International Notes: Vujacic, Hayward, Holiday
Guard Sasha Vujacic is working out hard in Los Angeles in hopes of relaunching his NBA career, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com (Twitter links). In fact, the 29-year-old is determined to hold out for an NBA deal rather than return to Europe, where he'd surely find a lucrative offer. According to one witness, Vujacic was a hit in the Lakers' gym last week and has been looking sharp in pickup games in the L.A. area after his time in Turkey with Anadolu Efes.
Over parts of seven seasons in the states, mostly with the Lakers, Vujacic averaged 5.6 PPG and 1.3 APG in 15.9 minutes per game. He also showed that he can fill a stat sheet during a run with the Nets in 2010/11 where he put up 11.4 PPG and 3.3 RPG in 28.5 minutes per contest. Here's the rest of today's news from around the globe..
- Italian club Reggio Emilia is looking to make a final roster addition with Lazar Hayward and Justin Holiday as the two main targets, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. If they can't land either player, Cory Higgins is their third option. Hayward, a standout at Marquette, spent last season with the L.A. D-Fenders of the D-League averaging 15.9 PPG and 8.1 RPG. Justin Holiday was with the 76ers for nine games and with the D-League's Idaho Stampede for 47 games, where he put up 17.3 PPG.
- Italian club Sidigas Avellino officially announced that they have signed Jarvis Hayes, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando (via Twitter). It was reported last week that the longtime NBA forward struck a deal with the club after spending last season with Israel's Elizur Ashkelon.
- Former Knicks big man Jerome Jordan has officially signed with Italian club Virtus Bologna, according to Carchia (on Twitter).
- As always, you can keep up with all global basketball activity with Hoops Rumors' International Tracker.
Rick Adelman Confirms Return For 2013/14
There wasn't a tremendous amount of doubt surrounding Rick Adelman's status for the upcoming season, but it wasn't until recently that everything was 100% locked in. Over the weekend, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor confirmed to Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune that the veteran coach will be on the sidelines to open the 2013/14 season.
Adelman was expected to be with the team going forward, but it wasn't for sure until he brought his coaching staff out to his home in Portland, Oregon last week and laid out the plans for this season. While the 67-year-old is undoubtedly excited about the upcoming season, he has much more important matters to tend to at home with his wife facing some health issues. Hopefully, this week's news means that Adelman's wife is feeling a whole lot better and on the road to recovery.
The highly-respected coach has yet to see the playoffs during his two years in Minnesota, but optimism is high around the T'Wolves that they'll be able to find their way in. For his career, Adelman owns a 1002-707 record with the Trail Blazers, Warriors, Kings, Rockets, and T'Wolves.
Odds & Ends: Fratello, Draft, Wright
Mike Fratello, who is in charge of Ukraine's national team at EuroBasket, believes that now is the time for a European head coach to break the barrier and take the reins of an NBA team, writes Mark Woods for ESPN.com. "It will take a GM from somewhere who has a very understanding owner, a GM believing and trusting in the person that he's going to select and convincing his owner to trust that this guy can coach," the veteran coach said. Italian coach Ettore Messina has been linked to several jobs in recent years – including the Nets and Hawks – but he remains overseas. Here's more from around the Association..
- Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld runs down the picks that have changed hands in the 2014 Draft. The Jazz, Magic, and Celtics are all guaranteed multiple first-round picks, meaning that they're not dependent on anyone else's performance in 2013/14. Meanwhile, the Suns have their fingers crossed that they'll wind up with three first round picks in the talent rich draft.
- Tommy Dee of Ridiculous Upside explains why Chris Wright is ready to stick with the Raptors. The athletic tweener showed that he has talent in his time in the D-League, but he'll be going against guards Julyan Stone and Carlos Morais for the 15th and final spot. Of course, the Raptors could also roll with 14 players to start the season.
- Last week, Hoops Rumors debuted the brand new International Player Movement Tracker with the help of Mark Porcaro of Secret Rival. Be sure to check it out today.
Western Notes: Grizzlies, Joerger, Thunder, Ellis
A first-time coach could be an obstacle in the early season, but Grizzlies management is convinced the team will quickly gain chemistry with Dave Joerger, who was an assistant coach under Lionel Hollins. “You have to start rebuilding your momentum and re-creating your roles and we have a number of new faces,” GM Chris Wallace told Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. “Because of the personnel and the dynamics of the organization, you hope that his transition is looser than if an outside person came in.” Here's more from the Western Conference..
- Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman has some questions to ponder before training camp opens for the Thunder. One of the big question marks for OKC is whether Jeremy Lamb is ready to step up and contribute. The youngster will be called upon to be a big contributor after the Thunder let Kevin Martin go this summer.
- Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News sizes the Mavericks' Monta Ellis against ten other top shooting guards in the league over the last six seasons, based on scoring average. The Mavs gave Ellis a three-year, $28MM deal this offseason after missing out on some more ambitious free agent targets.
- Anthony Davis' cousin, Keith Chamberlain, was among 34 players trying out for the Pelicans' D-League affiliate this weekend, according to Jim Eichenhofer of NBA.com.
Hoops Links: Celtics, Smith, Pelicans, Lakers
This week 14 years ago, the NBA Board of Governors approved several playing rules modifications for the 1999-2000 season. The modifications had been recommended by a special committee of current and former players, general managers, coaches and other basketball experts the previous June and were tested in several NBA summer leagues. Among the rule changes: the 24-second shot clock would be re-set to 14 seconds if certain violations occur with less than 14 seconds remaining.
Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors? Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the web..
- Celtics Hub can't wait to get rid of the former Nets that came over in the blockbuster.
- Posting And Toasting looks for silver linings in the J.R. Smith situation.
- The Brooklyn Game wants you to get to know the Pelicans a little better.
- Silver Screen And Roll explores the Lakers and the novelty of losing.
- Rufus On Fire looks at some potential lineups.
- Red94 asks how the Rockets will beat the Atlantic Division.
- The Two Man Game goes over the money plays.
- Cavs The Blog sizes up the Celtics and 76ers.
- 48 Minutes Of Hell supports the Spurs' deals for Tiago Splitter and Manu Ginobili.
- Blazers Edge asks if analytics enhance the NBA experience.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.
Atlantic Notes: Celtics, Humphries, 76ers
Will Delonte West find a home in 2013/14? Last night, Spencer Lund checked in on the stock of the troubled guard, who had some good times and some not so good times with the Celtics. Here's more out of the Atlantic Division..
- New Celtics acquisition Kris Humphries is in camp earlier than ever and determined to turn things around this season, his business manager tells Jared Zwerling of ESPN.com. Hump says that he's excited for a new start in Boston and is happy to know that the C's have no intention of tanking this season despite their efforts to build for the future.
- Keith Schlosser of Ridiculous Upside wonders how the 76ers will utilize their D-League team this season. The 76ers will be starting from the ground up with their new team, the Delaware 87ers. Philly is obviously in rebuilding mode and one has to imagine that they'll want to get their young players as much run as possible.
- Forward Darington Hobson was one of the more talented players drafted by the Sixers' D-League affiliate this year, but he's now shifting his attention to finding a gig in the Chinese Basketball Association, a source tells Keith Schlosser of Ridiculous Upside. As sixth man for the Warriors' Santa Cruz D-League affiliate that went all the way to the D-League Finals, the forward averaged 9.2 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists through 36 games.
Hoops Rumors Originals
This week, Hoops Rumors rolled out the brand new International Player Movement Tracker. The exciting new tool, put together with Mark Porcaro of Secret Rival, is the best way to keep track of basketballers from around the globe. Here’s a look back at the original analysis from the Hoops Rumors staff this week..
- In a two part series, Luke Adams broke down how each agency did in free agency.
- Chuck Myron gave us a roster previews for teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference.
- Luke gave us an explanation of the NBA’s maximum roster rules.
- Spencer Lund checked in on the free agent stock of Delonte West.
- Avery Bradley probably won’t get an extension worked out with the Celtics in Chuck’s estimation.
- Is Michael Beasley worth the risk? Most of you say yes.
- Beasley is also far and away the camp invite most likely to make his respective team, according to our readers.
- Chuck found that teams draw from a variety of sources to piece together their training camp rosters.
- Michael Pina asked if the Bulls should re-sign Luol Deng and opinions were split down the middle.
- Our readers aren’t too high on the Sixers this season.
- Get the Hoops Rumors iPhone/iPad app today!
- Follow your favorite team on Facebook, Twitter, and RSS.
- Get to know our 2013 Free Agent Tracker as well.
Week In Review: 9/9/13 – 9/15/13
Three years after the Heat parted ways with their 2008 lottery pick, Michael Beasley is headed back to Miami. It won't cost the Heat anything to roll the dice on Beasley as the 24-year-old agreed to a non-guaranteed, make-good contract. The club reportedly considers the fall audition to be no-risk, and worth the gamble. The former No. 2 overall pick is certainly troubled, but there's no denying that he has potential. Here's the rest of the week that was..
- Carmelo Anthony isn't interested in leaving the Knicks.
- LeBron James hopes to table the contract talk for the rest of the season. Good luck.
- Extension talks between the Bulls and Luol Deng have stalled.
