Following Specific Players On Hoops Rumors
As we've outlined before, there are a number of different ways to follow Hoops Rumors via Facebook, Twitter, and RSS. If you don't want to follow all the site's updates, you can follow team-specific or transaction-only Facebook, Twitter, and RSS feeds. Although we don't have Facebook pages or Twitter feeds for specific players, you can also easily follow all our updates on your favorite player.
If, for instance, you want to keep track of all the latest news and rumors on Kenyon Martin as he navigates free agency, you can visit this page. If you're interested in whether Jose Calderon might be traded from the Raptors to your favorite team, all Calderon-related updates are located here.
Every player we've written about has his own rumors page. You can find your player of choice by using our search box (located in the right sidebar); by clicking his tag at the bottom of a post where he's discussed; or, by simply typing his name in your address bar after hoopsrumors.com, substituting dashes for spaces. For example, Martin's page is located at hoopsrumors.com/kenyon-martin.
In addition to players and teams, there are a number of other subjects you can track by clicking on the tags we use at the bottom of posts. The latest news on Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau's contract situation, for instance, can be found on his rumors page. If you want to check out updates on Chris Hansen's quest to bring the NBA back to Seattle, those are all available here.
Bulls To Sign Andre Emmett
The Bulls have agreed to sign Andre Emmett to a make-good contract, according to Jorge Sierra of HoopsHype (Sulia link). Emmett will get an invite to Chicago's training camp with a chance to earn a roster spot for the regular season.
Emmett, a second-round pick in 2004, went seven seasons between NBA games, appearing in eight contests in 2004/05 and then not seeing his next NBA action until 2011/12 with the Nets. The 30-year-old earned a little playing time in New Jersey last season, averaging 2.2 PPG and 1.0 RPG in 7.5 MPG over the course of six contests.
Since the Bulls only have 13 contracts on their books prior to finalizing their agreement with Emmett, the Texas Tech product would appear to have a good opportunity to make the team. However, the club's cap situation may hurt his chances — the Bulls are hard-capped at about $74.3MM and can't exceed that number at any point.
If Emmett signs a non-guaranteed summer contract, his cap hit won't count against team salary unless he makes the regular-season roster. But since Chicago's team salary is already $73.55MM, the club would have to make an additional move to clear room for his salary under the hard cap.
Free Agent Notes: D.J. White, Whiteside, Yi
As teams continue to fill out their training camp rosters with free agent signings, Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld takes a look at which clubs still have cap space or various cap exceptions. Pincus' piece is worth checking out for an update on where your favorite teams stands, financially, and it also provides one important reminder: When the season begins, sign-and-trade deals are no longer permitted. Given the rule changes coming next summer, these next few weeks will be the last opportunity taxpaying teams will have to conduct sign-and-trade deals under the current CBA.
Here's the latest on a few free agents still looking for work:
- ESPN.com's Marc Stein passes along "word from China" suggesting that the Shanghai Sharks are strongly pursuing unrestricted free agent D.J. White (Twitter link). We heard earlier this week that White was drawing interest from Israel.
- GM David Kahn and the Timberwolves have been doing extensive due diligence on Hassan Whiteside, says Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500, who believes the big man is a good bet to join the T-Wolves (Twitter links).
- Gino Pilato of Ridiculous Upside looks at whether Yi Jianlian's NBA window could be closing, and wonders if the former lottery pick would give the D-League a shot if it provided the best path back to the NBA.
- Matt Dickey, who went undrafted out of UNC Asheville, is hoping to join the D-League for the coming season, according to Keith Schlosser of Ridiculous Upside.
No D12 Contract Talks Until Season’s End
When Dwight Howard was dealt to the Lakers last month, fans and media alike began to speculate about whether or not the All-Star center would be staying in Los Angeles long-term. That subject has been discussed less frequently lately, taking a backseat to speculation about the Lakers' 2012/13 chances on the court, and it seems that's the way Howard prefers it. As D12 tells Joe McDonnell of FOX Sports West, while he's open to a "long career" in L.A., he intends to put contract talks off until after the season.
