Orlando Magic Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Odds & Ends: Shaq, Wilkerson, Vaughn

August 30th, 2012 at 7:17pm CST by Ryan Raroque

The Lakers will retire Shaquille O'Neal's #34 jersey on April 2nd at Staples Center before the team faces the Mavericks, tweets Kevin Ding of The Orange County Register. He adds that the team will also retire center Jamaal Wilkes' #52 jersey on December 28. Also, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's statue will be unveiled on November 16, according to Ding (via Twitter). Here's what else we're hearing from the NBA this evening…

Tyler Wilkerson has received an offer to attend training camp with the Spurs after a standout performance with their summer league team, says Dan McCarney of Spurs Nation. McCarney cited a tweet from NBA agent Seth A. Cohen for making the announcement.
John Denton of NBA.com highlights Magic head coach Jacque Vaughn as he prepares for his first season with Orlando and obtains some thoughts regarding his newly hired assistant coaches.
According to an ESPN.com survey of "100 of ESPN's best basketball minds", the Lakers received 56 votes and the Thunder finished with 42 on the topic of who will be the Western Conference champions this year.
Moke Hamilton of SheridanHoops.com reviewed a list of the remaining NBA teams with cap and trade exceptions.
Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio doesn't think that the Cavaliers are actively trying to move Daniel Gibson, contrary to what other rumblings might suggest (Twitter link). In a separate tweet, he asserts that Kyrie Irving is ahead of his recovery schedule and should be ready by training camp on October 1.
Head coach Doug Collins likes the pieces that the 76ers have heading into training camp and is excited to start work, writes Marc Narducci of Philly.com.

Magic Hire Unseld, Profit, Stuckey As Assistants

August 30th, 2012 at 11:53am CST by Michael Pina

AUGUST 30TH, 11:53am: The Magic have hired Laron Profit and Luke Stuckey as assistants, filling out the team's coaching staff, tweets Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel. Profit and Stuckey join Unseld Jr., James Borrego, and Brett Gunning on head coach Jacque Vaughn's staff.

AUGUST 24TH, 5:25pm: Wes Unseld Jr., son of Hall of Fame player Wes Unseld, will move from the Warriors to the Magic, where he'll assume an assistant coach position on Jacque Vaughn's new staff, reports CSNBayArea.com. Unseld spent last season in Golden State, and the previous 13 on the Wizards bench.

Warriors GM Bob Myers indicated that the team would replace Unseld Jr. by either promoting someone from within the organization, or hiring a new name from the outside. Earlier this week, Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel tweeted that Unseld Jr. was a candidate for an assistant coaching position on the Magic staff.

Kyler On Harrington, Thomas, Gibson, Calderon

August 30th, 2012 at 9:27am CST by Luke Adams

Sources close to the Magic deny that Al Harrington was included in this month's Dwight Howard blockbuster as a throw-in, according to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld. However, Kyler still believes the Magic will explore the possibility of moving Harrington and his contract before the trade deadline. Harrington has three years remaining on his deal, but the last two are only partially guaranteed, and he's still a serviceable player, so Orlando could find a taker. Here are the rest of Kyler's Thursday morning updates on players that may be on the move prior to the trade deadline:

According to Kyler, the Bobcats are hoping new coach Mike Dunlap can reach Tyrus Thomas in a way that Paul Silas couldn't. Thomas' contract still looks like an albatross though, and the Bobcats would likely move it in a minute if they could find a taker.
While Kyler hears a handful of teams have been in contact with Cleveland about Daniel Gibson, the Cavs deny they're shopping the guard.
The Raptors haven't been able to find a deal they like for Jose Calderon to date, but as February's deadline approaches, the Spaniard may turn into a more viable trade chip, as his contract nears its end.
Larry Sanders could be on the trade block for the Bucks, who acquired Samuel Dalembert and Ekpe Udoh, re-signed Ersan Ilyasova, and drafted John Henson within the last few months.
Kevin Martin and the Rockets and Corey Maggette of the Pistons figure to be trade candidates this season, as veterans with $10MM+ expiring contracts.
The Spurs are expected to continue trying to find a trade partner for DeJuan Blair, but his health history raises some red flags for rival clubs.

