Jaleel Roberts

Wizards To Sign Jaleel Roberts

The Wizards will sign undrafted center Jaleel Roberts, Shams Charania of RealGM reports (via Twitter). The exact length and terms of the deal are unknown, but Charania notes that it is a non-guaranteed pact. Roberts had worked out for Washington prior to this year’s NBA Draft.

The addition of Roberts will give Washington a roster count of 16 players, and with 15 of those contracts being fully guaranteed, the 22-year-old will be a longshot to make the regular season roster. Working in Roberts’ favor is the Wizards’ lack of depth at the pivot, with the team having just Marcin Gortat, DeJuan Blair, and Nene available for minutes at center currently.

The seven-footer played for four seasons at UNC-Asheville, notching career averages of 4.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks to accompany a slash line of .581/.000/.650.

Northwest Notes: Aldridge, Jazz, Nuggets

Earlier today, a report surfaced indicating that Blazers star LaMarcus Aldridge had put his Portland area home up for sale.  Apparently, that is not the case.  Yes, the house is up for sale, but the 29-year-old free agent isn’t the owner.  It turns out that the West Linn, Oregon home is actually owned by former Blazers guard Damon Stoudamire and Aldridge was simply renting it, as John Canzano of The Oregonian writes.  Stoudamire later confirmed as much on Twitter [sic]:

eating lunch and my house in West Linn comes across the screen. Don’t know if LA is leaving PO but, thx for the pub! #4sale,” Stoudamire wrote.

While Blazers fans calm down a bit, let’s take a look at more news out of the Northwest Division..

  • The Jazz have a greater chance at bringing over Tibor Pleiss next year than Ante Tomic, ESPN700’s Andy Larsen tweets.  However, it’s also possible that both players make the jump or that neither player does.  Larsen notes that what Utah does with both players is very much dependent on who they draft (link).  There won’t be much room for both players if they draft a big man at No. 12 later this month.
  • The Jazz formally announced on Twitter that they will work out six prospects on Friday.  That group includes SMU center Yanick Moreira, UNC Asheville center Jaleel Roberts, Kentucky guard Aaron Harrison, Maryland guard/forward Dez Wells, N.C. State guard Trevor Lacey, and St. John’s guard Phil Greene.  Hoops Rumors spoke with Greene and his former coach Steve Lavin recently about the guard’s NBA prospects.  Greene is represented by veteran NBA agent Keith Kreiter.
  • In a press release, the Nuggets announced that they will audition seven players on Friday.  The morning group will feature forward Darion Atkins (Virginia), guard Devin Booker (Kentucky), forward Sam Dekker (Wisconsin), guard Jerian Grant (Notre Dame),  guard Pierria Henry (Charlotte), and guard/forward SirDominic Pointer (St. John’s).
  • The Blazers‘ second pre-draft workout includes Henry, George de Paula, Chris Walker, Joshua Smith, and Seth Tuttle, according to Joe Freeman of The Oregonian (on Twitter).  As previously reported, Jarell Martin will also be a participant.

Eastern Notes: Bosh, Celtics, Hornets

The Heat had two players who are coming off of surgery resume basketball activities today, Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel writes. Forward Chris Bosh participated in court work for the first time since being sidelined since the All-Star break due to blood clots on his lung, working out today with members of the team’s coaching staff, Winderman notes. Also getting back on the court for Miami was guard Mario Chalmers, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee just four days ago, the Sentinel scribe relays.

Here’s more from the East:

  • The Celtics held workouts today for Andrew Harrison (Kentucky), Olivier Hanlan (Boston College), Terry Rozier (Louisville), Josh Richardson (Tennessee), and Corey Walden (Eastern Kentucky), Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com relays (Twitter link).
  • Former Temple point guard Will Cummings will work out for the Sixers on Wednesday, Marc Narducci of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes. “It’s definitely been a great opportunity for me to get the chance to work out for these NBA teams,” Cummings said. The guard also has workouts scheduled with the Suns and Nets, Narducci adds.
  • The Hornets will hold workouts on Wednesday for Kendall Gray (Delaware State), D.J. Newbill (Penn State), James Sinclair (Western Carolina), J.J. O’Brien (San Diego State), Antonio Robinson (East Carolina), and Ralston Turner (North Carolina State), the team announced.
  • Working out for the Wizards today were Dallin Bachynski (Utah), Cummings, Amere May (Delaware State), Jaleel Roberts (UNC Asheville), Marcus Thornton (William and Mary), and D-Leaguer Jarvis Threatt, the team announced.