Gerald Wallace To Decline Player Option
Gerald Wallace has informed Nets officials that he'll turn down his $9.5MM player option for 2012/13 and become a free agent, according to MySportsLegion.com (via Twitter). Rob Pelinka, Wallace's agent, says the decision doesn't mean Wallace will leave Brooklyn, and that he and his client will explore all their options (Twitter link).
Bucher’s Latest: Nash, KG, Nelson, Miller, Kaman
Plenty of the bigger names among this year's free agent class are in their 30s, and it's that over-30 group that ESPN.com's Ric Bucher focuses on in his latest Insider piece. Bucher spoke to GMs, scouts, and personnel experts that gave him feedback on this summer's free agents, including tidbits on Steve Nash, Kevin Garnett, Jameer Nelson, and plenty more. Here are a few highlights:
Knicks, Nets, Cavs, Suns Eyeing Teletovic
After leading the Euroleague in scoring this season, Mirza Teletovic may be taking his talents to North America. According to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando, the Bosnian forward is drawing interest from the Knicks, Nets, Cavaliers, and Suns.
Nets Looking To Add First Round Pick
The Nets gave up their first-round pick to the Trail Blazers in March's Gerald Wallace trade, but that doesn't necessarily mean they won't have a first-rounder three weeks from now. Coach Avery Johnson told ESPN.com's Andy Katz (as relayed by Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv) that the Nets are looking to acquire a first-round pick in the coming weeks.
Williams, Odom Unlikely Fits For Lakers
The Lakers may look to make significant changes to their roster this summer, and a point guard and small forward figure to be top priorities. Don't expect to see Deron Williams or Lamar Odom wearing purple and gold next year though. Mike Bresnahan and Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Times write that both players are unlikely targets for Los Angeles.
Grizzlies Expected To Shop Rudy Gay
TUESDAY, 6:47pm: Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio confirms that "talk around the league" indicates the Grizzlies are shopping Rudy Gay. According to Amico, Memphis seems to be seeking a lottery pick in return.
"He won't be an easy move," one team executive told Amico. "It's hard to imagine them getting back what they want for him, based on what I'm hearing."
Atlantic Notes: Knicks, Anthony, Nets, Humphries
Earlier this week, we learned that the Suns believe that their three biggest competitors for Steve Nash are out of the Atlantic Division: the Knicks, Nets, and Raptors. However, a piece of news today from Knicks coach Mike Woodson might indicate that they're not going to be the players for Nash that the Suns are expecting. Here's the latest from Madison Square Garden and the rest of the Atlantic..
Nets A Frontrunner For Ersan Ilyasova?
Shortly after the Bucks' season ended, GM John Hammond said "it's not going to be easy" to re-sign Ersan Ilyasova, who had a breakout 2011/12 campaign and finished second in voting for Most Improved Player of the Year. It appears that the Nets are one team the Bucks will need to outbid for Ilyasova's services, as Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times hears from NBA officials that Brooklyn is considered the frontrunner for the power forward.
Latest On Steve Nash
There was no shortage of Steve Nash updates this weekend, with one report suggesting the Suns view the Knicks, Raptors, and Nets as the top competitors for the free agent point guard, while another report indicated that the Bulls could be in the mix as well. According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, however, Nash is "still days away" from seriously considering his future. Stein and HoopsWorld's Steve Kyler each have a few notes on Nash, so let's round them up….
Odds & Ends: Draft, Sloan, King, Playoffs
The Chris Bosh-less Heat and Celtics resume battle this evening in a pivotal Game 4 in Boston. A win for the Celtics would continue a Conference Finals streak of the home team coming away with a victory. The Thunder brought their series with the Spurs to a tie as they beat San Antonio 109-103 in Oklahoma City on Saturday night. Let's catch up on the latest news and happenings making headlines from around the league…