HoopsWorld On Deng, Lowry, Gay, Gasol, Draft
Luol Deng's decision to play in this summer's Olympics rather than immediately undergoing wrist surgery has created some tension between the player and his NBA team, and Deng said this weekend that he wouldn't be shocked if the Bulls traded him. Both Alex Kennedy and Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld looked at the possibility of a deal, with Kennedy noting that the Bulls would "love to add a young star" in the draft lottery. Kyler adds that Deng's trade value takes a bit of a hit since he's expected to miss the start of the season, but says the Raptors and Warriors have shown "more than a passing interest."
Here are a few more Monday morning notes from the pair of HoopsWorld scribes on potential trades that could be consummated this week:
Hawks Hire Danny Ferry As President, GM
The Hawks have officially hired Danny Ferry as the team's new president of basketball operations and general manager, the team announced today in a press release. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports first reported yesterday that Atlanta had offered Ferry the job, with Chris Broussard of ESPN.com adding that the offer was for six years.
Woelfel On Jennings, Bucks, Lamb, Bobcats
In the months since Brandon Jennings talked about "doing his homework" on large-market teams to prepare for free agency, the Bucks guard has become more amenable to a long-term extension in Milwaukee, according to Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times. The 22-year-old talked to Woelfel about wanting to become the face of the franchise, and indicated a willingness to work out a contract extension in the near future.
"If everything is right, why not?" Jennings said of an extension. "If my agent (Bill Duffy) comes back and says this is what we should do, I’m going to do it."
Woelfel also shares a few more updates in a second piece for the Journal Times, so let's round those up….
Hawks Offer GM Job To Danny Ferry
11:14pm: The Hawks' offer to Ferry is for six years, according to Chris Broussard of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Broussard notes that the lengthy offer strongly indicates that the club is no longer for sale.
2:44pm: The Hawks have officially offered their general manager position to Danny Ferry, according to Yahoo! Sports columnist Adrian Wojnarowski. No deal is complete as of now, but there is "progress towards an eventual agreement."
Draft Updates: Sunday
With the draft just four days away, teams are scurrying to get their plans in order before Thursday evening's big event in Newark, NJ. Saturday saw another full slate of draft rumors and Sunday's already shaping up to look the same. Ft. Worth Star-Telegram's Dwain Price reports the Mavs will be looking to add a rotation-type player with the 17th pick. We'll keep track of all of the day's latest draft news and happenings with the most recent information on top.
- The Rockets are looking to move into the top 10, dangling some combination of picks 14, 16 and Kyle Lowry, says Chad Ford. Ford suspects that the Rockets are eyeing UConn's Andre Drummond and could be speaking with the Kings at pick 5 and the Raptors at pick 8.
- Jodie Valade addresses the comparisons between Bradley Beal and Ray Allen in a story for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, implying that Beal could be more versatile than Allen.
- Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group takes a look at potential Warriors targets Moe Harkless, Terrence Ross and Quincy Miller and where the selection of the three wings would make sense for Golden State.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 6/18/12 – 6/24/12
Here's this week's look at the original work of the Hoops Rumors team…
- Zach Links profiled West Virginia forward Kevin Jones in our Prospect Profile series.
- This week's installment of Hoops Links has stories on Samuel Dalembert, Mike Dunlap, LeBron James and more. You can send in your blog post to HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
- If you missed Luke Adams' weekly chat on Thursday, take a look at the transcript here.
- It's no surprise that nearly 60 percent of Hoops Rumors readers considered the performance of LeBron James as the best of the NBA Finals.
- Luke Adams took a very detailed look at the NBA's rookie wage scale as well as the traded player exception, both of which will be added to the Hoops Rumors glossary for future reference.
- Luke Adams also analyzed Jeff Green's free agent outlook as part of our Free Agent Stock Watch Series.
- I published the first Hoops Rumors mock draft consisting of selections and analysis of all thirty first round picks. Look for an updated version a day or two before the draft this week.
- Luke Adams examined the Spurs offseason outlook completing his Offseason Outlook series, for which he provided a post with links to all teams.
- I profiled Vanderbilt sharp shooter John Jenkins in our Prospect Profile series.
Week In Review: 6/18/12 – 6/24/12
Here's a look back at the biggest stories from around the Association this week…
- Hoops Rumors maintained an evolving Draft Update page each day this week, which can all be seen here.
- Luol Deng would not be surprised if the Bulls trade him this offseason.
- Deron Williams says he will either sign with the Mavericks or the Nets once free agency opens.
- The Mavericks decided to bring back Brandan Wright for next season.
- Soon-to-be free agent point guard Steve Nash will definitely consider signing with the Knicks.
- Jason Kidd will also consider the Knicks, as well as the Nets.
- The Cavaliers will match any offer on restricted free agent Alonzo Gee.
- It doesn't look like Jamal Crawford will pick up his player option with Portland unless it is through a trade to a team he is interested in joining.
- The Hornets shipped Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza to Washington for Rashard Lewis and a second round pick.
- Ramon Sessions has opted out of his contract with the Lakers and will be an unrestricted free agent.
- Hoops Rumors published their their first mock draft, with an updated version expected in the next few days.
- Jared Sullinger was red flagged by NBA doctors.
Sam Presti Dismisses Jackson/Van Gundy Rumors
On Friday, we provided an update on the latest rumblings in the Scott Brooks extension talks, in which apparently the Thunder and Brooks remain far apart. Within that post we heard from Marc Stein that should those talks reach an impasse, two names that have surfaced as back up plans are Phil Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy.
Earlier today, we heard that Oklahoma City GM Sam Presti addressed their draft position and luxury tax situation. According to Royce King from Daily Thunder, Presti also dismissed the Jackson/Van Gundy rumors pretty adamantly when he talked to the media. Presti insisted that settling Brooks' contract situation was at the top of the Thunder's offseason checklist:
Odds & Ends: Nuggets, Heat, Thunder, Suns
The Nuggets now have more than enough assets to make a blockbuster deal for another superstar but they shouldn't rush anything, writes The Denver Post's Benjamin Hochman.
Tony Parker May Miss Olympics
After recently injuring his eye in a New York City nightclub, the Spurs may force Tony Parker to sit out this summer's Olympic games, according to the San Antonio Express-News' Mike Monroe.