LeBron James Leaving CAA
LeBron James is reportedly leaving his agency, CAA, according to a tweet from sportsbusinessjournal.com's Liz Mullen. James will now be represented by childhood friend Rich Paul. He began his career with Aaron Goodwin before signing with Leon Rose in 2005. Rose's agency was purchased by CAA in 2007, and James has been with them ever since.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Ira Winderman notes that James is capable of opting out of his current deal in the 2014 offseason, and a new agency would only collect money if new deal is agreed upon. (Sulia link)
Kevin Ollie Set To Replace Jim Calhoun
Former NBA guard Kevin Ollie is set to replace long time coach Jim Calhoun as head coach of the University of Connecticut basketball team, according to CBSSports.com. A former player under Calhoun, Ollie spent last season as an assistant coach with the team.
According to a tweet from Yahoo! Sports columnist Adrian Wojnarowski, Thunder general manager Sam Presti was hoping to groom Ollie as his right hand man. Ollie finished his playing career after signing a one-year deal with the Thunder, retiring from the NBA in 2010.
Hawks Speaking To David Blatt
8:02pm: Drew is not visiting Blatt with any interest of having the coach join his staff in Atlanta, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Michael Cunningham. (Twitter)
7:53pm: According to Sportando.net, Hawks head coach Larry Drew is in Israel to speak with Maccabi Tel-Aviv head coach David Blatt, presumably about joining Atlanta's coaching staff in the near future. Blatt has spent the past five years as coach of the Russian national team, and is open to working in the NBA.
Blatt just signed a three-year contract with the Israeli club, but is rumored to have a contentious relationship with team management. As of this moment, he's expected to stay with Maccabi Tel-Aviv for at least the upcoming season.
Odds & Ends: Knicks, Higgins, Bogut, Carlisle
On the cusp of an earlier report this week that said most Knicks players were working out together before training camp, New York enters this season as a team with no excuses, writes Keith Schlosser of KnicksJournal.com.
Here are a few other notes from around the league.
- According to a tweet from the Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell, Cory Higgins will be in Bobcats training camp competing for the team's third point guard spot.
- Warriors center Andrew Bogut is expected to be in uniform and ready to play in the team's season opener against the Suns, reports Sean Deveney of The Sporting News.
- Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle has to deal with five incoming free agents, but unlike most coaches in the league, it shouldn't be a problem for the lead man in Dallas, writes ESPNDallas.com's Richard Durrett.
- In the midst of rebuilding, the Pistons are loaded with young players that should hopefully grow into a something special given the time they're putting in the gym this offseason, writes Pistons.com's Keith Langlois.
- The Orlando Sentinel's Brian Schmitz tweets that the Magic are expected to sign one or two more free agents to fill out their training camp roster.
- The Clippers have added several veterans this offseason, like Grant Hill, Lamar Odom, and Jamal Crawford. NBA.com's Eric Patten writes that if the additions can stay healthy, the Clippers have positioned themselves to make a deep playoff run.
- Sam Amico of FoxSportsOhio.com covers the remaining free agents that have yet to be signed.
- Dwyane Wade believes the Bulls need Derrick Rose at full strength if they want to contend in the Eastern Conference Finals, let alone the NBA championship, writes ESPNChicago.com's Nick Friedell.
Manny Harris Signs With Ukranian Team
After getting waived by the Cavaliers in early July, guard Manny Harris has signed on with BC Azovmash of the Ukranian League, according to the team's official website. Harris is only 22 years old, but averaged just 6.7 points on 40% shooting for the Cavs last season.
An inability to play the point guard position combined with low shooting numbers was what probably signaled no major contract offers in the NBA for Harris this offseason. But given his age and the flashes of athleticism he's shown in limited time, if he can become a more efficient player overseas Harris' NBA career should be far from over.
Raptors Sign Dominic McGuire
WEDNESDAY, 8:50am: The Raptors have officially signed McGuire, according to a team release. McGuire will have at least some guaranteed money on his one-year deal, says Doug Smith of the Toronto Star.
SUNDAY, 4:21pm: The Toronto Raptors have reached an agreement with free agent forward Dominic McGuire, according to a tweet from Yahoo! Sports columnist Adrian Wojnarowski. Late last week, Wojnarowski tweeted that the Nets were planning on bringing McGuire in for a workout, but it appears he's headed to their division rival.
