Orlando Magic Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Rockets Reconstruct Trade Offer For Howard

July 13th, 2012 at 11:35am CST by Luke Adams

11:35am: Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle tweets that he doesn't believe last year's rookies (Morris, Parsons) and this year's three draftees (Lamb, White, Jones) are all a part of the Rockets' offer, but that many of them could be involved.

7:43am: In an effort to convince the Magic to deal Dwight Howard directly to Houston, the Rockets are in the process of reconstructing their trade proposal for the star center, according to an ESPN.com report by Marc Stein and Chad Ford. Stein and Ford write that the Rockets are looking to clear the necessary cap space to absorb at least three additional contracts in addition to Howard's, from a group that includes Hedo Turkoglu, Chris Duhon, Glen Davis, and Jason Richardson.

Odds & Ends: Lorbek, Magic, Mavs, Nash

July 13th, 2012 at 9:56am CST by Luke Adams

Although the Spurs will bring one international prospect stateside this season, having signed Nando De Colo to a contract, another of the team's top international players doesn't appear headed for San Antonio. Spanish club Regal Barcelona announced today that they have re-signed Erazem Lorbek to a three-year deal to remain with the team (English translation via Emiliano Carchia of Sportando). The Spurs, who hold Lorbek's NBA rights, were said earlier this offseason to be "very close" to a deal with the Slovenian forward, so it's a little surprising to see him re-up with Regal Barcelona.

Let's round up a few more Friday morning odds and ends….

Dwight Howard Rumors: Thursday

July 12th, 2012 at 10:52pm CST by Luke Adams

While reports yesterday suggested that the Magic had suspended Dwight Howard trade talks while they search for a new head coach, it appears the team is still willing to listen to new offers. However, those offers likely won't be coming from the Nets for a while. After Brooklyn agreed to re-sign Brook Lopez to a four-year, maximum-salary contract, it took the team's top trade chip from the trade block until at least January 15th, at which point he's eligible to be traded again. Who knows if Howard will still be in Orlando by that point, but here's the latest on the Magic's star center:

Although Howard remains Houston's number one priority, Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld tweeted earlier that acquiring Andrew Bynum in a three-way deal with Orlando and the Lakers is the designated back up plan.
Interestingly enough, ESPN's Marc Stein retweeted a follower who recognized that the Rockets' official Twitter account decided to follow Dwight Howard, Chris Duhon, Glen Davis, and Jason Richardson as of tonight.
John Denton of NBA.com says that according to GM Rob Hennigan, there is nothing imminent in Howard trade talks.

Earlier updates:

Jerry Sloan Withdraws Interest In Trail Blazers

July 12th, 2012 at 7:07pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Nearly a day after interviewing for Portland's coaching position with GM Neil Olshey, Jerry Sloan decided to remove himself from the Trail Blazers' list of coaching candidates (Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida reports). Although he declined to give reasons why the job no longer interested him, Sloan conceded that "it just didn't work out on my part" during a phone interview.

Kyler On Calderon, Howard, Blair, Augustin

July 12th, 2012 at 10:30am CST by Luke Adams

Jose Calderon's name has surfaced as a possible amnesty candidate a few times this offseason, but according to Raptors president Bryan Colangelo, the team doesn't expect to amnesty Calderon or anyone else this week. While Colangelo acknowledged that Calderon wasn't "thrilled" about the trade that brought Kyle Lowry to Toronto, he still views him as a valuable piece on the roster, as Eric Koreen of the National Post writes. Colangelo confirmed that a few teams have inquired on Calderon, and Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld writes that a trade is much more likely than an amnesty. Here are a few more notes from Kyler's HoopsWorld piece:

Latest On Magic Coaching Search

July 11th, 2012 at 10:31pm CST by Chuck Myron

With the Nets, who had been the leading contenders for Dwight Howard, out of trade talks for now following the re-signing of Brook Lopez, the team has begun to focus on its head coaching search. Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports former Pistons coach and current Sixers assistant Michael Curry has been added to the list of candidates for the position.

Magic Suspend Dwight Howard Trade Talks

July 11th, 2012 at 9:38pm CST by Luke Adams

9:38pm: A compelling reason the Rockets, Warriors and Hawks may take on Howard without knowing whether he'll re-sign is the possibility of flipping him to the Nets, says Chris Mannix of SI.com (Twitter links). The Rockets' continued pursuit of Howard has no bearing on their offer sheet to Omer Asik, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune hears (Twitter link).

