Lakers Re-Assign Johnson-Odom To D-League
The Lakers have re-assigned Darius Johnson-Odom to their D-League affiliate, the D-Fenders (according to a tweet from Mike Trudell of Lakers.com). The 6'2 guard has only appeared in four games and played a total of six minutes thus far. Trudell adds that with no limit on how many times a player can be sent or recalled from the development league, the Lakers may often consider this option.
This will be the second time since November 10th that Johnson-Odom has been sent to the NBDL, and it could certainly provide him with an opportunity to continue developing with ample playing time. During a pre-season game between the D-Fenders and the Bakersfield Jam just over a week ago, Johnson-Odom tallied 22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and went 6-for-6 from the free throw line in 39 minutes of play.
Week In Review: 11/19/12 – 11/25/12
A look back at the news of the week:
- The Sixers have ruled Andrew Bynum out indefinitely with continued knee problems. GM Tony DiLeo reportedly has a contingency plan in place if Bynum continues to miss time.
- Former Mavericks star Michael Finley is attempting a comeback, though he has drawn little interest from teams thus far.
- The Spurs signed James Anderson to fill the hole left by injuries to Stephen Jackson and Kawhi Leonard.
- The Spurs also recalled Cory Joseph from the D-League.
- The Hornets agreed to a buyout with guard Matt Carroll, whom they acquired from Charlotte last week for Hakim Warrick.
- Brandon Roy revealed that his knees have reached Level III arthritis, and he is considering retirement if the condition does not improve.
- The Celtics waived center Darko Milicic at his request, as he returns to Europe to be with his ill mother.
- The Cavs announced that Kyrie Irving is expected to miss four weeks with a broken finger.
- Tyrus Thomas, meanwhile, is out two months for the Bobcats.
- After two strong performances in the D-League, the Rockets recalled Donatas Motiejunas.
- The Jazz sent Kevin Murphy to the D-League.
- The Thunder assigned DeAndre Liggins and Daniel Orton to the D-League.
- The Pacers assigned rookies Miles Plumlee and Orlando Johnson to the D-League.
- Gary Forbes signed to play in China.
- Ryan Gomes, meanwhile, is headed to Germany.
Heat Notes: Chalmers, Miller, Allen, Lewis
At 10-3, the defending champion Miami Heat own the best record in the Eastern Conference. Here are the latest notes and rumors surrounding the team on Sunday afternoon:
- Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel wonders whether the Heat will pick up the $4MM option on guard Mario Chalmers' contract for next season.
- Winderman also notes that Mike Miller is likely to be waived at some point using the amnesty clause.
- Winderman writes that the Heat's decision to use Ray Allen as a sixth man is paying off for the team.
- Signed for the veteran's minimum, it was unknown what kind of contribution Rashard Lewis would make to the Heat, but Winderman says that he has been a valuable part of Miami's rotation thus far.
- Jeff Zillgett of USA Today notes that Udonis Haslem is the first undrafted player ever to lead his team in rebounding this season.
HoopsRumors Originals: 11/19/12 – 11/25/12
A look back at the original content created by the HoopsRumors staff over the past week:
- A list of all of HoopsRumors' features on one convenient page.
- HoopsRumors' Offseason in Review series continued this week with entries on the Bucks, Pacers, Bulls, Cavs, Pistons, Knicks and Celtics.
- A list of picks from the 2013 NBA Draft that have been traded.
- A list of teams who are subjected to the hard cap of the new CBA.
Atlantic Notes: Shumpert, Sixers, Celtics
The latest news and notes from around the Atlantic Division:
- The Knicks could use Iman Shumpert and Amare Stoudemire in their lineup, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post.
- Jrue Holiday, who signed a four-year extension last month, is so far rewarding the confidence the Sixers showed in him, observes John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
- John Rohde of the Oklahoman catches up with former Thunder guard Royal Ivey, now with the Sixers.
- Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald writes that Celtics rookie forward Jared Sullinger is motivated by his slide out of the draft lottery.
- The Boston Herald also catches up with Glen Davis, who finds Magic coach Jacque Vaughn a nice change of pace from the Celtics' Doc Rivers.
Southwest Notes: McHale, Livingston, Mavs, Rivers
The Rockets announced that coach Kevin McHale's daughter Sasha died Saturday afternoon, and Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports the 23-year-old had recently been hospitalized with a condition related to lupus, a disease she had long battled. Assistant coach Kelvin Sampson has been in charge of the team since McHale took a leave of absence on November 10th to tend to his daughter. The news is especially jarring, considering Sampson indicated a few days ago that the situation was improving. Hoops Rumors sends its sincere condolences to the McHale family. Here's more from the Southwest Division.
- Anthony Davis could be out two more weeks while recovering from a stress reaction in his ankle, reports Jimmy Smith of the Times-Picayune.
- Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports hears Wizards point guard Shaun Livingston, who was in camp with the Rockets, often outplayed Jeremy Lin while in Houston, where several Rockets players and coaches tried to convince the front office not to let Livingston go.
