Miami Heat Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Southeast Notes: Clifford, Haywood, Hamilton

March 14th, 2014 at 9:43pm CST by Cray Allred

In an interview with Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, Bobcats coach Steve Clifford discusses player development, culture change, defensive difficulties, and more in Charlotte. Here’s more from the Southeast Division:

Clifford assumes that Bobcats backup center Brendan Haywood will miss the rest of the season, he tells The Charlotte Observer. “I just think it will be difficult,” for him to play this season, Clifford said. “Even if he progressed to the point where he could get on the floor, it’s been a long time and he’s a big man. It’s hard to be out that long and get your rhythm to play.”
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says Miami moved quickly to sign Justin Hamilton as soon as he became available in order to add some balance that was lost when they traded away Joel Anthony, per Joseph Goodman of The Miami Herald (Twitter links). Hamilton agreed to a two-year contract with the Heat earlier today.
The Heat were impressed with Hamilton this past summer, and considered him for their 15-day roster before the big man broke his nose in the preseason, Goodman writes.

Heat Sign Justin Hamilton

March 14th, 2014 at 1:30pm CST by Zachary Links

1:30pm: It’s a two-year deal containing guarantee dates for next season, league sources tell RealGM’s Shams Charania (on Twitter).

1:25pm: Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter) hears Hamilton has been signed for the remainder of the season and not a 10-day deal.

12:18pm: The Heat have signed former second-round pick Justin Hamilton to a 10-day contract, tweets Brian Windhorst of ESPN. Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reported yesterday that Miami had their eye on the big man.

Hamilton, a 7’0″ LSU product, just wrapped up a 10-day deal with the Bobcats and saw a grand total of four minutes on the court. Before that, he was with the Sioux Falls SkyForce of the D-League and averaged 19.3 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.5 APG, and 2 BPG in 35.2 MPG over 37 games.

The soon-to-be 24-year-old was drafted in the second-round in 2012 by the Sixers and subsequently traded to the Heat for the rights to Arnett Moultrie. The Heat then waived Hamilton back in October of 2013, but today’s move brings him full circle, at least for a week and change.

Heat Release DeAndre Liggins

March 14th, 2014 at 1:22pm CST by Zachary Links

The Heat have released DeAndre Liggins, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The move will make space for Justin Hamilton, whom the Heat just signed to a 10-day pact.

Liggins signed consecutive 10-day contracts with the Heat and his second deal was set to expire on March 18th. The wing appeared in 39 games with the Thunder last year, after playing in 17 contests with the Magic in his 2011/12 rookie season. However, the Thunder cut ties with him after some legal troubles came up. The Heat decided to pick him up earlier this month after those charges were reduced.

Eastern Notes: Jackson, McRoberts, Hamilton

March 13th, 2014 at 7:14pm CST by Alex Lee

As Ric Bucher and Howard Beck of Bleacher Report discuss, it is impossible for the Knicks or anyone else to predict the success that Phil Jackson will have as team president because he simply has no track record in an NBA front office. While Beck speculates that Jackson’s guidance could have the same positive effect on Carmelo Anthony that it did on Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, Bucher points out that the NBA’s resident Zen Master has never had the best relationship with agents.

Let’s take a look at what else is happening around the Eastern Conference tonight:

The underpaid Josh McRoberts has the ability to opt out of his two-year deal and become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, writes Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer, who adds that the Bobcats value the Duke product and should do everything they can to retain him.
Bonnell also confirms that the Bobcats worked out a group of players on Thursday, as we heard yesterday. While it doesn’t sound like he thinks the team have anything notable planned, Bonnell points out the forthcoming expiration of Justin Hamilton‘s 10-day contract and mentions the Heat as possible suitors for the 7-foot LSU product should Charlotte let him walk (via Twitter).
Bucks head coach Larry Drew indicated today that a decision has yet to be made on whether or not the team will sign Tony Mitchell to a second 10-day contract, tweets Charles Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The Bucks initially added Mitchell from the Fort Wayne Mad Ants on March 4.

