Gustavo Ayon Draws Interest From Spain
Center Gustavo Ayon is under contract for at least the rest of this season with the Magic, but he isn't ruling out an eventual return to Spain, where he played before signing with the Hornets last December, as Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports (All four Twitter links). FC Barcelona apparently wants to be prepared should he choose to return overseas, and is close to an agreement to acquire his Spanish rights from Baloncesto Fuenlabrada, according to the Spanish website El Contraataque (translation via HoopsHype).
El Contraataque also indicates FC Barcelona wants to sign Ayon sometime this month, but Robbins confirms via Twitter that Ayon will remain with the Magic this year. Orlando has two team options on Ayon's contract: one for $1.5MM that covers 2013/14, and another for $1.875MM for 2014/15, so it could be a while before Ayon goes anywhere. Still, the status of the Mexico native is up in the air beyond this season, and he addressed that uncertainty with Robbins.
"It doesn't depend on me," Ayon said, when Robbins asked him whether he wanted to remain in the NBA. "It depends on the opportunities that I have in basketball. At that time I'll see if I have any other options. For right now, I'm with Orlando and I think I'll be here this year and many more to come. But after this year it's not my decision."
Ayon is set to make $1.5MM this season after scoring 5.9 points and grabbing 4.9 rebounds in 20.1 minutes per game with a healthy 16.7 PER as a rookie for the Hornets last year. He came to the Magic over the summer as part of Ryan Anderson's sign-and-trade deal.
Odds & Ends: Roy, Pekovic, Hibbert, Bynum
Brandon Roy decided to sign with the Timberwolves because of former teammate Will Conroy, who has a relationship with Minnesota general manager David Kahn, writes the associated press.
Here's some more notes from around the league.
- The Timberwolves are expecting more minutes from Nikola Pekovic this season, writes TwinCities.com's Ray Richardson.
- Roy Hibbert is heading into this season with a new maximum contract, but he's convinced the large pay day isn't going to change him in any way, writes NBA.com's Mark Montieth.
- Sixers head coach Doug Collins says even though Andrew Bynum will be sitting out the next three weeks resting his knees, the new franchise center is progressing nicely, writes PhillyBurbs.com's Tom Moore.
- NBC ProBasketballTalk's Kurt Helin gives a season preview for the Bobcats.
- CBSSports.com's Ken Berger wrote a column about Lamar Odom's return to Los Angeles with the Clippers, and why that should mean great things for the team.
- TheStar.com's Doug Smith believes a healthy Andrea Bargnani should do great things for DeMar DeRozan's confidence.
Spurs Waive Sherron Collins
The Spurs have waived former Kansas guard Sherron Collins, according to the team's website. The 25-year-old point guard was signed to the team's training camp roster on October 1st. After appearing in 20 games during the 2010/11 season with the Bobcats, Collins was not in the NBA last year. San Antonio's roster now stands at 19 players.
Eastern Notes: Wizards, Sixers, Hawks, Knight
As the Celtics are underway in Turkey, unofficially kicking off the NBA's preseason, we take a look around the NBA's Eastern Conference for some news and notes.
- David Mayo of MLive.com takes a look at recent comments by Pistons new forward Corey Maggette saying second year point guard Brandon Knight is the leader of the team.
- Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a piece on new Hawks Anthony Morrow and Isama’il Muhammad.
- The Sixers have added several pieces this offseason, but their three-point shooters should be key, writes Philly.com's Bob Cooney.
- The Washington Post's Michael Lee wrote an article on the Wizards new options at small forward.
- Wizards owner Ted Leonsis has playoff or bust expectations for his team, writes Lee.
