Miami Heat Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Odds & Ends: James, Bowen, Kidd, Lin, Wright

August 21st, 2013 at 9:23pm CST by Alex Lee

After tonight's announcement from the NBA Player's Association, we can officially shut the door on any talk that LeBron James should assume the union's head position. What we don't know about James, however, are his intentions after the upcoming season, when he can opt out of his current deal with the Heat. James kept quiet about his plans on an interview that aired on the new Fox Sports 1 on Tuesday night, writes HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy, who expects James to keep his options open.

Here are some other news and notes from around the league:

The Kings have named Ryan Bowen as an assistant coach and assistant director of player development, the team announced today in a press release. Bowen spent the past two seasons as an assistant with the Nuggets, where he spent two stints as a player. He also played in Houston, New Orleans and Oklahoma City in his NBA playing career.
Jason Kidd is ready to make the transition from player to coach with the Nets, writes Fran Blinebury of NBA.com, who lists Tom Heinsohn, Billy Cunningham and Larry Bird among those who have walked a similar path with success.
Speaking at a youth conference in Taiwan, Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin said he put too much pressure on himself in his first year in Houston and it resulted in his coaches losing faith in him, according to an ESPN news release. Lin will need to rediscover his confidence quickly considering the expectations in Houston this season.
Dorell Wright says his trust in Blazers general manager Neil Olshey was a big factor in his agreement to sign with Portland, writes Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune. Wright said he envisions himself as a bench player, and that he expects the Blazers to vie for a playoff spot.

Eastern Notes: Sanders, Casey, Celtics, Newton

August 21st, 2013 at 5:00pm CST by Luke Adams

In his latest piece for Grantland.com, Zach Lowe explores what Larry Sanders has to do to justify his new, long-term contract with the Bucks. In breaking down Sanders' footwork and positioning on specific plays, Lowe goes much more in-depth than I did when I examined the big man's four-year extension earlier today, but we ultimately reached similar conclusions. Even though Sanders has only had one productive NBA season, I liked the deal for Milwaukee, and Lowe agrees, writing that it "should turn out just fine for the Bucks."

Here's more from around the Eastern Conference:

Even though Dwane Casey is heading into the final year of his deal, the Raptors head coach doesn't intend to "spend a waking moment" worrying about his uncertain long-term contract situation, as he tells Sean Deveney of the Sporting News.
Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld explains how the Celtics/Grizzlies swap of Fab Melo and Donte Greene worked financially, adding that Boston sent $1.66MM in cash to Memphis to complete the deal.
The Celtics also officially finalized their coaching staff today, formally announcing the hirings of assistants Ron Adams, Micah Shrewsberry, and Walter McCarty in a press release.
After some conflicting reports on whether or not Timberwolves president Flip Saunders had interviewed Milt Newton for the team's GM job yet, Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune tweets that Saunders is in Washington today to meet with the Wizards executive.
In today's mailbag for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Ira Winderman addresses the unlikely possibility of a Chris Bosh trade and agrees that the Heat could use another athletic perimeter player.

Southeast Notes: Hawks, Bobcats, Gaddy, Jamison

August 20th, 2013 at 5:01pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Hawks forward Ivan Johnson is weighing offers from overseas clubs but his preference is to hook on with an NBA team. Today, we learned that he has given his American suitors two more weeks to come up with a suitable offer. If they can't come up with something good enough, the forward is reportedly fine with adding another stamp to his lengthy passport. Here's today's news out of the Southeast Division..

The Hawks want to use the Rockets' rebuilding plan without ending up like the Mavericks, writes Sean Deveney of the Sporting News. “We’re well-positioned for many reasons,” Ferry said. “We have good players who will work hard and will be very competitive this year. We have salary-cap flexibility this year, with some space, but also space going forward. We have all our draft choices going forward as well. We have the opportunity to be competitive, but to continue to build on what we’re doing.”
Guard Abdul Gaddy told Percy Allen of the Seattle Times that he has a training camp invite from the Bobcats. The Washington product, who went undrafted in June, was also on Charlotte's summer league squad. In his final year with the Huskies, Gaddy averaged 10.9 PPG, 4.6 APG, and 3.2 RPG.
In today's mailbag, a reader asks Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel if the Heat should go get Antawn Jamison. Winderman feels that they already have a player who offers the same skillset in Rashard Lewis.

Heat Notes: Wade, Oden, Varnado, Bosh

August 19th, 2013 at 8:57am CST by Luke Adams

While Dwyane Wade stressed last week that he expects to remain with the Heat beyond the coming season, it still sounds as if he could exercise his early termination option next summer, as Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes. By opting out, Wade could sign a new deal with the team, potentially for more years or more dollars.

"We’ll see," Wade said of the opt-out. "You have to figure out what’s best for yourself and what’s best for the team and then you come up with that answer."

