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Atlantic Notes: Celts, Nets, Smith, Buycks, Raptors

October 15th, 2013 at 6:30pm CST by Alex Lee

The Celtics are in Brooklyn tonight to take on the Nets and there is already word that Paul Pierce has made his way into the visiting locker room to greet his old teammates, thanks to Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston (via Twitter). Let’s take a look at some of the rumblings out of the Atlantic division, including a couple of new nuggets about the deal that sent Pierce and Kevin Garnett south to the rival Nets:

Details about one of the summer’s biggest trades are still trickling out, as Tim Bontemps of the New York Post writes that no one took being traded to the Celtics harder than Gerald Wallace. Meanwhile, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News reports (via Twitter) that Reggie Evans was never a part of the Nets‘ outgoing package, and that MarShon Brooks had conveyed a desire to be moved prior to the deal.
While most non-guaranteed contracts don’t become fully guaranteed until January, Chris Smith would be assured a full-season salary if he makes the Knicks‘ opening night roster, tweets Ian Begley of ESPN New York. We outlined when the non-guaranteed deals of Smith (October 29th) and other minimum-salary players will become guaranteed here.
Grabbing Dwight Buycks was a steal for the Raptors according to head coach Dwane Casey, who said that the point guard is better than any of the guards taken in the late first or second rounds of June’s NBA Draft, tweets Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun. Toronto added Byucks, a Marquette product, as a free agent in July and guaranteed him $700K after he spent the last two seasons playing in the France, Belgium and the D-League.
Casey expects Buycks to compete with D.J. Augustin for the team’s back-up point guard position and also get time off the ball as well. The Raptors didn’t have a draft pick in June, but Wolstat says they tried aggressively to move into the late lottery to take Greek phenom Giannis Antetokounmpo. (via Twitter)

Knicks Sign Toure Murry

September 11th, 2013 at 1:45pm CST by Ryan Raroque

SEPTEMBER 11TH: The Knicks have officially announced (Twitter link) the signing of Murry, as well as the signing of Chris Smith, whose deal was reported last month. Both deals are fully non-guaranteed, per Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com (Twitter link).

SEPTEMBER 5TH: According to ESPN's Marc Stein, Knicks summer league standout Toure Murry has accepted a training camp invite with New York after a strong late push from the Heat. Despite Miami's efforts to bring the former D-Leaguer on board for camp, Murry is said to have wanted the opportunity to build upon his summer success with the Knicks. With 12 guaranteed contracts, two partially-guaranteed contracts (Jeremy Tyler and C.J. Leslie), and what is most likely a non-guaranteed pact for Murry, New York's roster now stands at 15.

In five games and two starts for the Knicks in the Las Vegas Summer League, the 6'5 guard averaged 7.6 PPG and 1.2 SPG in 20.8 MPG, stringing along a shooting line of .424/.333/.727. Murry also played in the NBDL during 2012/13, appearing in four games as a member of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Back in mid-July, ESPN New York's Jared Zwerling (via Twitter) noted head coach Mike Woodson's interest in the 23-year-old point guard: "He's a guy that we've really got to keep our eyes on possibly bringing to camp."

Interestingly enough, Stein writes that the Houston native had garnered acclaim from former Knicks star and current broadcaster Walt Frazier for his hard-nosed play and defensive presence over the summer, adding that Frazier's high praise had factored into convincing Murry to try and make New York's roster.

Odds & Ends: Smith, Nicholson, Zeller

September 7th, 2013 at 10:54pm CST by Spencer Lund

J.R. Smith was not in attendance at the Gary Forbes Foundation Strike Out Diabetes Celebrity Softball Tournament in Brooklyn today. But his brother Chris Smith was, and when he was asked about his brother's five-game suspension for violating the league's anti-drug policy, he told the New York Daily News:

"I mean it is what it is. Stuff happens. It’s a little setback, but it’s not the worst thing going on in sports.”

Here's more from around the NBA on a slow September Saturday night less than a month before training camps open in October…

During Mary Schmitt Boyer's mailbag for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, a reader asks her about the Cavs' big man Tyler Zeller. Boyer thinks that Andrew Bynum will start this season at center - if he's healthy – with Zeller as a dependable back-up.
Boyer also discusses the status of Daniel Gibson, who is still an unclaimed free agent, and she mentions the Sixers' interest in the off-guard.
Boyer also discusses Dion Waiters' poor shot selection. She says it improved as his rookie season wore on, but he appeared to have regressed during summer league.
As mentioned previously, Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun says that Magic 6'9" power forward Andrew Nicholson was one of the only players to impress during Canada's loss to the Dominican Republic tonight in the FIBA Americas qualifying tournament.

Chris Smith To Join Knicks’ Training Camp

August 31st, 2013 at 1:37pm CST by Zachary Links

It has been reported for much of the summer that the Knicks planned to bring Chris Smith, younger brother of J.R. Smith, into training camp this year. Whether he would attend was in question earlier this month there was speculation that he was preparing to play in Italy this season. However, as August comes to a close, we have our answer: the younger Smith will be in camp with the orange and blue, tweets Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com.

