Central Notes: Pacers, Villanueva, Jaric, Pargo
As the Cavs reportedly put the finishing touches on a training-camp contract for Kevin Anderson, their division rivals are staying active as well. Here's the latest on a few Central Division teams:
- Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star examines the Pacers' final couple roster spots, predicting that Sam Young will earn one, while Blake Ahearn and Sundiata Gaines will compete for the other.
- After a forgettable 2011/12 season, Charlie Villanueva is fighting to bounce back for the Pistons this year, as Vince Goodwill of the Detroit News writes. Asked about the amnesty rumors that surrounded him in July, Villanueva admitted that it was hard not to notice: "It burns me up. It just drove me. Instead of being upset, I said, this will pass and I will let my game do the talking."
- Marko Jaric was in recently to work out with the Bulls, according to Aggrey Sam of CSNChicago.com (via Twitter). Jaric has seven years of NBA experience under his belt, but hasn't played in the league since 2008/09, with the Grizzlies.
- Jannero Pargo expects to finalize a deal within the next couple days, reports Shams Charania of RealGM.com (via Twitter). Charania adds that Pargo is "sticking around Chicago," but I would assume that's just where he's working out, rather than an indication he'll sign with the Bulls.
Pacers Sign Blake Ahearn
11:06am: Ahearn's deal is partially guaranteed, according to Jorge Sierra of HoopsHype.
10:39am: The Pacers and free agent guard Blake Ahearn have agreed to a deal, a source told HoopsHype (via Twitter). The sharpshooter finished the 2011/12 season with the Jazz on a pair of consecutive ten-day contracts.
The 27-year-old was the D-League's top scorer last season, averaging 23.8 PPG and 5.1 APG in 37 games for the Reno Bighorns. Ahearn saw 30 minutes of play for the Jazz across four games last season, his first NBA action since suiting up for the Spurs in 2008/09. The 6'3" guard is known mostly for his outside shooting which was on display in the D-League last season as he shot 40% from downtown.
Sorensen On Jazz’ Options At Point Guard
Mike Sorensen of the Deseret News has a new column exploring the options the Utah Jazz will have at point guard this offseason. Here are the key points regarding how Utah might address this roster spot:
- Out the four point guards from their 2011/12 roster, Blake Ahearn is more likely than Devin Harris, Earl Watson, or Jamaal Tinsley to not return to the team next year.
- Though the Jazz may look to get younger at point guard through the draft or free agency, management has been pleased with the performance of Harris, who has one season left on his contract.
- Tinsley expressed interest in returning to Utah. The Jazz hold a $1.3MM team option on his contract for the 2012/13 season.
- Sorensen mentions Steve Nash and Andre Miller as options for the Jazz to pursue in free agency, but cautions that their age prevents them from being long-term solutions.
Jazz Re-Sign Blake Ahearn
The Jazz have signed Blake Ahearn for the remainder of the season, the team officially announced today. Ahearn's 10-day deal with the team had expired yesterday.
Ahearn hasn't seen much playing time during his time with the Jazz, but the 27-year-old showed off his scoring prowess for the Reno Bighorns this season, leading the D-League in scoring with 23.8 PPG. Ahearn will be eligible for the postseason, should the Jazz qualify.
Jerry T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune reported yesterday that the Jazz were expected to re-sign Ahearn.
Jazz Expected To Re-Sign Blake Ahearn
The Jazz are expected to re-sign Blake Ahearn for the remainder of the season, tweets Jerry T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune. Ahearn's 10-day deal with Utah expired last night.
In his first NBA action since the 2008/09 season, Ahearn has played just over 15 minutes in three games for the Jazz. While he hasn't seen the court much for Utah, the 27-year-old showed off his scoring prowess for the Reno Bighorns this season, leading the D-League in scoring with 23.8 PPG.
Utah GM Kevin O'Connor said yesterday he wasn't sure whether or not Ahearn would be re-signed. With Earl Watson recovering from right knee surgery, the Jazz need a third point guard, but wanted to keep their options open for the final roster spot in case another player suffered an injury.
Odds & Ends: George, Chandler, Pistons
- Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports reports that the Pacers' Paul George has signed with Creative Artists Agency, the same organization that represents LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Paul to name a few (Sulia link).
- Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler is expected to miss the rest of the season, says Benjamin Hochman of The Denver Post. Chandler had tried to play through pain on Sunday, but decided after the game that it would be best to shut himself down for the rest of the season.