Here's more on the Heat:

Greg Oden's deal with the Heat was originally reported as having a second-year player option, but was ultimately revealed to just be a one-year pact. Agent Mike Conley tells Jackson that the two sides agreed to modify the agreement since it helps both the team and the player. Miami obviously assumes less risk and doesn't have to pay Oden's full salary, but it also benefits Oden, according to Conley, because of a league ruling involving injury contingency language in his contract.
Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel continues to view Jarvis Varnado as a long shot for Miami's regular season roster, due to the $250K he'll be owed if he remains on the roster by opening night. In Winderman's view, it may make more sense for the club to take a flier on another big man on a fully non-guaranteed contract.
Winderman adds that Varnado could end up on Miami's D-League squad in Sioux Falls if he's cut by the Heat, but notes that it would be far less lucrative for the 25-year-old than a deal overseas.
Within his mailbag, Winderman also shoots down the idea of a potential trade centered around Chris Bosh and LaMarcus Aldridge, rightly pointing out that the Heat aren't about to make huge changes to a roster that has won back-to-back titles.

Odds & Ends: Heat, Jamison, Scott, TPEs

August 18th, 2013 at 9:54pm CST by Zachary Links

Sports, science, and technology are more closely linked than ever before and eight NBA clubs are at the forefront of the latest craze in athletics, writes Jeff Caplan of NBA.com. The Spurs, Mavericks, Rockets, and Knicks plus four other teams that have kept their identities secret have invested in complex GPS tracking devices that track a player's movements to help better protect them. If a player is overexerting themselves – which is the time when injuries typically occur – then his activity can be shut down before anything goes south. Here's tonight's look around the Association..

In today's mailbag, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel points out that the Heat have tons of options if they want to carry more than the minimum of 13 players. Antawn Jamison is available, but he's joined on the open market by fellow veterans such as Lamar Odom, Stephen Jackson, DeShawn Stevenson, and Richard Hamilton.
Hawks forward Mike Scott got a $100K guarantee on his contract when he wasn't waived on/before Thursday. Scott averaged 4.6 PPG in 9.4 MPG for Atlanta last season.
The Thunder didn't make major upgrades this offseason, but that's not a problem at all in the eyes of Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman.
Luke Adams updated the Hoops Rumors' running guide of outstanding trade exceptions. The Celtics and Nuggets have the most to work with of any club.
Do you have what it takes to play in the D-League? Probably not. But you can find out by trying out, as detailed by Keith Schlosser of Ridiculous Upside.

Jarvis Varnado To Remain With Heat

August 18th, 2013 at 10:44am CST by Chuck Myron

A report from Italy this weekend indicated that power forward Jarvis Varnado was close to an agreement with Italy's Sidigas Avellino, but Varnado still expects to take part in training camp with the Heat, agent Mitch Frankel tells Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Twitter link). Miami's brass is pleased with the improvements the 25-year-old is making to his game, Frankel says. Sportando's Emiliano Carchia hears from a source close to Varnado who says that though the Italian team made an offer, the two sides aren't nearing a deal.

Varnado is under a non-guaranteed contract for the minimum salary with the Heat for the coming season. The deal becomes partially guaranteed for $250K if he isn't waived on or before October 29th, but Winderman has heard from agents who've been told the Heat plan to carry only 13 players during the season. The team has 13 guaranteed deals on the books, so that would make Varnado a longshot to make the team. Still, Frankel characterized any dialogue he might have about his client with international teams as routine business for players without guaranteed deals (Twitter link).

The Heat wield the final decision on where Varnado will play this season, regardless of how negotiations proceed between Varnado and any foreign club. Miami signed Varnado to his deal in late January after first inking him to a pair of 10-day contracts. The Mississippi State alum also spent time with the Celtics last season.

Overseas Rumors: Varnado, Smith, Martin, Leslie

August 18th, 2013 at 9:16am CST by Chuck Myron

The international free agent market is still hot, and plenty of players with NBA ties are doing business with clubs from overseas. Here's the latest:

Sidigas Avellino is close to an agreement with Heat big man Jarvis Varnado, the print edition of the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta Dello Sport reports, according to Sportando's Enea Trapani. Varnado is on a non-guaranteed contract with Miami, and with rumors that the Heat will only carry 13 players this year, he appears to be on shaky ground.

Earlier updates:

Nolan Smith was expected to join the Celtics in training camp, but he's signed to play with Cedevita Zagreb, the Croatian team announced on its website (translation via Sportando's Emiliano Carchia).
Cartier Martin is mulling the idea of playing in China, agent Andy Miller tells J. Michael of CSNWashington.com. Martin has spent parts of the last four seasons with the Wizards, but it doesn't look like the team plans to re-sign him.
Former second-round draft pick Travis Leslie has signed with JSF Nanterre of France, the team announced (Twitter link; hat tip to Carchia). Leslie played 10 games with the Clippers in 2011/12. He signed a 10-day contract with the Jazz last season, but he didn't appear in a game for Utah. This week Nanterre also signed Deshaun Thomas, whom the Spurs drafted 58th overall in June).
One-time Kings and Rockets small forward Tyler Honeycutt has officially signed his deal with Ironi Nes Ziona of Israel, Carchia tweets. Sportando contributor David Pick reported a few days ago that the two sides had agreed to a deal.