3:55pm: While the Magic appear to be putting Howard talks on the backburner for now, a source tells Ken Berger of CBSSports.com that Orlando would listen if the Nets (and presumably any other team) came forward with new proposals.

3:44pm: While Hennigan refused to share the specifics of the conversation he had with Howard today, both Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld and Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM.com hear that the GM told Howard: "Sorry, we tried" (Twitter links). Based on Hennigan's comments and various reports, it's clear Howard won't be dealt to the Nets, at least until January 15th. The star center could still be dealt this offseason, though the Magic GM acknowledged that D12 could open the season in Orlando.

3:13pm: Speaking to the media this afternoon, Hennigan said it's "not accurate" that the Magic have suspended trade talks, adding that the team is leaving every door open. However, the Magic GM seemed to at least acknowledge that a deal with the Nets looks very unlikely. He also said he spoke to Howard earlier today, though he declined to share the specifics (all four Twitter links).

2:46pm: The Magic have informed Dwight Howard that they are suspending trade talks involving him, reports Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM.com (via Twitter). According to Rudolph, GM Rob Hennigan told Howard that the team tried to make a deal, but didn't find one that Hennigan and the front office felt met the Magic's needs (Twitter link). The club will now focus on finding its new head coach.

If the Magic are done exploring a Howard trade for the time being, it almost certainly removes the Nets from the equation. Brooklyn is said to be closing in on a new contract for Brook Lopez, which would mean the center, who is the Nets' primary trade chip, couldn't be moved until at least January 15th.

The Magic were also reportedly in talks with the Lakers, Rockets, and Hawks, and it's not clear if or when the club will re-open discussions on Howard. As Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel points out (via Twitter), despite the bad blood between Howard and the Magic, Orlando would still love to have him back for next season.

As for the Magic's coaching search, Lindsey Hunter, Mike Malone, Brian Shaw, Jacque Vaughn, and Jeff Hornacek are all thought to be candidates for the opening, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.

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Rockets Consider Using Amnesty On Luis Scola

July 11th, 2012 at 9:12pm CST by Chuck Myron

While an earlier report suggested the Rockets are trying to trade Luis Scola to clear space for a Dwight Howard deal, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle says the team is considering using the amnesty clause on him, likely within the next 48 hours. Scola is set to make close to $8.6MM next year, and has another guaranteed year worth $10.2MM after that. He also has a non-guaranteed $11MM season tacked on the end of his deal.

Trade talks between the Magic and the Rockets grew "serious" Wednesday before the Magic backed off, Feigen writes. The Rockets will be careful to preserve assets conducive to a deal as they pursue free agents like Aaron Brooks and others.

Nets Sign Brook Lopez To Four-Year Extension

July 11th, 2012 at 8:33pm CST by Chuck Myron

8:33pm: Howard Beck of the New York Times has the details on Lopez's contract, which includes a player option in the fourth year. Lopez will get $13.668MM for the coming season, $14.694MM in 2013/14, $15.719MM in 2014/15 and, the option is for $16.774MM in 2015/16. (Twitter links)

7:47pm: The Nets have announced the contract is official, via Twitter.

Nets, Hawks Finalize Joe Johnson Deal

July 11th, 2012 at 5:03pm CST by Chuck Myron

JULY 11, 5:03pm: The deal is now official, according to a press release by the Nets.

JULY 11, 4:40pm: Nets GM Billy King posted "Welcome Joe Johnson" on his Twitter account, presumably meaning the trade has been finalized.

JULY 2, 4:51pm: DeShawn Stevenson's sign-and-trade deal that puts him on the Hawks is for three years and $6.9MM, but only the first year, at $2.3MM, is guaranteed, Chad Ford of ESPN.com reports via Twitter.

4:39pm: Wojnarowski now says the deal likely happens regardless of where Deron Williams signs (Twitter link).

4:18pm: The Nets and Hawks have agreed to terms on a trade that would send Joe Johnson to Brooklyn, tweets Chris Broussard of ESPN.com, who says the deal is contingent on Deron Williams agreeing to return to the Nets. However, David Aldridge of TNT says the Nets would agree to the deal regardless of Williams' status (Twitter link). Broussard adds that the deal would put the Nets out of the running of Dwight Howard, as it wouldn't leave enough cap room.