Los Angeles Clippers Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Odds & Ends: Union, Lucas, Draft, Brown

August 12th, 2013 at 9:30pm CST by Zachary Links

With the offseason winding down, Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld identified who the real contenders will be in 2013/14. The back-to-back champion Heat top the list with some of the other usual suspects, including the Spurs and Thunder. The Bulls should be vaulted back into contention with the long-awaited return of Derrick Rose. The Clippers are a bona fide contender after re-signing Chris Paul, landing Doc Rivers as coach, and adding J.J. Redick. The Nets, who now boast the most expensive roster in the NBA by far, hope to be among the league's elite with first-time coach Jason Kidd at the helm. And of course, the Rockets will be one of the most intriguing teams to keep an eye on after luring Dwight Howard away from L.A. Here's more from around the Association..

NBPA executive committee member Jerry Stackhouse told Ken Berger of CBSSports.com that LeBron James' comments about the union felt like a "kick in the stomach". "I don't think he's had any dialogue with anybody since the All-Star break, but it is what it is," Stackhouse said. "To make that statement about where we are as a union right now, he was misinformed."
Point guard John Lucas III was a safe choice for the Jazz, in the sense that he won't threaten Trey Burke or expect to be the main one-guard for the long-term. However, Utah believes they have more than a capable stop-gap and more than a positive locker room influence in the veteran, writes Bill Oram of the Salt Lake Tribune.
Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider sub. req'd) runs down the 2014 NBA Draft and notes that its remarkable depth could make it the best ever. Ford's latest big board has Andrew Wiggins at the top, followed by Kentucky's Julius Randle, Australian Dante Exum, Duke's Jabari Parker, and Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart.
Sean Deveney of the Sporting News gives his immediate and long-term outlook for the league's 13 new coaches. The list starts with the latest hire, 76ers coach Brett Brown.
Jordan Hill's summer assignment is to become the stretch four that the Lakers need, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com. Hill missed 53 games last year, mostly because of back and hip trouble.

Odds & Ends: Collins, Irving, Wolves, Harrington

August 12th, 2013 at 2:13pm CST by Luke Adams

Let's check in on a few Monday odds and ends from around the Association:

A report over the weekend indicated that the Pistons have shown exploratory interest in Jason Collins, but Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News hears that the team is unlikely to actually sign him.
Although his friend John Wall recently inked a new long-term deal with the Wizards, Kyrie Irving won't be eligible for an extension until next summer, so he's not thinking about his contract situation yet, as he tells Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio.
Timberwolves president Flip Saunders spoke to reporters today, including Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune, and confirmed that the team expects Robbie Hummel, Lorenzo Brown, and Othyus Jeffers to be in training camp. Saunders also discussed Nikola Pekovic, Shabazz Muhammad, and Milt Newton.
While Al Harrington appears on track to land a deal with the Wizards, several other teams showed interest, including the Clippers, Kings, and Pelicans, tweets Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com.
Subbing in for David Aldridge at NBA.com, Steve Kerr presents some ideas for how to improve the NBA's draft lottery.

Southeast Rumors: Oden, Tolliver, Price

August 10th, 2013 at 2:58pm CST by Chuck Myron

For the past two seasons, the Southeast Division has been home to both the NBA champs and the team with the worst record in the league. There's a decent chance that's the case for a third year in a row, as the Heat don't appear to be retreating from the title picture and the Magic continue to value the future over the present. Here's more from Florida and the rest of the Southeast:

Greg Oden isn't sure his body can withstand his comeback effort, but he is certain he made the right choice in signing with the Heat over a handful of other suitors. Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel has more from Oden's conversations with the media today.
Shams Charania of RealGM.com adds the Clippers to the list of teams that pursued Anthony Tolliver before he agreed today to sign with the Bobcats (Twitter link). Charlotte assistants Stephen Silas and Bob Weiss have worked with Tolliver in the past, and both pushed him for a reunion, as Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida details.
A.J. Price isn't surprised that the Wizards haven't re-signed him, and believes the more punitive luxury tax in the latest collective bargaining agreement is making it more difficult for him to find NBA work, as he tells J. Michael of CSNWashington.com. Price is open to playing overseas if that's the only option, and according to El Contraataque, FC Barcelona of Spain has interest in him (translation via HoopsHype).

Cuttino Mobley Drops Suit To Aid Comeback Bid

August 9th, 2013 at 6:11pm CST by Chuck Myron

Cuttino Mobley today dropped his case against the corporate parents of the Knicks in an effort to draw offers from NBA teams as the 37-year-old guard attempts a comeback, a source tells Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com. A report in May indicated that Mobley would take part in a public workout with draft prospects and other veteran free agents, but so far no team has been willing to sign him.

