Northwest Notes: Robinson, Williams, Trail Blazers
- Nuggets point guard Nate Robinson signed a two-year, $4.1MM contract this summer, with a player option in the second season. He wants a stable home, and is looking forward to picking up that option, unless, he says, Denver's management doesn't want him. Ultimately, the decision will be up to Robinson, writes the Denver Post's Christopher Dempsey.
- 1500ESPN.com's Darren Wolfson tweets a statement from Timberwolves forward Derrick Williams regarding his 2014/15 team option, saying "everyone would be a little shocked if it wasn't exercised."
- OregonLive.com's Joe Freeman writes about the Trail Blazers' new roster depth, and how head coach Terry Stotts can now experiment with more versatile lineups.
Southwest Notes: Calderon, Grizzlies, Evans
A few notes from around the Southwest Division.
- When the Mavericks signed free agent point guard Jose Calderon, they did so because they think he will shore up their inconsistent crunch time offense, writes ESPNDallas.com's Tim MacMahon.
- The Memphis Commercial Appeal's Geoff Calkins writes about Grizzlies newcomer Nick Calathes—who was drafted out of the University of Florida in 2009 but has yet to play a minute in the NBA—as a possible solution for the team's recent woes with backup point guards.
- Pelicans head coach Monty Williams revealed his plans to use Tyreke Evans as an offensive weapon off the bench, writes NOLA.com's John Reid.
Central Notes: Billups, Bulls, Copeland
A few notes from the Central Division.
- In his first year back with the Pistons, Chauncey Billups says he wants to play with the ball in his hands most of the time he's on the court, despite the team already having point guard Brandon Jennings, writes FreeP.com's Vince Ellis.
- Pacers head coach Frank Vogel announced today that he'll play incoming free agent Chris Copeland at the power forward spot "90% of the time," according to the Indianapolis Star's Candace Buckner.
- Bulls.com's Adam Fluck writes about the team's new starting backcourt of Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler, which should be one of the team's major strong points in the upcoming season.
Atlantic Notes: Collins, 87ers, Nets
A few notes from around the Atlantic Division.
- The Knicks showed some interest signing free agent center Jason Collins, but in the end decided to go with younger talent, like Cole Aldrich and Jeremy Tyler, tweets ESPNNY.com's Ian Begley.
- Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com spoke to Brandon Williams, the new GM of the Sixers' D-League affiliate, the Delaware 87ers. Williams, who spent time in the D-League himself before earning a spot on a championship team in San Antonio, hopes to convey to young players that the league should be viewed not as a demotion, but as a place to improve their game.
- Nets general manager Billy King declared this upcoming season to be his roster's championship window, according to ESPNNY.com's Ohm Youngmisuk.
Knicks Sign Josh Powell
SEPTEMBER 30TH: The team has officially announced Powell's signing.
SEPTEMBER 21ST: The Knicks will sign Josh Powell to a non-guaranteed training camp deal, according to a tweet from Bleacher Report's Jared Zwerling, who reports that the six-year NBA veteran has agreed to a deal with the team.
Powell worked out with the team last week, and has also recently auditioned for the Pelicans. The 30-year-old Powell has been out of the NBA for the past two seasons, and in 2011 he played for the Hawks.
Holding a career scoring average of 3.9PPG, Powell is best known for being a member of two championship winning Lakers teams in 2009 and 2010. He was waived by the Spurs last October, but didn't play a game for the team.
Eastern Notes: Knicks, Bobcats, Abdul-Jabbar
A few notes from around the Eastern Conference.
- The Knicks are taking a new approach to next season, including starting the year with Amar'e Stoudemire on a capped minutes restriction, writes KnicksJournal.com's Keith Schlosser.
- According to the Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell, Bobcats point guard Kemba Walker was incredibly helpful in the recruitment process that brought Al Jefferson to Charlotte.
- Long in search of a head coaching gig in the NBA, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar decided to stop searching for a position when the Bucks hired Larry Drew instead of giving the Hall of Fame center a chance, according to New York Daily News reporter Mitch Abramson.
Central Notes: Granger, Thibodeau, Pistons
A few notes from around the Central Division.
- Lang Greene of HoopsWorld spoke to a leading surgeon and sports medicine expert about Danny Granger's health, and how it will affect his on-court contributions going forward.
- According to the Detroit Free Press' Keith Langlois, the Pistons likely won't invite any more than the 15 players they currently have under contract to training camp.
- Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau speaks to HoopsWorld.com's Yannis Koutroupis about the new challenges his team will face this season, including improved competition in the Central Division.
Heat Working Out Roger Mason Jr.
The Heat will work out veteran guard Roger Mason Jr., according to South Florida Sun-Sentinel reporter Ira Winderman. The two-time defending champions currently have 13 players under contract, and 18 total players coming to camp.
The 33-year-old Mason Jr. was recently elected vice president of the player's union, and spent last season, his ninth in the NBA, with the Pelicans, averaging 5.3 PPG in 69 appearances.
A career 38.4% shooter from behind the three-point line, Mason Jr. could potentially become another reliable shooter on a team that amnestied Mike Miller earlier this offseason.
Odds & Ends: 2014 Draft, 2015/16 All-Star Games
- In a pair of pieces for ESPN.com, Jeff Goodman makes a case for why Julius Randle could challenge Andrew Wiggins for the No. 1 spot in the 2014 draft, and—along with a few of his colleagues—tackles five questons related to next year's draft.
- The NBA will hold a press conference tomorrow where the league is expected to announce that the Nets and Knicks will both host All-Star weekend in 2015, according to a tweet from Bleacher Report's Jared Zwerling.
- In other All-Star weekend news, Ryan Wolstat from The Toronto Sun is reporting that Toronto will host the event in 2016.
Poll: Which Extension Candidate Will Sign Next?
Earlier today we asked your thoughts on whether Paul George or John Wall was more deserving of a max contract. Now we're asking which extension candidate you believe will re-sign with his respective team first: