Odds & Ends: Spurs, Bulls, Knicks, Louisville
The rumor mill has begun to pick up as the calendar turns to September, with news that the Pacers have reached a deal with Blake Ahearn, while the Nets look at Andray Blatche and the Knicks eye Sean Williams. There's plenty more this afternoon, so let's get right to what's happening around the league:
- The Spurs will bring in 6'8" forward Reyshawn Terry to workout next week, agent John Spencer told HoopsHype. Terry was the 44th overall pick by the Magic in 2007, and was in last in an NBA camp with the Mavericks in 2008. That adds to a busy schedule that includes auditions for Derrick Brown, Brian Butch and Warren Carter.
- Joel Brigham of HoopsWorld isn't terribly high on the Bulls after the offseason departures of the Omer Asik, Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer, and C.J. Watson. In their place, Chicago has installed a bench of Nazr Mohammed, Marco Belinelli, Vladimir Radmanovic, and Nate Robinson, but Brigham isn't sure how the cast of veterans will gel together.
- Former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy likes the club's offseason acquisitions of Ronnie Brewer and Marcus Camby, writes Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com. The coach suggested that the duo could even be paired alongside Tyson Chandler in some lineups, though that frontcourt would obviously be short on offense.
- A spokesman for Louisville, Ky. mayor Greg Fischer says, “If an NBA team comes knocking, we want to be able to open the door,” reports Tim Sullivan of the Courier-Journal. Still, Sullivan believes contractual obligations that tie the city's less than two-year-old arena to the University of Louisville would make it difficult, if not impossible, to attract an NBA team.
- Marcus Haislip has signed to play for the DongGuan Leopards of the Chinese league, reports David Pick of Sportando. The Bucks took Haislip 13th overall in the 2002 draft, and he last appeared in the NBA with the Spurs in 2009/10.
Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors also contributed to this post.
Knicks Considering Sean Williams
The Knicks are considering signing forward/center Sean Williams, a source familiar with the Knicks' free-agency plans told Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com. The big man was waived by the Rockets earlier this week before his $916K salary would have become guaranteed for 2012/13.
Yesterday we learned that the Timberwolves are also interested in Williams' services, though David Kahn is said to be talking to a number of agents. Anthony Tolliver, Mehmet Okur, and Hassan Whiteside are said to be among Minnesota's other targets in the frontcourt.
The report also notes that while there has been some speculation that the Knicks are interested in Josh Howard, a source says that's not the case. The Bobcats and Bulls have also been linked to the 32-year-old, but Charlotte's interest was termed "exploratory" at this stage.
Pacers Sign Blake Ahearn
11:06am: Ahearn's deal is partially guaranteed, according to Jorge Sierra of HoopsHype.
10:39am: The Pacers and free agent guard Blake Ahearn have agreed to a deal, a source told HoopsHype (via Twitter). The sharpshooter finished the 2011/12 season with the Jazz on a pair of consecutive ten-day contracts.
The 27-year-old was the D-League's top scorer last season, averaging 23.8 PPG and 5.1 APG in 37 games for the Reno Bighorns. Ahearn saw 30 minutes of play for the Jazz across four games last season, his first NBA action since suiting up for the Spurs in 2008/09. The 6'3" guard is known mostly for his outside shooting which was on display in the D-League last season as he shot 40% from downtown.
Hoops Links: Nuggets, Bucks, Kings, Anderson
On this date in 1966, five-time NBA All-Star Tim Hardaway was born in Chicago, Illinois. Hardaway first established himself in Golden State where he was one-third of Run TMC alongside Chris Mullin and Mitch Richmond. In the 1995/96 season, the guard would take his breakaway speed and lethal crossover dribble out east when he was traded to the Heat. With Hardaway at the helm and Alonzo Mourning in the middle, the Heat would go on to be a force in the Eastern Conference, with their most memorable run coming in 1996/97, where they knocked off the hated Knicks in seven games before succumbing to the Bulls in the conference finals.
If you have a great blog piece that you think we should feature in Hoops Links, then send it to me at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the blogosphere..
- Hoops Addict wonders if the Nuggets can truly break the mold.
- Bucksketball looks at Milwaukee's tough power forward situation.
- The True Fan's Sports Blog has some possible landing spots for the Kings.
- Pounding The Rock bids farewell to James Anderson.
- Hardwood Paroxysm looks back at the top players of the 1952/53 season.
- Canis Hoopus would like to see some consistency in Minnesota.
- Wages of Wins isn't terribly high on George Karl.
- Secret Rival brings us this offseason's imports and exports.
- Red94 tries to define success in Houston.
- NBA 24 7 365 compares the careers of Tracy McGrady and Baron Davis.
- Fear The Sword asks if the Cavs should play for today, tomorrow, or both.
- SLC Dunk tries to motivate the Jazz's young core.
- Basketbawful previews the Raptors.
- Raptors Republic believes in the power of positive thinking.
- The NBA Geek revisits the small ball discussion.
- Brew Hoop is still waiting on Brandon Jennings.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.