Jason Kidd Willing To Sign With Knicks
Jason Kidd is willing to sign with the Knicks, according to comments the free agent point guard made on The Michael Kay Show on ESPNNewYork.com. Kidd also reiterated his interest in a return to the Nets, the team he played for from 2001 to 2008.
Warriors Rumors: Drummond, Deng, Waiters, Ross
Reports continue to suggest that the Trail Blazers are enamored by Damian Lillard, enough to draft him sixth overall. Such a move would mean that one of the players initially viewed as a consensus top-six pick, Andre Drummond, could be available when the Warriors picked seventh overall. According to Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News, there could be a very interesting debate among Warriors execs if Drummond was on the board at No. 7. For what it's worth, our mock draft earlier this week had Lillard to Portland at six and Drummond slipping to the Raptors at eight.
Let's round up a few more Warriors-related rumors from Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group….
Rockets Working On Trade Involving Dalembert
2:13pm: A source tells Sam Amick that everyone should "slow down" on the Dalembert rumblings, which are coming from other teams rather than the Rockets (Twitter link). Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle also hears that a deal is "not happening" at the moment (Twitter link). Still, Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld says it sounds like Houston is "really open for business," even beyond Dalembert (Twitter link).
1:46pm: SI.com's Sam Amick (Sulia link) suggests the Rockets are shopping Dalembert and a first-rounder in an attempt to move up in the draft, rather than to acquire a veteran.
Jazz Rumors: Lillard, Millsap, Howard
The Jazz don't currently have a first-round pick in next week's draft, having sent their pick to the Timberwolves. However, that doesn't necessarily mean they'll stand idly by during draft night. According to Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune, the Jazz have long coveted Weber State point guard Damian Lillard, and could consider trading up on draft night, depending on how far Lillard falls and what trade packages are available (Twitter links). Here are a few more Jazz updates from Smith:
Magic Notes: Howard, Hennigan, Head Coach
The Magic's general manager search came to an end yesterday, and the team will officially introduce Rob Hennigan as its new GM in a press conference at the top of the hour. Hennigan inherits a tricky situation involving Magic superstar Dwight Howard, who is under contract for one more year, but may not finish the season in Orlando. According to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel (via Twitter), Howard hasn't requested a trade this summer, but many people in the organization believe he wants out. Let's round up a few more notes on the Magic's star center and their new GM:
Cavs Expected To Match Offers For Alonzo Gee
Alonzo Gee started the 2011/12 season on a non-guaranteed contract, but over the course of the year, he became one of the Cavaliers' key rotation players, averaging 10.6 points in 29 minutes per game in 63 contests. With Gee eligible for restricted free agency this summer, the Cavs are prepared to match any offer sheet the 25-year-old may sign, according to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio.
Free Agent Notes: Nash, Watson, Dalembert
So far this morning, we've heard that Mo Williams could end up testing free agency and that Chauncey Billups is looking forward to hitting the open market. Let's check in on a few more potential free agents, including a Rocket, a Bull, and a two-time MVP….
Celtics Form Partnership With Maine Red Claws
JUNE 21ST, 9:14am: The Celtics made their partnership with the Red Claws official today, announcing the agreement in a press release. The single-affiliation hybrid partnership will take effect for the 2012/13 season.
JUNE 16TH, 12:45pm: The Celtics are the latest NBA team to take over the basketball operations of their D-League affiliate, Scott Schroeder of Ridiculous Upside reports, as they're nearing a deal to form a "hybrid partnership" with the Maine Red Claws. Presumably, this means the Red Claws will become solely an affiliate of the Celtics and end their relationship with the Sixers and Bobcats.
Chauncey Billups Talks Recovery, Free Agency
Chauncey Billups saw his 2011/12 season cut short after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in a February game against the Magic, but the 35-year-old has no plans to retire and is looking forward to free agency this summer. Billups spoke to Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post about his future, and provided a handful of noteworthy quotes. Here are the highlights from the interview:
Mo Williams, Clippers Seeking Contract Solution
While Mo Williams plans to exercise his $8.5MM player option and remain with the Clippers next season, the situation isn't is simple as that, writes Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com. According to agent Mark Bartelstein, he and the Clippers are trying to "find a solution" that will work for both sides.