Lee Turned Down Money To Sign With Celtics
New Celtics shooting guard Courtney Lee told reporters today that he turned down more money to sign with Boston in the offseason, writes the Associated Press. Lee was moved in a sign-and-trade deal from Houston that also involved the Trail Blazers.
Lee said the likelihood of the Celtics winning a championship combined with his close relationship with Rajon Rondo made the decision to turn down more money an easy one. He is expected to begin the season as Boston's starting shooting guard as Avery Bradley recovers from offseason shoulder surgery.
Week In Review: 9/24/12 – 9/30/12
Here's a look at all the NBA's news from the past week.
- The Clippers signed Chris Johnson, Trent Plaisted, Hank Thorns to non-guaranteed deals.
- The Spurs plan to keep DeJuan Blair.
- Al Thornton is set to sign with a team in China.
- The Lakers signed Ronnie Aguilar.
- The Cavaliers signed Kevin Anderson.
- The Hawks signed Keith Benson and Carldell Johnson.
- John Wall is out eight weeks with a knee injury.
- The Clippers signed Marqus Blakely.
- The Knicks are expected to sign Rasheed Wallace.
- Gilbert Arenas is considering playing in China.
- Malcolm Thomas signs in Israel.
- The Heat signed Rodney Carney and Robert Dozier.
- The Spurs signed Josh Powell.
- The Timberwolves signed Seth Tarver.
- The Mavericks signed Josh Akognon, D.J. Mbenga, and Tu Holloway.
- The Warriors are desperately trying to move Andris Biedrins.
- The Jazz signed Chris Quinn, Trey Gilder, and Darnell Jackson.
- The Bulls are set to sign Kyrylo Fesenko
- The Spurs signed Wesley Witherspoon and Tre Kelley.
- The Warriors signed Carlon Brown, Lance Goulbourne, Rick Jackson and Tarence Kinsey.
- The Clippers signed Courtney Fortson.
- The Rockets signed Kyle Fogg and Demetri McCamey.
- The Grizzlies re-signed D.J. Kennedy.
- Anthony Tolliver signed with the Hawks.
- The Kings signed Willie Reed and Cyril Awere.
Odds & Ends: James, Pacers, Odom, Evans
Here's some general news and notes from around the league.
- Despite switching to an agent who holds an office in Cleveland, LeBron James recently told the media that the move does not mean anything significant regarding his opt-out clause after the 2014 season, writes the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Ira Winderman.
- IndyStar.com's Bob Kravitz writes that Pacers head coach Frank Vogel has already established himself as one of the most respected coaches in the league.
- The Kings are now saying they never placed Tyreke Evans on the trading block, writes the Sacramento Bee's Jason Jones.
- Hoopsworld.com's Alex Kennedy wonders if Lamar Odom can revitalize his career now that he's with the Clippers.
- SherdianHoops.com's Tommy Dee takes a look at some training camp invites who could realistically make their respective teams.
- Gordon Monson of the Salt Lake Tribune believes that young players on the Jazz have taken care of their respective weaknesses in the offseason, and that the team's core should be greatly improved heading into the months ahead.
- Blake Griffin is using last season's playoff loss as extra motivation, writes Hoopsworld.com's Lang Greene.
- David Mayo of MLive.com writes that the Pistons are hoping their young pieces can soon grow together into a special unit.
Odds & Ends: Irving, Spurs, Clippers, McGrady
Reigning rookie of the year point guard Kyrie Irving rejoined his teammates on Monday, competing in his first five-on-five scrimmage since breaking his hand two months ago, writes Yahoo! Sports NBA reporter Marc J. Spears.
Here's a look elsewhere around the league.
- Hoopsworld.com's Yannis Koutroupis asks whether or not the Spurs title window is closed, given the fact that they only added one player (Nando De Colo) to their roster this offseason.
- Hoopsworld.com's Joel Brigham gives five teams from the Eastern Conference he believes must be watched heading into next season.
- Sporting News' Sean Deveney believes both Tracy McGrady and Baron Davis are at the crossroads of their respective careers, with both players possibly at a point where no more NBA basketball will be played.
- In his continuing series previewing each division, NBA.com's John Schuhmann writes about the Pacific Division, honing in on the Clippers and how they'll try to keep up with the Lakers this year.
- NBA.com's Sam Smith writes that the Bulls didn't dismantle their "bench mob" — they improved it.
- It's a contract season for Jazz forward Paul Millsap, and in many ways it'll also be the biggest year of his life, writes The Salt Lake Tribune's Brian T. Smith.
Heat Notes: Thomas, Oguchi, McClinton
The Heat have had an exciting offseason, but they aren't finished yet. Here are a few notes from around the league regarding some possible signings the team could still make before traning camp begins.
- 23-year-old Malcolm Thomas, a 6'9" forward who played in three games last season for the Spurs, is working out for the Heat on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to RealGM.com's Shams Charania. Thomas worked out for the Knicks a couple weeks ago.
