Sixers Made Run At Denver GM Masai Ujiri
Before broadening the parameters of their search for a general manager, the 76ers made an aggressive attempt to land current Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri, says Adrian Wojnarowski. The report confirms that Tony DiLeo is currently the front runner to replace Rod Thorn, but this is the first time that news of Ujiri's involvement has surfaced.
Ujiri is well respected in NBA circles despite being one of the lowest paid general managers in the league. After losing the franchise centerpiece in Carmelo Anthony, Ujiri molded the Nuggets into an instant winner. Apparently, the Sixers attempted to lure him to Philly with big bucks but his loyalty to Denver ownership (and presumably big money from the Nuggets in the near future) allowed him to resist.
Ujiri only has one year left on his deal. The Nuggets will need to extend him to prevent other teams from poaching their architect. Although Wojnarowski mentions the Dwight Howard blockbuster that both teams were involved in, it is unclear where this report fits in from a time perspective.
Atlantic Links: Celts, Sixers, Moultrie, Smith
As if the Atlantic division didn't have a busy enough offseason, the Celtics were active again on Thursday . After waiving Keyon Dooling, who then retired, Boston signed Micah Downs to what is likely a non-guaranteed deal and gave guaranteed dollars to Darko Milicic. They now have 14 guaranteed roster spots and 19 total players in training camp. John Hollinger of ESPN gives his take, insider only, on the Celtics roster.
Surely, that couldn't have been it for the ever-changing Atlantic. Let's keep track of all the other links floating around on Thursday within the division:
- We have detailed at great length the roster overhaul that the Sixers went through this offseason. John Hollinger of ESPN breaks down their new roster for the 2012-13 seasons (Insider access only).
- Dei Lynam of CSN Philly looks at Andrew Bynum and Andre Iguodala, both of whom could be unrestricted free agents this offseason. Bynum seems like a good bet to re-sign in Philly, while the future of Iguodala, should he opt out, is far more difficult to predict.
- The ankle injury that has hobbled Sixers first round pick Arnett Moultrie for most of the summer has not progressed as well as the team has hoped, reports John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Moultrie's effectiveness is heavily reliant on his athleticism, making it crucial for him legs to be at full strength as a rookie.
- Jonathan Abrams examines the enigma that is Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith for Grantland. Smith is ultra-talented and has been productive, but for whatever reason has not been able to find a home.
- Former Knick Stephon Marbury talked all things Knickerbockers with Ian Begley of ESPN New York. Marbury questions Amare Stoudemire's ability to thrive without Steve Nash, the ownership's motives in bringing in Carmelo Anthony and the potential of the team to advance in the playoffs.
Pacific Notes: Curry, Bogut, Howard, Clippers
It's been a busy night out West in the NBA. On the depressing side of things, we found out that Channing Frye of the Suns will likely be sidelined for the entire year with a heart issue. Here is hoping that Frye makes it back to full strength, as he says he should. In lighter news, the Kings will give free agent center Hamady N'Diaye a shot to make their roster in training camp.
Here is what else is going on in the Pacific division:
- We covered this yesterday, but the Warriors said today, via press release, that Stephen Curry has received full medical clearance on his right ankle. Curry is good to resume all basketball activities right away.
- Curry's teammate, Andrew Bogut, has had ankle issues of his own. Bogut spoke with Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury, saying that he should be ready for the team's opener, among other things.
- Yannis Koutroupis of HoopsWorld transcribes parts of an interview that Lakers coach Mike Brown gave with ESPN LA, detailing where Brown outlines how newly acquired Dwight Howard will help the Lakers right now and in the future.
- John Hollinger of ESPN gives a detailed breakdown of the Clippers 2012-13 roster, insider only. Jamal Crawford, Grant Hill and Lamar Odom highlight the offseason additions for the Clips.
- HoopsWorld published their season preview for the Clippers. The HoopsWorld staff is predicting a second place finish across the board for the Clips, presumably with the Lakers finishing atop the Pacific pack.
Hamady N’Diaye Lands Deal With Kings
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo (via Twitter), free agent center Hamady N'Diaye has agreed to a non-guaranteed training camp deal with the Kings. N'Diaye, a 7-footer from Rutgers via Senegal, appeared in 19 games for the Wizards over the past two seasons.