Odds & Ends: Ginobili, Smith, Knicks, Fields
Earlier this week, Manu Ginobili told reporters that if he continues playing beyond this season, he absolutely wants it to be in San Antonio. The 35-year-old will make over $14MM in 2012/13 but sounds willing to take a pay cut, as teammate Tim Duncan did, to help keep the club under the tax threshold. The Spurs tend to keep things quiet when it comes to contract extensions and Yannis Koutroupis of HoopsWorld wouldn't be surprised to see the team suddenly announce that they've reached agreement with the veteran. The interest is obviously mutual, which should allow for an agreement to be struck before next summer. Here's more from around the league..
- In his latest mailbag, Sam Smith of NBA.com writes that he doesn't see the Hawks making the playoffs and doesn't see Josh Smith staying quiet for long. Hawks General Manager Danny Ferry recently said that the forward wants to remain in Atlanta but wasn't optimistic about working out an extension with him as he can get a larger deal by first hitting the open market.
- Knicks coach Mike Woodson believes that the team's greatly improved depth this season will be key to their success, writes Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com. The Knicks are currently looking to see what Rasheed Wallace has left in the tank and could conceivably give Josh Howard a look if they trim their camp roster down from the maximum of 20.
- Offseason acquisition Landry Fields could fill the same "glue guy" role for the Raptors as Jorge Garbajosa did in the past, writes Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun. Fields inked a lucrative three-year, $18.7MM deal with Toronto over the summer.
Stephen Jackson Wants Contract Extension
Last season, Stephen Jackson forced his mid-season exit from Milwaukee as he demanded a contract extension from the club. Now with San Antonio, Jackson says that he is still hoping to land an extension to his deal which expires after the 2012/13 season, writes Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News.
“I want it, but I can’t control it,” said the 34-year-old. “Every day when I walk in here I’m hoping they’ll call me in and say, ‘Jack, here’s your extension.’“
Jackson went on to say that he won’t let the contract situation or his off-the-bench role affect his play going into this season. While the veteran’s demands for a contract extension ultimately pushed the Bucks to send him to Golden State as a part of the Monta Ellis blockbuster, his deteriorating relationship with coach Scott Skiles also played a measurable role in his exit.
The small forward arrived in San Antonio two days later, where coach Gregg Popovich informed him that an extension was not in the works. Jackson is set to earn $10MM in the final year of his pact.
Joe Johnson Denies Asking For Trade
When speaking with reporters yesterday, Nets shooting guard Joe Johnson wanted to set the record straight and make it clear that he never asked out of Atlanta, writes Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com. Johnson came to the Nets in July after the club bowed out of the Dwight Howard sweepstakes.
“Everybody thinks I made this trade,” Johnson said. “I had nothing to do with it. “Every time I run into somebody when I’m in Atlanta, they ask me, ‘Why did you leave?’ I didn’t have nothing to do with it. I’m just glad that I came to a great organization and a team who wants to win.”
While the Hawks have gone to the playoffs in five consecutive seasons, Johnson & Co. were unable to advance beyond the conference semifinals. Last season, Atlanta was bounced in the first round 4-2 by the Celtics. Now, Johnson finds himself in Brooklyn as one-half of what could be the NBA's best starting backcourt.
Royce White Absent From Rockets Camp
FRIDAY, 10:33am: White said he has the team’s blessing to travel to a large part of the season’s schedule via bus and will join the Rockets for practice on Monday in Houston, writes Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. The situation is obviously unique and the two sides may have to wait out a long process to get the arrangement approved by the league and the NBPA.
“We’ll go forward in a good faith deal between me and Rockets, and I’m totally comfortable with that,” said White. “We can find a way to get it into writing at some point. We do have a letter between us. It’s an agreement, not in contract form, but those are technicalities."
By traveling immediately after practices and games, White says that he will be able to maintain his normal sleeping schedule while still arriving in the next city on time for pre-game preparations.
THURSDAY, 11:06am: In an interview with Myron Medcalf of ESPN.com, White said that he hopes to work out an agreement with the Rockets which will allow him to travel to some road games via bus. The forward added that he is willing to purchase the bus and assume liability.
