Jameer Nelson Likely To Opt Out
ESPNFlorida.com's Andrew Melnick reports (via Twitter) that point guard Jameer Nelson is likely to opt out of his contract with the Magic and become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Earlier today, Nelson said he wants to spend the rest of his career in Orlando. Because of this, it is likely that Nelson will opt out only to negotiate a deal with the Magic that goes beyond next season. His contract was due to expire after the 2012/13 season if he picked up his option.
Nelson, 29, is averaging 12.4 PPG and 5.7 APG this season. His option for next season is expected to be worth $8.6MM.
Poll: Will Deron Williams Remain With The Nets?
Earlier today, Deron Williams discussed his tour of the Nets' new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and hinted that there was a chance he would re-sign with the team this summer. While nothing will be certain until at least July 1, do you think Williams' name will be on the posters in Brooklyn next season?
Will Deron Williams Remain With The Nets?
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No 77% (387)
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Yes 23% (117)
Total votes: 504
Warriors Notes: Jamison, Draft, Barron
The latest news regarding the Golden State Warriors on Thursday evening:
- The Bay Area News Group's Marcus Thompson suggests the Warriors may have interest in free-agent forward Antawn Jamison this summer. He cited Jamison's closeness with new Golden State GM Bob Myers and willingness to come off the bench as reasons he could be a fit.
- Thompson also notes (via Twitter) that if the Warriors lose tonight, the likelihood of keeping their first-round pick in June's draft will come down to a coin-flip on Friday. Utah owns Golden State's pick unless it falls in the top seven slots.
- Sportando reports that journeyman center Earl Barron, released by the Warriors earlier this season, has signed a contract in Puerto Rico.
Deron Williams Talks Arena, Brooklyn, Future
Colin Stephenson of the Newark Star-Ledger reports that Nets point guard Deron Williams recently took a tour of the franchise's brand-new Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The free agent-to-be says he walked away impressed:
"It was great, it was great,'' Williams said of the new arena. "It’s definitely taking shape. It was looking nice, it’s going to be a special arena.''
Williams, expected to be the most coveted free agent of this summer's class, would not commit to re-signing with the Nets in the offseason, but he did not close the door on the possibility, either.
"I’ve got some big decisions to make,'' he said. "I think going to Brooklyn helped me see the vision again, so we’ll see what happens.''
Williams also mentioned that there were times during the season when he lost faith in the Nets' ability to contend in the future, although he's feeling more encouraged about that possibility now.
Odds & Ends: Calderon, Kanter, Blazers
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Tuesday night:
- Frank Zicarelli of the Toronto Sun examines the future of Jose Calderon with the Raptors. He says the Spanish guard has played well enough to deserve a long-term commitment from the Raptors, but that trading him might also make financial sense for a rebuilding Toronto team.
- The Salt Lake Tribune's Brian T. Smith looks at the development of rookie center Enes Kanter, the Jazz' third overall pick in the 2011 draft.
- The Oregonian's John Canzano wants to see a larger commitment to the future of the Trail Blazers from owner Paul Allen. Canzano also suggests that this could be an opportune time for Allen to sell the team.
- Philly.com's Bob Cooney has quotes from Sixers CEO Adam Aron, who stresses the organization's commitment to putting a winning product on the floor going forward.
Sefko On Mavs’ Summer Moves
SportsDayDFW's Eddie Sefko answered some questions in a two-part mailbag (part 1 here, part 2 here) about the Dallas Mavericks' future moves, including which players may or may not be brought back.
- Among the current Mavs players Sefko speculates will not be in Dallas next season are Ian Mahinmi, Vince Carter, Delonte West, and Brian Cardinal, in addition to the all-but-guaranteed departure of Lamar Odom.
- Sefko thinks there's a chance Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, and Brendan Haywood remain in Dallas. Terry will be an unrestricted free agent, Marion has been discussed often in trades, and Haywood is widely believed to be a candidate for Dallas' amnesty clause.
- In addition to Deron Williams, whom it is common knowledge the Mavs will pursue heavily this offseason, Sefko is intrigued by Utah's C.J. Miles as a possible backcourt partner.
- Haywood isn't a sure thing to be amnestied, but the Mavs are still banking on Dwight Howard being in play at some point, at which time it's a lock that they will cut ties with him.
- Sefko believes that if the Mavs sign Williams and retain Marion, free agents will be interested in signing in Dallas for below market value.
Poll: Which UK Prospect Will Be The Best Pro?
On Tuesday, NCAA champion University of Kentucky's full starting five declared for the 2012 NBA draft. Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb, and Marquis Teague will all be going pro, with Davis expected to be the first pick overall. Which of these highly-touted prospects do you think will have the best NBA career?
Which Kentucky Player Will Have The Best NBA Career?
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Anthony Davis 57% (434)
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Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 32% (241)
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Terrence Jones 5% (39)
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Doron Lamb 3% (23)
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Marquis Teague 2% (18)
Total votes: 755
Five Kentucky Players Enter NBA Draft
Five players from the NCAA Champion Kentucky Wildcats declared for the 2012 NBA Draft in a press conference on Tuesday (Associated Press link via ESPN.com). As expected, Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Terrence Jones, Marquis Teague, and Doron Lamb, the entire Kentucky starting five, will all turn pro.
Davis, the winner of the 2012 Naismith College Player of the Year award, is the overwhelming favorite to go first overall in June's draft, with Kidd-Gilchrist and Jones also expected to be lottery picks. HoopsRumors writers have previously covered Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist in our Prospect Profile series.
Larry Brown To Coach SMU
ESPN.com's Jason King reports that former NBA coach Larry Brown has agreed to coach Southern Methodist University's men's basketball team next season. The move was expected to be announced officially as soon as Tuesday.
Brown, a successful coach in the NCAA, ABA, and NBA since 1972, coached the 2003/04 Detroit Pistons to a world championship. He last coached in the NBA with the Charlotte Bobcats in 2010, but was fired partway into the 2010/11 season. Brown had previously been believed to be interested in the Portland Trail Blazers' vacant general manager position.
Odds & Ends: Mavs, Beasley, Bucks, Raptors
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Thursday evening:
- Dallas radio hosts Barry Horn and Kevin Sherrington weighed in on a couple of Mavericks issues. Horn believes the Mavs are a better team without Lamar Odom, who was shut down earlier this week.
- Sherrington speculates that the Mavs are still interested in acquiring Dwight Howard, especially if they can't sign Deron Williams this summer.
- Michael Beasley told Ray Richardson of the Pioneer Press that he wants to stay with the Timberwolves going forward. Beasley is set to become a restricted free agent this summer.
- Michael Hunt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel says the Bucks lack a clear direction for the future and will not contend with their current roster. Hunt believes the first step will be re-signing Ersan Ilyasova this summer.
- Doug Smith of the Toronto Star doubts that Raptors 10-day contract signees Ben Uzoh and Justin Dentmon will be anything more than placeholders for the team.