Odds & Ends: Dunleavy, D-League, Tyler
A few random notes from around the league.
- The D-League’s Erie Bayhawks have announced several additions to their staff, according to the team.
- The Bucks made Mike Dunleavy an offer to return this summer, but he instead chose to sign with the Bulls, where he’s making a strong impression on coach Tom Thibodeau, reports Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel.
- Jeremy Tyler is holding out hope he can make the Knicks roster, despite undergoing surgery on a stress fracture in his right foot in early September, writes the New York Post’s Marc Berman.
Nuggets Notes: Faried, Injuries, Roster Predictions
A few notes about the Nuggets as they face an uncertain season.
- The Denver Post’s Christopher Dempsey writes that frequent injuries have given first-year head coach Brian Shaw reason to worry. Wilson Chandler, Nate Robinson, and Darrell Arthur—just to name a few—have all battled through minor hiccups since the preseason started, and it’s made it difficult for Shaw to find proper rotations.
- More from Dempsey, as he predicts which players will make the roster and which will be cut before the regular season begins.
- Hoopsworld.com’s Steve Kyler tweets that the Nuggets are trying to discover Kenneth Faried‘s value on the trade market before locking themselves into a large, long-term contract.
Sixers Notes: Noel, Carter-Williams, Roster
A few notes about the Sixers, a team many believe will be the league’s worst this season
- The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey writes that the Sixers have six players who they know will contribute during the regular season. Beyond that, the rotation is a complete question mark.
- Sixers head coach Brett Brown isn’t sure whether Nerlens Noel will play this season, but he’s hoping the rookie center is able to contribute, writes the Inquirer’s Pompey.
- Hoopsworld.com’s Alex Kennedy writes that Philadelphia’s rookie point guard Michael Carter-Williams is in an unlikely position, being that he’ll be a starter from day one, with almost no expectations despite being a lottery pick.
Cavaliers Notes: Bynum, Sims, Dellavedova
Here are a few notes on the Cavaliers, a team with strong hopes to make the playoffs this season.
- Cleveland.com’s Mary Schmitt Boyer writes about Matthew Dellavedova—who served as point guard on the Australian national team during the 2012 Olympics—and how the undrafted rookie is standing out for Cleveland this preseason.
- Joe Gabriele from Cavs.com speaks with forward Henry Sims about his future with Cleveland.
- The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey writes about Andrew Bynum, and the decidedly optimistic expectations Cleveland has with their new center.
Blazers Waive Bost, Singler, Howell
The Trail Blazers have waived Dee Bost, E.J. Singler, and Richard Howell, according to a tweet from CSNNW.com’s Chris Haynes. All three will join the Idaho Stampede.
From the University of Oregon, Singler, the younger brother of Pistons forward Kyle Singler, was a non-roster camp invite, along with Bost, in September. A forward at North Carolina State last season, Howell was also signed to a training camp deal in September.
None of the three were expected to make Portland’s roster when the team extended them contracts last month (Bost’s deal was $25K guaranteed, and Howell’s was believed to be partially guaranteed as well). The moves put the Trail Blazers’ roster at 15, meaning it’s unlikely the club makes any further roster cuts.
Odds & Ends: Oden, Jordan, Rockets
A few more random notes from around the league.
- ESPN.com’s Brian Windhorst reported today that Heat center Greg Oden has suffered another setback in his long road back to the NBA.
- The Rockets are interviewing NCAA Division II and III coaches for the head coach position of their D-League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, tweets Yahoo! NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski.
- In an interview with Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer, Bobcats owner Michael Jordan speaks about his team’s new head coach, lottery pick, and more.
- According to a tweet from Jody Genessy, Jamaal Tinsley‘s agent confirmed that his client and the Jazz have mutual interest in one another, but said there’s nothing happening on that front at the moment.
- The Denver Post’s Christopher Dempsey writes about a roster dilemma the Nuggets have between Damion James and Jordan Hamilton. James is on a non-guaranteed deal, while Hamilton is owed $1.1MM this season.
Lakers Waive Darius Johnson-Odom
According to Mike Trudell of Lakers.com, the Lakers have waived Darius Johnson-Odom. The 24-year-old appeared in four games for the team last season, and was waived in January, before being re-signed last month.
Los Angeles Times writer Eric Pincus tweets the belief that Johnson-Odom will find professional work soon enough, either in the NBA or China, where the Lakers are currently visiting on a preseason trip.
Atlantic Notes: Mills, Knicks, Wallace
A few notes from around the Atlantic Division.
- According to the New York Daily News’ Stefan Bondy, Celtics forward Gerald Wallace feels like he’s Brooklyn’s scapegoat, after the team used him and his contract to acquire Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry.
- KnicksJournal.com’s Keith Schlosser takes a look at new Knicks general manager Steve Mills, who surprisingly replaced Glen Grunwald in the position last month.
- ESPNNewYork’s Ian Begley analyzes Carmelo Anthony‘s comments from earlier today regarding his desire to become a free agent after the season.
Western Notes: Leonard, Bogut, Holiday
A few note from around the Western Conference.
- After waiving small forwards Corey Maggette and Sam Young earlier this week, the Spurs will enter the season with no legitimate backup for Kawhi Leonard, writes MySanAntonio.com’s Jeff McDonald.
- MercuryNews.com’s Tim Kawakami opines on the Warriors and Andrew Bogut, and what’s a fair extension for the former number one overall pick.
- Coming off a breakout season as an All-Star with the Sixers, Jrue Holiday heads into 2014 as the franchise point guard for the Pelicans. Hoopsworld.com’s Yannis Koutroupis takes a look at what Holiday needs to do to settle in to his new environment.
Odds & Ends: Wayns, Flynn, Akognon
A few random notes from around the league.
- According to Yahoo! NBA reporter Marc J. Spears, Clippers guard Maalik Wayns will undergo minor knee surgery, and is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks. The second-year player appeared in just 37 minutes for Los Angeles last season after being waived by the Sixers in January. His deal is non-guaranteed.
- After being waived by the Grizzlies a few days ago, Josh Akognon is drawing interest from Sichuan, a club in China, according to Evan Wang and Sportando. Akognon spent a brief period of time last season with the Mavericks.
- From the same source, Sichuan’s decision to target Akognon comes on the heels of former NBA lottery pick Jonny Flynn injuring himself and having to leave the club.