Odds & Ends: Scola, Celtics, Heat, Suns
While Jason Kidd shocked everyone by becoming the head coach of the Nets just weeks after retiring, his co-Rookie of the Year in 1994/95 is going to go down a more conventional path. Grant Hill told Johnny Esfeller of IMG Academy that he is looking into a career in broadcasting and speaking with some of the major networks out there. The charasmatic and thoughtful Hill should make for a natural on TV, whether he's on color commentary or a studio analyst. Here's tonight's look around the Association..
- The Pacers' acquisition of Luis Scola makes them an even bigger threat to the Heat, opines Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld. Pacers GM Kevin Pritchard noted that Scola isn't just a strong basketball addition, but he should also be a great fit for Indiana's locker room.
- If Rajon Rondo is not ready to go at the beginning of the 2013/14 season, it's possible that the Celtics could slide undrafted rookie Phil Pressey into the starting role as he's the only other point guard on the roster, writes Marc D'Amico of Celtics.com. However, Boston also has two other players on its roster in Avery Bradley and Courtney Lee who can handle the one-guard duties in short order and there's even a chance that Rondo will be in action for opening night.
- The Heat know that the rest of the Eastern conference is quickly catching up them, writes Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.
- The additions of Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee fit the Suns' offseason goal of increasing athleticism across the roster, writes Matt Petersen of Suns.com.
Western Notes: Aldridge, Griffin, Williams, Grizzlies
In today's chat, Luke Adams gave the Warriors credit for an aggressive offseason, but also noted that they'll have a tough hill to climb given the competition in the West this season. In his view, the best case scenario for Golden State is to capture the third seed with the bottom being something resembling the Lakers' 2012/13 campaign – lots of injuries and fighting just to squeak into the playoffs. The Warriors' summer saw them add Andre Iguodala, Toney Douglas, Marreese Speights, and Jermaine O'Neal while sending $24MM+ in expiring contracts (Andris Biedrins, Richard Jefferson, Brandon Rush) to the Jazz. Here's more from the Western Conference..
- Blazers GM Neil Olshey explored the possibility of a LaMarcus Aldridge-for-Blake Griffin swap with the Clippers this summer, writes Ken Berger of CBSSports.com. However, the talks didn't go anywhere. Olshey, of course, was the Clips' assistant GM when the team drafted Griffin. It's not surprising to hear that Olshey put out feelers for such a deal given the questions surrounding Aldridge's future in Portland.
- Free agent Mo Williams is flying in to meet with the Grizzlies' front office tonight, tweets Chris Vernon of 92.9 ESPN Radio. Late last week we learned that Memphis is the mix for the guard while the Heat are also keeping an eye on him.
- There are plenty of obstacles in the way of a positive return to the NBA for Pelicans target Greg Oden, but as one team official tracking Oden told Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com, one can't help but get excited about a big man who can move as well as he can. "He's not that far off microfracture [surgery]," a team executive said in regard to the former No. 1 overall pick. "He still has a way to go to getting his knee where it needs to be, but there are possibilities."
Kupchak On Howard, Kobe, 2014 Free Agents
Mitch Kupchak has kept relatively mum this summer, but he agreed to have an in-depth chat on his extremely eventful offseason with Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times. The conversation covered the loss of Dwight Howard, using the amnesty provision on Metta World Peace, and the additions the club has made to try and fill the void as best they can. Here's a look at some of the highlights..
How disappointed were you to lose Howard in free agency to the Rockets?
It wasn't a surprise. I had a feeling that Houston was a frontrunner, and whenever a player is an unrestricted free agent, anything can happen. Clearly, we wanted to keep him here in Los Angeles, and I felt we did everything we could do within reason to show we did want to keep him here. Until the end, I kept up hope. I think we were as persistent as we could be within reason. I wasn't shocked but I was disappointed.
With Kobe Bryant coming back at an unknown date from a torn Achilles' tendon, is it time to write off next season and play for a top draft pick in 2014?
You know that's not our plan. Our plan was to bring back Dwight Howard and that would have sky-rocketed our payroll. That's never a plan here with our fan base, to throw in the towel before the season begins. We always try to win, and that's what we're going to do this year. We have challenges. There's no doubt. We don't know when Kobe's coming back, and we don't know what level he's going to come back at, although we're optimistic. Everything's good with Steve Nash. Pau Gasol should be fine. We've added some athleticism. We're hopefully putting ourselves in position where we can compete in every game.
Is a five month recovery for Kobe possible or it's really going to be eight or nine or 10?