- Mavs coach Rick Carlisle has shuttled offseason acquisitions Elton Brand and Chris Kaman in and out of the starting lineup, but neither player is pouting as they've put their trust in the coach, observes Tim McMahon of ESPNDallas.com.
- Paul Flannery of SB Nation examines the struggles of Hornets rookie Austin Rivers, and agrees with coach Monty Williams that it's too soon to judge this year's 10th overall pick.
- Flannery also passes along Williams' praise of former Hornets power forward David West, who's playing improved ball for the Pacers, and points to the emergence of Marcus Morris for the Rockets this year as a sign the D-League's true value is in the seasoning and development it provides for NBA first-round picks.
Rockets Recall Donatas Motiejunas From D-League
The Rockets recalled seven-footer Donatas Motiejunas from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers this morning, tweets Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. The Lithuanian rookie was sent down earlier this month along with Scott Machado, who remains with the Vipers. It appeared at the time of their assignments that Royce White would be joining them as well, but that turned out not to be the case, as Rockets GM Daryl Morey later said the team never intended to demote the troubled White.
Motiejunas started games on back-to-back nights for the Vipers, who tipped off their season Friday. He averaged 24.0 points and 9.5 rebounds in 37.0 minutes per contest. He has also appeared in one game for the Rockets this season, logging five minutes. Motiejunas was the 20th overall pick in the 2011 draft by the Timberwolves, who immediately traded him to the Rockets. He spent last season playing for Asseco Prokom Gdynia in Poland.
The recall opens up a spot for the Rockets to send down White or another player, if they choose, since NBA teams can only send down two players at a time. Morey recently spoke about the development of Motiejunas and Machado, and how he wants to use the D-League to facilitate that. For a complete list of D-League comings and goings this season, check out our updated list.
Lakers Rumors: Gasol, D’Antoni, Jamison, Nash
A day after criticizing Pau Gasol, coach Mike D'Antoni was quick to reaffirm his support for the big man Saturday after the Lakers blew out the Mavs, as Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times chronicles. Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register notes the 7'0" Spaniard has also been slowed by tendinitis in his knees. The Gasol situation bears watching, but after his 13-point, nine-rebound performance last night, it doesn't seem like there's too much wrong with him or his fit on the team. There's more on the purple and gold, and we'll round it up here:
- In the same piece, Ding also points out the uptick in performance from offseason signee Antawn Jamison since D'Antoni moved him from small forward to power forward.
- The Lakers are banking heavily on the idea that Steve Nash, who turns 39 in February, can help turn around the team's slow start when he returns from injury, writes HoopsWorld's Derek Page. Yesterday, I asked whether the Lakers should make a move or wait until Nash returns, and so far, a majority of readers aren't believers in a patient approach.
- Lakers training camp invitee Greg Somogyi may sign to play in his native Hungary for the club Szolnoki Olajbanyasz, Sportando's David Pick reports.
Sixers Have Plan If Andrew Bynum Doesn’t Return
Sixers GM Tony DiLeo, who announced last night that Andrew Bynum will remain sidelined indefinitely, said he anticipates the team's key offseason acquisition will return at some point, but said he's prepared in case Bynum doesn't come back, as Tom Moore of PhillyBurbs.com documents.
"We hope he will be back," DiLeo said. "We have plans for the future if he is not back with us, but we are anticipating this is a short-term thing. We want to plan on him for the long term."
Bynum, who is experiencing pain in both knees that has confused doctors, will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and it's unclear if DiLeo's "plans for the future" involve this season or subsequent years. HoopsWorld's Lang Greene speculated the Sixers, who have an open roster spot, could go after free agents Eddy Curry and Kenyon Martin, which would address Bynum's immediate absence. Kyrylo Fesenko and Chris Andersen are among other big men on the Hoops Rumors list of available free agents.
If the Sixers knew Bynum was out for the season, they could seek a trade, Moore says, but with a roster built to take advantage of Bynum with outside shooters, he advises the team to patiently await the return of their 7'0" center. Philadelphia has gone 7-6 without Bynum appearing in a game yet this season.
Pistons Rumors: Singler, Drummond, Bynum
The Pistons are in New York today for a matinee against the Knicks in a matchup of teams whose seasons have begun to turn in opposite directions. The Pistons started 0-8, but have won three of their last five, while the Knicks, who were 6-0, have lost three out of five. Detroit is hoping the more recent trends continue as we take a closer look at the Motor City's team.
- Kyle Singler helped his Spanish league team to a championship last year, and that experience is helping him in his rookie year with the Pistons, observes Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.
- Fellow Free Press scribe Mike Brudenell notes that Pistons coach Lawrence Frank is impressed with the development another rookie, Andre Drummond, who recorded his first double-double for the team on Friday.
- While examining the development of starting point guard Brandon Knight, MLive's David Mayo also looks at how backup Will Bynum, in the final season of his contract, has returned to the Pistons rotation.