Damien Wilkins Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Odds & Ends: Rockets, Wilkins, Llull, Hornets, Draft

April 5th, 2013 at 11:10pm CST by Chuck Myron

The remaking of the Rockets started not with the acquisition of James Harden but the hiring of coach Kevin McHale, writes Beckley Mason of ESPN.com. In a lengthy piece that examines Houston's philosophy, Mason points to Josh Smith and Andrew Bynum, the two free agents he sees as most likely to change teams in the offseason, as the sort of players the Rockets don't usually target. Yet fellow ESPN.com scribe Amin Elhassan, in an Insider piece, pegs Smith as a perfect fit in Houston. Elhassan looks at ideal destinations for four other marquee free agents, and as many teams start to ponder the summer in the last days of the regular season, here's the latest from around the Association:

Damien Wilkins' minimum-salary deal with the Sixers is up at the end of the season, but the 33-year-old tells Lang Greene of HoopsWorld that he has no intention of retiring and wants to play until he's 40 (Twitter link).
Spanish point guard Sergio Llull is considering heading to the NBA at some point but still has unfinished business with Real Madrid, as he tells Eurosport (translation via HoopsHype). The Rockets own his NBA rights.
The Hornets will look for a small forward and depth in the draft this year, tweets Jim Eichenhofer of Hornets.com.
Scouts generally see center Alex Len as a project, but they haven't been thrown by his up-and-down play for Maryland this season, valuing his athleticism and shooting range, according to Don Markus of The Baltimore Sun.
The rosters are out for this year's Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, which features college seniors, and Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com analyzes the field. Only four players within Givony's top 100 are taking part, led by No. 45 prospect Solomon Hill.

Eastern Notes: Barbosa, Raptors, Pistons,Wilkins

October 21st, 2012 at 4:01pm CST by Michael Pina

Here's a look around the Eastern Conference on this Sunday afternoon.

According to ESPNBoston.com's Chris Forsberg, Leandro Barbosa had talks with the Lakers before signing with the Celtics.
The Toronto Sun's Ryan Wolstat writes that the Raptors could have a great second unit this season.
Pistons.com writer Keith Langlois writes that the speedy pace Pistons coach Lawrence Frank wants to employ this season with his team could be a huge benefit.
With a slew of veterans on board, the Knicks have a ton of pressure to advance far in the playoffs this season, writes the Boston Globe's Gary Washburn.
The Philadelphia Inquirer's John Mitchell believes veteran forward Damien Wilkins could have a positive influence on the young Sixers roster.
Chris Vivlamore of AJC.com writes about the Hawks open small forward position.

Atlantic Notes: Barbosa, Holiday, Wilkins, 76ers

October 17th, 2012 at 10:16pm CST by Alex Lee

As was long rumored, we learned earlier today that the Celtics added Leandro Barbosa to back up both guard positions. After losing Ray Allen to the rival Heat, it appears the Celts have more than replaced him by adding Jason Terry, Courtney Lee and now Barbosa. Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston breaks down the move in his rapid reaction, even pointing out that Barbosa could facilitate the development of rookie and fellow Brazilian Fab Melo. Forsberg also offers a "roster reset" complete with the team's current obligations and some thoughts on how it will shake out. Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe tweets that a big reason behind the move was a desire for more scoring punch from reserve guards.

Here are some other updates from around the Atlantic division:

Tim Keown of ESPN the Magazine writes a lengthy piece that centers on the enigma that is Carmelo Anthony. While Anthony is as gifted as they come scoring-wise, Keown implies that he may not be the "alpha dog" that most NBA teams, Knicks included, need. Anthony seems to thrive in international play when he is amongst stars, but when he is the best player on the court things seem to stall.
We've been hearing all week about a possible long-term contract extension for Sixers guard Jrue Holiday. John Finger of CSN Philly heard today from a source that the talks have begun to pick up. The Sixers have until October 31 to either extend Holiday or make him a qualifying offer for one year and $3.77MM. If Holiday does not take the offer, he will become a restricted free agent next summer.
Tom Moore from Philly Burbs tweets that he believes that the Sixers will soon cut their roster down to 14, with Damien Wilkins nabbing the last spot. If true, that would make Devin Searcy and Dan Gadzuric free agents in the very near future.
Michael Levin of Sixers blog Liberty Ballers writes a guest column on Sheridan Hoops, listing five reasons to feel positive about the 76ers. If everything goes according the plan, Philly could be a rare example of a team that emerges from the typically inescapable depths of NBA mediocrity to become a legitimate contender.

Camp Rumors: Christmas, Wilkins, Brown, Harper

October 14th, 2012 at 12:59pm CST by Chuck Myron

Much of the news this time of year has to do with players fighting for roster spots, and we've already passed along a few such items today. The Timberwolves and Cavaliers have also made cuts, indicating that time is running out for NBA hopefuls to make an impression. Here's a roundup on camp invitees across the league.