- Guard Mike James has reached agreement with the Bulls.
- The Mavs are bringing Fab Melo to training camp.
- The Sixers finally signed a free agent when they agreed to a deal with Darius Morris. They're also signing Rodney Williams to a multi-year pact.
- The Suns and Bucks have interest in Royal Ivey.
- The Mavs went out and signed Devin Ebanks.
- Hamed Haddadi is weighing offers in the NBA and abroad.
- The NBPA is still waiting for official confirmation that Jay Z has divested his ownership stake in the Nets before granting him full NBA agent certification
- The Bulls signed guards Patrick Christopher and Kalin Lucas.
- The Heat signed Justin Hamilton.
- The Lakers could sign Marcus Landry and he has a good shot of making the team.
- Larry Sanders will make an even $11MM per year under his new deal.
- The Pacers are bringing Darnell Jackson in.
- Flip Saunders opened up about his offseason in Minnesota and his relationship with Kevin Love.
- Cameron Jones accepted a camp invite from Golden State.
- Julyan Stone and Chris Wright are coming to camp with the Raptors.
- The Nuggets have signed undrafted University of Mississippi power forward Reginald Buckner.
- The Nugs also signed Damion James.
- The Suns inked Dionte Christmas.
- The Kings added DeQuan Jones.
- As we've long expected, Khalif Wyatt agreed to terms with the 76ers.
- No teams will be sold until the NBA locks down their newer, more lucrative deal.
- It looks like Yi Jianlian won't be coming back to the NBA anytime soon.
- The Bulls are monitoring Kurt Thomas.
Odds & Ends: Hamilton, Bogut, Heat, Beasley
Even though most of the big fish are off of the board at this stage of free agency, there are still some notable names searching for jobs. Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (Twitter links) went to bat for two in particular: Richard Hamilton and Jamaal Tinsley. Even though Hamilton is obviously past his prime, he still makes sense for the minimum salary and his averages of 9.8 points and 2.4 assists last season are nothing to sneeze at. Meanwhile, Tinsley averaged 4.4 dimes in 18.5 minutes for the Jazz and Kennedy argues that he could be even more as a facilitator with a better supporting cast. Here’s more from around the Association..
- In a video interview with Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group, Andrew Bogut explained that he’s not worried about working out a new contract with the Warriors. Even though the big man was on the trading block this summer, he said in July that he doesn’t have any hard feelings towards Golden State management.
- In today’s mailbag, a reader asks Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel if the newly-acquired Michael Beasley will wind up being the sixth man for the Heat. While nothing is guaranteed in Erik Spoelstra’s rotation, he expects Mario Chalmers, Ray Allen, Shane Battier, Chris Andersen, Norris Cole, and, most likely, Udonis Haslem, all to see minutes ahead of the former No. 2 overall pick.
- More from Winderman, who writes that Beasley and Greg Oden give the Heat an injection of youth and hope that can help spark the club. In another time, owner Micky Arison might have spent on pricier, more reliable options, but the luxury tax has necessitated cheaper acquisitions to round out the bench.
International Notes: Saric, Ajinca, Jeter
Earlier today, we learned that former No. 6 overall pick Yi Jianlian agreed to a new two-year deal in the Chinese Basketball Association that, somewhat surprisngly, does not include an NBA out clause. Jianlian’s first go-round in the NBA was far from dazzling, but he looked rather strong last season in the CBA and had some wondering if he turned a corner in his professional career. Here’s more from around the globe..
- In a piece for ESPN.com, Mark Woods spoke with Dario Saric, who pulled out of this year’s draft despite being ticketed for a first-round selection. Scouts who have watched him play over the last couple of seasons say that he is as close to a can’t-miss prospect as there is, but Saric says that he withdrew his name based on his own assessment of his readiness.
- Big man Alexis Ajinca says his contract with Strasbourg of the French League still includes an NBA out clause and his agent is looking at options in the NBA, according to HoopsHype (via Twitter). Ajinca, taken 20th overall by the Bobcats in the 2008 Draft, says that he wasn’t mentally or physicially ready for the challenge of the NBA but believes that he’ll return (Twitter links). The 25-year-old is doing well at the Eurobasket, averaging 10.7 PPG and 6.9 RPG in less than 20 minutes per contest.
- Guard Pooh Jeter, currently playing in Ukraine, still hopes to return to the NBA, writes Jorge Sierra of HoopsHype. Jeter, 29, spent the 2010/11 season with the Kings, averaging 4.1 PPG and 2.6 RPG in less than 14 minutes per game.
- If you haven’t already, be sure to check out Hoops Rumors’ International Player Movement Tracker.