Pistons Sign Terrence Williams
OCTOBER 1ST: The Pistons have officially signed Williams, according to a team release.
SEPTEMBER 20TH: Free agent guard Terrence Williams, who spent time with the Rockets and Kings last season, has agreed on a contract to attend training camp with the Pistons, tweets Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski. The head coach of the Pistons is, of course, Lawrence Frank, who coached Williams when they crossed paths in New Jersey. Sam Amick of SI.com tweets that the deal will be a "conditional guarantee for one year minimum," meaning that the deal becomes for guaranteed dollars at a certain date.
Detroit worked out Williams last week, and he must have made an impression. After being traded to Sacramento last March, Williams received increased playing time and averaged 8.8 points over 18 games. It was the highest scoring average with one team in one season in his career. At age 25, and only three years removed from being the 11th overall pick, Williams will have to earn a roster spot if he wants to have a chance to fulfill his once-perceived potential.
Mavericks Links: Media Day, Dirk, Brand, Nash
As we saw yesterday, the Mavs look like they're putting the finishing touches on their training camp roster, adding Josh Akognon, D.J. Mbenga and Tu Holloway to what look to be non-guaranteed deals. The team, coming off a dissapointing offseason, held their media day on Friday. Here are some of the links that have come across the wire since:
- Dwain Price of the Star-Telegram has some additional quotes from Rick Carlisle, who thinks that the Mavs have what it takes to win an NBA championship this season. Carlisle references the NFL and MLB as leagues where wild cards routinely win titles, and he likens it to his 2011 title team. It is a tough sell, as those leagues are parity striken unlike the NBA. But Carlisle's optimism should nevertheless be encouraging for the Mavericks faithful.
Earlier updates:
- Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News provides us with some more content from Rick Carlisle and Elton Brand. With the presence of Nowitzki and Kaman, Brand is excited to, for once, not draw the opposition's best defensive big. Carlisle expects good chemistry to develop between Brand and Kaman.
- Dirk Nowitzki was predictably the most popular quote of the day. According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas, Nowitzki addressed the loss of former running mates in Jason Terry and Jason Kidd, and was particularly surprised with Kidd's departure. Nowitzki said: “We won the championship together, so they’re like brothers to me. That was tough to see those two guys go somewhere else. It’s going to be weird to see them in different uniforms, for sure.”
- MacMahon adds that Nowitzki said that the Mavs, despite missing out on Dwight Howard and Deron Williams, are still of a "heck of a team" without either of them.
- After missing out on Howard and Williams, the Mavs added Elton Brand, Darren Collison, Chris Kaman and O.J. Mayo. Brand said that group could combine to give Dallas what adding two superstars could have, according to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. Earl Sneed of NBA.com tweets that Brand looks in "insane shape" entering camp.
- Nowitzki also commented on the Lakers compilation of stars, and more specifically on their addition of his good friend and former teammate, Steve Nash, via Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News. “On paper, they’re really, really good,’’ he said. “You look at their starting lineup, it’s almost an All-Star Game starting lineup. They’re stacked. They’re going to be great. They’re going to be tough to beat if they stay injury free.’’
Odds & Ends: Atlantic, Previews, Draft
Here are a few odds and ends from around the NBA on Friday night:
- Dei Lynam of CSN Philly goes "Around the Atlantic," touching on Rasheed Wallace, Kevin Garnett and a glowing quote from Keyon Dooling on Rajon Rondo.
- Here is the index page of HoopsWorld's team-by-team season previews for the upcoming season.
- We are a long way away from the 2013 NBA Draft, nine months to be (close to) exact, but I can't help myself. After dubbing LeBryan Nash the top NBA prospect in the Big 12 a few days ago, Draft Express rounds out their top five with Myck Kabongo, Jeff Withey, Elijah Johnson and Pierre Jackson respectively.
- More draft news, as Joe Kotch of Sheridan Hoops published his top 10 list for the 2013 event. As we all know, this will change exponentially as the draft approaches. Now entering the 2012-13 season, be sure to use us to look back on the 2012 draft this past June.
T-Wolves Introduce Andrei Kirilenko
After signing Andrei Kirilenko in July, the Timberwolves formally introduced the versatile Russian on Friday at a news conference at the Target Center, says Wolves beat writer Jerry Zgoda. Zgoda also provides a link to video interview he did with Kirilenko, who seems convinced that the team's eclectic mix of talent will mesh without issue.
Due to last season's lockout, Kirilenko returned to Russia and played the entire season for CSKA Moscow, winning the 2011-12 Euroleague MVP in the process. Before that, of course, he spent 10 years with the Jazz. While Kirilenko is no longer the All-Star caliber player he was in his prime, his last four years in Utah were remarkably consistent. From 2007 to 2011, the rangy forward averaged between 11 and 12 points and 4.5 and 5.1 rebounds per game.
He should provide plenty of value and veteran stability to an up-and-coming roster in Minnesota.
Knicks Links: Wallace, Age, Felton, Questions
We learned earlier today that Rasheed Wallace will officially join the Knicks in the next few days, which will put their training camp roster at the maximum number of 20, 14 of which would have guaranteed contracts including Wallace. With Sheed joining Marcus Camby, Kurt Thomas and Jason Kidd, the Knicks will have four of the six oldest players in the NBA, tweets Mark Deeks of ShamSports.com. The two non-Knicks in that ignominious group are Grant Hill and Steve Nash.