- Don't expect to see the Pistons participating in the annual Las Vegas Summer League this year, as coach Lawrence Frank has opted to send his team to Orlando Magic Summer League instead (David Mayo of MLive reports). Frank cites the organizational structure and condensed schedule as the deciding factors.
- Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune writes that Jazz guard Blake Ahearn hopes to earn a second contract with the team and finish the rest of the season, as his initial contract is set to expire today. GM Kevin O'Connor says that he won't make a decision until after tonight's game against Portland.
- Lang Greene of HoopsWorld engaged in his weekly chat with fans tonight. A few thought provoking points included his assessment of Harrison Barnes as a player who won't be a franchise changer for a lottery team, the possibility that Austin Rivers slips in the draft, and Kendall Marshall as a player who belongs in the 16-20 pick range, among other topics.
- K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune examines the emergence of Nikola Mirotic, a 6'10 sharpshooting forward for Real Madrid whose draft rights are currently owned by the Bulls. Johnson also writes that Mirotic could have a legitimate shot to make the Spanish team for this year's Olympics.
- Jeff Duncan of The Times-Picayune reports that the Louisiana State of Exposition District board of commissioners has approved a long-term lease extension for the Hornets through 2024.
- Billy Witz of Fox Sports takes a closer look at Jerry Colangelo's criteria for assembling Team USA amidst a season of injuries and uncertainty for a number of players who are in his selection pool. Colangelo doesn't appear fazed, implying that the pool is deep enough to counter the potential unavailability of some of his choices for summer.
Northwest Notes: Beasley, Blazers, Felton, Ahearn
The Timberwolves are one of only two NBA teams not in action tonight, but the Northwest's other four squads will play. Of particular interest is the game in Portland, where the Jazz need to beat the Blazers to remain in the playoff hunt. As we await tonight's slate of games, let's round up some Northwest Division updates:
- Less than a week after declaring that he wants to return to the Timberwolves next season, Michael Beasley backtracked a little in comments to Ray Richardson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Beasley referred to his future as "blurry," expressed some frustration about not receiving a contract extension, and said he didn't want to get too comfortable in a reserve role.
- Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge passes along some comments made by acting Trail Blazers GM Chad Buchanan on the impending managerial changes coming in Portland. Buchanan figures the new general manager will need at least a month or so to prepare for the draft and free agency, meaning the Blazers should have a permanent GM in place by June 1st.
- Raymond Felton talked to Joe Freeman of the Oregonian about his future and his season as a Trail Blazer.
- Blake Ahearn is on the last day of his 10-day contract, and the Jazz are undecided about whether they'll re-sign him, writes Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune. GM Kevin O'Connor says the team will explore all its options before making the decision.
Jazz Sign Blake Ahearn To 10-Day Contract
The Jazz have officially signed Blake Ahearn to a 10-day contract. The team announced yesterday that Ahearn was expected to sign a 10-day deal, and the Jazz confirmed via their Twitter account that Ahearn practiced with the team today.
Ahearn, 27, was the D-League's leading scorer this season, averaging 23.8 PPG and 5.1 APG while shooting .469/.409/.962 in 37 games for the Reno Bighorns. The 6'3" guard appeared in 15 career NBA games for the Heat and Spurs, though his most recent NBA action came in November 2008. As our 10-day contract tracker shows, it was a pair of 10-day deals with Miami in 2008 that earned Ahearn his first NBA playing time.
The Jazz had an open roster spot, so they didn't need to make a corresponding move to clear room for Ahearn.
Minor Moves: Selby, Jazz, Ahearn, Randolph
In a team statement, the Nets announced they have signed guard Armon Johnson to a 10-day contract (Twitter link). The move was likely made to help replace Jordan Farmar, who will miss the rest of the season with a groin injury. The 6’3″ Johnson has played just five minutes this season with the Trail Blazers.
- The Grizzlies recalled Josh Selby from the D-League, according to J. Michael Falgoust of USA Today (via Twitter). If that sentence looks familiar, that’s because Memphis has sent the guard to Reno and recalled him three times this season. That’s the maximum number of times that a player can be demoted in a year, so Selby won’t be sent down again.
- The Jazz are expected to sign Blake Ahearn to a ten-day contract, according to Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune (via Twitter). Ahearn is the D-League’s all-time leading scorer and led the league in scoring this season 23.8 PPG while shooting over 40% from three-point range.
- Former NBA player Shavlik Randolph has officially signed with Puerto Rico’s Piratas de Quebradillas, according to Sportando. He spent the first part of this season in China.