Wojnarowski tweets that N'Diaye has a "solid shot" to make the Kings opening day roster. He averaged 6 points and 4.3 rebounds in the NBDL last season with stops at the Iowa Energy and the Maine Red Claws.
Channing Frye Out Indefinitely
7:17pm: Frye told Az Central Sports that he will likely miss the 2012-13 season, writes Paul Coro. Frye says he will rest for six months. He added that the cause of his heart issues are viral, and that there is a good chance that it will go away. He believes that he will be able to return to the NBA, but offered some humanizing quotes in reaction:
"It was very shocking and, at the same time, scary. It's not like an arm or a knee or an elbow where you're like, 'Maybe I can just rehab this.' It's something that keeps you going."
6:37pm: The Suns announced on Thursday that forward Channing Frye will be out indefinitely with an enlarged heart, or dilated cardiomyopathy. The condition was discovered during a routine preseason physical exam by a Suns physician. Frye will be closely monitored and will not participate in basketball activities until he is reevaluated in December.
Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby said the following after the announcement: “Nothing is more important to us than the health and well-being of our players. Channing and his family have the full support of our organization. His health is our primary concern and we are committed to helping him in any way he needs.”
Frye didn't seem too down on Thursday evening, following Babby's comments by tweeting, "Thanks everyone for your support. I will be ok. It will pass and ill be back we have the best staff in the NBA helping me out."
Frye has blossomed in his three years in the desert, particularly as a three point specialist. He is only 29, so hopefully the former Arizona Wildcat still has plenty good years of professional basketball in him.
Clippers Pick Up Option On Eric Bledsoe
The Clippers announced today they have picked up the fourth year option on point guard Eric Bledsoe. As we outlined yesterday, teams have until October 31 to pick up their fourth year options on 2010 first round draftees like Bledsoe if they want to prevent them from hitting unrestricted free agency after this season. Now that the Clippers have exercized his option, unless Bledsoe receives an extension by that same date of October 31, he will hit restricted free agency in the summer of 2014.
It's no surprise that the Clippers decided to keep Bledsoe, as they were hesitant to move him this summer despite rumors of heavy interest from around the league. Due to last summer's acquisition of Chris Paul, Bledsoe's minutes and statistics were essentially cut in half in 2011-12. But he got a chance to make his mark in the playoffs, averaging 11.5 points per game in the Spurs sweep of Los Angeles.
The Clippers added Jamal Crawford this offseason who will likely also cut into Bledsoe's playing time, so it will interesting to see how he he fares in his third year out of Kentucky. He shows his potential nearly every time he gets a chance, making it almost a certainty that he will continue to draw trade interest as long as he is blocked in Los Angeles.
Northwest Links: Williams, Roy, Harden, Jazz
The Blazers announced, via Twitter, that Elliot Williams underwent successful surgery on his left Achilles tendon today and will miss the entirety of the 2012-13 season. Williams ruptured his Achilles on Tuesday during a voluntary workout, which is the latest misfortune for the snakebitten former Memphis Tiger. CSN Northwest has more details on the surgery here. Here are some other links from the Northwest Division:
- Brandon Roy said on Thursday that he wants to "come in and make an impact right away" for the Timberwolves, writes Ray Richardson of the Pioneer Press. Roy has expressed confidence all offseason: "I want to be ready to deliver. A lot of people think I'm going to be limited. I tell them, 'Go ahead and think that way.' I'm not cautious about anything. I'm confident everything will go well." I asked readers a month ago how Roy would fare this year, and about half of you thought he'd average around 10 points per game.
- The staff at HoopsWorld published their season preview for the Timberwolves, complete with strengths, weaknesses and predictions. The consensus is that Minnesota will finish right smack in the middle of the Northwest, which would be an improvement from last year's last place finish.
- Sean Deveney of The Sporting News looks at five scenarios in play for James Harden and the Thunder. He predicts that the team will wait until next summer to re-sign him as a restricted free agent, getting rid of Kendrick Perkins and others to clear the necessary cap space to do so.