Mobley had sued the Madison Square Garden company in 2011, alleging that the Knicks pressured him into retirement after they sent him to specialists whom the team knew would advise against him playing with his pre-existing heart condition. With the doctors' opinion that Mobley should not continue to play, the Knicks could collect the insurance on his contract and avoid about $19MM worth of luxury tax payments. Mobley had talks with other teams shortly after his retirement, but they were unwilling to sign him given concerns about his health, according to Zwerling's report.

Mobley is currently playing pickup games at the Clippers facility. The Clippers are the last team Mobley played for, and they sent him to the Knicks in November 2008 in a trade that touched off the controversy.

Odds & Ends: Clippers, Cousins, Pacers, Self

August 6th, 2013 at 3:08pm CST by Luke Adams

While a few of the more notable games on the 2013/14 NBA schedule have already been reported, the full slate won't be announced until later this afternoon. As we look forward to the 5:00 CT announcement, let's check out a few odds and ends….

Chris Paul's new five-year contract with the Clippers makes him one of the NBA's only players locked up through 2018, but Paul believes the team's other long-term fixture will be crucial to L.A.'s success. "I think our team will definitely go as Blake [Griffin] goes," Paul told Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
Grantland's Zach Lowe examines the case of DeMarcus Cousins, exploring whether it makes sense for the Kings to try to lock him up or to explore potential trades.
Popeye Jones will join Pacers coach Frank Vogel's staff, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter).
At Brandon Knight's introductory presser, Bucks GM John Hammond told reporters, including Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, that the team is "by no means" in tanking mode for 2013/14.
Kansas coach Bill Self hasn't ruled out the possibility of someday leaving the NCAA for an NBA job, as he told Michael Baldwin of the Oklahoman. "It hasn't really tempted me because I haven't had that many people talk to me about it," Self said. "But at some point and time, sure, I think it would. It would be great to be able to match wits with the best athletes in the world, but I'm certainly happy where I'm at."
Bobby Brown is flying to New York to meet with the Knicks, tweets Marc Berman of the New York Post. Brown is under contract with a Chinese team, but has until August 15th to sign an NBA deal and opt out.

Odds & Ends: Sixers, West, Gordon, Jamison

August 4th, 2013 at 11:13am CST by Chuck Myron

Trail Blazers assistant David Vanterpool appears to have become the leading candidate in the Sixers head coaching search, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. Most reports have cited Brett Brown and Michael Curry as the front-runners, but it seems there are still several hopefuls who could emerge with the job. We passed along news from Washburn earlier today on the continuing possibility of a Rajon Rondo trade to the Pistons, and here's more from the Globe scribe as we round up the morning's news from around the NBA:

The Knicks and Grizzlies have reportedly been in talks with Delonte West, but the Knicks appear to be out, and according to Washburn, no team has shown serious interest.
The additions of Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans make for a crowded backcourt in New Orleans, but Eric Gordon is glad to have his new Pelicans teammates, he tells Washburn.
Clippers boss Doc Rivers didn't make an offer to Antawn Jamison when they met for dinner last night, but the Clippers and Jamison's reps plan to talk soon, reports Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
The Hawks waived DeShawn Stevenson on Friday, and in the likely event that he clears waivers and hits free agency, he'd like to sign with the Heat, according to a pair ofdispatches from his Twitter account.
Shelvin Mack appears in a tenuous position with the Hawks, since his contract is non-guaranteed and he plays the same position as Jeff Teague and first-round pick Dennis Schröder. If the Hawks waive Mack, he'll be the primary point guard target for Olimpia Milano of Italy, Enea Trapani of Sportando reports.
Elston Turner has reached an agreement to become an assistant coach for the Grizzlies, a source tells Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com. The defensively minded Turner also spoke about joining the Timberwolves staff.
Stefhon Hannah has signed to play with Juve Caserta in Italy, the team announced (translation via Sportando's Emiliano Carchia). Hannah worked out for the Knicks this summer, and spent two weeks last fall in training camp with the Warriors.

Pacific Notes: Redick, Clippers, Gasol, Kings

August 3rd, 2013 at 9:01am CST by Zachary Links

Antawn Jamison is one of the top names remaining on the free agent market and Doc Rivers hopes to steer him to Clipperland. Tonight, the 37-year-old will meet the Clippers coach/president of basketball ops for dinner and the club hopes it will vault L.A. higher on his list than the Bobcats, Grizzlies, and Bulls. Here's more out of the Pacific Division..