"I think the best thing to do is talk about it at the end of the year," Howard said. "We just went through that last season, basically, and I don't want to go through it again or see anyone have to go through it…. This is going to be my decision, and I'm going to wait till the end of the year."
Howard will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, which means rival suitors, such as the Mavericks, will get a chance to make a run at the 26-year-old. But as I outlined in this piece, the Lakers will be able to offer significantly more money than other teams, and significantly more money than they could offer on an in-season extension. That doesn't guarantee that Howard will simply re-up with the Lakers, but all signs, including Howard's own hints, point to that being the likeliest scenario.
"I'm happy to be in L.A," Howard said. "This is a great place. I love the coaching staff and I love the organization for everything they've done for me since I got traded here. Hopefully I'll have a long career here in L.A."
Sixers Made Run At Denver GM Masai Ujiri
Before broadening the parameters of their search for a general manager, the 76ers made an aggressive attempt to land current Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri, says Adrian Wojnarowski. The report confirms that Tony DiLeo is currently the front runner to replace Rod Thorn, but this is the first time that news of Ujiri's involvement has surfaced.
Ujiri is well respected in NBA circles despite being one of the lowest paid general managers in the league. After losing the franchise centerpiece in Carmelo Anthony, Ujiri molded the Nuggets into an instant winner. Apparently, the Sixers attempted to lure him to Philly with big bucks but his loyalty to Denver ownership (and presumably big money from the Nuggets in the near future) allowed him to resist.
Ujiri only has one year left on his deal. The Nuggets will need to extend him to prevent other teams from poaching their architect. Although Wojnarowski mentions the Dwight Howard blockbuster that both teams were involved in, it is unclear where this report fits in from a time perspective.
Atlantic Links: Celts, Sixers, Moultrie, Smith
As if the Atlantic division didn't have a busy enough offseason, the Celtics were active again on Thursday . After waiving Keyon Dooling, who then retired, Boston signed Micah Downs to what is likely a non-guaranteed deal and gave guaranteed dollars to Darko Milicic. They now have 14 guaranteed roster spots and 19 total players in training camp. John Hollinger of ESPN gives his take, insider only, on the Celtics roster.
Surely, that couldn't have been it for the ever-changing Atlantic. Let's keep track of all the other links floating around on Thursday within the division:
- We have detailed at great length the roster overhaul that the Sixers went through this offseason. John Hollinger of ESPN breaks down their new roster for the 2012-13 seasons (Insider access only).
- Dei Lynam of CSN Philly looks at Andrew Bynum and Andre Iguodala, both of whom could be unrestricted free agents this offseason. Bynum seems like a good bet to re-sign in Philly, while the future of Iguodala, should he opt out, is far more difficult to predict.
- The ankle injury that has hobbled Sixers first round pick Arnett Moultrie for most of the summer has not progressed as well as the team has hoped, reports John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Moultrie's effectiveness is heavily reliant on his athleticism, making it crucial for him legs to be at full strength as a rookie.
- Jonathan Abrams examines the enigma that is Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith for Grantland. Smith is ultra-talented and has been productive, but for whatever reason has not been able to find a home.
- Former Knick Stephon Marbury talked all things Knickerbockers with Ian Begley of ESPN New York. Marbury questions Amare Stoudemire's ability to thrive without Steve Nash, the ownership's motives in bringing in Carmelo Anthony and the potential of the team to advance in the playoffs.
Pacific Notes: Curry, Bogut, Howard, Clippers
It's been a busy night out West in the NBA. On the depressing side of things, we found out that Channing Frye of the Suns will likely be sidelined for the entire year with a heart issue. Here is hoping that Frye makes it back to full strength, as he says he should. In lighter news, the Kings will give free agent center Hamady N'Diaye a shot to make their roster in training camp.
Here is what else is going on in the Pacific division:
- We covered this yesterday, but the Warriors said today, via press release, that Stephen Curry has received full medical clearance on his right ankle. Curry is good to resume all basketball activities right away.