Odds & Ends: Pacers, Patterson, Evans, Lakers

August 29th, 2012 at 11:10pm CST by Chuck Myron

This year's Hall of Fame induction takes place a week from Saturday, and as Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com writes, the list of presenters, led by Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, threatens to overshadow the inductees, headlined by Reggie Miller. The figures who'll be enshrined are not without their accomplishments, however, and among them is Don Nelson, the NBA's all-time winningest coach. Nelson recently spoke about a missed opportunity to take over as coach of the Celtics in 1983, the origins of his trademark small-ball style, and how his relationship with Sarunas Marciulionis changed the way he coached. Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com has the details, and we've got more from around the Association:

The Pacers promoted Peter Dinwiddie, the team's director of basketball administration, vice president of basketball operations, the Associated Press reports (via ESPN.com). Dinwiddie will assist GM Kevin Pritchard and team president Donnie Walsh.
Rockets power forward Patrick Patterson says he's ready to assume a leadership role for the team after all the roster turnover this offseason, and talks about the influence of Luis Scola with Jason Friedman of Rockets.com.
SheridanHoops.com founder Chris Sheridan believes the development of Isaiah Thomas and the signing of Aaron Brooks signal that Tyreke Evans and the Kings will soon part ways.
The Lakers' acquisition of Dwight Howard has been the story of the summer, but if his back won't allow him to start the season on time, the team will have some lineup shuffling to do, writes Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Times.
Blazers Wesley Matthews and Elliot Williams, who have both spent the summer recovering from injuries, are ready to go for training camp, notes Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge.
Former first-round draft choice Reece Gaines has given up his pursuit of a return to the NBA and will be an assistant coach at Bellarmine University, an NCAA Division II school, Michael Grant of the Courier-Journal reports. Gaines was the 15th overall pick of the 2003 draft by the Magic, but appeared in only 71 NBA games, the last of which was in 2005/06 with the Bucks.

Southeast Notes: Heat, Chalmers, Webster, Howard

August 29th, 2012 at 8:09pm CST by Luke Adams

The Lakers may have made the bigger offseason splash, but executives around the NBA still view the Heat as the most dangerous team heading into the 2012/13 season, according to SI.com's Sam Amick. Of the 19 execs, including 10 GMs, asked by Amick to pick their favorites for the 2013 title, 15 chose the Heat, with two opting for the Lakers and two naming the Thunder. We've heard a lot about Southeast Division teams today, so we'll round it all up here, with the latest on top:

Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel doesn't think the Heat are quite as willing to trade for a point guard as they were last year (Sulia link). He says he's seen reports that the Wolves might be looking to deal someone from their backcourt, and though we haven't heard anything specific, Darren Wolfson of ESPN Radio 1500 reported earlier that Minnesota is attempting to work out a trade to free cap room for Anthony Tolliver.
Mario Chalmers, whose continued development has apparently impressed his bosses with the Heat, sees himself among the league's elite point guards, but that might be stretching it a bit, as Winderman writes.
Michael Lee of The Washington Post has more on Martell Webster's signing with the Wizards, which became official today. Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld hopes Webster can improve the team's outside shooting, but Webster, who sees himself as "more of an all-around player," doesn't want to be typecast as a three-point specialist.
Dwight Howard's decision to fly to China for a promotional appearance two weeks after saying his injured back would not allow him to travel to Orlando for his children's basketball camp in Orlando is another sign the former Magic center wanted out of town all along, opines Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.

Earlier reports:

Shane Battier tells Andrew Beaton of The Chronicle (Duke's student newspaper) that he'd love to recruit former Duke players for the Heat: "We’ve got a pretty full roster, so we didn’t recruit any Duke guys this summer. But, if the opportunity arises, I won’t be afraid to make a phone call."
Newest Wizard Martell Websterspoke to WashingtonWizards.com about signing with Washington and what he expects to bring to the team.
Dwyane Wade has returned to the court for the first time since undergoing knee surgery, as Winderman writes.
In examining four teams he believes are "set up to fail" in the 2012/13 season, Derek Page of HoopsWorld names two Southeast squads: The Bobcats and the Magic.

Magic, Mavs Had Interest In Vorontsevich

August 28th, 2012 at 8:36am CST by Luke Adams

Back in June, reports surfaced suggesting that the Thunder may have reached a verbal agreement with Russian forward Andrey Vorontsevich. However, last month, CSKA Moscow announced that Vorontsevich decided not to use his NBA opt-out and would remain in Russia for the coming season.

Evan Dunlap of Orlando Pinstriped Post passes along a story from Basketnews.lt that indicates the Thunder weren't the only team interested in luring Vorontsevich stateside — according to the report, the Magic and Mavs had interest in the 25-year-old as well. Vorontsevich is entering the second year of a three-year contract with CSKA Moscow, so he could consider his NBA options again in the summer of 2014, or even in 2013, if his deal allows him the opportunity to opt out again next summer.

As part of a statement released last month when he made his decision to remain in Russia, the longtime CSKA Moscow forward said: "I am glad to see the interest from NBA clubs but I think it is better for me from professional point of view to stay with CSKA."