WEDNESDAY, 10:43pm: White won't be back at Rockets camp until the team gives him "something in writing" about its plans to deal with his anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, according to a statement from his publicist, Myron Medcalf of ESPN.com reports.
8:33pm: Mark Berman of Fox 26 explains in a full story that White will not be back by Thursday, but is still close to doing so.
8:30pm: Berman deleted his original tweet, replacing it with another that removes the reference to White not reporting to camp tomorrow, so it appears he might be back by then.
8:21pm: White met with team officials today, and it went well, Berman hears (Twitter link). He won't report to camp tomorrow, but he appears close to rejoining the Rockets, according to Berman.
TUESDAY, 9:47pm: White has told Mark Berman of Fox 26 (via Twitter) that his absence is related to his anxiety troubles.
9:36pm: The Rockets released a one-line release from Morey stating, “We are committed to Royce's long term success and we will continue to support him now and going forward.”
5:41pm: The Rockets training camp is underway with two-a-day practices in session, but rookie Royce White has yet to report for unknown reasons. Houston brass has declined to comment on the matter but the club appears to be unhappy with the situation, writes Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
General Manager Daryl Morey and coach Kevin McHale did not give a timetable for White's return or an indication of what has caused the no-show. However, the 16th overall pick has been open about his anxiety troubles in the past and recently spoke about his fear of flying, which he said he was working on with doctors.
White, 21, was an All-American for Iowa State last season but chose to hire an agent and enter the NBA Draft in advance of what would have been his junior season. The power forward was initially set to play for Tubby Smith at Minnesota but was suspended for the entirety of his first season for an off-the-court indiscretion. White was set to sign with Kentucky after that, but could not bring himself to board the plane for his scheduled trip, according to Myron Medcalf of ESPN.com.
Calderon Plans To Continue In The NBA
Prior to joining the Raptors as a 24-year-old rookie in 2005, Jose Calderon made a name for himself playing professionally in Spain for six years. The point guard now faces an uncertain future in Toronto as he is being asked to play behind offseason acquisition Kyle Lowry as he enters his walk year. Despite that, Calderon told Spanish radio station Onda Cero that he plans on staying in the NBA beyond this season.
"I will stay in the NBA for sure, although you can never say that 100 percent sure. I will probably stay at least three or four more years in the league, maybe two or three more, I don't know," Calderon said (translation via HoopsHype).
When asked about Calderon as a trade candidate earlier this week, Raps president Bryan Colangelo said that nothing is imminent but he will explore every avenue to upgrade the roster. Meanwhile, coach Dwane Casey says that he isn't likely to get the veteran extra minutes by playing him alongside Lowry.
Odds & Ends: Josh Howard, Pittman, Paul
- Shandel Richardson of the Sun Sentinel says that this could be Dexter Pittman's last year to prove himself as a keeper for the Heat.
- In addition to news that Chauncey Billups has been increasing his practice time, it has also been noted that Clippers guard Chris Paul is reportedly close to returning from a thumb injury (Janis Carr of the OC Register writes).
- In this article from Lakers.com, Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace, and coach Mike Brown offered their thoughts on the impact that Steve Nash has brought to the Lakers locker room.
- Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel discusses Chris Bosh's role as Miami's third option as coach Erik Spoelstra looks to utilize more post-up opportunities for LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.
- Doug Smith of TheStar.com writes that Raptors coach Dwane Casey is yet to decide between Aaron Gray and Jonas Valanciunas for the team's starting center position. Stephen Brotherston of HoopsWorld provided a comprehensive break down of the competition for key rotation spots in Toronto's camp.
- Wizards owner Ted Leonsis held an interview with reporters on Thursday to speak about topics including John Wall, building team chemistry, the dramatic roster changes from this summer, and the overall growth of the team (according to Michael Lee of the Washington Post).
- Keith Schlosser of Ridiculous Upside examines the difficult balance that coaches face in the D-League between winning and player development.