We just don't know. When he gets back in September, we'll take another look at him, but he hasn't been on a basketball court. It's really premature to try to predict other than try to be optimistic that he'll be ready for opening night or the 15th of November or the 1st of December or the 15th of December.
On the talent-packed 2014 free agent class:
I'm not sure if you'll see that Howard type of player go from team to team, although it is possible. We do feel Los Angeles is a destination spot. We have complete confidence in the organization, the city, our fan base, that we would be considered as a destination for players in the future. So we're hopeful going forward that the flexibility that we have will be beneficial.
On the additions of Chris Kaman, Nick Young, Jordan Farmar and Wesley Johnson for a combined $6.5MM next season:
This off-season if we did one thing, between the small forward and wing spot and backcourt, we got quicker and more athletic, something I think we needed.
Mavs Sign Shane Larkin
The Mavericks announced via press release that they have signed 18th overall pick Shane Larkin. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Mavs acquired the draft rights to the Miami point guard from the Hawks in exchange for Jared Cunningham, the draft rights to No. 44 overall pick Mike Muscala and the draft rights to No. 16 pick Lucas "Bebe" Nogueira. Noguiera, meanwhile, came to the Mavs with two 2014 second rounders from the C's in exchange for the draft rights to No. 13 pick Kelly Olynyk.
Larkin led the Hurricanes to the ACC regular season and postseason championships last season en route to being named the ACC Player of the Year, ACC Tournament MVP, Lute Olsen National Player of the Year, and Second Team All-American by Associated Press. The sophomore averaged 14.5 points, 4.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 36 games.
Larkin did not participate with the Mavericks at the Las Vegas Summer League after sustaining an injury to his right ankle in practice. Larkin underwent ankle surgery on July 16th, putting him in line for a comeback right around the start of the regular season.
Hawks Claim Gustavo Ayon
MONDAY, 9:10am: The Hawks have confirmed the move in a press release.
SUNDAY, 7:02pm: The Hawks have claimed Gustavo Ayon off of waivers, a league source tells Shams Charania of RealGM. Ayon tipped the signing earlier in the afternoon, writing "Go Atlanta Hawks" on his Facebook page earlier in the afternoon.
The Bucks released Ayon on Thursday due to their glut in the frontcourt, but the 6'10" big man received heavy interest due to his inside presence and affordable $1.5MM contract. Ayon is expected to get a fair trial to earn a spot in a Hawks rotation that has lacked a young, developing center alongside Al Horford, Charania writes. The 28-year-old has averaged 4.8 PPG and 4.3 RPG in two NBA seasons for three different clubs.
Odds & Ends: Oden, Heat, McGrady, Scola
All eyes are on Greg Oden at this stage of the offseason and David Aldridge of NBA.com (via Twitter) hears that the big man will make his decision either Wednesday or Thursday. The former No. 1 overall pick will choose between the Mavericks, Pelicans, Spurs, Kings, Heat, and Hawks as he looks to mount another comeback. Here's tonight's look around the Associatiion..
- A source tells Marc J. Spears of Yahoo (via Twitter) that Oden is most intrigued by the Pelicans and Heat.
- While in China fulfulling committments with sponsors, veteran Tracy McGrady said that he is open to returning to the CBA next season, according to a report from China.org.cn.
- Luis Scola's nearly $4.9MM salary for 2014/15 will be partially guaranteed for $940K, rather than non-guaranteed, because he appeared in all 82 games for the Suns this past season, reports Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic.
- In the same piece, Coro passes along Suns GM Ryan McDonough's optimism that Channing Frye will be ready to play in time for the season. Frye missed all of 2012/13 with an enlarged heart.
- Gal Mekel told Kevin Arnovitz of True Hoop TV that he isn't concerned about making the transition from playing in Israel to suiting up for the Mavericks.
- Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer delves into Sixers GM Sam Hinkie's philosophy of acquiring undervalued players with upside.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Week In Review: 7/22/13 – 7/28/13
Here's a look back at the week that was..
- The Wizards and John Wall are closing in on a max extension.
- The Pacers bolstered their bench by acquiring Luis Scola from the Suns.
- Mike Miller is joining the Grizzlies.
- The Thunder re-signed Derek Fisher.
- The Blue Light Special is still on at MSG: the Knicks re-signed Kenyon Martin.
- The Mavericks re-signed Brandan Wright to a two-year, $10MM pact.
- The Nuggets signed Nate Robinson at a bargain basement price.
- Denver also re-signed center Timofey Mozgov to a three-year, $14MM deal
- Paul George wants to stay in Indiana.