Agent Arn Tellem was five minutes from closing a deal for J.J. Redick with another team when Suns exec Lon Babby convinced Tellem that the three-team deal that sent Redick to the Clippers could work, reveals Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic. Coro's piece, running in the USA Today, contains plenty of detail on that swap, and portrays former GM Lance Blanks as a poor fit in the Phoenix front office.
Pau Gasol tells Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times that he doesn't hold a grudge against Mike D'Antoni for his decreased role on the team this past season, and hinted that he'd like to re-sign with the Lakers next summer. "I would love to play for the franchise that I love playing for, that I'm proud to be a part of," Gasol said. "It would be great to continue to play for the Lakers."
Tony Bizjak of The Sacramento Bee has the latest on a group's effort to challenge Sacramento's plan to fund a new arena for the Kings.
The Kings hired one of their former players Friday as an assistant coach, bringing University of Central Arkansas head man Corliss Williamson aboard, the team announced.

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Antawn Jamison To Meet With Clippers

August 2nd, 2013 at 9:35pm CST by Chuck Myron

Free agent Antawn Jamison will have dinner Saturday night with Doc Rivers, who doubles as Clippers coach and head of the team's basketball ops, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. The Clippers are one of four teams reportedly interested in the 37-year-old. The Bobcats, Grizzlies and Bulls are the others.

The Clippers can only offer the minimum salary, and adding Jamison would put the club over the tax line, even if it waives the non-guaranteed contract of Maalik Wayns. Still, the Clips have been linked to Jamison on numerous occasions this summer, with one report indicating that the team would sign either Jamison or Lamar Odom.

Jamison would be a curious fit for the Clippers, since it would leave the team without a true center to back up DeAndre Jordan. Byron Mullens is a 7-footer, but he, like Jamison, relies on an outside game. The 6'8" Jamison shifted between small forward and power forward this past season for the Lakers, averaging 9.4 points in 21.5 minutes per game, both career lows.

Odds & Ends: Oden, Thunder, Clippers

August 1st, 2013 at 11:24pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Heat, Spurs and Mavs are the most likely to land Greg Oden when he makes his decision Friday, sources tell Jeff Goodman and Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Goodman and Stein are hearing conflicting information on whether the Pelicans, Kings and Hawks remain in the running, but it appears New Orleans has the best chance out of those three. The Cavs, Celtics and Grizzlies have also expressed interest, but they declined to make formal offers, the report also says. Here's more on Oden and others around the Association:

Whichever team signs Oden once he makes his decision tomorrow won't be committing more than a few million dollars, leading HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy to argue that he's worth the risk. Taking such risks is what shrewd GM's do, SB Nation's Tom Ziller opines.
The league is reimbursing the Thunder $8MM, or roughly half of the difference between the money the team is shelling out for Kevin Durant and the smaller amount the Thunder agreed to pay when he signed his extension, Grantland's Zach Lowe tweets.
The ESPN.com staff is high on the Clippers, as Chad Ford gives them the only A+ among his Western Conference offseason grades (Insiders only), while the 5-on-5 crew lauds the team's acquisitions of coach Doc Rivers and sharpshooter Jared Dudley.
HoopsWorld's Nate Duncan profiles six players whom teams may have undervalued this summer.

Antawn Jamison Drawing Interest

August 1st, 2013 at 10:01am CST by Luke Adams

One month after free agency opened, Antawn Jamison still finds himself without a deal, but that doesn't mean there are no potential suitors out there. According to DeAntae Prince of the Sporting News, the Bulls, Clippers, Grizzlies, and Bobcats have all displayed interest in Jamison, who still believes he has a couple solid NBA seasons left.

Multiple reports within the last month have linked the Clippers and Bobcats to Jamison, but I believe this is the first we've heard of the Bulls' and Grizzlies' interest. It's also not clear whether some of these clubs may have only been interested in the 37-year-old prior to completing other moves. In any case, Jamison is seeking a situation that works out a little better than his one-year stint with the Lakers did.

"Because it looks good on paper doesn't mean it's the perfect fit," Jamison said. "So I really want to make sure the next team I go to, whether it's a one- or two-year deal, that it's a really good fit and we have a understanding with each other as well.

"I made the money, accomplished a lot of things individually. I have a couple years left where I can compete night in and night out and really have an opportunity to enjoy basketball and not dealing with losses and other nonsense. I just want to have fun and be a part of something special."

Jamison signed for the veteran's minimum a year ago with the Lakers, which was viewed as a discount at the time. However, after a down year by his standards (career-low 15.3 PER), he may be in line for another minimum-salary contract this time around.