony Parker Set To Retire
Cavaliers shooting guard Anthony Parker has announced his retirement, writes Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. This is no surprise to Cavs fans, as the 37-year-old hinted that this would be his last season as recently as April. Parker played nine seasons in the NBA with the last three coming in Cleveland. Parker also spent time playing overseas from 2000-2006. His final career averages are 9.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Parker said the following through an e-mail:
"I wanted to make that decision after the season and make sure that is what I wanted to do. I'm at peace with it and excited for whatever the future has for me."
Rockets Rumors: Howard, Gay, Smith, Lowry
The amount of rumors circulating around the Houston Rockets is dizzying to say the least. They currently have picks 12, 16 and 18 after making two draft-related trades in the past few days. There are multiple rumors about them trying to move into the top five of tomorrow night's draft, most frequently being connected with the Kings at 5. They could plan to use that pick or they could be trying to stockpile picks to make a run at Dwight Howard. Right now, for us, it's a waiting game. Let's round up the latest Rockets rumors here:
Jamal Crawford Opts Out Of Contract
JUNE 27TH, 7:50pm: Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com caught up with Jamal Crawford who confirmed that he did in fact opt out despite initially being agreeable to a trade. He said that after consulting with his family, he decided to go the free agent route in hopes of securing a long-term deal:
"I wanted to experience free agency truly for the first time. The last two years I've essentially played on one-year contracts and I can't do that to my family anymore. I want a multiyear deal," Crawford said.
Jason Maxiell To Remain With Detroit
Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News tweets that Jason Maxiell has decided not to opt out of the final year of his contract, locking him into a $5MM salary in Detroit next year. Last we heard from Maxiell, the Pistons big man and his agent were considering testing free agency.
Maxiell has been limited in his effectiveness over seven seasons on the Detroit bench and probably assumed that leaving $5MM on the table would not be very prudent. He signed a four-year, $20MM extension with the Pistons that took effect in the 2008/09 season. Maxiell will hit free agency after next season.
Bucks Acquire Samuel Dalembert
5:01pm: The swap also includes a future second-round pick heading to the Bucks, according to the team's official PR Twitter feed.
2:31pm: The Bucks have acquired Samuel Dalembert in a trade with the Rockets, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link). Dalembert heads to Milwaukee along with the No. 14 pick, in exchange for Jon Brockman, Jon Leuer, Shaun Livingston, and the No. 12 pick, tweets Wojnarowski.
Rockets To Retain Courtney Fortson
The Rockets have been active on the trade market in recent days and figure to make more moves before the week is out, but they're not quite jettisoning all their players. Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston tweets that the Rockets have decided to bring back Courtney Fortson for next season, according to agent Charles Briscoe. Fortson is on a non-guaranteed minimum-salary contract for 2012/13.
Patty Mills Declines Player Option
The deadline for Patty Mills to opt into his player option for 2012/13 has passed, and he will become a free agent, reports Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News. The decision comes as no surprise and doesn't necessarily mean Mills won't return to San Antonio. The option was for the minimum salary (about $885K), which the point guard should be able to surpass on the open market.
Kahn On Roy, Shved, Rubio, Draft, Eliyahu
A day after acquiring Chase Budinger from the Rockets, Minnesota formally introduced the newest Timberwolf in an afternoon press conference. While the T-Wolves gave up their first-round pick and only hold the No. 58 pick in tomorrow night's draft, president of basketball operations David Kahn says the team isn't done making moves, according to Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune (Twitter link). Here's what Kahn had to say on a few other T-Wolves topics (all Twitter links):
Lakers Shopping Pau Gasol; Hawks Interested
3:32pm: Chad Ford of ESPN.com hears from a league source that the Rockets are no longer pursuing Gasol, while Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio hears that it's still "very possible" Houston goes after Pau (Sulia link). Ken Berger of CBSSports.com also hears from a source that the Rockets have "cooled significantly" on Gasol. I'm guessing the 31-year-old is, at best, a Plan B or C for the Rockets at this point.
2:54pm: Bresnahan adds in another tweet that the Lakers also have interest in Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who could be the target if the team moves Gasol in a deal for a top-five pick.
2:27pm: The Hawks have been pursuing Gasol, according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter). There's still nothing imminent, but Bresnahan says Josh Smith would be heading to the Lakers in any deal involving the two teams.