The 6'9" defensive specialist should be a perfect fit with the plan head coach Dwane Casey's trying to set forth in Toronto. He's coming off one of the best seasons of his five-year career. With near-career best averages of 3.5PPG and 3.8RPG with the Warriors.
Poll: Which Acquisition Was Phoenix’s Worst?
Keeping on with today’s Phoenix Suns obsession, Hoops Rumors would like to know who of the team’s offseason acquisitions you think ends up being the least productive, relative to their pay and expectations.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 9/3/12 – 9/9/12
Here's a look at all the original content created by our team of writers from this past week.
- Chuck Myron takes a look at how new front office executives have fared so far this offseason.
- I took a look at Austin Daye as an extension candidate.
- Chuck Myron asks who of the remaining free agents is the best?
- A look at some of the remaining preps to pros players still in the league.
- Zach Links gave us his weekly Hoops Links feature.
- Alex Lee asks which free agent the Mavericks will look to land next summer.
- Luke Adams takes a look at players who're still eligible to be amnestied.
- A look at the largest expiring contracts of 2012/13.
- A rundown of all the remaining restricted free agents.
- Here's a poll asking which second round pick will break out this season.
- A look at some free agents with the most playoff experience.
- Here's an update on the 2012 second round picks.
- All the teams using the taxpayer mid-level exception for 2012/13.
- Ryan Raroque asks which non-lottery first round pick is ready to contribute immediately.
- In our free agent stock watch series, Raroque also takes a look at Josh Harrellson.
- Teams with access to the full mid-level exception this season.
- A list of NBA free agents signing deals overseas.
- A quick rundown of player options that could also be viewed as insurance policies.
- Teams using cap space this offseason.
Week In Review: 9/3/12 – 9/9/12
Here's a look at all the NBA's news from this past week.
- The Nets are expected to sign Andray Blatche.
- The Heat will re-sign Terrel Harris. They also signed Jarvis Varnado and Mickell Gladness.
- The Rockets will sign Scott Machado.
- The Lakers sign Robert Sacre. They also signed Greg Somogyi, and added Reeves Nelson.
- Justin Timberlake joined the bid to purchase the Grizzlies.
- The Nuggets signed Quincy Miller.
- The Pacers signed Sundiata Gaines and Sam Young.
- The Magic signed E'Twaun Moore.
- The Hawks signed Mike Scott.
- The Hornets signed Darius Miller.
- Jason Kapono has been working out with the Spurs.
- Brian Scalabrine turned down a job serving as an assistant coach for the Bulls.
- The Raptors are scheduled to sign Jamaal Magloire.
- James Singleton might sign in China.
- The Clippers promote Gary Sacks.
- The Bulls remain in the mix when it comes to signing Anthony Tolliver.
- The Bobcats are looking at Tracy McGrady.
- Allen Iverson is considering playing in China.
- The Bulls are exploring an extension for Taj Gibson.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 9/3/12 – 9/9/12
Here's a look at all the original content created by our team of writers from this past week.
- Chuck Myron takes a look at how new front office executives have fared so far this offseason.
- I took a look at Austin Daye as an extension candidate.
- Chuck Myron asks who of the remaining free agents is the best?
- A look at some of the remaining preps to pros players still in the league.
- Zach Links gave us his weekly Hoops Links feature.
- Alex Lee asks which free agent the Mavericks will look to land next summer.
- Luke Adams takes a look at players who're still eligible to be amnestied.
- A look at the largest expiring contracts of 2012/13.
- A rundown of all the remaining restricted free agents.
- Here's a poll asking which second round pick will break out this season.
- A look at some free agents with the most playoff experience.
- Here's an update on the 2012 second round picks.
- All the teams using the taxpayer mid-level exception for 2012/13.
- Ryan Raroque asks which non-lottery first round pick is ready to contribute immediately.
- In our free agent stock watch series, Raroque also takes a look at Josh Harrellson.
- Teams with access to the full mid-level exception this season.
- A list of NBA free agents signing deals overseas.
- A quick rundown of player options that could also be viewed as insurance policies.
- Teams using cap space this offseason.