Hoops Rumors Originals: 10/29/12 – 11/4/12
Here's a look back at all original content produced by our team of writers from the past week.
- Chuck Myron takes a look at the roster counts for this season.
- A list of undrafted rookies on opening night rosters.
- Zach Links gives us his weekly Hoops Links feature.
- Sean Highkin asks which rookie has been most impressive so far.
- Luke Adams breaks down the money committed in rookie contract extensions this week.
- Here's a transcript of our weekly Hoops Rumors chat.
- A list of declined rookie contract options in 2013/14.
- Luke Adams recaps players who've recently signed contract extensions.
- Our writers give predictions for the 2012/13 season.
- A look at when non-guaranteed deals become guaranteed.
- I asked who made out best in the James Harden trade.
Odds & Ends: Tinsley, Martin, Pekovic, Dorsey
- According to Mark Deeks of ShamSports.com, Jamaal Tinsley's current contract is completely non-guaranteed.
- Kevin Martin is thrilled to be in a winning situation for the first time in his career, writes the Oklahoman's Darnell Mayberry.
- This season should be a breakout year for Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic, writes TwinCities.com's Ray Richardson.
- After posting comments on his Facebook page regarding a pending future in the NBA, former University of Memphis forward Joey Dorsey apologized to his current team, Olympiacos, saying he did not in fact receive any offers from an NBA team, and would like to continue his career in Greece. He'll likely be waived by the team anyway, according to Sportando.net.
- According to a tweet from Yahoo! NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski, Scott Machado has made the Rockets final roster. He'll develop in the D-league this season.
- According to a tweet from the team, the Trail Blazers have named Chris McGowan their new President and CEO, replacing Larry Miller.
- Josh Cohen from NBA.com discusses a few possible trade scenarios that could work out for both teams involved.
- Bill Ingram from Hoopsworld.com asks if James Harden is truly a max contract player.
Poll: Who Made Out Best In Harden Trade?
The Saturday night deal that sent James Harden to Houston continues to send shockwaves throughout the NBA, and will have a significant impact on both the Thunder and Rockets for the foreseeable future. Who made out the best?
Eastern Notes: Stoudemire, Fesenko, DeRozan
Knicks power forward Amare Stoudemire will miss at least the first six weeks of the season with a previously diagnosed knee injury, tweets ESPN.com's Chris Broussard.
On the eve of opening day, here are a few bits of other news from around the league.
- Recently waived by the Bulls, center Kyrylo Fesenko will work out for the Hawks on Tuesday, according to a tweet from RealGM.com's Shams Charania.
- DeMar DeRozan won't be receiving a contract extension before tomorrow's deadline, but that doesn't mean he doesn't want to continue his career with the Raptors, writes The Toronto Star's Doug Smith.
- Celtics head coach Doc Rivers went on Boston's Sports Hub radio station to say that he did in fact reach out to current Heat guard Ray Allen when free agency started in July, but that the future Hall of Famer didn't return his calls.
Thunder Exercise Option On Reggie Jackson
The Thunder have excerised their third-year option on guard Reggie Jackson, according to a tweet from SI.com's Chris Mannix. Jackson was selected with the 24th pick in the 2011 draft, and averaged 3.1 PPG, 1.6 APG and 1.2 RPG in 45 games last season. The option guarantees Jackson $1.33MM for the 2013/14 season.
With the team's presumed backup point guard Eric Maynor set to become a restricted free agent after the season, Oklahoma City might be geared towards playing the more economic option (Jackson) this year.
Odds & Ends: Batum, Turner, Mavericks, Deng
Here's a look around the league this Sunday afternoon.
- This offseason the Timberwolves and Trail Blazers were in the news about acquiring Nicolas Batum, but it appears the Cavaliers were heavy in the mix, writes Joe Freeman of the Oregonian.
- Sporting News reporter Sean Deveney gives his list of breakout stars for the upcoming season, and Sixers swingman Evan Turner heads the group.
- The Dallas Morning News' Eddie Sefko takes a look at four members of the Mavericks who need to step up their play in Dirk Nowitzki's absence.
- The Chicago Tribune believes Luol Deng's selfless nature will continue to be a perfect fit with the Bulls.
Suns Notes: Scola, Harden
The Suns are an interesting team this season, with some observers thinking they'll be one of the worst teams in basketball, and others having faith that they'll fight for a playoff spot. Here's a look at a few recent articles about the team that should give us a clearer view of where they are, and where they're headed.
- In their first post-Nash season, the Suns will hand the keys over to Goran Dragic with the hope that he can run the same up-tempo style of offense, writes Paul Coro of AZCentral.com.
- According to Coro, incoming forward Luis Scola is happy to be in Phoenix, and believes the team has a good mixture of experience and skill to be competitive.
- This offseason the Suns made it clear they weren't afraid to make a financial splash, offering Eric Gordon a maximum offer sheet that was eventually matched by New Orleans. Apparently, they were also very interested in the recently traded James Harden, tweets Coro.
Pistons Notes: Drummond, Prince, Dumars
The Pistons enter this season as a young team looking for an identity, writes MLive.com's David Mayo. Can they compete for a playoff spot this early in the rebuilding process, or do the young pieces need much more time to get acclimated and be competitive?
- Also from Mayo comes a Q&A with the team's general manager, Joe Dumars.
- Incoming rookie Andre Drummond should expect to see a ton of playing time against teams with size and athleticism, writes Detroit Free Press reporter Vince Ellis.
- Also from Ellis comes a piece on Pistons veteran Tayshaun Prince, and how he can help an extremely young team with his veteran presence and savvy work habits.
Trail Blazers Cut Five, Including Morrison
SATURDAY, 12:47pm: The Blazers confirmed the roster cuts via press release.
FRIDAY, 5:51pm: According to CSNNW.com's Chris Haynes, the Trail Blazers have informed Adam Morrison, Coby Karl, Dallas Lauderdale, Demonte Harper, and Justin Holiday that they will be released on Saturday, bringing the team's roster down to 15 for the season. Harper and Holiday will be assigned down to the D-League affiliate Idaho Stampede.
One factor to be considered in Portland's decision to take forward Sasha Pavlovic instead of Morrison is the fact that the Celtics are paying Pavlovic's salary.
Spurs Waive Josh Powell
After signing him in late September, the Spurs have waived forward Josh Powell, according to a tweet from Yahoo! NBA reporter Marc J. Spears. Yesterday, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News wrote that he believed the team would keep Powell after waiving Eddy Curry and Derrick Brown.
The 29-year-old Powell was trying to latch on with his seventh team in seven seasons. He last played in the NBA in 2010/11, averaging 4.1 PPG and 2.5 RPG in 54 appearances with the Hawks.