- With two training camp spots still open, the Heat will be bringing in former Nigerian National Team member Chamberlain Oguchi again, writes the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Ira Winderman. (Sulia link)
- Former University of Miami star Jack McClinton is also trying out for one of the team's final two spots, writes Winderman.
Ingram On MVP Award, Rockets
Hoopsworld.com's Bill Ingram writes about several NBA related issues in his latest column. Let's take a closer look.
On MVP Award: Ingram believes that given last year's too-close-to-call MVP race between Kevin Durant and LeBron James, it might be time for the league to institute a dual MVP award. Ingram believes that since the goal for every player in the league is to win a championship, whoever wins the NBA Finals MVP might as well be the true indicator of who the league's best player is. He suggests that for the regular season, two MVP awards should be distributed to the best player in each conference.
On the Rockets: With a loaded roster heading into training camp, the Rockets have seven or eight players guaranteed a spot, and nearly 10 others who'll be fighting to make the team. Ingram writes that with a wide open power forward position, players such as Patrick Patterson, Royce White, and Donatas Motiejunas will fight for a starting spot.
Seattle Approves New Arena Deal
Seattle's city council has officially approved a deal to build a new arena that would be home to an NBA and NHL team, according to an Associated Press report. Members of the council voted 6-2 to approve investor Chris Hansen's plan to construct a possible $490MM building just south of downtown.
Changes in the plan must still be approved by the King County Council, and it must pass an environmental review. The approval means that Hansen is now allowed to shop for an NBA team, eventually relocating it to Seattle.
Eastern Notes: Calderon, Bradley, Harkless, Singler
Here's a quick look around at what's going on in the busy Eastern Conference.
- A point guard who spent much of the summer embroiled in relentless trade rumors, Jose Calderon told the Toronto Sun's Ryan Wolstat that he never demanded a trade, and that he wants to win games in Toronto. (Twitter link) Rumors first began to surface when the Raptors traded a lottery pick for former Rockets point guard Kyle Lowry, making Calderon his backup. Given his contract as one of the team's highest paid players, (he's due $10.5MM for the 2012/13 season), the Spanish guard was also seen as a likely amnesty candidate, but it appears he's steadied both those storms and will head to Raptors training camp feeling comfortable about his situation. Calderon is set to become a free agent next summer.
- After undergoing offseason surgery on both of his shoulders, Celtics guard Avery Bradley will not be back until at least December, possibly January, Celtics head coach Doc Rivers told ESPNBoston.com's Jackie MacMullan. An earlier report by CSNNE.com's A. Sherrod Blakely surmised that Bradley could return as soon as opening day.
- Rookie guard Moe Harkless will miss all of Magic training camp as he recovers from sports hernia surgery he had in August. The Orlando Sentinel's Josh Robbins believes the missed time could be a crucial hindrance for Harkless' development. He isn't expected back until the middle of November.
- MLive.com's Brendan Savage writes a profile on former Duke and current Pistons forward Kyle Singler.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 9/17/12 – 9/23/12
Here's a look back at all the work that was produced by our team of writers from the past week.
- Zach Links gave us his weekly Hoops Links feature.
- Chuck Myron covered Al Jefferson in our Extension Candidate series.
- A look at some offseason coaching deals.
- A look at option decisions for some second year players.
- I asked which player is most likely to be extended in this poll.
- Luke Adams takes a look at option decisions for third year players.
- Fourth year players eligible for an extension.
Week In Review: 9/17/12 – 9/23/12
A look back at the previous week's NBA related news.
- Yi Jianlian's agent says his client will play the upcoming season in China.
- The Knicks might be interested in adding retired center Rasheed Wallace.
- The Clippers added Gerald Madkins to their front office.
- The Jazz are expected to sign Darnell Jackson.
- The Sixers have promoted Tony DiLeo to general manager.
- The Raptors signed Chris Wright and Jerel McNeal.
- The Bulls are set to sign Andre Emmett.
- Keyon Dooling retired from the NBA.
- Hamady N'Diaye signs with the Kings.
- Terrence Williams signs with the Pistons.
- The Clippers picked up the fourth year option on Eric Bledsoe.
- The Bucks agreed to terms with Marquis Daniels.
- The Celtics signed Micah Downs.
- The Spurs agreed to terms on a deal with Derrick Brown.
- The Celtics signed Darko Milicic.
- The Kings signed Tony Mitchell.
- No-trade clauses were revealed in new Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan contracts.
- The Magic are expected to sign Armon Johnson and DeQuan Jones.
- Jerome Dyson signed in Israel.
- Solomon Jones signs with the Suns.
- The Wizards re-sign Brian Cook.
- The Grizzlies waived D.J. Kennedy.
- The Mavericks are set to sign Josh Akognon.
- The Rockets waived Diamon Simpson.
- The Hawks waived Jordan Williams.
- The Trail Blazers signed Adam Morrison.