Bobcats To Work Out Players For Possible 10-Day

March 13th, 2014 at 3:40pm CST by Eddie Scarito

THURSDAY, 3:40pm: NBA free agent Chris Johnson is part of the workout session today, league sources tell Shams Charania of RealGM (on Twitter).

WEDNESDAY, 7:19pm: The Bobcats plan to work out Ike Diogu, Mickell Gladness, and Denzel Bowles on Thursday for a possible 10-day contract, reports Shams Charania of RealGM.com (Twitter link). The Bobcats currently have 15 players on the roster, so someone would need to be released. It’s possible they could let go of Justin Hamilton to make space when his 10-day contract expires tomorrow.

Diogu has been playing with Bakersfield in the NBA D-League. In 30 games he is averaging 16.7 PPG, 9.3 RPG, and 1.4 APG in 30.2 MPG. The 6’8″ forward was taken in the first-round of the 2005 draft by the Warriors. He last saw NBA action during the 2011/12 season with the Spurs. His career numbers are 6.0 PPG, and 3.1 RPG over 12.4 MPG.

Gladness went undrafted in 2008 and has been playing for Reno in the D-League this season. His numbers in 30 games are 8.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 0.5 APG in 24.2 MPG. The 6’11” center saw limited NBA action during the 2011/2012 season with the Heat and the Warriors.

Bowles, a 6’10” center who averaged 26.0 PPG and 9.0 RPG in the Chinese Basketball Association this season, is seen as a talented project, according to Charania. Bowles also has received interest from the Heat per Charania’s sources.

And-Ones: LeBron, Embiid, Diawara, Johnson

March 10th, 2014 at 9:47pm CST by Zachary Links

There has been some chatter that former GM Chris Grant could have been the key to bringing LeBron James back to the Cavs but that is nothing more than a tall tale, writes
Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio. If Grant had a grand plan to bring LeBron back to Cleveland, Amico surmises, then he probably would have made that known to owner Dan Gilbert . Here’s tonight’s look around the Association..

Top draft prospect Joel Embiid will miss the Big 12 Tournament thanks to a back injury and at least one GM believes that it’s now a three-horse race for the No. 1 pick, tweets Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com.
Yakhouba Diawara officially parted ways with French team Gravelines-Dunkerque, writes Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. The French forward was averaging 11.9 PPG and 3.5 RPG in Pro A and 12.9 PPG in Eurocup. The four-year NBA veteran last appeared in the league with the Heat in 2010.
Undrafted forward Karron Johnson has signed a contract in the NBA D-League, a source tells Shams Charania of RealGM (on Twitter). Johnson, a product of Shaw University (Division II), left his Polish team last week.
Thanks to the tremendous play of Al Jefferson, the extraordinary coaching of Steve Clifford, and the impressive development of Kemba Walker, the Bobcats have positioned themselves in the playoff hunt, writes Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders.

Eastern Notes: Bradley, Bynum, Liggins

March 9th, 2014 at 8:01pm CST by Zachary Links

Celtics guard Avery Bradley missed 32 games last season recovering from shoulder surgery and 16 this season with an ankle injury, but he’s not worried about that affecting his value as he nears restricted free agency, writes Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. “I think I’ve [proven my worth] throughout this year because you can’t really control something like [the ankle],” he said. “But the last 16 games or whatever that I come back, I am going to go out there and play hard. This is a game I love to play. We need to go out there and prove to our fans and to ourselves we’re going to fight no matter what.” More out of the East..

Pacers big man Andrew Bynum says he’s “probably at 80% but good enough to go,” tweets Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star. Even if Bynum isn’t 100%, it sounds like he’ll be making his Pacers debut sometime soon.
DeAndre Liggins played for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the D-League today and will rejoin the Heat in time for Miami game Monday night, tweets Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel. Liggins who was signed to a second 10-day contract on March 8th, has appeared in one game for Miami, scoring two points and grabbing one rebound. The Heat confirmed the news via press release.
The Raptors announced that they have recalled rookie Dwight Buycks from the Bakersfield Jam. The guard is averaging 15.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 28.8 minutes in eight games (two starts) with the Jam. Buycks has appeared in 13 games for the Raptors this season recording 41 points, 10 assists, 20 rebounds and six steals in 124 minutes.

Eddie Scarito contributed to this post.

Cavs Believe They Can Land LeBron

March 9th, 2014 at 6:30pm CST by Zachary Links

It may seem like a long shot, but the 24-40 Cavaliers believe that they can still lure LeBron James back to Cleveland, writes Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon-Journal. The Cavs made sure to schedule Zydrunas Ilgauskas‘ retirement on a night that the Heat had off and the club used the event as a chance to try and pluck at LeBron’s heartstrings.

Lloyd notes that the Cavs still have the assets to pull off a mammoth trade this summer at the draft and get another star to entice James. Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge will be entering the final years of their contracts and if the Timberwolves or Trail Blazers come to the conclusion they can’t re-sign their stars, this summer is the time to move them. If they’re available, the Cavs will be at the front of the line with young players and future draft picks. It all sounds like fantasy, but as Lloyd rightfully notes, the fact James could listen to a speech from Dan Gilbert in person just three-and-a-half years after The Decision and its aftermath is remarkable.

Meanwhile, Ilgauskas could be on his way out of Cleveland. It’s an open secret that Ilgauskas is unhappy with his role in the front office and while he’s technically an assistant to the General Manager, the GM who he was working under is no longer with the club.

Knicks Notes: Jackson, James, Dolan

March 9th, 2014 at 8:42am CST by Eddie Scarito

With all the speculation regarding where Carmelo Anthony will end up next season, it’s removing a bit of the focus from what LeBron James intends to do this summer. Sam Smith of of Bulls.com thinks that James will end up in New York alongside ‘Melo. Smith cites LeBron’s desire to solidify his legacy, which winning in New York would greatly enhance. The article also breaks down potential superstar running mates for James, and Anthony makes the most sense, according to Smith. The need for LeBron to find a new running mate is due to Dwyane Wade‘s declining health, and the likelihood that Chris Bosh will sign elsewhere after the season, opines Smith. To make this pairing happen, LeBron would have to stay in Miami for one more season, then jump to the Knicks in 2015 when they will have enough free cap space to sign him.

More out of New York:

Phil Jackson is being touted as the Knicks’ next franchise savior. He should think twice before accepting the job, writes Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News. Lupica cites owner James Dolan’s unwillingness to step back and allow his basketball people to do their job unhindered. The article illustrates this trend by examining the tenure of Donnie Walsh, who was also hailed as being the one to turn around the Knicks fortunes. Walsh left the team after being frustrated by Dolan’s constant interference.
Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com looks at why it would be better for the Knicks if Jackson didn’t return to coaching and limited his involvement to the front office.
Quite a few people believe that Phil Jackson shouldn’t return to the sidelines, and Charley Rosen of Sheridan Hoops is one of them. Rosen believes the Knicks might be Jackson’s best opportunity to return to the game, but also thinks his ideal situation would be to hold out for a similar front office position with the Clippers, especially if the team disappoints in this year’s playoffs.

Heat Re-Sign DeAndre Liggins

March 8th, 2014 at 2:15pm CST by Cray Allred

2:15pm: The signing is official the team has announced via Twitter.

11:33am: The Heat will sign DeAndre Liggins to a second 10-day contract, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN (via Twitter). The 25-year-old wing played just one minute in a single game for the Heat during his first 10-day deal, scoring 2 points and grabbing a rebound against the Bobcats.

Liggins signed with the Heat last Tuesday, after criminal charges that played a hand in his pre-training camp release from the Thunder were reduced. Liggins appeared in 39 games with the Thunder last year, after playing in 17 contests with the Magic in his 2011/12 rookie season. Before joining the Heat, he had averaged 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 40.4 minutes per game for their D-League affiliate in Sioux Falls.

This will be the Creative Arts Agency client‘s final audition for Miami, who must either sign him for the remainder of the season or let him go at the end of this second 10-day agreement.

Eddie Scarito contributed to this post.