Heat Rumors: Roster, Oden, D-League, Jones

August 17th, 2013 at 2:29pm CST by Chuck Myron

Greg Oden's discount contract is the latest example of a player willing to make a financial sacrifice to join the Heat, writes Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh set the tone with their deals in 2010, and Oden, Ray Allen and Chris Andersen followed this summer. The loss of a little extra cash or flexibility for Oden, Allen and Andersen means much greater gain for the Heat, who have the luxury tax to worry about. Winderman has more on the champs, as we detail:

Some agents are hearing that the Heat plan to carry only the minimum 13 players this season. That could spell trouble for Jarvis Varnado, whose deal is non-guaranteed for this season, and Eric Griffin, a training camp invitee, since Miami already has 13 guaranteed contracts.
Winderman suggests that the Heat are already thinking of retaining the D-League rights of a few camp cuts — teams are able to do so with three players they let go before the regular season, sparing those guys from the D-League draft. So, perhaps the Heat will make sure Varnado and Griffin wind up with their affiliate in Sioux Falls.
The revelation this week that Oden's deal doesn't include a second season means the Heat only have to pay him the two-year veterans minimum, instead of the five-year veterans minimum, with the league compensating Oden for the difference. That's a $143,131 difference for Miami, an amount that will be magnified when it's subtracted from the team's tax bill at the end of the season.
Even if James Jones doesn't wind up running for union president, a candidacy that LeBron would reportedly get behind, he'll remain secretary-treasurer for another three years, since his term isn't expiring, Winderman points out.
Just how steep a paycut Wade and Bosh are willing to take in their next deals, if they're willing to take paycuts at all, will be a central question for the Heat going forward, as Winderman opines in his latest mailbag column.

Southeast Notes: Harrington, Vesely, Wade

August 16th, 2013 at 11:45am CST by Zachary Links

Dwyane Wade and his Big Three cohorts can opt out of their deals with the Heat in the summer of 2014, but the 31-year-old reiterated yesterday that he isn’t going anywhere. The veteran will be able to resume activity this week after undergoing treatment for tendinitis in his knees, which will be critical to his basketball future for this season and beyond. Here’s the latest out of the Southeast..

The Wizards‘ signing of Al Harrington undoubtedly strengthens the club, but it could also hurt the development of 2011 first-round picks Jan Vesely and Chris Singleton, notes J. Michael of CSNWashington.com. Vesely could see minutes at center, but he’ll have to jockey with Kevin Seraphin for time. Meanwhile, Singleton could slide down to the three spot, but he’ll need to shoot better than the 38.2% he put up last year.
Wade hopes that this season will see his role increase, despite his health issues, according to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel (via Twitter).
More from Winderman, who writes in today’s mailbag that he could see Juwan Howard transition into a coaching or developmental role when his career is through.

Eastern Notes: Wade, George, 76ers

August 15th, 2013 at 10:05pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Heat superstar Dwyane Wade, like teammate LeBron James, can potentially opt out next summer and become a free agent, but told reporters on Thursday that there really isn't much to make of it right now and made it clear about where he stood: "Everyone knows where I want to be…That's what it's all about to me, is making sure we focus on this season, winning this championship…I want to be in Miami and I have nothing else to talk about. So there won't be (any) exciting news over here" (Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel). Wade also touches upon his health and is excited about the addition of center Greg Oden. Here's more out of the Eastern Conference tonight:

Pacers' swingman Paul George is ready to lead Indiana as the team's "No. 1 guy" (Michael Pointer of the Indianapolis Star).
Despite the thought that the 76ers could trade Thaddeus Young, Evan Turner, or Spencer Hawes if the right deal presents itself, newly hired head coach Brett Brown raved about what each of them can bring to the court for him (Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer).
Knicks head coach Mike Woodson specifically mentioned Raymond Felton, Tyson Chandler, and Carmelo Anthony when asked about his starting five for next season, but was non-committal when asked if third-year guard Iman Shumpert would be included in that group at shooting guard, notes ESPN New York's Ian Begley. With that being said, Begley suggests that Woodson may look to continue starting Pablo Prigioni alongside Felton while sliding Shumpert to small forward and offers more thoughts on the rest of the team's rotation.
ESPN Boston's Chris Forsberg rounds up a few predictions from the Celtics blogging community on how the 2013-14 season will play out, and the majority appears to imagine a finish anywhere in or between the ninth and twelfth seeds in the Eastern Conference.
John Schuhmann of NBA.com thinks the Wizards are primed for a playoff run this year.