2012 June | Hoops Rumors

Atlantic Notes: Raptors, KG, Allen, Fisher, Knicks

By Luke Adams | at June 12, 2012 9:37 am

We already rounded up a number of updates on the 76ers this morning, as the team begins to search for a replacement for Rod Thorn and weighs how to handle its free agents. Now, let's catch up on a few of their Atlantic Division rivals, with updates on the Raptors' draft workouts, a Celtic undergoing surgery, and a potential free agent target for the Knicks….

Sixers Rumors: Williams, Hawes, Thorn, Iguodala

By Luke Adams | at June 12, 2012 8:20 am

Multiple reports have indicated Lou Williams will be opting out of the final year of his contract with the 76ers, though not necessarily to leave Philadelphia. Williams himself seemed to be laying the groundwork for such a decision yesterday, tweeting "Quick note. Opting out doesn't necessarily mean you're leaving. It's getting out of one contract to begin a new one." The Sixers will be faced with a number of free agent decisions besides Williams this summer, and Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News has updates on a few of those players and on the executives that will be making the roster moves….

1 comment Philadelphia 76ers Andre Iguodala Craig Brackins Danny Ferry Dennis Lindsey Jeff Bower Jodie Meeks John Hammond Lavoy Allen Lou Williams Rick Sund Rod Thorn Sam Young Spencer Hawes Tony Battie Troy Weaver

Prospect Profile: Evan Fournier

By Michael Pina | at June 11, 2012 9:37 pm

When it comes to draft night, the mysterious aura that international prospects carry from their home country to the NBA represents a different type of hope when compared to your typically familiar collegiate athlete. Depending on how you look at them, either the risk outweighs the reward, or the reward outweighs the risk. For every Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki, or Ricky Rubio, a dozen Nikoloz Tskitishvili's crop up throughout the first round. But the simple existence of Gasol and Nowitzki plants an ever-optimistic thought in the minds of fans everywhere: despite foreign players bringing a heightened sense of unpredictability regarding their future alongside their name, gold can be struck.

This year, only one international player is projected to be taken in the first round: Evan Fournier, a 19-year-old native of France who began his professional career three years ago. When he was 18-years-old, Fournier became the youngest player in the history of France's Ligue Nationale de Basketball (LNB, the country's top basketball league) to score at least 20 points in a game—leaping past Tony Parker, Mickael Pietrus, Nicolas Batum, Boris Diaw, and Rodrigue Beaubois in the record books. Right now, he's reportedly dominating the 2012 Adidas Eurocamp

However, this is in no way should be taken as a proclamation of guaranteed greatness. Much has been made of Fournier's lack of athleticism translating to the NBA, and the dangers that could ensue when his frail 6'7", 206 pound body collides with the brute strength of the NBA's meanest men. But nobody disputes his ability to shoot the ball. And in the end, it's a skill that could allow him some space to eventually become a pretty special player.

Due to his young age and international background, whoever chooses to select Fournier could opt to place him in France for another year or two, keeping his contract off the salary cap, and bringing him over as a more polished player in the future. Instead of trading the pick as a way to save money, selecting Fournier brings financial flexibility. In his latest mock draft, ESPN.com’s Chad Ford has Fournier going to the Grizzlies at No. 25 and DraftExpress.com has him being selected by the Thunder at No. 28. Both are teams that have a lot of money tied up in current cornerstones, making both of them logical destinations.

Last season, Fournier averaged 14 PPG on just over 11 shots in his 30 appearances playing for France's Poitiers, and in this year's Euro U20 tournament, those numbers went up to 16.9 PPG. The player Fournier will be most compared to in the weeks ahead is Trail Blazers restricted free agent Nicolas Batum, a small forward who shares the same birthplace and body type. Batum is only 23-years-old, but he's shown flashes of brilliant athleticism in his short career, making general managers across the league wonder if offering him a long-term contract might be a wise investment. This could be Fournier in a few years: an unfamiliar name on the night he's drafted, but a player who could gain more and more popularity once people see what he's capable of doing.

—–

0 comments Prospect Profile

Odds & Ends: Bosh, Battier, Harden, Sixers

By Michael Pina | at June 11, 2012 8:30 pm

One of the most highly anticipated NBA Finals in recent history doesn't kick off until tomorrow night, but here are a few links relating to both teams involved—as well as some that, unfortunately for them, are not.

0 comments Miami Heat Oklahoma City Thunder Philadelphia 76ers Chris Bosh James Harden Kevin Durant LeBron James Lou Williams Shane Battier

Draft Rumors: Monday

By Luke Adams | at June 11, 2012 8:12 pm

With the NBA draft just 17 days away, we're guaranteed to be following daily rumors and rumblings for the next two and a half weeks. We'll try to make it as easy as possible to follow the latest updates by including most of our draft-related items in a single daily post. Consider this Monday's post, and check back throughout the day for more draft notes, with the newest additions up top:

In a tweet, AZCentral.com's Paul Coro has wrangled up some news from CBSSports.com's Jeff Goodman and SI.com's Sam Amick. North Carolina teammates Kendall Marshall and John Henson will reportedly work out for the Suns this week.

