Chamberlain Oguchi

Odds & Ends: Bobcats, Smith, D-League, Pippen

Earlier this week, we heard that there were a number of teams that at least touched base with the Thunder about James Harden before he was traded to the Rockets. We can add the Bobcats to that list as well, as owner Michael Jordan tells Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer that his team "made a couple calls" about Harden's availability. Jordan, who says he's "in it for the long haul" as Bobcats owner, adds that he believes Charlotte can still be an attractive destination for free agents down the road, though he acknowledges the team needs to get its house in order first.

Here are a few more notes from around the NBA, as the Thunder and Spurs prepare for the only game on tonight's schedule:

  • On the heels of some surprising contract extensions, Tom Ziller of SBNation.com shares his five rules for teams thinking about extending players.
  • Nolan Smith tells Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com that he understands the Blazers' cap situation and has no problem with the team's decision to turn down his 2013/14 option, adding that he views it as a "blessing in disguise" (Twitter links).
  • A few intriguing names will be in camp with the Maine Red Claws, the Celtics' D-League affiliate, as Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com. Xavier Silas, Micah Downs, Chris Wright, and Chamberlain Oguchi are among the invitees.
  • Nets GM Billy King tells Newsday's Roderick Boone that one of the lessons he learned at his previous job in Philadelphia: "At the end, I was just trying to keep my job. Once you start trying to keep your job and not do it, it's not going to work."
  • The Bulls have appointed Scottie Pippen a Senior Advisor to the President and COO of the team, according to an official release.

Heat Notes: Thomas, Oguchi, McClinton

The Heat have had an exciting offseason, but they aren't finished yet. Here are a few notes from around the league regarding some possible signings the team could still make before traning camp begins. 

  • 23-year-old Malcolm Thomas, a 6'9" forward who played in three games last season for the Spurs, is working out for the Heat on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to RealGM.com's Shams Charania. Thomas worked out for the Knicks a couple weeks ago. 
  • With two training camp spots still open, the Heat will be bringing in former Nigerian National Team member Chamberlain Oguchi again, writes the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Ira Winderman. (Sulia link)
  • Former University of Miami star Jack McClinton is also trying out for one of the team's final two spots, writes Winderman

Free Agent Rumors: Oguchi, Howard, Tucker

Over two and a half months since 2012's free agent period began, a number of players are still seeking contracts with NBA teams, even if those deals are just non-guaranteed camp invites. Here's the latest updates on a few of the players still on the market:

  • Nigerian swingman Chamberlain Oguchi, who was said last month to be drawing NBA interest, has been updating his Twitter account with news on his workouts. Oguchi has worked out for the Spurs and Heat, and recently had a second workout with Miami, as Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel notes (Sulia link). According to George Akpayen of SuperSport.com, Oguchi could be nearing an agreement with the Heat on a non-guaranteed contract.
  • The Heat also haven't ruled out a camp invite for Juwan Howard, who continues to work out with the team, says Winderman (Sulia link).
  • Former first-round pick Alando Tucker is working out with the Bucks today and tomorrow, according to Tucker's Twitter feed (hat tip to Sportando).
  • Agent Tyler Glass tells Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio (Twitter link) that free agent guard Lester Hudson was dropped by his agency after failing to show up for a workout with the Bobcats.
  • Mark Deeks of ShamSports shares an interesting new detail on a free agent contract signed earlier this offseason: Nate Robinson's deal with the Bulls isn't fully guaranteed, tweets Deeks. In a second tweet, Deeks explains that $400K is guaranteed, with Robinson receiving his full salary if he's not waived by January 1st.

Chamberlain Oguchi Drawing NBA Interest

Nigeria managed just one win in preliminary play at the Olympics, and suffered an 83-point loss at the hands of Team USA, ending their Olympic run early. But at least one player from the squad caught the attention of some NBA front offices with his performance in London. 6'6" swingman Chamberlain Oguchi has received training camp invitations from several NBA teams, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.

Oguchi, 26, played his college ball in America, at Oregon and Illinois State, but has played mostly overseas since 2009, with one D-League stint in 2010/11. In Nigeria's final game against France earlier this week, Oguchi poured in 35 points, including eight three-pointers, impressing many NBA executives in attendance, according to Wojnarowski.

If Oguchi were to sign with an NBA team, his contract would likely be non-guaranteed and would start at the rookie minimum, so it's unclear whether that will provide enough incentive to return to North America. Either way though, the 26-year-old is one player to significantly improve his stock at the Olympics, putting his name back on the NBA radar.