Odds & Ends: Howard, Walsh, Olympics
Cavs assistant general manager David Griffin has pulled his name out of consideration for the Clippers' general manager position, reports Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com. Griffin spoke with officials from the Clippers organization while in Chicago for pre-draft camp but reportedly doesn't feel like now is the right time to make a career move. The Clippers have only formally interviewed former Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe for the opening after Neil Olshey left Los Angeles to take the same position with the Trail Blazers. Here are a few more stories and headlines from around the league…
Paul: Bringing Back Billups Is “Top Priority”
Chris Paul will be entering the final year of his contract this summer, but it seems an extension isn't the first thing on his mind these days. Paul tells Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post that his number one priority this offseason is making sure the Clippers are able to re-sign Chauncey Billups, who played just 20 games for the Clips before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in February.
Latest On Clippers GM Search
While the Magic hired Rob Hennigan as their new GM this week, it appears the Clippers will head into the draft without someone to replace Neil Olshey, who jumped to fill the Blazers GM vacancy earlier this month. Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times says no hire is imminent and no candidate has gone before owner Donald Sterling. Team president Andy Roeser, coach Vinny Del Negro and director of player personnel Gary Sacks are jointly handling the draft and free agency until a GM is found. Roeser and Del Negro have had discussions about possible candidates, and Sacks is one of many names the Clippers are considering, according to three league executives who spoke with Turner. Let's break down the rest of the list:
Chauncey Billups Talks Recovery, Free Agency
Chauncey Billups saw his 2011/12 season cut short after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in a February game against the Magic, but the 35-year-old has no plans to retire and is looking forward to free agency this summer. Billups spoke to Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post about his future, and provided a handful of noteworthy quotes. Here are the highlights from the interview:
Mo Williams, Clippers Seeking Contract Solution
While Mo Williams plans to exercise his $8.5MM player option and remain with the Clippers next season, the situation isn't is simple as that, writes Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com. According to agent Mark Bartelstein, he and the Clippers are trying to "find a solution" that will work for both sides.
Woelfel On Bucks, Raptors, Ross, Fournier
As teams continue to host players for workouts in the days leading up to the draft, the Bucks are having trouble getting all the prospects they want to see to come to Milwaukee, writes Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times. Although the Bucks have worked out a handful of big men that interest them, they haven't been able to host Austin Rivers, Terrence Ross, Dion Waiters, Jeremy Lamb, Damian Lillard, and Jared Sullinger. Woelfel suggests some of these players are confident they'll be drafted by the time Milwaukee picks at No. 12, while others, particularly the guards, don't view the Bucks as a good fit based on the team's current roster.
Here are a few more notes from Woelfel's piece, including additional items on Lamb and Ross….
GM Updates: Sixers, Ferry, Griffin, Clippers, Magic
With just 10 days until the NBA draft, a couple teams are still seeking a general manager, and will be looking to get their new hire in place in time for the draft and free agency. Last we heard on the Clippers' search, former Nuggets and Nets GM Kiki Vandeweghe was considered the frontrunner. Meanwhile, Orlando has narrowed its search to three candidates, with the Magic considering Dennis Lindsey, Rob Hennigan, and Jeff Bower. Here's the latest on the league's GM hunts, with any new updates added to the top of the page throughout the day:
- Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld tweets that Danny Ferry to the 76ers "looks close" and adds that David Griffin to the Clippers "has legs."
Lawrence On Grizzlies Sale, Pau Gasol, Clippers
Jeremy Lin will have the opportunity to appeal his arbitration case to a three-person board if he loses, writes Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News. The same is true for the NBA if it doesn't win against Lin, Steve Novak, J.J. Hickson and Chauncey Billups as the players fight to retain their Bird Rights after being waived at various points just prior to and during the 2011/2012 season. Let's catch up on the latest rumors and headlines as reported by Lawrence in his latest offering…
Amico On Bulls, Sloan, Blazers, Crawford
Within the last week, both Sam Smith of Bulls.com and Bradford Doolittle of ESPN.com concocted trade scenarios in which the Bulls acquire Tyreke Evans from the Kings, increasing speculation about such a deal. But Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio hears from multiple sources that there's nothing to the idea, and that it's not something that's being discussed by the two teams. That tidbit comes from Amico's Thursday column, and he's back with another piece today, so let's take a look at the highlights:
Sonny Weems To Return Next Season
According to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (via Twitter), Sonny Weems plans to return to the NBA next season. The 6'6'' shooting guard will be a restricted free agent, and has drawn interest from the Celtics, Pistons, Cavaliers, and Clippers. He last played for the Raptors during the 2010-11 season before signing a one-year deal with Zalgiris Kaunas of the Euroleague during the NBA lockout.