Earlier updates:

On Tuesday, the Wizards will hold a workout to help decide what direction they want to go with their two second round picks (as of today, the team holds both the 32nd and 46th picks in the draft), tweets Michael Lee of the Washington Post. Some notable names Washington plans to workout are Syracuse's Scoop Jardine, and Duke's Miles Plumlee.
The Trail Blazers will work out North Carolina's John Henson on Tuesday, tweets SI.com's Sam Amick.
Also from Amick, the Kings will work out several players, including North Carolina's Tyler Zeller, on Tuesday. Sacramento currently holds picks 5 and 36.
The Hornets plan on bringing in several point guards and shooting guards when they resume workouts next week, writes Nola.com's John Reid.
After predicting the top 15 picks in the draft last week, TNT's David Aldridge takes a crack at the rest of the first round in this week's NBA.com column.
Royce White and Jordan Taylor are among the six prospects scheduled to work out for the Timberwolves on Tuesday, says Ray Richardson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
The Pistons are eyeing potential fits for the second round, working out Miles Plumlee and Kyle O'Quinn, tweets Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News.
Perry Jones III tells Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com that he'd love to play on the Trail Blazers alongside LaMarcus Aldridge.
The Magic will be prepared for the draft no matter how long it takes to hire a GM, but a lengthy GM search could have other negative effects, writes Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel.
If the Hornets decide to deal their tenth overall pick, gaining future draft assets is more important to them than ditching bad contracts, says Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld. Kyler doesn't expect the Hornets to include players like Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza with the pick in a deal that merely creates cap space. According to Kyler, New Orleans could seeking a 2012 second-rounder along with a future first-rounder in any deal.
Within the same piece, Kyler adds that the Warriors and Knicks have expressed some interest in Alabama's Tony Mitchell.
In a pair of tweets, Kyler says Harrison Barnes did not officially meet with the Bulls, and that a brief chat with coach Tom Thibodeau was blown out of proportion.
The Sixers met with Andre Drummond at the draft combine and could be trying to trade up, since Drummond will be long gone at No. 15, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.
Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com makes some changes in his latest post-combine mock draft.
The Kings will need some help if they want a shot to land Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, writes Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee.

—–

0 comments 2012 NBA Draft Chicago Bulls Detroit Pistons Golden State Warriors Minnesota Timberwolves New Orleans Pelicans New York Knicks Orlando Magic Philadelphia 76ers Phoenix Suns Portland Trail Blazers Sacramento Kings Washington Wizards Andre Drummond Harrison Barnes John Henson Jordan Taylor Kendall Marshall Kyle O'Quinn Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Miles Plumlee Perry Jones III Royce White Scoop Jardine Tony Mitchell (Alabama)Tyler Zeller

Bobcats Have Narrowed Coaching Search

By Michael Pina | at June 11, 2012 7:25 pm

The Bobcats have narrowed their coaching search to three candidates: Jerry Sloan, Brian Shaw, and Quin Snyder, writes ESPN.com's Chris Broussard.

1 comment Charlotte Hornets

Mike Miller Denies He Will Retire After Finals

By Michael Pina | at June 11, 2012 6:09 pm

Heat forward Mike Miller has not told teammates he will retire at the end of this season, as has been reported by ESPN, writes Ethan J. Skolnick of the Palm Beach Post.

1 comment Mike Miller (Former Player)

Heisley Explains Decision To Sell Grizzlies

By Luke Adams | at June 11, 2012 4:46 pm

Another NBA franchise is expected to change hands soon, as Michael Heisley has reached an agreement to sell the Memphis Grizzlies to 34-year-old billionaire Robert Pera. Heisley spoke to Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida at length about why he decided to sell the team and the long-term future of the franchise. He noted that it would probably be a month or two before the NBA officially approved the sale, and said he'd make decisions on the team this summer in consultation with new ownership (Twitter links). Let's check out a few more key quotes from the current Grizzlies owner….

0 comments Memphis Grizzlies

Heisley Reaches Agreement To Sell Grizzlies

By Luke Adams | at June 11, 2012 3:40 pm

3:40pm: Heisley confirmed to Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida (Twitter link) that he has signed a contract agreeing to sell the Grizzlies. However, he stressed that it could take a month or two for the NBA to approve the sale (Twitter link).

2:15pm: Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley has found a buyer for the franchise, reports ESPN.com's Marc Stein. According to Stein, Heisley has reached an agreement in principle to sell the Grizzlies to Robert Pera, a 34-year-old communications technology magnate, and the deal is pending league approval.

0 comments Memphis Grizzlies

Southwest Notes: Gay, Rockets, Mavs, West, Green

By Luke Adams | at June 11, 2012 3:34 pm

The day's biggest news so far came out of the Southwest Division, when ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported that Michael Heisley had found a buyer for the Grizzlies. While we wait to hear whether an agreement between current ownership and prospective buyer Robert Pera will be finalized, let's check in on a few more Southwest updates, including the latest Rudy Gay trade rumors….

0 comments Boston Celtics Dallas Mavericks Houston Rockets Memphis Grizzlies San Antonio Spurs Danny Green Delonte West Rudy Gay Salah Mejri

Headlines

Month: June 2012