Odds & Ends: Gasol, D-League, Knicks, Nash
There has been much talk that the Lakers should trade Pau Gasol. Ben Bolch from the Los Angeles Times gives five possible trade scenarios that could end up pleasing both parties. .
- Ridiculous Upside's Keith Schlosser writes that former first round draft pick Damion James is currently down in the D-League fighting his way back to the NBA. And he's not the only one. Ryan Ripley tells the same story with Morris Almond.
- ESPNNewYork.com's Jared Zwerling writes that Knicks head coach Mike Woodson prefers to push the ball and increase the tempo.
- The Orange County Register's Kevin Ding writes that Lakers fans should be exicted as they await Steve Nash's return.
- Former Bulls backup point guard C.J. Watson says he was "mistreated" in the offseason and had no plans on re-signing with Chicago, writes The Chicago Sun-Times' Neil Hayes. Watson is currently backing up Deron Williams with the Nets.
Morris Almond Signs With Serbian Team
Serbian basketball team Red Star Belgrade announced that it has signed Morris Almond to a one-year deal, according to Michael Lee of the Washington Post. Almond finished the 2011/12 year on a ten day contract with the Wizards, scoring a combined 14 points in four appearances.
The 27-year-old wasn't asked back for 2012/13 after fellow shooting guard Cartier Martin was re-signed and Bradley Beal was tabbed with the third overall pick. Almond has spent the bulk of the last three seasons in Europe and in the D-League after being drafted in the first-round by the Jazz in 2007.
Wizards Sign Morris Almond
3:03pm: The Wizards officially announced the signing of Almond this afternoon in a press release.
10:59am: Following the release of Roger Mason Jr., the Wizards will sign Morris Almond from the D-League, according to Scott Schroeder of Ridiculous Upside. Almond spent most of the season for the Maine Red Claws, who failed to qualify for the D-League playoffs last week.
In 29 D-League games this season, Almond averaged 23.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, along with shooting percentages of .543/.464/.794. The 27-year-old was a former first-round pick by the Jazz, but appeared in only 34 games for Utah from 2007 to 2009.
Since the Wizards re-signed James Singleton, this move will give the team a full roster of 15 players.