Let's round up all things Knicks on Friday night right here:
- ESPN New York's Ian Begley provides his Knicks' training camp primer. Begley's preview includes five pivotal questions about the Knicks, most of which center on their veteran, but retooled roster.
- Al Iannazzone of Newsday has his own list of five Knicks questions. Iannazzone wonders about the club's chemistry, the club's age and if Raymond Felton's second trip through New York will be similar to the first.
- Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld isn't sure that Wallace can help the Knicks. Ingram says that when he hung up his hightops after a 2009-10 season in Boston, it appeared that Wallace has "left it all on the court."
Jazz Tell Raja Bell To Stay Away From Camp
The Jazz announced Friday that they have told Raja Bell, who is under contract with the team, that it would be best if he did not attend training camp next week. General Manager Dennis Lindsey issued the following statement:
“I have spoken with Raja and his representative, Herb Rudoy, and we have mutually agreed that although Raja remains under contract, it is in the best interest of all parties that he not re-join the team next week when the Jazz begins training camp. We will now move forward focusing on Jazz basketball and our preparation for the upcoming season. We will have no further comment on this matter.”
There has been plenty of buzz lately around Bell's situation in Utah, and many assumed that it would result in a trade or buy out before the start of camp. Bell was in Salt Lake City on Monday for a physical, but as of yesterday had not heard from the team, says Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune.
The 35-year-old Bell is set to make $3.5MM in his final season with the Jazz. His playing time drastically fell last season as he reportedly butted heads with head coach Tyrone Corbin, but Bell could probably still be a valuable role player on the right team.
Jerry Zgoda, of the Star Tribune, tweets that the Timberwolves valued Bell's defense before which indicates they may be a fit once again. While I can't imagine the Jazz agreeing to send Bell to a division rival, if Zgoda is right it could explain part of their hesitation to simply part ways with the guard.
Odds & Ends: Pacers, Valanciunas, Wallace, Kidd
Let's consolidate all the odds and ends from Sunday night in this post:
- Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York reports, via Twitter, that Mike Bibby likely won't sign with a team before the start of training camps. The veteran point guard does expect to sign somewhere, however, but not the Knicks and we heard yesterday, probably not the Celtics.
- Ben Golliver of CBS Sports provides his offseason report for the Clippers. Golliver says that after decades where the goal was to not screw up their draft, the Clippers were able to employ a more competitive approach of acquiring established veterans to fit around Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
- Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman outlines the roster changes and season outlook for each team in the Northwest division, including the hometown Thunder.
- The Kamenetzky brothers of ESPN Los Angeles discuss via video who has the most to gain and the most to lose on the bolstered roster of the Lakers.
Earlier updates:
- The staff at HoopsWorld puts together their season preview on the Pacers. All five of their writers selected the Pacers to win the Central Division, a year after finishing second behind the Bulls. Lacking the star power of the Heat, Indiana will need popular breakout candidate Paul George to fulfill his potential if they want to go deep into the playoffs.
- Raptors Lithuanian prospect Jonas Valanciunas injured his left foot, reports the Toronto Sun. After Toronto used the fifth pick in last year's draft on him, Valanciunas enters his first NBA season with a ton of hype. The seven footer was spotted with a walking boot, though all indications are that it is a minor injury.
- Keith Schlosser of the Knicks Journal gives his take on the news that Rasheed Wallace is being considered by the Knicks. If that move comes to fruition, Wallace would be joining a roster full of late 30-somethings. Jason Kidd, in this NBA.com video, seems confident that the supplemental pieces that the team added could put them over the top.
Louis Amundson Nearing Deal
Free agent big man Louis Amundson is closing in on a deal with a mystery team, tweets Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York. Zwerling reports that the deal could be completed as early as Monday, but adds that it is unknown which team it is with.
The 29-year-old Amundson is the ultimate NBA journeyman, playing on five teams in his six years in the league. He played 60 games as a member of the Pacers last year, averaging 3.5 points and 3.7 boards in 12.6 minutes per game. Assuming it happens this week, we will report Amundson's destination as soon as we know where he is headed. Stay tuned.
Brian Butch Signs With Jazz
9:46pm: Brian Smith from the Salt Lake Tribune confirms the deal, tweeting that a person close to Butch described it as a "make-good deal." According to Smith, the Jazz's roster is now at 15 and Butch will be competing with Darnell Jackson and Trey Gilder for a roster spot. Smith averaged 15.3 points and 9.8 rebounds for the D-League's Bakersfield Jam last season.
7:59pm: Brian Butch has signed with the Jazz, tweets Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times. After going undrafted in 2008 out of Wisconsin, Butch has bounced around the D-League and Europe. This is undoubtedly a non-guaranteed deal that gives Butch nothing more than an opportunity to make the team in training camp. We last heard from Butch less than a month ago when the Spurs brought him in for a workout.
Poll: Which Third-Year Player Gets Paid The Most?
Earlier this week, Luke Adams detailed which fourth-year players are eligible to receive extensions. As Luke notes, Blake Griffin and Serge Ibaka, both of whom fall into this category, have already signed long-term deals this summer. Griffin signed a maximum-salary deal and Ibaka signed for 4-years, $49MM. The rest of the guys on the list have until October 31 to sign new deals with their respective teams or they will become free agents next summer.
Teams also have until October 31 to pick up their fourth-year option on players entering the third year of their rookie contracts. Luke posted a list of those guys as well, none of whom look like surefire NBA stars just yet. That said, several of them will likely get paid big bucks next summer. But which ones? Out of all of these guys, who deserves the biggest extension next summer? Feel free to justify your vote in the comments section.