- Gary Neal became an unrestricted free agent and signed with the Bucks.
- The Mavs went outside of the box for their new GM hire.
- The Grizzlies acquired Nick Calathes from the Mavs.
- The Bucks requested waivers on Gustavo Ayon.
- We're still waiting on Greg Oden to land somewhere.
- Marcus Camby got his buyout from the Raptors and cleared waivers, allowing him to sign with the Rockets.
- The Mavs welcomed Bernard James back after he cleared waivers.
- The Grizzlies will sign second round pick Jamaal Franklin to a three-year deal.
- The Hawks signed Macedonian center Pero Antic.
- The Bulls said goodbye to Malcolm Thomas.
- The Grizzlies claimed Josh Akognon off of waivers from the Mavs.
- The Bucks signed foreign big man Miroslav Raduljica.
- The Nets inked Alan Anderson to a two-year deal.
- The Magic exercised options on four players.
- LeBron James is set to leave Team USA.
- The Warriors waived a trio of players.
- The Jazz signed Ian Clark off of a strong summer league showing.
- The Celtics are bringing Nolan Smith into camp.
- Not a big surprise, but Marcus Smart says he's going into the 2014 draft.
- The Lakers will sign Elias Harris to a two-year deal.
Hoops Links: Spurs, Antic, Walker
On this week in 1988, the Hawks became the first NBA team to play in the Soviet Union when they defeated the Soviet Georgia All-Stars 85-84 in an exhibition game. The game wasn't only a first in hoops history, it also dispelled the long held belief that in Soviet Russia, basketball shoots you.
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..
- Pounding The Rock says the Spurs are the best in the West.
- The Basketball Post doesn't understand why the Hawks signed Pero Antic.
- Rufus On Fire looks at Kemba Walker and the new Bobcats' frontcourt.
- Raptors Republic says Toronto is set up to tank.
- Hoops Addict goes from the hardwood to the tables.
- Hardwood Paroxysm talks basketball and art.
- Liberty Ballers recaps the 76ers's summer league performance.
- Knickerblogger discusses Mike Woodson.
- The Brooklyn Game is stoked about Alan Anderson.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.
Hoops Rumors Originals
Here’s a look back at the original analysis created by the Hoops Rumors staff this week..
- Hoops Rumors readers were asked to vote on the worst $40MM+ signings of the summer.
- Chuck Myron recapped the 2013 offseason trades.
- Luke Adams ran down the teams with a hard cap for 2013/14.
- Luke examined some potential destinations for Gustavo Ayon.
- Most of you believe that the Nets took the biggest leap forward of any team this offseason.
- I asked if the new-look Rockets are Finals-bound and most of you said no.
- Chuck ran down each team’s most expensive free agent acquisition this summer.
- Here’s a look at how teams used the bi-annual exception, courtesy of Chuck.
- Most Hoops Rumors readers see the Nets as the most likely threat to the Heat in the East, but the Bulls and Pacers weren’t far behind.
- Here’s a rundown of the regular Hoops Rumors features that you need to be familiar with.
- Did you miss Luke’s weekly chat on Monday at 4pm central? Really, dude? Luckily for you, we have the transcript right here.
Texas Notes: Oden, Mavs, Manu, Rockets
Earlier today, Chuck Myron ran down each team's most expensive signings from this summer. The Rockets were among the league's heavyweights with their four-year, $88MM committment to Dwight Howard. Meanwhile, the Mavericks had high hopes for this offseason but their heftiest contract went to Jose Calderon, who got a four-year, $29MM deal. Here's the latest out of the Lone Star State..
- A Friday report indicated that the Mavs had sent representatives to Indianapolis to watch Greg Oden work out, but Marc Stein of ESPN.com tweets that it isn't the case. Dallas still remains among the teams interested in the oft-injured big man, whom Stein hears is looking lean and moving well as he auditions for teams. Stein expects teams to make formal offers early this week in advance of Oden's decision by the end of the week (Twitter links).
- Manu Ginobili is glad to be back in black (and silver), writes Mike Monroe of the Express News. Ginobili celebrates his 36th birthday today and he is sure that the two-year, $14MM deal he signed with the Spurs this offseason will be his last.
- Rockets GM Daryl Morey doesn't view the raiding of his front office as a sign of success, writes Jonathan Feigen of Houston Chronicle. "I don't feel we accomplished much, yet," Morey said. "I'll take more pride when we've actually had more results than before. It's a results league. It should be. Everyone, including ourselves, will be looking at what should be a step forward this year in hopefully a big way. … I'm trying to make sure we actually have some results before we get too excited."