Of course, Smith's training camp invite is far from a guarantee that he will be with the Knicks when the season opens. In fact, the invitation could be more of a courtesy of J.R. than anything else. The Knicks already have a crowded roster and they found their third point guard in Beno Udrih earlier this offseason.

International Notes: Smith, Knicks, Johnson

August 2nd, 2013 at 3:09pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier today, we learned that Suns second round pick Alex Oriakhi will be headed overseas to France. Here's more news from around the globe..

There's speculation that Chris Smith, the younger brother of J.R. Smith, could be preparing to play in Italy, writes Keith Schlosser of Knicks Journal. The Knicks have been said to be willing to bring the younger Smith into training camp, but that would be more of a courtesy to the newly re-signed elder Smith anyway as his chances of making the opening night roster would be slim.
JaJuan Johnson will decide between playing overseas and hooking on with an NBA team in training camp in about three weeks, according to Kyle Neddenriep of the Indianapolis Star. Johnson, who played in summer league with the Pistons, is fearful that some of the better opportunities overseas could dry up if he goes into camp with an NBA team and doesn't make the cut.
Many teams are going with the "draft and stash" philosophy, but Wendell Maxey of Ridiculous Upside wonders if it'll pay off for clubs. The Sixers could be the latest club to go that route with 54th overall pick Arsalan Kazemi.

Glen Grunwald Talks Smith, Anthony, Point Guard

July 16th, 2013 at 7:45pm CST by Alex Lee

While the Nets have stolen the NBA headlines in New York for the most part this offseason, the Knicks have been busy as well lately. Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald met with the media today, after adding Metta World Peace and re-signing J.R. Smith in the past week.

Grunwald said Smith's knees shouldn't be a long-term issue, which is why he had no qualms committing four years and $24.7MM to the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, tweets Ian Begley of ESPN New York. SNY's Adam Zagoria adds that the team is hopeful that Smith will be ready for the start of the regular season. Grunwald was no doubt responding to the concern that was expressed after news broke that Smith underwent knee surgery less than a week after the Knicks re-signed him. Grunwald said that the decision to hold off on the surgery came from Smith, who probably didn't want news of his surgery to impact free agency.
Grunwald also addressed the possibility of Carmelo Anthony opting out of his deal after the upcoming season, writes Zagoria, who opines that the situation could loom over the team like a black cloud. To no one's surprise, Grunwald stressed the team's desire to keep Anthony in New York long-term, saying, "We obviously love Carmelo. We think he's great for New York and New York's great for him." Anthony's player option for 2014/15 is for $23.5MM. Should he opt out, he would be eligible for a new five-year contract from the Knicks, adds Zagoria.
Grunwald confirmed that the team is looking to add a point guard to go behind Raymond Felton and Pablo Prigioni. Zagoria lists Aaron Brooks, Sebastian Telfair, Toure Murry and J.R.'s younger brother Chris Smith as possibilities to fill the role, but adds that Grunwald expressed interest in waiting until training camp to let it play out.

Eastern Notes: Kirilenko, Henderson, Oden, Heat

July 12th, 2013 at 3:25pm CST by Luke Adams

When he turned down his $10MM+ player option with the Timberwolves, Andrei Kirilenko wasn't necessarily expecting to match that annual salary on a long-term deal, but he was seeking a three-year contract worth $8MM+ per season, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. As Wojnarowski writes, that's why Kirilenko's decision to accept the Nets' $3.18MM mini mid-level exception is raising eyebrows around the NBA. Rival teams are suggesting the league look into the deal to make sure Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov isn't somehow circumventing the league's CBA.

"There should be a probe," an Eastern Conference general manager said. "How obvious is it?"

"Let's see if the league has any credibility," one team owner said. "It's not about stopping it. It's about punishing them if they're doing it."

As we wait to see if the NBA looks into the Nets' agreement with Kirilenko, let's check in on a few more notes from around the Eastern Conference….

While the Bobcats are wary of overpaying Gerald Henderson, there's no doubt the team wants to bring him back, writes Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. Bonnell adds in a tweet that the team talked to Henderson's reps today and there was a "positive tone."
Bonnell says in another tweet that even though Greg Oden's agent, Mike Conley Sr., continues to list the Bobcats among potential destinations for his client, center is no longer an area of need for the team.
Conley's comments to Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida suggest that Miami remains atop Oden's wish list anyway, and Heat president Pat Riley confirmed today the team remains interested, according to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel (via Twitter).
Riley also told reporters, including Winderman (Twitter links), that the Heat don't plan to use their amnesty provision this week and that it's also becoming less likely that the team's mini MLE gets used. However, Riley didn't shut the door on either option.
Chris Smith, J.R. Smith's younger brother, is hoping to earn a spot on the Knicks' opening night roster, but acknowledges to Marc Berman of the New York Post that he'll have to prove he belongs.
Tom Ziller of SBNation.com examines how much value is attached to the option to swap draft picks with a trading partner, with a focus on today's completed Nets/Celtics deal.

