Odds & Ends: Nets, Johnson, Nedovic
- Serbian rookie Nemanja Nedovic, the 30th overall pick by the Warriors in last summer's draft, is excited for his first NBA training camp, and says he's committed to entering Golden State's rotation right away, according to EuroHoops.net's Niki Bakouli.
- According to the New York Post's Tim Bontemps, Nets point guard Deron Williams says the addition of Andrei Kirilenko was just as important as the trade that brought in Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.
- James Johnson's contract with the Hawks is a non-guaranteed training camp invite, and not a guaranteed deal, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution's Chris Vivlamore.
Knicks Invite Powell To Training Camp
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: Celtics, Bulls, Bucks
A few notes from around the Eastern Conference.
- According to a tweet from Boston Globe scribe Baxter Holmes, the Celtics training camp invites are all set. Chris Babb, Damen Bell-Holter, DeShawn Sims, and Kammron Taylor round out the list.
- Trey McKinney Jones, a former guard for the Miami Hurricanes, will participate in the Bucks training camp, according to Hoopshype.com.
- According to the team, the Bulls have made several changes to their staff, promoting Randy Brown to assistant GM, Nick Papendieck to head strength coach, and Ivica Dukan to director of international scouting, as well as special assistant to the general manager.
Andrew Bynum Expected To Miss Preseason
Fox Sports Ohio's Sam Amico is reporting that Cavaliers center Andrew Bynum will likely be held out of the preseason. The All-Star big man signed with Cleveland after missing the entire 2012/13 season as a member of the Sixers with a knee injury.
According to Amico, while Bynum figures to sit through all the team's preseason games and training camp, he could return early in the regular season, and opening night against the Nets on October 30 is not out of the question.
Philly.com's Michael Kaskey-Blomain opines from Philadelphia's cautious perspective.
Heat Express Interest In Von Wafer, Others
According to Hoopsworld.com's Alex Kennedy, the Heat have recently expressed interest in several free agents, including Von Wafer, Julyan Stone, Justin Holiday, Yakhouba Diawara, and Larry Drew II.
The 28-year-old Wafer last played in the NBA during the 2011/12 season as a member of the Magic. He averaged 5.9 PPG in 33 appearances. Only 24 years old and with two seasons under his belt with the Nuggets, Stone appeared in four games last year, but has reportedly agreed to a training camp deal with the Raptors.
The Heat have 13 players on guaranteed contracts, not including the recently signed Michael Beasley, who is on a non-guaranteed deal.
Spurs Add Sean Marks To Coaching Staff
According to MySanAntonio.com's Dan McCarney, the Spurs have moved Sean Marks from the front office to the sidelines, where he'll be an assistant coach on Gregg Popovich's staff next season.
A former player for the team as well, the 38-year-old Marks will replace the recently departed Brett Brown, who became head coach of the Sixers this offseason.
Odds & Ends: Extension Candidates, Heat, McGary
A few random notes from around the league.
- Steve Kyler from Hoopsworld.com takes a look at a few 2010 extension candidates, including Derrick Favors, Evan Turner, and DeMarcus Cousins.
- Writing for The Score, Mark Deeks offers a list of players who currently can't be traded for a variety of reasons, one of them being players who sign as a free agent cannot be traded for at least three months (or until December 15th).
- Earlier today, TNT analyst Steve Kerr predicted that the Heat would fail to make the Finals for a fourth straight year. South Florida Sun-Sentinel writer Ira Winderman gives his views here.
- DraftExpress.com's Mike Schmitz breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of Michigan forward Mitch McGary, a player who's projected to be an NBA lottery pick next summer.
James White Signs In Italy
Just one year removed from playing for the Knicks, James White has reached an agreement with Reggio Emilia, a professional team in Italy, according to a tweet from Bleacher Report's Jared Zwerling.
Best known for his high flying aerial routine, which led to an appearance in the NBA Slam Dunk contest during last year's All-Star weekend, the 30-year-old White averaged 2.2 PPG in 57 appearances. He spent the previous two years playing in Italy, and was in Russia the year before that.
For more international moves, check out our international player movement tracker.
Poll: Should The Bulls Re-Sign Luol Deng?
Earlier today it was reported that the Bulls and Luol Deng have stalled in negotiating a contract extension, suggesting it's a realistic possibility that the 28-year-old two-time All-Star will move onto another team once his contract expires after this season. Should the team let Deng walk? Or should they make sure he spends the rest of his prime in Chicago?
Odds & Ends: Heat, Nash, Sixers
A few random notes from around the league.
- The Heat have told agents they may be content keeping the 13 guaranteed contracts they already have on their roster, rather than adding more players for the season, according to a tweet from the South Florida Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman.
- InsideSoCal.com's Mark Medina breaks down Steve Nash as starting point guard for the Lakers this season and what the team should expect—specifically related to his place on the depth chart and whether he can stay healthy.
- Brandon Williams has accepted a job with the Sixers beneath general manager Sam Hinkie, according to a tweet from Grantland.com's Zach Lowe. Williams previously worked in basketball operations for the league.