Celtics Close To Re-Signing Jeff Green
SATURDAY, 1:33pm: As Matt Moore of CBSSports.com points out, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe passed along a comment from Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge that seems to indicate Green and the Celtics have agreed to terms.
"We've added a couple of great professionals in Jeff Green and Jason Terry and we drafted three guys that I think are very professional and add to the locker room," Ainge said in Washburn's report. "Talent is a hard thing to find but we put a great deal of value into what goes on in the locker room also."
It could merely be a slip of the tongue, but it's seemingly one more indication of how close the two sides are. Terry and the Celtics reached an agreement Tuesday.
FRIDAY, 7:55am: SI.com's Sam Amick reports that Green and the Celtics continue to talk, but it appears likely they'll be ready to finalize a deal when the moratorium ends next Wednesday.
Bobcats Sign Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
The Bobcats have signed Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, the No. 2 overall pick from last month's draft, the team said in a statement. Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer pegs his salary at about $4MM for the coming season, but Kidd-Gilchrist is eligible for up to $4,602,720, which is 120% of the slotted amount for his position in the draft.
Most first-round picks sign for that 120% maximum, and it seems unlikely Kidd-Gilchrist would get anything less than that. A 6'7", 233-pound small forward who's known for his defense, Kidd-Gilchrist averaged 11.9 points and 7.4 rebounds in his lone season at Kentucky this year, teaming with No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis to lead the Wildcats to the national championship.
Larry Miller Resigns As Blazers President
Blazers president Larry Miller has resigned, reports Jason Quick of The Oregonian. Miller is leaving to join Nike as president of Brand Jordan, a job he held from 1999-2006, Quick adds.
Odds & Ends: Kobe, Stiemsma, Batum, Allen
After Team USA's first practice Friday afternoon, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant told reporters, including Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter), that he's not so sure that the team is done making trades. "I don't think that they're done. The moves they make just seem to come out of nowhere," Bryant said. Here's some more Saturday afternoon linkage..
Knicks Notes: Camby, Prigioni, Jeffries
The Knicks will meet with free agent center Marcus Camby in the next few days, but a source told Marc Berman of the New York Post that it won't be in New York. The get-together will likely take place in Las Vegas as coach Mike Woodson is already there with assistant GM Allan Houston for the U.S. Olympic Team practices. More out of MSG..
Hoops Links: Summer League, Green, Jennings
Here at Hoops Rumors, we've been enjoying the start of an action-packed NBA offseason that will only get more intense as time goes on. However, on this date in 1978, a transaction took place that you're not likely to see replicated on our site. The NBA signed off on a franchise swap in which Buffalo Braves owner John Y. Brown and Harry Mangurian acquired the Celtics, while the Celtics owner Irv Levin got the Braves, who would be moved to San Diego to become the Clippers.
If you have a piece that you feel should be a part of Hoops Links for next week, send me an email at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the web..
Rockets Rumors: Camby, Brooks, Felton, Sessions
Earlier today, we learned that the Rockets are no longer the frontrunner for Marcus Camby as the big man isn’t overly thrilled with the direction that the club seems to be going in. While the veteran hopes to play for the here-and-now, Houston’s moves this summer indicate that they plan on rebuilding. Here’s the latest on Camby and the Rockets..
Atlantic Notes: Allen, Celtics, Williams, Brand
Earlier this evening, Celtics fans were disappointed to learn that sharpshooter Ray Allen has opted to leave the C's for the Heat. The shooting guard turned down what was reportedly a two-year, $12MM offer to stay in Boston in favor of a three-year deal worth just over $9MM.
Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com writes that the loss of Allen is effectively a double-whammy for the C's as they cannot easily turn around and sign a similar player to offset the loss. This is because the Celtics only have the bi-annual exception available to lure a player in. Boston may also bring back swingman Mickael Pietrus, but for now it would seem that they'll have to bank on quality production and perimter shooting from Jason Terry to fill the gap. Here's more out of the Atlantic..
Free Agent Rumors: Meeks, Sessions, Gee, Cavs
The Rockets are now in play for free agent guard Ramon Sessions, a source tells Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com. The 26-year-old is said to be seeking a starting job and the security of a multiyear deal, something that the Mavericks seem prepared to offer. We ran down the day’s free agent rumors earlier today, here’s the latest batch..
Eric Gordon Unhappy With Hornets
Shortly after receiving an offer sheet from the Suns and flatly stating that his "heart is in Phoenix," free agent Eric Gordon expanded on those comments while speaking with reporters today. The two-guard says that he will play in New Orleans if the club matches the four-year, $58MM offer sheet but won't be happy about it, writes Jimmy Smith of the The Times-Picayune.