Odds & Ends: Magic, Beasley, Rockets, Cousins
The Celtics have had a mixed bag of an offseason thus far as they've managed to retain major pieces such as Kevin Garnett and Jeff Green, but lost Ray Allen last week to the Heat. The latest news out of Boston makes the Jason Terry signing look even more important as Avery Bradley is expected to miss the start of the season as he undergoes surgery on his right shoulder later this week. While he could be back shortly after the season begins, the young guard will miss training camp and could be out until mid-December, writes Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald. Let's check in around the league to catch up on the latest news and stories making headlines…
Kings Close To Re-Signing Jason Thompson
Restricted free agent Jason Thompson is close to reaching an agreement with the Kings to remain with the team, reports Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee (via Twitter). The former first round pick averaged 9.1 PPG and 6.9 RPG in 64 games for the Kings during the 2011/12 season. Thompson, 26 later this month, earned $3MM last season with Sacramento.
The power forward had been taking a wait-and-see approach with the Kings as the franchise drafted Thomas Robinson in June and pursued Magic big man Ryan Anderson as recently as last week. Regardless, Kings president Geoff Petrie reiterated his stance that re-signing Thompson was the team's top priority and could foresee Anderson playing small forward if he signed with Sacramento.
Nicolas Batum, Timberwolves Agree To Offer Sheet
Nicolas Batum and the Timberwolves have agreed to terms on a four-year, $45MM offer sheet with bonuses that could push the total value of the deal to $50MM, reports Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press (via Twitter). Once the offer sheet is signed, Portland will have three days to decide whether it wants to retain Batum or allow the forward to leave and join the Timberwolves.
Cavs Sign Dion Waiters, Tyler Zeller
The Cavs have signed first-round picks Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller to rookie contracts, according to a team release. Waiters, 20, was selected fourth overall by Cleveland after starring at Syracuse in the backcourt. Zeller, 22, was drafted 17th overall by the Mavericks and dealt to the Cavs in a draft night trade. The former UNC forward/center won the ACC Player of the Year award during his senior year. Bob Finnan of The News-Herald says Waiters received a four-year $16.7MM deal while Zeller obtained a four-year, $7.4MM contract (Twitter links).
Magic To Pick Up J.J. Redick’s $6MM Option
The Magic plan to pick up J.J. Redick's $6MM option on the final year of his contract, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (on Twitter). The former Duke star enjoyed a strong season as he set career highs in points per game (11.6), rebounds per game (2.3) and assists per game (2.5). Orlando has until July 8 to officially pick up Redick's option after agreeing to terms with Jameer Nelson on a multiyear deal earlier Thursday.
Odds & Ends: Howard, Walsh, Olympics
Cavs assistant general manager David Griffin has pulled his name out of consideration for the Clippers' general manager position, reports Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com. Griffin spoke with officials from the Clippers organization while in Chicago for pre-draft camp but reportedly doesn't feel like now is the right time to make a career move. The Clippers have only formally interviewed former Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe for the opening after Neil Olshey left Los Angeles to take the same position with the Trail Blazers. Here are a few more stories and headlines from around the league…
New York Notes: Lin, Woodson, Kidd
The Knicks and Nets have both been busy since their respective seasons came to a conclusion earlier this spring. For the Knicks, the team's attention has been focused on the future of Jeremy Lin while the Nets' energy has been spent on convincing Deron Williams to remain with the franchise. With the draft looming on Thursday and the start of free agency set to begin less than two weeks later, both New York and Brooklyn are in store for a working summer as the two teams look to reload for the fall. Let's check in on the latest news from Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center…
Blazers Extend Qualifying Offer To Nicolas Batum
The Trail Blazers have extended a qualifying offer to forward Nicolas Batum, tweets Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge. Batum will become a restricted free agent on July 1, but because of the qualifying offer, Portland will have the right of first refusal if another team attempts to sign the Frenchman. The qualifying offer comes in at approximately $4.4MM, but merely serves as a placeholder until the team reaches a deal with Batum on an extension or another team extends an offer sheet, at which time Portland would determine whether or not to match the deal.
Timberwolves Set To Offer Roy Two-Year Deal
The Timberwolves are set to offer Brandon Roy a two-year contract, reports Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN.com. The former Portland star sat out the 2011/12 season due to health concerns stemming from a lack of cartilage in his knees. After being amnestied by the Trail Blazers, Roy is free to sign with any team in the league. While many thought the former All-Star had permanently retired from the NBA, Roy has been training in Seattle in hopes of making a return for the 2012/13 season. The 27-year-old remains a health concern but has received an endorsement from Wolves assistant coach Bill Bayno, who has previously worked with Roy in Portland.
NBA Invites 14 Players To Draft Green Room
The NBA has invited 14 players to the 2012 NBA Draft Green Room, tweets Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com. The Green Room allows some of the draft's best prospects to sit with their agents and families just off the stage as they await to be selected by a team. Players are extended an opportunity to attend based upon how they are projected to be picked in the draft in order to avoid an awkward situation where a player finds himself sitting around deep into the first round. Notable omissions from the Green Room include UNC's Kendall Marshall and Ohio State's Jared Sullinger, who has seen his stock drop due to health concerns.