- Ben Golliver of CBS Sports gives his offseason report card for the Jazz. He gives Utah a B, concluding that it was a typically quiet but effectively offseason for the team. Golliver says that hiring Dennis Lindsey as their GM was a coup, especially considering the similarity in markets and the amount of current Jazz players that may hit free agency soon.
Lakers Sign Darius Johnson-Odom
The Lakers announced on Friday that they have come to terms with second round pick Darius Johnson-Odom. A Marquette product, Johnson-Odom was taken by the Lakers with the 55th overall pick after acquiring the selection in a draft day trade with the Mavericks.
Johnson-Odom averaged 18.3 points per game in his senior year at Marquette, earning first team All-Big East honors. He more recently averaged 3.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists and 15.8 minutes as a member of the Lakers summer league team in Las Vegas.
The details of the agreement have yet to be released.
Atlantic Notes: Celtics, Green, Wright, Sixers
Chuck Myron already outlined today the flurry of Atlantic Division activity that has occured this week and it just keeps rolling in. Few would argue that the Celtics, 76ers and Nets have had big offseasons and the talented roster of the Knicks has had one more offseason to jell. This year promises to be an eventful one in the Northeast. Let's round up some of the Atlantic Division links coming in on Friday night:
- Greg Payne of ESPN Boston reports that a bunch of Celtics, including Jeff Green and newcomers Jason Terry, Kris Joseph, Jamar Smith and Dionte Christmas, have been participating in informal workouts at the team's practice facility. Payne adds that Joseph, Smith and Christmas will all be vying for the same job.
- Speaking of Green, the 26-year-old says he has been "cleared for everything" according to ESPN Boston's Chris Forsberg. Green's contract was held up most of the offseason by insurance issues stemming from the heart surgery that caused him to miss last season. Green's return is one reason why many think that the Celtics were big winners this offseason. Green said today, "I've really been able to do everything — contact, my movements, my shot is there, my lift is there. Everything is coming along."
- Dei Lynam of CSN Philly continues her offseason look at the Sixers' roster by analyzing sniper Dorell Wright, who the team acquired via trade in the offseason. Lynam thinks that Wright is best suited to come off the bench for Philly while noting that no matter what, the 6-foot-9 swingman will get minutes. The link includes a video with Doug Collins, who says Evan Turner, Jrue Holiday and Andrew Bynum are the only locks to start.
- Max Rappaport of Sixers.com offers his breakdown of the two vacant open spots in the Philly starting lineup. He thinks a shooter on the perimeter next to Evan Turner is vital and that Spencer Hawes has the inside track next to Bynum. It is incredible how different the Sixers team will look from a year ago.
- Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York caught up with four Knicks training camp invitees this week. Oscar Bellfield, John Shurna, Henry Sims and Mychel Thompson are longshots to make the team's roster, but all seem to be in good spirits in their time at the Knicks practice facility.
Pacific Notes: Barbosa, Hill, Warriors, Suns
We heard earlier this week that former Suns guard Leandro Barbosa, who finished last season in Indiana, had spoken with the Suns, the Nets and the Lakers about his destination this year. The Nets roster looks set at guard, and yesterday it looked like the Suns weren't interested either. We will keep an eye on the Lakers' interest in Barbosa, but in the meantime let's round up all things Pacific Division:
- We learned yesterday that Dwight Howard will not be ready for the Lakers first preseason game in early October. According to Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers will likely shift Pau Gasol to center and insert Jordan Hill into the starting power forward spot in Howard's absence. The uncertainty that the Lakers face with Howard's back problems makes their ability to keep Gasol in the deal look even better, if that is possible.
- Matt Steinmetz of CSN Bay Area hosted a Warriors chat today. Among the topics covered are the expectations for Andrew Bogut in his first year in Oakland, Stephen Curry's future with the Warriors as well as newcomer Harrison Barnes' rookie role.
- Paul Coro from the Arizona Republic checks up on the Suns as we get closer to the starting of training camp. He says the only three players who haven't shown their face in Phoenix of late are Jermaine O'Neal, Marcin Gortat and Michael Beasley. In addition to a Beasley update, Coro says their is word that Goran Dragic, Markieff Morris and Kendall Marshall look good. He also reiterates what we heard yesterday, that Leandro Barbosa's interest in coming back to Phoenix is one-sided.