Dionte Christmas hasn't seen much playing time in the preseason, but he's still the frontrunner to make the opening-night roster among the five Celtics without fully guaranteed deals, according to Greg Payne of ESPNBoston.com. At $237K, Christmas has the most partially guaranteed money of the team's camp invitees.
Damien Wilkins is the most likely camp invitee to make the Sixers, writes John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Derrick Brown had a "handful" of other training camp invitations, but chose the Spurs even though they only have one roster spot available because of his affinity for the way the organization is run, reports Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News.
In the same piece, McDonald also passed along a comment from Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who indicated the battle for the final roster spot is a tight one.
Justin Harper has a guaranteed deal with the Magic, but it's only for the minimum salary and, as Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel notes, he's competing for a roster spot.
If 6'6" swingman Tony Mitchell beats out three other camp invitees for the last spot on the Kings, it will be because of his defense, writes Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee.
Among several observations from the Heat's preseason loss to the Clippers in China, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel wonders if Rodney Carney might have been better served signing with a team that wasn't so deep on the wing.
Robert Sacre has proven competent as he's started in place of Dwight Howard during the preseason, and Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com argues the Lakers are better off going with younger, cheaper talent for the end of the bench instead of pursuing another veteran.

Sixers Sign Four For Training Camp

September 27th, 2012 at 1:46pm CST by Luke Adams

The 76ers have added four players to their roster for training camp, the team announced today in a press release. Dan Gadzuric, Devin Searcy, Xavier Silas and Damien Wilkins will be in camp with the Sixers, bringing the team's roster count to 17 players.

Of the four, Gadzuric, Silas, and Wilkins all played for NBA teams in 2011/12. Gadzuric's and Silas' appearances were brief, with Gadzuric playing just two games for the Knicks and Silas appearing in a pair of games for the Sixers. Wilkins, however, spent the season with the Pistons, averaging 15.4 MPG in 60 contests, though he posted a career-low 6.9 PER.

As for Searcy, the 6'10" big man went undrafted out of Dayton a year ago and spent the 2011/12 season in Japan, averaging a double-double (13.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG) for the Toyama Grouses. He was also part of the Sixers' summer league squad in Orlando this July.

If all four players are on non-guaranteed deals, which is likely, they'll be competing for the team's final couple roster spots. The Sixers currently have 12 players on fully guaranteed contract, plus Maalik Wayns on a partial guarantee.

Pistons Interested In Retaining Wilkins

April 8th, 2012 at 5:24pm CST by Alex Lee

The Pistons have expressed interest in retaining small forward Damien Wilkins, who will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, tweets FOX Sports' Chris Tomasson. According to Tomasson, who spoke to Wilkins with Detroit in town to face the Heat, the veteran has the following to say:

“They indicated they want me back but we’ll see what happens.’’ Wilkins added that he wants to resign with the Pistons “as long as they want me here.’’

Wilkins is a 32-year-old journeyman who is on his fourth different team in four years. He has only averaged 3.4 points-per-game in just under 16 minutes, but it appears as though that might have been enough for him to stick. Stay tuned.

Decisions On Non-Guaranteed Contracts

February 7th, 2012 at 10:24pm CST by Luke Adams

February 10th marks the day that all players on non-guaranteed contracts will have their deals guaranteed for the remainder of the season. However, if a team wants to meet that Friday deadline, it will need to make its decisions today, allowing its player(s) to pass through waivers in time.

Some non-guaranteed players, such as DeJuan Blair and Jeremy Lin, are in no danger of being waived. However, with a few dozen players on non-guaranteed deals across the league, there will be plenty of cuts before the day is out. Some of those players will sign 10-day contracts shortly after being cut, while others could join the D-League or find a place on our list of current unrestricted free agents.

We'll track all the day's decisions on non-guaranteed contracts right here, with the latest news up top:

Other players who will have their contracts guaranteed for the remainder of the year: Ivan Johnson, Jannero Pargo, Jerry Stackhouse (Hawks), Cory Higgins (Bobcats), Brian Scalabrine, John Lucas (Bulls), Samardo Samuels, Alonzo Gee (Cavaliers), Sean Williams (Mavericks), Julyan Stone (Nuggets), Vernon Macklin, Damien Wilkins (Pistons), Dominic McGuire, Chris Wright (Warriors), Sundiata Gaines, Keith Bogans (Nets), Steve Novak, Jerome Jordan (Knicks), Ryan Reid (Thunder), DeAndre Liggins (Magic), Lavoy Allen, Francisco Elson (Sixers), Danny Green, Gary Neal (Spurs), Jeremy Evans (Jazz).
The Jazz will guarantee Jamaal Tinsley's contract, according to Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune (via Twitter).
The Pistons are keeping guard Walker Russell, agent Giovanni Funicello told HoopsHype (via Twitter).
The Hornets have waived DaJuan Summers and Carldell Johnson, league sources tell Ken Berger of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
The Rockets waived Jeff Adrien, reports Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). The move clears a roster spot for Greg Smith.
The Wizards have waived Hamady N'Diaye, according to a team release.
Chris Johnson received a call from Trail Blazers GM Chad Buchanan this morning saying his contract would be guaranteed, tweets Mike Tokito of The Oregonian.
The Celtics will hang on to Greg Stiemsma and guarantee his deal, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.
The Lakers have waived Derrick Caracter. Caracter broke the news himself, tweeting "It's over before it begun!!! …. On to the next chapter of my life" (Twitter links). The Lakers will hang on to Devin Ebanks, Andrew Goudelock, and Darius Morris, tweets Mike Breshnahan of the Los Angeles Times.
The Clippers have cut Solomon Jones, reports Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter).
The Heat have waived Mickell Gladness, the team announced (Twitter link). Miami's other two players on non-guaranteed deals, Eddy Curry and Terrel Harris, look safe, tweets Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
The Grizzlies have waived Josh Davis, according to Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
The Spurs announced they've waived Malcolm Thomas, who was assigned to the team's D-League affiliate last week.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/02/07/steve-nashs-birthday-wish-should-be-a-trade/