Craig Smith Signs In Israel
Craig Smith has signed with Hapoel Jersualem of the Israeli league, according to Sportando.net. The power forward spent last season with the Trail Blazers, where he averaged 3.3 PPG in 47 appearances, a career low.
In late July, it was reported that Smith was in dicussion with the Pacers on coming to Indiana, but it appears their likely one-year, veteran's minimum offer was less than he can make playing overseas. the 6'7" Boston College graduate has proven to be a useful contributor in the past, posting a .556 FG% and 16.4 PER in 356 games from 2006/07 to 2010/11.
Odds & Ends: CBA, Olympics, Sixers, Heat
As Team USA gets ready for their gold medal match against Spain on Sunday, we take a look around the league to see the latest on what's going on.
- In a string of tweets, ESPN.com's Marc Stein has quotes from Kevin Durant, on the status of Team USA's longtime coach Mike Krzyzewski (Twitter link)—who has confirmed his intention of stepping down—and Jerry Colangelo, on the probability that LeBron James plays in the 2016 Olympics. (Twitter link)
- On the New York Times' NBA Blog, Off the Dribble, Rob Mahoney takes a look at the league's new CBA, and how it's effected large and small market teams.
- CSNPhilly.com's John Finger details how Sixers management landed Andrew Bynum in yesterday's four-team mega deal.
- The Newark Star-Ledger's Dave D'Alessandro says Deron Williams felt all along that the Magic wouldn't trade Dwight Howard to the Nets.
- In a mailbag feature, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Ira Winderman discusses whether or not the Heat would have offered Chris Bosh in a Howard trade.
- Did the Magic receive a fair haul in their exchange for Howard? SI.com's Chris Mannix does not think so.
Poll: Who Wins The Atlantic Division?
Despite losing Andre Iguodala this week, Philadelphia appears to have improved its basketball team by adding the league's second best center, Andrew Bynum. In an offseason filled with player movement, the Atlantic Division most represents an arms race, with nearly all five teams making a push to win it all. Which team has positioned itself best to win the Atlantic?
Suns Claim Luis Scola
AUGUST 8, 6:05pm: The Suns will pay Scola $4.15MM this year, $4.5MM in 2013/14 and a partially guaranteed $4.87MM in 2014/15, according to Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic (via Twitter).
JULY 16, 3:49pm: A source tells SI.com's Sam Amick (Twitter link) that the winning bid for Scola was actually $13.5MM for three years. Either way, Phoenix will be paying for the forward between $4MM and $5MM annually.
JULY 15, 9:35pm: An NBA source has confirmed that the Suns' winning bid was $13MM for three years, tweets Mary Schmidt Boyer of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. She also confirmed that the Cavaliers did submit a bid.
Jazz Continue Search For New GM
8:42pm: The Jazz will be holding a press conference on Tuesday morning to make a "front office related" announcement, tweets the Salt Lake City Tribune's Brian T. Smith.
7:04pm: As was reported earlier today, longtime Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor is taking a new role with the team, moving into a top executive position within the organization and creating a hole at general manager.
While Cavaliers assistant general manager David Griffin and Thunder assistant general manager Troy Weaver have both pulled out of the running to take over, it appears Spurs executive Dennis Lindsey has met with Jazz officials earlier today, and is currently finalizing a deal to replace O'Connor, according to Yahoo! Sports columnist Adrian Wojnarowski.
According to Wojnarowski's report, O'Connor will move away from the day-to-day responsibilities that are required in a typical GM position. Instead he will oversee his replacement while still having a role in Utah's decision making process.
Poll: Who Benefits Most From The Olympics
The Olympics can be a career-altering experience, even for the world's greatest players. It's a time when work ethic is observed, and little bits of helpful advice are shared. Team USA is loaded with several young, up and coming talents, but beside them even the greatest of superstars, like LeBron James, are currently finding themselves in new roles that could help the rest of their professional careers. Here, we're asking which player on the 2012 Olympic team's 12-man roster will benefit the most from playing in London.
Kings Extend Keith Smart’s Contract
The Kings have extended Keith Smart's contract through the 2013/14 season, according to an announcement by the team. After replacing a fired Paul Westphal early in the 2011/12 season, Smart coached Sacramento to a 20-39 record the rest of the year.
Smart's contract was scheduled to expire after the 2012/13 season. After previously experiencing head coaching stints with the Warriors and Cavaliers, the Kings are the third organization where Smart has spent time as a head coach.
Poll: Which FA Signee Is The Most Underpaid?
We recently asked you, the reader, which free agent signee is the most overpaid player of the summer—a list from which there are plenty of worthy options. Now we’re flipping the question around, asking who may have signed for less than what was expected.
Odds & Ends: International, Celtics, Sixers, Heat
As Olympic basketball is underway this Saturday morning, Hoopsworld.com's Alex Raskin takes a look at a few international prospects who could someday make it to the NBA.
Here's a look around the rest of the league.
- With almost all of the market's free agents already signed to contracts, Hoopsworld.com's Lang Green takes a look at a few unsigned players, such as Andray Blatche, Jermaine O'Neal, and Carlos Delfino, who could still have an impact next season.
- CSNPhilly.com has a piece asking whether or not the Sixers, a team that was minutes away from an Eastern Conference finals berth a few months ago, have an uncertain season ahead of them.
- ESPNBoston.com's Chris Forsberg writes that the Celtics have done a great job of re-tooling their roster in spite of Ray Allen's departure.
- Sun-Sentinel.com's Ira Winderman explores Heat president Pat Riley's recent comments regarding the belief that his team doesn't need a true, dependable center. Is Riley right?
- NBA.com's Josh Cohen writes that no matter what the Magic do moving forward, they shouldn't rush any important decisions.
Joey Dorsey To Stay In Greece
After winning the most recent Euro League title as a member of Olympiakos, Joey Dorsey's agent has told Yahoo! Sports columnist Adrian Wojnarowski that the former Raptor will re-sign with Olympiakos. As recent as mid-July, several NBA teams, including the Rockets, reportedly had interest in signing the 28-year-old big man. But he's chosen to stay in Greece.
Dorsey's played for three different teams since being drafted out of Memphis in 2008. He hasn't competed in the NBA since 2010/11, when he posted averages of 3.1PPG and 4.4RPG in only 12 MPG.