Otto Porter To Enter Draft
We heard last night that Georgetown's Otto Porter had scheduled a press conference for today to announce his decision on his future. Now, Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com reports that Porter will announce his intent to declare for the draft, forgoing his final two NCAA seasons.
Although Porter's Hoyas were upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by No. 15 seed Florida Gulf Coast, it was a successful individual season for the sophomore forward, who was named the Big East Player of the Year. For the season, he averaged 16.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG, to go along with .480/.422/.777 shooting.
Porter projects as a certain lottery pick in June, ranking fourth on Chad Ford's big board at ESPN.com and eighth on Jonathan Givony's board at DraftExpress.com.
Nerlens Noel To Enter Draft
Nerlens Noel has officially decided to forgo his remaining three seasons of NCAA eligbility and enter the NBA draft, the University of Kentucky announced today in a press release. "I have loved my time at Kentucky, but I feel that I'm ready to take the next step to the NBA," Noel said in a statement.
Noel, 19, averaged 10.5 PPG, 9.5 RPG, and 4.4 BPG in 24 contests with the Wildcats before suffering a season-ending ACL tear. Despite the injury, the freshman center is still considered a near-lock to be a top-three pick, and could still be the No. 1 overall choice. ESPN.com's Chad Ford wrote last month that, with many top prospects not playing well in the NCAA tournament, Noel's stock may have actually improved, and while he isn't viewed as the consenus No. 1 pick, most NBA teams are leaning in that direction. Ford and Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com both currently have Noel ranked atop their respective big boards.
While Kentucky's press release didn't include word of Noel's agency, at least one report over the weekend suggested that the big man could become Jay-Z's first client when the rapper becomes formally certified as an NBA agent.
Nuggets Will Tender Qualifying Offer To Mozgov
Timofey Mozgov's name surfaced in a handful of trade rumors prior to this year's deadline, as the big man reportedly drew interest from the Timberwolves, Knicks, Heat, and Bobcats, among others. Ultimately, the Nuggets held on to Russian, and it sounds like the team will do its best to retain him beyond this season. Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com reports that Denver will tender a qualifying offer to Mozgov prior to this June's deadline.
The qualifying offer, which would be worth $3,925,536 for one year, makes Mozgov a restricted free agent. He'd have the option of accepting the Nuggets' one-year offer, negotiating a longer-term deal with Denver, or signing an offer sheet with another club. If he were to sign an offer sheet, the Nuggets would have three days to match it, which Haynes suggests is likely. "Mozgov is a priority and it will take a lot [for the Nuggets] not to match," according to Haynes' source.
Mozgov, 26, has averaged less than nine minutes per game in 40 contests for the Nuggets this season as the third-string center behind Kosta Koufos and JaVale McGee. Despite his lack of playing time, the big man figures to draw plenty of interest on the free agent market due to the potential he has displayed in limited minutes. While I don't expect him to land the sort of salary Omer Asik received the Rockets last summer, Mozgov's free agent case could be similar, with a team gambling on his upside rather than his overall production to date.
If the Nuggets hope to retain Mozgov and stay below the tax line, it may require some additional roster maneuvering. Assuming Andre Iguodala opts in to the final year of his deal, Denver already has close to $68MM committed to 11 players for 2013/14. That total doesn't include salaries for Mozgov or Corey Brewer, who will also be a free agent.
Atlantic Notes: Teletovic, Nets, Carlesimo, 76ers
Here's a look at the latest out of the Atlantic..
- The Nets received more calls at the trade deadline about Mirza Teletovic than any other player, as other teams found his three-year, $9.687MM contract a bargain given his track record in Europe, reports Fred Kerber of the New York Post. Teletovic has only averaged 9.1 minutes per game this season, but he's intent on making it in the NBA and has no plans to return to Europe.
- Nets coach P.J. Carlesimo defended Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni from the criticism he's taken over Kobe Bryant's injury, writes Tim Bontemps of the New York Post. “When you’re playing for a playoff position, and in particular you’re playing a guy that would play 48 minutes if you’d let him, I think there’s been a lot of unfair commentary directed towards Mike. The only way you get Kobe off the floor is if you pull him off the floor," said the coach.
- Julius Erving told John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer (on Twitter) that he wouldn't mind being involved in the vetting process for free agents for the 76ers.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Dwight Howard Expected To Stay With Lakers
Could our long national Dwightmare reach a drama-free conclusion this summer? Two sources close to Lakers center Dwight Howard told Sam Amick of USA Today that they fully expect him to return to L.A. even though he has kept mum on the subject. In fact, the organization expected Howard to take over the Lakers even before the season-ending injury to Kobe Bryant.
Of course, Howard is notorious for changing his mind, meaning there's always a chance his outlook could change by the time July rolls around. The Mavericks, Rockets and even the Suns, who could make room for D12 with a few moves, are hoping that's the case.
Howard could definitely have a change of heart if he is not factor in the Lakers' offense sans Kobe in these final two games and they fall short of making the playoffs. Financially, the smart move would be to stay in L.A. as Howard's max extension with the Lakers would be for five years and $117.9MM while the rest of the field could only give him something in the vicinity of a four-year, $87.6MM ontract, as calculated by our own Luke Adams.
Alex Len To Enter Draft
Maryland center Alex Len will enter the 2013 draft, a source tells Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). The sophomore is expected to hold a press conference towards the middle of the coming week at Maryland to make the announcement.
Len has long been expected to enter this year's draft and at one time was in the conversation to be the No. 1 overall pick. Things haven't quite played out that way for the Ukranian-born big man, but he's still very likely to be a lottery pick in this year's draft.
DraftExpress has Len going No. 11 in their latest mock draft while Chad Ford of ESPN.com has Len going eighth. The sophomore averaged 11.9 PPG with 7.8 RPG and 2.1 BPG in 2012/13 for the Terrapins. To keep up on all of the latest early entrants for the 2013 draft, take a look at Hoops Rumors' up-to-date list.
Week In Review: 4/8/13 – 4/14/13
This week, the Basketball Hall of Fame inducted twelve new members in a star-studded 2013 class. Sonics guard Gary Payton dished and smack-talked his way into the Hall along with former Nets and Knicks great Bernard King. The induction of Rick Pitino capped an unbelievable week for the coach, who captured the National Championship and saw his son, Richard, named as the head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers. As if that wasn't enough, Pitino's horse Goldencents is headed to the Kentucky Derby in May after winning the Santa Anita Derby. Here's more from the week that was in hoops..
- Kobe Bryant suffered an Achilles tendon tear, ending his season and putting him on the shelf for at least a significant portion of the 2013/14 season. With an extra roster spot, the Lakers signed Andrew Goudelock.
- There has been discord between Stephen Jackson and the Spurs and it finally came to a head this week when the veteran was cut loose.
- Bucks guard Monta Ellis is likely to opt out of his deal rather than make $11MM in Milwaukee next season.
- Louisville's Gorgui Dieng is leaving college on a high note and going pro. Michigan's Trey Burke will also take advantage of a soft draft class. To keep up on all early entrants, check out our running list.
- J.J. Hickson and the Blazers are probably heading in different directions.
- The tug-of-war between Sacramento and Seattle continues. Meanwhile, Sacramento's group had some shuffling.
- The Bulls won't sign Nikola Mirotic until 2014.
- Kevin Love is going to have his knee scoped.
- The Pistons might be planning to part ways with Joe Dumars.
- The Thunder, Hawks, and Bulls may pursue Nolan Smith.
- Nerlens Noel could become Jay-Z's first NBA client.
- Chauncey Billups isn't considering retirement.
- Mark Cuban wants to keep Vince Carter for the long-term.
- Rick Adelman, however, is thinking about walking away.
- Brandon Roy plans to continue his playing career.
- Jason Collins would like to return to the Celtics.
- The Bulls signed Malcolm Thomas to a two-year deal.
- The Knicks signed James Singleton and cut Kurt Thomas loose.
- Lionel Hollins doesn't think his fate is tied to the playoffs.
- The Knicks are eyeing free agent bigs.
- Omri Casspi wants to return to the Cavs.
- The Nets signed Kris Joseph for the rest of the year.
Lakers Sign Andrew Goudelock
7:29pm: The signing is now official, according to Mike Trudell of NBA.com (on Twitter).
7:18pm: The Lakers have not officially completed the paperwork to sign Goudelock and if they can't get his contract finalized in the next half hour, then he won't play tonight, tweets Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.
8:05am: The Lakers are expected to sign guard Andrew Goudelock this morning, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. Marc Stein of ESPN.com reported last night that the Lakers were "lining up" a deal with Goudelock, their second-round draft pick in 2011. The 24-year-old could be with the team in time for tonight's game against the Spurs, according to Spears. Since the Lakers only have 14 players on their roster, they won't have to waive anyone to bring Goudelock on board.
Goudelock spent the 2011/12 season with the Lakers, appearing in 40 games and averaging 4.4 points and 10.5 minutes per contest, with 37.3% three-point shooting. His contract covered this season as well, but it was non-guaranteed, and L.A. waived him at the end of training camp. He turned to the D-League, and was a hot commodity in the D-League draft, going second overall. Goudelock wound up splitting the season between the Sioux Falls Skyforce and Rio Grande Valley Vipers, notching 21.1 PPG and 5.2 assists per game. His proficient three-point stroke remained, as he shot 36.9% from behind the arc.
The College of Charleston product hasn't spent time on an NBA roster since the Lakers let him go in training camp, so he'll be eligible for the postseason, unlike recently waived wing players like Stephen Jackson and Raja Bell. The Lakers had been looking for a swingman to replace Kobe Bryant, who's out six to nine months with a torn Achilles.
Hoops Links: Kobe, Jackson, Raptors, Love
On this date in 1962 , Elgin Baylor of the Lakers scored 62 points, breaking Bob Pettit's record of 50 points in an NBA Finals game. The odds were already against the Lakers making another trip to the Finals in 2013, but they really plummeted this past week with Kobe Bryant's Achilles tendon tear.
Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors? Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the web..
- Forum Blue And Gold doesn't blame Mike D'Antoni for Kobe's injury.
- Silver Screen And Roll says Kobe's martyrdom deserved a better cause.
- Pounding The Rock tries to make sense of the Stephen Jackson situation.
- The Brooklyn Game talks Raptors and Rudy Gay.
- Blog A Bull asks if Joakim Noah should shut it down until the playoffs.
- Hardwood Paroxysm believes that Brittney Griner deserves your attention.
- The Basketball Post looks at the tough draw assigned to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
- A Wolf Among Wolves hopes things get better for Kevin Love going forward.
- Bright Side Of The Sun continues their lottery watch.
- Orlando Pinstriped Post says Arron Afflalo isn't overpaid.
- Bucksketball reminds Milwaukee fans not be mad about the Tobias Harris trade.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.
Grizzlies Waive Dexter Pittman
The Grizzlies announced that they have waived center Dexter Pittman. The big man totaled two points and five rebounds in 20 minutes in seven appearances with the Grizzlies. Pittman was cut loose to make room for the signing of Willie Reed.
Memphis acquired the 25-year-old along with a 2013 second round draft pick from the Heat in exchange for the draft rights to Ricky Sanchez on Feb. 21. The three-year veteran holds career averages of 2.4 points and 1.8 rebounds on .454 shooting in 7.2 minutes in 48 games with Miami and Memphis.