Giannis Antetokounmpo Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Eastern Notes: Thibodeau, Pargo, Teletovic, C’s

April 4th, 2013 at 10:12am CST by Luke Adams

With seven playoff spots clinched and the Bucks likely to lock their spot up as soon as this weekend, there won't be much late-season drama in the Eastern Conference. But seeding is still on the line, and a win for the Bulls tonight over the Nets would increase the likelihood of the two teams playing each other in the first round later this month. As we look forward to that game, let's check out a few notes from around the conference….

Although he and the Bulls agreed to a contract extension way back in October, it took head coach Tom Thibodeau a while to actually sign his new contract, with multiple reports in February and March indicating that he had yet to do so. Thibodeau confirmed today, however, that he has signed the agreement, telling Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com that the delay was a non-issue.
Jannero Pargo inked a deal yesterday to remain with the Bobcats for the rest of this season, but he'd like to stay in Charlotte beyond this year, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. It's not clear yet whether Pargo's deal with the Bobcats includes a non-guaranteed option for 2013/14, as many late-season agreements do.
Despite spending the first few years of his career overseas before making the jump to the NBA, Nets forward Mirza Teletovic has no intention of returning to Europe, as Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News writes.
One player who is heading overseas is Samardo Samuels, who was waived by the Cavaliers earlier this season. Despite reportedly drawing some interest from the Nets and others, Samuels didn't land with another NBA team, and is close to signing with Hapoel Jerusalem in Israel, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando.
Celtics president Danny Ainge is also overseas this week, having traveled to Europe on a scouting trip, says Aris Barkas of EuroHoops.net. According to Barkas, Ainge was in Volos, Greece to watch 18-year-old prospect Giannis Adetokunbo, who is expected to enter this year's draft.

Southwest Rumors: Grizzlies, White, Brewer

March 27th, 2013 at 6:59pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Mavericks are one of only two NBA teams sitting the night out, but the Grizzlies appear to be especially busy, juxtaposing a tough road game against the Knicks tonight with reports that they're apparently seeking a point guard. There's more on that and other news from Southwest Division teams, as we round up here:

In a piece chronicling the Mavs' run at a playoff spot, Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld wonders whether D-League center Jerome Jordan could be a fit for the Grizzlies. With starting center Marc Gasol back from injury and the team linked to Keyon Dooling and Jonny Flynn, there may not be much call for Jordan in Memphis.
Royce White had his best showing as a pro Tuesday, with 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists in his return to the D-League's Rio Grande Valley Vipers, but he plans on leaving the Rockets' affiliate again when the regular season is over, as he tells David Hinojosa of The Monitor. "I’ll be here until the end of the regular season," the rookie said. "The playoff schedule and how hectic it is in the D-League probably ain’t going be the best thing for me. Going to the playoffs, I want them to have a team that’s going to stick together."
Corey Brewer says he wants to return to the Nuggets as a free agent in the offseason, but the swingman also reveals that he came close to signing with the Spurs before inking his current deal, notes Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post. The Celtics were also in the running for Brewer before the Mavs scooped him up and later traded him to the Nuggets.
Giannis Antetokoumpo of Greece, who plays point guard despite his 6'10" height and 7'3" wingspan, has drawn interest from Rockets GM Daryl Morey, among others, reports Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com. Bryan Colangelo of the Raptors, Masai Ujiri of the Nuggets, and Sam Presti of the Thunder are the other GMs who've traveled to scout Antetokoumpo, who has an affordable buyout clause in his contract for next season with Zaragoza of Spain, according to Sheridan. While there appears to be some confusion about the spelling of his last name, he's No. 32 on the DraftExpress list of the top 100 draft prospects.

Western Notes: Fisher, Mavs, Kings, Adetokunbo

March 5th, 2013 at 4:59pm CST by Luke Adams

Let's check in on a handful of Tuesday updates out of the Western Conference….

Responding to comments made by Mark Cuban last week, Derek Fisher defended his decision to sign with the Thunder after asking the Mavericks to release him earlier this season, as Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times details. "Over the last couple of months, being out of the game and having a chance to reflect on some things and think about some things," Fisher said. "When this opportunity presented itself and I thought about the totality of my career, I decided that this was something I deserved to do for myself."
With the Mavericks falling out of the playoff race and nine free-agents-to-be on the roster, coach Rick Carlisle remains upbeat about the atmosphere in Dallas, as Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com writes. "This is a great situation in Dallas," Carlislie said. "The guys in the locker room that are all free agents, every second they step on the court, they’re auditioning for Donnie [Nelson] and Mark as to whether they’re going to have a chance to be here after this year."
Now that they've formally submitted their bid for the Kings, the pressure is on Ron Burkle, Mark Mastrov, and their Sacramento investment group to work out an arena plan, according to Tony Bizjak, Ryan Lillis, and Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee.
Thunder GM Sam Presti is among the NBA evaluators in Athens to scout prospect Giannis Adetokunbo, according to Nikos Varlas of Eurohoops. Scouts from the Nets, Trail Blazers, and Clippers are also in attendance to watch Adetokunbo, who ranks 32nd among DraftExpress.com's top 100 prospects.