Latest On Durant, Lakers, Magic

August 26th, 2012 at 6:29pm CST by Sean Highkin

Ever since the Lakers traded for Steve Nash and Dwight Howard earlier this offseason, many have been projecting them to reach the 2013 Finals and even win the title. However, this is being taken as a slight by Kevin Durant and the defending Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Here are Durant's thoughts on the newly retooled Lakers, as well as some early speculation about Durant's own free agency:

Durant told Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports that he understands why the Lakers are receiving the majority of the offseason buzz: "People outside, fans, media, of course they are going to say [the Lakers are the favorites] because on paper they have the best lineup in the league. But you still got to play the games. We respect everybody. We are going to go through the league respecting everybody as well. We already view ourselves as an elite team, but we have to prove it again. Last year is over with."
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel wonders whether the Magic plan to eventually target Durant, who is scheduled to hit free agency following the 2015/16 season.

Odds & Ends: LeBron, Charles Oakley, Drew Viney

August 26th, 2012 at 11:53am CST by Daniel Seco

Today will forever be remembered for Dwight Howard breaking his self-imposed Twitter ban after 127 days. Howard didn't have anything groundbreaking to offer in his first tweet as he merely reminded the rest of the world why living in Los Angeles is hardly a bad thing. Let's take a look at the latest news and stories making headlines from around the league…

Before Howard made his return to Twitter this morning, LeBron James was up early conducting an impromptu question-and-answer session with his fans, writes Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Topics ranged from James' receding hairline to his love for Ohio State and Florida State football. Winderman believes James hasn't yet adjusted to being back in the United States after spending time in London as well as China.
Retired big man Charles Oakley says the Magic failed to put Howard in "time-out" and let the young superstar dictate his own future, according to Matt Moore of Pro Basketball Talk. "A lot of guys cry in this league these days. I try not to get caught up in that. The management in Orlando let him get away with it. Most times, they put kids in timeout. They never put him in timeout. He just kept crying and got his way. Now he’s in LA with Kobe so they got a chance to win a couple championships in the next two or three years."
Heat summer league prospect Drew Viney has signed with Asseco Prokom in Poland according to Euroleague.net, tweets Winderman. The former Loyola Marymount star enjoyed a strong summer with Miami as he averaged 9.5 PPG and 5.5 RPG in four contests.

Odds & Ends: Griffin, Sacks, Harden, Davis, Nash

August 25th, 2012 at 5:00pm CST by Chuck Myron

Blake Griffin believes the Clippers have become a "free agent destination," and he thinks player personnel director Gary Sacks is the right man to pursue them from the GM's chair, according to comments he made to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. Sacks, along with team president Andy Roeser and coach Vinny Del Negro, have shared the GM duties since Neil Olshey jumped to the Blazers, but Griffin made it clear which one he wants to assume the job full-time. "With the moves that the front office made — and now with Gary Sacks, who hopefully steps into that GM role — that made it easy for me and I think this is the place where everybody wants to come," Griffin said. "I think Gary has a great relationship with all the players and the players like him. If he is finally named GM, I think that's just the icing on the cake of having a franchise that is complete." We've got more weekend rumblings right here:

James Harden believes Serge Ibaka deserved his four-year extension from the Thunder, and while saying he's unsure if he and the team will reach a similar accord this summer, Harden expressed a desire to stay in Oklahoma City, where he feels at home with his teammates, as he told the Spanish website Marca.com (translation via HoopsHype).
Hornets No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis dishes about his time with the U.S. Olympic team, his similarities to Kevin Garnett, and his thoughts on playing with Eric Gordon in a Q&A with Joe Brescia of The New York Times.
Doug Smith of the Toronto Star examines the relationship between Lakers point guard Steve Nash and Blazers assistant coach Jay Triano, who are teaming up to lead the Canadian national team as GM and head coach, respectively.
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel looks at whether it's worth it for the Magic to wait to make a big splash in free agency until 2016, when Kevin Durant becomes a free agent. Putting aside the connection Durant has with Magic GM and former Thunder executive Rob Hennigan, that seems like an awfully long time to wait.

Odds & Ends: Magic, Wallace, McCants, Johnson

August 24th, 2012 at 1:47pm CST by Luke Adams

Let's round up a few Friday afternoon odds and ends from around the NBA….

The Magic will hire former Hornets assistant James Borrego as an assistant coach for the coming year, according to an Associated Press report (link via The Sporting News).
In a piece for the Detroit Free Press, Patrick Hayes of PistonPowered wonders if it makes sense for the Pistons to clear a roster spot to bring back Ben Wallace. That, of course, assumes that Wallace wants to continue his playing career.
Former UNC star and NBA lottery pick Rashad McCants failed his physical with French team SIG Strasbourg, as Emiliano Carchia of Sportando writes. Strasbourg was set to sign McCants, but will now take another look at the market for other options.
Joe Johnson talked to SI.com's Zach Lowe about finding out about being traded to the Nets, the team's expectations for 2012/13, and his contract.
The Warriors have hired Ellen Warner as the team's VP of Development, according to a team release. Warner will oversee planning, design, and construction of the club's proposed San Francisco arena.