Kennedy On Heat, Nash, Kaman, Roy, Lewis
Even though the Heat captured the 2012 NBA championship on Thursday night, their roster may look very different entering next season, writes Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. The team’s core obviously stay, but they’ll have to re-sign or replace a number of players who were key during their title run. Here's Kennedy on what's next for Miami and more..
Hoops Links: Dalembert, Dunlap, Bucks, Wizards
One of the most lopsided trades in NBA history was completed on this date in 1972. The Rockets traded future Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes to the Baltimore Bullets for forward Jack Marin and future considerations. Hayes would go on to score 15,551 of his 27,313 career points in a Bullets uniform, averaging 21.2 PPG and 12.7 RPG over nine seasons with the Bullets. Marin, meanwhile, lasted just a year and change with Houston before being shipped to the Buffalo Braves in 1974.
If you have a great piece that you think we should feature in next week's edition of Hoops Links, send me an email at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the basketball blogosphere..
Odds & Ends: Pacers, Walsh, Cavs, Jones, Roy
The second, third and fourth overall picks in the 2001 draft (Tyson Chandler, Pau Gasol, and now Eddy Curry) have won titles in consecutive years since 2009, HoopsHype notes (via Twitter). The draft's top pick, Kwame Brown, continues to wait. Here's tonight's look around the Association..
Southeast Notes: Shaw, Magic, Heat, James
Earlier tonight, we learned that Game 5 hero Mike Miller is currently weighing his options and isn't sure if he'll return to basketball in 2012/13. The veteran guard is still under contract for three more seasons and nearly $19MM, but he may look to go out on top after winning his first NBA title in memorable fashion. Here's the latest batch of links out of SoBe and the rest of the division..
Atlantic Notes: Knicks, Nash, Raptors, Celtics
Today's bird rights ruling for the players' union will have a massive effect on this summer's free agent market and is great news for several teams, including the Knicks. Now with extra flexibility, Frank Isola of the New York Daily News suggests that the club could split the mid-level exception to re-sign J.R. Smith and make a run at Jason Kidd. Here's more on the Knicks and the rest of the Atlantic Division..
Mike Miller To Decide On Future Soon
Heat guard Mike Miller will meet with doctors soon to determine if his injured back needs surgery that includes a lengthy rehabilitation process, according to the Associated Press. Miller has dealt with a slew of injuries in recent years, including a foot problem that he played through this season.
Odds & Ends: Jazz, Harris, Raptors, Draft, Terry
Former Jazz point guard Blake Ahearn is an option for the club's Summer League team, tweets Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune. As for the starting one-guard role, the Jazz know that they need a young floor general but are open to sticking with Devin Harris for another year. Utah fears that they will take a step back if they trade Harris because the 2012 draft is light on point guard prospects (via these Twitter links). Here's more on the Jazz and other items from around the Association as we await Game 4 tomorrow night..
Jason Kidd Open To Nets Return
Free agent Jason Kidd says that he would be open to returning to the Nets this summer, writes Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. The future Hall of Famer says that he likes owner Mikhail Prokhorov and the idea of playing in Brooklyn, but added that Deron Williams being there "is the key."
Bobcats Hire Mike Dunlap As Head Coach
The Bobcats have hired St. John's assistant Mike Dunlap to be their next head coach, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter). Just minutes ago the Bobcats reached out to finalists Brian Shaw, Quin Snyder, and Nate McMillan to inform them that they would not be getting the job.
Bobcats Eliminate Three From Search
8:12pm: Lakers assistant Quin Snyder has also been eliminated from consideration, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter).
8:07pm: The Bobcats have told Pacers assistant coach Brian Shaw that he is no longer a candidate for their head coaching job, a source tells David Aldridge of TNT (via Twitter). Aldridge adds that Charlotte's decision on Shaw leaves Lakers assistant Quin Snyder as the clear favorite for the job, though Bobcats have said that they could look at additional candidates (Twitter link).