Atlantic Notes: Chris Smith, J.R. Smith, 76ers, Oden

May 20th, 2013 at 2:38pm CST by Chuck Myron

A left knee injury to Chris Smith in training camp derailed the possibility that he'd join his brother on the Knicks this past season, but it appears a strong possibility the two will be together in New York for 2013/14. Marc Berman of the New York Post reports that Chris Smith has fired agent Mark Cornstein and will replace him with Leon Rose, the same agent who reps his brother. A report in February indicated the Knicks still plan to sign Chris Smith. Berman expects J.R. Smith to re-sign with the Knicks for a four-year deal with a starting salary around $5MM unless another team swoops in with a larger offer. We rounded up more on the Knicks earlier today, and here's the latest on their division rivals:

One NBA executive tells Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News that he isn't sure new Sixers GM Sam Hinkie can handle the team's basketball decisions. "I don't think they are leaning on Rod Thorn as much as they should or he wants and I heard there still might be changes to the front office," the exec said. Another rival executive tells Cooney the Sixers have put their coaching search on the backburner.
Hinkie was part of a Rockets front office that was aggressive in making moves that allowed the team to acquire a star player, and he says he'll bring that approach to the Sixers, notes Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Greg Oden is drawing rave reviews for his workouts of late, but Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge doesn't give the impression that signing the erstwhile No. 1 overall pick is high on his to-do list, observes Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald. "We’ll look into Greg still," Ainge said. "He wasn’t ready to play when we saw him last. He wasn’t ready to work out — I mean, not like a real workout. We’ll probably check into that some time this summer."
Bulpett hears that Doc Rivers isn't high on 2012 first-rounder Fab Melo, but Ainge disputes the idea, pointing out that Rivers didn't get much of chance to see the former Syracuse center who spent much of his rookie season in the D-League.
Bill Walker, who split five NBA seasons between the Knicks and Celtics, has signed to play in Venezuela with Trotamundos de Carabobo, while Mardy Collins, a first-round draft pick of the Knicks in 2006, has joined Guaros de Lara, another Venezuelan team, as Sportando's Emiliano Carchia passes along in a pair of reports.

Knicks Maintain Plans To Sign Chris Smith

February 24th, 2013 at 12:53pm CST by Chuck Myron

A left knee injury scuttled the opportunity Chris Smith, the younger brother of J.R. Smith, had to make the Knicks out of training camp this fall, but he hasn't fallen off the team's radar. The Knicks still plan to bring Smith aboard, a source tells Keith Schlosser of Knicks Journal. His original timetable for recovery from patella tendon surgery had been three to six months, and since the injury occured in October, he could be nearing a return.

The Knicks have a full 15-man roster with the addition of Kenyon Martin on a 10-day contract, so unless they waive someone, there's no room for Smith. They could let Martin's contract lapse, but GM Glen Grunwald is hopeful Martin remains on the team through the end of the season. Schlosser points out that Smith's first post-injury stop may be the Knicks' D-League affiliate. The Knicks, who run the basketball operations for the Erie Bayhawks, could have Smith sign a D-League contract with Erie and wait until next season to bring him to the big club. Of course, the Knicks wouldn't retain his NBA rights that way, and if another NBA club wanted to negotiate with and sign Smith, it could.

The Knicks have allowed Smith to hang around the team this season and rehab his knee at the team facilities, and as Schlosser notes, he's been a fixture at the team's home games, sometimes making the trip to road games as well. The 25-year-old guard went undrafted out of Louisville this past June.

Odds & Ends: Andersen, Grizzlies, Lakers, Nash

January 21st, 2013 at 12:51pm CST by Luke Adams

Happy Martin Luther King Day to our American readers. For the NBA, the holiday means plenty of afternoon basketball, with Pacers/Grizzlies and Kings/Hornets contests already underway. As we look forward to a few more daytime games, including the Nets and Knicks playing in Madison Square Garden, let's round up a few odds and ends from around the NBA:

Although Chris Andersen just signed a 10-day contract with the Heat, the club would like to keep him for the rest of the season if things work out, tweets Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald.
Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld hears from sources that it would probably be easier for the Grizzlies to find good value on the trade market for Zach Randolph, rather than Rudy Gay. However, Memphis isn't actively looking to move either player at this point, according to Kyler.
Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com points out that, despite not being asked about whether the Lakers need to make a trade or signing, Kobe Bryant made an interesting comment when talking about the team's struggles: "Unless they're going to do something roster-wise, I got to continue to push through it. If this is what we're rolling with, then I can't make excuses. I got to go out there and do my job."
Chris Smith, J.R. Smith's younger brother, would like to return to the Knicks next season once he gets healthy, as he tells Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv. Smith was expected to make the team this fall but was waived after suffering a knee injury.
Although Steve Nash seriously considered returning to his home country and signing with the Raptors last summer, Cathal Kelly of the Toronto Star argues that Nash wouldn't have been an ideal fit in Toronto.