Spurs Pick Up Options For Leonard, Joseph
According to a tweet from Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News, the Spurs have picked up the options on Kawhi Leonard and Cory Joseph's respective contracts. Both moves, especially Leonard's, were expected, as both players have been solid two way players so far in the preseason (and in Leonard's case, all throughout last year).
Odds & Ends: Varejao, Harden, Chandler, Stoudemire
Here are a few bits of news on this Friday evening:
- Hoopsworld.com's Stephen Brotherston wonders if Anderson Varejao will play center for the Cavaliers this season.
- The Oklahoman's Darnell Mayberry tweets that he believes the chances of James Harden signing an extension with the Thunder are 0.2%.
- According to the New York Daily News' Frank Isola, Amare Stoudemire is seeking a second opinion on his knee injury, and could miss as much as a month of the season.
- On the other end of the spectrum, Knicks center Tyson Chandler is convinced he'll play on opening night after suffering a leg injury this week, writes Newsday's Al Iannazzone.
- Hornets guard Eric Gordon has spent his brief career on the sidelines with myriad of injuries. This season he looks forward to hopefully playing a full 82 games, writes Hoopsworld.com's Bill Ingram.
- The Thunder have one open position left on their opening day roster, and four players—Andy Rautins, Daniel Orton, DeAndre Liggins, and Hollis Thompson—are fighting for it, reports The Oklahoman's Darnell Mayberry.
Atlantic Notes: Sullinger, Celtics, Sixers
A few bits of information from around the NBA's Atlantic Division:
- Despite having a little bit of success in the preseason, receiving commendable quotes from teammates such as Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett, Celtics rookie Jared Sullinger remains humble, realizing he has much to learn in the early years of his career, writes CSNNE.com's A. Sherrod Blakely.
- Celtics head coach Doc Rivers says his team could feature three different starting lineups this season, with Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett as the pillars, and a rotation of Brandon Bass, Jeff Green, and Sullinger filling in at power forward, writes WEEI.com's Mike Petraglia.
- The Sixers have a very professional roster, and it could make Doug Collins' job that much easier, writes the Philadelphia Inquirer's Bob Cooney.
Cuban: Delonte West Could Return To Team
In a conversation with assembled media this evening, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said suspended guard Delonte West could still return to the team, reports Dallas Morning News reporter Brad Townsend. “It’s pretty much down to me making a decision,” Cuban said.
West's current situation was covered in detail earlier today.
Johnson-Odom To Sign In Ukraine
Earlier this week it was reported that Darius Johnson-Odom would soon be waived by the Lakers. According to Sportando.net he's going to Ukraine to play for Azovmash Mariupol. The 6'2" guard averaged 18.3 PPG with Marquette last season.
N’diaye Signs In China
After being released by the Kings earlier today, center Hamady N'daiye has agreed to a deal with China's Tianjin, according to a tweet from Yahoo! NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski. After being drafted by the Timberwolves in 2010, the 7'0" center has spent time in the NBA's D-League with the Dakota Wizards, Iowa Energy, and Maine Red Claws.
Eastern Notes: Barbosa, Raptors, Pistons,Wilkins
Here's a look around the Eastern Conference on this Sunday afternoon.
- According to ESPNBoston.com's Chris Forsberg, Leandro Barbosa had talks with the Lakers before signing with the Celtics.
- The Toronto Sun's Ryan Wolstat writes that the Raptors could have a great second unit this season.
- Pistons.com writer Keith Langlois writes that the speedy pace Pistons coach Lawrence Frank wants to employ this season with his team could be a huge benefit.
- With a slew of veterans on board, the Knicks have a ton of pressure to advance far in the playoffs this season, writes the Boston Globe's Gary Washburn.
- The Philadelphia Inquirer's John Mitchell believes veteran forward Damien Wilkins could have a positive influence on the young Sixers roster.
- Chris Vivlamore of AJC.com writes about the Hawks open small forward position.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 10/15/12 – 10/21/12
Here's a look back at all the original content produced by our team of writers this past week.
- Chuck Myron examined which teams are taking a cap hit in 2012/13 for players not currently on their respective rosters.
- Zach Links gives us his weekly Hoops Links feature.
- Sean Highkin asks which injury will have a greater impact: Dirk Nowitzki or Kevin Love?
- Luke Adams takes a look at players with partial guarantees.
- Here's a transcript from our weekly Hoops Rumors chat.
- Luke gives us a list of the longest tenured general managers currently working in the NBA.
- If you're interested in following news and rumors on particular players using Hoops Rumors, here's how to do it.
Heat Waive Gladness, Dozier
The Heat have waived Mickell Gladness and Robert Dozier, according to a tweet from the Miami Herald's Joseph Goodman. For the 6'11" Gladness, this is his second time being waived by the Heat, with the first coming last February. Dozier was the last player selected in the 2009 NBA draft, but he's yet to play a single minute of basketball in the NBA.
Miami's roster now stands at 18, tweets Yahoo! NBA reporter Marc J. Spears.
Odds & Ends: Christmas, Dumars, Knicks, Green
A quick look around the league at some interesting notes on this Monday evening.
- CSNNE.com's A. Sherrod Blakely reports that Celtics guard Dionte Christmas is on the "inside track" for a roster spot with the team.
- Yahoo! NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski has a feature on Hall of Fame Pistons general manager Joe Dumars, and how his rebuilding of a franchise he once led to a title is closer to being completed than most people think.
- Lamar Odom has been the definition of a x-factor these last few years. ESPNLA.com's Arash Markazi asks which player the Clippers will be getting.
- After signing Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis in the offseason, the Heat have stockpiled on three-point shooters, writes FoxSports.com's Chris Tomasson.
- KnicksNow.com's Jonah Bellow writes about the Knicks new backcourt trio of Jason Kidd, Pablo Prigioni, and Raymond Felton.
- It took longer to establish himself than most lottery picks, but now that Gerald Green has finally locked down a long-term contract, he wants to prove he's more than just a dunker, writes the Indianapolis Star's Mike Wells.