Heat Make Offers To Przybilla, Martin
Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com reports that the Miami Heat have offered contracts to both Joel Przybilla and Kenyon Martin.
We heard earlier about the mutual interest between Przybilla and the Heat, and it was reported that a decision is expected to be made by the end of this week. Ira Winderman of South Florida Sun Sentinel indicated (via Twitter) that Przybilla is leaning toward selecting the Heat over the Bulls, who have also shown interest. It was also noted that Kenyon Martin could make his decision by this weekend as well.
The current Heat roster stands at the maximum of 15 players, so Miami would need to find a way to clear a roster spot for Przybilla and/or Martin if they accept their respective offers. Terrell Harris and Mickell Gladness, two rookies who are currently playing on unguaranteed contracts, are candidates to be waived.
Knicks May Target Ramon Sessions
With the New York Knicks struggling to find consistent play from the point guard position and the uncertainty of Baron Davis' health, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes that the team could look to explore a trade for Ramon Sessions of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Although he is shooting 35% from the field and 33% from 3 PT range, Sessions has been averaging 9.0 PPG and 4.6 APG in 22 minutes off of the bench. When asked specifically about the team's interest in the Cavs guard, head Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni appeared open to the idea: "I’m sure it would be thoroughly discussed and looked at. Whatever will make our team better we’ll do it."
The fifth-year guard has the ability to opt out of his contract and become a free agent at the end of this season. Sessions, who is currently the backup point guard to rookie Kyrie Irving, had shown previous interest in joining the Knicks as a free agent before landing with the Timberwolves in 2009.
Magic Expected To Sign Ish Smith
This post was originally published on February 1st.
According to Marc Spears of Y! Sports (via Twitter), the Orlando Magic are expected to sign point guard Ish Smith on Thursday. With Jameer Nelson recovering from a concussion and not expected to return until Monday night against the Clippers, the Magic looked to add help at the point guard position.
Smith played in six games for the Golden State Warriors and had averaged 4.5 PPG and 1.5 APG in 10.5 MPG before being waived in January. The Charlotte native produced in a standout game against the New York Knicks earlier this season in which he scored 11 points, dished out 4 assists, grabbed 6 rebounds, and had 2 steals in 29 minutes.
Smith had recently signed a contract to play in the NBA D-League.