- Curry's teammate, Andrew Bogut, has had ankle issues of his own. Bogut spoke with Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury, saying that he should be ready for the team's opener, among other things.
- Yannis Koutroupis of HoopsWorld transcribes parts of an interview that Lakers coach Mike Brown gave with ESPN LA, detailing where Brown outlines how newly acquired Dwight Howard will help the Lakers right now and in the future.
- John Hollinger of ESPN gives a detailed breakdown of the Clippers 2012-13 roster, insider only. Jamal Crawford, Grant Hill and Lamar Odom highlight the offseason additions for the Clips.
- HoopsWorld published their season preview for the Clippers. The HoopsWorld staff is predicting a second place finish across the board for the Clips, presumably with the Lakers finishing atop the Pacific pack.
Keyon Dooling To Retire, Waived By Celtics
8:55pm: Chris Forsberg tweets that the Celtics may still be responsible for Dooling's $854K cap hit this year, crediting CBA guru Larry Coon with the assist.
4:21pm: The Celtics have officially waived Keyon Dooling, according to a press release from the team. Within the release, Dooling's representative, Kenge Stevenson, indicates that the veteran guard has decided to end his NBA playing career.
"Keyon has decided that he has given the NBA twelve good years and that it’s time to pursue other interests and spend more time with his family," said Stevenson. "He will never forget his time in Boston with the Celtics."
Dooling had just re-signed with the Celtics earlier this summer, so the decision comes as something of a surprise. Over the course of his NBA career, the 12-year veteran appeared in 721 games with the Clippers, Heat, Magic, Nets, Bucks, and Celtics, averaging 7.0 PPG and 2.2 APG in 19.5 MPG. According to Basketball-Reference, Dooling earned over $29MM in his playing career — it's not known whether he'll receive his entire 2012/13 salary, or if he and the Celtics agreed to a buyout.
For the Celtics, the move frees up an additional roster spot and could mean the team will decide to add another backcourt player. With Dooling out of the picture and Avery Bradley not expected to be healthy to start the season, Boston could at least extend another camp-invite or two for depth purposes.
Hamady N’Diaye Lands Deal With Kings
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo (via Twitter), free agent center Hamady N'Diaye has agreed to a non-guaranteed training camp deal with the Kings. N'Diaye, a 7-footer from Rutgers via Senegal, appeared in 19 games for the Wizards over the past two seasons.
Wojnarowski tweets that N'Diaye has a "solid shot" to make the Kings opening day roster. He averaged 6 points and 4.3 rebounds in the NBDL last season with stops at the Iowa Energy and the Maine Red Claws.
Channing Frye Out Indefinitely
7:17pm: Frye told Az Central Sports that he will likely miss the 2012-13 season, writes Paul Coro. Frye says he will rest for six months. He added that the cause of his heart issues are viral, and that there is a good chance that it will go away. He believes that he will be able to return to the NBA, but offered some humanizing quotes in reaction:
"It was very shocking and, at the same time, scary. It's not like an arm or a knee or an elbow where you're like, 'Maybe I can just rehab this.' It's something that keeps you going."
6:37pm: The Suns announced on Thursday that forward Channing Frye will be out indefinitely with an enlarged heart, or dilated cardiomyopathy. The condition was discovered during a routine preseason physical exam by a Suns physician. Frye will be closely monitored and will not participate in basketball activities until he is reevaluated in December.
Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby said the following after the announcement: “Nothing is more important to us than the health and well-being of our players. Channing and his family have the full support of our organization. His health is our primary concern and we are committed to helping him in any way he needs.”
Frye didn't seem too down on Thursday evening, following Babby's comments by tweeting, "Thanks everyone for your support. I will be ok. It will pass and ill be back we have the best staff in the NBA helping me out."
Frye has blossomed in his three years in the desert, particularly as a three point specialist. He is only 29, so hopefully the former Arizona Wildcat still has plenty good years of professional basketball in him.